notes for John

Ht http://bible.org/seriespage/exegetical-commentary-john-6

This is the one miracle, apart from the resurrection, that is recorded in all four Gospels.

John describes what happened as a “sign”. The effect of the sign is to make some people think of Jesus as a prophet, and some to wish to make a king out of him.

Jesus, the Son of God incarnate, did do something that we can describe only as miracle.

“Tiberiavdo" Only John in the New Testament refers to the Sea of Galilee by this name, but this is correct local usage. In the mid-20’s Herod completed the building of the town of Tiberias on the southwestern shore of the lake; after this time the name came into use for the lake itself.

This is a good example of a conative imperfect—”they were trying to cross the sea…”. We are told that their destination was Capernaum.
Action attempted but not accomplished.

For John this story takes on the character of a theophany, not at all unlike the Transfiguration recorded by the Synoptics. The reaction the crowds had made after the multiplication of the bread had been an attempt to crown him king—but on a purely political level.

The the symbolism of water/sea—in the Old Testament it is the image of evil and chaos, particularly in Isaiah. For John, this could carry similar significance: Jesus’ triumph over the sea represents his triumph over the forces of evil.

Many scholars struggle with the supernatural miracles of Jesus. No miracles, then no resurrection. The miracles are there explicitly for belief.