Paragraph 6:19–21
In this paragraph Jesus showed his authority over the natural world. He was able to do what no mere human can do, walk on the surface of water.
6:19a
When they had rowed about three or four miles: It is also possible to translate this as a separate sentence. For example:
Jesus’ disciples rowed for three or four miles.
rowed: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as rowed means to “cause an object to move by a strong force.” In this context it refers to pushing the boat through the water with wooden oars/paddles. Use the expression that is most natural in your language.
about three or four miles: The Greek phrase that the Berean Standard Bible translates as about three or four miles is more literally “twenty-five (25) or thirty (30) stadia.” Here is another way to translate this phrase:
five or six kilometers
6:19b
they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea: It may be natural to translate this clause as two sentences. For example:
they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat. (God’s Word)
In some languages it may be natural to reverse the order of the two actions that they saw. For example:
They saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on ⌊the water of⌋ the lake.
The disciples saw a person without recognizing that it was Jesus. In some languages a literal translation may indicate that they recognized it was Jesus. It may be natural to say instead:
They saw the figure of Jesus walking on the sea and approaching their boat.
-or-
They saw someone walking on the sea and approaching the boat. It was ⌊actually⌋ Jesus.
walking on the sea: Jesus was walking on the surface of the lake water. For example:
walking over the sea/lake
-or-
walking on ⌊the surface/top⌋ of the lake
-or-
walking on the water (New Century Version)
6:19c
and they were terrified: John records that the disciples were terrified (afraid) without giving a reason. Mark 9:49 explains that the disciples were afraid because they thought that they were seeing a ghost or spirit. If you must indicate what caused their fear, here you should supply a general reason. For example:
they were terrified ⌊at the sight⌋
-or-
⌊this⌋ frightened them greatly
Here are other ways to translate this clause:
they became terrified (God’s Word)
-or-
they were frightened (NET Bible)
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