Section 14:22–36

Jesus walked on the water

In this section, Jesus showed that he has power over nature and sickness. When the disciples were in a boat during a storm, Jesus walked on the surface of the lake, and he calmed the storm. This caused the disciples to believe that Jesus was the Son of God, which was a title that the Jews used for the Christ. When they arrived at the shore, Jesus also healed many sick people.

Here are some other possible headings for this section:

Walking on Water (NET Bible)
-or-
Jesus walks on top of water
-or-
Jesus showed his power over nature/creation

There are parallel passages for this section in Mark 6:45–56 and John 6:15–21.

Paragraph 14:22–27

14:22a

Immediately: This word tells us that as soon as the disciples finished picking up the food (14:20b), Jesus told them to get into the boat. In this context, the word does not imply hurry.

Here are some other ways to begin this paragraph:

Immediately after this (New Living Translation (2004))
-or-
As soon as they had finished (Revised English Bible)

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat: The Greek word that the Berean Standard Bible translates as made means “compel” or “force.” Jesus commanded or caused the disciples to get into the boat. The verb does not imply that the disciples were unwilling to get into the boat.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

Jesus told his followers to get into the boat (New Century Version)
-or-
Jesus ordered/caused his disciples to get into the boat

the boat: This is the same boat as mentioned in 14:13.

14:22b

go on ahead of Him: This phrase means that Jesus wanted his disciples to go first. He would come after them at a later time.

Here is another way to translate this phrase:

go before him (English Standard Version)

to the other side: These words refer to the other side of Lake Galilee. This was the side of Lake Galilee that they started from in 14:13.

Here are some other ways to translate this phrase:

⌊back⌋ across ⌊the lake⌋
-or-

⌊back⌋ to the other side ⌊of the lake⌋

14:22c

while: This word indicates that two events happened at the same time: the event of the disciples starting to cross the lake and the event of Jesus dismissing the crowd.

He dismissed the crowds: The word dismissed refers to telling someone that their time together was at an end. Jesus told the people to go home.

Here are some other ways to translate this clause:

he sent the people home (New Living Translation (2004))

-or-

he caused the people to leave

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