Mar 6:48 | NETfull | STEP | He saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. As the night was ending, he came to them walking on the sea, for he wanted to pass by them.

Mark 6:48

48 He ^{▼▼ This verse is one complete sentence in the Greek text, but it has been broken into two sentences in English for clarity.} saw them straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. As the night was ending, ^{▼▼ Grk “about the fourth watch of the night,” between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.} he came to them walking on the sea, ^{▼▼ Or “on the lake.”} for ^{▼▼ The καί (kai) was translated so as to introduce a subordinate clause, i.e., with the use of “for.” See BDF #442.9.} he wanted to pass by them. ^{▼▼ The statement he wanted to pass by them is somewhat difficult to understand. There are at least two common interpretations: (1) it refers to the perspective of the disciples, that is, from their point of view it seemed that Jesus wanted to pass by them; or (2) it refers to a theophany and uses the language of the Greek Old Testament (LXX) when God “passed by” Moses at Sinai (cf. Exod 33:19, 22). According to the latter alternative, Jesus is “passing by” the disciples during their struggle, in order to assure them of his presence with them. See W L. Lane, Mark (NICNT), 236.}