Mark 6:48

he saw them toiling in rowing The word translated "toiling," which also occurs in Matthew 14:24, is a very striking expression. It denotes (1) to test metals with the touchstone, (2) to rack, torture, (3) to tormentas in Matthew 8:29, "art Thou come to tormentus before the time?", and Matthew 8:6, "Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented." Here it seems to imply that they were tortured, baffled, by the waves, which were boisterous by reason of the strong wind that blew (John 6:18). Wyclif translates it "travailing in rowing;" Tyndale and Cranmer, "troubled in rowing."

the fourth watch The proper Jewish reckoning recognised only three watches or periods, for which sentinels or pickets remained on duty. They were entitled (1) the first, or beginning of the watches, from sunset to 10 p.m. (Lamentations 2:19), (2) the middle watch, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Judges 7:19), and (3) the morning watch, from 2 a.m. to sunrise (Exodus 14:24; 1 Samuel 11:11). After the Roman supremacy the number of watches was increased to four, sometimes described by their numerical order, as here and in Matthew 14:25; sometimes by the terms (1) even, closing at 9 p.m.; midnight; cock-crowing, at 3 a.m.; morning, at 6 a.m.

would have passed by them He came quite near their vessel on the storm-tost waves, and seemed to wish to lead the way before them to the western shore. Comp. Luke 24:28-29.