John 6:14-15

REACTION OF THE MULTITUDES

Text 6:14-15

14

When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world.

15

Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force, to make him king, withdrew again into the mountain himself alone.

Queries

a.

Who is the prophet the people are looking for?

b.

Why would they resort to force?

Paraphrase

When the people saw the miracle which Jesus performed, they began saying, This is surely the Prophet who is to come into the world. Jesus knowing, therefore, that the people were about to come and seize Him in order that they might forcibly make Him king, withdrew again unto the mountain, Himself alone.

Summary

Enthusiasm grips the multitude, Jesus reads their hearts and sees their materialistic determination to violently force Him to be king.

Comment

When the people saw the sign and had satiated their hunger they immediately concluded, This must surely be the promised Messiah-Prophet. All in the same day they had heard him speak of the kingdom of God on earth; many of them had seen and experienced His miraculous healing, and everyone had witnessed and partaken of the abundance of miraculously provided food, Some would recall His first sermon in Nazareth where He promised release to the captives, recovering of sight to the blind and liberty to the bruised.
Because of their carnal attitude, the miracle merely confirmed them in their false Messianic hopes, for they interpreted it as a sign and pledge of the highest temporal prosperity under His rule.
Goaded by visions of temporal glory and prosperity, the multitude decided to seize Him by force, if necessary, and proceed triumphantly to Jerusalem and the Passover. As before, Jesus read their hearts and knew beforehand what they were about to do.

The Synoptics tell us that Jesus first sent the Twelve away in a boat toward the western shore of the sea. Then, by the majesty and authority of His countenance and voice, He dismissed the multitudes, which were already showing signs of taking Him, and went farther into the mountain and began to pray (cf. Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:45). Jesus prayed for about eight or nine hours. The carnal attitude of the people sorely distressed and tempted Him to avoid the cross. He also wanted to pray that the Twelve not become saturated with this materialistic vision of Israel's Saviour.

Quiz

1.

Can you name three things the people had experienced which would cause them to be so enthusiastic?

2.

How did Jesus take charge of the situation?

3.

How long was Jesus in prayer?

4.

Why and for whom would Jesus need to pray?