For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
After the feeding of the multitude, the verse belongs to the night crossing when the disciples in obedience sailed toward the farther side and a violent tempest left their boat unmanageable, driving them helplessly hither and thither until, bewildered at the uselessness of their efforts and the hopelessness of their case, they gave up rowing in despair and expected to perish. The miracle of the loaves convinced the crowd that the long-awaited Deliverer had come, but they read His power in earthly and political terms, expecting Him to provision armies, defeat Rome and other nations, and restore Israel's dominion. The disciples shared that earthly expectation, joining in treating Jesus as a king to be crowned and viewing His refusal of royal honor as modesty, without understanding that His mission and kingdom were spiritual.
Their hardened heart means they did not take in what the loaves revealed about His power, remaining slow to understand and trust and with hearts not yet humbled. Because they had not understood, they did not grasp what His power meant for them in the storm but were overwhelmed by terror, regretting having left Him and longing for His presence and help in what was a severe test of faith. In danger they forgot His earlier deliverances and presence, despairing despite having seen His miracles.
From shore Jesus saw their danger and watched over them with compassion, then came to them walking calmly on the rough, boisterous white-capped waves. Though in fear they mistook Him for a forerunner and sure precursor of death and cried out in great fear, He identified Himself and told them not to fear, coming not as a herald of death but as the messenger of life. He stilled the tempest and turned horror and despair into joy, faith and hope so that anxiety and dread of death ceased with His presence, while angels from His excellent glory guarded their small boat as it buffeted the high waves. Help came when their ambition was quelled and their hearts were subdued, so that they humbly prayed for and sought His aid. The stilling of the storm reveals God's majesty and works: He holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters, beholding at once the highest heavens and the midst of the sea, so that finite people tossed on the broad deep are mere specks in His sight yet are guarded by heaven, and His wonderful works, far above comprehension, fill the heart with awe.
After the feeding of the multitude, the verse belongs to the night crossing when the disciples in obedience sailed toward the farther side and a violent tempest left their boat unmanageable, driving them helplessly hither and thither until, bewildered at the uselessness of their efforts and the hopelessness of their case, they gave up rowing in despair and expected to perish. The miracle of the loaves convinced the crowd that the long-awaited Deliverer had come, but they read His power in earthly and political terms, expecting Him to provision armies, defeat Rome and other nations, and restore Israel's dominion. The disciples shared that earthly expectation, joining in treating Jesus as a king to be crowned and viewing His refusal of royal honor as modesty, without understanding that His mission and kingdom were spiritual.
Their hardened heart means they did not take in what the loaves revealed about His power, remaining slow to understand and trust and with hearts not yet humbled. Because they had not understood, they did not grasp what His power meant for them in the storm but were overwhelmed by terror, regretting having left Him and longing for His presence and help in what was a severe test of faith. In danger they forgot His earlier deliverances and presence, despairing despite having seen His miracles.
From shore Jesus saw their danger and watched over them with compassion, then came to them walking calmly on the rough, boisterous white-capped waves. Though in fear they mistook Him for a forerunner and sure precursor of death and cried out in great fear, He identified Himself and told them not to fear, coming not as a herald of death but as the messenger of life. He stilled the tempest and turned horror and despair into joy, faith and hope so that anxiety and dread of death ceased with His presence, while angels from His excellent glory guarded their small boat as it buffeted the high waves. Help came when their ambition was quelled and their hearts were subdued, so that they humbly prayed for and sought His aid. The stilling of the storm reveals God's majesty and works: He holds the winds in His hand and controls the waters, beholding at once the highest heavens and the midst of the sea, so that finite people tossed on the broad deep are mere specks in His sight yet are guarded by heaven, and His wonderful works, far above comprehension, fill the heart with awe.