Charles Ellicott Commentary John 6:2

"And a great multitude followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick." — John 6:2 (ASV)

A great multitude . . . — This is explained by the facts:

1. that the Baptist had been put to death, and that those who had followed him would now follow Christ;
2. that the Twelve had now returned from their ministry in the towns and villages of Galilee;
3. that the Passover was near, and that many people would be traveling from Northern Palestine to Jerusalem.

Followed . . . saw . . . did. — Better: were following . . . were beholding . . . was doing. The verbs express a continuance of the actions. It does not mean simply that they saw these miracles on the west of the lake and followed Him across it, but that He kept on healing the sick, and that the crowds kept on following Him. The usual caravan route for the northern pilgrims was on the east side of the lake, and the crowd would increase as He went.