Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary John 6:21

"They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat: and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going." — John 6:21 (ASV)

The disciples were still a considerable distance from the shore at Capernaum (cf. Mark 6:47). As they looked back, they were terrified to see a human form coming toward them across the water. Jesus calmed their fears by speaking to them. When they recognized his voice, they were willing to take him into the boat. As the multiplication of the loaves and fishes showed his power over matter, so the walking on the water revealed his divine power over the forces of nature. It was one more step in the education of the disciples’ faith.