John Calvin Commentary John 6:3

"And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples." — John 6:3 (ASV)

Jesus therefore went up into a mountain. Christ unquestionably sought a place of retirement until the feast of the Passover; and therefore, it is said that he sat down on a mountain with his disciples. Such was undoubtedly the purpose which he formed as man, but the purpose of God was different, which he willingly obeyed.

Although, therefore, he avoided the sight of men, yet he permits himself to be led by the hand of God as into a crowded theater; for there was a larger assembly of men in a desert mountain than in any populous city, and greater renown arose from the miracle than if it had happened in the open marketplace of Tiberias.

We are therefore taught by this example to form our plans in accordance with the course of events, but in such a way that, if the result is different from what we expected, we should not be displeased that God is above us and regulates everything according to his pleasure.