John Gill Commentary John 6:3

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

And Jesus went up into a mountain In a desert place near Bethsaida, (Luke 9:10) ;

and there he sat with his disciples ; partly for security from the cruelty of Herod, having just heard of the beheading of John; and partly for privacy, that he might have some conversation alone with his disciples, upon their return from off their journey; as also for the sake of rest and refreshment; and according to the custom of the Jewish doctors, which now prevailed, (See Gill on Matthew 5:1), he sat with his disciples, in order to teach and instruct them.