Mark 6:33 Commentary and Bible Study

As he landed, there was the assembling crowd. The people had seen them departing, ‘and many knew him [they knew it was Christ and his disciples], and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.’ So the people running that longer distance round the shore, with, we can assume, the younger ones in front, reached the spot where Christ and the disciples disembarked, about the same time. There was perhaps no wind at that stage, so the vessel becalmed, or some sort of current came against them, because it was no mean achievement to get there ahead of the boat, but perhaps the journey was deliberately leisurely so that they could rest.The size of the crowd is accounted for, because we are about to read of five thousand and more being fed. These were from many different cities, and were following Christ wherever he went to hear his teaching and to see his miracles. Perhaps others joined them as they ran, skirting round the north coast of Galilee. They would have created a great stir as they went rushing through the villages.