The Lord’s Seventh Journey through Galilee

The Apostles returned and told the Lord how they acted during the preaching throughout Galilee. The Lord at first sent them alone into the wilderness of Bethsaida, but then He Himself also desired to go with them. And they all sailed there together.

They desired to be unnoticed. But the people saw and guessed what was happening. They set out on foot to that wilderness and arrived there ahead of the Lord’s arrival with the Apostles.

Having arrived at that wilderness, the Lord stayed a little on the mountain. But, seeing that the people were waiting for Him, He came down to them and taught them much, until evening, and healed all who required healing.

Then, not wishing to send them away hungry, He fed them all with five loaves and two fish. And there were five thousand people, besides women and children.

Then He commanded His disciples to get into the boat and sail to the other side, and He Himself, having sent the people away, went up on the mountain to pray.

A storm arose on the sea, and the disciples were in distress. Seeing this, the Lord, having finished His prayer, came to them walking on the waves. When they saw Him, the disciples were troubled. After reassuring them and drawing Peter out of the water, who had thrown himself toward Him in the sea at His permission and after a brief walking on the waters had begun to sink from fear, the Lord entered the boat—and immediately the boat drew to land. But the place was not Capernaum, to which they were heading, but Gennesaret, which lay below Capernaum. The storm had driven them there.

This was already in the morning. The people gathered, but the Lord, having benefited them with all kinds of healings, directed Himself to Capernaum, to which He also arrived that same morning.