The disciples left sometime just before sunset so when the evening was upon them they were quite a ways from the shore. It was not unusual for them to fish at night. However, this night they were very tired and needed rest. As was the case on the Sea of Galilee a storm swelled up and blew in upon them. In earlier similar occasions Jesus was with them and calmed the storm. This time He left them to go and pray upon a nearby mountain. As the storm intensified they lowered the sails and began to row in order to gain better control over the boat in the storm. During the last watch of the night which is early dawn, called the fourth watch of the night (3 to 6 AM), Jesus knowing they were in trouble came to them walking upon the sea. John (John 6:19) explains that the disciples had travelled three or four miles before Jesus came to them. So He walked a great distance on the water to meet them in their distress. The phrase would have passed by them does mean that He was intending to pass by them and ignore their distressful predicament. It is a textual term of “passing beside” them so they could see Him. This is quite in keeping with an Old Testament theophany or the way God had manifested Himself to humankind in special situation to let us know that He is with us and is comforting us as well. Some examples are found in Exodus and I Kings as well and here in Mark.
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