Mk. 6:49. They, seeing Him walking on the sea, thought it was a ghost, and cried out.
Mk. 6:50. For they all saw Him and were frightened. And immediately He spoke with them and said to them: take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.
Mk. 6:51. And He went up unto them into the boat, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled,
Mk. 6:52. for they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened. "He compelled the disciples." The disciples were separated from Him only by compulsion, for they themselves did not wish to part from Him, partly out of their love for Him, and partly out of perplexity as to how He could come to them without a boat. And He, having dismissed the crowd, goes up (to the mountain) to pray alone, since prayer requires solitude and an undisturbed state. The Lord allows the disciples to be storm-tossed on the sea so that they might learn patience. For the same reason He does not appear to them immediately either, but allows them to be in danger from the storm the whole night, in order to train them to be patient and to await deliverance not at the very onset of dangers. But notice also another circumstance, namely that before ending the danger, He casts them into even greater fear; for when they saw Him, they cried out in fright, thinking it was a ghost. Then the Lord immediately encourages them with His voice, saying: "Do not be afraid"; then, entering the boat, He gives them complete calm, because the wind suddenly ceased. To walk on the sea is a great miracle and belongs to the one true God alone; and the fact that there was confusion among the disciples and a contrary wind makes the miracle all the more exalted. As for the apostles, not having recognized Christ from the miracle of the loaves, they recognized Him from the present miracle on the sea. Therefore one may suppose that Christ allowed them to be in danger also so that, not having recognized Him from the miracle of the loaves, they might now recognize Him from the miracle on the sea and derive benefit for themselves from it.
Mk. 6:53. And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and drew to shore.
Mk. 6:54. When they came out of the boat, immediately the inhabitants, recognizing Him,
Mk. 6:55. ran around all that surrounding region, and began to carry the sick on beds to where they heard He was.
Mk. 6:56. And wherever He came, into villages, or cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the open places and besought Him that they might touch even the edge of His garment; and as many as touched Him were made whole. The Lord arrived at this place, it seems, after no small time (of absence); therefore the evangelist also says: "when they recognized Him... they began to bring the sick." They did not yet invite Him into their homes, but themselves brought the sick, beseeching to touch even the hem of His garment. For the miracle performed on the woman with the issue of blood had come to the knowledge of all and produced in them an even greater faith.