IMMEDIATELY the boat was at the land

[tonychanyt]

John 6:

21 Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Did Jesus miraculously move the boat to the destination in the next second?

Opinions were divided.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:

immediately] We are probably to understand that this was miraculous; not a mere favourable breeze which brought them to land before they had recovered from their surprise: but the point is uncertain.

Vincent's Word Studies:

Their immediate and miraculous arrival at the shore was simultaneous either with their entertaining the wish to receive Him, or with His actually coming on board. Only John mentions this incident. Matthew and Mark say that the wind ceased.

The parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark did not mention this immediate landing.

Gill:

and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went; which was done, as Nonnus observes, by a divine motion; for not only the wind ceased, but another miracle was wrought; the ship was in an instant at the place whither they intended to go.

On the other hand, Ellicott explained:

The word rendered “immediately”—which is more exactly our "straight-way"—may find its full meaning in the straight line of the boat’s after-course, as contrasted with its being tossed hither and thither during the storm. The whole context seems to find its full meaning in the sense of difficulty and danger before our Lord was received into the boat, and in the sense of safety and peace afterwards.

Similarly Barnes:

Immediately - Quickly. Before a long time. How far they were from the land we know not, but there is no evidence that there was a miracle in the case. The word translated "immediately" does not of necessity imply that there was no interval of time, but that there was not a long interval.

On balance, I'd go with Jamieson-Fausset-Brown:

immediately the ship was at the land—This additional miracle, for as such it is manifestly related, is recorded here alone. Yet all that is meant seems to be that as the storm was suddenly calmed, so the little bark—propelled by the secret power of the Lord of Nature now sailing in it—glided through the now unruffled waters, and while they were wrapt in wonder at what had happened, not heeding their rapid motion, was found at port, to their still further surprise.

It was not a miracle of instant teleportation but a miracle of rapid, smooth sailing toward land.

 

[Mark Quayle]

John 6:


Did Jesus miraculously move the boat to the destination in the next second?

Opinions were divided.

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges:


Vincent's Word Studies:


The parallel accounts in Matthew and Mark did not mention this immediate landing.

Gill:


On the other hand, Ellicott explained:


Similarly Barnes:


On balance, I'd go with Jamieson-Fausset-Brown:


It was not a miracle of instant teleportation but a miracle of rapid, smooth sailing toward land.

The other accounts don't agree in several ways, and I'm not sure they are even about the same occasion.

But, whatever, one of the other accounts gives the feeling that they were not making much headway, so that when the seas were calmed, "in no time at all" (to use an English figure of speech, or hyperbole) they were there.

 

[tonychanyt]

The other accounts don't agree in several ways, and I'm not sure they are even about the same occasion.

This is the incident of Jesus calms storm, enters boat. Biblehub assumes it is the same occasion.