“He meant to pass by them.”

The “bark” (or “ship”) of St. Peter is a common symbol for the 

Christian church, “tossed on the sea of disbelief, worldliness, and 

persecution but finally reaching safe harbor with its cargo of 

human souls.”

"And he saw that they were distressed in 

rowing, for the wind was against them. And 

about the fourth watch of the night, he came 

to them walking on the sea. He meant to pass 

by them."


 (Mk 6:48 RSVCE, 2d ed.).

“He meant to pass by them.” Jesus saw their distress and did not intend to do anything about it. This statement appears shocking and contrary to the comfortable attitudes of some in the Church who believe that we can simply fall backwards and Christ will catch us. This is not so. In most cases, Christ will simply let us hit the ground. This divine allowance is not to our detriment; rather, it is a consequence of our freedom and for our instruction. God permits our freedom in order to draw the will and the intellect to Him. That is the meaning of the words, “He meant to pass by them.” Blessed Theophylact comments on this passage as follows:

He permits the disciples to be tested, so that they would learn to endure. This is why He does not go to them at once, but allows them to be tossed by the storm throughout the night, teaching them to persevere and not to hope for rest at the very beginning of their troubles.

SOURCE BELLARMINE FORUM