His disciples went down. Christ undoubtedly intended to conceal himself until the crowd should disperse. We know how difficult it is to allay a popular tumult. Now, if they had openly attempted to do what they had intended, it would have been no easy matter afterwards to wipe off the stain which had once been fixed upon him. Meanwhile, he spent all that time in prayer, as the other Evangelists (Matthew 14:23; Mark 6:46) relate; probably, that God the Father might repress that folly of the people. [1] As to his crossing the lake in a miraculous manner, it is intended to profit his disciples by again confirming their faith. The advantage extended still farther; for next day all the people would easily see that he had not been brought thither by a boat or ship, [2] but that he had come by his own power; for they blockaded the shore from which he had to set out, and would scarcely have been drawn away from it, if they had not seen the disciples cross to a different place.

Footnotes

1 - On our Savior's retirement into the mountain to pray, our Author has made very interesting and profitable observations. Harmony of the Evangelists, [10]volume 2, page 237. -- Ed.

2 - "Par basteau ou navire."

See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in the notes at Matthew 14:22-33. Compare Mark 6:45-52.

(3) And when even was [now] come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
(3) The godly are often in peril and danger, but Christ comes to them in time, even in the midst of the tempests, and brings them to the haven.

And when even was now come,.... The last of the evenings, when night was coming on; for the first of the evenings took place before they sat down to eat, when the above miracle was wrought; see Matthew 14:15.
His disciples went down unto the sea; of Galilee, or Tiberias, to the sea side; and this was by the order, and even constraint of Christ, who would have them go before him, that he might be clear of the multitude, and have an opportunity for solitary prayer, See Gill on Matthew 14:22, Mark 6:45.

when even was come--(See on Mark 6:35).
entered into a ship--"constrained" to do so by their Master (Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45), in order to put an end to the misdirected excitement in His favor (John 6:15), into which the disciples themselves may have been somewhat drawn. The word "constrained" implies reluctance on their part, perhaps from unwillingness to part with their Master and embark at night, leaving Him alone on the mountain.
went--rather, "were proceeding."
toward Capernaum--Mark says (Mark 6:45), "unto Bethsaida," meaning "Bethsaida of Galilee" (John 12:21), on the west side of the lake. The place they left was of the same name (see on Mark 6:32).
Jesus was not come to them--They probably lingered in hopes of His still joining them, and so let the darkness come on.

His disciples . . . entered into a ship. For notes on this storm on the sea, and the Lord coming to his disciples in the storm, see Matthew 14:22-31. Compare Mark 6:46-54.
It is I; be not afraid. This is the gospel message of peace, on the ground--the simple ground--"It is I." Christ's presence is peace to the soul. How often has he to speak this word of encouragement, even to his own! almost always when they are brought suddenly, or in an unusual way, face to face with him!

Matthew 14:22; Mark 6:45.