Mark 6:47-48

The disciples had evidently reached Bethsaida Julius, but Jesus had not yet come to them (John 6:17). The disciples had then turned their boat toward Capernaum (cf. John 6:17). It would have been easy for Jesus to see the disciples since they would have been only a few miles from where He was praying. Perhaps the moon illuminated the lake. They were in the middle of the lake in the sense that they were well out into it, not close to the coastline. The fourth watch of the night by Roman reckoning, which Mark followed, would have been between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m. Jesus intended to pass beside the disciples to reassure them (cf. Exodus 33:19; Exodus 33:22; Exodus 34:6; 1 Kings 19:11; Mark 6:50). Even though Jesus had been praying He had not forgotten or forsaken His disciples. He was probably praying for them.

". . . instead of a story about Jesus’ rescue of his disciples who are distressed but not in danger (cf. Mark 4:35-41), this is an epiphany story about Jesus’ self-revelation to his own followers." [Note: Ibid., p. 350.]

"Whenever the master is absent from the disciples (or appears to be so, as in Ch. Mark 4:35-41), they find themselves in distress. And each time they experience anguish it is because they lack faith (Chs. Mark 4:35 ff.; Mark 6:45 ff.; Mark 9:14 ff.)." [Note: Lane, p. 235.]