Definition: And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Mark 6:45. It's a really important part of Jesus’ teachings about His ministry and how He prepared for his journey. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus was preparing to leave the group of disciples and head towards Bethsaida. Let’s unpack it further: “And straightway” : This means immediately . Jesus didn't linger or take his time. He started right away. “He constrained his disciples” : This is a key phrase. “Constrained” means to limit or restrict someone. Jesus was essentially telling the disciples that they needed to stop and focus on their task. “to get into the ship” : He wanted them all to board the boat. “and to go to the other side before unto Bethsaida” : This is where it gets a bit more significant. Jesus was setting a course to Bethsaida, which was a long way away from Jerusalem. He wanted to get there before the people in Jerusalem started to worry and demand he return quickly. “while he sent away the people” : This is a crucial part of the message. Jesus wasn’t just leaving; he was actively disabling the crowd. He was sending them on their way, indicating that they needed to be given time to prepare for his departure and to move on. What's the bigger picture? This verse is about Jesus being prepared for a challenging journey. He’s showing us that He’s not just traveling; He’s working behind the scenes. He’s anticipating a change in plans, setting up a route, and ensuring everyone is ready to follow where He goes. It emphasizes his leadership – he's actively guiding and preparing people for something significant. In short, Jesus was preparing to leave with his disciples, setting them on a journey to Bethsaida before the people in Jerusalem would become concerned. --- Do you want me to: Explain a specific part of the verse in more detail? Give you some context about why this passage is important in the Bible?