To defeat this their intention, the Saviour bade His Apostles take ship and cross over to Bethsaida[337] (Mk. vi. 45), on the other side of the lake, while He dismissed the multitudes. Having done so, He ascended to a point in the neighbouring mountain-range, and there continued in solitary communion with His Heavenly Father till near the fourth watch[338] of the night (Mtt. xiv. 23–25; Mk. vi. 46). Meanwhile the Apostles had rowed about 25 or 30 furlongs[339] (Jn. vi. 19), when one of those sudden storms of wind to which the lake is subject, rushed down from the western mountains, and lashing the usually placid surface into waves (Mtt. xiv. 24) prevented them making their way towards Capernaum, and exposed them to imminent peril. At this moment, to add to their fears, they discerned amidst the darkness (Mk. vi. 50) a Figure walking on the water and approaching their vessel. Thinking it could be nothing but a Phantom, they cried out in their terror, when a well-known Voice was heard saying _It is I, be not afraid_. Thereupon the ardent, impetuous Peter replied, _Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water_. The rejoinder was _Come_; and so descending from the vessel (Mtt. xiv. 29) amidst the darkness and howling wind the Apostle made some little way towards his Lord. But soon the wind roared (Mtt. xiv. 30) and the waters raged, and his heart failed him, and beginning to sink he cried, _Lord, save me_. Thereupon Jesus _stretched forth His hand and caught him_, and gently rebuking him for his want of faith took him with Him into the ship, which amidst the calm that now stilled the waves, quickly reached the harbour of Capernaum, while the Apostles, _amazed beyond measure_ (Mk. vi. 51), worshipped Him, saying, _Truly Thou art the Son of God_ (Mtt. xiv. 33). CHAPTER II. _THE DISCOURSE IN THE SYNAGOGUE OF CAPERNAUM._ A.D. 29. THE fact of the Saviour’s presence on the western side of the lake was soon spread abroad amongst the people (Mk. vi. 54), and, as so often before, they brought their sick, who experienced the effects of the healing word (Mtt. xiv. 36). Meanwhile many of the five thousand, who on the previous evening had witnessed the marvellous multiplication of the loaves, not finding the Lord on the eastern side of the lake, had taken ship[340] and crossed over to Capernaum _seeking Him_ (Jn. vi. 24). Knowing that He had not embarked with His disciples after the miracle, they wondered how He had crossed over, and finding Him in the Synagogue of Capernaum (Jn. vi. 59) eagerly questioned Him on the subject.