They hoped to leave unseen, but many people followed them down to the lake where Simon's boat was.
"Don't you see what I mean?" exclaimed the Zealot. "What a wonderful chance we have to lead them against Herod!"
"Let us go over toward Bethsaida," replied Jesus. "I know a hill where very few people pass by." James and John turned the boat toward the hills nearly three miles across the lake.
The disappointed people watched Jesus and the disciples push off. A few men left the group and began to walk along the shore. Soon the others realized that they were going to go on foot around the lake. Some walked, but others ran.
"I believe the whole crowd is going to follow us," remarked Andrew, looking back.
"They are like sheep without a shepherd," remarked Jesus.
By the time the disciples had rowed across the lake, the people were beginning to arrive. "I think I know a place where we can get away from them," said Philip. He had lived in this part of the country.
"We cannot send them away, Philip," answered Jesus. When the boat landed he led the crowd to a grassy spot on the hillside overlooking the lake below.
All afternoon Jesus taught them. When at last the sun touched the hills of Galilee across the lake, the disciples interrupted.
"Master," they said, "don't you think we had better send them away before it gets dark?"