Mark 6:45 Immediately (Jesus) made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. 46 After saying farewell to them, he went up on the mountain to pray. 47 When evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48 When he saw that they were straining at the oars against an adverse wind, he came towards them early in the morning, walking on the sea. He intended to pass them by. 49 But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost and cried out; 50 for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.” 51 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded, 52 for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

This is a strange story. Jesus was up on the mountain praying when he noticed the disciples struggling in the boat – paddling hard but not getting anywhere. So he decided to head toward them by walking on water. But then at the end of v.48 it says he intended to pass them by. ??? I thought the point of walking out toward them was to help them. I’m not sure. What do you think?