John 6 Bible Study

What are the two other names for the "Sea of Galilee" (John 6:1)?
"Sea of Tiberias" (John 6:10) and "Lake of Gennesaret" (Luke 5:1, photo)

Where did Jesus go?
He went "over the Sea of Galilee" (John 6:1) with His disciples to "a deserted place belonging to a town called Bethsaida" (Luke 9:10).

Where was Bethsaida?
Bethsaida literally means the "House (Bet) of fishing (saida)." There were many fishing towns around the Sea of Galilee, and at least two of them were called, "House of fishing." One Bethsaida was east of Capernaum on the north shore. Since the "deserted place belonging to a town called Bethsaida" (Luke 9:10) was "near" (John 6:23) Tiberias, which was on the west shore, the second Bethsaida was also on the west shore of the Sea of Tiberias/Galilee.

After what "things" (John 6:1) did Jesus take His disciples to the deserted place belonging to the Bethsaida on the west shore?
After they returned from their mission trip and needed rest: He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (Luke 9:10). Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves (Mark 6:30-32).

Did the multitude leave them alone?
See below.

Why did "a great multitude" (John 6:2) follow Jesus?
"Because they saw His signs which He performed on those who were diseased" (John 6:2).

What did Jesus do with them?
"He was moved with compassion for them" (Matthew 14:14), so "He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing" (Luke 9:11).

How much time had passed since the beginning of Jesus' ministry?
About a year, as this is the second "Passover" (John 6:4) mentioned, so Jesus is one-third into His three-year ministry. This Passover is also six months after the previous "feast of the Jews" mentioned in John 5:1, which shows that the Gospel of John, like the other three Gospels, isn't a diary. Each of the four gospel writers described the highlights of Jesus' ministry as led by the Holy Spirit, so there are overlaps as well as elements unique to each of them.

Was Jesus' question, “Where shall we buy bread, that these may eat?” (John 6:5) to Philip intended to start a private conversation?
Since the other disciples replied as well, no.

What was the ensuing exchange between them and Jesus?
“This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread; for they have nothing to eat.” But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” (Mark 6:35-36)

Whose idea did Philip shoot down?
The other disciples, for even “two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them” (John 6:7).