Matthew 14:26 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.

NIV: When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.

NASB: When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, 'It is a ghost!' And they cried out in fear.

CSB: When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified. "It’s a ghost!" they said, and they cried out in fear.

NLT: When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, 'It’s a ghost!'

KJV: And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

NKJV: And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.

The disciples had been in their boat for hours, rowing across the Sea of Galilee because the wind was against them. They had left Jesus behind in Bethsaida, where He spent time praying alone on a mountain. It's unclear how the disciples expected Jesus to get to the other side of the lake to meet them. All they know is that He specifically instructed them to take the boat across the water (Matthew 14:22). Perhaps they assumed He would walk around the north end of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus chose a more direct route.

We know from John's telling of this event that the disciples were two or three miles out from the shore. Matthew has said that it is between 3 and 6 a.m. Suddenly, a figure emerges from the darkness of the lake walking toward them. Matthew, who was there, says that they were terrified, which seems like a reasonable reaction. One can only imagine what it would have been like to catch a glimpse of a figure out on the water, only to see that it really is a person approaching by walking on the waves.

As one would expect, the men cried out in fear. Someone said the figure approaching them was a ghost. Jewish theology mostly did not allow for ghosts, but many people in the ancient world believed in them. They certainly did not have another explanation for a figure walking toward them on the water—until Jesus spoke to them (Matthew 14:27).

Matthew 14:22–33 contains the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. Immediately after feeding thousands of people from a single small portion, Jesus goes up to a mountain to pray. The disciples spend a long night rowing against a strong wind. Jesus walks across the lake to meet them. Peter walks on the water with Jesus briefly before becoming afraid of the wind and waves and beginning to sink. Jesus saves Peter and asks why he doubted. The wind stops when Jesus gets in the boat, and the disciples worship Him as the Son of God.

Matthew 14 begins with a backstory about the arrest and execution of John the Baptist by Herod the tetrarch, the Jewish ruler of the region. Jesus and the disciples take a boat to a desolate place only to find crowds waiting. Jesus heals many and then feeds as many as twenty thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later, the disciples row against a strong wind until Jesus walks on the water to meet them and calm the wind. Peter walks on water briefly and then doubts and begins to sink. The disciples worship Jesus. On the other side of the lake, Jesus continues to heal the sick.

Matthew 13 included more of Jesus' parables and an unfortunate incident where His own hometown rejected His ministry. Chapter 14 begins with news that Herod the tetrarch—the man who killed John the Baptist—is aware of Jesus' fame and power. Jesus and the disciples intend to withdraw to somewhere desolate, but a crowd is waiting for them. Jesus heals people, miraculously feeds thousands, and walks on water. When they reach the other side, Jesus heals more people. Chapter 15 sees Jesus once again debating with His critics and performing more healings.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.