Matthew 14:33 - Printer Friendly

ESV: And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

NIV: Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'

NASB: And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, 'You are truly God’s Son!'

CSB: Then those in the boat worshiped him and said, "Truly you are the Son of God."

NLT: Then the disciples worshiped him. 'You really are the Son of God!' they exclaimed.

KJV: Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

NKJV: Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

On a previous occasion, the disciples asked each other what kind of man Jesus was after seeing Him rebuke a wild storm into calm submission (Matthew 8:23–27). Now they know who He is, and they respond to His display of God's power in an entirely different way.

The disciples have just seen Jesus walk on top of the water of the Sea of Galilee during a raging windstorm. They know He had to have walked two or three miles to reach them. At His call, Peter was also able to walk on water (Matthew 14:27–31). Then, as soon as Christ climbed into their boat, the wind they had been battling all night instantly stopped. This time, the men responded in the only way that made sense. They worshiped Jesus. They told Him, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Worship is still the most rational response to recognizing God's power at work in our world. Worship still involves simply saying to God who He is.

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 3:43:21 PM