When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples are so caught up in their fear and their own struggle that they don't recognize Jesus. Their terror isn't just about a strange sight; it's that this powerful, unexpected manifestation of God's presence, even in a recognizable form, feels alien and frightening when they're in distress.
When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
The disciples are struggling through a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee, having set out in a boat without Jesus. They've rowed for hours, making little progress as the wind and waves batter them. Suddenly, in the pre-dawn darkness, they see a figure walking on the water towards them, which understandably terrifies them.
Imagine being out on a dark, stormy sea, battling the waves. Suddenly, you see something impossible – a figure walking on the water towards you. No wonder they were frightened!
The disciples' fear wasn't just about a storm; it was the terrifying encounter with the divine.
A Divine Revelation
When Jesus appeared walking on the water, it wasn't just a strange sight. It was a powerful revelation of His authority over nature itself. The disciples had just witnessed Him feed thousands, but this display was on a different level.
Beyond Human Understanding
Their fear stemmed from the fact that this defied all natural laws. They didn't immediately recognize Him as Jesus; they saw something supernatural, something potentially dangerous. This is a common human reaction to the divine – awe mixed with deep-seated fear when confronted with power beyond our comprehension.
The Start of Real Faith
This moment of terror was a crucial step. It moved them from recognizing Jesus' power to experiencing His overwhelming presence, pushing them towards a faith that could trust Him even when things seemed impossible.
The crowd had just tried to make Jesus king by force. Now, His disciples are in a storm, and He appears in an astonishing way. This wasn't just about a cool trick.
Jesus' appearance on the water was more than just a demonstration of power; it was a direct response to the disciples' struggling faith and a redirection from the crowd's misguided zeal.
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A Divine Correction
The crowd, after seeing the feeding miracle, wanted to force Jesus to be an earthly king. Jesus withdrew from that, and now, His disciples are in peril. This miracle on the sea serves as a correction to worldly expectations and a confirmation of His true identity and authority, which doesn't align with human ambition.
Strengthening Disciples' Faith
John notes they had rowed 'about three or four miles' and were 'in the midst of the sea.' This wasn't a casual stroll by the shore. Jesus met them in their struggle, in their danger, and in their weariness. He intended for this to confirm their faith in Him, showing He is present even in their darkest, most challenging moments.
The True Kingdom
By appearing in this supernatural way, Jesus redirects focus from an earthly, political kingdom to His divine reign. He is the King who is master over all creation, not just a political figurehead.
Understand the original words
peripatounta · Greek Verb
To walk; the action of moving on foot. In this context, it signifies the supernatural demonstration of Jesus' authority over the physical laws of nature.
ephobēthēsan · Greek Verb
The state of being struck with sudden fear or alarm; in the presence of the divine or supernatural, it often reflects human awareness of their own inadequacy before the power of God.
Egō eimi · Greek Pronoun/Verb phrase
The literal translation of the Greek 'Ego Eimi,' which is the covenant name of God (Yahweh) revealed to Moses; Jesus uses this expression to assert His own divinity and eternal existence.
phobeisthe · Greek Verb
A state of alarm or anxiety; in the presence of God or His manifestations, believers are frequently exhorted not to be afraid because of His presence, power, and promise of care.
The disciples' fear stems not just from the storm, but from encountering Jesus in a way that drastically challenges their understanding of who he is and the nature of his kingdom. Their terror highlights the gap between popular expectations of a conquering king and Jesus's divine power over the natural world.
c. AD 30-33
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over five thousand men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish. This event draws a huge crowd and sparks significant popular interest in Jesus as a potential political or military leader.
Evening following the Feeding
Crowd Tries to Make Jesus King
After witnessing the miracle, a large crowd attempts to seize Jesus and make him king, likely hoping for a Messiah who would overthrow Roman rule. Jesus, aware of their intentions, withdraws to a mountain to pray, avoiding the political upheaval.
Night of the Feeding
Disciples Cross the Sea of Galilee
Jesus sends his disciples ahead in a boat across the Sea of Galilee toward Capernaum while he remains behind. A strong wind and waves arise, making their journey difficult and dangerous.
Late Night— this verse
Jesus Walks on Water
While the disciples struggle against the storm, Jesus walks on the surface of the sea towards their boat. They see him, are terrified by the sight, and mistake him for a ghost.
Following the Encounter
Jesus Enters the Boat
Jesus reassures his disciples, telling them not to be afraid. He then joins them in the boat, and immediately they reach their destination, demonstrating his authority over nature.
This passage speaks of God 'treading on the waves of the sea,' a poetic image that finds a powerful, literal fulfillment in Jesus walking on the water, revealing His divine authority over creation.
Matthew 14:25-26This parallel account describes the same event, emphasizing that the disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost out of fear, highlighting the startling and supernatural nature of His appearance on the sea.
Psalm 107:28-29This psalm describes God stilling a storm at the sailors' cry, which echoes the disciples' fear and Jesus' eventual calming of the sea, showing Jesus as the divine answer to desperate prayers in perilous times.
Isaiah 43:1-2This prophecy promises God's presence and protection through fire and water, underscoring that when Jesus appears in the storm, He is demonstrating His protective power and confirming His divine identity to His followers.
calvinJohn 6:14-21: "Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world."
- Those men, therefore, when they saw the miracle which Jesus had performed, said, This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world. 15. And when Jesus knew that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he again withdrew alone into a mountain. 16. And when it was evening, his disciples went down to the sea. 17. And havin…
cambridgeJohn 6:19: "So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid."
19 . five and twenty or thirty furlongs ] This pretty closely corresponds with ‘in the midst of the sea’ ( Matthew 14:24 ). The lake is nearly seven miles across in the widest part. walking on the sea ] There is no doubt that this means on the surface of the water, although an attempt has been made to shew that the Greek may mean…
The disciples are so caught up in their fear and their own struggle that they don't recognize Jesus. Their terror isn't just about a strange sight; it's that this powerful, unexpected manifestation of God's presence, even in a recognizable form, feels alien and frightening when they're in distress.
The disciples are struggling through a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee, having set out in a boat without Jesus. They've rowed for hours, making little progress as the wind and waves batter them. Suddenly, in the pre-dawn darkness, they see a figure walking on the water towards them, which understandably terrifies them.
The disciples are struggling through a stormy night on the Sea of Galilee, having set out in a boat without Jesus. They've rowed for hours, making little progress as the wind and waves batter them. Suddenly, in the pre-dawn darkness, they see a figure walking on the water towards them, which understandably terrifies them.
"When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”" — The disciples are so caught up in their fear and their own struggle that they don't recognize Jesus. Their terror isn't just about a strange sight; it's that this powerful, unexpected manifestation o…
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Last reviewed October 2026