Matthew 14:25
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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While it was the "fourth watch" (late night, approaching dawn), Jesus didn't just show up as the storm was ending; he was already on his way to them, walking on the sea, demonstrating his sovereign power over the very elements that terrified them. This timing highlights that Jesus was observing their struggle all along, and he intervened not when things were easy, but when their need was greatest.
After sending the crowds away and praying alone on a mountain, Jesus saw his disciples struggling to row against a strong wind on the sea. It was late at night, and they had been battling the storm for hours, when Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. This occurred in the predawn hours, during the fourth watch of the night, a time when they were likely feeling desperate and terrified.
The disciples had been battling the storm for hours, exhausted and afraid. Then, in the darkest, latest part of the night, Jesus appeared.
The Longest Wait
The 'fourth watch of the night' refers to the period between 3 AM and 6 AM. This was the final, and often the most difficult, part of the night before dawn.
Jesus had been praying alone on the mountain while His disciples struggled at sea. He knew their distress, but He waited.
Imagine the scene: a raging storm, a small boat tossed about, and then… someone walking on the waves.
Beyond Natural Laws
Jesus walking on the sea is one of His most striking miracles. It wasn't just a display of power, but a declaration of His identity.
Understand the original words
phylakē · Greek Noun
In the ancient world, the night was divided into four watches. The fourth watch (approximately 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.) was the final period before dawn, representing the time of greatest darkness or trial before deliverance arrives.
thalassa · Greek Noun
The large, restless body of water. In biblical cosmology, the sea often represents chaos, hostility, and the untamable powers of nature that only God has the authority to subdue.
Evening
Jesus dismisses the crowds and prays alone
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus sends the crowds away and retreats to a mountain to pray alone as evening falls.
Nightfall to 3 AM
Disciples battle a storm on the Sea of Galilee
The disciples are out on the sea, rowing against a strong, contrary wind. They struggle for hours in the storm, far from shore.
Between 3 AM and 6 AM— this verse
Jesus walks on water to reach the disciples
In the pre-dawn hours, Jesus appears to his disciples by walking on the stormy sea, a powerful demonstration of divine authority.
Shortly after
Peter walks on water, then begins to sink
Peter, emboldened by Jesus' presence, walks on the water but then fears the wind and waves, beginning to sink until Jesus rescues him.
Immediately after
Jesus calms the storm
Upon Jesus and Peter entering the boat, the wind immediately ceases, astonishing the disciples and leading them to worship Jesus.
This passage directly links the ability to 'walk on the waves of the sea' with the unique, omnipotent power of God, reinforcing the divine nature Jesus displayed in Matthew 14:25.
Exodus 14:24This Old Testament event also describes God acting in the 'morning watch' (similar to the fourth watch) to deliver His people through water, presenting a divine intervention theme that resonates with Jesus' appearance.
John 6:19John's Gospel provides the disciples' perspective on this event, emphasizing their distance from shore and the difficulty they faced, which highlights the extremity of their situation when Jesus appeared walking on the water.
Mark 13:35This parallel passage lists the 'fourth watch' alongside others (evening, midnight, cock-crowing), providing context for the specific time of night Jesus appeared and underscoring the duration of the disciples' struggle before His help arrived.
calvinMatthew 14:22-33: "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away."
- And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to embark, and to go before him to the opposite bank, till he had sent away the multitudes. 23. And when he had sent away the multitudes, he went up into a mountain alone to pray; and when the evening came, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tosse…
barnesMatthew 14:25: "And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea."
And in the fourth watch of the night - The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in Lamentations 2:19 , the middle watch in Judges 7:19 , and the morning watch in Exodus 14:24 . In the time of our Saviour they divided the night into four watches, the fourth having been introduced by the Romans. These watch…
While it was the "fourth watch" (late night, approaching dawn), Jesus didn't just show up as the storm was ending; he was already on his way to them, walking on the sea, demonstrating his sovereign power over the very elements that terrified them. This timing highlights that Jesus was observing their struggle all along, and he intervened not when things were easy, but when their need was greatest.
After sending the crowds away and praying alone on a mountain, Jesus saw his disciples struggling to row against a strong wind on the sea. It was late at night, and they had been battling the storm for hours, when Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. This occurred in the predawn hours, during the fourth watch of the night, a time when they were likely feeling desperate and terrified.
After sending the crowds away and praying alone on a mountain, Jesus saw his disciples struggling to row against a strong wind on the sea. It was late at night, and they had been battling the storm for hours, when Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water. This occurred in the predawn hours, during the fourth watch of the night, a time when they were likely feeling desperate and terrified.
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"And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea." — While it was the "fourth watch" (late night, approaching dawn), Jesus didn't just show up as the storm was ending; he was already on his way to them, walking on the sea, demonstrating his sovereign p…
