Matthew 14:26
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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In their terror, the disciples cried out that Jesus was a ghost, a "phantasma," revealing a common ancient belief in spirits and apparitions. What's easy to miss is that their fear wasn't just of the unknown, but of Christ himself, whom they mistook for something terrifying rather than their Savior.
Jesus had just miraculously fed a large crowd, and afterward, He sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while He went to pray alone. As the disciples struggled against a strong wind and waves in the middle of the night, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water, which caused them to believe He was a ghost and cry out in terror.
The disciples saw Jesus doing the impossible, yet their first reaction was terror. Why do we often fear what God is doing?
Jesus had just fed thousands with a few loaves and fishes. This miracle should have been fresh in their minds, a powerful reminder of Jesus' divine authority and care.
A Familiar Sight, A Terrifying Spectacle
Yet, when they see Jesus walking on the water, their immediate thought isn't 'Jesus is here!' but 'This is a ghost!' They were so overwhelmed by the storm and the strangeness of the sight that their prior understanding of Jesus' power was eclipsed.
Fear as a Veil
Their fear acted like a veil, obscuring the truth right in front of them. They recognized the form, but the context of the storm and the impossible nature of the act made them jump to a terrifying conclusion. This shows how easily our circumstances and emotions can distort our perception of God's presence and power in our lives.
They cried out, 'It's a ghost!' But Jesus' response was immediate: 'It is I.' What does this contrast reveal about our assumptions about God?
The disciples' cry of 'It is a ghost!' (or 'apparition,' 'phantom') stemmed from a common ancient belief that spirits could appear to the living. This was a terrifying thought, especially in the middle of a stormy night on the sea.
The Danger of Misidentification
Their assumption was that the supernatural sight before them must be something malevolent or frightening. They couldn't conceive that it could be their Lord, manifesting His divine power in a way they hadn't witnessed before.
Jesus' Gentle Correction
Jesus' immediate reply, 'Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid,' gently corrects their fearful assumption. He doesn't condemn them for their fear but clarifies His identity. This highlights how Jesus often meets us in our moments of misunderstanding, patiently revealing Himself rather than leaving us to our fearful conclusions.
Understand the original words
phantasma · Greek Noun
A supernatural being or spirit; in this context, it refers to the disciples' perception of a disembodied spirit rather than a physical person.
phobos · Greek Noun
A state of intense agitation or dread caused by the perception of danger, mystery, or the presence of the divine.
The disciples' terror at seeing Jesus walking on the water highlights their limited understanding of his divine power, even after witnessing miracles like the feeding of the 5,000. Their fear and astonishment underscore the profound shock of encountering the divine in an unexpected and frightening form.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus sends disciples across the Sea of Galilee
After feeding the 5,000, Jesus compels his disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while he dismisses the crowd and goes to pray alone.
Night of the same day
Disciples struggle against a storm
While sailing, the disciples are caught in a fierce, contrary wind and struggle to make headway. Jesus is alone on a mountain, praying.
Fourth watch of the night (c. 3 AM - 6 AM)
Jesus walks on the water
Jesus appears to the disciples, walking on the sea towards their boat. This is the moment the disciples see him and cry out in fear.
Immediately after
Jesus speaks to the disciples
Jesus immediately addresses the terrified disciples, identifying himself and calming their fears, which allows Peter to step out onto the water.
This passage speaks of God walking on the sea, a concept that echoes Jesus' astonishing act and highlights His divine authority over the natural world. The disciples' fear of a 'ghost' reveals their limited understanding of divine power made manifest.
Luke 24:37The disciples' reaction to Jesus walking on the sea, mistaking Him for a spirit, mirrors the fear and confusion of the disciples in Luke's account who thought they saw a ghost. Both instances show how divine appearances can initially inspire terror due to lack of full recognition.
John 6:19This verse, from the parallel account of this event, describes Jesus appearing to the disciples as they rowed and also caused them fear. It emphasizes the overwhelming nature of the unexpected divine encounter amidst their struggle.
This text describes how terrifying apparitions were perceived by those in darkness, which resonates with the disciples' fear in the dark and stormy night. It provides a context for why they would immediately assume they were seeing a phantom.
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…
bensonMatthew 14:26: "And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear."
Matthew 14:26-27 . And when the disciples saw him, they were troubled — “It is well known that it is never entirely dark on the water not to urge that the moon might perhaps now be in the last quarter, as it must have been, if this was about three weeks before the passover.” By that little light, therefore, which they had, the disciples, seeing him, but no…
In their terror, the disciples cried out that Jesus was a ghost, a "phantasma," revealing a common ancient belief in spirits and apparitions. What's easy to miss is that their fear wasn't just of the unknown, but of Christ himself, whom they mistook for something terrifying rather than their Savior.
Jesus had just miraculously fed a large crowd, and afterward, He sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while He went to pray alone. As the disciples struggled against a strong wind and waves in the middle of the night, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water, which caused them to believe He was a ghost and cry out in terror.
Jesus had just miraculously fed a large crowd, and afterward, He sent the disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while He went to pray alone. As the disciples struggled against a strong wind and waves in the middle of the night, Jesus appeared to them, walking on the water, which caused them to believe He was a ghost and cry out in terror.
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"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." — In their terror, the disciples cried out that Jesus was a ghost, a "phantasma," revealing a common ancient belief in spirits and apparitions. What's easy to miss is that their fear wasn't just of the…
