But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
Jesus immediately speaks, but notice he doesn't say "Don't be afraid" first. He first says, "Take heart; it is I," directly addressing their fear by revealing his identity. This highlights that the surest way to dispel fear isn't just to banish the feeling, but to know who is present with us in the storm.
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus sent his disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while he went to pray, but a fierce storm arose, terrifying the disciples who then saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. Mistaking him for a ghost in the darkness and the raging storm, they cried out in fear, prompting Jesus to immediately speak to them.
The disciples are terrified by a figure walking on the water. Who is this, they wonder, and what does it mean for them?
The Divine Authority
When Jesus appears to his disciples walking on the water, their initial reaction is fear. They think he's a ghost or apparition. This highlights a key theme: Jesus’s power over the natural world and the supernatural realm.
The Compassionate Presence
Despite the disciples' fear and their inability to fully grasp his identity or the recent miracle of the loaves, Jesus doesn’t scold them harshly at first. Instead, he offers reassurance.
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Peter, emboldened by Jesus's words, steps out onto the water. But as soon as his focus shifts, he begins to sink.
The Call to Courage
Jesus doesn't just tell his disciples not to be afraid; he calls them to take heart. This isn't about suppressing fear but about redirecting their attention and trust.
The Reality of Doubt
Peter’s experience is a vivid illustration of how quickly faith can falter when our gaze shifts from Jesus to the circumstances.
Understand the original words
tharseō · Greek Verb
An imperative command to be of good courage, confidence, or cheer; often used by Jesus to urge trust in Him over human apprehension.
This dramatic event, occurring shortly after the miraculous feeding of the multitudes, powerfully illustrates Jesus' divine authority over the natural world and his deep care for his followers, even in their moments of greatest fear and doubt.
c. AD 27-30
Jesus' public ministry begins
Jesus begins teaching, healing, and gathering disciples, performing miracles that draw crowds and attract attention from religious authorities.
c. AD 28
Miracle of the loaves and fishes
Jesus miraculously feeds a large crowd with only a few loaves and fish, a sign of his power over nature. This event immediately precedes the disciples' sea crossing.
c. AD 28
Disciples cross the Sea of Galilee
Jesus sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee by boat while he goes to pray. They encounter a strong headwind and waves, struggling to make headway.
c. AD 28
Jesus walks on water
During the fourth watch of the night (between 3 and 6 AM), Jesus walks on the turbulent sea towards the struggling disciples.
c. AD 28
Disciples mistake Jesus for a ghost
Seeing Jesus walking on the water, the disciples are terrified, believing him to be a spirit or apparition.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus calms the disciples' fear
Jesus immediately speaks to them, identifying himself and reassuring them, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid."
c. AD 28
Peter walks on water, then sinks
Peter, encouraged by Jesus, briefly walks on the water towards Jesus but begins to sink when fear overcomes his faith, requiring Jesus to rescue him.
This passage mirrors Jesus' words, assuring his people that even when they pass through difficult times ('waters') or face trials ('rivers'), they will not be overcome because He is with them.
Psalm 23:4The phrase 'valley of the shadow of death' evokes the disciples' terror in the dark, stormy sea, yet the psalm assures us that God's presence is a comfort and protection, just as Jesus' presence calms the disciples' fears.
Job 9:8This verse describes God 'walking on the waves of the sea,' which directly parallels Jesus' miraculous act of walking on the water, highlighting His divine authority over the natural elements.
Mark 6:50This verse, from the parallel account of the same event, describes the disciples' reaction as fear and astonishment, emphasizing the disciples' failure to grasp Jesus' power even after the miracle of the loaves, which sets the stage for Jesus' reassurance.
John 6:19-20Here, Jesus also tells the disciples 'It is I; do not be afraid,' reinforcing that His appearance in a frightening situation is a signal of His presence and a call to trust Him, not to fear.
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…
pulpitMatthew 14:27: "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid."
Verse 27. - But straightway Jesus spake unto them (ἐλάλησεν, not ἔκραξεν). He was evidently near them. Saying, Be of good cheer (θαρσεῖτε, Matthew 9:2); it is I; be not afraid. Encouragement, self-manifestation, recall from present terror. But the absence of θαρσεῖτε in John 6:20 suggests that it is, perhaps, a duplicate rendering of the Aramaic for μὴ φοβεῖσθε. For the LXX. commonly transl…
Jesus immediately speaks, but notice he doesn't say "Don't be afraid" first. He first says, "Take heart; it is I," directly addressing their fear by revealing his identity. This highlights that the surest way to dispel fear isn't just to banish the feeling, but to know who is present with us in the storm.
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus sent his disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while he went to pray, but a fierce storm arose, terrifying the disciples who then saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. Mistaking him for a ghost in the darkness and the raging storm, they cried out in fear, prompting Jesus to immediately speak to them.
After miraculously feeding thousands, Jesus sent his disciples across the Sea of Galilee in a boat while he went to pray, but a fierce storm arose, terrifying the disciples who then saw Jesus walking on the water towards them. Mistaking him for a ghost in the darkness and the raging storm, they cried out in fear, prompting Jesus to immediately speak to them.
"But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”" — Jesus immediately speaks, but notice he doesn't say "Don't be afraid" first. He first says, "Take heart; it is I," directly addressing their fear by revealing his identity. This highlights that the…
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Last reviewed October 2026