And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
This moment reveals that the disciples' confession, "Truly you are the Son of God," wasn't just an intellectual conclusion, but a heartfelt recognition that arose after witnessing Jesus' power not only over the storm but also His unique rescue of Peter. Their awe-filled worship signifies a profound shift in understanding, born from experiencing divine intervention firsthand in a way that surpassed even their previous encounters with His miracles.
And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
After Jesus miraculously fed thousands and walked on the sea to rescue His disciples from a storm, even enabling Peter to walk on water, the awe-struck individuals in the boat, including the disciples and likely the crew, recognized Jesus' divine power. Their experience culminated in a profound worship and confession that Jesus was truly the Son of God.
Imagine being in a boat, battered by waves, with a storm raging around you. Then, a figure appears, walking on the water. What would you feel? Terror? Disbelief? This is exactly what the disciples experienced, yet it led them to a profound truth.
The disciples' journey from terror to worship is a powerful testament to how extreme circumstances can recalibrate our perspective. Initially, they saw Jesus walking on the water and thought it was a ghost, crying out in fear.
The Grip of Fear
Fear has a way of distorting reality. It makes the unbelievable seem plausible and the familiar terrifying. Their immediate reaction wasn't awe, but panic. This highlights how our initial, instinctive reactions can sometimes blind us to the truth.
Jesus' Calming Presence
Jesus immediately speaks, "Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid." His voice cuts through the chaos. Even before the storm is fully quelled, His presence and words begin to shift their internal state. He doesn't just calm the storm; He addresses the storm within them.
The Ultimate Acknowledgment
This shift culminates in their worship and confession: "Truly you are the Son of God." The very thing that terrified them ultimately revealed Jesus' divine identity in a way that mere observation of His miracles might not have. The miracle wasn't just walking on water; it was how it transformed their understanding.
This incredible event didn't just impact the core group of followers. The text mentions "those in the boat" – a phrase that suggests more than just the Twelve were present. Who else witnessed this, and what does their confession tell us?
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Matthew 14:33 specifically states, "And those in the boat worshiped him..." This detail is crucial because it expands the circle of witnesses beyond the immediate disciples.
The Crew and Passengers
Scholars suggest that "those in the boat" likely included the sailors, possibly other passengers, or crew members who were not part of Jesus' inner circle. These individuals may have had little to no prior knowledge of Jesus or His teachings.
An Unpremeditated Confession
For these onlookers, the evidence was immediate and overwhelming: Jesus commanded the storm, walked on water, and even empowered Peter to do the same, only to rescue him when he faltered. This wasn't a group that had processed years of Jesus' teachings or witnessed dozens of miracles. Their confession, "Truly you are the Son of God," was a spontaneous, awe-struck reaction to witnessing divine power firsthand.
A Glimpse of Messianic Identity
This confession, "Son of God," was a significant acknowledgment, pointing towards Jesus' unique divine nature and His role as the promised Messiah. It shows that God's power can break through even to those who are not His devoted followers, drawing them to recognize His identity through His mighty acts.
The confession "Truly you are the Son of God" is powerful. But what did this title truly signify to those who heard it then, and how does it compare to our understanding today?
The declaration, "Truly you are the Son of God," is more than just a statement of familial relationship; it’s a profound theological confession.
A Title of Divine Authority
In the context of first-century Judaism, "Son of God" was a loaded term. While it could refer to angels or righteous people, when applied to the Messiah, it carried implications of divine authority, unique relationship with God, and a role ordained by heaven. It wasn't just a title; it was an acknowledgment of Jesus' divine nature and His mission.
Witnessed Power Leading to Truth
The disciples and others in the boat had just seen Jesus display absolute power over the chaotic forces of nature – the wind and waves obeyed Him, and He walked on water. This display of authority was the undeniable catalyst for their confession. It moved them beyond seeing Him as a mere teacher or prophet to recognizing Him as possessing divine attributes.
A Progressive Revelation
While this confession is incredibly significant, the commentators rightly point out that it represented a step in their understanding, not the full picture of Jesus' divinity as later understood through the resurrection. They acknowledged His power and unique relationship with God, laying the groundwork for a deeper faith that would continue to develop.
Understand the original words
proskuneo · Greek Verb
An act of humble submission, reverence, and adoration toward a deity. In the New Testament, it is the appropriate response of humans to the divine presence and authority of Jesus Christ.
huios theou · Greek Noun phrase
A title affirming Jesus' unique divine relationship with God the Father and His status as the promised Messiah. It points to His deity, authority, and role as the perfect representative of God to humanity.
This moment marks a pivotal step in the disciples' understanding of Jesus. While previous miracles like the feeding of the five thousand hinted at his power, witnessing his absolute authority over the chaotic forces of nature solidifies their belief that he is more than a prophet – he is the divine Son of God.
c. AD 28
Miraculous Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus feeds over 5,000 men with five loaves and two fish, a profound display of his power and compassion.
c. AD 28
Disciples Journey across the Sea of Galilee
Jesus compels his disciples to board a boat and cross the Sea of Galilee ahead of him while he dismisses the crowd.
c. AD 28
Jesus Prays Alone on a Mountain
While the disciples face a storm, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray, demonstrating his humanity and reliance on the Father.
c. AD 28
Jesus Walks on Water During a Storm
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus walks on the stormy sea to meet his disciples, intending to pass them by.
c. AD 28
Peter Walks on Water, Then Sinks
Peter bravely steps out to walk on water toward Jesus but begins to sink when fear overwhelms his faith, prompting Jesus to rescue him.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus Calms the Storm and Boards the Boat
Upon Jesus and Peter entering the boat, the wind ceases, demonstrating Jesus' authority over the natural elements.
c. AD 28
Confession of Jesus as Son of God
Those in the boat, witnessing Jesus' power over the storm and his miraculous actions, confess him as the true Son of God.
This passage describes the same event of Jesus walking on the water to reach his disciples in the boat. It highlights their fear and then their relief and astonishment when they recognize him, mirroring the reaction in Matthew.
Mark 4:35-41Mark also recounts the disciples being in a storm-tossed boat, but this passage focuses on Jesus calming the storm. While Matthew's account includes Peter walking on water, both passages show the disciples' awe and questioning of Jesus' identity in the face of his power over nature.
Matthew 16:13-16Here, Peter makes a more explicit confession of Jesus as 'the Christ, the Son of the living God.' This verse in Matthew 14 is a precursor to that, showing the disciples beginning to grasp Jesus' divine identity through his miraculous actions.
Psalm 107:23-30This Psalm beautifully describes those who go to sea and see the works of the Lord. It speaks of storms and God's power to calm them, echoing the disciples' experience and their recognition of divine authority over the elements.
Job 9:8This verse describes God as one who 'alone stretched out the heavens and trampled the waves of the sea.' It provides an Old Testament parallel to the immense power Jesus displays by walking on the sea, reinforcing the profound significance of the disciples' declaration.
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 14:33: "Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God."
Verse 33. - Matthew only. Then - and (Revised Version, δέ) - they that were in the ship; boat (Revised Version). If there were others than the disciples in the boat, as is probable, these also would be included; but the disciples would naturally take the lead (cf. the notes on Matthew 8:23, 27). Came and. The Revised Version omits these two words, with the manuscripts. They are…
This moment reveals that the disciples' confession, "Truly you are the Son of God," wasn't just an intellectual conclusion, but a heartfelt recognition that arose after witnessing Jesus' power not only over the storm but also His unique rescue of Peter. Their awe-filled worship signifies a profound shift in understanding, born from experiencing divine intervention firsthand in a way that surpassed even their previous encounters with His miracles.
After Jesus miraculously fed thousands and walked on the sea to rescue His disciples from a storm, even enabling Peter to walk on water, the awe-struck individuals in the boat, including the disciples and likely the crew, recognized Jesus' divine power. Their experience culminated in a profound worship and confession that Jesus was truly the Son of God.
After Jesus miraculously fed thousands and walked on the sea to rescue His disciples from a storm, even enabling Peter to walk on water, the awe-struck individuals in the boat, including the disciples and likely the crew, recognized Jesus' divine power. Their experience culminated in a profound worship and confession that Jesus was truly the Son of God.
"And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”" — This moment reveals that the disciples' confession, "Truly you are the Son of God," wasn't just an intellectual conclusion, but a heartfelt recognition that arose after witnessing Jesus' power not…
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Last reviewed October 2026