Mark 6:49

But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

But {G1161} when they saw {G1492} him {G846} walking {G4043} upon {G1909} the sea {G2281}, they supposed {G1380} it had been {G1511} a spirit {G5326}, and {G2532} cried out {G349}:

but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought it was a ghost and let out a shriek;

but when they saw Him walking on the sea, they cried out, thinking He was a ghostโ€”

but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;

Commentary

Mark 6:49 (KJV) describes a pivotal moment during one of Jesus' most remarkable miracles: His walking on water. The disciples, already struggling against a fierce storm on the Sea of Galilee, are confronted with an even more terrifying sight.

Context

This verse immediately follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, where Jesus demonstrated His power to multiply resources. After sending the crowds away and instructing His disciples to cross the Sea of Galilee, Jesus went up a mountain to pray alone. The disciples, meanwhile, encountered strong headwinds and were making slow progress, rowing hard against the waves through the night. It was in the fourth watch of the night (between 3 AM and 6 AM) that Jesus came to them, walking on the water, intending to pass by them.

Key Themes

  • Misperception and Fear: The disciples' immediate reaction to seeing Jesus walking on the turbulent sea was profound fear. In the darkness and their exhaustion, they did not recognize Him. Instead, they "supposed it had been a spirit" (Greek: phantasma), a ghostly apparition or phantom, which was a common superstition in that era. This highlights the human tendency to react with alarm to the unknown or unexpected, especially when under duress.
  • Divine Authority Over Creation: Jesus' ability to walk on water is a powerful demonstration of His divine power and authority over the natural world. It underscores His unique identity as the Son of God, capable of transcending natural laws. This echoes other instances of His mastery over nature, such as calming the storm in Mark 4:39.
  • Jesus' Presence in Adversity: Even though the disciples were struggling and afraid, Jesus came to them in their moment of greatest need. His approach, though initially misunderstood, was an act of compassionate intervention.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "spirit" used here is phantasma (ฯ†ฮฌฮฝฯ„ฮฑฯƒฮผฮฑ), from which we get the English word "phantom." It specifically denotes an apparition, a ghost, or something seen that is not real or solid. This choice of word clearly conveys the disciples' terror and their belief that they were seeing something supernatural and menacing, not a living person. Their cry was one of terror and distress, a common human reaction to perceived supernatural threats.

Reflection and Application

Mark 6:49 offers several timeless lessons. Often, in the midst of our own "storms" of life, when we are struggling and exhausted, God may appear in ways we don't immediately recognize or understand. Our initial reaction might be fear or misinterpretation, much like the disciples. This verse challenges us to look beyond our initial reactions and to seek to discern God's presence and power, even when it manifests in unexpected or seemingly alarming ways. It reminds us that Jesus draws near to us in our deepest troubles, and though His methods may sometimes be mysterious, His purpose is always to bring comfort and demonstrate His sovereignty.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Matthew 14:25

    And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

  • Matthew 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.

  • Luke 24:37

    But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

  • Job 9:8

    Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.

  • Job 4:14

    Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.

  • Job 4:16

    It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image [was] before mine eyes, [there was] silence, and I heard a voice, [saying],
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