Matthew 14:25

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G1161} in the fourth {G5067} watch {G5438} of the night {G3571} Jesus {G2424} went {G565} unto {G4314} them {G846}, walking {G4043} on {G1909} the sea {G2281}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Around four o'clock in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the lake!

Berean Standard Bible

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.

American Standard Version

And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:25 describes Jesus' miraculous arrival to His disciples who were struggling in a boat on the Sea of Galilee during a storm. After feeding the five thousand, Jesus had sent His disciples ahead while He went to pray. In the deepest part of the night, Jesus demonstrated His divine authority over creation by walking on the tumultuous waters, revealing His omnipresent care and power to His fearful followers.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after two pivotal events in Matthew's narrative: the miraculous feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:13-21](/matthew/14-13-21 "Matthew 14:13-21 - Feeding of the Five Thousand")) and Jesus' subsequent dismissal of the crowds and sending His disciples by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee ([Matthew 14:22](/matthew/14-22 "Matthew 14:22 - Jesus Sends Disciples Ahead")). While the disciples are out at sea, struggling against strong winds and waves, Jesus withdraws to a mountain to pray ([Matthew 14:23](/matthew/14-23 "Matthew 14:23 - Jesus Prays on the Mountain")). This sequence highlights Jesus' divine power and compassion, contrasting His serene control with the disciples' human vulnerability and fear in the face of natural elements. The event continues with Peter's attempt to walk on water and Jesus calming the storm, further developing themes of faith and doubt.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias) was notorious for its sudden, violent storms, often caused by cold air rushing down from the surrounding hills into the warm air over the lake. Fishermen, like many of the disciples, were accustomed to these dangers but still vulnerable. The Roman system of dividing the night into four watches (6 PM-9 PM, 9 PM-12 AM, 12 AM-3 AM, 3 AM-6 AM) provides a crucial temporal detail. The "fourth watch" (3 AM-6 AM) signifies the darkest, coldest, and often most exhausting part of the night, just before dawn. This timing emphasizes the disciples' prolonged struggle and the dramatic nature of Jesus' appearance, coming at a moment of maximum human despair and physical exertion.
* **Key Themes:** Matthew 14:25 powerfully contributes to several key themes within the Gospel of Matthew. Foremost is the theme of **Jesus' Divine Authority and Sovereignty over Creation**. His ability to walk on water, a feat only God is described as doing in the Old Testament ([Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "Job 9:8 - God Walks on the Waves")), unequivocally demonstrates His divine nature and power over the natural world, echoing His earlier calming of the storm in [Matthew 8:23-27](/matthew/8-23-27 "Matthew 8:23-27 - Jesus Calms the Storm"). Secondly, the verse highlights **Jesus' Constant Presence and Care for His Disciples**, even when they feel isolated and are struggling against overwhelming forces. He sees their plight from afar and intervenes precisely when their need is greatest. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **Faith and Doubt**, as the disciples' initial fear and misunderstanding of Jesus' identity ([Matthew 14:26](/matthew/14-26 "Matthew 14:26 - Disciples Mistake Jesus for a Ghost")) quickly gives way to awe and worship ([Matthew 14:33](/matthew/14-33 "Matthew 14:33 - Disciples Worship Jesus")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **watch (Greek, _phylakḗ'_):** This word refers to a guarding or a division of time, specifically a "watch" of the night. In this context, it denotes a specific period, highlighting the late hour and the prolonged struggle of the disciples. The "fourth watch" indicates the deepest part of the night, from 3 AM to 6 AM, emphasizing the disciples' exhaustion and the dramatic timing of Jesus' appearance.
* **went (Greek, _apérchomai'_):** This verb means "to go off" or "depart," implying a deliberate movement from one place to another. Here, it signifies Jesus' intentional action of moving from the mountain where He was praying towards His disciples on the sea, underscoring His purposeful intervention.
* **walking (Greek, _peripatéō'_):** Meaning "to tread all around" or "walk at large," this word describes the physical act of moving on foot. Its application to Jesus "walking on the sea" is profoundly significant, as it defies natural laws and showcases His unique divine power and mastery over creation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And in the fourth watch of the night":** This phrase establishes the precise timing of Jesus' appearance. The "fourth watch" (3 AM-6 AM) indicates that the disciples had been toiling against the wind and waves for many hours, likely since evening. This detail underscores their weariness, the intensity of their struggle, and the lateness of Jesus' intervention, making His arrival all the more dramatic and miraculous.
* **"Jesus went unto them":** This clause describes Jesus' deliberate action. He did not merely appear, but He actively "went" towards His disciples, demonstrating His awareness of their distress and His intentional movement to be with them. This highlights His pastoral care and His initiative in coming to those in need.
* **"walking on the sea":** This is the central, astonishing act of the verse. Jesus' ability to walk on the surface of the tumultuous Sea of Galilee defies the laws of nature and human capability. It is a profound demonstration of His divine power, sovereignty over creation, and His unique identity as the Son of God.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices. **Symbolism** is prominent, with the "sea" often symbolizing chaos, danger, and the overwhelming forces of the world, against which human effort is futile. The "night" further symbolizes despair, fear, and the absence of light or hope. Jesus' **Supernaturalism** is the core of the miracle, as His act of walking on water transcends natural laws, emphasizing His divine nature. There is also a strong element of **Dramatic Irony**, as the disciples, seasoned fishermen, are terrified by the storm, while Jesus effortlessly walks upon the very element that threatens them. This contrast underscores the vast difference between human limitation and divine omnipotence.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 14:25 offers a profound theological statement about the person of Jesus Christ. His ability to walk on water is not merely a display of power, but an assertion of His divine identity, echoing Old Testament descriptions of God's dominion over the waters ([Psalm 77:19](/psalm/77-19 "Psalm 77:19 - God's Path Through the Sea"); [Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "Job 9:8 - God Treads on the Waves of the Sea")). This miracle reveals Jesus as the Lord of creation, sovereign over the natural elements, and therefore, sovereign over all circumstances. It assures believers that even in the most terrifying and seemingly impossible situations, Jesus is present, powerful, and able to intervene. His coming to the disciples in the "fourth watch" speaks to His timely intervention in moments of deepest human need and exhaustion, offering hope where there seems to be none.

* [Psalm 77:19](/psalm/77-19 "Psalm 77:19 - God's Path Through the Sea")
* [Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "Job 9:8 - God Treads on the Waves of the Sea")
* [Mark 6:48](/mark/6-48 "Mark 6:48 - Jesus Sees Disciples Toiling")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 14:25 provides immense comfort and a powerful challenge for contemporary believers. In our own lives, we often encounter "storms"—periods of intense difficulty, fear, and uncertainty, whether they are financial crises, health struggles, relational conflicts, or spiritual doubts. Like the disciples, we may feel isolated, exhausted, and overwhelmed, toiling against forces beyond our control, often in the "fourth watch" when our strength is depleted and hope seems dim. This verse reminds us that Jesus is never unaware of our struggles. He sees us, even when we feel unseen, and He comes to us, often in unexpected and miraculous ways, at the precise moment of our greatest need. His presence, walking on the very things that threaten to engulf us, is a profound testament to His power, His sovereignty, and His intimate care. It calls us to shift our gaze from the overwhelming circumstances to the all-powerful Christ, trusting that He is sovereign over every storm and that His presence brings peace and deliverance.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" are you currently facing in your life, and how might you be tempted to feel isolated or overwhelmed in them?**
* **In what ways might Jesus be "coming to you" in your "fourth watch," even if His presence isn't immediately recognizable or expected?**
* **How does Jesus' power over the sea in this passage encourage you to trust Him with seemingly impossible situations in your own life?**

### FAQ
**Why did Jesus wait until the "fourth watch of the night" to come to the disciples?**

Answer: Jesus' timing in coming to the disciples in the "fourth watch" (3 AM-6 AM) is significant and intentional. It highlights several important aspects. First, it underscores the disciples' prolonged struggle and exhaustion, having toiled against the wind and waves for many hours. This allowed their human limitations and desperation to become fully evident, setting the stage for a dramatic display of divine power. Second, it emphasizes that Jesus often comes to us in our deepest moments of need and despair, when our own resources are completely depleted and we are most ready to recognize His supernatural intervention. It teaches that God's deliverance often arrives not at our convenience, but at the moment of His perfect timing, when His glory can be most fully revealed and our faith most profoundly tested and strengthened.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 14:25, with Jesus walking on the tumultuous sea, powerfully foreshadows His ultimate victory over chaos, sin, and death, which culminates in His resurrection and ascension. Just as Jesus demonstrated His sovereignty over the natural elements, He ultimately proved His absolute dominion over the spiritual forces of darkness and the finality of the grave. His effortless stride across the raging waters anticipates His triumph over the "sea" of human sin and the "waves" of death that threatened to overwhelm humanity. The disciples' initial fear and misunderstanding of Jesus as a ghost, before recognizing Him as the Son of God ([Matthew 14:26-27](/matthew/14-26-27 "Matthew 14:26-27 - Jesus Reassures Disciples")), mirrors humanity's initial inability to grasp the full implications of His divine nature and redemptive work. His command, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid" ([Matthew 14:27](/matthew/14-27 "Matthew 14:27 - Jesus' Reassurance")), echoes the assurance of His presence and power that believers find in the New Covenant. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has established His reign over all things, offering peace and security even in the midst of life's fiercest storms, as promised in [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World") and [Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16-17 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ's Supremacy Over Creation"). He is the one who calms the storms of the soul, providing a firm foundation for faith in a world often tossed by uncertainty, just as He did for His disciples on the Sea of Galilee.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 9:8

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

Mark 6:48

And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.

John 6:19

So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.

Matthew 24:43

But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.

Luke 12:38

And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find [them] so, blessed are those servants.

Psalms 93:3

The floods have lifted up, O LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their waves.

Psalms 93:4

The LORD on high [is] mightier than the noise of many waters, [yea, than] the mighty waves of the sea.