Matthew 14:26

KJV

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

KJV (with Strong's)

And {G2532} when the disciples {G3101} saw {G1492} him {G846} walking {G4043} on {G1909} the sea {G2281}, they were troubled {G5015}, saying {G3004}{G3754}, It is {G2076} a spirit {G5326}; and {G2532} they cried out {G2896} for {G575} fear {G5401}.

Complete Jewish Bible

When the talmidim saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said and screamed with fear.

Berean Standard Bible

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

American Standard Version

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 14:26 vividly portrays the disciples' terror and misperception when they witness Jesus walking on the turbulent Sea of Galilee. Instead of recognizing their Lord, they are deeply disturbed, convinced they are seeing a ghostly apparition, and cry out in sheer fright, highlighting their human limitations and the extraordinary nature of Christ's divine power amidst a raging storm.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand ([Matthew 14:15-21](/matthew/14-15-21 "The Feeding of the Five Thousand")), a profound demonstration of Jesus' power to provide. After this, Jesus sends the disciples ahead in a boat while He dismisses the crowds and goes up a mountain to pray ([Matthew 14:22-23](/matthew/14-22-23 "Jesus Dismisses the Crowds and Prays")). The disciples are alone on the sea, struggling against strong headwinds and waves, setting the stage for Jesus' unexpected appearance in the fourth watch of the night ([Matthew 14:24-25](/matthew/14-24-25 "Disciples on the Sea and Jesus Walks on Water")). Their fear in [Matthew 14:26](/matthew/14-26 "Disciples' Fear on the Sea") is a direct response to this perilous situation combined with a supernatural encounter, leading directly into Peter's attempt to walk on water and Jesus' subsequent calming of the storm ([Matthew 14:27-33](/matthew/14-27-33 "Jesus Calms the Storm and Peter Walks on Water")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Gennesaret or Tiberias) was notorious for sudden, violent storms due to its geographical location below sea level, surrounded by hills that channeled strong winds. Fishermen, even experienced ones like many of the disciples, would have a healthy respect for its dangers, especially at night. In Jewish culture, the sea was often seen as a place of chaos and danger, a realm where only God exercised ultimate control (e.g., [Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "God Treads on the Waves of the Sea"), [Psalm 77:19](/psalms/77-19 "God's Path Through the Sea")). Belief in spirits, ghosts, and apparitions (phantasmata) was common in the ancient world, including among Jews, who might attribute such sightings to malevolent forces or the restless dead, particularly in isolated or frightening circumstances. This cultural backdrop amplifies the disciples' terror and explains their immediate assumption that they were encountering a "spirit" rather than a human being.
* **Key Themes:** [Matthew 14](/matthew/14 "Matthew Chapter 14") as a whole highlights Jesus' divine authority and compassion. This specific event contributes to several key themes. Firstly, it underscores the **supernatural power and divine identity of Jesus**, demonstrating His dominion over creation, a power typically attributed to God alone in the Old Testament. Secondly, it reveals **human fear and limited perception** in the face of the divine; the disciples, despite witnessing miracles, still struggle to comprehend Jesus' true nature, leading to misidentification and terror. Thirdly, it emphasizes **Jesus' proactive presence in adversity**, as He comes to His disciples in their moment of greatest need and fear, illustrating His constant care and willingness to meet them in their struggles. Finally, it sets the stage for the theme of **faith and doubt**, particularly seen in Peter's subsequent actions, as the disciples grapple with believing in the incredible reality unfolding before them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **saw (Greek, _eídō'_):** This verb signifies not merely a physical act of seeing but also a perception that leads to understanding or knowing. In this context, the disciples physically *saw* Jesus, but their perception was flawed; they did not *understand* who it was, leading to misidentification. Their vision was clear, but their spiritual discernment was clouded by fear and preconceived notions.
* **troubled (Greek, _tarássō'_):** This word describes a deep agitation, disturbance, or terror. It implies a violent stirring, like water being roiled. It accurately captures the profound emotional distress and inner turmoil the disciples experienced. Their fear was not a mild discomfort but an overwhelming sense of dread that shook them to their core.
* **spirit (Greek, _phántasma'_):** This term refers to an apparition, a ghost, or a mere show. The disciples' immediate conclusion was that they were seeing a supernatural entity, specifically a malevolent or frightening one, rather than a human being. This highlights their inability to grasp the divine reality of Jesus' presence and power, defaulting instead to a common ancient belief about frightening nocturnal sightings.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea":** This clause sets the scene for the disciples' reaction. They are in a boat, struggling against the elements, when they visually perceive a figure approaching them, defying natural laws by walking on the water. The act of "walking on the sea" is a profound display of divine power, traditionally attributed only to God, and it immediately triggers a crisis of understanding for the disciples.
* **"they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;":** The sight of Jesus walking on water causes immediate and profound distress (troubled, _tarássō_). Their rational minds cannot process what they are seeing, leading them to conclude it is a supernatural apparition or ghost (_phántasma_). This reveals their limited understanding of Jesus' identity, despite having witnessed His earlier miracles. Their fear overrides their recognition.
* **"and they cried out for fear."**: This final clause emphasizes the intensity of their terror. Their cry is not a call for help from the figure, but an instinctive shriek born of overwhelming fright. It signifies a primal, visceral reaction to what they perceive as a terrifying, inexplicable, and potentially malevolent supernatural encounter.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Irony** is present in the disciples' misidentification; the one who comes to save them from the storm is precisely the one they fear. What should be a source of comfort becomes a source of terror due to their limited understanding. **Hyperbole** is suggested by their extreme reaction ("cried out for fear"), emphasizing the intensity of their fright and the extraordinary nature of the event. The scene is rich in **Symbolism**: the turbulent sea often symbolizes chaos, danger, and the forces beyond human control, while Jesus' walking on it symbolizes His divine sovereignty and power over all creation and chaos. The disciples' fear and misperception also serve as **Foreshadowing** of their continued struggles with faith and understanding Jesus' true identity throughout His ministry.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This episode profoundly illustrates Jesus' divine sovereignty over creation, a power uniquely attributed to God in the Old Testament. His ability to walk on the tumultuous waters, a realm often symbolic of chaos and danger, demonstrates His absolute authority, echoing passages like [Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "God Alone Treads on the Waves of the Sea") and [Psalm 89:9](/psalms/89-9 "God Rules the Raging Sea"). The disciples' fear and misidentification highlight the human struggle to comprehend divine revelation, especially when it challenges their preconceived notions and natural understanding. Yet, it also underscores Jesus' compassionate initiative to meet His followers in their deepest fears and most perilous circumstances, revealing His constant presence and willingness to intervene.

* [Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "God Alone Treads on the Waves of the Sea")
* [Psalm 77:19](/psalms/77-19 "God's Path Through the Sea")
* [Mark 6:49-50](/mark/6-49-50 "Jesus Walks on Water in Mark")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 14:26 offers a profound mirror for our own spiritual journeys. When life's storms rage—be they personal crises, global uncertainties, or unexpected challenges—our natural inclination, like the disciples', is often to succumb to fear and misinterpret God's presence. We may perceive His approach as a threat or an inexplicable phenomenon rather than a comforting intervention. This verse calls us to examine our own reactions in moments of distress: Do we allow our anxieties to blind us to Christ's nearness? Do we cry out in fear, or do we, like Peter eventually did, dare to step out in faith towards the one who walks on water? It reminds us that Jesus often meets us not after the storm has passed, but in the very midst of its chaos, inviting us to recognize His sovereign power and compassionate presence even when circumstances defy our logic. Our growth in faith is often measured by our ability to see past our initial fears and recognize the Lord in the unexpected, the terrifying, and the seemingly impossible.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "storms" are you currently facing that might be causing you fear or confusion?**
* **How might your fear or preconceived notions be preventing you from recognizing Jesus' presence or work in your current circumstances?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper trust in Jesus' power, even when His actions defy your understanding or initially provoke fear?**

### FAQ
**Why did the disciples think Jesus was a spirit?**

Answer: The disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee during a severe storm, far from shore, and it was the "fourth watch of the night" (between 3 AM and 6 AM), a time when darkness and exhaustion would heighten their senses and fears. When they saw a figure walking on the water, an act that defied natural laws and human capability, their immediate, fear-driven conclusion was that it must be a supernatural apparition or ghost (Greek: _phantasma_). This belief was common in the ancient world, and their terror prevented them from recognizing Jesus, despite having witnessed His earlier miracles. Their perception was clouded by the extreme circumstances and their lack of full comprehension of Jesus' divine nature at that point.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 14:26, with the disciples' terrified misidentification of Jesus as a "spirit" walking on water, profoundly underscores Christ's divine nature and His ultimate triumph over the chaos and limitations of the fallen world. This event is not merely a display of power, but a revelation of the Son of God who embodies the very attributes of Yahweh, who alone "treads on the waves of the sea" ([Job 9:8](/job/9-8 "God's Power Over the Sea")). In their fear, the disciples failed to recognize the one who would ultimately conquer not just the physical storms, but the spiritual storms of sin and death. Jesus' walking on water foreshadows His victory over the grave, His ascension, and His ultimate authority over all creation, assuring believers that He is present and sovereign even in life's most terrifying moments. He is the one who, in His resurrection, would appear to His disciples, again dispelling their fears and confirming His identity, as seen in [Luke 24:36-39](/luke/24-36-39 "Jesus Appears to the Disciples After Resurrection"), where He reassures them, "Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." This narrative in Matthew thus points to the Christ who is not a fleeting apparition, but the incarnate God, who enters our storms to bring peace and reveal His saving presence, ultimately fulfilling the promise of God's unwavering presence with His people in all their trials ([Isaiah 43:2](/isaiah/43-2 "God's Presence in Trials")).

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

Luke 24:37

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

Mark 6:49

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

Mark 6:50

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Luke 24:5

And as they were afraid, and bowed down [their] faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

Revelation 1:17

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last:

Luke 1:11

And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Luke 1:12

And when Zacharias saw [him], he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.