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.

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}.

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

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

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

Context

This verse captures a pivotal moment for the disciples immediately following the miracle of feeding the five thousand. Jesus had sent them ahead by boat across the Sea of Galilee while He went up into a mountain to pray. By the fourth watch of the night (between 3 AM and 6 AM), the disciples were far from shore, struggling against a strong headwind and turbulent waves. Exhausted and in peril, their natural human fear was already heightened, setting the stage for their dramatic reaction to Jesus' appearance.

Key Themes

  • Human Fear and Misperception: The disciples, seasoned fishermen, were already in a desperate situation. Seeing a figure walking on the tumultuous water, their immediate and understandable reaction was terror. They did not recognize Jesus but instead believed it to be a ghost or evil spirit (Greek: phantasma). This highlights humanity's natural inclination to fear the unknown and the supernatural, especially when under duress.
  • The Supernatural Power of Jesus: This event powerfully demonstrates Jesus' divine authority over creation. His ability to walk on water is a clear display of His unique power, a feat attributed only to God in Old Testament scriptures (e.g., Job 9:8). The disciples' profound fear underscores the extraordinary, divine nature of what they were witnessing.
  • Divine Presence in Adversity: Even in their struggle and confusion, Jesus comes to them. He doesn't wait for the storm to subside but enters their challenging circumstances, showcasing His constant presence and willingness to meet His followers in their moments of greatest need and fear.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses the word "troubled," which translates the Greek verb tarassō (ταράσσω). This word conveys a deep sense of agitation, disturbance, or even terror, accurately describing the disciples' extreme emotional distress. Their cry, "It is a spirit," employs the Greek word phantasma (φάντασμα), specifically referring to an apparition or ghost, indicating their immediate, primal fear of a malevolent supernatural entity rather than a human being.

Practical Application

Matthew 14:26 offers timeless lessons for believers today. When we face life's unexpected storms—whether personal crises, health challenges, or difficult circumstances—it is natural to feel fear and confusion. Like the disciples, we might misinterpret God's presence or intervention, sometimes seeing it as a source of alarm rather than comfort and aid. This verse reminds us:

  • Our Fears Can Obscure God's Presence: Our anxieties and preconceived notions can blind us to Jesus working in our circumstances. What appears terrifying might actually be Christ drawing near to us.
  • Jesus Comes to Us in the Storm: He doesn't always calm the storm immediately (as He did in Mark 4:39), but He comes to us within it, demonstrating His solidarity and control.
  • Trust in His Power: We are called to recognize and trust in Jesus' extraordinary power, even when His actions defy our logic or expectations and initially provoke fear.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified 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.
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