Matthew 14:32

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

And {G2532} when they {G846} were come {G1684} into {G1519} the ship {G4143}, the wind {G417} ceased {G2869}.

As they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.

And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.

And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.

Matthew 14:32 KJV describes a pivotal moment immediately following Jesus walking on water and Peter's brief attempt to join Him. As soon as Jesus and Peter entered the disciples' boat, the tumultuous wind, which had been hindering their journey across the Sea of Galilee, abruptly ceased.

Context

This verse concludes a dramatic sequence of events. Earlier, after feeding over five thousand people, Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a ship while He went up into a mountain to pray (Matthew 14:22-23). During the fourth watch of the night (around 3-6 AM), the disciples found themselves caught in a violent storm, struggling against strong winds (Matthew 14:24). Jesus then came to them, walking on the water, initially causing fear among them as they thought He was a ghost (Matthew 14:25-26). It was in this chaotic scene that Peter, at Jesus' invitation, stepped out onto the water but began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus (Matthew 14:28-31). Verse 32 marks the immediate resolution of the natural crisis upon the Lord's arrival in the vessel.

Key Themes

  • Divine Authority Over Creation: The instantaneous cessation of the wind upon Jesus' entry into the boat highlights His absolute sovereignty over nature. This is not a gradual calm but an immediate, decisive act, demonstrating His divine power. This power is also seen in other instances, such as when Jesus rebuked the wind and sea in a previous storm.
  • The Presence of Christ Brings Peace: The storm raging around the disciples symbolizes the troubles and anxieties of life. Jesus' presence in the boat immediately brings peace and calm, demonstrating that when Christ is "in our ship," even the fiercest storms can be stilled.
  • Confirmation of Jesus' Identity: This miracle, along with Jesus walking on water, profoundly impacted the disciples. Their subsequent worship and confession, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God" (Matthew 14:33), underscore the significance of this event in affirming His divine nature.

Linguistic Insights

The Greek word for "ceased" is kopazo (κοπάζω), which literally means to grow weary, to abate, or to cease completely. It implies a sudden, complete cessation rather than a gradual dying down. This emphasizes the immediate and supernatural effect of Jesus' presence, leaving no doubt that the calming was a direct result of His power, not a natural phenomenon.

Practical Application

Matthew 14:32 offers a powerful lesson for believers today. Just as Jesus brought immediate calm to the physical storm for His disciples, His presence can bring peace and stability to our own lives amidst personal or global "storms" of anxiety, fear, or uncertainty. This verse encourages us to invite Jesus into our lives, our challenges, and our "ships," trusting that His divine authority can bring tranquility even in the most turbulent circumstances. It reminds us that with Christ, even seemingly insurmountable obstacles can be overcome, and peace can prevail.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Psalms 107:29

    He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.

  • Psalms 107:30

    Then are they glad because they be quiet; so he bringeth them unto their desired haven.

  • Mark 4:41

    And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

  • John 6:21

    Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

  • Mark 6:51

    And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.

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