Lessons of the storm. The wonderful narrative before us suggests many lessons, amongst which the following may be noted, viz.— I. THAT JESUS IS A PARTY TO THE TROUBLES OF HIS DISCIPLES . 1 . These are often induced by their own folly. 2 . Satan has a malignant hand in them. 3 . Jesus has a benevolent hand in them. (a) That those who will not submit to the ruling of Christ's wisdom will have to sail without him in the voyage of life. (b) That... read more
The walking on the sea. I. JESUS LEFT ALONE . 1 . He sends the disciples across the lake. He "constrained his disciples to get into a ship." It is a strong word. He compelled, he forced them; evidently they were very unwilling to leave him. St. John's narrative throws a light upon this. The miracle had produced a great impression; it was in accordance with the hopes of the Jews; it was what they looked for in the expected Messiah. It must be he, the multitude thought; he is come... read more
And in the fourth watch of the night . Therefore some nine hours after sunset ( Matthew 14:23 , note). They had been battling for hours, and had only gone about three miles and a half ( John 6:19 ). Jesus went ; came (Revised Version); ἦλθε , not ἀπῆλθε , with Received Text. Unto them, walking on the sea ( ἐπὶ τὴν θάλθασσαν ); contrast Matthew 14:26 ( ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης ) . Here there is more thought of motion (cf. Matthew 14:29 ), but in the next verse... read more
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit — an apparition (Revised Version, φάντασμά ἐστιν )— and they cried out for fear. read more
A first lesson on the spiritual presence. The answer of the disciples to the sight of Jesus walking on the sea revealed the fact that they shared the superstitious sentiments of their age. They said, "It is a spirit." "Orientals continue to believe, as of old, in supernatural agencies, not only in the all-pervading and all-controlling providence and personal influence of the Deity, which they have ever pushed to extreme fatalism, but also in the existence and activity, either for good or for... read more
And in the fourth watch of the night - The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in Lamentations 2:19, the middle watch in Judges 7:19, and the morning watch in Exodus 14:24. In the time of our Saviour they divided the night into four watches, the fourth having been introduced by the Romans. These watches consisted of three hours each. The first commenced at six and continued until nine; the second... read more
They were troubled - They were afraid. The sight was remarkable. It was sufficient to awe them. In the dark night, amid the tumultuous billows appeared the form of a man. They thought it was a spirit an apparition. It was a common belief among the ancients that the spirits of people after death frequently appeared to the living. read more
Matthew 14:25. And in the fourth watch of the night The Jews, as well as the Romans, usually divided the night into four watches of three hours each. The first watch began at six, the second at nine, the third at twelve, the fourth at three. During these many tedious and distressing hours of storm and tempest, of darkness and danger, Jesus saw his disciples, though they saw not him: he beheld their perplexity and fear, while they were conflicting with the winds and waves, and observed how ... read more
Matthew 14:26-27. And when the disciples saw him, they were troubled “It is well known that it is never entirely dark on the water not to urge that the moon might perhaps now be in the last quarter, as it must have been, if this was about three weeks before the passover.” By that little light, therefore, which they had, the disciples, seeing him, but not perfectly discerning who he was, were much terrified: saying, It is a spirit, Οτι φαντασμα εστι , It is an apparition: for they justly... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:22-33
Peter walking on the sea. This time was a crisis in the life of our Lord. Thousands of people had followed him into a secluded part of the country, and insisted that he should proclaim himself King. It would have been a lesson to leaders of men to have seen how he induced the huge mob quietly to disperse. But the strain was tremendous. He had to control not merely the clamouring, infatuated thousands, but himself also. What more seductive to the human spirit than the being carried by... read more