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 when he had sent the multitudes away. Matthew speaks merely of the dismissal as such ( ἀπολύσας τοὺς ὄχλους ); Mark refers to his parting words ( ἀποταξάμενος αὐτοῖς , i.e. probably to the multitude). He went up into a mountain— the mountain (Revised Version); Matthew 5:1 , note— apart . κατ ἰδίαν is to be joined with the preceding, and not to the following words (cf. Matthew 5:13 ; Matthew 17:19 ). And when the evening was come ( Matthew 5:15 ,... read more
The soothing power of prayer. Earnest effort should be made to realize the strain, and excitement, and fatigue, and distress of that day to Christ. In some senses it was the very hardest day of his active ministry. Appraise carefully the spiritual, and even physical, influence of the following things. 1 . Anxiety concerning the excitement of his disciples because the devils had been subject to them on their first mission. 2 . Distress on hearing of the violent death of John. 3 .... read more
But the ship; boat (Revised Version); Matthew 14:22 . Was now; rather, already, when the following incident happened. In the midst of the sea. So also the text of the Revised Version, but its margin, "was many furlongs distant from the land." Westcott and Hort prefer the latter, with Codex B and the Old Syriac. It somewhat resembles John 6:19 . Tossed ; distressed (Revised Version). For βασανιζόμενον suggests not physical motion, but pain and anguish, the idea being... 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
But straightway Jesus spake unto them ( ἐλάλησεν , not ἔκραξεν ). He was evidently near them. Saying, Be of good cheer ( θαρσεῖτε , Matthew 9:2 ); it is I be not afraid. Encouragement, self-manifestation, recall from present terror. But the absence of θαρσεῖτε in John 6:20 suggests that it is, perhaps, a duplicate rendering of the Aramaic for μὴ φοβεῖσθε . For the LXX . commonly translates "fear ye not" by θαρσεῖτε ( e.g. Exodus 14:13 ; Exodus 20:20 ... read more
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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