Matthew 14:25

What does Matthew 14:25 mean?

A plain-English look at Matthew 14:25 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Matthew 14:25 means

In the early morning hours, during the fourth watch of the night (between 3 AM and 6 AM), Jesus came to His disciples, walking on the surface of the sea. This astonishing act demonstrates His divine power over creation and His sovereign presence even in the midst of impossible circumstances. His ability to defy natural laws reveals His true identity as God, able to command the elements themselves.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went away to them, walking upon the sea,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But in the fourth watch of the night he went off to them, walking on the sea.

Context

This verse immediately follows the description of the disciples' boat being battered by the storm. It marks Jesus' dramatic arrival to them, introducing the miraculous act of walking on water. This extraordinary intervention directly sets up the disciples' intense reaction of fear and confusion, leading to Jesus' comforting words and further display of His power over the elements.

v.24But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary.

v.25This passage

v.26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 10:2

    and he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left upon the earth;

  • Revelation 10:8

    And the voice which I heard from heaven, I heard it again speaking with me, and saying, Go, take the book which is open in the hand of the angel that standeth upon the sea and upon the earth.

  • John 6:19

    When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid.

  • Psalms 104:3

    Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters; Who maketh the clouds his chariot; Who walketh upon the wings of the wind;

  • Revelation 10:5

    And the angel that I saw standing upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his right hand to heaven,

  • Luke 12:38

    And if he shall come in the second watch, and if in the third, and find them so, blessed are those servants.

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