Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;
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Mark 6:48-51 sits inside this longer paragraph.
When evening had come, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; for they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Parallel Translations
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Seeing them distressed in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and he would have passed by them,
but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out;
for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled;
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and he sawe the troubled in rowynge for the wynde was cotrary vnto them. And aboute the fourth quartre of the nyght he came vnto the walkinge apon the see and wolde have passed by them.
When they sawe him walkinge apon the see they supposed it had bene a sprete and cryed oute:
For they all sawe him and were afrayed. And anon he talked with them and sayde vnto them: be of good chere it is I be not a frayed.
And he went vp vnto them into the shippe and the wynde ceased and they were sore amased in them selves beyonde measure and marveyled.
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And he saw them troubled in rowing, (for the winde was contrary vnto them) and about the fourth watch of the night, hee came vnto them, walking vpon the sea, and would haue passed by them.
And when they saw him walking vpon the sea, they supposed it had bene a spirit, and cried out.
For they all saw him, and were sore afrayd: but anon he talked with them, and said vnto them, Be ye of good comfort: it is I, be not afrayd.
Then he went vp vnto them into the ship, and the winde ceased, and they were much more amased in them selues, and marueiled.
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Cross-references (34)
- Matthew 14:27 (v50) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
- Isaiah 43:2 (v50) When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire,…
- John 6:19-20 (v50) When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing near to the boat; and they…
- Job 9:8 (vv48–49) He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea.
- Psalms 93:3-4 (v51) The floods have lifted up, Yahweh, the floods have lifted up their voice. The floods lift up their waves. Above the voices of many waters,…
Show all 33 cross-references
- Matthew 14:25-26 (v49) In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were…
- Mark 4:39 (v51) He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
- Mark 7:37 (v51) They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear, and the mute speak!”
- Luke 24:37 (v49) But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
- John 6:21 (v51) They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
- Job 4:14-16 (v49) fear came on me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face. The hair of my flesh stood up. It stood…
- Psalms 93:4 (v48) Above the voices of many waters, the mighty breakers of the sea, Yahweh on high is mighty.
- Psalms 104:3 (v48) He lays the beams of his rooms in the waters. He makes the clouds his chariot. He walks on the wings of the wind.
- Psalms 107:28-30 (v51) Then they cry to Yahweh in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distress. He makes the storm a calm, so that its waves are still.…
- Matthew 8:26-27 (v51) He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the sea, and there was a great calm.…
- Matthew 14:24 (v48) But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
- Matthew 14:28-32 (v51) Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the…
- Mark 1:27 (v51) They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even…
- Mark 2:12 (v51) He arose, and immediately took up the mat, and went out in front of them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, “We…
- Mark 4:41 (v51) They were greatly afraid, and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”
- Mark 6:32 (v51) They went away in the boat to a deserted place by themselves.
- Luke 8:24-25 (v51) They came to him, and awoke him, saying, “Master, master, we are dying!” He awoke, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and…
- Luke 12:38 (v48) They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch, and finds them so.
- Luke 24:28 (v48) They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
- Isaiah 54:11 (v48) “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors, and lay your foundations with…
- Mark 5:42 (v51) Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement.
- Luke 24:38-41 (v50) He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and…
- John 1:13 (v48) who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
- Genesis 19:2 (v48) and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go…
- Genesis 32:26 (v48) The man said, “Let me go, for the day breaks.” Jacob said, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.”
- Exodus 14:24 (v48) In the morning watch, Yahweh looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army.
- 1 Samuel 11:11 (v48) On the next day, Saul put the people in three companies; and they came into the middle of the camp in the morning watch, and struck the…
- John 20:19-20 (v50) When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled,…
33 distinct cross-references across this passage (34 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (10 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v51 They were so far from leaving to be amazed,…
They were so far from leaving to be amazed, when they knew that it was no spirit, that they were much more astonished than ever they were before, when they saw the wind and the seas obey his commandment.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv48–50 48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for…
48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
Ver. 48. Would have passed by them] Either the more to try them, or rather to spare them, because he foresaw they would be further frightened else.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv48–51 But when they saw him walking on the sea,....…
But when they saw him walking on the sea,.... See Gill on Mat 14:26;
they supposed it had been a spirit; a phantom, a spectre, an apparition, a nocturnal demon:
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and cried out; as men affrighted at the sight, and fearing they should be hurt by it, or that it portended some evil to them; See Gill on Mat 14:26.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v48 And he saw them - For the darkness could…
And he saw them - For the darkness could veil nothing from him. And would have passed by them - That is, walked, as if he was passing by.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v49 Verse 49. They supposed it had been a spirit]…
Verse 49. They supposed it had been a spirit] That is, by whom the storm had been raised.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v48 Thus the divine mercy often seems to desert the…
Thus the divine mercy often seems to desert the faithful in the height of tribulation, but God only acts thus, that he may try their patience, and reward them more abundantly. (Nicholas of Lyra)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv48–51 48. he saw them toiling in rowing] The word…
48. he saw them toiling in rowing] The word translated “toiling,” which also occurs in Mat_14:24, is a very striking expression. It denotes (1) to test metals with the touchstone, (2) to rack, torture, (3) to torment as in Mat_8:29, “art Thou come to torment us before the time?”, and Mat_8:6, “Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented.” Here it seems to imply that they were tortured, baffled, by the waves, which were boisterous by reason of the strong wind that blew (Joh_6:18). Wyclif translates it “travailing in rowing;” Tyndale and Cranmer, “troubled in rowing.”
the fourth watch] The proper Jewish reckoning recognised only three watches or periods, for which sentinels or pickets remained on duty. They were entitled (1) the first, or beginning of the watches, from sunset to 10 p.m. (Lam_2:19), (2) the middle watch, from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. (Jdg_7:19), and (3) the morning watch, from 2 a.m. to sunrise (Exo_14:24; 1Sa_11:11). After the Roman supremacy the number of watches was increased to four, sometimes described by their numerical order, as here and in Mat_14:25; sometimes by the terms (1) even, closing at 9 p.m.; midnight; cock-crowing, at 3 a.m.; morning, at 6 a.m.
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would have passed by them] He came quite near their vessel on the storm-tost waves, and seemed to wish to lead the way before them to the western shore. Comp. Luk_24:28-29.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv48, 51 Vers. 48-50. And he saw them toiling in rowing.…
Vers. 48-50. And he saw them toiling in rowing. The Greek is, according to the best readings kai idwn (not eiden) autounouv en tw elaunein . The word basanixomenouv means more than "toiling;" it means literally, tormented. It is well rendered in the Revised Version by distressed. It was only by painful effort that they could make head against the driving storm blowing upon them from the west, that is, from the Mediterranean Sea. About the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking on the sea. The Jews formerly divided the night into three watches; but when Judaea became a Roman province they adopted the Roman division. The Romans changed the watches every three hours, lest through too long watches the guards might slumber at their posts. These periods were called "watches." If the night was short, they divided it into three watches; if long, into four. Therefore the fourth watch began at the tenth hour of the night, that is, at three o"clock in the morning, and continued to the twelfth, that is, to six o"clock. It would seem, therefore, that this storm lasted for nine hours. During that time the disciples had rowed about twenty-five or thirty furlongs, that is about three Roman miles eight furlongs making a mile. The Sea of Galilee is not more than six miles broad at its widest part. They were therefore now (en mesw thv yalasshv) "in the midst of the sea," as St. Mark expresses it; so that, after rowing for nine hours, they had hardly crossed more than half over the sea. The Sea of Galilee is, speaking roughly, about twelve miles from north to south and six from east to west. It may be asked why our Lord suffered them to be tempest-tossed so long; and the answer is:
1. It was a trial of their faith, so as to urge them to seek more earnestly the help of God.
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2. It was a lesson to accustom them to endure bard-ness.
3. It made the stilling of so tedious and dangerous a storm all the more grateful and welcome to them at last. The Fathers find a fine spiritual meaning in this. Jerome says, "The fourth watch is the last. So, too, St. Augustine, who adds that "he who has watched the ship of his Church will come at length at the fourth watch, at the end of the world, when the night of sin and evil is ended, to judge the quick and the dead." Theophylact says, "He allows his disciples to be tried by dangers, that they may be taught patience, and does not come to them till morning, that they may learn perseverance and faith." Hilary says, "The first watch was the age of the Law, the second of the prophets, the third of the gospel, the fourth of his glorious advent, when he will find her buffeted by the spirit of antichrist and by the storms of the world. And by his reception into the ship and the consequent calm is prefigured the eternal peace of the Church after his second coming" (see Wordsworth"s "New Testament:" St. Matthew 14). He walked on the sea. This he did by his Divine power, which he possessed as God, and which, when he pleased, he could assume as man. Infidelity is at fault here. Paulus the rationalist, revived the ridiculous idea that Christ walking on the sea merely meant Christ walking on the shore, elevated above the sea; but the interpretation was rightly denounced by Lavater as "a laughable insult on logic, hermeneutics, good sense, and honesty." Was it because our Lord simply walked on the shore that the disciples "cried out and were troubled"? Was it merely for this that they were "sore amazed at themselves beyond measure and wondered"? Yet such are the shifts to which unbelief is reduced when it ventures to measure itself against the acts of Omnipotence. He would have passed by them. An expression something like that in St. Luke, (Luk_24:28) "He made as though he would go further," although there the Greek in St. Luke is different (prosepoieito porrwterw poreuesyai). Here it is hyele parelyein : literally, he wished to pass by them; so at least it appeared to the disciples. It has been suggested that our Lord did this that the disciples might more clearly see how the wind was stilled in his presence. They supposed that it was an apparition (edoxan oti fantasma einai ); literally, a phantom. Why did they suppose this? Partly from the idea that spectres appear in the night and in the darkness to terrify men, and partly because in the darkness they could not so readily recognize that it was Jesus. Then the fact that our Lord" would bare passed by them," flitting past them as though he eared nothing for them and had nothing to do with them, but was going elsewhere; this must have increased their terror. But now came the moment for him to calm their fears. Straightway he talked with them soothingly. Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. Now, Christ did this that he might teach his disciples to conquer fear and temptation, even when they are very great, and that so the deliverance and the consolation might impress them all the more powerfully and sweetly in proportion to their former terror. is I I, your Lord and Master, whom you know so well, and of whose goodness and omnipotence you have already had so much experience; I, your Master, who do not come to mock you as a phantom, but to deliver you both from fear and from storm." It will be observed that St. Mark omits all mention of Peter"s act of faith "in going down from the boat, and walking upon the waters to come to Jesus," as recorded by St. Matthew. (Mat_14:28) Throughout this Gospel, as already noticed, St. Peter is kept in the background.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv48, 51 Connecting Statement:
Connecting Statement:
A storm arises while the disciples are trying to cross the lake. Seeing Jesus walking on the water terrifies them. They do not understand how Jesus can calm the storm.
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fourth watch
This is the time between 3 a.m. and sunrise. (See: Ordinal Numbers)
a ghost
the spirit of a dead person or some other kind of spirit
Be courageous! ... Do not be afraid!
These two sentences are similar in meaning, emphasizing to his disciples that they did not need to be afraid. They can be combined into one if necessary. AT: "Do not fear me!" (See: Parallelism)
translationWords
watch (biblical time)
cry
terror
courage
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv48, 49, 51 6:48 It was about three o’clock in the morning…
6:48 It was about three o’clock in the morning (literally about the fourth watch of the night, which began at 3:00 am): This was a Roman designation of time (Jews reckoned only three watches), which supports the view that Mark wrote for Christians in Rome. • Mark does not explain how Jesus saw his disciples’ plight late at night in the middle of the lake (cp. John 6:19), as it is not important to the story. • Jesus came toward them, walking on the water: It appears that Jesus’ purpose was to rescue the disciples from the storm. However, Mark then states that Jesus intended to go past them. Numerous attempts have been made to explain this, but the best explanation is that “to go past them” speaks of a divine manifestation (cp. Exod 33:18–34:6; 1 Kgs 19:11-13): Jesus apparently sought to show his divine glory to the disciples. This understanding is supported by the disciples’ fear, a response often associated with theophany. • Many have tried to rationalize the miracle of Jesus’ walking on the sea, but Mark, Matthew, and John clearly understood this as a miracle, beyond natural explanation. If Jesus is in fact the Son of God, there is no need to find another explanation.
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.