Matthew 14 Study Notes

14:25 Very early in the morning is literally “during the fourth watch of the night.” The Romans divided the period from 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. into four watches of three hours each. Thus the fourth watch lasted from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m.

14:26 The word ghost (Gk phantasma) was used in Greek literature to describe dream visions or spirit apparitions. In the OT a closely related term referred to a dream or vision in which one saw something that was not real (Is 28:7; Jb 20:8 [LXX]). Matthew’s usage may imply that the disciples thought their eyes were deceiving them. The language of the text does not imply that the Bible supports the belief that spirits of the dead roam the earth.

14:27 The words it is I are literally “I am.” The statement is Jesus’s purposeful echo of OT texts like Ex 3:14 and identifies him as Yahweh.

14:28-33 Truly you are the Son of God. Their awe of Jesus reached a new level as he exercised mastery over the created order—something God alone could do (Jb 9:8; Ps 77:19). The disciples’ confession of Jesus as Son of God is not surprising in light of close connections between this miracle and important OT parallels. The title “Son of God” often serves as a messianic title in the NT (see note at 3:17), but here it also implies Jesus’s deity. The disciples likely interpreted the miracle in light of Jb 9:8 (LXX) which states that the Lord walked on the sea as if it were dry land. Their worship of Jesus also confirmed their growing recognition of his divine nature (see note at Mt 4:10-11).

14:34 Gennesaret was located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee about five miles south of Capernaum.

14:35-36 The people of Gennesaret appeared to be aware of the healing of the woman in Mt 9:20. This miracle occurred in nearby Capernaum and set a precedent for healing by touching the end of his robe.