John 6:20

John 6:20, in plain English

Jesus calls out, 'It is I; do not be afraid.' In the Greek, His words echo God's own name: 'I AM.'

Why it's here

These words are not just comfort; they are a revelation. The one walking on the water is the same God who parted the Red Sea and spoke to Moses from the burning bush.

Who's speaking

Jesus speaks the most reassuring words in the universe: I AM here, and there is no reason to fear.

Where it sits in the story

In the middle of the scariest moment of their lives, Jesus speaks and everything changes. 'It is I; do not be afraid.' Whatever storm you are facing, those words are for you too.

The scholarly reading

Jesus' words 'It is I' (egō eimi) serve as both identification and divine self-revelation. The phrase echoes God's self-revelation in Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 43:10. Combined with the command 'do not be afraid' (mē phobeisthe), this follows the pattern of Old Testament theophanies.

Language and setting

The egō eimi ('I AM') declaration on the waters combines with the sea-walking to create a clear theophanic scene. In Isaiah 43:1-2, God says 'When you pass through the waters, I will be with you' and identifies Himself with 'I am He.'

Voice

Jesus speaks the divine self-identification, calming the disciples' fear with words that echo God's own name and presence.

Significance

Three words in the middle of a storm: 'It is I.' But in Greek, these are the same words God used to identify Himself. Jesus speaks the divine name over the chaos of the sea and the fear of His disciples.

18A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated.

19When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified.

20But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”

21Then they were willing to take Him into the boat, and at once the boat reached the shore where they were heading.

22The next day, the crowd that had remained on the other side of the sea realized that only one boat had been there, and that Jesus had not boarded it with His disciples, but they had gone away alone.

Read all of John 6 — Jesus feeds five thousand, walks on water, and then makes a claim so shocking that many of his followers abandon him on the spot.