Matthew 14:24

Matthew 14:24, in plain English

Meanwhile, the disciples are far from shore, fighting against violent waves and wind. They've been struggling all night with no sign of relief.

Why it's here

There are seasons when life feels like rowing against the wind with no progress. The disciples were in one of those seasons, and Jesus was about to show up.

Who's speaking

Matthew describes the disciples' desperate situation at sea.

Where it sits in the story

The disciples are exhausted and afraid, trapped in a storm they can't overcome. Unknown to them, help is already on the way.

The scholarly reading

The boat is described as stadious pollous apo tēs gēs apechon ('many stadia from the land'), indicating significant distance offshore. The verb basanizomenon ('buffeted/tormented') is strong, describing violent distress from contrary winds.

Language and setting

The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden violent storms caused by wind funneling through surrounding valleys. A fourth-watch storm (3-6 AM) means the disciples had been struggling for hours.

Voice

The narrator describes the perilous situation of the disciples at sea.

Significance

While Jesus prays on the mountain, the disciples battle a fierce storm at sea. The contrast between Jesus' peace and their terror sets up the dramatic encounter.

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.

23After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,

24but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.

26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

Read all of Matthew 14 — A king's guilty banquet ends with a prophet's head on a platter. Hours later, Jesus feeds thousands and walks on water through the night.