Mark 6:50

for they all saw Him and were terrified. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Jesus speaks to the disciples in the boat after they spot Him walking on the sea and mistake Him for a ghost. He addresses their immediate terror the moment they recognize His presence.

The words — ἐταράχθησαν (etarachthēsan) literally means "were troubled" or "were terrified," capturing the disciples' visceral reaction to the supernatural sight.

The thread — The disciples' terror upon seeing Jesus walking on the water appears in John 6:19, while Jesus' identical reassurance is recorded in Matthew 14:27. The motif of divine presence amid waters aligns with the promise in Isaiah 43:2.

Why it lands — The text states Jesus identifies Himself and commands courage, directly overriding the disciples' fear with His authority and presence.

Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.

The Greek words

King James Version

For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.

Cross-references

Matthew 14:27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.
John 6:19 When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus approaching the boat, walking on the sea—and they were terrified.
Luke 24:38 “Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
John 20:19 It was the first day of the week, and that very evening, while the disciples were together with the doors locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them. “Peace be with you!” He said to them.