John 6 20

John 6:20 kjv

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.

John 6:20 nkjv

But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."

John 6:20 niv

But he said to them, "It is I; don't be afraid."

John 6:20 esv

But he said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid."

John 6:20 nlt

but he called out to them, "Don't be afraid. I am here! "

John 6 verses

John 6 20 Meaning

John 6:20 describes Jesus calming His disciples’ fear during a stormy crossing by revealing His divine presence and identity. The pivotal phrase "It is I" (Ἐγώ εἰμι) serves as a divine self-identification, linking Jesus directly to the covenant name of God (Yahweh) from the Old Testament. This revelation brings immediate solace, dispelling the disciples' fear, which was initially born of their mistaken belief that Jesus was a ghost. The verse emphasizes Jesus' sovereignty over nature and His unique ability to bring peace in the midst of turmoil through His divine authority.

John 6 20 Context

The verse occurs immediately after Jesus has miraculously fed over five thousand people with five barley loaves and two fish. Following this, the crowd, impressed by His power, intended to take Jesus by force and make Him king, perceiving Him solely as a political liberator (John 6:15). Jesus withdrew alone to a mountain. In the evening, His disciples set out across the Sea of Galilee by boat, while a fierce storm arose. It was dark, the wind was strong, and the waves were high. When they had rowed a significant distance and were struggling against the elements, Jesus appeared, walking on the water, approaching their boat. They were terrified, believing He was a ghost or a phantom. John 6:20 is Jesus’ response to their deep fear, revealing His true identity and comforting presence. This entire sequence (feeding, storm, walking on water) precedes Jesus' significant discourse on the Bread of Life, providing a powerful display of His divine nature as a foundation for understanding His theological claims. Historically and culturally, the Jewish people would recognize the walking on water as an attribute of God alone (e.g., Job 9:8), thus elevating Jesus beyond any ordinary man or prophet.

John 6 20 Word analysis

• But He said: Jesus' direct and authoritative response to the disciples' fear. The contrast implies a change from their fearful perception to His reassuring reality.
• to them: Indicates a personal address to the struggling and terrified disciples, acknowledging their immediate need.
• "It is I": (Greek: `Ἐγώ εἰμι` - Egō eimi). This phrase is profoundly significant. It directly echoes the divine name `Yahweh` ("I AM") revealed to Moses in Exodus 3:14. In John's Gospel, `Egō eimi` statements consistently declare Jesus' divine identity, uniqueness, and self-existence (e.g., "I am the light of the world," "I am the bread of life," "I am the good shepherd"). Here, it's an absolute declaration, without a predicate, powerfully asserting His inherent divine nature and presence, bringing a theophanic dimension to the encounter. It signifies divine authority, presence, and control over all circumstances.
• "do not be afraid": (Greek: `μὴ φοβεῖσθε` - mē phobeisthe). This is a common divine injunction in Scripture, frequently accompanying a heavenly revelation or supernatural event. It is a command to cast off fear, stemming from the assurance that God is present and in control. In this context, Jesus, as `Egō eimi`, has the power and authority to command fear away, providing peace in His very presence, rather than through external action.

• "He said to them, 'It is I'": This immediate and direct self-revelation from Jesus is crucial. Instead of letting them continue in terror, He instantly identifies Himself. The declaration of "It is I" establishes His divine sovereignty over their distress and the chaotic circumstances.
• "'It is I; do not be afraid'": The two parts are intrinsically linked. The declaration of Jesus' divine identity (`Egō eimi`) is the basis for the command not to fear. True peace comes not from the absence of trouble, but from the presence of God. Jesus identifies Himself not as a ghost, but as God Incarnate, whose very presence negates any cause for fear. This combination implies His supreme authority and His comforting power.

John 6 20 Bonus section

The Johannine Egō eimi declarations are central to the Gospel's Christology, explicitly asserting Jesus' divinity in a way that goes beyond the synoptic gospels. In John 6:20, the absolute use of "I AM" without a predicate ("I am the bread," "I am the door," etc.) makes it particularly profound, serving as a powerful assertion of His inherent self-existence and identity as God. This moment on the sea is often seen as a mini-theophany, mirroring Old Testament instances where God appeared to His people and announced His presence, bringing peace and direction. The disciples' fear transitions from natural panic at a storm to superstitious terror at a perceived phantom, reflecting the human tendency to misunderstand divine appearances. Jesus' self-identification directly corrects this profound misunderstanding, affirming that the very being causing their alarm is, in fact, the source of their salvation and security.

John 6 20 Commentary

John 6:20 is a powerful moment of divine revelation and reassurance. The disciples are gripped by fear amidst a perilous storm, misidentifying Jesus as a spirit, which itself indicates a lack of full understanding of His true nature. Jesus' declaration, "It is I," transcends a mere identification. By using "Egō eimi," He unveils His intrinsic divine identity, resonating with the very name of God (Yahweh) from the Old Testament. This declaration immediately shifts the atmosphere from terror to tranquility. His presence alone, not yet an act of calming the storm (which Mark and Matthew include immediately), is sufficient to dispel their dread. The subsequent command, "do not be afraid," is therefore not an arbitrary reassurance, but a direct consequence of His divine presence. It highlights that the truest antidote to human fear in the face of the unknown, chaos, or even supernatural phenomena, is the recognized, sovereign presence of the Lord. It teaches that understanding who Jesus truly is brings comfort and peace, no matter the surrounding circumstances.