Mark 6:49 kjv
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
Mark 6:49 nkjv
And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;
Mark 6:49 niv
but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out,
Mark 6:49 esv
but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,
Mark 6:49 nlt
but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.
Mark 6 49 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Job 9:8 | Who alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea;... | God's unique power to walk on the sea. |
| Ps 77:19 | Your path was through the sea, your way through the great waters,... | God's sovereign control over the waters. |
| Ps 107:29 | He calmed the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. | God's power to calm storms. |
| Isa 43:16 | ...who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters,... | God leading through impossible waters. |
| Matt 14:26 | But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified,... | Matthew's parallel account, same reaction. |
| Matt 14:27 | But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” | Jesus' comforting assurance amidst fear. |
| Mk 4:41 | And they were filled with great fear and said to one another, "Who then is this,... | Disciples' fear and questions after storm. |
| Mk 6:48 | ...he saw that they were straining at the oars, for the wind was against them... | Immediate context: Disciples in distress. |
| Mk 6:51 | And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased; and they were utterly astonished. | The miraculous cessation of wind. |
| Mk 6:52 | for they had not understood about the loaves, but their heart was hardened. | Their spiritual dullness and lack of perception. |
| Mk 8:17 | And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened?" | Jesus confronts their lack of understanding. |
| Lk 24:37 | But they were startled and frightened, and thought that they saw a spirit. | Disciples mistaking risen Jesus for a spirit. |
| Jn 6:19 | When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea... | John's parallel account. |
| Jn 20:20 | When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples were glad... | Recognizing the resurrected Jesus. |
| Job 41:31 | He makes the depths churn like a boiling cauldron... | The untamed, fearsome nature of the deep. |
| Ps 18:16 | He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. | Divine deliverance from danger. |
| Rev 1:17 | When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. But he laid his right hand on me, saying, "Fear not,... | Fear as a common reaction to divine glory. |
| Dan 10:7 | Only I, Daniel, saw the vision; for the men who were with me did not see the vision,... | Men failing to perceive spiritual reality. |
| Exod 14:29 | But the people of Israel walked on dry ground through the middle of the sea... | God making a way through the sea. |
| Phil 2:6 | who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, | Jesus' divine nature. |
| Heb 1:3 | He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. | Jesus' divine upholding power. |
| Col 1:16-17 | For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth...and in him all things hold together. | Christ as creator and sustainer. |
Mark 6 verses
Mark 6 49 Meaning
Mark 6:49 describes the disciples' terrified reaction to seeing Jesus walk on the stormy Sea of Galilee. Instead of recognizing Him, they believed they were seeing a phantasma, an apparition or ghost. Their fear caused them to misidentify their Lord, leading them to cry out in distress and alarm at what they perceived as an unholy or fearful supernatural encounter. This moment highlights the profound shock and lack of immediate understanding among the disciples regarding Jesus' divine nature and authority over creation.
Mark 6 49 Context
Mark 6:49 is embedded within a significant sequence of events. Preceding it, Jesus has just miraculously fed over five thousand people with a few loaves and fish (Mark 6:30-44). After this powerful demonstration of His provision, Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat across the Sea of Galilee, while He goes up a mountain to pray alone. The disciples struggle against strong headwind while rowing through the night, laboring to make progress. By the fourth watch (around 3-6 AM), Jesus appears to them, walking on the very water they struggle against. Their initial reaction is fear and misunderstanding, encapsulated in verse 49, as they believed Him to be a mere specter rather than the Son of God exercising divine authority over nature. This moment, coupled with their previous failure to understand the significance of the feeding of the multitudes (Mk 6:52), underscores the disciples' ongoing spiritual dullness and their human limitations in grasping the full identity of Jesus. The sea in biblical thought often represents chaos and dangerous, untamed forces, and Jesus walking upon it signifies His divine sovereignty over all creation, even over the very elements that inspire human terror.
Mark 6 49 Word analysis
But when they saw him walking upon the sea:
- saw (εἶδον - eidon): Simple, direct observation, emphasizing their visual perception of a startling reality.
- him (αὐτόν - auton): Refers to Jesus, indicating their observation of a person, though they fail to identify the person's true nature.
- walking (περιπατοῦντα - peripatounta): A present participle, implying continuous action. This is no momentary glimpse but a sustained sight. It highlights an act reserved for divine power.
- upon the sea (ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης - epi tēs thalassēs): The Greek preposition epi signifies "on" or "over" the surface. The sea (θάλασσα - thalassa) in biblical thought, especially in a stormy state, frequently symbolizes chaos, danger, and the forces of uncreation. The act of walking upon it, thus, is an extraordinary display of mastery and authority over these chaotic forces, a feat specifically attributed to God in the Old Testament (e.g., Job 9:8, Ps 77:19).
they supposed it had been a ghost, and cried out:
- supposed (ἔδοξαν - edoxan): From the verb δοκέω (dokeō), meaning "to think," "to imagine," "to seem." It indicates their settled belief or impression formed based on their perception. This isn't just a fleeting thought, but a firm conviction of what they were witnessing.
- it had been a ghost (φάντασμα ἐστίν - phantasma estin): Ghost (φάντασμα - phantasma) refers to an apparition, specter, or phantom. This reveals the disciples' profound terror and immediate conclusion. In the ancient world, encounters with phantasmata were associated with the uncanny, malevolent spirits, or manifestations of the dead, usually inspiring great fear. This natural human reaction points to their limited spiritual understanding and their inability to connect the sight with God's power through Jesus.
- and cried out (ἀνέκραξαν - anekraxan): From ἀνακράζω (anakrazo), meaning "to cry out," "to shout aloud," especially in alarm, pain, or fear. This term often appears in Mark's Gospel describing the loud shouts of demon-possessed individuals (Mk 1:23, 3:11, 5:7). Here, it conveys their intense, visceral fear and shock, expressing their complete disorientation and terror in the face of what they perceived.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "But when they saw him walking upon the sea": This phrase dramatically introduces the unbelievable sight, establishing the setting for a unique display of power. It emphasizes the direct visual confrontation between the disciples and Jesus' divine authority over nature, setting the stage for their failure to comprehend its significance. The verb walking highlights an active, effortless dominance over a domain (the stormy sea) that humanity perceives as dangerous and untameable.
- "they supposed it had been a ghost, and cried out": This captures the profound cognitive and emotional impact of the scene. Their supposition indicates an immediate, erroneous interpretation driven by fear, overlooking the divine implications of what they saw. The ensuing cry signifies raw terror and distress, a powerful demonstration of their human limitation and lack of spiritual discernment in the presence of overwhelming, divine power. This immediate fearful reaction underscores the disciples' need for Jesus' revelation and comfort.
Mark 6 49 Bonus section
- The incident occurs in the "fourth watch of the night" (Mark 6:48), a time traditionally from 3 AM to 6 AM, symbolizing profound darkness and fatigue. This setting amplifies the eerie and unexpected nature of Jesus' appearance, intensifying the disciples' fear.
- Jesus "intended to pass them by" (Mark 6:48), which some scholars interpret not as a desire to avoid them, but as a deliberate dramatic revelation of His divine power, similar to how God made His goodness "pass by" Moses (Exod 33:19, 22). It draws attention to His awe-inspiring presence and power over creation.
- This miraculous walk on water highlights Jesus' unique control over a realm traditionally associated with chaos and the abyss, a power exclusive to Yahweh in Old Testament thought (Job 9:8; Ps 77:19; Ps 104:6). This subtle yet profound theological assertion of Jesus' divinity is often missed by modern readers but would have resonated with the ancient audience familiar with such imagery.
Mark 6 49 Commentary
Mark 6:49 vividly portrays the raw human reaction to the sudden manifestation of divine power. Despite having just witnessed Jesus supernaturally feed thousands, the disciples' spiritual dullness (Mk 6:52) led them to misinterpret Jesus' appearance. Instead of discerning a divine display of authority over the chaotic sea, they reverted to common superstitions, seeing a terrifying specter. This reveals not only their limited understanding of who Jesus was, but also the inherent fear that grips humanity when confronted with the overwhelming, awe-inspiring presence of the supernatural. Their desperate cries of terror underline their perceived helplessness and their failure, at that moment, to recognize the very one who had dominion over all things. This moment serves as a powerful reminder of how human fear and pre-conceived notions can blind individuals to the miraculous reality of God at work, emphasizing the disciples' slow process of coming to terms with Jesus' true identity as the Son of God, truly equal with the Creator.