Matthew 14 33

Matthew 14:33 kjv

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Matthew 14:33 nkjv

Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:33 niv

Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:33 esv

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:33 nlt

Then the disciples worshiped him. "You really are the Son of God!" they exclaimed.

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 33 Meaning

After Jesus walked on water and calmed the storm, those in the boat, witnessing His divine authority over creation, spontaneously worshipped Him and confessed His true identity as "the Son of God." This moment signifies a profound recognition of His deity and unique relationship with God the Father, moving beyond mere awe at His miraculous power to a foundational declaration of His divine person.

Matthew 14 33 Context

Matthew 14:33 immediately follows a series of miraculous events. Jesus has just fed over five thousand people with five loaves and two fish (Mt 14:15-21). Afterward, He sent His disciples ahead by boat while He went up on a mountain to pray (Mt 14:22-23). During the night, a violent storm arose, causing the disciples' boat to struggle against the waves (Mt 14:24). In the midst of the storm, Jesus came to them, walking on the water (Mt 14:25). Peter, at Jesus' command, attempted to walk on water himself but faltered due to doubt and began to sink, crying out to Jesus for help (Mt 14:28-30). Jesus rescued Peter, rebuked his little faith, and when they got into the boat, the wind ceased (Mt 14:31-32). It is in the immediate aftermath of this profound display of power over nature—His supernatural appearance, His ability to sustain Peter, and His calming of the tumultuous sea—that the disciples' reaction is recorded in Matthew 14:33. Their confession is thus a response to undeniable evidence of divine presence and authority.

Matthew 14 33 Word analysis

• Then (Τότε - tote): A temporal adverb, indicating immediate sequence. It marks the precise moment of their response, occurring directly after Jesus' calming the storm. It signals a shift or climax.

• those who were in the boat (οἱ ἐν τῷ πλοίῳ - hoi en tō ploiō): This refers specifically to the disciples and any other occupants, serving as eyewitnesses to the preceding miracles. They were the primary recipients of this extraordinary divine manifestation, leading to their collective confession.

• came (προσεκύνησαν - proskyneō, here as 'came and worshipped'): While the word primarily means "to worship" or "to prostrate oneself," the construction implies an active approach followed by worship. Their posture signified reverence and submission.

• worshiped Him (αὐτῷ - autō - 'him'): The Greek term proskyneō (προσκυνέω) means to fall down before, to do homage, to pay reverence, or to adore. It denotes profound respect, often involving bowing down or prostration. In a Jewish context, true worship (proskyneō) was reserved for God alone. The disciples, being devout Jews, would have understood the implication: giving worship to Jesus meant acknowledging Him as divine. This action transcends mere admiration or fear; it's an act of divine homage. It also subtly stands against any Jewish beliefs that limited the Messiah purely to a human, political king.

• saying (λέγοντες - legontes): Indicates a vocalized, communal declaration. Their confession was not silent or internal but spoken aloud, signifying their united and open acknowledgment.

• "Truly (Ἀληθῶς - alēthōs): This adverb emphasizes the absolute certainty and genuineness of their statement. It translates to "truly," "really," "indeed," "certainly." It shows their conviction stemming from undeniable proof.

• You are (Σὺ εἶ - sy ei): A direct address emphasizing identity. It highlights Jesus' personal and unique status.

• the Son of God (Θεοῦ Υἱὸς - Theou Huios): This is the most significant theological title in the verse.

  • "Son of God": In Jewish thought, "son of God" could refer to a king (Psa 2:7), the nation of Israel (Exo 4:22), or even angels. However, Jesus' use of the term and the context here, combined with the act of proskyneō (worship), implies a unique, ontological Sonship – His divine nature and essence shared with the Father. It speaks to His full deity.
  • This declaration, spontaneous and from the collective body of disciples, represents a crucial step in their understanding of who Jesus truly is. It's an explicit recognition of His divine nature, far beyond a powerful prophet or king, asserting His equality with God.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him": This phrase highlights the profound and immediate response of the witnesses. Their approach ("came") and action ("worshiped Him") denote an act of voluntary, deep reverence. This is not casual admiration but an act of adoration directed at Jesus, significant because such worship was exclusively due to God in their Jewish understanding. It demonstrates that the cumulative effect of Jesus' miracles (feeding, walking on water, calming the storm) culminated in a divine recognition.
  • "saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”": This entire declarative statement forms the core theological confession. The disciples do not simply wonder or fear, but they proclaim with conviction ("Truly") Jesus' supreme divine identity ("the Son of God"). This title, especially coupled with worship, asserts Jesus' unique relationship to God as truly divine, affirming His co-essentiality with the Father and His status as the living God. It sets this moment apart from earlier expressions of wonder, as it involves an explicit theological understanding of His nature.

Matthew 14 33 Bonus section

• Progressive Revelation: This verse marks a significant progression in the disciples' understanding of Jesus. While they had witnessed miracles before and wondered about His identity (e.g., Mt 8:27, "What kind of man is this?"), this event elicits an explicit divine title of "Son of God," accompanied by direct worship. This is a step beyond merely identifying Him as Messiah; it delves into His ontological nature.
• Anti-pagan and Jewish Monotheism: The disciples, steeped in Jewish monotheism which strictly forbade idolatry and the worship of anyone but Yahweh, nevertheless worshipped Jesus. This act, sanctioned and accepted by Jesus, functions as an implicit polemic against pagan polytheism where "sons of gods" were common mythological figures, yet also against a narrow Jewish understanding that limited the Messiah to a purely human role, demonstrating Jesus' true divinity.
• Foundation of Christology: This confession lays early groundwork for Christian Christology – the study of the nature of Christ. It affirms that the human Jesus of Nazareth also possessed divine attributes, bridging the gap between humanity and God.
• Connection to Fear: Though their initial reaction to Jesus walking on water was fear (Mt 14:26), this verse shows that true divine fear often transforms into awe, reverence, and ultimately, worship. Their fear led them to a deeper understanding and rightful adoration.

Matthew 14 33 Commentary

Matthew 14:33 captures a pivotal moment in the disciples' journey of faith. Following Jesus' unparalleled display of authority over nature – walking on the turbulent sea and instantly quelling the storm – their reaction moves from fear to a profound confession. Their act of proskyneō (worship), a term deeply rooted in Old Testament reverence exclusively for God, unequivocally reveals their understanding that Jesus is not merely a powerful prophet, a skilled magician, or even just the Messiah, but something more. Their vocal declaration, "Truly You are the Son of God," signifies a recognition of His divine essence and unique relationship to God. This confession, though spontaneous, echoes heavenly proclamations (Mt 3:17) and prefigures Peter's later Spirit-inspired confession in Matthew 16:16. It serves to strengthen their faith and understanding of Christ's true deity, which would be foundational for their future ministry. This passage powerfully asserts that confronting Christ's unassailable power leads to a worshipping heart and an acknowledgment of His divine identity.