Matthew 14:25
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
American King James Version (AKJV)
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
American Standard Version (ASV)
And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
Webster's Revision
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
World English Bible
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
English Revised Version (ERV)
And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.
Definitions for Matthew 14:25
Clarke's Matthew 14:25 Bible Commentary
The fourth watch - Anciently the Jews divided the night into three watches, consisting of four hours each. The first watch is mentioned, Lamentations 2:19 : the second, Judges 7:19; and the third, Exodus 14:24; but a fourth watch is not mentioned in any part of the Old Testament. This division the Romans had introduced in Judea, as also the custom of dividing the day into twelve hours: see John 11:9. The first watch began at six o'clock in the evening, and continued till nine; the second began at nine, and continued till twelve; the third began at twelve, and continued till three next morning; and the fourth began at three, and continued till six. It was therefore between the hours of three and six in the morning that Jesus made his appearance to his disciples.
Walking on the sea - Thus suspending the laws of gravitation was a proper manifestation of unlimited power. Jesus did this by his own power; therefore Jesus showed forth his Godhead. In this one miracle we may discover three: -
1. Though at a distance from his disciples, he knew their distress.
2. He found them out on the lake, and probably in the midst of darkness.
3. He walked upon the water.
Job, speaking of those things whereby the omnipotence of God was demonstrated, says particularly, Job 9:8, He walketh upon the waves of the sea: intimating that this was impossible to any thing but Omnipotence.
Barnes's Matthew 14:25 Bible Commentary
And in the fourth watch of the night - The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in Lamentations 2:19, the middle watch in Judges 7:19, and the morning watch in Exodus 14:24. In the time of our Saviour they divided the night into four watches, the fourth having been introduced by the Romans. These watches consisted of three hours each. The first commenced at six and continued until nine; the second from nine to twelve; the third from twelve to three; and the fourth from three to six. The first was called evening; the second midnight; the third cock-crowing; the fourth morning, Mark 13:35. It is probable that the term watch was given to each of these divisions from the practice of placing sentinels around the camp in time of war, or in cities, to watch or guard the camp or city; and that they were at first relieved three times in the night, but under the Romans four times. It was in the last of these watches, or between three and six in the morning, that Jesus appeared to the disciples, so that he had spent most of the night alone on the mountain in prayer.
Walking on the sea - A manifest and wonderful miracle. It was a boisterous sea. It was in a dark night. The little boat was 4 or 5 miles from the shore, tossed by the billows.
Wesley's Matthew 14:25 Bible Commentary
14:25 The fourth watch - The Jews (as well as the Romans) usually divided the night into four watches, of three hours each. The first watch began at six, the second at nine, the third at twelve, the fourth at three in the morning. If it be thou - It is the same as, Since it is thou. The particle if frequently bears this meaning, both in ours and in all languages. So it means, John 13:14,17. St. Peter was in no doubt, or he would not have quitted the ship.