Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Mark 6:49
But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
49. a spirit ] An unsubstantial appearance. So they thought on the evening of the world’s first Easter Day, when they saw Him after His resurrection. See Luk 24:36-37. Wyclif translates it “they gessiden him for to be a fantum;” Tyndale and Cranmer “a sprete;” the Rhemish “a ghost.”
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 49. They supposed it had been a spirit] That is, by whom the storm had been raised.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
49. But when they saw him walkingupon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out“forfear” (Mt 14:26). Hewould appear to them at first like a dark moving speck upon thewaters; then as a human figure; but in the dark tempestuous sky, andnot dreaming that it could be their Lord, they take it for a spirit.Compare Lu 24:37.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
But when they saw him walking on the sea,….
[See comments on Mt 14:26];
they supposed it had been a spirit; a phantom, a spectre, an apparition, a nocturnal demon:
and cried out; as men affrighted at the sight, and fearing they should be hurt by it, or that it portended some evil to them;
[See comments on Mt 14:26].
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
1) “But when they saw Him walking upon the sea, “ (hoi de idontes auton epi tes thalasses peripatounta) “Then when they saw Him walking upon the sea,” Mat 14:26. Thus He showed that the laws of nature were under His control, Job 9:8.
2) “They supposed it had been a spirit,” (edoksan hoti phantasma estin) “They thought at first that it was a phantom-spirit,” which form He never assumed, Luk 24:37.
3) “And cried out:”- (kai anekraksan) “And they cried out,” cried aloud with horror, fright, fear, and amazement, Joh 6:19-20.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
‘But they, when they saw him walking on the sea, supposed that it was a ghost and cried out, for they all saw him and were distressed.’
They had spent hours at the oars and were exhausted, the wind was howling, the waves beating against the boat, and it was night, and the sight of this figure walking across the sea was the last straw. What could it be but a ghost? All of them saw it, and there was pandemonium as they shouted and pointed, or cowered back, in dismay.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:
Ver. 49. A spirit ] Gr. a phantom, or apparition, .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
a spirit. Greek. phantasma = a phantom. Compare Mat 14:26.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
they saw: Job 9:8
supposed: Job 4:14-16, Mat 14:25, Mat 14:26, Luk 24:37
Reciprocal: Mar 16:5 – and they Luk 1:29 – she was Joh 6:19 – walking
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
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The familiar words, “It is I; be not afraid,” assured them of their safety.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
49 But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: 50 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. 51 And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. 52 For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. 53 And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. 54 And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
A number of items:
a. They thought He was a spirit. Did spirits appear in this manner in Christ’s day? Do they appear in this manner today? There is no evidence that would prove that spirits can be seen today, indeed they are spirits – not visible to the physical world. I assume that the apostles were simply reacting in the manner of the day with the false thinking of the day, that spirits could be seen.
This is not Scriptural proof that the spirit world can be seen in this physical world. If we could see spirits, then we could see God for He is everywhere.
b. Another miracle occurred. The wind ceased which amazed them. Now these are thegentlemen who just picked up the excess of the fishes/loaves, these are the gentlemen who witnessed the demoniac delivered, and these are the gentlemen who had witnessed miracle after miracle, yet “they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.”
Do you witness miracles in your life and still become amazed at the works of God. Probably we all do, we know what He can do, but just stand in awe of His works. However, I am not sure this is what Mark was getting at. Couple this quote with the fact that their hearts were hardened and you come to the idea that they were blown away by this miracle – the others had been observed but had not sunk into their reality. They had not yet grasped the total concept of who and what Christ was.
c. “For they considered not the miracle of the loaves:” Now, let us see here. They saw the little pittance of food that was available, they started passing it out and there was enough to feed thousands of people. They then have to go through the area picking up the leftovers to stick in the microwave the next day, and picked up baskets full of food. Now, what is there not to consider? How do you go through what they went through that day and not consider the ramifications of what had happened. Did they think this was normal everyday occurrence in Israel? How did they not consider this? I have no answer at this point in time.
Christ is known as well as His works. People start thronging Him immediately. We see that they sought to “touch if it were but the border of his garment” which may be from word passing along of the woman who was healed in this manner. News traveled fast even without the local televisions covering the story and without telephones.
People know of Christ and they knew of the miracles that were associated with Him. Imagine yourself with terminal cancer and you heard of one that could perform miracles of healing. A visit might well come to mind.
It is of no small note that the general public gave more heed to the Lord’s abilities than the apostles. They were shocked at the miracles even now after observing many of them, yet the public had only heard of them and were thronging Him.
It could be argued that all too often the world sees more in the spiritual abilities of God than His own people. Not that the lost necessarily see God in a correct light, but they often view Him as the omnipotent powerful being He is while Christians often trim Him down to fit into their little weak box so that they can live their lives as they will.
Fuente: Mr. D’s Notes on Selected New Testament Books by Stanley Derickson
Mark noted that all the disciples saw Jesus, and they all thought He was a phantom (Gr. phantasma). Jesus told them to take courage and stop fearing (cf. Isa 41:10; Isa 41:13-14; Isa 43:1; Isa 44:2). Some interpreters believe the reference to Jesus passing by them (Mar 6:48) and His words, "It is I," indicate a theophany (cf. Exo 3:14; Exo 33:19; Exo 33:22; 1Ki 19:11; Isa 41:4; Isa 43:10; Isa 51:12; Isa 52:6). Undoubtedly the clause at least indicates self-identification.
". . . Jesus’ walking on the water (Mar 6:45-52) connotes that Jesus treads where only God can walk [Job 9:8; cf. Psa 77:19; Isa 43:16] and designates Jesus by the same expression (ego eime [I am]) that is used for God’s self-disclosure to Moses (Exo 3:14 LXX)." [Note: Edwards, p. 223.]
"Consequently, as the concluding story of the miracle collection, it provides the answer to the ’Who is this?’ question posed by the disciples after Jesus stills the storm in the opening story of the collection (Mar 4:41)." [Note: Guelich, p. 351.]