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John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:30

But when he saw the wind boisterous ,.... Or "strong", blowing hard against him, and raising up the waves, which beat with great violence upon him, he was afraid ; though Christ was so nigh him, and he had had such an instance of his power in bearing him up, causing him to walk upon the waters thus far; which shows, that his faith was imperfect: and beginning to sink ; through fear, and the violence of the wind and waves, just ready to be immersed, and go down to the bottom of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand ,.... The Syriac reads it, וברשעתה , "and in that very moment"; for his case requires immediate assistance, and Christ readily gave it; he reached out his hand at once, being just by him, and caught him ; as he was sinking to the bottom, and lifted him up, and set him on his feet upon the water, and enabled him to walk with him to the ship; but not without reproving him for the weakness of his faith, and said unto him, O thou of little... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:32

And when they were come into the ship ,.... Christ and Peter. The Arabic and Persic versions, and Munster's Hebrew Gospel read, "when he ascended", or "was come into the ship"; but there is no doubt but Peter went with him into it, though the following effect is only to be ascribed to Christ's coming into the ship, and not to Peter's: the wind ceased : from blowing with that fury and violence it did before, and there was a perfect calm; which gave equal proof of the divine power of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:23

He went up into a mountain apart, to pray - He whom God has employed in a work of mercy had need to return, by prayer, as speedily, to his Maker, as he can, lest he should be tempted to value himself on account of that in which he has no merit - for the good that is done upon earth, the Lord doth it alone. Some make this part of our Lord's conduct emblematic of the spirit and practice of prayer, and observe that the proper dispositions and circumstances for praying well are: Retirement... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:24

Tossed with waves - Grievously agitated. This is the proper meaning of the word βασανιζομενον : but one MS. reads βαπτιζομενον , plunged under the waves, frequently covered with them; the waves often breaking over the vessel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:25

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;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:26

It is a spirit - That the spirits of the dead might and did appear, was a doctrine held by the greatest and holiest of men that ever existed; and a doctrine which the caviliers, free-thinkers and bound-thinkers, of different ages, have never been able to disprove. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:27

It is I; be not afraid - Nothing but this voice of Christ could, in such circumstances, have given courage and comfort to his disciples: those who are grievously tossed with difficulties and temptations require a similar manifestation of his power and goodness. When he proclaims himself in the soul, all sorrow, and fear, and sin are at an end. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:28

Bid me come unto thee on the water - A weak faith is always wishing for signs and miracles. To take Christ at his word, argues not only the perfection of faith, but also the highest exercise of sound reason. He is to be credited on his own word, because he is the Truth, and therefore can neither lie nor deceive. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:29

Peter - walked on the water - However impossible the thing commanded by Christ may appear, it is certain he will give power to accomplish it to those who receive his word by faith; but we must take care never to put Christ's power to the proof for the gratification of a vain curiosity; or even for the strengthening of our faith, when the ordinary means for doing that are within our reach. read more

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