Mark 6:50Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

The Lord swiftly reassured them with His words, declaring, “Do not be afraid.” When they entered the boat, He provided them with complete solace, as the wind abruptly died down. Walking upon the sea is a remarkable wonder, unique to the one true God; moreover, the presence of turmoil among the disciples and the opposing wind elevates the miracle even further.

I, who have journeyed onward in secure quietude, find myself drawn into uncertainty and peril by a loquacious voice—not like Peter, who remained steadfast in his faithfulness. I am overwhelmed by the weight of my transgressions, adrift in the tumultuous sea. The winds of persuasive speech are wielded by one who is easily led astray, navigating the vessel with clumsiness. Reach out to me, O Christ Almighty, with your hand of divine assistance! (Cf. Matt. 14:31.)

During the night, the disciples were out on the sea when a fierce tempest arose. The Lord remembered them; He left His prayers and went to assist them, walking upon the water without sinking beneath the waves. Mistaking Him for a spirit, the disciples were frightened until they heard His comforting words, "It is I, do not be afraid." Unlike in their previous fear, this time they showed more courage. With the Lord's blessing, Peter stepped into the sea to draw nearer to Him, but he faltered under the trial. Overwhelmed by doubt, he began to sink but was saved by the Saviour. When the Lord entered the boat, it instantly reached the shore, and He returned to Capernaum. Such remarkable miracles accumulated in a short span! They bolstered the disciples' faith during those turbulent times and laid the groundwork for the new revelations that both the disciples and the onlookers were to receive from Him.

It was already the fourth watch of the night, and the light was sufficient as it was springtime, just before the Feast of Passover. The apostles could see clearly who approached them, yet their disbelief prevented them from recognizing it was Jesus. In their minds, humans cannot walk on water, and since Jesus was a man, He could not tread upon the sea; thus, they concluded it must be a spirit. In ancient beliefs, it was thought that the souls of the departed could manifest to the living, appearing as phantoms or shadows. Therefore, the apostles perceived Jesus walking toward them as merely a ghost, interpreting this vision as an ominous sign foretelling the impending sinking of their boat, and in their fear for their lives, they cried out.

Amidst the tempest and shadows, a heavenly voice called out to them, saying, “It is I - do not be afraid!" This voice dispelled their anxieties, and they were eager to welcome Him into the boat. However, Peter, who acted impulsively out of love, the same one who had previously pleaded, “Depart from me,” due to a deep awareness of his shortcomings, could not wait for the Lord to reach him. Instead, with enthusiasm, he called out, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” The response was simple: “Come!” Without hesitation, Peter leaped into the turbulent sea.