but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!”
Parallel translations
- WEB But he said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
- KJV But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
- BSB But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
- NKJV But He said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
- NASB But He *said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.”
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Jesus calms their fear with the words, 'It is I. Don't be afraid.' His self-identification echoes God's own name and assures them of His presence.
Overview
The Greek 'I am' (ego eimi) recalls God's revelation to Moses (Ex. 3:14) and anticipates Jesus's great 'I am' sayings in John. In the midst of the storm, His word banishes fear. The God who walks on water is the same Lord who draws near to His own in their distress.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 9
- Matt 14:27–31But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
- Isa 43:1–2But now Yahweh who created you, Jacob, and he who formed you, Israel says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine.
- Isa 44:8Don’t fear, neither be afraid. Haven’t I declared it to you long ago, and shown it? You are my witnesses. Is there a God besides me? Indeed, there is not. I don’t know any other Rock.”
- Isa 41:10Don’t you be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. Yes, I will uphold you with the right hand of my righteousness.
- Isa 41:14Don’t be afraid, you worm Jacob, and you men of Israel. I will help you,” says Yahweh, “and your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
- Rev 1:17–18When I saw him, I fell at his feet like a dead man. He laid his right hand on me, saying, “Don’t be afraid. I am the first and the last,
- Mark 6:50for they all saw him, and were troubled. But he immediately spoke with them, and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
- Ps 35:3Brandish the spear and block those who pursue me. Tell my soul, “I am your salvation.”
- Mark 16:6He said to them, “Don’t be amazed. You seek Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified. He has risen. He is not here. Behold, the place where they laid him!
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
John declares him plainly: the eternal Word made flesh, the Lamb of God, the great 'I AM' — bread, light, door, shepherd, way, truth, life, resurrection — that you may believe and have life in his name.
How John 6:20 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Greek word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.