but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Parallel translations
- WEB But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
- KJV But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
- NKJV But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
- NASB But the boat was already a long distance from the land, battered by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
- NLT Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves.
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
The boat is far out, battered by waves and a contrary wind. The disciples face danger while Jesus is absent from view.
Overview
By night the disciples' boat is in the midst of the lake, struggling against the waves and an opposing wind. Their distress recalls an earlier storm and tests their faith anew. The perilous situation prepares for the revelation of Jesus' power and identity as He comes to them across the water.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Mark 6:48He could see that the disciples were straining to row, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. He intended to pass by them,
- John 6:18A strong wind was blowing, and the sea grew agitated.
- Matt 8:24Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves; but Jesus was sleeping.
- Isa 54:11“O afflicted city, lashed by storms, without solace, surely I will set your stones in antimony and lay your foundations with sapphires.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Matthew presents Jesus as the promised King — son of David, son of Abraham — the new Moses and true Israel in whom every prophecy reaches 'that it might be fulfilled.'
How Matthew 14:24 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.