But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
Parallel translations
- WEB But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
- KJV But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
- NKJV But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
- NASB But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid.”
- NLT But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”
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 immediately reassures them, 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.' His presence and word dispel fear.
Overview
Jesus quickly speaks to calm the frightened disciples, declaring 'It is I,' words that echo God's own self-revelation. His command not to fear rests on His comforting presence and divine identity. The verse assures believers that Christ meets His people in their terror with words of grace and the steadying truth of who He is.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 16
- John 16:33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- Isa 41:10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My right hand of righteousness.
- Acts 23:11The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about Me in Jerusalem, so also you must testify in Rome.”
- Rev 1:17–18When I saw Him, I fell at His feet like a dead man. But He placed His right hand on me and said, “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last,
- Isa 41:4Who has performed this and carried it out, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I, the LORD—the first and the last—I am He.”
- John 14:1–3“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe in Me as well.
- Luke 24:38–39“Why are you troubled,” Jesus asked, “and why do doubts arise in your hearts?
- Isa 51:12“I, even I, am He who comforts you. Why should you be afraid of mortal man, of a son of man who withers like grass?
- John 6:20But Jesus spoke up: “It is I; do not be afraid.”
- Matt 9:2Just then some men brought to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven.”
- Matt 17:7Then Jesus came over and touched them. “Get up,” He said. “Do not be afraid.”
- Luke 1:30So the angel told her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
- Luke 1:13But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John.
- Matt 28:10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”
- Luke 2:10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! For behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:
- Isa 41:14Do not fear, O worm of Jacob, O few men of Israel. I will help you,” declares the LORD. “Your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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 14:27 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.