But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out:

MARK 6:49KJV
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Mark 6:49 (KJV)

What does Mark 6:49 mean?

Mark 6:49 describes how the disciples saw Jesus walking on the sea and, thinking he was a ghost or spirit, they cried out in fear. The verse shows their immediate, startled reaction to something they could not explain or recognize as Jesus.

The scene takes place at night on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus’ disciples are in a boat and see a figure walking toward them on the water. The disciples do not realize it is Jesus and instead assume it is a supernatural being, which was a common fear in that culture. Their reaction highlights both their fear and their lack of understanding about who Jesus is and what he can do.

The Greek behind Mark 6:49

  • πνεῦμα (pneuma, G5326): This word is translated as "spirit" and can mean a ghost or supernatural being. The disciples’ use of this word shows they thought they were seeing something otherworldly, not a human figure.
  • ἐδόκισαν (edokisan, G1380): This word means "they supposed" or "they thought." It emphasizes that the disciples made a quick judgment based on their fear and confusion, not on careful observation.
  • ἀνακράζω (anakrazō, G349): Translated as "cried out," this word often describes a loud, emotional outburst. It shows the depth of their fear and surprise at what they saw.

Why Mark 6:49 matters

  • Mark 6:49 helps clear up that the disciples were not expecting Jesus to come to them in this way, which highlights their limited understanding of his power.
  • The verse emphasizes the very human fear and confusion of the disciples, making their later recognition of Jesus more striking.
  • This moment sets up the following verses, where Jesus reassures them, showing both his authority over nature and his care for his followers.

Where else these words appear

“spirit” Greek G5326 · used in 2 verses

  • Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

“out” Greek G349 · used in 5 verses

  • Mark 1:23 And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out,
  • Luke 4:33 And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice,
  • Luke 8:28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before him, and with a loud voice said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most high? I beseech thee, torment me not.

“supposed” Greek G1380 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.
  • Luke 22:24 And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.
  • 1 Corinthians 7:40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

“sea” Greek G2281 · used in 83 verses

  • Matthew 4:15 The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles;
  • Mark 7:31 And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
  • 1 Corinthians 10:2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;