And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

MATTHEW 14:25KJV
Know the Bible

Matthew 14:25 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:25 mean?

Matthew 14:25 describes how, during the fourth watch of the night, Jesus approached his disciples by walking on the sea. This verse shows Jesus doing something extraordinary—walking on water—to reach his followers when they were far from land.

The setting is nighttime on the Sea of Galilee, with Jesus’ disciples in a boat struggling against the wind. The “fourth watch” refers to the last part of the night, roughly between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., when it was still dark. The verse highlights both the timing and the miraculous nature of Jesus’ action, setting up the events that follow in the story.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:25

  • “fourth” (τετάρτη, tetartē) and “watch” (φυλακή, phylakē): In Roman timekeeping, the night was divided into four watches. The “fourth watch” means the very early morning hours, emphasizing how late and unexpected Jesus’ arrival was.
  • “walking” (περιπατῶν, peripatōn): This word means to walk around or walk about. Here, it stresses the physical act of walking, which is remarkable because it is happening on the surface of the sea (θάλασσα, thalassa), not on land.
  • “on” (ἐπὶ, epi) and “sea” (θάλασσα, thalassa): The Greek preposition ἐπὶ (epi) means “on” or “upon,” making it clear that Jesus is not just near the sea but actually walking on top of the water.

Why Matthew 14:25 matters

  • Matthew 14:25 clears up any idea that Jesus’ walking was an illusion or near the shore; the Greek wording emphasizes he was truly on the water, far from land.
  • The timing (“fourth watch”) shows the disciples had been struggling for hours, underlining their exhaustion and the dramatic timing of Jesus’ appearance.
  • This verse sets the stage for the disciples’ reaction and Peter’s attempt to walk on water, highlighting both Jesus’ authority over nature and the disciples’ growing understanding of who he is.

Where else these words appear

“fourth” Greek G5067 · used in 9 verses

  • Mark 6:48 And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
  • Revelation 4:7 And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle.
  • Revelation 8:12 And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.

“watch” Greek G5438 · used in 45 verses

  • Matthew 5:25 Agree with thine adversary quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.
  • Luke 12:38 And if he shall come in the second watch, or come in the third watch, and find them so, blessed are those servants.
  • Acts 12:17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.

“night” Greek G3571 · used in 62 verses

  • Matthew 2:14 When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:
  • John 3:2 The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
  • Acts 27:23 For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve,

“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;