SEV Biblia, Chapter 14:26
Y los discípulos, vindole andar sobre el mar, se turbaron, diciendo: Fantasma es. Y dieron voces de miedo.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Matthew 14:26
Verse 26. It is a spirit] That the spirits of the dead might and did appear, was a doctrine held by the greatest and holiest of men that ever existed; and a doctrine which the caviliers, free-thinkers and bound-thinkers, of different ages, have never been able to dispove.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 26. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea , etc.] It being now morning, and perhaps might have moon light; and besides, there is always more light upon the water than land; they were able to discern something like a man, walking upon the surface of the sea, but had not light enough to distinguish what, or who it was; and, moreover, had no thought of Christ, or expectation of seeing him; and the appearance of a man walking upon the waters being so unusual, and astonishing, they were troubled, saying it is a spirit : a nocturnal apparition, a demon in human form. The Jews, especially the sect of the Pharisees, had a notion, from whom the disciples might have theirs, of spirits, apparitions, and demons, being to be seen in the night; hence that rule f865 , it is forbidden a man to salute his friend in the night, for we are careful, lest awh d , it should be a demon. They say a great many things of one tylyl , Lilith, that has its name from hlyl , the night, a she demon, that used to appear in the night, with an human face, and carry off young children, and kill them. Some such frightful notions had possessed the minds of the disciples: and they cried out for fear , as persons in the utmost consternation, in the greatest danger, and in want of help: the fear of spirits arises from the uncommonness of their appearance; from their superiority to men in power and strength; from the enmity there is between men and evil spirits; and from a general notion of their doing hurt and mischief: hence, demons are, by the Jews, called yqyzm , hurtful, or hurting, all their study being to do hurt to men; and the same word is here used in Munsters Hebrew Gospel: add to all this, that the fear of the disciples might be increased, through a vulgar notion among seafaring men, that such sights are ominous, and portend evil to sailors; and they might the more easily be induced to give credit to this, and fear, since they were already in such imminent danger.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 22-33 - Those are not Christ's followers who cannot enjoy being alone with God and their own hearts. It is good, upon special occasions, and when we find our hearts enlarged, to continue long in secret prayer, and i pouring out our hearts before the Lord. It is no new thing for Christ' disciples to meet with storms in the way of duty, but he thereby show himself with the more grace to them and for them. He can take what wa he pleases to save his people. But even appearances of deliveranc sometimes occasion trouble and perplexity to God's people, from mistakes about Christ. Nothing ought to affright those that have Chris near them, and know he is theirs; not death itself. Peter walked upo the water, not for diversion or to boast of it, but to go to Jesus; an in that he was thus wonderfully borne up. Special supports ar promised, and are to be expected, but only in spiritual pursuits; no can we ever come to Jesus, unless we are upheld by his power. Chris bade Peter come, not only that he might walk upon the water, and s know his Lord's power, but that he might know his own weakness. And the Lord often lets his servants have their choice, to humble and prove them, and to show the greatness of his power and grace. When we loo off from Christ, and look at the greatness of opposing difficulties, we shall begin to fall; but when we call to him, he will stretch out his arm, and save us. Christ is the great Saviour; those who would be saved, must come to him, and cry to him, for salvation; we are neve brought to this, till we find ourselves sinking: the sense of nee drives us to him. He rebuked Peter. Could we but believe more, we should suffer less. The weakness of faith, and the prevailing of ou doubts, displease our Lord Jesus, for there is no good reason wh Christ's disciples should be of a doubtful mind. Even in a stormy da he is to them a very present help. None but the world's Creator coul multiply the loaves, none but its Governor could tread upon the water of the sea: the disciples yield to the evidence, and confess their faith. They were suitably affected, and worshipped Christ. He tha comes to God, must believe; and he that believes in God, will come, He 11:6.
Greek Textus Receptus
και 2532 CONJ ιδοντες 1492 5631 V-2AAP-NPM αυτον 846 P-ASM οι 3588 T-NPM μαθηται 3101 N-NPM επι 1909 PREP την 3588 T-ASF θαλασσαν 2281 N-ASF περιπατουντα 4043 5723 V-PAP-ASM εταραχθησαν 5015 5681 V-API-3P λεγοντες 3004 5723 V-PAP-NPM οτι 3754 CONJ φαντασμα 5326 N-NSN εστιν 2076 5748 V-PXI-3S και 2532 CONJ απο 575 PREP του 3588 T-GSM φοβου 5401 N-GSM εκραξαν 2896 5656 V-AAI-3P
Vincent's NT Word Studies
26. A spirit (fantasma). Of which our word phantasm is a transcription. Rev., rather stiffly, apparition. Wyc., phantom.
Robertson's NT Word Studies
14:26 {They were troubled} (etaracqesan). Much stronger than that. They were literally "terrified" as they saw Jesus walking on the sea. {An apparition} (fantasma), or "ghost," or "spectre" from fantazw and that from fainw. They cried out "from fear" (apo tou phobou) as any one would have done. "A little touch of sailor superstition" (Bruce).
