BibleWord.ai› Bible› John› Chapter 6› Verse 20

John 6:20

New Testament Gospel ASV (1901)

What does John 6:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
John 6:20 — American Standard Version

Context — John 6

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.
18And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew.
19When therefore they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they behold Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the boat: and they were afraid.
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat: and straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going.
22On the morrow the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, save one, and that Jesus entered not with his disciples into the boat, but [that] his disciples went away alone
23(howbeit there came boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks):
← John 6:19John 6:21 →
← Full Chapter 6 John Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“But he saith to them, it is I, be not afraid.] (See Gill on “<401427>Matthew 14:27”).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“It is I; be not afraid--Matthew (Mat 14:27) and Mark (Mar 6:50) give before these exhilarating words, that to them well-known one, "Be of good cheer!"”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“See this miracle of walking on the sea explained in the notes at Matthew 14:22-33. Compare Mark 6:45-52. John 6:21 Immediately - Quickly. Before a long time. How far they were from the land we know not, but there is no evidence that there was a miracle in the case. The word translated “immediately” does not of necessity imply that there was no interval of time, but that there was not a long interval. Thus, in Matthew 13:5, in the parable of the sower, “and immediately (the same word in Greek) they sprung up,” etc., Mark 4:17; Matthew 24:29; 3 John 1:14. return to 'Top of Page'”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“6:20 I am here (Greek reads I am): Jesus identified himself by the name God had revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai (see Exod 3:14; see also John 4:26; 6:35).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“It is: Psa 35:3; Isa 41:10, Isa 41:14, Isa 43:1, Isa 43:2, Isa 44:8; Mat 14:27-31; Mar 6:50, Mar 16:6; Rev 1:17, Rev 1:18 John 6:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read John 6 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification