John 6:20

“But he says to them, “I am he; do not be afraid.””

John 6:20 · direct translation from the Greek
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20

John 6:20, word by word

saysλέγειlegei

say

To express something in words to others.

Where else “legei” appears
am heεἰμιeimi

be

To be: says who or what something is.

Where else “eimi” appears
be afraidφοβεῖσθεphobeisthe

be afraid

To be afraid: "do not fear".

Where else “phobeisthe” appears

Translation note

Literally “I am”; compare Exodus 3:14 and John 4:26.

Parallel passages

Other books that tell the same thing or quote these words.

Jesus walks on water

Matthew 14:22-33Mark 6:45-52

See them side by side

John 6:16-21

16When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, 17and getting into a boat, they were crossing the sea to Capernaum. And it had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18And the sea was growing rough because a strong wind was blowing. 19So when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid. 20But he says to them, “I am he; do not be afraid.” 21So they were willing to take him into the boat, and at once the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Matthew 14:22-33

22And at once he made the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side, until he sent the crowds away. 23And after sending the crowds away, he went up onto the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, battered by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. 27But at once Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I; do not be afraid.” 28And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” 29And he said, “Come.” And getting down from the boat, Peter walked on the waters and came to Jesus. 30But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31And at once Jesus, stretching out his hand, took hold of him and says to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32And when they had gotten up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat bowed down before him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Mark 6:45-52

45And at once he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, toward Bethsaida, while he dismisses the crowd. 46And after taking leave of them, he went away to the mountain to pray. 47And when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and he was alone on the land. 48And seeing them straining at the rowing, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of the night he comes to them, walking on the sea; and he meant to pass by them. 49But when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought that it was a ghost, and they cried out; 50for they all saw him and were terrified. But he at once spoke with them and says to them, “Take courage; I am he; do not be afraid.” 51And he went up to them into the boat, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astonished within themselves, 52for they had not understood about the loaves, but their heart was hardened.

The context

19So when they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, they see Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were afraid.

20 · This verse (above)

21So they were willing to take him into the boat, and at once the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Read all of John 6

To study John 6 in a group

  1. 1. What it says

    What did the boy Andrew mentioned have, and what does Jesus do with it before it is given to the crowd? (vv. 8-13)

  2. 2. What it means

    Jesus says, “I am the bread of life.” What does he promise to the one who comes to him and believes in him? (vv. 35-40)

  3. 3. How I live it

    When many walked away, Peter answered, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have words of eternal life” (vv. 66-68). What keeps you close to Jesus?

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