PER172

The reaction of the apostles

Pericope 172 recounts the reaction of the apostles after Jesus walked on the water and calmed the storm. Set at Gennesaret in April AD 32, the episode is reported by Matthew and Mark. The disciples bow down and proclaim: 'You are truly the Son of God', marking a decisive step in their faith and in the progressive Christological revelation of the Gospels.

7 min reaction of the apostles Son of God prostration Gennesaret Christology 8 verses 3 books

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Biblical texts

Matthew

Matthew 14.34-36 (King James Version)

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Mark

Mark 6.53-56 (King James Version)

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.

And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him,

And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.

King James Version (1769), domaine public — texte : eBible.org

Luke

Luke (King James Version) not cited in the book

John

John (King James Version) not cited in the book

Technical details

Place: Gennesaret in Galilee

Date: April AD 32. Passover will be on Monday, April 12, AD 32

Method: We take the information from Matthew and Mark

Note on the method: Matthew and Mark report this information

The Messiah Jesus attracts many sick people who come to seek healing from him.

The reaction of the apostles

Analysis

The event described byMatthew 14.33 takes place right after the account of the Messiah Jesus walking on the water and calming the storm (PER171).

Analysis

Narrative context:

General context: This verse concludes the account of Jesus walking on the water (Matthew 14.22-32), a miracle that demonstrates Jesus' sovereignty over the forces of nature.

Reactions of the disciples: After seeing Peter walk on the water, sink and be saved by Jesus, and after Jesus calmed the storm, the disciples are astounded and recognize the divinity of the Messiah Jesus.

Prostration and recognition:

Prostration: The act of bowing down is a gesture of reverence and deep submission, often reserved for God in the biblical context.

Declaration of divinity: The declaration "You are truly the Son of God" is an explicit recognition of the divine nature of Jesus, marking a moment of revelation and increased faith among the disciples.

Theology and Christology:

Son of God: This title underscores the divine sonship of Jesus, which is a central element of Christian Christology. It confirms that Jesus is not merely a prophet or a teacher, but truly of divine nature.

Progressive revelation: Throughout the Gospels, the disciples come to understand the identity of Jesus progressively. This verse marks an important stage in that growing awareness.

Synoptic comparison:

Mark and John: In the Gospels of Mark (Mark 6.51-52) and John (John 6.21), although the disciples are astonished and the wind subsides, there is no explicit declaration of the divinity of Jesus and no prostration. This distinctive feature of Matthew highlights this Gospel's emphasis on the disciples' recognition of the divinity of Jesus.

Hermeneutical significance:

Faith of the disciples: The verse shows a moment of strengthened faith among the disciples, important for Matthew's readers in order to understand the progression of Christian faith.

Contemporary application: For believers today, this passage is often interpreted as a call to recognize the lordship of Jesus and to trust him even in the storms of life.

This verse is therefore crucial on several levels: it confirms the divine nature of Jesus, shows the progression of the disciples' faith, and offers a theological and spiritual lesson for believers.

This collective recognition seems new. Peter will later declare: "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16.16 and Mark 8.29). Let us remember that he was present in this boat. Nathanael had also affirmed: "Rabbi, you are the Son of God, you are the King of Israel." It is important to mention that, for a Jew, God has no son. These declarations are therefore particularly surprising and indicate a significant change in the faith of these men.

La réaction des apôtres. La péricope 172 relate la réaction des apôtres après que Jésus a marché sur les eaux et calmé la tempête. Situé à Génésareth en avril de l'an 32, l'épisode est rapporté par Matthieu et Marc. Les disciples se prosternent et proclament : 'Tu es véritablement le Fils de Dieu', marquant une étape décisive dans leur foi et dans la révélation christologique progressive des Évangiles. Analyse. L’événement décrit parMatthieu 14, verset 33 se situe juste après le récit du Messie Jésus marchant sur l'eau et calmant la tempête (PER171). Analyse Contexte Narratif : Contexte général : Ce verset conclut le récit de Jésus marchant sur l'eau (Matthieu 14, versets 22 à 32), un miracle qui démontre la souveraineté de Jésus sur les éléments naturels. Réactions des disciples : Après avoir vu Pierre marcher sur l'eau, sombrer et être sauvé par Jésus, et après que Jésus a calmé la tempête, les disciples sont stupéfaits et reconnaissent la divinité du Messie Jésus. Prosternation et Reconnaissance : Prosternation : Le geste de se prosterner est un acte de vénération et de soumission profonde, souvent réservé à Dieu dans le contexte biblique. Déclaration de la Divinité : La déclaration "Tu es véritablement le Fils de Dieu" est une reconnaissance explicite de la nature divine de Jésus, marquant un moment de révélation et de foi accrue chez les disciples. Théologie et Christologie : Fils de Dieu : Cette appellation souligne la filiation divine de Jésus, ce qui est un élément central de la christologie chrétienne. Elle confirme que Jésus est non seulement un prophète ou un enseignant, mais véritablement de nature divine. Révélation progressive : Les disciples, tout au long des Évangiles, passent par une compréhension progressive de l'identité de Jésus. Ce verset marque une étape importante dans cette prise de conscience. Comparaison Synoptique : Marc et Jean : Dans les Évangiles de Marc (Marc 6, versets 51 à 52) et Jean (Jean 6, verset 21), bien que les disciples soient étonnés et que le vent se calme, il n'y a pas de déclaration explicite de la divinité de Jésus ou de prosternation. Cette particularité de Matthieu met en lumière l'accent mis par cet Évangile sur la reconnaissance de la divinité de Jésus par ses disciples. Portée Herméneutique : Foi des disciples : Le verset montre un moment de foi renforcée chez les disciples, important pour les lecteurs de Matthieu afin de comprendre la progression de la foi chrétienne. Application contemporaine : Pour les croyants d'aujourd'hui, ce passage est souvent interprété comme un appel à reconnaître la seigneurie de Jésus et à lui faire confiance même dans les tempêtes de la vie. Ce verset est donc crucial à plusieurs niveaux : il confirme la nature divine de Jésus, montre la progression de la foi des disciples, et offre une leçon théologique et spirituelle pour les croyants. Cette reconnaissance collective semble nouvelle. Pierre déclarera plus tard : « Tu es le Christ, le Fils du Dieu vivant » (Matthieu 16, verset 16 et Marc 8, verset 29). Rappelons-nous qu'il était présent dans cette barque. Nathanaël avait également affirmé : « Rabbi, tu es le Fils de Dieu, tu es le roi d'Israël. » Il est important de mentionner que, pour un Juif, Dieu n'a pas de fils. Ces déclarations sont donc particulièrement surprenantes et indiquent un changement significatif dans la foi de ces hommes.