Matthew 14:27

Matthew 14:27 is a verse in the fourteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament.

Content
In the original Greek according to Westcott-Hort, this verse is:
 * Εὐθέως δὲ ἐλάλησεν αὐτοῖς ὁ Ἰησοῦς, λέγων, Θαρσεῖτε· ἐγώ εἰμι· μὴ φοβεῖσθε.

In the King James Version of the Bible the text reads:
 * But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

The New International Version translates the passage as:
 * But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Analysis
The phrase "it is I" seems to be a reference to Exodus 3, "I am who I am." Jesus tells his disciples to take heart, since he is present there is nothing to be afraid of.

Commentary from the Church Fathers
Chrysostom: "Christ then did not reveal Himself to His disciples until they cried out; for the more intense their fear, the more did they rejoice in His presence; whence it follows, And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer, it is I, be not afraid. This speech took away their fear, and prepared their confidence."