King James Bible
"But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid."
Jesus speaks directly to his terrified disciples who have just seen him walking on water during a storm. The word 'but' marks a turning point from their fear to his reassurance, emphasizing his immediate response to their distress. In Greek, this phrase is 'ego eimi' (I am), echoing God's self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush. Jesus identifies himself not just to calm their fears of a ghost, but possibly revealing his divine nature through this loaded phrase. This common biblical command directly addresses the disciples' terror at both the storm and the supernatural sight. Jesus' presence transforms a moment of panic into one of peace, demonstrating his authority over natural forces and human fears.