Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33
“And those in the boat, having come, they worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly! You are God’s Son!’” (CG).
In the previous verse, it was noted that when Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind ceased. Overcome by the events they have seen and experienced, it next says, “And those in the boat.”
The words may suggest that there were more than just the disciples in there. The boats on the Sea of Galilee would not be very large, but they may have been large enough to carry some others along. Either way, the boat was big enough for them to get up and move around. That is seen in the word translated as “having come.”
The word is omitted by some texts and most modern Bibles. However, it would be the natural reaction to such events. Peter wanted to come to Jesus. This certainly wasn’t limited to him, but he was the one who called out, and so he was the one who was petitioned to come.
Once those on the boat saw what had transpired, especially the sudden calming of the sea, it would be natural to come forward to be near Jesus. This was because “they worshiped Him.”
Jesus was well known to them and the One who instructed them. It is true that if someone encountered such events in the presence of an unknown person, he may want to stay back a bit and worship from a distance. But because of their familiarity with Jesus, they wanted to be nearer to Him when bowing before Him.
The words are natural, and as would be expected. With that noted, Matthew next notes that they were “saying, ‘Truly! You are God’s Son!’”
The words lack a definite article, as in, “You are the Son of God.” Despite this, it is at least an acknowledgment that Jesus was ordained by God in a unique way. He had walked on the water, and the weather was under His control. At this point, they may have been thinking of someone in the line of Moses who did such things under the authority of the Lord.
Jesus had also healed the people and multiplied the bread. Therefore, they may also have been thinking of someone like Elijah or Elisha, who had healed and/or multiplied bread under the authority of the Lord. Even until the later points of the gospel narratives, a true and complete understanding of who Jesus was continued to escape the disciples.
To be dogmatic and state that the disciples thought Jesus was “the Son of God,” meaning deity, at this point would be stretching what the disciples actually believed. Even after the resurrection, they required schooling to understand who Jesus was and the things that pertained to Him –
“Then He said to them, ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.’ 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.” Luke 24:44, 45
Life application: There are several views concerning who “the sons of the God” are in Genesis 6. The predominant view is the sensational view, meaning that these were angel/human hybrids. Though sensational and, therefore, exciting, it doesn’t at all match up with the rest of Scripture.
Being a son of “the God” signifies a person who is in a right relationship with God or one who is set in contrast to such a relationship. The structure of the early Genesis account is presented in such a way that thoughts are introduced and then they are explained in a following passage.
For example, the thought concerning the creation of man is presented in Genesis 1. However, that is more fully explained in Genesis 2. The thought of being obedient to the law given by God and the penalties for not doing so are seen in Genesis 2, but the example of the test concerning the law is seen in Genesis 3.
The thought of the promise of a return to a right state in the presence of God is seen in Genesis 3, and the anticipation of that by Eve, and the knowledge that it is lost to her is seen in Genesis 4.
The state of a disobedient line of people who are separated from the line of those who remain friendly to God is seen in Genesis 4. The line of those who are in a right relationship with God and who will eventually lead to the Messiah is seen in Genesis 5. This particular line that is set apart to God is meticulously detailed in Genesis 5, and it is explained by the words “sons of the God” in Genesis 6.
Themes are introduced and then expanded upon. Contrasts are set up to distinguish those who are out of favor with God from those who are in favor with God. This continues to develop throughout the book. For example, like the ungodly line of Cain being i
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