Commentaries:
Robertson's Word Pictures (NT)
They were troubled (etaraxqhsan). Much stronger than that. They were literally "terrified" as they saw Jesus walking on the sea.
An apparition (fantasma), or "ghost," or "spectre" from fantazw and that from fainw. They cried out "from fear" (apo tou fobou) as any one would have done. "A little touch of sailor superstition" (Bruce).
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
Matthew 14:25
John 6:20
Acts 25:23
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