“For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.”
Because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid — the take courage (tharsete) and don't be afraid bracket the central declaration: it is I (egō eimi). The Greek ego eimi is the divine self-identification of the Septuagint — the I AM of Exodus 3:14 and Isaiah 43:10. Jesus' self-identification in the storm is simultaneously the reassurance of the disciples and the revelation of his divine identity. The same voice that spoke the world into being speaks to the disciples' terror: it is I — the one you already know is more than you yet understand.
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