Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:25-26

"And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear." — Matthew 14:25-26 (ASV)

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;

"A phantom!" Having all the superstition so natural to sailors, they thought that this was something quite supernatural and boded ill for them.