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Matthew 14:25 |
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And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Note 2 at Mt. 14:25: The fourth watch would have been from 3:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. The Romans divided the night into four watches. They were (1) 6:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m., (2) 9:00 p.m.-midnight, (3) midnight-3:00 a.m., and (4) 3:00 a.m.-6:00 a.m. The Jews divided the night into three watches. They were (1) sunset-10:00 p.m., (2) 10:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m., and (3) 2:00 a.m.-sunrise. The "fourth watch" indicates Matthew was using the Roman system rather than the Jewish system to reckon time in this verse (see note 3 at Jn. 1:39, p. 40 for more information on time).

