is I!” At the same time, the soldiers’ response to Jesus’ words indicates that they also involved a manifestation of his deity (a theophany; cf., e.g., Gen 17:3; Lev 9:24; Judg 13:20; Ezek 1:28). (2) Highly probable: a. 6:20: “But he said to them, ‘It is I; don’t be afraid’ ” (cf. Matt 14:27; Mark 6:50). Again, on one level this is a mere self-reference. But, as the preceding verse tells us, Jesus was walking on the water when he made this statement, exercising God’s power over the elements (cf.