Were terrified translates a much stronger verb than the one used in the Marcan parallel (6.49). In its active form the verb may mean “disturb” or “throw into confusion” (for example, Acts 15.24; Gal 1.7; 5.10). When used in the passive the verb may mean “be frightened” or “be terrified” (for example, Matt 2.3; 14.26; Mark 6.50; Luke 1.12; 24.38). In the present passage the majority of translations are identical with Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation; New English Bible has “they were so shaken that.” Many translators will find the New English Bible cited above a useful model, as in “They were so frightened that they thought it was a ghost, and they began to scream with fear” or “They were so terrified that they said ‘It’s a ghost.’ And they began to scream in fear.”

Ghost (so most translations) translates a noun that occurs only here and in Mark 6.49 in the New Testament. It may be used of any apparition, particularly that of a spirit. Most cultures will have a word for a spirit people might see. It is not necessary to look for a word that specifically refers to the spirit of someone who died, although, as with the English ghost, that is the word often used.

Cried out for fear is translated “screamed with fear” by Good News Translation and “cried out in fear” by New Jerusalem Bible. New English Bible, which does not use the verb “terrified” in the previous clause, translates “that they cried out in terror.”

Quoted with permission from Newman, Barclay M. and Stine, Philip C. A Handbook on the Gospel of Matthew. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1988. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .