They spent the night around the house of God, because the watch was committed to them; and they were in charge of opening it morning by morning.

For a thousand years in Your sight
Are like yesterday when it passes by,
Or as a watch in the night.

And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.

Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He *came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them.

In the same region there were some shepherds staying out in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.