22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone. 24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. 27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. 28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. 29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. 31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? 32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. 33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. (Matthew 14:22-33 KJV)
Jesus Walks on Water
We have here the story of another miracle that Christ performed for the relief of his friends and followers—his walking on the water to his disciples. In the previous miracle and this one, he acted as Lord of nature, using its powers to supply those in need.
Christ dismissed his disciples and the crowd after feeding them miraculously. John explains that the people, impressed by the miracle of the loaves, were about to take Jesus by force and make him king (John 6:15). To avoid this, Jesus quickly dispersed the crowd. This suggests he dismissed them with a blessing and some parting words of caution, counsel, and comfort. He made the disciples go ahead in the boat (Mt 14:22), as the crowd wouldn’t leave until they did. The disciples were reluctant to go without him. They didn’t want to leave him alone without company or a boat, but they obeyed purely out of submission.
Christ then went up into a mountain by himself to pray (Matthew 14:23). He was alone in a solitary place. Though he had much to do, he still chose to be alone at times, setting an example. True followers of Christ should value solitude, enjoying time alone with God. Though Christ, as God, was prayed to, as Man, he took the role of a servant and prayed. He gave us an example of secret prayer done privately, as he taught in Matthew 6:6.
He stayed there a long time, still praying in the evening, possibly until the fourth watch of the night (before 6 a.m.). Though it was stormy and dark, he continued in prayer. At times, especially during special circumstances or when our hearts are stirred, it’s good to spend extended time in secret prayer and fully pour out our hearts to God (Job 15:4).
The disciples were now in the middle of the sea, tossed by waves (Matthew 14:24). They were obeying Christ when they encountered the storm. Unlike Jonah, who faced a storm for fleeing God’s will, these disciples were following a direct command from Christ. It’s not unusual for disciples to meet storms while doing their duty. Christ sometimes sends his people into hardship to later reveal more of his grace. Despite the contrary winds and waves, they didn’t turn back but pressed forward as they had been commanded. Difficulties in our duty must not deter us from it—we must keep pressing on.
Christ came to them during this distress (Matthew 14:25). He came during the fourth watch of the night. He came walking on the sea, showing his power. This act demonstrated Christ’s sovereign dominion—nature obeys him. The method doesn’t matter—whether by altering the water’s surface or suspending natural laws—it proves his divine authority. God alone can tread the waves (Job 9:8). The sea, which once became a wall for the redeemed (Isaiah 51:10), now becomes a path for the Redeemer. The same power that made iron float (2 Kings 6:6) allowed Christ to walk. “What troubled you, O sea?” (Psalm 114:5). It was the presence of the Lord (Psalm 77:19). Christ can take whatever path he pleases to save his people.
As Jesus approached, the disciples, seeing him walk on the sea, were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” Belief in spirits was common except among the Sadducees. Even the beginnings of deliverance can trouble God’s people, who may fear the very thing meant to comfort them—like Mary (Luke 1:29) or Moses (Exodus 3:6-7).
Amid their fear, Jesus spoke to them: “Take heart… Don’t be afraid.” He probably meant to say, “Don’t be afraid of me—now that you know who I am, you can be sure I mean you no harm.” Or it could mean, “Don’t fear the storm either—not the winds or waves—while I’m this close to you.”
Peter showed boldness and love when he asked Jesus to let him come to him on the water (Matthew 14:28). Peter didn’t act on impulse—he waited for Jesus’ command. Boldness without God’s direction isn’t obedience. Though we don’t receive personal commands like Peter did, we follow God’s Word and apply it wisely. When Jesus said, “Come,” Peter stepped out in faith, trusting Jesus’ word. That act showed great faith.
Christ told him to come—not only because he wanted Peter to walk on water and see His power, but also so that Peter could begin to sink and realize his own weakness. Christ wanted to encourage his faith, but also humble his overconfidence.
Peter started strong but, later, began to fear when he saw the wind. Long trials reveal how weak faith can be. We see that even strong faith and courage can struggle with fear. Those who say, “Lord, I believe,” must also say, “Help my unbelief.” No one has fully arrived yet. While he kept his eyes on Jesus and his power, he walked fine. But when he focused on the danger, he became afraid. Looking at our problems more than God’s promises leads to fear.
The result of Peter’s fear was that he began to sink. When his faith weakened, he lost support. Our spiritual strength comes from faith, and when it falters, we begin to go under. Yet, Jesus didn’t let him sink entirely—he gave him time to cry out, “Lord, save me.” This shows Christ’s care for believers; even when they are falling, they have time to call for help. A person isn’t truly lost unless they end up in hell. Peter walked as far as he believed—according to your faith, so it will be to you.
In his moment of panic, Peter turned to prayer. He cried out, “Lord, save me”—a short but powerful prayer. When faith is weak, prayer should be strong. And when we realize we’re sinking, that’s often when we finally reach for Jesus. Jesus responded with compassion. He immediately grabbed Peter’s hand and pulled him up. Christ is always ready to help when we begin to fall. He never truly lets go of those who belong to him.
Then Jesus gently corrected him: “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Even though Jesus saves, he also lovingly challenges our weak faith. Sometimes, faith can be genuine yet still weak, leading to fear and doubt.
The job of faith is to quiet our doubts and fears, even in storms. More belief leads to less doubt. Jesus isn’t pleased when we doubt him—especially when there’s no good reason to. If we stopped and asked, “Why am I afraid?” we’d see that Christ has never failed us. Even in life’s storms, he’s close by—a very present help.
When Christ came into the ship, they were immediately at the storm immediately ceased (Mt 14:32). Christ walked on the water until he reached the ship and then got into it, even though he could have easily walked to the shore. But when ordinary means are available, miracles are not to be expected. Though Christ does not need tools to do his work, he chooses to use them. When Christ came into the ship, Peter came in with him. Those who share in Christ’s suffering will also share in his glory. Those who walk with him will reign with him; those who suffer with him will triumph with him.
When they came into the ship, the storm immediately stopped, for it had done its work—its testing work. He who gathers the winds in his fists and wraps the waters in a cloak is the same one who ascended and descended, and even stormy winds obey his word (Ps 148:8). When Christ enters a soul, he brings peace and calms the storms within. Welcome Christ, and the crashing waves will soon be stilled.
The adoration paid to Christ hereupon (Mt 14:33); those who were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” They made two good uses of this distress and this deliverance. It was a confirmation of their faith in Christ and fully convinced them that the fullness of God lived in him. Only the Creator could multiply the loaves; only the world’s Ruler could walk on the sea. They yielded to the evidence and confessed their faith: “Truly you are the Son of God.”
They already knew he was the Son of God, but now they knew it more deeply. Faith, after struggling with doubt, sometimes becomes more active and grows stronger through the test. Now they know it for sure. It is good for us to grow in certainty about the things we’ve been taught (Lu 1:4). Faith grows when it reaches full assurance—when it sees clearly and says, “Truly.”