JESUS AND PETER WALK ON WATER

Passage: Matthew 14:22-36

Key verse: 29

NIV

Jesus Walks on the Water(A)(B)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(C) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(D) they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(E) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(F)

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(G) he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(H)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,(I) and all who touched it were healed.

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Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 (A)Immediately he (B)made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, (C)he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When (D)evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[a] from the land,[b] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And (E)in the fourth watch of the night[c] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, (F)they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (G)“Take heart; it is I. (H)Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and (I)walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, (J)“Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, (K)“O you of little faith, why did you (L)doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, (M)the wind ceased. 33 And (N)those in the boat (O)worshiped him, saying, (P)“Truly you are (Q)the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34 (R)And when they had crossed over, they came to land at (S)Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and (T)brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch (U)the fringe of his garment. And (V)as many as touched it were made well.

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Footnotes
  1. Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia, a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
  2. Matthew 14:24 Some manuscripts was out on the sea
  3. Matthew 14:25 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
  4. Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts strong wind
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. Storm training (22-27)

After feeding the crowd, Jesus sent his disciples to cross the lake. He dismissed the crowd and went to pray alone. The disciples struggled against an adverse wind and high waves. Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. They were terrified, because in their struggle, they didn't recognize Jesus. He had not come to frighten them but to give them courage and teach them faith.

2. Peter's bold faith (28-36)

Peter took courage. He asked Jesus to command him to come to him, and Jesus said, 'Come.' As long as Peter obeyed Jesus' command and kept his eyes on him, he could walk without fear on the water. But he looked down at the waves and forgot about Jesus. He began to sink; Jesus pulled him out and gently rebuked him for his doubt. Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith is looking steadily at Jesus and calling on him for help. Peter confessed Jesus to be the Son of God. And Jesus continued the work of the Messiah (34-36).

Prayer: Lord, give me courage to walk by faith and faith to keep on looking at you.

One Word: Obey Jesus and walk by faith