JESUS WALKS ON THE WATER

Passage: Matthew 14:22-36

Key verse: 31

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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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
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

Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go to the other side. Jesus stayed there to dismiss the crowd. Instead of following the disciples right away, he went to the mountain to pray.

The boat was beaten by the waves. The wind was against them. The disciples were probably scared. They were not certain if they would survive the storm. Then Jesus came walking to them before dawn. When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they were terrified. Jesus told them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Jesus said he is the ‘I am,’ God himself. We should not be afraid when Jesus, God Almighty, is with us.

Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter walked on the water until he saw the wind, and then he began to sink. Jesus took hold of him and said, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” Jesus wants us to keep our faith without doubting. Doubting is the sign of unbelief. When we trust in Jesus as God, our Father in heaven, who loves us and takes care of all our needs, our doubts flee. Jesus wants us to believe in him rather than doubting. When they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, help me not to doubt your love, but believe in you.

One Word: Do not doubt, believe in Jesus’ love.