Jesus walking on water is one of the most famous miracles described in the Gospels. This incredible event is recorded in three of the four Gospels – Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, and John 6:16-21. Let’s dive into the biblical accounts to understand the meaning and significance of this miracle.
The Accounts of Jesus Walking on Water
In Matthew 14, Jesus had just finished feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. After dismissing the crowds, Jesus went up on a mountainside to pray while the disciples got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee. As night fell, the disciples’ boat was battered by winds and waves far from land. Jesus came to them in the fourth watch of the night (between 3am-6am), walking on the sea. The disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost. But Jesus called out to them and reassured them it was Him. Impulsive Peter asked Jesus to call him out onto the water too. Jesus agreed, and Peter got out of the boat and miraculously started walking toward Jesus. But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became afraid and started sinking. He cried out to Jesus to save him. Jesus reached out and caught Peter, saying “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” After they got into the boat, the wind ceased. The disciples worshiped Jesus saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
In Mark 6, this story follows the account of Herod beheading John the Baptist. Jesus fed the five thousand and sent the disciples ahead of Him across the sea while He dismissed the crowds. Jesus spent time alone in prayer on the mountainside, seeing the disciples straining at the oars as they faced an opposing wind. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea, intending to pass them by. The disciples were utterly astounded, thinking He was a ghost. Jesus spoke to them to calm their fears. He then got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. Mark notes that the disciples’ hearts were hardened and they did not understand the meaning of the loaves, for their hearts were hardened.
John 6 provides the shortest account of this miracle, though it contains a few additional details. The disciples got into a boat to cross the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. As darkness fell, Jesus had not yet joined them. A strong wind was blowing and the sea grew rough. They had rowed about three to four miles when they saw Jesus walking on the sea and approaching the boat. The disciples were frightened, but Jesus told them “It is I; do not be afraid.” They willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately it arrived at the land they were going to.
The Setting of the Miracle
Examining the setting of this miracle gives insight into its meaning. Jesus deliberately sent the disciples ahead of Him, knowing they would end up in a precarious situation – alone at sea in dangerous weather. This was a test of faith designed to teach the disciples to trust in His power and care for them in all circumstances. The disciples were experienced fishermen, used to the sudden storms on the Sea of Galilee. But this time, instead of relying on their skills, Jesus wanted them to rely on Him alone for help. He purposely waited until the fourth watch of the night when conditions were at their worst before coming to them. This test of faith enabled the disciples to witness firsthand Christ’s divine power over the forces of nature. His actions also communicated His constant presence and awareness of their plight, even when He was not physically present with them.
The Frightened Response of the Disciples
Despite being experienced seamen, the disciples were utterly terrified when they saw Jesus walking on the water. Their minds could not comprehend how a man could defy the laws of physics and float on the sea’s surface. They thought He must be a phantom or ghost. This encounter profoundly shook their sensibilities about what was humanly possible. The disciples’ stunned response shows they had no hint Jesus would perform such an unprecedented miracle. He purposefully kept it a surprise in order to increase their faith and reliance on Him. Their fear also indicates they did not yet fully grasp Christ’s divine identity and power over creation. This encounter was meant to decisively prove that Jesus was no ordinary man, but the Son of God.
Peter’s Impulsive Request
As usual, it was Peter who reacted most impulsively to Christ’s miraculous presence. Peter cried out “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Peter longed to be close to Jesus and share in the miracle Himself. Jesus granted Peter’s bold request, inviting Him out of the boat. Peter’s walking on the water is the only instance where another person shared in Christ’s dominion over the natural world. This underscores Jesus’ desire for His followers to grow in faith and participate in His power. However, Peter’s eyes were diverted from Jesus by fear of the storm. He began to sink but cried out for rescue. Jesus immediately reached out His hand and saved Peter. This episode emphasizes that true faith requires complete focus on Christ rather than being distracted by circumstances. It also shows Jesus’ patience and mercy in saving those with faltering faith. He does not abandon believers when they waver, but graciously restores them.
Jesus’ Response – Command Over Creation
Jesus’ words and actions during this miracle emphasize His supreme command over creation. His ability to suspend gravity and walk on the surface of water highlights Christ’s divine dominion over the physical world. Jesus remains calm and relaxed, demonstrating the ease with which He exercises complete authority over nature. Christ initiates the encounter by intentionally walking toward the disciples on the sea. He meant for them to witness Him traversing the waves that threatened their boat. This reveals Jesus’ desire for His followers to recognize and rely on His power. It is also significant that Jesus says “It is I,” revealing Himself plainly using God’s covenant name for Himself – “I AM” (Exodus 3:14). Only God could walk upon the seas, and Jesus does so to prove His divine identity and glorify the Father.
The Disciples’ Deepened Understanding
This miraculous event expanded the disciples’ perspective on who Jesus was. Their initial terror turned to worship as they recognized Him as the Son of God and knelt before Him in the boat. The eyewitness experience of Christ’s lordship over creation confirmed for them that Jesus was no mere man. While the disciples had seen Jesus perform many healings and miracles, mastery over the chaotic sea was on another plane. In Jewish thought, the seas represented chaos, danger and evil. Only Yahweh could subdue the waters (Psalm 77:16-20). By walking on water, Jesus demonstrated He was the incarnation of Yahweh come to save His people. This glimpse of His unveiled glory as God’s Son fortified the disciples’ faith and understanding.
Prefiguring the Resurrection
Christ’s walking on the water foreshadowed His conquering of death through the resurrection. The disciples initially assumed Jesus was a ghost or apparition, for no ordinary human could walk on water. But He dispelled this misconception by revealing His bodily form. Jesus physically walked out across the sea to the disciples in the flesh. In the same way, He would soon emerge from the grave and appear to His followers in bodily form after the resurrection. His miracles over nature displayed His authority over all creation, including the supernatural power to lay down His life and take it up again (John 10:18). Just as He suspended natural laws to walk on water, through the resurrection Jesus would conquer the law of sin and death to redeem mankind.
Illustrating Christ’s Power and Presence
This miracle is full of meaning regarding who Christ is and how He interacts with His people. Jesus purposely waited until the situation was dire so the disciples would fully recognize their need for Him. This illustrates how God often delays His aid until human resources are exhausted and there is no alternative except radical reliance on Him. The Lord brings believers to their point of desperation to destroy self-dependence. Yet He always comes through at precisely the right moment. Like the disciples, believers can have absolute confidence that Christ sees their plight and will intervene. Though Jesus seems distant and circumstances look impossible, He remains sovereign. His perfect timing and unconventional methods prove that faith must remain focused on Christ alone, not conditions. Just as waves did not deter Christ, nothing can prevent Him from enacting His purposes and rescuing His beloved children.
Manifesting Christ’s True Identity
This miracle was meant to vividly reveal Christ’s identity as the Son of God. The disciples beheld a display of His unlimited power and thus worshipped Him as Lord over all creation. Similarly, Christ’s miracles and mastery over nature are recorded that readers might believe Jesus is the Christ and receive eternal life (John 20:30-31). Accounts of Him suspending natural law reveal His inherent divine nature and authority to lay down His life for salvation. No mere man could singlehandedly calm a storm or walk on water. These miraculous signs manifest Christ’s true identity and enable believers of all generations to confess, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Revealing Jesus as Lord Over Circumstances
This miracle powerfully demonstrates Jesus’ complete lordship over difficult circumstances. The disciples faced gale-force winds and swelling waves that threatened to sink their boat. But Jesus was never alarmed or in danger, for He had command over the storm. Their safest place was to be with Christ, for He could overcome any obstacle. Similarly, believers can take courage knowing Jesus has authority over every storm, wind, and wave they face (Mark 4:35-41). He remains sovereign no matter how unstable, threatening, or desperate one’s situation is. Nothing takes Christ by surprise or proves too much for Him. Experiencing His miraculous power in adversity builds faith to trust God more in life’s storms. Believers have the security of knowing their Savior and Shepherd is Master over all circumstances.
Encouraging Active Faith in Christ
Peter’s attempt to walk on water is meant to inspire bold and active faith. Through Peter’s example, believers learn there is no limit to what can be accomplished by relying on Christ’s power. Peter courageously stepped out in faith in response to Jesus’ invitation. His eyes remained fixed on Christ until distracted by fear. As long as his focus remained on Jesus alone, Peter could achieve the supernatural. But when he gave in to fear, he began to falter. This illustrates the importance of maintaining focus on Christ regardless of one’s intimidating and challenging circumstances. Jesus uses this account to encourage His followers to exercise radical faith in His ability to overcome all of life’s impossibilities.
Emphasizing the Need for Divine Intervention
The disciples’ desperate plight on the stormy sea highlighted their need for divine intervention. On their own they were overwhelmed and helpless. Though experienced sailors, they could not make any headway against the violent wind and waves. The more they strained at the oars, the worse their situation became. This emphasized their dependence on Christ to rescue them. The disciples had no ability to save themselves – they were powerless. Often God leads believers into storms and trials that leave them at the end of their resources in order to engender absolute reliance on Jesus. Human limitations are meant to act as a catalyst to seek divine strength. Christians can only walk by faith if they recognize their own inadequacy and cry out to Christ like Peter, “Save me!” (Matthew 14:30).
Application for Believers
This miracle contains essential application for believers. Followers of Christ should keep their eyes firmly fixed on the Savior, not allowing fear of storms or circumstances to distract them. At times Jesus may intentionally delay His help, prompting His children to demonstrate patient reliance and enduring faith amid trials. Yet He always comes at the precise moment needed, and remains constant though conditions worsen. Therefore, Christians must continually yield control to the Master over every wave and wind, trusting His supernatural purposes. They can boldly step out to participate in Christ’s miraculous work by faith, knowing He will lift them up if they falter. This magnificent event displays Jesus’ unlimited power, care and delight in strengthening the faith of His beloved disciples.
Conclusion
Jesus walking on the sea stands out as a pivotal episode that profoundly shaped the disciples’ understanding of Christ’s identity. TheirRabbi demonstrated total command over nature itself and divine glory veiled in human flesh. This miraculous sign expanded the disciples’ vision beyond the limitations of their humanity. They encountered the Son of God in all majesty and authority unveiling His true divine nature and power over all creation. Jesus purposely strengthened their faith by displaying His unlimited mastery over circumstance, proving no trial or tribulation was beyond His control. This miraculous event provides believers of all generations a window into the supremacy and majesty of the Savior. No storm or difficulty can deter Him from fulfilling His purposes and coming to the aid of His beloved children who cry out in need. He remains sovereign Lord over all.