Knowing The Word in Matthew 14:22-33

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately he made [compelled] the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side [the west side], while he dismissed the crowds. [Why? Probably because he did not want the crowd to influence them. See John 6:14-15.] 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. [Only Matthew describes this solitary prayer here and in Gethsemane. Why did Jesus need to get away and pray alone? Perhaps he needed to reflect on the enthusiasm of the Galilean crowd.] When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land [literally “middle of the sea” in Greek], beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch [3 am to 6 am] of the night he came to them, walking on the sea [in pre-dawn dimness]. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. [They are watching something that is physically impossible.] 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” [In the presence of Jesus fear can be dismissed. “It is I” is an expression used by Jesus at other moments of revelation and is an echo of the Divine Name in Exodus 3:14, connecting the one who has power over the sea with the one who created it.]

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me [Peter won’t do this unless it is in agreement with Jesus’ will] to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind [a crisis], he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith [walking on water depends on faith], why did you doubt [why are you divided in two]?” [The story teaches us an example of true faith that did not survive a crisis.] 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” [The disciples are groping for words to adequately describe Jesus, knowing that he is more than an ordinary man. This also prepares us for Peter’s confession of who Jesus is in 16:16.]