Matthew 14:22-33 · Bible study
Matthew 14:22-33 Commentary: Jesus Walks on Water
Greek · 11 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
Examine why Jesus compelled the disciples to leave, his prayer on the mountain, Peter's step of faith and failure, and the confession 'You are truly the Son
Research Summary
- Meaning: Jesus reveals his divine authority over nature and his readiness to save those who call on him, even when their faith falters.
- Key words: ἠνάγκασεν (compelled), βασανιζόμενον (tortured/distressed), φάντασμα (ghost), ὀλιγόπιστε (little faith), προσεκύνησαν (worshipped).
- Main debate: Whether Peter's request was faith or presumption, most see it as bold but imperfect faith, with Jesus both affirming and correcting.
- Theological theme: Christology: Jesus is the Son of God who walks on the sea, echoes of divine self-revelation (ἐγώ εἰμι), and the mediator who prays for his people.
- Best use: Preaching on faith in trials, the importance of prayer, and the identity of Jesus as more than a prophet, the Son of God worthy of worship.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
23After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
24but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.
26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.
33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
WEB World English Bible 2000
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
24But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
28Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”
29He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
30But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.
33Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”
KJV King James Version 1769
22And 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.
23And 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.
24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
22And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away.
23And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.
24But the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves; for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night he came unto them, walking upon the sea.
26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost; and they cried out for fear.
27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters.
29And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.
31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased.
33And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
22And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to go into the boat, and to go before him to the other side, till he might let away the multitudes;
23and having let away the multitudes, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray, and evening having come, he was there alone,
24and the boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went away to them, walking upon the sea,
26and the disciples having seen him walking upon the sea, were troubled saying--`It is an apparition,' and from the fear they cried out;
27and immediately Jesus spake to them, saying, `Be of good courage, I am he , be not afraid.'
28And Peter answering him said, `Sir, if it is thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters;'
29and he said, `Come;' and having gone down from the boat, Peter walked upon the waters to come unto Jesus,
30but seeing the wind vehement, he was afraid, and having begun to sink, he cried out, saying, `Sir, save me.'
31And immediately Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, laid hold of him, and saith to him, `Little faith! for what didst thou waver?'
32and they having gone to the boat the wind lulled,
33and those in the boat having come, did bow to him, saying, `Truly--God's Son art thou.'
Darby Darby Bible 1890
22And immediately he compelled the disciples to go on board ship, and to go on before him to the other side, until he should have dismissed the crowds.
23And having dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. And when even was come, he was alone there,
24but the ship was already in the middle of the sea tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25But in the fourth watch of the night he went off to them, walking on the sea.
26And the disciples, seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled, saying, It is an apparition. And they cried out through fear.
27But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Take courage; it is I: be not afraid.
28And Peter answering him said, Lord, if it be thou, command me to come to thee upon the waters.
29And he said, Come. And Peter, having descended from the ship, walked upon the waters to go to Jesus.
30But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.
31And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of him, and says to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?
32And when they had gone up into the ship, the wind fell.
33But those in the ship came and did homage to him, saying, Truly thou art God's Son.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
22And forthwith Jesus obliged his disciples to go up into the boat, and to go before him over the water, till he dismissed the people.
23And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone.
24But the boat in the midst of the sea was tossed with the waves: for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night, he came to them walking upon the sea.
26And they seeing him walking upon the sea, were troubled, saying: It is an apparition. And they cried out for fear.
27And immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good heart: it is I, fear ye not.
28And Peter making answer, said: Lord, if it be thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters.
29And he said: Come. And Peter going down out of the boat walked upon the water to come to Jesus.
30But seeing the wind strong, he was afraid: and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me.
31And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?
32And when they were come up into the boat, the wind ceased.
33And they that were in the boat came and adored him, saying: Indeed thou art the Son of God.
Verse in Context
Original Language (Koine Greek)
New Testament · Koine Greek · Matthew 14:22
Source: STEPBible TAGNT/TEHB (CC-BY 4.0). Click or tap a morphology code to see the full parsing.
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Jesus 'constrained' (ἠνάγκασεν, from ἀναγκάζω, to compel) his disciples to depart immediately after the feeding of the five thousand because they were reluctant to leave him and because a messianic frenzy was brewing. John 6:15 reports that the crowds intended to take Jesus by force and make him king. Calvin notes that the disciples 'would never, of their own accord, have left him,' and that by commanding them Jesus also removed them from the popular enthusiasm. Lange and Poole highlight Jesus' need for solitary prayer, linking the withdrawal to the pattern seen in Matthew 6:6 and 26:36. The storm that followed is understood as a permitted trial, the disciples were 'tossed' (βασανιζόμενον, literally 'tortured by the waves,' says the Cambridge Bible), and Jesus' coming on the water as a manifestation of divine authority. On verse 33, the confession 'Truly You are the Son of God' is seen as the narrative's climax, with Calvin and Barnes noting that the phrase designates Jesus as the Messiah, not merely a prophet.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Political expedience: Jesus sent the disciples away to prevent them from being swept up in the messianic movement that would make him an earthly king (John 6:15).
- Pedagogical test: Jesus deliberately placed the disciples in a storm to test and strengthen their faith, using the occasion to reveal his power and identity (Calvin, Lange).
- Spiritual necessity: Jesus needed solitude for prayer after a demanding public ministry; the disciples' departure served both his need and their preparation (Poole, Matthew Henry).
What is clear: Jesus has authority over nature, he is present with his people in their trials, and he saves those who cry to him – even when their faith falters.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Why Jesus compelled the disciples to leave | The disciples were unwilling to leave him after the feeding miracle; Jesus had to command them. | Some emphasize the political threat (crowd wanting to make Jesus king, John 6:15); others stress Jesus' need for solitary prayer (v.23). Both are seen as complementary. |
| Peter's faith and failure | Peter stepped out in faith based on Jesus' word but sank when he focused on the wind. | Barnes calls it 'rashness'; Wesley says Peter 'was in no doubt' but faith was small. Clarke sees the request as 'weak faith always wishing for signs.' All agree Jesus saved him. |
| Jesus' identity revealed | The confession 'Truly you are the Son of God' affirms Jesus' unique divine sonship and messianic role. | Calvin and Barnes argue the phrase means Messiah, not necessarily Trinitarian deity in this context, though later reflection sees it as pointing to full divinity. |
| The meaning of 'it is I' (ἐγώ εἰμι) | It is a self-identification of Jesus, giving courage and signaling his presence. | Some see a direct echo of God's name in Exodus 3:14 (divine claim); others view it as a simple identification ('I am Jesus') that calms fear. Most accept an underlying divine resonance. |
Historical & Cultural Context
This passage follows the feeding of the five thousand, an event that stirred the crowd to a pitch of messianic expectation. John 6:15 says they were 'about to come and take him by force to make him king.' Jesus had to withdraw not only the crowds but also his disciples, who may have shared that enthusiasm. The verb ἠνάγκασεν ('he compelled' or 'constrained') implies resistance, the disciples did not want to leave Jesus unprotected on the hillside after such a triumph.
Night watches: at this period Jews had adopted the Greek and Roman system of four watches of three hours each. The fourth watch ran from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m., the darkest hour before dawn. Jesus came to them in that final, weary stretch. The Sea of Galilee is known for sudden storms, as cold air from the surrounding mountains collides with the warm air over the lake. The boat was about four miles from shore (John 6:19 says twenty-five or thirty stadia), struggling against a contrary wind.
Jesus' habit of solitary prayer is well attested (Matthew 14:23; Luke 5:16; 6:12). He had just completed a great work and needed to commune with the Father. Matthew Henry observes that Jesus acted as the Lord of nature both in providing bread and in controlling the storm. The 'ghost' (φάντασμα) the disciples thought they saw reflects a common ancient belief in apparitions, yet Jesus' self-identification, 'It is I' (ἐγώ εἰμι), echoes divine language (cf. Exodus 3:14). The entire scene moves from fear to worship, culminating in the confession of the boat's occupants (including sailors, says Calvin) that Jesus is truly the Son of God.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note only minor textual variants. In Matthew 14:24, one manuscript reads βαπτιζόμενον (being plunged under the waves) instead of βασανιζόμενον (tortured by the waves), as cited by Adam Clarke. In verse 29, Vincent mentions that some manuscripts read 'and went toward' instead of 'to go to' (ἦλθεν πρός). Neither variant changes the meaning of the passage. No significant variants are noted for verse 33 or the surrounding verses.
Reception History
This passage has been treasured across Christian traditions as a picture of faith, fear, and divine rescue. In the early church, the image of Jesus walking on the sea was used to affirm his divinity, only God has power over the waters (cf. Job 9:8). The story was read liturgically in lectionaries of both East and West, often paired with Psalm 107 (those who go down to the sea). Medieval commentators saw Peter as a type of the believer who, when looking away from Christ, begins to sink but is saved by his hand. The reformer John Calvin used the passage to teach that fear reveals weakness of faith, yet Jesus does not abandon the faltering. In hymnody, the line 'Lord, save me' has been echoed in countless songs of supplication. Modern readers continue to find in Peter's cry the simplest prayer of desperation: 'Lord, save me!', and in Jesus' response, the assurance that he reaches out immediately.
Preaching This Verse
Three-point outline
- Jesus sends his disciples into difficulty deliberately. He knew the storm was coming (Calvin says he 'did not neglect the safety of his disciples' yet permitted the trial). His command was not cruel; it was to deepen their faith and reveal his glory.
- Faith begins with Jesus' word and fails when we look at the circumstances. Peter walked on the water as long as he kept his eyes on Jesus. When he 'saw the wind strong' (v.30), he sank. His cry 'Lord, save me' is the prayer of every believer who knows their own weakness.
- The storm ends with worship. The wind ceased when Jesus and Peter entered the boat, and the disciples worshipped him, confessing his divine sonship. Trial gives way to praise.
Five-point outline
- The reluctant departure (v.22-23): Jesus compels the disciples away from the crowd and goes to pray.
- The storm and the fear (v.24-26): The disciples labor alone, terrified by wind and ghostly figure.
- The command and the step (v.27-29): Jesus speaks courage, Peter tests and obeys.
- The sinking and the rescue (v.30-31): Peter's faith fails, but his cry for help is answered at once.
- The calm and the confession (v.32-33): The wind ceases; those in the boat worship Jesus as Son of God.
Illustration hooks
- The middle-of-the-night phone call: A parent receives news of a crisis. The only thing they can do is pray. That's where Jesus was, alone on the mountain, interceding while his disciples struggled.
- Learning to swim with floaties: A child trusts the floaties until they see a wave. Peter trusted Jesus' word until the wind made him forget. We all know that moment of forgetting.
- Watching a rescue boat appear at dawn: After hours of fighting the storm, help arrives at the last watch. Jesus always comes, not necessarily early, but not too late.
Questions your congregation is asking
- If Jesus knows a trial is coming, why doesn't he prevent it? Why send us straight into it?
- I feel like I'm sinking, is my faith too small for God to use me?
- How can I hear Jesus say 'It is I' when my circumstances are chaotic and Jesus seems absent?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Jesus not only rescuing his disciples from a storm but revealing who he is in the middle of their fear. The story is as much about the disciples' journey from terror to worship as it is about the miracle itself.
Discussion questions
- Read verses 22-23. Why do you think the disciples were reluctant to leave Jesus? What might Jesus have been praying about on the mountain?
- Verse 24 says the boat was 'distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.' Has there been a time when you felt you were doing what God asked but still faced opposition?
- In verse 26, the disciples cry out in fear. What causes us to mistake Jesus for a 'ghost', to see him as frightening rather than as the one who saves?
- Peter's request in verse 28 is bold. Do you think it showed faith or rashness, or both? How can we tell the difference in our own lives?
- Verse 30 says 'when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid.' What 'wind' is most likely to pull your attention away from Jesus?
- Jesus calls Peter 'of little faith' (v.31) but still saves him. How does this balance of truth and grace encourage you?
- Verse 33 records worship and a confession: 'You are truly the Son of God.' How does this story reshape your understanding of who Jesus is?
Word Study
The key original-language words in this verse. Select any word for its full lexicon entry — meaning, every occurrence in Scripture, and related words.
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| Matthew 13:36 | Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” |
| Matthew 15:39 | Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala. |
| Mark 6:45 | Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitude away. |
| Mark 6:51 | He got into the boat with them; and the wind ceased, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled; |
| John 6:15 | Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, withdrew again to the mountain by himself. |
| John 6:21 | They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. Immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. |
| Matthew 6:6 | But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. |
| Matthew 26:36 | Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” |
Interlinear and lexical data from STEPBible (CC BY 4.0). Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
6 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible Schools commentary highlights the vivid force of the original Greek, where the disciples' boat is "tortured by the waves," writhing in agony. Yet despite the storm, Jesus' voice reaches them clearly, and his hand is close to the sinking disciple.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB offers no separate explanation for these verses, instead referring the reader
Lange's Commentary Reformed 1857
Lange argues that Jesus did not send the disciples directly across the lake but intended to meet them on the eastern shore, a plan thwarted by a contrary wind that drove them helplessly west. For Lange, the miracle is a manifestation of Christ's own glorified body, pointing ahead to his resurrection and ascension, and showing that by faith believers can briefly share that power.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry draws a clear contrast between two miracles: in the feeding of the crowd, Jesus improved nature's powers to supply need; here, he corrects and controls those same powers to rescue disciples in danger. Both show him as Lord of nature, acting for his people's relief.
Vincent's Word Studies Evangelical 1887
Vincent highlights the Greek word behind "constrained" as implying the disciples' reluctance to leave Jesus behind, and notes that "tossed" is better rendered "distressed." He also points out the irony that Peter, an experienced fisherman and swimmer, was terrified by what the text calls a "phantom" rather than a real spirit.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley clarifies that when Peter says "If it be thou," the word "if" carries the force of "since"—it expresses certainty, not doubt. He also notes that Peter, though an experienced swimmer, became afraid, showing that grace often withdraws natural strength so faith alone may act.