Scripture Reference for Jesus Walking on Water
The account of Jesus walking on water appears in three Gospels: Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:45–52, and John 6:16–21. Matthew's version is the most detailed, including Peter's attempt to walk on the water himself. The event occurs immediately after the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he withdraws to pray alone [9].
The Biblical Account
Matthew places the miracle "in the fourth watch of the night," approximately 3:00–6:00 a.m. by Roman reckoning [3]. The text states plainly: "In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea" [1]. John's Gospel specifies that the disciples had rowed "about twenty-five or thirty furlongs" when Jesus approached [8]. The disciples initially mistake him for a ghost and cry out in fear, prompting Jesus to identify himself: "Take courage, for it is I; fear not" [8].
Only Matthew records Peter's response. Peter asks Jesus to command him to come on the water, and Jesus replies, "Come" [5]. Peter steps out of the boat and walks on the water briefly before fear overtakes him and he begins to sink. Jesus catches him, and when they enter the boat together, the wind ceases [2].
Theological Significance
The miracle demonstrates divine authority over creation. The act of walking on water recalls Old Testament passages where God alone treads upon the sea: Job 9:8, Psalm 77:19, and Isaiah 43:16 [3]. One patristic interpretation sees the sea as representing "the present world" and Peter as a type of the Church—bold in love for Christ yet vulnerable to doubt [6]. Another early commentary notes that the disciples "were not able, struggling as they were without Jesus, to overcome the waves and the contrary wind" [7], emphasizing dependence on Christ's presence in the midst of trial.
The episode also evokes the Exodus, when Moses led Israel through water. John's account particularly invites this parallel, as the disciples' fear of the storm gives way to fear of Jesus himself, who comes "walking on the water to help them" in a manner recalling Moses's deliverance [4]. The miracle thus functions both as a revelation of Jesus's divine identity and as a lesson in faith under pressure.
Sources
- Matthew “In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. -- Matthew 14:25”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 14:28: JESUS CROSSES TO THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE LAKE WALKING ON THE SEA--INCIDENTS ON LANDING. ( = Mar 6:45; Joh 6:15-24). (Mat 14:22-26) And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water--(Also see on Mar 6:50.)”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 14:25: 14:25 About three o’clock in the morning: Literally In the fourth watch of the night. This was approximately 3:00–6:00 am by Roman reckoning. • The fact that Jesus came . . . walking on the water demonstrates God’s sovereign reign over the stormy waters (see Job 9:8; Ps 77:19; Isa 43:16).”
- John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on John 6:19: 6:19 The disciples’ fear of the storm was now surpassed by their fear of Jesus, who came walking on the water to help them. This act recalled Moses, who led Israel through the water (Exod 14; see Ps 77:19-20).”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 14:28: And he said, come,.... This he said, partly to assure them who he was; for had he denied him, he and the rest might have concluded, it was none of Jesus; and partly to commend his love, and confirm his faith, by giving a further instance of his power, in enabling him to walk upon the water, as he did: and when Peter was come down out of the ship; as he immediately did, having orders from Christ; and being by this second speech fully convinced it was he he walked on the water; a little way, being supported and enabled by the power of Christ; for this was an extra”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — AGAIN ON MATT. XIV. 25: OF THE LORD WALKING ON THE WAVES OF THE SEA, AND OF PETER TOTTERING. (part 1): 1. THE Gospel which has just been read touching the Lord Christ, who walked on the waters of the sea;(1) and the Apostle Peter, who as he was walking, tottered through fear, and sinking in distrust, rose again by confession, gives us to understand that the sea is the present world, and the Apostle Peter the type of the One Church. For Peter in the order of Apostles first, and in the love of Christ most forward, answers oftentimes alone for al”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — 5. THE DISCIPLES IN CONFLICT. JESUS WALKS UPON THE WATERS. (part 3): other side, and through victory over them to go beyond critical difficulties; but when they had come into the midst of the sea, and of the waves in the temptations, and of the contrary winds which prevented them from going away to the other side, they were not able, struggling as they were without Jesus, to overcome the waves and the contrary wind and reach the other side. Wherefore the Word, taking compassion upon them who had done all that was in their power t”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “ANF Vol 9: Gospel of Peter, Diatessaron, Origen's Commentaries — SECTION XIX. (part 1): 19 1 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came unto them, walking upon the 2 water, after they had rowed(10) with difficulty about twenty-five or thirty furlongs. Mt. 14, 25. Jo. 6, 19a, c. 73 19 And when he drew near unto their boat, his disciples saw him walking on the water; and they were troubled, and supposed that it was a false appearance; and they cried out from their fear. But Jesus straightway spoke unto them, and said, Take courage, for it is I; fear not. Then Cephas answered and said unto h”
- John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on John 6 (introduction): In this chapter we have, I. The miracle of the loaves (Joh 6:1-14). II. Christ's walking upon the water (Joh 6:15-21). III. The people's flocking after him to Capernaum (Joh 6:22-25). IV. His conference with them, occasioned by the miracle of the loaves, in which he reproves them for seeking carnal food, and directs them to spiritual food (Joh 6:26, Joh 6:27), showing them how they must labour for spiritual food (Joh 6:28, Joh 6:29), and what that spiritual food is (v. 30-59). V. Their discontent at what he said, and the reproof he gave them for it (Joh ”