It is I, do not be afraid

Mt 14:27

The Gospels tell us of two separate and distinct events during which the disciples were in a boat being tossed about by the waves. 

In the first event, there was a violent storm, but Jesus was asleep in the boat while waves were breaking over the boat. The disciples were terrified because the boat was in danger of sinking (Mk 4:35-41, Mt 8:23-27, Lk 8:22-25).   
 
In the second event, there was no storm but merely a strong wind. Jesus was walking on the water while the boat was being tossed about by the waves (Mk 6:45-52, Mt 14:22-33, Jn 6:16-21). Unlike in the first event, the disciples were terrified because they thought Jesus was a ghost and not because the boat was in danger of sinking.   
 
The three accounts of Jesus’ walking on water are reported in the Gospels of Mark, Matthew, and John following the miraculous feeding of the five thousand. But there are differences. 

Gospel accounts of Jesus walking on water 

In the Gospels of Mark and Matthew, Jesus dismisses the crowd and heads up to the mountain alone to pray. But in the Gospel of John, Jesus goes up the mountain to escape the crowd trying to make him king. Only Mark reports that the disciples have not understood the incident of the miraculous multiplication of the five loaves and two fish. Instead, it hardened their hearts.  

Matthew’s account is the longest of the three and the only one that reports Peter’s attempt to also walk on water.  Mark reports that “the boat was far out on the sea”; Matthew says that it was “already a few miles offshore”; and John states that they have “rowed about three or four miles”.  

Both Mark and Matthew report that it was evening about “the fourth watch of the night” (3:00 to 6:00 a.m.) while John says that it has “already grown dark”, hinting that the incident happened early in the evening rather than just before dawn.   

In Mark’s version, Jesus was alone on the shore when “he saw that they were tossed about while rowing” and subsequently “he came towards them walking on the sea.” One wonders how Jesus could see the boat at a great distance (far out on the sea) despite the stark darkness of the night. Both Matthew and John do not mention Jesus being alone on the shore.  

In Mark and Matthew, Jesus “got into the boat and the wind died down” but in John, the disciples “wanted to take him into the boat, but the boat immediately arrived at the shore to which they were heading.” John does not mention the wind calming down but instead reports the miraculous, almost sudden, arrival of the boat at their destination.   
 
In Mark’s version, the disciples intended to go to “the other side toward Bethsaida” but they ended up coming “to the land of Gennesaret.” In Matthew’s version, they wanted to “precede him (Jesus) to the other side” but ended up also in Gennesaret.” In John’s version, the disciples “went down to the sea to Capernaum” and arrived safely in their desired destination. 

The Markan version ends with the disciples not understanding what they had just seen. The Matthean version ends with the disciples worshipping Jesus and declaring him to be the Son of God. But the Johannine version is silent on this matter.  

What does it mean to walk on water?

All three Gospels agree and report that Jesus walked on water. What is the significance of Jesus walking on water and why were the disciples terrified?  

It is because Israelites, including the disciples, knew the Hebrew Scripture from childhood, and it teaches that only God walks on water.   

He alone stretches out the heavens and treads upon the crests of the sea.

Job 9:8

Have you entered into the sources of the sea, or walked about in the depths of the abyss?

Job 38:16

Through the sea was your path; your way, through the mighty waters, though your footprints were unseen.

Psalms 77:20

And what is the significance of the sentence, which is found only in the Gospel of Mark: He (Jesus) meant to pass by them (Mk 6:48). Does this mean that Jesus wanted to sneak past the disciples? No!  

In fact, Jesus intended to be seen. He wanted to be revealed. He intended to be disclosed in the most marvelous and glorious way. Here, Mark is thinking of the very God who “passed by” Moses in Exodus. He is inspired by the words in the Old Testament that made known the one true God, the great and majestic Creator of all mankind.  

Then Moses said, “Do let me see your glory!” He answered, “I will make all my beauty pass before you, and in your presence, I will pronounce my name, ‘Lord’; I will show favors to whom I will, I will grant mercy to whom I will.

Exodus 33:18-19

Having come down in a cloud, the Lord stood with him there and proclaimed his name, “Lord.” Thus, the Lord passed before him and cried out, “The Lord, the Lord a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity…”

Exodus 34:5-6

Trust in Jesus, not in actions 

We now reflect more closely on Matthew’s account of the second event. Only Matthew reports Peter’s attempt to walk on water. But what was Peter’s motivation for asking Jesus to “command me (him) to come to you (Jesus) on the water”? Was he driven by his usual over enthusiasm and impulsiveness? Was he trying to show off to his fellow disciples?  

For some Bible scholars, Peter’s request is an impulsive act driven by his desire to be close to Jesus and show his commitment. Others surmise that Peter is essentially testing Jesus’ identity (“Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water…” Mt 14:28).  

Many Bible scholars believe that Peter was trying to demonstrate his faith and loyalty to Jesus by wanting to physically join him on the water. He wanted to prove his own courage by stepping out of the boat onto the stormy sea.   
 
Brothers and sisters, the story of Peter walking on water serves as a metaphor for our Christian journey. It highlights the danger of relying too heavily on outward displays of faith rather than a deep, unwavering trust in Jesus. Peter begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus and focuses on the turbulent waters around him.  

This story teaches us that true faith requires complete reliance on God even when faced with seemingly impossible circumstances. It urges us to believe that Jesus is always near telling us, “It is I, do not be afraid.”