Matthew 14:30 - Printer Friendly

ESV: But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.”

NIV: But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'

NASB: But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, 'Lord, save me!'

CSB: But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me! "

NLT: But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. 'Save me, Lord!' he shouted.

KJV: But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

NKJV: But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

Peter walked on the water. When he realized it was Jesus walking toward the disciples' boat (Matthew 14:22–27), Peter wanted to do what Jesus was doing. He believed it was possible, and asked Jesus to tell him to get out of the boat and walk on the Sea of Galilee (Matthew 14:28–29). Peter, after all, had been sent by Jesus to do other miracles with Jesus' power and under Jesus' authority (Matthew 10:1). He'd helped to feed thousands of people with a tiny portion of bread and fish (Matthew 14:13–21). In Peter's mind, there was no reason he couldn't do this, as well, so long as Christ was the One making it happen.

When Jesus said, "Come," Peter climbed over the side of the boat and walked on water. Aside from Jesus, no other person in human history had ever done such a thing—not even the greatest of Israel's prophets.

That moment of victory didn't last long, though. At some point between leaving the boat and making it to Jesus' side, Peter's human doubt seems to catch up with his enthusiastic faith. He suddenly notices the ferocious wind and the size of the waves it was driving up. Fear takes over his faith, and when you're trying to walk on water, there's no margin of error. Peter begins to sink, crying out to Jesus to save him.

It's essential to notice that Peter's total confidence in the power of Jesus allowed Him to walk on the water, as Jesus did. It was fear replacing confidence which caused him to sink.

Matthew 14:22–33 contains the miracle of Jesus walking on the water. Immediately after feeding thousands of people from a single small portion, Jesus goes up to a mountain to pray. The disciples spend a long night rowing against a strong wind. Jesus walks across the lake to meet them. Peter walks on the water with Jesus briefly before becoming afraid of the wind and waves and beginning to sink. Jesus saves Peter and asks why he doubted. The wind stops when Jesus gets in the boat, and the disciples worship Him as the Son of God.

Matthew 14 begins with a backstory about the arrest and execution of John the Baptist by Herod the tetrarch, the Jewish ruler of the region. Jesus and the disciples take a boat to a desolate place only to find crowds waiting. Jesus heals many and then feeds as many as twenty thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later, the disciples row against a strong wind until Jesus walks on the water to meet them and calm the wind. Peter walks on water briefly and then doubts and begins to sink. The disciples worship Jesus. On the other side of the lake, Jesus continues to heal the sick.

Matthew 13 included more of Jesus' parables and an unfortunate incident where His own hometown rejected His ministry. Chapter 14 begins with news that Herod the tetrarch—the man who killed John the Baptist—is aware of Jesus' fame and power. Jesus and the disciples intend to withdraw to somewhere desolate, but a crowd is waiting for them. Jesus heals people, miraculously feeds thousands, and walks on water. When they reach the other side, Jesus heals more people. Chapter 15 sees Jesus once again debating with His critics and performing more healings.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.