Walking On The Sea
WALKING ON THE SEA
MATTHEW 14:22-36
Peter’s impetuous faith rises to a great idea: how about having a midnight walk too?
After the feeding, Jesus compelled the disciples to embark and make for the other side of the lake; the Greek word shows unambiguously that compulsion was required. The probable reason was that they were becoming infected with the militant enthusiasm of the crowds. His withdrawal for solitary prayer after he had persuaded the crowds to disperse may suggest that for him this had been a new “temptation in the wilderness” (cf. John 6:15).
14:22-33 record a second storm on the lake, not unlike the earlier one of 8:23-27. The main differences between the two are:
Matthew amplifies his record at this point with an incident in which Peter figures (14:28-32)—the first of three or four such passages peculiar to this Gospel (cf. 16:17-19; 17:24-27; 18:21f.). Perhaps the church in which this Gospel took shape had a special interest in Peter (the church of Antioch claimed him as one of its apostolic founders; cf. Galatians 2:11!). Peter’s sinking through lack of faith, and his restoration by Jesus, is paralleled by the story of his denial (cf. 26:33-35,69-75); together with the whole context of the storm-tossed boat and ensuing calm when Jesus entered it the incident lent itself admirably to practical exhortation. The disciples’ worship and confession (14:33) go beyond the earlier language of amazement (8:27); yet perhaps in their relief they hardly knew what they were doing or saying. No such importance is attached to this as to Peter’s confession in 16:16 (cf. also 27:54).
Note Gennesaret (14:34, modern Ginossar) is the fertile plain north-west of the lake. With the generalized language of 14:35 cf. 4:24; with 14:36 cf. the incident of 9:20f.
Thought Peter walked on the water as long as Jesus filled his thoughts.