Can you trust Jesus when you’re afraid?
It’s a question at the heart of the story of Jesus walking on water. Although that’s not what I thought about when I first heard it. I wanted it to be a little more literal.
During the summer as a kid, my friends and I would run as fast as we could before jumping into our pool. After I learned that Jesus walked on water, I came home from church convinced that maybe we could too. No matter how fast we ran, we always sank immediately. We completely missed the point of the story.
The story of Jesus walking on water is found in the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life. Jesus’ closest followers, known as His disciples, were caught in wind and waves on the Sea of Galilee when they saw Jesus walking toward them on the water.
Whether you’re reading this story for the first time or have heard it since Sunday school, there’s more going on here than an impossible walk across a lake. This story helps us understand who Jesus is, what it looks like to trust Him when we’re afraid, and what happens when our faith starts to falter.
Where Is Jesus Walking on Water in the Bible?
The story of Jesus walking on water appears in three of the four Gospels, the New Testament accounts of Jesus’ life:
Mark and John tell similar versions of the story, but we’ll focus mostly on Matthew’s account because it includes a detail the others don’t: when Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus.
What Happens When Jesus Walks on Water?
- Jesus tells His disciples to go ahead of Him in a boat after dismissing a crowd.
- Strong winds and waves make it difficult for the disciples to cross the water.
- The disciples see Jesus walking on the water and think He is a ghost.
- Jesus tells them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
- Peter steps out of the boat and walks on the water toward Jesus.
- Peter becomes afraid and begins to sink, but Jesus immediately rescues him.
- Jesus and Peter get into the boat, and the wind dies down.
- The disciples worship Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
What’s the Main Point of Jesus Walking on Water?
The main point of Jesus walking on water is to reveal who Jesus is. By walking on water, Jesus showed His power over creation. By the end of the story, His disciples worshiped Him and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
The story also shows us what it looks like to trust Jesus when we’re afraid. Peter’s faith wasn’t perfect, but when he began to sink and called for help, Jesus immediately reached out to save him.
Jesus Comes to His Disciples in the Storm
Before Jesus walked on water, He sent His disciples ahead of Him across the Sea of Galilee while He stayed behind to pray. As they made their way across the water, the wind picked up, and the waves began beating against their boat.
Many of Jesus’ disciples were experienced fishermen, but that didn’t make the situation easy. They were far from land, fighting against the wind, when they suddenly saw someone walking toward them on the water. Understandably, they were terrified.
Then Jesus spoke: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus could see His disciples struggling against the wind and waves. They were rowing with all their strength, but they weren’t making much progress.
Many of us know what it is to work hard but feel like you’re going nowhere.
The same is true for us. If there is an area of your life where fear is holding you back, invite Jesus into it. Ask Him to help you take the next step and overcome what you’re facing.
Following Jesus sometimes means trusting Him when we don’t know how things will turn out. We may not be stepping onto the Sea of Galilee, but we can still choose to trust Jesus with whatever comes next.
Jesus Rescues Peter When His Faith Falters
Peter did something incredible: He walked on water too!
I can only imagine what that moment must have felt like. The waves were moving beneath his feet, the wind was blowing, yet he stood on top of the water because his eyes were fixed on Jesus.
But then Peter noticed the wind. He became afraid and began to sink.
How often have we started something with faith only to become overwhelmed by fear or uncertainty? Peter trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat, but that didn’t mean he was immune to fear.
What I love about this story is what happens next. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out His hand and caught him.
God will challenge you in your faith, but He won’t leave you stranded. As Deuteronomy 31:6 reminds us, “Be strong and courageous. ... for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
What Can We Learn From Peter’s Doubt?
Jesus then asks Peter, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
For a long time, I assumed Peter doubted whether Jesus could keep him on top of the water. But the more I think about it, the more I wonder if Peter also began doubting whether he belonged out there in the first place.
After all, Peter was the one who asked to come out on the water with Jesus. He believed enough to step out of the boat. Yet somewhere along the way, he lost confidence and started focusing on the waves instead of Jesus.
Many of us can relate to that. There have been times in my life when I knew God was calling me to do something, but I started second-guessing myself. I began questioning whether I was capable, qualified, or ready.
While the text doesn’t explicitly tell us what Peter was thinking, it does remind us that Jesus often calls ordinary people to do extraordinary things. Peter was able to step onto the water because Jesus invited him there.
Can We Walk on Water Too?
I tried and failed to literally walk on water, but I have learned to trust Jesus when I’m afraid.
What stands out to me is that Jesus believed Peter could take that step. He didn’t call Peter out of the boat to embarrass him or watch him fail. Jesus invited Peter into an opportunity to trust Him.
The same is true for us. Jesus believes in what He can do through us. He often calls us to things that are bigger than our own abilities so that we learn to rely on Him. On our own, we may not feel capable, but with Jesus we can “walk” farther than we ever thought possible.
When God calls you forward, don’t let doubt convince you to stay in the boat. Trust the One who called you, keep your eyes on Him, and remember that He’s with you every step of the way.
What Does Jesus Walking on Water Reveal About Him?
When Jesus and Peter climbed into the boat, the wind died down. The disciples responded by worshiping Jesus and saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This is where the story has been heading all along.
For the disciples, seeing someone walk on water would have meant more than seeing an impressive miracle. In the Old Testament, God is described as having power over the sea. Job says that God “treads on the waves of the sea” (Job 9:8).
Now the disciples have watched Jesus do something Scripture described God doing. The story shows us that Jesus is more than a teacher who tells us how to live. He has power over creation, He’s worthy of worship, and He is someone we can trust when we’re afraid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jesus Walking on Water
Why did Jesus walk on water?
The miracle pointed to His divine identity. In the Old Testament, God is described as having authority over the sea, including in Job 9:8, which says He “treads on the waves of the sea.” When Jesus walked across the water, the disciples worshiped Him.
Why did Peter sink while walking on water?
Matthew tells us that Peter became afraid when he saw the wind and began to sink. Peter’s experience shows both faith and doubt: He trusted Jesus enough to step out of the boat, but became afraid when he saw the storm around him. When he cried, “Lord, save me!” Jesus immediately reached out and caught him.
How far from shore were the disciples when Jesus walked on water?
Depending on the translation of the Bible you read, you might find John 6:19 saying the disciples had rowed about 25 or 30 stadia when they saw Jesus approaching and wonder just how far that is. That’s roughly five or six kilometers, or (as the NIV translation puts it) three to four miles. They were well out on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus came walking toward them.
When did Jesus walk on water?
Jesus walked on water shortly after feeding a crowd of more than 5,000 people. After the meal, Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee by boat while He dismissed the crowd and went up a mountainside to pray. Together, these two miracles showed the disciples Jesus’ extraordinary authority and helped reveal more about who He is.
What does Jesus walking on water teach us about faith and doubt?
Peter had enough faith to leave the boat, but the storm reminded him how much he needed Jesus. When his faith faltered, his response was to cry out for help, and Jesus immediately rescued him. The story reminds us that faith isn’t about never experiencing fear or doubt. It’s about who we turn to when we do.