Peter Walks on Water: The Hand That Reached Out at Once

The day was not yet over when Jesus at once made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side. He stayed behind to dismiss the crowds. When they had gone, Jesus went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Evening came, and Matthew notes that he was there alone.

Meanwhile, the disciples' boat was already a few miles offshore. A contrary wind, blowing against the direction of the boat, kept the waves tossing them about. Imagine that long night: oars that felt heavy, cold spray, and a destination that never seemed to come any closer.

Around three in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him, they were terrified. They exclaimed that it was a ghost and cried out in fear. In the dark and among the waves, they did not yet recognize who was coming near.

Jesus did not leave them in their fear for long. Matthew writes: “At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."” (Mt 14:27) With these words he made himself known to the frightened disciples in the boat.

Peter was the first to respond: “Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."” (Mt 14:28) Jesus' answer was brief, and Peter stepped out: “He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus.” (Mt 14:29)

Imagine Peter walking across the rolling water, his eyes perhaps fixed on Jesus. Then something changed. Matthew writes: “But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"” (Mt 14:30) The cry was short, but Peter knew whom to ask for help.

Help came without delay. “Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"” (Mt 14:31) The order is worth noticing: Jesus first takes hold of Peter, and only then speaks about his doubting faith.

Then they got into the boat, and the wind died down. The story does not end with Peter alone but with everyone in the boat: “Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God."” (Mt 14:33) The disciples who had just cried out in fear now worship him.

The Setting Amid a Contrary Wind

In his Angelus of August 13, 2023, Pope Francis explained that in those days the vast expanse of water was seen as the place of evil powers that human beings could not master. So Jesus walking on the water is understood as the one who walks over the powers of evil.

In the same Angelus, the Pope noted that Jesus himself planned that night crossing and sent the disciples off. In his view, this miracle is not a display of greatness and power, because that would not fit the humble Jesus.

At the Angelus of August 10, 2014, Pope Francis also pointed to Peter's own story. In Jesus' invitation to come, Peter recognized the echo of his first encounter with Jesus on the shore of that same lake, and once again he left the boat and went toward the Master.

The Meaning of Fragile but Rescued Faith

Pope Francis calls this story a beautiful image of the faith of the Apostle Peter. He teaches that Peter began to sink when he took his eyes off Jesus and let himself be overwhelmed by the difficulties around him. Yet the Lord is always there, and when Peter called out, Jesus saved him from danger.

In his Angelus of August 13, 2017, Pope Francis interpreted the boat as the life of each person and also the life of the Church, while the contrary wind stands for difficulties and trials. Faith does not make everything easy and calm, but it gives the certainty of Jesus' presence, which strengthens believers in the storms of life.

Pope Leo XIV draws two lessons from this story: do not become proud when things go well, and do not despair in dark moments when you feel powerless. He invites the faithful to welcome Jesus humbly into the boat of their lives through prayer, the sacraments and listening to his Word.

For teenagers and young adults, a contrary wind might be falling grades, a broken friendship or anxiety about the future. Peter's story shows that wavering faith does not make Jesus turn anyone away. A prayer as short as Peter's cry for help is already an honest step of faith.

This story is retold by the Light of Saints editorial team from the Catholic edition of Scripture and the Church sources listed, with the help of AI, and checked by an editor. Some of the atmosphere and the characters' feelings are our portrayal. For the full text, read the passage in Scripture.