Peter Walks on the Water Bible Study
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- 6 days ago
- 5 min read
When we think about Peter walking on the water towards Jesus, it is a different picture in each person's mind. In some, Peter is running. In others, Jesus is smiling. Either way, this powerful miracle from the Gospels holds an important truth for each of us on our personal walk with the Lord.
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
At the end of this article is a free printable worksheet to prayerfully dive deeper.
Peter Walks on the Water with Jesus Study Points
In this blog post, we'll visit the following points:
How does the Gospel describe this event?
Matthew 14:25-31
"25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
I remember hearing this story as a young child and being blown away by Peter's courage to step out of the comforts of the boat. Then, I also remember being a young adult and hearing someone say: "Imagine Jesus's face as Peter began to sink. That image that comes to mind tells you a lot about how you understand God."
Peter walking on the water towards Jesus is the kind of image that means something different every time you look at it.
Just earlier today when I was writing an article on this miracle for a client, I was impacted most by the invitation of Jesus to audacious Peter. He simple says one word: "Come".
What is most impactful to you where you are right now? Is it the boat, the water, the wind, Jesus's kindness, or Peter's boldness?
Vine Creative Studio holds a collection of what I like to call 'encounter tools', resources connecting hearts with Jesus. You're welcome to try one out with my free Workbook on Living as a Wholehearted Follower.
Historical Elements to Consider
What we call the Sea of Galilee is actually a lake. When there was a drought dropping water levels many years later, locals found remnants of a fisherboat from the first century, giving this story more context.
There are valleys on both sides of the lake, so the wind creates a kind of "tunnel effect" that can suddenly stir up waves on the water. This might be why Peter suddenly noticed the wind.
Looking at these kinds of facts can help us to read a familiar story through new eyes.
Questions for Reflection / Journaling Prompts:
Does seeing the Sea of Galilee as a real place change your perception of the Bible story at all?
What is the wind in your life? - the thing that makes you take your gaze off Jesus...
Look up the meaning of Peter's name and why Jesus chose to call him this instead of Simon.
Compare this miracle in the different Gospels (Mat 14:22-33) (Mk 6:45-52) (Joh 6:16-21)
You might be interested in going deeper with faith journaling & this workbook is the perfect tool for doing so:
Other Relevant Scriptures that Help Build Our Understanding
Understanding Peter:
Peter was first called 'Simon' but because of his stubborn, audacious nature, Jesus gave him the prophetic nickname Peter - meaning "rock". This is the same Peter who later denies knowing Jesus before the rooster crows at His arrest; and who is restored on the beach ("Peter, do you love Me? Feed My sheep." - John 21:15) Peter goes on to lead the Early Church in miraculous ways before he dies a martyr's death.
Taking it back to Creation: The second verse in the Bible echoes a word found in this portion of Scripture. Genesis 1:2 explains God's Spirit hovering above the wild waters... The Hebrew word is ‘tehom’ (תְּהוֹם) = "chaos waters". Walking on water is something the Creator does.
Yet it is also something the Creator invites His people into:
Other significant walking on water moments:
What also comes to mind is when Moses led the Israelites through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-), so it was as if they were walking on the water. Before entering the Promised Land, Joshua also led the Israelites through the Jordan river that opened for them to walk through on dry land (Joshua 3:15-). This same river opened for prophets Elijah and Elisha earlier (2 Kings 2:8-). In later years, Jesus was baptized in that same river.
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you". - Isaiah 43:2
The miraculous aspect of the passage we're studying is that it was not only Jesus who walked on the water. He invited Peter to join Him. Peter was able to walk on the water for as long as his gaze was fixed (Heb 12:2) on Jesus. The second he looked away, he started to sink.
Closing Commission: Keep Your Gaze Fixed on Jesus
What is Jesus asking of you today? Do you need to trade your fear for faith? Is it time to step out onto the water? Or, is it your moment to stop sinking and put your gaze back on Him?
God loves you with an everlasting love. He made you and everything around you- and He is present in all of it. He is beckoning to you, as Jesus did to Peter when He said: "Come."
You can live in, stay near, and abide or dwell in Him all the days of your life.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, I see You standing in front of me today with Your arm stretched out. The invitation, the same You had for Peter. One word. Simple. "Come" Lord, would You help me to come to You wholeheartedly? I want to keep my gaze fixed on You so that I do not sink.... May I always continue to abide in the Vine, Amen.
Your Invitation to Go Deeper
Go even deeper with this idea by using the free worksheet I made for you on this topic:
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