Peter's Story
A painting of Jesus catching Peter's hand as he sinks in the sea

Peter's Story · Event 7 of 38

Peter Walks on the Water

Following Jesus · The Sea of Galilee

Matthew 14:22–33

22Immediately, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23After he had sent everyone away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24Meanwhile, the boat was already far out on the lake, battered by the waves because the wind was blowing against them. 25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a spirit!" and they cried out for fear. 27But Jesus immediately called out to them, "Take courage! It's me. Don't be afraid." 28Peter spoke up: "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you on the water." 29"Come," Jesus said. So Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed how fierce the wind was, fear overtook him. He started to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Instantly, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You have so little faith," he said. "Why did you doubt?" 32As soon as they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33The men in the boat fell down and worshiped him, saying, "You truly are the Son of God!"

Read Matthew 14
Up next“To Whom Would We Go?”John 6:66–69

About this event

What happened?

In the night, Jesus came to the disciples' boat, walking on the sea, and they were terrified. “Take courage! It is I,” he said. Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. “Lord, save me!” he cried. At once Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

Who is here?

Where did this happen?

The Sea of Galilee

A large lake in Galilee. The Bible also calls it the Lake of Gennesaret and the Sea of Tiberias.

Where this fits

Event 2 of 8 in Following Jesus: Peter walks on the water, says Jesus is the Christ, and sees him transfigured.

Good to know

Mark 6:45-52 and John 6:16-21 also tell of Jesus walking on the sea, but only Matthew tells of Peter walking on the water. Matthew 14:34 says they landed at Gennesaret.

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