And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
And Peter answered … – Here is an instance of the characteristic ardor and rashness of Peter. He had less real faith than he supposed, and more ardor than his faith would justify. He was rash, headlong, incautious, really attached to Jesus, but still easily daunted and prone to fall. He was afraid, therefore, when in danger, and, sinking, cried again for help. Thus he was suffered to learn his own character, and his dependence on Jesus: a lesson which all Christians are permitted sooner or later to learn by dear-bought experience.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Mat 14:28; Mat 14:33
And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.
Impulse and regulation
There are two powers working side by side under which Christ has taught us He means every true Christian life shall move forward, undervaluing neither the one nor the other. One of these is the impelling power, impulse. This impulsive part of religious character is indispensable. St. Peter was right in his outset Bid me come to Thee, etc. The other is the regulating power. It is this that keeps alive the life that has been awakened, and fulfils the good intentions. Impulses spring up in the region of feeling. Their continuance, regulation, and practical results, depend on the conscience and the will. It is easy to reach the transition point between impulse and principle; some reach it as soon as danger threatens. How shall I turn the ardent impulse of penitent faith into consistent piety? By leaving no good impulse to grow cold or waste in a neglected sentiment, but by embodying it immediately in its corresponding action; in other words, by Christian regulation. Steadfastness will come as you are really planted in Christ. (Bishop Huntingdon.)
The religion of impulse
The religious feeling is the soul of humanity. It may exist in these three forms:
I. Acting without intellect, under the control of the external.
II. Acting under intellect-controlled by the judgment. This is as it should be.
III. Acting against intellect. This is the religion of impulse, and it is here exemplified by Peter in three aspects.
1. Urging an extravagant request. Men are not made to walk on water; were never known to do so; have no capacity for it. To guard against this evil, we must study general laws, cultivate self-command, and seek Divine guidance.
2. Impelling to perilous conduct. One foolish act has often plunged men into a sea of difficulties.
3. Corrected by a merciful God. Christ first allows full liberty for the play of passion and freaks of folly. Then He helps, if asked to. And, lastly, He exposes the error-Wherefore didst thou doubt? Peter ought not to have engaged in the act without faith-and faith implies the full action of intellect. Do not act from impulse-nor even from custom or habit. Act ever from faith. Remember that faith implies intellect, evidence, and reliance. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Peters unwise experiment in faith
1. His walking on the sea was needless. There is no pressing necessity shutting him up to this sea-walk-ing; but it is faith experimenting in high and holy things. No important end to be served.
2. He asks permission to do that which is not commanded by Christ. Peter asks help to do what Christ had not done; to walk on the sea for the walkings sake. This Christ permits to prove what is in him, but not to his honour or comfort. A salutary discipline.
3. Yet Christ does not fail Peter; it is not the power or word of Christ that gives way, but only the faith of Peter in this power or word. So long as he looks to Jesus this word supports him. It is easier to believe in the ship than on the waters. Now he fears, his faith gives way. Peter in his extremity cries aloud to Jesus. He has not faith enough to walk on the waters, but enough to cry for help. (A. M. Stuart.)
Walking on the waters
It is not difficult to discover the characteristics of St. Peter as they come out here. Whatever he felt for the moment was sure to come out in his words or actions. It is easy to blame and say that Peter should not have been so eager to meet his Lord, or he should have maintained his faith to the last. But we must not forget that the very height to which his faith had for the moment attained, exposed him, more than others, to the temptation of unbelief. They who sit securely in their boats are not liable to sink. The men of even temperament cannot understand an experience such as this. They know nothing of ups and downs. Where the hills are highest the ravines are deepest, Peter must not, therefore, be unduly blamed. We learn from the incident:
1. That when His disciples are in danger of being carried away by earthly influences, Christ sends them into trial. If we are bent on something which shall endanger our spirituality, God may send us serious affliction to keep us out of mischief.
2. That while our trial lasts the Lord prays for us.
3. That when Christ comes to us in our trials we are able to rise above them. He did not come at once. He came over the big waves which constituted their trial. He makes a pathway into our hearts over the affliction which distresses us. The disciples did not know Christ when he came. Have we never mistaken him? When Christ comes, and is recognized, He brings relief. (W. M. Taylor, D. D.)
Failure teaching humilit
y:-Peter required a lesson in humility: and it is instructive to observe in what way he received the lesson from our Lord. He did not meet the erring disciple with sharp and sudden reproof. He did not refuse the mans petition; but He taught the required lesson by its very fulfilment. We have seen a father adopt the same plan in giving a lesson to his son. The boy was anxious to carry a heavy burden, believing that he was able for the task. The father let him try; and as the little arms struggled and quivered, and failed, the little mind was taught its own weakness, and the little heart was truly humbled. Just so when Peter asked to walk with Jesus upon the water. He said, Come. The request is granted, but not approved; and Peter is left to try the work in his own strength, and fail through inglorious weakness. (P. Thompson.)
Failure in the midst of success
He failed in the midst of success. It is difficult to carry a full cup, or walk upon the high places of the earth. It is more difficult to walk erect, and firm, and far among the tossing waves of adversity. The movement of Peter at the outset was grandly courageous. How truly the other disciples would gaze upon him with admiration! He stepped over the little boat; placed his foot upon the rising billow; walked step after step with perfect safety. It was a great moment in the mans life; but it was a greatness for which the man was not equal. His nerve was too weak to carry the full cup, or bear the heavy burden, or tread the stormy water. He failed in the hour of triumph, and lost all by not looking to Jesus. The word is very touching. When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid. There was the defect. He looked to the raging winds and the surging waters. He looked to the danger, and not to the Saviour. He forgot the power of Christ, and trusting to himself, and trembling like a breaking wave beneath the boisterous wind, he began to sink. The work was done, and the lesson learned, with great rapidity. His faith, and courage, and devotion, were not so great as he imagined. He discovered his helplessness, and prayed for safety. Lord save me; and now the daring man was brought to regard the Lords band as the fountain of spiritual strength. (P. Thompson.)
Peter in the storm
1. The presumption of faith-Bid me come to Thee on the water.
2. The power of faith Come.
3. The weakness of faith.
4. The power of prayer. (T. Dale, M. A.)
The earnest prayer
I. We must feel our need of salvation.
II. We must know the only source of salvation.
III. We must pray individually for salvation. (W. D. Harwood.)
The fear of Peter when walking on the water
I. The fear which Peter betrayed on this occasion.
1. The transient nature of our best and strongest feelings when they are not kept alive by Divine grace.
2. The danger of needlessly putting to the trial cur highest graces. Never make a presumptuous display of grace.
II. The cause of Peters fear. When he saw the wind boisterous, etc. Here we are taught not to be unmindful of our dangers, but to keep our thoughts fixed on the greatness and faithfulness of Christ when we are surrounded by them.
III. The consequence of Peters fear. He began to sink. Our support in dangers and trials depends on our faith.
IV. The prayer which the fear of Peter drew from him.
1. In all our troubles, if we are Christians, we shall be men of prayer.
2. The fears of the real believer, however strong, are still accompanied with a cleaving to Christ.
V. The connect of Christ towards him.
1. There is no situation in which Christ cannot help us.
2. There is no state in which Christ will not save us. (C. Bradley.)
Doubting a hindrance to the Christian life.
I. St. Peters desire-Bid me come unto Thee. The truthfulness of the Bible seen in the striking preservation of the individuality of the characters brought into view. Peter uniformly rash. Many a time does the yearning spirit of the believer say, Bid me come, etc.
1. There is the memory of joys of which earth knows nothing, experienced in His Presence.
2. There is the consciousness of security from every harm.
3. The confidence created by so many trials of His love. No wonder that this desire of Peter should be the longing of Christs faithful followers.
II. St. Peters failure. The first part of the history show us his daring zeal; now his failing faith. At first his faith laid hold on Divine power, and he was able to tread the waves without sinking. There was an element of wrong in the undertaking; self-confidence again. It was regarding the danger more than the Saviour that made him weak.
III. At the reproof ministered to St. Peter by our Lord. The rebuke was gentle. After all seen of the power of Christ could he doubt? Christ bids us come to Him in the gospel. His power works in those who heed the message. The need and value of true faith in our Lord. There is no happiness without it. (R. H. Baynes, B. A.)
Beginning to sink
There are three conditions of soul.
1. Some think they are sinking, and are not.
2. Some are sinking and do not know it.
3. Some are sinking and miserably do know it.
4. The consequent is evident, what was below you is now over you, your servant has become your master, cares, and anxieties.
5. Your escape is in looking again to Jesus. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
The cause of sinking
Let me gather up the steps to the sinking:-an emotional state, with abrupt and strong reactions-a self-exaltation-a breaking out, under a good and religious aspect, of an old infirmity and sin-a disproportion between the act and the frame of mind in which the act was done-neglect of ordinary means, with not sufficient calculation of difficulties-a devious eye-a want of concentration-a regard to circumstances more than to the Power which wields them-a certain inward separation from God-a human measurement-a descent to a fear, unnecessary, dishonouring fear-depression-a sense of perishing-beginning to sink. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
No safety in mere feeling
In the spiritual navigation, it is well to remember that the feelings are the sails, and very quickly and very beautifully do our feelings carry us along while all is favourable. But let once difficulties and temptations come, and if we have only feelings, we shall stop. The best-spread feeling, if it be only feeling, will never make head against a contrary wind. (J. Vaughan, M. A.)
Presumption of early martyrs
Of this nature was that extravagant desire of martyrdom in many of the Primitive Church, when even novices in Christianity, and those of the weaker sex, must needs be thrusting themselves into the hands of the persecutors, when they might easily, and without sin, have escaped them; and thereby exposed themselves to such cruel torments as they were not able to endure, and then did very ill things to be free from them again, to the great dishonour of their holy religion, the deep wounding of their consciences, and their lasting shame and reproach, which they could not wipe off but by a long and very severe repentance. And, indeed, tis no better than knight-errantry in religion thus to seek out hazardous adventures, and lead ourselves into temptations, and then expect that God should support us, and bring us safely off. Tis not faith, but presumption, that engages men so far. (Francis Bragge.)
Christ and mens fears
In this verse are considerable.
1. The Person that spake; the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Those to whom He spake, viz., the disciples in their present distress.
3. The kind nature and design of Christs speech to them at this time.
4. The argument He used to silence their fears.
5. The time when He spake to them thus comfortably-straightway.
I. Whence is it, that even real delievers may be ready to sink under their troubles. Causes of despondence are: we have not thought of the cross as we ought, or not counted upon it at all, and so have taken little care to prepare for it. Perhaps from our being so long spared, we promised ourselves an exemption from any remarkable trials; or perhaps we mistake the nature, end, and design of afflictions when they come, and so are ready to faint under Divine rebukes. There is a peculiar anguish with which some are overtaken, when they are under apprehensions of approaching death. As to the springs of this-
(a) We are too prone to put from us the evil day.
(b) Death may find us in the dark as to our title to the life to come, or meetness for it.
(c) Conscience may be awakened in our last hours to revive the sense of past sins, and so may increase our sorrows and terrors.
(d) Satan sometimes joins in with an awakened conscience, to make the trial the more sore.
(e) God sometimes withdraws the light of His countenance.
II. What Christ spake to his disciples now, when they were in great distress, He is ready to speak to all His members, whenever they are any of them distressed.
III. What is carried in these comfortable words, and may be gathered from them, for their support. It notes His presence with them and His wisdom, power, faithfulness, and love to be engaged for them. (Daniel Wilcox.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
Verse 28. Bid me come unto thee on the water.] A weak faith is always wishing for signs and miracles. To take Christ at his word, argues not only the perfection of faith, but also the highest exercise of sound reason. He is to be credited on his own word, because he is the TRUTH, and therefore can neither lie nor deceive.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
28. And Peter answered him and said,Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water(Also seeon Mr 6:50.)
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Peter answered him and said,…. Who knew his voice, and was ready to believe it might be Christ; and having more courage, and being more forward than the rest of the disciples, ventured to speak to him; saying,
Lord, if it be thou; for he was not fully assured that it was he: he might consider that nocturnal apparitions are deceitful, and that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, and could put on the appearance, and mimic the voice of Christ; wherefore, to try whether it was a spectre, or really Christ, he says,
bid me come unto thee on the water; thereby expressing great love and affection to Christ, being willing to come to him, though through danger, through storms and tempests; and also his strong faith in him, supposing it to be he; who, he knew, was as able to support his body on the water, as his own; and yet much modesty, submission, and dependence; not willing to take a step without his order.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Upon the waters ( ). The impulsiveness of Peter appears as usual. Matthew alone gives this Peter episode.
Fuente: Robertson’s Word Pictures in the New Testament
1) “And Peter answered him and said,” (apokritheis de auto ho petros eipen) “Then replying to him Peter said,” addressed Him with uncertainty and trepidation, with characteristic forwardness, haste in speech.
2) “Lord, if it be thou,” (kurie, ei su el) “Lord if it is really you,” which he believed, yet with seeming uncertainty, requiring assurance and encouragement from the Lord. Our “ifs” to His bidding should always be, do it, Joh 2:5; Joh 14:15; Joh 15:14; Jas 1:22.
3) “Bid me come unto thee on the water.” (keleuson me elthein pros se epi ta hudata) “You just command me to come to you on the waters,” just to test my faith and courage at your command. This part of the narrative of the event is recorded by Matthew only, not included in Mr 6:45-56 or Joh 6:15-21.
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
28. And Peter answering. The condition which he lays down shows that his faith was not yet fully settled. If it is thou, says he, bid me come to thee on the water. But he had heard Christ speak. Why then does he still argue with himself under doubt and perplexity? While his faith is so small and weak, a wish not well considered bursts into a flame. He ought rather to have judged of himself according to his capacity, and to have supplicated from Christ an increase of faith, that by its guidance and direction he might walk over seas and mountains. But now, without the wings of faith, he desires to fly at will; and though the voice of Christ has not its due weight in his heart, he desires that the waters should be firm under his feet. And yet there is no room to doubt that this longing sprung from a good principle; but as it degenerates into a faulty excess, it cannot be applauded as good.
Hence too it happens that Peter immediately begins to smart for his rashness. Let believers, therefore, instructed by his example, beware of excessive haste. Wherever the Lord calls, we ought to run with alacrity; but whoever proceeds farther, will learn from the mournful result what it is to overleap the bounds which the Lord has prescribed. Yet it may be asked, Why does Christ comply with Peter’s wish? for by so doing he seems to approve of it. But the answer is obvious. In many eases God promotes our interests better by refusing our requests; but at times he yields to us, that by experience we may be the more fully convinced of our own folly. In this manner, it happens every day that, by granting to those who believe in him more than is actually needed, he trains them to modesty and sober-mindedness for the future. Besides, this was of advantage to Peter and to the other disciples, and it is of advantage to us at the present day. The power of Christ shone more brightly in the person of Peter, when he admitted him as a companion, than if he had walked alone on the waters. But Peter knows, and the rest see plainly, that, when he does not rest with a firm faith, and rely on the Lord, the secret power of God, which formerly made the water solid, begins to disappear; and yet Christ dealt gently with him by not permitting him to sink entirely under the waters. (382) Both of these things happen to us; for as Peter was no sooner seized with fear than he began to sink, so the fleeting and transitory thoughts of the flesh immediately cause us to sink in the midst of our course of employments. (383) Meanwhile, the Lord indulges our weakness, and stretches out his hand, that the waters may not swallow us up altogether. It must also be observed that Peter, when he perceives the unhappy and painful consequences of his rashness, betakes himself to the mercy of Christ. And we too, though enduring just punishment, ought to betake ourselves to him, that he may have compassion on us, and bestow the aid of which we are unworthy.
(382) “ Ne permettant qu’il enfondre du tout en l’eau, et se noye;” — “not allowing him to sink entirely in the water, and be drowned.”
(383) “ Ainsi les vaines et folles pensees de la chair font qu’a tous coups nous defaillons au milieu des affaires, comme si nous estions plongez en l’eau iusques par dessus la teste;” — “so the vain and foolish thoughts of the flesh cause us to stumble at every step in the midst of business, as if we were plunged in the water over the head.”
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(28, 29) And Peter answered him.The incident that follows is narrated by St. Matthew only. It may have been one which the Apostle did not willingly recall, and which was therefore omitted by his disciple St. Mark and by his friend St. John, while St. Luke, writing as a compiler, came into the circle of those among whom it was seldom, if ever, mentioned. It is, however, eminently characteristic. Eager but not steadfast, daring and yet fearful, the Apostle is on that stormy night, as he was afterwards among the scoffs and questionings in the porch of the high priests palace. If it be Thou . . . The voice, the form are not enough for him. It may yet, he thinks, be a spectre or a dream, and therefore he demands a sign. He, too, must walk upon the waters. And at first his faith sustains him. He is a sharer with his Master in that intensity of spiritual life which suspends the action of natural laws by one which is supernatural.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
28. Peter Ever forward to venture at the risk of failure. Bid me He knew that he could do so only by his Master’s power, and he only wished to show what confidence he had, that by that power he could do anything. This was a noble faith, but it was mixed with vain glory. Of course the Lord must select me to be the hero.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
‘And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the waters.” ’
On hearing Jesus’ words, and no doubt recognising His voice, Peter, with his usual mixture of impetuosity and faith, called out to Him and said, “Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the waters.” His confidence in Jesus was such that He had no doubt that the One Who had given him the power to heal the sick and cast out devils could also enable him to walk on the waters that lay between Him and Jesus (in Hebrew ‘waters’ is always plural). But he would only do it once he had the Lord’s assurance that the ability would be given to him. Here was a remarkable indication of both understanding and faith, even if it did not last for long because his faith was insufficient.
‘The waters.’ Peter was probably indicating by this the short stretch of water between the boat and Jesus.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Peter’s impetuousness:
v. 28. And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.
v. 29. And He said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
v. 30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
v. 31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Peter was always impetuous, quicker to act than to think. The voice of the Lord filled him with a courage that made him almost reckless. It was the joy of faith that made him cry out to the Lord. He wanted to be the first to grasp the Lord by the hand. And following the assuring invitation of Christ, he actually stepped out of the boat and walked on the water towards Jesus. As long as the eyes of his faith as well as his physical eyes were directed toward his Lord and Master, everything went well. But an unusually strong gust of wind, an exceptionally high wave, caused him to falter; his faith wavered; he began to sink. He no longer trusted in the word of assurance that had been given him. But in this emergency he cries to the Master, whom he still knows to be the Lord of the universe. And the patient kindness of Jesus saves him. He quickly caught him and held him above the water, not, however, without chiding him for his weakness of faith, which caused him to doubt at the critical moment. The Lord has patience with the weakness of those that are His own; He hears their crying; He holds them up even in the hour of death with His strong arm.
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
Mat 14:28-30. And Peter answered him, &c. St. Peter, a man of a warm and forward temper, looking at Jesus walking upon the sea, was exceedingly struck with it, and conceived a mighty desire of being enabled to do the like; wherefore, without weighing the matter, he immediately begged that Jesus would bid him come to him on the water. He did not doubt but his Master would gratify him. Perhaps he thought he shewed him respect thereby, his request insinuating, that he would undertake any thing, however difficult, at Christ’s command. There was no height of obedience to which Peter would not soar. That this was the true language of his actions, may be gathered from the circumstances before us; it would have been perfectly ridiculous in the Apostle to have asked such a proof of the person’s being Jesus who spake to him, as, had it failed, would have become fatal to himself. No man in his senses can be supposed to have desired a proof of that kind; Peter’s request therefore should have been translated, Lord, seeing it is thou, command me, &c. the particle being put for . (See Act 4:9 in the Greek.) To shew Peter the weakness of his faith, and to bear down that high opinion which he seems to have entertained of himself, as well as to demonstrate the greatness of his power, Jesus granted his request: for, in supporting him on the water together with himself, Jesus appeared greater than in walking thereon singly. Besides, it might be designed to obviate the conceit of those ancient heretics, who from this passage of the Sacred History pretended to prove, that our Lord did not assume a real human body, but only the appearance of one. Peter being thus permitted to walk upon the sea, it flattered his vanity not a little, when, descending from the vessel, he found the water firm under his feet. Hence at the first he walked towards his Master with abundance of confidence: the wind becoming more boisterous than before, made a dreadful noise; and the sea raging at the same time, shook him in such a manner, that he was on the point of being overturned. His courage staggered; in the hurry of his thoughts he forgot that Jesus was at hand, and fell into a panic; and now the secret power of God, which, while Peter entertained no doubt, had made the sea firm under him, began to withdraw itself: in proportion as his faith decreased, the water yielded, and he sunk. In this extremity he looked round for Christ, and, upon the very brink of being swallowed up, cried out, in a great consternation of spirit, Lord, save me! Peter probably could swim, as most fishermen can (compare Joh 21:7.); and possibly he might venture on the attempt which he now made, with some secret dependence on his art, which God, for wise reasons, suffered to fail him. The verb , rendered to sink, is very expressive, and may intimate, that he felt himself sinking with such a weight, that he had no hope of recovering himself, and expected nothing but that he should go directly to the bottom of the sea. See Macknight, Doddridge, Mintert, and the note on ch. Mat 18:6.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
Ver. 28. If it be thou, bid me come unto thee, &c. ] This fact of Peter some extol as an argument of his strong faith and love to Christ. But others of better judgment censure it as an effect of unbelief and rashness in him, requiring to be confirmed by a miracle; to the which, though our Saviour assented, yet we cannot say that he approved it. The other disciples believed Christ upon his bare word, but Peter must have a sign. He had it, but with a check, Mat 14:31 .
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
28. ] This narrative respecting Peter is peculiar to Matthew. It is in very strict accordance with his warm and confident character, and has been called almost a ‘rehearsal’ of his denial afterwards. It contains one of the most pointed and striking revelations which we have of the nature and analogy of faith; and a notable example of the power of the higher spiritual state of man over the inferior laws of matter, so often brought forward by our Lord. See ch. Mat 17:20 ; Mat 21:21 .
Fuente: Henry Alford’s Greek Testament
Mat 14:28-33 . Peter-episode , peculiar to Mt. The story is true to the character of Peter.
Fuente: The Expositors Greek Testament by Robertson
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Mat 14:28-33
28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly God’s Son!”
Mat 14:28 “Peter said to Him” This event is recorded only in Matthew’s Gospel. Peter was so impetuous. He was a mixture of great faith and great doubt.
“if it is you” This is a first class conditional sentence, which is assumed to be true from the author’s perspective or for his literary purposes. Peter recognized it was Jesus.
Mat 14:30 “seeing the wind” He saw and felt the wind and the waves and began to lose his faith focus.
“Lord, save me” This is a good example of the word ” saved” used in the OT sense of “physical deliverance” (cf. Jas 5:15).
Mat 14:31 “You of little faith” This is a recurrent theme in the Gospel of Matthew (cf. Mat 6:30; Mat 8:26; Mat 16:8). Many of Jesus’ miracles were done to increase the faith of the disciples. God works with those who have little faith. Amen!
Mat 14:32 “worshiped Him, saying, ‘You are certainly God’s Son'” Jesus accepted this worship. How much they really understood concerning the term ” Son of God” (see Special Topic at Mat 27:54) and how much they understood by hearing and seeing the supernatural aspects of His ministry is uncertain. This obviously set the stage for the full theological confession of Mat 16:16. Matthew’s Gospel does not exhibit the “Messianic secret” to the extent Mark’s Gospel does (i.e., Mar 6:52).
The term “Son of God” was used quite often in the Gospel of Matthew (cf. Mat 4:3; Mat 4:6; Mat 16:16; Mat 26:63; Mat 27:40; Mat 27:43; Mat 27:54). There is no article with the term here as in Luke Mat 27:54. Many assumed that this implied that they did not have the full theological implication of the term, which implied full deity. This may be true. Their understanding was progressive and not instantaneous. But it is dangerous to build too much theology on the presence or absence of the Greek article!
Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley
Lord. Greek. Kurios. App-98.
if, &c. Assuming it as a fact.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
28.] This narrative respecting Peter is peculiar to Matthew. It is in very strict accordance with his warm and confident character, and has been called almost a rehearsal of his denial afterwards. It contains one of the most pointed and striking revelations which we have of the nature and analogy of faith; and a notable example of the power of the higher spiritual state of man over the inferior laws of matter, so often brought forward by our Lord. See ch. Mat 17:20; Mat 21:21.
Fuente: The Greek Testament
Mat 14:28. , command) A remarkable exercise of faith. Peter, from desire for Jesus, leaves the vessel, whether he has to walk on the sea or to swim through it. Cf. Joh 21:7.
Fuente: Gnomon of the New Testament
bid: Mat 19:27, Mat 26:33-35, Mar 14:31, Luk 22:31-34, Luk 22:49, Luk 22:50, Joh 6:68, Joh 13:36-38, Rom 12:3
Reciprocal: Mar 6:51 – and the Joh 21:7 – when
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
4:28
We are not told the motive that Peter had in wanting to walk on the water. If it was from a desire to make a show, the Lord certainly knew how to humble him.
Fuente: Combined Bible Commentary
Mat 14:28. And Peter answered. The silence of the other Evangelists is remarkable, but casts no doubt upon the truthfulness of Matthews account. The occurrence is strikingly in accordance with Peters impulsive character, almost a rehearsal of the subsequent denial.
If it be thou. Not the language of doubt Peters fault lay in the words: bid me, etc., which betray a desire to outdare the other disciples; comp, the boast: Though all should be offended, etc. (chap. Mat 26:33).
Fuente: A Popular Commentary on the New Testament
Observe here, 1. The mixture of Peter’s faith and distrust: it was faith that said, Master; it was distrust that said, If it be thou: It was faith that said, Bid me come to thee: it was faith that enables him to step down on the watery pavement: it was faith that said, Lord save me: but it was distrust that made him sink.
O the imperfect composition of faith and fear in the best of saints here on earth! Sincerity of grace is found with the saints here on earth; perfection of grace with the saints in heaven. Here the saints look forth, fair as the moon, which has some spots in her greatest beauties; hereafter they shall be clear as the sun, whose face is all bright and glorious.
Observe, 2. That whilst Peter believes, the sea is as firm as brass under him; when he begins to fear, then he begins to sink. Two hands upheld Peter; the hand of Christ’s power, and the hand of his own faith. The hand of Christ’s power laid hold on Peter, and the hand of Peter’s faith laid hold on the power of Christ. If we let go our hold on Christ, we sink: if he lets go his hold on us, we drown. Now Peter answered his name Cephas, and he sunk like a stone.
Fuente: Expository Notes with Practical Observations on the New Testament
Mat 14:28-31. And Peter said, Lord, if it be thou Or, since it is thou, (the particle if frequently bearing this meaning;) bid me come unto thee on the water This was a rash request, proceeding from the warmth and forwardness of Peters natural temper. And he said, Come Our Lord granted his request, doubtless with a view to show him the weakness of his faith, and thereby to give a check to the high opinion he seems to have entertained of himself, as well as to demonstrate the greatness of his own power: for in supporting Peter on the water along with himself, he manifested greater power than if he had walked thereon singly. And when Peter was come down out of the ship Being fully satisfied that Jesus was able to uphold and bear him up; he walked on the water For a while; no little pleased, we may suppose, to find it firm under his feet. But when he saw the wind boisterous Doubtless it became more so than before, making a dreadful noise, and causing the sea to rage horribly: he was afraid His faith failed, his courage staggered, and, in the hurry of his thoughts, he forgot that Jesus was at hand, and was seized with a sudden terror. And now the secret power of God, which, while Peter confidently relied on Jesus, had made the sea firm under him, began to be withdrawn, and in proportion as his faith decreased, the water yielded, and he sunk. In this extremity he looked round for Christ, and on the very brink of being swallowed up, cried, Lord, save me Peter, being a fisherman, had been used to the sea, and it appears from Joh 21:7, was a skilful swimmer. And probably he ventured on the attempt he now made with some secret dependance on his art, which God, for wise reasons, suffered to fail him. The word , here rendered to sink, is very expressive, and may intimate that he felt himself sinking with such a weight that he had no hope of recovering himself, and expected nothing but that he should go directly to the bottom of the sea. Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him Dealing thus mercifully with his servant, in not suffering him to perish as a punishment of his preceding rashness and self- confidence, and his subsequent diffidence and distrust of Christs power: And said, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Namely, of my protection, when I was so near? when thou hadst my commission to make the trial, and hadst in part experienced my power in supporting thee thus far on the waves? The reader must observe, Peter did not doubt that it was Jesus who walked upon the water. He was convinced of that before he left the vessel; yea, and while he was sinking; otherwise he would not have called to him for assistance: but he was afraid that Jesus could not, or would not support him against the wind, which blew more fiercely than before; a doubt most unreasonable, since it was as easy for Christ to support him against the storm, as to keep him up on the water, which Jesus had virtually promised to do in his permission, and which he had actually performed while Peter relied on him. The people of God, warned by this example, should beware of presumption and self-sufficiency, and in all their actions should take care not to be precipitate. Wherever God calls them, they are boldly to go, not terrified at the danger or difficulty of the duty; his providence being always able to support and protect them. But he who goes without a call, or proceeds further than he is called; who rushes into difficulties and temptations without any reason, may, by the unhappy issue of his conduct, be made to feel how dangerous a thing it is for a person to go out of his sphere. Macknight.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
14:28 {4} And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
(4) By faith we tread under our feet even the tempests themselves, but only by the power of Christ, which helps that faith, which he by his mercy has given.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
This is the first of three occasions in which Matthew recorded that Peter received special treatment (cf. Mat 16:13-23; Mat 17:24-27).
"The Evangelist here presents Peter in all of his impetuosity mixed with his great devotion. In keeping with Matthew’s style of writing, these traits, which are first mentioned here, characterize Peter throughout the remainder of the Gospel. More significant is the fact that the place of preeminence among the apostles which Peter here assumes is never lost in the rest of Matthew’s Gospel." [Note: Toussaint, Behold the . . ., pp. 191-92.]
It seems almost incredible that Peter would have believed he could walk on water. However the disciples had already done many mighty miracles because Jesus had given them the power to do so (cf. Mat 10:1). We could translate the first class condition rendered "if it is you" as "since it is you." Peter evidently wanted to be as close to Jesus as he could be as often as possible (cf. Joh 21:7).