Lessons of the storm. The wonderful narrative before us suggests many lessons, amongst which the following may be noted, viz.— I. THAT JESUS IS A PARTY TO THE TROUBLES OF HIS DISCIPLES . 1 . These are often induced by their own folly. 2 . Satan has a malignant hand in them. 3 . Jesus has a benevolent hand in them. (a) That those who will not submit to the ruling of Christ's wisdom will have to sail without him in the voyage of life. (b) That... read more
The walking on the sea. I. JESUS LEFT ALONE . 1 . He sends the disciples across the lake. He "constrained his disciples to get into a ship." It is a strong word. He compelled, he forced them; evidently they were very unwilling to leave him. St. John's narrative throws a light upon this. The miracle had produced a great impression; it was in accordance with the hopes of the Jews; it was what they looked for in the expected Messiah. It must be he, the multitude thought; he is come... read more
St . Peter ' s venture. Matthew only. read more
And he said, Come . Our Lord takes him at his word, and gives the command. It is not merely a permission. Observe that our Lord never blames him for having made the request. His venture of faith would have been altogether successful had his faith continued. And when Peter was come down out of the ship. The Revised Version has more simply, And Peter went down from the boat, and. He walked on the water. For the narrator was chiefly interested in his walking there (contrast Matthew... read more
The lack of staying power. "But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid." It is the weakness of the impulsive man that he has no staying power, and is only good for the little while that the fit is on him. It is the weakness of impulsive, excitable nations, that while they are splendid at a dash, they have none of the persistency that holds on until the end is fully secured. St. Peter often spoke and acted before he thought. Behind him was impulse rather than resolve. So difficulties... read more
But when he saw the wind boysterous ( ἰσχυρόν is clearly a gloss, and therefore omitted by the Revised Version). He was afraid; and beginning to sink. The natural tendency to sink, which he had had all the time, was counteracted before by his faith, which enabled him to receive Christ's power. But now that his doubt made him incapable of receiving this, he sank (cf. Meyer). He cried ( ἔκραξεν ), saying, Lord, save me ( Matthew 8:25 ). Aphraates quotes an apocryphal saying of... read more
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... read more
Matthew 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 Peter’s 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... read more
66. Jesus walks on the sea (Matthew 14:22-36; Mark 6:45-56; John 6:15-21)On seeing Jesus’ miracle with the bread and fish, many wanted to make him king immediately. This no doubt would have pleased many of Jesus’ followers, but for him it presented a possible temptation. He therefore sent his disciples to Bethsaida, while he escaped into the hills where he could be alone and pray (Matthew 14:22-23; Mark 6:45-46; John 6:15).Bethsaida was not far from the place where Jesus had fed the five... read more
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The Pulpit Commentary - Matthew 14:22-33
Peter walking on the sea. This time was a crisis in the life of our Lord. Thousands of people had followed him into a secluded part of the country, and insisted that he should proclaim himself King. It would have been a lesson to leaders of men to have seen how he induced the huge mob quietly to disperse. But the strain was tremendous. He had to control not merely the clamouring, infatuated thousands, but himself also. What more seductive to the human spirit than the being carried by... read more