1. Name & Context
Peter, originally a fisherman from Galilee, was one of Jesus’ closest disciples — bold, impulsive, and passionate.
This incident occurred shortly after the feeding of the five thousand, when Jesus sent His disciples across the Sea of Galilee while He went to pray.
A violent storm arose, and the disciples were terrified as they saw what looked like a ghost walking on the water — but it was Jesus Himself.
Peter’s reaction became one of Scripture’s most vivid portrayals of faith mixed with fear.
📖 Matthew 14:25–26 (NKJV)
“Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, ‘It is a ghost!’ And they cried out for fear.”
2. How He Asked for Faith
Peter’s request was both daring and dependent — he wanted to confirm that it was truly the Lord, and he wanted to share in His power by faith.
📖 Matthew 14:28 (NKJV)
“And Peter answered Him and said, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’”
His words reveal both bold trust and human uncertainty.
He did not act presumptuously; he asked Jesus to command him — acknowledging that faith must rest on Christ’s word, not on impulse.
3. How God Responded
Jesus immediately invited him to step out in faith:
📖 Matthew 14:29 (NIV)
“‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”
The Lord didn’t remove the storm; He called Peter into it, to walk by trust rather than sight.
Faith was granted through invitation, not explanation.
4. How He Received or Grew in Faith
Peter received faith by responding to the Word — “Come.”
As long as his eyes stayed on Jesus, he walked supernaturally.
The power was not in Peter’s ability, but in Christ’s sustaining presence.
His faith grew through action, not merely belief.
He experienced firsthand the truth that obedience activates divine power.
📖 Romans 10:17
“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”
Hearing the word “Come” and obeying it birthed experiential faith.
5. How Faith Was Tested or Refined
As Peter walked, fear crept in:
📖 Matthew 14:30 (NKJV)
“But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, ‘Lord, save me!’”
The moment he shifted his focus from Christ to circumstances, fear displaced faith.
This test revealed that faith must be sustained by focus, not emotion.
But even in failure, Peter’s reflex was still faith — he cried, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him.
📖 Matthew 14:31 (NKJV)
“And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’”
The test became a lesson in divine rescue — weak faith is still saving faith when directed toward Jesus.
6. Results or Outcomes
- Immediate rescue: Jesus caught Peter before he sank.
- Greater revelation: When they climbed into the boat, the wind ceased.
- Worship: The disciples confessed Jesus’ divinity openly for the first time.
📖 Matthew 14:33 (NIV)
“Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’”
Peter’s personal experience turned private failure into corporate faith — all the disciples’ belief deepened because of his step.
Later, Peter’s matured faith made him the rock of the early church (Matthew 16:18).
7. Key Verses Summary
- Matthew 14:28 — Peter’s request: “Lord, if it’s You, command me.”
- Matthew 14:29 — Jesus’ response: “Come.”
- Matthew 14:30–31 — Peter’s fear, cry, and rescue.
- Matthew 14:33 — The disciples’ worship and confession.
8. Faith Insight / Lesson
Peter teaches that faith begins with obedience to Christ’s command, grows through focus, and matures through failure.
Walking on water was not the miracle — trusting Jesus in the storm was.
When he sank, Jesus didn’t shame him; He saved him.
True faith is not never sinking — it’s knowing who to call when you do.
Every faltering step became training for the day Peter would lead the church with unwavering courage.
💬 “Faith is not walking perfectly above the storm, but reaching for Christ when the storm overwhelms.”