What was the significance of Jesus walking on water?

from the old testament

• Jesus walking on water is not found in the Old Testament.

from the new testament

• All three versions of this account (Matthew 14:22–33, Mark 6:45–52, John 6:16–21) follow Jesus’ healing and miraculous feeding of a large crowd (e.g., Matthew 14:13–21). Jesus heard about the death of John the Baptist before that account (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29). This matters because, before feeding the five thousand, the news led Jesus to be alone for a time (Matthew 14:13a). However, the crowds found Him (Matthew 14:13b). By the end of the day, He was likely emotionally and physically tired, which helps explain the start of this account.
• The account of walking on the water begins with Jesus sending His disciples on ahead by boat (Matthew 14:22) while He went off alone into the mountains to pray (Matthew 14:23).
• As he prayed, the disciples sailed but were making very little headway, “for the wind was against them” (Mark 6:48). Jesus then set out toward them, walking on the water (Mark 6:48).
• When the tired disciples saw him approach, they cried out, “It is a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26). But Jesus comforted them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid” (Matthew 14:27). The phrase “it is I” in the ESV is translated elsewhere as “I am” (e.g., John 8:58). That’s a reference to the divine name (cf. Exodus 3:14).
• The Matthew account adds that Peter says, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water” (Matthew 14:28). Jesus calls him, and Peter comes out. At first, “Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). However, he looked around, saw the frightening storm, and began to sink (Matthew 14:29). Jesus rescued him, and they both entered the ship.
• As soon as Jesus got in the boat, the storm stopped (Mark 6:45). Mark commented, “They were utterly astounded, for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened (Mark 6:51–52). Though they had just witnessed Jesus’ miracle with the food, they didn’t understand it. However, after Jesus walked on the water, they finally confessed, “Truly you are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33). This final confession was Jesus’ primary purpose for walking on the water. He wanted them to understand who He was as the great “I am.”
• John records the account as ending with the boat immediately reaching the other shore (John 6:21), suggesting that after the storm and Jesus’ travels on water had served their purpose, Jesus miraculously brought them to shore.

implications for today

Physics and general observation teach us that it’s impossible to walk on water. But it doesn’t take an “advanced” modern mind to know that. People in the first century knew that walking on water was impossible. That’s why Jesus’ surprise arrival off the side of the boat frightened them so badly. Who could possibly walk on water? Only the one who created the water and defined the laws of physics (Colossians 1:16). That is why they knew He had to be the Son of God. Who else could have done what He did?

When we read accounts like this, we face two choices: understand who Jesus is and worship Him, or harden our hearts and come up with alternative explanations. Jesus wasn’t shy about saying He was divine (John 8:58; 10:30) and revealing Himself as divine by His works (John 5:36; 10:37–38). His clear self-revelation makes us responsible to believe.

Which heart do you have? Are you looking for any alternative that might explain away His miracles? If so, Jesus’ command to you is clear: repent and believe (Mark 1:15).

Miracles are only miraculous to us because they are supernatural—beyond natural explanations. But for God, who creates by speaking, everything is natural. For His Son to walk on the water is as easy as it is to walk on the clouds (Psalm 104:3; Daniel 7:13) or to instantly move from one location to another (John 6:21). Let us read this account, tremble at who Jesus is (Luke 5:8–9), and worship Him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God!”