Matthew 14 29

Matthew 14:29 kjv

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 nkjv

So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 niv

"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 esv

He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.

Matthew 14:29 nlt

"Yes, come," Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 29 Meaning

Matthew 14:29 describes Peter's extraordinary act of stepping out of the boat and walking on the water in response to Jesus' command. This verse illustrates the immediate, tangible outcome of a believer's faith and obedience to Christ's spoken word, demonstrating divine enablement that transcends natural limitations. It showcases Peter's unique mix of courage, impulsiveness, and willingness to step into the impossible when focused on Jesus, though it foreshadows his later struggle with doubt.

Matthew 14 29 Context

Matthew chapter 14 describes Jesus' ministry moving through intense periods of activity and then retreat. Immediately preceding this verse, Jesus miraculously fed five thousand men, a powerful display of His provision and power (Matt 14:15-21). After this, He sends His disciples across the Sea of Galilee by boat while He withdraws to pray alone on a mountain (Matt 14:22-23). During the fourth watch of the night (3-6 AM), while the disciples are struggling against a strong headwind in the middle of the sea, Jesus comes to them, walking on the water (Matt 14:24-27). Terrified, they initially mistake Him for a ghost. Jesus reassures them, declaring, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." (Matt 14:27). It is in response to this divine assurance that Peter, characteristic of his impulsive and earnest nature, asks for Jesus' specific command to join Him on the water, leading directly to verse 29. The verse therefore sits at the apex of a display of Jesus' omnipotence over creation, and Peter's remarkable, albeit temporary, participation in it. The cultural context would have resonated with Jewish understanding of God's dominion over the chaotic waters (Job 9:8, Psa 77:19), portraying Jesus as possessing divine authority.

Matthew 14 29 Word analysis

• And He said: (Greek: Καὶ εἶπεν – Kai eipen)

  • And: Links directly to Peter's bold request in the preceding verse.
  • He said: Refers to Jesus. This is a divine pronouncement, carrying the authority of God. His word is not just an invitation, but an enablement.

• 'Come!': (Greek: Ἐλθέ – Erthe)

  • This is a short, imperative, second-person singular verb. It's a direct, authoritative command, specifically addressed to Peter.
  • Significance: It signifies a personal invitation and call to step into the supernatural, requiring an immediate and radical act of faith and obedience. It echoes calls for discipleship throughout the Gospels (Mk 1:17, 21:19) and parallels God's call to Abraham (Gen 12:1). It's the enabling word.

• And Peter stepped down: (Greek: καὶ καταβὰς Πέτρος – kai katabas Petros)

  • And: Continues the narrative flow.
  • Peter: Simon Peter, one of the most prominent and often impetuous disciples, the one who will eventually be named "the Rock." His character often displays an immediate, decisive response, sometimes leading to triumph and sometimes to error.
  • stepped down: (from katabainō) Describes the physical act of descending from the boat. It implies a conscious, intentional movement of obedience and trust, leaving the known, physical safety for the impossible, unknown. This action initiates his walk on water.

• from the boat: (Greek: ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου – apo tou ploiou)

  • The boat represents Peter's perceived place of safety, security, and human capability. It signifies the ordinary, natural realm. Stepping from it is an act of leaving comfort and reliance on human provision or common sense. It's a symbol of leaving the world of logical possibility for divine possibility.

• and walked: (Greek: περιεπάτησεν – periepatēsen)

  • This verb, peripatēsen, means "he walked around" or "he walked." Here, it signifies the miraculous, actual act of Peter sustaining himself on the water's surface. It's an imperfect or aorist tense, suggesting an initial success or a continued action before something else intervened.

• on the water: (Greek: ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα – epi ta hydata)

  • on: The preposition epi implies direct contact, being upon the surface.
  • the water: The medium, which by natural laws is impassable for human feet. Walking on water is an attribute typically associated with God demonstrating His absolute sovereignty over creation (Job 9:8, Psa 77:19). Peter's ability to do this highlights Jesus' divine power extended to His follower.

• and came toward Jesus: (Greek: καὶ ἦλθεν πρὸς τὸν Ἰησοῦν – kai ēlthen pros ton Iēsoun)

  • and came: Peter's journey towards Jesus began successfully.
  • toward Jesus: The explicit destination and ultimate focus of Peter's act of faith. His faith was active and directional; the purpose was to be with Christ. This emphasizes that genuine faith always leads to Jesus, not just to a demonstration of power.

Words-group Analysis

• "And He said, 'Come!'": This phrase underscores Jesus' divine authority and His unique ability to call people to transcend their natural limits. His command is not a suggestion but a directive that carries inherent power.
• "And Peter stepped down from the boat": This highlights Peter's act of obedience and faith. It's a physical demonstration of his willingness to leave a secure environment at Jesus' word, indicating immediate, decisive commitment.
• "and walked on the water": This signifies the immediate outcome of Peter's faith combined with Jesus' enabling power. It's the miraculous, humanly impossible action made possible by divine grace, demonstrating a temporary sharing in Jesus' power over creation.
• "and came toward Jesus": This emphasizes the clear purpose and direction of Peter's faith. His goal was to draw closer to Christ, illustrating that true faith focuses on communion with the Savior.

Matthew 14 29 Bonus section

• The boat can symbolize not only human safety but also the established church or familiar religious structures, suggesting that stepping out in faith sometimes requires leaving the comfort of conventionality.
• The water, often a symbol of chaos, trials, or the overwhelming forces of life in ancient thought and scripture (Psa 69:1-2), becomes a platform for faith, highlighting God's power to uphold believers even in the most tumultuous circumstances.
• Peter's initial success in walking on water is often overshadowed by his later moment of doubt in the next verse (Matt 14:30), but it's crucial to acknowledge this period of sustained faith and the unique privilege he experienced. It underscores that God honors even tentative, growing faith.
• This passage serves as a powerful metaphor for discipleship: a call from Christ to venture into the unknown, reliant entirely on His word, with the destination always being closer communion with Him. The 'walking on water' is the outward manifestation of the internal transformation and trust.

Matthew 14 29 Commentary

Matthew 14:29 is a pivotal moment, portraying the intersection of divine power and human faith. Jesus, demonstrating His complete mastery over creation, commands Peter to "Come!", a singular, authoritative word. Peter's response is an immediate, decisive act of faith: he steps out of the safety of the boat. This action is critical, representing the disciple's willingness to abandon human security and rational limitations for a divine summons. As he sets foot on the turbulent waters, the impossible becomes possible, and Peter begins to walk. His success is directly tied to his focus and obedience to Jesus' enabling word. This episode is not merely about walking on water, but about stepping out into the unknown in active faith towards Christ. It showcases that when focused on Jesus, believers can do extraordinary things through His power, temporarily sharing in His divine capabilities over challenges and trials that appear insurmountable in the natural realm.