Matthew 14 30

Matthew 14:30 kjv

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

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!"

Matthew 14:30 niv

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Matthew 14:30 esv

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me."

Matthew 14:30 nlt

But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord!" he shouted.

Matthew 14 verses

Matthew 14 30 Meaning

Matthew 14:30 depicts Peter's experience of walking on water with Jesus. Having stepped out in faith, his focus shifted from Christ to the surrounding turbulent environment—specifically, the strong, boisterous wind. Overcome by this external threat, fear seized him, causing his faith to waver, and he began to sink into the sea. In his moment of dire need and immediate peril, he instinctively cried out to Jesus, acknowledging Him as Lord and pleading for urgent salvation. The verse illustrates the vulnerability of human faith when confronted by overwhelming circumstances and the instantaneous, saving power of Christ when called upon.

Matthew 14 30 Context

Matthew 14:30 occurs immediately after Jesus sends His disciples by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He goes up on a mountain to pray (Matt 14:22-23). During the fourth watch of the night (around 3-6 AM), Jesus walks on the water to reach them, surprising and terrifying the disciples who mistake Him for a ghost (Matt 14:25-26). Jesus reassures them, declaring, "It is I; do not be afraid" (Matt 14:27). Peter, with characteristic impetuosity and a surge of faith, requests to walk to Jesus on the water (Matt 14:28). Jesus invites him, and Peter steps out of the boat and miraculously begins to walk on the water towards Jesus (Matt 14:29). It is at this point that Peter shifts his attention from Jesus to the strong wind around him, leading to the fear and sinking described in verse 30. This narrative emphasizes Jesus' divine authority over creation and the crucial role of focused faith in following Him amidst challenging circumstances.

Matthew 14 30 Word analysis

• But (Ἀλλὰ - Alla): A strong adversative conjunction, indicating a sharp contrast or change from the previous action (Peter walking). It highlights the immediate pivot in Peter's focus.

• when he saw (βλέπων δὲ - blepōn de): The word blepōn is a present active participle, conveying continuous action. Peter wasn't just momentarily seeing, but was fixedly gazing at or observing. This ongoing focus on the external circumstance led to his fear. De is a conjunction often indicating "and" or "but," subtly advancing the narrative.

• the wind (τὸν ἄνεμον - ton anemon): Refers to the physical wind. In Greek literature and the Bible, anemos often signifies the uncontrollable, powerful forces of nature. Here, it is the visible, tangible manifestation of the storm's threat.

• boisterous (ἰσχυρόν - iskhyron): Translates "strong" or "mighty," rather than merely noisy. This adjective emphasizes the intensity and power of the wind. Peter was not just afraid of a sound, but of the forceful, threatening power it represented.

• he was afraid (ἐφοβήθη - ephobēthē): From phobeō, meaning to fear or be terrified. It is in the aorist tense, marking a sudden, decisive moment when fear overtook him, resulting in a loss of courage. This is a crucial internal shift.

• and beginning (καὶ ἀρξάμενος - kai arxamenos): The participle arxamenos means "having begun." It signifies that the process of sinking was initiated and not yet complete, emphasizing Peter's immediate need for help.

• to sink (καταποντίζεσθαι - katapontizesthai): From katapontizō, which means "to drown," "to sink," or "to go down to the bottom." This vivid term describes Peter being submerged or overwhelmed by the water, directly linked to his fear and faltering faith.

• he cried (ἔκραξεν - ekraxen): From krazō, meaning to shriek, yell, or cry out. This is not a polite request but an urgent, distressed, and desperate cry, indicative of extreme peril and profound recognition of immediate danger.

• saying (λέγων - legōn): Present participle, meaning "while saying." Connects his desperate cry to the words that follow, making them immediate and direct.

• Lord (Κύριε - Kyrie): Peter's address to Jesus, acknowledging His authority and divine power even in his panic. It signifies not just respect but an understanding of Jesus' ability to save.

• save me (σῶσόν με - sōson me): Sōson is an aorist active imperative from sōzō, meaning "to save," "deliver," "preserve," or "make whole." It is an urgent, direct command/plea. The direct object me (με) emphasizes Peter's personal and immediate need for rescue.

• But when he saw the wind boisterous: This phrase marks a pivotal moment. Peter's external focus shifted from Christ, the source of his miraculous ability, to the surrounding adverse environment. The powerful "boisterous wind" became the overwhelming reality, overriding his initial faith-generated ability.

• he was afraid; and beginning to sink: These two phrases directly link Peter's internal emotional state (fear) to his physical predicament (sinking). The fear immediately led to the loss of his supernatural ability to walk on water, showing the debilitating power of fear on faith. His physical descent mirrored his spiritual one.

• he cried, saying, Lord, save me: This short, urgent cry is a model of a desperate prayer. It demonstrates immediate recognition of danger, absolute dependence on Christ, and a clear, concise request for divine intervention. It signifies a shift from self-reliance (trying to walk by sight) to utter reliance on Jesus. Peter knew precisely where his salvation lay.

Matthew 14 30 Bonus section

The account of Peter walking on water, with particular emphasis on his moment of fear and sinking, is unique to the Gospel of Matthew among the synoptics that record the larger miracle of Jesus walking on water (Mk 6:45-52; Jn 6:15-21). This detail in Matthew further underscores the evangelist's interest in the disciples' development of faith and the implications of Peter's character. Peter’s simultaneous impulsiveness, extraordinary faith, and relatable human weakness are a recurring theme in Matthew, making him a complex yet endearing figure. His fear, linked to his observation of the wind's strength, highlights a common struggle for believers: succumbing to fear when sensory input (what we see and feel) overrides spiritual assurance. The Sea of Galilee was infamous for sudden, violent storms; this provides a deeper appreciation for the perceived danger and the disciples' prior struggle (Matt 14:24), further amplifying Peter's act of stepping out in faith. The immediate cry "Lord, save me" models a crucial aspect of biblical prayer: direct, earnest, and concise communication born out of a desperate need and absolute reliance on Christ's ability. It is a perfect prayer for when one is overwhelmed and feels they are drowning, whether physically or spiritually.

Matthew 14 30 Commentary

Matthew 14:30 vividly captures the fragility of human faith and the unwavering compassion of Jesus Christ. Peter's initial step onto the water was an act of audacious faith, empowered by Christ's word. Yet, the same human weakness that often characterizes even devout followers led him to divert his gaze from the Savior to the tempestuous wind. This shift in focus immediately led to fear—a powerful emotion that can paralyze and undermine the strongest of convictions. As his fear escalated, his miraculous ability vanished, and he began to experience the natural consequence: sinking into the waves. However, even in his moment of terror and failure, Peter remembered where his help came from. His desperate cry, "Lord, save me!", is a poignant example of absolute dependency, acknowledging Christ's sovereignty even as he was literally going under. This instantaneous appeal met an equally instantaneous response from Jesus (Matt 14:31), highlighting that even when faith falters, Christ's hand is extended to rescue and restore. It is a powerful reminder that the "storms of life," when allowed to dominate our focus, can cause us to doubt God's power, but a quick cry for help to Jesus is always heard and answered.