gospel · 29 · Sea of Galilee
In the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the sea, and Peter asked to come to him over the water; seeing the wind he was afraid, began to sink, and cried out, and immediately Jesus reached out his hand and took hold of him. The scene has stood in the tradition ever since as the picture of faith and its failure in one man.
Jesus walking on the water, or on the sea, is recorded as one of the miracles of Jesus recounted in the New Testament. There are accounts of this event in three Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and John—but it is not included in the Gospel of Luke. This story, following the miracle of the feeding of the five thousand, tells how Jesus sent the disciples in a boat back to the "other side" of the Sea of Galilee while he remained behind, alone, to pray. Night fell and the sea arose as the boat became caught in a wind storm. After rowing against the wind for most of the night, the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water. They were frightened, thinking that they were seeing a spirit, but when Jesus told them not to be afraid, they were reassured. After Jesus entered the boat, the wind ceased, and they arrived at land.
Peter walks, sinks, and is caught by the hand.