Matthew 14:29
And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Original Language Analysis
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθεῖν
Come
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
Come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
4 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
5 of 19
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
ἀπὸ
out of
G575
ἀπὸ
out of
Strong's:
G575
Word #:
7 of 19
"off," i.e., away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literal or figurative)
τοῦ
G3588
τοῦ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
8 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὁ
G3588
ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
10 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Πέτρος
when Peter
G4074
Πέτρος
when Peter
Strong's:
G4074
Word #:
11 of 19
a (piece of) rock (larger than g3037); as a name, petrus, an apostle
περιεπάτησεν
he walked
G4043
περιεπάτησεν
he walked
Strong's:
G4043
Word #:
12 of 19
to tread all around, i.e., walk at large (especially as proof of ability); figuratively, to live, deport oneself, follow (as a companion or votary)
ἐπὶ
on
G1909
ἐπὶ
on
Strong's:
G1909
Word #:
13 of 19
properly, meaning superimposition (of time, place, order, etc.), as a relation of distribution (with the genitive case), i.e., over, upon, etc.; of re
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
14 of 19
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐλθεῖν
Come
G2064
ἐλθεῖν
Come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
16 of 19
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
πρὸς
to
G4314
πρὸς
to
Strong's:
G4314
Word #:
17 of 19
a preposition of direction; forward to, i.e., toward (with the genitive case, the side of, i.e., pertaining to; with the dative case, by the side of,
Cross References
Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.Mark 9:23Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.Acts 3:16And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.Luke 17:6And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you.Romans 4:19And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:Matthew 21:21Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done.
Historical Context
In Jewish thought, walking on water demonstrated sovereignty over chaos and creation—attributes belonging to God alone (Job 9:8, Psalm 77:19). Only the Creator could command the waters. By calling Peter to walk on water, Jesus shared his divine prerogative, giving his disciple temporary participation in a miracle that testified to his deity. This event uniquely demonstrates Christ empowering a human to share in a divine work.
Questions for Reflection
- What 'impossible' obedience is Christ calling you to, where his word 'Come' is the only power that can enable your steps?
- How does Peter's actual success in walking on water (even temporarily) encourage you that Christ-empowered faith can accomplish what seems impossible?
- Why is Christ's single word 'Come' sufficient to enable miracles, and how does this truth apply to your daily walk of faith?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And he said, Come (ὁ δὲ εἶπεν, Ἐλθέ, ho de eipen, Elthe)—Christ's one-word invitation empowered the impossible. The same creative word that spoke worlds into existence (Genesis 1:3) now enabled Peter to defy gravity. When Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water (καὶ καταβὰς ἀπὸ τοῦ πλοίου ὁ Πέτρος περιεπάτησεν ἐπὶ τὰ ὕδατα, kai katabas apo tou ploiou ho Petros periepatēsen epi ta hydata)—the aorist tense indicates Peter actually accomplished this miracle, however briefly.
For several steps, Peter experienced what only Christ could do naturally—mastery over creation. This walking on water wasn't mere levitation but participation in Christ's divine power through faith. The miracle demonstrates that Christ's word alone ('Come') transforms impossibility into reality. Faith activates divine power, enabling believers to accomplish what contradicts natural law when called by Christ.