St. John Chrysostom on Jesus Walking on the Water, Part 2: Matthew 14:26b-33

Let’s sit with the disciples as they go through a storm, and Jesus is walking on water, coming to them in the dark of night.  They first think He is a spirit from the deep. (See Matt. 14:23-26a). The story continues:

Matt. 26b-27 And they cried out in fear. At once, Jesus spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."

St. John comments, “This word removed their fear, and caused them to take confidence. For as they knew Him not by sight…He makes Himself manifest by His voice,” (Patristic Commentary, Matt. 14:27). At this point, Jesus knew their utter terror, and “at once” He told them Who He was. After all the trial and testing of their strength, Jesus comes to them when He knows they can bear no more.

Matt. 14:27-30 Peter said to Him in reply, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to you on the water."

He said, "Come."

Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw how strong the wind was, he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"

St. John explains that Peter at first had faith, and then doubted:  “He took courage to walk upon the water, but against the assault of the wind, he was no longer able to stand, (Patristic Bible Commentary, Matt. 14:29 ff). Note that the Lord did not immediately calm the wind. Sometimes the storm continues, and yet we are rescued from our terror and brought to deeper faith. St. John comments:

And wherefore did He not command the winds to cease, but Himself stretched forth His hand and took hold of him? Because in Him faith was required. Signifying therefore that not the assault of the wind, but his want of faith had wrought his overthrow…So that if his faith had not been weak, he would have stood easily against the wind also. (Patristic Bible Commentary, Matt. 14: 27-30) 

Matt: 14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught Peter,

and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 

After they got into the boat, the wind died down.

St. John describes how Jesus rescued Peter, “And as when a nestling has come out of the nest before the time, and is on the point of falling, its mother bears it on her wings, and brings it back to the nest; even so did Christ,” (Patristic Bible Commentary, Matt. 14:31).

Matt: 14:33 Those who were in the boat did Him homage, saying,

"Truly, You are the Son of God."

In reading in St. John Chrysostom’s commentary, we can see that the imagery is related to going through a storm without Jesus in the boat. But He is there watching. He may not calm the storm immediately, but He is with you. He may even ask you to come out of the boat and tread deep waters in order to more deeply trust Him. The wind made Peter fearful and brought out His doubt. Being near Jesus is not enough – we must completely trust Him and have faith. And in trusting Him, He will reveal to us that He is the Son of God.

References: All of the quotations are from St. John Chrysostom, taken from Patristic Bible Commentary, “Commentary on Matthew…St. John Chrysosom,” https://sites.google.com/site/aquinasstudybible/home/matthew-commentary/st-john-chrysostom-on-matthew/chapter-14.