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Matthew 14

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

He said, Bring them hither to me.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

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

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

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

What does Matthew 14:30 mean?

Explanation

The verse Matthew 14:30 is from the story in the New Testament where Jesus's disciple Peter attempts to walk on water toward Jesus during a storm.

When he first steps out of the boat, Peter walks on the water, but as the wind becomes stronger, he becomes frightened and begins to sink.

He then calls out to Jesus, "Lord, save me." This verse captures the moment Peter's faith falters and he turns to Jesus for salvation.

The literal meaning of the verse is clear in the narrative: Peter is literally beginning to sink into the water because he is afraid of the wind.

On a deeper level, this verse symbolizes the human tendency to doubt and the need for faith in the face of adversity.

Peter’s fear represents the doubts and fears that can overwhelm individuals when they are confronted by challenging situations.

His cry for help signifies the need for divine assistance and the recognition that faith in Jesus can provide rescue in moments of fear or weakness.

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Historical Context

The verse is part of a larger account found in Matthew 14:22-33 which describes Jesus walking on water.

This event is said to occur immediately after Jesus fed 5,000 people with only five loaves of bread and two fish.

The disciples are in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a storm arises.

The historical context of this passage is within Jesus's ministry in first-century Palestine.

The ability to control nature, as demonstrated by Jesus walking on water, was a powerful sign of his divine authority to the people of that time.

Moreover, the Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden and violent storms, and as many of Jesus’s disciples were fishermen, they were familiar with these dangers.

Theological Insights

Different Christian traditions may draw varied theological insights from this verse.

In general, it serves as a powerful illustration of the Christian belief in Jesus as the savior and the importance of faith.

For some, Peter's experience is a metaphor for the spiritual journey where individuals are called to step out in faith amidst life's uncertainties.

Catholic interpretation may focus on the necessity of perseverance in faith, even when one is beset by fears and challenges, and on the role of Jesus as the redeemer who rescues the faithful from sin.

Protestant perspectives might emphasize the sufficiency of faith in Christ alone for salvation, and might regard Peter’s faltering as an example of the failure of faith that needs to be addressed by turning to Jesus in trust.

From an evangelical standpoint, the incident can be seen as an invitation to a personal relationship with Jesus, who is always present to help those who call on him in faith.

Practical Applications

This verse has several practical applications for daily life. It serves as an encouragement to maintain faith even when facing difficulties.

It is a reminder to turn to faith when feeling overwhelmed and to trust that support will come in challenging times. It can also influence believers to take risks in following their beliefs, knowing that their faith will uphold them.

Furthermore, it illustrates the importance of acknowledging one's vulnerability and the power of asking for help, whether from a divine source or from others in one’s community.

Cross-References

Matthew 14:22-33: The entire account of Jesus walking on the water and Peter's attempt to do the same.
Mark 6:48-50: Mark's version of Jesus walking on water and reassuring his disciples.
James 1:6: “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering...”
Matthew 8:26: “...Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”
Matthew 28:20: “...lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.

Amen.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the key phrase "beginning to sink" is translated from the word "katapontizesthai", which is a rare verb form that means "to sink down" or "be submerged".

The word "boisterous" is translated from "anemos", which means "wind" but can also signify a larger sense of "spirit". When Peter exclaims "Lord, save me!” the word for "save" used here is "sozo", which can mean both to save from physical peril and to save spiritually.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In many cultural traditions, water often symbolizes chaos and the unknown.

The idea of walking on water or controlling the sea is a common motif in ancient myths, exemplifying power over nature and the elements.

In the Hebrew Bible or Old Testament, God is shown as having power over the waters, such as the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus.

Within other religious traditions, figures who have command over nature are often seen as divine or as having divine support. For example, in Hindu mythology, gods like Vishnu are associated with the control and balance of the natural world.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the act of walking on water is impossible for humans due to the physical properties of water and the laws of buoyancy and gravity.

Research into the surface tension of water, the mechanics of liquids, and human weight distribution all confirm that unaided human water-walking is not feasible.

However, some animals, like the basilisk lizard, can move across water surfaces due to their light weight and rapid foot movement.

This verse is not meant to be a scientific account but rather a theological one, illustrating the power of faith and the divine nature of Jesus in Christian belief.

commentaries

Commentators have offered various interpretations of Matthew 14:30.

Some see Peter's actions as commendable for his initial bravery, while others focus on his lack of faith when confronted by the storm.

Classic commentators like John Chrysostom emphasized that Peter's fear and sinking demonstrated the need for constant vigilance in faith.

More recent scholars, such as William Barclay, have suggested that the story illustrates a profound truth about the duality of faith and doubt in the human experience.

Contemporary scholars often discuss this passage in terms of its narrative and theological significance within the Gospel of Matthew, highlighting its role in revealing Jesus’s identity and mission as well as instructing believers on the nature of discipleship.

The consensus among many is that, regardless of Peter's fear, his turning to Jesus for help is the ultimate act of faith.

Matthew 14

Matthew 14

What does Matthew 14:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 14:30 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

commentaries

Want more context?