Jesus Walks on the Water (John 6:16-21) Commentary

Jesus Walks on the Water: Meaning and Introduction

This short yet well-known passage captures a moment when the disciples, facing darkness and danger, encounter Jesus in a way that deepens their understanding of who he is.  

In this post I'll take the passage verse by verse, and along the way, I'll compare it to the similar event in Matthew 14:22-33, where Jesus walks on water. This is the same story written by a different vantage point with a different theological angle.

John 6:16-17 – The Disciples in the Dark

“When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them.”

The scene opens with the disciples in the dark—literally and figuratively. As they make their way across the Sea of Galilee, which is about 11 miles across at certain points, the absence of Jesus is felt. The physical darkness emphasizes their uncertainty, and it sets the tone for what’s to come: a test of their faith and trust in Jesus.

In Matthew’s version, the disciples face a similar sense of isolation. Matthew adds that the boat was “far from the land,” battling waves “against the wind” (Matthew 14:24). The storm is already brewing, and the disciples are left to struggle in the dark, both in the stormy sea and without Jesus’ immediate presence. They are in the middle of the lake. They are neither here nor there.

In both passages, we see a kind of spiritual darkness. The disciples are far from shore, far from Jesus, and far from understanding who he truly is. It’s easy to picture how, in our own struggles, we sometimes feel the same—isolated, uncertain, and desperate for Jesus’ help.

Commentary: Raymond E. Brown notes that John’s Gospel often emphasizes symbolic darkness as a theme of separation from God’s presence (The Gospel According to John, Vol. 1, p. 284). Similarly, D.A. Carson highlights how the physical setting of this scene sets the tone for spiritual isolation (The Gospel According to John, p. 315).

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

Psalm 107

John 6:18 – The Rising Storm 

“The sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing.”

the storm’s intensity increases, and the disciples’ situation grows more perilous. The Sea of Galilee was known for its sudden and violent storms, which could easily overwhelm even the most experienced fishermen. The storm serves as a powerful symbol of the chaos and unpredictability we face in life.

In Matthew’s account, the storm is described in similar terms, but there’s an added sense of danger. Matthew writes that the disciples were “terrified” because the wind had grown so strong and the boat was being tossed by the waves (Matthew 14:24). The danger is real in both accounts, and both groups of disciples are caught in the middle of something they can’t control and can't see! How disorienting.

There are times when we feel tossed about by circumstances beyond our control. It’s in these moments that we often come to realize how much we need Jesus.

Commentary: Brown highlights that this storm is not just a meteorological phenomenon but a literary device symbolizing opposition to God’s will (The Gospel According to John, Vol. 1, p. 289). Carson also notes that storms in John’s Gospel reflect the struggles and resistance against divine purposes (The Gospel According to John, p. 319).

John 6:19 – Jesus Approaches 

“When they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and coming near the boat, and they were frightened.” 

As the disciples rowed through the storm, Jesus approaches them, walking on the water. The sight of him is nothing short of miraculous, and it brings fear to their hearts. They don’t immediately recognize him; instead, they mistake him for a ghost. This fear is understandable. Walking on water was not something they had ever seen before, and they were already struggling with the storm’s intensity.

Matthew’s version adds a unique twist: when the disciples see Jesus walking on the water, they are even more frightened and cry out, “It’s a ghost!” (Matthew 14:26). But in Matthew’s account, Jesus immediately calls out to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” It’s similar to John’s version, but Matthew adds the additional detail of Peter’s boldness. Peter, in his fear and curiosity, asks Jesus to command him to come out on the water. Matthew’s passage highlights Peter’s moment of faith—and his brief faltering—while John’s focus is more on the identity of Jesus and his authority.

This is a great example of how the theological lesson of the writer determines how they tell the story to us. In John, the emphasis is on the moment of revelation: Jesus’ presence on the water, showing his mastery over creation. In Matthew, the focus is not just on Jesus’ identity but also on the challenge of faith, as Peter steps out of the boat and walks toward Jesus.

Commentary: Brown points out that the miracle of walking on water is a powerful symbol of Jesus’ authority over the forces of chaos (The Gospel According to John, Vol. 1, p. 291). Carson adds that in John, the emphasis on Jesus’ identity clarifies who he is as the divine “I AM” (The Gospel According to John, p. 321).

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2

John 6:20 – “It Is I; Do Not Be Afraid”

“But he said to them, ‘It is I; do not be afraid.’”

Jesus’ words here are deeply significant. “It is I” (Greek: ego eimi) is not just a reassurance; it’s a declaration of his divine identity. This phrase echoes the “I AM” statements throughout John’s Gospel, where Jesus reveals his Godhood.

Matthew records similar words but in a slightly different context. When Jesus calls out to the disciples in Matthew 14:27, he says, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” The Greek word Matthew uses—ego eimi—also signals the divine identity of Jesus, a powerful moment of self-revelation. The difference here is that in John’s Gospel, the emphasis is placed on Jesus’ assurance to his disciples, while in Matthew, Jesus speaks directly to dispel their fear and draw them into the possibility of faith.

Both passages highlight how Jesus uses his presence and identity to calm the fear of his disciples. In the storm, he is not just a figure of comfort; he is God, who walks on the water and speaks peace into our troubled hearts.

Commentary: Brown discusses how the phrase ego eimi ties Jesus to the divine self-revelation in the Old Testament (The Gospel According to John, Vol. 1, p. 294). Carson notes the theological depth of this self-revelation, showing that Jesus is identifying himself as the one who alone has the power to overcome chaos (The Gospel According to John, p. 325).

John 6:21 – Immediate Peace

“Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.”

Once Jesus enters the boat, the storm is calmed. But there’s more to this peace—John emphasizes that “immediately” the boat reaches the shore. This is a profound moment: Jesus doesn’t just calm the storm; he brings them to their destination. The disciples were struggling to get across the sea, but with Jesus in the boat, the journey is completed instantly. Did the calming waves take them to their destination as they were transfixed on the man in their boat who just walked upon the waves?!

In Matthew’s version, when Peter steps out of the boat and begins to walk on water, the storm continues until Jesus reaches him, takes his hand, and calms the waves (Matthew 14:32). The storm ends when Jesus is with them, but the immediate arrival at the shore is unique to John. Here, John underscores that Jesus doesn’t just give peace in the middle of the storm—he brings them to safety.

This reflects a deeper spiritual truth: with Jesus, there is not just peace in the storm; there is completion and fulfillment. He doesn’t leave us stranded in the storm but leads us safely to our final destination.

Commentary: Brown explains that the immediate arrival at the shore in John’s Gospel symbolizes the completion of God’s purpose, emphasizing the divine intervention in the narrative (The Gospel According to John, Vol. 1, p. 298). Carson agrees, noting that Jesus’ presence brings not just peace but a final resolution to the disciples’ journey (The Gospel According to John, p. 328).

Conclusion

In Matthew and John's story of Jesus walking on the water, we see faith, fear, and Jesus' identity mingle. Matthew includes Peter's moment of daring faith, drowning doubt, and Jesus' gentle rebuke, while John focuses on the immediate peace that follows Jesus' entrance into the boat. Truly Christ brings calm in the midst of the chaos.

Both gospel accounts show us that Jesus is more than a miracle worker--he is the divine presence that overcomes all fear and turmoil. As the disciples recognize Jesus' divine presence and power, we are invited to see Christ similarly, as the one who holds authority over all things, even the scary things in our lives.

And friends, when we call on him, whether we are walking in faith or sinking in doubt, he meets us where we are and brings us safely, all the way home.