Walking on Water

Introduction

John 20:30–31 (ESV)

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

In John’s account, we come to an event that seems to be a transitional event between the Miracle of the feeding of the 5,000 and Jesus declaration that he is the bread of life come down from heaven .

I will be pulling in from Mark’s and Matthew's account to fill in details.

John 6:16–21 (ESV)

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 sea became rough because a strong wind was blowing. 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. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Event (John 6:16-21)

Situation (16-17)

John 6:16–17 (ESV)

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.

Evening - pertaining to a point near the end of a day (normally after sunset but before night)—‘late, late in the day.’ (Louw, Nida)

Disciples got in the boat to head to the other side without Jesus. Matthew adds the idea that Jesus made them get into the boat while he dismissed the crowd after the feeding of the 5,000.

Jesus went to the mountain by himself to pray. John adds that Jesus withdrew from the crowds that were going to try to force him to be King. (vs. 15)

They were on their way to Capernaum. (Northern shore of the Sea of Galilee)

Disciples (18-19)

John 6:18–19 (ESV)

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

the Sea of Galilee became rough with the winds and the waves.

Mark 6:48 (ESV)

And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them,

A storm developed on the see as they were on their way to Capernaum. Because of the topography of the area it was not uncommon for storms to develop quickly on the sea,

Mark states that they were, “making headway painfully”.

Distance and Time

John states that they have been rowing the boat a distance of 3-4 Miles. Distance of travel from Tiberias and Capernaum about 7 Miles.

Mark states that it was the 4th watch of the night. (That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.)

Reaction

They saw Jesus walking on the water towards them and were afraid.

Mark 6:49–50 (ESV)

but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out, for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

Ghost/Apparition - phantasma (φάντασμα, 5326), “a phantasm or phantom” (from phaino, “to appear”), is translated “apparition” in the RV of Matt. 14:26 and Mark 6:49 (KJV, “spirit”) (Vine, W. E., Merrill F. Unger, and William White Jr. Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words 1996 : 31. Print.)

Jesus (20-21)

John 6:19–21 (ESV)

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. But he said to them, “It is I; do not be afraid.” Then they were glad to take him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

Jesus is walking on Water. (19)

Jesus doing what is impossible.

They have been rowing with difficulty for many hours and were only 3-4 miles. Jesus catches up to them with no difficulty.

Jesus comforts them. (20)

“It is I; do not be afraid.”

Jesus 2nd Miracle

John says, “immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going."

Matthew and Mark say, “the wind ceased.”

Jesus

Jesus can do the impossible.

What Jesus said and did showed others who he was.

Matthew 7:28–29 (ESV)

And when Jesus finished these sayings, the crowds were astonished at his teaching, for he was teaching them as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

John 5:36 (ESV)

But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.

God can do the impossible.

God telling Abraham that Sarah will have a child.

Genesis 18:14 (ESV)

Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Mary with the birth of Jesus.

Luke 1:37 (ESV)

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

God had said and shown throughout history that he can do the impossible. I believe John’s purpose is to show that Jesus can do the impossible. I want to take this idea one step further.

Jesus saves from Sin.

Salvation is impossible for us, but not for God. Rich man asked Jesus, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

Matthew 19:23–26 (ESV)

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Salvation is only through the Son (Jesus).

John 5:19–24 (ESV)

So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will. For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

Romans 8:1–4 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

Apostles

Results in Worship and declaration.

Matthew 14:33 (ESV)

And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Worship - to express by attitude and possibly by position one’s allegiance to and regard for deity—‘to prostrate oneself in worship, to bow down and worship, to worship.’ (Louw, Nida)

Saying - to speak or talk, with apparent focus upon the content of what is said—‘to say, to talk, to tell, to speak.’ (Louw, Nida)

“Truly you are the Son of God.”

“Son of God—Title for Jesus emphasizing his divinity as coexistent with the Father, Son of Man—The title Jesus most frequently used for himself that emphasized both his divinity as the prophesied one in the Old Testament and his identification with people.” (Gangel, Kenneth O. John. Vol. 4. Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000. Print. Holman New Testament Commentary.)

Takeaways

Jesus’ words, actions, and miracles were to show that he is God and can accomplish the impossible.

Luke 1:37 (ESV)

For nothing will be impossible with God.”

The impossible that we really need is salvation. That is only possible with God through Jesus Christ.

John 5:24 (ESV)

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

We response to Jesus with worship and declaration.