Jesus Walks on Water
In the middle of a stormy night, Jesus walks on the sea to His disciples. Peter walks on water too—until he takes his eyes off Jesus.
Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21
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The Story
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.
Later that night, the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. 'It's a ghost,' they said, and cried out in fear.
But Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.'
'Lord, if it's you,' Peter replied, 'tell me to come to you on the water.'
'Come,' he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, 'Lord, save me!'
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. 'You of little faith,' he said, 'why did you doubt?'
And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, 'Truly you are the Son of God.'
Peter walked on water! But when he focused on the wind and waves instead of Jesus, he sank. Jesus didn't let him drown—He immediately reached out. When we take our eyes off Jesus and focus on our problems, we sink too. But He is always ready to catch us.
Walking on Water
Kids Version
After feeding the huge crowd, Jesus told His disciples to take the boat across the lake. He stayed behind to pray alone on a mountain.
That night, the disciples were in trouble! The wind was blowing HARD against them. The waves were crashing. They were rowing and rowing but couldn't get anywhere.
Then, in the early morning darkness, they saw something on the water. Someone was WALKING toward them—on TOP of the lake!
'AHHH! A GHOST!' they screamed.
'Don't be afraid!' Jesus called out. 'It's ME!'
Peter squinted through the darkness. 'Lord, if it's really You, tell me to come to You on the water!'
'Come!' Jesus said.
Peter took a deep breath... and stepped out of the boat!
His foot landed ON the water. It held him up! Peter was WALKING ON WATER toward Jesus!
But then Peter noticed the strong wind. He looked at the big waves. He got scared.
And he started to SINK!
'LORD, SAVE ME!' Peter yelled.
Immediately, Jesus grabbed his hand and pulled him up.
'Why did you doubt?' Jesus asked gently. 'Your faith is so small.'
They climbed into the boat together. The wind stopped.
The disciples were amazed. They worshiped Jesus. 'You really ARE the Son of God!'
Peter walked on water when he looked at Jesus. He sank when he looked at the storm. That's a lesson for us: keep your eyes on Jesus, not on your problems!
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Scripture — Matthew 14:22-33 (KJV)
22And 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.
23And 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.
24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying , It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. boisterous: or, strong
31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Memory Verse
“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.”
— Matthew 14:22 (KJV)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of “Jesus Walks on Water” in the Bible?
In the middle of a stormy night, Jesus walks on the sea to His disciples. Peter walks on water too—until he takes his eyes off Jesus. This story is found in Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21.
Where is “Jesus Walks on Water” found in the Bible?
“Jesus Walks on Water” is found in Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21, in the book of Matthew.
What can children learn from “Jesus Walks on Water”?
This story teaches children about Faith, Fear, Keeping eyes on Jesus, Jesus' divine nature. In the middle of a stormy night, Jesus walked on the water to His disciples! Peter walked on water too—until he got scared and started sinking!