The Fifth Sign: Walking on the Water

We looked at the fifth sign in the book of John this week in our Ekklesia. I’ll share more in a couple of days, but I thought this verse list was interesting and enlightening. I put it together with E-sword and the Treasury of Christian Knowledge, which is mostly a list of cross-references. I thought Job 9:8 particularly interesting. I hope you’ll enjoy looking through this and perhaps asking God to speak to you through these portions of the word.

Matthew’s Account
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them.

Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come!” He said.

And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!” Once they crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. (Mat 14:22-34 HCSB)

Mark’s Account
When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. He saw them being battered as they rowed, because the wind was against them. Around three in the morning He came toward them walking on the sea and wanted to pass by them. 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. Immediately He spoke with them and said, “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. They were completely astounded, because they had not understood about the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened. When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and beached the boat. (Mar 6:47-53 HCSB)

John’s Account
When evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into a boat, and started across the sea to Capernaum. Darkness had already set in, but Jesus had not yet come to them. Then a high wind arose, and the sea began to churn. After they had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea. He was coming near the boat, and they were afraid. But He said to them, “It is I. Don’t be afraid!” Then they were willing to take Him on board, and at once the boat was at the shore where they were heading. (Joh 6:16-21 HCSB)

(Job 9:8 HCSB) He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.

(Job 9:11 HCSB) If He passes by me, I wouldn’t see Him; if He goes right by, I wouldn’t recognize Him.

(Psa 77:19 HCSB) Your way went through the sea, and Your path through the great waters, but Your footprints were unseen.

(Psa 93:3-4 HCSB) The floods have lifted up, LORD, the floods have lifted up their voice; the floods lift up their pounding waves. Greater than the roar of many waters–the mighty breakers of the sea–the LORD on high is majestic.

(Hab 3:8 HCSB) Are You angry at the rivers, LORD? Is Your wrath against the rivers? Or is Your rage against the sea when You ride on Your horses, Your victorious chariot?

(Hab 3:15 HCSB) You tread the sea with Your horses, stirring up the great waters.

(Luk 24:28 HCSB) They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.

(Rev 10:2 HCSB) and he had a little scroll opened in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea, his left on the land,

(Joh 14:18 HCSB) I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you.