As a Christian who believes in Jesus and follows his teachings, sometimes I wish I had been born
during his time to witness his miracles. My extensive background in biblical studies has made
me more knowledgeable about Jesus’ miracles. One miracle that I find outstanding is when
Jesus walked on water in the sea of Galilee. Since this miracle did not directly benefit an
individual or a group, I have heard people ask, “did Jesus walk on water?”
In this article, I will share more on the miracle to help you understand where Jesus walks on
water in the Gospels and its significance in the disciples’ lives then and now. Join me as we
explore this topic and discover whether Jesus walked on water when crossing the sea. Read on
to find out more!
Where in the Bible did Jesus walk on water?
The story of Jesus walking on water is covered in three books in the Bible. They include the gospel according to Mathew, Mark, and John. The passage is recorded in Mathew 14: 25 to 26, Mark 6: 48 to 49, and John 6:19 to 20.
The book of Mathew records that:
Now in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear. Matthew 14:25-26
According to the three gospels, the occurrence happened in the evening immediately after Jesus fed the 5000 people with five loaves and two fish. His disciples had gone before him with the boat, and when he finished sending people away and praying, he had no means to reach his disciples who were in the middle of the sea.
It is suggested that He walked on water to the boat. In the book of Mark, the Bible records that it was during the fourth watch. Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night, He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by. Mark 6:48.
According to Active Christian website, the fourth watch is between 3:00 AM to 6:00 AM. So the miracle happened in the wee hours of the night, and no wonder the disciples mistook Jesus for a ghost.
How many times did Jesus walk on water in the Bible?
The Bible recorded only one instance when Jesus walked on water. Although the story is recorded three different times, the Bible implies that it only happened once. There is, however, another incident that occurred in the sea that people confuse with the miracle of walking on water.
The gospels imply that Jesus calmed a storm when a boat He and his disciples were traveling on almost capsized due to a strong storm. But He said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. Matthew 8:26. It should be noted that this is a different miracle and not related to Him walking on water.
Why did Jesus walk on water?
There are several schools of thought on why Jesus walked on water. According to the Got Question Website, Jesus walked on water to convince his disciples that he was the son of God. Although Jesus is said to have performed many miracles, his disciples had doubts about his identity. Therefore, he needed to keep demonstrating his power so they could be fully convinced that he was the son of God.
Jesus walked on water to prove he was the Messiah, which means God in human flesh. According to bible.org, the disciples were not convinced that Jesus was the Messiah and needed a frequent demonstration of his power. Walking on water was not something an ordinary person could do; hence, it would convince his disciples that he was no ordinary person but the Messiah.
Jesus walked on water to demonstrate his power over the elements of nature. F. David Lee notes that walking on water showed Jesus’s power over nature. Therefore, disciples needed to trust him because he had all the power.
Do scientists believe that Jesus walked on water?
Scientists do not believe that Jesus walked on water. According to The Guardian, scientists believe that Jesus could have walked on thin ice, not water. The scientists claim that based on the geolocation of the sea, the season, and time, it is possible that the sea was slightly frozen with a thin layer of ice on which Jesus walked. Scientifically, a person can’t walk on water.
As a devout Christian, I have always been passionate about the Christian faith. This inspired me to pursue a degree in Religious studies and a Masters in Theology in college. I have also been privileged to teach 4 Christian courses in a college and university. Since I am dedicated to spreading the word of God, I am actively involved in the Church. Additionally, I share his word online and cover diverse topics on the Christian faith through my platform. You can read more about me on the about us page.
