John 6:16-21
Chapter 6
16
Jesus Walks on Water
When evening arrived, the disciples headed down to the shore.17
After a while, they boarded a boat to go to Capernaum on the other side of the sea, because it was getting dark and Jesus had not yet joined them.
18
The sea was becoming rough as a strong wind was blowing.
19
They had rowed about three or four miles when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, and he was drawing near to the boat. They were frightened,
20
but he said to them:
“It is I! Don’t be afraid!”
21
They wanted to take him into the boat, but immediately the boat was at the shore they were heading to.
Commentaries
Jesus Walks on Water.
John presents this episode as an epiphany that highlights the transcendence of Jesus rather than a miracle over nature. Though narrated from the disciples’ perspective, it focuses entirely on the person of the Master, who identifies himself as: “I am,” and immediately guides them to safety. Jesus reveals himself with the very power of God; he is the one who walks on the waters (Ps 77:20; Is 51:10).