Matthew 14:28

28 And Peter answering him said, `Sir, if it is thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters;'

Matthew 14:28 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 14:28

And Peter answered him and said
Who knew his voice, and was ready to believe it might be Christ; and having more courage, and being more forward than the rest of the disciples, ventured to speak to him; saying,

Lord, if it be thou;
for he was not fully assured that it was he: he might consider that nocturnal apparitions are deceitful, and that Satan can transform himself into an angel of light, and could put on the appearance, and mimic the voice of Christ; wherefore, to try whether it was a spectre, or really Christ, he says,

bid me come unto thee on the water;
thereby expressing great love and affection to Christ, being willing to come to him, though through danger, through storms and tempests; and also his strong faith in him, supposing it to be he; who, he knew, was as able to support his body on the water, as his own; and yet much modesty, submission, and dependence; not willing to take a step without his order.

Matthew 14:28 In-Context

26 and the disciples having seen him walking upon the sea, were troubled saying -- `It is an apparition,' and from the fear they cried out;

27 and immediately Jesus spake to them, saying, `Be of good courage, I am [he], be not afraid.'

28 And Peter answering him said, `Sir, if it is thou, bid me come to thee upon the waters;'

29 and he said, `Come;' and having gone down from the boat, Peter walked upon the waters to come unto Jesus,

30 but seeing the wind vehement, he was afraid, and having begun to sink, he cried out, saying, `Sir, save me.'