Matthew 14:28

Afrikaans 1933/1953

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 14:28, Peter is responding to Jesus after seeing him walk on water. He asks Jesus if it's really Him and requests permission to join Him on the water. This verse shows Peter's faith in Jesus.

Explained for Children

Imagine you're in a pool with your friend who can jump from one side to another without getting wet. You might think, 'Wow! Can I do that too?' That’s kind of what Peter is doing here. He sees Jesus walking on water and says, 'If it's really you, Lord, let me try too!'

Historical Background

Matthew wrote this account around AD 80-90 for a predominantly Jewish-Christian audience. The story takes place in the Sea of Galilee, where Peter was a fisherman by profession, highlighting his familiarity with water.

Living It Out Today

In modern life, when we see others doing things that seem impossible, like overcoming fears or making big changes, this verse encourages us to ask for God's guidance and courage to do it ourselves. For example, if your friend starts an exercise program and is seeing great results, you might think, 'If they can do it, maybe I can too with God’s help.'

Topics

faithobedienceJesus' powerdoubt and trustmiraclesdiscipleship

Related Verses

1 Kings 17:24Mark 6:48John 6:19-21Romans 8:35-39Hebrews 11:29

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Peter ask Jesus to let him walk on water?
Peter asked because he recognized the supernatural nature of what was happening and, filled with faith and curiosity, wanted to experience it himself.
What can we learn about faith from this verse?
This verse teaches us that genuine faith involves taking bold steps towards God's promises, even when they seem impossible or scary.
How does this relate to modern life?
In daily life, this encourages believers to step out in faith when they see others experiencing miracles and blessings from following Jesus, trusting that the same can happen for them too.
What was Peter's immediate response after walking on water?
Peter began to sink as he became distracted by the wind. This moment highlights how quickly doubt can arise even in moments of great faith and reminds us of our need for constant reliance on God.
Compare Matthew 14:28 across all translations →