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Matthew 14 · a question people ask

Peter began to sink. Was it because he took his eyes off Jesus?

In the text

Here is exactly what the verses say. Peter said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." (14:28). Jesus said, "Come!", and "Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus" (14:29). "But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”" (14:30). So Matthew says what Peter saw, that the wind was strong, and that he was afraid. The words took his eyes off Jesus are not in these verses. Jesus's own words are a question: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" (14:31) (tap doubt). Matthew gives no answer from Peter, and these notes don't supply one.

The verses

“Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?””
Matthew 14:28-31 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of Matthew 14

Matthew 14: Truly the Son of God

In the WEB's Matthew, the words Son of God come first from the tempter (4:3, 4:6) and from those who cried out across the sea (8:29). Then, after Jesus took hold of Peter and the wind ceased, those in the boat "worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”" (14:33).

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Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions