The Narrative
Matthew 14:22–33; Mark 6:45–52; John 6:16–21
Immediately after the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while He sent the multitudes away. And when He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
The boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night — between three and six in the morning — Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
— Matthew 14:26–27 (NKJV)
Peter Walks on the Water
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
— Matthew 14:28–31 (NKJV)
And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying:
"Truly You are the Son of God."
— Matthew 14:33 (NKJV)
John's Gospel adds a mysterious detail:
Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going.
— John 6:21 (NKJV)
Mark records that the disciples "had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened" (Mark 6:52). The miracle on the sea follows directly from the miracle of the bread — the one who multiplies loaves is the same who commands the waters and the wind.