Matthew 14:31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

And {G1161} immediately {G2112} Jesus {G2424} stretched forth {G1614} his hand {G5495}, and caught {G1949} him {G846}, and {G2532} said {G3004} unto him {G846}, O thou of little faith {G3640}, wherefore {G1519}{G5101} didst thou doubt {G1365}?

Yeshua immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "Such little trust! Why did you doubt?"

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Matthew 14:31 captures a pivotal moment in the dramatic account of Peter walking on water, revealing both human frailty and divine faithfulness. As Peter began to sink after taking his eyes off Jesus and focusing on the turbulent waves, he cried out for help. Immediately, Jesus extended His hand to save him, accompanying the rescue with a poignant question that serves as both a gentle rebuke and a profound teaching.

Context

This verse follows the miraculous feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:15-21), showcasing Jesus' immense power. Immediately after, Jesus sent His disciples ahead in a boat while He went up on a mountain to pray. In the early morning, He came to them, walking on the sea. When the disciples were terrified, thinking He was a ghost, Jesus identified Himself. Peter, in a surge of faith, asked to come to Him on the water (Matthew 14:29). He successfully walked for a moment, but when he saw the boisterous wind, fear overtook him, and he began to sink (Matthew 14:30). Verse 31 describes Jesus' swift and compassionate response to Peter's cry, highlighting His readiness to intervene.

Key Themes

  • The Immediate Intervention of Jesus: Jesus did not delay in reaching out to Peter. This demonstrates His ever-present help and compassion for those who cry out to Him in distress, even when their predicament is due to wavering faith.
  • Faith Versus Doubt: The core message revolves around the tension between faith and doubt. Peter's initial faith enabled him to walk on water, but his focus shifting from Christ to the surrounding circumstances led to fear and sinking. Jesus' question, "wherefore didst thou doubt?", underscores that doubt is often rooted in shifting our gaze from the all-powerful Savior.
  • Human Frailty and Divine Power: Peter, despite his bold faith, was still human and susceptible to fear and doubt. This story serves as a reminder that even devoted followers of Christ can waver. Yet, it simultaneously magnifies the boundless power and grace of Jesus, who effortlessly walks on water and rescues His sinking disciple.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "O thou of little faith" translates the Greek word oligopistos (ὀλιγόπιστος). This term, used by Jesus on a few occasions (e.g., Matthew 6:30 concerning worry, or Matthew 8:26 during the storm), doesn't mean "no faith" but rather "having small faith" or "deficient in faith." It implies that Peter had faith, but it was insufficient to overcome the overwhelming circumstances once his focus shifted. The word for "didst thou doubt" is edistasas (ἐδίστασας), which literally means "to stand in two ways" or "to waver." It perfectly describes Peter's internal struggle and hesitation between belief and unbelief.

Practical Application

This powerful narrative holds timeless lessons for believers today. When we fix our eyes on Jesus, we can accomplish seemingly impossible things through faith. However, when we allow the "winds and waves" of life's challenges, fears, or distractions to consume our attention, we begin to "sink" spiritually. The story of Peter reminds us that:

  • Circumstances can overwhelm: It's natural to feel fear when facing overwhelming situations, but our response should be to turn to Christ, not away from Him.
  • Jesus is always ready to rescue: When we cry out to Jesus in our moments of doubt or sinking, He is immediate in His response, stretching out His hand to lift us up. His compassion and power remain unchanged.
  • Growth in Faith: This incident was a crucial lesson for Peter, helping him understand the importance of unwavering trust in Jesus. Similarly, our moments of doubt can become opportunities for deeper reliance on Christ and growth in our faith journey.

Ultimately, Matthew 14:31 is a comforting reminder that even when our faith falters, Jesus is there to catch us, teach us, and restore us, always ready to extend His powerful and loving hand.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • James 1:6

    But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

  • James 1:8

    A double minded man [is] unstable in all his ways.

  • Psalms 138:7

    Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

  • Luke 22:31

    And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired [to have] you, that he may sift [you] as wheat:

  • Luke 22:32

    But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

  • Genesis 22:14

    And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said [to] this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

  • Matthew 8:26

    And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

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