John’s account of Jesus walking on the sea in John 6:15-21 is much more condensed than that of Matthew (14) or Mark (6). As such it does not contain information that the other passages do.
First, Jesus encouraged the disciples to go on ahead of him (Matthew 14:22). Second, John says nothing of Peter’s request for Jesus to allow him to come to the Lord on the water.
Instead, John focuses on the sign itself. One that men can not in any way replicate. Yes, illusions can fake walking on water. But, the physical reality of Jesus walking on water to the disciples in a storm is something that undeniably shows Him to be the Son of God!
Consider the response of His disciples. First, they were afraid seeing someone walking toward them on the sea in the dead of night, and not knowing it was their Master. They thought Him to be a ghost! (Mark 6:49). If you put yourself in their place on a stormy night, you can understand that fear.
Then, when Jesus revealed Himself, they joyfully received Him into their boat. John said that “immediately the boat was at the land where they were going” (21). And Matthew and Mark both reveal the wind ceased blowing when he entered the boat.
We rejoice! Signs such as these show beyond contradiction Jesus is our Savior and King!
