Matthew 14:31Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Why did the Lord choose not to command the winds to calm down, but instead reached out His hand to uphold Peter? It was essential for Peter to exhibit faith. When we falter, divine intervention halts. Therefore, to illustrate that it was not the power of the wind but Peter's wavering faith that caused the turmoil, the Lord questioned, ‘O ye of little faith, why didst thou doubt?’ Had his faith remained steadfast, he could have easily defied the wind. Thus, the Lord, while supporting Peter, refrained from silencing the wind to demonstrate that genuine faith renders the wind harmless.

Demonstrating that it was not the storm that led to Peter's sinking, but rather his fearfulness, Christ did not address the winds but instead reprimanded the timid Peter. He then elevated him and allowed him to walk on the water, despite the raging winds. Peter's doubt was not absolute; rather, it was partial. His fear directly correlated with his lack of faith. However, when he exclaimed, ‘Lord, save me,’ he remedied his unbelief. Thus, he was admonished for having ‘little faith’ rather than being labeled as ‘unfaithful.’

Though the Lord does not shy away from human admiration, members of the Church frequently embrace such appreciation, seemingly taking pleasure in it. Consider Peter, who was filled with fear while on the water, alarmed by the fierce wind. Truly, who would not be terrified by a voice that declares: Thy leaders lead thee astray, and the way of thy paths are corrupted? As the soul grapples with the yearning for human recognition, it is wise to turn to prayer and supplication in times of peril, lest one who is captivated by praise be overwhelmed by disgrace.

As he disembarked from the boat to walk on the water, and started to falter, he did not renounce his faith in Christ, for the Lord did not label him as 'unfaithful,' but rather referred to him as one of 'little faith.'

When reflecting on the apostle Peter, known for his fervent faith and zealous spirit, we recall the moment when he bravely approached the Savior and requested, “Lord, if it be Thou, command me to come to Thee by water.” In response, the Lord asked, “O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?” This prompts us to consider what the Lord might say to us, who possess even less of this modest faith.

In addressing Peter's actions, he made it clear that it was not the strength of the waves that caused his fall, but rather his diminished faith or the frailty of the belief he had previously exhibited. He labeled him a fool for allowing fear of the wind to overshadow a significant portion of his faith. Thus, he questioned him, asking, "Why did you doubt?" or "What caused you to be courageous earlier and then turn fearful?" The one who empowered you to face the waves would likewise empower you to withstand the winds.

The Lord admonished him, “O you of little faith, why do you doubt?” making it clear that this was the root of the issue. This serves as a valuable lesson for anyone embarking on endeavors, whether significant or modest, to honor the Lord. Maintain the foremost principle of faith and confidence, which gives rise to the noble quality of patience in righteous deeds, forming the foundation for a life that pleases God. As long as such attitudes are upheld, the fervor for the labor initiated remains, and challenges, regardless of their magnitude, are overlooked. However, when these virtues falter, the soul quickly becomes preoccupied with human concerns and the ways of safeguarding life and managing the tasks at hand.

He is swift to intercede, the Most Blessed One. Abijah extends His hand, offering it to Peter. Yet, Peter rises again, walking upon the sea, fearless and assured. This serves as a lesson for us, demonstrating that when we find ourselves in turmoil and turn to God, crying out as Peter did, “Lord, save us,” the Gracious One will reach out His intercessory and protective hand, rescuing us from every peril. Subsequently, we will be empowered to walk boldly and generously on the path of righteousness. But why did the God-Man not silence the winds, since they served no purpose, yet reprimanded Peter? This illustrates that it was not the winds but Peter's own lack of faith and doubt that caused him to falter and sink (Matthew 8:26).

Fear prompted him to genuinely acknowledge the frailty of his faith, and the Lord responded swiftly with assistance: JESUS NOW extended His hand and upheld him. But why didn’t the Lord silence the winds instead of personally supporting Peter? It was not the storm that caused his sinking, but his own timidity; Christ does not calm the storm, but addresses that timidity.

Peter emerged from the boat, and through the power of faith, a miracle took place: he walked upon the waves. However, the relentless wind and tumultuous waters diverted his gaze from Jesus, who awaited him. Fear gripped him, his faith faltered, and he began to sink beneath the surface. In his desperation, he called out: Lord, save me. Christ did not immediately calm the storm but reached out His hand to Peter, supporting him and saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt? Why did your faith falter, the very faith that allowed you to step out and walk on water towards Me?” Jesus intentionally refrained from stilling the storm at once, seeking to demonstrate to Peter that with renewed faith, he could once again walk on the water. As they entered the boat together, the wind subsided. From the Evangelist’s account, it is clear that despite the turbulent sea, Jesus and Peter traversed the waters to the boat, and only upon their entering did the wind cease.

Christ did not abandon him in his time of need. Without hesitation, He reached out His hand to sustain His struggling disciple, gently questioning, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

The Lord did not simply command the winds to calm but chose to extend His hand and uplift Peter. This was because Peter's faith was essential. To illustrate that it was not the force of the wind but rather Peter’s insufficient faith that led to his faltering, the Lord questioned, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” Had Peter’s faith remained strong, he would have easily withstood the storm. Thus, the Lord sustained Peter without silencing the winds, demonstrating that when faith is robust, the wind cannot harm.