What Old Testament events parallel Jesus walking on water in Mark 6:49? Mark 6:49—The Miracle in View “ But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out.” Red Sea—God Makes a Path on the Waters (Exodus 14) • Exodus 14:21-22 “Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove back the sea with a strong east wind and turned it into dry ground. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left.” • Parallels — The waters obey a divine command. — God’s people are delivered by passing where no human path exists. — Jesus, the greater Moses, strides where only God once opened the way. Jordan River—Twice Parted (Joshua 3; 2 Kings 2) • Joshua 3:16-17 “The waters… stood in a heap… and all Israel passed over on dry ground.” • 2 Kings 2:8 “Then Elijah took his cloak… struck the water, and it was divided… and the two of them crossed over on dry ground.” • 2 Kings 2:14 “Elisha… struck the water and said, ‘Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?’ When he struck the water, it was divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.” • Parallels — God again rules the Jordan; Jesus rules Galilee’s waves. — Prophetic succession (Elijah-Elisha) foreshadows the One greater than all prophets. — Each crossing affirms God’s covenant presence; Jesus’ appearance does the same. Job and the Psalms—God Walks the Waves (Job 9:8; Psalm 77:19; Psalm 89:9) • Job 9:8 “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea.” • Psalm 77:19 “Your path led through the sea, Your way through the mighty waters, but Your footprints were not to be found.” • Psalm 89:9 “You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them.” • Parallels — Old Testament poets depict Yahweh as the only One who “treads” the sea. — Jesus’ act visibly assigns that exclusive divine trait to Himself. — The disciples’ fear echoes Israel’s awe before God’s watery pathways. Creation—The Spirit Hovering Over the Waters (Genesis 1:2) • Genesis 1:2 “…the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.” • Parallels — Mastery over chaos marks both events. — Jesus’ calm stride recalls the Creator’s sovereign presence at the world’s dawn. — Just as creation begins with water under control, new creation dawns in Christ. Jonah—The Storm Stilled by Sacrifice (Jonah 1:4-16) • Jonah 1:15 “Then they picked up Jonah, threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging.” • Parallels — A sudden calm displays divine authority over watery turmoil. — Jonah points ahead to One who will calm storms and offer Himself for the nations. Why These Parallels Matter • Each Old Testament scene highlights God’s unique power over chaotic waters. • Jesus doing what only Yahweh does leaves the disciples with one logical conclusion: “Truly You are the Son of God” (cf. Matthew 14:33). • The miracle bridges salvation history—linking creation, exodus, conquest, prophecy, and wisdom literature—and centers it all on the person of Jesus. |
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