How did the disciples react when Jesus walked on water? They worshipped him as the Son of God (Matthew 14:33) but were astounded and didn't understand (Mark 6:51-52).

Context of the Events

This event takes place shortly after the feeding of the five thousand (Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44). Following that miracle, Jesus directed His disciples to go ahead by boat across the Sea of Galilee while He dismissed the crowd and spent time in prayer (Matthew 14:22–23; Mark 6:45–46). This sets the stage for the miraculous act of walking on water, which took place during rough conditions that left the disciples struggling at the oars (Matthew 14:24; Mark 6:48).

The Disciples’ Initial Reactions

When Jesus appeared walking on the water, the disciples reacted in fear, thinking He was a ghost (Matthew 14:26; Mark 6:49). In both accounts, Jesus identifies Himself and encourages them not to be afraid (Matthew 14:27; Mark 6:50). At this point, Peter attempts to walk on water as well (Matthew 14:28–31). Mark omits the detail of Peter walking toward Jesus, illustrating how each Gospel can choose events and emphases to highlight specific truths.

Matthew 14:33: Worship and Confession

After Peter’s brief venture onto the water, Jesus and the apostle boarded the boat. Matthew 14:33 says, “Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God!’” This response shows a profound recognition of Jesus’ divine identity. Worship in a Jewish context affirms the deity of Christ, indicating that the One standing before them was not merely a prophet or teacher.

This confession evokes the Old Testament pattern of worshiping God alone (cf. Exodus 34:14). By using such language, Matthew underscores how the disciples’ reverent awe led them to see Jesus as worthy of the worship reserved for Yahweh (cf. Isaiah 42:8). Reception of worship in Jewish thought confirms that Jesus accepted His identity as God incarnate.

Mark 6:51–52: Astonishment and Hardened Hearts

Mark 6:51 states, “They were utterly astounded,” emphasizing how the disciples struggled to comprehend the enormity of this event. In verse 52, “They had not understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.” This indicates that, although they had witnessed the miraculous feeding, they still grappled with recognizing Jesus’ true nature.

Mark employs the term “hardened” (Greek: πεπωρωμένη), often used in Scripture to describe a spiritual dullness or reluctance to grasp divine revelation (cf. Isaiah 6:9–10). The sequence of feeding thousands, seeing Jesus walk on water, and yet still struggling to fully believe reveals the disciples’ human frailty. Even so, Mark’s emphasis does not contradict Matthew’s account; instead, it highlights that the disciples’ worship in that moment resulted from amazement mixed with an incomplete understanding of Jesus’ mission.

Harmonizing the Accounts

• Matthew’s Purpose: Matthew frequently underscores Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament Messianic expectations. By specifically including the disciples’ worship and confession, Matthew illustrates that Jesus is the Son of God, aligning with the prophecies concerning the Messiah’s divine identity (cf. Psalm 2:7; Isaiah 7:14).

• Mark’s Purpose: Mark’s Gospel moves at a rapid pace, often stressing the disciples’ struggles to comprehend Jesus’ identity. Showing their astonishment and lack of understanding about the previous miracle underscores their progressive revelation of who Jesus is.

Rather than contradict each other, these accounts provide a multi-faceted perspective. One focuses on the moment of worship; the other highlights the lingering doubts and confusion lingering in their hearts.

Reliability of the Accounts

Ancient manuscripts such as Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) and Codex Vaticanus (4th century) include these passages, lending textual credibility to the miracles of Jesus. The wealth of New Testament manuscripts—over 5,800 Greek copies—attests to the accurate preservation of these narratives. Early church writings, such as those of Irenaeus (2nd century), quote or reference the Gospels, further reinforcing their consistent and early circulation.

Archaeological studies of ancient Galilee’s topography confirm that sudden storms frequently arise on the Sea of Galilee. Mark 6:48 mentions the disciples’ struggle with the wind, a realistic detail verified by modern meteorological findings specific to the region’s geographic layout. Such content oftentimes was outside the understanding of Greek or Roman writers remote from this locale, pointing to the Gospels’ authenticity and historical reliability.

Significance of the Disciples’ Responses

1. Recognition of Deity: Their worship was an open acknowledgment that Jesus’ power defied natural law, echoing the same creative authority that shaped the universe (Genesis 1:1).

2. Human Frailty: Both astonishment and misunderstanding demonstrate how, in spite of witnessing miracles, people may still struggle to grasp spiritual truths. This realism in Scripture offers assurance that faith is a journey.

3. Progressive Revelation: The walkway on water marks a pivotal point, seeding in the disciples’ minds that Jesus is more than a human teacher. Their later bold preaching in Acts rests partly on experiences like this, confirmed post-Resurrection.

Spiritual Lessons for Readers

• Dependence and Faith: Much like Peter, the call to focus on Christ rather than the storm showcases how true security lies in divine power.

• God’s Patience: Though the disciples’ hearts were at times hardened or awestruck, Jesus remained patient. This underscores His willingness to guide believers through doubt toward maturity in faith.

• Jesus as the Son of God: A direct parallel emerges with Old Testament descriptions of God’s sovereignty over the sea (Job 9:8; Psalm 77:19). By walking on water, Jesus illustrates the same authority.

Application to Life

Believers may see in these responses both a challenge and a comfort. The challenge is to avoid lingering disbelief, even after witnessing evidence of God’s work. The comfort is that Jesus continually calls His followers to deeper trust, granting assurance of His identity as the living Son of God.

Furthermore, these accounts strengthen confidence in the unity and reliability of Scripture. Even where perspectives differ, the central truth—Jesus’ divine nature and the disciples’ awe—remains unwavering and historically credible.

Conclusion

When Jesus walked on water, His disciples ultimately responded in worship, declaring Him the Son of God. Mark’s portrayal of their astonishment and hardened hearts emphasizes the reality of their slow spiritual growth. Taken together, both accounts are historically and textually reliable records, affirming a central Christian doctrine: Jesus is divine, and He alone commands nature with the same authority by which the universe was created. The disciples’ journey from fear to worship inspires believers everywhere to recognize Jesus’ divine lordship, deepening both their faith and resolve to honor Him in every circumstance.