RESPONSE: Jesus Walking on the Water
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Walking on the Water
The differences between the two accounts are, first, that Matthew adds to Mark Peter's attempt to walk on the water.
Secondly, the two evangelists give us remarkably different endings to the incident.
At this stage, I will make only a brief comment about these differences.
Generally, Matthew gives some importance to Peter as the leader of the twelve. It is Peter who is told by Jesus that he is the rock on which he will build his Church (Mt 16,21). It is possible to read this story in light of the early Church and the faith that will be necessary for the Church and by its leaders.
Mark's ending stressing the hardness of heart of the disciples and their lack of faith is typical of his Gospel. The failure of the disciples is a major theme in this Gospel (though addressed to those who are aware of how the same disciples found faith and courage afterthe resurrection.
Matthew's ending with the disciples worshipping Jesus is an example of how Matthew exalts Jesus and brings out his divine status earlier and more clearly than does Mark.
This episode is not related in the Gospel of Luke. This makes our comparison easier. We will be comparing an incident which occurs in all three Gospels.
Overall, the Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke similar stories about Jesus. They are known as Synoptic Gospels, synoptic coming from the Greek for "with one eye". This stresses the similarities between the Gospels. Our example of the Walking on the Water shows how different similar stories can be on closer examination.
The Gospel of John
We are not quite finished with the incident of the walking on the water because it is also told in the Gospel of John: Jn 6,15-21.
The Gospel of John usually goes its own way. Here, the evangelist tells of the walking on the water following on from the story of the feeding of the crowd. That link between the feeding and the walking on the water is found also in Mark and Matthew so it is probably traditional.
Jesus saying "I am, do not be afraid" (Jn 6,20) is also found in the other two evangelists.
For John, this is the climax of the scene. Translators usually tone down "I am" to "It is I". Within the setting of John's Gospel "I am" shows the divine origin of Jesus Jn 8,58). That is appropriate here where Jesus has control of God the creator over the forces of nature.
It is also appropriate because Jesus is about to say of himself: "I am the bread of life"