Citations: Matthew 14:22-33 || Mark 6:45-52 || John 6:15-21 Setting: Immediately after the feeding of the 5,000, all three accounts place it there. Jesus dismisses crowds + sends disciples ahead in boat across Lake Galilee; he goes alone up the mountain to pray. Disciples are several miles out, struggling against wind. Around 4th watch (3-6 AM), Jesus comes walking on the sea.
Narrative
Mark + John: disciples see him; afraid (think ghost); Jesus speaks "Take courage! I am [ἐγὼ εἰμί ego eimi]; don't be afraid." He gets into the boat; wind ceases.
Matthew's unique addition (Matthew 14:28-31): Peter calls out: "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." Jesus: "Come." Peter walks toward Jesus; sees wind + waves + becomes afraid + begins to sink. "Lord, save me!" Jesus stretches out hand, catches him: "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Matthew's closing: wind ceases; disciples worship: "Truly you are the Son of God."
Theological framing
Theophanic reading, Jesus's "I AM" (ἐγὼ εἰμί, ego eimi) here echoes the Exodus 3:14 divine self-identification. Walking on water is OT God-imagery: "He alone stretches out the heavens, and treads on the waves of the sea" (Job 9:8); "Your way was through the sea, your paths through the great waters. Your footsteps were not known." (Psalms 77:19). The miracle is implicit divine self-revelation.
Peter-faith reading, Matthew's unique Peter-walking addition becomes a paradigm for discipleship: faith opens what doubt closes; eyes-on-Jesus enables; eyes-on-circumstances sinks. Frequently preached on.
Mark's "their hearts were hardened" closing (Mark 6:52), Mark uniquely connects disciples' bewilderment to the previous feeding miracle: they hadn't understood about the loaves, "but their hearts were hardened". Mark sees a connection between the two miracles + the disciples' slow understanding.