Matthew 14:31
New International Version
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

New Living Translation
Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

English Standard Version
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Berean Standard Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

Berean Literal Bible
And immediately Jesus having stretched out the hand, took hold of him and says to him, "O Little faith, why did you waver?"

King James Bible
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

New King James Version
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

New American Standard Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

NASB 1995
Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

NASB 1977
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Legacy Standard Bible
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Amplified Bible
Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

Christian Standard Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt? ”

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

American Standard Version
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Contemporary English Version
At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, "You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?"

English Revised Version
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and saith unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Immediately, Jesus reached out, caught hold of him, and said, "You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?"

Good News Translation
At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, "What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?"

International Standard Version
At once Jesus reached out his hand, caught him, and asked him, "You who have so little faith, why did you doubt?"

Majority Standard Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

NET Bible
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

New Heart English Bible
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Webster's Bible Translation
And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, Why didst thou doubt?

Weymouth New Testament
Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?"

World English Bible
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And immediately Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, laid hold of him and says to him, “Little faith! For why did you waver?”

Berean Literal Bible
And immediately Jesus having stretched out the hand, took hold of him and says to him, "O Little faith, why did you waver?"

Young's Literal Translation
And immediately Jesus, having stretched forth the hand, laid hold of him, and saith to him, 'Little faith! for what didst thou waver?'

Smith's Literal Translation
And quickly Jesus, having stretched out the hand, laid hold of him, and says to him, O thou of little faith, for what didst thou doubt?
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And immediately Jesus stretching forth his hand took hold of him, and said to him: O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?

Catholic Public Domain Version
And immediately Jesus extended his hand and took hold of him. And he said to him, “O little in faith, why did you doubt?”

New American Bible
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”

New Revised Standard Version
Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And our Lord immediately stretched out his hand and grasped him; and he said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
And immediately our Lord stretched out his hand and he held him and said to him, “Oh small of faith! Why did you doubt?”
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
And Jesus immediately stretched out his hand, and took hold of him, and said to him: you of little faith, why did you doubt?

Godbey New Testament
And Jesus immediately reaching out His hand, received him, and says to him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Haweis New Testament
Then immediately Jesus stretching out his hand, laid hold on him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, wherefore dost thou doubt?

Mace New Testament
immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught him, diffident man, said he, why were you in suspence?

Weymouth New Testament
Instantly Jesus stretched out His hand and caught hold of him, saying to him, "O little faith, why did you doubt?"

Worrell New Testament
And immediately Jesus, stretching forth His hand, took hold of him, and saith to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

Worsley New Testament
And Jesus, immediately stretching forth his hand, laid hold of him, and saith to him, O man of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jesus Walks on Water
30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” 32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.…

Cross References
James 1:6
But he must ask in faith, without doubting, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God. For anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.

Matthew 8:26
“You of little faith,” Jesus replied, “why are you so afraid?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

Mark 4:40
“Why are you so afraid?” He asked. “Do you still have no faith?”

Luke 8:25
“Where is your faith?” He asked. Frightened and amazed, they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him!”

John 20:27
Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and look at My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Stop doubting and believe.”

Romans 4:20
Yet he did not waver through disbelief in the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God,

2 Corinthians 5:7
For we walk by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 3:12
See to it, brothers, that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.

Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will surely help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Isaiah 43:2
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched; the flames will not set you ablaze.

Psalm 94:18-19
If I say, “My foot is slipping,” Your loving devotion, O LORD, supports me. / When anxiety overwhelms me, Your consolation delights my soul.

Psalm 37:24
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed, for the LORD is holding his hand.

Psalm 73:23
Yet I am always with You; You hold my right hand.


Treasury of Scripture

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

stretched.

Psalm 138:7
Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.

Isaiah 63:12
That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them, to make himself an everlasting name?

Mark 1:31,41
And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them…

and caught.

Genesis 22:14
And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.

Deuteronomy 32:36
For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left.

Mark 16:7
But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.

O thou.

Matthew 8:26
And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

Matthew 16:8
Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

Matthew 17:20
And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

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Matthew 14
1. Herod's opinion of Jesus.
3. Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded.
13. Jesus departs into a solitary place,
15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes.
22. He walks on the sea to his disciples;
34. and landing at Gennesaret,
35. heals the sick who touch of the hem of his garment.














Immediately Jesus reached out His hand
The word "immediately" (Greek: εὐθέως, eutheos) signifies the urgency and readiness of Jesus to act. In the context of the stormy sea, this immediate action underscores Jesus' divine authority and His ever-present readiness to save those who call upon Him. The act of reaching out His hand is symbolic of divine intervention and grace. Historically, this reflects the consistent biblical theme of God's swift response to the cries of His people, as seen throughout the Old Testament, such as in the Psalms where God is described as a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

and took hold of him
The phrase "took hold" (Greek: ἐπιλαμβάνεται, epilambanetai) conveys a strong, firm grasp, indicating not just a physical action but a spiritual assurance. This act of taking hold is reminiscent of God's covenantal faithfulness, where He promises to uphold and sustain His people. In a broader scriptural context, it reflects the security believers have in Christ, who holds them firmly in His hand, as echoed in John 10:28-29, where Jesus assures that no one can snatch His sheep out of His hand.

'You of little faith,'
The term "little faith" (Greek: ὀλιγόπιστε, oligopiste) is a gentle rebuke that Jesus uses several times in the Gospels. It highlights the struggle between faith and doubt that believers often face. This phrase serves as a reminder of the necessity of faith in the Christian walk. Historically, this reflects the early church's challenges in maintaining faith amidst persecution and trials. It is a call to trust in God's promises and His power, as faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew 17:20).

He said, 'why did you doubt?'
The word "doubt" (Greek: ἐδίστασας, edistasas) implies a wavering or hesitation. In the context of Peter walking on water, it illustrates the human tendency to falter when faced with overwhelming circumstances. This question is not just a rebuke but an invitation to introspection and growth in faith. Scripturally, it aligns with James 1:6, which warns against doubting when asking God for wisdom, as doubt leads to instability. Historically, this reflects the early Christian community's need to remain steadfast in faith despite external pressures and internal uncertainties.

Verse 31. - And immediately. Without any waste of time, just as in ver. 27. Jesus stretched forth his hand. So that St. Peter had come up to him (ver. 29). And caught him; and took hold of him (Revised Version, ἐπελάβετο αὐτοῦ: cf. Hebrews 2:16; Hebrews 8:9). And said; saith (Revised Version). The writer passes to more vivid narration. Unto him, O thou of little faith (o)ligo/piste); Matthew 6:30, note. But in Matthew 17:20 (Westcott and Hort) the substantive is used of faith in a more active sense. Wherefore (εἰς τί); "למה, literally rendered" (Dr. Guillemard). Didst thou doubt? (ἐδίστασας). In the New Testament, Matthew 28:17 only. Christ saves first, and rebukes afterwards. Perhaps the need for help was more immediate than in ch. 8:26, or possibly the fervency of St. Peter's love deserved gentler treatment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
Immediately
Εὐθέως (Eutheōs)
Adverb
Strong's 2112: Immediately, soon, at once. Adverb from euthus; directly, i.e. At once or soon.

Jesus
Ἰησοῦς (Iēsous)
Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 2424: Of Hebrew origin; Jesus, the name of our Lord and two other Israelites.

reached out
ἐκτείνας (ekteinas)
Verb - Aorist Participle Active - Nominative Masculine Singular
Strong's 1614: To stretch out (forth), cast forth (as of an anchor), lay hands on. From ek and teino; to extend.

[His]
τὴν (tēn)
Article - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 3588: The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.

hand
χεῖρα (cheira)
Noun - Accusative Feminine Singular
Strong's 5495: A hand.

[and] took hold
ἐπελάβετο (epelabeto)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Middle - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 1949: To lay hold of, take hold of, seize (sometimes with beneficent, sometimes with hostile, intent).

of [Peter].
αὐτοῦ (autou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

“[You] of little faith,”
Ὀλιγόπιστε (Oligopiste)
Adjective - Vocative Masculine Singular
Strong's 3640: Of little faith. From oligos and pistis; incredulous, i.e. Lacking confidence.

He said,
λέγει (legei)
Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 3004: (a) I say, speak; I mean, mention, tell, (b) I call, name, especially in the pass., (c) I tell, command.

“why
εἰς (eis)
Preposition
Strong's 1519: A primary preposition; to or into, of place, time, or purpose; also in adverbial phrases.

did you doubt?”
ἐδίστασας (edistasas)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 2nd Person Singular
Strong's 1365: To waver, doubt, hesitate. From dis; properly, to duplicate, i.e. to waver.


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Matthew 14:30
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