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In this verse are considerable.

1. The Person that spake; the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. Those to whom He spake, viz., the disciples in their present distress.

3. The kind nature and design of Christ's speech to them at this time.

4. The argument He used to silence their fears.

5. The time when He spake to them thus comfortably — straightway.

I. WHENCE IS IT, THAT EVEN REAL DELIEVERS MAY BE READY TO SINK UNDER THEIR TROUBLES. Causes of despondence are: we have not thought of the cross as we ought, or not counted upon it at all, and so have taken little care to prepare for it. Perhaps from our being so long spared, we promised ourselves an exemption from any remarkable trials; or perhaps we mistake the nature, end, and design of afflictions when they come, and so are ready to faint under Divine rebukes. There is a peculiar anguish with which some are overtaken, when they are under apprehensions of approaching death. As to the springs of this —

(a) We are too prone to put from us the evil day.

(b) Death may find us in the dark as to our title to the life to come, or meetness for it.

(c) Conscience may be awakened in our last hours to revive the sense of past sins, and so may increase our sorrows and terrors.

(d) Satan sometimes joins in with an awakened conscience, to make the trial the more sore.

(e) God sometimes withdraws the light of His countenance.

II. WHAT CHRIST SPAKE TO HIS DISCIPLES NOW, WHEN THEY WERE IN GREAT DISTRESS, He is ready to speak to all His members, whenever they are any of them distressed.

III. WHAT IS CARRIED IN THESE COMFORTABLE WORDS, AND MAY BE GATHERED FROM THEM, FOR THEIR SUPPORT. It notes His presence with them. and His wisdom, power, faithfulness, and love to be engaged for them.

(Daniel Wilcox.)

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KJV: And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

WEB: Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters."