Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:31

"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?" — Matthew 14:31 (ASV)

Our Lord does not delay when our peril is imminent and our cry is urgent, Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand. He first caught him and then taught him. Jesus saves first and upbraids afterwards, when He must do so. When we are saved is the appropriate time for us to chasten ourselves for our unbelief. Let us learn from our Lord that we should not reprove others until we have first helped them out of their difficulties.

Our doubts are unreasonable, Wherefore didst thou doubt? If there is reason for little faith, there is evidently reason for great confidence. If it is right to trust Jesus at all, why not trust Him altogether? Trust was Peter’s strength—doubt was his danger. It looked like great faith when Peter walked the water, but a little wind soon proved it to be little faith. Until our faith is tried, we can form no reliable estimate of it.

After his Lord had taken him by the hand, Peter sank no further, but resumed the walk of faith. How easy it is to have faith when we are close to Jesus! Lord, when our faith fails, come You to us and we shall walk on the wave.

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

Our Lord does not delay when our peril is imminent and our cry is urgent: Immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand. He first caught him and then taught him. Jesus saves first, and upbraids afterwards, when he must do so. When we are saved is the fit time for us to chasten ourselves for our unbelief. Let us learn from our Lord, that we may not reprove others until we have first helped them out of their difficulties. Our doubts are unreasonable: Wherefore didst thou doubt? If there is reason for little faith, there is evidently reason for great confidence.

If it is right to trust Jesus at all, why not trust him altogether? Trust was Peter's strength, doubt was his danger. It looked like great faith when Peter walked the water; but a little wind soon proved it to be little faith. Until our faith is tried, we cannot form a reliable estimate of it. After his Lord had taken him by the hand, Peter sank no further, but resumed the walk of faith. How easy to have faith when we are close to Jesus!

Lord, when our faith fails, come to us, and we will walk on the wave.