I've always wondered if maybe there was some kind of translation issue. Was there a word or term for 'treading water' in either Greek, Hebrew, or Aramaic which might have been more literally translated as 'walking on water', or maybe even 'walking in water'?
2006-09-18 20:08:38 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
All New Testament is originally written in Greek, so we'll stick with Greek for this answer.
The word used for "walking" in Matthew 15:25-26, Mark 6: 48-49, and John 6: 19 is the Greek word 'peripateo' (or 'peripatounta' if we include the tense of the verb; Strong's reference number 4043 for those who have access to a Bible concordance). Both 'peripateo' and 'peripatounta' would literaly mean "to walk" and figuratively mean "to make one's way; to conduct one's self; to regulate one's life."
Given the circumstances of the event, it is far unlikely that the figurative meaning would make sense; thus, the word 'peripateo' in that event would be literal.
2006-09-18 20:38:51 · answer #1 · answered by Shepherd 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Actually walking on water has nothing to do with someone being a messiah or not. Because it is shallow people without understanding and little faith take things like walking on water as a sign of holyness.
Sad truth is - to be a true prophet of God, walking on water isn't a sign - the preaching and teaching of God's holy word, Torah, is the true sign. So, the little story of water-walking was added in.
2006-09-18 20:54:12 · answer #2 · answered by Reuben Shlomo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jesus is God. Why is it so hard to believe he could walk on water. There is not mistranslation. He walked on water. People are always trying to diminish the miracles performed in the Bible. They say the Red Sea was shallow enough to wade through, they say people shared what bread they had, so the real miracle was not Jesus multiplying the loaves but the selfish people sharing their food (even though scripture says there was not enough food to feed even a handful of men). God created heaven and earth from nothing, he spoke it into being. Did he lose his power after that? No. Have a little faith and believe in the Miracles of God.
2006-09-18 20:17:37 · answer #3 · answered by Robert L 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No there is NO trick here, you see Jesus Christ is the second member of The Godhead, the Lord of all things as it says in John 1 Jesus Christ Was the active agent in creation, and He being our creator can command all things even to the walking on the water, you don't have to sink into the sins your in you by looking to Christ do the same if you will but keep your eyes on Christ instead of yourself. Free bible lessons www.itiswritten.com God bless you.
2006-09-18 20:14:54 · answer #4 · answered by wgr88 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Not that I know of.
Sea water is were physical life may have started before oral traditions started.Jesus being the Son of GOD could easily have walked on the surface of the water if he had that much control over his body to make it less dense that the water.
According to the current theories there is enough space between the atoms of things that with concentration you should be able to pass your body in between the spaces and pass through "solid "objects.
2006-09-18 20:28:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can not the Greek word be 'on' or 'by' ? Jesus walked on the water...Jesus walked by the water.
It really does not matter because the story of walking on the water has a spiritual meaning...not a physical one.
2006-09-18 20:42:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
read the whole passage, in context. He walked on top in a storm and Peter started on top but due to fear (must have had several republicans whispering in his ear) he began to sink then Jesus (whose name was actually Yes-u-ah) reached out and Peter then walked to Him. That would be a whapping lot of translation difficulties doncha think
2006-09-18 20:15:09 · answer #7 · answered by icheeknows 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
A storm may have pulled the water out of a shallow lake which, while he was wading, made it appear that he was walking on the surface. Or his demeanor may have been so calm that while treading water, it may have appeared that he was walking in it.
But trying to find an explanation may take away from the intended lesson of this story. The disciples thought Jesus was so cool that he could walk on water. It demonstrates why they would abandon their other lives and follow him.
2006-09-18 20:14:49 · answer #8 · answered by San Diego Art Nut 6 · 0⤊ 4⤋
Read the bible for yourself. He ACTUALLY walked ON TOP of the water! See how you are trying to minimalize it? He was on the sea, not in some tiny riverbed! Amazing isn't it?....but then again, can we really expect anything less of the son of God?
2006-09-18 20:15:21 · answer #9 · answered by Monique 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no translation help needed. You have it right.
Jesus walked on water.
2006-09-18 20:23:19 · answer #10 · answered by marvs36 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋