The Vessel That Carried Peter's Faith

The Bible mentions several boats, including Noah's Ark, Jonah's boat, and Baby Moses' basket of reeds. However, the boat that Peter was in is not described in the Bible. We know that Peter was a fisherman and that he and his fellow disciples used boats for fishing on the Sea of Galilee. In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus preaches to a crowd from Peter's boat and later performs a miracle for him, resulting in a large catch of fish. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Peter is described as stepping out of a boat and walking on water towards Jesus. While the Bible does not provide details about the type of boat Peter was in, a first-century fishing boat discovered in the Sea of Galilee in 1985 offers some insights into what boats from that time may have looked like.

Jesus uses Peter's boat to preach to a crowd

Jesus was preaching to a large crowd on the shore of Lake Galilee. He noticed two fishing boats at the water's edge, with fishermen nearby, rinsing their nets. Jesus climbed into Simon Peter's boat and asked him to push it out a little from the shore so he could address the crowd.

The boat became a floating pulpit, a practical way for Jesus to make sure his voice could be heard by the large crowd. The water also acted as a natural amplifier, ensuring that his words would carry to those on the shore.

After preaching, Jesus instructed Peter to row out to deep water and cast his nets for a catch. Peter explained that they had fished all night without success, but he would obey. Peter's nets then became so full of fish that they began to break, and he had to call for help from other boats.

This miracle led Peter to kneel at Jesus' feet, recognising his power. Jesus told Peter that he would now "catch men for salvation", and Peter and the other fishermen left everything to follow Jesus.

This event is depicted in artwork by several artists, including James Tissot and Alexandre Bida. It has also been used to support the primacy of Peter, as he would later become the foremost disciple among the apostles for preaching.

Peter's boat was discovered in the Sea of Galilee

The boat used by Peter from the Bible has not been definitively discovered, but an ancient vessel found in the Sea of Galilee in 1986 is believed to be from the same time period.

Known as the "Jesus Boat" or the "Ancient Galilee Boat", the 2,000-year-old fishing vessel was discovered on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. The remains of the boat first appeared during a drought when the waters of the lake receded, exposing the muddy lake bed. Local residents spotted a boat's oval outline in the mud and word quickly spread, with local newspapers announcing the discovery of "the Jesus boat".

Archaeologists were called in to examine the unexcavated vessel and determined that it was the first ancient ship ever found in the Sea of Galilee. They dated the boat to between 100 BC and 100 AD—the time of Jesus. The boat is 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide and has a maximum preserved height of 4.3 feet. It was constructed primarily of cedar planks and had a flat bottom, allowing it to get close to shallow waters near the shore. The boat could be rowed by four staggered rowers and also had a mast for sailing.

While there is no evidence directly connecting the Sea of Galilee Boat to Jesus or his disciples, boats like it played a significant role in Jesus' life and ministry and are mentioned 50 times in the Gospels. The discovery of the Ancient Galilee Boat provides valuable insight into the construction of vessels used during that time period and helps to visualise daily life in Galilee as Jesus knew it.

Peter's boat was made of cedar and oak

The boat that Peter, a fisherman, owned was made of cedar and oak. This boat was used by Jesus to preach to a crowd on the shore of Lake Galilee. The boat was 27 feet long, 7.5 feet wide, and had a maximum preserved height of 4.3 feet. It was discovered in 1986 on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel.

The construction of Peter's boat conformed to other boats built in that part of the Mediterranean during the period between 100 BC and 200 AD. The boat was primarily constructed using cedar planks, joined by pegged mortise and tenon joints and nails. It was rowable and could also be sailed using a mast. The boat was steered using two steering oars.

The boat was built using the shell-based technique, where the hull's planking was built up before the insertion of frames. This technique was commonly used in the Mediterranean region from as early as 1300 BC until it was replaced by skeleton-based construction in the first millennium AD. The boat's construction suggests that the builders were either trained in the Mediterranean or apprenticed to a Mediterranean shipwright.

The choice of timber for Peter's boat may have been due to a shortage of wood or the owner's financial constraints. The boat was well-maintained, with repairs made using recycled timber, indicating that it was used for several decades and perhaps nearly a century.

Peter was a fisherman

Fishing in Jesus' day was hard work, much like commercial fishing today. While Galilee's fishermen sometimes used spears and hooks, most fishing was done with nets. These were either cast from the shoals or a boat, or dragged behind a boat.

On one occasion, Jesus was preaching to a crowd on the shore of Lake Galilee. He noticed two fishing boats at the water's edge, with the fishermen nearby, rinsing their nets. Jesus climbed into Peter's boat and asked him to push it out a little from the shore so he could address the crowd. After he had finished preaching, Jesus told Peter to row out to deep water and cast his nets, promising a great catch. Peter replied that they had fished all night and hadn't caught anything, but that they would cast their nets again because Jesus had told them to. When they pulled up their nets, they were shocked to see a huge catch of fish. The nets were so full that they began to break, and Peter called for help from his business partners in the other boat. They ended up filling both boats with fish until they began to sink.

This story, known as "The Boatload Miracle," demonstrates how Jesus could bring about supernatural abundance in people's lives, against all odds. It also shows how Jesus called on everyday, working people to be his disciples, or "fishers of people."

Peter walked on water with Jesus

Peter's boat was likely a first-century fishing boat, discovered in 1985 in the mud along the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This boat, dubbed "the Ancient Galilee Boat" or "the Jesus boat", is believed to have been large enough to hold about 15 people and was made of many types of wood, mostly cedar and oak.

Now, onto the miracle where Peter walked on water with Jesus. This extraordinary event is recorded in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and John. Here is a detailed account:

The Setting

Jesus had just spent a full day ministering to the people, which included performing one of his most public miracles after learning of his cousin's death. He then sent his disciples ahead of him by boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while he went up to a mountain to pray. The disciples, feeling abandoned and weary, were struggling against the wind and the weather, which prolonged their journey.

Jesus Comes to Their Aid

In the midst of their struggle, Jesus came to their aid. He walked on the water towards their boat, and when the disciples saw him, they were terrified, thinking he was a ghost. But Jesus immediately reassured them, saying, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."

Peter's Bold Request

Among the disciples was Peter, a seasoned fisherman who knew the Sea of Galilee well. Moved by faith, Peter made a bold request: "Lord, if it's you, tell me to come to you on the water." Jesus responded with an invitation: "Come."

Peter Walks on Water

With these words of invitation from Jesus, Peter stepped out of the boat and began to walk on the water towards Jesus. This was a miraculous moment, as Peter became one of only two humans in history to walk on water. However, when Peter saw the wind, he became afraid and began to sink. He cried out, "Lord, save me!"

Jesus Rescues Peter

Immediately, Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter, demonstrating his power over the natural elements. Jesus gently rebuked Peter, saying, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?" This incident taught Peter and the other disciples an important lesson about faith and keeping their eyes fixed on Jesus, even in the midst of storms and trials.

Worship and Adoration

After Jesus calmed the winds and the sea, the disciples worshiped him, proclaiming, "Truly you are the Son of God." This miraculous event deepened their understanding of who Jesus was and strengthened their faith.

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