Matthew 14

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, This is John the baptist: *he* is risen from the dead, and because of this these works of power display their force in him.

3 For Herod had seized John, and had bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother.

4 For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

5 And [while] desiring to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him for a prophet.

6 But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod;

7 whereupon he promised with oath to give her whatsoever she should ask.

8 But she, being set on by her mother, says, Give me here upon a dish the head of John the baptist.

9 And the king was grieved; but on account of the oaths, and those lying at table with [him], he commanded [it] to be given.

10 And he sent and beheaded John in the prison;

11 and his head was brought upon a dish, and was given to the damsel, and she carried [it] to her mother.

12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and came and brought word to Jesus.

13 And Jesus, having heard it, went away thence by ship to a desert place apart. And the crowds having heard [of it] followed him on foot from the cities.

14 And going out he saw a great crowd, and was moved with compassion about them, and healed their infirm.

15 But when even was come, his disciples came to him saying, The place is desert, and [much of] the [day] time already gone by; dismiss the crowds, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.

16 But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give *ye* them to eat.

17 But they say to him, We have not here save five loaves and two fishes.

18 And he said, Bring them here to me.

19 And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed: and having broken the loaves, he gave [them] to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds.

20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was over and above of fragments twelve hand-baskets full.

21 But those that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 And immediately he compelled the disciples to go on board ship, and to go on before him to the other side, until he should have dismissed the crowds.

23 And having dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. And when even was come, he was alone there,

24 but the ship was already in the middle of the sea tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 But in the fourth watch of the night he went off to them, walking on the sea.

26 And the disciples, seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled, saying, It is an apparition. And they cried out through fear.

27 But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Take courage; it is *I*: be not afraid.

28 And Peter answering him said, Lord, if it be *thou*, command me to come to thee upon the waters.

29 And he said, Come. And Peter, having descended from the ship, walked upon the waters to go to Jesus.

30 But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me.

31 And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of him, and says to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?

32 And when they had gone up into the ship, the wind fell.

33 But those in the ship came and did homage to him, saying, Truly thou art God's Son.

34 And having crossed over they came to the land of Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognised him, they sent to that whole country around, and they brought to him all that were ill,

36 and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made thoroughly well.

Matthew 14 Commentary

Chapter 14

Death of John the Baptist. (1-12) Five thousand people miraculously fed. (13-21) Jesus walks upon the sea. (22-33) Jesus healing the sick. (34-36)

Verses 1-12 The terror and reproach of conscience, which Herod, like other daring offenders, could not shake off, are proofs and warnings of a future judgment, and of future misery to them. But there may be the terror of convictions, where there is not the truth of conversion. When men pretend to favour the gospel, yet live in evil, we must not favour their self-delusion, but must deliver our consciences as John did. The world may call this rudeness and blind zeal. False professors, or timid Christians, may censure it as want of civility; but the most powerful enemies can go no further than the Lord sees good to permit. Herod feared that the putting of John to death might raise a rebellion among the people, which it did not; but he never feared it might stir up his own conscience against him, which it did. Men fear being hanged for what they do not fear being damned for. And times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient times for carrying on bad designs against God's people. Herod would profusely reward a worthless dance, while imprisonment and death were the recompence of the man of God who sought the salvation of his soul. But there was real malice to John beneath his consent, or else Herod would have found ways to get clear of his promise. When the under shepherds are smitten, the sheep need not be scattered while they have the Great Shepherd to go to. And it is better to be drawn to Christ by want and loss, than not to come to him at all.

Verses 13-21 When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any worldly advantages. The presence of Christ and his gospel, makes a desert not only tolerable, but desirable. This little supply of bread was increased by Christ's creating power, till the whole multitude were satisfied. In seeking the welfare of men's souls, we should have compassion on their bodies likewise. Let us also remember always to crave a blessing on our meals, and learn to avoid all waste, as frugality is the proper source of liberality. See in this miracle an emblem of the Bread of life, which came down from heaven to sustain our perishing souls. The provisions of Christ's gospel appear mean and scanty to the world, yet they satisfy all that feed on him in their hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

Verses 22-33 Those are not Christ's followers who cannot enjoy being alone with God and their own hearts. It is good, upon special occasions, and when we find our hearts enlarged, to continue long in secret prayer, and in pouring out our hearts before the Lord. It is no new thing for Christ's disciples to meet with storms in the way of duty, but he thereby shows himself with the more grace to them and for them. He can take what way he pleases to save his people. But even appearances of deliverance sometimes occasion trouble and perplexity to God's people, from mistakes about Christ. Nothing ought to affright those that have Christ near them, and know he is theirs; not death itself. Peter walked upon the water, not for diversion or to boast of it, but to go to Jesus; and in that he was thus wonderfully borne up. Special supports are promised, and are to be expected, but only in spiritual pursuits; nor can we ever come to Jesus, unless we are upheld by his power. Christ bade Peter come, not only that he might walk upon the water, and so know his Lord's power, but that he might know his own weakness. And the Lord often lets his servants have their choice, to humble and prove them, and to show the greatness of his power and grace. When we look off from Christ, and look at the greatness of opposing difficulties, we shall begin to fall; but when we call to him, he will stretch out his arm, and save us. Christ is the great Saviour; those who would be saved, must come to him, and cry to him, for salvation; we are never brought to this, till we find ourselves sinking: the sense of need drives us to him. He rebuked Peter. Could we but believe more, we should suffer less. The weakness of faith, and the prevailing of our doubts, displease our Lord Jesus, for there is no good reason why Christ's disciples should be of a doubtful mind. Even in a stormy day he is to them a very present help. None but the world's Creator could multiply the loaves, none but its Governor could tread upon the waters of the sea: the disciples yield to the evidence, and confess their faith. They were suitably affected, and worshipped Christ. He that comes to God, must believe; and he that believes in God, will come, ( Hebrews 11:6 ) .

Verses 34-36 Whithersoever Christ went, he was doing good. They brought unto him all that were diseased. They came humbly beseeching him to help them. The experiences of others may direct and encourage us in seeking for Christ. As many as touched, were made perfectly whole. Those whom Christ heals, he heals perfectly. Were men more acquainted with Christ, and with the diseased state of their souls, they would flock to receive his healing influences. The healing virtue was not in the finger, but in their faith; or rather, it was in Christ, whom their faith took hold upon.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit. 'the:' see ch. 15.12.
• [b]. As nearly as possible 'operate in him.' The passage has a certain reflexive force as in French, s'operent par lui. I have sought to preserve this by adding 'their force:' the difficulty partly arises from the word which is used for the effects of power, being the plural of power itself, because the power which wrought is more seen than the effects. 'Powers' and 'miracles' are the same in Greek. Hence it may be translated, 'these powers operate in him;' but its reflexive force is, I doubt not, the true one. For the sense, however, I should not object to 'display themselves in him.'
• [c]. Imperfect tense. Lit. 'kept on saying.' See Mark 6.18, and cf. Mark 1.45.
• [d]. Or 'instructed.'
• [e]. Or 'praised.' 'gave thanks.'
• [f]. See Note. ch. 16.9.
• [g]. Here, as noticed already, 'the mountain' is in contrast with the plain, so of 'the ship.' It is not 'a mountain,' but he left the low ground by the sea and went up: see Note, ch. 4.21.