Matthew 14

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The Death of John the Baptist

1 ¹At that time ²Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,

2 and he said to his servants, ³"This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."

3 For ⁴Herod had seized John and bound him and ⁵put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,^[a]

4 because John had been saying to him, ⁶"It is not lawful for you to have her."

5 And though he wanted to put him to death, ⁷he feared the people, because they held him to be ⁸a prophet.

6 But when Herod's ⁹birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,

7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter."

9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.

10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,

11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12 And ¹⁰his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard this, ¹¹he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.

14 When he went ashore he ¹²saw a great crowd, and ¹³he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; ¹⁴send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves."

16 But Jesus said, "They need not go away; ¹⁵you give them something to eat."

17 They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish."

18 And he said, "Bring them here to me."

19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, ¹⁶he looked up to heaven and ¹⁷said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 ¹⁸Immediately he ¹⁹made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, ²⁰he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When ²¹evening came, he was there alone,

24 but the boat by this time was a long way^[b] from the land,^[c] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.

25 And ²²in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, ²³they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ²⁴"Take heart; it is I. ²⁵Do not be afraid."

28 And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water."

29 He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and ²⁶walked on the water and came to Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind,^[d] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ²⁷"Lord, save me."

31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ²⁸"O you of little faith, why did you ²⁹doubt?"

32 And when they got into the boat, ³⁰the wind ceased.

33 And ³¹those in the boat ³²worshiped him, saying, ³³"Truly you are ³⁴the Son of God."

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34 ³⁵And when they had crossed over, they came to land at ³⁶Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and ³⁷brought to him all who were sick

36 and implored him that they might only touch ³⁸the fringe of his garment. And ³⁹as many as touched it were made well.

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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.

Taken from Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Concise)

Cross References 39

1. For ver. 1-12, see Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9
2. Luke 3:1; Acts 13:1
3. Matthew 16:14
4. Luke 3:19, 20
5. Matthew 11:2; John 3:24
6. Leviticus 18:16; Leviticus 20:21
7. Matthew 21:26; [Matthew 21:46]
8. See Matthew 11:9
9. Genesis 40:20
10. See Matthew 9:14
11. For ver. 13-21, see Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13; [Matthew 15:32-38; Matthew 16:9; Mark 8:2-9]
12. [Matthew 9:36]
13. [Matthew 9:36]
14. ver. 22; [Matthew 15:23]
15. [2 Kings 4:42-44]
16. Mark 7:34; John 11:41; John 17:1
17. Matthew 26:26; 1 Samuel 9:13; Mark 8:7; Mark 14:22; Luke 24:30; [1 Corinthians 14:16]
18. For ver. 22-33, see Mark 6:45-51; John 6:15-21
19. [Matthew 8:18]
20. Luke 6:12; Luke 9:28; [Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16]
21. [Mark 13:35]
22. [See ver. 22 above]
23. [Luke 24:37]
24. Matthew 17:7; [Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:1, 2; John 16:33]
25. Matthew 17:7; [Deuteronomy 31:6; Isaiah 41:13; Isaiah 43:1, 2; John 16:33]
26. [John 21:7]
27. [Matthew 8:25, 26]
28. See Matthew 6:30
29. [James 1:6]
30. [See ver. 30 above]
31. ver. 22
32. See Matthew 8:2
33. [John 6:14]
34. Matthew 16:16; Matthew 26:63; Psalms 2:7; Mark 1:1; Luke 1:35; Luke 4:41; John 1:49; John 10:36; John 11:27; John 20:31; [Matthew 3:17]
35. For ver. 34-36, see Mark 6:53-56; [John 6:24, 25]
36. Luke 5:1
37. Matthew 4:24
38. See Matthew 9:20
39. Mark 3:10; Luke 6:19; [Acts 5:15]