Matthew 14

1 in illo tempore audiit Herodes tetrarcha famam Iesu

2 et ait pueris suis hic est Iohannes Baptista ipse surrexit a mortuis et ideo virtutes inoperantur in eo

3 Herodes enim tenuit Iohannem et alligavit eum et posuit in carcere propter Herodiadem uxorem fratris sui

4 dicebat enim illi Iohannes non licet tibi habere eam

5 et volens illum occidere timuit populum quia sicut prophetam eum habebant

6 die autem natalis Herodis saltavit filia Herodiadis in medio et placuit Herodi

7 unde cum iuramento pollicitus est ei dare quodcumque postulasset ab eo

8 at illa praemonita a matre sua da mihi inquit hic in disco caput Iohannis Baptistae

9 et contristatus est rex propter iuramentum autem et eos qui pariter recumbebant iussit dari

10 misitque et decollavit Iohannem in carcere

11 et adlatum est caput eius in disco et datum est puellae et tulit matri suae

12 et accedentes discipuli eius tulerunt corpus et sepelierunt illud et venientes nuntiaverunt Iesu

13 quod cum audisset Iesus secessit inde in navicula in locum desertum seorsum et cum audissent turbae secutae sunt eum pedestres de civitatibus

14 et exiens vidit turbam multam et misertus est eius et curavit languidos eorum

15 vespere autem facto accesserunt ad eum discipuli eius dicentes desertus est locus et hora iam praeteriit dimitte turbas ut euntes in castella emant sibi escas

16 Iesus autem dixit eis non habent necesse ire date illis vos manducare

17 responderunt ei non habemus hic nisi quinque panes et duos pisces

18 qui ait eis adferte illos mihi huc

19 et cum iussisset turbam discumbere supra faenum acceptis quinque panibus et duobus piscibus aspiciens in caelum benedixit et fregit et dedit discipulis panes discipuli autem turbis

20 et manducaverunt omnes et saturati sunt et tulerunt reliquias duodecim cofinos fragmentorum plenos

21 manducantium autem fuit numerus quinque milia virorum exceptis mulieribus et parvulis

22 et statim iussit discipulos ascendere in navicula et praecedere eum trans fretum donec dimitteret turbas

23 et dimissa turba ascendit in montem solus orare vespere autem facto solus erat ibi

24 navicula autem in medio mari iactabatur fluctibus erat enim contrarius ventus

25 quarta autem vigilia noctis venit ad eos ambulans supra mare

26 et videntes eum supra mare ambulantem turbati sunt dicentes quia fantasma est et prae timore clamaverunt

27 statimque Iesus locutus est eis dicens habete fiduciam ego sum nolite timere

28 respondens autem Petrus dixit Domine si tu es iube me venire ad te super aquas

29 at ipse ait veni et descendens Petrus de navicula ambulabat super aquam ut veniret ad Iesum

30 videns vero ventum validum timuit et cum coepisset mergi clamavit dicens Domine salvum me fac

31 et continuo Iesus extendens manum adprehendit eum et ait illi modicae fidei quare dubitasti

32 et cum ascendissent in naviculam cessavit ventus

33 qui autem in navicula erant venerunt et adoraverunt eum dicentes vere Filius Dei es

34 et cum transfretassent venerunt in terram Gennesar

35 et cum cognovissent eum viri loci illius miserunt in universam regionem illam et obtulerunt ei omnes male habentes

36 et rogabant eum ut vel fimbriam vestimenti eius tangerent et quicumque tetigerunt salvi facti sunt

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.