Matthew 14:34

34 On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret.

Matthew 14:34 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 14:34

And when they were gone over
That is, "the sea", as Munster's Hebrew Gospel adds, the sea of Tiberias, or Galilee;

they came into the land of Gennesaret;
the same with Cinnereth, or Chinnereth, or Cinnerot, ( Numbers 34:11 ) ( Deuteronomy 3:17 ) ( Joshua 11:2 ) ( 12:3 ) ( 13:27 ) ( 1 Kings 15:20 ) in all which places, the Chaldee paraphrase renders it by (rownyg) , "Ginusar", the same word that is used in Munster's Hebrew Gospel here: it was a country in Galilee, in the tribe of Naphtali ^F25, bordering upon a lake, called the lake of Gennesaret; taking its name from the country, or the country from the lake: it was exceeding fruitful, full of gardens and orchards; hence we often read in the Talmud ^F26, of (rowng twryp) , "the fruits of Genusar", or Gennesaret, which are said to be exceeding sweet: and it is said to ^F1 be a country in the land of Israel, in which were many gardens; and by others ^F2, a place in the land of Galilee (as it was) whose fruits were large and good; and was, as Josephus says {c}, thirty furlongs long and twenty broad. And thus the saints, after a long and troublesome passage over the sea of this world, arrive, at last, safe at their desired haven, and enter upon a most delightful country, a paradise, a garden of pleasure; where all delicious fruits and desirable things are enjoyed, even pleasures for evermore; where they shall be led to fountains of living waters, into fulness of joy; where all troubles will cease, and tears will be wiped away; and when they will have leisure and capacity to reflect upon all they have met with in their dangerous, and difficult voyage; and will admire the wonderful grace of God, which has been with them; and his divine power, which has appeared for them, and supported them, and brought them safe to eternal glory; and they ascribe greatness to Christ, as the Son of God, and for ever worship him as the eternal Jehovah, who has done such great things for them, as none but God can do.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F25 Targum Jon. in Deut. xxxiii. 23.
F26 T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 44. 1. Erubim, fol. 30. 1. & Pesachim, fol. 8. 2. Vid. Jarchi in Isa. xxviii. 1. & Kimchi in Josh. xi. & in 1 Kings xv. 20.
F1 Maimon. in Misn. Maaserot, c. 3. sect. 7.
F2 Bartenora, in ib.
F3 De Bello Jud. 1. 3. c. 35.

Matthew 14:34 In-Context

32 The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down.

33 The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, "This is it! You are God's Son for sure!"

34 On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret.

35 When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick,

36 who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.