Matthew 14

1 At that tyme Herod the tetrarcha hearde of the fame of Iesu

2 and sayde vnto his servautes: This is Ihon ye baptist. He is risen agayne from deeth and therfore are soche myracles wrought by him.

3 For Herod had taken Ihon and bounde him and put him in preson for Herodias sake his brother Philips wyfe.

4 For Ihon sayde vnto him: Yt is not lawfull for the to have her.

5 And when he wold have put him to deeth he feared the people because they counted him as a prophet.

6 But when Herodes birth daye was come the doughter of Herodias daunsed before them and pleased Herod.

7 Wherfore he promised wt an oth that he wolde geve hir whatsoever she wolde axe.

8 And she beinge informed of her mother before sayde: geve me here Ihon baptistes heed in a platter.

9 And ye kynge sorowed. Neverthelesse for his othes sake and for their sakis which sate also at ye table he comaunded yt to be geven hir:

10 and sent and beheeded Ihon in the preson

11 and his heed was brought in a platter and geven to the damsell and she brought it to her mother.

12 And his disciples came and toke vp his body and buryed it: and went and tolde Iesus.

13 When Iesus hearde that he departed thence by shippe in to a desert place out of ye waye. And when the people had hearde therof they folowed him afote out of their cities.

14 And Iesus went forth and sawe moche people and his herte did melte vpon them and he healed of them those that were sicke.

15 When even was come his disciples came to him sayinge. This is a deserte place and the daye is spent: let the people departe yt they maye go into ye tounes and bye them vytayllis.

16 But Iesus sayde vnto them. They have no neade to go awaye. Geve ye the to eate.

17 Then sayde they vnto him: we have here but .v. loves and two fysshes.

18 And he sayde: bringe the hyther to me.

19 And he comaunded ye people to syt downe on ye grasse: and toke ye .v. loves and the .ii. fysshes and loked vp to heven and blessed and brake and gave the loves to his disciples and the disciples gave them to ye people.

20 And they dyd all eate and were suffised. And they gadered vp of ye gobbetes that remayned vii. basketes full.

21 And they yt ate werein nobre about .v.M. men besyde wemen and chyldren.

22 And strayght waye Iesus made his disciples enter into a shippe and to goo over before him whill he sent ye people awaye.

23 And assone as he had sent the people awaye he went vp into a moutayne alone to praye. And when nyght was come he was there himsilf alone.

24 And the shippe was now in the middes of the see and was toost with waves for it was a cotrary wynde.

25 In the fourthe watche of ye night Iesus came vnto them walkynge on the see.

26 And when his disciples sawe him walkynge on the see they were troubled sayinge: it is some spirite and cryed out for feare.

27 And streyght waye Iesus spake vnto them sayinge: be of god cheare it is I be not afrayed.

28 Peter answered him and sayde: master if thou be he bid me come vnto the on the water.

29 And he sayde come. And when Peter was come doune out of ye shippe he walked on ye water to go to Iesus.

30 But when he sawe a myghty wynde he was afrayed. And as he beganne to synke he cryed sayinge: master save me.

31 And immediatly Iesus stretched forth his hode and caught him and sayde to him: O thou of lytell faith wherfore diddest thou dout?

32 And assone as they were come in to ye shippe ye wynde ceassed.

33 Then they that were in the shippe came and worshipped him sayinge: of a truth thou arte ye sonne of God.

34 And when they were come over they went in to ye londe of Genazareth.

35 And when ye men of yt place had knowledge of him they sent out in to all yt countre rounde about and brought vnto him all that were sicke

36 and besought him that they myght touche the hemme of his vesture only. And as many as touched it were made safe.

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.