Matthew 14:22

22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people.

Matthew 14:22 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 14:22

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples
As soon as ever he had wrought the above miracle, and perceived that the people were so convinced by it, of his being the Messiah, that they were determined, whether he would or not, to set him up for a temporal king, to deliver them from the Roman yoke; which they doubted not he was able to do, who could feed so large a number, with such a small quantity of provision; see ( John 6:14 John 6:15 ) and knowing also, that his disciples had imbibed the same notion of a temporal kingdom, were very fond of it, and big with expectation thereof; and would have readily encouraged the populace, and joined with them in such an action: wherefore, in all haste, he hurried them away, obliged them to depart, lest any step should be taken, which might be of dangerous consequence to them, and the people: it looks as if the disciples were bent upon the same thing, and that it was with much difficulty and reluctance they were brought off of it. Christ was forced to use his power and authority; and order them directly

to get into a ship;
very likely, the same they came over in;

and to go before him unto the other side
of the lake of Tiberias or sea of Galilee, over against Bethsaida, to Capernaum, or the land of Gennesaret;

while he sent the multitudes away:
who would not so easily have been prevailed upon to have departed, if Christ had not first shipped off his disciples; for had he withdrawn himself, and left his disciples with them, they would have been in hopes of his return, and would have continued in a body with them, in expectation of it; and therefore, the better to disperse them, and prevent their designs, he sends away his disciples before him.

Matthew 14:22 In-Context

20 So all ate, and were fully satisfied. The broken portions that remained over they gathered up, filling twelve baskets.

21 Those who had eaten were about 5,000 adult men, without reckoning women and children.

22 Immediately afterwards He made the disciples go on board the boat and cross to the opposite shore, leaving Him to dismiss the people.

23 When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone.

24 Meanwhile the boat was far out on the Lake, buffeted and tossed by the waves, the wind being adverse.