Matthew 14 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Matthew 14

The Death of John the Baptist

14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “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 Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,¹ 4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6 But when Herod’s birthday 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 his 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, he 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 saw a great crowd, and he 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; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you 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, he looked up to heaven and said 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 Immediately he made 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, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way² from the land,³ beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night⁴ he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do 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 walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,⁵ he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Footnotes

[1] 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother’s wife
[2] 14:24 Greek many stadia, a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
[3] 14:24 Some manuscripts was out on the sea
[4] 14:25 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
[5] 14:30 Some manuscripts strong wind

Commentary

v1-2: Herod's ignorance of spiritual things, yet he knows there are "miraculous powers" at work in Jesus. Something is happening beyond his understanding; no wonder he later mocks Jesus. Such is a common response to truly spiritual things.

v3-4: John's self-sacrifice, being prepared to go to prison for his message. The faithful prophet is unpopular because people prefer their sins.

v5: Herod wants to get rid of John, but he has popularity amongst the common people. If Herod kills him, there may be unrest.

v6-8: Ultimately, we see Herod's preference for physical things. Herodias brings her influence to bear, at the price of John's life.

v9-12: See Mark 6.20; Herod is clearly impressed by John, which Matthew does not emphasise. But Herod is not so impressed as to repent of his sins.

John's disciples honour John by burying him, and reporting events to Jesus; where else can they go?

v13-14: Jesus sought a solitary place, but the people followed. They go to a desert place, itself an act of faith, trusting Jesus to provide for them. He sees the crowd not as an achievement, but as an opportunity. He sees them as needy individuals, treating them as individual. Here He can demonstrate His character and meet their needs. He is moved with compassion, and meets their needs, healing them, teaching them, and feeding them.

v15-21: The opportunity; to feed the people, to model godly living to the Twelve; not to send the people away, giving thanks, feeding the multitude; all demonstrates grace in action.

v22: Temporary separation from the disciples, and therefore a test for them. Jesus knows what is going to happen, and is in total control of events.

v23-24: Jesus makes the time to be alone with the Father. Some say, 'He needed to pray;' it is better to think, 'He always communed with the Father.'

v25: He treads the waves of the sea, Job 9.8. Such is the power of God; can any mistake Jesus Christ for the Messiah?

Jesus comes to the disciples in the fourth watch, ie: in the early morning; they have therefore endured the storm for several hours.

v26-27: The disciples have already witnessed many great things, but here is something different, a 'private' wonder, to encourage their faith, see v33.

v28-31: Peter is inspired to walk on the water; he makes a few steps before sinking, but here is a lesson learnt; the impossible may now be possible, through faith in Christ. The Lord brings a gentle rebuke.

‘That faith and doubting may at the same time have their residence in the same soul.’ (John Bunyan, Come and Welcome to Jesus Christ)

v32: The trial is over, the wind has ceased, they are safe together.

v33: The disciples grow in their estimation of Jesus, and will they also grow in faith?

v34-36: See 8.28-34; Jesus returns to find the people much more willing to receive Him than during His first visit; presumably the testimony of the demon-possessed man made the difference.