Matthew 14
CHAPTER 14
Herod murders John the Baptist
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, 2 and said to his servants: This is John the Baptist! He has risen from the dead and therefore do these powers work in him.
3 For Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 For John had said 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 at Herod's birthday party, the daughter of Herodias danced before all and pleased Herod. 7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. 8 And she, being encouraged by her mother, said: Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 9 And the king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent word 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 away the corpse and buried him, and they went and told Jesus.
Jesus feeds 5000 men plus their families
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place to be alone; but when the crowds heard, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 And when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying: This place is deserted and the day is now over. Send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy for themselves food. 16 But Jesus said to them: They need not go away. You give them something to eat. 17 And they say to him: We have here only five loaves and two fishes. 18 And he said: Bring them here to me. 19 And he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fishes and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples and the disciples to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were filled, and they collected what was left over of the broken pieces- twelve baskets full! 21 And they that ate, besides women and children, were about five thousand men.
Jesus walks on the water
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the sea, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking upon the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were disturbed, saying: It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying: Be of good cheer. It is I! Be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered, and said: Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you by walking on the water. 29 And he said: Come. And Peter got out of the boat and walked upon the water to go to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind was strong, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying: Lord, save me! 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him and said to him: O you of little faith, why did you doubt? 32 And when they boarded the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And they that were in the boat worshipped him, saying: Of a truth you are the Son of God.
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognised him, they sent word to all in that region and brought to him all who were sick, 36 and they pleaded with him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Commentary
14:4 Should we therefore also rebuke unbelievers for their breaking of God’s law? God feels every breach of His law, by whomsoever. His sensitivity, and thereby His pain, sorrow and joy at obedience is far greater than we can perceive.
14:16 Jesus knew this was impossible for them to do. But He asks them to do it, in order they might learn that whatever little we have can be used by Him; and He challenges our faith and horizons likewise.
14:19 The food was mediated through the disciples; just as His salvation of others is mediated to them through our hands. Note the similarities with how Jesus ‘broke bread’ at the communion service. The way Jesus prayed with open eyes looking up to Heaven reflects His good conscience with God. Can we do that?
14:23 The way Jesus sent the people away is a window into the power of His personality, the strength of His will and mind.
14:26 The disciples went back to their beliefs in ghosts. People still hold wrong understandings even after they come to Christ.
14:28 If- Peter knew that only Jesus would ask such a demanding thing. That’s His style. We see it in our lives too.
14:30 Peter only saw the wind because he must’ve taken his eyes off Jesus and looked at something blowing in the wind- maybe he looked back to the boat. We too will sink if we take our eyes off Jesus.
