1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put [him] in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded [it] to be given [her].
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought [it] to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
13 When Jesus heard [of it], he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard [thereof], they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to [his] disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth [his] hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Overview of Matthew Chapter 14
Matthew Chapter 14 is a pivotal chapter in the Gospel of Matthew, containing significant events that illustrate Jesus’ ministry, His miracles, and the growing tension between Him and the religious authorities. The chapter is divided into several key sections, each highlighting different aspects of Jesus’ mission and the responses of those around Him.
Key Events in Matthew Chapter 14
- The Death of John the Baptist
- The Feeding of the Five Thousand
- Jesus Walks on Water
- Healing the Sick in Gennesaret
The Death of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)
This section begins with King Herod hearing about the miracles of Jesus and mistakenly believing that John the Baptist has risen from the dead. The narrative recounts the events leading to John’s execution, emphasizing Herod’s fear and guilt over having beheaded him at the request of Herodias, his wife’s daughter.
- Herod’s Perception of Jesus
- The Backstory of John’s Imprisonment
- The Dance of Herodias’ Daughter
- Herod’s Reluctant Decision
- John’s Disciples’ Response
This passage serves to highlight the conflict between the prophetic voice of John and the political authority of Herod, illustrating the dangers faced by those who challenge corrupt power.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21)
In this miraculous event, Jesus feeds a large crowd of five thousand men, plus women and children, with just five loaves of bread and two fish. This miracle is significant for several reasons:
- Demonstration of Jesus’ Compassion: Jesus sees the crowd and feels compassion for them, indicating His deep care for their physical and spiritual needs.
- Miraculous Provision: The miracle showcases Jesus’ divine authority and ability to provide abundantly, foreshadowing the spiritual nourishment He offers.
- Involvement of the Disciples: Jesus involves His disciples in the process, teaching them about service and faith.
The feeding of the five thousand is one of the few miracles recorded in all four Gospels, underscoring its importance in the early Christian community.
Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)
This passage describes a dramatic moment when Jesus walks on water to reach His disciples, who are struggling against the waves in a boat. Key elements include:
- Jesus’ Solitude: After the miracle of feeding the multitude, Jesus retreats to pray alone, emphasizing His need for communion with the Father.
- The Disciples’ Fear: The disciples initially mistake Jesus for a ghost, illustrating their lack of understanding and fear in the face of the supernatural.
- Peter’s Boldness: Peter asks to walk on water to Jesus, demonstrating both faith and doubt, as he begins to sink when he takes his eyes off Jesus.
- Jesus’ Assurance: Jesus reassures Peter and saves him, highlighting His power over nature and His willingness to rescue those who call on Him.
This event reinforces the theme of faith amid fear and the recognition of Jesus’ divine nature.
Healing the Sick in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36)
The chapter concludes with Jesus arriving in Gennesaret, where the people recognize Him and bring their sick to be healed. Key points include:
- Recognition of Jesus’ Authority: The people of Gennesaret recognize Jesus’ healing power and respond with faith by seeking Him out.
- Miraculous Healings: All who touch the fringe of His garment are healed, symbolizing the power of faith and the accessibility of Jesus’ healing.
This final section emphasizes the widespread impact of Jesus’ ministry and the faith of the people, reinforcing the theme of Jesus as the Messiah who brings healing and restoration.
Thematic Analysis
Matthew Chapter 14 explores several themes central to the Gospel:
- Faith and Doubt: The chapter illustrates the journey of faith, particularly through Peter’s experience on the water.
- Divine Provision: The feeding of the five thousand highlights God’s ability to provide for physical and spiritual needs.
- Authority of Jesus: The miracles demonstrate Jesus’ authority over nature, illness, and even death.
- Response to Jesus: The varying responses of Herod, the disciples, and the people of Gennesaret reflect different levels of understanding and faith.
Conclusion
Matthew Chapter 14 serves as a crucial chapter in understanding the nature of Jesus’ ministry, the challenges faced by His followers, and the profound impact of His miracles. Through the events of this chapter, readers are invited to reflect on their own faith and the ways in which Jesus continues to provide and heal in their lives.
