Gospel of Matthew

Compiled by WD Kemner January 2024

CHAPTER 14

Feed 5000 and Walk on Water

Death of John the Baptist

Matthew Chapter 14 verses 1-12

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 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.

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

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. And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Death of John the Baptist at the hands of Herod is recounted because Herod hears of the fame of Jesus and believes he could be John the Baptist back from the dead.

Feeding the 5000 Plus

Artwork copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos

Matthew Chapter 14 verses 13-21

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13

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. And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

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.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. He said, Bring them hither to me 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.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

Learning of John’s death Jesus withdraws to a desert place but is followed by multitudes. Jesus healed those that were sick but it became time to eat. Jesus fed the crowds with only five loaves and two fish. The people all ate and were FILLED!

The leftovers filled 12 baskets. 5000 men were fed.  Add all the women and children to that number and it goes up dramatically. Understand that there were likely “single adults” in the crowd, but imagine at least 1 spouse or 1 child each, the number doubles to 10,000 people fed with one basket of fish and loaves!

Walking on Water

Artwork copyrighted and used courtesy of Artist Alex Pokos

Matthew Chapter 14 verses 22-23

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:45-46; John 6:14-15

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. 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.

He now tells them to get in the boat and go before him unto the other side, while he stayed and sent the crowds away.  Did they not wonder why? Was that not unusual that he would be the one to stay behind and deal with the crowds?  Then what?  Would he travel alone by another boat?

He went up into a mountain alone to pray.  That is not heard often when this story is told. When he goes to join the disciples, he was not coming directly from the beach where they had left him.

Matthew Chapter 14 verses 24-33

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:47-52; John 6:16-21

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

Ship was already in the midst of a storm when Jesus comes to join them. Jesus goes to them during the fourth watch.  This would be sometime between 3-6 AM. Imagine being a disciple and wondering why Jesus had sent them into the storm and by the way where was he at this hour?

Then suddenly seeing Jesus walking to them on the water. Peter attempts to do so.  We often hear this story related to the “faith” or lack of it that Peter had when stepping out onto the water. What about the other men in the boat?  They never even asked or stepped out of the boat.

The very “moment” they were back in the boat, the wind stopped!  There was only one reason the wind had been blowing and now it no longer needed to because the lesson had been taught!

Matthew Chapter 14 verses 34-36

Parallel Passages: Mark 6:53-56

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. 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; And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Once on the other side at Gennesaret, the people there had enough faith to believe that all they had to do was touch the garment of Jesus to be healed. What FAITH, just after the disciples had learned their lesson in the boat getting there!