Matthew 14
BSB1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted 10 and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. 11 John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16 “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat." 17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. 18 “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. 19 And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children. 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24 but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid." 28 “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water." 29 “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?" 32 And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!" 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him 36 and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
Study Notes — Matthew 14
- Chapter Summary
- Context for the Chapter
- Heart Application
- What Does This Chapter Mean?
- Voices from the Church
- Outline for Preaching
- Core Doctrines
- Lessons from Matthew 14
- Themes from Matthew 14
- Questions for Meditation
- Detailed Chapter Outline
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Top Cross References
- Sermons on Matthew 14
- Matthew Henry Commentary
- What Do You Notice?
Chapter Summary
Matthew 14 begins with the beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod, followed by Jesus' withdrawal to a solitary place after hearing the news. However, the crowds follow Him, and He miraculously feeds 5,000 men with five loaves of bread and two fish. Later, Jesus walks on water to meet His disciples, who are struggling against a strong wind, and calms the storm. The chapter also records the healing of many people in the region of Gennesaret and Jesus' teaching on the importance of inner purity and faith. Key verses, such as Matthew 14:28-31, highlight Jesus' power and authority, while also emphasizing the need for faith and trust in Him.
Context for the Chapter
Matthew 14 is situated in the midst of Jesus' Galilean ministry, where He is preaching, teaching, and performing miracles. The chapter follows the events of Matthew 13, where Jesus teaches in parables, and precedes the events of Matthew 15, where Jesus interacts with the Pharisees and teaches about inner purity. The chapter is also connected to the broader narrative of the Gospel of Matthew, which emphasizes Jesus' role as the Messiah and Savior of Israel.
Heart Application
As believers, we can apply the lessons of Matthew 14 by trusting in Jesus' power and authority, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. We can also seek to follow Jesus' example of compassion and care for others, demonstrating His love and redemption to a world in need. By faith, we can overcome the challenges of life and experience the peace and joy that come from knowing and following Jesus.
What Does This Chapter Mean?
Matthew 14 teaches us about Jesus' power and authority, as well as the importance of faith and trust in Him. We see this in the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) and Jesus walking on water (Matthew 14:22-33). The chapter reminds us that Jesus is the Son of God, with the power to provide for our needs and calm our fears.
Voices from the Church
“The feeding of the 5,000 is a reminder that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and that He can satisfy our deepest spiritual hungers.”
— Charles Spurgeon
“The miracle of Jesus walking on water serves as a powerful reminder of His divine authority and power over creation.”
— John Calvin
Outline for Preaching
- The Beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12) — The chapter begins with the tragic event of John the Baptist's beheading, highlighting the darkness and sin of the world.
- The Feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21) — Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish, demonstrating His power and authority.
- Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33) — Jesus walks on water to meet His disciples, who are struggling against a strong wind, and calms the storm.
- The Healing of the Sick in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36) — Jesus heals many people in the region of Gennesaret, demonstrating His compassion and care for the crowds.
- Jesus' Teaching on Inner Purity (Matthew 15:1-20) — Jesus teaches about the importance of inner purity and faith, emphasizing the need for believers to examine their hearts and motivations.
Core Doctrines
- The Divinity of Christ
- Matthew 14 emphasizes Jesus' divine authority and power, as seen in His miracles and teachings.
- The Importance of Faith
- The chapter highlights the need for faith and trust in Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
- The Compassion of Christ
- Jesus' care and concern for the crowds, as seen in His feeding of the 5,000 and healing of the sick, demonstrate His compassion and love for humanity.
- The Authority of Scripture
- The chapter emphasizes the importance of following Jesus' teachings and commands, as seen in the disciples' obedience to Jesus' instruction to get into the boat.
Lessons from Matthew 14
- The Importance of Faith and Trust — The chapter emphasizes the need for believers to trust in Jesus' power and authority, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
- The Power of Compassion and Care — Jesus' care and concern for the crowds serve as a model for Christian leaders and believers, emphasizing the importance of empathy, guidance, and support in the spiritual journey.
- The Authority of Jesus' Teachings — The chapter highlights the importance of following Jesus' teachings and commands, as seen in the disciples' obedience to Jesus' instruction to get into the boat.
- The Relationship Between Jesus and His Disciples — The chapter portrays Jesus' close relationship with His disciples, who are struggling to understand and follow Him.
- The Contrast Between Herod's World and Jesus' Kingdom — The chapter begins with the brutal beheading of John the Baptist, highlighting the darkness and sin of the world, and contrasts it with Jesus' ministry of compassion, love, and redemption.
Themes from Matthew 14
- Faith and Trust — The chapter emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity.
- Compassion and Care — Jesus' care and concern for the crowds serve as a model for Christian leaders and believers, emphasizing the importance of empathy, guidance, and support in the spiritual journey.
- Authority and Power — The chapter highlights Jesus' divine authority and power, as seen in His miracles and teachings.
- Redemption and Salvation — The chapter reinforces the message of salvation and redemption, emphasizing Jesus' role as the Messiah and Savior of Israel.
- Spiritual Growth and Development — The chapter teaches us about the importance of spiritual growth and development, as seen in the disciples' journey with Jesus and their struggles to understand and follow Him.
Questions for Meditation
- What does the beheading of John the Baptist reveal about the spiritual battle between light and darkness?
- How does Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 demonstrate His power and authority?
- What can we learn from Jesus' interaction with Peter in Matthew 14:28-31?
- How does Jesus' teaching on inner purity relate to our daily lives as believers?
- What does the chapter teach us about the importance of faith and trust in Jesus?
Detailed Chapter Outline
1. The Beheading of John the Baptist (Matthew 14:1-12)
| 14:1 | The chapter begins with the tragic event of John the Baptist's beheading, highlighting the darkness and sin of the world. |
| 14:2 | Herod's fear of John the Baptist and his subsequent beheading demonstrate the spiritual battle between light and darkness. |
2. The Feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21)
| 14:13 | Jesus feeds the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish, demonstrating His power and authority. |
| 14:14 | The disciples' concern for the crowds and Jesus' response highlight the importance of compassion and care in the spiritual journey. |
3. Jesus Walks on Water (Matthew 14:22-33)
| 14:22 | Jesus walks on water to meet His disciples, who are struggling against a strong wind, and calms the storm. |
| 14:23 | The disciples' fear and Jesus' response demonstrate the importance of faith and trust in Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. |
4. The Healing of the Sick in Gennesaret (Matthew 14:34-36)
| 14:34 | Jesus heals many people in the region of Gennesaret, demonstrating His compassion and care for the crowds. |
| 14:35 | The crowds' response to Jesus' healing ministry highlights the importance of faith and trust in Jesus. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the significance of the beheading of John the Baptist in Matthew 14?
The beheading of John the Baptist serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between light and darkness, and the importance of standing firm in one's faith, even in the face of adversity (Matthew 14:1-12).
How does Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 demonstrate His power and authority?
Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 with five loaves of bread and two fish demonstrates His power and authority, as well as His compassion and care for the crowds (Matthew 14:13-21).
What can we learn from Jesus' interaction with Peter in Matthew 14:28-31?
Jesus' interaction with Peter teaches us about the importance of faith and trust in Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity, and the need to overcome our doubts and fears (Matthew 14:28-31).
Top Cross References
| Reference | Connection | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matthew 14:1 → Mark 6:14-29 | The beheading of John the Baptist is also recorded in Mark 6:14-29, highlighting the spiritual battle between light and darkness. |
| 2 | Matthew 14:13 → Luke 9:10-17 | The feeding of the 5,000 is also recorded in Luke 9:10-17, demonstrating Jesus' power and authority. |
| 3 | Matthew 14:22 → John 6:16-21 | Jesus' walking on water is also recorded in John 6:16-21, highlighting His divine authority and power. |
| 4 | Matthew 14:1 → Genesis 37:20-36 | The beheading of John the Baptist is reminiscent of the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers (Genesis 37:20-36). |
| 5 | Matthew 14:13 → 2 Kings 4:42-44 | The feeding of the 5,000 is similar to the story of Elisha feeding the 100 men with 20 loaves of bread (2 Kings 4:42-44). |
| 6 | Matthew 14:22 → Job 9:8 | Jesus' walking on water is reminiscent of God's power and authority, as seen in Job 9:8, where God is described as the one who 'treads on the waves of the sea'. |
| 7 | Matthew 14:1 → Isaiah 40:3 | The beheading of John the Baptist is a fulfillment of Isaiah's prophecy, which speaks of a voice crying in the wilderness, preparing the way for the Lord (Isaiah 40:3). |
| 8 | Matthew 14:13 → Psalm 107:23-32 | The feeding of the 5,000 is reminiscent of God's provision for the Israelites in the wilderness, as seen in Psalm 107:23-32. |
Sermons on Matthew 14
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
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Brother Yun - Heavenly Man by Brother Yun | In this sermon, the speaker shares his personal experience of losing his first love for God while being caught up in the busyness of ministry. He emphasizes that past obedience is |
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(Nicaragua) Do You Really Believe in Miracles? by David Wilkerson | In this sermon, the speaker discusses the disciples' lack of understanding and belief in miracles, despite witnessing and participating in them. The speaker refers to the account i |
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Distractions Are Dangerous by Warren Wiersbe | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the story of Jesus calling four fishermen, including Peter, to be his disciples. He highlights the significance of Jesus using fishing as a |
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How This Ministry of Healing Came Into Being by Kathryn Kuhlman | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of having faith in God and not focusing on the circumstances or problems we face. He reminds the listeners that their faith i |
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Beginning of the End by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the Feeding of the Five Thousand, where Jesus teaches his disciples a valuable lesson. The preacher emphasizes the importance of giving every |
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Anahiem Talk on Revival by Leonard Ravenhill | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the importance of having a three-fold vision. He shares a story about a Welshman named Stephen Jeffries who was able to elicit a response fro |
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The Aroma of Prayer by Jim Cymbala | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of prayer and its transformative power in people's lives. He shares his personal journey of learning about prayer and witnessi |
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Beginning to Sink by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, Dr. Ireland Redpath discusses the story of Peter walking on water in Matthew 14:30. He highlights how Peter's defeat was reversed when Jesus took him by the hand an |
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Be Filled With the Holy Spirit - Part 3 by Jackie Pullinger | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of receiving the promise of power from God. He refers to Acts 2 and the prophecy of Joel, stating that God has poured out a vi |
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Brokenness Study #3 - the Process by Charles Stanley | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding God's targeting of our areas of brokenness. Brokenness, according to the speaker, is God's way of dealing wit |
Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Matthew 14
In Matthew 14, we see the tragic event of John the Baptist's beheading, which serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between light and darkness. Jesus' feeding of the 5,000 and His walking on water demonstrate His power and authority, as well as His compassion and care for the crowds. The chapter teaches us about the importance of faith and trust in Jesus, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity, and serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and provision in our lives. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The feeding of the 5,000 is a reminder that Jesus is the Bread of Life, and that He can satisfy our deepest spiritual hungers.' Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →
What Do You Notice?
The Contrast Between Herod's World and Jesus' Kingdom
The chapter begins with the brutal beheading of John the Baptist by King Herod, highlighting the darkness and sin of the world. In contrast, Jesus' ministry is marked by compassion, love, and redemption. This contrast serves as a reminder of the spiritual battle between light and darkness, and the importance of seeking refuge in Jesus' kingdom.
The Importance of Faith and Trust
Throughout the chapter, Jesus emphasizes the need for faith and trust in Him, even in the face of uncertainty and adversity. This is seen in His interactions with the disciples, particularly Peter, who is encouraged to have faith in Jesus' power and authority.
The Relationship Between Jesus and His Disciples
The chapter highlights the close relationship between Jesus and His disciples, who are struggling to understand and follow Him. Jesus' compassion and care for His disciples serve as a model for Christian leaders and believers, emphasizing the importance of empathy, guidance, and support in the spiritual journey.