Matthew 14
BBCMatthew 14:1
IX. THE MESSIAH’S UNWEARIED GRACE MET BY MOUNTING HOSTILITY (14:1-16:12) A. John the Baptist Beheaded (14:1-12) 14:1, 2 News of Jesus’ ministry flowed back to Herod the tetrarch. This infamous son of Herod the Great was also known as Herod Antipas. It was he who had ordered the execution of John the Baptist. When he heard of Christ’s miracles, his conscience began to stab him. The memory of the prophet whom he had beheaded kept coming before him. He told his servants, It’s John. He has come back from the dead. That explains these miracles.14:3 In verses 3-12 we have what is known as a literary flashback. Matthew interrupts the narrative to review the circumstances surrounding the death of John. 14:4, 5 Herod had abandoned his wife and had been living in an adulterous, incestuous relationship with Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. As a prophet of God, John could not let this pass without rebuke. Indignantly and fearlessly, he pointed his finger at Herod and denounced him for his immorality. The king was angry enough to kill him but it was not politically expedient. The people acclaimed John as a prophet, and would have reacted, perhaps violently, against John’s execution. So the tyrant satisfied his rage momentarily by having the Baptizer imprisoned. The ungodly like religion in the same way that they like lions, either dead or behind bars; they fear religion when it breaks loose and begins to challenge their consciences.14:6-11 On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias so pleased the king by her dancing that he impetuously offered her anything she wanted. Prompted by her wanton mother, she brazenly asked for John the Baptist’s head … on a platter! By now the king’s wrath against John had somewhat subsided; perhaps he even admired the prophet for his courage and integrity.
But although he was sorry, he felt he had to fulfill his promise. The order was given. John was beheaded and the gruesome request of the dancing girl was granted. 14:12 John’s disciples gave their master’s body a respectful burial, then went and told Jesus. They could not have gone to anyone better to pour out their grief and indignation. Nor could they have left us a better example. In times of persecution, oppression, suffering, and sorrow, we too should go and tell it to Jesus. As for Herod, his crime was finished but the memory lingered on. When he heard of Jesus’ activities, the entire episode returned to haunt him.
Matthew 14:13
B. Feeding of the Five Thousand (14:13-21) 14:13, 14 When Jesus heard that Herod was troubled by reports of His miracles, He withdrew by boat to a secluded area by the Sea of Galilee. We can be sure He did not go because of fear; He knew that nothing could happen to Him before His time had come. We do not know the main reason for His move, but a lesser reason was that His disciples had just returned from their preaching mission (Mar_6:30; Luk_9:10) and needed a time of rest and quietness. However, the crowds flocked from the towns and followed Him on foot. As He went ashore, they were waiting for Him. Far from being irritated by this intrusion, our compassionate Lord set to work immediately and healed their sick. 14:15 When evening came, that is, after 3:00 p.m., His disciples felt that a crisis was brewing. So many people, and nothing for them to eat! They asked Jesus to send the people into the villages where they could get food. How little they understood the heart of Christ or discerned His power! 14:16-18 The Lord assured them that there was no need. Why should the people leave the One who opens His hand and supplies the desire of every living thing? Then He caught the disciples off guard by saying, You give them something to eat. They were staggered. Give them something to eat? We have nothing but five loaves and two fish. They had forgotten that they also had Jesus. Patiently the Savior said, Bring them here to Me. That was their part. 14:19-21 We can picture the Lord directing the multitudes to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, He gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples for distribution. There was plenty for all. When all were satisfied, the disciples gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. There was more left over when Jesus finished than when He began. Ironically enough there was a basket for each unbelieving disciple. And a multitude of perhaps 10,000 to 15,000 had been fed (5,000 men plus women and children). The miracle is a spiritual lesson for disciples of every generation. The hungry multitude is always present. There is always a little band of disciples with seemingly pitiful resources. And always there is the compassionate Savior. When disciples are willing to give Him their little all, He multiplies it to feed thousands. The notable difference is that the five thousand men who were fed by Galilee had their hunger satisfied only for a short time; those today who feed upon the living Christ are satisfied forever (see Joh_6:35).
Matthew 14:22
C. Jesus Walks on the Sea (14:22-33) The previous miracle assured the disciples that they were following One who could abundantly provide for their needs. Now they learn that this One can protect and empower them as well. 14:22, 23 While He was dismissing the multitude, Jesus told the disciples to get into the boat and start back to the other side of the lake. Then He went up on a hillside to pray. When evening came, i.e., after sunset, He was alone there. (In Jewish reckoning there were two evenings, see Exo_12:6 RSV margin. One, referred to in v. 15, began in mid-afternoon, and the other, referred to here, at sunset.) 14:24-27 Meanwhile, the boat was now far from land and battling a contrary wind. As the waves battered the boat, Jesus saw the disciples’ plight. In the fourth watch of the night (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.), He went to them walking on the sea. Thinking it was a ghost the disciples panicked. But immediately they heard the reassuring voice of their Master and Friend, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.How true to our own experience! We are often storm-tossed, perplexed, in despair. The Savior seems far away. But all the time He is praying for us. When the night seems darkest, He is near at hand. We often mistake Him even then and push the panic button. Then we hear His comforting voice and remember that the waves that caused us to fear are under His feet. 14:28 When Peter heard the well-known, well-loved voice, his affection and enthusiasm bubbled over. Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water. Rather than magnify Peter’s if as a sign of small faith, we should see his bold request as a mark of great trust. Peter sensed that Jesus’ commands are His enablements, that He gives strength for whatever He orders. 14:29-33 As soon as Jesus said, Come, … Peter jumped out of the boat and began walking toward Him. As long as he kept his eyes on Jesus, he was able to do the impossible; but the minute he became occupied with the strong wind, he began to sink. Frantically he cried, Lord, save me! The Lord took him by the hand, gently rebuked his little faith, and brought him to the boat. As soon as Jesus went on board, the wind ceased.
A worship meeting took place in the boat with the disciples saying to Jesus, Truly You are the Son of God.The Christian life, like walking on water, is humanly impossible. It can only be lived by the power of the Holy Spirit. As long as we look away from every other object to Jesus only (Heb_12:2), we can experience a supernatural life. But the minute we become occupied with ourselves or our circumstances, we begin to sink. Then we must cry to Christ for restoration and divine enablement.
Matthew 14:34
D. Jesus Heals in Gennesaret (14:34-36) The boat docked at Gennesaret, on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee. As soon as the men spotted Jesus, they scoured the area for all who were sick and brought them to Him that the sick might only touch the hem of His garment; as many who did were made perfectly well. And so the doctors in that area had a holiday. For a while, at least, there were no sick people. The district experienced health and healing through a visit by the Great Physician.