Matthew 14
DOYLY—the time is now past:] The day is now spent. Dr. Whitby. Or else, the time of supper, the time of making the chief meal, which in that country was commonly after the heat of the day began to abate. Bp. Pearce.
— walking on the sea.] To walk on the sea is mentioned as the peculiar mark and proof of Divine power at Job ix. 8. Dr. Whitby.
- — wherefore didst thou doubt? This miracle of Christ walking on the sea seems to have been designed to encourage the great principle of faith, and of trust and reliance upon God. The reproof of our Lord was well calculated to convince St. Peter, that it was in proportion to the degree and perseverance of his faith that he must rise or sink. And what He says to Peter, He says to all who waver in their belief, “O ye of little faith, wherefore do ye doubt?” Bp. Portius.
Matthew 14:5
5.—they counted him as a prophet.] As a teacher sent from God. Another reason for Herod’s forbearance is mentioned by St Mark, (chap. vi. 20,) that Herod feared John, that is, reverenced him, “knowing that he was a just and holy man.” Bp. Pearce.
Matthew 14:6
6.—the daughter of Herodias] Named Salome. She danced in publick, according to a very ancient custom of kings of the East, on festival occasions. Beausole.
Matthew 14:7
- Whereupon he promised with an oath] The folly, the radiness, and the madness of such an oath as this, on so foolish an occasion, could be exceeded by nothing but the horrible purpose to which it was perverted by her to whom it was given, and her prodigate instructor. Bp. Porteus.
Matthew 14:8
8.—being before instructed of her mother.] We see here a fatal proof of the extreme barbarities to which that most diabolical sentiment of revenge will drive the natural tenderness even of a female mind; what a close connexion there is between crimes of apparently a very different complexion, and how frequently the uncontrolled indulgence of what are called the softer affections, leads ultimately to the most violent excesses of the malignant passions. We also find here a most awful warning held out, not only to the female sex, but to both sexes, to persons of all ages and conditions, to beware of giving way to any one evil propensity in their nature, however it may be disguised under popular names, however indulgently it may be treated by the world, however it may be authorized by general practice; because it is here seen that they may not only be led into the grossest extravagances of that individual passion, but may also be insensibly betrayed into the commission of crimes of the deepest dye, which in their serious moments they always contemplated with the utmost horrors. Bp. Porteus.
—in a charger.] “A charger” or large dish. Dr. Johnson. This is conformable to what frequently occurs at this day under some Eastern governments, as those of Turkey and Persia, where, when a warrant is issued for the execution of any person, an officer, called a sapidji, immediately takes it to him, puts him to death, and cutting off his head carries it to his master, in proof of his having executed the commission. Sir J. Chardin.
Matthew 14:9
9.—the king was sorry:] The savage request appalled
even the unfeeling heart of Herod himself. He was unprepared for such a request, and, though disgusted with John, did not choose to proceed to this extremity against him. Bp. Porteus.
It should be observed, in how dispassionate a manner, and with what uncommon candour, St. Matthew relates this most atrocious action. He uses no exaggeration or invective; and there is no allowance in extenuation of Herod’s conduct, which even a friend could have suggested, that this historian is not ready to make. Dr. Campbell.
—nevertheless for the oath’s sake] Herod, instead of retreating by the only way he had left, that of retracting a promise which it was madness to make, and the extremity of wickedness to perform, was induced by a false point of honour (as worthless men frequently are) to commit an atrocious murder rather than violate a rash oath; an oath which could never make that right, which was before intrinsically wrong, which could never bind him to anything in itself unlawful, much less to the most unlawful of all things, the destruction of an innocent and virtuous man. Bp. Porteus.
The speedy termination of the Baptist’s ministry and life was, according to St. Chrysostom, designed by Providence, that the people might not be divided in opinion between him and Jesus. Thus, after spending nearly a year in prison, this holy man was wantonly sacrificed to the licentious fascinations of a young woman, instigated by the implacable vengeance of her mother, and to the rash oath of a worthless and merciless prince, which had far better been broken than kept. Dr. Hale.
Matthew 14:13
13.—into a desert place] St. Luke adds at chap ix. 10, “belonging to the city called Bethsaida.”
—on foot] Rather, “by land.” It appears that Jesus did not cross the sea of Galilee, but proceeded in the ship along the shore. Bp. Pearce. The word in the original means “on foot,” when contrasted with “on horseback;” and “by land,” when opposed to “by sea.” Dr. Campbell.
Matthew 14:15
15.—when it was evening,] When the evening was coming on; see ver. 23, where it is said that “the evening was come,” after the whole affair was over. Bp. Pearce.
—a desert place,] “As we rode from the village of Hatti towards the sea of Tiberias, the guides pointed to a sloping spot from the heights on our right, whence
Christ foodeth five thousand. He walketh on the sea. Anno DOMINI
Matthew 14:19
19.—he blessed.] Gave thanks to God. Dr. S. Clarke. It is becoming in all Christians to imitate the example of their Divine Master, in returning thanks to God at their daily meals, both to acknowledge His unceasing liberality, and to pray that the food may be sanctified to them, by tending to promote their health and welfare. Dean Stanhope.
Matthew 14:21
- And they that had eaten &c.] This miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes was a very extraordinary and astonishing instance of our Lord’s power over nature, and was calculated to make a most powerful impression on the minds of the spectators. But it seems to have had a spiritual as well as a literal meaning; bearing reference to that spiritual food, that celestial manna, that bread of life which our Lord was then dispensing in such abundance to those that hungered and thirsted after righteousness. Bp. Portene.
This feeding of so vast a multitude, by a method altogether extraordinary and miraculous, should be used as a seasonable hint, to make us duly consider and acknowledge that bounteous providence of God, which every day feeds numbers infinitely greater, in a most wonderful, though ordinary manner. For what proportion do five thousand men bear to those numberless kindreds and countries that constantly subsist on His liberality? What is this one marvellous enlargement of five loaves and two fishes, to the inconceivable productions of animals, the variety of plants and herbs, and other increase of the earth; and the many unknown ways by which He opens His hand, and filleth all things living with plenteousness? Dean Stanhope.
Matthew 14:22
- And straightway Jesus &c.] It is related by St. John, (chap. vi. 15,) that the multitude, after the miracle of the loaves, designed to make Him a king. Dr. Wells.
Matthew 14:23
- And when he had sent &c.—he went up into a mountain apart to pray:] We here read that our Saviour,
after having spent the day in acts of charity, in relieving and instructing the people, withdrew to a secret place, where He spent the evening alone, in prayer and contemplation. From His example we learn, 1st, that we ought to set apart some portions of our time for private and silent acts of religion, for conversation with God and our own hearts. 2dly, That we ought to employ all the powers and abilities which God has conferred upon us, to the glory of their Author and the benefit of mankind. Our Saviour spent the day in feeding and teaching the people. 3dly, That the active and social duties are more valuable than the contemplative virtues which are of a private and solitary nature. Our Saviour left not the people till the evening came on, and the hours which He passed in solitude and retirement were few, compared with those which He spent in the discharge of His ministry. 4thly, That, as our Saviour had, so we have, time enough for the one and the other, for the exercise of publick and of private duties and virtues, and that therefore neither should be omitted. Dr. Jorlin.
The life of our Lord was a mixture of contemplation and action, of austerity and freedom; we find Him often, where the greatest concourse was, in the marketplaces, synagogues, and at festival entertainments; and we find Him also retiring from the crowd into a desert, or a garden, and there employing himself in all kinds of religious exercise, and intercourse with God, in fasting, meditation and prayer. In imitation of His spotless example, we may, doubtless, lead publick lives innocently and usefully; conversing with men, and doing them good; mutually sowing and reaping the several comforts and advantages of human society. But because the pleasures of conversation, when too freely tasted, are intoxicating and dangerous, because the temptations we there meet with are many and mighty; and even where the spirit is willing to resist, yet the flesh is often weak; we ought therefore to lessen the too great complaisance we are apt to have in such satisfactions, by proper intermissions of them; to strengthen ourselves for such publick encounters, by our religious privacies; to retire from the world sometimes, and converse with God and our own consciences; examining the state, and fortifying the power of our souls in secrecy and silence: we must do, as our Lord did, “send the multitudes away, and go up into a mountain apart to pray.” Bp. Atterbury.
Matthew 14:25
25.—in the fourth watch] Between the hours of three and six in the morning. The Jews in these later
Peter’s weak faith. Christ reprove the Pharisees. Anno DOMINI 22.
Matthew 14:33
- — Of a truth thou art &c.] In St. Mark’s Gospel chap. vi. 51, it is mentioned, that “they were amassed beyond measure” at this miracle of walking on the sea; they were overwhelmed and overcome with this astonishing display of Divine power; and exclaimed, falling at His feet, as every one who considers this stupendous miracle must do, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.” Bp. Portius.
— the Son of God.] The true Messiah, the Redeemer of Israel. Dr. B. Clarke.
Matthew 14:34
- — the land of Gennesaret.] The part of Galilee, which bordered the lake of Gennesaret on the west. This tract of country is described by Josephus as remarkable for the salubrity of its air, and the fertility of
its soil, producing fruits of various kinds in great quantities, and in high perfection. Dr. Wells.
Chap. XV. ver. 2. — the tradition of the elders? Josephus tells us that the Pharisees delivered many things to the people for legal injunctions, which they received from their fathers, but which were not written in the law of Moses; and that therefore the sect of the Sadducees rejected them, saying, that those things which are written, ought to be accounted legal, and that men ought not to observe such as come only by tradition from the fathers. Bp. Pearce.
— wash not their hands] The custom of washing their hands before their meals was so strictly commanded among the Jews at this time, that, to neglect it, was to be held guilty of a heavy and capital crime. “He that taketh meat with unwashen hands,” says one of their rabbies, “is worthy of death.” Dr. Hammond.