Matthew 14 opens with the account of Herod Antipas, who had imprisoned John the Baptist for publicly condemning his unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother’s wife. During a banquet, Herod’s stepdaughter dances for him, and pleased by the performance, he promises to grant her any request. Prompted by her mother, she asks for John the Baptist’s head, and despite some reluctance, Herod fulfills the request, resulting in John’s execution. John’s disciples then bury his body and inform Jesus of the tragic news.
Upon hearing of John’s death, Jesus withdraws privately by boat to a desolate place, but the crowds follow Him on foot. Moved with compassion for the people, Jesus heals the sick among them. As evening approaches, His disciples suggest sending the crowd away to find food, but Jesus instead performs the miracle of feeding the five thousand, multiplying five loaves of bread and two fish to satisfy the entire multitude, with twelve baskets of leftovers remaining. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ compassionate provision and His authority over the natural world.
Following this miracle, Jesus sends His disciples ahead by boat while He remains behind to pray alone. During the night, as the disciples struggle against a strong wind on the sea, Jesus approaches them walking on the water. Initially terrified, thinking they see a ghost, the disciples are reassured by Jesus, who identifies Himself and calms their fear. Peter, filled with a mixture of faith and doubt, asks to walk on the water toward Jesus. He begins walking but falters when he notices the wind, beginning to sink until Jesus rescues him, gently rebuking his lack of faith. As Jesus and Peter enter the boat, the wind ceases, and the disciples, amazed by this display of divine power, worship Jesus, declaring Him to be the Son of God.
The chapter concludes with Jesus and His disciples arriving in Gennesaret, where many sick people are brought to Him. Even those who merely touch the fringe of His garment are healed, illustrating the widespread recognition of His healing power and the faith of the people who seek Him.
Chapter 14
1 At that time news of Jesus came to Herod the king;
2 And he said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he has come back from the dead, and so these powers are working in him.
3 For Herod had taken John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 Because John had said to him, It is not right for you to have her.
5 And he would have put him to death, but for his fear of the people, because in their eyes John was a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias was dancing before them, and Herod was pleased with her.
7 So he gave her his word with an oath to let her have whatever she might make request for.
8 And she, at her mother’s suggestion, said, Give me here on a plate the head of John the Baptist.
9 And the king was sad; but because of his oaths and because of his guests, he gave the order for it to be given to her;
10 And he sent and had John’s head cut off in the prison.
11 And his head was put on a plate and given to the girl; and she took it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up his body and put it in the earth; and they went and gave Jesus news of what had taken place.
13 Now when it came to the ears of Jesus, he went away from there in a boat, to a waste place by himself: and the people hearing of it, went after him on foot from the towns.
14 And he came out and saw a great number of people and he had pity on them, and made well those of them who were ill.
15 And when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying, This place is waste land, and the time is now past; send the people away so that they may go into the towns and get themselves food.
16 But Jesus said to them, There is no need for them to go away; give them food yourselves.
17 And they say to him, We have here but five cakes of bread and two fishes.
19 And he gave orders for the people to be seated on the grass; and he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing, and made division of the food, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the people.
20 And they all took of the food and had enough: and they took up twelve baskets full of broken bits which were not used.
21 And those who had food were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
22 And straight away he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, till he had sent the people away.
23 And after he had sent the people away, he went up into the mountain by himself for prayer: and when evening was come, he was there by himself.
24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, and was troubled by the waves: for the wind was against them.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when they saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they gave cries of fear.
27 But straight away Jesus said to them, Take heart; it is I, have no fear.
28 And Peter, answering, said to him, Lord, if it is you, give me the order to come to you on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And Peter got out of the boat, and walking on the water, went to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind he was in fear and, starting to go down, he gave a cry, saying, Help, Lord.
31 And straight away Jesus put out his hand and took a grip of him, and said to him, O man of little faith, why were you in doubt?
32 And when they had got into the boat, the wind went down.
33 And those who were in the boat gave him worship, saying, Truly you are the Son of God.
34 And when they had gone across, they came to land at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place had news of him, they sent into all the country round about, and took to him all who were ill,
36 With the request that they might only put their hands on the edge of his robe: and all those who did so were made well.
Important Verses
Matthew 14:16 “You give them something to eat.” This verse reflects Jesus’ expectation that His disciples participate in His compassionate provision for others.
Matthew 14:27 “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” This offers comfort and assurance of Jesus’ presence amid life’s storms and uncertainties.
Matthew 14:31 “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” This highlights the tension between faith and doubt experienced by believers, even in the presence of Christ’s power.
