Matthew 14
Chapter 14 of the Gospel of Matthew is divided into three main parts. First is the death of John the Baptist (verses 1–12), second is the miracle of the feeding of the five loaves (verses 13–21), and third is the response of Jesus walking on the water and the disciples (verses 22–36). Each story shows the character of Jesus’ ministry and people’s responses to it, focusing on the relationship between the disciples and Jesus, as well as the encounter between the crowds and Jesus.
1verseAt that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
2verseand said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
3verseFor Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4verseFor John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5verseWhen he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6verseBut when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
7verseTherefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.
8verseShe, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”
9verseThe king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,
10verseand he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
11verseHis head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
12verseHis disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13verseNow when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
14verseJesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15verseWhen evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”
16verseBut Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17verseThey told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”
18verseHe said, “Bring them here to me.”
19verseHe commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
20verseThey all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
21verseThose who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
22verseImmediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23verseAfter he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
24verseBut the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25verseIn the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
26verseWhen the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
27verseBut immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
28versePeter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”
29verseHe said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
30verseBut when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31verseImmediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32verseWhen they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.
33verseThose who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”
34verseWhen they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
35verseWhen the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick;
36verseand they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
The Death of John the Baptist (Verses 1–12)
When King Herod hears the reports about Jesus, he is afraid that John the Baptist might have been raised from the dead. Then the passage lays out in detail how John is imprisoned by Herod and ultimately loses his life at Herod’s oath and the request of Herodias’ daughter. This shows John’s courage in speaking boldly for truth and justice, and the disciples bury John’s body.
The Miracle of the Five Loaves (Verses 13–21)
After hearing about the death of John the Baptist, Jesus goes to a lonely place. However, he has compassion on the crowds and heals the sick. When the day grows late, he performs a miracle in which he feeds over five thousand men with five loaves of bread and two fish, leaving everyone satisfied. This shows how great and abundant God’s provision and Jesus’ compassion are.
Jesus Walking on the Water (Verses 22–36)
After the sharing of the bread, Jesus sends the disciples away first and prays alone. The disciples meet a storm and become afraid, but Jesus comes to them, walking on the water. Even Peter follows Jesus and walks on the water, but when he sees the wind, he becomes afraid and begins to sink. Jesus reaches out his hand to save Peter and speaks about faith. This reveals, symbolically, the disciples’ faith and weakness, and Jesus’ saving power in the midst of crisis.
Points for Reflection
- Facing John the Baptist’s courage to speak the truth and his death, you can reflect on what your faith is like.
- You can also meditate on how Jesus’ mercy and strict justice reach even people who are excluded, and how great history can be made through something small.
- In the midst of life’s hardships like storms, when faith wavers, you can think about how important it is to look to Jesus.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- Just as John the Baptist did, check whether you are living a bold life for truth and justice.
- Rather than focusing only on the limits of what you have, you can trust that when you entrust everything to Jesus, there is amazing help and live accordingly.
- In the face of fear and crisis in life, you can commit to a life that keeps your eyes on the Lord and trusts the hand he reaches out to you.
