Matthew Chapter 14

At a Glance

  • Matthew 14 recounts pivotal events that demonstrate both the danger and compassion of Jesus’ ministry.
  • Moved by compassion, Jesus heals the sick in the gathering multitude.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Matthew 14 sits within the gospel’s early sequence of miracles and public signs that confirm Jesus’ identity and mission.
  • - Suffering and Compassion: Jesus responds to personal tragedy and public need with mercy.

Chapter Overview

Matthew 14 recounts pivotal events that demonstrate both the danger and compassion of Jesus’ ministry. The chapter opens with Herod Antipas’ awareness of Jesus’ fame and his own morally compromised fixation on John the Baptist’s fate, which ends with John’s execution. The brutal episode of John’s beheading sets a somber backdrop for Jesus’ ministry, causing him to withdraw to a solitary place, yet crowds follow, demonstrating both the gravity of Jesus’ reputation and the people’s need.

Moved by compassion, Jesus heals the sick in the gathering multitude. The narrative then shifts to a responsive, practical miracle: feeding the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. The miracle unfolds with careful order—Jesus blesses, breaks, and distributes, illustrating God’s provision through human participation and faith. The chapter then transitions to Jesus walking on the water, a dramatic display of divine power over nature, followed by Peter’s attempt to join and his brief faltering when he looks at the wind. The episode ends with Jesus calming the disciples’ fears and the miraculous catch of fish at Nazareth’s shore, which reaffirms his authority and the call to trust him in the midst of storms.

Historical & Literary Context

Matthew 14 sits within the gospel’s early sequence of miracles and public signs that confirm Jesus’ identity and mission. The narrative fuses political intrigue (Herod’s opposition) with compassion-focused miracles. The feeding of the five thousand, walking on water, and the post-resurrection-like miracle of catch of fish foreground Jesus’ mastery over creation and his role as the brings of life for a hungry, fragmented world.

The chapter is not only a series of signs but a teaching on response: the crowd’s hunger invites Jesus’ generosity; disciples' fear invites divine intervention; Peter’s faith invites a lesson on trust, including the risk of doubt when focusing on external threats rather than the Savior’s presence.

Key Themes

- Suffering and Compassion: Jesus responds to personal tragedy and public need with mercy.

- Divine Provision and Faith: The feeding miracle emphasizes dependence on God and communal sharing.

- Trust Amid Uncertainty: The walking on the water episode tests and strengthens faith.

- Fear vs. Faith: The disciples’ fear contrasts with Jesus’ calming presence and authority.

- Miraculous Sign as Confirmation: Each miracle reinforces Jesus’ identity and mission.

Modern Application

This chapter offers tangible spiritual practice for contemporary life. It invites believers to approach needs—whether personal hardship, social injustice, or community hunger—with Christlike compassion, trusting that God provides as his people respond in generosity. The feeding of the multitude challenges Christians to see resources as means of blessing that multiply when offered to God. The miracle of walking on the water invites faith in the midst of storms—trust that Christ’s presence steadies even when circumstances threaten to overwhelm.

Peter’s moment on the waves encourages balanced risk-taking—stepping out in faith but keeping eyes fixed on Jesus rather than on the storm. The response to Herod’s political power mirrors how Christians navigate modern power structures: keep faithfulness to God intact even when public opinion or political calculations tempt compromise. The overarching message is that Jesus’ kingdom disruption requires trust, risk, and generous, communal participation in God’s mission.

- Psalm 23 (Shepherd imagery and trust in danger)

- John 6 (Bread of life; feeding miracles)

- Mark 6:14–44 (Parallel feeding and discipleship)

- Luke 9:10–17 (Feeding of the five thousand)

- Jesus (central), for authoritative teaching and miracle interpretation

- Peter (faith, doubt, courage in crisis)

- Moses (leadership under pressure and dependence on God)

- Paul (theology of provision and communal sharing)

- Mary (compassion and hospitality in crisis)

Chapter Text

1

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

3

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

4

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

5

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6

But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

9

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

10

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

12

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

16

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18

He said, Bring them hither to me.

19

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

22

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

24

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

27

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

29

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

34

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

35

And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;

36

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

Discuss This Chapter with Biblical Personas

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