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Easy-to-Read Version

Matthew 14:23

After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone.

Bible Study Resources

Concordances:

- Nave's Topical Bible - Galilee;   Jesus, the Christ;   Jesus Continued;   Miracles;   Mountain;   Prayer;   Scofield Reference Index - Miracles;   Thompson Chain Reference - Association-Separation;   Retirement;   Torrey's Topical Textbook - Evening, the;   Prayer, Private;  

Dictionaries:

- Bridgeway Bible Dictionary - Palestine;   Prayer;   Baker Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology - Jesus Christ, Name and Titles of;   Charles Buck Theological Dictionary - Hutchinsonians;   Fausset Bible Dictionary - Isaac;   Jacob;   Holman Bible Dictionary - Matthew, the Gospel of;   Prayer;   Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible - Mss;   Text of the New Testament;   Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament - Activity;   Attributes of Christ;   Boyhood of Jesus;   Character of Christ;   Communion (2);   Confession (of Sin);   Consciousness;   Cures;   Doctrines;   Evening ;   Mental Characteristics;   Mount, Mountain ;   Night (2);   Palestine;   Prayer (2);   Reality;   Sanctify, Sanctification;   Self-Denial;   Solitude;   Morrish Bible Dictionary - Various Readings;   People's Dictionary of the Bible - Chief parables and miracles in the bible;   Transfiguration;   Smith Bible Dictionary - Transfiguration, the;  

Encyclopedias:

- International Standard Bible Encyclopedia - Apart;   Christ, Offices of;   Hill;   Jesus Christ (Part 2 of 2);   Prayers of Jesus;   The Jewish Encyclopedia - Simon Cephas;  

Parallel Translations

Christian Standard Bible®
After dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. Well into the night, he was there alone.
King James Version (1611)
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went vp into a mountaine apart to pray: and when the euening was come, he was there alone:
King James Version
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.
English Standard Version
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
New American Standard Bible
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
New Century Version
After he had sent them away, he went by himself up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone.
Amplified Bible
After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.
Geneva Bible (1587)
And assoone as hee had sent the multitude away, he went vp into a moutaine alone to pray: and when the euening was come, hee was there alone.
New American Standard Bible (1995)
After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
Legacy Standard Bible
And after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.
Berean Standard Bible
After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
Contemporary English Version
Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later that evening, he was still there.
Complete Jewish Bible
After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone.
Darby Translation
And having dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. And when even was come, he was alone there,
George Lamsa Translation
And when he had dismissed the people, he went up to the mountain alone to pray; and when darkness fell he was still there alone.
Good News Translation
After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone;
Lexham English Bible
And after he sent away the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. So when evening came, he was there alone.
Literal Translation
And having dismissed the crowds, He went up into the mountain alone to pray. And evening coming on, He was there alone.
American Standard Version
And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.
Bible in Basic English
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.
Hebrew Names Version
After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
International Standard Version
After dismissing the crowds, he went up on a hillside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.Mark 6:46; John 6:16;">[xr]
Etheridge Translation
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up to a mountain by himself, to pray. AND when it was dark, he alone was there.
Murdock Translation
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he ascended a mountain alone to pray. And when it was dark, he was there alone.
Bishop's Bible (1568)
And when the people were sent away, he went vp into a mountayne alone to pray: And when nyght was come, he was there hym selfe alone.
English Revised Version
And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.
World English Bible
After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
Wesley's New Testament (1755)
And having sent the multitude away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray.
Weymouth's New Testament
When He had done this, He climbed the hill to pray in solitude. Night came on, and he was there alone.
Wycliffe Bible (1395)
And whanne the puple was left, he stiede aloone in to an hil for to preie. But whanne the euenyng was come, he was there aloone.
Update Bible Version
And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when evening came, he was there alone.
Webster's Bible Translation
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he ascended a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
New English Translation
And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
New King James Version
And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
New Living Translation
After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone.
New Life Bible
After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.
New Revised Standard
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
J.B. Rotherham Emphasized Bible
And, dismissing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain, apart, to pray, - and when, evening, came, alone, was he, there.
Douay-Rheims Bible
And having dismissed the multitude, he went into a mountain alone to pray. And when it was evening, he was there alone.
Revised Standard Version
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
Tyndale New Testament (1525)
And assone as he had sent the people awaye he went vp into a moutayne alone to praye. And when nyght was come he was there himsilf alone.
Young's Literal Translation
and having let away the multitudes, he went up to the mountain by himself to pray, and evening having come, he was there alone,
Miles Coverdale Bible (1535)
And whan he had sent the people awaye, he wete vp in to a mountayne alone, to make his prayer. And at euen he was there him self alone.
Mace New Testament (1729)
and when he had dismiss'd them, he retired by himself to a mountain to pray: where he stay'd all alone till the latter part of the evening.
Simplified Cowboy Version
When they had all left, he rode up on a mountain so he could be alone and pray.

Contextual Overview

22 Then Jesus made the followers get into the boat. He told them to go to the other side of the lake. He said he would come later. He stayed there to tell everyone they could go home. 23 After Jesus said goodbye to the people, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. It was late, and he was there alone. 24 By this time the boat was already a long way from shore. Since the wind was blowing against it, the boat was having trouble because of the waves. 25 Between three and six o'clock in the morning, Jesus' followers were still in the boat. Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water. 26 When they saw him walking on the water, it scared them. "It's a ghost!" they said, screaming in fear. 27 But Jesus quickly spoke to them. He said, "Don't worry! It's me! Don't be afraid." 28 Peter said, "Lord, if that is really you, tell me to come to you on the water." 29 Jesus said, "Come, Peter." Then Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But while Peter was walking on the water, he saw the wind and the waves. He was afraid and began sinking into the water. He shouted, "Lord, save me!" 31 Then Jesus caught Peter with his hand. He said, "Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?"

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

he went: Matthew 6:6, Matthew 26:36, Mark 6:46, Luke 6:12, Acts 6:4

he was: John 6:15-17

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 18:42 - Elijah Mark 6:47 - General Luke 5:16 - General John 6:3 - General

Cross-References

Genesis 14:9
They fought against King Kedorlaomer of Elam, King Tidal of Goiim, King Amraphel of Babylonia, and King Arioch of Ellasar. So there were four kings fighting against five.
Genesis 14:12
Lot, the son of Abram's brother, was living in Sodom, and they captured him. They also took everything he owned and left.
Genesis 14:15
That night he and his men made a surprise attack against the enemy. They defeated them and chased them to Hobah, north of Damascus.
Genesis 14:16
Then Abram brought back everything the enemy had stolen, as well as the women and servants, his nephew Lot, and everything Lot owned.
1 Kings 13:8
But the man of God said to the king, "I will not go home with you, even if you give me half of your kingdom! I will not eat or drink anything in this place.
2 Kings 5:16
But Elisha said, "The Lord is the one I serve, and as surely as he lives, I will not accept any gift." Naaman tried hard to make Elisha take the gift, but he refused.
2 Kings 5:20
But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, "Look, my master has let Naaman the Aramean go without accepting the gift that he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after Naaman and get something from him."
2 Corinthians 12:14
I am now ready to visit you for the third time, and I will not be a burden to you. I don't want any of the things you own. I only want you. Children should not have to save things to give to their parents. Parents should save to give to their children.
Hebrews 13:5
Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, "I will never leave you; I will never run away from you."

Gill's Notes on the Bible

And when he had sent the multitudes away,.... Had ordered them at least to go away; for, it seems, according to John 6:22 that they did not in general disperse: there was a large body of them that continued upon the spot all night, expecting his return; in which being disappointed, they took shipping, and came to Capernaum.

He went up into a mountain apart to pray; perhaps the same he went up to before, and from whence he came down, John 6:3. This he chose as a proper place for prayer, where he could be retired, and alone, have his thoughts free, and, as man, pour out his soul to his Father, on his own account, and on the behalf of others; and particularly, he might be concerned about this notion of a temporal kingdom, that his disciples and others were so fond of; and pray that his disciples might be convinced of their mistake, and that the people might be hindered from prosecuting their designs. His going up into a mountain and praying there, were quite contrary to the canons of the Jews; which forbid praying in places ever so little raised.

"Let not a man stand (say they m) במקום גבוה, "in an high place", and pray, but in a low place and pray; as it is said, "Out of the depths have I cried unto thee, O Lord", Psalms 130:1. It is a tradition, that a man may not stand, neither upon a throne, nor upon a footstool, nor in any high place and pray, because there are no high places before God.''

This rule is delivered by Maimonides n, in this form:

"A man may not stand in a place that is three hands high, or more, and pray, neither upon a bed, nor upon a seat, nor upon a throne.''

But Christ did not look upon himself obliged, by these traditions of the elders; but chose such places, whether high or low, which were most private and retired.

And when evening was come; when it was now dark, John 6:17 when the second evening was come and ended; see Matthew 14:15 and it was properly night,

he was there alone; in the mountain, where he continued the greatest part of the night, even until the fourth watch.

m T. Bab. Beracot, fol. 10. 2. Piske Tosaph. in ib. art. 52, T. Hieros. Beracot, fol. 4. 4. Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora precept. Affirm. 19. Midrash Kohelet, fol. 70. 3. n Hilch. Tephillah. c. 5. sect. 7.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

And straightway Jesus constrained ... - See Mark 6:45-56; John 6:15-21. The word “straightway” means immediately; that is, as soon as the fragments were gathered up. To “constrain” usually means to compel. It here means to command. There was no need of compulsion. They were at this time on the east side of the Lake of Gennesareth. He directed them to get into a ship and cross over to the other side; that is, to Capernaum. Mark adds that he sent them to Bethsaida Mark 6:45. Bethsaida was situated at the place where the Jordan empties into the lake on the east side of the river. Compare the notes at Matthew 11:21. It is probable that he directed them to go in a ship or boat to Bethsaida, and remain there till he should dismiss the people, and that he would meet them there, and with them cross the lake. The effect of the miracle on the multitude was so great John 6:14 that they believed him to be that prophet which should come into the world; that is, the Messiah, the king that they had expected, and they were about to take him by force and make him a king, John 6:15. To avoid this, Jesus got away from them as privately as possible. He went into a solitary mountain alone. In view of the temptation - when human honors were offered to him and almost forced upon him - he retired for private prayer; an example for all who are tempted with human honors and applause. Nothing is better to keep the mind humble and unambitious than to seek some lonely place; to shut out the world with all its honors; to realize that the great God, before whom all creatures and all honors sink to nothing, is round about us; and to ask him to keep us from pride and vainglory.

Clarke's Notes on the Bible

Verse Matthew 14:23. He went up into a mountain apart, to pray — He whom God has employed in a work of mercy had need to return, by prayer, as speedily, to his Maker, as he can, lest he should be tempted to value himself on account of that in which he has no merit-for the good that is done upon earth, the Lord doth it alone. Some make this part of our Lord's conduct emblematic of the spirit and practice of prayer, and observe that the proper dispositions and circumstances for praying well are:

1. Retirement from the world.

2. Elevation of the heart to God.

3. Solitude.

4. The silence and quiet of the night.

It Is certain that in this also Christ has left us an example that we should follow his steps. Retirement from the world is often a means of animating, supporting, and spiritualizing prayer. Other society should be shut out, when a soul comes to converse with God.


 
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