Bible Commentaries
Matthew 14

Verse 1

HEROD’S ACCUSING CONSCIENCE, MURDER OF JOHN THE BAPTIST V. 1-14

1) "At that time Herod the tetrarch," (en ekeino to kairo) “At or in that time period or season," (ekousen Herodes ho tetraaches) "Herod who was the tetrarch heard," Herod Antipas, son of Herod the Great, Luke 23:6-12.

2) "Heard of the fame of Jesus," (ten akoen lesou) "The report of Jesus," or of the fame that was circulating concerning Jesus, Luke 9:7. His fame had now reached the Royal Palace. Herod ruled Galilee and Perea, one fourth of his father’s dominion, as a tetrarch­-governor, consequently called king, Matthew 14:9.

Verse 2

1) "And said unto his servants," (kai eipen tois paisin autou) "And he said to his servants," directly told his servants at his side, the courtier attendants who did his bidding, the counselors and court ministers.

2) "This is John the Baptist;" (houtos estin loannes ho baptistes) "This one (of fame) is John the Baptist;" Herod was both superstitious and stricken with a guilty, accusing conscience, the monitor of the soul, John 8:9; Romans 2:15; Titus 1:15.

3) "He is risen from the dead;" (autos egerthe apo ton nekron) "He is raised from the dead," from among dead corpses, where his disciples buried him, Matthew 14:12: Mr 6:14.

4) "And therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him." (kai dia touto hai dunameis energousin en auto) "And on account of this (resurrection) dynamic deeds are worked by him," Luke 9:9.

Verse 3

1) "For Herod had laid hold of John," (ho gar Herodes kratesas ton loannen) "For Herod had seized John," or upon seizing John, as also recounted Mr 6:17; He and his vicious, adulterous wife held malice at his reproof, Ps 15:10.

2) "And bound him, and put him in prison," (edesen kai en phulake apetheto) "Bound and put (him) away in prison," believed to have been in the fortress of Machaerus in Perea, Luke 3:19-20.

3) "For Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife." (dia Herodiada ten gunoika Philippou tou adelphou autou) "On account of Herodias, the wife of his own brother," that Herod was living with, in an unmarried, adulterous state or condition. This is an example of fear of a bad wife, cowardice, and a desire for licentious popularity.

Verse 4

1) "For John said unto him," (elegen gar ho loannes auto) "Because John had said to him," previously, based on the Word of God which reads, "And if a man shall take his brother’s wife it is an unclean thing," morally unclean, Leviticus 20:21.

2) "It is not lawful for thee to have her." (ouk eksestin soi echein auten) "It is not lawful or legal for you to have, hold, or attach yourself to her," in the manner that they were living together, Mr 6:18; Leviticus 18:16. Here, as in so many instances, a woman is the occasion for inciting the tragedy.

Verse 5

1) "And when he would have put him to death," (kai thelon auton apokteinai) "And (while) wishing or strongly, emotionally, impulsively desiring to kill him," agitated by the expressed, nagging desire of Herodias, Mr 6:19.

2) "He feared the multitude," (ephobethe ton ochlon) "He feared the crowd," the masses of people under his tetrarch governing area. He was not very popular with his own people, perhaps because of his reputation for immorality, and he knew that John had a good reputation, Mr 6:19,20.

3) "Because they counted him as a prophet." (hoti hos propheton auton eichon) "Because they held him (in esteem) as a prophet," or considered John the Baptist to be a prophet of God, Luke 9:7-9. The people highly respected him, Matthew 21:26; Luke 20:6.

Verse 6

1) "But when Herod’s birthday was kept," (genomenois tou Herosou) "Then when the birthday of Herod was occurring," or being held or celebrated; Whether it was Herod’s actual birthday, or the anniversary birthday that he came to his throne; is not clear; perhaps the former.

2) "The daughter of Herodias danced before them," (orchesato he thugater tes Herodiados en to meso) "The daughter of Herodias danced, orchestrated, or turned and twisted rhythmically in the midst," in the midst of and as an highlight of the celebration, before the guests at the birthday party, the festive occasion.

3) "And pleased Herod." (kai eresen Heriode) "And it pleased Herod," pleased his sensual, erotic, lustful, and egotistical impulses, before his lords, high captains, and chief estates, or principal persons, Mr 6:22,23.

Verse 7

1) "Whereupon, he promised with an oath to give her," (othen meth’ horkou homologesen aute dounai) "From which sensual pleasure, accompanied by an oath, he promised to give," to deliver to, or dole out to her, Mr 6:22. Dancing girls were common in the East as entertainers on high occasions.

2) "Whatsoever she would ask." (ho ean aitesetai) "Whatever (thing) she might ask," Mr 6:23. The broadness, looseness of the public offer, suggests that Herod was perhaps inebriated or half drunk, a matter against which kings were warned, Leviticus 10:9; Proverbs 20:1; Proverbs 31:4-5.

Verse 8

1) "And she, being before instructed of her mother," (he de peobibastheisa hupo tes metros autes) "Then she being (or having previously been) instructed by her mother," having entered into a plot, having been coached, educated what to do, perhaps refusing to do her orchestrating, titillating, lust-enticing dance, until she got the oath from Herod.

2) "Said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger." (dos moi, phesin hode epi pinaki ten kephalen loannou tou Baptistou) "She says, (impulsively, without delay, before the party guests) give to me, right here, on a platter, the head of John the Baptist." The idea is "give it to me on the spot, without delay." There was a palace, as well as a fortress-prison, in Machaerus in Perea, apparently near where the feast was being held, so that but a few minutes only were required for the bloody murder of John and the delivery of his head to the dance floor and banquet-hall, Mr 6:24,25.

Verse 9

1) "And the king was sorry:" (kai lupetheis ho basileus) "And the king being grieved," being taken by grief, or conscious regret; Mr 6:26 reads, "And the king was exceeding sorry," because of his rash oath­ promise, Proverbs 31:4-5.

2) "Nevertheless for the oath’s sake," (kai tous orkous) "On account of the oaths," which he had uttered, or impulsively made as a king, to the daughter of Herodias, his live-in companion, or mistress, and wife of his brother, Philip, Matthew 14:23. Was it a less sin to break, than to keep, such a sinful oath? Ecclesiastes 5:2; Jud 11:31-34.

3) "And them which sat with him at meat," (kai tous sunanskeimenous) "And on account of those (guests) reclining at the birthday dinner party with him," the popular, influential leaders of his territory, guests of the occasion, Matthew 14:21.

4) "He commanded it to be given her." (ekeleusen dothenai) "He commanded it (the head of John the Baptist) to be-given," to her on a platter, to fulfill his soul-damning pledge, and to save face , with his guests, Matthew 14:22; Luke 9:9.

Verse 10

1) "And he sent and beheaded John," (kai pempsas apekephallsen loannen) "And sending out (servants) he beheaded John," at the hands of the courtier servants immediately, or forthwith. It was a sudden, violent, gory, ghastly death, to meet the demand of Herodias and his dancing daughter, Matthew 14:8; Mr 6:16,24.

2) "In the prison." (en te phulake) "In the prison," where he was being held, or detained. A jealous, adulterous woman, Herodias, a lust inciting, dancing, and twisting daughter, and an equally immoral king Herod, joined in the murder of the first Baptist sent from God, John 3:6; Matthew 11:11-12.

Verse 11

1) "And his head was brought in a charger," (kai -enechthe he kephale- autou epi pinakai) "And his (John’s) head was brought upon a platter," from the prison to the palace, after his soul had returned to God, 2 Corinthians 5:6-8. What more ghastly gift may have been given to a mother by her daughter?

2) "And given to the damsel:" (kai edothe to korasio) “And it was given to -the maid," the daughter of Herodias, Mr 6:25-28. It was a gory, gruesome sight in a banquet hall, but it won’t be the last time these hell ­bent murderers of God’s prophet will see the sight with horror, Luke 16:25.

3) "And she brought it to her mother." (kai enegken te metri autes) "And she (in turn) brought it to her mother," who had incited her to entrap Herod to make the rash pledge, to give or grant her anything she requested, to the half of his kingdom, for the orchestrated dancing she performed before his birthday party guests, Mr 6:28. Such is the fruit of licentious lust, adultery, malice, drinking, dancing, and hate against God and holiness, Galatians 5:17-21.

Verse 12

1) "And his disciples came," (kai proselthontes hoi malthetai autou) "And his disciples approaching;" The disciples of John, upon learning of the dastardly deed of the royal party, that culminated in the murder of John, came to secure the king’s permission.

2) "And took up the body and buried it," (eran to ptoma kai ethapsan auton) "And they took the (beheaded) corpse or carcass of John and buried him," in a tomb, as devout men later did, when Stephen had been stoned to death, Acts 8:2. John’s headless carcass or body had likely been dumped outside the prison, for later burning, except for his disciples.

3) "And went and told Jesus." (kai elthontes apengeilan to lesou) "And went on and reported the matter to Jesus," of the tragedy, of their despondency, sorrow, and fears. John’s prophecy, "He must increase but I must decrease," was now being fulfilled, John 3:28-30; Our Lord was compassionate, when told of death,’ John 11:32-35; See also that of Jarius’ daughter and the widow’s son of Nain, Matthew 9:18-19; Matthew 9:23-26; Luke 7:11-15.

Verse 13

1) "When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence," (akousas de ho lesous anechoresen ekeithen) "Then when Jesus heard the report, he went away, or withdrew from ’where he was, with the twelve, Mr 6:30,31.

2) "By ship into a desert place apart:" (en ploio eis eremon. topon kat’ idian) "In a ship, into a desert or uninhabited place (area) privately," to be alone, in fellowship with His Father, in grief for John the Baptist, His own earthly relative, who had baptized Him. The place was near Bethsadia, East of Jordan, and the Sea of Galilee, Luke 9:10.

3) "And when the people had heard thereof," (kai alkousantes hoi ochloi) "And when the crowds had heard the report," and what Jesus had done, and saw them leaving the west side of the Sea of Galilee by boat or ship, Mr 6:32,33.

4) "They followed him on foot out of the cities” (ekolouthesan auto peze, apo, ion poleon) "They followed him afoot from the cities," by foot or by land, as the sick were brought by others. Apparently to a desert, or uninhabited place around the lake, from where He had gone aboard the ship. It was near Bethsaida, which means "house of fish," a fish market center at the Northeast, shore of the Sea of Galilee, Luke 9:10.

Verse 14

1) "And Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude," (kai ekselthon eiden polen ochlon) "And upon going forth (from the place or private retreat) he saw a huge crowd," Mr 6:34. A multitude that had learned of His location, a searching, soul-hungry throng, the kind He had come, to seek and to save; He saw their need, Luke 19:10.

2) "And was moved with compassion toward them," (kai esplagchnisthe ap’ autois) "And he was filled with pity or emotional tenderness over them," over their needs and their interest in Him on this occasion, Mr 6:34; Matthew 9:36 states that Jesus beheld such crowds as sheep bereft of a shepherd, forlorn, wandering, meandering, crying, bleating.

3) "And he healed their sick." (kai etherapeusen tous arrostous auton) "And he healed their sick ones," that they brought to Him, as an expression of His care for the whole of man, his physical, mental, and spiritual needs, Luke 9:11. Our Lord’s popularity with the masses was near its height of His ministry, though it soon began to decline.

Verse 15

THE FIVE THOUSAND FED V. 15-21

1) "And when it was evening," (opsias de genomenes) "Now when evening had come," the first of the two Jewish evening periods, about 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. The second was reckoned from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

2) "His disciples came to him, saying," (proselthon auto hoi mathetai legontes) "The disciples approached him, repeatedly saying," Mr 6:35.

3) "This is a desert place, and the time is now past;" (eremos estin ho topos kai he hora ede parelthen) "The place (here) is a desert and the hour (of daily work) has already passed," or gone by Luke 9:12. And the time of their finding food, before I night is past, in this uninhabited area.

4) "Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages," (apoluson oun tous ochlous hina apelthontes eis tas komas) "So dismiss the crowds at once, in, order that they may go away into the villages," to rest and to sleep and to eat, Mr 6:36.

5) "And buy themselves victuals." (agorasosin heautois bromata) "That they may buy food for themselves," to satisfy their actual needs, Luke 9:12; John 6:3-7 recounts our Lord’s raising the "how" question of feeding them.

Verse 16

1) "But Jesus said unto them," (ho de lesous eipen autois) "Then Jesus replied to them," to His twelve disciples, and their repeated appeal to Him to dismiss the crowds.

2) "They need not depart;" (ou chreian echousin apelthein) "They do not have a need (that requires them) to go away." Resources will be forthcoming, miraculously to meet the crisis as in Exodus 14:15.

3) "Give ye them to eat." (dote autois humeis phagein) "You all give (dole out) to them to eat," or you all simply share charitably of what you have, a thing He had often asked them to do, Matthew 10:8; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Mr 6:37.

Verse 17

1) "And they say unto him," (hoi de legousin auto) "Then they replied to Him," as if He did not know, but expressing their utter inadequacy without Him, John 15:5.

2) "We have not here but five loaves," (ouk echomen ode ei me pente autous) "We simply have not here (anything) except five loaves," Mr 6:38.

3) "And two fishes." (kai duo ichthuas) "And a couple of -fish," which they had in the hands of a lad, or in charge of a lower teenage boy, John 6:8-9. It was a very modest supply even for the need of the disciples normally.

Verse 18

1) "He said," (ho de eipen) "Then he said," to them, to the disciples who were holding on to the loaves and fishes for themselves.

2) "Bring them hither to me." (pherete noi ode autous) "Bring them here to me." Numbers 11:23; Matthew 12:13. You see it was now the disciples in need, to meet the orders of the Lord, to feed the crowd. And He commanded them to simply bring the food they had to Him, Luke 6:38; Matthew 28:18.

Verse 19

1) "And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass," (kai keleusas tous ochlous anaklithemai eip tou chortou) "And he commanded the crowd to recline (sit down) quickly upon the grass," in companies, an indication of His sense of crowd control, and preparation for orderly serving them, at the hand of His disciples, of that which was put into His hands by the lad, Mr 6:39,40.

2) "And took the five loaves, and the two fishes," (labon tous pente artous kai tous duo ichthuas) "Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes;" He used what they jointly had and put into His hands, all that the Lord requires of any person, who would do His will, Mr 6:41; Luke 9:16.

3) "And looking up to heaven, he blessed," (anablepsas eis ton ouranon eulogesen) "And looking up into the heaven (where His Father was) He gave thanks," Mr 6:41; John 11:41-42. This was in keeping with Jewish custom, Luke 22:19; Luke 24:30.

4) "And brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples," (kai klasas edoken tois mathetais tous artous) "And while dividing or breaking (piece after piece) the loaves, he gave to the disciples," Mr 6:41.

5) "And the disciples to the multitude." (hoi de mathetai tois ochlois) "Then the disciples (in turn gave) to the crowds," that were reclining on the grass. Those who obey the Lord, whether sitting and waiting obediently, or serving, are blessed by their obedience to the Lord, Luke 9:16. There was no scrambling, but decency and order prevailed, by this method of distribution, 1 Corinthians 14:40.

Verse 20

1) "And they did eat, and were filled:" (kai ephagon pantes kai echortasthesan) "And they all ate and were satisfied from their hunger. It was no "snack meal;" There was enough food to satisfy the hunger of all, Philippians 4:19; Mr 6:42; Malachi 3:10.

2) "And they took up of the fragments that remained," (kai eran to perisseoun ton klasmaton) "And they took up the excess or surplus of the fragments," of the food left over. Our Lord taught His disciples to practice both thrift and economy with God’s gifts, a principle of good stewardship, 1 Corinthians 4:2; 2 Kings 4:1-7; 2 Kings 4:42-44; Matthew 15:27.

3) "Twelve baskets full." (dodeka kophimods plereis) "Twelve full baskets," of the excess or left over fragments of fishes and loaves, Mr 6:43; Luke 9:17. Each of the twelve had a basket.

Verse 21

1) "And they that had eaten," (hoi de esthiontes) "Then those who had eaten," (of the multitude that sat upon the ground in rows of fifty and one hundred, Matthew 14:19; Mr 6:40.

2) "Were about five thousand men," (esan andres hosei pentakischilioi) "Were approximately five thousand mature men," Mr 6:44. Note about 5,000 men alone. This indicates the elastic, flexible, or indefiniteness of the term (ochlos) rendered crowd or multitude, meaning always a great gathering.

2) "Beside women and children." (choris gunaikon kai paidion) "Apart from (or in addition to) women and children," Luke 9:14. It. is conservatively estimated that there were likely from ten to twenty-five thousand in all, considering that these were in walking distance of their home villages and cities, Matthew 14:13-15.

Verse 22

JESUS WALK ON THE WATER --PETER’S LITTLE FAITH V. 22-36

1) "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples," (kai "eutheos" enagkasen tous mathetas) "And immediately he constrained the disciples," when they had gathered up the excess fragments. He apparently urged them, against their will, to leave him behind with the crowd; We satisfy Jesus only by simply doing what He says, John 2:5; John 15:14; James 1:22.

2) "To get into a ship," (embenai eis to ploion) "To board or get on board the ship," apparently the one they had crossed the sea in, before this retreat, Matthew 14:13; Mr 6:32,33; John 6:16.

3) "And to go before him unto the other side," (kai proagein auton eis to peran) "And to go on before (and without) him to the other side," of the sea, John 6:17. They were returning to the area of Capernaum on the Northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.

4) "While he sent the multitude away." (heos ou apoluse tous ochlous) "Until he should dismiss or disperse the crowds," those who had run before Him to this place, had their sick healed, and been miraculously fed by the Lord, Matthew 14:13-15; John 20:30-31. He was thoughtfully anxious that they should reach their homes before nightfall, as the second period of the Hebrew evening, 6 p.m., was by now at hand, Matthew 14:15.

Verse 23

1) "And when he had sent the multitudes away," (kai apolusas tous ochlous) "And having dismissed the crowds," Mr 6:46, as He had indicated to the disciples that He would.

2) "He went up into a mountain apart to pray:" (enebe eis to oros kat’ idian proseuksasthai) "He went up into the mountain privately to pray," to commune with His Father, as He often did, Mr 6:46; Luke 5:16. The location was up in the mountains, away from the shore, and even away from the twelve for a time.

3) "And when the evening was come, he was there alone." (opsias de genomenes monos en ekei) "Then when evening came on, He was there alone," when night drew on from the 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. evening period, some three hours after the first evening hour-period of 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., mentioned Matthew 14:15. And there He continued until after midnight, Mr 6:47,48; John 6:17. There He was alone in quiet solitude, free from distractions common in habitable places.

Verse 24

1) "But the ship was now," (to de ploion ede) "Then the ship already," by this time, at this hour of the night.

2) "In the midst of the sea," (stadious pollous apo tes ges aplichen) "Was away many furlongs distance from the land or shore," away from the Bethsaida area, where it had left in the second evening period, about three miles from shore, John 16:19.

3) "Tossed with waves:" (basanizomenos hupo ton kumaton) "Being distressed by the waves," 3Joh 6:18.

4) "For the wind was contrary." (en gar enantois ho anemos) "Because the wind was contrary," blowing, turning, and whipping the ship with waves from every side, Mr 6:48.

Verse 25

1) "And in the fourth watch of the night," (tetarte de phulake tes nuktos) "Then in the fourth watch of the night," between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m., Mr 6:48.

2) "Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea." (elthen pros autous peripaton epi ten thslassan) "He (Jesus) came toward them walking upon the sea,", upon the waters of the sea, Mr 6:48; Jesus went to the disciples miraculously to help them, John 6:20-21. He came to them, out on the sea, actually walking on the water, not walking on the land in the distance, above the level of the sea, as suggested by cynics and skeptics. Note also, that later He "went up unto them into the ship," not down to them, Mr 6:51.

Verse 26

1) "And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea," (hoi de mathetai idontes auton epi tes thalasses peripantounta) "Then when the disciples saw him walking upon the sea," not on the land in the background, in the fourth watch of the night, about 3 a.m. to 6 a.m., Mr 6:48,49.

2) "They were troubled, saying," (etarachthesan legontes) "They were troubled, repeatedly saying," saying again and again, when they saw Him upon the sea approaching them through the storm, Mr 6:50.

3) "It is a spirit;" (hoti phantasma estin) "That it is a phantom-spirit," some kind of a spirit, Luke 24:37. To them, sea-worthy men, it seemed impossible that a man could simply walk over, on, and across the boisterous waves of water, as they surged and limpidly rolled around and around, up and down.

4) "And they cried out for fear." (kai apo tou phobou ekraksan) "And from fear they cried out," with cracked or broken voices, Mr 6:49; John 6:19. This certifies that they believed in the existence of spirits, a thing the Sadducees denied, Acts 23:8. Let it be here noted that even the consciences of sailors have an innate conviction that supernatural spirits, exist, though their natural mind does not, and can not, comprehend them, 1 Corinthians 2:14; Luke 24:37-40.

Verse 27

1) "But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying," (euthus de elalesen ho lesous autois legon) "Then immediately (when they had let go with screams) Jesus spoke to them saying" with quieting, encouraging, helpful assurance, to allay their fears and assure them that they had seen more than a spirit, Mr 6:50.

2) "Be of good cheer; it is I” (tharaseite ego eim!) "Be of good cheer; I am - I am here; I still exist,” as also recounted, John 6:20. His voice is calming and reassuring, like that of a loving mother to a frightened child, one seized by fear, as He reassures, Hebrews 13:5 I will never leave or forsake you."

3) "Be not afraid." (me phobeisthe) "Do not be afraid or fearful," John 14:27; John 16:33. I rule the wind and the waters. And I care for you all. They recognized His voice and were assured by it, Isaiah 25:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:7; Hebrews 2:15; Romans 8:15. The coming, and acceptance of Jesus, in troubled times, brings three things:

1) A dispelling of fear.

2) A presence of continuing joy.

3) A security and safety from eternal harm.

Verse 28

1) "And Peter answered him and said," (apokritheis de auto ho petros eipen) "Then replying to him Peter said," addressed Him with uncertainty and trepidation, with characteristic forwardness, haste in speech.

2) "Lord, if it be thou," (kurie, ei su el) "Lord if it is really you," which he believed, yet with seeming uncertainty, requiring assurance and encouragement from the Lord. Our "ifs" to His bidding should always be, do it, John 2:5; John 14:15; John 15:14; James 1:22.

3) "Bid me come unto thee on the water." (keleuson me elthein pros se epi ta hudata) "You just command me to come to you on the waters," just to test my faith and courage at your command. This part of the narrative of the event is recorded by Matthew only, not included in Mr 6:45-56 or John 6:15-21.

Verse 29

1) "And he said, Come." (ho de eipen elthe) "Then he said, come," come on, start walking upon the waters, testing Peter’s momentary faith and courage, John 6:37.

2) "And when Peter was come down out of the ship," (kai katabas apo tou ploiou) "And going down from the ship," from the deck to the level of the waters, in obedience to His command.

3) "He walked on the water," (Petros periepatesen epi to hudata) "Peter walked upon the water," supported or upheld by faith, while walking upon the waters, even as his Lord had walked toward them upon the waters, in the sea-storm, John 6:19.

4) "To go to Jesus." (kai elthen pros ton lesoun) "And approached Jesus," on the waters, at the Master’s bidding, as Jesus had walked on the waters, coming toward them, Matthew 14:25; Mr 6:49.

Verse 30

1) “But when he saw the wind boisterous," (blepon de ton anemon) "Then glancing at the wind," which was churning up boisterous waves, Matthew 14:24.

2) "He was afraid;" (ephobethe) "He was fearful," afraid, seized again with fear, as when he first thought Jesus was a phantom spirit, Matthew 14:26; Luke 8:24-25.

3) "And beginning to sink, he cried, saying," (kai arksamenos katapontizesthai ekraksen legon) "And beginning to sink, he screamed, saying," repeatedly crying, out as he was going down, from the moment fear seized upon him, when he took a (Gk. blepon) "glance," at the wind swept waves; The Lord saves or delivers all who cry unto Him, Psalms 40:1-3; Psalms 145:18-19.

4) "Lord, save me." (kurie, soson me) "Lord, save me," Lord save me, Lord save me. In desperation he cried, similar to a former cry of His disciples, Matthew 8:25. Peter walked on the waters but feared the wind, a strange mixture and conflict of faith and doubt, common to all men, often doing great things, then stumbling at little things, hindered by little faults. Yet blessed is the thought that in such, our Savior is always near, ready to rescue at our faintest cry of total surrender, 1 Corinthians 10:13; Isaiah 55:6-7; Philippians 4:19; Hebrews 13:5.

Verse 31

1) "And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand," (eutheos de ho lesous ekteinas ten cheira) "And immediately Jesus stretching out (extending) his hand," in prompt reply to an earnest prayer of faith, Romans 10:10-13, Isaiah 55:6-7.

2) "And caught him," (epelabeto auto) "He took hold of him," of Peter, who had (Gk. blepon) "glanced" at the waves and begun to sink, Matthew 14:30. Jesus rescued him in response to his cry, in harmony with Divine promises and principles, Psalms 40:1-3; Psalms 145:18-19.

3) "And said unto him, 0 thou of little faith," (kai legei auto oligopiste) "And said directly to him, 0 you little ­faith one," chiding him for his fear and doubt in a moment of sinking, much as His former chiding other disciples in the midst of a storm, Matthew 8:26.

4) "Wherefore didst thou doubt?" (eis ti edistasas) "Just why did you doubt?" after such a profession and expression of courage and after I commanded you to come to me, as you requested? Why did you glance away, turn eyes from me to the winds? He was double-­minded for the moment, as was Pilate, Matthew 27:17; See also James 1:8. Let it be recalled that from Eve’s evil look upon the forbidden fruit in the garden of Eden, until today, any look away from the Divinely commanded way, tends to evil and a fall. A lift from such sinking comes only by a cry for Divine intervention, 1 John 2:15-17; Romans 14:1-2; Hebrews 12:1-3.

Verse 32

1) "And when they were come into the ship," (kai embanton auton eis to ploion) "And as they ascended (both Jesus and Peter went up) into the ship," where the other disciples were, Matthew 14:26-27. The Gk. term (anabanton) means to go up from a lower to a higher level, indicating that Peter and Jesus climbed up, or ascended from the level of the waters, up into the ship.

2) "The wind ceased." (ekopasen ho anemos) "The wind ceased," became calm, quieted down, as if it had become weary, as also expressed, Mr 6:51.

Verse 33

1) "Then they that were In the ship," (hoi de en to ploio) "Then those who were in the ship," the disciples, Matthew 14:22; Matthew 14:26-27.

2) "Came and worshipped him, saying," (prosekunesan auto legountes) "Worshipped him repeatedly saying or affirming," falling prostrate before and around Him, John 4:24; Matthew 16:16; Matthew 27:54.

3) "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." (alethos theou huios ei) "Truly you are the Son of God," among the first few times He was called "The Son of God," by men, John 1:49; though demons referred to Him skeptically as the Son of God, Matthew 4:3; and God the Father had acknowledged and confirmed that He was His Son, Matthew 3:17. Their question of Matthew 8:27 was not settled.

Verse 34

1) "And when they were gone over," (kai diaperasantes) "And having crossed over," having crossed the sea, from where they had been with and served the hungry crowds the previous late afternoon, near Bethsaida, the fish-house village on the Northeast of the Sea of Galilee.

2) "They came into the land of Gennesaret." (eithon epi ten gen eis gennesaret) "They came upon (out upon) the land into Gennesaret," also mentioned Mr 6:53. This was a rich plain district some four miles long and two miles wide, believed to be about half way between Capernaum and Tiberias off the West shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Verse 35

1) "And when the men of that place had knowledge of him," (kai epignontes auton hoi andres tou topou ekeinou) "And when the men of that place recognized him," or realized who He was, by sight and reports they heard, regarding Mr 6:54; as also He was received, Luke 8:40; John 4:45.

2) "They sent out into all that country round about," (apesteilan eis holen ten perichoron ekeinen) "They sent out into all that neighborhood area;" They sent out ministers, with specific instructions and orders, Mr 6:55. Their word was that Jesus had come and help for their needs was at hand.

3) "And brought unto him all that were diseased;" (kai prosenegkan auto pantas tous kakos echontas) "And they brought to Him all those having illnesses or diseases," that ravished their bodies. How many there were in the "all" is not disclosed, for he did many miracles that were not specifically told or recounted in story form, in the gospels, John 20:30-31; John 21:25.

Verse 36

1) "And besought him," (kai parekaloun auton) "And they appealed to him," in an emotional manner, directly appealing; And He turned none away unhelped, John 21:25; Psalms 145:18-19. The massive crowds of men at least had faith in the curative powers of Jesus.

2) "That they might only, touch the hem of his garment" (hina monon apsontai tou kraspedou tou himatiou autou) "in order that they might touch the fringe of his garment," His mantle or outer garment, as the woman with an issue of blood had formerly done, Mr 5:27,28; Luke 8:43-44.

3) "And so many as touched," (kai osoi epsanto) "And as many (of them) as touched," even His outer garment, Mr 5:30,31; Luke 8:4-47.

4) "Were made perfectly whole." (diesothesan) "Were completely healed," of whatever diseases or illnesses that they had, Mr 5:34; Luke 7:50; Luke 8:48. They were completely cured. There was none sent away disappointed, such as occurs today when men go to fake healers.