Bible Commentaries
Matthew 14

Introduction

Overview

Matthew 14:1, Herod’s opinion of Christ; Matthew 14:3, Wherefore John Baptist was beheaded; Matthew 14:13, Jesus departs into a desert place, Matthew 14:15. where he feeds five thousand men with five loves and two fishes; Matthew 14:22, He walks on the sea to his disciples; Matthew 14:34, and landing at Gennesaret, heals the sick by the touch of the hem of his garment.

Verse 1

Herod: This was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great, by Malthace, and tetrarch of Galilee and Perea, which produced a revenue of 200 talents a year. He married the daughter of Aretas, king of Arabia, whom he divorced in order to marry Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, who was still living. Aretas, to revenge the affront which Herod had offered his daughter, declared war against him, and vanquished him after an obstinate engagement. This defeat, Josephus assures us, the Jews considered as a punishment for the death of John the Baptist. Having gone to Rome to solicit the title of king, he was accused by Agrippa of carrying on a correspondence with Artabanus king of Parthia, against the Romans, and was banished by the emperor Caius to Lyons, and thence to Spain, where he and Herodias died in exile. Mark 6:14-16, Mark 8:15, Luke 9:7-9, Luke 13:31, Luke 13:32, Luke 23:8-12, Luke 23:15, Acts 4:27

Tetrarch: Luke 3:1

Reciprocal: Joshua 6:27 - his fame Matthew 4:24 - his fame Matthew 9:26 - the fame hereof Matthew 14:9 - the king Matthew 14:13 - General Acts 13:1 - Herod

Verse 2

This: Matthew 11:11, Matthew 16:14, Mark 8:28, John 10:41

do show forth themselves in him: or, are wrought by him

Reciprocal: Matthew 3:1 - John Matthew 9:26 - the fame hereof Matthew 14:13 - General Mark 1:14 - after Mark 6:14 - king Herod Mark 6:16 - It is Luke 9:19 - John

Verse 3

Herod: Matthew 4:12, Mark 6:17, Luke 3:19, Luke 3:20, John 3:23, John 3:24

Herodias': This infamous woman was the daughter of Aristobulus and Bernice, and granddaughter of Herod the Great.

his: Luke 13:1

Philip's: Herod Philip, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne.

Reciprocal: Leviticus 18:16 - General Leviticus 20:21 - his brother's 1 Samuel 13:13 - Thou hast done 2 Samuel 12:13 - David 2 Kings 1:9 - sent unto 2 Chronicles 16:10 - put him Matthew 11:2 - in Matthew 17:12 - but Matthew 18:8 - if Mark 6:18 - It is Mark 9:13 - and they 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments

Verse 4

Leviticus 18:16, Leviticus 20:21, Deuteronomy 25:5, Deuteronomy 25:6, 2 Samuel 12:7, 1 Kings 21:19, 2 Chronicles 26:18, 2 Chronicles 26:19, Proverbs 28:1, Isaiah 8:20, Mark 6:18, Acts 24:24, Acts 24:25

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 13:13 - Thou hast done 1 Kings 18:18 - I have not 2 Chronicles 16:10 - put him Proverbs 24:25 - them Proverbs 28:4 - but Jeremiah 34:6 - General Daniel 4:22 - thou Daniel 5:22 - thou Matthew 18:8 - if Luke 1:17 - power Luke 3:19 - General

Verse 5

when: Mark 6:19, Mark 6:20, Mark 14:1, Mark 14:2, Acts 4:21, Acts 5:26

because: Matthew 21:26, Matthew 21:32, Mark 11:30-32, Luke 20:6

Reciprocal: Jeremiah 26:21 - the king sought Matthew 11:9 - A prophet Matthew 14:9 - sorry Matthew 26:5 - lest Mark 11:32 - they Luke 1:76 - shalt be Acts 16:38 - and they Acts 24:25 - Go

Verse 6

birthday: Genesis 40:20, Esther 1:2-9, Esther 2:18, Daniel 5:1-4, Hosea 1:5, Hosea 1:6, Mark 6:21-23

the daughter: Matthew 22:24

danced: Esther 1:10-12

before them: Gr. in the midst

Reciprocal: Judges 16:25 - their hearts Esther 2:4 - the thing Ecclesiastes 7:2 - better Hosea 7:5 - the day Mark 6:22 - General

Verse 7

Esther 5:3, Esther 5:6, Esther 7:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Numbers 22:17 - and I will do Numbers 30:2 - swear Judges 11:35 - I cannot Judges 16:25 - their hearts Proverbs 16:30 - moving Mark 6:23 - he

Verse 8

being: 2 Chronicles 22:2, 2 Chronicles 22:3, Mark 6:24

Give: 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 18:13, 1 Kings 19:2, 2 Kings 11:1, Proverbs 1:16, Proverbs 29:10

a charger: Numbers 7:13, Numbers 7:19, Numbers 7:84, Numbers 7:85, Ezra 1:9

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:7 - slew seventy Proverbs 16:30 - moving Daniel 6:16 - the king Luke 23:20 - General

Verse 9

the king: Matthew 14:1, Mark 6:14

sorry: Matthew 14:5, Matthew 27:17-26, Daniel 6:14-16, Mark 6:20, Mark 6:26, Luke 13:32, John 19:12-16, Acts 24:23-27, Acts 25:3-9

the oath's: Numbers 30:5-8, Judges 11:30, Judges 11:31, Judges 11:39, Judges 21:1, Judges 21:7-23, 1 Samuel 14:24, 1 Samuel 14:28, 1 Samuel 14:39-45, 1 Samuel 25:22, 1 Samuel 25:32-34, 1 Samuel 28:10, 2 Kings 6:31-33, Ecclesiastes 5:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 5:4 - to do evil Jeremiah 44:25 - We will Matthew 19:22 - he went Luke 23:20 - General

Verse 10

and beheaded: Matthew 17:12, Matthew 21:35, Matthew 21:36, Matthew 22:3-6, Matthew 23:34-36, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Jeremiah 2:30, Mark 6:27-29, Mark 9:13, Luke 9:9, Revelation 11:7

the prison: Josephus informs us that John the Baptist was imprisoned and beheaded by Herod in the strong castle of Machaerus, which he describes as situated about 60 stadia east of Jordan, not far from where the river discharges itself into the Dead Sea.

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:13 - David Jeremiah 26:23 - who 2 Corinthians 6:5 - imprisonments

Verse 11

and given: Genesis 49:7, Proverbs 27:4, Proverbs 29:10, Jeremiah 22:17, Ezekiel 16:3, Ezekiel 16:4, Ezekiel 19:2, Ezekiel 19:3, Ezekiel 35:6, Revelation 16:6, Revelation 17:6

Reciprocal: Numbers 7:13 - charger 2 Samuel 4:7 - took his head 1 Chronicles 10:9 - took Mark 6:27 - the king

Verse 12

took: Matthew 27:58-61, Acts 8:2

Reciprocal: Mark 6:29 - they came

Verse 13

Matthew 14:1, Matthew 14:2, Matthew 10:23, Matthew 12:15, Mark 6:30-33, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-15

Reciprocal: Mark 6:31 - come Mark 6:32 - General Mark 9:2 - an high Mark 11:23 - and shall Luke 4:40 - and he Luke 4:42 - and the

Verse 14

and was: Matthew 9:36, Matthew 15:32-39, Mark 6:34, Mark 8:1, Mark 8:2, Mark 9:22, Luke 7:13, Luke 19:41, John 11:33-35, Hebrews 2:17, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 5:2

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 12:7 - Thou art Matthew 8:16 - and healed Matthew 20:34 - Jesus Mark 3:10 - he had Luke 4:42 - and the Luke 6:17 - which Luke 9:11 - when Luke 14:13 - call John 6:2 - General John 6:5 - saw

Verse 15

his: Mark 6:35, Mark 6:36, Luke 9:12

send: Matthew 15:23, Mark 8:3

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:33 - to fill Mark 8:5 - How Luke 10:40 - dost John 6:1 - these John 6:5 - saw James 2:16 - one

Verse 16

they: 2 Kings 4:42-44, Job 31:16, Job 31:17, Proverbs 11:24, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Luke 3:11, John 13:29, 2 Corinthians 8:2, 2 Corinthians 8:3, 2 Corinthians 9:7, 2 Corinthians 9:8

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 4:43 - What Matthew 4:4 - but Mark 6:37 - give Luke 9:13 - Give James 2:16 - one

Verse 17

Matthew 15:33, Matthew 15:34, Numbers 11:21-23, Psalms 78:19, Psalms 78:20, Mark 6:37, Mark 6:38, Mark 8:4, Mark 8:5, Luke 9:13, John 6:5-9

Reciprocal: Genesis 34:12 - dowry 1 Kings 17:14 - The barrel of meal 2 Kings 4:43 - What Matthew 16:9 - the five loaves Mark 8:19 - the five John 6:9 - which

Verse 18

Reciprocal: Mark 6:38 - General Mark 8:6 - to sit John 6:10 - Make

Verse 19

he commanded: Matthew 15:35, Mark 6:39, Mark 8:6, Luke 9:14, John 6:10

looking: Mark 6:41, Mark 7:34, Luke 9:16, John 11:41

he blessed: Matthew 15:36, Matthew 26:26, Matthew 26:27, 1 Samuel 9:13, Mark 8:6, Mark 14:22, Mark 14:23, Luke 22:19, Luke 24:30, John 6:11, John 6:23, Acts 27:35, Romans 14:6, 1 Corinthians 10:16, 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Corinthians 11:24, Colossians 3:17, 1 Timothy 4:4, 1 Timothy 4:5

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 8:10 - thou hast 1 Kings 17:6 - the ravens Psalms 132:15 - bless her provision Mark 8:7 - he blessed 1 Timothy 4:3 - with

Verse 20

were: Matthew 5:6, Matthew 15:33, Exodus 16:8, Exodus 16:12, Leviticus 26:26, 1 Kings 17:12-16, 2 Kings 4:43, 2 Kings 4:44, Proverbs 13:25, Ezekiel 4:14-16, Haggai 1:6, Luke 1:53, Luke 9:17, John 6:7, John 6:11

and they took: Matthew 15:37, Matthew 15:38, Matthew 16:8-10, 2 Kings 4:1-7, Mark 6:42-44, Mark 8:8, Mark 8:9, Mark 8:16-21, John 6:12-14

Reciprocal: Ruth 2:14 - she did 2 Kings 4:6 - when the vessels Psalms 78:25 - he sent

Verse 21

about: John 6:10, Acts 4:4, Acts 4:34, 2 Corinthians 9:8-11, Philippians 4:19

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:37 - all Mark 6:42 - General Luke 9:17 - eat John 6:12 - they Acts 21:5 - with

Verse 22

Jesus: Mark 6:45

while: Matthew 13:36, Matthew 15:39

Reciprocal: Matthew 8:18 - unto Mark 4:35 - Let Luke 8:22 - Let John 6:15 - he departed John 6:22 - but

Verse 23

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

Verse 24

tossed: Matthew 8:24, Isaiah 54:11, Mark 6:48, John 6:18

Reciprocal: Joshua 3:16 - rose up Acts 27:4 - the winds

Verse 25

the fourth watch: The Jews at this time divided the night into four watches; the first was from six o'clock in the evening till nine, the second from nine to twelve, the third from twelve till three, and the fourth from three till six; so that it probably began to be daylight before our Lord came to his disciples. Matthew 24:43, Luke 12:38

walking: This suspension of the laws of gravitation was a proper manifestation of omnipotence. Job 9:8, Psalms 93:3, Psalms 93:4, Psalms 104:3, Mark 6:48, John 6:19, Revelation 10:2, Revelation 10:5, Revelation 10:8

Reciprocal: Psalms 90:4 - and as Psalms 135:6 - in the seas Lamentations 2:19 - watches Mark 6:49 - supposed Acts 23:23 - at

Verse 26

they were: 1 Samuel 28:12-14, Job 4:14-16, Daniel 10:6-12, Mark 6:49, Mark 6:50, Luke 1:11, Luke 1:12, Luke 24:5, Luke 24:45, Acts 12:15, Revelation 1:17

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:18 - the men Genesis 45:3 - for they Job 4:15 - a spirit Mark 16:6 - Be not Luke 24:37 - General John 6:19 - walking

Verse 27

Be: Matthew 9:2, John 16:33, Acts 23:11

it: Isaiah 41:4, Isaiah 41:10, Isaiah 41:14, Isaiah 51:12, Luke 24:38, Luke 24:39, John 6:20, John 14:1-3, Revelation 1:17, Revelation 1:18

Reciprocal: Genesis 43:18 - the men Genesis 45:3 - I am Joseph Genesis 45:4 - I am Joseph Genesis 50:19 - fear not Matthew 28:10 - Be Mark 6:50 - it is I Mark 16:6 - Be not Luke 24:37 - General John 20:16 - She

Verse 28

bid: Matthew 19:27, Matthew 26:33-35, Mark 14:31, Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:49, Luke 22:50, John 6:68, John 13:36-38, Romans 12:3

Reciprocal: Mark 6:51 - and the John 21:7 - when

Verse 29

he walked: Matthew 17:20, Matthew 21:21, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:22, Mark 11:23, Luke 17:6, Acts 3:16, Romans 4:19, Philippians 4:13

Reciprocal: John 21:7 - when

Verse 30

when: Matthew 26:69-75, 2 Kings 6:15, Mark 14:38, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:54-61, John 18:25-27, 2 Timothy 4:16, 2 Timothy 4:17

boisterous: or, strong

Lord: Matthew 8:24, Matthew 8:25, Psalms 3:7, Psalms 69:1, Psalms 69:2, Psalms 107:27-30, Psalms 116:3, Psalms 116:4, Lamentations 3:54-57, Jonah 2:2-7, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Reciprocal: Exodus 14:10 - sore afraid Judges 1:19 - but could Judges 4:8 - General Psalms 12:1 - Help Jeremiah 17:14 - save Matthew 8:26 - Why Matthew 17:20 - Because Luke 8:24 - Master

Verse 31

stretched: Psalms 138:7, Isaiah 63:12, Mark 1:31, Mark 1:41, Mark 5:41, Acts 4:30

and caught: Genesis 22:14, Deuteronomy 32:36, Mark 16:7, Luke 22:31, Luke 22:32, Luke 24:34, 1 Peter 1:5

O thou: Matthew 8:26, Matthew 16:8, Matthew 17:20, Mark 11:23, Romans 4:18-20, 1 Timothy 2:8, James 1:6-8

Reciprocal: Genesis 18:14 - Is Genesis 42:36 - all these things are against me Exodus 14:10 - sore afraid Judges 1:19 - but could Judges 4:8 - General 1 Samuel 27:1 - And David Matthew 6:30 - O ye Matthew 15:28 - great Mark 4:40 - Why Mark 9:22 - if Luke 8:25 - Where Luke 12:28 - O ye Romans 4:19 - being Romans 14:1 - weak

Verse 32

come: Psalms 107:29, Psalms 107:30, Mark 4:41, Mark 6:51, John 6:21

Reciprocal: Psalms 89:9 - General

Verse 33

worshipped: Matthew 15:25, Matthew 28:9, Matthew 28:17, Luke 24:52

Of: Matthew 16:16, Matthew 17:5, Matthew 26:63, Matthew 27:43, Matthew 27:54, Psalms 2:7, Daniel 3:25, Mark 1:1, Mark 14:61, Mark 15:39, Luke 4:41, Luke 8:28, John 1:49, John 6:69, John 9:35-38, John 11:27, John 17:1, John 19:7, Acts 8:37, Romans 1:4

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:17 - Of a truth Matthew 2:11 - worshipped Matthew 8:2 - worshipped Matthew 8:27 - General Matthew 9:18 - worshipped Matthew 20:20 - worshipping Matthew 22:42 - What Mark 3:11 - the Son Luke 1:35 - the Son of God John 6:21 - they willingly John 9:38 - Lord John 20:28 - My Lord Acts 10:25 - and fell

Verse 34

when: Mark 6:53-56

the land of Gennesaret: Gennesaret was a fertile district, in which were situated the cities of Tiberias and Capernaum, extending along the western shore of the lake to which it gave name, about 30 stadia, or nearly four miles, in length, and twenty stadia, or two miles and a half, in breadth, according to Josephus. Luke 5:1

Reciprocal: Numbers 34:11 - sea of Chinnereth Mark 1:21 - Capernaum

Verse 35

Matthew 4:24, Matthew 4:25, Mark 1:28-34, Mark 2:1-12, Mark 3:8-10, Mark 6:55

Reciprocal: Matthew 15:30 - great Matthew 19:2 - General

Verse 36

only: Matthew 9:20, Matthew 9:21, Mark 3:10, Luke 6:19, Acts 19:11, Acts 19:12

hem: Matthew 23:5, Exodus 28:33-43, Numbers 15:38, Numbers 15:39

perfectly: John 6:37, John 7:23, Acts 3:16, Acts 4:9, Acts 4:10, Acts 4:14-16

Reciprocal: Leviticus 6:27 - touch Matthew 8:15 - touched Matthew 15:30 - great Matthew 19:2 - General Mark 5:27 - touched Acts 5:15 - they brought