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Matthew 14 The Death of John the Baptist

1 John the Baptist Beheaded
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,

2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod so much

7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted

10 and had John beheaded in the prison.

11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.

14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said.

19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22 Jesus Walks on the Water
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.

23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,

24 but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.

26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him

36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

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Analysis of Matthew Chapter 14

Matthew Chapter 14 stands as a pivotal point in the Gospel of Matthew, detailing key moments in Jesus’ ministry, including miracles and profound teachings. The chapter touches on themes of divine compassion, faith, and the power of God. In this analysis, we’ll break down the chapter into its significant sections, providing an in-depth reflection on the text and its implications for believers.

The Execution of John the Baptist (Verses 1-12)

The chapter begins with the account of John the Baptist’s execution. Herod Antipas, the tetrarch, hears about the works of Jesus and mistakenly believes Jesus is John the Baptist resurrected. This misconception speaks volumes about Herod’s guilt and superstition, highlighting the moral corruption and fear dictating his actions.

“At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and he said to his attendants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.’” (Matthew 14:1-2)

Herod’s reaction underscores a prevailing fear among those in power who act unrighteously. The narrative then recounts the circumstances of John’s death: his imprisonment due to Herodias’s grudge and the rash vow Herod made at his birthday banquet, leading to John’s beheading.

John the Baptist’s death sets a somber tone for the chapter, emphasizing the cost of prophetic truth and righteousness. John had boldly condemned Herod’s unlawful marriage to Herodias, demonstrating a commitment to moral integrity that ultimately cost him his life. The account serves as a prelude to the persecution and sacrifice that Jesus himself would face.

“His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.” (Matthew 14:11-12)

This passage showcases the stark reality of martyrdom for God’s truth. The detail of John’s disciples taking his body to Jesus indicates the link between John’s ministry and Jesus’. This act of bringing the news to Jesus signifies John’s role as the forerunner to the Messiah and highlights Jesus’ grief over the loss of his forerunner and kinsman.

Feeding the Five Thousand (Verses 13-21)

Following the news of John’s death, Jesus withdraws by boat to a solitary place to mourn. Despite his desire for solitude, crowds follow him, displaying their deep need for his ministry. Moved by compassion, Jesus heals the sick and feeds the multitude with five loaves and two fish, performing a significant miracle.

“When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick…” (Matthew 14:14)

His compassion here is a fundamental attribute of Jesus’ character. Despite his personal sorrow, Jesus prioritizes the needs of the people, reflecting his selfless love. The miracle itself, feeding over five thousand people, serves several purposes:

  • Demonstration of Divine Provision: Just as God provided manna in the wilderness for the Israelites, Jesus provides for the physical needs of the crowd, reinforcing his connection to the divine and showing that he is the true sustenance of life.
  • Teaching a Lesson of Faith to His Disciples: Jesus involves his disciples in the miracle, instructing them to distribute the loaves and fish. This act teaches them to trust in God’s provision and power.
  • Foreshadowing the Eucharist: The breaking of bread and distribution prefigures the Last Supper, where Jesus institutes the Eucharist, symbolizing his body given for the salvation of humanity.

“They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.” (Matthew 14:20)

The remaining twelve basketfuls signify the abundance of God’s grace, sufficient for all the tribes of Israel and for all people. The number twelve often represents completeness in biblical terms, suggesting that God’s provision is complete and overflowing.

Jesus Walks on Water (Verses 22-33)

After the miracle of feeding the five thousand, Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he goes up on a mountainside to pray. This action highlights the importance of prayer in Jesus’ ministry, exemplifying the need for solitude and communion with the Father even amidst a busy life of service.

“Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost,’ they said, and cried out in fear.” (Matthew 14:25-26)

The disciples’ fear at seeing Jesus walking on water underscores their limited understanding of his divine nature. Jesus reassures them, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” This is a call to recognize his sovereignty over nature and his presence in the midst of their fears.

The incident involving Peter walking on water further deepens the lesson on faith. Peter initially steps out of the boat with bold faith, but his fear of the wind and waves causes him to start sinking. Jesus’ rebuke, “You of little faith,” and his act of saving Peter illustrate the importance of maintaining trust in Jesus even during life’s storms.

“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!’ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘You of little faith,’ he said, ‘why did you doubt?’” (Matthew 14:30-31)

This episode teaches that faith must be steadfast and focused on Jesus. When our focus shifts to the tumult around us, like Peter’s did, our faith wavers, but calling out to Jesus ensures that he will reach out and save us. This miracle affirms Jesus’ divine authority and serves as a lesson in trust and reliance on him.

Healing the Sick in Gennesaret (Verses 34-36)

Upon reaching Gennesaret, Jesus’ reputation as a healer has spread, and people bring their sick to him, believing that touching even the fringe of his cloak would heal them. The passage testifies to the profound faith of the people and the miraculous power of Jesus’ presence.

“And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.” (Matthew 14:35-36)

This segment encapsulates the widespread recognition of Jesus’ ministry and affirms his role as the healer. The physical act of touching his cloak represents a tangible expression of faith. This healing power signifies that Jesus is the source of life and wholeness, capable of restoring health and well-being.

Theological Reflections

Jesus’ Compassion and Miracle Working Power

Matthew 14 vividly portrays Jesus’ compassion. His heart goes out to the people despite his own grief over John’s death and his need for solitude. This selflessness underscores the nature of Jesus’ ministry — a ceaseless outpouring of love and care. His miracles, from feeding the multitude to walking on water and healing the sick, serve as validations of his divine mission and messianic identity.

Faith and Doubt

The chapter intricately ties the themes of faith and doubt. The miracle of feeding the five thousand and Peter’s experience of walking on water both highlight the necessity of faith in Jesus’ power and presence. Peter’s moment of doubt leading to his sinking serves as a powerful metaphor for spiritual life: unwavering faith enables believers to transcend their fears, while doubt can cause us to falter. Yet Jesus’ readiness to save those who call out to him reinforces the assurance of his ever-present help.

The Cost of Discipleship

The execution of John the Baptist sets a tone for understanding the cost of following God’s call. John’s unwavering commitment to truth and righteousness leads to his martyrdom, foreshadowing the suffering Jesus himself would endure. This narrative invites believers to reflect on the sacrifices associated with discipleship, affirming that while the costs may be high, the eternal rewards far surpass earthly suffering.

Jesus as the Fulfillment of Divine Promise

The feeding of the five thousand and other miracles point to Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and divine promises. He embodies the bread of life, echoing the provision of manna, and his miracles attest to his fulfillment of the messianic prophecies. These acts serve to reinforce the continuity of God’s salvific plan across the covenants established throughout the Bible.

Conclusion

Matthew Chapter 14 is a profound chapter that interweaves narratives of martyrdom, miraculous provision, and lessons of faith, revealing multifaceted aspects of Jesus’ ministry. It demonstrates Jesus’ unparalleled compassion, his divine authority over nature, his power to heal, and his call for unwavering faith. The chapter reiterates the cost of discipleship while offering hope and assurance of Jesus’ saving presence. Through these accounts, believers are invited to deepen their faith and trust in Jesus, recognizing him as the true source of spiritual sustenance and salvation.