Matthew 14 - Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

John the Baptist is beheaded by Herod and Jesus continues to teach and heal the people. The crowds were hungry and Jesus feeds the five thousand followers. He also tames the seas and walks on water saving His diciples.

 1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, Herod: This was Herod Anitipas, son of Herod the great by Malthace. (Luke 3:1). Tetrarch: A governor over a forth part of the country. (Galilee and Perea). He heard about Jesus, His teachings and His miracles, that were preading throughout the country fast.

  2And 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. Herod is hearing stories about Jesus, and thinks this might be John the Baptist who had risen from the dead. Herod kind of admired John, and at the same time he was a little afraid of him. 

 3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife. Herod had John put in prison because he wanted his brothers ex-wife. (Herodias, the granddaughter of Herod the great).

 4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. John the Baptist had been telling Herod that it was not lawful to marry her. The Herod's didn't listen.

 5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Herod did not like what John had said and wanted to kill him, but was afraid of riots because the people believed John was a prophet.

 6But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. How a little seductive dance from a young sweet thing can change the minds of even kings. 

 7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Feeling good and falling for the young girl, he promises her anything she wants. (Thinking with the wrong head).

 8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger. Being urged by her mother, the girl wanted John's head on a platter. Who was behind it? "Satan of course."

 9And 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. Herod was grieved, but because of his oath, he didn't want to back down in front of his guests, so he gave the order to behead John.

 10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. John the Baptist was beheaded in prison. 

 11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. His head was presented on a platter and given to the young girl, who took it to her mother. Again, this was another attempt by Satan to stop the truth of the Word through the prophets.

 12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. These were John's disciples that went and told Jesus of what had happened, not Christ's disciples.

 13When 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. When Jesus hears of the news, He left in a boat to be alone. (It appears that Jesus was affected by the death of John, after all, they were related). However, the crowds heard where He was and followed Him by land from many villages as the crowds grew in number.

 14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. Even though Jesus had sorrow for John at the time, He still had compassion for the crowd of people and healed their sick. (Estimated here at around 10,000 to 12,000 people).

 15And 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. It was getting late in the day (Jewish evening starts around 3:00 p.m.), and past time for supper. There was no food food for the people to eat, and the disciples wanted to send them into the nearby villages for food.

 16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. (Notice that Jesus told the disciples to feed them, just as we are to spiritually feed the people the word of truth). As stated in (Amos 8:11), the famine in the end time is not for food or drink, but for hearing the word of God. "Will they understand what Jesus meant?"

 17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes. Five loves of bread. The bread being symbolic of Christ as the "bread of life." Two fish. The fish being symbolic of "Christianity." Note that a little boy was the one had the food. (John 6:9). Jesus always loved to involve the children, after all, we are all children of God.

 18He said, Bring them hither to me. Christ was about to show them that the "bread of life" can feed as many as needed, even if it is brought forth by little children.

 19And 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. Again; Christ blessed what they would partake of, but the disciples fed them. Just as we are to do today as Christians and teachers of the Word. We are to take the "word of God," and feed it to the people who are starving for truth. (Amos 8:11). As stated in (Amos 8:12), people are wondering around seeking the truth, but they are not finding it. (So many different religions and doctrines of man that they do not know where to turn).

 20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full. Plenty of food left over for all the tribes. (Mark 8:8-9, Luke 9:17). When you spiritually feed the people the word of God, it will never run out, and all will be filled and comforted with the truth.

 21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children. There were around 10,000 to 12,000 people total in the crowd.

 22And 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. After this, Jesus "insisted" the disciples get into the boat while He sent the crowds home. Hmmm, were the disciples wondering why Jesus sent them away so fast without Him? "Jesus knew a storm was coming." (Its always calm before the storm).

 23And 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. After sunset Christ went to talk with the Heavenly Father. (Mark 6:46).

 24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. The disciples were in trouble far from land with rising winds and fighting the heavy sea. Here comes the storm! (John 6:18).

 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. Christ walked to them on the water. 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 it was between 3:00 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., before our Lord came to his disciples. Many critics try to say that when Jesus walked on the water it was just a reflection from the sun, an illusion, or a mirage. The problem is with the critics is that there was no sun at this time of the day.

 26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear. The word "spirit" used here is Strong's G5326, meaning "Phantasma" a mere show; phantasm. (Not Pneuma; Breath of Life Spirit), The disciples thought it was a ghost that they saw.

 27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Jesus spoke to them, reassuring them not to be afraid and that it was Him walking on the water.

 28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Peter was always the one who wanted the attention when it came to serving and trusting in Christ, however this time he had a little doubt in his mind. "Peter was about to test His faith." (Remember "Peter" means stone and you know how fast a stone sinks in water).

 29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. Peter heard Jesus say come, and was focused on Him. Then he went over the side of the boat and started to walk on water. (His faith was strong at first).

 30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. But, when Peter looked around and seen the high waves and mighty wind he was terrified and began to sink. "Save me, Lord." he shouted. (You see; the storm drew Peter's attention off Christ). When trouble comes your way as a Christian, you must stay focused on Christ, "don't let the world draw your attention and swallow you up."

 31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? Jesus said; O man of little faith, why did you doubt me?" (If you want troubles in this world, just take your eyes off Christ, or doubt His Word). On the other hand, when your in trouble, have faith and call on Jesus Christ. "He will reach out and save you in your time of need."

 32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased. The test of faith was over and the storm stopped. So; Why this example with the sea? As you will read in Revelation chapters 13 & 17, it is the people of the world that rise from the waters. Christ walked on the water to show how it is possible to walk above the people in this chaotic world. Not that we should be better than them, but we are able to rise above the troubles in the world, if we stay focused on Christ and His Word.

 33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. They were awestruck with what Jesus had just done, but did they understand Christ was teaching here, and not just putting on a show so they would believe He is the Son of God?

 34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. "Garden of the prince." It was at the northern end of the lake and to the west of the Jordan.

 35And 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; The people recognized Jesus, the news spread quickly, and the people came from all around to be healed by Christ.

 36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole. It was not the garment that healed them, but their faith in Him. Remember that God does the healing as He gets us through the fiery trials, but we must have faith and believe in Him. (I Peter 1:7).

Keep the faith,
Barton