Thematic Bible




Matthew 14:1 (show verse)

About that time Herod the tetrarch [Note: This man was the son of Herod the Great (See 2:

Matthew 14:2 (show verse)

He told his servants, "This must be John, the Immerser; he has risen from the dead and [that explains how] these powers can work through him [i.e., Jesus]."

Matthew 14:3 (show verse)

For Herod had arrested John and had him chained and put in prison in order to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

Matthew 14:4 (show verse)

For John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to be married to her."

Matthew 14:5 (show verse)

Now Herod wanted to have him put to death, [but hesitated], fearing the crowd, because they considered John to be a prophet.

Matthew 14:6 (show verse)

But when Herod's birthday came, Herodias' daughter [Note: According to Josephus her name was Salome], pleased him by [her sensual] dancing in front of the party guests.

Matthew 14:7 (show verse)

[Herod was so pleased with her performance that] he promised, with an oath, to give her whatever she asked for [i.e., with limitations. See Mark 6:23].

Matthew 14:8 (show verse)

Her mother persuaded her to say, "Give me the head of John, the Immerser, here on this [large] platter."

Matthew 14:9 (show verse)

Now King Herod became very distressed [over such a gruesome request]; but because he had [promised with] oaths and [to look good in front of] his party guests, he ordered John's head to be given [to her].

Matthew 14:10 (show verse)

So, he sent [word to his officers] and had John decapitated in the prison.

Matthew 14:11 (show verse)

His head was brought on a [large] platter and given to the young woman [i.e., Salome], and she took it to her mother [i.e., Herodias].

Matthew 14:12 (show verse)

Jesus' disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus [all about the incident].

Matthew 14:13 (show verse)

Now when Jesus heard about it He left there in a boat and went [across to the east side of the lake] to a deserted place. When the crowds found out [He was leaving] they followed Him [i.e., by traveling around] on the shore from the [surrounding] towns.

Matthew 14:14 (show verse)

When Jesus came out [of His place of seclusion] and saw a large crowd, He felt a deep compassion for them and healed their sick people.

Matthew 14:15 (show verse)

When it became evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is deserted and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the towns and buy food [for their supper]."

Matthew 14:16 (show verse)

But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away; you men give them [something] to eat."

Matthew 14:17 (show verse)

And they replied, "But we have here [only] five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish."

Matthew 14:18 (show verse)

And He said, "Bring the bread and fish here to me."

Matthew 14:19 (show verse)

He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God's blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds.

Matthew 14:20 (show verse)

They all ate until they were full, then gathered up twelve baskets full of the remaining broken pieces.

Matthew 14:21 (show verse)

Those eating numbered about five thousand men, in addition to the women and children.

Matthew 14:22 (show verse)

Then immediately Jesus ordered the disciples to enter the boat and row on ahead of Him to the other side [i.e., to the west side of Lake Galilee] until He could send the crowds away.

Matthew 14:23 (show verse)

After He had dispersed them, He went up into the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening had come He was there alone.

Matthew 14:24 (show verse)

[Meanwhile] the boat, still some distance from shore, was being severely battered by the waves because of the opposing winds.

Matthew 14:25 (show verse)

Then between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came walking to them on the [surface of the] lake.

Matthew 14:26 (show verse)

When the disciples saw Him walking on the water they became frightened, saying, "It is a spirit!" and cried out with fear.

Matthew 14:27 (show verse)

Just then Jesus called out to them, "Take courage and do not be afraid; it is I."

Matthew 14:28 (show verse)

Peter answered Him, "Lord, if it is [really] you, ask me to come to you [walking] on the water."

Matthew 14:29 (show verse)

And Jesus replied, "Come [ahead]." So, Peter climbed over the side of the boat and went to Jesus, walking on the water.

Matthew 14:30 (show verse)

But when he saw the [furious] wind he became fearful and began to sink, shouting out, "Lord, save me!"

Matthew 14:31 (show verse)

And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him and said, "You have such little faith; why did you doubt?"

Matthew 14:32 (show verse)

And when they [i.e., both Jesus and Peter] got up into the boat, the wind [immediately] stopped.

Matthew 14:33 (show verse)

Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Matthew 14:34 (show verse)

And when they had [finally] crossed over [i.e., to the west side of the lake], they landed at the region of Gennesaret.

Matthew 14:35 (show verse)

When the people there recognized Jesus, they sent to all the surrounding regions and had all who were sick brought to Him.

Matthew 14:36 (show verse)

They begged Him that they might only touch the edge of His robe. And all those who got to touch it were made well.