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Matthew 14

Against the backdrop of John’s execution, Jesus shows compassion and authority that lead his frightened disciples to worship him.

Herod hears reports about Jesus and fears that John the Baptizer, whom he had executed, has risen from the dead. Matthew recounts John’s death before describing Jesus’ withdrawal after hearing the news. Crowds follow, and Jesus heals their sick and feeds them with five loaves and two fish. After praying alone, he walks across the sea to his frightened disciples. Peter steps onto the water, then needs rescue. The chapter ends with healings at Gennesaret.

fear for the futuredoubtpraise and worship
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1At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,
2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.
7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.
8She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”
9The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,
10and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.
11His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother.
12His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.
14Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”
16But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”
19He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
20They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.
21Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone.
24But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.
26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”
28Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”
29He said, “Come!” Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
30But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.
34When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
35When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick;
36and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
World English BibleRead in NIV in Psalmlog →Highlighted verses are the most connected.
Key verses
Matthew 14:33The disciples’ worship and confession identify Jesus as God’s Son after his rescue of Peter and the wind’s sudden calm.
Matthew 14:23Jesus’ solitary prayer stands between feeding the crowd and coming to the disciples across the sea.
Matthew 14:27Jesus identifies himself and speaks reassurance while the disciples still face the wind and fear a ghost.
Where this chapter reaches

Mark, Luke, and John also recount the feeding of the five thousand, sharing the five loaves, two fish, and twelve baskets of leftovers. The feeding also shares with 2 Kings the pattern of a small supply of bread feeding a crowd with food remaining.

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Notice

After reading the whole chapter

What do you notice about Jesus’ response to the crowd after hearing of John’s death?

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How does Peter’s movement from stepping out to crying for rescue compare with your experience of trust?

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Questions people ask about Matthew 14

Why did Herod have John the Baptist killed in Matthew 14?

John had challenged Herod’s marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Herod imprisoned him and wanted him dead, yet feared the crowd. At Herod’s birthday feast, Herodias prompted her daughter to request John’s head. Though grieved, Herod ordered the execution because of his oath and his guests.

Why did Peter sink when he walked on water?

Peter stepped onto the water at Jesus’ command. When he saw the strong wind, he became afraid and began to sink. Jesus caught him when he cried for rescue, then questioned his doubt and little faith. The account connects Peter’s fear with faltering trust while showing Jesus’ readiness to save.

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Matthew · 28 chapters
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What the Bible says about fear →What the Bible says about doubt →What the Bible says about worship →

Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY). Scripture from the World English Bible (public domain). Arc diagram after Chris Harrison and Christoph Römhild (2007).