Bible Commentaries

Matthew 14:1-12. Herod thinks Jesus a resurrection of the murdered Baptist - Account of his imprisonment and death. (= Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9).

The time of this alarm of Herod Antipas appears to have been during the mission of the Twelve, and shortly after the Baptist - who had been in prison for probably more than a year - had been cruelly put to death.

Herod‘s theory of the works of Christ (Matthew 14:1, Matthew 14:2).

At that time Herod the tetrarch — Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus (Matthew 2:22), who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea.

heard of the fame of Jesus — “for His name was spread abroad” (Mark 6:14).

And said unto his servants — his counselors or court-ministers.

This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, etc. — The murdered prophet haunted his guilty breast like a specter and seemed to him alive again and clothed with unearthly powers in the person of Jesus.

Matthew 14:3-12. Account of the Baptist‘s imprisonment and death.

For the exposition of this portion, see on Mark 6:17-29.

Matthew 14:12-21. Hearing of the Baptist‘s death, Jesus crosses the lake with twelve, and miraculously feeds five thousand. (= Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-14).

For the exposition of this section - one of the very few where all the four Evangelists run parallel - see on Mark 6:30-44.

Matthew 14:22-26. Jesus crosses to the western side of the lake walking on the sea - Incidents on landing. (= Mark 6:45; John 6:15-24).

For the exposition, see on John 6:15-24.

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water — (Also see on Mark 6:50.)

And he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat. he walked on the water, to go to Jesus — (Also see on Mark 6:50.)

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me — (Also see on Mark 6:50.)

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? — (Also see on Mark 6:50.)

And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased — (Also see on Mark 6:50.)