Matthew 14:1-36 King James Version

Jesus Show Compassion for the Multitude, Walks on Water, and Heals the Sick

Matthew 14:1-36 King James Version. Matthew 14 illustrates some key aspects of Jesus’ ministry – His compassion, miraculous power, and the importance of faith in Him. The chapter also contrasts the responses of different people to Jesus and His message, from Herod’s fear and opposition to the crowds’ faith and need.

The Death of John the Baptist

Matthew 14:1-12. Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, hears about Jesus and thinks he might be John the Baptist risen from the dead. The narrative then recounts how Herod had arrested John, imprisoned him, and eventually beheaded him. John had condemned Herod for marrying Herodias, his brother’s wife. Herodias harbored a grudge against John and manipulated Herod into ordering John’s execution.

The meaning of this highlights the cost of prophetic truth-telling and the moral corruption of Herod’s court. John the Baptist is presented as a martyr for righteousness, foreshadowing the suffering and death of Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Matthew 14:12-21. After hearing of John the Baptist’s death, Jesus withdraws to a solitary place, but the crowds follow him. Moved with compassion, Jesus heals the sick among them.

As evening approaches, the disciples suggest sending the crowd away to buy food, but Jesus instructs them to feed the people. Using five loaves and two fish, Jesus miraculously feeds about five thousand men, plus women and children.

This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ compassion and divine power, emphasizing his ability to provide for the needs of the people. It also prefigures the Last Supper and the Eucharist, illustrating Jesus as the Bread of Life.

Jesus Walks on Water

Matthew 14:22-33. After His miracle of feeding thousands, Jesus sends his disciples ahead by boat while he dismisses the crowd and prays alone. The disciples’ boat is caught in a storm, and Jesus walks on the water to reach them. The disciples are terrified, thinking they see a ghost, but Jesus reassures them.

Peter attempts to walk on the water toward Jesus but begins to sink when he becomes afraid and Jesus says to him “O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt.” Jesus then saves him, and they both climb into the boat, calming the storm.

This event underscores Jesus’ mastery over nature and his divine authority. It also highlights the importance of faith and trust in Jesus. Peter’s experience illustrates the struggles of faith and the need to keep focus on Jesus amidst life’s challenges.

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

Matthew 14:34-36. After crossing the lake, Jesus and his disciples arrive at Gennesaret. The people recognize Jesus and bring all their sick to him, and he heals them, even those who merely touch the edge of his cloak. This passage reaffirms Jesus’ role as a healer and savior, showing his compassion and willingness to help all who come to him in faith.

Matthew 14:1-36 King James Version

1 That time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
2 And 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.
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a
prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And 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.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13 When 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.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And 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.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And 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.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
22 And 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.
23 And 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.

24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
35 And 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;
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.