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BOOK 40 OF 66 · GOSPELS · KING JAMES BIBLE

Matthew 14

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REVIEWED OVERVIEW

Matthew 14 Overview

Herod’s execution of John the Baptist is recounted, and Jesus withdraws but is followed by crowds. He feeds five thousand men besides women and children from five loaves and two fishes, walks on the sea to His disciples, rescues Peter when fear overwhelms him, and is confessed by the disciples as the Son of God.

MatthewBook
14Chapter
36Verses
GospelsDivision

Before you read Matthew 14

Coming from

Matthew 13 established the immediate context: Jesus teaches a series of kingdom parables by the sea: the sower, wheat and tares, mustard seed, leaven, hidden treasure, pearl, and net.

In this chapter

The chapter contrasts a corrupt earthly ruler’s banquet of death with Jesus’ compassionate provision and sovereign authority over creation.

Leads into

Matthew 15 continues the account: Jesus confronts Pharisees and scribes for elevating tradition above God’s command, teaching that defilement proceeds from the heart rather than merely from external contact.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Matthew’s placement creates a striking contrast between Herod’s feast, where pride and manipulation lead to John’s death, and Jesus’ wilderness meal, where compassion feeds the multitude.

Peter’s attempt to walk on the water is secondary to Jesus’ identity and rescue. The scene ends with worship and confession of Jesus as Son of God.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Faithful witness can suffer under corrupt power

John dies because Herod values reputation and oath-bound pride over justice.

Jesus’ compassion meets real physical need

He heals and feeds the crowds rather than treating them as interruptions.

Jesus exercises divine authority over the sea

The impossible setting becomes a place of revelation for the disciples.

Weak faith can still cry to the right Savior

Peter sinks, calls for help, and is immediately rescued.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

2 Kings 4:42–44

Elisha’s multiplication of bread provides an Old Testament pattern surpassed by Jesus’ feeding miracle.

Psalm 77:19

The Psalms describe God’s way in the sea, deepening the significance of Jesus walking upon the waters.

John 6

John gives an extended parallel of the feeding and its theological aftermath.

Mark 6:14–52

Mark preserves parallel accounts of John’s death, the feeding, and Jesus on the sea.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Do not make Peter the hero of the sea story

The decisive figure is Jesus, who commands, rescues, stills, and receives worship.

Do not turn miraculous feeding into a guarantee that every material need will be met through a similar miracle

It is a messianic sign in a particular setting.

Do not praise Herod for keeping his oath

A vow does not justify murder; sinful promises should not be fulfilled simply because they were made.

Read Matthew 14 watching for…

The contrast between Herod’s banquet and Jesus’ feeding.

Jesus’ compassion before the miracle.

What the disciples think is insufficient.

Jesus’ actions with the loaves and fishes.

Peter’s shift from courage to fear.

The confession after Jesus enters the ship.

TWBC REVIEW STANDARD

Plain language. Scripture first. Fact distinguished from inference. No filler. No fake certainty. Designed to help you read the Bible itself.

Chapter outline4 sections
1-12Herod hears of Jesus and the death of John the Baptist is recounted13-21Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fishes22-33Jesus walks on the sea and Peter comes to him on the water34-36Jesus heals the sick in the land of Gennesaret
1

At 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.

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Matthew 14:28

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