Bullet Point Bible - Matthew 14

Herod's Fear and John's Execution

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard reports about Jesus,² and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead! And because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him."³ For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,⁴ because John had repeatedly told him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."⁵ Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.⁶ But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.⁸ Instructed by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter."⁹ Although it grieved the king, because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given.¹⁰ So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.¹² Then John's disciples came and took the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.

This section introduces Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, highlighting his superstitious fear prompted by Jesus' growing fame.
Herod's conclusion that Jesus is John the Baptist raised from the dead reveals his guilty conscience over John's execution (Matthew 14:2).
The narrative uses a flashback (Matthew 14:3-11) to explain the reason for Herod's fear and the circumstances of John's death.
John the Baptist's imprisonment resulted from his courageous condemnation of Herod's unlawful marriage to Herodias, his brother Philip's wife (Leviticus 18:16, 20:21).
Herod's fear of the people, who regarded John as a prophet, initially prevented him from executing John (Matthew 14:5).
The decadent setting of Herod's birthday feast contrasts sharply with John's righteous life and message.
Herod's rash oath, made under the influence of the moment and social pressure, trapped him into fulfilling a wicked request (Matthew 14:7, 9). Compare this to Jephthah's rash vow in Judges 11.
Herodias's vengeful manipulation through her daughter led directly to John's martyrdom (Matthew 14:8).
The gruesome detail of John's head on a platter underscores the brutality and moral depravity of Herod's court.
The loyalty and care shown by John's disciples in burying his body and informing Jesus stand in contrast to the court's callousness (Matthew 14:12).

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

¹³ Now when Jesus heard this he went away from there privately in a boat to an isolated place. But when the crowd heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns.¹⁴ As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.¹⁵ When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, "This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."¹⁶ But he replied, "They don't need to go. You give them something to eat."¹⁷ They said to him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."¹⁸ "Bring them here to me," he replied.¹⁹ Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full.²¹ Not counting women and children, there were about 5,000 men who ate.

Jesus sought solitude upon hearing of John's death, demonstrating his human need for withdrawal and perhaps grief (Matthew 14:13).
Despite his desire for solitude, Jesus showed compassion ("splanchnizomai" - a deep, visceral pity) when he saw the pursuing crowds and their needs (Matthew 14:14).
The disciples' practical solution (sending the crowds away) highlighted their limited perspective and resources compared to Jesus' divine power (Matthew 14:15).
Jesus' command, "{{You give them something to eat}}" (Matthew 14:16), challenged the disciples to rely on him rather than their own means.
The meager resources (five loaves, two fish) emphasized the miraculous nature of the provision (Matthew 14:17). This recalls Elisha's miracle in 2 Kings 4:42-44.
Jesus' actions – taking, looking up to heaven, giving thanks (blessing), breaking, and giving – mirror the actions at the Last Supper (Matthew 26:26) and became standard elements of Christian communion.
The orderly arrangement of the crowd ("sit down on the grass") suggests organization and care (Matthew 14:19). Mark's account mentions groups of 50s and 100s (Mark 6:40).
Everyone ate and was "satisfied," indicating the abundance of God's provision through Christ (Matthew 14:20).
The collection of twelve baskets of leftovers signifies completeness (perhaps representing the twelve tribes of Israel or the twelve apostles) and the superabundance of the miracle – nothing was wasted, and there was more than enough (Matthew 14:20).
The number "five thousand men, besides women and children" indicates a very large crowd, possibly 15,000-20,000 people, magnifying the scale of the miracle (Matthew 14:21). This is the only miracle (besides the resurrection) recorded in all four Gospels.

Jesus Walks on Water

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds.²³ And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.²⁴ Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it.²⁵ As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, "It's a ghost!" and cried out with fear.²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them: "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."

Jesus' urgency in sending the disciples away ("Immediately Jesus made...") might be linked to the crowd's potential desire (mentioned in John 6:15) to make him a political king after the feeding miracle.
Jesus prioritized solitary prayer, demonstrating his dependence on the Father, especially after ministry exertion and before facing trials (Matthew 14:23). Compare Luke 5:16, Mark 1:35.
The disciples' struggle against the storm ("battered by the waves, because the wind was against them") symbolizes the difficulties believers face in the world while separated from Jesus' physical presence (Matthew 14:24).
Jesus came to them during the "fourth watch of the night" (3-6 a.m.), the darkest and most difficult part of the night, often when hope seems lost (Matthew 14:25).
Jesus walking on the sea demonstrated his divine power over the natural forces, echoing Old Testament descriptions of God's sovereignty over the chaotic waters (Job 9:8, Psalm 77:19).
The disciples' initial reaction was terror, mistaking Jesus for a ghost, revealing their fear and lack of perception even after witnessing the feeding miracle (Matthew 14:26).
Jesus' immediate reassurance, "{{Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid}}" (Matthew 14:27), is crucial. "It is I" (Greek: *ego eimi*) can also mean "I AM," echoing God's divine name revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14), thus subtly declaring his divinity.

Peter Walks on Water and the Disciples Worship

²⁸ Peter said to him, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water."²⁹ So he said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.³⁰ But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"³² When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Peter's request, while impulsive, showed a desire to be near Jesus and share in His power, demonstrating initial faith (Matthew 14:28).
Jesus granted Peter's request with a simple command: "{{Come}}" (Matthew 14:29), inviting Peter to step out in faith.
Peter's ability to walk on water was entirely dependent on his focus on Jesus. When he looked at the circumstances (the wind and waves), fear replaced faith, and he began to sink (Matthew 14:30).
Peter's cry, "Lord, save me!" is a model prayer of desperation and dependence on Christ's immediate help (Matthew 14:30).
Jesus' immediate rescue demonstrates his grace and power to save even when faith falters (Matthew 14:31).
Jesus' gentle rebuke, "{{You of little faith, why did you doubt?}}" (Matthew 14:31), highlights that doubt, not the storm, was the cause of Peter's failure. "Little faith" acknowledges some faith was present, but it was insufficient.
The calming of the storm upon Jesus entering the boat further confirmed his authority over nature (Matthew 14:32). Compare the earlier calming of the storm in Matthew 8:23-27.
This event led the disciples to a deeper understanding and confession: "Truly you are the Son of God!" (Matthew 14:33). This is a pivotal moment of recognition of Jesus' divine identity in Matthew's Gospel.

Healing the Sick in Gennesaret

³⁴ After they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.³⁵ When the people there recognized him, they sent word into all the surrounding area, and they brought all their sick to him.³⁶ They begged him if they could only touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

Gennesaret was a fertile plain on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee.
Jesus' reputation preceded him, and the people immediately recognized him upon his arrival (Matthew 14:35).
The response was widespread, with people bringing "all who were sick" from the entire region, demonstrating both great need and great faith in Jesus' healing power.
The request to touch even the "edge of his cloak" (the tassels or fringe, Hebrew: *tzitzit*, prescribed by Numbers 15:38-39) recalls the faith of the woman with the hemorrhage in Matthew 9:20-22.
This belief, while perhaps bordering on superstition, was met by Jesus' power and compassion, resulting in healing for "all who touched it" (Matthew 14:36).
This concluding section emphasizes Jesus' unwavering compassion and healing ministry, showing his divine power meeting human need wherever he went.

The Bullet Point Bible

Matthew 14