Matthew
Chapter 14
Death of John the Baptist
At that time, reports about Jesus reached King Herod.
And he said to his servants: “This man is John the Baptist. John has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
Herod actually ordered that John be arrested, chained, and imprisoned because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
For John had told Herod, “It is not right for you to have her as your wife.”
Herod wanted to kill him, but he did not dare because he feared the people, who considered John a prophet.
On Herod’s birthday, Herodias’s daughter danced among the guests; she so pleased Herod
that he promised under oath to give her whatever she requested.
The girl, following her mother’s advice, said:
“Give me the head of John the Baptist, here, on a dish.”
The king was very displeased, but because he had given his promise under oath in front of his guests, he ordered it to be given to her.
So he ordered John to be beheaded in prison
and his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl. The girl then took it to her mother.
Then John’s disciples came, took his body, and buried it. Afterwards, they went and told Jesus.
Feeding the Five Thousand
When Jesus heard about it, he took a boat to go to a quiet place to be alone. But the people found out and followed him on foot from their towns.
When Jesus went ashore, he saw the crowd gathered there and had compassion on them. He also healed the sick.
Late in the afternoon, his disciples approached him and said:
“We are in a lonely place, and it is now late. You should send these people away so they can go to the villages and buy something to eat for themselves.”
But Jesus replied:
“They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.”
They replied:
“We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”
Jesus said to them:
“Bring them here to me.”
Then he made everyone sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, looked up to heaven, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and handed them to the disciples to distribute to the people.
And they all ate, and everyone had enough; then the disciples gathered the leftovers, filling twelve baskets.
About five thousand men had eaten there, along with women and children.
He Walks On Water
Immediately, Jesus obliged his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowd away.
After sending the people away, he went up the mountain alone to pray. By nightfall, he was there all alone.
Meanwhile, the boat was far from land, dangerously rocked by the waves, because the wind was against it.
At dawn, Jesus walked on the sea to reach them.
When they saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, thinking it was a ghost. And they cried out in fear.
But immediately, Jesus said to them:
“Take courage! Don’t be afraid. It’s me!”
Peter responded:
“Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
Jesus told him:
“Come!”
Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus.
But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid and began to sink; he cried out:
“Lord, save me!”
Jesus immediately extended his hand and grasped him, saying:
“Man of little faith, why did you doubt?”
As they stepped into the boat, the wind died down.
Then those in the boat bowed down before Jesus, saying:
“Truly, you are the Son of God!”
Healings in Gennesaret
They arrived ashore at Gennesaret.
The local people recognized Jesus and spread the word throughout the region. They brought all the sick to him,
begging him to let them touch just the hem of his cloak. Everyone who touched it was healed.
Commentaries
Death of John the Baptist.
A story of John being brought back to life fits into popular fantasy and plays on Herod’s guilty conscience. Matthew simplifies Mark’s account, highlighting the key elements needed to create drama: passion and revenge, fear and complacency, a deadly dance, and execution. The death of the Baptist is history wrapped in legend. If John’s mission is connected to that of Jesus (3:2; 11:18ff), his violent death and burial foreshadow the end of the teacher from Nazareth (17:11-13).
Feeding the Five Thousand.
Jesus, who refused to perform a miracle to satisfy his hunger in the desert because he lived on the Word of God (4:4), has shared that word with the people and now performs the miracle of giving them bread, with the help of his disciples and others. A word that does not lead to feeding the hungry and clothing the naked is not the Word of God.
He Walks on Water.
During the night, amid a stormy sea, Jesus appears to his disciples. We can connect this event to the stories of the Transfiguration and Easter: displays of Jesus’ deep identity as Lord—he controls the elements (cf. Ps 77:20), brings peace and confidence through his presence (a familiar pattern, cf. Is 41:10; 43:5), with his words, and with the touch of his hand (cf. Ps 73:23; 80:18). Peter is not afraid because he sinks, but he sinks because he is afraid (cf. Ps 69:2f). Matthew thus illustrates the apostle’s spiritual journey: when Jesus reveals himself, he recognizes him; he responds to his call and follows him with bold confidence; he hesitates, falters in danger, and is saved by Jesus.
Healings in Gennesaret.
The evangelist intentionally contrasts the warm reception from the inhabitants of Gennesaret with the hostility and distrust of his countrymen in Nazareth (13:53-58). Jesus heals many people because they come to him with faith, and it is that faith that makes the miracle possible.