Matthew 14

Jesus

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, Matthew 14:1–2

Jesus's fame reaches Herod, whose guilty conscience makes him fear that John has come back to life.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 6:14-16 — Herod hears of Jesus

Jesus moved with compassion

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. Matthew 14:12–14

Grieving John's death, Jesus seeks solitude, yet when the crowds come He is moved with compassion and heals them.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 6:30-34 — compassion on the multitude

Bread of Life (feeding the five thousand)

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. Matthew 14:15–21

Like God feeding Israel with manna in the wilderness, Jesus feeds thousands in a desert place. Jesus later explained this miracle as a sign that He Himself is the Bread of Life, and His actions of blessing, breaking, and giving foreshadow the sacrament.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in John 6:5-13 — John's account of the feeding
• interpreted by John 6:35 — 'I am the bread of life'
• alludes to Exodus 16:15 — bread from heaven in the wilderness

Lord over the sea

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. Matthew 14:22–26

Jesus comes to His disciples walking on the stormy sea, doing what the Old Testament says only God does, showing He is Jehovah come in the flesh.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Job 9:8 — God 'treadeth upon the waves of the sea'
• a parallel account in Mark 6:45-50 — walking on the sea
• a parallel account in John 6:16-19 — walking on the sea

It is I (I AM)

I AM — the name the LORD revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14)

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. Matthew 14:27

'It is I' translates the Greek 'I am,' the words by which Jehovah named Himself to Moses. Walking on the water, Jesus comforts His disciples with the divine name.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 3:14 — I AM THAT I AM
• the same title in John 8:58 — 'Before Abraham was, I am'
• a parallel account in Mark 6:50 — 'it is I; be not afraid'

The Lord who saves

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water. Matthew 14:28–32

When Peter's faith falters and he sinks, he cries 'Lord, save me,' and Jesus immediately reaches out and lifts him — a picture of how He rescues all who call on Him.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Son of God

Son of God — the literal Son of the Father

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. Matthew 14:33

After the wind ceases, the disciples worship Jesus and testify that He is truly the Son of God.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him · a Church study aid lists it

• the same title in Matthew 16:16 — Peter's confession

Healing in the hem of His garment

And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret. Matthew 14:34–36

The sick of Gennesaret are made whole just by touching the hem of His robe. Many see here Malachi's promise of the Sun of Righteousness rising 'with healing in his wings' (the word also used for a garment's corners).

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• a parallel account in Mark 6:53-56 — healings in Gennesaret
• alludes to Malachi 4:2 — healing in his wings (traditional reading; soft)