Matthew 14: Faith, Fear & Divine Power
Table of Contents
- The Four Movements
- Conceptual Flow
- The Courage Question
- Section Analysis
- Unified Framework
- Diagnostic Summary
- Chapter in One Sentence
- Cross-References
- Personal Notes
The Four Movements
| Section | Focus | Core Principle |
|---|---|---|
| Martyrdom (vv. 1-12) | John beheaded | Courage costs, compromise kills |
| Provision (vv. 13-21) | Feeding 5,000 | Jesus creates from nothing |
| Faith (vv. 22-33) | Walking on water | Faith walks, fear sinks |
| Touch (vv. 34-36) | Healing at Gennesaret | Even His garment heals |
Conceptual Flow
MATTHEW 14 STRUCTURE
│
├─ vv. 1-12 MARTYRDOM → John's death
│ ├─► Herod's guilt/superstition
│ ├─► Herodias' revenge
│ └─► John's courage = death
│ Prophet speaks truth, pays price
│
├─ vv. 13-21 PROVISION → Feeding 5,000
│ ├─► Jesus withdraws (grief over John)
│ ├─► Crowds follow
│ ├─► Compassion → healing
│ └─► 5 loaves + 2 fish → 5,000 fed
│ 12 baskets left over
│ Jesus creates from inadequacy
│
├─ vv. 22-33 FAITH → Walking on water
│ ├─► Jesus prays alone on mountain
│ ├─► Disciples battle wind/waves
│ ├─► Jesus walks on water (4th watch)
│ ├─► Peter walks, then sinks
│ └─► Wind stops, worship begins
│ "Truly you are the Son of God"
│
└─ vv. 34-36 TOUCH → Healing at Gennesaret
└─► Touch His cloak = complete healing
Fame spreads, sick brought from everywhereThe Courage Question
JOHN'S DEATH vs HEROD'S COMPROMISE
│
├─ JOHN:
│ ├─ Spoke truth to power
│ ├─ "Not lawful for you to have her"
│ └─► Consequence: Beheaded
│ │
│ └─► Courage = costly
│ But integrity intact
│
└─► HEROD:
├─ Feared people (v. 5)
├─ Feared losing face (v. 9)
└─► Compromise: Murdered prophet
│
└─► Image preserved
Conscience destroyed
│
└─► Which is worse?
│
├─ Dying with integrity (John)
└─► Living with guilt (Herod)Section Analysis
1. John’s Martyrdom (vv. 1-12) — COURAGE vs COMPROMISE
HEROD'S SUPERSTITION (vv. 1-2)
│
├─ "At that time Herod the TETRARCH
│ heard the REPORTS about Jesus"
│ │
│ └─► Herod Antipas (not Herod the Great)
│ │
│ ├─ Son of Herod the Great
│ ├─ Ruled Galilee & Perea (4 BC - AD 39)
│ └─► "Tetrarch" = ruler of 1/4 region
│ │
│ └─► Lesser title than "king"
│ (v. 9 calls him "king" - courtesy title)
│
└─► His conclusion (v. 2):
│
└─► "This is JOHN THE BAPTIST;
he has RISEN FROM THE DEAD!
That is why miraculous powers are at work in him"
│
└─► Three errors:
│
├─ Jesus IS John resurrected
│ └─► Guilt produces superstition
│ Can't escape John's ghost
│
├─ Resurrection explains miracles
│ └─► Partial truth
│ Jesus WILL rise (but not yet)
│ │
│ └─► Herod's guilt sees resurrection
│ Before it happens
│
└─► Can't distinguish Jesus from John
│
└─► Guilt clouds perception
Haunted by the murderedHerod’s Guilt Psychology:
GUILTY CONSCIENCE
│
└─► Herod killed John
│
└─► Now hears about Jesus' miracles
│
├─ Can't explain supernatural power
└─► Jumps to: "John is back"
│
└─► Superstition born from guilt
│
└─► Can't escape the murdered prophet
His voice still haunts
│
└─► Prov 28:1: "The wicked flee
though no one pursues"FLASHBACK: THE ARREST (vv. 3-5)
│
├─ The crime (v. 3):
│ │
│ └─► "Herod had ARRESTED John
│ and BOUND him and put him in PRISON
│ because of HERODIAS, his brother Philip's wife"
│ │
│ └─► The scandal:
│ │
│ ├─ Herodias = wife of Philip (Herod's half-brother)
│ ├─ Herod seduced/stole his brother's wife
│ └─► Both divorced spouses to marry
│ │
│ └─► Multiple violations:
│ │
│ ├─ Adultery
│ ├─ Incest (sister-in-law)
│ └─► Divorce without grounds
│ │
│ └─► Public scandal
│ Royal adultery
│
├─ John's rebuke (v. 4):
│ │
│ └─► "For John had been saying to him:
│ 'It is NOT LAWFUL for you to have her'"
│ │
│ └─► οὐκ ἔξεστιν (ouk exestin) — "not lawful"
│ │
│ └─► John's courage:
│ │
│ ├─ Confronted KING directly
│ ├─ Named the sin publicly
│ └─► Didn't soften message
│ │
│ └─► Leviticus 18:16: "Do not have
│ sexual relations with
│ your brother's wife"
│ │
│ └─► John called out:
│ │
│ ├─ Powerful leader
│ ├─ On sexual sin
│ └─► Knowing the cost
│
├─ Herod's dilemma (v. 5):
│ │
│ └─► "Herod WANTED TO KILL John,
│ but he was AFRAID OF THE PEOPLE,
│ because they considered John a prophet"
│ │
│ └─► Two fears compete:
│ │
│ ├─ HERODIAS' anger
│ │ └─► She wanted John dead
│ │ Pressured Herod constantly
│ │
│ └─► PEOPLE'S reaction
│ │
│ └─► They loved John as prophet
│ Would riot if killed
│ │
│ └─► Herod fears MAN
│ Not God
│ │
│ └─► Imprisoned John (compromise)
│ Silenced but not killed
│ Trying to please both sides
│
└─► Mark 6:20 adds:
│
└─► "Herod feared John and protected him,
knowing him to be a righteous and holy man.
When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled;
yet he liked to listen to him"
│
└─► Herod was DRAWN to John
Fascinated by his righteousness
│
└─► But wouldn't OBEY
Listened but didn't submit
│
└─► Heard truth, rejected it
Puzzle → Prison → MurderThe Trap of Compromise:
HEROD'S FATAL MISTAKE
│
└─► Compromise = slow death
│
├─ Step 1: Adultery with Herodias
├─ Step 2: Arrest John (silence critic)
├─ Step 3: Keep John alive (fear people)
└─► Step 4: Eventually murder (trap closes)
│
└─► Trying to please everyone
Ends up destroying prophet
│
└─► Prov 29:25: "Fear of man = snare"THE BANQUET TRAP (vv. 6-11)
│
├─ The party (v. 6):
│ │
│ └─► "On Herod's BIRTHDAY
│ the daughter of Herodias DANCED for the guests
│ and PLEASED Herod so much"
│ │
│ └─► Setting:
│ │
│ ├─ Royal birthday celebration
│ ├─ Daughter (Salome - named by Josephus)
│ │ └─► Herodias' daughter from first marriage
│ │ Herod's step-daughter AND niece
│ │
│ └─► Dance "pleased Herod"
│ │
│ └─► Likely sensual/seductive
│ Inappropriate for royal court
│ │
│ └─► Drunken king, manipulated by dance
│
├─ The oath (v. 7):
│ │
│ └─► "He PROMISED WITH AN OATH
│ to give her WHATEVER SHE ASKED"
│ │
│ └─► μεθ' ὅρκου (meth' horkou) — "with oath"
│ │
│ └─► Rash promise:
│ │
│ ├─ PUBLIC oath (before guests)
│ ├─ UNLIMITED scope ("whatever")
│ └─► BINDING commitment
│ │
│ └─► Herod trapped himself
│ Pride + alcohol + lust = disaster
│
├─ The request (v. 8):
│ │
│ └─► "PROMPTED BY HER MOTHER, she said,
│ 'Give me here on a PLATTER
│ the HEAD OF JOHN THE BAPTIST'"
│ │
│ └─► Herodias' revenge:
│ │
│ ├─ She coached her daughter
│ │ └─► This was her plan all along
│ │ Set the trap via dance
│ │
│ ├─ Specific demand: "HEAD on PLATTER"
│ │ └─► Not just death
│ │ GRUESOME, HUMILIATING death
│ │ │
│ │ └─► Served like food at banquet
│ │ Ultimate mockery
│ │
│ └─► "Here" (ὧδε) — immediate
│ │
│ └─► Not "eventually"
│ Right NOW, at party
│ │
│ └─► Herodias' hatred was DEEP
│ Couldn't wait for execution
│
├─ The distress (v. 9):
│ │
│ └─► "The king was DISTRESSED,
│ but because of his OATHS
│ and his DINNER GUESTS,
│ he ordered that her request be granted"
│ │
│ └─► ἐλυπήθη (elypēthē) — "grieved, distressed"
│ │
│ └─► Herod didn't WANT to kill John
│ │
│ └─► But...
│ │
│ ├─ OATHS (plural - repeated vows)
│ │ └─► Public commitment made
│ │ Can't back down
│ │
│ └─► DINNER GUESTS watching
│ │
│ └─► Fear of SHAME > fear of SIN
│ │
│ └─► Image management kills prophet
│ Pride demands John's head
│
├─ The execution (vv. 10-11):
│ │
│ ├─ "He had John BEHEADED in the prison" (v. 10)
│ │ └─► Quick execution
│ │ No trial, no defense
│ │ Murder at banquet's command
│ │
│ └─► "His HEAD was brought in on a PLATTER
│ and given to the girl,
│ who carried it to her mother" (v. 11)
│ │
│ └─► Ghastly scene:
│ │
│ ├─ John's head = party centerpiece
│ ├─ Given to dancing girl
│ └─► Delivered to Herodias
│ │
│ └─► Her revenge complete
│ Prophet silenced forever
│ │
│ └─► She thought.
│
└─► The burial (v. 12):
│
└─► "John's disciples came
and took his BODY and BURIED it.
Then they went and TOLD JESUS"
│
└─► Faithful to the end:
│
├─ Claimed his body
├─ Gave proper burial
└─► Reported to Jesus
│
└─► Jesus = John's successor
Torch passed
│
└─► Jesus now faces same opposition
What happened to herald
Awaits the KingThe Martyrdom Pattern:
| Element | John’s Death | Jesus’ Death (foreshadowed) |
|---|---|---|
| Accusation | ”Not lawful" | "Blasphemy” |
| Ruler | Herod (weak) | Pilate (weak) |
| Motivation | Fear of shame | Fear of riot |
| Method | Beheading | Crucifixion |
| Burial | Disciples | Disciples (Joseph of Arimathea) |
| Report | Told Jesus | Told… (resurrection) |
JOHN'S LEGACY
│
└─► Died for speaking truth
│
├─ Didn't compromise
├─ Didn't soften message
└─► Paid ultimate price
│
└─► Jesus later says (11:11):
"Among those born of women
none greater than John"
│
└─► Greatness measured by:
│
├─ Not power preserved
└─► Truth proclaimed
│
└─► John: Faithful unto death
Rev 2:10: "Be faithful, even to death,
and I will give you the crown of life"Diagnostic: Am I more like John (courageous truth) or Herod (fear of man)? Do I compromise to preserve image?
One-line: John dies for truth while Herod murders to save face—courage costs, compromise kills, but integrity outlasts life.
2. Feeding the 5,000 (vv. 13-21) — COMPASSION & PROVISION
JESUS' WITHDRAWAL (v. 13a)
│
└─► "When Jesus HEARD WHAT HAD HAPPENED,
he WITHDREW by boat privately to a SOLITARY PLACE"
│
└─► Heard what? John's death (v. 12)
│
└─► Jesus' response to grief:
│
├─ WITHDREW (ἀνεχώρησεν)
│ └─► Retreated, pulled back
│ Not fleeing fear
│ Processing grief
│
├─ BY BOAT
│ └─► Water travel (Sea of Galilee)
│ Harder to follow
│
├─ PRIVATELY
│ └─► κατ' ἰδίαν (kat' idian) — "by himself"
│ Seeking solitude
│
└─► To SOLITARY place (ἔρημον τόπον)
└─► "Desert place, wilderness"
│
└─► Why withdraw?
│
├─ GRIEF: John was cousin, forerunner
│ └─► Jesus feels loss deeply
│ Fully human emotions
│
├─ DANGER: Herod now aware of Jesus
│ └─► v. 1-2: Herod fears Jesus is John
│ Threat level increasing
│
└─► PRAYER: Needs Father's presence
│
└─► Luke 5:16: "Jesus often withdrew
to lonely places and prayed"Jesus’ Grief:
FULLY HUMAN
│
└─► Jesus didn't skip grief
│
├─ He FELT loss (John's death)
├─ He WITHDREW (needed space)
└─► He sought SOLITUDE with Father
│
└─► Grief ≠ lack of faith
Grief = part of love
│
└─► John 11:35: "Jesus wept"
Rom 12:15: "Mourn with those who mourn"THE CROWD FOLLOWS (vv. 13b-14)
│
├─ "Hearing of this, the CROWDS FOLLOWED him
│ on FOOT from the towns" (v. 13b)
│ │
│ └─► Jesus sought solitude
│ Crowds pursued
│ │
│ └─► They walked around lake
│ Jesus sailed
│ But they BEAT Him there
│ │
│ └─► No rest for Jesus
│ Ministry interrupts grief
│
└─► Jesus' response (v. 14):
│
└─► "When Jesus landed and saw a LARGE CROWD,
he had COMPASSION on them
and HEALED their sick"
│
└─► σπλαγχνίζομαι (splanchnizomai)
"To be moved in the gut, deeply compassionate"
│
└─► Jesus' compassion:
│
├─ Despite His GRIEF
│ └─► Still mourning John
│ But sees their need
│
├─ Despite His PLAN
│ └─► Sought solitude
│ But interrupted
│ │
│ └─► Doesn't send them away
│ Receives them
│
└─► Result: HEALED their sick
│
└─► Not just teaching
Active compassion
Touching, healing, serving
│
└─► His grief doesn't make Him
unavailable to others' painThe Compassion Principle:
JESUS' HEART
│
└─► Compassion = gut-level feeling
│
└─► Not: "That's too bad"
IS: "I FEEL your pain"
│
└─► This word (splanchnizomai) appears when:
│
├─ Jesus sees crowds (9:36)
├─ Jesus sees leper (Mk 1:41)
├─ Jesus sees widow (Lk 7:13)
└─► Jesus sees hungry crowds (here)
│
└─► Compassion → ACTION
Feeling → HealingTHE DISCIPLES' SOLUTION (v. 15)
│
└─► "As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said,
'This is a REMOTE PLACE, and it's already getting LATE.
SEND THE CROWDS AWAY,
so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food'"
│
└─► Their logic:
│
├─ LOCATION: Remote (ἔρημος) — no food here
├─ TIME: Late — shops closing soon
└─► SOLUTION: Send them away
│
└─► Pragmatic thinking:
│
├─ We can't feed them
├─ They need to fend for themselves
└─► Dismiss the problem
│
└─► Reasonable, but...
Missing opportunity for miracleJESUS' COUNTER-COMMAND (v. 16)
│
└─► "Jesus replied,
'They do NOT NEED to go away.
YOU give them something to eat'"
│
└─► Two challenges:
│
├─ "NOT NEED to go away"
│ └─► Problem doesn't require departure
│ Solution is HERE
│
└─► "YOU give them"
│
└─► ὑμεῖς (hymeis) — "YOU yourselves"
Emphatic pronoun
│
└─► Jesus assigns task to disciples
They must provide
│
└─► Testing their faith
Will they look to Him?THE INADEQUATE RESOURCES (v. 17)
│
└─► "'We have here only FIVE LOAVES of bread
and TWO FISH,' they answered"
│
└─► Their inventory:
│
├─ 5 loaves (ἄρτοι) — barley bread (Jn 6:9)
│ └─► Poor man's bread
│ Coarse, cheap
│
└─► 2 fish (ἰχθύες) — small dried fish
│
└─► "Only" (μόνον) — emphatic
│
└─► This is NOTHING
For crowd this size
│
└─► Later: 5,000 men (v. 21)
+ women + children
= ~10,000-15,000 people
│
└─► 5 loaves + 2 fish = ridiculous
Disciples see IMPOSSIBILITYThe Inadequacy Setup:
GOD'S PATTERN
│
└─► God specializes in inadequate resources
│
├─ Moses: "Who am I?" → Led exodus
├─ Gideon: 300 men vs army → Victory
├─ David: Sling vs giant → Giant falls
├─ Widow: Jar of oil → Fills all vessels
└─► Here: 5 + 2 → 5,000 fed
│
└─► 2 Cor 12:9: "My power is made perfect
in weakness"JESUS' PROCESS (vv. 18-19)
│
├─ Command (v. 18):
│ │
│ └─► "'BRING THEM HERE TO ME,' he said"
│ │
│ └─► Bring inadequate resources TO JESUS
│ │
│ └─► Not: "Get more food"
│ IS: "Give me what you have"
│ │
│ └─► Jesus works with what's given
│ However small
│
├─ Organization (v. 19a):
│ │
│ └─► "He directed the people to SIT DOWN on the grass"
│ │
│ └─► Mark 6:40 adds: "In groups of 50s and 100s"
│ │
│ └─► Order before miracle
│ Organization for distribution
│ │
│ └─► Preparing for abundance
│
└─► The blessing (v. 19b):
│
└─► "Taking the five loaves and the two fish
and LOOKING UP TO HEAVEN,
he gave THANKS and BROKE the loaves"
│
└─► Four actions:
│
├─ TAKING (λαβών) — received what was given
│
├─ LOOKING UP — eyes to heaven
│ └─► Acknowledging source
│ Not from self, from Father
│
├─ GAVE THANKS (εὐλόγησεν) — "blessed"
│ └─► εὐλογέω (eulogeō) — "spoke well of"
│ │
│ └─► Not blessing food to make it holy
│ Blessing GOD for provision
│ │
│ └─► Gratitude BEFORE multiplication
│ Thanking for 5 loaves
│ As if it's already enough
│
└─► BROKE (ἔκλασεν) — broke the loaves
│
└─► κλάω (klaō) — "to break, fracture"
│
└─► Bread must be BROKEN to multiply
│
└─► Foreshadows Last Supper:
Same four actions (26:26)
│
└─► Took, blessed, broke, gave
Body broken for manyThe Multiplication Sequence:
WHEN DID MULTIPLICATION HAPPEN?
│
└─► Text doesn't say explicitly
│
└─► Possibilities:
│
├─ In Jesus' hands (as He broke)
├─ In disciples' hands (as they distributed)
└─► Continuous creation throughout
│
└─► The MYSTERY of provision
│
└─► They gave what they had
Jesus multiplied as needed
│
└─► Ex nihilo creation
From nothing, abundanceTHE DISTRIBUTION & RESULT (vv. 19c-21)
│
├─ Distribution chain (v. 19c):
│ │
│ └─► "Then he gave them to the DISCIPLES,
│ and the disciples gave them to the PEOPLE"
│ │
│ └─► Jesus → Disciples → People
│ │
│ └─► Disciples as mediators
│ │
│ ├─ They bring inadequate resources
│ ├─ Jesus multiplies
│ └─► They distribute abundance
│ │
│ └─► Pattern for ministry:
│ Bring what you have to Jesus
│ Let Him multiply
│ Distribute His provision
│
├─ Complete satisfaction (v. 20a):
│ │
│ └─► "They ALL ate and were SATISFIED"
│ │
│ └─► ἐχορτάσθησαν (echortasthēsan) — "filled, satiated"
│ │
│ └─► Not just "had a snack"
│ FULLY satisfied
│ │
│ └─► All = everyone (10,000+ people)
│ No one went hungry
│ Complete provision
│
├─ Abundant leftovers (v. 20b):
│ │
│ └─► "The disciples picked up TWELVE BASKETFULS
│ of broken pieces that were LEFT OVER"
│ │
│ └─► κόφινος (kophinos) — "basket, wicker basket"
│ │
│ └─► Jewish carrying basket
│ │
│ └─► TWELVE baskets:
│ │
│ ├─ One per disciple
│ │ └─► Each carries leftovers
│ │ More than they started with
│ │
│ └─► Symbolic number (12 tribes)
│ │
│ └─► Abundance for Israel
│ God provides MORE than enough
│
└─► The count (v. 21):
│
└─► "The number of those who ate was
about FIVE THOUSAND MEN,
BESIDES WOMEN AND CHILDREN"
│
└─► 5,000 ἄνδρες (andres) — "men, adult males"
│
└─► This is Jewish counting (men only)
│
└─► Actual total:
│
└─► ~5,000 men
+ wives/daughters
+ children
│
└─► Conservative estimate: 10,000-15,000
│
└─► From 5 loaves + 2 fish
To 10,000+ fed
Plus 12 baskets left
│
└─► This is CREATION miracle
Not just stretching supplies
Making something from (almost) nothingThe Feeding Miracle:
| Started With | Result | Leftover | Lesson |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 loaves + 2 fish | 10,000+ fed | 12 baskets | Jesus creates abundance from inadequacy |
| Disciples: “Only” | Crowd: “Satisfied” | More than began | God’s math: 5+2 = 5,000+ |
Diagnostic: Do I bring my inadequacy to Jesus or hide it in shame? Do I believe He creates from nothing?
One-line: Jesus multiplies five loaves and two fish to feed 10,000+, creating abundance from inadequacy with leftovers proving divine provision.
3. Walking on Water (vv. 22-33) — FAITH vs FEAR
THE DISMISSAL (vv. 22-23a)
│
├─ Compelled departure (v. 22):
│ │
│ └─► "IMMEDIATELY Jesus MADE the disciples
│ get into the boat
│ and go on ahead of him to the other side,
│ while he dismissed the crowd"
│ │
│ └─► ἠνάγκασεν (ēnankgasen) — "compelled, forced"
│ │
│ └─► Strong word: Jesus INSISTED
│ Disciples must leave NOW
│ │
│ └─► Why the urgency?
│ │
│ └─► John 6:15: "Perceiving they were about to
│ come and make Him king by force,
│ He withdrew again to the mountain"
│ │
│ └─► After feeding miracle:
│ Crowd wants political Messiah
│ Force Him to be earthly king
│ │
│ └─► Jesus must:
│ ├─ Remove disciples (protect from mob)
│ └─► Disperse crowd (prevent uprising)
│
└─► The mountain (v. 23):
│
└─► "After he had dismissed them,
he went up on a MOUNTAINSIDE
BY HIMSELF to PRAY.
Later that night, he was there ALONE"
│
└─► Jesus' pattern:
│
├─ Dismissed crowd (thousands sent home)
├─ Dismissed disciples (sent ahead)
└─► ALONE with Father
│
└─► After massive miracle
Jesus seeks SOLITUDE
│
├─ Not basking in success
├─ Not accepting praise
└─► Praying through the night
│
└─► Mark 1:35: "Very early in morning,
while still dark,
Jesus got up, left house,
went off to solitary place,
where he prayed"Jesus’ Prayer Life:
PATTERN OF SOLITUDE
│
└─► After MAJOR EVENTS, Jesus withdraws:
│
├─ After John's death → solitude (v. 13)
├─ After feeding 5,000 → mountain prayer (v. 23)
├─ After healing crowds → mountain prayer (Lk 6:12)
└─► Before crucifixion → Gethsemane (26:36)
│
└─► If Jesus (Son of God) needed prayer
How much more do we?THE STORM (v. 24)
│
└─► "And the boat was already
a CONSIDERABLE DISTANCE from land,
BUFFETED BY THE WAVES
because the WIND WAS AGAINST IT"
│
└─► Three difficulties:
│
├─ FAR from land
│ └─► σταδίους πολλοὺς (stadious pollous)
│ "Many stadia" (25-30 stadia = 3-4 miles)
│ Middle of lake
│ │
│ └─► Too far to turn back
│ Too far from destination
│
├─ BUFFETED by waves
│ └─► βασανιζόμενον (basanizomenon)
│ "Tormented, harassed, tortured"
│ │
│ └─► Not gentle rocking
│ VIOLENT battering
│
└─► WIND against them
│
└─► ἐναντίος (enantios) — "contrary, hostile"
│
└─► Rowing into headwind
Making no progress
Exhausting themselves
│
└─► They're obeying Jesus (v. 22)
Yet stuck in storm
│
└─► Obedience ≠ smooth sailing
Jesus SENT them into stormStorms and Obedience:
THE STORM WASN'T DISOBEDIENCE
│
├─ They didn't wander off course
├─ They were WHERE Jesus sent them
└─► Yet: Storm raged
│
└─► Sometimes Jesus leads INTO storms
Not away from them
│
└─► Testing faith
Building dependence
Preparing for miracleJESUS APPROACHES (v. 25)
│
└─► "Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them,
WALKING ON THE LAKE"
│
└─► "Fourth watch" (3-6 AM)
│
└─► Timeline:
│
├─ Evening: Disciples sent away (~6 PM)
├─ Night: Jesus prays alone (6 PM - 3 AM)
└─► Fourth watch: Jesus comes (3-6 AM)
│
└─► They battled storm ALL NIGHT
9+ hours rowing
Jesus waited
│
└─► Why didn't He come earlier?
│
└─► Testing endurance
Building desperation
│
└─► When they're most exhausted
Jesus reveals powerJESUS WALKS ON WATER
│
└─► περιπατῶν ἐπὶ τῆς θαλάσσης
"Walking upon the sea"
│
└─► This is IMPOSSIBLE
│
└─► Only GOD walks on water:
│
└─► Job 9:8: "He alone treads on
the waves of the sea"
│
└─► Divine claim through action
│
└─► Not just calming storm (8:26)
But WALKING ON IT
│
└─► Sovereign over creation
Nature obeys His feetTHE DISCIPLES' TERROR (v. 26)
│
└─► "When the disciples saw him walking on the lake,
they were TERRIFIED.
'It's a GHOST,' they said,
and cried out in FEAR"
│
└─► ἐταράχθησαν (etarachthēsan) — "troubled, terrified"
│
└─► Their logic:
│
└─► Can't be human (humans don't walk on water)
Must be ghost (φάντασμα / phantasma)
│
└─► They don't recognize Jesus
│
├─ Dark night
├─ Unexpected context
└─► Fear blinds perception
│
└─► The ONE who can save them
Looks like threatJESUS' IDENTIFICATION (v. 27)
│
└─► "But Jesus IMMEDIATELY said to them:
'Take COURAGE! It is I. Don't be AFRAID'"
│
└─► Three commands:
│
├─ "Take COURAGE"
│ └─► θαρσεῖτε (tharseite) — "be courageous, be bold"
│ Present imperative: Keep being courageous
│
├─ "It is I"
│ └─► ἐγώ εἰμι (egō eimi) — "I AM"
│ │
│ └─► Divine name (Exod 3:14)
│ Not just: "It's me, Jesus"
│ IS: "I AM" (Yahweh present)
│
└─► "Don't be afraid"
│
└─► μὴ φοβεῖσθε (mē phobeisthe)
"Stop being afraid"
│
└─► Fear → Courage
Terror → Trust
│
└─► Presence of "I AM" = safetyPETER'S REQUEST (v. 28)
│
└─► "'Lord, IF IT'S YOU,' Peter replied,
'tell me to COME TO YOU on the water'"
│
└─► Peter's logic:
│
├─ IF you're really Jesus (not ghost)
├─ THEN command me to come
└─► I'll walk on water too
│
└─► This is:
│
├─ Bold faith (wants to do impossible)
└─► Testing Jesus (prove it's You)
│
└─► Mixed motives:
│
├─ Faith: Believes Jesus can enable
└─► Doubt: Needs proof firstTHE INVITATION (v. 29a)
│
└─► "'COME,' he said"
│
└─► Ἐλθέ (elthe) — "Come"
│
└─► One word invitation
│
└─► Jesus doesn't:
│
├─ Rebuke Peter's test
├─ Refuse the request
└─► He INVITES
│
└─► "Come" = command + enablement
│
└─► If Jesus says "Come"
He empowers obediencePETER'S WALK (v. 29b)
│
└─► "Then Peter got down out of the boat,
WALKED ON THE WATER
and came TOWARD JESUS"
│
└─► Peter actually DOES IT:
│
├─ Gets out of boat (leaves safety)
├─ Walks on water (impossible act)
└─► Moves toward Jesus
│
└─► As long as focus = Jesus
Peter defies physics
│
└─► This is FAITH:
Eyes on Jesus
Obeying command
Walking impossibleTHE SHIFT (v. 30)
│
└─► "But when he SAW THE WIND,
he was AFRAID
and, beginning to SINK,
cried out, 'LORD, SAVE ME!'"
│
└─► The fatal shift:
│
└─► FROM: Looking at Jesus
TO: Looking at CIRCUMSTANCES
│
└─► "Saw the wind"
│
├─ Wind was there all along
├─ Didn't suddenly appear
└─► Peter's FOCUS shifted
│
└─► Eyes on wind = fear
Fear = sink
│
└─► Sequence:
│
├─ Saw wind (circumstances)
├─ Was afraid (emotion)
├─ Began to sink (consequence)
└─► Cried "Save!" (desperation)
│
└─► Good news:
Peter knew WHO to call
Even in failurePeter’s Walk Diagram:
PETER'S TRAJECTORY
│
├─ In boat: SAFE but stagnant
│
├─ Request: "Command me to come" (faith + doubt)
│
├─ Invitation: "Come" (Jesus enables)
│
├─ Walking: EYES ON JESUS → success
│
├─ Shift: EYES ON WIND → fear
│
├─ Sinking: Fear → failure
│
└─► Rescue: "Lord, save!" → saved
│
└─► Even failing faith
Cries to right PersonTHE RESCUE (v. 31)
│
└─► "IMMEDIATELY Jesus reached out his hand
and CAUGHT him.
'You of LITTLE FAITH,' he said,
'why did you DOUBT?'"
│
└─► Jesus' response:
│
├─ IMMEDIATE rescue
│ └─► εὐθέως (eutheōs) — "at once"
│ No delay, instant help
│ │
│ └─► Jesus doesn't let him drown
│ Even in failure
│
├─ Physical rescue: "Reached out and caught"
│ └─► Simple, gentle action
│ Hand extended
│ Peter grabbed
│
└─► Rebuke: "Little faith... why doubt?"
│
└─► ὀλιγόπιστος (oligopistos) — "little faith"
│
└─► Not NO faith
LITTLE faith
│
└─► Peter HAD enough faith to:
│
├─ Leave boat
├─ Walk on water
└─► But not enough to:
Keep eyes on Jesus
Ignore circumstances
│
└─► "Why did you doubt?"
│
└─► διστάζω (distazō) — "to waver, hesitate"
│
└─► Double-mindedness
One eye on Jesus
One eye on storm
│
└─► James 1:6-8: "He who doubts
is like wave of sea,
blown and tossed...
double-minded man,
unstable in all he does"Little Faith vs No Faith:
| No Faith | Little Faith (Peter) | Great Faith |
|---|---|---|
| Stays in boat | Gets out of boat | Walks without wavering |
| Doesn’t try | Tries but fails | Succeeds fully |
| Never risks | Risks then retreats | Risks and trusts |
| Jesus’ response: — | “Why doubt?" | "Your faith is great” |
THE CALM (v. 32)
│
└─► "And when they climbed into the boat,
the WIND DIED DOWN"
│
└─► ἐκόπασεν (ekopasen) — "ceased, stopped"
│
└─► Two in boat = wind stops
│
└─► Jesus' presence = peace
│
├─ Not just for Peter
└─► For whole boat
Storm ends when Jesus entersTHE WORSHIP (v. 33)
│
└─► "Then those who were in the boat
WORSHIPED him, saying,
'TRULY YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD'"
│
└─► προσεκύνησαν (prosekunēsan) — "worshiped, bowed down"
│
└─► This is WORSHIP
Not just respect
│
└─► Their confession:
│
└─► "Truly you are the SON OF GOD"
│
└─► ἀληθῶς (alēthōs) — "truly, certainly"
│
└─► Not: "Maybe you're special"
IS: "You ARE God's Son"
│
└─► Evidence:
│
├─ Fed 5,000 from nothing
├─ Walked on water
├─ Calmed storm instantly
└─► Only GOD does these things
│
└─► Peter's failure led to
Everyone's worship
│
└─► His sinking revealed
Jesus' deityThe Worship Progression:
MATTHEW'S REVEALS JESUS
│
├─ 8:27: "What kind of man is this?"
│ └─► After calming storm
│ Question, not confession
│
└─► 14:33: "Truly you are the Son of God"
│
└─► After walking on water
Clear confession
│
└─► Revelation increases
Worship deepensDiagnostic: When storms rage, do I focus on Jesus or circumstances? Do I have faith to leave the boat?
One-line: Jesus walks on water, Peter walks then sinks when fear shifts focus from Christ to storm—immediate rescue leads to worship.
4. Healing at Gennesaret (vv. 34-36) — TOUCH & WHOLENESS
THE LANDING (v. 34)
│
└─► "When they had crossed over,
they landed at GENNESARET"
│
└─► Γεννησαρέτ (Gennēsaret)
│
└─► Plain on northwest shore of Sea of Galilee
Fertile region, heavily populated
│
└─► They crossed FROM:
East side (deserted place, v. 13)
TO: West side (Gennesaret)
│
└─► Back to populated area
Ministry resumesTHE RECOGNITION (v. 35)
│
└─► "And when the MEN OF THAT PLACE recognized Jesus,
they SENT WORD to all the surrounding country.
People brought ALL THEIR SICK to him"
│
└─► Chain reaction:
│
├─ Men RECOGNIZED Jesus
│ └─► ἐπιγνόντες (epignontes) — "knew fully"
│ Not just "looks familiar"
│ KNEW His power, His reputation
│
├─ SENT WORD everywhere
│ └─► Spread news throughout region
│ "The Healer is here!"
│
└─► Brought ALL THEIR SICK
│
└─► πάντας τοὺς κακῶς ἔχοντας
"All the ones having badly"
│
└─► Every sick person
No exceptions
│
└─► Faith spreading:
"Bring them to Jesus"THE REQUEST (v. 36a)
│
└─► "And begged him to let the sick
just TOUCH THE EDGE OF HIS CLOAK"
│
└─► Their request:
│
└─► Not: "Lay hands on them"
Not: "Speak a word"
│
IS: "Just let them TOUCH"
│
└─► Touch the EDGE
│
└─► κράσπεδον (kraspedon) — "fringe, tassel"
│
└─► Refers to tassels on prayer shawl
│
└─► Numbers 15:38-39:
"Make tassels on corners of garments...
so you will remember all commands"
│
└─► Tassels = reminder of Torah
Jesus wore them (pious Jew)
│
└─► They want to touch
Most REMOTE part
│
└─► Not imposing
Just believing contact = enoughThe Touch Theology:
WHY TOUCH THE GARMENT?
│
└─► Precedent: Woman with bleeding (9:20-22)
│
└─► She touched His cloak
Was healed
│
└─► Word spread:
"Touching Jesus = healing"
│
└─► Even GARMENT carries power
│
└─► Not magic
But faith meeting presence
│
└─► Acts 19:11-12: "God did extraordinary
miracles through Paul,
so that even handkerchiefs...
were taken to the sick"THE RESULT (v. 36b)
│
└─► "And ALL WHO TOUCHED IT
were HEALED"
│
└─► 100% success rate:
│
├─ ALL who touched
│ └─► πάντες (pantes) — "all, everyone"
│ No exceptions
│ No failures
│
└─► Were HEALED
│
└─► διεσώθησαν (diesōthēsan)
"Were saved through, brought safely through"
│
└─► Complete healing
Not partial
Not temporary
│
└─► Touch → Wholeness
│
└─► Jesus' garment = point of contact
Faith → Power releasedThe Healing Pattern:
GENNESARET HEALING
│
├─ Recognition → News spreads
├─ Faith → Bring sick to Jesus
├─ Humility → "Just touch edge"
└─► Contact → Complete healing
│
└─► This becomes pattern:
│
└─► Wherever Jesus goes
Sick brought
Faith touches
Healing flows
│
└─► Mark 6:56: "Wherever he went—
into villages, towns or countryside—
they placed the sick in marketplaces.
They begged him to let them
touch even the edge of his cloak,
and all who touched him were healed"The Chapter Ends on Abundance:
JESUS' POWER DEMONSTRATED
│
├─ PROVISION: 5 + 2 → 5,000 fed
├─ NATURE: Walks on water, calms storm
└─► HEALING: Touch His garment → wholeness
│
└─► Every sphere of need
Jesus meets abundantly
│
└─► Nothing too hard
Nothing insufficient
Nothing impossibleDiagnostic: Do I have faith to reach out and touch Jesus, even when feeling unworthy? Do I believe His presence heals?
One-line: At Gennesaret, all who touch even Jesus’ garment edge are completely healed—faith meets presence, wholeness flows.
Unified Framework
MATTHEW 14: POWER DEMONSTRATIONS
│
├─ MARTYRDOM (vv. 1-12)
│ ├─ John's courage vs Herod's compromise
│ ├─ Truth spoken, prophet beheaded
│ └─► Jesus grieves, withdraws
│
├─ PROVISION (vv. 13-21)
│ ├─ Compassion despite grief
│ ├─ 5 loaves + 2 fish
│ └─► 10,000+ fed, 12 baskets left
│ Creative power displayed
│
├─ FAITH (vv. 22-33)
│ ├─ Jesus prays alone
│ ├─ Disciples battle storm
│ ├─ Jesus walks on water
│ ├─ Peter walks then sinks
│ └─► Wind stops, worship follows
│ "Truly you are the Son of God"
│
└─ TOUCH (vv. 34-36)
└─► All who touch His garment healed
Power flows through faith contactDiagnostic Summary
| Section | Core Question |
|---|---|
| Martyrdom | Do I speak truth courageously or compromise to save face? |
| Provision | Do I bring my inadequacy to Jesus or hide it in shame? |
| Faith | When storms rage, do I focus on Christ or circumstances? |
| Touch | Do I reach out in faith or hold back from unworthiness? |
Chapter in One Sentence
Matthew 14: After John’s martyrdom, Jesus demonstrates divine power through feeding 5,000 from inadequate resources, walking on water while Peter’s little faith both succeeds and fails, and healing all who touch His garment—revealing Him as the Son of God who provides abundantly, controls nature, and restores completely.
Cross-References
- 2 Kings 4:42-44 — Elisha feeds 100 (foreshadows feeding 5,000)
- Job 9:8 — God “treads on waves of the sea” (Jesus walks on water)
- Psalm 107:28-30 — “They cried to LORD in trouble, He brought them out” (Peter’s rescue)
- Isaiah 43:2 — “When you pass through waters, I will be with you” (storm promise)
- Mark 6:14-56 — Parallel account with additional details
- Luke 9:10-17 — Feeding miracle parallel
- John 6:1-21 — Extended account with Bread of Life discourse
- Acts 19:11-12 — Paul’s handkerchiefs heal (power through contact)
- Philippians 4:19 — “God will meet all your needs” (provision principle)
- James 1:6-8 — Doubter like wave (Peter’s wavering)
- Hebrews 11:6 — “Without faith impossible to please God” (Peter’s little faith)
Personal Notes
John’s Death Haunts Me
vv. 1-12 — This is brutal.
THE CONTRAST
│
├─ JOHN: Speaks truth → beheaded
└─► HEROD: Preserves image → destroys soul
│
└─► Which is worse?
│
└─► John dies but integrity intact
Herod lives but conscience deadJohn didn’t soften the message: “Not lawful for you to have her.”
Direct. Public. Costly.
The cost: Prison, then beheading.
Herod’s trap:
- Wanted to kill John but feared people (v. 5)
- Caught by oath at party (v. 7)
- Chose saving face over prophet’s life (v. 9)
v. 9: “The king was distressed.”
He didn’t WANT to kill John. But image management won.
THE QUESTION THIS RAISES FOR ME:
│
└─► How many times have I:
│
├─ Softened truth to avoid offense
├─ Stayed silent to preserve relationship
└─► Compromised conviction to save face
│
└─► I'm more Herod than John
Fear of man > fear of GodProv 29:25: “Fear of man will prove to be a snare.”
Herod’s snare: People’s opinion trapped him in murder.
Application: Speak truth even when costly. Silence = slow compromise toward Herod’s guilt.
Jesus’ Grief is Real
v. 13 — “When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew.”
Jesus FELT John’s death.
FULLY HUMAN
│
└─► He needed:
├─ Space to grieve
├─ Solitude with Father
└─► Time to process loss
│
└─► Grief ≠ weak faith
Grief = proof of loveBut v. 14: Crowds interrupted His grief.
His response: Compassion.
THE TENSION:
│
├─ Jesus needs rest
└─► Crowds need healing
│
└─► Jesus chooses: Their need > His needThis convicts me. When I’m hurting, I protect my pain. “Leave me alone.”
Jesus? Sees crowds, has compassion, heals their sick.
Application: My pain doesn’t exempt me from compassion. Jesus grieved but still served.
The Inadequate 5 + 2
vv. 17-21 — This miracle wrecks my scarcity mindset.
DISCIPLES' VIEW:
│
└─► "We have ONLY five loaves and two fish"
│
└─► Focus on inadequacy
See impossibilityJesus’ response: “Bring them here to me.”
Not: “Get more.” Not: “This won’t work.”
IS: “Give me what you have.”
THE PRINCIPLE:
│
└─► Jesus multiplies what's GIVEN
Not what's HOARDED
│
└─► They gave inadequate resources
Jesus created abundance
│
└─► 5 + 2 → 5,000+ fed
+ 12 baskets leftMy problem: I withhold inadequacy from Jesus.
I THINK:
│
└─► When I have MORE
THEN I'll serve
│
└─► Better skills
Better resources
Better timing
│
└─► But "better" never comes
And I never servev. 18: “Bring them here to me.”
Bring WHAT YOU HAVE. However small.
Application: Stop waiting for adequacy. Bring inadequacy to Jesus. He creates from nothing.
Peter’s Little Faith
vv. 28-31 — Peter gets criticized, but he’s the only one who LEFT THE BOAT.
PETER vs OTHER DISCIPLES:
│
├─ 11 disciples: Stayed in boat (safe)
└─► Peter: Got out (risky)
│
└─► Peter failed
But he TRIEDv. 30: “When he saw the wind, he was afraid.”
The fatal shift:
- Eyes on Jesus → walking
- Eyes on storm → sinking
The pattern I see in my life:
WHEN I SUCCEED:
│
└─► Focused on Jesus
Obeying His word
Ignoring impossibility
│
└─► I walk on water
(Do impossible)
WHEN I FAIL:
│
└─► Focus shifts to circumstances
See obstacles
Fear rises
│
└─► I sinkv. 31: “Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him.”
Even Peter’s failure led to rescue + worship.
THE LESSON:
│
└─► Better to:
│
├─ Step out in faith and fail
└─► Than stay in boat and never try
│
└─► Peter's "little faith" still got him on water
Other disciples' "safe faith" kept them in boatApplication:
- Keep eyes on Jesus, not circumstances
- Risk obedience even if might fail
- When sinking, cry “Lord, save!”
Worship After Storm
v. 33 — “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This is HUGE in Matthew.
CONFESSION PROGRESSION:
│
├─ 8:27: "What kind of man is this?"
│ └─► Question after calming storm
│
└─► 14:33: "Truly you are the Son of God"
└─► Declaration after walking on waterWhy worship here?
EVIDENCE ACCUMULATION:
│
├─ Fed 5,000 from nothing (Creator)
├─ Walked on water (Divine)
├─ Calmed storm instantly (Sovereign)
└─► Peter rescued immediately (Savior)
│
└─► Can't be mere man
Must be GOD'S SONThe disciples WORSHIPED.
Not just respected. WORSHIPED (προσεκύνησαν).
This is reserved for God alone.
Application: Do I worship Jesus or just admire Him? Worship = bowing to deity, not applauding teacher.
The Garment Touch
vv. 35-36 — “All who touched it were healed.”
THE HUMILITY:
│
└─► "Just let them touch the EDGE"
│
└─► Not: "Command them healed"
Not: "Touch them personally"
│
IS: "Just touch His garment"
│
└─► Smallest point of contact
Most remote part
│
└─► Faith doesn't demand
Faith reaches humblyThe result: 100% healing rate.
All who touched → healed.
The principle:
FAITH + PRESENCE = POWER
│
└─► Their faith: "Touching edge = enough"
His presence: Power flows
│
└─► Result: Complete healingWoman with bleeding (9:20-22): Same principle.
Touched garment → healed.
Application:
- Faith doesn’t need elaborate prayers
- Simple touch in faith = enough
- Jesus’ presence contains healing power
The Chapter’s Arc
MATTHEW 14 FLOW:
│
├─ Starts: John's death (grief)
├─ Middle: Miracles (power)
└─► Ends: Healing (restoration)
│
└─► From death → life
From inadequacy → abundance
From fear → worshipThree impossibilities solved:
- Provision: Can’t feed 10,000+ → Jesus creates from 5+2
- Nature: Can’t walk on water → Jesus defies physics
- Healing: Can’t cure diseases → Touch garment = wholeness
The theme: NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH JESUS.
WHAT THIS MEANS FOR ME:
│
├─ My inadequacy → His abundance
├─ My storms → His sovereignty
└─► My sickness → His healing
│
└─► Bring impossibilities to Jesus
He specializes in themSummary Thoughts
This chapter confronts my two greatest weaknesses:
1. Fear of man (like Herod)
Herod feared people’s opinion more than God’s judgment.
Result: Murdered prophet, haunted conscience.
My version:
- Soften truth to avoid conflict
- Stay silent to preserve relationships
- Compromise conviction for approval
The cure: Fear God more than man.
John spoke truth, paid price, died with integrity.
2. Focus on circumstances (like Peter)
Peter walked on water when focused on Jesus.
Sank when focused on storm.
My version:
- See obstacles → fear rises
- Calculate impossibility → faith shrinks
- Focus on lack → miss abundance
The cure: Keep eyes on Jesus.
“Bring them here to me” (v. 18).
Give Jesus my inadequacy. He creates from nothing.
The call:
Like John: Courage to speak truth.
Like Peter: Faith to leave boat.
Like crowds at Gennesaret: Humility to reach out and touch.
v. 33: “Truly you are the Son of God.”
This is the confession the chapter builds toward.
Not “good teacher.” Not “inspired prophet.”
SON OF GOD.
Creator. Sovereign. Healer.
Do I worship Him as such?
Or just admire from boat, never risking, never touching?
The challenge: Get out of the boat.