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Summary

Matthew 14:1–12 – Death of John the Baptist

What happens:
Herod Antipas hears reports of Jesus’ miracles and wrongly believes John the Baptist has risen from the dead. He recalls that he had John arrested for denouncing his marriage to Herodias. At Herodias’s insistence, Herod reluctantly orders John’s beheading. John’s disciples bury his body and report the news to Jesus.

What it means:
John’s martyrdom shows the cost of prophetic witness and foreshadows Jesus’ own path to the cross. Even when truth confronts power, God’s purposes advance through sacrifice and faithful testimony.


Matthew 14:13–21 – Feeding the Five Thousand

What happens:
Jesus withdraws by boat to a solitary place, but crowds follow on foot. Moved with compassion, he takes five loaves and two fish, gives thanks, breaks them, and distributes them. All five thousand men (plus women and children) eat until they’re satisfied, and the disciples collect twelve baskets of leftovers.

What it means:
Jesus provides abundantly for physical needs and reveals his divine compassion. A small offering, entrusted to him in faith, can meet overwhelming need and point to his identity as the Bread of Life.


Matthew 14:22–33 – Walking on Water

What happens:
Jesus sends the disciples ahead by boat while he prays alone. Late at night he walks on the sea toward them. Terrified, they think he is a ghost, but he reassures them. Peter steps out in faith and walks on water but begins to sink when doubt overtakes him. Jesus saves him, rebukes his little faith, and calms the storm. The disciples worship, declaring, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

What it means:
Jesus has authority over nature and meets us in our fears. Stepping out in faith is possible when we fix our eyes on him; doubt causes us to falter, but his hand sustains and affirms his divine sonship.


Matthew 14:34–36 – Healings at Gennesaret

What happens:
When they land at Gennesaret, people recognize Jesus. They bring all who are sick on mats to wherever they hear he is, and even touching the fringe of his cloak brings healing to everyone.

What it means:
Jesus’ healing power is accessible to all who reach out in faith. His reputation draws people to him, reminding us that persistent trust in Jesus invites transformation and restoration.


Application

  • Stand firm in prophetic witness even when it leads to opposition or sacrifice
  • Offer what you have, however small, trusting Jesus to multiply it for extraordinary provision
  • Keep your eyes on Jesus in life’s storms; faith in him enables you to walk on water
  • Reach out to Jesus in simple acts of faith, believing in his power to heal and restore

Bible

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2And 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.

3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.

4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.

9And 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.

10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

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

13When 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.

14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15And 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.

16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

18He said, Bring them hither to me.

19And 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.

20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

22And 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.

23And 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.

24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

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

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

29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

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

34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.

35And 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;

36And 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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