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Matthew 14

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

And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

And 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.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

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

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

When 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.

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

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.

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

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

He said, Bring them hither to me.

And 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.

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

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

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.

And 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And 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;

And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

What does Matthew 14:34 mean?

Explanation

Matthew 14:34 speaks of the moment when Jesus and his disciples reach the land of Gennesaret after crossing the Sea of Galilee.

This verse follows the account of Jesus walking on water and calming a storm, which his disciples witnessed from their boat.

The literal meaning of the verse is quite straightforward: they completed their journey across the water and arrived at their destination.

The deeper meaning, however, can be perceived in the context of Jesus' miracles and ministry.

Their arrival in Gennesaret signifies a transition from a moment of learning and revelation on the water to a continuation of Jesus' works and teaching on land.

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Historical Context

The land of Gennesaret was a small, fertile plain on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. In the time of Jesus, this region was known for its agricultural abundance.

It was a densely populated area and an active center for trade and fishing, which made it an ideal place for Jesus' ministry to reach many people.

The mention of Gennesaret provides a geographical anchor for the events that occur in the narrative and situates Jesus' ministry in a real and relatable setting that would have been known to the original audience.

Theological Insights

From various theological perspectives, this verse showcases the transition from divine revelation to the ministry's impact on the common people.

It demonstrates that the power of God not only exists in miraculous events but also in the everyday interactions and teachings of Jesus.

Furthermore, Gennesaret, a place known for nourishment, could symbolically represent the spiritual nourishment that Jesus provides through his presence and teachings.

Practical Applications

This verse can remind individuals of the importance of moving from moments of personal spiritual experiences to engaging with the world around them.

Believers could interpret the passage as a call to action to bring the insights and transformations from their own "crossings" or challenges into their communities for the benefit of others, thus paralleling Jesus' journey from the sea to Gennesaret.

Cross-References

Mark 6:53: "And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore."
Matthew 14:13-33: This passage provides the context for the verse, with the preceding events of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and walking on water.

Language Study

The original Greek word for "Gennesaret" is Γεννησαρέτ (Gennēsaret).

The name itself does not hold significant theological meaning but rather serves as a geographical identifier.

The phrase "they were gone over" comes from the Greek word "διαπεράσαντες" (diaperasantes), which means "having crossed over," emphasizing the completion of their journey from one side of the lake to the other.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The crossing of a body of water is a motif that appears in various myths and religions, often symbolizing a transitional phase or the overcoming of obstacles.

This motif can be seen in the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites in the Old Testament.

The act of arriving in a new land after a water crossing might be compared to other ancient narratives of journey and land settlement, although the context and implications in the Gospels are unique to the Christian faith.

Scientific Perspectives

Scientifically, the verse does not present any particular claim that intersects directly with the science of the period.

The passage deals with the aftermath of reported supernatural events (like Jesus walking on water) rather than natural phenomena.

Modern geography does confirm the existence of the land of Gennesaret in the past, offering archaeological and historical evidence of the area's agricultural productivity, aligning with the biblical description.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and theologians have commented on this verse, typically focusing on its place within the Gospel's narrative.

Some commentaries interpret the safe arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Gennesaret after the storm on the lake as a symbol of divine deliverance and reassurance.

It is also noted that the passage sets the stage for the subsequent ministry in that region, with the people of Gennesaret recognizing Jesus and seeking healing, as detailed in the passages immediately following Matthew 14:34.

Matthew 14

Matthew 14

What does Matthew 14:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?

What does Matthew 14:34 mean?

Explanation

Top Rated Matthew Books

Historical Context

Theological Insights

Practical Applications

Cross-References

Language Study

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Scientific Perspectives

Commentaries

Want more context?