Commentary by DAVID BROWN
CHAPTER 14

Mat 14:1-12. HEROD THINKS JESUS A RESURRECTION OF THE MURDERED BAPTIST—ACCOUNT OF HIS IMPRISONMENT AND DEATH. (= Mar 6:14-29; Luk 9:7-9).

The time of this alarm of Herod Antipas appears to have been during the mission of the Twelve, and shortly after the Baptist—who had been in prison for probably more than a year—had been cruelly put to death.

Herod's Theory of the Works of Christ (Mat 14:1-2).

1. At that time Herod the tetrarch—Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great, and own brother of Archelaus (Mat 2:22), who ruled as ethnarch over Galilee and Perea.

heard of the fame of Jesus—"for His name was spread abroad" (Mar 6:14).

2. And said unto his servants—his counsellors or court-ministers.

This is John the Baptist: he is risen from the dead, etc.—The murdered prophet haunted his guilty breast like a specter and seemed to him alive again and clothed with unearthly powers in the person of Jesus.

Account of the Baptist's Imprisonment and Death (Mat 14:3-12). For the exposition of this portion, see on JFB for Mar 6:17-29.

Mat 14:12-21. HEARING OF THE BAPTIST DEATH JESUS CROSSES THE LAKE WITH TWELVE AND MIRACULOUSLY FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND. (= Mar 6:30-44; Luk 9:10-17; Jhn 6:1-14).

For the exposition of this section—one of the very few where all the four Evangelists run parallel—see on JFB for Mar 6:30-44.

Mat 14:22-26. JESUS CROSSES TO THE WESTERN SIDE OF THE LAKE WALKING ON THE SEA—INCIDENTS ON LANDING. (= Mar 6:45; Jhn 6:15-24).

For the exposition, see on JFB for Joh 6:15-24.

28. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it is thou, bid me come to thee on the water—(Also see on JFB for Mar 6:50.)

29. And he said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat. he walked on the water, to go to Jesus—(Also see on JFB for Mr 6:50.)

30. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me—(Also see on JFB for Mar 6:50.)

31. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt?—(Also see on JFB for Mar 6:50.)

32. And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased—(Also see on JFB for Mar 6:50.)