Continuing a study of the gospel accounts:
(Matthew 13:53) And it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these parables, He departed from there.
In most of chapter 13, Matthew told of Jesus teaching in parables, mostly about the kingdom of heaven. After He had finished those parables, He departed from there, that is, from the house in which He was, and the city of Capernaum, where He had been spending some time.
(54) And when He had come into His own country, He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, "Where has this man gotten this wisdom and these mighty works?"
When Jesus came to His own country, that is Nazareth, where He had grown up and was educated, He taught in the synagogue there. The same account in Mark 6:2 tells us that it was on the Sabbath that he taught them in their synagogue. The people there were astonished at His teaching for they had seen Him grow up there, and would have known about His lack of formal education from whom they would have considered great learned teachers. They couldn't imagine how "this man" came to have such wisdom.
(55) "Is this not the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary? And His brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas?"
Still wondering how "this man" could have such wisdom, the people discussed how he was only the carpenter's son. His mother was Mary and His brothers were James, Joses, Simon, and Judas. They knew exactly who He was, so how could He possibly have such wisdom? I have to note again how the Catholics have to disregard yet another verse that implies Mary was not the eternal virgin. Why is that even so important? I believe in worshipping Mary as completely holy, it somewhat diminishes Christ. There was no human on earth born to man who was holy and perfect, except for Jesus Christ, and that is because He was God incarnate. Mary was a blessed woman because God chose her to be the vessel to bring forth the Messiah, but that is where it ends. She was probably a good woman and a follower of Christ, but not holy and perfect; just like everyone else, her righteousness came from the sacrifice of Christ for her sins, as she surely had, just like every other human on earth.
Yes, it is true that many times in scripture the term brother indicates a close relation, and not necessarily a brother. However, in this case, the people were identifying "this man" as the son of Joseph, the carpenter, and Mary, and identifying His brothers. It seems quite reasonable to believe these were the half-brothers of Jesus, the sons of Mary and Joseph. The people would not have realized they were only half-brothers because at this point they assumed Jesus was the son of Joseph. There is no reason not to take this scripture at face value, as there is no other scripture that backs up the claim that Mary remained a virgin all her life. That is the way one can identify truths in the Bible, and not follow misinterpretations. The word of God will always be confirmed by two or three scriptures. "In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established" (2 Corinthians 13:1); and even that passage is repeated several times in scripture. If there is some obscure passage that can be interpreted different ways, if the one obscure way is not confirmed elsewhere in the Bible, then that is not the right interpretation.
(56) "And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then has this man gotten all these things?"
Apparently, the people also knew Jesus's sisters. They knew where He came from and all His family, so they just couldn't imagine how He had gotten all His wisdom.
(57) And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house."
The people were offended by Jesus. How could "this man" of humble birth and family's lowly means teach them, the proud and arrogant? Jesus replied to them that a prophet was honored everywhere except in his own country and his own house. His own countrymen and family had the additional stumbling block of knowing his origins and that prejudiced them against Him. I can see the truth in this. If my first cousin whom I grew up with suddenly professed such wisdom and miracles, I'd be wondering about that. It is only through the Holy Spirit of God that we can know such truths, and have faith in those truths. "No man can come to Me, except the Father who has sent Me draws him..." (John 6:44). When Jesus would later ask His disciples who they thought He was, and Peter answered that He was "the Christ, the Son of the living God," Jesus told him he could have only known that through His Father in Heaven and that no mere human could know that (Matthew 16:17). That is not to say that there is an elect few and that not everyone will be drawn; the Lord is not willing for any of us to perish, but wants all to come to Him (2 Peter 3:9). He desires and calls us all, but some refuse to listen.
(58) And He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
Jesus did not do many miracles there because of the people's unbelief and unwillingness to even try to believe. We will see that He did a few, but not many.
(Matthew 14:1) At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus.
At that time King Herod heard of the fame of Jesus. This was not the same Herod who ruled at the time of Jesus's birth, but Herod Antipater or Antipas, the son of Herod the First or Great. He was called a tetrarch because his father had divided his kingdom into four parts, and had bequeathed them to his sons. Herod Antipater was the ruler of this fourth part, Galilee and Perea.
(2) And said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works show themselves in him."
King Herod said to his servants that this must have been John the Baptist, whom he had beheaded, added Mark in Mark 6:16. His guilty conscience convinced him that Jesus must have been John the Baptist risen again possibly to torment him; and because he had risen from the dead, he was also able to perform miracles.
(3) For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias's sake, his brother Philip's wife. (4) For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
Matthew then told about how Herod had come to behead John. Herod had imprisoned John for Herodias's sake, the wife of his brother Philip, and with whom he had taken and lived with in adultery. John had told Herod that is was not lawful for him to have Herodias, strong words to say to a king; and this angered Herod and he put John in prison.
(5) And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude because they counted him as a prophet.
Herod would have put John to death, but because the people considered John a prophet, he was afraid to go against the people and do so.
(6) But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. (7) Whereupon, he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask.
Matthew continued telling how it was that John came to be beheaded by Herod. It had been at Herod's birthday celebration, and Herodias's daughter had danced for Herod and the guests. Herod had been pleased with her dancing and had sworn to give her whatever she asked in return for her so pleasing him.
(8) And she, being before instructed by her mother, said, "Give me here John the Baptist's head on a charger."
Herodias's daughter, having been before instructed by her mother, asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter right then, not giving Herod any time to think it over. Her mother had been greatly angered by John's words against her adulterous relationship with Herod.
(9) And the king was sorry; nevertheless for the oath's sake, and those who sat with him at the meal, he commanded it to be given to her.
The king felt sorrow, perhaps because he realized John was a good man, and he knew him to be highly regarded by the people as a prophet. However, because he had rashly and foolishly sworn an oath to Herodias's daughter before all his guests who witnessed his oath, he commanded that John's head be given to her.
(10) And he sent and had John beheaded in prison. (11) And his head was brought on a charger and given to the damsel, and she brought it to her mother.
Herod sent an executioner, so said Mark in his account in Mark 6:27, who beheaded him in the prison. Then his head was brought to Herodias's daughter, and she gave it to her mother.
(12) And his disciples came and took up the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. They then went and told Jesus about it.
(13) When Jesus heard it, He departed by ship to a deserted place away; and when the people had heard of it, they followed Him on foot out of the cities.
When Jesus heard the news about Herod thinking He was John the Baptist risen from the dead, He departed by ship to a deserted place to avoid Herod. This was not because He feared Herod, but because the time for His death had not yet come. When the people heard where He had gone, they followed Him on foot out of the cities to the deserted place to which He had gone.
(14) And Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and He healed their sick.
Jesus "went forth," either out of his ship, or from a secluded place within the deserted place to which He had gone, and saw the great multitude of people, which was about 5000 men, besides women and children, as we are told later. Jesus was moved with compassion for them, probably seeing that they had traveled so far on foot to come to Him, and knowing their infirmities and that they were lost sheep in need of a good shepherd. He healed the sick among the multitude.
(15) And when it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."
When it was evening, Jesus's disciples came to Him and encouraged Him to send the multitude away, because they were in a deserted place and the time for the evening meal had past, and the people needed time to go into the villages and buy themselves food.
(16) But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to depart; you give them something to eat."
Jesus told them that there was no need for the people to be sent away, and He instructed them to feed the people themselves. I love Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse, in his Commentary on the Bible:
"Should we say, Lord, how shall thy poor, feeble ministering servants feed so many hungry souls as attend thy word! Begin at the command of Jesus - make the attempt - divide what you have - and the bread of God shall be multiplied in your hands, and all shall eat and be satisfied."
(17) And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
The disciples told Jesus that they only had five loaves of bread and two fish, demonstrating the impossibility of feeding so large a crowd.
(18) He said, "Bring them here to Me."
Jesus instructed His disciples to bring the fish and the loaves to Him.
(19) And He commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitude.
Jesus instructed the multitude of people to sit down on the grass. He then proceeded to take the loaves and fish and looked up to heaven, probably raising the loaves and fishes up so that the people could see what He did. He said a blessing over the food. He could have performed a miracle without first blessing, but I believe He was teaching the people to be ever thankful of what they had, and to bring their attention to what was about to happen to that food. After He blessed, He broke the bread, and gave the loaves to His disciples who in turn, gave them to the people, and we can naturally assume that they gave out the fish, as well.
(20) And they all ate and were filled, and they took up the fragments that remained, twelve baskets full. (21) And they who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Miraculously, 5000 men, besides women and children with them, and Jesus and His disciples, all ate and were fully satisfied. When they took up the scraps that were left, they filled twelve baskets, more than when they began! Again Adam Clarke had an interesting observation. It was customary at that time for the Jews to carry a basket with them at all times. By the number given here, it seems reasonable to assume that each disciple filled his basket with the scraps that remained. What a beautiful physical reminder that what they gave would be given back with even more!
(22) And immediately Jesus compelled his disciples to get into a ship and to go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
After all the people had eaten and the scraps were gathered, Jesus instructed His disciples to board a ship and go to the other side of the sea while He stayed and sent the multitude of people away.
(23) And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up in a mountain apart to pray, and when the evening was come He was there alone.
According to John's account of this event, it took the people some time to finally leave, even after Jesus had instructed them to leave. At least some of the people were still there the next day, apparently waiting for Jesus's return. Jesus had gone up in a mountain away from where He had fed the people, to be alone and pray. It was the next evening that He was still there alone, which might refer to the fact that all the people had finally gone.
(24) But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves, for the wind was contrary.
The next evening when Jesus was alone in the mountain, the ship that held His disciples was in the midst of a stormy sea being tossed about by waves caused by the wind.
(25) And in the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
The night was divided into four periods or watches of three hours each. The first watch began about sunset at 6:00 and went till 9:00; the second watch was from 9:00 to midnight; the third from midnight to 3:00 a.m., and the fourth from 3:00 till 6:00 in the morning. It was sometime after 3:00 in the morning when Jesus walked out on the stormy sea to His disciples' ship.
(26) And when His disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a spirit," and they cried out for fear.
When Jesus's disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were afraid, thinking He must be a ghost or some such apparition, and they cried out in fear.
(27) But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer; it is I; do not be afraid."
Jesus spoke immediately to His disciples to calm and reassure them that it was He coming to them, and they should not be afraid.
(28) And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, bid me to come to You on the water."
Peter answered Jesus, saying if it was really Him, to bid him to come to Him on the water. There are different ways to look at this. Was Peter doubting the Lord's word, and looking for solid proof? That is what it appears to be at first glance. However, digging deeper, observe what it was Peter asked of Jesus. "If it be Your will, let me walk on the water to you." He didn't ask Jesus to prove who He was out on the water. Peter wanted to go to Him on the water, but asked first if He could call him. We should never rashly and presumptuously rush into dangerous circumstances, but we should be willing to if we are called. Peter wished to be called to Jesus on the water.
(29) And He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Jesus, in fact, did call Peter to come to Him on the water. Peter came down out of the ship and indeed, walked on water to go to Jesus.
(30) But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, "Lord, save me!"
Peter's faith in the word of Jesus bidding him allowed him to walk on water. However, when he took his focus off Jesus and onto his surroundings, namely the mighty wind, he faltered and began to sink. He cried out to Jesus to save him.
(31) And immediately Jesus stretched forth His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
I love the fact that even though Jesus claimed Peter to have little faith, as soon as Peter called on Jesus to save him, He did! Jesus immediately stretched out His hand and caught Peter before he sank. First, He saved him; then He rebuked him. Note He called him of little faith, not of no faith. Peter indeed had faith enough to walk on water, but he let his surroundings make him doubt. That is why Jesus rebuked him; why did he doubt that Jesus would continue to hold him above the water even when the winds got rough? What a perfect illustration of how we should trust Jesus. So often, we only have faith just so far; then when things look really bad, we give up on the faith. Jesus says do not doubt Him!
(32) And when they had come into the ship, the wind ceased.
When Jesus and Peter got back into the ship, the wind ceased, which was undoubtedly by the power of Jesus to calm the wind. However, He did not calm it until He had gotten back into the ship, as He used it for a lesson in faith for Peter and His disciples who witnessed it.
(33) Then they who were in the ship came and worshipped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
They who were in the ship were not only the other disciples, but most likely the ship's captain and any servants or workers aboard the ship. This incident surely confirmed to the disciples that Jesus was truly the Son of God, their long awaited Messiah. However, because the verse said "they who were in the ship" and not "the disciples," I believe it might have meant that the men on the ship other than the disciples came to the realization that Jesus was surely the Son of God.
(34) And when they had gone over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
When the ship with Jesus and the disciples had crossed over the sea, they came to Gennesaret.
(35) And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they sent word out into all that surrounding country, and brought to Him all who were diseased.
When the men of Gennesaret had knowledge of who Jesus was and that He was in their country, they sent that word out to all the region, and they brought to Him all who were sick and diseased.
(36) And besought Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment; and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
The people who were brought to Jesus asked only that they be allowed to touch the hem of His garment, as the woman with the issue of blood did in Matthew 9:20. This demonstrated their great faith that they would be healed by that touch, but also signified their unworthiness to be in His presence. Indeed, Jesus perfectly healed all who touched His hem. He not only granted their request, but made them all perfectly whole; He didn't merely partly cure them, He made them perfectly whole.
This chapter covered the beheading of John the Baptist in retrospect, as when Herod heard of Jesus, he assumed He was John the Baptist risen from the dead. That was his conscience dealing with him because he had killed an innocent man--a man ever faithful to the word of God, even when it meant his life, a man revered by the people; and Herod had him killed because of a rash foolish oath he made to a silly dancing girl, and his pride would not allow him to renege on his word. It is no wonder his conscience haunted him! Although many lessons can be learned from the events surrounding John's death, this chapter covers two of the more memorable miracles that Jesus performed--the feeding of the 5000 with only five loaves of bread and two fish, and Jesus walking on water. Just as Jesus healed perfectly, He fed the multitude more than enough to fill them all with food left over, demonstrating once again that Christ is all we need (2 Corinthians 12:9) and He supplies us with more than we need (Ephesians 3:20): "'...My grace is sufficient for you...'" (said Jesus) "...who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think..."
This chapter contains what is probably Jesus's most famous miracle, that is walking on water. He demonstrated that we also have the power to do miracles if He asks us, and if we keep our eyes only on Him, and not our surroundings, which is the world governed by Satan and he will always seek to distract us from Jesus. Jesus is all we need to persevere, and with Him, in His will, we can do miraculous things (Philippians 4:13).
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