141 At that time news of Jesus came to Herod the king; 2 And he said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he has come back from the dead, and so these powers are working in him. 3 For Herod had taken John and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4 Because John had said to him, It is not right for you to have her. 5 And he would have put him to death, but for his fear of the people, because in their eyes John was a prophet. 6 But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias was dancing before them, and Herod was pleased with her. 7 So he gave her his word with an oath to let her have whatever she might make request for. 8 And she, at her mother's suggestion, said, Give me here on a plate the head of John the Baptist. 9 And the king was sad; but because of his oaths and because of his guests, he gave the order for it to be given to her; 10 And he sent and had John's head cut off in the prison. 11 And his head was put on a plate and given to the girl; and she took it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took up his body and put it in the earth; and they went and gave Jesus news of what had taken place.
13 Now when it came to the ears of Jesus, he went away from there in a boat, to a waste place by himself: and the people hearing of it, went after him on foot from the towns. 14 And he came out and saw a great number of people and he had pity on them, and made well those of them who were ill. 15 And when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying, This place is waste land, and the time is now past; send the people away so that they may go into the towns and get themselves food. 16 But Jesus said to them, There is no need for them to go away; give them food yourselves. 17 And they say to him, We have here but five cakes of bread and two fishes. 18 And he said, Give them to me. 19 And he gave orders for the people to be seated on the grass; and he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing, and made division of the food, and gave it to the disciples, and the disciples gave it to the people. 20 And they all took of the food and had enough: and they took up twelve baskets full of broken bits which were not used. 21 And those who had food were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Matthew 14:1-21
Commentary on Matthew 14:1-12
(Read Matthew 14:1-12)
The terror and reproach of conscience, which Herod, like other daring offenders, could not shake off, are proofs and warnings of a future judgment, and of future misery to them. But there may be the terror of convictions, where there is not the truth of conversion. When men pretend to favour the gospel, yet live in evil, we must not favour their self-delusion, but must deliver our consciences as John did. The world may call this rudeness and blind zeal. False professors, or timid Christians, may censure it as want of civility; but the most powerful enemies can go no further than the Lord sees good to permit. Herod feared that the putting of John to death might raise a rebellion among the people, which it did not; but he never feared it might stir up his own conscience against him, which it did. Men fear being hanged for what they do not fear being damned for. And times of carnal mirth and jollity are convenient times for carrying on bad designs against God's people. Herod would profusely reward a worthless dance, while imprisonment and death were the recompence of the man of God who sought the salvation of his soul. But there was real malice to John beneath his consent, or else Herod would have found ways to get clear of his promise. When the under shepherds are smitten, the sheep need not be scattered while they have the Great Shepherd to go to. And it is better to be drawn to Christ by want and loss, than not to come to him at all.
Commentary on Matthew 14:13-21
(Read Matthew 14:13-21)
When Christ and his word withdraw, it is best for us to follow, seeking the means of grace for our souls before any worldly advantages. The presence of Christ and his gospel, makes a desert not only tolerable, but desirable. This little supply of bread was increased by Christ's creating power, till the whole multitude were satisfied. In seeking the welfare of men's souls, we should have compassion on their bodies likewise. Let us also remember always to crave a blessing on our meals, and learn to avoid all waste, as frugality is the proper source of liberality. See in this miracle an emblem of the Bread of life, which came down from heaven to sustain our perishing souls. The provisions of Christ's gospel appear mean and scanty to the world, yet they satisfy all that feed on him in their hearts by faith with thanksgiving.