141 At that time did Herod the tetrarch hear the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, 'This is John the Baptist, he did rise from the dead, and because of this the mighty energies are working in him.' 3 For Herod having laid hold on John, did bind him, and did put him in prison, because of Herodias his brother Philip's wife, 4 for John was saying to him, 'It is not lawful to thee to have her,' 5 and, willing to kill him, he feared the multitude, because as a prophet they were holding him. 6 But the birthday of Herod being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst, and did please Herod, 7 whereupon with an oath he professed to give her whatever she might ask. 8 And she having been instigated by her mother—'Give me (says she) here upon a plate the head of John the Baptist; 9 and the king was grieved, but because of the oaths and of those reclining with him, he commanded 'it' to be given; 10 and having sent, he beheaded John in the prison, 11 and his head was brought upon a plate, and was given to the damsel, and she brought 'it' nigh to her mother. 12 And his disciples having come, took up the body, and buried it, and having come, they told Jesus,
13 and Jesus having heard, withdrew thence in a boat to a desolate place by himself, and the multitudes having heard did follow him on land from the cities. 14 And Jesus having come forth, saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion upon them, and did heal their infirm; 15 and evening having come, his disciples came to him, saying, 'The place is desolate, and the hour hath now past, let away the multitudes that, having gone to the villages, they may buy to themselves food.' 16 And Jesus said to them, 'They have no need to go away—give ye them to eat.' 17 And they say to him, 'We have not here except five loaves, and two fishes.' 18 And he said, 'Bring ye them to me hither.' 19 And having commanded the multitudes to recline upon the grass, and having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, having looked up to the heaven, he did bless, and having broken, he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes, 20 and they did all eat, and were filled, and they took up what was over of the broken pieces twelve hand-baskets full; 21 and those eating were about five thousand men, apart from 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.