Frameworks:
Matthew's Gospel, chapter 14
(The
objective of these ‘Frameworks' is to provide an easy-to-read
layout of the text in order then to use these individual verses
for verse-by-verse study or meditation. To focus each
verse we have also added in italic a description of what is happening)
FRAMEWORKS:
Matthew, chapter 14
v.1-12
John the Baptist Beheaded
v.13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
v.22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
v.34-36
More sick are brought and are healed
v.1-12
John the Baptist Beheaded
v.1,2
(Herod wonders about
Jesus) At
that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, and
he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen
from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
v.3,4
(but Herod had arrested
John) Now
Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because
of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, for John had been saying
to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
v.5
(he feared the people
so didn't kill John) Herod
wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because
they considered John a prophet.
v.6,7
(Herod makes a foolish
oath) On
Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests
and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give
her whatever she asked.
v.8 (he
is required to kill John) Prompted
by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of
John the Baptist.”
v.9,10
(he gives way and John
is killed) The
king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests,
he ordered that her request be granted and had John beheaded in
the prison.
v.11
(John's head is brought
in) His
head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried
it to her mother.
v.12
(but his disciples collect
the body) John's
disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went
and told Jesus.
v.13-21
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
v.13
(on hearing this Jesus
goes into solitude (?to grieve?) When
Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to
a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on
foot from the towns.
v.14
(but when the crowd comes
Jesus heals their sick) When
Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them
and healed their sick.
v.15
(the disciples are concerned
about feeding the crowd) As
evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This
is a remote place, and it's already getting late. Send the crowds
away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
v.16
(Jesus tells them to
feed them) Jesus
replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something
to eat.”
v.17
(they hardly have anything)
“We have here
only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
v.18
(Jesus asks for them)
“Bring them
here to me,” he said.
v.19
(Jesus feeds the crowd)
And he directed
the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and
the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke
the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples
gave them to the people.
v.20
(there was sufficient
with plenty of leftovers) They
all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve
basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
v.21
(there were 5000+)
The number
of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and
children.
v.22-33
Jesus Walks on the Water
v.22
(Jesus sends the disciples
across the Lake) Immediately
Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of
him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
v.23,24
(he prays on the mountain
while the sea gets rough) After
he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself
to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, and the boat was
already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves
because the wind was against it.
v.25
(hours later he walks
on the Lake to them) Shortly
before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
v.26
(they were naturally
scared) When
the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified.
“It's a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
v.27
(Jesus calls and reassures
them) But
Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don't
be afraid.”
v.28
(Peter checks Jesus)
“Lord, if it's
you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
v.29
(Jesus calls him and
he too walked on the water) “Come,”
he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water
and came toward Jesus.
v.30
(but then his faith wavered
and he started to sink) But
when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried
out, “Lord, save me!”
v.31
(Jesus catches him and
gently chides him) Immediately
Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”
he said, “why did you doubt?”
v.32
(once in the boat, the
wind died down) And
when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
v.33
(the disciples worship
Jesus) Then
those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are
the Son of God.”
v.34-36
More sick are brought and are healed
v.34
(they arrive at Gennesaret)
When they had
crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
v.35,36
(crowds coming bringing
their sick and they are healed) And
when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to
all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to
him and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his
cloak, and all who touched it were healed.