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.