Day Fourteen – Monday, January 20, 2025

One Year Journey Through the New Testament

Matthew 14

Welcome to our journey through the New Testament!

Present Response to Jesus

Mark 6:14–16; Luke 9:7–9 (Parallel)

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus ² and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 14:1–2.

Points to Ponder:

• At some point in the narrative, John the Baptist was executed. The details of that story are recounted in the next section of this chapter, but this is how Herod responded to the news of Jesus after John’s death.
• He knew that John was powerful in the Spiritually. His call to repentance against Herod led to John’s death. He now felt that John had risen and was perhaps coming back to punish Herod.

Recount of the Murder of John the Baptist

Mark 6:17–29 (Parallel)

³ For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. ⁴ Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.⁶ But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. ⁷ Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.⁸ So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”⁹ And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. ¹⁰ So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. ¹¹ And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. ¹² Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 14:3–12.

Points to Ponder:

• The story of John’s execution is recounted here.
• Herod had taken his brother Philip’s wife. John made it obvious that he disapproved of Herod for his adultery.
• Herod wanted to execute him, but knew of his popularity with the crowds in Israel.
• Herod had a birthday party and had his wife’s daughter to dance for him and his guests. This seems even more evil or at least inappropriate for this family.
• Herod, likely drunk, and definitely not thinking clearly, promised her whatever she might ask. Her mother gave her an idea and she asked for John the Baptist’s head on a platter. Herodias, Herod’s wife, had found her vengeance against John the Baptist.
• John was beheaded, and his head brought to the banquet. Herod regretted his offer, and the people were mortified. John’s disciples came to gather John’s body and bury him before going to tell Jesus of his death.

Jesus Feeds 5,000

Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:11–17; John 6:1–13 (Parallel)

¹³ When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ¹⁴ And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. ¹⁵ When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”¹⁷ And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”¹⁸ He said, “Bring them here to Me.” ¹⁹ Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. ²⁰ So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. ²¹ Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 14:13–21.

Points to Ponder:

• Jesus took a little time to mourn John.
• However, the crowds followed. Jesus was moved with compassion and healed the sick.
• When the day began to wane, the disciples thought they should send the crowds home so they could eat and rest. Jesus instructed the disciples to give them something to eat.
• The best they could do is five small loaves of bread and two fish. Jesus called for them and told the multitude to sit.
• Jesus prayed and began to distribute food to the disciples. They then started giving food to the multitude.
• Miraculously, everyone (5,000 men plus the women and children) ate and was full, and there were twelve baskets left over. Some say that was a sign to the twelve disciples, seeing a basket for each of them.

Jesus Walks on Water

Mark 6:45–52; John 6:14–21 (Parallel)

²² Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. ²³ And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. ²⁴ But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.²⁵ Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.²⁷ But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”²⁸ And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”²⁹ So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”³¹ And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” ³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.³³ Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 14:22–33.

Points to Ponder:

• As soon as the crowd was fed, they were dispersed and Jesus sent His disciples across the sea.
• Jesus went up on the mountain to pray alone.
• As the disciples sailed across the sea a strong wind arose and pushed the boat around. Jesus came down the mountain and began to walk on the sea toward the boat.
• The disciples did not immediately recognize Jesus, and thought He was a ghost and became fearful. Jesus identified Himself and Peter tested Him. He asked for Jesus to call Him out of the boat if it was really him.
• Jesus consented, and Peter began walking on the water to Jesus. After a few steps, Peter began to fear and called on Jesus to save Him, which He did.
• He rebuked Peter’s lack of faith, and they both got in the boat. Once in the boat, the winds died down. The disciples could do nothing but worship Jesus as the Son of God.
• Lord, help us to trust you in our storms.

Jesus Heals Many

Mark 6:53–56 (Parallel)

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick, ³⁶ and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

The New King James Version (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982), Mt 14:34–36.

Points to Ponder:

• The boat landed in Gennesaret, just west of Capernaum on the coast of the Sea of Galilee (also known as Lake Genneserat, and Sea of Tiberius).
• The residents of the city noticed that Jesus was there and spread the word, and all the sick were brought to Jesus.
• They specifically asked to touch the hem of His garment, believing that would bring their healing. Their faith did bring healing to all who touched His garment.
• I want to be able to lay hands on the sick and see them recover. How does that happen? We must pray and believe.
• Lord, help us to pray and believe for healing every day.

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All Scriptures from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Join us this afternoon at 5:00 pm for a discussion of this chapter live online. Live@5 with Dr. Greg Sloop can be found on Facebook on the Dr. Greg Sloop page or on the Kannapolis Church of God Facebook page or Youtube page.