Download the Notes:
John Decreases, Jesus Increases
Matthew 14
Don Ruhl • Savage Street, Grants Pass, Oregon • May 9, In the year of our Lord, 2018
- Matthew 14.1–13 | Herod Knew Better
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.” 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. 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.
- John 10.41 says that, “John performed no sign.”
- Why then did Herod think that the report of Jesus working miracles was actually John at work?
- Why did Herod think that John had risen from the dead?
- What did John mean that it was not lawful for Herod to have his brother Philip’s wife?
- Why did Herod want to put John to death?
- Why was Herod later sorry that he “had” to put John to death?
- Mark 6.20 shows that once Herod had John captive Herod liked the preacher and liked hearing him.
- Notice John 3.30
- John 10.41 says that, “John performed no sign.”
- Matthew 14.14–21 | The Compassion of Jesus
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.
- How did Jesus show compassion on the multitude?
- How did the disciples want to show compassion to the multitudes?
- How did Jesus feed the people?
- What evidence does Matthew present to show it was a miracle?
- Jesus used five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000 men, besides women and children.
- Five loaves and two fish do not fill 12 baskets of leftovers?
- How does Jesus feed the billions of earth daily?
- What evidence does Matthew present to show it was a miracle?
- Matthew 14.22–34 | What Having Faith Will Do for You
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.” 34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
- Jesus had the perfect opportunity to glorify Himself, but what did He do with the crowds and the disciples instead?
- What did Jesus do by Himself?
- He prayed.
- Why did He need to pray?
- Why did He go up on a mountain to pray?
- How do you picture Jesus walking on the water?
- On a straight or level plane?
- Do you see Him walking on the uneven surface of the water as we would the uneven surface of the ground?
- He not only defied gravity, but He also made the surface of the turbulent waters a surface to walk upon.
- What do you think of Peter’s challenge to the Lord?
- Was Peter right to do so?
- Did Peter sink as a rock or as we would or did he begin a slower sinking?
- What kept Peter from walking any further upon the water?
- What did the Lord reveal was Peter’s problem?
- How did all of the disciples react to Jesus?
- Matthew 14.35–36 | The Hem of His Garment
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.
- Would we not also do the same thing?
- Notice that the hem of the garment is not even His body, yet, people believed that just touching it, they would find a healing.
Got something to say? Go for it!