Matthew 14 Summary - Quick Bible Study

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MATTHEW 14 SUMMARY IN 5 MINUTES

• WHEN:

  • The birth of Jesus probably occurred around 4 B.C..

  • From Luke 3:23, we know Jesus began His ministry when He was about 30 years old.

  • This would place the events of Jesus’ ministry roughly between 26-31 A.D..

• CHARACTERS:

  • Jesus - The Messiah. Various displays of His power are observable in chapter 14.

  • Disciples - Jesus’ followers and students.

  • 5,000+ People - A large crowd of people who came to see Jesus in Bethsaida.

  • Peter - One of Jesus Apostles who walked on water with Him.

• WHERE:

  • Jesus fed the 5,000+ in the region of Bethsaida (Luke 9:10).

  • Jesus walked on water on the Sea of Galilee.

  • Gennesaret was a fertile plain stretching 3.5 miles long and 1.5 miles wide on the Northwest side of Galilee between Capernaum and Tiberius (Lexham Geographic Commentary on the Gospels).

• OUTLINE:

  • JOHN THE BAPTIST IS KILLED (14:1-14:12):

    • When Herod Antipas heard about Jesus and His ministry, he thought John the Baptist had come back from the dead.

    • Matthew then takes his readers back in time to explain how John died.

    • John opposed Herod’s sinful relationship with Herodias, his brother’s wife.

    • Herodias wanted John killed and, with the help of her daughter, she managed to force Herod to execute him.

    • John was beheaded and his disciples buried his body.

  • FOOD FOR 5,000+ (14:13-14:21):

    • Upon hearing of John’s death, Jesus went to a desolate place to be alone.

    • But large crowds of people followed Him.

    • When evening came, the people were hungry.

    • The disciples recommended Jesus send them away to buy food in the village.

    • Instead, Jesus told His disciples to feed the multitude.

    • When they responded with doubts about their ability to feed the crowd, Jesus took 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish and fed the crowd miraculously.

    • After everyone had eaten, the disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftovers.

  • JESUS WALKS ON THE SEA OF GALILEE (14:22-14:33):

    • After eating, Jesus sent the crowds home for the night.

    • He instructed the disciples to get in their boat and sail to the other side of the sea while He took time to pray.

    • Later that night, while the disciples were struggling against the waves and the wind, they saw Jesus walking by their boat on the sea.

    • The disciples were terrified, thinking Jesus was some kind of ghost.

    • Jesus told them, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

    • Peter asked Jesus if he could walk on the water with Him.

    • Getting out of the boat, Peter was successful for a short period of time before his faith faltered and he started to sink.

    • Jesus rescued him and brought him to the boat.

  • JESUS HEALS THE SICK IN GENNESARET (14:34-14:36):

• BIG PICTURE:

  • This chapter displays Jesus’ power over the created universe.

  • He had the ability to multiply material matter supernaturally (the loaves and fish).

  • He had the ability to manipulate physics and the laws of nature (walking on water).

  • He had the power to restore people’s bodies from the effects of disease.

• APPLICATION:

  • Many people look down on Peter for sinking in the sea.

  • But would you have had the faith to get out of the boat in the first place.

  • Be careful before you judge someone who faulters after stepping out in great faith.

  • It is easy to judge others from the sideline.

  • Better to fail on the side of action, than to fail to take action.