Welcome to this study of Matthew's Gospel, a collaboration between Mary Barmore and Alice C. Linsley. Before you begin, read Matthew Chapter 14. When you have finished reading, answer the 8 questions. Check your answers by scrolling to the bottom.
Introduction
News of Jesus had reached Herod the Tetrarch (Herod Antipas) who thought that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life. Herod had sworn an oath to give John's head on a platter to Herodias. John's disciples took away John's body and buried him. After addressing a large crowd, healing many, and feeding over 5000, Jesus withdrew to the mountain to pray (v. 23). That night his disciples were in a boat on the Sea of Galilee when a strong wind arose and tossed the boat about. Jesus walked toward them on the water. Seeing Jesus, Peter sought to walk to him but grew fearful and began to sink. Jesus reached out and grabbed him, saying "O man of little faith, why did you doubt?" (v. 31) Once Peter was safely back in the boat he declared concerning Jesus, "Truly you are the Son of God," and all in the boat worshipped Jesus.
When Jesus landed at Gennesaret, he healed many people, even some who only touched the fringe of his garment (vv. 24-26). Matthew, Mark, and Luke record examples of people wanting to touch the hem of Jesus' garment. “They besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched (it) were healed.” The woman who had suffered for twelve years came behind Jesus and touched the hem of his outer garment and was healed (Matt. 9:19-22, Mk. 5:25–34; Lk. 8:43–48). It is believed that the woman touched the tzitzit (tassels, fringes) of his robe. For Jews, these indicated a nobleman, a royal person, or a priest.
Questions
1. Why did Herod fear that Jesus was John the Baptist come back to life?
2. Who was Herod the Tetrarch?
3. Why did Herod's wife Herodias seek to have John killed?
4. Jesus' disciples wanted to send the people away to find food, but Jesus insisted that they give them food. What does this tell us about Jesus?
5. How many baskets of leftovers were collected after Jesus fed the crowd of more than 5000?
6. After feeding the crowd, Jesus went away to pray by himself. He often did this. Why did Jesus seek solitude to pray?
7. What did the disciples imagine when they saw a figure walking on the water in the midst of a storm?
8. What did the tassels of Jesus' robe represent for the Jewish people?
Answers
1. Herod feared Jesus because of Jesus' powerful miracles. His guilty conscience led him to fear that Jesus might be acting on John's behalf to bring retribution for John's unlawful execution.
2. Herod the Tetrarch was also known as Herod Antipas. His father was Herod the Great. Herod Antipas ruled over Galilee and Perea under Rome's authority from about 4 B.C. to AD. 39. This is the ruler over Galilee that Jesus would have known during his lifetime. Herod Antipas faced exile after being accused of treason by his wife, Herodias and her brother, Agrippa I.
3. The ambitious Herodias sought to have John killed because he had challenged Herod's unlawful marriage to her. She was the wife of Herod's half-brother Philip.
4. The feeding of the 5000 speaks of Jesus' divine power, compassion, and provision. It demonstrates that he is the "Bread of Life" which nourishes spiritually and physically. The story also prefigures the Kingdom of Heaven which is described in Revelation 7:16-17: "Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them, nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water, and God will wipe every tear from their eyes."
5. After the crowd had eaten, the disciples gathered 12 baskets of leftovers. The disciples knew they were not able to feed the multitude. Jesus' feeding of the people spoke about the abundance of God's provision. This story echoes God's provision of manna in the wilderness. What was accomplished under Moses was inferior to what was accomplished by Jesus, the Son of God. The Israelites were not able to gather leftover manna. The contrast between these two divine feedings is significant. The manna provided temporary physical nourishment, while the bread Jesus provided symbolizes the eternal nourishment that only He can offer.
6. Jesus often left the company of the disciples to pray alone. This custom of Jesus is recorded in Luke 5:16, Luke 9:18, Luke 22, Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:23, and Matthew 26. His prayed alone before major decisions, after exhausting periods of ministry, and in times of distress. He needed solitude to commune with his Father without distractions. Christians are to do the same.
7. They thought they were seeing a ghost or an apparition. The Greek word that appears here is φάντασμα, translated "phantom". A phantom is an image that appears to the senses but whose reality is questionable. In their fear, they did not comprehend that they were seeing the Lord. To walk on water defies human understanding, but the Christ is master over the wind and waves. In Mark's Gospel, the veteran fishermen were terrified and cried out to Jesus, saying, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" Mark's Gospel then states that: "He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, 'Quiet! Be still!' Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, 'Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?' They were terrified and asked each other, 'Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"
8. The tassels of Jesus' robe indicated a person of authority. The hem of the High Priest’s robe had fringes with a row of pomegranates and golden bells. The pomegranates and golden bells on the High Priest's robe (Ex. 28:33-34) symbolized holiness and the priestly role. The tassels were mandated by Jewish law (Num. 15:38-39). They symbolized holiness and God's presence. Those who wanted to be healed sought to connect with Jesus who is God in the flesh.
Join us in January 2026 as we continue our study of Matthew's Gospel. Before then, this might interest you: Year A Focuses on Matthew's Gospel
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