An exposition of The Gospel According to Matthew
by David L. Cooper, Th.M., Ph.D., Litt. D.
Installment fourteen

AS HAS BEEN NOTED in this series of expositions, Matthew in this section of his Gospel is not chronological. He presented his material topically. Mark and Luke give the chronological order of the events of the life of our Lord. In fact, Luke tells us that he drew up "an orderly narrative" (Luke 1:1-4). When Mark is laid beside Luke, one sees that Mark is like-wise chronological throughout, with few exceptions, even though he does not give nearly so much material as does Luke, who gave us the fullest account of the life of Jesus.

By comparing the three Synoptics, one sees that Matthew 9:35-11:1 comes in chronologically between chapters 13 and 14. The parables of the kingdom, found in chapter 13, chronologically were given toward the close of our Lord's second tour of Galilee, which occurred-at least six months prior to the time mentioned in chapter 14.

Both Mark and Luke show that Herod's fears were aroused by the events which occurred on the third preaching tour of Galilee, conducted by the Twelve as they went out two by two and by the Lord himself. Mark gives the restricted commission (this third tour of Galilee) in 6:7-13. Immediately following this, in verses 14-29, he recounts Herod's fears. Luke in like manner connects these two events in chapter 9:1-6 and in verses 7-9.

In Matthew 14:1 the Evangelist tells us that at that season Herod the tetrarch heard reports concerning Jesus. The phrase, at that season, is a general note of time and must be interpreted in the light of facts presented by the other two Evangelists. When we do this, we see that the time of which he was speaking was that at the conclusion of the third tour, which closed at the passover of 29 A.D., one year before the crucifixion.

Herod the tetrarch was one of the sons of Herod the Great. He was the ruler, under the Roman authorities, of Galilee and Peraea. Thus it was in his territory that the activities of John the Baptist were largely carried out--when he was in Bethany beyond the Jordan (John 1:28).

Since eighteen months of our Lord's ministry was devoted to the Galilean campaign and since Herod was ruler of Galilee, Jesus was during this time under the jurisdiction of Herod, who therefore became very much alarmed at what was going on, in the way of miracles and preaching, in his territory.

We know that Herod cast John the Baptist into prison approximately eighteen months prior to the time of which we are now studying. John's arrest and incarceration were two of the reasons why Jesus left Judaea and went into Galilee (Matt. 4:12; Mark 1:14,15; Luke 5:18-20). According to Josephus John was imprisoned in the fortress of Machaerus in the land of Moab.

The three Evangelists, who tell us about Herod's guilty fears at this time, tell, in connection with this event, about Herod's having caused John the Baptist to be beheaded. None of them informs us at what time this cold blooded murder was perpetrated. Some scholars think that possibly John languished in jail for six months, whereas others think that he was incarcerated for about a year. We are positive that he lay in prison at least six months. The proof for this position is found in the following facts: John sent messengers to Jesus inquiring concerning whether or not He (Jesus) was the Messiah, or whether they should look for another (Luke 7:24-35). Luke put this visit by the messengers as occurring before Christ made His second tour of Galilee, which was around the passover, one year before Herod became alarmed, according to our present lesson. On account of the few details, no one can say just when John was beheaded. The Evangelists have passed over that event and have mentioned it only in connection with Herod's fright.

What were some of the things connected with the ministry of the Twelve Apostles and Jesus, which alarmed Herod? We can gather the answer to this question by looking at the instructions which our Lord gave to the Apostles when He sent them out under the restricted commission. The fullest account is found in Matthew 9:35-11:1. The miracles which the Apostles were to perform are related in 10:5-8. The outstanding ones which they were to perform were to heal the sick, to raise the dead, to cleanse the lepers, and to cast out demons. In connection with all of these miraculous powers, they were to make the announcement that "the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Thus the message regarding the approach of the kingdom was confirmed and strengthened powerfully by these unprecedented miracles performed by the Apostles and doubtless by Jesus himself. Thus Herod doubtless became alarmed thinking that there would result, from this great preaching campaign that was being conducted throughout Galilee, a revolt against his authority and the establishment of a new government in its place.

Herod declared, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him." From this verse it seems that Herod connected all these miracles, which were being performed, with his belief that John had been raised from the dead. We may discover in this reasoning of Herod some possible intimation of the message of John which lingered in the mind of the guilty king. If this assumption is a sound one--I for one do not doubt it--we may conclude that John spoke to Herod regarding the resurrection and of man's having to give an account to God for the deeds done here in the body. It is quite likely that his message to Herod was similar to that delivered by Paul to Felix and Drusilla his wife. Concerning the Apostle's speaking to these dignitaries, Luke tells us, "And as he [Paul] reasoned of righteousness, and self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was terrified, and answered, Go thy way for this time; and when I have a convenient season, I will call thee unto me" (Acts 24:25). From Luke 3:18-20, we see that John the Baptist reproved Herod for having taken his brother's wife and for all the evil things which he had done. Doubtless John told him that he would have to give an account to God, when he would be raised from the dead and be brought before the judgment of the great white throne, and when the wicked will all be raised and will be judged for their evil deeds.

The healing of the sick, the cleansing of the lepers, the casting out of demons, and the raising of the dead, which were wrought by Jesus and the Apostles on this famous third tour of Galilee, were but samples of the miracles that will be wrought in the bringing in of the Millennium, when the curse will be lifted from the earth, when Satan will be bound and cast into the pit of the abyss for a thousand years, and when the reign of righteousness begins. In view of the preaching of the prophets and of John the Baptist, it is practically certain that Herod was brought to the conviction that the time for the restoration of all things whereof God had spoken through the prophets (Acts 3:19-21) was at hand. He, like Felix and Drusilla when Paul preached of righteousness, self-control, and of the judgment to come, dreaded to appear before God to give an account for his wicked, corrupt life.

The occasion of Herod's arresting John and imprisoning him was John's telling him that he should not take his brother Philip's wife: "It is not lawful for thee to have her." This statement enraged Herod to the extent that he would have killed John, had he not feared the multitudes, who counted the Baptist as a prophet (Matt. 14:5). He was therefore satisfied with imprisoning John.

The occasion of Herod's having John beheaded came on his birthday when he prepared a banquet for the great ones of his kingdom. At that time the daughter of Herodias danced before the king and his companions. Like the old Persian monarch on a similar occasion, Herod promised to grant any request that the girl might make of him, even to the half of his kingdom. From what we know of Herod, his family, and the times, we may conclude that Salome danced in an indecent manner before the drunken king. The young girl, not knowing what request she was to make, went without the banquet hall to her mother, who had been nursing in her wicked heart evil intentions against John, abiding her time to wreak her vengeance on him because of his righteous reproaches against her. Her moment had come, and revenge was sweet to her. She therefore instructed her daughter to ask for the head of John the Baptist on a platter. She then returned to the banquet hall and presented her petition to King Herod. Upon her making this request, Herod was grieved, but on account of his oath and on account of those who sat at the banquet table with him, he commanded that her request be granted. This greatest of all men, who had ever been born of women up to that time, was ruthlessly beheaded. The executioners gave the head to the damsel who in turn took it to her mother. Then John's disciples came, took up the corpse, and buried it. When that was done, they reported the event to Jesus.

The study of the life and character of John the Baptist is-most illuminating. From birth to the time of the beginning of his ministry he seems to have lived apart from the world and in closest touch with his God. He cared little for this world's goods. His whole desire seems to have been to please God and to assist others. He was free from the petty jealousies and enmities that usually rankle in human hearts, even in the hearts of some who have been born again, all too frequently. On one occasion some of his disciples, who were jealous in his favor, were complaining to John about Jesus' making and baptizing more disciples than he. The Baptist instantly took the proper attitude and said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). In Jesus having influence with the people John was overjoyed.

He was a man of conviction. Boldness characterized his life and actions. Thus he had the courage of his convictions. The world needs more John the Baptists. Such is the crying need of the present time. May the Lord raise up fearless men who want to know the will of God and who will make every effort, humanly possible, to ascertain the exact meaning of the Scriptures. Then may they have the courage to speak forth that which they see in the Word, giving of course the message in love and consideration for all others, but never compromising.

The next subject discussed by Matthew in chapter 14 is the feeding of the five thousand. He begins his narrative thus: "Now when Jesus heard it, he withdrew from thence in a boat, to a desert place apart: and when the multitudes heard thereof, they followed him on foot from the cities" (vs. 13). This verse starts with the temporal clause, "Now when Jesus heard it." What did He hear? The answer is: either the report concerning the murder of John the Baptist or concerning the fears of Herod, who thought that John had been raised from the dead. In either case, it was a part of wisdom for Jesus to withdraw from Herod's territory. In doing so, He eased the tension of the situation. The Lord with His disciples withdrew to the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, which was sparsely inhabited. The Lord chose a place in the mountains east of the Sea of Galilee as an ideal place of rest for Himself and the weary Apostles. In this connection let us remember that the Sea of Galilee is 680 feet below sea level. Hence a spot up in the mountains in a thinly-settled community was chosen as the place for rest and recuperation.

That the Apostles needed rest is quite evident to us when we remember that they had been conducting a strenuous campaign for something like six months. As we have already learned, they, performed many miracles. There was great excitement among the people. Their evangelistic campaign had thus run through these several months. Naturally, then, the Apostles were more or less tired and weary. The same thing was true of our Lord. He therefore said to them, as Mark has recorded, "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while" (Mark 6:31). Christian workers who have really labored in the gospel and who are weary should follow the example of our Lord and rest awhile in order that they may regain strength and be prepared for still further and more efficient service in the Master 's cause.

Although the Lord and the Apostles had withdrawn for the purpose of rest, upon their reaching the place chosen by the Lord, the people of that region, having learned in some way concerning the place to which they were going, gathered there in vast numbers. Matthew informs us that they "followed him on foot from the cities." It is quite likely that the cities referred to were those both on the west side and the east side of the sea.

In verse 14 we are told that Jesus came forth "and saw a great multitude, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick." Of course the entire country and adjoining lands were agog with great excitement because of the healing ministry of Jesus and His disciples during the previous six months. Those who had not been healed therefore were brought to our Lord when He was in retirement in order that He might heal them. When the Lord saw their faith, He naturally responded to their pleadings for restoration to health.

When it was evening, the Apostles reminded the Lord of the fact that the place where they were was a desert, a sparsely inhabited place, and that He should send the people away to go into the villages in order that they might buy food. This suggestion was indeed thoughtful on the part of the disciples. We should learn to be mindful and considerate of others and their welfare.

But our Lord replied, "They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat." Doubtless this statement was indeed a great surprise to them. They therefore replied, "We have here but five loaves, and two fishes." Although the Apostles had been performing unparalleled miracles in their healing ministry, it does not seem to have occurred to them that the Lord could or would miraculously provide food for feeding the vast multitudes on this occasion. Naturally they would not think along this line, unless the Lord's providing food for Israel in her trek through the desert on the way to the promised Land had come into their minds.

The Lord then commanded the Apostles to bring the five loaves and the two fishes, all that they had, to Him. When they did that, He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. Mark, in recording this same incident, tells us that they sat down in companies.

Doubtless, when everything was quiet, our Lord blessed, returned thanks, for the loaves and the fishes. Then He brake them and gave to the disciples, instructing them to give to the multitudes. Thus the loaves and fishes were multiplied. In this connection the question arises, "Were the loaves and fishes multiplied in the Saviour's hands before He gave them to the Apostles, or were they multiplied in their hands?" One cannot be dogmatic in answering this question. If one takes Matthew 14:19 literally and adheres strictly to the principles of grammar, one might conclude that Jesus broke the loaves and fishes after having given thanks and turned them over to the Apostles, and that the multiplication of the food occurred while it was in their hands. Regardless of which way we look at this, a miracle was performed, an emergency was met, and the people who were fed had their hunger satisfied.

Those who ate were "about five thousand men, besides women and children." Our Lord who gives us our daily bread today feeds the multiplied millions and hundreds of millions of men, women, and children upon the earth, as well as providing food for the birds and the animals. When we recognize that it is the Lord Jesus who feeds us constantly, we need not be surprised at His performing this miracle on the occasion of which we have just been studying.

It is in the Lord that we live, move, and have our continual being. He gives us our food, as I have just said, all the time. He does it through what we call the natural means, according to natural law. Man plants the seed, cultivates, and expects the harvest. Thus our Lord is cooperating with us and thus gives us our food daily. Although we, by cultivating and reaping do cooperate with Him, He nevertheless gives us what we eat. He could withhold the increase, and we would go hungry. Man plants and waters, but God gives the increase.

Upon the occasion of feeding the five thousand men, besides women and children, the Lord was filling, figuratively speaking, a "rush order." There was an emergency. The people, in their great interest in His healing ministry, as well as in His teaching, were continuing with Him, forgetting the oncoming darkness. By His mighty power He gathered the elements from earth, air, and water, combined them in the proper proportions, and subjected them to the influences that converted them into loaves and fishes. In other words, what the Lord does through natural means over a period of time for the maturing of the crop and the growth of the fishes, He, on account of the emergency, did instantly or in a few seconds of time. This we call a miracle, which word is of Latin origin and means "to cause wonderment, surprise, amazement." What our Lord did on this occasion was the result of His omnipotent power; so is His producing food and sustenance for us in the ordinary, natural means, which nonetheless is the result of His same omnipotence.

Let us praise God for His providing the food in this manner for the five thousand as well as thank Him for giving us our daily needs.

As we contemplate the fact of His feeding the five thousand with the material food, we naturally think of the spiritual food which our souls need. There are vast hosts of people throughout the world who have never been given the opportunity of eating of the "bread of life." Of the two billion people on earth, one-half have never heard a gospel message--after the proclamation of the truth for nineteen hundred years. Even in so-called Christian lands, there are countless hosts who know nothing of the real bread of life. The Lord has laid it upon us who know Him to feed them with this heavenly manna of the gospel. Are we obeying His injunction to preach the Word both in season and out? Let us, so long as we have time and opportunity, proclaim the Word; for the night is coming in which no man can work.

After Jesus had fed the multitudes, he insisted upon the disciples getting into the boat in order to go to the other side of the lake. Then He sent the people away and went up into a mountain apart to pray. He was therefore alone in communion with God. Very frequently He did things similar to this, leaving the multitudes and getting alone with God. Luke, who presents Christ as the ideal, perfect man, lays great emphasis upon the prayer ministry of our Lord.

At its widest point the Sea of Galilee is approximately seven miles across. As the disciples were crossing the lake, there was a wind which was contrary to them. The waves of the sea were dashing high. Progress was difficult. By the fourth watch of the night (3:00--6:00 A.M.) they were still in the middle of the sea. Doubtless they had rowed hard and laboriously in order to make this point. They were, however, still in danger.

In the fourth watch, Jesus came to them walking upon the sea. When they saw Him, they were affrightened, thinking that He was a ghost. They therefore cried out for fear. Immediately He spoke to them, assuring them that there was no occasion for fear and saying, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." By His supernatural power He was able to walk on the water as easily as if He were on solid ground.

Peter still seems to have had doubts about Jesus presence. Nevertheless he said, "Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee upon the waters" (vs. 28). Immediately our Lord answered, "Come." Thereupon Peter got down out of the boat and began walking on the water toward Jesus. About that time he took his eyes off the Lord and saw the waves as they were rushing toward him. His faith wavered, he became afraid, and began to sink. Then, in helplessness and desperation, he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus then stretched forth His hand, took hold of him, and reproved him saying, "0 thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?" When Peter and Jesus had got up into the boat, the wind ceased and there was a great calm. Jesus is the master of both wind and waves, as well as of all the various elements.

When Jesus was safely with them in the boat, the Apostles worshiped Him saying, "Of a truth thou art the Son of God." Their vision of Jesus was clarifying, and they were coming to a clearer understanding of who He was. About six months after this, the Father revealed to Peter that Jesus was not only the Son of God, but the Messiah of Israel.

As we walk with the Lord daily, may we too come to a clearer understanding of His blessed person and of what He is to us. May the path grow brighter and brighter unto the perfect day!

Upon reaching the west bank of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus and the Apostles landed in the Plain of Gennesaret. As soon as His presence was recognized, the people of the region brought their sick to Him and besought Him that they might touch only the border of His garment, and as many as did so were made whole. Their touching Jesus was a manifestation of their faith. It was not necessary for them to touch His garment in order to be healed. We learn that Jesus spoke the word and healed the son of the nobleman of Capernaum. He did it while He was still in Cana of Galilee. Our Lord was not and is not shut up to any one method of manner of bestowing His blessings.

May we in faith always look to the Lord for the fulfillment of His promises and for the obtaining of the blessing which He offers to us.

Jesus healed people during His personal ministry and raised the dead. This He did as the Messiah. The miracles He wrought at His first coming were for the purpose of identifying Him as the Messiah of Israel and of confirming His Word. What He did then on a small and limited scale, because of the unbelief of the people, He will do on a world-wide basis when He comes again, lifts the curse, delivers the world from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God.