What does Matthew 14:35 mean?
Crowds of people seem to show up everywhere Jesus goes in the region of Galilee (Matthew 5:1; 14:13–21; Mark 2:4; Luke 5:1). The people might not understand, as the disciples do, that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 14:33). They do know, though, that Jesus can miraculously, powerfully, instantly heal those who are sick or disabled or in pain. This is one of the predicted signs of the Messiah, according to the Old Testament (Matthew 11:2–5; Isaiah 35:5–6).When the disciples and Jesus land their boat at Gennesaret, some men quickly recognize Him and recognize an opportunity to find healing for the hurting people in their region. The word spreads, and the people come. This happens again and again in Jesus' ministry (Matthew 12:15; 19:2; Mark 6:56; Luke 6:17–19). Sadly, many who come in search of healing or food (Matthew 14:13–21), have no interest in Jesus' deeper message. While Matthew does not deal with that issue, in this passage, it is seen in other incidents during Jesus' ministry (John 6:26, 66).