Matthew 14:2 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him."

NIV: and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."

NASB: and said to his servants, 'This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.'

CSB: "This is John the Baptist," he told his servants. "He has been raised from the dead, and that’s why miraculous powers are at work in him."

NLT: he said to his advisers, 'This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.'

KJV: And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

NKJV: 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.”

Herod the tetrarch, also called Herod Antipas, is one of the rulers over Israel under the Romans. This is the son of the man who heard about Jesus' birth and tried to have Him killed (Matthew 2:7, 13). Herod Antipas oversaw the territory of Galilee in the north and Perea, a strip of land along the east coast of the Jordan River. Both John the Baptist and Jesus carried out their ministry in areas under Herod's control.

Herod has heard about Jesus' growing fame in the country and the miracles that Jesus has been performing. Some thought of Jesus as the return of Elijah or one of the prophets of old (Mark 6:15). Herod, though, was convinced that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead. Herod was sure that John's return from the afterlife in the form of Jesus was what gave Him miraculous powers. Apparently, Herod's superstition was driven by his own guilt: he is the one who had John the Baptist killed. The following verses tell that story.

Matthew 14:1–12 describes how Herod the tetrarch, ruler over Galilee, has heard of Jesus' fame and power. He believes Jesus is a resurrected John the Baptist. Matthew then explains that Herod had arrested John the Baptist. His "crime" was publicly condemning Herod's marriage to his own brother's wife. Later, Herod was manipulated into a promise by his wife's daughter, after she danced for him and his guests. On behalf of her mother, she asked for John the Baptist's head on a platter (Mark 6:14–29). Herod agreed and had John executed immediately. John's disciples came and buried him, then went and told Jesus the news of his death.

Matthew 14 begins with a backstory about the arrest and execution of John the Baptist by Herod the tetrarch, the Jewish ruler of the region. Jesus and the disciples take a boat to a desolate place only to find crowds waiting. Jesus heals many and then feeds as many as twenty thousand people with five loaves and two fish. Later, the disciples row against a strong wind until Jesus walks on the water to meet them and calm the wind. Peter walks on water briefly and then doubts and begins to sink. The disciples worship Jesus. On the other side of the lake, Jesus continues to heal the sick.

Matthew 13 included more of Jesus' parables and an unfortunate incident where His own hometown rejected His ministry. Chapter 14 begins with news that Herod the tetrarch—the man who killed John the Baptist—is aware of Jesus' fame and power. Jesus and the disciples intend to withdraw to somewhere desolate, but a crowd is waiting for them. Jesus heals people, miraculously feeds thousands, and walks on water. When they reach the other side, Jesus heals more people. Chapter 15 sees Jesus once again debating with His critics and performing more healings.

The Gospel of Matthew clearly shows the influence of its writer's background, and his effort to reach a specific audience. Matthew was one of Jesus' twelve disciples, a Jewish man, and a former tax collector. This profession would have required literacy, and Matthew may have transcribed some of Jesus' words as they were spoken. This book is filled with references to the Old Testament, demonstrating to Israel that Jesus is the Promised One. Matthew also includes many references to coins, likely due to his former profession. Matthew records extensive accounts of Jesus' teaching, more than the other three Gospels.

Accessed 12/4/2024 3:28:31 AM