Matthew 14:36 - Printer Friendly

ESV: and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

NIV: and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.

NASB: and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch the border of His cloak; and all who touched it were cured.

CSB: They begged him that they might only touch the end of his robe, and as many as touched it were healed.

NLT: They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.

KJV: And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

NKJV: and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

Jesus once praised the faith of a woman who stealthily touched the hem of His clothes, seeking to be healed from a twelve-year affliction (Matthew 9:20–22). Perhaps her story had spread, because the people of the Gennesaret region implore Jesus to allow them to touch the fringe of His garment to be healed from their afflictions, as well. This reiterates Jesus' fame, but it also demonstrates the human capacity for superstition. The fact that people want to exactly duplicate the actions of the healed woman suggest they see touching of Jesus' hem as an integral part of the miracle. Avoiding those notions is likely one reason Jesus used varied methods in other healings (Matthew 9:27–31; Mark 8:22–26, John 9:6).

For the time being, however, what matters is that the people need help. So, Jesus agrees, and everyone who touches His garment is made well. As was the case with that woman, these people are displaying great faith in Jesus' power to make them well. Jesus' fame and stature continues to grow. In turn, the Pharisees will step up their attempts to take Jesus down.

Matthew 14:34–36 finds Jesus and the disciples finally arriving at Gennesaret after their long night on the Sea of Galilee. The people of the region recognize Jesus and gather the sick and afflicted to be healed by Him. They beg Jesus to allow them to touch the fringe of His garment so they can be healed. All who do so are made well.

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.