Matthew 14:13

ἀκούσας, having heard of the fate of John from John's disciples (Matthew 14:12). ἀνεχώρησεν ἐκεῖθεν : withdrew from where He was when the report reached Him; locality not indicated. Mark connects the retirement with the return of the Twelve from their mission, and the report they gave, and assigns as motive rest for the missionaries. The two events might synchronise, and escape from Herod's dangerous neighbourhood might be a joint motive for retirement. But against this is the speedy return (Matthew 14:34). ἐν πλοίῳ : naturally suggests a place near the sea as starting-point. But it may be rather intended to indicate in what direction they were going to the eastern side of the lake. εἰς ἐ. τ. κατʼ ἰδίαν. These phrases have certainly more point in Mk. as referring to a multitude from which they wished to escape. οἱ ὄχλοι : no previous mention of the crowds, and no hint that Jesus wished to get away from them; looks like a digest of a fuller narrative, such as that in Mk. πεζῇ (or πεζοὶ), on foot, but not implying that all literally walked; there were sick among them who could not. The contrast is between going by sea and going by land. Cf. Acts 20:13. Classical instances in philological commentaries (Wetstein, Kypke, Elsner, etc.).