HEROD THE TETRARCH - See also Mark 6:14; Luke 9:7. This was a son of Herod the Great. Herod the Great died probably in the first year after the birth of Christ, and left his kingdom to his three sons, of whom this “Herod Antipas” was one. He ruled over Galilee and Perea. See the notes at Matthew 2:1... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS JOHN THE BAPTIST - Herod feared John. His conscience smote him for his crimes. He remembered that he had wickedly put him to death. He knew him to be a distinguished prophet; and he concluded that no other one was capable of working such miracles but he who had been so eminent a servant of G... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR HEROD HAD LAID HOLD ON JOHN ... - See Mark 6:17; Luke 3:19. This Herodias was a granddaughter of Herod the Great. She was first married to Herod Philip, by whom she had a daughter, Salome, probably the one that danced and pleased Herod. Josephus says that this marriage of Herod Antipas with Hero... [ Continue Reading ]
See also Mark 6:21. But when Herod’s birthday was come Kings were accustomed to observe the day of their birth with much pomp, and commonly, also, by giving a feast to their principal nobility. See Genesis 40:20. Mark adds that this birthday was kept by making a supper to his “lords, high captains,... [ Continue Reading ]
A full narrative of the feeding the five thousand is given in each of the other evangelists: in Mark 6:32; in Luke 9:10; in John 6:1. Matthew 14:13 AND WHEN JESUS HEARD OF IT, HE DEPARTED - He went to a place of safety. He never threw himself unnecessarily into danger. It was proper that he shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
AND STRAIGHTWAY JESUS CONSTRAINED ... - See Mark 6:45; John 6:15. The word “straightway” means immediately; that is, as soon as the fragments were gathered up. To “constrain” usually means to compel. It here means to command. There was no need of compulsion. They were at this time on the east side o... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT THE SHIP WAS NOW IN THE MIDST OF THE SEA - John says they had sailed about 25 or 30 furlongs. About 7 1/2 Jewish furlongs made a mile; so that the distance they had salted was not more than about 4 miles. At no place is the Sea of Tiberias much more than 10 miles in breadth, so that they were li... [ Continue Reading ]
AND IN THE FOURTH WATCH OF THE NIGHT - The Jews anciently divided the night into three parts of four hours each, usually called watches. The first of these watches is mentioned in Lamentations 2:19, the middle watch in Judges 7:19, and the morning watch in Exodus 14:24. In the time of our Saviour th... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WERE TROUBLED - They were afraid. The sight was remarkable. It was sufficient to awe them. In the dark night, amid the tumultuous billows appeared the form of a man. They thought it was a spirit an apparition. It was a common belief among the ancients that the spirits of people after death freq... [ Continue Reading ]
AND PETER ANSWERED ... - Here is an instance of the characteristic ardor and rashness of Peter. He had less real faith than he supposed, and more ardor than his faith would justify. He was rash, headlong, incautious, really attached to Jesus, but still easily daunted and prone to fall. He was afraid... [ Continue Reading ]
AND WHEN THEY WERE COME INTO THE SHIP THE WIND CEASED - Here was a new proof of the power of Jesus. He that has power over winds and waves has all power. John adds John 6:21 that the ship was immediately at the land whither they went; another proof, amid this collection of wonders, that the Son of G... [ Continue Reading ]
LAND OF GENNESARET - This region was in Galilee, on the west side of the Sea of Tiberias; and in this land was situated Capernaum, to which he had directed his disciples to go. THE HEM OF HIS GARMENT - That is, the fringe or border on the outer garment. See the notes at Matthew 9:20. Remarks On Ma... [ Continue Reading ]