New International Reader s Version - NIrV - 1996
Matthew 14
2
He said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles."
Reference
References John
Matthew 16:14
3
Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod's brother Philip.
Reference
People
5
Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.
Reference
6
On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased Herod very much.
Reference
Parallel theme
Genesis 40:20
8
Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, "Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate."
9
The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he told one of his men to give her what she asked for.
10
Herod had John's head cut off in the prison.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 17:12
11
His head was brought in on a big plate and given to the girl. She then carried it to her mother.
Reference
Parallel theme
Revelation 16:6
12
John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Acts 8:2
13
Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns.
Reference
References Jesus
Matthew 12:15
14
When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people.
Reference
Parallel theme
Hebrews 4:15
Matthew 9:36
Hebrews 2:17
Hebrews 5:2
Mark 9:22
Luke 19:41
Luke 7:13
References Jesus
Mark 6:34
Matthew 4:23
15
When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. "There is nothing here," they said. "It's already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages."
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 15:23
18
"Bring them here to me," he said.
19
Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people.
Reference
Blessing
Luke 24:30
1 Samuel 9:13
Mark 6:41
1 Corinthians 10:16
Kingdom
Mark 7:34
Parallel theme
Acts 27:35
Romans 14:6
1 Corinthians 11:24
Colossians 3:17
Luke 9:14
20
All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces.
Reference
22
Right away Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then he sent the crowd away.
Reference
Parallel theme
Matthew 15:39
23
After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
Reference
24
The boat was already a long way from land. It was being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it.
Reference
26
They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said. And they cried out in fear.
Reference
27
Right away Jesus called out to them, "Be brave! It is I. Don't be afraid."
Reference
Good
Acts 23:11
John 16:33
Matthew 9:2
Parallel theme
Isaiah 41:10
Isaiah 41:4
Isaiah 51:12
John 6:20
Luke 1:13
References Jesus
Matthew 17:7
Matthew 28:10
29
"Come," Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus.
Reference
Parallel theme
Philippians 4:13
Acts 3:16
Luke 17:6
Romans 4:19
References Jesus
Mark 9:23
Matthew 21:21
30
But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. He began to sink. He cried out, "Lord! Save me!"
Reference
31
Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "Your faith is so small!" he said. "Why did you doubt me?"
Reference
Faith
Matthew 8:26
Matthew 17:20
Matthew 16:8
Parallel theme
Psalm 138:7
Genesis 22:14
Isaiah 63:12
Mark 1:31
Mark 5:41
References Jesus
Acts 4:30
Mark 1:41
33
Then those in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, "You really are the Son of God!"
Reference
Parallel theme
Psalm 2:7
References God
John 11:27
John 1:49
Mark 1:1
Romans 1:4
Matthew 16:16
John 6:69
Mark 15:39
Matthew 26:63
Worship
Matthew 28:17
34
They crossed over the lake and landed at Gennesaret.
Reference
📍 Genesisnesaret
Parallel theme
Luke 5:1
35
The men who lived there recognized Jesus. So they sent a message all over the nearby countryside. People brought all their sick to Jesus.
Summary of Matthew 14
Matthew 14 begins with the execution of John the Baptist, showing the increasing danger surrounding the ministry of Jesus and demonstrating the personal cost of John's faithfulness when he confronted Herod Antipas over his unlawful relationship with Herodias.
Herod's guilt and fear become evident when he hears about Jesus and assumes that John has somehow returned from the dead, revealing how deeply John's death continues to trouble him and how seriously he takes the extraordinary reports surrounding Jesus.
After hearing about John's death, Jesus withdraws to a solitary place, but the crowds follow Him, and rather than turning them away during His own time of grief, Jesus responds with compassion and healing, demonstrating His concern for suffering people.
The crowd eventually becomes hungry, and the disciples see only an impossible logistical problem because they possess merely five loaves and two fish, but Jesus takes their limited resources, gives thanks, breaks the food, and provides enough for thousands of people.
The feeding of the five thousand demonstrates not only Jesus' miraculous power but also His willingness to involve His disciples in serving others, showing that limited human resources can become instruments of God's provision when placed in His hands.
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus goes alone to a mountain to pray while the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, where they encounter strong winds and waves that make their journey difficult and frightening.
During the early morning hours, Jesus comes toward them walking on the water, and the disciples initially believe that they are seeing a ghost, but Jesus reassures them and tells them not to be afraid.
Peter then asks Jesus to command him to walk on the water, and Jesus tells him to come, allowing Peter to experience a remarkable moment of faith before fear takes control when he focuses on the storm rather than on Jesus.
When Peter begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and rescues him, providing a powerful picture of how faith can weaken when attention shifts from Christ to frightening circumstances, while also showing that Jesus remains ready to rescue those who call upon Him.
Once Jesus enters the boat, the wind stops, and the disciples worship Him as the Son of God, demonstrating that the miracle deepens their understanding of His identity and authority.
The chapter ends in Gennesaret, where people recognize Jesus and bring their sick to Him, and even those who merely touch the edge of His garment are healed, reinforcing Matthew's repeated presentation of Jesus as compassionate toward human suffering.
The central message is that Matthew 14 reveals Jesus as compassionate Lord over human need, sickness, nature, fear, and death, while showing that His followers are called to trust Him even when their resources appear inadequate, their circumstances become frightening, and their understanding remains incomplete.
The chapter ultimately moves from the tragic death of John the Baptist to miraculous provision, supernatural authority, and widespread healing, showing that although God's servants may suffer and human circumstances may become overwhelming, Jesus continues to accomplish God's purposes while calling His disciples to respond with compassion, courage, faith, and complete trust in Him.
Herod's guilt and fear become evident when he hears about Jesus and assumes that John has somehow returned from the dead, revealing how deeply John's death continues to trouble him and how seriously he takes the extraordinary reports surrounding Jesus.
After hearing about John's death, Jesus withdraws to a solitary place, but the crowds follow Him, and rather than turning them away during His own time of grief, Jesus responds with compassion and healing, demonstrating His concern for suffering people.
The crowd eventually becomes hungry, and the disciples see only an impossible logistical problem because they possess merely five loaves and two fish, but Jesus takes their limited resources, gives thanks, breaks the food, and provides enough for thousands of people.
The feeding of the five thousand demonstrates not only Jesus' miraculous power but also His willingness to involve His disciples in serving others, showing that limited human resources can become instruments of God's provision when placed in His hands.
After dismissing the crowd, Jesus goes alone to a mountain to pray while the disciples cross the Sea of Galilee, where they encounter strong winds and waves that make their journey difficult and frightening.
During the early morning hours, Jesus comes toward them walking on the water, and the disciples initially believe that they are seeing a ghost, but Jesus reassures them and tells them not to be afraid.
Peter then asks Jesus to command him to walk on the water, and Jesus tells him to come, allowing Peter to experience a remarkable moment of faith before fear takes control when he focuses on the storm rather than on Jesus.
When Peter begins to sink, Jesus immediately reaches out and rescues him, providing a powerful picture of how faith can weaken when attention shifts from Christ to frightening circumstances, while also showing that Jesus remains ready to rescue those who call upon Him.
Once Jesus enters the boat, the wind stops, and the disciples worship Him as the Son of God, demonstrating that the miracle deepens their understanding of His identity and authority.
The chapter ends in Gennesaret, where people recognize Jesus and bring their sick to Him, and even those who merely touch the edge of His garment are healed, reinforcing Matthew's repeated presentation of Jesus as compassionate toward human suffering.
The central message is that Matthew 14 reveals Jesus as compassionate Lord over human need, sickness, nature, fear, and death, while showing that His followers are called to trust Him even when their resources appear inadequate, their circumstances become frightening, and their understanding remains incomplete.
The chapter ultimately moves from the tragic death of John the Baptist to miraculous provision, supernatural authority, and widespread healing, showing that although God's servants may suffer and human circumstances may become overwhelming, Jesus continues to accomplish God's purposes while calling His disciples to respond with compassion, courage, faith, and complete trust in Him.