John the Baptist had said concerning Christ, He must increase, but I must decrease, John 3:30. The morning-star is here disappearing, and the Sun of righteousness rising to its meridian lustre. Here is, I.

We have here the story of John’s martyrdom. Observe, I. The occasion of relating this story here, Matt. 14:1–2. Here is, 1. The account brought to Herod of the miracles which Christ wrought. Herod the tetrarch or chief governor of Galilee heard of the fame of Jesus.

This passage of story, concerning Christ’s feeding five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes, is recorded by all the four Evangelists, which very few, if any, of Christ’s miracles are: this intimates that there is something in it worthy of special remark. Observe, I.

We have here the story of another miracle which Christ wrought for the relief of his friends and followers, his walking upon the water to his disciples.

We have here an account of miracles by wholesale, which Christ wrought on the other side of the water, in the land of Gennesaret. Whithersoever Christ went, he was doing good.