Matt. 14 Matt. 14:1–2 Herod’s opinion of Christ. Matt. 14:3–12 The cause and manner of John the Baptist’s death. Matt. 14:13–21 Jesus departeth into a desert place, and feedeth there five thousand men with five loaves and two fishes. Matt. 14:22–33 He walketh on the sea to his disciples, Matt.

This and the following history is related by Mark more largely, Mark 6:14–30; by Luke more shortly, Luke 9:7–9. We heard before, that the Romans, under whom the Jews now were, had altered the government of the Jews from a kingdom to a tetrarchy, or government of four.

Mark saith, Mark 6:17, for he had married her. Whether this Philip was Herod’s brother both by father and mother, is argued by some, as also whether he married her during the life of his brother: the Scripture satisfieth us not in these things, but it is most probable that Philip was his own…

Mark telleth us, Mark 6:20, that Herod feared, that is, reverenced and respected, John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

At first he had some reverence for John because he was a good man, but either John, by the frequent checks he gave to his lust, or Herodias, by her continual importunities to Herod to revenge her of her great enemy, prevailed, and made Herod willing enough to put him to death; but now he was afraid…

Mark relates this more fully, but the sense is the same, Matt. 6:21–23, And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; and when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them…

Mark, Mark 6:24–25, reports it more largely: And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.

Mark relates it more largely, in Mark 6:26–28, And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath’s sake, and for their sake which sat with him, he would not reject her.

The disciples of John, in testimony of their respect to their master, and of their owning of his doctrine, and grateful remembrance of him, hearing what Herod had done, came and took up John’s body, and buried it in a tomb, and they soon after went and acquainted our Saviour with what had happened;…

Mark hath the same, Mark 6:32. Our Lord knew that the time for his suffering was not yet come, and possibly consulted also the safety of his disciples.

The following miracle being an evident confirmation of the Godhead of Christ, is recorded by all the evangelists: by Matthew here; by Mark, Mark 6:35;c by Luke, Luke 9:10–12;c. by John, John 6:1–3;c. These words lead us to it, and show us the occasion of it.

John relates the story thus: When Jesus lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat? And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him.

In the relation of this story by the other evangelists there is no difference in what is material; the others relate some circumstances more, as that they sat down on the grass, and by fifties, one saith, by hundreds and by fifties, & c.; but they all agree in the quantity of the provision, five…

Mark saith, Mark 6:45, before unto, or over against, Bethsaida. Christ is said to have constrained them, to denote to us that they were not very willing to go.

John saith no more than that he departed himself into a mountain alone. Matthew and Mark say it was to pray. From whence (as from others places of holy writ) the duty of secret prayer is commended to us by the great example of our Saviour: he chooseth the mountain for it, as a place of greatest…

While our Saviour was praying on the mount the ship which carried his disciples was upon the sea, that is, that creek of the sea which they were at that time passing over.

Peter, by saying if it be thou, showed that his faith was not so strong as it should have been, after he had heard his Master’s voice. By his saying to him, bid me come unto thee on the water, he showeth a something stronger faith, and a resolution to obey his command; but his fear afterward, when…

They, that is, Christ and Peter, whom we must suppose to have walked some way with Christ upon the sea. Christ by his company making his mighty power more conspicuous; so as the Manichees had no reason to conclude, from Christ’s walking on the sea, that he had no true human body, for sure Peter…

Mark relates the same, Mark 6:53–56, with no difference considerable. Christ had been in this country before, Matt. 8, and in it wrought several miracles, so as they had a former knowledge of him.