Matthew 14 13-21 Word Study

Mark Berlin

PMM 240

Rev. John Saleska

April 13, 1999

Miracle Word and Commentary Study

Matthew 14:13-21 (Feeding of the Five - Thousand)

Vs. 13: The deserted lonely place:  e;rhmon (1) of an empty or  uninhabited place abandoned, lonely,  desolate (LU 4.42); (2) of pers.  abandoned, forsaken, desolate (GA 4.27);  (3) subst. h` evÅ an uncultivated or  uninhabited place desert, wilderness (LU  15.4).  

The desert was the place where Jesus was tempted, but he was alone then.  He is not alone now.  There is a connection between the Jews wandering in the wilderness with Moses and Jesus and the 5,000+.

They followed him on foot.  How far did they come and from what cities? - aprox. 8 miles.  They probably came from the cities of Bethsaida-Julias, Capernaum, Chorazin, Gergesa, Ginnesaret.

Vs. 14:  He had compassion  and healed their sick. 

 evsplagcni,sqh : to feel compassion,  mercy.  Jesus feels compassion at a time when we would be exasperated and even irritated.  Our inclination is to say: I’ll attend to you as soon as I finish my prayers.

evqera,peusen :to be an  attendant, do service, wheedle, to conciliate, to attend to, provide for, to take  care, to treat medically, to heal, cure.  Christ came to serve, not to be served.  He is the great physician.

avrrw,stouj :weak, sickly:- also in moral sense, weak, feeble. The multitudes were sick physically as well as morally.  The were desperately in need of the Messiah. 

Vs. 15:  buy food for themselves.  The disciples would send the people away to fend for themselves.  They do not recognize that He who provides for every need is in their midst.

We too, need to beware of sending people away without meeting their needs.  It is our job to point them to Christ and his cross where all needs are met.

Vs. 16:  you give them something eat.  See Vs. 15.

Vs. 17: a;rtouj a cake or loaf of wheat-bread.  I am the bread of life.  Christ gives us bread for physical sustenance and “bread” of His body for our eternal sustenance.

Vs. 18: Bring them here to me.  Again, it is our job to point to Christ alone.  He is the sole provider.  We preach Christ crucified and risen.

Vs. 19:  sit down on the grass.  Grass in this deserted place?  It is the spring time of the year.  Psalm 23 - He makes me lie down in green pastures.

Looking up to Heaven, He blessed, broke, and gave.  These word’s sound a lot like the words of Institution.  Ps.23 - He prepares a table for me.

Vs. 20: they all ate and were filled….twelve baskets full…remained.  Ps. 23. - my cup overflows.  The Lord’s blessings are bountiful.

Commentary Study

This is the only parable recorded in all four Gospels.  We can only guess at the number of women and children that were there.  But the miracle would not be greater if there were 15 or 20 thousand people.

The people and the disciples did not understand Jesus’ mission.  The disciples were treating Him like a Holy Prophet, and that He was.  But they did not understand Him to be the source of all blessings, both physical and spiritual.  The people wanted to make Him their “Bread King”.  They wanted Him to usher in a temporal rule.  To be sure, He was doing this…but His kingdom can only be seen at the cross and with the eye’s of faith.

It is hard to not see this text as sacramental.  However, that issue will not be argued here.