Rejection at Nazareth, 13:53-58 (Mark 6:1-6; Luke 4:16-30).
[53-54] Jesus had lived at Nazareth until He began His ministry. For “synagogue,” see Matthew 4:23. This is the last time Matthew tells of Jesus’ teaching in a synagogue.
[55-56] Some think that these children were children of Joseph only, and so, cousins of Jesus. The Greek word here never means cousin in the New Testament. His brother James (who wrote the Book of James) is mentioned as His brother in Galatians 1:19. These were children of Joseph and Mary.
[57-58] The people in Nazareth did not believe Him. Because they did not believe, He did not perform many miracles. Faith was not always required for miracles (see Matthew 9:24-26).
Matthew 14:1-27
14 1 At that time, Herod Antipas, the ruler, heard the report about Jesus. 2 He said to his servants, “This is John (the one who immersed people)! He has come back to life! That is why these powers are working in him.” 3 Before this time, Herod had ordered his men to arrest John, tie him up, and put him in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 John had been saying to Herod, “It is not right for you to have her!” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the crowd. (The people thought of John as a prophet.) 6 When it was Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced in front of everyone. She pleased Herod. 7 He vowed to give her anything she asked for. 8 Her mother suggested this to her: “Give me, here on a plate, the head of John!” 9 The king was very sad, but, because of the vow and the guests, Herod ordered that it be done. 10 He sent some men to the prison to cut off John’s head. 11 His head was brought on a plate and given to the girl. She gave it to her mother. 12 John’s followers came and carried the body away and buried it. Then they went to tell Jesus about it.
13 When Jesus heard this, he left there in a boat to be all alone. He went to a place where no one lived. However, the crowds found out where Jesus had gone and, on foot, they followed him from the towns. 14 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd; he felt sorry for them. He healed their sick people.
15 Since evening was coming, Jesus’ followers came to him and said, “No one lives in this place and it is already late. Tell the people to go away. They need to buy food for themselves in the villages around here.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat!” 17 But they said to him, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.”
19 Jesus ordered the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and two fish. Then he looked up to heaven. He thanked God for the food and divided it. Then he began giving the loaves of bread to his followers and they gave it to the people. 20 Everyone ate and was full. They gathered up all the pieces of the food which were left over. They filled twelve large baskets with this food. 21 (There were about 5,000 men, not including the women and children, who were eating.) 22 Soon Jesus made his followers get into the boat. He wanted them to go on ahead of him across the lake, while he sent the people away. 23 After Jesus sent the people away, he went up to a mountain to be alone and to pray. It was evening and Jesus was the only one there. 24 The boat was already a long way from the shore. The waves were beating against the boat; they were heading into the wind. 25 It was after three o’clock in the morning when Jesus came to them. He was walking on the lake. 26 When Jesus’ followers saw him walking on the lake, they were alarmed. They shouted with fear, “It’s a ghost!” 27 Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, “Be strong! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
The Death of John the Baptist, 14:1-12 (Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9).
[1-2] Matthew had mentioned John’s arrest two times before (Matthew 4:12; 11:2). Herod had killed John and was now worried about Jesus. Others also thought that Jesus was possibly John come to life again (Matthew 16:14; Luke 9:7-9). This was Herod’s explanation of Jesus’ power.
[3-4] In these verses, Matthew told what had happened to John. This was not Philip the tetrarch mentioned in Luke 3:1, but another half-brother by the same name.
[5-11] Herod was a good politician and did not want to go against the people. It is not known how long John was in prison. Herod was tricked. He did not want to kill John, but he had made a vow. John was killed without a trial.
[12] John’s disciples buried him. His followers continued to follow his teachings, even after his death (see Matthew 9:14; Acts 19:1-10).
Feeding the 5,000 People, 14:13-21 (Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-44).
[13-14] The feeding of the 5,000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. It is very important. John suffered death like many of God’s servants (Matthew 5:11-12). Jesus wanted to be alone. Perhaps Jesus left because He did not want to see Herod (Luke 9:9). Jesus knew it was not yet time for Him to die. Even though he wanted to be alone, He had compassion on the people that followed Him. Jesus’ greatest concern was the needs of the people.
[15-18] There was still time for the people to buy their food. The disciples knew they did not have enough supplies to feed this large crowd. They did not have enough money to buy food for either (John 6:7; Mark 6:37). John said the five loaves and two fish were the lunch of a small boy (John 6:9).
[19-21] The people sat in an organized way (Mark 6:40). It was Jesus’ custom to give thanks to God and to break the bread (see Matthew 26:26; Luke 24:30). The food fed everyone! Food was even left over! The power of Jesus was great enough for all to be fed! This miracle gave proof that Jesus was the Messiah (John 6:14). Like God in the Old Testament, He fed the people in the wilderness (see Exodus 16:13ff.; Psalm 78:19).
Walking on Water, 14:22-33 (Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-21).
[22-23] Jesus sent His disciples and the people away. He still needed time alone. He needed time to pray to God His Father.
[24-27] The fourth watch was from 3:00 a.m. to 6:00 a.m. It was during this early morning time that Jesus came to them. He came on the water! Here, again, the power of Jesus over nature was shown. He did not sink as men do, but He walked on the water! They believed only spirits could walk on water. They were afraid because they thought He was a spirit or ghost. Jesus’ words, “It is I,” are the same words used by God in the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14; Isaiah 43:10; 51:12). Freedom from fear is found only in knowing Jesus. When they knew it was Jesus, they knew they were protected. Jesus had wanted them not to be afraid at other times (Matthew 10:26-31; 17:7; 28:5-6). The follower of Jesus follows someone who is powerful, who can save. Many people are slaves to fear, but not Jesus’ followers! Jesus makes fears go away.
Matthew 14:28-36
28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water!” 29 Jesus said, “Come!” Then Peter got down from the boat and went toward Jesus, walking on the water. 30 But when Peter saw the way the wind was blowing, he was afraid. He began to sink. Peter cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. Jesus said to him, “Oh, you have so little faith; why did you doubt?” 32 When they climbed into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 They all worshiped him, saying, “You really are the Son of God!” 34 After they crossed over, they came to the shore at Gennesaret. 35 The men from that place recognized Jesus. They sent people all over that area, bringing all of their sick people to Jesus. 36 The people were begging him; they only wanted to touch the tassel of his robe. And all those who did touch it were made well.
[28-33] Peter suggested a test. To Peter, the test was to prove that this person was really the Lord. It turned out to be a test of Peter’s trust. Jesus rebuked Peter for his lack of faith (see Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 16:8; 17:20). When Jesus got into the boat, the storm was calmed (see Matthew 8:26). Three things are important in this story. Jesus walked on the water. Peter walked on the water. The storm was calmed. These three things caused the disciples to worship Jesus. His power showed that He was the Son of God.
Jesus Heals Some Sick People, 14:34-36 (Mark 6:53-56).
[34-36] Gennesaret was on the northwest side of Lake Galilee. It was between Capernaum and Tiberius. The lake was also called Lake Gennesaret. For “tassels” on robes, see Matthew 9:20.
Matthew 15:1-9
15 1 Then some teachers of the law and some Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They asked, 2 “Why are your followers breaking the old rules of the elders? When your followers eat, they do not wash their hands.” 3 Jesus answered them, “Why do you break God’s command for the sake of old rules of your own? 4 God said, ‘You must love and obey your father and mother.’ Exodus 20:12 and ‘The person who curses his father or mother must die.’ Exodus 21:17 5 But you say if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you might have gotten from me, I have given to God instead!’ 6 So, he will never respect his father or his mother. Because of your tradition you are taking away the authority of God’s teaching! 7 Hypocrites! How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you: 8 ‘These people respect me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. 9 It does no good for them to worship Me. They teach rules made by men, not God.’ ” Isaiah 29:13
God’s Command or Man’s Traditions? 15:1-20 (Mark 7:1-23).
[1] These two groups often had conflicts with Jesus. For “Pharisees,” see Matthew 3:7. Teachers of the law were also called scribes. Scribes made copies of scrolls and books. These men came from Jerusalem, about 100 kilometres away. The temple was in Jerusalem. The Jewish leaders in Jerusalem were very strict. For other conflicts with these two groups, see Matthew 12:38; 23:2f., 13-15, 23-29.
[2] These strict men from Jerusalem were angry. They were not concerned with washing hands to get them clean. They were concerned about a ritual washing before eating. This was an old tradition of the elders (see Luke 11:38).
[3-4] The Pharisees treated the traditions of men as though they were laws of God. They did not obey God’s laws. They claimed to respect their elders, but they did not respect their own parents. Jesus taught them that traditions of men cannot be forced on all men. It is God’s law that all must obey. A man who does not respect God’s law will not respect others. Jesus showed them how they did not obey the fifth commandment—to love and obey father and mother (Exodus 20:12). Jesus taught that children should honour their parents by taking care of them.
[5-6] The Pharisees and teachers of the law had a way to keep from helping their parents. They would say, “I have given everything to God.” Therefore, they would not help their parents because their things belonged to God. Jesus teaches that God’s law must come first. Traditions or practices of men must not contradict the law of God. You cannot be a believer and not care for your family (see 1 Timothy 5:8).
[7-9] For “hypocrites,” see Matthew 6:2. These people only honoured themselves by being selfish. The words of Isaiah show what a hypocrite is. Their worship was empty because their lives did not honour God. A man’s worship is empty, meaningless, if his heart is not committed to follow God each day. Jesus did not oppose the teachings of the elders or older men. He respected elders. He opposed men who followed the teachings of the elders but did not follow God’s teachings.
Matthew 15: 10-20
10 Jesus called the crowd. He said to them, “Listen, and understand! 11 What goes into the mouth does not make a person unholy. No, it’s what comes out of the mouth that makes a person unholy.”
12 Then Jesus’ followers came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were insulted when they heard this teaching?” 13 Jesus answered, “Every plant which was not planted by my heavenly Father will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind man, both of them will fall into a pit.” 15 Peter said to Jesus, “Explain this story to us.” 16 Jesus said. “Do you still not understand? 17 You know that everything which goes into the mouth goes into the stomach. Then it comes out as waste. 18 But the things which are coming from the mouth are really coming from the heart these things make a person unholy. 19 These things come from the heart:
evil thoughts murder adultery sexual sin stealing lying slander 20 These are the things which make a person unholy. Eating with unwashed hands does not make a person unholy!”
[10-11] Jesus then told the crowd how a man is really clean or unclean. They should be more concerned about moral uncleanness than about ritual uncleanness. In other words, following God’s way of living is more important than simply following rituals of men. A man can have a clean, moral life even if he eats with unclean hands (see Matthew 15:2).
[12-14] Jesus did not come to please everyone (Matthew 10:34). Many were offended by His words. Those who seek God will not be offended but will follow Him (Matthew 10:37-39; John 18:37).
Verses thirteen and fourteen indicate that the teachings of the Pharisees would come to an end. They were blind guides (Matthew 23:16, 24). Anyone who followed them would suffer the same end.
[15-20] Peter wanted to understand. It is not bad to fail to understand. We must ask questions until we understand. Jesus gave him a small rebuke but did explain. Food does not affect a man’s spiritual condition. The things that come out of the heart do affect a man’s spiritual condition. They show what is in the inside of man. They show that man is a sinner (Matthew 12:34-37; Romans 3:23). Jesus listed seven sins. Mark gave a longer list of sins (Mark 7:21-22). Jesus came to remove this sinful condition from the inside of people (Romans 5:6-8; 6:23). Eating with unwashed hands may make a man sick, but it will not make him unholy. Men see physical and cultural differences, but God looks at the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). It is important to keep the heart pure (Proverbs 4:23). Outward purification (like washing hands before eating) means little if the inside has not been made clean by Christ.
Matthew 15:21-28
21 Jesus left there and went to the area of the cities of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman from that area came out to Jesus. She shouted, “Lord! Son of David! Please help me! My daughter has a demon inside her; she is suffering terribly!” 23 But Jesus did not say a word to her. His followers came begging him, “Send her away! She is always following us around, shouting.” 24 Jesus answered her, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the family of Israel.” 25 But she came to Jesus and bowed down in front of him. She said, “Lord, help me!” 26 Jesus answered, “It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the puppies.” 27 But the woman said, “Yes, Lord, but even the puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, you have a strong faith. What you want will be done for you!” At that moment her daughter was healed.
A Canaanite Woman, 15:21-28 (Mark 7:24-30).
[21] Tyre and Sidon were to the north of the district of Galilee. The northern border of Galilee was about 25-30 kilometres from Capernaum. Tyre was a city on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. It was about 50 kilometres from Capernaum. Sidon was about 40 kilometres north of Tyre. Jesus probably only went a short distance into the district. This was the only time in Matthew’s account that Jesus left the country of the Jews. Because He helped this woman, we can understand that He came to save all men, not just the Jews.
[22] The woman was a Canaanite (Mark said a Phoenician woman). As a Canaanite, she was a member of the people who inhabited the land a long time (Genesis 9:18, 22, 25; 12:6; 13:7; 24:3; 28:1; Joshua 17:13; Judges 1:28). Even non-Jews had heard about Jesus. For “Son of David,” see Matthew 9:27-28. Her daughter had a demon. She cried to be freed from this curse, this power, this fearful thing. Satan’s power is known in all the world.
[23-24] The disciples were embarrassed by her. She was a foreigner, a woman, her daughter had a demon, and she was bothering them. It is important to realize that at that time Jesus had come only to the Jews. He told His followers not to go to the Gentiles (Matthew 10:5, 23). Ultimately, the Gentiles would be included (Isaiah 49:6f.; Romans 1:16; Acts 13:46-47).
[25] The woman’s problem was real. She did need help and so continued to cry out. “Lord” is a polite form of speech used for both humans and God. We do not know how she was addressing Jesus. This is the same cry Peter gave in Matthew 14:30. This was a cry for help!
[26-27] As Jesus appeared to get more harsh as He tested both the apostles and the woman, the woman became more humble because her faith was strong. She knew Jesus could help, and she would do anything to get His help. Though Jesus had every right to speak words of judgement, His purpose was to fulfill the promise of Abraham and bless every nation, to seek and save the lost which ultimately would include the Gentiles.
[28] Jesus told another non-Jew that he had great faith (Matthew 8:10, 13). His kingdom expanded and grew where there was faith. Now that the gospel is for all, we cannot withhold it from any ethnic group on earth (Romans 1:16; Matthew 28:18-20). As with the healing in Matthew 8:5-13, this woman’s daughter was healed from a distance. Jesus had great love and great power. He did not even have to be present to make the demon leave!
Matthew 15:29-39
29 Jesus went away from there and came to Lake Galilee. He went up a mountain and sat down there. 30 Many people came to him. They had their sick people with them: the lame, the blind, the crippled, the deaf, and many others. They laid them at Jesus’ feet and he healed them all. 31 The crowd was amazed when they saw the deaf talking, crippled people healthy, the lame walking, and blind people seeing. They praised the God of Israel. 32 Jesus called his followers. He said to them, “I feel sorry for the people. For three days they have stayed with me without eating anything. I don’t want to send them away hungry; they might faint along the road.” 33 His followers said to him, “Where can we get enough bread in this remote place to satisfy such a large crowd?” 34 Jesus said to them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They answered, “Seven . . . and a few little fish.” 35 Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish. After he thanked God, he divided the food and began giving it to his followers who then gave it to the crowd. 37 Everyone ate and was full. They gathered up all the pieces of food which were left over. With this food, they filled seven small baskets. 38 (There were 4,000 men, not including the women and children, who ate.) 39 Jesus sent the crowds away. Then he climbed into the boat and he came to the Magadan area.
Healings Near Galilee, 15:29-31 (Mark 7:31-37).
[29-31] At other times also, many people came to be healed (Matthew 9:35; 14:14). These healings took three days because there were so many people (see verse 32). The power of Jesus made the people praise God.
Jesus Feeds More Than 4,000 People, 15:32-39 (Mark 8:1-10).
[32-38] The three days were used in healing the sick (see verses 29-31). This is a different miracle than the feeding of the 5,000 (Matthew 13:13ff.; Mark 6:30ff.; Luke 9:10ff.; John 6:1ff.). The feeding of the 4,000 is found only in Matthew and Mark. The two miracles are different. Jesus had been with the 4,000 for three days. The disciples supplied the food for the 4,000. A small boy supplied the food for the 5,000. Seven loaves and a few fish were used for the 4,000, and five loaves and two fish were used for the 5,000. Seven baskets full were taken up after the 4,000 ate. Twelve baskets were taken up after the 5,000 ate. Jesus said the two miracles were two different events (Matthew 16:8-10).
[39] It is not known for sure where Magada is. It could possibly be Mejdel which is about five kilometres north northwest of Tiberias.
Matthew 16: 1-12
16 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They were trying to make Jesus prove to them that he came from heaven. 2 Jesus answered them, “When evening begins, you say, ‘It will be good weather tomorrow, because the sky is red.’ 3 And, in the morning, you say, ‘Today it will be stormy, because the sky is red and dark.’ You can understand changes in the sky which show a change in the weather, but you cannot understand the signs of change of this time in history. 4 The people who are living today are evil and not faithful to God. They ask for a proof from God, but no proof will be given to them except the Jonah miracle.” Then Jesus left them and went away. 5 When Jesus’ followers went across Lake Galilee, they forgot to bring along some bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Be careful! Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” 7 They started thinking to themselves, “Jesus must have said this because we didn’t bring along any bread.” 8 Jesus knew what was on their minds. He said, “Oh, you have so little faith! Why are you thinking to yourselves, . . . that you have no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Do you remember the five loaves of bread which fed the 5,000 men? Do you remember how many large baskets of leftovers you picked up?” 10 “Do you remember the seven loaves of bread which fed the 4,000 men? Do you remember how many small baskets of leftovers you picked up? 11 Why could you not understand what I was saying to you? When I said, ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees,’ I was not talking about bread.” 12 Then they understood that Jesus was not wanting them to stay away from the yeast used for bread. Instead, he wanted them to stay away from the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.
Understanding the Times, 16:1-4 (Mark 8:11-13; Luke 12:54-56).
[1] For “Pharisees” and “Sadducees,” see Matthew 3:7. They each, at times, opposed Christ. They joined together to test Jesus. Tradition taught that they would not know where the Christ came from (John 7:27). They undoubtedly had heard of, if not seen, some of the miracles. Yet, they still wanted proof (see John 7:31).
[2-3] Jesus used an illustration from their everyday life. They knew how to read the signs of changing weather by looking at the sky. They had failed to read the signs in what He was doing. Jesus told John the Baptist, through his followers, about the signs (Matthew 11:2f.). The Pharisees and Sadducees claimed to be spiritual, yet they did not see what the Spirit of God was doing (Luke 4:18-21). People who want to follow God’s way will understand (Matthew 13:10-17).
[4] These men were evil and unfaithful because they asked God to prove Himself. They were also blind to God’s signs in Jesus. Jesus gave these men the same proof He gave to the teachers of the law and the Pharisees in Matthew 12:38-40.
The Teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, 16:5-12 (Mark 8:14-21; Luke 12:1ff.).
[5-6] The disciples were probably crossing from Magadan (Matthew 15:39). Mark indicated that they landed somewhere around Bethsaida (Mark 8:22). From there they would easily be able to go on to Caesarea Philippi (Matthew 16:13). “Yeast” is a word used to describe evil influence or teaching. It is used in 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 and Galatians 5:9. Evil influence, like yeast through bread, can spread through a whole country.
[7-12] The disciples were thinking about physical yeast and bread. Perhaps they were hungry. Jesus knew what they were thinking. Jesus’ power was such that He could read men’s minds and hearts. They were with Jesus and worried about such a little thing as food! They had forgotten the two miracles: feeding the 5,000 (Matthew 14:15ff.) and feeding the 4,000 (Matthew 15:32ff.). He helped them to understand that they were to stay away from the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Evil teaching (bad yeast) can corrupt followers of Jesus if they do not stay away from it.
Matthew 16: 13-20
13 When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he began to ask his followers, “Who do people say I am?” 14 They answered, “Some people say you are John (the one who immerses people). Other people say you are Elijah. And some people say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 15 Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!”
17-18 “Upon this rock foundation,” Jesus answered, “I will build my community—those called out by God. Death will not overpower them. Blessed are you, Simon, son of John. My Father in heaven, not man, showed that to you. You are Peter. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have already been bound in heaven. And whatever you loosen on earth will have already been loosened in heaven.” 20 Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah.