Matthew 14:13-14

[13] When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities. [14] And went forth, a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

What is the context of Matthew 14:13-14?

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Feeding 5,000 (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
The Feeding of Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Feeding the Five Thousand (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand .( K .) .( L .) (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Jesus Feeds More than Five Thousand People (Matthew 14:13-21 true)
Five Thousand Fed (Matthew 14:13-21 true)

What does Matthew 14:13-14 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Since Matthew 14:3-12 are an excursus, the opening words of this pericope must refer to Herod"s response to Jesus" ministry. When Jesus heard that, He withdrew from Herod"s territory and his animosity (cf. Matthew 12:15). Evidently Jesus believed Herod Antipas would oppose Him as he had opposed His forerunner. As previously ( Matthew 12:15) and later ( Matthew 15:21), Jesus withdrew from a place of danger and confrontation.

However, Jesus could not escape the crowds that followed Him wherever He went. The lonely place where Jesus retreated was evidently near Bethsaida Julias on Galilee"s northeast shore ( Luke 9:10). Jesus traveled there from Capernaum by boat, but the crowds beat Him there on foot having learned where He was going. They walked east along the northern coast of the Sea of Galilee. Matthew again noted the great compassion of the King (cf. Matthew 9:36).