Matthew 14:13-21

Matthew 14:13-21

[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.  [15] And  when it was  evening,  his  disciples  came  to him,  saying,  a desert  place,  and  the time  is now  past;  the multitude  away,  that  they may go  into  the villages,  and buy  themselves  victuals.  [16] But  Jesus  said  unto them,  They need  not  depart;  give  them  to eat  [17] And  they say  unto him,  We have  here  but  five  loaves,  and  two  fishes.  [18] He said,  Bring  them  hither  [19] And  he commanded  the multitude  to sit down  on  the grass,  and  took  the five  loaves,  and  the two  fishes,  and looking up  to  heaven,  he blessed,  and  brake,  and gave  the loaves  to his disciples,  and  the disciples  to the multitude.  [20] And  all  eat,  and  were filled:  and  they took up  of the fragments  that remained  twelve  baskets  full.  [21] And  they that had eaten  about  five thousand  men,  beside  women  and  children. 

What does Matthew 14:13-21 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Matthew"s record of this miracle, which all four Gospels contain, stresses Jesus" power to create, His compassion, and the disciples" responsibility to minister to multitudes as Jesus" representatives. It also previews the kingdom banquet (cf. Matthew 8:11). The simple meal that Jesus provided on this occasion in a wholesome setting contrasts with Herod"s lavish feast in a degenerate setting just described. [1]