Mat 14 | TNotes | STEP | 14:1 Herod Antipas ’s official title was tetrarch (ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of Galilee and Perea (4 BC — AD 39; see 2:19-22 ). Jesus referred to Antipas as “that fox” (Luke 13:32 ), and John the Baptist justly condemned him for adultery (Matt 14:3-12 ; Luke 3:19-20 ).

14:1 ^a Herod Antipas’s official title was tetrarch (ruler of a fourth part of a kingdom) of Galilee and Perea (4 BC—AD 39; see 2:19-22 ^b). Jesus referred to Antipas as “that fox” (Luke 13:32 ^c), and John the Baptist justly condemned him for adultery (Matt 14:3-12 ^d; Luke 3:19-20 ^e).
14:2 ^f There was a rumor that John had been resurrected (see 16:14 ^g).
Summary for Matt 14:3-12: 14:3-12 ^h The popular appeal of John’s message posed a political threat (see Josephus, Antiquities 18.5.2). Years after John’s execution, the Jews viewed Herod’s military defeat at the hands of Aretas (AD 36) as a just recompense for putting an innocent man to death.
14:4 ⁱ John had continually warned Herod of his sin (see Lev 18:6 ^j; 20:21 ^k).
14:6 ^l Herodias’s daughter was probably Salome, a daughter from Herodias’s previous marriage to Philip. Sexually provocative dances such as this were a regular occurrence for depraved royalty.
14:7 ^m Such an extravagant, foolish oath was consistent with Herod Antipas’s character.
14:8 ⁿ The practice of bringing a head ... on a tray was not unknown in the ancient world (see Josephus, Antiquities 13.4.8; 14.15.13; 18.5.1; 20.5.1).
Summary for Matt 14:13-21: 14:13-21 ^o Jesus’ actions consistently fulfilled Old Testament promises regarding the Kingdom and the Messiah (11:5-6 ^p; 12:28 ^q). Here Jesus evoked the memory of God’s provision of manna for the Israelites (Exod 16 ^r; see John 6:32 ^s), demonstrating that he is the promised end-time prophet (see Deut 18:15-16 ^t).
14:21 ^u 5,000 men ... in addition to all the women and children: The count was of families, denoted by heads of households, rather than individuals.
Summary for Matt 14:22-33: 14:22-33 ^v Jesus’ power over nature presented the disciples with the opportunity to trust in him as the Son of God (14:33 ^w; see also 8:23-27 ^x; Ps 8:6 ^y; Heb 2:8-9 ^z). 14:22 ^aa After the miraculous feeding, the crowds sought to make Jesus king (John 6:15 ^ab), prompting his withdrawal because it was not the appropriate time.
14:23 ^ac Jesus often sought solitude in order to pray, particularly in conjunction with important events in his life and ministry (26:36-46 ^ad; Mark 1:35 ^ae; Luke 5:16 ^af; 6:12 ^ag; 9:28 ^ah).
14:25 ^ai About three o’clock in the morning: Literally In the fourth watch of the night. This was approximately 3:00–6:00 am by Roman reckoning.

• The fact that Jesus came ... walking on the water demonstrates God’s sovereign reign over the stormy waters (see Job 9:8 ^aj; Ps 77:19 ^ak; Isa 43:16 ^al).
14:27 ^am I am here: Literally I am. This declaration is associated with the appearance of God himself (see also John 8:24 ^an; 18:5-6 ^ao; cp. Exod 3:14 ^ap).
Summary for Matt 14:34-36: 14:34-36 ^aq On the purpose of Jesus’ miracles, see study notes on Matt 11:5; 12:28.