1Christ is slighted by his own countrymen: 7he sendeth out the twelve with power over unclean spirits. 14The opinions of Herod and others concerning him. 16John the Baptist imprisoned and beheaded by Herod at the instigation of Herodias. 30The apostles return from their mission. 34The miracle of five thousand fed with five loaves and two fishes. 45Christ walketh on the sea to his disciples; 53he landeth at Gennesaret, and healeth the sick who touched only the hem of his garment.
1AND hea went out from thence, and came into his 1own country; and his disciples follow him.
a Mat. 13:53; Luke 4:16.
1 Namely, to Nazareth, which is called His own country, because He was brought up there and had dwelt there a long time with His parents. See Mat. 13:54; Luke 4:16.
2And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were 2astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such 3mighty works are wrought 4by his hands?
2 Gr. were stricken.
3 That is, miracles or signs of wonder. See Mat. 7:22.
4 That is, by Him; an Hebrew manner of speech.
3Isb not this the 5carpenter, the son of Mary, the 6brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.
b John 6:42.
5 Seeing Joseph was a carpenter, Mat. 13:55, therefore it is likely that Christ did help him in this handicraft, until He entered upon His office of teaching; which also was a part of His humiliation, Luke 2:51.
6 That is, cousin, see the annotation at Mat. 13 on verse 55.
4But Jesus said unto them, Ac prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
c Mat. 13:57; Luke 4:24; John 4:44.
5Andd he 7could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
d Mat. 13:58.
7 How this is to be understood, see the annotation at Mat. 13 on verse 58.
6And he marvelled because of their unbelief. Ande he went round about the villages, teaching.
e Mat. 9:35; Luke 13:22.
7¶Andf he called unto him 8the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power 9over unclean spirits;
f Mat. 10:1; Luke 6:13; 9:1.
8 Namely, whom He had chosen for His apostles, Mark 3:13.
9 Namely, to be able to cast them out from the possessed.
8And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a 10staff only; no scrip, no bread, no 11money in their purse:
10 Namely, to lean and rest upon in walking, but none to burden them on the way, as is to be seen, Mat. 10:10.
11 Gr. brass, because in former times money used to be much of brass, also thereby may here be understood even the very least provision of money.
9Butgbe 12shod with 13sandals; and not put on 14two coats.
g Acts 12:8.
12 Namely, not more than one pair for to travel; for, to take more shoes with them on the way was expressly forbidden them, Mat. 10:10.
13 Gr. sandalia, which were certain light shoes, consisting only of soles with latchets to fasten them to the feet, which were very usual in those hot countries, Acts 12:8.
14 That is, with no more than you shall have on, without carrying one coat more along with them for change.
10And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.
11Andh whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shakei off 15the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verilyj I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
h Mat. 10:14; Luke 9:5.
i Acts 13:51; 18:6.
15 The reason hereof see Mat. 10:14.
j Mat. 10:15; Luke 10:12.
12And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
13And they cast out many devils, andk16anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.
k James 5:14.
16 This anointing, as also the laying on of hands, touching and the like manner of doings, which Christ and the apostles used in the healing of diseases, did not give health, but were outward signs only, that this miraculous healing was done by the Divine power of Christ and the ministry of the apostles; which signs were used, as long as the gift of miraculous healing endured. See Mark 16:18; James 5:14, and since the same gift ceased, these signs must cease likewise, as serving for no further use.
14Andl king 17Herod heard of him; (18for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty 19works do shew forth themselves in him.
l Mat. 14:1; Luke 9:7.
17 See of this Herod and of this entire history, Mat. 14:1, etc.
18 Namely, the Name Jesus.
19 That is, now he comes with greater power then before; for, John himself had done no miracles, John 10:41.
15Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one 20of the prophets.
20 That is, of the old, deceased prophets.
16But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
17Form Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her.
m Mat. 14:3; Luke 3:19; 9:9.
18For John had said unto Herod, Itn is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.
n Leviticus 18; 20:21.
19Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not:
20For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a justo man and an holy, and 21observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and 22heard him gladly.
o Mat. 14:5; 21:26.
21 Or, kept him.
22 Namely, at first; for, afterwards, being stirred up by Herodias, he sought to kill him, although he did forbear it for fear of the people, until this opportunity did happen, Mat. 14:5.
21And when 23a convenient day was come, that Herod onp his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chiefqestates of Galilee;
23 That is, a suitable time; which Herodias waited for to obtain her purpose.
p Gen. 40:20; Mat. 14:6.
q great men
22And when the daughter of the said Herodias 24came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee.
24 Namely, into the hall where the feast was held, for, it was not very usual with the ancients that the women sat down with the men in great feasts. See Esther 1:11.
23Andr he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.
r Judges 11:30.
24And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
25And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
26And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not 25reject her.
25 Gr. not put her off; that is, refuse her request.
27Ands immediately the king sent an 26executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison,
s Mat. 14:10.
26 Or, sergeant, halberdier, one of the lifeguard.
28And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother.
29And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30Andt the apostles 27gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.
t Luke 9:10.
27 Namely, returning from their journey, which, after their being sent forth two by two, they had taken through the land of the Jews.
31And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves 28apart into 29a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, andu they had no leisure so much as to eat.
28 Or, alone.
29 Or, solitary. This was at Bethsaida, Mat. 14:13; Luke 9:10.
u Mark 3:20.
32Andv they departed into a desert place by ship privately.
v Mat. 14:13; Luke 9:10; John 6:1.
33And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.
3430And Jesus, when he came out, saww much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, becausex they were as sheep not having a shepherd: andy he began to teach them many things.
30 See, concerning this entire miracle, the annotation at Mat. 14 on verse 15, etc.
w Mat. 9:36; 14:14.
x Jer. 23:1; Ezek. 34:2.
y Luke 9:11.
35Andz31when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed:
z Mat. 14:15; Luke 9:12; John 6:5.
31 Gr. when the hour now has become much. For, the Jews reckoned the hours from the rising of the sun, and ended them with the evening, Mat. 20:6.
36Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the 32villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat.
32 Gr. fields, that is, country houses, or villages.
37He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred 33pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat?
33 Gr. denarii. See the value hereof, Mat. 18 on verse 28.
38He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. Andaa when they 34knew, they say, Five, and two fishes.
aa Mat. 14:17; Luke 9:13; John 6:9.
34 Gr. had understood.
39And he commanded them to make all sit down 35by companies upon the green grass.
35 Gr. companies, companies, or meals, meals, an Hebrew phrase, that is, in several companies, as at great feasts or weddings the people used to be divided by several tables.
40And they 36sat down 37in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.
36 Gr. fell.
37 Gr. garden-beds, garden-beds, that is, are distinguished as the beds of herbs in gardens, whereby the number might easily be reckoned.
41And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, heab looked up to heaven, and 38blessed,ac and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all.
ab John 17:1.
38 Namely, with thanksgiving. See Mat. 14:19; John 6:11.
ac 1 Sam. 9:13.
42And they did all eat, and were filled.
43And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes.
44And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.
45Andad straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and to go to the other side 39before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people.
ad Mat. 14:22; John 6:17.
39 For, in John 6:17 it is stated that they went towards Capernaum, which was situated over against Bethsaida.
46Andae when he had 40sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.
ae Mat. 14:23; Luke 6:12.
40 Or, had taken His leave of them, as Acts 18:21.
47Andaf when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.
af Mat. 14:23; John 6:16.
48And he saw them 41toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the 42fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them.
41 Or, that they were distressed in rowing.
42 Which was the last. See Mat. 14:25.
49But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a 43spirit, and cried out:
43 Or, an apparition, appearing in a bodily shape.
50For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.
51And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were 44sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.
44 Gr. very abundantly.
52For they considered 45not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was 46hardened.
45 Gr. not understood of or by the loaves, that is, they were not become more understanding by that which was done with the five loaves; namely, to be assured thereby of Christ’s Divine power and care for them. See Mark 8:17, 20, 21.
46 Gr. became callous, or, weather-beaten; which is not to be understood of such hardness or obduracy of heart as was before shown and reproved in the obstinate Jews, Mark 3:5, but of their want of understanding and slowness to comprehend and to believe truly spiritual things. See the like, Mark 8:17 and 16:14; Luke 24:25.
53Andag when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore.
ag Mat. 14:34.
54And when they were come out of the ship, straightway 47they knew him,
47 Namely, the people of that land.
55And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was.
56And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or 48country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might 49touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.
48 Gr. fields.
49 See the reason of this touching in the annotations at Mat. 14 on verse 36.