Matthew (Written)

Friday, 28 November 2025

Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. Matthew 14:25

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the night’s fourth guarding, Jesus, He departed unto them, walking upon the sea” (CG).

In the previous verse, it was noted that the boat the disciples were in was in the middle of the sea, being tossed by the waves. Next, Matthew records some of the most incredible words imaginable, beginning with, “And the night’s fourth guarding.”

It is the same word, phulaké, found in Matthew 5:25, translated there as prison. It signifies a guarding. As someone is in prison, he is obviously being guarded. In this case, it refers to the divisions of the night. Ellicott explains the term –

“The Jews, since their conquest by Pompeius, had adopted the Roman division of the night into four watches, and this was accordingly between 3 A.M. and 6 A.M., in the dimness of the early dawn.”

Jesus had remained on the mountain praying for hours while the disciples struggled to stay afloat in the tempest that had arisen. Despite their efforts, they had only gone about halfway across the sea. It was during this time that “Jesus, He departed unto them.”

There is immediately a sense of curiosity in the words. It is very early in the morning hours, the narrative has already said that the disciples were straining in the sea to get to the other side, and yet, Matthew notes Jesus departing to them.

If the words finished there, one might think Jesus would walk on a path near the shore to meet them in the spot where they were headed. However, Matthew dismisses that option, saying, “walking upon the sea.”

The words here, combined with the words to come, along with the other gospel accounts, leave no option except that “walking on (upon) the water of the sea” is intended. It cannot mean “walking on the shore of the sea,” something seemingly possible from the immediate wording, as if the shore were being used as a way of explaining a walk on the sea.

However, they are in the midst of the sea (25 or 30 stadia) from shore. In a tempest, they would not see Jesus walking on the shore, nor could they have a conversation with Him, as will be the case. It cannot mean Jesus swam. The Greek word kolumbaó, to plunge into the water (and thus to swim), would have been used.

But more directly, only a lunatic would start swimming across a cold, 7-mile-wide lake in the middle of a raging tempest, particularly in fresh water, which is not as buoyant as salt water. Even the hardiest swimmer would likely perish from such an attempt. And, again, the surrounding narrative makes such suggestions impossible.

Rather, Jesus was giving a hint concerning His nature by doing what He is doing. The words of Job explain the matter –

“He stretching – heavens, to His separation,
And walking upon elevations – sea.” Job 9:8 (CG)

To paraphrase Job’s words, “Yehovah stretches out the heavens all by Himself, and He walks upon the waves of the sea.” Matthew, Mark, and John each testify to the accuracy of the account. The Lord God, Yehovah, walked upon the wavy Sea of Galilee in the early morning hours to attend to His disciples.

Life application: Over the millennia, there have been many skeptics who have tried to conjure up reasons why the text doesn’t really say what it says concerning the account of Jesus walking upon the sea.

A few years ago, the ridiculous explanation was that the meeting of the winds as they rushed through the Arbel Pass with the waters of the Sea of Galilee formed blocks of ice that allowed Jesus to walk on the sea. Even a mentally challenged farm boy could find a dozen reasons why such a thought is ridiculous.

And yet, when it was proposed, it made the news around the world, as if someone had finally found a reason why the Bible should not be trusted concerning this miracle. Actually, however, for Jesus to surf on a block of ice, or to walk on various blocks of ice until He reached the disciples, would be more of a miracle than anything any person had ever seen in human history.

It would just be another form of a miracle. But the wording in the gospels doesn’t allow for such idiocy. Rather, the disciples truly believed what they saw. They jointly testified to the matter, and their testimony stands. As the judicial apologist Simon Greenleaf says –

“Every document, apparently ancient, coming from the proper repository or custody, and bearing on its face no evident marks of forgery, the law presumes to be genuine, and devolves on the opposing party the burden of proving it to be otherwise.”

The burden of the proof is up to those who dismiss the words of Scripture. To this date, after two thousand years of trying, no such proof has come forward.

Have faith in the word. Have faith in Jesus, who is Yehovah incarnate. The word of God testifies to this fact.

O God, You can do all things. The fact that You walked upon the waters of the Sea of Galilee should come as no surprise because of this. We know Your word is truth. What it proclaims is sound and reasonable when we consider who Jesus is. May we have faith in what it says, holding fast to the record as it has been given. Amen.

Thursday, 27 November 2025

But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. Matthew 14:24

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And the boat: already it was amidst the sea being tormented by the waves, for the wind, it was contrary” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus dismissed the multitudes and then went up on the mountain alone and prayed alone. Matthew next says, “And the boat, already it was amidst the sea.”

In John’s gospel, he records that the boat was about 25 or 30 stadia. This equates to 3 or 4 miles. The width of the sea varies, but it is about 7 miles across. Therefore, they were literally in the sea’s midst. While they were in this spot, it says they were “being tormented by the waves.”

This wasn’t the case as they left. Rather, John also records, “The sea arose because a great wind was blowing.” This is a phenomenon seen in the Sea of Galilee. The winds off the Mediterranean coast blow inland.

As they reach the mountains, there is a pass, the Arbel pass (aka the Valley of the Doves or Wadi Hamam), where they are compressed. This pass is a particular geographical feature located to the west of the Sea of Galilee, bordered by Mount Arbel to the south and Mount Nitai to the north. This east-west-oriented valley funnels air from the Mediterranean Sea towards the lower-lying Sea of Galilee.

The cold wind rushes at an increased speed and blows toward the sea. This meets the warmer air rising from the lake. This then causes the waves to suddenly jump in size. The storms can come on with almost no notice and change the face of the sea in mere minutes. This is what occurred as these men took their boat across. As it says, “for the wind, it was contrary.”

With such a sea having arisen, there would be very little the men could do. The chaotic waves and winds would leave even the hardiest of men terrified.

Life application: It is with all certainty that Jesus knew the men would face this contrary wind as they crossed. The narrative is purposeful in this regard. But such things serve a greater purpose in helping us to understand who Jesus is and what His intent for His people is. Therefore, the men were allowed to undergo this arduous trial to learn and to pass the event on in their writings.

When we encounter life’s storms, we should take time to evaluate the circumstances and attempt to discover what God would have us learn from them. This doesn’t mean only literal storms, such as tornados and hurricanes, although those too can affect us. Rather, we may face storms of trials such as financial woes, interpersonal conflicts, etc.

We may also be the target of a robbery or some other situation that causes us to question our lives. When such times arise, taking time to reevaluate our lives and priorities can change our direction. This is what wise people will do. They will consciously evaluate the circumstances and see how their lives might be better directed toward the Lord.

From what may seem a terrible ordeal, good things can arise. As long as we look for the guiding hand of the Lord through them, we will normally find that what occurred had a purpose we never expected. The apostles certainly had time in their lives to evaluate that terrifying night on the Sea of Galilee.

Some of them wrote about it. One of them ultimately seems to have not learned a thing from it. What a vast difference between the outcomes of their lives as they took in the ministry of Jesus and evaluated their lives and the events that happened in relation to it.

Glorious God, even though we may not enjoy the troubles and trials that arise in our lives, we may find that good came out of them in ways we never expected. Help us to have a positive attitude that seeks out the knowledge that Your gracious hand rested upon us, even as we endured such times. Amen.

Wednesday, 26 November 2025

And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there. Matthew 14:23

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And having dismissed the crowds, He ascended to the mountain, off alone, to pray. And evening, having arrived, He was there solo” (CG).

In the previous verse, Jesus compelled the disciples to get in the boat and cross to the other side while He dismissed the crowds. Next, Matthew records, “And having dismissed the crowds.”

It isn’t known how Jesus did this, meaning with a word of encouragement and then prayer, but that is likely. John 6 notes that some wanted to make Him king by force. His redirecting them back to the Lord God as their true King, and through prayer, demonstrating that He was on a spiritual mission, may have quelled that among them.

Mark 6 notes that He sent them away. The day was long, and the walk to return would add to it. Therefore, some may even have slept under the stars, waiting till the next day to return home. Having an evening outside with a bonfire would be a nice cap to the wonderful day spent in the open with Jesus. If so, this would be an added reason for the next words, “He ascended to the mountain, off alone to pray.”

Whether He was removing Himself from all of the crowds as they departed, or if some were laying out mats to sleep on, there were still people there. This necessitated Him to ascend the mountain. Or it may be that ascending the mountain was keeping in accord with the traditions of meeting God on the high places that were instilled in the people’s thinking, and a point which permeates the Hebrew Scriptures.

This would be in line with the transfiguration, which occurred on a mountain as well. Whatever other reason may be involved, Jesus went up in order to find solace and to pray. Matthew next records, “And evening, having arrived.”

This would be the second evening of what is known as “between the evenings,” explained in Matthew 14:15. This would be the evening of the light when the day transitions into night. At this time, it says, “He was there solo.”

Nobody had followed Him up the mountain, disturbing His time of prayer alone. These words of Matthew had to come from somewhere, so either an eyewitness saw that Jesus went up alone, or that Jesus had specifically told him this was the case.

Life application: Things were obviously done differently when Jesus walked among the people of Israel. There were no cars, cellphones, or TVs. People’s lives would have been run at a completely different pace than what we are used to.

However, the days for Jesus were long and certainly tiring. What did He do at the end of His long day? He spent more energy ascending the nearby mountain, and He engaged with His Father in prayer. Although there is nothing prescriptive in this, it is an ideal that we can strive to attain.

Taking some time alone, away from the innumerable distractions we face, and spending time with the Lord will never be wasted time. Your mind can relax from the nag of calls, messages, text reminders, etc. Well, that is if you leave your phone behind when you decide to spend time with the Lord and pray.

If you are not used to this, it can be difficult to adjust. Being connected to the world through digital devices has become a standard part of our existence. And more, it has become an addiction for many. Take time to actively consider what value it is in your life. Is answering another text as important as spending time with the Lord through prayer or through His word?

Do your best to set your priorities straight and be willing to put everything else aside from time to time. At set times, try to refocus on filling the spiritual chasm in your life, replacing it with the goodness of God. You will find your time doing so a blessing you could not have imagined.

Glorious God, there are so many things that constantly distract us, pulling our attention away from what is truly important. If we stop and evaluate the time we spend doing things that are wholly unproductive, and then compare it to the time we spend with You, what would the balances reveal? Help us, Lord, to have our spiritual priorities right, focusing on You and fellowshipping with You each day. Amen.

Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. Matthew 14:22

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And immediately, Jesus, He compelled His disciples to in-step into the boat and precede Him to the beyond until which He dismissed the crowds” (CG).

The previous verse noted that those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Now that the meal was over, it next says, “And immediately, Jesus, He compelled His disciples to in-step into the boat.”

A new word, anagkazó, to necessitate, compel, or constrain, is seen here. It is derived from the noun anagké, constraint, distress, etc. There is a sense of urgency in the word, as if the disciples were hesitant to enter the boat without Him. Matthew doesn’t give the reason for the constraint they were placed under. However, the same narrative in John 6 says –

“Then those men, when they had seen the sign that Jesus did, said, ‘This is truly the Prophet who is to come into the world.’
¹⁵ Therefore when Jesus perceived that they were about to come and take Him by force to make Him king, He departed again to the mountain by Himself alone.” John 6:14, 15

If this was the impetus in the mind of Matthew as he penned his gospel, one can see how the matter may have continued if the disciples had stayed. The people came to make Jesus king by force. How would things have turned out if the disciples had stayed?

Would they have sided with the masses and caused Jesus additional stress in shunning their advances? Would they have defended the Lord when He declined the advances, thus causing a brawl to break out? Whatever the reason, it appears that Matthew was remembering the day while not explaining the circumstances and noting the event with this new word. Because of Jesus’ instructions, it next says, “and precede Him to the beyond.”

In other words, they were to cross the Sea of Galilee, returning to the side they had left that morning. Thus, they would be leaving Him without a means of crossing. Despite this, He constrained them to go. He would stay behind, “until which He dismissed the crowds.”

Whatever the state of the crowds or the mindset of the disciples, it is evident that Jesus wanted to dismiss them personally and to also be alone in prayer. Hence, they were instructed to leave alone and head across.

Life application: It is certain that the disciples could have refused to get into the boat and do as instructed, but they were obedient to Jesus as their Master. The word of God, the Bible, is a word from the Lord that also constrains us. It tells us to do things that we may not want to do. Maybe that is why so many people stop reading it or never read it.

They hear what the word expects, maybe in a sermon or from a friend, and don’t want to have to face its demands. So they live life without engaging with the word. But if we want to be obedient to our Master, we need to do what He expects of us. That is what the word is for.

It isn’t easy to stand up in a church and head for the door when something inappropriate is taught, but no one should sit under a preacher who is instructing contrary to the word. It is better to leave such a church than to accommodate the bad doctrine. Such an attitude places the church above the Lord. That cannot stand.

Let us remember this point. What the Lord says is like our government’s constitution. We get upset at politicians who ignore the law as if it doesn’t apply to them. How much more should we be upset at pastors, preachers, and teachers who ignore the highest authority of all?

This doesn’t mean we should get up and walk out every time we hear something amiss. People are prone to mistakes. However, when something is obviously purposeful that fails to align with the word, it is time to depart. Just recently, the Anglican Church split because those in the UK selected a woman as the Archbishop of Canterbury. It is the highest position in the church.

The African Anglicans noted that this was unacceptable. Further, her stance on abortion and gay rights made her selection a slap in the face of all who desire to hold to the word. The problem, however, rests as much with the African Anglicans. They failed to say anything years ago when unacceptable people began to be ordained.

The selection of this woman to be the Archbishop was merely an obvious step in the rush to total apostasy. The Africans, for years, failed to uphold the word by dividing from the UK, only taking action when it became intolerable to them, not to God, whose word had already been violated numerous times. Let us not let things get to such a point. Instead, let us exalt the word and thus honor the Lord at all times.

Lord God, give us the desire to be obedient to Your word as well as have the intestinal fortitude to stand firmly on it. It can be difficult for us to stand against the masses, but with You on our side, it really is no problem. Help us to remember this and adhere to what You have stated. To Your glory, we pray. Amen.

Monday, 24 November 2025

Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Matthew 14:21

Note: You can listen to today’s commentary courtesy of our friends at the “Bible in Ten” podcast. (Click Here to listen)

You can also read this commentary, scrolling with music, courtesy of our friends at “Discern the Bible” on YouTube. (Click Here to listen), or at Rumble (Click Here to listen).

“And those eating, they were about five thousand men, besides women and children” (CG).

In the previous verse, it was noted that all the people present ate, were gorged, and they collected twelve baskets of pieces that were left over. Matthew next records, “And those eating, they were about five thousand men, besides women and children.”

Each gospel narrative notes the number of men. Matthew, however, adds in the “besides women and children” to ensure that the number is understood to be men, plus others. The addition of this note concerning women and children could potentially bring the number up to as many as fifteen to twenty thousand people.

There is no need to assume, as many scholars do, that there would not be as many women and children as normal because of the long trek or some other reason. People moved about on their feet. It was common and the expected norm that all would keep up on such treks.

During the three annual pilgrim feasts, the entire family would walk from wherever they were to Jerusalem. Such a walk around the Sea of Galilee would be a snap for such hardy annual travelers. The numbers would have been great who received the miraculously provided food from Jesus.

Life application: It is not uncommon for people to say that only the men were required to travel to Jerusalem on the pilgrim feasts. This is because it says in Exodus 23:17, “Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.”

With that, they stop their analysis and conclude that only the men went. However, later it says –

“You shall rejoice before the Lord your God, you and your son and your daughter, your male servant and your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the stranger and the fatherless and the widow who are among you, at the place where the Lord your God chooses to make His name abide. ¹² And you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and you shall be careful to observe these statutes.” Deuteronomy 16:11, 12

This is repeated in Deuteronomy 16:13-15. Then the matter is summed up, saying –

“Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Lord your God in the place which He chooses: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, at the Feast of Weeks, and at the Feast of Tabernacles; and they shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed. ¹⁷ Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.” Deuteronomy 16:16, 17

In other words, the “all your males” is stated in the same manner that the gospels speak of the males in relation to the feeding of the five thousand. It is an all-inclusive statement concerning the family that is represented by the males.

When reading the Bible, be sure to be familiar with it by methodically checking on things. There is a lot of information that has to be learned, and it is a lifetime challenge, but the more you read and remember, the less likely you are to have errors in your understanding. Even scholars of the Bible make blunders by assuming things from a single verse that are later qualified. So be methodical and contemplative. If you are, you will be rewarded for your diligent efforts, for sure.

Lord God Almighty, how wonderful is Your word! You have filled it with wisdom, wonder, and treasure. May we be responsible and read it slowly, contemplatively, and prayerfully. May we carefully tend to this wondrous and sacred gift You have given to us. Amen.