Matthew 14

Matthew 14:1

At = In. Greek. en.

time = season.

Herod = Herod Antipas. Son of Herod the Great by Malthace. See App-109.

tetrarch. The Greek word transliterated = a governor over the fourth part of any region; but the word subsequently lost its strict etymological meaning, and came to denote any petty prince not ruling over an entire country. So called from tetartos = fourth.

heard of the fame. Figure of speech Polyptoton. Greek. ekousen. . akoen.

fame = hearing, or report.

of = concerning. Genitive (of Relation). App-17.

Matthew 14:2

servants = young men or courtiers. Greek. pais. App-108.

the dead. With Art. See App-139.

therefore = on this account. Greek. dia touto.

mighty works. See note on Matthew 13:54, above.

in. Greek. en.

Matthew 14:3

Herod. One of eleven rulers offended with God’s reprovers. See note on Exodus 10:28.

put: i.e. had him put.

for . . . sake = on account of. Greek. dia.

Philip’s = Philip I, son of Herod the Great and Mariamne II. See App-109.

wife: i.e. widow.

Matthew 14:4

said = used to say.

Matthew 14:5

when he would have put him to death. = wishing (App-102.) to kill him.

counted = held. Compare Matthew 21:26, Matthew 21:46

Matthew 14:6

kept = being celebrated.

the daughter. Salome (Josephus, Antiquities xviii. 5. 4).

Herodias. See App-109.

before them = in the midst of them: i.e. in public.

Matthew 14:7

with. Greek. meta. App-104.

Matthew 14:8

before instructed = prompted, or instigated.

of = by. Greek. hupo.

in = upon. Greek. epi.

charger = a wooden trencher, or dish. Greek. pinax;. Occ only here, Matthew 14:11. Mark 6:25, Mark 6:28 and Luke 11:39 (“platter”). The Eng. is from the French chargrer = to load. Then by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Subject) App-6, put for what is laden; hence, used of a horse, as well as a dish.

Matthew 14:9

the oath’s = his great or solemn oath.

Matthew 14:11

damsel. Greek. korasion. App-108.

Matthew 14:12

body. Mark 6:29 reads ptoma = corpse.

Matthew 14:13

departed = withdrew. by = in. Greek. en.

people = multitude.

out of = from. Greek. apo. App-104.

Matthew 14:14

went forth. From His solitude, Matthew 14:13.

toward. Greek. epi.

Matthew 14:15

time = hour.

now = already.

Matthew 14:17

And = But.

have here but = have not (Greek. ou, as in Matthew 14:4) here [anything] except.

Matthew 14:19

on = upon. Greek. epi.

to = into. Greek. eis.

heaven = the heaven (sing). See note on Matthew 6:9, Matthew 6:10. brake = after breaking. The bread was made in thin cakes, which had to be broken (not cut) before they could be eaten. Hence the idiom “to break bread” means to eat bread, as in Luke 24:35; Acts 27:35. See notes on Numbers 18:19, and Isaiah 58:7. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of the Adjunct). App-6.

to = [gave] to. The Ellipsis must be thus supplied from the preceding clause.

Matthew 14:20

filled = satisfied.

baskets. Greek. kophinos. A small wicker hand-basket.

Matthew 14:21

men = males. Greek plural of aner. See App-123.

Matthew 14:22

straightway = immediately, as in Matthew 14:31.

a = the.

He sent, &c. This was a miracle in itself.

Matthew 14:24

with = by. Greek. hupo. App-104.

waves = the waves.

Matthew 14:25

the fourth watch. See App-51.

Matthew 14:26

a spirit = a phantom. Greek. phantasma. Occurs only here and Mark 6:49.

for = from. Greek. apo. App-104.

Matthew 14:27

it is I = I am [He].

Matthew 14:28

Lord. Greek. Kurios. App-98.

if, &c. Assuming it as a fact.

Matthew 14:29

to. Greek. pros. App-104.

Matthew 14:30

he saw the wind boisterous. He looked at the circumstances instead of the Lord. This was the secret of his (and of our) failure.

sink = be overwhelmed in the sea. Greek. katapontizomai. Occurs only here and Matthew 18:6.

Matthew 14:31

O thou of little faith. See note on Matthew 6:30.

wherefore = why, or for what. Greek. eis.

doubt = waver, or hesitate. Greek. distazo. Occurs only here and Matthew 28:17.

Matthew 14:33

the Son of God = God’s Son (no Art.) App-98.

Matthew 14:34

Gennesaret. It was at the northern end of the lake and to the west of the Jordan (App-169). The Talmud identifies it with Chinnereth of the O.T. Josephus says it was about four miles long by two and a half broad.

Matthew 14:35

had knowledge of = having recognized.

Matthew 14:36

hem = border, or fringes. Compare Matthew 9:20.

made perfectly whole = completely saved or healed. Greek. diasozo = to save throughout. Occurs eight times (Luke 7:3. Acts 23:24; Acts 27:43, Acts 27:44; Acts 28:1, Acts 28:4; 1 Peter 3:20). All are interesting and used of bodily saving.