Matthew 14

Matthew 14:1

HErod,] sirnamed Antipas, who was the sonne of the great Herod, Luke 3:1 Tetrarch,] lord or chiefe of the fourth part of a countrey. This sheweth that under Alexanders successors began this division of Iudea into foure parts of which the ancient Iudea made the one, and the other three had been annexed to it, 1 Mac. 10. 38. and 11. 28. 34. 57. See Luke 3:1. Now after the death of Herod the great; Antony, and after him the Emperour Augustus divided also this kingdome into foure parts amongst his children: taking the ancient Iudea away from them, and the title of Kings, though by abuse they yet retained it amongst themselves. Verse 9. and to this Herods lot fell Perea and Galile, whither the ancient partitions were yet observed, or whether there were some alteration.

Matthew 14:2

Mighty workes,] the Italian, the powers worke in him,] the Iewes call the Angels so. The meaning is; he is a man wholly divine, and celestiall, and hath Angels to assist him, working in him and by him.

Matthew 14:3

Had laid hold,] whether it were that Iohn was Herods subject, as Luke 23:7. Acts 12:1. or that Herod had taken him in his countrey His brother,] by the father, but not by the mothers ide.

Matthew 14:5

When he would,] Marke 6. 18. this is attributed to Herodias, not to Herod, who contrariwise did keepe Iohn from being put to death for a certaine time. But that which is here spoken is to be referred to some sudden anger, which was tempered by some better thoughts signified by S. Mark.

Matthew 14:6

The daughter,] by her first husband called called Salome Before them,]publickly and in the presence of them all.

Matthew 14:15

The time,] to be abroad in the fields.

Matthew 14:19

He blessed,] that is to say, he prayed; an ordinary action of piety at meales, by which giving God thanks for his good guifts, he was also requested to give them the vertue of nourishing the body, and to sanctifie the use of them to the soule. See Deuteronomy 8:10. 1 Samuel 9:13.

Matthew 14:22

Constrained,] for they parted from him very unwillingly, especially to go upon the water so late without him, in whom was all their confidence.

Matthew 14:24

Of the sea,] of Genazereth.

Matthew 14:25

Watch,] the night being divided into foure equall parts wherein they kept a watch upon the City walls. See Mark 13:15.

Matthew 14:31

Doubt,] See Iames 1. 6.

Matthew 14:36

That they might,] through great faith and humility; or by some superstitious weaknesse grounded upon the miracle set downe, Matthew 9:20. and tolerated by the Lord.