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Explanation for:
Matthew
14
:
14
And he coming forth saw a great multitude, and had compassion on them, and healed their sick.
12
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"Jerome of Stridon","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88dcd3432c6dd41375498_Jerome%20of%20Stridon.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"In the proclamations of the Gospel, the spirit and the written word are always intertwined, and what may initially appear to be lacking in warmth reveals itself as intensely passionate upon closer examination. The Lord found Himself in the wilderness, and the crowds pursued Him, abandoning their former ways and diverse teachings. However, despite their eagerness to follow, the people lacked the strength to pursue Him completely. In response, the Saviour stepped out from His place to meet them, much like the father in another parable who rushes to greet his son who has returned in repentance. Upon seeing the great crowd, He was filled with compassion and healed those who were afflicted, so that genuine faith might be met with corresponding blessings."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"It is notable that the Lord withdrew during critical moments, such as when John was betrayed (Matt. 4:12) and when he faced execution, as well as when the Jews became aware of Jesus’ growing number of disciples (John 4:1-3). He often chose to interact in a manner consistent with humanity until the appropriate moment arrived for Him to manifest His divine nature fully. Consequently, He instructed His disciples to keep His identity as the Christ a secret (Matthew 16:20), desiring that this revelation occur only after His resurrection. He refrained from condemning the Jews who had previously rejected Him, instead offering them grace. He retreated, not into the city, but into the wilderness and took a boat to ensure He was not followed. \\n\\nIt is important to recognize that John's disciples were now nearer to Jesus. They brought news of John's circumstances to Him, and after leaving everything behind, they chose to become His followers. Despite their tribulations, they were profoundly shaped by the understanding Jesus shared with them about Himself through His response. Yet, one may wonder why the Lord chose to wait for their report, even though He was aware of the events that had transpired. This was to demonstrate the truth of His incarnation. Not merely in appearance, but through His actions, He sought to confirm this reality, understanding the devil's malicious intent to undermine the belief in His incarnation. \\n\\nThese factors contributed to Christ's decision to withdraw. Nevertheless, those loyal to Him did not abandon Him; they chose to follow Him, undeterred by the events concerning John. Such is the nature of true affection! Such is the essence of love! It conquers all obstacles and dispels fears. In due time, the people would be rewarded for their faithfulness."},{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"Despite their fervent enthusiasm, the gifts of Christ surpassed the value of all their zeal. Thus, the evangelist attributes special grace as the reason for the healings in this instance; Christ cures everyone without inquiring about their faith, as those who received healing demonstrated their belief simply by approaching Jesus, abandoning their towns, earnestly searching for Him, and remaining with Him even when they were driven by hunger to depart."},{"author-name":"Theophylact of Bulgaria","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989296bafed9104677d7_Theophylact%20of%20Bulgaria.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":11,"exegesis-text":"As a result of their belief, they are granted restoration. They pursue Him on foot and without sustenance. This is entirely through faith."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"He observed their longing and the reward that accompanied it. This did not necessitate faith, as evidenced by their journey on foot to an isolated region without provisions. Both Mark (Mark 6:34) and Luke (Luke 9:11) recount that He began to impart teachings and spoke about the Kingdom of God. But from where did He originate to commence healing and teaching? Undoubtedly from the mountain; as stated by John (John 6:1-3): ‘And Jesus went up to the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias, and a great multitude followed Him, because they saw the miracles which He performed on the sick. Jesus then ascended the mountain and sat there with His disciples. He taught His disciples while in the boat, after which they ascended the mountain to find rest. Following this, He emerged to heal and educate the people."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Upon hearing of the unjust killing of the Forerunner and Baptist John, the Lord withdrew from Jerusalem to the wilderness near Bethsaida, seeking solitude with His disciples. However, the inhabitants of the nearby towns, upon learning of His departure, hurriedly journeyed with their families to follow Him into the wilderness, not even having the opportunity to bring provisions. When the Most Compassionate beheld their faith and fervor, He felt deep pity for them. As recorded by the Evangelist Mark, He first imparted much teaching to them, and then, despite nobody requesting it, He healed all the sick among them. This act rekindles great hope within our hearts. If the Merciful One, moved solely by the faith and enthusiasm of the people, granted healing without any plea, how much more will He extend His mercy to us if we, in our weakness, reach out with faith and reverence, imploring Him to heal our afflictions? It is clear that either the God-Man shared His teachings in a matter of hours, or the number of the sick was so vast that the day slipped away as each approached Him for healing. The Evangelist declares:"},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"After departing from the boat, the Lord ascended the mountain and took His seat with the disciples. The throngs continued to gather around Him. It was the season of spring, close to the Passover celebration; residents from nearby towns and villages were joined by pilgrims journeying to Jerusalem. The Savior perceived the fervor of the crowd: And JESUS, descending from the mountain like a nurturing father to His children, SOUGHT OUT MANY PEOPLE, AND GREETED THEM, for they resembled sheep without a shepherd, and He spoke with them extensively about the Kingdom of God, AND HEALED ALL WHO WERE INFIRM. The grace of the Lord surpassed the enthusiasm of the people for Him: on this occasion, He healed every sick individual without inquiring about their faith, as their belief was already manifested by their departure from their cities, their diligent search for Him, and their reluctance to leave even when hunger urged them to do so, as St. Chrysostom notes. The Evangelist John reports that upon observing the multitude, the Lord addressed the Apostle Philip, asking, ‘Where shall we buy bread to feed them?’ He was aware of His intentions but used this inquiry to test the faith of His disciple, who had acknowledged Him as the Messiah foretold by Moses and the prophets. Philip could have responded, ‘You can accomplish anything; You can nourish these people who have set aside their daily bread for the sake of Your teachings.’ Instead, he thought in purely earthly terms: ‘Even two hundred denarii,’ he replied, ‘would not be sufficient for bread, so that each one may have just a morsel.’ The apostles recognized that assistance for the needy could come only through a miracle; however, they did not contemplate this possibility. The Lord also refrained from performing a miracle immediately, choosing instead to wait for their request: this was His manner. Meanwhile, the people stifled their hunger, driven by an overwhelming desire to be in the presence of the wondrous Miracle Worker."},{"author-name":"Michail (Lusin)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c89550c567e172d15b3055_Michail%20(Lusin).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"Having departed\\": was it from the wilderness to which He retreated (v. 13) or from the boat in which He had traveled? It appears to be from the boat, based on the more elaborate description provided by Mark the Evangelist (Mark 6:31-34), which aligns with the subsequent accounts in both Matthew (Matthew 14:23) and Mark (Mark 6:46). - \\"He felt compassion for them\\": as they were like sheep without a shepherd, as noted by Mark the Evangelist (Mark 6:34; see also Matthew 9:36). - \\"He healed their sick\\": here He does not inquire about their faith, for their belief is demonstrated simply by their coming to Jesus, abandoning their towns, earnestly seeking Him, and not turning away when even hunger pressed them to do so (Chrysostom; see also Theophilus)."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Upon seeing the crowd assembled on the shoreline, Jesus paused His journey to Bethsaida. He was moved with compassion for the people, who resembled a flock of sheep in need of guidance. He instructed His disciples to bring the boat to the shore, disembarked, and proceeded to teach them extensively. As noted by Luke, He also performed healings for those in need of restoration (Luke 9:11)."},{"author-name":"Lopuchin A.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c891400ee1341634d2276d_Lopuchin%20A.P..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As the boat reached the rocky shoreline, it found some individuals already gathered at the wharf, while in the distance, a throng of pilgrims journeyed toward Jerusalem for the approaching Feast of Passover. Drawn by the rising renown of the esteemed prophet, they abandoned the direct route to join the assembly of listeners. Moved by compassion, Christ saw them as sheep in need of a shepherd. He and his disciples ascended the mountainside to await the arrival of the crowds. Then, descending to where the people had gathered, He taught them about the kingdom of heaven and performed healings for the sick."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"As Jesus Christ emerged from the boat, he encountered a large crowd gathered on the shore, who had anticipated his arrival. Compassion filled his heart as he saw them, resembling sheep in need of a shepherd. He commenced to instruct them on the kingdom of God and performed healings for those who were ill. Following this, he ascended the mountain accompanied by his disciples, where he took a seat while the people continued to approach him."},{"author-name":"Bogolepow D.P.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"All the Gospel writers address this occurrence with a consistent agreement; the unique details each one provides simply enhance the other accounts. The first three Gospels report that when Jesus Christ approached the shore, He encountered a large crowd. Despite His desire for seclusion and rest, He was moved with compassion for the people and began to heal the infirm. For an extended time, He shared with those assembled the teachings of the kingdom of God (Mt. 14; Mk. 6:34; Lk. 9:11). John introduces the event by stating: ‘Jesus went up on the mountain and sat there with His disciples; as He lifted up His eyes and saw a great multitude coming to Him, He addressed Philip’ (John 6:3-5). This depiction appears to be a condensed version of the narrative, skipping the transitional events between His arrival and the miraculous feeding that followed."}]}
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