📖 Matthew — Chapter 14 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Red lettering identifies words spoken by Jesus; it is an editorial reading aid. Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
Matthew 14:1 At that time RHerod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
Matthew 14:2 And said unto his servants, RThis is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
Matthew 14:3 For RHerod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
Matthew 14:4 RFor John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
Matthew 14:5 And Rwhen he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Matthew 14:6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, Rthe daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Matthew 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
Matthew 14:8 And she, Rbeing before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
Matthew 14:9 And Rthe king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
Matthew 14:10 And he sent, Rand beheaded John in the prison.
Matthew 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger, Rand given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
Matthew 14:12 And his disciples came, and Rtook up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Matthew 14:13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
Matthew 14:14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, Rand was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
Matthew 14:15 And when it was evening, Rhis disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
Matthew 14:16 But Jesus said unto them, RThey need not depart; give ye them to eat.
Matthew 14:17 RAnd they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
Matthew 14:18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
Matthew 14:19 And Rhe commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
Matthew 14:20 And they did all eat, and Rwere filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
Matthew 14:21 And they that had eaten were Rabout five thousand men, beside women and children.
Matthew 14:22 And straightway RJesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, Rhe went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
Matthew 14:24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, Rtossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
Matthew 14:25 And in Rthe fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
Matthew 14:26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, Rthey were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
Matthew 14:27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
Matthew 14:28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, Rbid me come unto thee on the water.
Matthew 14:29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, Rhe walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
Matthew 14:30 But Rwhen he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
Matthew 14:31 And immediately Jesus Rstretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Matthew 14:32 And when they were Rcome into the ship, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:33 Then they that were in the ship came and Rworshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Matthew 14:34 And Rwhen they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
Matthew 14:36 And besought him that they might Ronly touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 14:1–12 — John’s death exposes the cost of truthful witness
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Herod’s fear, Herodias’s hostility, a rash oath, and a requested reward culminate in John’s execution. John’s disciples bury him and bring news to Jesus.
Key Truth: Do not let pride or public pressure govern a promise or decision.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “At that ____ Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,” (Matthew 14:1)
Find it in Matthew 14:1 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “____ he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she …” (Matthew 14:7)
Find it in Matthew 14:7 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And his ____ came, and took up the body, and buried it, and …” (Matthew 14:12)
Find it in Matthew 14:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 14:13–21 — Jesus feeds a hungry multitude
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
After withdrawing, Jesus receives the crowds with compassion and heals their sick. He blesses five loaves and two fishes, the disciples distribute them, and all eat with baskets remaining.
Key Truth: Bring limited resources to Jesus with compassionate willingness.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them …” (Matthew 14:16)
Find it in Matthew 14:16 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And they say unto him, We have ____ but five loaves, and two fishes.” (Matthew 14:17)
Find it in Matthew 14:17 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “… had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and ____ .” (Matthew 14:21)
Find it in Matthew 14:21 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
Matthew 14:22–36 — Jesus meets fear on the water and continues healing
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Jesus comes to the disciples during a storm, calls Peter onto the water, and rescues him as fear rises. The boat’s company worships, and people at Gennesaret bring the sick to be healed.
Key Truth: Call upon Jesus amid fear rather than treating weakness as hopeless.
Check What You Remember
1. Complete the KJV wording: “But ____ Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it …” (Matthew 14:27)
Find it in Matthew 14:27 (KJV).
2. Complete the KJV wording: “And Peter answered him and ____ , Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto …” (Matthew 14:28)
Find it in Matthew 14:28 (KJV).
3. Complete the KJV wording: “And ____ him that they might only touch the hem of his …” (Matthew 14:36)
Find it in Matthew 14:36 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 107:29 — The psalm also speaks of the Lord stilling a storm.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Where could compassion move you to offer the resources you have?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 14:1–12 (John’s death exposes the cost of truthful witness) from the other movements of this chapter?
2. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 14:13–21 (Jesus feeds a hungry multitude) from the other movements of this chapter?
3. Which account best distinguishes Matthew 14:22–36 (Jesus meets fear on the water and continues healing) from the other movements of this chapter?
4. How are the disciples involved in feeding the multitude?
5. What combination appears when Peter is caught on the water?
Notes
Write what you want to remember, questions to explore, or Scriptures to look up later. Your saved notes are private to your account.
Loading your notes…
Chapter Navigation