Matthew 14 | Devotional - Bible Reading and Prayer - One Chapter a Day

Matthew Chapter 14 | Best devotional materials, including: introduction, background, main content, Bible reading and prayer video, Scripture, and post-reading prayer to help you gain a deeper understanding of biblical truth.

Dear brothers and sisters, peace in Christ. Welcome to our One Chapter per day Bible reading time.

By God’s grace, today we will read Matthew chapter 14.

In this chapter, we witness the sorrowful account of John the Baptist’s death, reminding us of the cost of faithfulness to God’s truth. We also see the compassion of Jesus feeding the five thousand, revealing His care for both the physical and spiritual needs of the people. Later, we behold one of the most awe-inspiring moments — Jesus walking on the water and calling Peter to come to Him in faith.

This chapter reminds us that even in the midst of fear, loss, and uncertainty, Jesus is present, inviting us to trust Him completely. Let us listen with reverence and gratitude to God’s Word together.

Matthew Chapter 14 Introduction:

Matthew chapter 14 presents several powerful events that reveal both the humanity and divinity of Jesus Christ. It records the tragic death of John the Baptist, the miraculous feeding of the five thousand, Jesus walking on water, and His healing of the sick in Gennesaret. Through these events, we see Jesus’ deep compassion, His divine authority over nature, and His power to sustain and strengthen the faith of His followers.

Main Content of Matthew Chapter 14:

1. The Death of John the Baptist (verses 1–12)
The chapter begins with the story of Herod Antipas, who feared John the Baptist because of his influence among the people. However, influenced by Herodias and her daughter’s request, Herod ordered John’s execution. John’s death reminds us of the cost of truth and faithfulness to God’s message. His life and martyrdom prepared the way for the ministry of Christ and testified to the courage of those who stand for righteousness.

2. Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand (verses 13–21)
After hearing of John’s death, Jesus withdrew to a solitary place, but crowds followed Him. Moved with compassion, He healed the sick and miraculously fed over five thousand people with only five loaves and two fish. This miracle demonstrates Jesus’ compassion for human needs and His divine power to provide abundantly when we bring our little into His hands.

3. Jesus Walks on Water (verses 22–33)
Later that night, Jesus came to His disciples, walking on the water during a storm. Peter, in faith, stepped out of the boat but began to sink when he focused on the wind and waves. Jesus immediately reached out to save him, saying, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” This story teaches us that faith falters when we take our eyes off Jesus, yet His grace is always there to lift us up.

4. The Healing in Gennesaret (verses 34–36)
When Jesus arrived at Gennesaret, the people brought all who were sick to Him, and everyone who touched even the hem of His garment was healed. This scene reveals the depth of people’s faith and the boundless healing power of Christ.

Spiritual Significance of Matthew Chapter 14:
Matthew 14 is a vivid picture of God’s compassion, power, and presence amid human suffering and fear. Jesus shows us that even in moments of grief, He is moved by love; even when storms arise, He walks above them; and even when faith wavers, His hand is ready to save. This chapter reminds us to trust in Jesus not only when the seas are calm but also when the waves are high, for He is the Lord of every circumstance.

Through Matthew chapter 14, we are reminded that Jesus’ compassion never fails, His power has no limits, and His presence brings peace in every storm. As we read this chapter, may our hearts be strengthened to trust Him fully and to find rest and courage in His unfailing love.

Matthew Chapter 14 YouTube Bible Reading and Prayer Video:

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.