Matthew 14:22
Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Jesus doesn't just dismiss the crowds; he compels his disciples to get into the boat. This wasn't just a suggestion; they were hesitant, likely unwilling to leave Jesus alone in a deserted place, but his command aimed to both disperse the people and prepare them for a miracle that would reveal His power when they felt most vulnerable.
Just after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, he sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he sends the crowds away. This separation, occurring as evening falls, is deliberate, setting the stage for Jesus' solitary prayer and the disciples' unexpected encounter with him on the stormy water later that night.
Jesus tells his disciples to get in the boat and go across the lake. It's getting late, they're in a deserted place, and they'd rather not leave him alone. Why would Jesus send them away?
A Call to Trust and Obedience
When Jesus tells his disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him, the text says he "constrained" them. This doesn't mean he forced them against their will, but rather that he urged them, even though they were reluctant.
Why the Reluctance?
Jesus' Purpose
Jesus had reasons for sending them away, even if they weren't immediately clear:
This situation calls us to obey Jesus even when his commands seem unclear or inconvenient, trusting that he has purposes we may not yet understand.
Understand the original words
mathētēs · Greek Noun
A term used to describe Jesus' followers, emphasizing their role as students or apprentices who learn from and imitate their teacher. Biblically, it signifies a dedicated commitment to Christ's teachings and mission.
The disciples' reluctance to leave Jesus alone in a remote area, coupled with the crowd's dangerous fervor to make him king, highlights the tension Jesus navigated between his divine mission and earthly expectations. This immediate context sets the stage for the miracle that follows, demonstrating Jesus's control over nature and his disciples' wavering faith.
c. AD 28
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously feeds over 5,000 men, plus women and children, with only five loaves and two fish.
c. AD 28
Crowd attempts to make Jesus King
Overwhelmed by the miracle, the crowd intends to seize Jesus and force him to become their king, prompting him to withdraw.
c. AD 28— this verse
Jesus dismisses the crowds and disciples depart
Jesus sends the crowds away and compels his disciples to board a boat and sail ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee.
c. AD 28
Jesus prays alone on a mountain
After sending everyone away, Jesus goes to a mountain to pray, seeking solitude and communion with God.
This passage directly explains Jesus' motive for sending the disciples away, highlighting his need to escape the crowd's intention to make him king by force, which directly sets the stage for the events in Matthew 14.
Mark 6:45-46Mark's account provides additional detail about the destination (Bethsaida) and Jesus' subsequent actions (going to the mountain to pray), reinforcing the context of Matthew 14:22 and the disciples' apparent reluctance.
Luke 9:18This verse describes Jesus praying alone after a significant event, paralleling his action in Matthew 14:23 and emphasizing the importance of prayer, especially after performing miracles or facing public pressure.
Matthew 14:31This verse shows Jesus catching Peter as he sinks, directly following the disciples' sea journey and demonstrating Jesus' immediate intervention when their faith falters, illustrating the consequence of their 'little faith' that began with their departure.
calvinMatthew 14:22-33: "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away."
- And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to embark, and to go before him to the opposite bank, till he had sent away the multitudes. 23. And when he had sent away the multitudes, he went up into a mountain alone to pray; and when the evening came, he was there alone. 24. But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tosse…
barnesMatthew 14:22: "And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away."
And straightway Jesus constrained ... - See Mark 6:45-56 ; John 6:15-21 . The word "straightway" means immediately; that is, as soon as the fragments were gathered up. To "constrain" usually means to compel. It here means to command. There was no need of compulsion. They were at this time on the east side of the Lake of Gennesareth. He…
Jesus doesn't just dismiss the crowds; he compels his disciples to get into the boat. This wasn't just a suggestion; they were hesitant, likely unwilling to leave Jesus alone in a deserted place, but his command aimed to both disperse the people and prepare them for a miracle that would reveal His power when they felt most vulnerable.
Just after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, he sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he sends the crowds away. This separation, occurring as evening falls, is deliberate, setting the stage for Jesus' solitary prayer and the disciples' unexpected encounter with him on the stormy water later that night.
Just after Jesus miraculously fed thousands with a few loaves and fish, he sends his disciples across the Sea of Galilee while he sends the crowds away. This separation, occurring as evening falls, is deliberate, setting the stage for Jesus' solitary prayer and the disciples' unexpected encounter with him on the stormy water later that night.
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Later, Jesus comes walking on the water, but his disciples are terrified. Even Peter, who steps out to meet Jesus, begins to sink when the wind picks up. What went wrong?
The Perils of Distrust
This event isn't just about a dramatic storm; it's a profound lesson in faith and doubt. After seeing Jesus miraculously feed thousands, the disciples still struggled when faced with a contrary wind.
The Shock of the Unseen
Peter's Leap of Faith (and Doubt)
Peter's bold request to walk on water shows a desire to be closer to Jesus. Jesus' response, "Come," is an invitation to step out in faith.
This episode reminds us that true faith isn't about never feeling fear, but about fixing our eyes on Jesus, especially when the storms of life rage around us. When we falter, Jesus is still there to catch us.
c. AD 28
Disciples' boat battered by storm
While Jesus is praying, the disciples' boat is caught in a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, struggling against strong winds and waves.
c. AD 28
Jesus walks on water towards the disciples
In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus walks on the stormy sea towards the struggling boat, intending to pass by them.
"Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds." — Jesus doesn't just dismiss the crowds; he compels his disciples to get into the boat. This wasn't just a suggestion; they were hesitant, likely unwilling to leave Jesus alone in a deserted place, b…
