Matthew 14:23
And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
Despite the disciples immediately being sent away and Jesus being alone, it's crucial to note that Jesus sends the crowds away after sending his disciples off. This deliberate sequence highlights Jesus's strategic management of his mission, creating space for private communion with the Father before facing further demands.
Right after feeding thousands with just a few loaves, Jesus sends his disciples onto the sea while he dismisses the crowds. He then retreats alone to a mountain to pray as night falls, a moment of solitude with his Father before the disciples face a dangerous storm and he performs the astonishing act of walking on water to reach them.
In a world constantly buzzing with activity, Jesus deliberately sought out solitude. What can we learn from His example of intentional aloneness?
After a demanding ministry, Jesus didn't seek rest or further crowds. Instead, He prioritized solitude to connect with His Father.
Why Solitude?
Jesus knew a storm was brewing – not just in the sky, but in the hearts of His disciples. How does prayer prepare us for future challenges?
Jesus' prayer wasn't a general request for peace; it was specific and anticipatory. He was praying for His disciples, knowing the turmoil they were about to face.
Praying for Others:
Understand the original words
oros · Greek Noun
A private, solitary place set apart from the noise and demands of the world. In the Bible, mountains are frequently locations of divine encounter, communion with God, and significant revelatory moments.
proseuchomai · Greek Verb
The act of verbal communication with God, involving adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. It is the primary means by which believers align their hearts with God's will and seek His intervention.
opsia · Greek Noun/Adjective
A period of time marking the conclusion of the day or the beginning of the night cycle. In Scripture, it often symbolizes transitions, periods of reflection, or the approach of spiritual darkness.
Jesus' decision to pray alone on the mountain, separate from his disciples and the crowds, highlights his intentional practice of seeking solitude for communion with God, even amidst significant public ministry and upcoming divine interventions.
c. AD 28-30
Jesus' Galilean Ministry
This period saw Jesus teaching, healing, and gathering disciples throughout Galilee, a region under Roman occupation.
c. AD 29— this verse
Feeding of the Five Thousand
Jesus miraculously fed a large crowd, an event that led many to want to make him a king, prompting his withdrawal.
c. AD 29
Jesus Sends Disciples to Sea
Immediately after the feeding miracle, Jesus compelled his disciples to set sail across the Sea of Galilee, while he dismissed the crowds.
c. AD 29
Jesus Prays Alone on Mountain
After sending the crowds away, Jesus retreated to a mountain to pray alone as evening fell, seeking communion with his Father.
c. AD 29
Elijah sought God's presence in a solitary, quiet place after a stressful encounter, highlighting the need for divine communion away from the crowds and chaos.
Mark 1:35Jesus himself got up very early in the morning, while it was still dark, and went out to a solitary place, where he prayed, demonstrating that even He, the Son of God, prioritized seeking the Father in solitude.
Luke 5:16This passage explicitly states Jesus 'often withdrew to lonely places and prayed,' reinforcing the pattern of seeking private communion with God, even amidst His busy ministry.
Psalm 16:11This Psalm speaks of 'fullness of joy' and 'pleasures at Your right hand forevermore,' reflecting the deep spiritual satisfaction and communion Jesus likely experienced in His solitary prayer time with the Father.
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…
bensonMatthew 14:23: "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."
Matthew 14:23 . When he had sent the multitudes away — As well as his disciples, and was now alone, he went up into a mountain apart — Though Christ had so much to do with and for others, yet he chose sometimes to be alone; and those are not his followers who are averse to solitude, and out of their element when they have none to converse with,…
Despite the disciples immediately being sent away and Jesus being alone, it's crucial to note that Jesus sends the crowds away after sending his disciples off. This deliberate sequence highlights Jesus's strategic management of his mission, creating space for private communion with the Father before facing further demands.
Right after feeding thousands with just a few loaves, Jesus sends his disciples onto the sea while he dismisses the crowds. He then retreats alone to a mountain to pray as night falls, a moment of solitude with his Father before the disciples face a dangerous storm and he performs the astonishing act of walking on water to reach them.
Right after feeding thousands with just a few loaves, Jesus sends his disciples onto the sea while he dismisses the crowds. He then retreats alone to a mountain to pray as night falls, a moment of solitude with his Father before the disciples face a dangerous storm and he performs the astonishing act of walking on water to reach them.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Matthew 14:23 is available in the Sola app.
Disciples Battling Storm
While Jesus prayed, his disciples' boat was tossed by strong winds on the Sea of Galilee, causing them great distress.
c. AD 29
Jesus Walks on Water
In the pre-dawn hours, Jesus walked on the stormy sea to join his disciples, an act that initially terrified them.
"And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone," — Despite the disciples immediately being sent away and Jesus being alone, it's crucial to note that Jesus sends the crowds away after sending his disciples off. This deliberate sequence highlights…
