matthew-14:22-36-web

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:22

Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship - Either they were afraid to return into the jurisdiction of Herod, or they were unwilling to embark without their Lord and Protector, and would not enter their boat till Christ had commanded them to embark. From this verse it appears that Christ gave some advices to the multitudes after the departure of his disciples, which he did not wish them to hear. Unto the other side - Towards Capernaum, Matthew 14:34 . John 6:16 , John... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:23

He went up into a mountain apart, to pray - He whom God has employed in a work of mercy had need to return, by prayer, as speedily, to his Maker, as he can, lest he should be tempted to value himself on account of that in which he has no merit - for the good that is done upon earth, the Lord doth it alone. Some make this part of our Lord's conduct emblematic of the spirit and practice of prayer, and observe that the proper dispositions and circumstances for praying well are: Retirement... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:24

Tossed with waves - Grievously agitated. This is the proper meaning of the word βασανιζομενον : but one MS. reads βαπτιζομενον , plunged under the waves, frequently covered with them; the waves often breaking over the vessel. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:25

The fourth watch - Anciently the Jews divided the night into three watches, consisting of four hours each. The first watch is mentioned, Lamentations 2:19 ; : the second, Judges 7:19 ; and the third, Exodus 14:24 ; but a fourth watch is not mentioned in any part of the Old Testament. This division the Romans had introduced in Judea, as also the custom of dividing the day into twelve hours: see John 11:9 . The first watch began at six o'clock in the evening, and continued till nine;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:26

It is a spirit - That the spirits of the dead might and did appear, was a doctrine held by the greatest and holiest of men that ever existed; and a doctrine which the caviliers, free-thinkers and bound-thinkers, of different ages, have never been able to disprove. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:27

It is I; be not afraid - Nothing but this voice of Christ could, in such circumstances, have given courage and comfort to his disciples: those who are grievously tossed with difficulties and temptations require a similar manifestation of his power and goodness. When he proclaims himself in the soul, all sorrow, and fear, and sin are at an end. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:28

Bid me come unto thee on the water - A weak faith is always wishing for signs and miracles. To take Christ at his word, argues not only the perfection of faith, but also the highest exercise of sound reason. He is to be credited on his own word, because he is the Truth, and therefore can neither lie nor deceive. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:29

Peter - walked on the water - However impossible the thing commanded by Christ may appear, it is certain he will give power to accomplish it to those who receive his word by faith; but we must take care never to put Christ's power to the proof for the gratification of a vain curiosity; or even for the strengthening of our faith, when the ordinary means for doing that are within our reach. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:30

When he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid - It was by faith in the power of Christ he was upheld; when that faith failed, by which the laws of gravitation were suspended, no wonder that those laws returned to their wonted action, and that he began to sink. It was not the violence of the winds, nor the raging of the waves, which endangered his life, but his littleness of faith. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:31

Jesus stretched forth his hand - Every moment we stand in need of Christ: while we stand - we are upheld by his power only; and when we are falling, or have fallen, we can be saved only by his mercy. Let us always take care that we do not consider so much the danger to which we are exposed, as the power of Christ by which we are to be upheld; and then our mountain is likely to stand strong. read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:22

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:23

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:24

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:25

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:26

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:27

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:28

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:29

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:30

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Matthew 14:31

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