Matthew 14:13 — Community Reflections

MATTHEW 14:13 — KING JAMES VERSION 0

“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.”

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. Jesus' response to the news of John's death is withdrawal — the same strategic withdrawal as in Matthew 12:15. The desolate place communicates the need for solitude in the face of the forerunner's death. The crowd that followed on foot communicates the impossibility of the withdrawal: the people's need will not allow for private grief.

Church Fathers on Matthew 14:13

The Saviour having heard the death of His baptist, retired into the desert; as it follows, 'which when Jesus had heard, he departed thence by ship into a desert place.'
Gloss (Glossa Ordinaria) · medieval compilation · ap. Anselm

This the Evangelist relates to have been done immediately after the passion of John, therefore after this were those things done that were spoken of above, and moved Herod to say, 'This is John.' For we must suppose those things to have been after his death which report carried to Herod, and which moved him to doubt who he could be concerning whom he heard such things; for himself had put John to death.
Augustine · 4th century · De Cons. Ev., ii, 45

He did not retire into the desert through fear of death, as some suppose, but in mercy to His enemies, that they might not add murder to murder; putting off His death till the day of His passion; on which day the lamb is to be slain as the sacrament, and the posts of them that believe to be sprinkled with the blood.
Jerome · 4th century

Read all 8 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain

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