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Matthew points out that Jesus told his disciples to go away in the boat while he dismissed the crowds who had experienced the miracle of receiving food from Jesus. I wonder what ideas would have gone through the minds of the disciples when he did this. Maybe they assumed that they were going on another retreat, in which they would spend time alone with Jesus. After all, just before the feeding of the 5000 he had taken them away from the crowds in order that they would find out more about him. Maybe they did not even think there was an unusual reason. After all, travelling by boat was a common method of transport for them. Sent away by Jesus (14:22) Jesus sends his disciples away on a journey. At first glance we might assume that there is nothing significant about his instruction. Yet we must pay attention to the fact that Matthew was guided by the Holy Spirit to include that piece of information. As we look at the verse, we can see at least three details worth o...

--> This incident is one of the few that are recorded in each of the Four Gospels. This fact in itself tells us that it is a very important one. Each Gospel writer has his own concerns when mentioning it. John gives most details and he also includes subsequent developments in the attitude of the crowd. There is a place for combining the accounts and having an overall appreciation of what took place. Yet there is also a place for focussing on what each writer mentions. So, we will consider what Matthew records about this incident. Jesus and time with God (Matthew 14:13) Matthew records the response of Jesus to the news that his forerunner John the Baptist had been put to death by Herod. His response was to go away from the crowds for a short time. His disciples went with him (John 6:1-3), but that would not have prevented Jesus from spending time by himself once he was away from the crowds. According to other Gospel accounts, one reason for him making this arrangem...