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NASB | Matthew 14:13 ¶ Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 14:13 ¶ When Jesus heard about John, He left there privately in a boat and went to a secluded place. But when the crowds heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. [Mark 6:32-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-13] |
Subject: Jesus' response to John's beheading? |
Bible Note: Greetings Mommapbs! Capturing the initial thought of that post that I had written a year and a half ago seems much more like a distant memory than anything else.. But at that time, it was fresh in my mind- and I will need to dwell on this verse to regain my train of thought.. In Matthew 14:13, concerning the crowds, it is interesting to note the difference of translation in this verse in the NASB.. For instance, the NASB indicates that Jesus was reacting to the news about John, while the crowds were reacting to the movements of Jesus; that is, that Jesus withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place.. And the reason for that interpretation: that the crowds were reacting to the movements of Jesus, after Jesus reacted to the news about John, is explained in verse 12: "His disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus." (see also Mark 6) John's disciples did not report John's death to the crowds of people, but only to Jesus. The context in any Bible version easily reveals that Jesus was reacting to John's death, and John's disciples reported to Jesus only. But as for the crowds, if we read the very same passage in the Amplified, KJV, ESV, or the NKJV, the direct objects for both Jesus and the crowds are the same; and therefore, the 'object' of which news that the crowd was actually reacting to remains a bit ambiguous in those translations. But the NASB and NIV seek to clear this matter up by saying: 'when the people heard of this' ('of this' italicized, meaning that those words were added for clarification) in the NASB, and- "When Jesus heard what happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns." [NIV] I believe that the interpretations set forth in the NASB and NIV are correct: that Jesus was reacting to the news of John's death while the crowds were reacting to the movement of Jesus, since they "followed Him on foot from the cities." I believe that the crowds were seeking Him out "because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and He began to teach them many things." (Mark 6:34) In conclusion, the crowd sought out Jesus simply to follow Jesus- they did not know of John's death, nor did they know what kind of effect John's death would have on Jesus and His ministry from that point forward. But Jesus, even while seeking solace in prayer, still rose to the occasion by having compassion on those who needed Him (Matt. 14:14; Mark 6:34) instead of insisting on solitude, which is something that we would do. When we are comfronted with news that pierces our soul, we naturally close up like clams and seek a place of solitude. But as for Jesus, even though He sought a secluded place after hearing such news, He was not able to find it (Mark 6:33) so that He could deal with it in prayer. But the real 'example' that I sought to point out was that even in his grief for John, Jesus still cared for the sick and fed the hungry, feeling compassion on those who 'were like sheep without a shepherd.' Blessings to you, Makarios |