Matthew 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.

And {G2532} when he had sent {G630} the multitudes {G3793} away {G630}, he went up {G305} into {G1519} a mountain {G3735} apart {G2596}{G2398} to pray {G4336}: and {G1161} when the evening {G3798} was come {G1096}, he was {G2258} there {G1563} alone {G3441}.

After he had sent the crowds away, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night came on, and he was there alone.

After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,

And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone.

Commentary

Context of Matthew 14:23

Matthew 14:23 finds Jesus immediately after one of His most famous miracles: the feeding of the five thousand with five loaves and two fish. This extraordinary event had just concluded, leaving the crowds astonished and likely eager to make Jesus a king by force (John 6:15). In response to this overwhelming public attention and the physical and emotional demands of ministry, Jesus takes deliberate action to withdraw. He sends the multitudes away and dispatches His disciples ahead of Him by boat, creating a necessary space for private communion with God.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Priority of Prayer: Despite His divine nature and immense power, Jesus consistently demonstrated a profound reliance on His Father through prayer. This verse highlights that even after a great public success and exhausting ministry, His immediate priority was to seek solitude and pray. It underscores prayer not as an option, but as essential for spiritual strength and guidance.
  • The Need for Solitude: Jesus' withdrawal "into a mountain apart" emphasizes the importance of intentional solitude for spiritual refreshment and focus. In a world full of distractions and demands, this act models the necessity of stepping away from the noise to connect deeply with God. This practice was a consistent pattern for Jesus throughout His ministry.
  • Humility and Dependence: By seeking the Father in prayer after such a triumph, Jesus demonstrates profound humility and dependence on God rather than relying on His own power or the adulation of the crowds. It shows that true spiritual leadership flows from a deep relationship with God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "went up into a mountain apart" uses the Greek phrase kat' idian (κατ' ἰδίαν), which literally means "according to private" or "privately." This emphasizes Jesus' deliberate and personal withdrawal. It wasn't merely a change of location, but an intentional seeking of isolation for the specific purpose of prayer, away from the demands of the crowds and even His disciples.

Practical Application

Matthew 14:23 offers a powerful model for believers today. In our busy lives, often filled with demands from work, family, and social obligations, it is easy to neglect personal time with God. Jesus' example teaches us:

  • Prioritize Spiritual Refreshment: Just as Jesus withdrew, we too need to intentionally create space for prayer and reflection, especially after periods of intense activity or service.
  • Seek Solitude with God: Finding a quiet place and time to be alone with God is crucial for spiritual growth, hearing His voice, and finding peace.
  • Depend on God, Not Self: This verse reminds us that true strength and effectiveness in ministry and life come from dependence on God, not from our own abilities or accomplishments.

This moment of solitude also precedes the dramatic event of Jesus walking on the water to His disciples, highlighting how periods of deep communion with God often precede powerful demonstrations of His presence and power in our lives.

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Cross-References

  • Luke 6:12 (12 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

  • Mark 6:46 (7 votes)

    And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray.

  • John 6:15 (6 votes)

    ¶ When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

  • John 6:17 (6 votes)

    And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

  • Matthew 6:6 (6 votes)

    But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

  • Matthew 26:36 (6 votes)

    ¶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

  • Acts 6:4 (5 votes)

    But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.