Bible Strands
Matthew 14:13
When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Jesus acts after John the Baptist’s disciples bury his body and report the event. The crowd intercepts His private boat journey and follows on foot from nearby towns.
The words — Ἀκούσας (Akousas) literally means “having heard,” marking the immediate trigger for His departure. ἀνεχώρησεν (anechōrēsen) denotes a deliberate withdrawal or departure from that specific location.
The thread — This sequence of Jesus withdrawing after a major event and being followed by crowds runs in Luke 9:10 and Matthew 12:15. Matthew 14:1 also records Herod hearing reports about Jesus, showing how information spreads rapidly through the narrative.
Why it lands — The text states that Jesus attempted private retreat after hearing of John’s death, but the crowd’s pursuit forced Him to shift to compassion and healing. Interpreters observe that the narrative uses this tension to show divine purpose adapting to human presence without abandoning its mission.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Luke 9:10 Then the apostles returned and reported to Jesus all that they had done. Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida.
- Matthew 14:1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
- Matthew 12:15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them all,
- Mark 6:30 Meanwhile, the apostles gathered around Jesus and brought Him news of all they had done and taught.
- John 6:1 After this, Jesus crossed to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias).
- Matthew 10:23 When they persecute you in one town, flee to the next. Truly I tell you, you will not reach all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
- Matthew 15:32 Then Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I have compassion for this crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”