New Testament in a Year – Matthew 14

By Ron

January 18, 2024

Matthew, New Testament

John the Baptist Beheaded - Matthew 14:1-12

What powerful political figure heard about all the things Christ was doing? (14:1)
What explanation did Herod have for the miracles Christ was doing? (14:2)
What had Herod done to John the Baptist? (14:3)
Why did Herod put John in prison? (14:3)
For what reason had John been rebuking Herod? (14:4)
How did Herod react to John’s reprimand? (14:5)
Why didn’t Herod act on his wishes? (14:5)
What happened on Herod’s birthday? (14:6-7)
What promise did Herod make to the daughter of Herodias? (14:7)
Who was behind the plot to murder John? (14:8)
How did Herod feel when he realized he’d been tricked? (14:9)
Why did Herod carry out the execution of John? (14:9)
What happened in the aftermath of John’s execution? (14:12)

What can you do to strengthen yourself against peer pressure this week?
What reminder can help you refrain from making foolish promises in coming weeks?
What can you do this week to respond to some correction you recently received?

How did Jesus respond to the death of John the Baptist? (14:13)
Who came looking for Jesus? Why? (14:13)
Who met Jesus at the shore? (14:14)
What did Jesus do for the people that came to see Him? (14:14)
What happened when it started getting dark? (14:15)
What did the disciples want Jesus to tell the crowds? Why? (14:15)
How did Jesus respond to the disciples’ suggestion? (14:16)
What did Jesus tell the disciples to do for the crowds? (14:16)
How did the disciples react to Jesus’ unusual request? (14:17)
After having the crowd sit on the grass, what did Jesus do? (14:19)
How much food did Jesus begin with? (14:19)
How was the food distributed? (14:19)
How much food was available to each person? (14:20)
How much food was left over? (14:20)
How large a crowd was fed? (14:21)

What gift, ability, or resource (no matter how insignificant) will you give to God today so that he can bless it and multiply it?
To what quiet place will you go this week for a couple of hours to get away from your busyness, review your priorities, and let God renew your spirit?
How can you minister to someone in need today?

After feeding the crowd of five thousand people, what instructions did Jesus give His disciples? (14:22)
Where did Jesus go after He dismissed the crowd? Why? (14:23)
What did Jesus do on the mountain? (14:23)
Where were the disciples when evening came? (14:24)
What conditions were the disciples encountering? (14:24)
What miracle did Christ perform? (14:25)
How did the disciples react to what they saw? (14:26)
How did Jesus try to calm the disciples’ fears? (14:27)
What did Peter ask Jesus to do? (14:28)
How did Jesus respond to Peter’s request? (14:29)
What happened to Peter as he made his way toward Jesus? (14:29-30)
What did Jesus do and say when Peter got in trouble? (14:31)
What was the consensus reaction to this amazing sequence of events? (14:33)
What happened when Jesus and His disciples arrived at their destination? (14:35-36)

What specific step could you take this week to improve your devotional life?
In what practical way can you demonstrate faith as you go through the coming week?
What step of trust do you need to take today?
What will help you remember to keep your eyes on Jesus and off your fears?