Bread on the Hillside
After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, Matthew 14:23 · Berean Standard Bible
After sending everyone away, Jesus went up a mountain alone to pray. Even the Son of God needed time alone with the Father.
If Jesus prioritized solitary prayer after an exhausting day, how much more do you need it? Make space to be alone with God.
Matthew describes Jesus' retreat into prayer.
This quiet moment between two miracles shows us the source of Jesus' strength. Before He walks on water, He kneels in prayer.
Jesus' solitary ascent to the mountain for prayer (proseuxasthai) echoes Moses on Sinai. The phrase kat' idian ('by Himself') and monos ('alone') emphasize His complete isolation for communion with the Father.
Mountain prayer is a recurring Matthean motif (5:1; 14:23; 17:1; 28:16). Evening (opsias genomenes) marks the second evening reference, indicating the passage into deep night.
The narrator describes Jesus' solitary retreat to pray.
After the intensity of the miracle and the crowds, Jesus seeks the Father in solitude. This prayer time prepares Him for what comes next.
21About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.
22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
23After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
24but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.
Read all of Matthew 14 — A king's guilty banquet ends with a prophet's head on a platter. Hours later, Jesus feeds thousands and walks on water through the night.
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