THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MATTHEW - Chapter 14 - Verse 22
Verse 22,23. And straightway Jesus constrained, etc. See
Mr 6:45-56; Joh 6:16-21. The word straightway means immediately;
that is, as soon as the fragments were gathered up. To constrain,
means to compel. It here means to command. There was no need
of compulsion. They were at this time on the east side of the lake of
Gennesaret. He directed them to get into a ship, and cross over
to the other side; that is, to Capernaum. Mark adds that he sent
them to Bethsaida, Mr 6:45. Bethsaida was situated at the place
where the Jordan empties into the lake, on the east side of the river.
It is probable that he directed them to go in a ship or boat to
Bethsaida, and remain there till he should dismiss the people, and
that he would meet them there, and with them cross the lake. The effect
of the miracle on the multitudes was so great, Joh 6:14,16 that they
believed him to be that Prophet which should come into the world; that
is, the Messiah, the King that they had expected, and they were
about to take him by force and make him a king. To avoid this, Jesus got
away from them as privately as possible, he went into a solitary mountain
alone. In view of the temptation—when human honours were offered to him,
and almost forced upon him—he retired for private prayer;—an example
for all who are pressed with human honours and applause. Nothing is
better to keep the mind humble and unambitious, than to seek some lonely
place; to shut out the world, with all its honours; to realize that
the great God, before whom all creatures and all honours sink to
nothing, is round about us; and to ask him to keep us from pride
and vain glory.