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.

MATTHEW 14:13KJV
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Matthew 14:13 (KJV)

What does Matthew 14:13 mean?

Matthew 14:13 describes Jesus withdrawing by boat to a remote place after hearing news, but large crowds, learning where He went, followed Him on foot from the surrounding cities. The verse shows both Jesus seeking solitude and the people's eagerness to be near Him.

In this scene, Jesus has just received news—earlier in the chapter, it is the death of John the Baptist. Jesus chooses to leave the area by boat, heading to a quiet, uninhabited place. However, the crowds are so drawn to Him that they travel on foot from various cities to find Him, setting up the context for the following events where Jesus responds to their needs.

The Greek behind Matthew 14:13

  • ἔρημον (erēmon, "desert" or "desolate"): This word does not mean a sandy desert but rather a lonely, uninhabited place. It highlights Jesus’ desire for seclusion, not just escape from crowds.
  • κατ’ ἰδίαν (kat’ idian, "apart" or "by himself"): This phrase emphasizes that Jesus wanted to be alone or with just His closest followers, underlining His need for privacy or reflection after hearing difficult news.
  • ἀκούσας (akousas, "heard"): The Greek word here refers to Jesus hearing something significant, which in context is the report about John the Baptist’s death, giving weight to His decision to withdraw.

Why Matthew 14:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Jesus sometimes sought solitude, especially after emotionally heavy events, showing His human need for rest and reflection.
  • The eagerness of the crowds, who travel long distances on foot, highlights how much people desired Jesus’ presence and teaching, setting up the miraculous feeding that follows.
  • Understanding the setting helps explain why a large crowd would be gathered in a remote place, making the following miracle of feeding the five thousand more striking.

Where else these words appear

“foot” Greek G3979 · used in 2 verses

  • Mark 6:33 And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him.

“departed” Greek G402 · used in 14 verses

  • Matthew 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.
  • Matthew 4:12 Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee;
  • Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

“thence” Greek G1564 · used in 27 verses

  • Matthew 4:21 And going on from thence, he saw other two brethren, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father, mending their nets; and he called them.
  • Matthew 15:21 Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
  • Luke 9:4 And whatsoever house ye enter into, there abide, and thence depart.

“desert” Greek G2048 · used in 50 verses

  • Matthew 3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea,
  • Luke 1:80 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
  • John 11:54 Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and there continued with his disciples.