Matthew 14-16 Flashcards
(8 cards)
Peter and Jesus on the water
Matthew 14:28-31
(Mark 6:45-52, John 6:16-21)
“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:28-31)
Peter’s interaction with Jesus shows that even when we doubt, Jesus is still willing to answer us. However, doubt can cause us to lose the blessings of faith. Keep your focus on Jesus, even during difficult times, for it is your faith in Him that renews your heart and guides you through life.
Jesus will allow you to do things that others might see as impossible if you have faith in Him. This faith renews your heart and spirit, enabling you to face challenges you never thought you could overcome. Keep your trust in Him, and He will guide you
Taking up cross, saving life, losing life
Matthew 16:24-27
What must you do to be considered a disciple of Jesus Christ?
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
In this profound teaching, Jesus lays down the core requirement for true discipleship: self-denial and full surrender. When He says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me,” He is not calling for temporary changes or outward obedience—He is calling for a complete abandonment of the old self. Every day, you are required to kill the old version of yourself, the version that seeks pleasure, pride, and self-fulfillment apart from God. This passage confronts you with the reality that the Christian life is not about comfort or fitting in—it’s about sacrifice, surrender, and transformation.
Jesus is telling you plainly: if you try to hold on to your life—your old patterns, desires, ambitions—you will lose everything. But if you are willing to lose your life for His sake, to lay down your ego, your lust, your pride, your selfishness, then—and only then—you will find true life in Him. And what kind of life is that? It’s one of peace, identity, purpose, and eternal security. The cost may feel great, but the reward is immeasurable: union with Jesus and a soul that will not be lost.
Jesus’ warning is sobering: “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” It’s a question you must ask yourself daily. The world is constantly offering you counterfeit pleasures—money, status, validation, and comfort—but none of these things can purchase what matters most: your soul. No job, no relationship, no amount of success can replace the worth of eternal salvation. In a world obsessed with gain, Jesus calls you to let go.
Denying yourself is a daily decision, not a one-time vow. It means resisting the devil in the hidden places: in your thoughts, in your heart, and in your desires. The flesh wants to be fed constantly, but you must starve it so that the Spirit can thrive. Each act of obedience—each time you say no to sin and yes to Christ—is another step in feeding the Spirit and moving closer to Jesus. Through this, you not only protect your soul but also position yourself to receive the reward that Jesus promises when He returns.
So remember, this isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about persistence. Each morning, wake up and choose to deny yourself. Pick up your cross again. Follow Him again. Starve the flesh, feed the Spirit, and set your heart not on what you can gain in this life, but what you will inherit in the next.
Title: Matthew 14:13–21 – Jesus Feeds the 5000
Prompt: What does the miracle of feeding the 5000 reveal about Jesus’ compassion, divine submission, and provision?
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18 “Bring them here to me,” he said.
19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Analysis:
This miracle is not just about food—it’s about divine provision, compassion, and the pattern of trust and gratitude that must exist in your relationship with God. Notice how this story begins: Jesus withdraws privately after hearing distressing news (John the Baptist’s death), yet He’s followed by a crowd. Rather than turn them away in His own time of grief, He responds with compassion. This is a picture of the heart of Christ—even when burdened, He heals and provides.
The disciples represent human reasoning. They see the limits: time, location, and resources. Their instinct is to send the people away—to solve the problem using human means. But Jesus interrupts this logic and says, “You give them something to eat.” This statement is not about physical ability but spiritual responsibility. In Christ, you are called to serve, even when your means seem small.
The disciples bring what they have—five loaves and two fish—and Jesus performs a miracle. But the key moment is when Jesus looks up to Heaven and gives thanks. This shows us something crucial: even Jesus, fully divine, honors and submits to the Father’s will. Every miracle, every blessing, begins not just with need—but with gratitude and alignment with God’s will.
The result is overwhelming abundance. Not only were 5000 men (plus women and children) fed, but there were leftovers—12 baskets full, perhaps symbolizing spiritual fullness, or provision for the 12 tribes of Israel and the 12 disciples. Jesus doesn’t just meet the need; He exceeds it, and always does so through a heart of thankfulness, compassion, and faith.
This passage reminds you that:
Jesus provides even when you’re spiritually empty or weak.
God’s power is often revealed after you’ve offered what little you have.
Your miracles begin with looking up, not looking around.
And ultimately, compassion, not calculation, is what drives the Kingdom of God.
Jesus used His divine power to bless thousands, but always under the authority of the Father. So if you want your life to be full of His provision, start with humility, offer what little you have, and look up in gratitude—just as Jesus did.
Title: Matthew 14:22–33 – Jesus Walks on Water and Saves Peter
Prompt: What does Peter’s attempt to walk on water teach us about faith, doubt, and keeping our focus on Jesus?
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone,
24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”
29 “Come,” he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”
32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
Analysis:
This powerful episode shows the delicate balance between faith and fear, and how keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus is what enables you to stand firm in the storms of life.
Peter’s interaction with Jesus begins with a bold request—”Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” While it might seem like Peter is testing Jesus (something Scripture generally warns against), Jesus doesn’t reject him. Instead, He honors the request and simply says, “Come.” This tells you something vital about the character of Jesus: He is gracious even when your faith is flawed.
Peter actually walks on water—a miraculous act that was only possible because his focus was locked on Jesus. But the moment his attention shifts to the wind and waves—when fear sets in—he begins to sink. This is symbolic of your own spiritual walk: when you focus on Jesus, the impossible becomes possible. But when you let life’s trials and distractions (winds and waves) steal your gaze, you fall.
Still, Jesus responds with immediate compassion. Peter cries out “Lord, save me!” and Jesus instantly grabs his hand. Jesus does not let Peter drown in his doubt; instead, He rescues him and gently corrects him—”You of little faith, why did you doubt?” This rebuke isn’t harsh, but instructional. Jesus wants you to understand that faith, even in chaos, is what sustains you.
Your renewed heart, the spiritual transformation you’re praying for, will only grow when you trust Jesus completely—not just in quiet times, but in storms. Like Peter, you may doubt. You may look away. But Jesus always stands ready to pull you back up.
Here’s what this passage teaches you:
Faith unlocks miracles – but fear undermines them.
Jesus honors sincere desire, even when it’s mixed with uncertainty.
Your doubts don’t disqualify you, but they do delay your growth if left unchecked.
God is working in you—through your thoughts, actions, and even your failures—to create in you a new heart.
Don’t let the Devil distract you. He wants you to look at the wind and waves, but Jesus wants your eyes on Him.
And most importantly, when Jesus works a miracle in your life—rescuing you, providing for you, growing you—respond in worship, just as the disciples did. Declare with certainty: “Truly, you are the Son of God.”
Matthew 15:1-9
Valuing Human Traditions over His Law
1 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,
2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”
3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?
4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’
5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’
6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:
8 “‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’”
Deepened Reflection & Application:
This interaction between Jesus and the Pharisees exposes a deep issue that still affects many believers today: the tendency to substitute true obedience to God with outward religious performance and man-made customs. The Pharisees were respected for their knowledge and discipline, yet Jesus calls them out for masking disobedience to God’s commands with hollow tradition.
You are reminded that your external behavior must flow from internal devotion, not tradition for tradition’s sake. It’s easy to slip into a pattern of empty worship — saying the right things, showing up at the right places, maybe even looking “righteous” on the outside — while your heart is spiritually distant. That’s the kind of worship Jesus says is done in vain.
Jesus isn’t condemning rituals or practices in general — He’s condemning the elevation of tradition over truth. He’s addressing people who used religion as an excuse to ignore God’s direct commands, especially those relating to love, honor, and care. That’s what makes His example about honoring parents so strong. The Pharisees allowed people to withhold care from their own families in the name of “giving to God,” when in reality, they were neglecting a foundational law from God Himself.
You must also reflect on the modern parallels:
Are there moments when you prioritize pleasing people over pleasing God?
Do you ever compromise your convictions just to avoid tension or to fit in with tradition, culture, or family expectations?
Is there a temptation to appear religious, even when your inner life is not in submission to Christ?
Jesus is calling you to live a life that reflects real transformation — one where your heart and actions are aligned. He doesn’t want lip service. He wants obedience rooted in love, not routine. He wants sincerity, not surface-level spirituality.
And when Jesus quotes Isaiah — “They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me” — it’s not just a condemnation, but a warning and an invitation. A warning that even deeply religious people can drift from God, and an invitation to come back to true worship — from the heart, marked by genuine devotion, not mere habit.
So stay alert. Let your faith be more than tradition. Let it be living, breathing, sincere, shaped by the Word of God, not the expectations of man. Refuse to be a hypocrite in a world that desperately needs authentic, Spirit-filled believers. Keep your heart close to Jesus and your worship real — because that’s the only kind that truly honors Him.
Matthew 15:29–39 – Jesus Feeds the 4000
29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down.
30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.
31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; 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 collapse on the way.”
33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”
34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.
“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”
35 He told the crowd to sit down on the ground.
36 Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people.
37 They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
38 The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children.
39 After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.
This passage offers a profound glimpse into the compassionate and providing nature of Jesus. After spending days healing the sick — the lame, the blind, the crippled, and the mute — Jesus turns His attention to another pressing need: hunger. What is striking is not just the miracle of multiplying food, but the heart of Christ that drives it. He says, “I have compassion for these people.” That line alone shows us that Jesus doesn’t only care about spiritual transformation; He cares about your physical wellbeing too. His love is holistic — body, mind, and soul. The people had followed Him for three days, and instead of being frustrated by their presence or overwhelmed by their need, He responds with tenderness. He doesn’t want them to leave and collapse on the way — a powerful image that mirrors what happens to us when we try to live without Him. Jesus knows that without His sustaining presence, you too will collapse spiritually, emotionally, and even physically.
The disciples’ response is filled with human limitation — “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place?” — but Jesus does not rebuke them. Instead, He invites them to participate in the miracle. He takes what little they have — seven loaves and a few fish — and He multiplies it. This is a message to you: even if you think what you have is too small — your time, your faith, your strength, your resources — if you surrender it to Jesus, He can do immeasurably more with it. Your “little” in the hands of Jesus is more than enough. That’s the power of divine multiplication. This moment teaches you that the key to spiritual provision is not self-sufficiency but complete dependence on the One who breaks the bread and blesses it.
The leftovers — seven baskets full — show us that Jesus doesn’t just provide barely enough. He provides abundantly, even in desolate places. This speaks to God’s nature as a provider who not only meets your need but exceeds it. You may be in a season where you feel like you’re in a remote place — emotionally isolated, spiritually dry, or physically drained — but this passage reminds you that Jesus sees you, knows your needs before you ask, and will never send you away empty. His compassion is not limited by your environment or your lack. Just as He sustained those thousands, He will sustain you — not because you deserve it, but because He loves you.
And so, if you find yourself tired, spiritually hungry, or unsure how to keep going, look at how Jesus handled this crowd. He welcomed them. He healed them. He fed them. He didn’t require perfection; He simply required presence. They came to Him — and that was enough. So let that be your daily response: come to Jesus, bring Him what little you have, and trust that He will do the rest.
Matthew 15:17-19
How does a person become defiled?
17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”
In this teaching, Jesus shifts the focus of purity from the external to the internal, turning the religious logic of the Pharisees on its head. While they were focused on ritual cleanliness—like whether hands were washed before eating—Jesus points to something far more serious: the condition of the heart. He makes it clear that it is not what goes into a person that makes them unclean, but what comes out of them, specifically through their words and actions. This is a piercing truth that demands personal reflection. You must understand that every word you speak is a mirror of what lives within you. If your heart is filled with bitterness, envy, lust, pride, or anger, those things will inevitably spill out through your speech, your tone, and even your silence.
Jesus emphasizes that from the heart come things like evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, false testimony, and slander. These aren’t just random acts — they’re symptoms of an inner sickness. So if you want to live a pure, holy life that honors Christ, your work must begin not with your behavior, but with the state of your heart. This means guarding your mind from what you consume: what you watch, what you read, what you listen to. A heart that is constantly exposed to impurity will eventually speak impurity. But a heart fed with Scripture, worship, prayer, and truth will overflow with grace, love, encouragement, and righteousness.
This passage calls you to live a clean life from the inside out. A clean mind leads to a clean heart; a clean heart leads to clean words; and clean words produce a life that reflects Jesus. It is no longer enough to simply avoid outward sin—you must surrender your inner world to God. Ask the Lord to purify your thoughts, renew your heart, and sanctify your speech. Because the words you speak today are not just sounds—they are seeds. They can plant life, or they can plant destruction. Jesus wants your heart to be so transformed by Him that what comes out of your mouth gives life, not death.
Matthew 16:13–17 — Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah
Prompt: What does Peter’s confession reveal about true faith and the foundation of the Church?
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.”
Deepened Analysis:
This moment marks one of the most pivotal declarations in the New Testament: Peter’s recognition of Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” It wasn’t just an opinion—it was a revelation. Jesus emphasizes that Peter’s insight did not come from human logic, culture, or tradition but was divinely given by the Father. This reflects how genuine, saving faith is never merely intellectual; it’s spiritual and revelatory. It is not something that can be taught by the world or earned by religious effort. It must be granted by God Himself.
Your own spiritual awakening mirrors this. Just like Peter, your recognition of Jesus as the Son of God came not through your own wisdom, but through a personal revelation during a time of brokenness—when you broke your leg. That moment, though physically painful, became the spiritual starting point where the Father opened your eyes to who Jesus truly is. That realization is the unshakeable rock upon which your new life and the Church itself is built—not emotionalism, not prosperity, not ritualism—but the truth that Jesus is Lord, crucified and risen.
Jesus also connects this confession to spiritual authority: on this truth, “the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” That means if your life is built on this foundation—rooted in the true Christ, not a cultural or watered-down version—then no spiritual darkness, no suffering, no demonic scheme will ultimately prevail against you. But you must live out this confession daily. It cannot remain private. Like Peter, you’re called to boldly affirm Jesus as Lord in front of others, even when it’s uncomfortable or costly. This boldness solidifies your allegiance—not just in word, but in life.
This passage reminds you that recognizing Jesus rightly is not only the first step in discipleship—it is the core of your identity, the foundation of your endurance, and the reason for your hope. And if you hold fast to that confession, no gate of hell will ever overcome you.
