Matthew 14:34 kjv
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:34 nkjv
When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:34 niv
When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:34 esv
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:34 nlt
After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret.
Matthew 14 34 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mk 6:53 | And when they had passed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret... | Parallel account of their arrival. |
| Jn 6:21 | Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land... | Similar instantaneous arrival after a sea miracle. |
| Mat 14:35-36 | And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out... | Immediate consequence: widespread healings in Gennesaret. |
| Mk 6:54-56 | And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him... | Parallel: People recognized Jesus immediately. |
| Mat 4:13 | ...leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum... | Jesus' move to a central ministry hub. |
| Mat 4:23 | And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching... and healing... | General ministry in Galilee, including Gennesaret. |
| Mat 8:1 | When he was come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. | Jesus' movements often led to large crowds. |
| Mat 9:1 | ...he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. | Previous instance of crossing and arriving for ministry. |
| Mat 11:23 | And thou, Capernaum... shalt be brought down to hell... | Refers to another significant Galilean town near Gennesaret. |
| Lk 5:1 | ...he stood by the lake of Gennesaret... | Refers to the Lake of Gennesaret/Galilee. |
| Jn 21:1 | After these things Jesus showed himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias... | Post-resurrection appearance at the same sea. |
| Ex 14:22 | And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea on the dry ground... | God's power over waters for His people's journey. |
| Psa 107:29 | He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still. | God's control over storms, echoing Mat 14:32. |
| Isa 43:2 | When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee... | God's presence and guidance in journey. |
| Deut 8:7 | For the LORD thy God bringeth thee into a good land... | Promise of arrival in a land of provision. |
| Jos 1:3 | Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon... have I given unto you... | God directs geographical movements. |
| Acts 10:38 | ...who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed... | Echoes Jesus' ministry of healing after arrival. |
| Acts 13:30 | ...they filled the boat and came to shore. | Apostles also engaged in sea travel for ministry. |
| Heb 4:1 | Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest... | Entering into a "land" or rest is a biblical theme. |
| Jer 1:7-8 | But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth.’ For to all to whom I send you, you shall go... | Divine sending and going where directed. |
| Ez 20:6 | In that day I lifted up my hand unto them, to bring them forth of the land of Egypt into a land that I had espied... | God's direction in bringing His people to a promised land. |
| Mat 9:35 | And Jesus went about all the cities and villages... | General pattern of Jesus moving for ministry. |
Matthew 14 verses
Matthew 14 34 Meaning
Matthew 14:34 describes the geographical culmination of Jesus' and the disciples' miraculous sea crossing. After experiencing Jesus' divine power during the walking on water incident and the calming of the storm, they arrived at a familiar and significant location—the fertile plain of Gennesaret on the western shore of the Sea of Galilee. This seemingly simple statement marks a transitional point, signaling the completion of their intense night journey and setting the immediate stage for further public ministry and miraculous healings. Their arrival was not random but part of the unfolding divine plan, bringing them to a place known for its populace and thus ripe for continued teaching and demonstration of God's power.
Matthew 14 34 Context
Matthew chapter 14 describes a significant series of events preceding verse 34. It begins with John the Baptist's execution (14:1-12), followed by Jesus' withdrawal, which leads to the miraculous feeding of over five thousand (14:13-21). Immediately after this, Jesus sends His disciples by boat across the Sea of Galilee while He goes to pray on a mountain (14:22-23). During the fourth watch of the night, while the disciples struggle against a strong wind, Jesus walks on water to them (14:24-27). Peter attempts to walk on water, falters, and is saved by Jesus (14:28-31). Following Peter's rescue, they re-enter the boat, and the wind ceases, leading to the disciples worshipping Jesus and acknowledging His divinity (14:32-33). Verse 34 then simply states their successful arrival at their destination.
Historically, Gennesaret was a renowned, crescent-shaped plain on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee. It was famous for its rich soil, abundant water, and exceptional fertility, yielding multiple crops annually. This made it a densely populated area with many villages and towns, distinct from the rugged hills that often characterized other parts of Galilee. This region was a major hub for fishing and agriculture, providing sustenance for the local population. Culturally, the people of Gennesaret would have been a mix of simple Galilean folk, deeply rooted in their land and often very responsive to prophetic figures, but also influenced by surrounding Hellenistic cultures. The choice of Gennesaret as a landing place was strategically significant for Jesus' ministry due to its dense population, offering broad access to people needing teaching and healing.
Matthew 14 34 Word analysis
- And (καὶ, kai): A common connective, signifying a continuation or consequence. Here, it links their arrival to the preceding event of the sea journey and Jesus walking on water, suggesting the seamless flow of events within God's providence.
- when they were gone over (διελθόντες, dielthontes): From dierchomai, meaning "to go through," "to cross over." It emphasizes the completion of their transit across the water. This verbal participle indicates an action completed prior to their arrival, highlighting the end of their difficult sea journey. It implies passage through an obstacle or journey, a fitting description given the storm they just endured.
- they came (ἦλθον, ēlthon): Aorist indicative of erchomai, meaning "to come," "to arrive." It simply states their physical arrival at the specified destination, an unembellished fact.
- into the land (τὴν γῆν, tēn gēn): Literally "the land" or "the earth." In this context, it refers specifically to the land region, as opposed to the water they just departed. It underscores the transition from the treacherous sea to solid ground.
- of Gennesaret (Γεννησαρέτ, Gennēsaret): A proper noun identifying the specific geographic region. The name likely means "garden of the prince" or "valley of gardens" and points to its well-known fertility. Its significance lies in its reputation as a densely populated and fertile area, an ideal place for public ministry where many people could gather and receive healing, as the subsequent verses indeed show.
Matthew 14 34 Bonus section
The phrase "land of Gennesaret" subtly communicates the concept of a purposeful landing zone for Jesus' continuing ministry. It wasn't just any land; it was a strategically important region in Galilee, a primary center of His public work, contrasting with the wilderness settings where He often performed miracles of provision. The swift transition from the supernatural calmness on the sea to the receptive populousness of Gennesaret underscores Jesus' unceasing commitment to His mission. His journeys were never idle wanderings but divinely appointed movements to specific places for specific purposes, demonstrating His kingdom-building through teaching, healing, and demonstrating power to receptive audiences. This constant motion for the sake of the Gospel is a pattern throughout Jesus' ministry.
Matthew 14 34 Commentary
Matthew 14:34 serves as a simple yet vital geographical anchor, signifying the immediate post-miracle destination for Jesus and His disciples. After witnessing Jesus' absolute authority over creation by walking on water and calming a tempest, their arrival in Gennesaret confirms the completion of their challenging sea voyage and the Lord's providential guidance. This location was not arbitrary; Gennesaret was a renowned, densely populated, and fertile plain, setting the stage for the outpouring of Jesus' healing power described immediately afterwards. The very next verses detail how the news of Jesus' presence quickly spread, leading to a massive healing outreach, demonstrating that every move Jesus made had purpose—to proclaim the kingdom and offer restoration. This simple verse thus highlights the Lord's divine direction even in seemingly mundane travel logistics, showing how His journeys are always purposed for the manifestation of His glory and grace.