And the apostles coming together unto Jesus, related to him all things that they had done and taught.
και συναγονται οι αποστολοι προς τον ιησουν και απηγγειλαν αυτω παντα και οσα εποιησαν και οσα εδιδαξαν
7 Church Fathers comment on this verse
Following their preaching, the apostles came together with Jesus. This serves as an important reminder for us; when we are appointed to any ministry, we should refrain from seeking our own glory or acting independently from Him who has called us. Instead, we must acknowledge Him as our leader, turn to Him, and share with Him everything we have accomplished and taught. We are called not only to proclaim but also to enact His teachings.
The disciples of Christ rejoined Him prior to the third Passover. During their time away, the followers of John the Baptist approached Him with the news of their leader’s passing. Concurrently, the idea began circulating that John had been resurrected in Jesus, indicating that John had indeed met his end. Herod, the governor of Galilee, was unsure whether to believe this but expressed a desire to understand Jesus better.
The initial three Gospel writers link the relocation of Jesus Christ to the eastern shore of the sea with the announcement made by John the Baptist’s disciples regarding their teacher's martyrdom (Mt. 12-13). This event coincides with the return of the twelve apostles from their mission, as they, alongside Christ, were in need of a retreat for rest (Mk.). Additionally, it relates to the reports concerning Jesus circulating in Herod's court and Herod's desire to meet Him (Lk. 9-10). Consequently, both Christ's disciples, fatigued from their travels, and Christ Himself, who was continually thronged by crowds, were in search of seclusion.
However, the news of John the Baptist's death, together with Herod's intent to see Jesus, compelled the Lord to seek refuge on the eastern side of the sea, in the territory governed by tetrarch Philip (see Luke 3:1), who was the only son of Herod the Great and remembered fondly by the people.
As per Luke, the desolate area where Jesus and His followers withdrew was situated near Bethsaida. Given the context of preceding and ensuing accounts, the reference must pertain to the crossing over to the eastern part of the sea; thus, it indicates Bethsaida located in the eastern direction—Bethsaida-Julia, near the confluence of the Jordan River and the Sea of Galilee, named by tetrarch Philip in honor of Julia, the daughter of Caesar Augustus. Therefore, the phrase used by the Evangelist John: πέραν τῆς θαλάσσης τῆς Γαλιλαίας τῆς Τιβεριάδος indicates that two designations refer to the same body of water. The latter name symbolizes the shore specifically associated with Tiberias, which the Hebrew term was likely employed due to Jesus and the apostles embarking from this coastline; this is further supported by verse 23 which notes that the following day, other vessels (cf. v. 22) arrived from Tiberias to the site of the miraculous feeding of the multitude.
After the burial of John, his disciples approached Jesus to inform Him of their Master's passing. Simultaneously, the apostles arrived after completing their mission and shared with Him all that they had accomplished and taught. During this period, large crowds were gathering around Jesus, with many people coming and going, leaving little time for them to eat. The tragic news of the last prophet's brutal demise deeply affected Jesus, who often sought seclusion amidst overwhelming sorrow. Therefore, He desired to retreat to a quiet area. Additionally, His apostles had recently returned from various locations after fulfilling the task given to them.
It was essential for Him to speak with them in private, allowing them the chance to rest briefly from the hustle of the crowd so they could gather their thoughts and share with Him, the One who sent them, all they had done in His name. Consequently, Jesus withdrew with the apostles to an isolated location away from the multitude. The Evangelist Matthew notes that Jesus departed by boat to a secluded place (Matthew 14:3); the Evangelist Mark indicates that the apostles were instructed to go alone to a deserted area; while the Evangelist Luke states that Jesus took the apostles who had returned and went to a deserted place near a town called Bethsaida (Luke 9:10). When comparing the accounts from the three Evangelists, it becomes clear that Matthew’s reference to “One” and Mark’s use of “Alone” pertain to Jesus and the apostles being together without the surrounding people. However, Luke’s account illustrates that Jesus specifically withdrew with the apostles, indicating they left together and not separately; moreover, Mark’s narrative suggests that the crowd noticed their departure and pursued them on foot from all the towns—not after the apostles, but after Jesus, who had set sail with them.
During this time, the Apostles journeyed through the cities and towns designated for their mission, proclaiming the gospel widely and affirming their message through healings, exorcisms, and other remarkable acts. Their ministry was met with significant success, and upon their return, they joyfully reported their experiences to their Lord.
The account of the miraculous provision of food for 5,000 individuals using only five loaves (refer to Mt. 14:13-21). 'And the apostles gathered,' etc.: having come back from the ministry to which the Lord had commissioned them, as previously mentioned (see Mk. 6:7-13). Additionally, as the context of the narrative reveals, news reached the Lord regarding discussions about Him within Herod's palace, including how Herod and others perceived Him, as well as Herod's desire to meet Him (cf. Luke 9:7-10 and related passages). This period also includes the arrival of John's disciples to the Lord with news of his death (cf. Matt. 14:12-13).
All of these events prompted the Lord to set sail with His disciples to a quiet place, particularly because the crowds were pressing around them and preventing them from finding rest (v. 31), which was especially needed for the apostles who had returned from their preaching mission, while the Lord Himself sought solitude in light of the recent news He had received.
The apostles came back from their mission of preaching and shared with Christ the Savior everything they had declared and accomplished. After their strenuous efforts, they sought a moment of respite, yet the throngs who wished to hear and witness the Lord were so numerous that they scarcely had a moment even to eat. Jesus sent the disciples away to a lonely place, alone, desiring to accompany them. The immediate reason for this retreat was the news of the martyrdom of His Forerunner. Realizing that His hour had not yet arrived (John 7:5) and wishing to evade potential peril posed by Herod Antipas, the governor of Galilee, He chose to withdraw to the territories of His brother Philip, near Bethsaida.
This town was located on the northeastern shore of the Sea of Galilee, not far from where the Jordan River enters the lake, and was distinct from the Galilean village also named Bethsaida, which served as the home of the fishermen apostles. That second Bethsaida was referred to as Bethsaida of Julia, in honor of the daughter of the Roman emperor Augustus.
The boat carrying Jesus and the apostles made its way to the isolated region near this city. However, the people caught sight of their departure; many recognized them and spread the word. Those on foot from various towns raced along the shoreline, striving to catch up with the boat. Upon disembarking, Jesus was met by a vast crowd that had anticipated His arrival. Moved with compassion for them, for they resembled sheep without a shepherd, He began to teach them about the Kingdom of God and healed the afflicted among them. Afterward, He ascended the mountain with His disciples and took a seat, while the people continued to gather around Him. As time passed, evening approached.
Passages read together with this verse.
Greek text, 16 words with lemma, transliteration and Strong’s number. Tap to expand.
THEOSIS