Chapter
Verse

Matthew 14:22

ESV Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
NIV Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd.
NASB Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.
CSB Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
NLT Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home.
KJV And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
NKJV Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.

What does Matthew 14:22 mean?

Jesus has just performed the astounding miracle of feeding five thousand men plus women and children from five loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:13–21). John's telling of that event ends with Jesus realizing the people "were about to come and take him by force to make him king" (John 6:15). That's likely why this verse begins with the word "immediately." Jesus knew He had not come to take the earthly throne of Israel at this time, so He acts quickly to send the disciples away and send the crowds home.

Matthew uses a forceful Greek word here, ēnankasen, which can be literally translated as "compelled" or even "forced," translated by the ESV as "made." This is a commanding order: Jesus urgently sent the disciples away in the boat with apparent instructions to meet Him on the other side. One reason is that He wanted time alone, truly by Himself, to go up on a nearby mountain to spend time in prayer.
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