When
they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick, and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
Matthew 14:34-36
Matthew 14 [31.] Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”
Matthew 14 [34.] When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region, and brought to him all who were sick, and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
Matthew 15 [1.] Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem, saying, “Why do your disciples disobey the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.”
Meaning:
After the night on the stormy sea, when Jesus walked on the water and the disciples worshiped him as the Son of God (Matthew 14:32-33), the boat reached land. Matthew closes the chapter with a short summary of what happened next. It is a scene of crowds, eager faith and widespread healing.
- “They came to the land of Gennesaret”
Gennesaret was a small, fertile plain on the northwest shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Magdala. The lake itself was sometimes called the Lake of Gennesaret. The area was well populated, with fishing villages and farms. Mark adds that they “moored to the shore” there (Mark 6:53). The disciples had set out for the other side, but the wind had been against them, and they landed here.
- “When the people of that place recognized him”
Jesus was well known in the towns around the lake. As soon as people recognized him, they did not keep the news to themselves. They sent word throughout the surrounding region and brought their sick to him. Mark describes them carrying the sick “on their mats” and laying them “in the marketplaces” wherever Jesus went (Mark 6:55-56). Earlier, crowds had “pressed on him that they might touch him” (Mark 3:10). This is a picture of a community bringing its needy to Jesus.
- “That they might just touch the fringe of his garment”
The PIB footnote explains that “fringe” may be translated “tassel.” God had commanded Israel to wear tassels on the corners of their garments, “that you may look on it, and remember all Yahweh’s commandments, and do them” (Numbers 15:39). As a faithful Jew, Jesus wore them. Some readers have also connected the corners of the garment, sometimes called “wings”, with the promise of Malachi: “But to you who fear my name shall the sun of righteousness arise with healing in its wings” (Malachi 4:2).
The people were probably remembering what had happened to the woman who had been bleeding for twelve years. She came behind Jesus and “touched the fringe of his garment”, saying within herself, “If I just touch his garment, I will be made well” (Matthew 9:20-21; Mark 5:28-29). She was healed. The story had spread, and others now asked for the same.
- “As many as touched it were made whole”
No one who came was turned away. Matthew does not say that some were healed and others were not; all who touched were made whole. The power was not in the cloth or the tassel, but in Jesus. Their touch was an act of faith in him. Unlike the Pharisees who would soon come to criticize him over tradition (Matthew 15:1-5), these ordinary people simply came to him in need.
The Significance of Matthew 14:34-36
- Bringing others to Jesus
The people of Gennesaret sent word throughout the region and carried the sick to Jesus. We cannot heal anyone, but we can bring people to the one who can, through prayer, invitation and practical help.
- Faith that reaches out
They asked only to touch the edge of his garment. Faith does not need to be impressive; it needs to reach out to Jesus. Even a small, humble act of trust can bring a person into contact with his power and grace.
- The same Lord today
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The compassion that welcomed every sick person in Gennesaret is still his today.
Cross-References:
Mark 6:56: "and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well." Mark’s parallel account.
Numbers 15:39: "that you may look on it, and remember all Yahweh’s commandments, and do them;" The meaning of the tassels.
Mark 5:28: "If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well." The faith of the woman who touched him.
Conclusion: When Jesus and his disciples landed at Gennesaret, the people recognized him and brought all their sick to him from the whole region. They begged to touch just the fringe of his garment, and all who touched it were made whole. The passage shows the compassion and power of Jesus, the value of bringing others to him, and the simple faith that reaches out to him in need.
PIB Scriptures are derived from the World English Bible