Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:22

"And straightway he constrained the disciples to enter into the boat, and to go before him unto the other side, till he should send the multitudes away." — Matthew 14:22 (ASV)

Immediately is a business word. Jesus loses no time. No sooner is the banquet over than He sends off the guests to their homes. While they are well fed, He urges them to go home promptly. He who made the multitude sit down was also able to send the multitude away, but they needed sending, for they were reluctant to go.

The sea must be crossed again, or Jesus cannot find seclusion. How He must run the gauntlet—to get a little rest!

Before He starts again across the sea, He performs another act of self-denial, for He cannot leave until He sees the crowd happily dispersed. He attends to that business Himself, giving the disciples the opportunity to depart in peace. As the captain is the last to leave the ship, so is the Lord the last to leave the scene of labor.

The disciples would have chosen to stay in His company and to enjoy the thanks of the people, but He constrained them to get into a ship. He could not get anyone to go away from Him at this time without sending and constraining. This magnet has great attractions.

He evidently promised His disciples that He would follow them, for the words are, “to go before Him to the other side.” How He was to follow He did not say, but He could always find a way of keeping His appointments. How considerate of Him to wait among the crowd while the disciples sailed away in peace. He always takes the heavy end of the load Himself.

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.

Immediately is a business word: Jesus loses no time. No sooner is the banquet over than he sends off the guests to their homes.

While they are well fed, he tells them to make the best of their way home. He who made the multitude sit down was also able to send the multitude away, but they needed sending, for they were reluctant to go. The sea must be crossed again, or Jesus cannot find seclusion.

How he must run the gauntlet to get a little rest! Before he starts again across the sea, he performs another act of self-denial, for he cannot leave until he sees the crowd happily dispersed.

He attends to that business himself, giving the disciples the opportunity to depart in peace. As the captain is the last to leave the ship, so is the Lord the last to leave the scene of labour. The disciples would have chosen to stay in his company and to enjoy the thanks of the people, but he constrained them to get into a ship.

He could not get anyone to go away from him at this time without sending and constraining. This lodestone has great attractions.

He evidently promised his disciples that he would follow them, for the words are, to go before him unto the other side. How he was to follow he did not say, but he could always find a way of keeping his appointments. How considerate of him to wait amid the throng while the disciples sailed away in peace! He always takes the heavy end of the load himself.