Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 14:23

"And after he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone." — Matthew 14:23 (ASV)

And when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Dr. Watts was right in saying to his Lord: "Cold mountains, and the midnight air
Witnessed the fervor of your prayer."

He is not now on the bare mountain side, but he is engaged in the same holy exercise up there before his Father's throne.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Now that the crowd is gone, he can take his rest, and he finds it in prayer. He went up into a mountain apart: in a place where he might speak aloud, and not be overheard or disturbed, he communed with the Father alone. This was his refreshment and his delight.

He continued in this until the thickest shades of night had gathered, and the day was gone. "Alone," yet not alone, he drank in new strength as he communed with his Father.

He must have revealed this private matter to the recording evangelist, and surely it was with the intent that we should learn from his example. We cannot afford to be always in company, since even our blessed Lord felt that he must be alone.

Now that the crowd is gone, He can take His rest and He finds it in prayer. He went up into a mountain apart, in a place where He might speak aloud and not be overheard or disturbed; He communed with the Father alone.

This was His refreshment and His delight. He continued in it until the thickest shades of night had gathered and the day was gone. “Alone,” yet not alone, He drank in new strength as He communed with His Father. He must have revealed this private matter to the recording evangelist, and surely it was with the intent that we should learn from His example.

We cannot afford to be always in company, since even our blessed Lord felt that He must be alone.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray:

He had had a long day of preaching, and healing, and distributing the bread and fish, and now he closed the day with prayer to his Father.