Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

On the phrase “on a mountainside,” see comment on 5:1–2. The burden of Jesus’ prayer is not revealed; but it is possible that the crowd’s attempts to make him king prompted him to seek his Father’s face. The boat was out toward the middle of the lake, and the wind was likely coming out of the west as they were trying to run toward that shore.