Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 14:35

"And when the men of that place knew him, they sent into all that region round about, and brought unto him all that were sick," — Matthew 14:35 (ASV)

Gennesaret was the fertile plain on the northwest side of the lake. The crowds’ instant recognition of Jesus showed the extent of his ministry; again, word-of-mouth reports led to crowds (cf. 4:24). Like the woman with the hemorrhage (9:20–22), the people were satisfied if only they could touch the edge of his cloak (v.36); even that degree of faith brought thorough healing.

This little section does three things: (1) it again stresses the sweeping extent of Jesus’ public ministry (cf. 4:23–25; 8:16; 9:35–36); (2) it shows that Jesus’ ministry extended to all the people, though his close disciples had special access to him and his more intimate instruction; and (3) because the stricter groups (e.g., the Pharisees and Essenes) counted it an abomination to rub shoulders in a crowd—one never knew what ceremonial uncleanness one might contract— Jesus’ unconcern about such things neatly sets the stage for the confrontation over clean and unclean in 15:1–20.