V.1-2 Herod, the Roman Provincial Governor, was able to say correct things about the political affairs of Israel, but he did not know the truth of spiritual matters.
V.3-12 A true picture of the heart of an unsaved person. Herod puts his own glory first. Then he rids himself of the man (John) who gave him a bad conscience. A good conscience makes us calm and quiet. Herod’s bad conscience kept reminding him of John whom he had murdered. The works of Jesus made Herod think that John was risen from the dead, and the thought filled him with terror.
V.13-14 What a contrast with the tender heart of Jesus. Herod was a murderer, Jesus was a healer.
V.15-21 The third view of hearts — the disciples. They had not learned much from Jesus. “Send the people away,” say His disciples. “Bring them ... to me,” Jesus responds. The disciples were looking at the problem, not at the Person.
V.22-33 Beautiful instruction as to the works of the Lord Jesus in heaven now. First, He sustained Peter on the water — that is like the work the Lord Jesus is doing in heaven as our great High Priest. He is praying for us and keeping us in communion with God (Heb. 4:1414Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. (Hebrews 4:14)). He is praying for us and keeping us in communion with God (Hebrews 7:25; 9:2425Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
24For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us: (Hebrews 9:24)). But when Peter sinks because he sees the waves and is afraid, the Lord immediately is beside him, and lifts him up. This illustrates the second work, and that is, the Lord Jesus as our Advocate. He acts as such when we sin or fail (1 John 2:11And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there: (John 2:1)). The Lord Jesus now in heaven is both our High Priest (keeping us in communion) and Advocate (when we sin). The word “advocate” means “one who pleads for another” — like a lawyer.