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.
All Commentaries on Matthew 14:23 Go To Matthew 14
Theophylact of Ochrid
AD 1107
He went up on the mountain to show that we should pray in an undistracted manner; everything He did was for our sake as He Himself had no need of prayer. He prayed on into the evening, teaching us not to cease praying after a short time, and also to pray especially at night, for it is very quiet then. He permits the disciples to be caught in a storm, so that they might learn to endure trials bravely and know His power. The boat was out in the very middle of the sea so that their fear would be greater.
