The time seemed just right to the leaders of the
people. Passover was now at hand. Why not
take Jesus to Jerusalem and make Him king;
He would then be claimed the Messiah, that
Israel had hoped for, for hundreds of years.

Jesus saw them talking to each other and saw
their admiration. But if they took Him by force
and made Him king, it would affect His purpose
for coming into the world.

Even His disciple seemed to share in the idea.
He had to do something so He told them to get
into the boat and go to Capernaum, (Matthew
14:22) before the leaders could continue their
plans.

He also broke up the crowd and sent them
home before it got dark. Then He went into
the mountain to pray.