Matthew 14:23

Into a mountain. That is, into the hills above the lake. On the northeastern shore of Galilee the hills rise rapidly.

To pray. See on Mark 1:35; 3:13. Here in the hills Jesus spent several hours (see DA 379), never, however, losing sight of the disciples upon the lake (see DA 381). Upon this occasion His prayer was twofold in purpose, first, for Himself, that He might know how to make the true purpose of His mission clear to men, and second, for His disciples in their hour of disappointment and testing (see on Matt. 14:24).

Evening. This was the so-called “second evening,” from about sunset till dark (see on Mark 6:34), in contrast with the so-called “first evening,” from the decline of the sun, about the middle of the afternoon, till sunset. It was almost dark when the disciples finally set out on the lake (see DA 380).

He was there alone. Not merely in a physical sense. Jesus was “alone” also in the sense that not even His disciples understood Him. In the silence of the hills, and under the starry vault of heaven, Jesus held communion with His Father (see on Mark 1:35).