Matthew 14:1-21

11At that 2time 3Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2and said to his servants, “4This is John the Baptist; 5he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3For when 6Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him 7in prison because of 8Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4For John had been saying to him, “9It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded 10John as 11a prophet.

6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of 12Herodias danced 13before them and pleased 14Herod, 7so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of 15his dinner guests. 10He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12His disciples came and took away the body and buried 16it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

1317Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the 18people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14When He went 19ashore, He 20saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and 21healed their sick.

15When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already 22late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17They said to Him, “We have here only 23five loaves and two fish.” 18And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19Ordering the 24people to 25sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He 26blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full 27baskets. 21There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.