Matthew 14:8-36

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 1his 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 2it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

133Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the 4people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14When He went 5ashore, He 6saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and 7healed their sick.

15When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already 8late; 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 9five loaves and two fish.” 18And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19Ordering the 10people to 11sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He 12blessed 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 13baskets. 21There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

2214Immediately He 15made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23After He had sent the crowds away, 16He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24But the boat was already 17a long distance from the land, 18battered by the waves; for the wind was 1920contrary. 25And in 21the 22fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is 23a ghost!” And they cried out 24in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “25Take courage, it is I; 26do not be afraid.”

28Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “27You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly 28God’s Son!”

3429When they had crossed over, they came to land at 30Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place 31recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36and they implored Him that they might just touch 32the fringe of His cloak; and as many as 33touched it were cured.