Matthew 14

John the Baptist Beheaded

112At that time 34Herod 5the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2and said to his servants, “6This is John the Baptist; he himself has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3For when 7Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him 8in prison because of 9Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4For John had been saying to him, “10It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded 11John as 12a prophet.

6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of 13Herodias danced 14before them and pleased 15Herod, 7so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8And after being prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths and 16his dinner guests. 10He sent word 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. 1217John’s disciples came and took away the body and buried 18it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Five Thousand Men Fed

1319Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the 20people heard about this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14When He came 21ashore, He 22saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and 23healed their sick.

15Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is secluded and the hour is already past to eat; send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go; you give them something to eat!” 17They said to Him, “We have nothing here except 24five loaves and two fish.” 18And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19And ordering the crowds to 25sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looked 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, and 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.

Jesus Walks on the Water

2228Immediately afterward He compelled the disciples to get into the boat and to go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23After He had sent the crowds away, 29He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24But the boat was already 30a long distance from the land, 31battered by the waves; for the wind was 3233contrary. 25And in 34the 35fourth 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 36a ghost!” And they cried out 37in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “38Take courage, 39it is I; 40do not be afraid.”

28Peter responded and said to Him, “Lord, if 41it 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 when he began to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31Immediately Jesus reached out with His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “42You 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 truly 43God’s Son!”

3444When they had crossed over, they came to land at 45Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place 46recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick; 36and they pleaded with Him that they might just touch 47the 48border of His cloak; and all who 49touched it were cured.