Matthew 14:1-21

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus

2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”

3For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

4Because John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

6But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”

9And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.

10So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.

11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

13When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

14And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

15When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food.”

16But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18He said, “Bring them here to Me.”

19Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

20So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.

21Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.