Matthew 14:1–36
14 At that time aHerod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
Recount of the Murder of John the Baptist
3 bFor Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 Because John had said to him, c“It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, dbecause they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head here on a platter.”
9 And 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. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Mark 6:31–44; Luke 9:11–17; John 6:1–13
13 eWhen 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. 14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He fwas moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick. 15 gWhen 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.”
16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
18 He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Then 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, hHe blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. 21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22 Immediately Jesus 1made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away. 23 iAnd when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. jNow when evening came, He was alone there. 24 But the boat was now 2in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw Him kwalking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, 3“Be of good lcheer! 4It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”
29 So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go
Mark 6:1–56
6 Then aHe went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him. 2 And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were bastonished, saying, c“Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands! 3 Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and dbrother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they ewere offended at Him.
4 But Jesus said to them, f“A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” 5 gNow He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. 6 And hHe marveled because of their unbelief. iThen He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
7 jAnd He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out ktwo by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits. 8 He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—9 but lto wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10 mAlso He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place. 11 nAnd 1whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, oshake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. 2Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
12 So they went out and preached that people should repent. 13 And they cast out many demons, pand anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
14 qNow King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore rthese powers are at work in him.”
15 sOthers said, “It is Elijah.”
And others said, “It is 3the Prophet, tor like one of the prophets.”
16 uBut when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, v“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19 Therefore Herodias 4held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod wfeared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he 5did many things, and heard him gladly.
21 xThen an opportune day came when Herod yon his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, z“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”
And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”
25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
Luke 9:1–17
Matt. 10:1–14; 14:1–14; Mark 6:7–16, 30–34
9 Then aHe called His twelve disciples together and bgave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 cHe sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 dAnd He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
4 e“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 fAnd whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, gshake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6 hSo they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
7 iNow Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” jSo he sought to see Him.
10 kAnd the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. lThen He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing.
Matt. 14:15–21; Mark 6:35–44; John 6:1–14
12 mWhen the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He nblessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were 1filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.