Mark 6:7–44

7 And he summoned the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. 8 And he commanded them that they take along nothing for the journey except only a staff—no bread, no traveler’s bag, no money in theirb belts—9 but to put on sandals and not to wear two tunics. 10 And he said to them, “Whenever you enter into a house, stay there until you depart from there. 11 And whatever place does not welcome you or listen to you, as you* go out from there, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” 12 And they went out and* proclaimed that people* should repent. 13 And they were expelling many demons and anointing many sick people with olive oil and healing them.*

Herod Kills John the Baptist

14 And King Herod heard it,* because his name had become known. And they were saying, “John, the one who baptizes, has been raised from the dead, and because of this these miraculous powers are at work in him.” 15 But others were saying, “He is Elijah,” and others were saying, “He is a prophet like one of the prophets.” 16 But when* Herod heard it,* he said, “John whom I beheaded—this one has been raised!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and* arrested John and bound him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her. 18 For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not permitted for you to have your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias held a grudge against him and was wanting to kill him, and was not able to do so. 20 For Herod was afraid of John, because he* knew him to be a righteous and holy man and protected him. And when he* listened to him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he listened to him gladly. 21 And a suitable day came when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his courtiers and military tribunes and the most prominent men of Galilee. 22 And whenc the daughter of Herodias herselfd came in and danced and pleasede Herod and ⌊his dinner guests⌋,f the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I will give it* to you.” 23 And he swore to her,g “Anything whatever you ask me for I will give you, up to half my kingdom!” 24 And she went out and* said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the baptizer.” 25 And she came in immediately with haste to the king and* asked, saying, “I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter immediately.” 26 And although he* was deeply grieved, the king, because of hish oaths and ⌊dinner guests⌋,i did not want to refuse her. 27 And immediately the king sent an executioner and* ordered him* to bring his head. And he went and* beheaded him in the prison. 28 And he brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 And when* his disciples heard this,* they came and took away his corpse and placed it in a tomb.

The Feeding of Five Thousand

30 And the apostles regathered to Jesus and reported to him everything that they had done and that they had taught. 31 And he said to them, “You yourselves come privately to an isolated place and rest for a short time.” For those who were coming and going were many, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 And they went away in the boat to an isolated place by themselves. 33 And many people saw them leaving and recognized them,* and ran there together by land from all the towns, and arrived ahead of them. 34 And getting out of the boat* he saw the large crowd and had compassion on them, because they were like sheep ⌊without⌋j a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35 And the hour had already become late when* his disciples came up to him, saying, “The place is desolate and the hour is already late. 36 Send them away so that they can go into the surrounding farms and villages and* purchase something to eat for themselves.” 37 But he answered and* said to them, “You give them something* to eat.” And they said to him, “Should we go and* purchase bread for two hundred denarii and give it* to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they* found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” 39 And he ordered them all to recline in groups on the green grass. 40 And they reclined in groups, by hundreds and by fifties. 41 And taking the five loaves and the two fish and* looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves and gave them* to his disciples so that they could set them* before them. And he distributed the two fish to them all. 42 And they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And they picked up the broken pieces, twelve baskets full, and of the fish. 44 And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.