Chapter 14

John the Baptist Beheaded

1 aAt that 1time bHerod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, “aThis is John the Baptist; 1he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 For when aHerod had John arrested, he bound him and put him bin prison because of cHerodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

4 For John had been saying to him, “aIt is not lawful for you to have her.”

5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded 1John as aa prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of aHerodias danced 1before them and pleased bHerod,

7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

8 Having been prompted by her mother, she * said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

9 Although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of 1his dinner guests.

10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

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

12 His disciples came and took away the body and buried 1it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Five Thousand Fed

13 aNow when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a secluded place by Himself; and when the 1people heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

14 When He went 1ashore, He asaw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and bhealed their sick.

15 When it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already 1late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!”

17 They * said to Him, “We have here only afive loaves and two fish.”

18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”

19 Ordering the 1people to 2sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He ablessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds,

20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full abaskets.

21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 aImmediately He 1made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.

23 After He had sent the crowds away, aHe went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.

24 But the boat was already 1a long distance from the land, 2battered by the waves; for the wind was 3acontrary.

25 And in athe 1fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea.

26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is aa ghost!” And they cried out 1in fear.

27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “aTake courage, it is I; bdo not be afraid.”

28 Peter said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.”

29 And He said, “Come!” And Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and * said to him, “aYou of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 When they got into the boat, the wind stopped.

33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are certainly aGod’s Son!”

34 aWhen they had crossed over, they came to land at bGennesaret.

35 And when the men of that place 1recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick;

36 and they implored Him that they might just touch athe fringe of His cloak; and as many as btouched it were cured.