Matthew 14

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” For Herod had seized John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Though Herod wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod. So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given. He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. John’s disciples came, took the body, and buried him. Then they went and told Jesus. When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there by boat to a deserted place in private. When the crowds heard, they followed him on foot from the towns. When he came ashore, he saw a large crowd, had compassion on them, and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place, and it is already late. Send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have only five loaves and two fish here.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, spoke a blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds. They all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve full baskets of leftover pieces. Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children. Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. The boat was already far from land, battered by the waves, for the wind was against it. About three in the morning, he came toward them, walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were alarmed and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” He said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came to Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. Beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, caught him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. Those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” After crossing over, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout the surrounding region and brought him all who were ill. They begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were made well.

Rights and attribution