1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard
the report concerning Jesus,
2 and said to his servants, “This is John
the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead.
That is why these powers work in him.”
3 For Herod had arrested John, bound
him, and put him in prison for the sake of
Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said to him, “It is not lawful for
you to have her.”
5 When he would have put him to death,
he feared the multitude, because they
counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the
daughter of Herodias danced among them
and pleased Herod.
7 Therefore he promised with an oath to
give her whatever she should ask.
8 She, being prompted by her mother,
said, “Give me here on a platter the head
of John the Baptizer.”
9 The king was grieved, but for the sake
of his oaths and of those who sat at the
table with him, he commanded it to be
given,
10 and he sent and beheaded John in the
prison.
11 His head was brought on a platter and
given to the young lady; and she brought it
to her mother.
12 His disciples came, took the body, and
buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew
from there in a boat to a deserted
place apart. When the multitudes heard it,
they followed him on foot from the cities.
14 Jesus went out, and he saw a great
multitude. He had compassion on them
and healed their sick.
15 When evening had come, his disciples
came to him, saying, “This place is deserted,
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 don’t
need to go away. You give them something
to eat.”
17 They told him, “We only have here five
loaves and two fish.”
18 He said, “Bring them here to me.”
19 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, broke and gave the
loaves to the disciples; and the disciples
gave to the multitudes.
20 They all ate and were filled. They
took up twelve baskets full of that which
remained left over from the broken pieces.
21 Those who ate were about five thousand
men, in addition to women and children.
22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples
get into the boat and go ahead of him to
the other side, while he sent the multitudes
away.
23 After he had sent the multitudes away,
he went up into the mountain by himself
to pray. When evening had come, he was
there alone.
24 But the boat was now in the middle
of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the
wind was contrary.
25 In the fourth watch of the night,† Jesus
came to them, walking on the sea.*
26 When the disciples saw him walking
on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s
a ghost!” and they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them,
saying, “Cheer up! It is I! ‡ Don’t be afraid.”
28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if
it is you, command me to come to you on
the waters.”
29 He said, “Come!”
Peter stepped down from the boat and
walked on the waters to come to Jesus.
30 But when he saw that the wind was
strong, he was afraid, and beginning to
sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his
hand, took hold of him, and said to him,
“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 When they got up into the boat, the
wind ceased.
33 Those who were in the boat came and
worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the
Son of God!”
34 When they had crossed over, they
came to the land of Gennesaret.
35 When the people of that place recognized
him, they sent into all that surrounding
region and brought to him all who
were sick;
36 and they begged him that they might
just touch the fringe§ of his garment. As
many as touched it were made whole.
Share this post