Matthew 14
John the Baptist Is Beheaded by Herod Antipas (14:1–12)
1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead and therefore miracles occur by him.” 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. 4 (For John had said to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”) 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people because they considered John a prophet. 6 On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7 from which he agreed with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of the oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given. 10 And he sent soldiers and beheaded John in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. 12 And John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand People (14:13–21)
13 After Jesus heard, he withdrew by boat to a deserted place by itself, but the crowds heard and followed him on foot from the towns. 14 After Jesus went out and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it is getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go into the villages and buy food.” 16 But Jesus replied to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We only have five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 But he said, “Bring them here to me,” 19 and he directed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were filled, and the disciples picked up what was left of the remaining food: twelve basketfuls. 21 And the number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus and Peter Walk on the Sea of Galilee (14:22–36)
22 Immediately, Jesus asked the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When night came, he was there alone. 24 And the boat was already far away from land, pounded by the waves because the wind was against it. 25 Before dawn, Jesus went out to them and walked on the sea.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost,” and cried out in fear. 27 But Jesus immediately said to them, “Have confidence! It is I. Do not be afraid.” 28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.” 29 “Come,” he said, and when Peter got down out of the boat, he walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out and said, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and grabbed him. “O you of little trust,” he said, “Why did you doubt?” 32 When they climbed up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat bowed down to him, and said, “Truly you are the Son of God.” 34 After they crossed over, they came onto the land into Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent out the news to all the surrounding country, and they brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him that they only might touch the edge of his cloak. And all who touched it were healed.
