The Beheading of John

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus ² and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work^* in him.”

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, ⁴ because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.

⁶ On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced^* before them and pleased Herod ⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give to 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 grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted ¹⁰ and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.

¹¹ John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

¹² Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

¹³ When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

¹⁵ When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. ¹⁹ And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on Water

²² Immediately^* Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. ²³ After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, ²⁴ but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. ²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage!^* It is I. Do not be afraid.”

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

²⁹ “Come,” said Jesus.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the strength^* of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped^* Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Jesus Heals at Gennesaret

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him ³⁶ and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.