Chapter 14
1 At that time , Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus ,
2 and said to his servants , " This is John the Baptiser. 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 amongst 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 Baptiser."
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 worshipped 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 recognised 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 .