14Matthew 14

The Death of John the Baptist

1At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus.Select Matthew 14:1

2“He is really John the Baptist, who has come back to life,” he told his officials. “That is why he has this power to perform miracles.”Select Matthew 14:2

3For Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him tied up and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.Select Matthew 14:3

4For some time John the Baptist had told Herod, “It isn't right for you to be married to Herodias!”Select Matthew 14:4

5Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.Select Matthew 14:5

6On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleasedSelect Matthew 14:6

7that he promised her, “I swear that I will give you anything you ask for!”Select Matthew 14:7

8At her mother's suggestion she asked him, “Give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a plate!”Select Matthew 14:8

9The king was sad, but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests he gave orders that her wish be granted.Select Matthew 14:9

10So he had John beheaded in prison.Select Matthew 14:10

11The head was brought in on a plate and given to the girl, who took it to her mother.Select Matthew 14:11

12John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.Select Matthew 14:12

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

13When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, and so they left their towns and followed him by land.Select Matthew 14:13

14Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick.Select Matthew 14:14

15That evening his disciples came to him and said, “It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away and let them go to the villages to buy food for themselves.”Select Matthew 14:15

16“They don't have to leave,” answered Jesus. “You yourselves give them something to eat!”Select Matthew 14:16

17“All we have here are five loaves and two fish,” they replied.Select Matthew 14:17

18“Then bring them here to me,” Jesus said.Select Matthew 14:18

19He ordered the people to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.Select Matthew 14:19

20Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over.Select Matthew 14:20

21The number of men who ate was about five thousand, not counting the women and children.Select Matthew 14:21

Jesus Walks on the Water

22Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away.Select Matthew 14:22

23After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone;Select Matthew 14:23

24and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.Select Matthew 14:24

25Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water.Select Matthew 14:25

26When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It's a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear.Select Matthew 14:26

27Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!”Select Matthew 14:27

28Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.”Select Matthew 14:28

29“Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus.Select Matthew 14:29

30But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.Select Matthew 14:30

31At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”Select Matthew 14:31

32They both got into the boat, and the wind died down.Select Matthew 14:32

33Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.Select Matthew 14:33

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret,Select Matthew 14:34

35where the people recognized Jesus. So they sent for the sick people in all the surrounding country and brought them to Jesus.Select Matthew 14:35

36They begged him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.Select Matthew 14:36