Matthew 14

Present Response to Jesus

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus2 and said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.

Recount of the Murder of John the Baptist

3 For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips wife.4 Because John had said to him, It is not lawful for you to have her.5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.6 But when Herods birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.8 So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, Give me John the Baptists head here on a platter.9 And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 So he sent and had John beheaded in prison.11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.12 Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds 5,000

13 When Jesus heard it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, they followed Him on foot from the cities.14 And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.15 When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, This is a deserted place, 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 do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.17 And they said to Him, We have here only five loaves and two fish.18 He said, Bring them here to Me.19 Then 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 and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.20 So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.21 Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on Water

22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a ghost! And they cried out for fear.27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.28 And Peter answered Him and said, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.29 So He said, Come. And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me!31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.33 Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God.

Jesus Heals Many

34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.35 And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were sick,36 and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.

MATTHEW 14

The Death //of John the Baptist

(Mark 6.14-29; Luke 9.7-9)

1 About this time Herod the rulert heard the news about Jesus

2 and told his officials, “This is John the Baptist! He has come back from death, and that's why he has the power to work these miracles.”
3-4  t Herod had earlier arrested John and had him chained and put in prison. He did this because John had told him, “It isn't right for you to take Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip.”

5 Herod wanted to kill John. But the people thought John was a prophet, and Herod was afraid of what they might do.
6 When Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. She pleased Herod 7 so much he swore to give her whatever she wanted.

8 But the girl's mother told her to say, “Here on a serving plate I want the head of John the Baptist!”
9 Herod was sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. So he ordered a guard 10 to go to the prison and cut off John's head. 11 It was taken on a serving plate to the girl, and she gave it to her mother.

12 John's followers took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

(Mark 6.30-44; Luke 9.10-17; John 6.1-14)

14 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd. He felt sorry for them and healed everyone who was sick.

15 That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it's already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They don't have to leave. Why don't you give them something to eat?”
17 But they said, “We have only five small loaves of breadt and two fish.” 18 Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him,

19 and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.

20 After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers.

21 There were about 5,000 men who ate, not counting the women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

(Mark 6.45-52; John 6.15-21)

23 Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later in the evening, he was still there.
24 By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25 A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water toward his disciples.

26 When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

27 At once, Jesus said to them, “Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.”

28 Peter replied, “Lord, if it really is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward him.

30 But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

31 At once, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You surely don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?”
32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down.

33 The men in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!”

Jesus Heals Sick People //in Gennesaret

(Mark 6.53-56)