The Death of John the Baptist

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus

2and said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and that is why these mighty powers are at work in him.”

3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

4For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for yoʋ to have her.”

5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the crowd, because they regarded John as a prophet.

6But when Herod's birthday ¹²²was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests and pleased Herod.

7So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

9The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given

10and sent orders to have John beheaded in prison.

11John's head was then brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12Later, John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and brought word to Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

13When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns.

14And when Jesus went ashore and saw a large crowd, he was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.

15As evening approached, ¹²³his disciples came to him and said, “This place is desolate, and the hour is now late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16But Jesus said to them, “They have no need to go away; you give them something to eat.”

17They said to him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18He said, “Bring them here to me.”

19Then he commanded the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said the blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.

20They all ate and were filled, and the disciples picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

21Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on Water

22Immediately Jesus compelled ¹²⁴the disciples to get into ¹²⁵the boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the sea, while he sent the crowds away.

23After sending the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

24Meanwhile, the boat was already ¹²⁶in the middle of the sea, being tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.

25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus ¹²⁷went to them, walking on the sea.

26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.

27But Jesus immediately said to them, “Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid.”

28In response Peter said ¹²⁸to him, “Lord, if it is yoʋ, command me to come to yoʋ on the water.”

29So he said, “Come.” Then Peter got down from the boat and walked on the water ¹²⁹to go to Jesus.

30But when he saw the ¹³⁰strong wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “O yoʋ of little faith, why did yoʋ doubt?”

32And when they had gotten into the boat, the wind ceased.

33Then those who were in the boat ¹³¹came and worshiped him, saying, “Truly yoʋ are the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34When they had crossed the sea, they came to ¹³²the land of Gennesaret.

35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word into the entire surrounding region, and people brought to him all who were sick.

36They begged him to let the sick touch even the fringe of his garment, and all who touched it were completely healed.