Matthew 14

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

and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead, and that is why these powers work in him.”

For Herod had arrested John and bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.

For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

And although he wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people because they considered him to be a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst of the company, and pleased Herod.

So with an oath he promised to give her whatever she asked.

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

And the king was grieved, yet because of his oaths and those who were reclining to eat with him, he commanded it to be given,

and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

And his disciples came and took up the corpse and buried him, and they went and told Jesus.

Now when Jesus heard it, he withdrew from there in a boat by himself to a solitary place. And when the multitudes heard about that, they followed him on foot from the cities.

And after he got out of the boat he saw a large crowd and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

Now when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying, “This is a remote place and the hour is now late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

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

And they said to him, “We do not have anything here except five loaves and two fish.”

And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the grass, and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them and broke them, and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowd.

And they all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full.

And there were about 5,000 men who ate, besides women and children.

And immediately he made the disciples enter into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side while he sent the crowd away.

And after he had sent the crowd away, he went up by himself into the mountain to pray, and when evening had come, he was there alone.

But the boat was already a long way from the land being battered by the waves because the wind was against them.

And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the lake.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost,” and they cried out for fear.

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!”

And Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

And he said, “Come.” And Peter went down out from the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the strong wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me.”

And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little trust, why did you doubt?”

And when they got up into the boat, the wind ceased.

And those who were in the boat bowed down before him, saying, “Truly, you are the Son of God.”

And when they had crossed over the lake, they came to land at Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent word into all the surrounding area and brought to him all who were sick,

and they begged him to let them touch the fringe of his garment, and everyone who touched him was completely healed.