Matthew 14

₁At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus. 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.”

₃For Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him chained and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. ₄For some time John the Baptist had told Herod, “It isn't right for you to be married to Herodias!” ₅Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.

₆On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleased ₇that he promised her, “I swear that I will give you anything you ask for!”

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

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. ₁₀So he had John beheaded in prison. ₁₁The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. ₁₂John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

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, so they left their towns and followed him by land. ₁₄Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed those who were ill.

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.”

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

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

₁₈“Then bring them here to me,” Jesus said. 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. ₂₀Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over. ₂₁The number of men who ate was about 5,000, not counting the women and children.

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. ₂₃After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; ₂₄and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.

₂₅Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. ₂₆When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It's a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear.

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

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

₂₉“Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. ₃₀But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.

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

₃₂They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. ₃₃Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

₃₄They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret, ₃₅where the people recognized Jesus. So they sent for the sick people in all the surrounding country and brought them to Jesus. ₃₆They begged him to let those who were ill at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.