1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,2And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.3For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.4For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.5And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.6But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.7Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger.9And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.10And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.11And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.12And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.13When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.14And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.15And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.16But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.17And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.18He said, Bring them hither to me.19And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.20And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.21And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.22And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.24But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.26And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.27But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.28And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.30But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.31And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.33Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.34And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;36And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.
Matthew 14
New International Reader’s Version
John the Baptist’s head is cut off
1At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, heard reports about Jesus.2He said to his attendants, ‘This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles.’3Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.4John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is against the Law for you to have her as your wife.’5Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.6On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased Herod very much.7So he promised to give her anything she asked for.8Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, ‘Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate.’9The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he told one of his men to give her what she asked for.10Herod had John’s head cut off in the prison.11His head was brought in on a big plate and given to the girl. She then carried it to her mother.12John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
Jesus feeds five thousand
13Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns.14When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their ill people.15When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. ‘There is nothing here,’ they said. ‘It’s already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages.’16Jesus replied, ‘They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.’17‘We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered.18‘Bring them here to me,’ he said.19Then Jesus instructed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people.20All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces.21The number of men who ate was about 5,000. Women and children also ate.
Jesus walks on the water
22Right away Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then he sent the crowd away.23After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone.24The boat was already a long way from land. It was being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it.25Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to the disciples. He walked on the lake.26They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. ‘It’s a ghost!’ they said. And they cried out in fear.27Right away Jesus called out to them, ‘Be brave! It is I. Don’t be afraid.’28‘Lord, is it you?’ Peter asked. ‘If it is, tell me to come to you on the water.’29‘Come’, Jesus said. So Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water towards Jesus.30But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. He began to sink. He cried out, ‘Lord! Save me!’31Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. ‘Your faith is so small!’ he said. ‘Why did you doubt me?’32When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.33Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus. They said, ‘You really are the Son of God!’34They crossed over the lake and landed at Gennesaret.35The men who lived there recognised Jesus. So they sent a message all over the nearby countryside. People brought all those who were ill to Jesus.36They begged him to let those who were ill just touch the edge of his clothes. And all who touched his clothes were healed.