Matthew 14

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1. 1Around that time, Herod the tetrarch heard reports about Jesus.
2. 2He told his servants, "This must be John the Baptist — he's risen from the dead! That's why these miraculous powers are at work in him."
3. 3Herod was the one who had arrested John, chained him up, and thrown him in prison. He did it because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
4. 4For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
5. 5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6. 6On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and delighted Herod.
7. 7He was so pleased that he swore an oath to give her whatever she asked for.
8. 8Her mother had already coached her on what to say, so the girl told him, "Give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter."
9. 9The king was sorry, but because of his oath and the guests who were with him at dinner, he ordered it to be done.
10. 10He sent orders, and John was beheaded in the prison.
11. 11His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, and she carried it to her mother.
12. 12John's disciples came, took his body, buried it, and then went and told Jesus.
13. 13When Jesus heard the news, he got in a boat and withdrew to a remote place to be alone. But when the crowds found out, they followed him on foot from the surrounding towns.
14. 14Jesus stepped ashore and saw the massive crowd. His heart went out to them, and he healed those among them who were sick.
15. 15As evening approached, his disciples came to him and said, "This place is remote, and it's getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves."
16. 16But Jesus told them, "They don't need to leave. You give them something to eat."
17. 17They replied, "All we have here is five loaves of bread and two fish."
18. 18"Bring them to me," he said.
19. 19He commanded the crowd to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed, broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples. The disciples gave them to the crowd.
20. 20They all ate and were filled, and they gathered twelve full baskets of the pieces that remained.
21. 21And those who had eaten were about five thousand men, not including women and children.
22. 22Immediately, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away.
23. 23After he had sent everyone away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
24. 24Meanwhile, the boat was already far out on the lake, battered by the waves because the wind was blowing against them.
25. 25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
26. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a spirit!" and they cried out for fear.
27. 27But Jesus immediately called out to them, "Take courage! It's me. Don't be afraid."
28. 28Peter spoke up: "Lord, if it's really you, tell me to come to you on the water."
29. 29"Come," Jesus said. So Peter climbed out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
30. 30But when he noticed how fierce the wind was, fear overtook him. He started to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31. 31Instantly, Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You have so little faith," he said. "Why did you doubt?"
32. 32As soon as they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33. 33The men in the boat fell down and worshiped him, saying, "You truly are the Son of God!"
34. 34They crossed the lake and landed at Gennesaret.
35. 35When the people there recognized Jesus, they sent word throughout the entire region, and everyone brought their sick to him.
36. 36They begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his robe — and everyone who touched it was completely healed.