Chapter 14

1At that time Herod, the regional ruler, heard the reports about Jesus.

2He told his attendants, “This is John the Baptizer. He has risen from the dead, and that is why he can perform such miracles.”

3Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod’s brother Philip.

4John had repeatedly told Herod, “You have no right to have her.”

5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the crowd because they considered John a prophet, someone who spoke for God.

6During Herod’s birthday celebration, Herodias’s daughter danced before the guests and pleased Herod.

7So Herod made a solemn promise to give her whatever she asked for.

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

9The king was deeply upset. But because of the promises he had made under oath in front of his dinner guests, he ordered that she be given what she requested.

10He sent someone to the prison and had John beheaded.

11John’s head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.

12John’s followers came, took his dead body, and buried him. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.

13When Jesus heard the news, he left by boat for a deserted place where he could be alone. But the crowds learned where he had gone and followed him on foot from the towns.

14When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep compassion for them and healed those who were sick.

15When evening came, Jesus’ followers approached him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is already late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16Jesus told them, “They do not need to leave. You give them something to eat.”

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

18Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.”

19He told the crowds to sit down on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, and thanked God. He broke the loaves and gave them to his followers, who distributed them to the crowds.

20Everyone ate until they were full. Then Jesus’ followers gathered twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

21About five thousand men ate, in addition to the women and children.

22Immediately Jesus made his followers get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side of the lake while he sent the crowds away.

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

24By then the boat was far from land. The waves were battering it because the wind was blowing against it.

25In the final hours of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the lake.

26When his followers saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and they screamed in fear.

27Jesus immediately called to them, “Be brave! It’s me. Don’t be afraid.”

28Peter answered, “Lord, if it really is you, command me to come to you on the water.”

29Jesus said, “Come.” Peter climbed out of the boat, walked on the water, and went toward Jesus.

30But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he became afraid. As he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31Jesus immediately reached out, took hold of him, and said, “You have so little trust! Why did you doubt?”

32When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.

33Those in the boat bowed before Jesus and said, “You truly are God’s Son.”

34After crossing the lake, they came ashore at Gennesaret.

35The men there recognized Jesus and sent word throughout the surrounding region. The people brought everyone who was sick to him.

36They begged Jesus to let them touch even the edge of his cloak. Everyone who touched it was completely healed.