Mat 14 | LSB | STEP | At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

‏ Matthew 14

John the Baptist Beheaded

1 At that ^{▼▼Or occasion}time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; ^{▼▼Or he, himself}he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 And although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they were regarding ^{▼▼Lit him}John as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced ^{▼▼Lit in the midst}before them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Now having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of ^{▼▼Lit those who reclined at the table with him}his dinner guests. 10 And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took away the body and buried ^{▼▼Lit him}it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself; and when the crowds heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when He went ^{▼▼Lit out}ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already ^{▼▼Lit past}late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 But they *said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 And ordering the crowds to ^{▼▼Lit recline}sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food. And breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 21 And there were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Sea

22 Immediately He ^{▼▼Lit compelled}made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 And after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already many ^{▼▼A stadion was approx. 607 ft. or 185 m}stadia away from the land, ^{▼▼Lit tormented}being battered by the waves; for the wind was ^{▼▼Lit contrary}against them. 25 And in the ^{▼▼3-6 a.m.}fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 Now when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out ^{▼▼Lit from}in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage, ^{▼▼Or I am He, cf. John 4:26; 8:18, 24, 28; 13:19; 18:5, 6}it is I; do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly God’s Son!”

34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place ^{▼▼Or knew}recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they were pleading with Him that they might just touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were cured.