Mat 14 | NASB1995 | STEP | At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus ,

1 ^aAt that ^{▼▼ Or occasion}time ^cHerod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, ^d“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 ^fHerod had John arrested, he bound him and put him ^gin prison because of ^hHerodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had been saying to him, ⁱ“It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded ^{▼▼ Lit him}John as ^ka prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of ^lHerodias danced ^{▼▼ Lit in the midst}before them and pleased ⁿHerod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 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 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 His disciples came and took away the body and buried ^{▼▼ Lit him}it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Five Thousand Fed

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

15 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 They said to Him, “We have here only ^wfive loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 Ordering the ^{▼▼ Lit crowds}people to ^{▼▼ Lit recline}sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He ^zblessed 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 ^aabaskets. 21 There were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 ^abImmediately 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 After He had sent the crowds away, ^adHe went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already ^{▼▼ Lit many stadia from; a stadion was about 600 feet or about 182 meters}a long distance from the land, ^{▼▼ Lit tormented}battered by the waves; for the wind was ^{▼▼ Or adverse
,} ^ahcontrary. 25 And in ^aithe ^{▼▼ I.e. 3-6 a.m.}fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is ^aka ghost!” And they cried out ^{▼▼ Lit from}in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ^am“Take courage, it is I; ^ando not be afraid.”

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

34 ^aqWhen they had crossed over, they came to land at ^arGennesaret. 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 implored Him that they might just touch ^atthe fringe of His cloak; and as many as ^autouched it were cured.