Matthew 14

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus,

2And he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.”

3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother,

4For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5And wanting to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.

6But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,

7Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

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

9And the king, though grieved, because of his oaths and those dining with him, commanded it to be given.

10And he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.

12And his disciples came, took the body, and buried him; then they went and reported it to Jesus.

13When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there by boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard, they followed him on foot from the towns.

14And when he went ashore, he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.

15When evening came, the disciples came to him and said, “The place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”

16But Jesus said to them, “They have no need to go away; you yourselves give them something to eat.”

17But they said to him, “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.”

18But he said, “Bring them here to me.”

19And after ordering the crowds to recline on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed, and after breaking the loaves he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds.

20And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up twelve full baskets of the leftover pieces.

21Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22And immediately he compelled the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.

23And after dismissing the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.

24But the boat was already many stadia from the land, being battered by the waves, for the wind was against it.

25And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.

26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out from fear.

27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I. Do not be afraid.”

28And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”

29And he said, “Come.” So Peter got down from the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

30But seeing the strong wind, he became afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me.”

31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.

33Then those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

34And after crossing over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

35And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent into that whole surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick,

36And they begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment, and as many as touched it were healed.