Matthew 14

¹Matthew 14:1. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus²Matthew 14:2. and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”³Matthew 14:3. Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,⁴Matthew 14:4. because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”⁵Matthew 14:5. Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.⁶Matthew 14:6. On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod⁷Matthew 14:7. so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.⁸Matthew 14:8. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”⁹Matthew 14:9. The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted¹⁰Matthew 14:10. and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.¹¹Matthew 14:11. John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.¹²Matthew 14:12. Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

¹³Matthew 14:13. When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.¹⁴Matthew 14:14. When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.¹⁵Matthew 14:15. When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”¹⁶Matthew 14:16. “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”¹⁷Matthew 14:17. “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.¹⁸Matthew 14:18. “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said.¹⁹Matthew 14:19. And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.²⁰Matthew 14:20. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.²¹Matthew 14:21. About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

²²Matthew 14:22. Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.²³Matthew 14:23. After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,²⁴Matthew 14:24. but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.²⁵Matthew 14:25. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.²⁶Matthew 14:26. When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.²⁷Matthew 14:27. But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”²⁸Matthew 14:28. “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”²⁹Matthew 14:29. “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.³⁰Matthew 14:30. But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”³¹Matthew 14:31. Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”³²Matthew 14:32. And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.³³Matthew 14:33. Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

³⁴Matthew 14:34. When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.³⁵Matthew 14:35. And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him³⁶Matthew 14:36. and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.