1 A t that time King Herod heard much about Jesus.

At that time Herod the governor heard the reports about Jesus,

2 H e said to his helpers, “This must be John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why these powerful works are done by him.”

And he said to his attendants, This is John the Baptist; He has been raised from the dead, and that is why the powers of performing miracles are at work in Him.

3 F or Herod had taken John and put him in prison. It was because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

For Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison '> stow him out of the way] on account and for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,

4 F or John had said to him, “It is against the Law for you to have her.”

For John had said to him, It is not lawful or right for you to have her.

5 H e would have killed John but he was afraid of the people. The people thought John was one who spoke for God. John the Baptist Is Killed

Although he wished to have him put to death, he was afraid of the people, for they regarded John as a prophet.

6 O n Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of them. Herod was made happy by her.

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the midst and pleased and fascinated Herod,

7 H e promised he would give her anything she asked.

And so he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.

8 B ecause her mother told her to do it, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a plate.”

And she, being put forward and prompted by her mother, said, Give me the head of John the Baptist right here on a platter.

9 T he king was sorry. But he said for it to be given because he had promised and because of those who were eating with him.

And the king was distressed and sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered it to be given her;

10 H e sent to the prison and had John’s head cut off.

He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.

11 I t was brought in on a plate and given to the girl. She brought it to her mother.

And his head was brought in on a platter and given to the little maid, and she brought it to her mother.

12 T hen the followers of John came and took his body and buried it. They went and told Jesus. The Feeding of the Five Thousand

And John’s disciples came and took up the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 W hen Jesus heard that John had been killed, He went from there by boat to a desert. He wanted to be alone. When the people knew it, they followed after Him by land from the cities.

When Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there privately in a boat to a solitary place. But when the crowds heard of it, they followed Him on foot from the towns.

14 W hen He got out of the boat, He saw many people. He had loving-pity for them and healed those who were sick.

When He went ashore and saw a great throng of people, He had compassion (pity and deep sympathy) for them and cured their sick.

15 W hen it was evening, His followers came to Him. They said, “This is a desert. The day is past. Send the people away so they may go into the towns and buy food for themselves.”

When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, This is a remote and barren place, and the day is now over; send the throngs away into the villages to buy food for themselves.

16 J esus said to them, “They do not have to go away. Give them something to eat.”

Jesus said, They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat.

17 T hey said to Him, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.”

They said to Him, We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.

18 J esus said, “Bring them to Me.”

He said, Bring them here to Me.

19 H e told the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to His followers. The followers gave them to the people.

Then He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass; and He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He gave thanks and blessed and broke the loaves and handed the pieces to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.

20 T hey all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people were finished eating.

And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve '> small hand] baskets full of the broken pieces left over.

21 A bout five thousand men ate. Women and children ate also. Jesus Walks on the Water

And those who ate were about 5, 000 men, not including women and children.

22 A t once Jesus had His followers get into the boat. He told them to go ahead of Him to the other side while He sent the people away.

Then He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent away the crowds.

23 A fter He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone.

And after He had dismissed the multitudes, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was still there alone.

24 B y this time the boat was far from land and was being thrown around by the waves. The wind was strong against them.

But the boat was by this time out on the sea, many furlongs distant from the land, beaten and tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.

25 J ust before the light of day, Jesus went to them walking on the water.

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

26 W hen the followers saw Him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It is a spirit.” They cried out with fear.

And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, It is a ghost! And they screamed out with fright.

27 A t once Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take hope. It is I. Do not be afraid!”

But instantly He spoke to them, saying, Take courage! I Am! Stop being afraid!

28 P eter said to Jesus, “If it is You, Lord, tell me to come to You on the water.”

And Peter answered Him, Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.

29 J esus said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus.

He said, Come! So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water, and he came toward Jesus.

30 B ut when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. He began to go down in the water. He cried out, “Lord, save me!”

But when he perceived and felt the strong wind, he was frightened, and as he began to sink, he cried out, Lord, save me!

31 A t once Jesus put out His hand and took hold of him. Jesus said to Peter, “You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?”

Instantly Jesus reached out His hand and caught and held him, saying to him, O you of little faith, why did you doubt?

32 W hen Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing.

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

33 T hose in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, “For sure, You are the Son of God!” People Are Healed at Gennesaret

And those in the boat knelt and worshiped Him, saying, Truly You are the Son of God!

34 W hen they had gone over to the other side, they came to the land of Gennesaret.

And when they had crossed over to the other side, they went ashore at Gennesaret.

35 W hen the men of that land saw it was Jesus, they sent word into all the country around. They brought all who were sick to Jesus.

And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around into all the surrounding country and brought to Him all who were sick

36 T hey begged Him that they might touch the bottom of His coat. As many as touched the bottom of His coat were healed.

And begged Him to let them merely touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched it were perfectly restored.