Matthew 14

1Around that time, reports about Jesus reached Herod the tetrarch. 2“This is John the Baptist,” he told his courtiers. “He has been raised from the dead, and that is why he can do these mighty works.”

3Herod had earlier arrested John, put him in chains and locked him in prison. He did it for the sake of Herodias, who had been the wife of his brother Philip. 4John had told Herod again and again, “The law does not allow you to have her.” 5He would have liked to put John to death, but he was afraid of the crowds, who looked on John as a prophet. 6When Herod’s birthday was being celebrated, Herodias’s daughter danced in front of everyone. Herod was so delighted with her 7that he swore to give her anything she asked for. 8Her mother told her what to say, and she answered, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter, right here.” 9This grieved the king. Yet because of his oaths, and because of the guests at his table, he gave orders for her request to be granted. 10He sent word to the prison, and there John was beheaded. 11Someone carried the head in on a platter and gave it to the girl, and she in turn brought it to her mother. 12Then John’s disciples came for his body and buried it, and they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

13When Jesus heard the news, he got into a boat and went off to a deserted place to be alone. But the crowds found out, and they came after him on foot from the towns. 14As he stepped ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep pity for them, and he healed those among them who were sick. 15When evening came, the disciples went to him and said, “There is nothing out here, and the day is nearly over. Let the crowds go now, so they can find food to buy in the villages.” 16But Jesus told them, “They do not have to go away. Give them food yourselves.” 17They said to him, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.” 18He told them, “Bring them over here to me.” 19He had the people sit down on the grass. Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and spoke the blessing. He broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples, and the disciples passed them to the crowds. 20Everyone ate and had enough. Then they collected what remained of the broken pieces, and it filled twelve baskets. 21The men who ate numbered about 5,000, not counting women and children.

22Straight after this, Jesus insisted that the disciples get into the boat and go on before him across the lake. Meanwhile he would send the crowds home. 23Once the crowds had gone, he climbed up into the hills by himself to pray. Evening came, and he was still there by himself. 24By then the boat was a mile or more from shore, and the waves were pounding it, since the wind was blowing against them. 25In the last watch of the night, he came out to them, walking on the water. 26The disciples saw him coming across the water and were thrown into panic. “A ghost!” they cried, and they shouted out in terror. 27Jesus spoke to them at once: “Be brave! It is I. There is nothing to fear.”

28Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is really you, give me the order to come to you over the water.” 29“Come,” he said. So Peter climbed down out of the boat, stepped onto the water, and walked toward Jesus. 30But when he noticed how strong the wind was, fear took hold of him. He started to go under, and he shouted, “Lord, save me!” 31Jesus at once put out his hand and took hold of him. “You have so little faith,” he said to him. “Why did you doubt?” 32As soon as the two of them had climbed into the boat, the wind dropped. 33Everyone in the boat fell down and worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they said.

34After crossing the lake, they came ashore at Gennesaret. 35The people of that place knew who he was, and they sent messengers all through the region around. They brought to him everyone who was ill 36and pleaded to be allowed simply to touch the tassel of his cloak. Every one of them who touched it was fully healed.