Matthew 14

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Immerser. He has been raised from the dead, and that is why the powers are at work in him.” [a]

3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him away in prison, because of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother; 4 for John kept saying to him, “It is not permitted for you to have her.” 5 And though he wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd, because they held him to be a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced in the middle of them and pleased Herod, 7 so that he promised her with an oath to give whatever she might ask. 8 And she, pushed forward by her mother, says, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Immerser.”

9 And the king was grieved, but because of the oaths and those reclining at table with him he ordered it to be given, [b] 10 and he sent and beheaded John 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 And his disciples came and took up the corpse and buried him, and they went and told Jesus.

13 When Jesus heard it he withdrew from there by boat to a deserted place by himself; and when the crowds heard, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 And when he came out he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion for them and healed their sick.

15 When evening came the disciples came to him and said, “The place is deserted and the hour has already gone by. Send the crowds away, so that they can 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 And they say to him, “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 And 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 blessed them, and after breaking them he gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds. [c] † 20 And they all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those eating were about five thousand men, apart from women and children.

22 And at once he made the disciples get into a boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away. 23 And when he had sent the crowds away he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came he was there alone. 24 But the boat was already many hundreds of yards out from the land, battered by the waves, for the wind was against them. [d]

25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were shaken, saying, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out from fear. 27 But at once Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart — I am; do not be afraid.” [e]

28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the waters.” 29 And he said, “Come.” And Peter got down from the boat and walked on the waters and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the strong wind he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And at once Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and says to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”

32 And when they had gone up into the boat the wind dropped. 33 And those in the boat bowed down to him, saying, “Truly you are God’s Son.” [f]

34 And when they had crossed over they came to the land, to Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him they sent into all that surrounding country, and they brought him all who were ill, 36 and they begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his cloak; and as many as touched it were brought safely through. [g]