Matthew 14

₁About this time Herod the ruler heard the news about Jesus ₂and told his officials, “This is John the Baptist! He has come back from death, and that's why he has the power to perform these miracles.”

_3-4Herod had earlier arrested John and had him chained and put in prison. He did this because John had told him, “It isn't right for you to take Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip.” ₅Herod wanted to kill John. But the people thought John was a prophet, and Herod was afraid of what they might do.

₆When Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. She pleased Herod ₇so much that he swore to give her whatever she wanted. ₈But the girl's mother told her to say, “Here on a dish I want the head of John the Baptist!”

₉The king was sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. So he ordered a guard ₁₀to go to the prison and cut off John's head. ₁₁It was taken on a dish to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. ₁₂John's followers took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.

₁₃After Jesus heard about John, he crossed Lake Galilee to go to some place where he could be alone. But the crowds found out and followed him on foot from the towns. ₁₄When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd. He felt sorry for them and healed everyone who was sick.

₁₅That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it is already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.”

₁₆Jesus replied, “They don't have to leave. Why don't you give them something to eat?”

₁₇But they said, “We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish.” ₁₈Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, ₁₉and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.

₂₀After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers.

₂₁There were about five thousand men who ate, not counting the women and children.

₂₂Straight away, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. ₂₃Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later that evening, he was still there.

₂₄By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. ₂₅A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water towards his disciples. ₂₆When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.

₂₇At once, Jesus said to them, “Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.”

₂₈Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

₂₉“Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water towards him.

₃₀But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.

₃₁Straight away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?”

₃₂When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. ₃₃The men in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!”

₃₄Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and came to shore near the town of Gennesaret. ₃₅The people found out that he was there, and they sent word to everyone who lived in that part of the country. So they brought all the sick people to Jesus. ₃₆They begged him just to let them touch his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.