Matthew 14
14
John the Baptizer Killed
1At that time Herod, # 14:1 This was Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great who had the infant boys killed in Bethlehem. See Matt. 2:16. Herod Antipas was the one who Jesus stood before to be judged. See Luke 23:15. the Roman ruler over Galilee, heard reports about Jesus. 2He told his officials, “This man has to be John the Baptizer who has come back from the dead. That’s why he has this power to work miracles.” # 14:2 The Aramaic is “This is why powers are emanating from him.” Herod believed that it was the spirit of John working through Jesus, not the Spirit of God.
3For Herod had earlier arrested John for confronting him for taking the wife of his brother Philip. He had John thrown in prison and placed in chains 4because John had repeatedly said to him, “It’s not legal or proper for you to be married to Herodias, your sister-in-law!” # 14:4 Herod Antipas wanted to take his brother’s wife so he divorced his wife, a Nabatean princess, and Herodias divorced Philip so they could marry each other. This was why John confronted Herod. See Lev. 18:16. 5So Herod wanted John dead, but he was afraid of the crowds who flocked to John because they considered him to be a prophet.
6During Herod’s birthday celebration, the daughter of Herodias # 14:6 Josephus, the Jewish historian, notes that her daughter was named Salome. danced before Herod and all his distinguished guests, which greatly pleased the king. 7So he said to her in front of them all, “I give you my oath, ask of me anything you wish and it will be yours!”
8Because she had been instructed by her mother, she said, “I want the head of John the Baptizer here on a platter!”
9This grieved the king, but because of his oath in front of all of his guests, 10he had John beheaded in prison. 11They brought in his head and displayed it to her on a platter, and she then had it shown to her mother.
12John’s disciples went into the prison and carried his body away and buried it. Then they left to find Jesus and tell him what had happened.
Jesus Feeds the Multitude
13On hearing this, Jesus slipped away privately by boat to be alone. But when the crowds discovered he had sailed away, they emerged from all the nearby towns and followed him on foot. 14So when Jesus landed he had a huge crowd waiting for him. Seeing so many people, his heart was deeply moved with compassion toward them, so he healed all the sick who were in the crowd. # 14:14 The Aramaic is “he nurtured them in love and cured their frailties.”
15Later that afternoon the disciples came to Jesus and said, “It’s going to be dark soon and the people are hungry, but there’s nothing to eat here in this desolate place. You should send the crowds away to the nearby villages to buy themselves some food.”
16“They don’t need to leave,” Jesus responded. “You can give them something to eat.”
17They answered, “But all we have is five barley loaves and two fish.”
18“Let me have them,” Jesus replied. 19Then he had everyone sit down on the grass and he then took the five loaves and two fish. He looked up into heaven, gave thanks to God, and broke the bread into pieces. He then gave it to his disciples, who in turn gave it to the crowds. 20And everyone ate until they were satisfied, for the food was multiplied in front of their eyes! # 14:20 The miracle took place as the disciples distributed what they had. Each disciple ended up with a basket full of leftovers. They picked up the leftovers and filled up twelve baskets full! 21There were about five thousand men who were fed, in addition to many women and children!
Jesus Walks on Water
22As soon as the people were fed, Jesus told his disciples to get into their boat and to go to the other side of the lake while he stayed behind to dismiss the people. 23After the crowds dispersed, Jesus went up into the hills to pray. And as night fell he was there praying alone.
24But the disciples, who were now in the middle of the lake, ran into trouble, for their boat was tossed about by the high winds and heavy seas.
25At about four o’clock in the morning, # 14:25 Or “during the fourth watch of the night” (between 3:00 and 6:00 a.m.). Jesus came to them, walking on the waves! 26When the disciples saw him walking on top of the water, they were terrified and screamed, “A ghost!”
27Then Jesus said, “Be brave and don’t be afraid. I am here!” # 14:27 Or “I AM,” which was the name of God used in Ex. 3:14.
28Peter shouted out, “Lord, if it’s really you, then have me join you on the water!”
29“Come and join me,” # 14:29 Or “Go for it!” Jesus replied.
So Peter stepped out onto the water and began to walk toward Jesus. 30But when he realized how high the waves were, he became frightened and started to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he cried out.
31Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and lifted him up and said, “What little faith you have! Why would you let doubt win?”
32And the very moment they both stepped into the boat, the raging wind ceased. 33Then all the disciples bowed down # 14:33 Jewish disciples of Jesus bowed down before him, which was an amazing act of worship (Ex. 20:4–5). before him and worshiped Jesus. # 14:33 The Greek word used for “worship,” proskuneo, includes three concepts: to bow, to kiss, and to pay homage (worship). All three are included here. They said in adoration, “You are truly the Son of God!”
34After they crossed over and landed at Gennesaret, # 14:34 Gennesaret means “harp.” It was known as a lovely and fertile plain south of Capernaum. Lake Galilee was also called the Lake of Gennesaret. 35the people living there quickly recognized who he was. They were quick to spread the news throughout the surrounding region that Jesus had come to them. 36So they brought him all their sick, begging him to let them touch the fringe of his cloak. And everyone who touched it was instantly healed! # 14:36 See also Matt. 9:21–22; Mark 3:10; Luke 6:19. The power of God exuding from Jesus was so incredible that merely touching his prayer shawl (or cloak) would bring instant healing. This same power is available to the church today, for Christ, the healer, lives in every believer. See also Acts 19:12.
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Matthew 14: TPT
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Learn More About The Passion TranslationMatthew 14
14
The Death of John the Baptist
(Mk 6.14–29; Lk 9.7–9)
1At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus. 2“He is really John the Baptist, who has come back to life,” he told his officials. “That is why he has this power to perform miracles.”
3 #
Lk 3.19–20
For Herod had earlier ordered John's arrest, and he had him chained and put in prison. He had done this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. 4#Lev 18.16; 20.21For some time John the Baptist had told Herod, “It isn't right for you to be married to Herodias!” 5Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid of the Jewish people, because they considered John to be a prophet.
6On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleased 7that he promised her, “I swear that I will give you anything you ask for!”
8At her mother's suggestion she asked him, “Give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a dish!”
9The king was sad, but because of the promise he had made in front of all his guests he gave orders that her wish be granted. 10So he had John beheaded in prison. 11The head was brought in on a dish and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.
Jesus Feeds a Great Crowd
(Mk 6.30–44; Lk 9.10–17; Jn 6.1–14)
13When Jesus heard the news about John, he left there in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. The people heard about it, so they left their towns and followed him by land. 14Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed those who were ill.
15That evening his disciples came to him and said, “It is already very late, and this is a lonely place. Send the people away and let them go to the villages to buy food for themselves.”
16 “They don't have to leave,” answered Jesus. “You yourselves give them something to eat!”
17“All we have here are five loaves and two fish,” they replied.
18 “Then bring them here to me,” Jesus said. 19He ordered the people to sit down on the grass; then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave thanks to God. He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over. 21The number of men who ate was about 5,000, not counting the women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
(Mk 6.45–52; Jn 6.15–21)
22Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away. 23After sending the people away, he went up a hill by himself to pray. When evening came, Jesus was there alone; 24and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.
25Between three and six o'clock in the morning Jesus came to the disciples, walking on the water. 26When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. “It's a ghost!” they said, and screamed with fear.
27Jesus spoke to them at once. “Courage!” he said. “It is I. Don't be afraid!”
28Then Peter spoke up. “Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you.”
29 “Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. 30But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried.
31At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “How little faith you have! Why did you doubt?”
32They both got into the boat, and the wind died down. 33Then the disciples in the boat worshipped Jesus. “Truly you are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
(Mk 6.53–56)
34They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret, 35where the people recognized Jesus. So they sent for the sick people in all the surrounding country and brought them to Jesus. 36They begged him to let those who were ill at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.