Matthew 14
14
The Death of John
1-2At about this time, Herod, the regional ruler, heard what was being said about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead. That’s why he’s able to work miracles!”
3-5Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.
6-12But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias’s daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: “Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer.” That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John’s head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus.
Supper for Five Thousand
13-14When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.
15Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”
16But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”
17“All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.
18-21Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.
Walking on the Water
22-23As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
31Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
32-33The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
34-36On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
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THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Matthew 14
14
1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2and said to his servants, This is John the baptist: he is risen from the dead, and because of this these works of power display their force in him. 3For Herod had seized John, and had bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias the wife of Philip his brother. 4For John said to him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. 5And while desiring to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they held him for a prophet. 6But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod; 7whereupon he promised with oath to give her whatsoever she should ask. 8But she, being set on by her mother, says, Give me here upon a dish the head of John the baptist. 9And the king was grieved; but on account of the oaths, and those lying at table with him, he commanded it to be given. 10And he sent and beheaded John in the prison; 11and his head was brought upon a dish, and was given to the damsel, and she carried it to her mother. 12And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and came and brought word to Jesus.
13And Jesus, having heard it, went away thence by ship to a desert place apart. And the crowds having heard of it followed him on foot from the cities. 14And going out he saw a great crowd, and was moved with compassion about them, and healed their infirm. 15But when even was come, his disciples came to him saying, The place is desert, and much of the day time already gone by; dismiss the crowds, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves. 16But Jesus said to them, They have no need to go: give ye them to eat. 17But they say to him, We have not here save five loaves and two fishes. 18And he said, Bring them here to me. 19And having commanded the crowds to recline upon the grass, having taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed: and having broken the loaves, he gave themto the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was over and above of fragments twelve hand-baskets full. 21But those that had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22And immediately he compelled the disciples to go on board ship, and to go on before him to the other side, until he should have dismissed the crowds. 23And having dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain apart to pray. And when even was come, he was alone there, 24but the ship was already in the middle of the sea tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25But in the fourth watch of the night he went off to them, walking on the sea. 26And the disciples, seeing him walking on the sea, were troubled, saying, It is an apparition. And they cried out through fear. 27But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, Take courage; it is I: be not afraid. 28And Peter answering him said, Lord, if it be thou, command me to come to thee upon the waters. 29And he said, Come. And Peter, having descended from the ship, walked upon the waters to go to Jesus. 30But seeing the wind strong he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. 31And immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught hold of him, and says to him, O thou of little faith, why didst thou doubt? 32And when they had gone up into the ship, the wind fell. 33But those in the ship came and did homage to him, saying, Truly thou art God's Son.
34And having crossed over they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognised him, they sent to that whole country around, and they brought to him all that were ill, 36and besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as many as touched were made thoroughly well.
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First published in 1890. This edition is maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.