Matthew 14
1At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus, 2and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptizer—he has been raised from the dead, and that is why these powers are at work in him."
3For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him away in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5And though Herod wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.
6But when Herod's birthday celebration came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the guests and pleased Herod, 7so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8Having been coached by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer." 9The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he commanded it to be given. 10He sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she carried it to her mother. 12John's disciples came, took the body, and buried him. Then they went and reported it to Jesus.
13When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there by boat to a desolate place by himself. But the crowds heard of it and followed him on foot from the towns. 14When he came ashore, he saw a great crowd, and his gut was wrenched with compassion for them, and he healed their sick.
15When evening came, the disciples approached him, saying, "This place is desolate and the hour has already grown late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 16But Jesus said to them, "They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17They said to him, "We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish." 18He said, "Bring them here to me."
19After ordering the crowds to recline on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing. Then, breaking the loaves, he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20Everyone ate and was satisfied, and they gathered up what remained of the broken pieces—twelve baskets full. 21Those who had eaten were about five thousand men, not counting women and children.
22Immediately he compelled the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23After sending the crowds away, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24The boat was already many stadia from land, being battered by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25In the fourth watch of the night, he came to them, walking on the sea. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage—I am—do not be afraid."
28Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29He said, "Come." And Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "You of little faith—why did you waver?"
32When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33And those in the boat bowed down before him, saying, "Truly you are God's Son."
34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word throughout that whole surrounding region, and people brought to him all who were sick. 36They kept begging him to let them only touch the tassel of his cloak—and as many as touched it were healed completely.