Berean Standard Bible
- 1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus
- 2 and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
- 3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
- 4 because John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
- 5 Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
- 6 On Herod's birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod
- 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.
- 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
- 9 The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
- 10 and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.
- 11 John's head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
- 12 Then John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.
- 13 When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.
- 14 When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
- 15 When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
- 16 "They do not need to go away," Jesus replied. "You give them something to eat."
- 17 "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
- 18 "Bring them here to Me," Jesus said.
- 19 And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
- 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
- 21 About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.
- 22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
- 23 After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
- 24 but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
- 25 During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.
- 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said, and cried out in fear.
- 27 But Jesus spoke up at once: "Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."
- 28 "Lord, if it is You," Peter replied, "command me to come to You on the water."
- 29 "Come," said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
- 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
- 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. "You of little faith," He said, "why did you doubt?"
- 32 And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.
- 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God!"
- 34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
- 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him
- 36 and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.
