John the Baptist is Murdered

Matt. 14:1–12; Luke 9:7–9

14 qNow King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore rthese powers are at work in him.”

15 sOthers said, “It is Elijah.”

And others said, “It is 3the Prophet, tor like one of the prophets.”

16 uBut when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!” 17 For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her. 18 Because John had said to Herod, v“It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”

19 Therefore Herodias 4held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 20 for Herod wfeared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he 5did many things, and heard him gladly.

21 xThen an opportune day came when Herod yon his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. 22 And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” 23 He also swore to her, z“Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

24 So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

26 aAnd the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 27 Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. 29 When his disciples heard of it, they came and btook away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

Twelve Return

Luke 9:10

30 cThen the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 dAnd He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For ethere were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.

Five Thousand are Fed

Matt. 14:13–21; Luke 9:11–17; John 6:1–14

32 fSo they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.

33 But 6the multitudes saw them departing, and many gknew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 hAnd Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like isheep not having a shepherd. So jHe began to teach them many things. 35 kWhen the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late. 36 Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves 7bread; for they have nothing to eat.”

37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.”

And they said to Him, l“Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”

38 But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”

And when they found out they said, m“Five, and two fish.”

39 Then He ncommanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass. 40 So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties. 41 And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He olooked up to heaven, pblessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all. 42 So they all ate and were filled. 43 And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish. 44 Now those who had eaten the loaves were 8about five thousand men.

Jesus Walks on Water

Matt. 14:22–23; John 6:15–21

45 qImmediately He 9made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. 46 And when He had sent them away, He rdeparted to the mountain to pray. 47 Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and swould have passed them by. 49 And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a tghost, and cried out; 50 for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, u “Be 1of good cheer! It is I; do not be vafraid.” 51 Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind wceased. And they were greatly xamazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled. 52 For ythey had not understood about the loaves, because their zheart was hardened.

Jesus Heals at Gennesaret

Matt. 14:34–36

53 aWhen they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. 54 And when they came out of the boat, immediately 2the people recognized Him, 55 ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. 56 Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that bthey might just touch the chem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.