14:1 During that time, governor Herod heard reports about Jesus.
14:2 He said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist – he has risen from the dead body;1 and this is why he does such powerful things.”
14:3 For Herod had John arrested and shackled, and put him in prison because of Herodias – his brother Philip’s wife.
14:4 Because John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
14:5 While Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the people – because they regarded John as a Prophet.
14:6 But during Herod’s birthday celebration, Herodias’ daughter danced before them and pleased Herod.
14:7 As a result he made a promise to give her whatever she might ask for.
14:8 And she, who had listened to her mother previously, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter right here.”
14:9 While he was saddened, the governor commanded it be done because he made a promise – and because of his dinner guests.
14:10 He sent someone and had John beheaded in prison.
14:11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
14:12 Then his disciples came and carried away the body and buried it – and then left and told Jesus.
14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a secluded place alone. And when the people heard about this, they followed him on foot from the villages.
14:14 When he came ashore, he saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them – and healed those who were sick.
14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him saying, “This place is a desert and the hour is now late, so send the crowds away so they may return to the villages and purchase food for themselves.”
14:16 But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to leave. You can give them something to eat.”
14:17 They said to him, “We only have fives loaves and two fish.”
14:18 He replied, “Bring them over here.”
14:19 So he instructed the crowd to sit down on the grass and took the five loaves and the two fishes – and looking up to the heavens, he offered to God the food; and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples – and the disciples to the crowd.
14:20 They all ate and were satisfied. Then they picked up the broken pieces left over – twelve baskets full.
14:21 There were about five thousand men who ate – in addition to women and children.
14:22 Then he had his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side as he sent the crowd away.
14:23 After he sent the crowds away he climbed up the mountain by himself to pray. And when the evening had come, he remained there alone.
14:24 But when the boat was a good distance from the shore, it was battered by waves, because the wind was against them.
14:25 Then during the fourth watch of the night he appeared to them – walking on the sea.
14:26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were afraid, and said, “It’s a phantom!” And they cried out in fear.
14:27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I, don’t be afraid.”
14:28 Peter replied to him, “Master, if it is you, instruct me to come to you on the water.”
14:29 So he said, “Come!” And Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
14:30 But when he saw the wind was strong he became fearful and began to sink. He cried out, saying, “Master, save me!”
14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and grabbed him, and said to him, “You trusted too little - why did you doubt?”
14:32 And when they boarded the boat, the wind stopped.
14:33 Then those on the boat approached and worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Servant of God.”
14:34 When they crossed over, they came ashore at Gennesaret.
14:35 When the people of that area recognized him, they sent word into surrounding regions and they brought to him all who were sick.
14:36 They requested of him that they might only touch the edge of his clothing – and those who touched were healed.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 14:2. The Greek word νεκρός (nekros) refers to a dead body: "destitute of life, without life, inanimate" according to Thayer's lexicon.
14:2 He said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist – he has risen from the dead body;1 and this is why he does such powerful things.”
14:3 For Herod had John arrested and shackled, and put him in prison because of Herodias – his brother Philip’s wife.
14:4 Because John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
14:5 While Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the people – because they regarded John as a Prophet.
14:6 But during Herod’s birthday celebration, Herodias’ daughter danced before them and pleased Herod.
14:7 As a result he made a promise to give her whatever she might ask for.
14:8 And she, who had listened to her mother previously, said, “Give me John the Baptist’s head on a platter right here.”
14:9 While he was saddened, the governor commanded it be done because he made a promise – and because of his dinner guests.
14:10 He sent someone and had John beheaded in prison.
14:11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
14:12 Then his disciples came and carried away the body and buried it – and then left and told Jesus.
14:13 Now when Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a secluded place alone. And when the people heard about this, they followed him on foot from the villages.
14:14 When he came ashore, he saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them – and healed those who were sick.
14:15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him saying, “This place is a desert and the hour is now late, so send the crowds away so they may return to the villages and purchase food for themselves.”
14:16 But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to leave. You can give them something to eat.”
14:17 They said to him, “We only have fives loaves and two fish.”
14:18 He replied, “Bring them over here.”
14:19 So he instructed the crowd to sit down on the grass and took the five loaves and the two fishes – and looking up to the heavens, he offered to God the food; and broke the loaves and gave them to his disciples – and the disciples to the crowd.
14:20 They all ate and were satisfied. Then they picked up the broken pieces left over – twelve baskets full.
14:21 There were about five thousand men who ate – in addition to women and children.
14:22 Then he had his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side as he sent the crowd away.
14:23 After he sent the crowds away he climbed up the mountain by himself to pray. And when the evening had come, he remained there alone.
14:24 But when the boat was a good distance from the shore, it was battered by waves, because the wind was against them.
14:25 Then during the fourth watch of the night he appeared to them – walking on the sea.
14:26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were afraid, and said, “It’s a phantom!” And they cried out in fear.
14:27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take courage; it is I, don’t be afraid.”
14:28 Peter replied to him, “Master, if it is you, instruct me to come to you on the water.”
14:29 So he said, “Come!” And Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.
14:30 But when he saw the wind was strong he became fearful and began to sink. He cried out, saying, “Master, save me!”
14:31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and grabbed him, and said to him, “You trusted too little - why did you doubt?”
14:32 And when they boarded the boat, the wind stopped.
14:33 Then those on the boat approached and worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Servant of God.”
14:34 When they crossed over, they came ashore at Gennesaret.
14:35 When the people of that area recognized him, they sent word into surrounding regions and they brought to him all who were sick.
14:36 They requested of him that they might only touch the edge of his clothing – and those who touched were healed.
Footnotes:
1. Verse 14:2. The Greek word νεκρός (nekros) refers to a dead body: "destitute of life, without life, inanimate" according to Thayer's lexicon.
