Matthew 14

1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist, he has risen from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him." 3For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. 6But when Herod’s birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod, 7so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. 8Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9And the king was sorry; but, because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded it to be given to her; 10so he sent and had John beheaded in prison. 11And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12Then his disciples came and took the body and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

13Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a lonely place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus went ashore he saw a great throng; and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick. 15When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food." 16Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat." 17They said to him, "We have only five loaves here and two fish." 18He said, "Bring them here to me," 19Then he commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the multitudes. 20And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. 21Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the multitudes. 23And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat by this time was many furlongs distant from the land, beaten by the waves; for the wind was against them. 25And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea. 26But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear. 27But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid." 28And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29So he said, "Come". Then Peter got down out of the boat, 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!" 31Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33Then those who were in the boat worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

34When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent to all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick, 36and begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched it were made well.