1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,
2 and he told his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason the miraculous powers are active in him."
3 For Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him away in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.
4 For John kept telling him, "You are not permitted to have her."
5 He wished to kill him, but he was afraid of the crowd, since they considered him a prophet.
6 But when Herod's birthday was being kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in their midst and delighted Herod,
7 so that he swore an oath and promised to give her anything she asked.
8 Urged on by her mother, she said, "Give me, right here on a platter, the head of John the Baptist."
9 The king was distressed, but on account of the oaths and his dinner guests he ordered that it be given to her.
10 He sent word and had John's head cut off in the prison.
11 His head was carried in on a platter and handed to the girl, and she took it to her mother.
12 Then John's disciples came, took away the body, and buried it; and they went off and reported to Jesus.
13 On hearing this, Jesus slipped away from there in a boat to a deserted place, apart from others. When the crowds heard of it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
14 As he came out, Jesus saw a large crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them and cured their sick.
15 As evening came on, his disciples came to him and said, "This place is deserted, and the hour has already gone by. Dismiss the crowds so they can go off into the villages and buy themselves food."
16 Jesus told them, "They have no need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17 They told him, "All we have here is five loaves and two fish."
18 He said, "Bring them here to me."
19 And after ordering the crowds to recline on the grass, he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and gave a blessing; then he broke the loaves and handed them to the disciples, and the disciples to the crowds.
20 Everyone ate and was filled, and they picked up the fragments that were left over, twelve full baskets.
21 Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, not counting women and children.
22 Right away Jesus compelled his disciples to board the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the crowds away.
23 After sending the crowds away, he went up the mountain privately to pray. Evening came, and he was there by himself.
24 But the boat was already in the middle of the sea, harassed by the waves, because the wind was against them.
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went off toward them, walking on the sea.
26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were shaken and said, "It is a phantom!" And they screamed in fear.
27 But Jesus at once spoke to them: "Have courage; it is I. Stop being afraid."
28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the waters."
29 He said, "Come." Peter climbed down from the boat and walked on the waters to go to Jesus.
30 But seeing the strong wind, he became frightened, and as he started to go under, he shouted, "Lord, save me!"
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
32 As they climbed into the boat, the wind died down.
33 Then the men in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, "You are truly the Son of God."
34 Having crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.
35 The men of that place recognized him and sent word into all that surrounding country, and they brought to him all who were ill,
36 and they pleaded with him that they might just touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were thoroughly healed.