Matthew 14 — AAB
The Beheading of John
14Verse 1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about JesusVerse 2and 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.”Verse 3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,Verse 4because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”Verse 5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.Verse 6On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased HerodVerse 7so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.Verse 8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”Verse 9The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be grantedVerse 10and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.Verse 11John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.Verse 12Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.The Feeding of the Five Thousand
Verse 13When 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.Verse 14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.Verse 15When 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.”Verse 16“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”Verse 17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.Verse 18“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said.Verse 19And 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.Verse 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.Verse 21About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.Jesus Walks on Water
Verse 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.Verse 23After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,Verse 24but the boat was already far+from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.Verse 25During the fourth watch of the night,+Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.Verse 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.Verse 27But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”Verse 28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”Verse 29“Come,” said Jesus.Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.Verse 30But when he saw the strength of the wind,+he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”Verse 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”Verse 32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.Verse 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”