## John the Baptist Beheaded 

###### 1
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, 

###### 2
and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him." 

###### 3
For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 

###### 4
For John had been saying to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 

###### 5
And although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they were regarding John as a prophet. 

###### 6
But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before _them_ and pleased Herod, 

###### 7
so _much_ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 

###### 8
Now having been prompted by her mother, she *said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 

###### 9
And although he was grieved, the king commanded _it_ to be given because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests. 

###### 10
And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 

###### 11
And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 

###### 12
And his disciples came and took away the body and buried it; and they went and reported to Jesus. 

## Jesus Feeds Five Thousand 

###### 13
Now when Jesus heard _about John_, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself; and when the crowds heard _of this_, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 

###### 14
And when He went ashore, He saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and healed their sick. 

###### 15
Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, "This place is desolate and the hour is already late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves." 

###### 16
But Jesus said to them, **"They do not need to go away; you give them _something_ to eat!"** 

###### 17
But they *said to Him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish." 

###### 18
And He said, **"Bring them here to Me."** 

###### 19
And ordering the crowds to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed _the food_. And breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples _gave them_ to the crowds, 

###### 20
and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets. 

###### 21
And there were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children. 

## Jesus Walks on the Sea 

###### 22
Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 

###### 23
And after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 

###### 24
But the boat was already many stadia away from the land, being battered by the waves; for the wind was against _them_. 

###### 25
And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 

###### 26
Now when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out in fear. 

###### 27
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, **"Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid."** 

###### 28
And Peter answered and said to Him, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." 

###### 29
And He said, **"Come!"** And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 

###### 30
But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, "Lord, save me!" 

###### 31
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, **"You of little faith, why did you doubt?"** 

###### 32
And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 

###### 33
And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, "You are truly God's Son!" 

###### 34
And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 

###### 35
And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent _word_ into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 

###### 36
and they were pleading _with_ Him that they might just touch the fringe of His garment; and as many as touched _it_ were cured.