1 At that time Herod the governor heard the reports about Jesus,
2 and said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead, and that is why the powers are at work through him."
3 For Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him out of the way by putting him in prison, just to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
4 for John had said to him, "It is not right for you to have her as wife."
5 Although he wanted to have him killed, he was afraid of the people, for they regarded him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod's birthday came, Herodias' daughter danced before the guests. Herod was fascinated by her,
7 and so passionately promised to give her anything she might ask for.
8 And she, prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head right here on a platter."
9 And the king was sorry, but on account of his oath and his guests, he ordered it to be given her.
10 And he sent and had John beheaded in prison.
11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother.
12 Then John's disciples came and carried off his corpse, and buried him, and went and reported it to Jesus.
13 When Jesus heard it, He left there in a boat for a quiet place, to be alone. And when the crowds heard of it, they followed Him on foot from the towns.
14 So when He got out of the boat and saw a great crowd, His heart was moved with pity for them, and He cured their sick people.
15 But when it was evening, His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a destitute place, and the day is over; send the crowds off to the villages to buy themselves food."
16 But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to leave here; give them something to eat yourselves."
18 He said, "Bring them here to me."
19 After ordering the crowds to sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and two fish and looked up to heaven and blessed them; then He broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to the disciples, and they gave them to the people.
20 And they all ate and had aplenty. Then they took up the pieces left over, which made twelve basketfuls.
21 The people fed numbered about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22 And He at once had the disciples get into the boat and cross to the other side ahead of Him, while He dismissed the crowds.
23 After He had dismissed the crowds, He went up the hill alone to pray. And after the evening came on, He was there alone,
24 but the boat was already a long way from shore, and was being tossed by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 Just before day He went out to them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is a ghost!" And they screamed with fright.
29 And He said, "Come." And Peter got down out of the boat and walked on the water, and he went toward Jesus.
30 But when he felt the wind, he was frightened, and as he began to go down, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31 Jesus at once put out His hand and caught hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith! Why did you waver so?"
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind lulled,
33 And the men in the boat worshiped Him, and said, "You are certainly God's Son."
34 And they crossed over to the other side and came to Gennesaret.
35 And the men of that place recognized Him, and sent into all the countryside and brought to Him all who were sick,
36 and they continued to beg Him to let them touch just the tassel on His coat, and all who barely touched it were completely cured.