Thematic Bible
Matthew 14:1 (show verse)
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard reports about Jesus,
Matthew 14:2 (show verse)
and he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead! And because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him."
Matthew 14:3 (show verse)
For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,
Matthew 14:4 (show verse)
because John had repeatedly told him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
Matthew 14:5 (show verse)
Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.
Matthew 14:6 (show verse)
But on Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,
Matthew 14:7 (show verse)
so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
Matthew 14:8 (show verse)
Instructed by her mother, she said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter."
Matthew 14:9 (show verse)
Although it grieved the king, because of his oath and the dinner guests he commanded it to be given.
Matthew 14:10 (show verse)
So he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
Matthew 14:11 (show verse)
His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
Matthew 14:12 (show verse)
Then John's disciples came and took the body and buried it and went and told Jesus.
Matthew 14:13 (show verse)
Now when Jesus heard this he went away from there privately in a boat to an isolated place. But when the crowd heard about it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
Matthew 14:14 (show verse)
As he got out he saw the large crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
Matthew 14:15 (show verse)
When evening arrived, his disciples came to him saying, "This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
Matthew 14:16 (show verse)
But he replied, "They don't need to go. You give them something to eat."
Matthew 14:17 (show verse)
They said to him, "We have here only five loaves and two fish."
Matthew 14:18 (show verse)
"Bring them here to me," he replied.
Matthew 14:19 (show verse)
Then he instructed the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke the loaves. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
Matthew 14:20 (show verse)
They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the broken pieces left over, twelve baskets full.
Matthew 14:21 (show verse)
Not counting women and children, there were about five thousand men who ate.
Matthew 14:22 (show verse)
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he dispersed the crowds.
Matthew 14:23 (show verse)
And after he sent the crowds away, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone.
Matthew 14:24 (show verse)
Meanwhile the boat, already far from land, was taking a beating from the waves because the wind was against it.
Matthew 14:25 (show verse)
As the night was ending, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.
Matthew 14:26 (show verse)
When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified and said, "It's a ghost!" and cried out with fear.
Matthew 14:27 (show verse)
But immediately Jesus spoke to them: "Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid."
Matthew 14:28 (show verse)
Peter said to him, "Lord, if it is you, order me to come to you on the water."
Matthew 14:29 (show verse)
So he said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.
Matthew 14:30 (show verse)
But when he saw the strong wind he became afraid. And starting to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!"
Matthew 14:31 (show verse)
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, "You of little faith, why did you doubt?"
Matthew 14:32 (show verse)
When they went up into the boat, the wind ceased.
Matthew 14:33 (show verse)
Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
Matthew 14:34 (show verse)
After they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
Matthew 14:35 (show verse)
When the people there recognized him, they sent word into all the surrounding area, and they brought all their sick to him.
Matthew 14:36 (show verse)
They begged him if they could only touch the edge of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.