Matthew 14
Open in the reader1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about He-Who-Is-Saves
2and said to his servants, “This is He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”
3Now Herod had arrested He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Horse-Lover’s wife,
4because He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
5Although Herod wanted to kill He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor as a prophet.
6On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod
7so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.
8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor the Baptist.”
9The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
10and sent to have He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor beheaded in the prison.
11He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12Then He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor’s apprentices came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed He-Who-Is-Saves.
13When He-Who-Is-Saves heard about He-Who-Is-Has-Shown-Favor, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.
14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15When evening came, the apprentices 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.”
16“They do not need to go away,” He-Who-Is-Saves replied. “You give them something to eat.”
17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
18“Bring them here to Me,” He-Who-Is-Saves said.
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 apprentices, and the apprentices gave them to the people.
20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.
22Immediately He-Who-Is-Saves made the apprentices get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.
23After He had dismissed them, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,
24but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night, He-Who-Is-Saves went out to them, walking on the sea.
26When the apprentices saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.
27But He-Who-Is-Saves spoke up at once: “Take courage! I AM. Do not be afraid.”
28“Lord, if it is You,” Stone replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29“Come,” said He-Who-Is-Saves. Then Stone got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward He-Who-Is-Saves.
30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31Immediately He-Who-Is-Saves reached out His hand and took hold of Stone. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”
32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.
33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”
34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.
35And when the men of that place recognized He-Who-Is-Saves, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him
36and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.