Matthew
Summary
The narrative documents the tragic execution of John the Baptist by King Herod, an event that prompts Jesus to withdraw to a deserted place. However, He is followed by great multitudes, for whom He feels deep compassion and miraculously feeds five thousand men (along with women and children) from only five loaves and two fish. This demonstration of divine provision is immediately followed by a profound display of Jesus’s authority over nature as He walks on the Sea of Galilee during a storm: and invites Peter to join Him. Peter’s subsequent doubt serves as a powerful teaching on the necessity of focused faith, as Jesus saves him from the water and reveals His identity more clearly to His disciples: who worship Him as the "Son of God." The chapter concludes with Jesus’s return to Gennesaret, where He continues His work of restoration for all who touch His garment.
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus
And said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do show forth themselves in him."
For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife.
For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."
And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
But when Herod's birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she would ask.
And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, "Give me here John Baptist's head in a charger."
And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath's sake, and those who sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the girl: and she brought it to her mother.
And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, "This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals."
But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
And they said to Him, "We have here but five loaves, and two fish."
He said, "Bring them here to Me."
And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
And immediately Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear."
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid."
And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it be You, bid me come to You on the water."
And He said, "Come." And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, "saying, Lord, save me."
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
Then those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought to him all that were diseased;
And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.