Matthew 14
14
The Death of John
1-2At about this time, Herod, the regional ruler, heard what was being said about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This has to be John the Baptizer come back from the dead. That’s why he’s able to work miracles!”
3-5Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and sent him to prison to placate Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. John had provoked Herod by naming his relationship with Herodias “adultery.” Herod wanted to kill him, but he was afraid because so many people revered John as a prophet of God.
6-12But at his birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias’s daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: “Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer.” That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John’s head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother. Later, John’s disciples got the body, gave it a reverent burial, and reported to Jesus.
Supper for Five Thousand
13-14When Jesus got the news, he slipped away by boat to an out-of-the-way place by himself. But unsuccessfully—someone saw him and the word got around. Soon a lot of people from the nearby villages walked around the lake to where he was. When he saw them coming, he was overcome with pity and healed their sick.
15Toward evening the disciples approached him. “We’re out in the country and it’s getting late. Dismiss the people so they can go to the villages and get some supper.”
16But Jesus said, “There is no need to dismiss them. You give them supper.”
17“All we have are five loaves of bread and two fish,” they said.
18-21Jesus said, “Bring them here.” Then he had the people sit on the grass. He took the five loaves and two fish, lifted his face to heaven in prayer, blessed, broke, and gave the bread to the disciples. The disciples then gave the food to the congregation. They all ate their fill. They gathered twelve baskets of leftovers. About five thousand were fed.
Walking on the Water
22-23As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night.
24-26Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o’clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them walking on the water. They were scared to death. “A ghost!” they said, crying out in terror.
27But Jesus was quick to comfort them. “Courage, it’s me. Don’t be afraid.”
28Peter, suddenly bold, said, “Master, if it’s really you, call me to come to you on the water.”
29-30He said, “Come ahead.”
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, “Master, save me!”
31Jesus didn’t hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, “Faint-heart, what got into you?”
32-33The two of them climbed into the boat, and the wind died down. The disciples in the boat, having watched the whole thing, worshiped Jesus, saying, “This is it! You are God’s Son for sure!”
34-36On return, they beached the boat at Gennesaret. When the people got wind that he was back, they sent out word through the neighborhood and rounded up all the sick, who asked for permission to touch the edge of his coat. And whoever touched him was healed.
Currently Selected:
Matthew 14: MSG
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of NavPress. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers.
Matthew 14
14
The death of John the Baptist
(Mark 6.14-29; Luke 9.7-9)
1About this time Herod the ruler#14.1 Herod the ruler: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great (see 2.1). heard the news about Jesus 2and told his officials, “This is John the Baptist! He has come back from death, and that's why he has the power to perform these miracles.”
3-4Herod had earlier arrested John and had him chained and put in prison. He did this because John had told him, “It isn't right for you to take Herodias, the wife of your brother Philip.”#Lk 3.19,20.#Lv 18.16; 20.21. 5Herod wanted to kill John. But the people thought John was a prophet, and Herod was afraid of what they might do.
6When Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. She pleased Herod 7so much that he swore to give her whatever she wanted. 8But the girl's mother told her to say, “Here on a dish I want the head of John the Baptist!”
9The king was sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. So he ordered a guard 10to go to the prison and cut off John's head. 11It was taken on a dish to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 12John's followers took his body and buried it. Then they told Jesus what had happened.
Jesus feeds five thousand
(Mark 6.30-44; Luke 9.10-17; John 6.1-14)
13After Jesus heard about John, he crossed Lake Galilee#14.13 crossed Lake Galilee: To the east side. to go to some place where he could be alone. But the crowds found out and followed him on foot from the towns. 14When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd. He felt sorry for them and healed everyone who was sick.
15That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it is already late. Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the villages and buy some food.”
16Jesus replied, “They don't have to leave. Why don't you give them something to eat?”
17But they said, “We have only five small loaves of bread#14.17 small loaves of bread: These would have been flat and round or in the shape of a bun. and two fish.” 18Jesus asked his disciples to bring the food to him, 19and he told the crowd to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples, and they gave it to the people.
20After everyone had eaten all they wanted, Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftovers.
21There were about five thousand men who ate, not counting the women and children.
Jesus walks on the water
(Mark 6.45-52; John 6.15-21)
22Straight away, Jesus made his disciples get into a boat and start back across the lake.#14.22 back across the lake: To the west side. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. 23Then he went up on a mountain where he could be alone and pray. Later that evening, he was still there.
24By this time the boat was a long way from the shore. It was going against the wind and was being tossed around by the waves. 25A little while before morning, Jesus came walking on the water towards his disciples. 26When they saw him, they thought he was a ghost. They were terrified and started screaming.
27At once, Jesus said to them, “Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.”
28Peter replied, “Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water.”
29“Come on!” Jesus said. Peter then got out of the boat and started walking on the water towards him.
30But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, he was afraid and started sinking. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted.
31Straight away, Jesus reached out his hand. He helped Peter up and said, “You don't have much faith. Why do you doubt?”
32When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind died down. 33The men in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, “You really are the Son of God!”
Jesus heals sick people in Gennesaret
(Mark 6.53-56)
34Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and came to shore near the town of Gennesaret. 35The people found out that he was there, and they sent word to everyone who lived in that part of the country. So they brought all the sick people to Jesus. 36They begged him just to let them touch his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© British and Foreign Bible Society 2012