Fluent Translation · Read & Reflect
Matthew 14
Herod and John the Baptist
At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus. He said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead, and that is why these powers are at work in him.” Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” Herod wanted to kill John, but he feared the crowd because they regarded John as a prophet. But when Herod's birthday came, Herodias's daughter danced before the guests and pleased Herod. So he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter.” The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given. He sent men and had John beheaded in prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. John's disciples came, took the body, buried it, and went and reported it to Jesus.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
When Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there by boat to a deserted place by himself. But the crowds heard and followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus came ashore and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. When evening came, the disciples approached him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish.” He said, “Bring them here to me.” Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and two fish, he looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. Everyone ate and was satisfied. They picked up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that remained. Those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Sea
Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. After dismissing the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. The boat was already many stadia from land, battered by the waves because the wind was against them. During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came toward them walking on the sea. When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified and said, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear. Immediately Jesus spoke to them: “Take courage. I am. Do not be afraid.” Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” Jesus said, “Come.” Peter got out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he became afraid. Beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand, took hold of him, and said, “You of little trust, why did you doubt?” When they got into the boat, the wind stopped. Those in the boat bowed before him and said, “Truly you are God's Son.”
Healings at Gennesaret
After crossing over, they came to land at Gennesaret. When the people of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word throughout that whole region and brought to him everyone who was sick. They begged him that they might only touch the fringe of his cloak, and everyone who touched it was made well.