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that time Herod the Tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus, 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead! That’s why these miraculous powers are at work in Him!”
3 For Herod had arrested John and bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Though Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced for them and pleased Herod, 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.”
9 Although the king was distressed, yet because of his oaths and his guests, he commanded that her request be carried out. 10 He gave the order and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. 12 Then his disciples came and removed the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13 When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place to be alone. But when the crowds heard this, they followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 As Jesus stepped ashore, He saw a large crowd, and He was moved with compassion for them and healed their sick.
15 As evening approached, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a remote area, and it is already late in the day. Send the crowds away so they may go to the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus said to them, “They need not go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 They replied, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”
18 “Bring them here to Me,” He said. 19 Then He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke the loaves. Then He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 Everyone ate and was satisfied, and the disciples took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 Then after He had sent the crowds away, He went up on a mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was out over the sea far from land, buffeted by the waves, for the wind was against them.
25 During the fourth watch of the night Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.
27 But immediately Jesus said to them, “Take courage! It is I; do not be afraid.”
28 “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”
29 “Come,” He said.
So Peter got out of the boat, and he started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshipped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God.”
34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word into all the surrounding region and brought to Him all who were sick. 36 They begged Him that they might only touch the fringe of His garment, and all who touched it were healed.