施洗者約翰之死

14 分封王希律聽見耶穌的名聲, 就對臣僕說:「這個人是施洗者約翰!他從死裡復活了,所以能夠行這些神蹟。」

原來希律為他兄弟腓力的妻子希羅底的緣故,拘捕了約翰,把他捆綁起來關在監裡。 因為約翰曾多次對他說:「你娶這個婦人是不對的。」 他想殺掉約翰,但怕觸怒百姓,因為他們都認為約翰是先知。

在希律的生日那天,希羅底的女兒出來在眾人面前跳舞。希律非常高興, 就起誓答應她無論要什麼都可以。 她受了母親的指使,說:「請把施洗者約翰的頭放在盤子裡送給我。」 希律感到為難,但既然在眾賓客面前起了誓,只好下令給她。 10 他派人到監裡砍了約翰的頭, 11 放在盤子裡送給她,她轉送給她母親。 12 約翰的門徒把屍體領回安葬後,就去告訴耶穌。

13 耶穌聽見這個消息,就獨自坐船退到一處偏僻的地方。眾人得知後,就從各城步行來跟隨祂。

耶穌使五千人吃飽

14 耶穌上了岸,看見一大群人,心裡憐憫他們,就治好了他們當中的病人。 15 黃昏時,門徒過來對耶穌說:「這裡是荒郊野外,天又晚了,請遣散眾人,好讓他們到村莊去自己買些吃的。」

16 耶穌回答說:「他們不用離開,你們給他們吃的吧。」

17 門徒答道:「我們這裡只有五個餅和兩條魚。」

18 耶穌說:「拿來給我。」

19 於是,祂叫眾人坐在草地上,然後拿起那五個餅和兩條魚,舉目望著天祝謝後,就掰開餅遞給門徒,讓他們分給眾人。 20 大家都吃飽了,把剩下的零碎收拾起來,竟裝滿了十二個籃子。 21 當時吃飯的,除了婦女和小孩,約有五千男人。

耶穌在水上行走

22 隨後,耶穌催門徒上船,叫他們先渡到湖對岸,祂則遣散眾人。 23 待眾人都離開了,祂就獨自上山去禱告,在那裡一直待到晚上。

24 那時,門徒的船離岸已遠,遇到逆風,船身被波浪撞擊得搖擺不定。 25 天將破曉的時候,耶穌從水面上向門徒走去。 26 門徒看見有人在湖面上走,都嚇壞了,說:「是幽靈!」他們害怕得又喊又叫。

27 耶穌立刻對他們說:「放心吧!是我,不要怕。」

28 彼得說:「主啊!如果真的是你,就叫我從水面上走到你那裡。」

29 耶穌說:「好,你來吧!」

於是,彼得就從船上下去,走在湖面上,要去耶穌那裡。 30 他看到風浪很大,就害怕起來,身體開始往下沉,便大喊:「主啊,救我!」

31 耶穌馬上伸手拉住他,說:「你信心太小了!為什麼懷疑呢?」

32 他們上了船,風浪就平靜了。 33 船上的人都敬拜祂,說:「你真是上帝的兒子。」

34 他們渡到湖對岸,來到革尼撒勒。 35 當地的人認出是耶穌,就派人去把附近所有的病人都帶到祂面前, 36 求耶穌讓他們摸一摸祂衣裳的穗邊,所有摸過的病人都好了。

John the Baptist Beheaded

14 (A)At that [a]time (B)Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus, and said to his servants, “(C)This is John the Baptist; [b]he has risen from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

For when (D)Herod had John arrested, he bound him and put him (E)in prison because of (F)Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. For John had been saying to him, “(G)It is not lawful for you to have her.” And although Herod wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they were regarding [c]John as (H)a prophet.

But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of (I)Herodias danced [d]before them and pleased (J)Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Now having been prompted by her mother, she *said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of [e]his dinner guests. 10 And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came and took away the body and buried [f]it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

13 (K)Now when Jesus heard about John, He withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by Himself; and when the crowds heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. 14 And when He went [g]ashore, He (L)saw a large crowd, and felt compassion for them and (M)healed their sick.

15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is desolate and the hour is already [h]late; so send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you give them something to eat!” 17 But they *said to Him, “We have here only (N)five loaves and two fish.” 18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.” 19 And ordering the crowds to [i]sit down on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He (O)blessed the food. And breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds, 20 and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full (P)baskets. 21 And there were about five thousand men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Sea

22 (Q)Immediately He [j]made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away. 23 And after He had sent the crowds away, (R)He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already many [k]stadia away from the land, [l]being battered by the waves; for the wind was [m](S)against them. 25 And in (T)the [n]fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. 26 Now when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is (U)a ghost!” And they cried out [o]in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (V)Take courage, [p]it is I; (W)do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered and said to Him, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29 And He said, “Come!” And getting out of the boat, Peter walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and *said to him, (X)You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, the wind stopped. 33 And those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “You are truly (Y)God’s Son!”

34 (Z)And when they had crossed over, they came to land at (AA)Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place [q]recognized Him, they sent word into all that surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick; 36 and they were pleading with Him that they might just touch (AB)the fringe of His garment; and as many as (AC)touched it were cured.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 14:1 Or occasion
  2. Matthew 14:2 Or he, himself
  3. Matthew 14:5 Lit him
  4. Matthew 14:6 Lit in the midst
  5. Matthew 14:9 Lit those who reclined at the table with him
  6. Matthew 14:12 Lit him
  7. Matthew 14:14 Lit out
  8. Matthew 14:15 Lit past
  9. Matthew 14:19 Lit recline
  10. Matthew 14:22 Lit compelled
  11. Matthew 14:24 A stadion was approx. 607 ft. or 185 m
  12. Matthew 14:24 Lit tormented
  13. Matthew 14:24 Lit contrary
  14. Matthew 14:25 3-6 a.m.
  15. Matthew 14:26 Lit from
  16. Matthew 14:27 Or I am He, cf. John 4:26; 8:18, 24, 28; 13:19; 18:5, 6
  17. Matthew 14:35 Or knew

14 At this time, the ruler of Galilee was Herod Antipas. He began to hear reports about all that Jesus was doing.

Like the people of Nazareth, Herod wondered where Jesus’ power came from.

Herod (to his servants): He must be John the Baptist,[a] raised from the dead; thus his powers are at work in him.

Herod is concerned with the attention that John is receiving, but he doesn’t want to be seen killing a holy man. And now, Jesus is creating an even greater problem.

3-5 Herod’s brother Philip had married a woman named Herodias, who eventually married Herod. John denounced Herod’s marriage to her as adulterous. Herod was incensed (not to mention a little fearful) and wanted to kill John, but he knew the people considered John a prophet. Instead, he bound John and put him in jail.

6-7 There John sat until Herod’s birthday. On that night, Salome, Herodias’s daughter by Philip, came and danced for her stepfather and all his birthday guests. Herod so enjoyed her dancing that he vowed to give her whatever she wanted.

Salome (after whispering with her mother): Bring me the head of John the Baptist,[b] displayed on a platter.

This is not what Herod expected—he imagined his stepdaughter would ask for a necklace or maybe a slave.

Herod still thought it unwise to kill John, but because he had made such a show of his promise—because he had actually sworn an oath and because the scene was playing out in front of the watchful eyes of so many guests—Herod felt bound to give his stepdaughter what she wanted. 10 And so he sent orders to the prison to have John beheaded, 11 and there was his head, displayed on a platter, given first to Salome and then passed on to her mother.

12 John’s disciples went to the prison, got John’s body, and buried him. Then they went to tell Jesus.

13 When Jesus learned what had happened, He got on a boat and went away to spend some time in a private place. The crowds, of course, followed Jesus on foot from their cities. 14 Though Jesus wanted solitude, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, and He healed the sick and the lame. 15 At evening-time, Jesus’ disciples came to Him.

Disciples: We’re in a fairly remote place, and it is getting late; the crowds will get hungry for supper. Send them away so they have time to get back to the villages and get something to eat.

Jesus: 16 They don’t need to go back to the villages in order to eat supper. Give them something to eat here.

Disciples: 17 But we don’t have enough food. We only have five rounds of flatbread and two fish.

Jesus: 18 Bring the bread and the fish to Me.

So the disciples brought Him the five rounds of flatbread and the two fish, 19 and Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the bread and the fish, He looked up to heaven, He gave thanks, and then He broke the bread. Jesus gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave the bread to the people; 20 everyone ate and was satisfied. When everyone had eaten, the disciples picked up 12 baskets of crusts and broken pieces of bread and crumbs. 21 There were 5,000 men there, not to mention all the women and children.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on to the other side of the sea while He dismissed the crowd. 23 Then, after the crowd had gone, Jesus went up to a mountaintop alone (as He had intended from the start). As evening descended, He stood alone on the mountain, praying.

In the midst of the burdens of life and ministry, like when news of John’s death reaches Him, Jesus seeks refreshment in solitary prayer.

24 The boat was in the water, some distance from land, buffeted and pushed around by waves and wind. 25 Deep in the night, when He had concluded His prayers, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples in their boat. 26 The disciples saw a figure moving toward them and were terrified.

Disciple: It’s a ghost!

Another Disciple: A ghost? What will we do?

Jesus: 27 Be still. It is I. You have nothing to fear.

Peter: 28 Lord, if it is really You, then command me to meet You on the water.

Jesus: 29 Indeed, come.

Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water and began walking toward Jesus. 30 But when he remembered how strong the wind was, his courage caught in his throat and he began to sink.

Peter: Master, save me!

31 Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him.

Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following Me and heeding fear?

32 Then Jesus and Peter climbed in the boat together, and the wind became still. 33 And the disciples worshiped Him.

Disciples: Truly You are the Son of God.

34 All together, Jesus and the disciples crossed to the other side of the sea. They landed at Gennesaret, an area famous for its princely gardens. 35 The people of Gennesaret recognized Jesus, and they spread word of His arrival all over the countryside. People brought the sick and wounded to Him 36 and begged Him for permission to touch the fringes of His robe. Everyone who touched Him was healed.

Footnotes

  1. 14:2 Literally, John who immersed, to show repentance
  2. 14:8 Literally, John who immersed, to show repentance

The Death of John the Baptist

14 (A)At that time (B)Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, and he said to his servants, (C)“This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” For (D)Herod had seized John and bound him and (E)put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,[a] because John had been saying to him, (F)“It is not lawful for you to have her.” And though he wanted to put him to death, (G)he feared the people, because they held him to be (H)a prophet. But when Herod's (I)birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. 10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, 11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother. 12 And (J)his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard this, (K)he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore he (L)saw a great crowd, and (M)he had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; (N)send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; (O)you give them something to eat.” 17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish.” 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, (P)he looked up to heaven and (Q)said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 (R)Immediately he (S)made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, (T)he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When (U)evening came, he was there alone, 24 but the boat by this time was a long way[b] from the land,[c] beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. 25 And (V)in the fourth watch of the night[d] he came to them, walking on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, (W)they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, (X)“Take heart; it is I. (Y)Do not be afraid.”

28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and (Z)walked on the water and came to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind,[e] he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, (AA)“Lord, save me.” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, (AB)“O you of little faith, why did you (AC)doubt?” 32 And when they got into the boat, (AD)the wind ceased. 33 And (AE)those in the boat (AF)worshiped him, saying, (AG)“Truly you are (AH)the Son of God.”

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34 (AI)And when they had crossed over, they came to land at (AJ)Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and (AK)brought to him all who were sick 36 and implored him that they might only touch (AL)the fringe of his garment. And (AM)as many as touched it were made well.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother's wife
  2. Matthew 14:24 Greek many stadia, a stadion was about 607 feet or 185 meters
  3. Matthew 14:24 Some manuscripts was out on the sea
  4. Matthew 14:25 That is, between 3 a.m. and 6 a.m.
  5. Matthew 14:30 Some manuscripts strong wind

John the Baptist Beheaded(A)

14 At that time Herod(B) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,(C) and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;(D) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison(E) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(F) for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(G) Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(H)

On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded(I) in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.(J) Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(K)(L)

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them(M) and healed their sick.(N)

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves(O) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.(P) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water(Q)(R)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(S) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(T) they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(U) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(V)

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(W) he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(X)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,(Y) and all who touched it were healed.