馬可福音 6
Chinese Contemporary Bible (Traditional)
拿撒勒人厭棄耶穌
6 耶穌帶著門徒離開那地方，回到自己的家鄉。 2 到了安息日，祂開始在會堂裡教導人，眾人聽了都很驚奇，說：「這個人從哪裡學來這些本領？祂怎麼會有這種智慧？祂怎麼能行這樣的神蹟？ 3 這不是那個木匠嗎？祂不是瑪麗亞的兒子嗎？祂不是雅各、約西、猶大、西門的大哥嗎？祂的妹妹們不也住在我們這裡嗎？」他們就對祂很反感。
4 耶穌對他們說：「先知到處受人尊敬，只有在本鄉、本族、本家例外。」 5 耶穌不能在那裡行任何神蹟，只把手按在幾個病人身上，醫治了他們。 6 他們的不信令耶穌詫異，於是祂就去周圍的村莊教導人。
差遣十二使徒
7 耶穌召集了十二個使徒，差遣他們兩個兩個地出去，賜給他們制伏污鬼的權柄， 8 又吩咐他們除了手杖之外，不用帶食物和背囊，腰包裡也不要帶錢， 9 只穿一雙鞋子和一套衣服就夠了。 10 祂說：「你們無論到哪裡，就住在那些接待你們的人家裡，一直住到離開。 11 如果某地方的人不接待你們，不聽你們傳的道，你們在離開之前要跺掉腳上的塵土，作為對他們的警告！」
12 使徒便出去傳道，勸人悔改， 13 趕出許多鬼，為許多病人抹油，治好他們。
施洗者約翰遇害
14 耶穌聲名遠播，希律王也聽說了祂的事。有人說：「施洗者約翰從死裡復活了，所以能夠行這些神蹟。」
15 也有人說：「祂是先知以利亞。」
還有人說：「祂是個先知，跟古代的一位先知相似。」
16 希律聽到這些議論，就說：「祂一定是被我斬了頭的約翰從死裡復活了。」 17 原來希律娶了他兄弟腓力的妻子希羅底，並為她的緣故而派人逮捕了約翰，把他關押在監牢裡。 18 因為約翰屢次對希律說：「你娶弟弟的妻子不合法。」
19 希羅底對約翰懷恨在心，想要殺掉他，只是不能得逞。 20 因為希律知道約翰是個公義聖潔的人，所以敬畏他，並對他加以保護。儘管約翰所講的道理令他困惑不安，他仍然喜歡聽。
21 機會終於來了。希律在自己的生日那天設宴招待文武百官和加利利的顯要。 22 希羅底的女兒進來跳舞，甚得希律和客人的歡心。王對她說：「你想要什麼，只管說。」 23 王還對她起誓說：「無論你要什麼，哪怕是我的半壁江山，我都會給你。」
24 她便出去問她母親：「我應該要什麼呢？」
她母親說：「要施洗者約翰的頭！」
25 她馬上回去對王說：「願王立刻把施洗者約翰的頭放在盤子裡送給我。」
26 王聽了這個請求，感到十分為難，但因為在賓客面前起了誓言，就不好拒絕。 27 他立刻命令衛兵進監牢砍了約翰的頭， 28 放在盤子裡送給這女子，她又轉送給她母親。 29 約翰的門徒聽到這個消息，就來把約翰的屍體領回去，安葬在墳墓裡。
耶穌使五千人吃飽
30 使徒們聚集在耶穌身邊，向祂報告事工和傳道的經過。 31 耶穌對他們說：「你們私下跟我到僻靜的地方去歇一會兒吧。」因為當時來來往往找他們的人實在太多，他們連吃飯的時間都沒有。
32 他們乘船悄悄地到了一處僻靜的地方。 33 可是有許多人看見他們離開，認出了他們，便從各城鎮步行趕往那裡，比他們先到達。 34 耶穌一下船，看見這一大群人好像沒有牧人的羊，心裡憐憫他們，於是教導了他們許多道理。
35 天色晚了，門徒過來對耶穌說：「時候已經不早了，這裡又是荒郊野外， 36 請遣散眾人，好讓他們到周圍的村莊去自己買些吃的。」
37 耶穌說：「你們給他們吃的吧。」
門徒說：「我們哪來這麼多錢買東西給他們吃啊？」
38 耶穌說：「看看你們有多少餅。」
他們察看後，說：「有五個餅和兩條魚。」
39 耶穌吩咐門徒叫大家分組坐在草地上。 40 於是眾人坐下，有的五十人一組，有的一百人一組。 41 耶穌拿起那五個餅、兩條魚，舉目望著天祝謝後，掰開遞給門徒，讓他們分給眾人。祂又照樣把那兩條魚分給眾人。 42 大家都吃了，並且吃飽了。 43 門徒把剩下的碎餅、碎魚收拾起來，裝滿了十二個籃子。 44 當時吃餅的男人有五千。
耶穌在湖面上行走
45 隨後，耶穌催門徒上船，叫他們先渡到湖對岸的伯賽大，祂則遣散眾人。 46 祂辭別了眾人後，就上山去禱告。 47 到了晚上，門徒的船在湖中心，耶穌獨自留在岸上。 48 大約凌晨三點鐘，祂看見門徒在逆風中搖櫓，非常吃力，就從水面上朝門徒走去，想要從他們旁邊經過。 49 門徒看見有人在湖面上走，以為是幽靈，嚇得驚叫起來。 50 全船的人看見祂，都嚇壞了，耶穌立刻對他們說：「放心吧，是我，不要怕！」
51 耶穌上了船，來到他們那裡，風便停了。門徒心裡十分驚奇， 52 因為他們仍然不明白耶穌分餅那件事的意義，心裡還是愚頑。 53 他們渡到湖對岸，來到革尼撒勒，在那裡靠岸， 54 剛一下船，眾人立刻認出了耶穌。 55 他們跑遍那一帶地方，用墊子把生病的人抬來，聽到耶穌在哪裡，就把病人抬到哪裡。 56 耶穌不論到哪一個城市、鄉鎮和村莊，人們總是把病人抬到街市上，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。
Markos 6
Orthodox Jewish Bible
6 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach came out from there and comes into his shtetl and his talmidim follow him.
2 And Shabbos having come, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach began to say shiurim in the shul, and many, listening, were amazed, saying, From where [did] this one get lernen (Torah learning), and what [is] the chochmah (wisdom) that has been given to this one? And what gevurot (mighty deeds) are being done by his hands?
3 Is not this one the Naggar (Carpenter), Ben Miryam? The brother of Yaakov*, Yosef, Yehuda and Shimon? And, are not his achayot here with us? And they were taking offense at Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.
4 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was saying to them, A navi is not without his kavod, except in his own shtetl and among his own mishpochah and in his own bais.
5 And he was not able there to do many nissim (miracles), except on a few cholim (sick people) he laid (his) hands and administered refuah (healing) to them.
6 And he wondered on account of their lack of emunah. And he was going around the shtetlach in a circuit, saying shiurim.
7 And Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach summons the Shneym Asar, and he began to send them out two by two, and he was giving to them samchut [over] the ruchot hatumah. [DEVARIM 17:6]
8 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach gave directives to them that they should take nothing on [the] derech except a mere walking stick, not lechem, not a schnorrer’s sack, nor a money belt;
9 But instead, to wear sandals, and not to take an extra kaftan.
10 And he was saying to them, Wherever you enter into a bais, stay there until you leave that area.
11 And whatever place does not give you the kabbalat panim (welcome), and does not listen to you, then, as you are leaving there, let it be NIER CHATZNO, shake off the dust of your feet, for an edut to them.
12 And having gone out, they preached that Bnei Adam should make teshuva.
13 And many shedim they were casting out, and they were anointing with shemen many cholim, and they were administering refuah to them.
14 And Herod the king heard of it, for the name of Yehoshua had become bavust (famous), and some were saying, Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva has been made to stand up alive from [the] mesim, and for this reason the nissim (miracles) are at work in him.
15 But others were saying, It is Eliyahu HaNavi. Still others were saying, He is a navi, like one of the neviim of old. [MALACHI 4:5]
16 But when Herod heard of it, he kept saying, Yochanan whom I beheaded has stood up alive from the mesim!
17 For Herod himself had sent and had Yochanan arrested and bound in the beis hasohar, on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother, Philip, for he had married her.
18 But Yochanan was saying to Herod, It is not mutar according to the Torah for you to have your brother’s wife. [VAYIKRA 18:16, 20:21]
19 And Herodias bore a grudge against Yochanan and desired to kill him. But she could not.
20 For Herod feared Yochanan, knowing him [to be] a tzaddik and kadosh, and Herod was protecting Yochanan. And when Herod heard Yochanan, he was greatly disturbed, and [yet] gladly Herod was listening to Yochanan.
21 And, an opportune day having come, when Herod, on his yom huledet (birthday), gave a mishteh for the court of his nobles, and the military commanders, and those of chashivut (prominence) of the Galil, [ESTHER 1:3, 2:18]
22 And when his daughter entered and danced, she pleased Herod and the ones reclining at the seudah with him. And the king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you wish and I will give [it] to you.
23 And he made a shevuah (oath) to her solemnly, Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my Malchut. [ESTHER 5:3,6; 7:2]
24 And having gone out, she said to her mother, What should I ask [for]? And her mother said, The rosh Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva.
25 And having entered, ofen ort, with haste before the king, she made a request, saying, You may give to me upon a platter the rosh Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva.
26 And having become very sad, the king, on account of his shevuah and on account of the ones reclining at the seudah [with him], was unwilling to refuse her.
27 And, ofen ort, the king sent an executioner and commanded him to bring the rosh Yochanan. And having left, the executioner beheaded Yochanan of the tevilah of teshuva in the beit hasohar.
28 And he brought the rosh Yochanan upon a platter and gave it to the young girl, and the young girl gave it to her mother.
29 And, having heard this, Yochanan’s talmidim came and carried away his geviyah (body) and placed it in a kever (grave).
30 And the Shlichim gathered together with Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach and reported to him everything which they did and the torah which they had taught.
31 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to them, Come away a while, you yourselves, for a yechidus in a quiet place for a Shabbaton (rest from work). For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time for okhel (food).
32 And they departed in the sirah (boat) to a secluded place for a yechidus.
33 And the people, recognizing them, saw them departing, and from all the shtetlach they ran there and arrived ahead of them.
34 And having gotten out of the sirah (boat), Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach saw a large multitude and he had rachmei shomayim (heavenly mercy) on them, for they were KATSON ASHER AIN LAHEM ROEH (like sheep without a shepherd), and he began with his torah to teach them many things. (BAMIDBAR 27:17; MELACHIM ALEF 22:17; DIVREY HAYAMIM BAIS 18:16; YECHEZKEL 34:8)
35 And when it was already a late hour, his talmidim came up to him and were saying, This place is desolate and already [it is] late.
36 Send them away, that, having departed to the surrounding farms and shtetlach, they may buy for themselves okhel (food) they may eat.
37 But in reply, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said to them, You yourselves give them [something] to eat. And they say to him, Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii for lechem and give to them to eat? [MELACHIM BAIS 4:42-44]
38 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach says to them, How much lechem do you have? Go [and] see. And knowing, the talmidim of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach say, Chamesh (five), and dagim, shenayim (two).
39 And Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach commanded them to recline at tish, as it were, everyone group by group, on the green grass.
40 And they reclined, group by group, in hundreds and in fifties.
41 And, having taken the chamesh loaves and the shnei hadagim (two fish) and looking up to Shomayim, Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach said a bracha. And having offered the betziat halechem, Moshiach was giving to his talmidim in order that they might set them before the people. And Moshiach divided the shnei hadagim (two fish) among them all.
42 And everyone ate, and they were satisfied.
43 And they picked up shirayim (Rebbe’s remainders), shneym asar (twelve) baskets full, and from the dagim.
44 And those who had eaten the loaves numbered chamesh elafim (five thousand).
45 And ofen ort Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach compelled his talmidim to embark into the sirah (boat) and to go before [him] to the other side to Beit-Tzaidah, while he dismisses the multitude.
46 And with a Shalom farewell to them, Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach departed to the mountain to daven.
47 And erev having come, the sirah (boat) was in [the] middle of the lake, and Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach was alone on shore.
48 And having seen them laboring at the oars, for the wind was against them, about the fourth watch of halailah, he comes to them, walking on the lake. And he wanted to go by them.
49 But having seen him on the lake, they thought that it is a ruach refaim (an apparition). And they cried out;
50 For everyone saw him. And ofen ort he spoke with them, and they were filled with pachad (terror). Moshiach says to them, Chazak! (Be strong!) Ani hu. (I am He) Do not be afraid.
51 And he got into the sirah (boat) with them. And the wind died down. And in themselves they were exceedingly amazed.
52 For they did not have binah concerning the loaves [See 6:43], but their levavot (hearts) had been hardened.
53 And having crossed over onto the land, they came to Gennesaret and anchored.
54 And when they disembark from the sirah (boat), the people ofen ort recognized Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach.
55 And the people rushed everywhere in that region, and they began carrying about on their mats cholim where they heard he was.
56 And wherever Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach was entering into the shtetlach or into towns or into the countryside, thy laid the cholim in the marketplaces, entreating him that they might just touch Moshiach’s tzitzit. And as many as touched it were receiving refuah (healing). [BAMIDBAR 15:38-41; DEVARIM 22:12]
ΚΑΤΑ ΜΑΡΚΟΝ 6
1894 Scrivener New Testament
6 και εξηλθεν εκειθεν και ηλθεν εις την πατριδα αυτου και ακολουθουσιν αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου
2 και γενομενου σαββατου ηρξατο εν τη συναγωγη διδασκειν και πολλοι ακουοντες εξεπλησσοντο λεγοντες ποθεν τουτω ταυτα και τις η σοφια η δοθεισα αυτω οτι και δυναμεις τοιαυται δια των χειρων αυτου γινονται
3 ουκ ουτος εστιν ο τεκτων ο υιος μαριας αδελφος δε ιακωβου και ιωση και ιουδα και σιμωνος και ουκ εισιν αι αδελφαι αυτου ωδε προς ημας και εσκανδαλιζοντο εν αυτω
4 ελεγεν δε αυτοις ο ιησους οτι ουκ εστιν προφητης ατιμος ει μη εν τη πατριδι αυτου και εν τοις συγγενεσιν και εν τη οικια αυτου
5 και ουκ ηδυνατο εκει ουδεμιαν δυναμιν ποιησαι ει μη ολιγοις αρρωστοις επιθεις τας χειρας εθεραπευσεν
6 και εθαυμαζεν δια την απιστιαν αυτων και περιηγεν τας κωμας κυκλω διδασκων
7 και προσκαλειται τους δωδεκα και ηρξατο αυτους αποστελλειν δυο δυο και εδιδου αυτοις εξουσιαν των πνευματων των ακαθαρτων
8 και παρηγγειλεν αυτοις ινα μηδεν αιρωσιν εις οδον ει μη ραβδον μονον μη πηραν μη αρτον μη εις την ζωνην χαλκον
9 αλλ υποδεδεμενους σανδαλια και μη ενδυσασθαι δυο χιτωνας
10 και ελεγεν αυτοις οπου εαν εισελθητε εις οικιαν εκει μενετε εως αν εξελθητε εκειθεν
11 και οσοι αν μη δεξωνται υμας μηδε ακουσωσιν υμων εκπορευομενοι εκειθεν εκτιναξατε τον χουν τον υποκατω των ποδων υμων εις μαρτυριον αυτοις αμην λεγω υμιν ανεκτοτερον εσται σοδομοις η γομορροις εν ημερα κρισεως η τη πολει εκεινη
12 και εξελθοντες εκηρυσσον ινα μετανοησωσιν
13 και δαιμονια πολλα εξεβαλλον και ηλειφον ελαιω πολλους αρρωστους και εθεραπευον
14 και ηκουσεν ο βασιλευς ηρωδης φανερον γαρ εγενετο το ονομα αυτου και ελεγεν οτι ιωαννης ο βαπτιζων εκ νεκρων ηγερθη και δια τουτο ενεργουσιν αι δυναμεις εν αυτω
15 αλλοι ελεγον οτι ηλιας εστιν αλλοι δε ελεγον οτι προφητης εστιν η ως εις των προφητων
16 ακουσας δε ο ηρωδης ειπεν οτι ον εγω απεκεφαλισα ιωαννην ουτος εστιν αυτος ηγερθη εκ νεκρων
17 αυτος γαρ ο ηρωδης αποστειλας εκρατησεν τον ιωαννην και εδησεν αυτον εν τη φυλακη δια ηρωδιαδα την γυναικα φιλιππου του αδελφου αυτου οτι αυτην εγαμησεν
18 ελεγεν γαρ ο ιωαννης τω ηρωδη οτι ουκ εξεστιν σοι εχειν την γυναικα του αδελφου σου
19 η δε ηρωδιας ενειχεν αυτω και ηθελεν αυτον αποκτειναι και ουκ ηδυνατο
20 ο γαρ ηρωδης εφοβειτο τον ιωαννην ειδως αυτον ανδρα δικαιον και αγιον και συνετηρει αυτον και ακουσας αυτου πολλα εποιει και ηδεως αυτου ηκουεν
21 και γενομενης ημερας ευκαιρου οτε ηρωδης τοις γενεσιοις αυτου δειπνον εποιει τοις μεγιστασιν αυτου και τοις χιλιαρχοις και τοις πρωτοις της γαλιλαιας
22 και εισελθουσης της θυγατρος αυτης της ηρωδιαδος και ορχησαμενης και αρεσασης τω ηρωδη και τοις συνανακειμενοις ειπεν ο βασιλευς τω κορασιω αιτησον με ο εαν θελης και δωσω σοι
23 και ωμοσεν αυτη οτι ο εαν με αιτησης δωσω σοι εως ημισους της βασιλειας μου
24 η δε εξελθουσα ειπεν τη μητρι αυτης τι αιτησομαι η δε ειπεν την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου
25 και εισελθουσα ευθεως μετα σπουδης προς τον βασιλεα ητησατο λεγουσα θελω ινα μοι δως εξ αυτης επι πινακι την κεφαλην ιωαννου του βαπτιστου
26 και περιλυπος γενομενος ο βασιλευς δια τους ορκους και τους συνανακειμενους ουκ ηθελησεν αυτην αθετησαι
27 και ευθεως αποστειλας ο βασιλευς σπεκουλατωρα επεταξεν ενεχθηναι την κεφαλην αυτου
28 ο δε απελθων απεκεφαλισεν αυτον εν τη φυλακη και ηνεγκεν την κεφαλην αυτου επι πινακι και εδωκεν αυτην τω κορασιω και το κορασιον εδωκεν αυτην τη μητρι αυτης
29 και ακουσαντες οι μαθηται αυτου ηλθον και ηραν το πτωμα αυτου και εθηκαν αυτο εν μνημειω
30 και συναγονται οι αποστολοι προς τον ιησουν και απηγγειλαν αυτω παντα και οσα εποιησαν και οσα εδιδαξαν
31 και ειπεν αυτοις δευτε υμεις αυτοι κατ ιδιαν εις ερημον τοπον και αναπαυεσθε ολιγον ησαν γαρ οι ερχομενοι και οι υπαγοντες πολλοι και ουδε φαγειν ηυκαιρουν
32 και απηλθον εις ερημον τοπον τω πλοιω κατ ιδιαν
33 και ειδον αυτους υπαγοντας οι οχλοι και επεγνωσαν αυτον πολλοι και πεζη απο πασων των πολεων συνεδραμον εκει και προηλθον αυτους και συνηλθον προς αυτον
34 και εξελθων ειδεν ο ιησους πολυν οχλον και εσπλαγχνισθη επ αυτοις οτι ησαν ως προβατα μη εχοντα ποιμενα και ηρξατο διδασκειν αυτους πολλα
35 και ηδη ωρας πολλης γενομενης προσελθοντες αυτω οι μαθηται αυτου λεγουσιν οτι ερημος εστιν ο τοπος και ηδη ωρα πολλη
36 απολυσον αυτους ινα απελθοντες εις τους κυκλω αγρους και κωμας αγορασωσιν εαυτοις αρτους τι γαρ φαγωσιν ουκ εχουσιν
37 ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν αυτοις δοτε αυτοις υμεις φαγειν και λεγουσιν αυτω απελθοντες αγορασωμεν διακοσιων δηναριων αρτους και δωμεν αυτοις φαγειν
38 ο δε λεγει αυτοις ποσους αρτους εχετε υπαγετε και ιδετε και γνοντες λεγουσιν πεντε και δυο ιχθυας
39 και επεταξεν αυτοις ανακλιναι παντας συμποσια συμποσια επι τω χλωρω χορτω
40 και ανεπεσον πρασιαι πρασιαι ανα εκατον και ανα πεντηκοντα
41 και λαβων τους πεντε αρτους και τους δυο ιχθυας αναβλεψας εις τον ουρανον ευλογησεν και κατεκλασεν τους αρτους και εδιδου τοις μαθηταις αυτου ινα παραθωσιν αυτοις και τους δυο ιχθυας εμερισεν πασιν
42 και εφαγον παντες και εχορτασθησαν
43 και ηραν κλασματων δωδεκα κοφινους πληρεις και απο των ιχθυων
44 και ησαν οι φαγοντες τους αρτους ωσει πεντακισχιλιοι ανδρες
45 και ευθεως ηναγκασεν τους μαθητας αυτου εμβηναι εις το πλοιον και προαγειν εις το περαν προς βηθσαιδα εως αυτος απολυση τον οχλον
46 και αποταξαμενος αυτοις απηλθεν εις το ορος προσευξασθαι
47 και οψιας γενομενης ην το πλοιον εν μεσω της θαλασσης και αυτος μονος επι της γης
48 και ειδεν αυτους βασανιζομενους εν τω ελαυνειν ην γαρ ο ανεμος εναντιος αυτοις και περι τεταρτην φυλακην της νυκτος ερχεται προς αυτους περιπατων επι της θαλασσης και ηθελεν παρελθειν αυτους
49 οι δε ιδοντες αυτον περιπατουντα επι της θαλασσης εδοξαν φαντασμα ειναι και ανεκραξαν
50 παντες γαρ αυτον ειδον και εταραχθησαν και ευθεως ελαλησεν μετ αυτων και λεγει αυτοις θαρσειτε εγω ειμι μη φοβεισθε
51 και ανεβη προς αυτους εις το πλοιον και εκοπασεν ο ανεμος και λιαν εκ περισσου εν εαυτοις εξισταντο και εθαυμαζον
52 ου γαρ συνηκαν επι τοις αρτοις ην γαρ η καρδια αυτων πεπωρωμενη
53 και διαπερασαντες ηλθον επι την γην γεννησαρετ και προσωρμισθησαν
54 και εξελθοντων αυτων εκ του πλοιου ευθεως επιγνοντες αυτον
55 περιδραμοντες ολην την περιχωρον εκεινην ηρξαντο επι τοις κραββατοις τους κακως εχοντας περιφερειν οπου ηκουον οτι εκει εστιν
56 και οπου αν εισεπορευετο εις κωμας η πολεις η αγρους εν ταις αγοραις ετιθουν τους ασθενουντας και παρεκαλουν αυτον ινα καν του κρασπεδου του ιματιου αυτου αψωνται και οσοι αν ηπτοντο αυτου εσωζοντο
Mark 6
J.B. Phillips New Testament
The “prophet without honour”
6 1-4 Then he left that district and came into his own native town followed by his disciples. When the Sabbath day came, he began to teach in the synagogue. The congregation was astonished and remarked, “Where does he get all this? What is this wisdom that he has been given—and what about these marvellous things that he can do? He’s only the carpenter, Mary’s son, the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon; and his sisters are living here with us!” And they were deeply offended with him. But Jesus said to them, “No prophet goes unhonoured—except in his native town or with his own relations or in his own home!”
5-6a And he could do nothing miraculous there apart from laying his hands on a few sick people and healing them; their lack of faith astonished him.
The twelve are sent out to preach the gospel
6b-11 Then he made his way round the villages, continuing his teaching. He summoned the twelve, and began to send them out in twos, giving them power over evil spirits. He instructed them to take nothing for the road except a staff—no satchel, no bread and no money in their pockets. They were to wear sandals and not to take more than one coat. And he told them, “Wherever you are, when you go into a house, stay there until you leave that place. And wherever people will not welcome you or listen to what you have to say, leave them and shake the dust off your feet as a protest against them!”
12-13 So they went out and preached that men should change their whole outlook. They expelled many evil spirits and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Herod’s guilty conscience
14-16 “All this came to the ears of king Herod, for Jesus’ reputation was spreading, and people were saying that John the Baptist had risen from the dead, and that was why he was showing such miraculous powers. Others maintained that he was Elijah, and others that he was one of the prophets of the old days come back again. But when Herod heard of all this, he said, “It must be John whom I beheaded, risen from the dead!”
17-20 For Herod himself had sent and arrested John and had him bound in prison, all on account of Herodias, wife of his brother Philip. He had married her, though John used to say to Herod, “It is not right for you to possess your own brother’s wife.” Herodias herself was furious with him for this and wanted to have him executed, but she could not do it, for Herod had a deep respect for John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and protected him. He used to listen to him and be profoundly disturbed, and yet he enjoyed hearing him.
21-23 Then a good opportunity came, for Herod gave a birthday party for his courtiers and army commanders and for the leading people in Galilee. Herodias’ daughter came in and danced, to the great delight of Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, “Ask me anything you like and I will give it to you!” And he swore to her, “I will give you whatever you ask me, up to half of my kingdom!”
24 And she went and spoke to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”
25 The girl rushed back to the king’s presence, and made her request. “I want you to give me, this minute, the head of John the Baptist on a dish!” she said.
26-29 Herod was aghast, but because of his oath and the presence of his guests, he did not like to refuse her. So he sent one of the palace guardsman straightaway to bring him John’s head. He went off and beheaded him in the prison, brought back his head on the dish, and gave it to the girl who handed it to her mother. When his disciples heard what had happened, they came and took away the body and put it in a tomb.”
The apostles return: the huge crowds make rest impossible
30-36 The apostles returned to Jesus and reported to him every detail of what they had done and taught. “Now come along to some quiet place by yourselves, and rest for a little while,” said Jesus, for there were people coming and going incessantly so that they had not even time for meals. They went off in the boat to a quiet place by themselves, but a great many saw them go and recognised them, and people from all the towns hurried around the shore on foot to forestall them. When Jesus disembarked he saw the large crowd and his heart was touched with pity for them because they seemed to him like sheep without a shepherd. And he settled down to teach them about many things. As the day wore on, his disciples came to him and said, “We are right in the wilds here and it is getting late. Let them go now, so that they can buy themselves something to eat from the farms and villages around here”
37 But Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat!” “You mean we’re to go and spend ten pounds on bread (equivalent to six month’s wages)? Is that how you want us to feed them?”
38 “What bread have you got?” asked Jesus. “Go and have a look.” And when they found out, they told him, “We have five loaves and two fish.”
Jesus miraculously feeds five thousand people
39-44 Then Jesus directed the people to sit down in parties on the fresh grass. And they threw themselves down in groups of fifty and a hundred. Then Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to Heaven. thanked God, broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. Everybody ate and was satisfied. Afterwards they collected twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish that were left over. There were five thousand men who ate the loaves.
Jesus’ mastery over natural law
45-50 Directly after this, Jesus made his disciples get aboard the boat and go on ahead to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake, while he himself sent the crowds home. And when he had sent them all on their way, he went off to the hill-side to pray. When it grew late, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was by himself on land. He saw them straining at the oars, for the wind was dead against them. And in the small hours he went towards them, walking on the waters of the lake, intending to come alongside them. But when they saw him walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and screamed out. For they all saw him and they were absolutely terrified. But Jesus at once spoke quietly to them, “It’s all right, it is I myself; don’t be afraid!”
51-52 And he climbed aboard the boat with them, and the wind dropped. But they were scared out of their wits. They had not had the sense to learn the lesson of the loaves. Even that miracle had not opened their eyes to see who he was.
53-56 And when they had crossed over to the other side of the lake, they landed at Gennesaret and tied up there. As soon as they came ashore, the people recognised Jesus and rushed all over the countryside and began to carry the sick around on their beds to wherever they heard that he was. Wherever he went, in villages or towns or farms, they laid down their sick right in the road-way and begged him that they might “just touch the edge of his cloak”. And all those who touched him were healed.
Copyright © 2002, 2003, 2008, 2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International
The New Testament in Modern English by J.B Phillips copyright © 1960, 1972 J. B. Phillips. Administered by The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England. Used by Permission.