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施洗约翰被杀(A)

14 那时,分封王希律听见耶稣的名声, 就对臣仆说:“这人是施洗的约翰,他从死人中复活,所以他身上有行神迹的能力。” 原来希律为了他弟弟腓力的妻子希罗底的缘故,拘捕了约翰,把他捆绑,关在监里, 因为约翰多次告诉他:“你占有她是不合理的。” 他想杀约翰,但又害怕群众,因为他们都认为约翰是个先知。 到了希律生日的那天,希罗底的女儿在众人面前跳舞,希律非常高兴, 就起誓答应她,无论求甚么都给她。 她在母亲的怂恿之下,说:“请把施洗的约翰的头放在盘子上给我。” 王就忧愁,但因为誓言和在座的宾客,就下令给她。 10 他派人去,在监里斩了约翰的头, 11 把头放在盘子上,拿来给那女孩子,她又带给母亲。 12 约翰的门徒前来,领了尸体,把它埋葬,然后去告诉耶稣。

给五千人吃饱的神迹(B)

13 耶稣听见了,就离开那里,独自坐船到旷野去。群众听见了,就从各城步行来跟随他。 14 耶稣上了岸,看见一大群人,就怜悯他们,医好了他们的病人。 15 黄昏的时候,门徒前来对他说:“这是旷野的地方,时间也不早了,请叫群众散开,好让他们往村里去,买自己的食物吧。” 16 耶稣回答:“他们用不着离开,你们给他们吃吧!” 17 但门徒说:“我们这里除了五个饼和两条鱼,甚么也没有。” 18 他说:“拿过来给我。” 19 于是吩咐群众坐在草地上,拿起那五个饼两条鱼,望着天,祝谢了;然后把饼擘开,递给门徒,门徒又分给群众。 20 大家都吃了,并且吃饱了,他们把剩下的零碎拾起来,装满了十二个篮子。 21 吃的人,除了妇女和孩子,约有五千。

耶稣在海面上行走(C)

22 耶稣立刻催门徒上船,叫他们先到对岸去,他却留下来叫群众散开。 23 他解散了群众,就独自上山去祷告。到了晚上,他还是独自一人在那里。 24 那时门徒的船已经离岸数公里,因为逆风,被波浪冲击。 25 天快亮的时候(“天快亮的时候”原文作“夜里四更天”),耶稣在海面上向他们走过去。 26 门徒见他在海面上行走,就很惊慌,说:“有鬼啊!”并且恐惧得大叫起来。 27 耶稣立刻对他们说:“放心吧!是我,不要怕。” 28 彼得对他说:“主啊,如果是你,让我在水面上到你那里去。” 29 他说:“来吧!”彼得就从船上下来,行在水面上,走向耶稣那里去。 30 但他一见风浪就害怕,快要沉下去的时候,就呼叫:“主啊!救我!” 31 耶稣马上伸手拉住他,对他说:“小信的人哪,为甚么疑惑?” 32 他们上了船,风就平静了。 33 船上的人都拜他,说:“你真是 神的儿子。”

治好革尼撒勒的病人(D)

34 他们过到对岸,来到革尼撒勒的地区。 35 那地的人认出是耶稣,就把消息传遍了那一带。众人把一切有病的人都带来, 36 求耶稣让他们只摸一摸他衣服的繸子,摸着的人就都痊愈了。

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。

Chapter 14

John the Baptist, Herod, and Jesus.[a] At that time Herod the tetrarch[b] heard reports about Jesus, and he said to his servants, “This man is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why such powers are at work in him.”

Now Herod had ordered the arrest of John, put him in chains, and imprisoned him on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John had told him, “It is against the law for you to have her.”

Herod wanted to put John to death, but he was afraid of the people because they regarded John as a prophet. But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias[c] danced in front of the guests, and she pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her anything she asked for. Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests present there, he ordered that her request be granted. 10 He had John beheaded in the prison.[d] 11 The head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and removed the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

13 Jesus Feeds Five Thousand Men.[e]When Jesus received this news, he withdrew from there in a boat by himself to a deserted place, but when the people learned of it, they followed him on foot from the towns.[f] 14 When he came ashore and saw the vast crowd, he had compassion on them and healed those who were sick.

15 When evening approached, the disciples came up to him and said, “This is a deserted place and the hour is now late. Send the people away now so that they can go to the villages to buy some food for themselves.” 16 Jesus replied, “There is no need for them to depart. Give them something to eat yourselves.” 17 But they answered, “All we have here are five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.”

19 Then he ordered the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.[g] 20 They all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up the fragments that were left over—twelve full baskets. 21 Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.[h]

22 Jesus Walks on the Water.[i] Then Jesus instructed the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After he sent them away, he went by himself up on the mountain to pray. When evening came, he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile, the boat was already some distance from the shore, battered by waves and a strong wind.

25 During the fourth watch[j] of the night, Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified, and they cried out in their fright, “It is a ghost!” 27 But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

28 Peter answered, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you across the water.” 29 He said, “Come!” Then Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he realized the force of the wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught hold of him, saying, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Those in the boat fell to their knees in worship, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”[k]

34 Jesus Heals the Sick at Gennesaret. After they had completed the crossing, they landed at Gennesaret.[l] 35 When the people there recognized him, they sent word of his presence throughout the region. They also brought him all those who were sick 36 and begged him to let them touch only the edge of his cloak. All who touched it were completely healed.

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 14:1 At the ominous banquet in the fortress of Machaerus we find various members of the family of Herod. Antipas was the second-born of Herod the Great and ruled over Galilee and Perea. We come upon him several times in the New Testament (Lk 9:7; 23:7; Acts 4:27); Caligula will exile him to Gaul in A.D. 39. His half-brother Philip died in Rome without ever attaining political power. Herodias, niece of both men and wife of Philip, was ambitious and desired to be the wife of a ruler.
  2. Matthew 14:1 Tetrarch: ruler of one quarter of the kingdom of his father, Herod the Great.
  3. Matthew 14:6 The daughter of Herodias: her name was Salome, as we are told by the Jewish historian Flavius Josephus.
  4. Matthew 14:10 The beheading of the Baptist probably occurred in A.D. 29 in the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Dead Sea, as is attested by Flavius Josephus.
  5. Matthew 14:13 Exegetes have named this the “Section of the Loaves” because of the frequency with which the word “bread” is used therein. It seems to symbolize the teaching and salvific acts of Jesus, with a particular reference to the founding of the Church.
  6. Matthew 14:13 At the time of the temptation in the desert, Jesus had refused to renew the miracle of the manna either for himself or to attain his own success. Moreover, six times in the Gospels (two of which are in Matthew) we read an account like this one. Thus, the first generation of Christians attached a particular importance to the deed. It is first of all an act of mercy, a sign of the goodness of God, who satisfies material and spiritual hunger at the last days. It is also the manifestation of Jesus as the new Moses, as the new founder of the people—he too feeds the crowd in the desert (Ex 16); he acts like the great men of God such as Elisha (2 Ki 4:42-44). In addition, something even more mysterious is part of this extraordinary moment. How can one not discern in this account a climate of Liturgy? For Christians the giving of bread announces the joy of the Eucharist: the Lord present in the assembly, satisfying every hunger with the Bread of Life that is himself (see Jn 6).
  7. Matthew 14:19 Note the resemblance of this verse to that of the institution of the Eucharist (Mt 26:26). Obviously in the eyes of the primitive Church this meal was a prelude and prefiguration of the Eucharistic banquet, which in its turn recalls the Messianic banquet. Particularly allusive are the breaking of the bread and the action of the disciples in distributing the bread.
  8. Matthew 14:21 In addition to women and children: women and children were not permitted to eat with men in public. Hence they were in a place by themselves and would greatly increase the number given for the men: 5000!
  9. Matthew 14:22 For people of the Bible, raging waves and the dead of night evoke the forces hostile to God and his faithful. In calming the storm, Jesus has manifested himself as the master of the powers of evil. To follow him means to escape from their clutches. This is a dangerous path at times in which we must risk everything for him because it is he. “It is I,” he says, and in these words any Christian, after the Ascension and Resurrection, would detect echoes of “I am,” the decisive self-disclosure of God (Ex 3:14; Isa 43:10; 51:12). In Peter himself, the first among the disciples, we discern the drama of every believer: strong when he entrusts himself totally to the Lord, yet threatened and uncertain when he does not take refuge in him alone.
  10. Matthew 14:25 Fourth watch: 3:00–6:00 A.M. The Romans divided the night into four watches: (1) 6:00–9:00 P.M., (2) 9:00–midnight, (3) midnight–3:00 A.M., (4) 3:00–6:00 A.M. The Jews divided the night into three watches: (1) sunset–10:00 P.M., (2) 10:00 P.M–2:00 A.M., (3) 2:00–sunrise. Apparently, the apostles labored for several hours against the storm waves. Their enthusiasm of the previous evening for an overly earthly Messianism had greatly evaporated in the face of hard labor and the fear of being shipwrecked.
  11. Matthew 14:33 Son of God: the apostles probably used this title in a Messianic way (see Mt 3:17; 11:25-30) but with superficial understanding. Since Jesus’ divine nature was hidden during his life on earth, the disciples did not yet grasp his divinity at this time (Phil 2:5-8). But they were beginning to realize that he was the Messiah.
  12. Matthew 14:34 Gennesaret: the plain northwest of the lake of the same name.

14 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.” For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. For John said to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod. Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask. She, being prompted by her mother, said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer.”

The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given, 10 and he sent and beheaded John in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus. 13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.

14 Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. 15 When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.”

16 But Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.”

18 He said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. 20 They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. 25 In the fourth watch of the night,[a] Jesus came to them, walking on the sea.(A) 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Cheer up! It is I! [b] Don’t be afraid.”

28 Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”

29 He said, “Come!”

Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. 30 But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”

34 When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick; 36 and they begged him that they might just touch the fringe[c] of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.

Footnotes

  1. 14:25 The night was equally divided into four watches, so the fourth watch is approximately 3:00 a.m. to sunrise.
  2. 14:27 or, I AM!
  3. 14:36 or, tassel

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.