Matthew 14
New Century Version
How John the Baptist Was Killed
14 At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee, heard the reports about Jesus. 2 So he said to his servants, “Jesus is John the Baptist, who has risen from the dead. That is why he can work these miracles.”
3 Sometime before this, Herod had arrested John, tied him up, and put him into prison. Herod did this because of Herodias, who had been the wife of Philip, Herod’s brother. 4 John had been telling Herod, “It is not lawful for you to be married to Herodias.” 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they believed John was a prophet.
6 On Herod’s birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, and she pleased him. 7 So he promised with an oath to give her anything she wanted. 8 Herodias told her daughter what to ask for, so she said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 Although King Herod was very sad, he had made a promise, and his dinner guests had heard him. So Herod ordered that what she asked for be done. 10 He sent soldiers to the prison to cut off John’s head. 11 And they brought it on a platter and gave it to the girl, and she took it to her mother. 12 John’s followers came and got his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
More than Five Thousand Fed
13 When Jesus heard what had happened to John, he left in a boat and went to a lonely place by himself. But the crowds heard about it and followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he arrived, he saw a great crowd waiting. He felt sorry for them and healed those who were sick.
15 When it was evening, his followers came to him and said, “No one lives in this place, and it is already late. Send the people away so they can go to the towns and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus answered, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
17 They said to him, “But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish.”
18 Jesus said, “Bring the bread and the fish to me.” 19 Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking to heaven, he thanked God for the food. Jesus divided the bread and gave it to his followers, who gave it to the people. 20 All the people ate and were satisfied. Then the followers filled twelve baskets with the leftover pieces of food. 21 There were about five thousand men there who ate, not counting women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Water
22 Immediately Jesus told his followers to get into the boat and go ahead of him across the lake. He stayed there to send the people home. 23 After he had sent them away, he went by himself up into the hills to pray. It was late, and Jesus was there alone. 24 By this time, the boat was already far away from land. It was being hit by waves, because the wind was blowing against it.
25 Between three and six o’clock in the morning, Jesus came to them, walking on the water. 26 When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It’s a ghost!” and cried out in fear.
27 But Jesus quickly spoke to them, “Have courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”
28 Peter said, “Lord, if it is really you, then command me to come to you on the water.”
29 Jesus said, “Come.”
And Peter left the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when Peter saw the wind and the waves, he became afraid and began to sink. He shouted, “Lord, save me!”
31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. Jesus said, “Your faith is small. Why did you doubt?”
32 After they got into the boat, the wind became calm. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped Jesus and said, “Truly you are the Son of God!”
34 When they had crossed the lake, they came to shore at Gennesaret. 35 When the people there recognized Jesus, they told people all around there that Jesus had come, and they brought all their sick to him. 36 They begged Jesus to let them touch just the edge of his coat, and all who touched it were healed.
Matthew 14
New Life Version
John the Baptist Is Put in Prison (A)
14 At that time King Herod heard much about Jesus. 2 He said to his helpers, “This must be John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why these powerful works are done by him.” 3 For Herod had taken John and put him in prison. It was because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. 4 For John had said to him, “It is against the Law for you to have her.” 5 He would have killed John but he was afraid of the people. The people thought John was one who spoke for God.
John the Baptist Is Killed (B)
6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of them. Herod was made happy by her. 7 He promised he would give her anything she asked. 8 Because her mother told her to do it, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a plate.” 9 The king was sorry. But he said for it to be given because he had promised and because of those who were eating with him. 10 He sent to the prison and had John’s head cut off. 11 It was brought in on a plate and given to the girl. She brought it to her mother. 12 Then the followers of John came and took his body and buried it. They went and told Jesus.
The Feeding of the Five Thousand (C)
13 When Jesus heard that John had been killed, He went from there by boat to a desert. He wanted to be alone. When the people knew it, they followed after Him by land from the cities. 14 When He got out of the boat, He saw many people. He had loving-pity for them and healed those who were sick.
15 When it was evening, His followers came to Him. They said, “This is a desert. The day is past. Send the people away so they may go into the towns and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They do not have to go away. Give them something to eat.” 17 They said to Him, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.” 18 Jesus said, “Bring them to Me.” 19 He told the people to sit down on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves in pieces and gave them to His followers. The followers gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people were finished eating. 21 About five thousand men ate. Women and children ate also.
Jesus Walks on the Water (D)
22 At once Jesus had His followers get into the boat. He told them to go ahead of Him to the other side while He sent the people away. 23 After He had sent them away, He went up the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 By this time the boat was far from land and was being thrown around by the waves. The wind was strong against them.
25 Just before the light of day, Jesus went to them walking on the water. 26 When the followers saw Him walking on the water, they were afraid. They said, “It is a spirit.” They cried out with fear. 27 At once Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take hope. It is I. Do not be afraid!”
28 Peter said to Jesus, “If it is You, Lord, tell me to come to You on the water.” 29 Jesus said, “Come!” Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water to Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid. He began to go down in the water. He cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 At once Jesus put out His hand and took hold of him. Jesus said to Peter, “You have so little faith! Why did you doubt?”
32 When Jesus and Peter got into the boat, the wind stopped blowing. 33 Those in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, “For sure, You are the Son of God!”
People Are Healed at Gennesaret (E)
34 When they had gone over to the other side, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that land saw it was Jesus, they sent word into all the country around. They brought all who were sick to Jesus. 36 They begged Him that they might touch the bottom of His coat. As many as touched the bottom of His coat were healed.
The Holy Bible, New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
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