| New Living Translation | Berean Study Bible |
| 1When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about Jesus, | 1At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus |
| 2he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.” | 2and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.” |
| 3For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the former wife of Herod’s brother Philip). | 3Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, |
| 4John had been telling Herod, “It is against God’s law for you to marry her.” | 4because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” |
| 5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of a riot, because all the people believed John was a prophet. | 5Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet. |
| 6But at a birthday party for Herod, Herodias’s daughter performed a dance that greatly pleased him, | 6On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod |
| 7so he promised with a vow to give her anything she wanted. | 7so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked. |
| 8At her mother’s urging, the girl said, “I want the head of John the Baptist on a tray!” | 8Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” |
| 9Then the king regretted what he had said; but because of the vow he had made in front of his guests, he issued the necessary orders. | 9The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted |
| 10So John was beheaded in the prison, | 10and sent to have John beheaded in the prison. |
| 11and his head was brought on a tray and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. | 11John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother. |
| 12Later, John’s disciples came for his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened. Jesus Feeds Five Thousand | 12Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus. |
| 13As soon as Jesus heard the news, he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where he was headed and followed on foot from many towns. | 13When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns. |
| 14Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick. | 14When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick. |
| 15That evening 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 food for themselves.” | 15When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.” |
| 16But Jesus said, “That isn’t necessary—you feed them.” | 16“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.” |
| 17“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish!” they answered. | 17“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. |
| 18 “Bring them here,” he said. | 18“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said. |
| 19Then he told the people to sit down on the grass. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave the bread to the disciples, who distributed it to the people. | 19And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. |
| 20They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. | 20They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. |
| 21About 5,000 men were fed that day, in addition to all the women and children! Jesus Walks on Water | 21About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children. |
| 22Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. | 22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. |
| 23After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself to pray. Night fell while he was there alone. | 23After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, |
| 24Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. | 24but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it. |
| 25About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. | 25During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. |
| 26When the disciples saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” | 26When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. |
| 27But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here! ” | 27But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.” |
| 28Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” | 28“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.” |
| 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. | 29“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus. |
| 30But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. | 30But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” |
| 31Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?” | 31Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?” |
| 32When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped. | 32And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. |
| 33Then the disciples worshiped him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed. | 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!” |
| 34After they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret. | 34When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. |
| 35When the people recognized Jesus, the news of his arrival spread quickly throughout the whole area, and soon people were bringing all their sick to be healed. | 35And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him |
| 36They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed. | 36and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed. |
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