Matthew 14:1-21 ▼

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the news about Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead; and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 For when Herod had John arrested, he bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip.

4 For John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”

5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they regarded him as a prophet.

6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.

7 Thereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.

8 And having been prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

9 And although he was grieved, the king commanded it to be given because of his oaths, and because of 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 it; and they went and reported to Jesus.

13 Now when Jesus heard it, He withdrew from there in a boat, to a lonely place by Himself; and when the multitudes heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities.

14 And when He went ashore, He saw a great multitude, and felt compassion for them, and healed their sick.

15 And when it was evening, the disciples came to Him, saying, “The place is desolate, and the time is already past; so send the multitudes 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 And they said to Him, “We have here only five loaves and two fish.”

18 And He said, “Bring them here to Me.”

19 And ordering the multitudes to recline on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food, and breaking the loaves He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes,

20 and they all ate, and were satisfied. And they picked up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve full baskets.

21 And there were about five thousand men who ate, aside from women and children.