Matthew 14:1-21 ▼

1 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, |This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.|

3 For Herod had arrested John, and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

4 For John said to him, |It is not lawful for you to have her.|

5 And though he wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd because they regarded him as a prophet.

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

7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

8 And she, being prompted by her mother, said, |Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.|

9 And 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 And his head was brought on a platter, and given to the young woman: and she brought it to her mother.

12 Then his disciples came, and took the dead body, and buried him; and they went and told Jesus.

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a secluded place to be alone. When the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.

14 And he went out, and he saw a large crowd, and he had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

15 Now when evening had come, the disciples came to him, saying, |This place is desolate, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.|

16 But he said to them, |They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.|

17 And they told him, |We only have here five loaves and two fish.|

18 So he said, |Bring them here to me.|

19 Then he commanded the crowds 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 crowds.

20 And they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.

21 Now those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.