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John the Baptist Beheaded

^1 (C1)At that time ^(C2)Herod Antipas, the tetrarch who governed a portion of Palestine including Galilee and Perea, heard the reports about Jesus, ^(VR1)2 and said to his attendants, "^(C1)This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and that is why the miraculous powers are at work in him."

³ For ^(C1)Herod had John arrested and bound him and put him ^(C2)in prison at the fortress of Machaerus, east of the Jordan, to keep him away because of ^(F1)(C3)Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, ^(VR1)4 for John had said to him, "^(C1)It is not lawful (morally right) for you to have her living with you as your wife." ^(VR1)5 Although Herod wished to have him put to death, he feared the people, for they regarded John as ^(C1)a prophet.

⁶ But when Herod's birthday came, his niece Salome, the daughter of ^(C1)Herodias danced immodestly before them and pleased and fascinated ^(C2)Herod,⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.⁸ She, being coached by her mother Herodias, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."⁹ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths, and because of his dinner guests, he ordered it to be given her.¹⁰ He sent and had John beheaded in the prison.¹¹ His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother Herodias.¹² And John's disciples came and took away the body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Five Thousand Fed

^13 (C1)When Jesus heard about John, He left there privately in a boat and went to a secluded place. But when the crowds heard of this, they followed Him on foot from the cities. ^(VR1)14 When He went ashore, He ^(C1)saw a large crowd, and felt profound compassion for them and ^(C2)healed their sick.

¹⁵ When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, "This is an isolated place and the hour is already late; send the crowds away so 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 They replied, "We have nothing here except ^(C1)five loaves and two fish."¹⁸ He said, "Bring them here to Me."¹⁹ Then He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and He took the five loaves and the two fish and, looking up toward heaven, He ^(C1)blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people,²⁰ and they all ate and were satisfied. They picked up twelve full ^(C1)baskets of the leftover broken pieces.²¹ There were about 5,000 men who ate, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

^22 (C1)Immediately He directed the disciples to get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, while He sent the crowds away. ^(VR1)23 After He had dismissed the crowds, ^(C1)He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When it was evening, He was there alone.²⁴ But the boat by this time was already a ^(F1)long distance from land, tossed and battered by the waves; for the wind was ^(C1)against them.²⁵ And in ^(C1)the fourth watch of the night (3:00-6:00 a.m.) Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. ^(VR1)26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, "It is ^(C1)a ghost!" And they cried out in fear.²⁷ But immediately He spoke to them, saying, "^(C1)Take courage, it is I! ^(C2)Do not be afraid!" ^(VR1)

²⁸ Peter replied to Him, "Lord, if it is really You, command me to come to You on the water."²⁹ He said, "Come!" So Peter got out of the boat, and walked on the water and came toward Jesus.³⁰ But when he saw the effects of the wind, he was frightened, and he began to sink, and he cried out, "Lord, save me!"³¹ Immediately Jesus extended His hand and caught him, saying to him, "O ^(C1)you of little faith, why did you ^(F1)doubt?"³² And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.³³ Then those in the boat worshiped Him with awe-inspired reverence, saying, "Truly You are the ^(C1)Son of God!"

^34 (C1)When they had crossed over the sea, they went ashore at ^(C2)Gennesaret.³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent word throughout all the surrounding district and brought to Him all who were sick;³⁶ and they begged Him to let them merely touch ^(C1)the fringe of His robe; and all who ^(C2)touched it were perfectly restored. ^(VR1)