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The Beheading of John

(Mark 6:14-29; Luke 9:7-9)

¹ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus² and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! This is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,⁴ because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”⁵ Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they considered him a prophet.⁶ On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod⁷ so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”⁹ The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted¹⁰ and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.¹¹ John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.¹² Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

(Mark 6:30-44; Luke 9:10-17; John 6:1-15)

¹³ When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out and followed Him on foot from the towns.¹⁴ When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.¹⁵ When 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 food for themselves.”¹⁶ “They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.¹⁸ “Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said.¹⁹ And He instructed 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.²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.²¹ About five thousand men were fed, in addition to women and children.

Jesus Walks on Water

(Mark 6:45-52; John 6:16-25)

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.²³ After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,^{24 (a)}but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.²⁵ During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.²⁶ When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.²⁷ But Jesus immediately spoke up: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”²⁸ “Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”²⁹ “Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.³⁰ But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”³² And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Jesus Heals at Gennesaret

(Mark 6:53-56)

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him,³⁶ and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.