Matthew 14:1-29 ▼

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

2 and said to his servants, this is John the baptist, he is risen from the dead, and consequently is invested with miraculous power.

3 for Herod having secur'd John, bound him, and put him in prison to please Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.

4 for John had said to him, it is not lawful for thee to have her.

5 he would have put him to death, but for fear of the people, who reckoned him a prophet.

6 but when Herod's birth-day was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced in publick, and made such an impression upon Herod,

7 that he promised her upon oath, to give whatever she should ask;

8 who being before instructed by her mother, pray, said she, order John Baptist's head to be brought here in a charger.

9 and the king relented: nevertheless out of regard to the oath, and to those who sat with him at table, he commanded it to be brought to her.

10 and pursuant to order, John was beheaded in the prison,

11 whence his head was brought in a charger, and given to the young lady, who carried it to her mother.

12 upon which, his disciples came to take away the body, and having buried it, they went to tell Jesus what had happened.

13 When Jesus heard that, he embark'd, to retire privately to a desert place: of which the people being inform'd, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

14 as Jesus landed, he saw a great multitude, and was touch'd with compassion towards them, and healed their sick.

15 At evening his disciples came to him, saying, this is a desert place, and dinner-time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go to buy themselves provisions in the villages.

16 but Jesus said to them, that's needless, let them eat what you have.

17 we have nothing here, said they, but five loaves, and two fishes.

18 bring them hither, said he.

19 then giving orders for the company to sit down on the grass, he took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks; then breaking the loaves into pieces, he gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the company: who all of them eat,

20 and were filled: and they carried away twelve baskets full of fragments that were left.

21 now they that had eaten, were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

22 Presently after Jesus obliged his disciples to embark, and cross over to the other side before him, whilst he dismiss'd the people.

23 and when he had dismiss'd them, he retired by himself to a mountain to pray: where he stay'd all alone till the latter part of the evening.

24 by this time the vessel was half sea over, violently toss'd with the waves, for the wind was contrary.

25 at the dawn of day, Jesus came to them walking on the sea.

26 the disciples seeing him walking on the sea, cry'd out in a fright, an apparition; and they scream'd for fear.

27 but Jesus immediately call'd to them, take courage, said he, it is I, don't be afraid.

28 Peter answered, Lord, said he, if it be you, bid me come upon the water to you.

29 Jesus said, come, and Peter getting out of the ship, walk'd on the water to go to Jesus.