Matthew 14 - The Voice (VOICE)

14 At this time, the ruler of Galilee was Herod Antipas. He began to hear reports about all that Jesus was doing.

2 Like the people of Nazareth, Herod wondered where Jesus’ power came from.

Herod (to his servants): He must be John the Baptist,[a] raised from the dead; thus his powers are at work in him.

Herod is concerned with the attention that John is receiving, but he doesn’t want to be seen killing a holy man. And now, Jesus is creating an even greater problem.

3-5 Herod’s brother Philip had married a woman named Herodias, who eventually married Herod. John denounced Herod’s marriage to her as adulterous. Herod was incensed (not to mention a little fearful) and wanted to kill John, but he knew the people considered John a prophet. Instead, he bound John and put him in jail.

6-7 There John sat until Herod’s birthday. On that night, Salome, Herodias’s daughter by Philip, came and danced for her stepfather and all his birthday guests. Herod so enjoyed her dancing that he vowed to give her whatever she wanted.

Salome (after whispering with her mother): 8 Bring me the head of John the Baptist,[b] displayed on a platter.

This is not what Herod expected—he imagined his stepdaughter would ask for a necklace or maybe a slave.

9 Herod still thought it unwise to kill John, but because he had made such a show of his promise—because he had actually sworn an oath and because the scene was playing out in front of the watchful eyes of so many guests—Herod felt bound to give his stepdaughter what she wanted. 10 And so he sent orders to the prison to have John beheaded, 11 and there was his head, displayed on a platter, given first to Salome and then passed on to her mother.

12 John’s disciples went to the prison, got John’s body, and buried him. Then they went to tell Jesus.

13 When Jesus learned what had happened, He got on a boat and went away to spend some time in a private place. The crowds, of course, followed Jesus on foot from their cities. 14 Though Jesus wanted solitude, when He saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, and He healed the sick and the lame. 15 At evening-time, Jesus’ disciples came to Him.

Disciples: We’re in a fairly remote place, and it is getting late; the crowds will get hungry for supper. Send them away so they have time to get back to the villages and get something to eat.

Jesus: 16 They don’t need to go back to the villages in order to eat supper. Give them something to eat here.

Disciples: 17 But we don’t have enough food. We only have five rounds of flatbread and two fish.

Jesus: 18 Bring the bread and the fish to Me.

So the disciples brought Him the five rounds of flatbread and the two fish, 19 and Jesus told the people to sit down on the grass. He took the bread and the fish, He looked up to heaven, He gave thanks, and then He broke the bread. Jesus gave the bread to the disciples, and the disciples gave the bread to the people; 20 everyone ate and was satisfied. When everyone had eaten, the disciples picked up 12 baskets of crusts and broken pieces of bread and crumbs. 21 There were 5,000 men there, not to mention all the women and children.

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on to the other side of the sea while He dismissed the crowd. 23 Then, after the crowd had gone, Jesus went up to a mountaintop alone (as He had intended from the start). As evening descended, He stood alone on the mountain, praying.

In the midst of the burdens of life and ministry, like when news of John’s death reaches Him, Jesus seeks refreshment in solitary prayer.

24 The boat was in the water, some distance from land, buffeted and pushed around by waves and wind. 25 Deep in the night, when He had concluded His prayers, Jesus walked out on the water to His disciples in their boat. 26 The disciples saw a figure moving toward them and were terrified.

Disciple: It’s a ghost!

Another Disciple: A ghost? What will we do?

Jesus: 27 Be still. It is I. You have nothing to fear.

Peter: 28 Lord, if it is really You, then command me to meet You on the water.

Jesus: 29 Indeed, come.

Peter stepped out of the boat onto the water and began walking toward Jesus. 30 But when he remembered how strong the wind was, his courage caught in his throat and he began to sink.

Peter: Master, save me!

31 Immediately Jesus reached for Peter and caught him.

Jesus: O you of little faith. Why did you doubt and dance back and forth between following Me and heeding fear?

32 Then Jesus and Peter climbed in the boat together, and the wind became still. 33 And the disciples worshiped Him.

Disciples: Truly You are the Son of God.

34 All together, Jesus and the disciples crossed to the other side of the sea. They landed at Gennesaret, an area famous for its princely gardens. 35 The people of Gennesaret recognized Jesus, and they spread word of His arrival all over the countryside. People brought the sick and wounded to Him 36 and begged Him for permission to touch the fringes of His robe. Everyone who touched Him was healed.

Footnotes

  1. 14:2 Literally, John who immersed, to show repentance
  2. 14:8 Literally, John who immersed, to show repentance

You Might Also Like:

Matthew 14 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

14 At that time did Herod the tetrarch hear the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, `This is John the Baptist, he did rise from the dead, and because of this the mighty energies are working in him.' 3 For Herod having laid hold on John, did bind him, and did put him in prison, because of Hero...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

14 In that time Herod tetrarch, [that is,] prince of the fourth part, heard the fame of Jesus; 2 and said to his children, This is John Baptist, he is risen from death, and therefore works of power work in him. [and said to his children, This is John Baptist, he hath risen from dead, and therefore ...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Worldwide English (New Testament) (WE)

14 At this time Herod the ruler heard of Jesus. 2 He said to his servants, `This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from death. That is why he is able to do such great work.' 3 Herod had taken John and tied him up. He put him in prison. He did this because of Herodias. She was the wife of his brother...
Read More

Matthew 14 - World English Bible (WEB)

14 At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptizer. 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...
Read More

Matthew 14 - The Voice (VOICE)

14 At this time, the ruler of Galilee was Herod Antipas. He began to hear reports about all that Jesus was doing. 2 Like the people of Nazareth, Herod wondered where Jesus’ power came from.Herod (to his servants): He must be John the Baptist,[a] raised from the dead; thus his powers are at work in h...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Yeshua’s Cousin Beheaded14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Yeshua. 2 He said to his servants, “This is John the Immerser—he has risen from the dead! Because of this, these powers are at work in Him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sak...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

The Death of John the Baptist14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, ...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Death of John the Baptist14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus; 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist, he has been raised from the dead; that is why these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison, ...
Read More

Matthew 14 - Revised Geneva Translation (RGT)

14 At that time, Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, 2 and said to his servants, “This is that John Baptist! He has risen again from the dead! And therefore, great works are done by him!” 3 For Herod had taken John and bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Phil...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Testament for Everyone (NTE)

The Death of John the Baptist14 At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard reports about Jesus. 2 ‘This fellow must be John the Baptist,’ he said to his servants. ‘He’s been raised from the dead! That’s why these powers are at work in him.’ 3 This is what had happened. Herod had seized John, tied him up ...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

The Death of John the Baptist14 At that time Herod the ruler[a] heard reports about Jesus; 2 and he said to his servants, ‘This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.’ 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in pris...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

The Death of John the Baptist14 At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus,(A)2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison ...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Matthew Bible (NMB)

John is taken and beheaded. Christ feeds 5,000 men with five loaves and two fishes, and appears to his disciples by night upon the lake. 14 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 again from death, and therefore ar...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Living Translation (NLT)

The Death of John the Baptist14 When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee,[a] heard about Jesus, 2 he said to his advisers, “This must be John the Baptist raised from the dead! That is why he can do such miracles.” 3 For Herod had arrested and imprisoned John as a favor to his wife Herodias (the form...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New Life Version (NLV)

John the Baptist Is Put in Prison (A)14 At that time King Herod heard much about Jesus. 2 He said to his helpers, “This must be John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead. That is why these powerful works are done by him.” 3 For Herod had taken John and put him in prison. It was because of Herod...
Read More

Matthew 14 - New King James Version (NKJV)

John the Baptist Beheaded(A)14 At that time (B)Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus 2 and said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” 3 (C)For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison...
Read More