Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

When Herod the tetrarch heard about Jesus, he was troubled. He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead, and that's why mighty works are being done through him." But in truth, Herod had laid hold of John and put him in prison because of his relationship with Herodias, who was the wife of Philip, Herod's brother. For John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

Herod wanted to kill John, but he was held back by his fear of the crowd, who considered him a prophet. When Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod so much that he promised with an oath to give her anything she would ask. Prompted by her mother, the young woman said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."

The king was sorry, but out of regard for his oaths and those who were dining with him, he commanded it be given her. He sent men to have John beheaded in prison, and his head was brought back on a charger and presented to the young woman. When she gave it to her mother, Herodias rejoiced over the death of John.

When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by ship into a solitary desert place, but when the people had heard about it, they followed him on foot from the cities. As he came ashore, he saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them. He healed their sick, and as evening approached, his disciples told him, "This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away so they can go into the villages and buy themselves food."

But Jesus said to them, "You don't need to send them away; give them something to eat." They replied that all they had was five loaves of bread and two fish. He told them, "Bring them here to me." Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the grass, took the five loaves and two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them, and gave the loaves to his disciples, who distributed them among the people.

Everyone ate and was satisfied, and they gathered twelve baskets full of leftover fragments. There were about five thousand men in the crowd, besides women and children. After feeding the multitude, Jesus immediately told his disciples to board a ship and precede him to the other side while he sent the crowds away.

As he finished sending them off, Jesus went up to a solitary mountain to pray. When evening came, he was alone. Meanwhile, the ship had entered the middle of the sea and was being tossed about by waves because the wind was against it. In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came walking on the water toward them.

When his disciples saw him, they were frightened and cried out in fear, saying, "It's a spirit!" But Jesus immediately spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid." Peter replied, "Lord, if that really is you, tell me to come to you on the water."

Jesus said, "Come," and Peter got out of the ship and walked on the water toward him. But as soon as he saw how boisterous the wind was, he began to fear and, starting to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!" Jesus immediately stretched out his hand and caught Peter, saying, "You have little faith; why did you doubt?"

When they got back into the ship, the wind ceased. The people in the boat came to him and worshipped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God." After crossing over, they landed on the shore at Gennesaret.

As word spread that Jesus was there, the people from nearby sent out messages throughout the countryside to bring everyone who was ill to see him. When they came near, they begged him that they might only touch the hem of his garment; and as soon as they did, all were made perfectly whole.