THE DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST

1 AT that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,
2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.
3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.
5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.
7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.
8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.
9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.
10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.
11 And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

JESUS FEEDS THE FIVE THOUSAND
13 When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

WALKING ON WATER
22 And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.
23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.
24 But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

JESUS HEALS THE SICK AT GENNESARET
34 And when they were gone over, they came into the land of Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto him all that were diseased;
36 And besought him that they might only touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched were made perfectly whole.

1At that time Herod the Tetrarch heard of the fame of Iesus,

2And said vnto his seruants, This is Iohn the Baptist, hee is risen from the dead, and therfore mighty workes doe shew foorth themselues in him.

3 For Herode had layd hold on Iohn, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias sake, his brother Philips wife.

4For Iohn said vnto him, It is not lawfull for thee to haue her.

5And when he would haue put him to death, hee feared the multitude, because they counted him as a Prophet.

6But when Herods birth day was kept, the daughter of Herodias daunced before them, and pleased Herode.

7Whereupon he promised with an oath, to giue her whatsoeuer she would aske.

8And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Giue me heere Iohn Baptists head in a charger.

9And the king was sorie: neuerthelesse for the othes sake, and them which sate with him at meate, he commanded it to be giuen her:

10And he sent, and beheaded Iohn in the prison.

11And his head was brought in a charger, and giuen to the Damsell: and she brought it to her mother.

12And his Disciples came, and took vp the body, and buried it, and went and told Iesus.

13 When Iesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship, into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foote, out of the cities.

14And Iesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was mooued with compassion toward them, and he healed their sicke.

15 And when it was euening, his Disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may goe into the villages, and buy themselues victuals.

16But Iesus said vnto them, They neede not depart; giue yee them to eate.

17And they say vnto him, We haue heere but fiue loaues, and two fishes.

18He said, Bring them hither to me.

19And hee commanded the multitude to sit downe on the grasse, & tooke the fiue loaues, and the two fishes, and looking vp to heauen, hee blessed, and brake, and gaue the loaues to his Disciples, and the Disciples to the multitude.

20And they did all eat, & were filled: and they tooke vp of the fragments that remained twelue baskets full.

21And they that had eaten, were about fiue thousand men, beside women and children.

22 And straightway Iesus constrained his Disciples to get into a ship, and to goe before him vnto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went vp into a mountaine apart to pray: and when the euening was come, he was there alone:

24But the ship was now in the midst of the Sea, tossed with waues: for the wind was contrary.

25And in the fourth watch of the night, Iesus went vnto them, walking on the Sea.

26And when the Disciples saw him walking on the Sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit: and they cried out for feare.

27But straightway Iesus spake vnto them, saying, Be of good cheere: it is I, be not afraid.

28And Peter answered him, and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come vnto thee on the water.

29And he said, Come. And when Peter was come downe out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Iesus.

30But when he saw the wind boysterous, he was afraid: and beginning to sinke, he cried, saying, Lord saue me.

31And immediately Iesus stretched foorth his hand, and caught him, and said vnto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

32And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33Then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, Of a trueth thou art the sonne of God.

34 And when they were gone ouer, they came into þe land of Genesaret.

35And when the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that countrey round about, and brought vnto him al that were diseased,

36And besought him, that they might onely touch the hemme of his garment; and as many as touched, were made perfectly whole.

I == MK 6:14-16 LK 9:7-9 MK 8:28

III == MK 6: 17-18 LK 3:19-20 LEV 18:16 20:21

V == Matt 21:26 ; Luke 20:6

XIII == Matt 10:23 ; 12:15 ; Mark 6:32 ; Luke 9:10 ; John 6:1-2

XIV == Matt 9:36 ; Mark 6:34

XV == Mark 6:35 ; Luke 9:12 ; John 6:5

XIX == Matt 15:36 ; Mark 14:22 ; Luke 24:30

XXIII == Mark 6:46 ; John 6:16

XXVI == Job 9:8 ; Luke 24:37

XXIX == John 21:7

XXXI == Matt 6:30 ; 8:26 ; 16:8

XXXIII == Ps 2:7 ; Matt 16:16 ;26:63 ; 28:9 , 17 ; Mark 1:1 ; Luke 4:41 ; John 1:49 ; 6:69 ; 11:27 ; Acts 8:37 ; Rom 1:4

XXXIV == Mark 6:53

XXXVI == Num 15:38 ; Matt 9:20 ; Mark 3:10 ; Luke 6:19 ; Acts 19:12

1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the reputation of Jesus 2 and said to his servants, "This man is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why mighty powers are at work in him." 3 Now Herod had arrested John, bound (him), and put him in prison on account of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, 4 for John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." 5 Although he wanted to kill him, he feared the people, for they regarded him as a prophet. 6 But at a birthday celebration for Herod, the daughter of Herodias performed a dance before the guests and delighted Herod 7 so much that he swore to give her whatever she might ask for. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist." 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and the guests who were present, he ordered that it be given, 10 and he had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who took it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took away the corpse and buried him; and they went and told Jesus. 13 When Jesus heard of it, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. The crowds heard of this and followed him on foot from their towns. 14 When he disembarked and saw the vast crowd, his heart was moved with pity for them, and he cured their sick. 15 When it was evening, the disciples approached him and said, "This is a deserted place and it is already late; dismiss the crowds so that they can go to the villages and buy food for themselves." 16 (Jesus) said to them, "There is no need for them to go away; give them some food yourselves." 17 But they said to him, "Five loaves and two fish are all we have here." 18 Then he said, "Bring them here to me," 19 and he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up the fragments left over - twelve wicker baskets full. 21 Those who ate were about five thousand men, not counting women and children. 22 Then he made the disciples get into the boat and precede him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 After doing so, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When it was evening he was there alone. 24 Meanwhile the boat, already a few miles offshore, was being tossed about by the waves, for the wind was against it. 25 During the fourth watch of the night, he came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the sea they were terrified. "It is a ghost," they said, and they cried out in fear. 27 At once (Jesus) spoke to them, "Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." 28 Peter said to him in reply, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." 29 He said, "Come." Peter got out of the boat and began to walk on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw how (strong) the wind was he became frightened; and, beginning to sink, he cried out, "Lord, save me!" 31 Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 After they got into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Those who were in the boat did him homage, saying, "Truly, you are the Son of God." 34 After making the crossing, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 When the men of that place recognized him, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought to him all those who were sick 36 and begged him that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak, and as many as touched it were healed.

v 1,2. HEROD THE TETRARCH: Herod Antipas who's father was Herod the Great, who controlled or governed Galilee and Perea from 4 BC until AD 39. (Mt 2:22) Herod Antipas was son of Herod the Great, ruler or tetrarch of Galilee and Perea (a fourth of Palestine) and was the one who judged Jesus at His trial. He heard of the works of Jesus and assumed He was John the Baptist raised from the dead. TETRARCH: The ruler or governer of the fourth part of a country, which was divided into these parts for efficient government, especially under the Roman Empire.

{1} v 3-12. John had publicly rebuked Herod for marrying, (Mk. 6:17), his sister-in-law, Herodias. He put John in prison for her sake and would have killed him, but he liked to hear John, (Mk. 6:20), and the people thought John was a prophet. Herodias’ daughter, Salome, gained Herod’s favor by dancing at his birthday celebration and he foolishly offered her up to half the kingdom. Her mother had told her, v 28, to ask for the head of John the Baptist. Herod didn’t want to do that, but rather than find a way to get out of his oath, he ordered John to be beheaded. The disciples of John gave him proper burial and then told Jesus.

V 13-23. V 19 THE DISCIPLE' GAVE THEM: through the hands of the Apostles Jesus feeds the Crowd. In Anticipation of the Eucharistic Liturgy they distributute the bread provided by Jesus' where the priest of the New Covenant give the bread of Life as Holy Communion in the Church. ( 1st Cor 10:16) Jn. 6:4, This was about Passover time. Jesus withdrew east privately with his disciples, which Lk. 9:10,11 says is near Bethsaida, and He was speaking of the kingdom of God. Mk. 6 adds that this was not only after John was beheaded, but after the disciples first tour of preaching. Mk. adds they sneaked away by boat, but people anticipated their move, even outrunning them. There was such an incessant crowd, they kept too busy to eat, and Jesus’ compassion was not just for the sicknesses He healed, but because they were like sheep without a shepherd.

Evening caught them in this deserted place and Jn. 6:5-7 add that Jesus tested Philip by asking where they could buy food for the people. Philip was a native and protested that 200 denarius, or two hundred days wages would not buy enough food. Also, there was no place to get supplies, so the disciples wanted Jesus to send the crowd away. Jn. 6 says it was Andrew who located the lad with 5 barley loaves and two small fish. It was a large grassy area so Jesus told the disciples to have them sit down. Mark says by hundreds and fifties and that Jesus looked to heaven when he blessed the food. There were 5000 men, so with women and children there were probably 10-20,000 total. Jesus commanded them to pick up the fragments that remained after everyone was filled, and there were 12 (bushel size) baskets full. This is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels, and it showed the disciples that in the future Jesus would provide spiritual food, but it was the disciples who would have to do the feeding. Jn. 6:14. Many people did not realize “that prophet” = Messiah. This was the high point of Jesus’ popularity as the people, after seeing the miracle by “that prophet”, wanted to make Him king by force. People wanted a king who would give them (1.) Medicare-free healing; (2.) Welfare-free food; (3.) Military- defeat Rome. From this point on, Jesus said little to convince people He was Messiah, and spent more time instructing His disciples.

Jesus had the disciples get in a boat and cross over to the other side, about seven miles, while He sent the people away, then He went up into the mountain to pray alone. One of the sudden storms of Galilee came upon the disciples and the boat was tossed by the waves. This is an example of being in trouble yet being in God’s will, cp 1 Cor. 16:9. Between 3 and 6 in the morning they had only gone three and one half miles against the west wind, and (facing to back) saw Jesus walking past on the water. They thought He was a ghost, but Jesus told them not to fear, it was He. Peter wanted assurance, so he asked if it was Jesus to ask him to come on the water to him. When Jesus said “Come”, he started walking on the water, but taking his eyes off Jesus and looking at the fearful waves, he began to sink. At his call for help, Jesus reached out His hand and caught him, but rebuked him for the lack of faith that caused him to sink. When they got into the boat, the wind stopped, and (Jn. 6:31), they were at land immediately. Mk. 6:51,52 adds their amazement at this miracle because they hadn’t considered the miracle of feeding 5000. This was because their hearts were hardened, but Mt. 14:33 adds that they then worshiped Him as the Son of God, or Messiah. When they got west of Gennesaret people recognized Him and brought their sick, and if they only touched the hem of Jesus’ garment, they were healed. {1} ILLUSTRATED DICTIONARY of THE BIBLE by Herbert Locker, SR Editor