Jesus asked, Have you understood all these things? They said, Yes, Lord. Then He said, Therefore, every scribe who is instructed about the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings forth, out of his treasure, things both new and old.
Jesus went into His own country. He taught in the synagogue. The people were astonished and said, Whence has He this wisdom and these mighty works? Is this not the carpenter's son? Is His mother not called Mary and His brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? Are His sisters not here with us? Where did this man get all this?
They were offended by Him. Jesus told them that a prophet is not without honor except in His own country and in His own house. He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.
14 At that time Herod heard of the fame of Jesus. He said to his servants, This is John the Baptist. He is risen from the dead and mighty works show forth in him.
Herod had imprisoned John for the sake of Herodia, his brother Philip's
wife. He did this because John told Herod that it was not lawful for
Herod to have her. He would have immediately put John to death but
Herod feared the multitude, who counted John as a prophet.
But when Herod's birthday was celebrated, Herodias' daughter danced and greatly pleased Herod. He promised, with an oath, to give her whatever she asked. Having previously been instructed by her mother, she said, Give me John the Baptist's head on a charger. Herod was sorry. However, for the oath's sake and because of those at his dinner, he commanded it be given her. He had John beheaded in prison. Then his head was brought on a charger, presented to her, and she took it to her mother. Then John's disciples came, took up the body, buried it, and reported it to Jesus.
When Jesus heard, He departed from there by boat to a desert place. When the people heard this, they followed Him on foot out of the cities. As Jesus went along, He saw a great multitude. He was moved with compassion for them and He healed their sick. When it was evening, His disciples came to Him and said, This is a desert place and it is late. Send the multitude away so they may go into the villages and buy food. But Jesus said, They need not depart. Give them food to eat. They said, We have only five loaves and two fish. Jesus said, Bring them to me.
He told the multitude to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed it. Then He broke and gave the loaves to His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. They all ate and were full. Afterwards, they took up the fragments that remained, twelve baskets full. Those who had eaten numbered about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Immediately, Jesus instructed His disciples to get into a boat and go ahead of Him to the other side. After He sent the multitude away, He went up into a mountain to pray. When evening came He was there alone. But the boat was now in the midst of the sea and tossed with waves by the strong wind. In the fourth watch of the night, the disciples saw Jesus walking toward them on the sea. They were afraid and said, It is a spirit. They cried out for fear. But Jesus said, Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.
Peter answered and said, Lord, if it is you, bid me to come to you on the water. Jesus said, Come. Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he became afraid and immediately began to sink. He cried, Lord, save me. Jesus stretched out His hand, caught Peter, and said, O thou of little faith. Why did you doubt?