English Standard Version ESV
Common English Bible CEB
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,
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At that time Herod the ruler heard the news about Jesus.
2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him. ”
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He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He's been raised from the dead. This is why these miraculous powers are at work through him."
3 For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
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Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison because of Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother Philip.
4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her. ”
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That's because John told Herod, "It's against the law for you to marry her."
5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
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Although Herod wanted to kill him, he feared the crowd because they thought John was a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod,
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But at Herod's birthday party Herodias' daughter danced in front of the guests and thrilled Herod.
7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
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Then he swore to give her anything she asked.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. ”
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At her mother's urging, the girl said, "Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a plate."
9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.
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Although the king was upset, because of his solemn pledge and his guests he commanded that they give it to her.
10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,
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Then he had John beheaded in prison.
11 and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
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They brought his head on a plate and gave it to the young woman, and she brought it to her mother.
12 And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.
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But John's disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus what had happened.
13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a desolate place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns.
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When Jesus heard about John, he withdrew in a boat to a deserted place by himself. When the crowds learned this, they followed him on foot from the cities.
14 When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
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When Jesus arrived and saw a large crowd, he had compassion for them and healed those who were sick.
15 Now when it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the day is now over; send the crowds away to go into the villages and buy food for themselves. ”
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That evening his disciples came and said to him, "This is an isolated place and it's getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves."
16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat. ”
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But Jesus said to them, "There's no need to send them away. You give them something to eat."
17 They said to him, “We have only five loaves here and two fish. ”
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They replied, "We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish."
18 And he said, “Bring them here to me. ”
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He said, "Bring them here to me."
19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass, and taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
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He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20 And they all ate and were satisfied. And they took up twelve baskets full of the broken pieces left over.
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Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten.
22 Immediately he made the disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds.
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Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds.
23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,
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When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone.
24 but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them.
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Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
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Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake.
26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, “It is a ghost! ” and they cried out in fear.
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When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, "It's a ghost!" They were so frightened they screamed.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. ”
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Just then Jesus spoke to them, "Be encouraged! It's me. Don't be afraid."
28 And Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water. ”
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Peter replied, "Lord, if it's you, order me to come to you on the water."
29 He said, “Come. ”So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus.
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And Jesus said, "Come." Then Peter got out of the boat and was walking on the water toward Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me. ”
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But when Peter saw the strong wind, he became frightened. As he began to sink, he shouted, "Lord, rescue me!"
31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt? ”
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Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him, saying, "You man of weak faith! Why did you begin to have doubts?"
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
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When they got into the boat, the wind settled down.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God. ”
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Then those in the boat worshipped Jesus and said, "You must be God's Son!"
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
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When they had crossed the lake, they landed at Gennesaret.
35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent around to all that region and brought to him all who were sick
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When the people who lived in that place recognized him, they sent word throughout that whole region, and they brought to him everyone who was sick.
36 and implored him that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
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Then they begged him that they might just touch the edge of his clothes. Everyone who touched him was cured.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible