English Standard Version ESV
New King James Version NKJV
1 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus,
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At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report 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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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 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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For Herod had laid hold of John and bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife.
4 because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her. ”
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Because John had said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have 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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And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as 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 when Herod's birthday was celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod.
7 so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
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Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter. ”
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So she, having been prompted by her mother, said, "Give me John the Baptist's head here on a platter."
9 And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given.
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And the king was sorry; nevertheless, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given to her.
10 He sent and had John beheaded in the prison,
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So he sent and 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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And his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, 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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Then his disciples came and took away the body and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
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 it, He departed from there by boat to a deserted place by Himself. But when the multitudes heard it, 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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And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their 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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When it was evening, His disciples came to Him, saying, "This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and buy themselves food."
16 But Jesus said, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat. ”
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But Jesus said to them, "They do not need to go 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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And they said to Him, "We have here only five loaves 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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Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes.
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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So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained.
21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
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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Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He sent the multitudes away.
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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And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
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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But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea.
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Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
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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And when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It is a ghost!" And they cried out for fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid. ”
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But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Be of good cheer! It is I; do not 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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And Peter answered Him and said, "Lord, if it is You, command 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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So He said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to 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 he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, "Lord, save 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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And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?"
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
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And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God. ”
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Then those who were in the boat came and worshiped Him, saying, "Truly You are the Son of God."
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret.
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When they had crossed over, they came to the land of 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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And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, brought to Him all who were 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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and begged Him that they might only touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched it were made perfectly well.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.