The people of Nazareth turn against Jesus

(Matthew 13.53-58; Luke 4.16-30)

1Jesus left and returned to his home town6.1 home town: Nazareth. with his disciples. 2The next Sabbath he taught in the Jewish meeting place. Many of the people who heard him were amazed and asked, “How can he do all this? Where did he get such wisdom and the power to perform these miracles? 3Isn't he the carpenter,6.3 carpenter: The Greek word may also mean someone who builds or works with stone or brick. the son of Mary? Aren't James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon his brothers? Don't his sisters still live here in our town?” The people were very unhappy because of what he was doing.

4But Jesus said, “Prophets are honoured by everyone, except the people of their home town and their relatives and their own family.”6.4: Jn 4.44. 5Jesus could not perform any miracles there, except to heal a few sick people by placing his hands on them. 6He was surprised that the people did not have any faith.

Instructions for the twelve apostles

(Matthew 10.5-15; Luke 9.1-6)

Jesus taught in all the neighbouring villages. 7Then he called together his twelve apostles and sent them out two by two with power over evil spirits. 8He told them, “You may take along a walking stick. But don't carry food or a travelling bag or any money.6.8-11: Lk 10.4-11. 9It's all right to wear sandals, but don't take along a change of clothes. 10When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. 11If any place won't welcome you or listen to your message, leave and shake the dust from your feet6.11 shake the dust from your feet: This was a way of showing rejection. as a warning to them.”6.11: Ac 13.51.

12The apostles left and started telling everyone to turn to God. 13They forced out many demons and healed a lot of sick people by putting olive oil6.13 olive oil: The Jewish people used olive oil as a way of healing people. Sometimes olive oil is a symbol for healing by means of a miracle (see James 5.14). on them.6.13: Jas 5.14.

The death of John the Baptist

(Matthew 14.1-12; Luke 9.7-9)

14Jesus became so well known that Herod the ruler6.14 Herod the ruler: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great. heard about him. Some people thought he was John the Baptist, who had come back to life with the power to perform miracles.6.14,15: Mt 16.14; Mk 8.28; Lk 9.19. 15Others thought he was Elijah6.15 Elijah: Many of the Jewish people expected the prophet Elijah to come and prepare the way for the Messiah. or some other prophet who had lived long ago. 16But when Herod heard about Jesus, he said, “This must be John! I had his head cut off, and now he has come back to life.”

17-18Herod had earlier married Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip. But John had told him, “It isn't right for you to take your brother's wife!” So, in order to please Herodias, Herod arrested John and put him in prison.6.17,18: Lk 3.19,20.

19Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she could not do it 20because Herod was afraid of John and protected him. He knew that John was a good and holy man. Even though Herod was confused by what John said,6.20 was confused by what John said: Some manuscripts have “did many things because of what John said”. he was glad to listen to him. And he often did.

21Finally, Herodias got her chance when Herod gave a great birthday celebration for himself and invited his officials, his army officers, and the leaders of Galilee. 22The daughter of Herodias6.22 Herodias: Some manuscripts have “Herod”. came in and danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased them so much that Herod said, “Ask for anything, and it's yours! 23I swear that I will give you as much as half of my kingdom, if you want it.”

24The girl left and asked her mother, “What do you think I should ask for?”

Her mother answered, “The head of John the Baptist!”

25The girl hurried back and told Herod, “Straight away on a dish I want the head of John the Baptist!”

26The king was very sorry for what he had said. But he did not want to break the promise he had made in front of his guests. 27At once he ordered a guard to cut off John's head there in prison. 28The guard put the head on a dish and took it to the girl. Then she gave it to her mother.

29When John's followers learnt that he had been killed, they took his body and put it in a tomb.

Jesus feeds five thousand

(Matthew 14.13-21; Luke 9.10-17; John 6.1-14)

30After the apostles returned to Jesus,6.30 the apostles returned to Jesus: From the mission on which he had sent them (see 6.7,12,13). they told him everything they had done and taught. 31But so many people were coming and going that Jesus and the apostles did not even have a chance to eat. Then Jesus said, “Let's go to a place6.31 a place: This was probably north-east of Lake Galilee (see verse 45). where we can be alone and get some rest.” 32They left in a boat for a place where they could be alone. 33But many people saw them leave and worked out where they were going. So people from every town ran on ahead and got there first.

34When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw the large crowd that was like sheep without a shepherd. He felt sorry for the people and started teaching them many things.6.34: Nu 27.17; 1 K 22.17; 2 Ch 18.16; Ez 34.5; Mt 9.36.

35That evening the disciples came to Jesus and said, “This place is like a desert, and it is already late. 36Let the crowds leave, so they can go to the farms and villages near here and buy something to eat.”

37Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.”

But they asked him, “Don't you know that it would take almost a year's wages6.37 almost a year's wages: The Greek text has “two hundred silver coins”. Each coin was the average day's wage for a worker. to buy all these people something to eat?”

38Then Jesus said, “How much bread do you have? Go and see!”

They found out and answered, “We have five small loaves of bread6.38 small loaves of bread: These would have been flat and round or in the shape of a bun. and two fish.” 39Jesus told his disciples to make the people sit down on the green grass. 40They sat down in groups of a hundred and groups of fifty.

41Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and handed it to his disciples to give to the people. He also divided the two fish, so that everyone could have some.

42After everyone had eaten all they wanted, 43Jesus' disciples picked up twelve large baskets of leftover bread and fish.

44There were five thousand men who ate the food.

Jesus walks on the water

(Matthew 14.22-33; John 6.15-21)

45Straight away, Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and start back across to Bethsaida. But he stayed until he had sent the crowds away. 46Then he said goodbye to them and went up on the side of a mountain to pray.

47Later that evening he was still there by himself, and the boat was somewhere in the middle of the lake. 48He could see that the disciples were struggling hard, because they were rowing against the wind. Not long before morning, Jesus came towards them. He was walking on the water and was about to pass the boat.

49When the disciples saw Jesus walking on the water, they thought he was a ghost, and they started screaming. 50All of them saw him and were terrified. But at that same time he said, “Don't worry! I am Jesus. Don't be afraid.” 51He then got into the boat with them, and the wind died down. The disciples were completely confused. 52Their minds were closed, and they could not understand the true meaning of the loaves of bread.

Jesus heals sick people in Gennesaret

(Matthew 14.34-36)

53Jesus and his disciples crossed the lake and brought the boat to shore near the town of Gennesaret. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, the people recognized Jesus. 55So they ran all over that part of the country to bring their sick people to him on mats. They brought them each time they heard where he was. 56In every village or farm or market place where Jesus went, the people brought their sick to him. They begged him to let them just touch his clothes, and everyone who did was healed.