Gospel according to Matthew

At that time, Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning Jesus,

and said to his servants, "This is John the Baptizer. He is risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him."

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.

For John said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her."

When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

But when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced among them and pleased Herod.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatever she should ask.

She, being prompted by her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer."

The king was grieved, but for the sake of his oaths, and of those who sat at the table with him, he commanded it to be given,

and he sent and beheaded John in the prison.

His head was brought on a platter, and given to the young lady: and she brought it to her mother.

His disciples came, and took the body, and buried it; and they went and told Jesus.

Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat, to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities.

Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them, and healed their sick.

When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food."

But Jesus said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat."

They told him, "We only have here five loaves and two fish."

He said, "Bring them here to me."

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, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples, and the disciples gave to the multitudes.

They all ate, and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces.