1Jesus left that place, and accompanied by his disciples, came into his own part of the country. 2When it came Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue; many, as they listened, were deeply impressed. "Where did he get all this?" they asked; "What is the wisdom that is given to this man, and miracles such as these that happen at his hands? 3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of Jamesand Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?" 4So they disapproved of him. Then Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in his native land and among his relatives and in his home." 5And he was unable to do any miracle there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them. 6And he wondered at their lack of faith. So he went among the neighboring villages, teaching. 7Then summoning the Twelve to him, he began to send them out two by two, giving them authority over unclean spirits. 8He bade them take nothing but a staff for their journey; no bread, no wallet, no coins in their purse; 9they were to wear sandals, but not to put on two tunics. 10"Wherever you enter a house," he told them, "remain there until you leave the place; 11and if any place does not receive you, or listen to you, as you go out of it shake off the dust under your feet, as a warning to them." 12So they fared forth and summoned men to repentance. 13They cast out many demons, and anointed many sick people with oil and cured them. 14King Herod heard it, for the name of Jesus had become well known, People were saying, "Johnthe Baptist is risen from the dead, and on that account these powers are working in him." 15"He is Elijah," said others. And still others were saying, "He is a prophet, like one of the old prophets." 16But when Herod heard, he said, "That Johnwhom I beheaded has come back to life." 17Now this Herod had sent and arrested John, and bound him in prison, for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philips wife, whom he had married. 18For Johnhad often told Herod, "It is not right for you to live with your brothers wife." 19So Herodias hated him, and wished to put him to death; 20but she could not, for Herod was afraid of Johnbecause he knew that he was a just and holy man. So he kept him safe. When he listened to Johnhe was much exercised, yet he found pleasure in listening to him. 21Then came a convenient day, when Herod on his birthday held a feast for his lords and generals and the leading men of Galilee, 22at which the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced. She charmed Herod and his guests. "Ask me whatever you want," said the king to the young girl, "and I will give it to you." 23He even swore to her that whatever she asked, he would give it to her, up to half his kingdom. 24So she came out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" "The head of Johnthe Baptist," she replied. 25So she at once hurried in to the king and made her request, "I want you," she said, "to give me, without delay, the head of Johnthe Baptist on a charger." 26Then the king was exceedingly sorry; yet on account of his oaths and his guests he was unwilling to disappoint her. 27So he sent at once a soldier of the guard with orders to bring his head. 28And he went and beheaded Johnin prison, brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young girl, and she gave it to her mother. 29When Johns disciples heard of this, they came, and took his body, and laid it in a tomb. 30When the apostles had come back to Jesus, they told him all the things they had done, and all they had taught. 31Then he said to them, "Come apart, yourselves, to a quiet spot, and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they could not get time even to eat. 32So they sailed away privately to a solitary place. 33However, many saw them going, and recognized them, and ran together by land from all the neighboring towns, and arrived there first. 34So when Jesus landed he saw a vast multitude, and he was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things. 35Then when the day was now far spent, his disciples came to him and said. "This place is desert, and the day is now far spent. 36Send the people away so that they may go to the farms and villages about here, and buy themselves something to eat." 37In answer he said to them, "You yourselves are to give them food." "Are we to go and buy fifty dollars worth of bread," they said, "and give them food?" 38"How many loaves have you?" he answered. "Go and see." When they had found out, they said, "Five, and two fishes." 39Then he directed them to make all sit down by companies on the green grass. 40And they sat down like beds in a garden, by hundreds and by fifties. 41Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven he blessed, broke the loaves in pieces, and kept giving to the disciples to distribute. 42The two fish also he divided to them all. 43All ate and had enough; and they carried away broken fragments of bread and of fish, enough to fill twelve baskets. 44Those who ate the bread were five thousand adult men. 45Then he at once compelled the disciples to embark in the boat and go before him to Bethsaida on the other side, while he sent the people away. 46After he had taken leave of them, he went away into the mountain to pray. 47And when evening came, the boat was half-way across the sea, while he was on shore alone; 48but when he saw them distressed in rowing (for the wind was against them), about the fourth watch of the night he went to them, walking upon the sea, 49they thought it was an apparition and shrieked aloud, for they all saw him and were terrified. 50But he at once spoke with them, saying. "Courage! It is I. Do not be afraid!" 51Then he got into the boat beside them, and the wind ceased, and they were utterly astounded, 52for they had not understood about the loaves; on the contrary their heart was hardened. 53When they had crossed over they landed at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. 54As soon as they got out of the boat, the people at once recognized him, 55and began running over that whole country, and carrying the sick about on their beds, wherever they heard he was. 56And whenever he entered into villages or cities or the fields they would lay the sick in the market-places and beseech him to let them touch even the tassel of his cloak, and all who touched him were made well.