1He left there and went to his own country. His disciples followed him. 2Jesus taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. Many were astonished when they heard him. They asked: »Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to this man and how did he perform these mighty works by his hands? 3»Is this the carpenter, the son of Mary, brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Are not his sisters here with us?« He offended them. 4Jesus said to them: »A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own people and in his own house.« 5He laid his hands upon a few sick and healed them. Otherwise he did no mighty work there. 6He wondered at their unbelief. Then he went around to the villages teaching. 7He summoned the twelve and sent them forth in pairs. They were given authority over the unclean spirits. 8They were instructed to take nothing for their journey, with the exception of a walking staff. 9They were to take no bread, no wallet, no money in their purse and no extra sandals or coat. 10He said: »When someone invites you to enter into a house, stay there until you leave. 11»When someone will not listen to you leave that house and shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony to the householder.« 12They went out to preach that men should repent. 13They cast out many demons. They anointed the sick with oil and healed them. 14John the Baptist had become well known. King Herod heard that John had risen from the dead. Therefore he was doing these powerful works. 15But others said: »It is Elijah.« And others said: »It is a prophet, like one of the prophets.« 16Herod said: »It is John whom I beheaded, raised from the dead.« 17For Herod captured John and locked him in prison for the sake of Herodias his wife. She was his brother Philip’s wife before he married her. 18John said to Herod: »It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.« 19Herodias had a grudge against John and was determined to have him killed. 20But Herod feared John. He knew he was a righteous and holy man so he kept him safe. That is why he listened to John but was perplexed. 21It was Herod’s birthday. He invited his lords, the military commanders, and the prominent men of Galilee to supper. 22When the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests, she pleased him so much he promised her anything she desired. 23He pledged to her, »Whatever you ask of me, I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.« 24She asked her mother, »What should I ask?« And the mother said: »The head of John the Baptist.« 25At once she went to the king and asked: »Will you give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter.« 26The king was very sorry. Even so he kept his promise to her. He did not turn her down. This also showed his dinner guests he was a man of his word. 27He immediately commanded his guard to behead John the Baptist and bring his head to him. 28He brought his head on a platter and gave it to the young lady. In turn she gave it to her mother. 29When his disciples heard this they took his corpse and laid it in a tomb. 30The apostles gathered together with Jesus. They told him all things they had done and taught. 31He told them come into a secluded place and rest a while. For there were many people coming and going and they had no leisure time. 32They went away in the boat to a secluded place. 33The people from all the cities knew they were going and they ran together on foot to arrive ahead of them. 34When he arrived and saw the great crowd he had compassion on them. They were as sheep without a shepherd. He taught them many things. 35Late in the day his disciples approached him. They said: »The day is almost over and we are in a secluded place. 36»Send them away that they may go to the country and villages nearby and buy themselves something to eat.« 37He replied: »You give them food to eat.« They asked: »Should we buy two hundred shillings’ worth of bread to feed them?« 38He said« »Find out how many loaves you have? When they knew they said« »Five loaves and two fishes.« 39He commanded them to sit down by groups upon the green grass. 40They sat down in groups of hundreds, and fifties. 41Then he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He took the five loaves and the two fishes, and broke the loaves into pieces and gave them to his disciples. He also divided the two fishes. He gave the food to his disciples to serve to the people. 42They all ate and were filled. 43They collected twelve baskets full of broken pieces of bread and fishes. 44Five thousand men ate. 45Jesus made his disciples hurry into a boat to cross to Bethsaida ahead of him. Then he sent the crowd away. 46After he left he went to the mountain to pray. 47He was on the shore at the beginning of evening and the boat was in the midst of the sea. 48He saw that they were tired of rowing for the wind was against them. It was the fourth watch of the night. He walked on the sea and was about to pass them. 49When they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a spirit an illusion and screamed. 50They all saw him and were troubled. Suddenly he spoke to them: »Be of good cheer. It is I do not fear.« 51He entered the boat and the wind ceased. They were truly amazed. 52They had not understood the loaves of bread. Their minds were closed. 53They completed the crossing to the land of Gennesaret and anchored by the shore. 54The people saw him as soon as they left the boat. 55They were wherever he was in the whole region. They carried the sick on their beds to him. 56When he entered a village or city in the marketplaces or the country the sick tried to touch the border of his garment and be healed.