2. He said to his servants, “This is John the Immerser—he has risen from the dead! Because of this, these powers are at work in Him.”
3. For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip,
4. because John had been telling him, “It is not permitted for you to have her.”
5. Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they considered John a prophet.
6. But when Herod’s birthday celebration came, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod,
7. so much that 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 Immerser, here on a platter!”
9. The king became sorrowful; but because of his oaths and those reclining with him, he commanded it to be given.
10. And he sent and had John beheaded in the prison.
11. His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.
12. John’s disciples came forth and took the body and buried it. Then they went and reported to Yeshua.
13. Now when Yeshua heard this, He went away from there privately by boat to an isolated place. But when the crowds heard, they followed Him on foot from the towns.
14. As Yeshua came ashore, He saw a large crowd and felt compassion for them and healed their sick.
15. When it became evening, the disciples came to Him, saying, “This place is isolated, and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.”
16. But Yeshua said to them, “They don’t need to leave—you give them something to eat.”
17. “We have nothing here except five loaves and two fish,” they said to Him.
18. “Bring them here to Me,” He said.
19. Ordering the crowd to recline on the grass, He took the five loaves and the two fish; and looking up to heaven, He offered the bracha. After breaking the loaves, He gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve baskets full of broken pieces left over.
21. Now those eating were about five thousand men, besides women and children.
22. Right away, Yeshua made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He sent the crowds away.