DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST. 81 heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father who is in heaven. Think not that I came to send peace on the earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law : and a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that doth not take his cross and follow after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward. And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and preach in their cities. And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching that men should repent, and healing everywhere. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them. 57. Death of John the Baptist. Matt. 14: 1-12. Mark 6: 14-29. Luke 9: 7-9. Α1 T that season Herod the tetrarch heard the report concerning all that Jesus had done; for his name had become known; and he was much perplexed. And he said to his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore do these powers work in him. And some said that Elijah had 82 FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND. : appeared; and others said that one of the old prophets was risen again. But Herod said, John have I beheaded but who is this about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him. Now Herod the king had laid hold upon John the Baptist, and bound him in prison. And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, and the high captains, and the chief men of Galilee; and when the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced, she pleased Herod and them that sat at meat with him; and the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom. And she went out, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou forthwith give me here in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; but for the sake of his oaths, and of them that sat at meat with him, he would not reject her. And he commanded it to be given; and straightway the king sent forth a soldier of his guard, and commanded to bring his head: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel; and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard thereof, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb; and they went and told Jesus. 58. Feeding the Now WOW when Jesus heard it he withdrew from thence. And the apostles, when Five Thousand. they were returned, gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things they had done and whatsoever they had taught. And he saith unto them, Come ye yourselves Matt. 14: 13-23. Mark 6: 30-46. FEEDING THE FIVE THOUSAND. 83 apart into a desert place, and rest awhile. For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And he took them, and went away from thence in the boat to a desert place apart, belonging to a city called Bethsaida, on the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias. But the multitudes saw them going, and many knew them, and followed him, because they beheld the signs which he did on them that were sick; and they ran there together on foot from all the cities, and outwent them. Now the passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand; and he came forth, and lifting up his eyes, saw a great multitude coming unto him. And Jesus went up into the mountain, and there he sat with his disciples. And he had compassion on the multitudes, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd; and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing. And the day began to wear away, and the twelve came unto him and said, The place is desert and the day is now far spent. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge and buy themselves somewhat to eat. But Jesus said, They have no need to go away; give ye them to eat. Jesus therefore saith unto Philip, Whence are we to buy bread that these may eat? And this he said to prove him : for he himself knew what he would do. Philip answered him, Shall we go and buy? Two hundred shillings worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one may take a little. And he saith unto them, How many loaves have ye ; go and see. And when they knew, they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here that hath five barley loaves and 84 WALKING ON THE WATER. among so many? And he And he said unto his disci two fishes but what are these said, Bring them hither to me. ples, Make the people sit down, in companies, about fifty each, upon the green grass. (Now there was much grass in the place.) And they did so. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. Jesus therefore took the five loaves and the two fishes, and, looking up to heaven, he blessed and brake the loaves; and he gave to the disciples to set before them that were set down; and the two fishes likewise he distributed, as much as they would. And they did all eat, and were all filled. And when they were all filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the broken pieces which remain over, that nothing be lost. So they took them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley-loaves and the fishes also, which remained over unto them that had eaten. And they that did eat were about five thousand men, beside women and children. When therefore the people saw the sign which he did, they said, This is of a truth the prophet that cometh into the world. Jesus therefore perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, he straightway constrained his disciples to enter into the boat, and go before him unto the other side, till he himself should send the multitudes away. And after he had taken leave of them, he himself went up into the mountain, apart to pray: and when even was come, he was there alone. 59. Walking on the Water. Matt. 12: 24-36. A ND his disciples went down unto the sea, and they entered into a boat, and were going over the sea unto Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. And the sea was rising by reason of a great wind that blew. But the WALKING ON THE WATER. 85 boat was now in the midst of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary, and he alone on the land. And seeing them distressed in rowing, about the fourth watch of the night, when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, the disciples beheld Jesus walking on the sea and drawing nigh unto the boat; and he would have passed by them. And they were afraid, and cried out, saying, It is an apparition. But straightway Jesus spake with them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bil me come unto thee upon the waters. And he said, Come. And Peter went down from the boat, and walked upon the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw the wind he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and took hold of him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt? And when they were gone up into the boat, the wind ceased. And they that were in the boat were sore amazed in themselves; for they understood not concerning the loaves, but their heart was hardened; and they worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God. And straightway the boat was at the land whither they were going. And when they had crossed over to the land, they came unto Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they were come out of the boat, straightway the men of that place knew him, and ran round about that whole region, and brought unto him on their beds those that were sick, where they heard that he was. And wheresoever he entered, into villages or into cities, or into the country, they laid the sick in the market-places, and besought him that they might |