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14:3
Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
14:4
because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”
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Although Herod wanted to kill John, he was afraid of the people, because they regarded John as a prophet.
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On Herod’s birthday, however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod
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so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.
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Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”
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The king was grieved, but because of his oaths and his guests, he ordered that her wish be granted
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and sent to have John beheaded in the prison.
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John’s head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
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Then John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. And they went and informed Jesus.
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When Jesus heard about John, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out about it and followed Him on foot from the towns.
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When He stepped ashore and saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.
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When evening came, the disciples came to Him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”
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“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied. “You give them something to eat.”
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“We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.
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“Bring them here to Me,” Jesus said.
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And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
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They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
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About five thousand men were fed, besides women and children.