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Herod put John the Baptist in prison because John had been saying it is not lawful for Herod to have Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife. Then Herod beheaded John when the daughter of Herodias asked for John’s head.
Jesus went to a desolate place when he heard the news. But the crowds followed Jesus there. Jesus had compassion on them and healed their sick. What a wonderful shepherd Jesus is! Jesus also has compassion on us and heals us.
The disciples asked to send the crowd away so they could buy food for themselves. Jesus’ command for them was “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.” They only had five loaves and two fish. For five thousand, it meant nothing. But Jesus looked up to heaven and said a blessing. He broke the loaves, gave it to the disciples, and they gave it to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. There were 12 baskets of left over. How was this possible? Because Jesus is God himself, the Creator. He can heal our sickness. He can provide all our needs. God cares for us and loves us. We will not lack anything with Jesus Christ, the Creator of heaven and earth.
May 26, 2026
DEATH OF JOHN THE BAPTIST
Passage: Matthew 14:1-21
Key verse: 16
NIV
chapter 14
1. At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,
2. and he said to his attendants, "This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him."
3. Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,
4. for John had been saying to him: "It is not lawful for you to have her."
5. Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.
6. On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much
7. that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked.
8. Prompted by her mother, she said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist."
9. The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted
10. and had John beheaded in the prison.
11. His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother.
12. John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.
13. When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns.
14. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.
15. As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."
16. Jesus replied, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."
17. "We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish," they answered.
18. "Bring them here to me," he said.
19. And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.
20. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
21. The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for coming to earth from heaven to be our good friend. As we bring our five loaves and two fish to you, use it for your glory.
One Word: Jesus can use our five loaves and two fish to reveal his glory