1Logo depois disto, Jesus saiu daquela parte do país e voltou com os discípulos para a sua terra.2No sábado seguinte, foi à sinagoga e começou a ensinar. Ao ouvirem-no, muitos ficaram admirados com a sua sabedoria e milagres. E diziam: “De onde lhe veio toda esta sabedoria? Como pode realizar tais milagres com as próprias mãos?3Não é ele o carpinteiro, filho de Maria? Não é irmão de Tiago, José, Judas e Simão? E as suas irmãs não moram aqui mesmo, nesta localidade?” E estavam escandalizados com ele.4Então Jesus disse-lhes: “Um profeta é honrado em qualquer lugar menos na sua terra, entre o seus parentes e no meio da própria casa.”5Por não acreditarem nele, Jesus não pôde fazer ali nenhum grande milagre, a não ser colocar as mãos sobre alguns doentes e curá-los.
Jesus envia os doze discípulos
6Jesus estava admirado por causa da falta de fé deles.,; E andava pelas aldeias em redor a ensinar.7Chamou os doze discípulos, começou a enviá-los dois a dois e deu-lhes autoridade sobre os espíritos impuros.8Disse-lhes: “Nada levem convosco a não ser o bordão; nem comida, nem saco de viagem, nem dinheiro de cobre à cintura;9sandálias, só as que tiverem nos pés, e nem mesmo uma muda de roupa.”10E acrescentou: “Sempre que entrarem numa casa, fiquem nela até à vossa partida.11Se uma qualquer localidade não vos receber nem ouvir, sacudam a poeira dos vossos pés, quando saírem, como testemunho de que abandonaram essa terra à sua própria sorte.”12Então os discípulos partiram, incitando todos os que encontravam a abandonarem o pecado.13Expulsaram muitos demónios e curaram muitos doentes, ungindo-os com azeite.
João Batista é degolado
14Não tardou que o rei Herodes ouvisse falar de Jesus, cujos milagres eram contados com espanto em toda a parte. Algumas pessoas declaravam que era João Batista que tinha voltado à vida. Por isso, diziam: “Não admira que possa fazer tais milagres!”15Havia gente também que pensava que Jesus fosse Elias; outros, ainda, afirmavam que era um novo profeta igual aos do passado.16Herodes, ao tomar conhecimento destes factos, disse: “Não! É João, a quem degolei. Ressuscitou dentre os mortos!”17-19Porque Herodes mandara soldados meter João no cárcere, por andar sempre a dizer que não estava certo este casar-se com Herodíade, mulher de Filipe, irmão do próprio rei. Para se vingar, Herodíade queria que João fosse morto; mas sem a aprovação de Herodes nada podia fazer.20Porque Herodes respeitava João, sabendo que era um homem justo e santo e protegia-o. Sempre que falava com João, Herodes ficava preocupado, mas gostava de ouvi-lo.21Até que, por fim, chegou a oportunidade que Herodíade esperava. Herodes fazia anos e dera uma festa para a gente do palácio, para os oficiais do exército e para as pessoas importantes da Galileia.22A certa altura, entrou a filha de Herodíade que dançou na presença dos convidados e agradou a todos.23“Pede-me o que quiseres”, prometeu o rei, “que eu dou-te nem que seja metade do meu reino.”24Ouvindo isto, ela saiu para se aconselhar junto da mãe, que lhe disse: “Pede-lhe a cabeça de João Batista!”25Então voltou à presença do rei: “Dá-me a cabeça de João Batista numa bandeja!”26O rei ficou muito triste com o pedido, mas teve vergonha de quebrar o juramento diante dos convidados.27Mandou então um membro da sua guarda pessoal à prisão cortar a cabeça de João e trazê-la. O soldado matou João no cárcere28e trouxe a sua cabeça numa bandeja, entregando-a à jovem, que a levou à mãe.29Quando os discípulos de João souberam o que tinha acontecido, foram buscar o corpo e sepultaram-no num túmulo.
Jesus alimenta 5000 homens
30Por fim, os apóstolos voltaram da sua viagem. Foram ter com Jesus e contaram-lhe tudo o que tinham feito e como tinham falado às populações visitadas.31Jesus disse-lhes: “Saiamos por um pouco do meio do povo para descansar.” Pois era tanta a gente que ia e vinha que mal tinham tempo para comer.32E saíram de barco para um sítio mais sossegado.33Contudo, muitos aperceberam-se disso e, correndo pela praia, foram esperá-los no ponto de desembarque.34Quando Jesus saiu do barco, já lá se encontrava uma enorme multidão; teve compaixão deles, porque eram como ovelhas sem pastor e ensinou-lhes muitas coisas que precisavam de saber.35Como a hora já fosse bastante avançada, os discípulos foram ter com Jesus e disseram:36“Este lugar é deserto e a hora já vai avançada. Manda o povo retirar-se, para ir às aldeias e campos dos arredores comprar alguma coisa para comer.”37Jesus respondeu: “Deem-lhes vocês de comer.” Responderam: “Como? Seria preciso duzentas moedas de prata[1] para comprar comida para tanta gente!”38“Quanta comida temos? Vão ver.” Eles voltaram, dizendo que havia cinco pães e dois peixes.39Então Jesus disse à multidão que se sentasse. E sentaram-se, na erva verde,40em grupos de cinquenta ou cem.41E tomando os cinco pães e os dois peixes, Jesus ergueu os olhos para o céu e abençoou-os. Depois, partiu os pães em pedaços e deu-os aos discípulos, para que os oferecessem ao povo. E distribuiu também os dois peixes entre todos.42Todos comeram até ficarem satisfeitos.43E quando os sobejos foram recolhidos, as sobras dos peixes enchiam doze cestos.44O número de homens que comeu foi de 5000.
Jesus anda sobre as águas
45Logo a seguir, Jesus mandou os discípulos voltar para o barco e partir à sua frente, atravessando o lago até Betsaida, enquanto ele tratava de mandar a multidão embora.46Depois disto, Jesus subiu à montanha para orar.47Caiu a noite, o barco já estava no meio do lago e ele ainda se encontrava sozinho em terra.48Jesus viu que remavam com dificuldades, pois o vento soprava em sentido contrário. Por volta das quatro horas da madrugada, foi ter com eles, a caminhar sobre a água, e ia passar-lhes adiante.49Ao verem-no caminhar sobre a água, gritaram de terror, pensando que fosse um fantasma.50Todos o viam e ficaram inquietos. Imediatamente ele lhes disse: “Está tudo bem, sou eu, não tenham medo!”51Então subiu para o barco e o vento cessou. Os discípulos ficaram ali sentados, de boca aberta, sem compreender o que se passara.52Porque ainda não tinham percebido quem Jesus realmente era, nem mesmo depois do milagre da tarde anterior. Os seus corações estavam endurecidos.53Quando chegaram a Genezaré, do outro lado do lago, amarraram o barco.54Mal desembarcaram, os habitantes reconheceram-no logo.55Percorriam toda a região, começando a trazer-lhe os doentes em esteiras e padiolas.56Aonde quer que fosse, aldeias, cidades e campo, punham os doentes nas praças e ruas, pedindo que os deixasse ao menos tocar na borda da sua roupa. E todos os que lhe tocavam ficavam curados.
1He went away from there and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. (Mt 2:23; Mt 13:54; Lc 4:16; Lc 4:23)2And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? (Mt 4:23; Mt 7:28; Mc 1:21; Lc 4:31; Lc 6:6; Lc 13:10; At 13:14)3Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. (Mt 11:6; Mt 13:55; Mc 3:31; Lc 4:22; Jo 6:42)4And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” (Jr 11:21; Jr 12:6; Lc 4:24; Jo 4:44; Jo 7:5)5And he could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. (Gn 19:22; Mc 5:23; Mc 9:23)6And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went about among the villages teaching. (Mt 8:10; Mt 9:35; Mt 11:1; Lc 8:1; Lc 13:22)
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
7And he called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. (Mt 10:1; Mt 10:5; Mt 10:9; Mc 3:13; Lc 9:1; Lc 9:3; Lc 10:4; Lc 22:35)8He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts—9but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.[1] (At 12:8)10And he said to them, “Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you depart from there.11And if any place will not receive you and they will not listen to you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them.” (Ne 5:13; Mc 1:44; At 13:51; At 18:6)12So they went out and proclaimed that people should repent. (Mt 3:2; Mt 4:17; Mt 10:7; Lc 9:6)13And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. (Mc 6:12; Tg 5:14)
The Death of John the Baptist
14King Herod heard of it, for Jesus’[2] name had become known. Some[3] said, “John the Baptist[4] has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” (Mt 14:1; Mt 16:14; Mc 8:28; Lc 9:7)15But others said, “He is Elijah.” And others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.” (Mt 21:11; Mc 6:14)16But when Herod heard of it, he said, “John, whom I beheaded, has been raised.”17For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because he had married her. (Mt 11:2; Lc 3:19; Jo 3:24)18For John had been saying to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” (Lv 18:16; Lv 20:21; Mc 6:17)19And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not,20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. (Mt 14:5; Mt 21:26; Mc 4:16; Mc 12:37)21But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. (Gn 40:20; 1 Rs 3:15; Et 1:3; Et 2:18)22For when Herodias’s daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you.”23And he vowed to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.” (Et 5:3; Et 7:2)24And she went out and said to her mother, “For what should I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist.”25And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”26And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her.27And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John’s[5] head. He went and beheaded him in the prison28and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.29When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb. (Mt 9:14)
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
30The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. (Mt 10:2; Lc 6:13; Lc 9:10; Lc 17:5; Lc 22:14; Lc 24:10)31And he said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while.” For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat. (Mc 3:20)32And they went away in the boat to a desolate place by themselves. (Mt 14:13; Mc 3:9; Mc 8:2; Lc 9:10; Jo 6:1)33Now many saw them going and recognized them, and they ran there on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. (Mc 6:54)34When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things. (Mt 9:36)35And when it grew late, his disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late.36Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” (Mt 15:23; Mc 6:45)37But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[6] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” (Nm 11:13; Nm 11:21; 2 Rs 4:42; Jo 6:7)38And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” (Mc 8:19)39Then he commanded them all to sit down in groups on the green grass.40So they sat down in groups, by hundreds and by fifties.41And taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and said a blessing and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the people. And he divided the two fish among them all. (1 Sm 9:13; Mt 26:26; Mc 7:34; Mc 8:7; Mc 14:22; Lc 24:30; Jo 11:41; Jo 17:1; 1 Co 14:16)42And they all ate and were satisfied.43And they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and of the fish.44And those who ate the loaves were five thousand men.
Jesus Walks on the Water
45Immediately he made his disciples get into the boat and go before him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. (Mt 8:18; Mt 14:22; Mc 6:32; Mc 8:22; Lc 9:10; Jo 6:15)46And after he had taken leave of them, he went up on the mountain to pray. (Mc 1:35; Lc 5:16; Lc 6:12; Lc 9:28)47And when evening came, the boat was out on the sea, and he was alone on the land. (Mc 13:35)48And he saw that they were making headway painfully, for the wind was against them. And about the fourth watch of the night[7] he came to them, walking on the sea. He meant to pass by them, (Mc 6:47; Lc 24:28)49but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a ghost, and cried out,50for they all saw him and were terrified. But immediately he spoke to them and said, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.” (Dt 31:6; Is 41:13; Is 43:1; Mt 17:7; Lc 24:37; Jo 16:33)51And he got into the boat with them, and the wind ceased. And they were utterly astounded,52for they did not understand about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened. (Mc 3:5; Mc 8:17; Jo 12:40; Rm 11:7; 2 Co 3:14)
Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret
53When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. (Mt 14:34; Lc 5:1; Jo 6:24)54And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized him (Mc 6:33)55and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard he was. (Mt 4:24; Lc 5:18)56And wherever he came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored him that they might touch even the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well. (Mt 9:20; Mc 3:10; Lc 6:19; At 5:15)