World English Bible · Under Rome
Matthew 14
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At that time, heard the report concerning , and said to his servants, "This is . He is from . That is why these powers work in him." For had arrested , bound him, and put him in prison for the sake of , his brother wife. For said to him, "It is not lawful for you to have her." When he would have put him to , he feared , because they counted him as a . But when birthday came, the daughter of danced among them and pleased . Therefore he promised with an to give her whatever she should ask. She, being prompted by her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of ." The king was grieved, but for the sake of his and of those who sat with him, he commanded it to be given, and he sent and beheaded in the prison. His head was brought on a platter and given to the young lady; and she brought it to her mother. His came, took the body, and buried it. Then they went and told . Now when heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had on them and healed their sick. When evening had come, his came to him, saying, "This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food." But said to them, "They don't need to go away. You give them something to eat." They told him, "We only have here five loaves and two fish." 18He said, "Bring them here to me." He commanded the to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to , he , broke and gave the loaves to ; and gave to the . They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children. Immediately made get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the away. After he had sent the away, he went up into the mountain by himself to . When evening had come, he was there alone. But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. In the fourth watch of the night, came to them, walking on the sea. When saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a ghost!" and they cried out for fear. But immediately spoke to them, saying, "Cheer up! It is I! Don't be afraid." answered him and said, ", if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters." He said, "Come!" stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to . But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, ", me!" Immediately stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, "You of little , why did you doubt?" When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. Those who were in the boat came and him, saying, "You are truly the Son of !" When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. When the people of that place recognized him, they sent into all that surrounding region and brought to him all who were sick; and they begged him that they might touch the fringe of his garment. As many as touched it were made whole.
A public domain modern English translation, free to read and share. Notes and cards are EKLI’s own.
The world at this moment · Under Rome, 63 BC to AD 100 ›
Judea as a client kingdom and then a province. Roads, garrisons, taxes, crucifixion, and a common Greek language that let a message travel the empire faster than any before it.
- Rome
- The republic tears itself apart in civil war and comes out as an empire under Augustus. What follows is two centuries of relative peace across the whole Mediterranean, enforced by legions and paid for by taxes, with safe roads and safe sea lanes. Every one of Paul's journeys depends on that.
- Judea
- Governed first through Herod the Great, a client king of enormous ability and enormous brutality who rebuilds the temple into one of the wonders of the ancient world, then directly by Roman prefects. Crucifixion is the standard penalty for sedition and is used often and publicly.
- The wider world
- Greek is spoken from Spain to Syria, which means a letter written in Corinth can be read in Rome without translation. Jewish communities already exist in most major cities, which is where the first Christian preaching lands. Mystery religions, imperial cult, and philosophy all compete in the same marketplace.
- Further afield
- The Han dynasty rules China and trades silk westward along routes that touch the Roman world at second hand. In Britain the Roman conquest begins within a decade of the crucifixion.