17. They replied, "We have nothing here except five loaves of bread and two fish."
18. He said, "Bring them here to me."
19. He ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, looked up to heaven, blessed them and broke the loaves apart and gave them to his disciples. Then the disciples gave them to the crowds.
20. Everyone ate until they were full, and they filled twelve baskets with the leftovers.
21. About five thousand men plus women and children had eaten.
22. Right then, Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead to the other side of the lake while he dismissed the crowds.
23. When he sent them away, he went up onto a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came and he was alone.
24. Meanwhile, the boat, fighting a strong headwind, was being battered by the waves and was already far away from land.
25. Very early in the morning he came to his disciples, walking on the lake.
26. When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified and said, "It’s a ghost!" They were so frightened they screamed.
27. Just then Jesus spoke to them, "Be encouraged! It’s me. Don’t be afraid."
28. Peter replied, "Lord, if it’s you, order me to come to you on the water."