6. So the apostles went out. They traveled through all the towns. They told the Good News and healed people everywhere.
7. Herod, the governor, heard about all these things that were happening. He was confused because some people said, “John the Baptist is risen from death.”
8. Others said, “Elijah has come to us.” And still others said, “One of the prophets from long ago has risen from death.”
9. Herod said, “I cut off John’s head. So who is this man I hear these things about?” And Herod kept trying to see Jesus.
10. When the apostles returned, they told Jesus all the things they had done on their trip. Then Jesus took them away to a town called Bethsaida. There, Jesus and his apostles could be alone together.
11. But the people learned where Jesus went and followed him. Jesus welcomed them and talked with them about God’s kingdom. He healed those who needed to be healed.
12. Late in the afternoon, the 12 apostles came to Jesus and said, “No one lives in this place. Send the people away. They need to find food and places to sleep in the towns and countryside around here.”
13. But Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat.”They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Do you want us to go buy food for all these people?”
14. (There were about 5,000 men there.)Jesus said to his followers, “Tell the people to sit in groups of about 50 people.”
15. So the followers did this, and all the people sat down.