1Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases.
2And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3“Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic.
4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area.
5If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.”
6So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere.
7When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead,
8others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen.
9“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus.
10Then the apostles returned and reported to Jesus all that they had done. Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida.
11But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing.
12As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.”
13But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”
14(There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
15They did so, and everyone was seated.
16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people.
17They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.
