1. Summoning the Twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal diseases.
2. Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
3. “Take nothing for the road,” He told them, “no walking stick, no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt.
4. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.
5. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6. So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
7. Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was going on. He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead,
8. some that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.
9. “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about? ” And he wanted to see Him.
10. When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus all that they had done. He took them along and withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.
11. When the crowds found out, they followed Him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing.
12. Late in the day, the Twelve approached and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”
13. “You give them something to eat,” He told them.“We have no more than five loaves and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.”
14. (For about 5,000 men were there.)Then He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about 50 each.”