# Connecting Statement:

These verses describe how Jesus reacted when he heard that Herod had executed John the Baptist.

# General Information:

These verses give background information about the miracle that Jesus is about to perform by feeding five thousand people. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/writing-background]])

# Now

This word is used here to mark a break in the main story line. Here Matthew starts to tell a new part of the story.

# heard this

"heard what happened to John" or "heard the news about John"

# he withdrew

"he left" or "he went away from the crowd." It is implied that Jesus' disciples went with him. AT: "Jesus and his disciples left" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-explicit]])

# from there

"from that place"

# When the crowds heard of it

"When the crowds heard where Jesus had gone" or "When the crowds heard that he had left"

# the crowds

"the crowds of people" or "the huge group of people" or "the people"

# on foot

This means that the people in the crowd were walking. (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/translate/figs-idiom]])

# Then Jesus came before them and saw the large crowd

"When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd"

# translationWords

* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/jesus]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/kt/compassion]]
* [[rc://en/tw/dict/bible/other/heal]]