Twelve Apostles Witness Jesus feeding Five Thousand
And His Ministry In Galilee Draws to a Close

Jesus Calls and Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles

At this time, He called His twelve disciples over to Himself and gave them the power and authority over all unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and disease. He sent them out two by two to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick (4:112M 10:1, 4:111K 6:7, 4:98L 9:1-2).

2 The names of the twelve apostles were first: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother. Then there was Jacob, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. Then Philip, Bartholomew,1 Thomas, Matthew (the tax collector), Jacob (the son of Alphaeus), Thaddaeus, Simon (the Zealot) and Judas Iscariot (the one who had also handed Him over to those who sent Him to the Romans who crucified Him) (See Matthew 20:17-19)2 (M 10:2-4).

3 These are the twelve Jesus sent out, telling them, "Do not go on the roads that lead to the other nations, and do not enter any city of the Samaritans. Go only to the lost sheep of Israel's household. And as you go, proclaim, 'The kingdom of heaven has come close to you.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. You have freely received, now freely give" (M 10:5-8).

4 He also told them, "Do not take anything except a staff with you on the road. Take no food and no wallet. Don't even tuck a little money into your belts because a worker is worth feeding. Go ahead and wear sandals, and one tunic each, but not two" (See Luke 22:35-37)3 (M 10:9-10, K 6:8-9, L 9:3).

5 "Then whichever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy and stay there until you leave. When you go into a family's house, greet it. If it is found worthy, let them benefit from your peaceful visit. (M 10:11-13a, K 6:10, L 9:4).

6 "But if it is not worthy, do not let that bother you. Whoever will not receive you or what you have to tell them, when you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them. For I guarantee you, it will be easier for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah to go through the Day of Judgment than it will be for them!"4 (M 10:13b-157:73, K 6:11, L 9:5).

7 "Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives the One who sent Me. Whoever receives a prophet, according to the prophet's ministry,5 will receive the benefit that prophet brings with him. Whoever receives a righteous man, according to the righteous man's ministry, will receive the benefit that righteous man brings with him" (7:92M 10:40-41).

8 "And also, whoever, as a disciple, gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones for a drink, I guarantee you, he will not in anyway lose his reward"6 (M 10:425:9).

9 Then having said this, those He appointed as apostles left and went into all the villages preaching the good news, telling people they should turn from their sinful way of thinking,7 healing people everywhere they went. They had cast out many demons and anointed a lot of the people who were sick with olive oil,8 healing them (K 6:12-13, L 9:6).

10 Then it happened, once Jesus finished appointing these things to His twelve disciples, He Himself went out teaching and proclaiming in their cities the things concerning the kingdom of heaven (5:8M 11:13:144).

Herod Says Jesus is John the Baptist

11 At the same time, as this was going on, King Herod (a governor of one fourth of that area of the Roman Empire, the area of Galilee)9 heard about Jesus and all that it was He was doing, for Jesus had become well known. However, Herod was confused and said, "I have beheaded John. . . . Who is this then I am hearing such things about? John the Baptist must have risen from the dead! That is why these powers are at work in Him" (4:111M 14:1, K 6:14, L 9:7a).

12 He was confused because it was being said by some that John the Baptist had risen from the dead, and by some that Elijah had appeared; while others said, "it's the Prophet" and by still others that one of the old prophets had come back to life. However, when Herod heard all this, he said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead and that is why these powers are at work in Him." So from then on Herod wanted to see Him (M 14:2, K 6:15-16, L 9:7b-9).

Herod Beheads John the Baptist

13 Previously,10 Herod had sent his men to have John tied up and thrown into prison. He did this because of the situation he was in with Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had now married. He threw John into prison because John had been telling him, "It is not lawful for you to have her" (M 14:3-4, K 6:17-18).

14 And so it was, Herod had wanted John dead, but he was afraid of the crowds because they held John to be a prophet (M 14:5).

15 And Herodias, his brother's wife,11 held a grudge against John and wanted him killed, even though she couldn't have her way since Herod was afraid of John, knowing he was a righteous man, living his life set apart to God.12

16 This is the reason Herod protected him. Whenever Herod would listen to him speak, he would be at a loss and perplexed, even though he did enjoy listening to him (K 6:19-20).

17 Finally, the opportunity came on Herod's birthday, when he threw a feast for his top men (the military officers – those in charge of 1000 men – and the prominent men of Galilee), for Herod and Herodias to have their way.13 For it was on this day that Herodias' daughter came in and danced before them to please Herod, and his guests who were reclining with him. And it was from this that the king told the girl, "Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you." He swore to her, "I will give you whatever you want, up to half my kingdom" (M 14:6-7, K 6:21-23).

18 To which she went out and asked her mother, "What should I ask for?" (K 6:24a).

19 Her mother persuaded her, saying, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist" (M 14:8a, K 6:24b).

20 And so, at that moment, she quickly went in to the king and made her request, saying, "I want you to bring John the Baptist's head to me, here, on a plate, right now" (M 14:8b, K 6:25).

21 The king, however, was very grieved to hear this. And it was because he had made this promise to her in front of those who were reclining with him, and he did not want to go against his word. This being the case, at that moment, the king commanded an executioner to go and bring John's head back to them (M 14:9-10, K 6:26-27a).

22 The executioner went, beheaded him in prison, brought his head back on a plate and gave it to the girl. The girl then gave it to her mother (M 14:11, K 6:27b-28).

23 When John's disciples heard about this, they came, took the rest of his body away, and laid it in a tomb (M 14:12a, K 6:29).

24 Having done this, they then went and told Jesus (M 14:12b).

When the People Hear Jesus Announce that He is the True Bread from Heaven, Many No Longer Walk with Him (The Second Passover)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
(The Second Passover)

25 When Jesus heard about what had happened, and as the apostles returned to him, telling him everything they had done and what they had taught, He said to them, "Come with me. We are going to a vacant area, by ourselves, to rest for a while." For there were so many people coming and going that they didn't even have a chance to eat. And that is why He took them aside privately, by boat, to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (which is also known as the Sea of Tiberias).14 He took them into a vacant area of land that belonged to Bethsaida15 (M 14:13a, K 6:30-32, L 9:10, 3:188J 6:1).

26 The people, however, saw them leaving and many of them, realizing who it was, followed Him. When the large crowds heard about it, they also followed Him. People from all the cities ran together on foot to where Jesus was going. Large crowds of people followed Him because of the signs they saw Him doing with those who were sick. They ran there ahead of Him and arrived there before Him (M 14:13b, K 6:33, L 9:11a, J 6:2).

27 When Jesus stepped out onto the shore and saw the large crowds, He felt compassion for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. He received them and then went up onto the mountain and sat there with his disciples. While they were there, He began to teach them many things and to heal their sick (M 14:14, K 6:34, L 9:11b, J 6:3).

28 Now the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was near (J 6:4).

29 However, as it was getting late, while it was still evening, His twelve disciples came to Him and said, "This place is deserted, and it's getting late. Why don't you send the crowds away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and into the villages to buy themselves bread, and so that they can find somewhere to stay for the night" (M 14:15, K 6:35-36, L 9:12).

30 He told them, "They do not need to go anywhere. You give them something to eat." Then Jesus looked up,16 and seeing the large crowds that had come to Him, said to Philip, "Where are we going to buy bread for these people to eat?" (But he had said this to test him, for he knew what it was he was going to do) (M 14:16, K 6:37a, L 9:13a, J 6:5-6).

31 Philip said, "Two hundred day's wages17 worth of bread is not enough to feed all of them, not even for every one of them to have just a little" (K 6:37b, J 6:7).

32 So then Jesus asked, "How many loaves of bread do you have? Go and find out." (K 6:38a).

33 Once His disciples found out how much food they had, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, told Him, "There is a boy here who has only five barley loaves and two small fish. But what good is that for as many people as there are here. That is unless we go and buy food for them?"18 (M 14:17, K 6:38b, L 9:13b, J 6:8-9).

34 "Bring the food here to Me," He said (M 14:18).

35 And they did.

36 Then He commanded the multitudes by telling His disciples, "Make them all recline in the green grass in groups of fifty" (M 14:19a, K 6:39, L 9:14b, J 6:10).

37 And they did (L 9:15a).

38 Now, in that area, there was a large amount of grass, and there were about five thousand men, not including the women and children. They reclined in groups of hundreds and in fifties. Jesus took the five loaves, looked up into heaven, praised His Father for them, and broke them. Then once He had given thanks, He gave them to the disciples, who then set them before those who were reclining. And from the bread and the two fish, they gave some to everyone – giving them as much as they wanted (M 14:19b & 21, K 6:40-41 & 44, L 9:14a & 15b-16, J 6:11).

39 Everyone ate until they were all satisfied19 (M 14:20a, K 6:42, L 9:17a).

40 After that, He told His disciples, "Gather up the rest of the pieces so that nothing is wasted." So they gathered them up. And from the five barley loaves and the two fish, they filled twelve baskets with the pieces that had been left over after they had eaten (M 14:20b, K 6:43, L 9:17b5:127, J 6:12-13).

41 The people, therefore, seeing the sign Jesus had just done, said, "This truly is the Prophet who is to come into the world (Deuteronomy 18:15)!" (J 6:14).

42 Once Jesus knew that they were about to grab Him and make Him King for themselves, He immediately had His disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of Him, back to the side of the lake opposite to Bethsaida,20 while He sent the crowds away. After sending them away, He then went up on the mountain again, by Himself, to pray (M 14:22-23, K 6:45-46, J 6:15).

Jesus Walks on the Water

43 And so it was, in the evening, His disciples had gone down to the sea, into the boat, and out into the water toward Capernaum (K 6:47a, J 6:16-17a).

44 Then when it had already become dark, Jesus had not come to them. He was alone on the land, and the boat was now in the middle of the sea, many stadiums in distance away. His disciples21 were in the boat being battered by the waves, for the wind was against them. From the land, Jesus could see them straining to row the boat (M 14:24, K 6:47b-48a, J 6:17b-18).

45 After a while of this, in the 4th watch of the night (between 3 and 6 AM),22 after they had rowed about 25 to 30 stadium lengths in distance (about 3 or 4 miles), Jesus came to them walking on the sea and wanted to pass them. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea and coming close to the boat, they were frightened and cried out in fear, "It's a ghost!" (M 14:25-26, K 6:48b-50a, J 6:19).

46 Jesus spoke quickly and said, "Have courage. I Am! Do not be frightened!" (M 14:27, K 6:50b, J 6:20).

47 "Lord, if You are," Peter answered, "command me to come to You on the water" (M 14:28).

48 Jesus said, "Come!" (M 14:29a).

49 And so, coming from the boat, Peter walked on the water and went to Jesus. But when Peter saw how strong the wind was, it frightened him and he began to fall into the water. He cried out, "Lord, save me!" (M 14:29b).

50 Immediately, Jesus reached out, took hold of him, and said, "O you of little faith! Why did you doubt?" (See Psalms 148:5 & 8) (M 14:30-31).

51 Then having seen that it was Jesus, they willingly received Him into the boat. And once He and Peter had stepped into the boat, the wind died down. Seeing all this, those who were in the boat came and worshipped Him, saying, "It's true, You are the Son of God" (M 14:32-33, K 6:51a).

52 Immediately, the boat was at the land of Gennesaret,23 where they were headed – the wind having blown them off course – and they anchored the boat there (M 14:34, K 6:53).

53 From all this, the twelve were very displaced within themselves. For they had not understood the whole incident concerning the bread because their hearts were hardened (K 6:51b-52, J 6:21).

54 Just then, as they got out of the boat, the men of that place recognized Him, and so they sent word out, running into all the areas around them. And from this report, the people, when they heard this, began to carry around on mats all those who were sick, bringing them to wherever they heard He was at the time, whether He entered the villages, cities, or the country. They would even lay their sick in the marketplaces and encourage Him to just let them touch the tassel of His garment (See Numbers 15:37-40).24 Anyone who did touch Him, they were saved from their distress25 (M 14:35-365:79, K 6:54-565:78).

He is the Bread from Heaven

55 The day after He had fed the five thousand, in the morning, when the crowds were standing on the other side of the sea and saw that there was no other small boat there except the one His disciples had gotten into, they were confused. Some of them had even come in little boats themselves from Tiberias near the place where they had eaten the bread of which the Lord had given thanks. And since they knew that Jesus did not get into the boat with His disciples when they left, and since they did not see Jesus nor His disciples there, where He fed the five thousand, they also sailed to Capernaum looking for Jesus. Then when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, "Rabbi, how did you get here?" (J 6:22-25).

56 Jesus answered, "I tell you, you are certainly not26 looking for Me because you saw the signs. You are looking for Me because you ate the bread and your stomachs were filled. However, do not work for food that rots; look for the food that remains into everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you. For this is the One whom God the Father has put His seal upon" (J 6:26-27).

57 Once he said that, they asked Him, "What should we do so that we may do the works of God?" (J 6:28).

58 He said, "This is the work of God – that you believe in Him whom He has sent" (J 6:29).

59 "What sign will You do, then, that we may see it and believe You," they said? "What work will You do? Our fathers ate the manna in the desert, as it is written, 'He gave them bread from heaven to eat?'" (See Exodus 16:4, Psalm 78:24, Nehemiah 9:15, Psalm 105:40) (J 6:30-31).

60 Jesus said, "I will tell you something you can count on:27 Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the real bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world" (J 6:32-33).

61 They said, "Lord, give us this bread forever" (See Numbers 11:4-6) (J 6:34).

62 "I am the bread of life," Jesus said. "He who comes to Me will not be hungry, and he who believes in Me will not thirst. But I tell you, even though you do see Me, you still do not believe" (J 6:35-36).

63 "However, everyone the Father gives to Me will come. And the one's who do come, I will certainly not cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of the One who sent Me. And this is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of every one of whom He has given Me, I will not lose any of them. But I will raise them up at the last day. And this also is the will of My Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him will have everlasting life. For I will raise him up at the last day" (J 6:37-40).

64 Then because He had said, "I am the bread that has come down from heaven," the Jews murmured about Him, saying, "Isn't this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then can He now say, 'I have come down from heaven?'" (J 6:41-42).

65 Therefore, Jesus said to them, "Do not murmur among yourselves; no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him. And I will raise him up at the last day" (J 6:43-44).

66 "For it is written in the prophets:

67 "And so it is, everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. Not that anyone has ever seen the Father, that is except the One who is from God. He is the only one who has seen the Father (See John 1:18). And this, I tell you, is for sure: He who believes in Me has everlasting life. For I am the bread of life" (J 6:45-48).

68 "Now your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and are now dead. But this is the bread that has come down from heaven so that one may eat of it and not die: I am the living bread that has come down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. The bread which I also will give is My flesh, and it is for the life of the world" (J 6:49-51).

69 Then the Jews began to fight against each other, saying, "How can this Man give us His flesh to eat?" (J 6:52).

70 To this, Jesus said, "I'll tell you, and this is for sure: Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you do not have life within you (See Leviticus 17:14 and chapter 11). The one who chews on My flesh and drinks My blood has everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For My flesh is the real food and My blood the real drink." (J 6:53-54).

71 "Therefore, he who chews on My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me and I in him. For just as the living Father sent Me – and as I live through the Father – so also, the one who chews on Me will live through Me. This is the bread that has come down from heaven. Not as your fathers ate the manna and had eventually died. But whoever eats of this bread will live forever" (J 6:55-58).

72 This is what He had said as He taught in the congregation at Capernaum (J 6:59).

73 Many of His disciples, after hearing this, said, "This is a hard saying to bear, who can listen to it?" (J 6:60).

74 Jesus, perceiving within Himself that His disciples had murmured about this, said to them, "Does this offend you? What would it be like, then, if you were to watch the Son of Man go up to where He was before? It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is good for nothing.28 And the words I am saying to you are spirit, and they are life" (J 6:61-63).

75 "However, there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus could see from the beginning who the ones were that did not believe, and who it was that was going to betray Him, and so He said, "Therefore, I have told you: No one can come to Me unless it has been given to him from My Father" (J 6:64-65).

76 And so it was, from this, many of His disciples left and no longer walked with Him (J 6:66).

77 Then Jesus said to the twelve, "Do you also want to go away?" (J 6:67).

78 Simon Peter answered, "Lord, to whom will we go? You are the One who has the words of everlasting life. Besides, we believe and have come to know that You are the Holy One, the One set-apart29 and come from God" (J 6:68-69).

79 Jesus said, "Did I not select the twelve of you? And one of you is a devil!"30 (J 6:70)

80 He was talking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.31 For He was the one – even being one of the twelve – who was about to betray Jesus32 (J 6:715:89).

Pharisees and Scribes Misunderstand Where Defilement Comes From

Pharisees Rebuke Jesus for Eating with Unwashed Hands

81 Around this time, the Pharisees and some of the scribes came from Jerusalem and gathered to watch Him. While they were there, they noticed some of His disciples eating bread with common hands – that is unwashed hands. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they have first maticulously33 washed their hands by immersing them into water34 doing this in keeping with the traditions handed down to them through the elders. (5:52K 7:1-3).

82 And so it is, whenever they come from the marketplace they do not eat until they have first immersed their hands into water. And there are many other things like this that they do, just as they have received and hold to,35 like the immersing of cups, pitchers, and copper vessels36 (K 7:4).

83 Seeing this, the scribes and Pharisees who had come to Jesus from Jerusalem, said, "Why do your disciples ignore the traditions handed down to us from the elders? Whenever your disciples eat bread, they do not first wash their hands?" (5:52M 15:1-2, K 7:5).

Commandments of God Nullified for the Sake of Tradition

84 Jesus responded to them, "Why do you, likewise, disregard the commandment of God for the sake of keeping your tradition? Indeed, Isaiah certainly foretold this accurately about you hypocrites when he wrote,

(M 15:3 & 7-9, K 7:6-7)

85 "And so it is, you disregard the commandment of God to keep the tradition of men. You completely neglect the commandment of God so that you can establish your own tradition" (K 7:8-9).

86 "For instance, God commanded, as Moses said,

(M 15:4, K 7:10)

87 "But you say, 'If a man says to his father or mother: "Any help you may have received from me it will have to have been from the Corban (my gift offering to God)."'37 Well, it is in this way that you no longer allow the man to honor his father and mother by doing anything for them. You revoke the commandment of God through your tradition, which you have handed down. And you do a lot of things like this" (M 15:5-65:80, K 7:11-13).

88 Then He called the people to Himself and told them: "Listen to Me, everyone, so that you can understand this: It is not that which goes into a persons mouth that defiles him; it is that which comes out of his mouth – that is what defiles a man." (See Ezekiel 2:4-5, 3:27) (5:80M 15:10-11, K 7:14-16).

The Blind Leading the Blind

89 Then once He went into the house, away from the crowd, His disciples came to Him and said, "Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard you say that?" (M 15:12, K 7:17a).

90 He said, "Every plant not been planted by My heavenly Father will be uprooted. However, leave them alone, they are blind men leading the blind. And if one blind man leads another blind man, both of them will fall into a pit" (M 15:13-14).

Out of the Heart Proceeds Evil

91 Then Peter said, "Explain the parable to us" (M 15:15, K 7:17b).

92 Jesus said to them, "Are you also still without understanding? Don't you understand that whatever goes into a man's mouth goes to the stomach and is eventually eliminated, purifying the food you eat?38 But the things that come out of the mouth are from the heart, and these things, together, are what defile a man. For from a person's heart comes evil thoughts, murder, adultery, pornography, stealing, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, false-witness, shameless-conduct and an evil-eye, self-righteous and haughty-contempt, foolishness, and slander. All these evil things come from within a person, and they are what defile him. But to eat with unwashed hands – that does not defile a man" (M 15:16-20, K 7:18-23).

Jesus Doesn't Go to the Passover but Goes to the Cities Outside of Galilee and Judea

Jesus Heals the Daughter of a Gentile Woman in Tyre and Sidon

93 After this, Jesus walked around in Galilee. He walked around in Galilee because He did not want to go to Judea, since the Jews were looking to kill Him. Therefore, He did not go up to Jerusalem for the Passover (See John 6:4). Instead, Jesus got up, left Galilee, and went into the area of Tyre and Sidon. He went into a house in Tyre39 not wanting anyone to know where He was (M 15:21, K 7:24a, 5:77J 7:16:1).

94 But He could not go unnoticed for, behold, a Canaanite woman of that area, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard about Him. She came to Him, shouting, "Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David! My daughter is badly demon-possessed" (M 15:22, K 7:24b-25a).

95 The woman was a Gentile,40 a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter (K 7:26).

96 He, however, would not say a word to her (M 15:23a).

97 Seeing this, His disciples came up to Him and urged Him, saying, "Send her away! For she is shouting out after us, and this will only draw attention to us!" (M 15:23b).

98 He said, "I was not sent except to the sheep that are perishing from Israel's house"41 (M 15:24).

99 Then the woman42 came and fell at His feet and worshipped Him, saying, "Lord, help me!" (M 15:25, K 7:25b).

100 Jesus said to her, "Let the children be fed first. It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little dogs" (M 15:26, K 7:27).

101 "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the little dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table while his children are eating" (M 15:27, K 7:28).

102 Then Jesus said, "Woman, you have great faith. And since you have said this, it is done as you desire, the demon has gone out of your daughter" (M 15:28a, K 7:29).

103 Her daughter was healed from that very moment. The woman went back to her house and found her daughter lying in bed and the demon gone (M 15:28b, K 7:30).

Jesus Heals Many

104 After that, Jesus left the area of Tyre and went through Sidon, traveling through the middle of the area of Decapolis (Decapolis meaning, ten cities) until He got back to the Sea of Galilee (K 7:31).

105 And so it was, Jesus left the area of Tyre and Sidon and traveled through Bethsaida until He got to where He was walking along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on the mountain and sat down, where large crowds came to Him (M 15:29a).

106 They came to Him, bringing with them the lame, blind, mute, crippled, and many others. They laid them down at His feet and He healed them. When the crowd saw this, they marveled (having seen the dumb speaking, the crippled made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see), and they glorified the God of Israel (M 15:29b-315:106).

Jesus Heals a Deaf Man with a Speech Impediment

107 One particularly interesting healing happened once He arrived back at the sea, where they brought to Him a man who was deaf and who also had a difficulty in speaking. They brought him to Jesus and encouraged Him to put His hand on him (K 7:32).

108 Jesus took him away from the crowd, put His fingers into his ears, spat, and then touched his tongue. He looked up into heaven, groaned, and said to him, "Ephphatha!" That is to say, when translated from Hebrew,43 "Be opened!" (K 7:33-34).

109 At that moment, he could hear, and his tongue was released from its difficulty in speaking to where he could talk correctly (K 7:35).

110 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more He commanded them not to, the more widely they proclaimed it. For they were greatly astonished, saying, "Everything He has done, He has done well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the dumb able to speak" (K 7:36-375:106).

Beware of the Yeast of the Pharisees

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand

111 Now in those days, the crowds being very large again, and since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples over to Himself and said, "I am concerned for the crowd. They have already been with Me for three days now and have nothing to eat. If I send them on their way home, hungry, I do not want them to pass out on the way. Some of them have even come with Me from as far away as Tyre and Sidon" (5:101M 15:32, 5:105K 8:1-3).

112 His disciples said, "How can we get enough bread here in the wilderness to satisfy such a large number of people?" (M 15:33, K 8:4).

113 "How much bread do you have?" Jesus asked (M 15:34a, K 8:5a).

114 "Seven, and a few small fish" (M 15:34b, K 8:5b).

115 Once they said this, Jesus ordered the crowds to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, praising the Father for them. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples. The disciples set the food in front of the crowds, and the whole crowd44 ate until they were all satisfied (M 15:35-37a, K 8:6-8a).

116 After the people had finished eating, the disciples took up seven large baskets full of the fragments that were left over. There were about 4000 men, besides the women and children, who had eaten (M 15:37b-38, K 8:8b-9).

Pharisees Seek a Sign
(number two)

117 The crowds having eaten, Jesus sent them away, got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the area of Magdala (also known as Dalmanutha), the city of Mary Magdalene45 (M 15:395:113, K 8:10).

118 Also, at that time, the Pharisees and Sadducees began to come out again to dispute with Him, and to test Him. They asked Him if He would show them a sign from heaven (5:112M 16:1, K 8:11).

119 He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? For I assure you, no sign will be given to it" (K 8:12).

120 Then He said: "In the evenings you say, 'it will be fair weather today, for the sky is red.' And in the mornings, 'There will be a storm today, for the sky is red and it looks gloomy!' Well, what is this, you know how to read the appearance of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times? (M 16:2-3).

121 It is a wicked and adulterous generation46 asking Me for a sign. And no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet" (See Luke 11:30). And leaving them, He went away (M 16:4, K 8:13a).

Beware of the Yeast of the Pharisees

122 Getting into the boat again, He went over to the other side of the lake. Once He and His disciples arrived, they had only one loaf of bread. They forgot to take some of what was left over along with them into the boat (M 16:5, K 8:13b-14).

123 To this, He charged them, saying, "Watch and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the leaven of Herod" (M 16:6, K 8:15).

124 But they wondered among themselves, saying, "It is because we have no bread?" (M 16:7, K 8:16).

125 Jesus, aware of this, said, "Men of little faith. Why do you wonder if it is because you did not bring any bread? Do you not yet see or understand? Is your heart hardened? Having eyes, do you not see? Having ears, do you not hear? Do you not remember the five loaves with the five thousand people that were fed, and how many baskets of broken pieces you picked up when they were done?" (M 16:8-9, K 8:17-19a).

126 "Twelve," they said (K 8:19b).

127 "Or the seven loaves with the four thousand people, and how many baskets full of broken pieces you picked up?" (M 16:10, K 8:20a).

128 They said, "Seven" (K 8:20b).

129 So then He said, "How, then, do you not see that it was not the bread I was talking to you about, but that it was the yeast of the Sadducees and Pharisees I was telling you to beware of. Hearing this, they then understood that it was not the yeast of bread that He was telling them to beware of, but that it was the teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees?" (M 16:11-12, K 8:21).

Blind Man at Bethsaida Healed

130 Then they came to Bethsaida. And once He and the disciples arrived, the people brought to Jesus47 a blind man and encouraged Him to touch him. He took the man by the hand and led him out of the village, where He spit onto his eyes, putting His hands on him, and asked if he saw anything (K 8:22-23).

131 He looked up and said, "I see men! They look like trees walking around!" (K 8:24).

132 Jesus put His hands on his eyes again, and his sight was restored to where he could see everything clearly, even the things at a distance. Then Jesus sent him to his house, saying, "Do not go back to the village" (K 8:25-26).

Who Do Men Say that I Am

133 Next Jesus and His disciples went out to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on their way there, it happened, as He was alone with His disciples, praying, He asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I, the Son of Man, am?" (M 16:13, K 8:27, 5:38L 9:18).

134 They said: "John the Baptist. But some say Elijah. Others say You are Jeremiah or one of the other old prophets who has come back to life" (M 16:14, K 8:28, L 9:19).

Peter's Profession

135 "Who do you say I am?" (M 16:15, K 8:29a, L 9:20a).

136 "You are the anointed One," Simon Peter answered. "The Messiah, Son of the living God!" (M 16:16, K 8:29b, L 9:20b).

Jesus Builds His Asesmbly on a Rock

137 Jesus said, "You are blessed, Simon, son of Jonah, because flesh and blood has not revealed this to you; My Father who is in heaven has revealed it to you. I also tell you that you are Peter,48 and it is on this rock of confession (See Romans 10:10) that I will build My assembly,49 and the gates of Hades50 will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven and whatever you bind51 on earth, it has been bound52 in heaven, and whatever you release on earth, it has been released in heaven."53 Then He strongly warned His disciples, instructing them not to tell anyone He was the Messiah (M 16:17-20, K 8:30, L 9:21).

Jesus Begins To Show His Disciples How He Must Suffer

Jesus Tells How He Must Suffer, and Peter Rebukes Him

138 From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem. Teaching them that it was necessary for the Son of Man to go through much suffering – that He was to be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and to be killed, and then raised on the third day. He said this plainly to them (M 16:21, K 8:31-32a, L 9:22).

139 Hearing this, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God be gracious,54 Lord! This will never happen to You!" (M 16:22, K 8:32b).

140 He turned His back to Peter, looked at the rest of His disciples, and rebuked him, saying, "Get behind Me, adversary!55 You are acting like a stumbling block to Me. For you are not thinking of what God is concerned about, but you are thinking of man and his concerns" (M 16:23, K 8:33).

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Me

141 Then once He had called the people over to Himself, with His disciples, He said to them all: "If anyone wants to come and follow Me, let him say no to himself, take up his cross, daily, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save His life will lose it, and whoever loses his life on account of Me, and for the sake of the good news, will find it. For what benefit is it for a man if he gains the whole world and yet his own soul suffers loss, and he himself is destroyed or lost?56 For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" (M 16:24-26, K 8:34-37, L 9:23-25).

142 "Therefore, whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory. For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father, with His set-apart and holy angels,57 and will, at that time, restore everyone according to his deeds" (M 16:27, K 8:38-9:1, L 9:26).

143 Jesus also said, "I tell you, as well, there truly are some standing here today who will not experience death until they see the Son of Man coming with the kingdom of God in power"58 (M 16:285:138, L 9:27).

The Mount of Transfiguration

144 Then it happened about eight (or actually six days)59 after He had said these things that He took Peter, Jacob, and John with Him and led them up onto a high mountain to pray. While they were there, He was transformed in front of them. As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed and began to shine like the sun, and His clothes became as white as light – pure white, like snow, whiter than any launder on earth can whiten them. Then behold, two men were talking with Him: one Moses and the other Elijah.60 They appeared in glory and talked about the departure of which He was about to complete at Jerusalem (5:137M 17:1-3, K 9:2-4, L 9:28-31).

145 Now Peter and those who were with him were in a deep sleep. But once they were fully awake, they saw Jesus' glory and the two men standing there with Him. Then it happened, as Moses and Elijah were leaving, Peter said to Jesus: "Rabbi,61 is it good for us to be here? If You wish, let us make three tabernacles: One for You. One for Moses. And one for Elijah." But because they were terrified, he did not realize what it was he was actually saying (M 17:4, K 9:5-6, L 9:32-33).

146 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud came and overshadowed them. They were frightened as they entered the cloud (M 17:5a, K 9:7a, L 9:34).

147 Then, behold, a voice came from out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son, whom I have chosen. In Him I am well pleased, so listen to Him!" (M 17:5b, K 9:7b, L 9:35).

148 When the disciples heard this, they fell on their faces, and they were, now, extremely frightened.62 Once the voice had stopped, Jesus came and touched them and said, "Get up! And do not fear." Then having quickly looked up, they did not see anyone there except Jesus (M 17:6-8, K 9:8, L 9:36a).

149 As they came down from the mountain, He ordered them,63 saying, "Do not tell anyone about what you have just seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead" (M 17:9, K 9:9).

150 And they did just that. For, in those days, they kept it to themselves, secretly discussing with each other about what rising from the dead meant but not telling anyone else about it (K 9:10, L 9:36b).

Disciples Ask Jesus Why Elijah Must Come First

151 Then His disciples asked Him, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" (M 17:10, K 9:11).

152 Jesus answered, "Elijah is going to come first and will restore all things." Then He told them how it is written about the Son of Man: That He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt. "But I tell you," He said, "Elijah had already come, and they did not realize who he was. Instead, they did to him whatever they wanted. And in the same way, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands" (M 17:11-12, K 9:12-13).

153 From this, then, the disciples understood that He was talking about John the Baptist (M 17:13).

Disciples Fail to Heal a Man's Epileptic Son

154 On the next day, coming down from the mountain, as He was approaching the disciples, He saw a large crowd gathered around them and the scribes talking with them. Immediately, when they saw Jesus, all the people were amazed and ran to greet Him. And so He asked them, "What are you talking with them about?" (M 17:14a, K 9:14-16, L 9:37).

155 A man from the crowd came to Him, fell on his knees, and cried, "Teacher, I brought to You my son who has a spirit that makes him so that he can not talk. . . . Lord, I would like you to look on my son with favor. He is my only son, and he's crazy. He suffers very badly; for, behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out and goes into convulsions. Wherever it seizes him, it throws him down. He foams at the mouth, clenches his teeth, and becomes rigid. Then it leaves him with great difficulty, bruising him. He often falls into the fire and into water, and so I brought him to Your disciples and appealed to them – for them to cast it out – but they could not cure him" (M 17:14b-16, K 9:17-18 & 22a, L 9:38-40).

156 Jesus said, "O faithless and corrupt generation! How long shall I be here enduring with you?64 Bring him here to Me" (M 17:17, K 9:19, L 9:41).

157 So they brought the man's son to Jesus. But as the boy was still coming, when he saw Jesus, the demon immediately threw him into convulsions. He fell down and began rolling around on the ground, foaming at the mouth (K 9:20, L 9:42a).

158 Jesus asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?" (K 9:21a).

159 "Since childhood!" he said. "But if You can help us, have compassion on us" (K 9:21b & 22b).

160 Jesus said to him, "If you are able to trust65 God, all things can happen for him who believes" (K 9:23).

161 Immediately, the father of the child cried, "I believe! Help my unbelief!" (K 9:24).

162 Then, Jesus, seeing the people running together again, and the crowd quickly growing, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying, "Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you: Come out of him and never return!" (M 17:18a, K 9:25, L 9:42b).

163 The spirit cried out, threw the boy into strong convulsions, and came out of him. The boy became as though he were dead. Many of the people even said, "He's dead!" (K 9:26).

164 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he stood up (K 9:27).

165 Then Jesus gave him back to his father. The child was cured from then on (M 17:18b, L 9:42c).

166 After this, He and His disciples went back into the house to be by themselves, and they asked Him, "Why couldn't we cast that demon out?" (M 17:19, K 9:28).

167 Jesus said, "Because of your lack of faith. For I tell you, and this is for sure: If you have as much faith as only the size of a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here and go there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. But this kind of demon does not go out except by prayer"66 (M 17:20-21, K 9:29).

168 And so they were all amazed at God's greatness (L 9:43a).

Jesus Reminds Them How He Will Suffer

169 Finishing with this, then, He left that area and traveled through Galilee not wanting anyone to know (K 9:30).

170 And while they were staying in Galilee, as everyone marveled at all the things Jesus was doing, He taught his disciples, saying, "Let these words sink down into your ears. The Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. But after He is killed, He will rise from the dead on the third day (M 17:22-23a, K 9:31, L 9:43b-44).

171 When they heard this, they were very grieved, and they did not understand what it was He was saying. It was hidden from them so that they did not know what He meant. And they were afraid to ask Him about it (M 17:23b, K 9:32, L 9:45).

Disciples' Argue on Who Will Be the Greatest

172 Also, while they were traveling, they began to argue among themselves about which one of them was going to be the greatest (L 9:46).

Peter Gets a Coin Out of the Mouth of a Fish

173 Then it happened, when they did arrive at Capernaum, those who receive the double-drachma tax – being that He did not go up to Jerusalem for the feast but, rather, remained in Galilee (having also gone through Tyre, Sidon, Decapolis, and Caesarea-Philippi)67 came to Peter and said, "Does your Teacher not pay the double-drachma tax?"68 (M 17:24).

174 "Yes, He does," he said (M 17:25a).

175 Once Peter came into the house, then, Jesus spoke before Peter could say anything to Him and said:69 "Simon, do you think the kings of the earth charge tolls or collect taxes from their sons or from others?" (M 17:25b).

176 "From other people," Peter answered (M 17:26a).

177 "So then, the sons are free. But so that we do not offend them, go to the sea and cast in a hook. Take the first fish you catch, open its mouth, and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take that and give it to them for both you and Me" (M 17:26b-275:174).

The Least Shall Be Greatest

Jesus Tells Them Who Will Be the Greatest

178 So having come to Capernaum, while He and the twelve were in the house, Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their hearts, asked them, "What were you arguing about on the road?" (K 9:33, L 9:47a).

179 But they kept silent. They kept silent because on the road they were arguing with each other about who was going to be the greatest once Jesus was on His throne (K 9:34).

180 He sat down and called the twelve together, and it was then that they came to Him and said, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (5:171M 18:1, K 9:35a).

181 He told them, "If anyone wants to be first, he will have to be last and a servant to everyone." Then He took a little child and stood him near Himself, in front of them. Taking him into His arms, He said: "Whoever receives even one child such as this in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me does not receive Me but the One who sent Me" (M 18:2, K 9:35b-37, L 9:47b-48a).

182 "For the one who is the least among all of you, he is the one who is great. For I tell you, and this is for sure, unless you are changed and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself to be like this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever receives a child like this one, in My name, receives Me" (M 18:3-5, L 9:48b).

Those Who Are Not His, Cast Out Demons in His Name

183 Then John responded by declaring, "Teacher,70 we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we hindered him because he does not follow with us" (K 9:38, L 9:49).

184 Jesus said, "Do not hinder him. For no one who works the power in My name can soon speak ill of Me. He who is not against us is for us. And whoever even gives you just a cup of water to drink in My name, because you are of the Messiah, I guarantee you, he will not lose his reward" (K 9:39-41, L 9:507:1).

Woe to Those Who Cause One to Stumble

185 "However, whoever causes just one of these little ones who trust in Me to stumble, it would be better if there were a millstone hung around his neck and he were thrown into the deepest part of the sea" (M 18:6, K 9:42, L 17:2).

186 "Woe to the world because of stumbling blocks, for stumbling blocks will come. In fact, it is impossible for them not to. But woe to the man from whom the cause to stumble does come!"71 (M 18:7, L 17:1).

Remove Your Hand or Eye, Rather than Sin

187 "If your hand or foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to go through life crippled or lame than for both your hands and feet to be thrown into the everlasting fire. And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is better for you to go through life with only one eye, than to have both your eyes thrown into the valley of Hinnom, where the garbage burns, 'its worms do not die, and the fire is not quenched (See Isaiah 66:24) '"72 (M 18:8-9, K 9:43-485:196).

Do Not Despise Children

188 "Also, make sure you do not think that even one of these little ones are unimportant. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father who is in heaven." (M 18:10-1173).

Shepherd Leaves the Ninety-nine to Get the One

189 "What do you think: If a man has a hundred sheep and just one of them wanders off, would he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains to go search for the one that is wandering off? And if he finds it, I assure you, he will rejoice more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not wander off. Well, in the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that even one of these little ones should be destroyed" (M 18:12-14).

How to Restore a Sinning Brother

190 "But be careful for yourselves. . . . If your brother sins against you,74 rebuke him, privately, between you and him alone. If he turns from that sin, forgive him – if he has listened to you, you have gained your brother. And if seven times a day he sins against you, and seven times comes back, saying, 'I've stopped,'75 forgive him. But if he does not listen to you, take one or two more with you so that

(M 18:15-16, L 17:3-4)

191 "And if he will not listen to them, tell it to the assembly. But if he will not listen to the assembly, either, he is like a heathen and a tax collector to you" (M 18:17).

Whatever You Bind on Earth Will Be Bound in Heaven

192 "For I tell you, and this is certain: Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release on earth will be released in heaven"76 (M 18:18).

If Two or Three Agree, I Am There

193 "Again I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about any matter – and if they have asked Me about it77 – My Father in heaven will do it for them. For where there are two or three gathered together in My name, I am there with them" (M 18:19-20).

How Often Shall We Forgive, Up to Seven Times?

194 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often should my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"78 (M 18:21).

195 Jesus told him, "I do not tell you up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven" (M 18:22).

Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

Forgive One Another