"He is really John the Baptist, who has come back to life," he told his officials. "That is why he has this power to perform miracles."

For some time John the Baptist had told Herod, "It isn't right for you to be married to Herodias!"

On Herod's birthday the daughter of Herodias danced in front of the whole group. Herod was so pleased

At her mother's suggestion she asked him, "Give me here and now the head of John the Baptist on a plate!"

So he had John beheaded in prison.

John's disciples came, carried away his body, and buried it; then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus got out of the boat, and when he saw the large crowd, his heart was filled with pity for them, and he healed their sick.

"They don't have to leave," answered Jesus. "You yourselves give them something to eat!"

"Then bring them here to me," Jesus said.

Everyone ate and had enough. Then the disciples took up twelve baskets full of what was left over.

Then Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people away.

and by this time the boat was far out in the lake, tossed about by the waves, because the wind was blowing against it.

When they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified. "It's a ghost!" they said, and screamed with fear.

Then Peter spoke up. "Lord, if it is really you, order me to come out on the water to you."

But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. "Save me, Lord!" he cried.

They both got into the boat, and the wind died down.

They crossed the lake and came to land at Gennesaret,

They begged him to let the sick at least touch the edge of his cloak; and all who touched it were made well.

"Why is it that your disciples disobey the teaching handed down by our ancestors? They don't wash their hands in the proper way before they eat!"

For God said, 'Respect your father and your mother,' and 'If you curse your father or your mother, you are to be put to death.'

they do not need to honor their father. In this way you disregard God's command, in order to follow your own teaching.

'These people, says God, honor me with their words, but their heart is really far away from me.

Then Jesus called the crowd to him and said to them, "Listen and understand!

Then the disciples came to him and said, "Do you know that the Pharisees had their feelings hurt by what you said?"

"Don't worry about them! They are blind leaders of the blind; and when one blind man leads another, both fall into a ditch."

Jesus said to them, "You are still no more intelligent than the others.

But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these are the things that make you ritually unclean.

These are the things that make you unclean. But to eat without washing your hands as they say you should---this doesn't make you unclean."

A Canaanite woman who lived in that region came to him. "Son of David!" she cried out. "Have mercy on me, sir! My daughter has a demon and is in a terrible condition."

Then Jesus replied, "I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel."

Jesus answered, "It isn't right to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs."

So Jesus answered her, "You are a woman of great faith! What you want will be done for you." And at that very moment her daughter was healed.

Large crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the crippled, the dumb, and many other sick people, whom they placed at Jesus' feet; and he healed them.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I feel sorry for these people, because they have been with me for three days and now have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away without feeding them, for they might faint on their way home."

"How much bread do you have?" Jesus asked. "Seven loaves," they answered, "and a few small fish."

Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks to God, broke them, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the people.

The number of men who ate was four thousand, not counting the women and children.

But Jesus answered, "When the sun is setting, you say, 'We are going to have fine weather, because the sky is red.'

How evil and godless are the people of this day! You ask me for a miracle? No! The only miracle you will be given is the miracle of Jonah." So he left them and went away.

Jesus said to them, "Take care; be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."

Jesus knew what they were saying, so he asked them, "Why are you discussing among yourselves about not having any bread? What little faith you have!

And what about the seven loaves for the four thousand men? How many baskets did you fill?

Then the disciples understood that he was not warning them to guard themselves from the yeast used in bread but from the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

"Some say John the Baptist," they answered. "Others say Elijah, while others say Jeremiah or some other prophet."

Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

And so I tell you, Peter: you are a rock, and on this rock foundation I will build my church, and not even death will ever be able to overcome it.

Then Jesus ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "God forbid it, Lord!" he said. "That must never happen to you!"

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.

Will you gain anything if you win the whole world but lose your life? Of course not! There is nothing you can give to regain your life.

I assure you that there are some here who will not die until they have seen the Son of Man come as King."