Chapter 8

1In those days, another large crowd gathered, and the people had nothing to eat. Jesus called the disciples over and spoke to them.

2Jesus said, “I deeply care about this crowd. They have already stayed with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat.

3If I send them home hungry, they will collapse along the way. Some of them have come from far away.”

4His disciples replied, “How could anyone find enough bread to feed all these people in such a remote place?”

5Jesus asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” They answered, “Seven.”

6Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them into pieces, and gave them to his disciples to serve. The disciples distributed the bread to the crowd.

7They also had a few small fish. Jesus spoke a blessing over the fish and told the disciples to serve them too.

8The people ate until they were satisfied. The disciples gathered the pieces left over and filled seven large baskets.

9There were about four thousand people. Then Jesus sent them away.

10Immediately Jesus got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11Some Pharisees, members of a Jewish religious group, came and began arguing with Jesus. To test him, they demanded a miraculous sign from heaven.

12Jesus gave a deep sigh and said, “Why do the people of this generation demand a sign? I assure you, no sign will be given to this generation.”

13He left them, got back into the boat, and crossed to the other side.

14The disciples had forgotten to bring bread. They had only one loaf with them in the boat.

15Jesus warned them firmly, “Watch carefully! Beware of the influence of the Pharisees and of Herod, the local ruler—it spreads like yeast.”

16The disciples discussed this with one another, thinking Jesus had said it because they had no bread.

17Jesus knew what they were discussing and said, “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still fail to grasp what is happening? Do you not understand? Have your hearts become hard?

18Jesus continued, “You have eyes, but can’t you see? You have ears, but can’t you hear? Don’t you remember?

19“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand people, how many baskets did you fill with the broken pieces left over?” The disciples answered, “Twelve.”

20Jesus continued, “When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand people, how many large baskets did you fill with the broken pieces left over?” They answered, “Seven.”

21Jesus asked them, “Do you still not understand?”

22Jesus and his disciples came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged him to touch the man.

23Jesus took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. He spat on the man’s eyes, placed his hands on him, and asked, “Do you see anything?”

24The man looked up and said, “I can see people, but they look like trees walking around.”

25Jesus again placed his hands on the man’s eyes. The man looked intently, his sight was restored, and he could see everything clearly.

26Jesus sent him home and said, “Do not even go into the village.”

27Jesus and his disciples left for the villages near Caesarea Philippi. Along the way, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28They replied, “Some say you are John, the man who baptized people. Others say Elijah, the ancient prophet, and still others say you are one of the prophets.”

29Jesus asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, God’s chosen king.”

30Jesus strictly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

31Then Jesus began teaching them that he, the Son of Man, must suffer greatly. The elders, leading priests, and teachers of Jewish religious law would reject him. He would be killed and would return to life after three days.

32Jesus said this plainly. Peter took him aside and began to correct him sharply.

33But Jesus turned, looked at his disciples, and spoke sharply to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are not thinking about what matters to God, but about what matters to people.”

34Then Jesus called the crowd and his disciples to him and said, “Anyone who wants to follow me must give up living for themselves, take up their own cross—ready to die—and follow me.

35Jesus continued, “Whoever tries to save their life will lose it. But whoever loses their life because of me and the good news will save it.

36“What good is it for someone to gain the whole world but lose their life?

37Jesus continued, “What could anyone give in exchange for their life?

38“If anyone is ashamed of me and my words among this generation, which is sinful and has betrayed God like a spouse who commits adultery, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of that person when he comes in his Father’s radiant majesty with God’s holy angels.”