Feeding the Four Thousand(A)

In those days, (B)the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have (C)compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”

(D)He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven.”

So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and (E)having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 (F)immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign(G)

11 (H)Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He (I)sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, (J)no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod(K)

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 (L)Now [a]the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 (M)Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the [b]leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? (N)Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart [c]still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 (O)When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, (P)when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

21 So He said to them, “How is it (Q)you do not understand?”

A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a (R)blind man to Him, and begged Him to (S)touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when (T)He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, [d]“Neither go into the town, (U)nor tell anyone in the town.”

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ(V)

27 (W)Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 So they answered, (X)“John the Baptist; but some say, (Y)Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, (Z)“You are the Christ.”

30 (AA)Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(AB)

31 And (AC)He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be (AD)rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be (AE)killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He (AF)rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not [e]mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him(AG)

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, (AH)“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For (AI)whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 (AJ)For whoever (AK)is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

The Transfiguration of Christ(AL)

And He said to them, (AM)“Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see (AN)the kingdom of God [f]present with power.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

(AO)Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly (AP)white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

And a (AQ)cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is (AR)My beloved Son. (AS)Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.

(AT)Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning (AU)what the rising from the dead meant.

11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say (AV)that Elijah must come first?”

12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And (AW)how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and (AX)be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that (AY)Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

A Boy Is Healed(AZ)

14 (BA)And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”

17 Then (BB)one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”

19 He answered him and said, “O (BC)faithless[g] generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I [h]bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And (BD)when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, (BE)“If[i] you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; (BF)help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He (BG)rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

28 (BH)And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”

29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but (BI)prayer [j]and fasting.”

Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection

30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 (BJ)For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will (BK)kill Him. And after He is killed, He will (BL)rise the third day.” 32 But they (BM)did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

Who Is the Greatest?(BN)

33 (BO)Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you [k]disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had (BP)disputed among themselves who would be the (BQ)greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, (BR)“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then (BS)He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and (BT)whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism(BU)

38 (BV)Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”

39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, (BW)for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For (BX)he who is not against [l]us is on [m]our side. 41 (BY)For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Jesus Warns of Offenses(BZ)

42 (CA)“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me [n]to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 (CB)If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life [o]maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to [p]hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 [q]where

(CC)‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into [r]hell, [s]into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where

(CD)‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into [t]hell fire— 48 where

(CE)‘Their worm does not die
And the (CF)fire is not quenched.’

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless

49 “For everyone will be (CG)seasoned with fire, (CH)and[u] every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 (CI)Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? (CJ)Have salt in yourselves, and (CK)have peace with one another.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 8:14 NU, M they
  2. Mark 8:15 yeast
  3. Mark 8:17 NU omits still
  4. Mark 8:26 NU “Do not even go into the town.”
  5. Mark 8:33 setting your mind on
  6. Mark 9:1 having come
  7. Mark 9:19 unbelieving
  8. Mark 9:19 put up with
  9. Mark 9:23 NU “ ‘If You can!’ All things
  10. Mark 9:29 NU omits and fasting
  11. Mark 9:33 discussed
  12. Mark 9:40 M you
  13. Mark 9:40 M your
  14. Mark 9:42 To fall into sin
  15. Mark 9:43 crippled
  16. Mark 9:43 Gr. Gehenna
  17. Mark 9:44 NU omits v. 44.
  18. Mark 9:45 Gr. Gehenna
  19. Mark 9:45 NU omits the rest of v. 45 and all of v. 46.
  20. Mark 9:47 Gr. Gehenna
  21. Mark 9:49 NU omits the rest of v. 49.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand(A)(B)(C)

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;(D) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.(E) The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.(F) About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.(G) 12 He sighed deeply(H) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast(I) of the Pharisees(J) and that of Herod.”(K)

16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?(L) 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,”(M) they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”(N)

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”(O)

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida,(P) and some people brought a blind man(Q) and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit(R) on the man’s eyes and put his hands on(S) him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.”

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah(T)

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(U) others say Elijah;(V) and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”(W)

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.(X)

Jesus Predicts His Death(Y)

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man(Z) must suffer many things(AA) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(AB) and that he must be killed(AC) and after three days(AD) rise again.(AE) 32 He spoke plainly(AF) about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!”(AG) he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(AH) 35 For whoever wants to save their life[b] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.(AI) 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man(AJ) will be ashamed of them(AK) when he comes(AL) in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come(AM) with power.”(AN)

The Transfiguration(AO)(AP)

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John(AQ) with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white,(AR) whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(AS) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:(AT) “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”(AU)

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone(AV) what they had seen until the Son of Man(AW) had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man(AX) must suffer much(AY) and be rejected?(AZ) 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come,(BA) and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit(BB)

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.(BC)

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(BD)

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene,(BE) he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,(BF) “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[c]

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time(BG)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man(BH) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,(BI) and after three days(BJ) he will rise.”(BK) 32 But they did not understand what he meant(BL) and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum.(BM) When he was in the house,(BN) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.(BO)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”(BP)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,(BQ) he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”(BR)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us(BS)

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”(BT)

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.(BU) 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.(BV)

Causing to Stumble

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,(BW) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.(BX) 43 If your hand causes you to stumble,(BY) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,(BZ) where the fire never goes out.(CA) [44] [d] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,(CB) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.(CC) [46] [e] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,(CD) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,(CE) 48 where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’[f](CF)

49 Everyone will be salted(CG) with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?(CH) Have salt among yourselves,(CI) and be at peace with each other.”(CJ)

Footnotes

  1. Mark 8:26 Some manuscripts go and tell anyone in
  2. Mark 8:35 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verses 36 and 37.
  3. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting
  4. Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  5. Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  6. Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24