I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”

But Jesus reprimanded him. “Be quiet! Come out of the man,” he ordered.

So Jesus healed many people who were sick with various diseases, and he cast out many demons. But because the demons knew who he was, he did not allow them to speak.

But Jesus replied, “We must go on to other towns as well, and I will preach to them, too. That is why I came.”

But the man went and spread the word, proclaiming to everyone what had happened. As a result, large crowds soon surrounded Jesus, and he couldn’t publicly enter a town anywhere. He had to stay out in the secluded places, but people from everywhere kept coming to him.

But some of the teachers of religious law who were sitting there thought to themselves,

But when the teachers of religious law who were Pharisees saw him eating with tax collectors and other sinners, they asked his disciples, “Why does he eat with such scum?”

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

But someday the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.

But the Pharisees said to Jesus, “Look, why are they breaking the law by harvesting grain on the Sabbath?”

Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

But Jesus sternly commanded the spirits not to reveal who he was.

James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them “Sons of Thunder”),

But the teachers of religious law who had arrived from Jerusalem said, “He’s possessed by Satan, the prince of demons. That’s where he gets the power to cast out demons.”

but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.”

But the plant soon wilted under the hot sun, and since it didn’t have deep roots, it died.

He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secret of the Kingdom of God. But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders,

But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word.

but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life, the lure of wealth, and the desire for other things, so no fruit is produced.

To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.”

Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens.

but it becomes the largest of all garden plants; it grows long branches, and birds can make nests in its shade.”

In fact, in his public ministry he never taught without using parables; but afterward, when he was alone with his disciples, he explained everything to them.

But soon a fierce storm came up. High waves were breaking into the boat, and it began to fill with water.

But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.”

She had suffered a great deal from many doctors, and over the years she had spent everything she had to pay them, but she had gotten no better. In fact, she had gotten worse.

But he kept on looking around to see who had done it.

But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying.

He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

For Herod had sent soldiers to arrest and imprison John as a favor to Herodias. She had been his brother Philip’s wife, but Herod had married her.

So Herodias bore a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But without Herod’s approval she was powerless,

for Herod respected John; and knowing that he was a good and holy man, he protected him. Herod was greatly disturbed whenever he talked with John, but even so, he liked to listen to him.

Then the king deeply regretted what he had said; but because of the vows he had made in front of his guests, he couldn’t refuse her.

But many people recognized them and saw them leaving, and people from many towns ran ahead along the shore and got there ahead of them.

But Jesus said, “You feed them.” “With what?” they asked. “We’d have to work for months to earn enough money to buy food for all these people!”

but when they saw him walking on the water, they cried out in terror, thinking he was a ghost.

They were all terrified when they saw him. But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage! I am here!”

Similarly, they don’t eat anything from the market until they immerse their hands in water. This is but one of many traditions they have clung to—such as their ceremonial washing of cups, pitchers, and kettles.)

Jesus replied, “You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you, for he wrote, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

But you say it is all right for people to say to their parents, ‘Sorry, I can’t help you. For I have vowed to give to God what I would have given to you.’

Food doesn’t go into your heart, but only passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer.” (By saying this, he declared that every kind of food is acceptable in God’s eyes.)

The Faith of a Gentile Woman

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre. He didn’t want anyone to know which house he was staying in, but he couldn’t keep it a secret.

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even the dogs under the table are allowed to eat the scraps from the children’s plates.”

Jesus told the crowd not to tell anyone, but the more he told them not to, the more they spread the news.

Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

But the disciples had forgotten to bring any food. They had only one loaf of bread with them in the boat.

The man looked around. “Yes,” he said, “I see people, but I can’t see them very clearly. They look like trees walking around.”

Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.”

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Jesus Predicts His Death

Then Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.

If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.

And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul?

So they kept it to themselves, but they often asked each other what he meant by “rising from the dead.”

But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they chose to abuse him, just as the Scriptures predicted.”

And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn’t do it.”

So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

The father instantly cried out, “I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!”

But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

for he wanted to spend more time with his disciples and teach them. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but three days later he will rise from the dead.”

But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.

“Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.”

Using the Name of Jesus

John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”

“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck.

Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”

But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts.

But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation.

and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one,

Jesus Blesses the Children

One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.

But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”

This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.”

But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”

They will mock him, spit on him, flog him with a whip, and kill him, but after three days he will rise again.”

But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?”

But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen.”

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant,

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

“Be quiet!” many of the people yelled at him. But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit.

He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”

When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart.

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

But do we dare say it was merely human?” For they were afraid of what the people would do, because everyone believed that John was a prophet.

But the farmers grabbed the servant, beat him up, and sent him back empty-handed.

The owner then sent another servant, but they insulted him and beat him over the head.

“But the tenant farmers said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’

The religious leaders wanted to arrest Jesus because they realized he was telling the story against them—they were the wicked farmers. But they were afraid of the crowd, so they left him and went away.

So the second brother married the widow, but he also died without children. Then the third brother married her.

“But now, as to whether the dead will be raised—haven’t you ever read about this in the writings of Moses, in the story of the burning bush? Long after Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob had died, God said to Moses, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’

For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she had to live on.”

Jesus replied, “Yes, look at these great buildings. But they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately.

Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in many parts of the world, as well as famines. But this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

“When these things begin to happen, watch out! You will be handed over to the local councils and beaten in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me.

But when you are arrested and stand trial, don’t worry in advance about what to say. Just say what God tells you at that time, for it is not you who will be speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

In fact, unless the Lord shortens that time of calamity, not a single person will survive. But for the sake of his chosen ones he has shortened those days.

Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will never disappear.

“But not during the Passover celebration,” they agreed, “or the people may riot.”

But Jesus replied, “Leave her alone. Why criticize her for doing such a good thing to me?

You will always have the poor among you, and you can help them whenever you want to. But you will not always have me.

For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!”

But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.”

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

When he returned to them the third time, he said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But no—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear.

Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there among you teaching every day. But these things are happening to fulfill what the Scriptures say about me.”

Inside, the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find evidence against Jesus, so they could put him to death. But they couldn’t find any.

Many false witnesses spoke against him, but they contradicted each other.

But even then they didn’t get their stories straight!

But Jesus was silent and made no reply. Then the high priest asked him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”

But Peter denied it. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, and he went out into the entryway. Just then, a rooster crowed.

But Peter denied it again. A little later some of the other bystanders confronted Peter and said, “You must be one of them, because you are a Galilean.”

But Jesus said nothing, much to Pilate’s surprise.

But at this point the leading priests stirred up the crowd to demand the release of Barabbas instead of Jesus.

“Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”

They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

The leading priests and teachers of religious law also mocked Jesus. “He saved others,” they scoffed, “but he can’t save himself!

But as they arrived, they looked up and saw that the stone, which was very large, had already been rolled aside.

but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.

But when she told them that Jesus was alive and she had seen him, they didn’t believe her.

They rushed back to tell the others, but no one believed them.

Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.