The Authority of JESUS Questioned.

       They returned once again to Jerusalem. As JESUS was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders approached HIM and asked, "By what authority are YOU doing these things? Or who gave YOU the authority to do them?" JESUS said to them, "I will ask you one question. Give ME an answer, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Did John's baptism originate from heaven or from men? Tell ME!"

       They argued among themselves, "If we say: 'From heaven,' HE will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' But how can we say, 'From men'?"--for they were afraid of the people, who all regarded John as a true prophet.

       Therefore, they answered JESUS, "We do not know." And JESUS said to them, "Then neither shall I tell you by what authority I do these things."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 27 - 33

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree.

       Early the next morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. Then Peter, recalling what had happened, said to JESUS: "RABBI, look! The fig tree that YOU cursed has withered away."

       JESUS said to them, "Have faith in GOD. Amen, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, 'Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be accomplished for him. So I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

       "And whenever you stand in prayer, forgive whatever grievance you have against anybody, so that your FATHER in heaven may forgive your wrongs too. [But if you do not forgive others, then your FATHER in heaven will not forgive you your transgressions.]"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 20 - 26

JESUS Cleanses the Temple.

       Then they came to Jerusalem. HE entered the temple and began to drive out those who were engaged there in buying and selling. HE overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves. Nor would HE allow anyone to carry anything through the temple. Then HE taught them, saying: "Is it not written:

       'MY house shall be called a house of prayer

              for all the nations'?

          But you have made it a den of thieves."

       When the chief priests and the scribes heard about this, they plotted to do away with HIM. For they were afraid of HIM because the whole crowd was spellbound by HIS teaching. And when evening came, they left the city.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 15 - 19

JESUS Curses a Sterile Fig Tree.

       On the next day, as they were leaving Bethany, HE felt hungry. Noticing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, HE went to see if HE could find any fruit on it. When HE reached it, HE found nothing except leaves, since it was not the season for figs. Then HE said to it, "May no one ever again eat fruit from your branches." And HIS disciples heard HIM say this.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 12 - 14

The Entry into Jerusalem.

When they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, HE sent off two of HIS disciples, saying to them, "Go into the village directly ahead of you, and as soon as you enter it you will find tied there a colt on which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone says to you, 'Why are you doing this?' say: 'THE LORD needs it and will send it back immediately.' "

       The two went off and found a colt tied beside a door outside on the street. As they were untying it, some of them said to them, "What are you doing, untying that colt?" They answered as JESUS had instructed them, and they allowed them to take it. Then they brought the colt to JESUS and spread their cloaks on its back. And HE sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed kept crying out:

       "Hosanna!

          Blessed is HE who comes in the name of

              THE LORD!

       Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father

              David.

       Hosanna in the highest heavens!"

       HE entered Jerusalem and went into the temple, where HE looked around at everything. Then, since the hour was already late, HE went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 11, VERSES 1 - 11

JESUS Heals a Blind Man.

       Then they came to Jericho. And as JESUS, HIS disciples, and a huge crowd were leaving Jericho, a blind man, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting by the roadside asking for alms. When he heard that it was JESUS of Nazareth, he began to shout, "JESUS, SON OF DAIVID, have pity on me!" Many rebuked him and told him to be silent, but he only shouted all the louder, "SON OF DAVID, have pity on me!"

       JESUS stopped and said, "Call him." So they called the blind man, saying to him, "Take heart! Stand up! HE is calling you!" Casting aside his cloak, he jumped up and went to JESUS. Then JESUS said to him, "What do you want ME to do for you?" The blind man said to HIM, "RABBI, let me receive my sight." JESUS said to him, "Go on your way! Your faith has made you well." Immediately, he received his sight and followed HIM along the road.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 46 - 52

THE SON OF MAN Has Come To Serve.

       Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came forward and said to HIM, "TEACHER, we want you to do for us whatever we request." HE asked them, "What is it that you want ME to do for you?" They said to HIM, "Allow us to sit, one at YOUR right hand and the other at YOUR left, in YOUR glory." JESUS said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I drink, or be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized?" They said to HIM, "We can."

       Then JESUS said to them, "The cup that I drink you shall indeed drink, and with the baptism with which I am baptized you shall be baptized. But to sit at MY right hand or at MY left is not in MY power to grant. Those places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

       When the other ten heard this, they began to be indignant at James and John. Therefore, JESUS called them over and said, "You know that those considered to be rulers among the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones make their authority over them felt. But this must not be so with you. Instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be the servant of all. For even THE SON OF MAN did not come to be served but to serve and to give HIS life as a ransom for many."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 35 - 45

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion a Third Time.

       As they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, JESUS walked ahead of them. The disciples were amazed, and those who followed were apprehensive. Once again, HE took the Twelve aside and began to tell them what would happen to HIM. "Behold, we are now going up to Jerusalem," HE said, "and THE SON OF MAN will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn HIM to death. Then they will hand HIM over to the Gentiles, who will mock HIM, and spit upon HIM, and scourge HIM, and put HIM to death. And after three days HE will rise again."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 32 - 34

Reward for Following JESUS.

       Peter said to HIM, "We have given up everything to follow YOU." JESUS answered, "Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for MY sake and for the sake of the gospel who will not receive in this age a hundred times more houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and lands--as well as persecutions--and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 28 - 31

The Rich Young Man.

       As JESUS was starting out on a journey, a man came running up to HIM, knelt down, and asked HIM, "GOOD TEACHER, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" JESUS said to him, "Why do you call ME good? No one is good but GOD alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your father and your mother.' "

       The man said to HIM, "TEACHER, I have observed all these since I was a child." Looking at him, JESUS was moved with love and said, "You need to do one further thing. Go and sell what you own, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow ME." When he heard these words, the man's face fell and he went away grieving, for he possessed great wealth.

       Then JESUS looked around and said to HIS disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who are rich to enter The Kingdom of GOD!" The disciples were astounded on hearing HIS words, but JESUS insisted: "Children, how difficult it is to enter The Kingdom of GOD! It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter The Kingdom of GOD." The disciples were even more greatly astonished, and they said to one another, "Then who can be saved?" JESUS looked at them and said, "For men it is impossible, but not for GOD. For GOD all things are possible."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 17 - 27

JESUS Receives Little Children.

       People were bringing little children to HIM so that HE might touch them, and the disciples sternly rebuked them. But when JESUS became aware of this, HE was indignant and said to them, "Let the little children come to ME; do not hinder them. For it is to such as these that The Kingdom of GOD belongs. Amen, I say to you, whoever does not receive The Kingdom of GOD like a little child will never enter it." And HE took them up into HIS arms, laid HIS hands on them, and blessed them.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 13 - 16

Marriage and Divorce.

After departing from there, JESUS came into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. Again the crowds gathered around HIM, and, as was HIS custom, HE began to teach them.

       Some Pharisees came forward and in order to test HIM asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" HE replied, "What did Moses command you?" They said, "Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and dismiss her." But JESUS said to them, "It was because of the hardness of your hearts that he wrote this commandment for you. But from the very beginning of creation, 'GOD made them male and female.' 'That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two become one flesh.' And so they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what GOD has joined together, let no one separate."

       When they were again in the house, the disciples once more questioned JESUS about this. HE said to them, "If a man divorces his wife and marries another, he commits adultery against her. In the same way, if a wife divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 10, VERSES 1 - 12

The Simile of Salt.

       "For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if salt loses its saltiness, how can you revive its flavor? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 49 & 50

Woe to the World because of Scandals.

       "If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in ME to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

       "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is preferable for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go into the unquenchable fire of Gehenna [where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched]. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into Gehenna [where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched]. And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is preferable for you to enter into the kingdom of GOD with one eye than to have two eyes and be cast into Gehenna, where the devouring worm never dies and the fire is never quenched.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 42 - 48

Whoever Is Not against Us Is for Us.

       John said to HIM, "TEACHER, we observed someone expelling demons in YOUR name, and we forbade him because he was not one of us." JESUS replied, "Do not hinder him, for no one who performs a miracle in MY name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of ME. Whoever is not against us is for us. Amen, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of CHRIST will certainly not go unrewarded.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 38 - 41

The Greatest in the Kingdom.

       They came to Capernaum, and once they were in the house HE asked them, "What were you arguing about during the journey?" But they remained silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which one of them was the greatest.

       Then HE sat down, summoned the Twelve, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to be first, he must become the last of all and the servant of all." HE then took a child, placed it in their midst, and put HIS arms around it as HE said, "Whoever receives one such child in MY name receives ME; and whoever receives ME receives not ME but THE ONE who sent ME."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 33 - 37

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion a Second Time.

       They proceeded from there and began to journey through Galilee, but JESUS did not want anyone to know about it because HE was teaching HIS disciples. HE told them, "THE SON OF MAN will be handed over into the power of men. They will kill HIM, and three days after being killed HE will rise." But they did not understand wat HE was saying, and they were afraid to ask HIM about it.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 30 - 32

JESUS Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit.

       When they returned to the disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some scribes were engaged in an argument with them. As soon as the people saw JESUS, they were overcome with awe and ran forward to greet HIM. HE asked them, "What are you arguing about with them?"

       A man in the crowd answered HIM, "TEACHER, I have brought YOU my son who is possessed by a spirit that makes him unable to speak. Wherever it seizes him, it flings him to the ground, and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked YOUR disciples to drive it out, but they were unable to do so."

       JESUS said to them in reply, "O unbelieving generation, how much longer shall I remain with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring the boy to ME." When they brought the boy to HIM, the spirit saw HIM and immediately threw the child into convulsions. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

       JESUS asked the father, "How long has the boy been in this condition?" "From childhood," he replied. "It has often tried to kill him by throwing him into a fire or into water. If it is possible for you to do anything, have pity on us and help us." JESUS answered, "If it is possible! All things are possible for one who has faith." Immediately, the father of the child cried out, "I do believe. Help my unbelief."

       When JESUS saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering around them, HE rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, "Deaf and mute spirit, I command you: come out of him and never enter him again!" Shrieking and throwing the boy into convulsions, it came out of him. He lay there like a corpse, so that many remarked, "He is dead." But JESUS, taking him by the hand, raised him, and he stood up.

       When HE went indoors, HIS disciples asked HIM privately, "Why were we not able to cast it out?" HE answered, "This kind cannot be driven out except by prayer [and by fasting]."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 14 - 29

Elijah Has Already Come.

       As they were coming down from the mountain, JESUS ordered them to tell no one what they had seen until THE SON OF MAN had risen from the dead. Therefore, they kept the matter to themselves, although they did argue about what rising from the dead could possibly mean.

       And they asked HIM, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" HE said to them, "Elijah will indeed come first and restore all things. Yet how is it written about THE SON OF MAN?--that HE must endure great suffering and be treated with contempt! However, I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 9 - 13

JESUS Is Transfigured.

       Six days later, JESUS took Peter, James, and John and led them up a high mountain apart by themselves. And in their presence HE was transfigured; HIS clothes became dazzling white---whiter than anyone on earth could bleach them. And Elijah with Moses appeared, conversing with JESUS.

       Then Peter said to JESUS, "RABBI, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents---one for YOU, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were so frightened. Then a cloud cast a shadow over them, and a voice came out of the cloud: "This is MY BELOVED SON. Listen to HIM." Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them anymore, but only JESUS.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 9, VERSES 2 - 8

The Conditions of Discipleship.

       HE then called the people and HIS disciples to HIM and said to them, "Anyone who wishes to follow ME must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow ME. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for MY sake and the sake of the gospel will save it. What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his very life{soul}? Indeed, what can he give in exchange for his life{soul}?

       "If anyone in this adulterous and sinful generation is ashamed of ME and of MY words, THE SON OF MAN will also be ashamed of him when HE comes in the glory of HIS FATHER with the holy angels."

       Then HE said to them, "Amen, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that The Kingdom of GOD has come with power."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 34 - 38 & CHAPTER 9, VERSE 1

JESUS Predicts HIS Passion.

       After that, HE began to teach them that THE SON OF MAN must endure great suffering, be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be put to death, and rise again after three days. HE told them these facts in plain words.

       Then Peter took HIM aside and began to rebuke HIM. At this, JESUS turned and, looking at HIS disciples, rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind ME, Satan! You are thinking not as GOD does, but as men do."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 31 - 33

Peter's Confession That JESUS Is the Messiah.

       Then JESUS and HIS disciples set out for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way HE asked HIS disciples, "Who do people say that I AM?" They responded, "[Some  say] John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." "But you," HE asked, "who do you say that I AM?" Peter answered HIM, "You are THE CHRIST." Then HE gave them strict orders not to tell anyone about HIM.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 27 - 30

JESUS Heals a Blind Man.

       They arrived at Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man to JESUS and begged that HE touch him. HE took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. Then, putting saliva on his eyes, HE laid HIS hands on him and asked, "Can you see anything?" Looking up, the man responded, "I can see people, but they look like trees walking around." JESUS placed HIS hands on the man's eyes again, and the man looked around intently. His sight was restored, and he was able to see everything clearly. Then HE sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 22 - 26

The Yeast of the Pharisees.

       They had forgotten to bring any bread with them, and they had only one loaf in the boat. JESUS then gave them this warning, "Be careful, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." They talked about this to one another and concluded: "It is because we have no bread."

       Becoming aware of what they were discussing, HE said to them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not understand or comprehend? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes and fail to see? Do you have ears and fail to hear?

       "And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets filled with fragments did you collect?" They answered, "Twelve." "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets filled with fragments did you collect?" They answered, "Seven." HE said to them, "Do you still not understand?"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 14 - 21

The Demand for a Sign.

       The Pharisees came forward and began to argue with HIM. To put HIM to the test they asked HIM to show them a sign from heaven. Sighing from the depths of HIS spirit, HE said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Amen, I say to you, no sign will be given to this generation." Then HE left them, got into the boat again, and sailed across to the other side.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 11 - 13

JESUS Feeds Four Thousand.

       In those days, a great crowd had again assembled, and they had nothing to eat. JESUS called HIS disciples to HIM and said to them, "I am moved with compassion for these people, because they have been with ME now for three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away hungry to their homes, they will collapse on the way--and some of them have come from far off."

       HIS disciples replied, "How can anyone find enough bread here in this deserted place to feed these men?" HE asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They replied, "Seven."

       JESUS ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then HE took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks HE broke them and gave them to HIS disciples to distribute, and they distributed them to the people. There were also a few small fish, and after blessing them HE commanded that these too should be distributed. They ate and were satisfied. Afterward, the disciples picked up the fragments left over--seven full baskets. The people there numbered about four thousand. And when HE had sent them away, HE immediately got into the boat with HIS disciples and went to the district of Dalmanutha.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 8, VERSES 1 - 10

JESUS Heals a Deaf Man.

       Returning from the region of Tyre, JESUS traveled by way of Sidon to the Sea of Galilee, and into the region of the Decapolis. Thereupon people brought to HIM a deaf man who had a speech impediment and begged HIM to lay HIS hand on him. HE took him aside, away from the crowd, and put HIS fingers into the man's ears and, spitting, touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, HE sighed and said to him, "Ephphatha!" which means, "Be opened!" At once, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened, and he spoke properly.

       Then HE ordered them not to tell anyone, but the more HE ordered them not to do so, the more widely they proclaimed it. Their astonishment was beyond measure. "HE has done all things well," they said. "HE even makes the deaf able to hear and the mute able to speak."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 31 - 37

The Faith of Gentile Woman.

       HE moved on from that place to the region of Tyre. HE went into a house and did not want anyone to know HE was there, but HE was not able to avoid being recognized. Almost immediately, a woman whose daughter was possessed by an unclean spirit heard about HIM and hastened to fall down at HIS feet. The woman was a Gentile of Syrophoenician origin, and she begged HIM to drive the demon out of her daughter.

       JESUS said to her, "Let the children be fed first. For it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She replied, "Yes, LORD; but even the dogs under the table eat the scraps from the children." Then JESUS said to her, "For saying this, you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." And when she returned home, she found the child lying in bed and the demon gone.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 24 - 30

Clean and Unclean.

       Then HE called the people to HIM and said to them: "Listen to ME, all of you, and understand. There is nothing that goes into a person from outside that can defile him. The things that come out of a person are what defile him. [If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!]"

       When HE had gone into the house, away from the crowds, HIS disciples questioned HIM about the parable. HE said to them, "Then are you also without understanding? Do you not realize that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile him, since it enters not into the heart but into the stomach and is discharged into the sewer?" Thus, HE pronounced all foods clean.

       Then HE went on, "It is what comes out of a person that defiles. For from within, from the human heart, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, avarice, malice, deceit, indecency, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from within, and they defile a person."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 14 - 23

Traditions That Falsify the Law of GOD.

When the Pharisees, along with some scribes who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around JESUS, they noted that some of HIS disciples were eating with defiled hands, that is, without washing them. For the Pharisees, and in fact all Jews, do not eat without thoroughly washing their hands, thereby observing the tradition of the elders. And on coming from the marketplace they do not eat without first washing. In addition, there are many other traditions that they observe, such as the washing of cups and jugs and bronze kettles and tables.

       Therefore, the Pharisees and the scribes asked HIM, "Why do YOUR disciples not follow the tradition of the elders but eat with unclean hands?" HE answered, "How rightly Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites, as it is written:

       'This people honors ME with their lips,

          but their hearts are far from ME;

       in vain do they worship ME,

          teaching as doctrines the commandments

              of men.'

You thrust aside the commandment of GOD in order to preserve the traditions of men."

       Then HE said to them, "How cleverly you have set aside the commandment of GOD to preserve your own tradition! For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,' and 'Whoever curses father or mother will be put to death.' But you say, 'If anyone tells his father or mother: "Anything I might have used for your support is Corban" ' (that is, dedicated to GOD), then he is forbidden by you from that very moment to do anything for his father or mother. You nullify the word of GOD for the sake of your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many other things just like that."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 7, VERSES 1 - 13

JESUS Heals the Sick at Gennesaret.

       After they had completed the crossing, they landed at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they disembarked, the people recognized JESUS immediately. They rushed throughout the entire countryside, and began to bring the sick to HIM on pallets wherever they heard HE was. Everywhere HE went, whether to village or town or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged HIM to let them touch even the edge of HIS cloak. And all who touched it were completely healed.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 53 - 56

JESUS Walks on the Water.

       Immediately afterward, JESUS instructed HIS disciples to get into the boat and to go on ahead to Bethsaida on the other side of the lake while HE dismissed the crowd. And when HE had taken leave of them, HE went up on the mountain to pray.

       When evening came, the boat was far out on the water while HE was alone on the shore. HE could see that the disciples were having difficulty in rowing the boat in the face of a headwind. Around the fourth watch of the night HE came toward them, walking on the water. HE was going to pass by them, but when the disciples saw HIM walking on the water they thought it was a ghost and they cried out, for they all had seen HIM and were terrified. But immediately HE spoke to them, saying, "Have courage! It is I! Do not be afraid!" Then HE got into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were utterly astounded, for they had not understood about the loaves. Their minds were closed.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 45 - 52

JESUS Feeds Five Thousand Men.

       When it began to be late in the day, HIS disciples came up to HIM and said, "This is a deserted place, and it is getting very late. Send the people away now so that they can go to the farms and villages in the area and buy something for themselves to eat." HE replied, "Give them something to eat yourselves." They said to HIM, "Are we to go and spend two hundred denarii on bread for them to eat?" HE asked, "How many loaves do you have? Go and see." When they found out, they reported: "Five loaves, and two fish."

       Then HE ordered them to have all the people sit down on the green grass in groups. They sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, HE looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples to distribute among the people. HE also divided the two fish among them. They all ate and were satisfied. Then they gathered up the fragments of the bread and fish--twelve full baskets. Those who had eaten the loaves numbered five thousand men.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 35 - 44

The Return of the Twelve.

       The apostles returned to JESUS and reported to HIM all that they had done and taught. HE said to them, "Come away with ME, by yourselves, to a deserted place and rest for a while." For people continued to come and go in great numbers, and they had no time even to eat.

       And so they went off by themselves in a boat to a deserted place. Now many people saw them departing and recognized them, and they hurried there on foot from all the towns and arrived ahead of them. As JESUS went ashore and beheld the vast crowd, HE had compassion on them, for they were like sheep without a shepherd; and HE began to teach them many things.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 30 - 34

The Death of John the Baptist.

       It was this same Herod who had ordered John to be arrested and put in chains in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because Herod had married her. For John had told Herod, "It is unlawful for you to have your brother's wife."

       As for Herodias, she was filled with resentment against John and wanted to have him killed, but she was unable to do so, because Herod was afraid of John, knowing him to be a holy and righteous man. Therefore, he protected him from harm. When he heard John speak, he was greatly perplexed by his words, but even so he liked to listen to him.

       Her opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his court officials and military officers and the leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in, she performed a dance that delighted Herod and his guests. The king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you." And he solemnly swore to her, "Whatever you ask I will give you, even half of my kingdom."

       The girl went out and said to her mother, "What shall I ask for?" She replied, "The head of John the Baptist." The girl then hurried back to the king and made her request, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter."

       The king was greatly distressed, but because of the oath he had sworn and the presence of the guests, he was unwilling to break his word to her. Therefore, he immediately ordered an executioner to bring him John's head. The man went off and beheaded him in the prison. Then he brought in the head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl in turn gave it to her mother. When John's disciples heard about this, they came and removed his body and laid it in a tomb.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 17 - 29

The Name of JESUS Becomes Renowned.

       King Herod heard of it, for JESUS' name had become renowned, and some people were saying, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why such powers are at work in HIM." But others said, "HE is Elijah," while still others proclaimed, "HE is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised from the dead."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 14 - 16

JESUS Sends Out the Twelve on Mission.

       JESUS traveled through the villages teaching. Calling the Twelve together, HE began to send them out two by two, with authority over unclean spirits. HE instructed them to take nothing for their journey except a walking staff--no bread, no sack, no money in their purses. They were to wear sandals but not to take along a second tunic.

       HE said to them, "Whenever you enter a house, you are to stay there until you leave the area. And if any will not welcome you and refuse to listen to you, leave them immediately and shake off the dust that is on your feet in testimony against them." Then they set off and preached the need for repentance. They cast out many demons, and they anointed with oil many people who were sick and cured them.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 6 - 13

JESUS Is Rejected at Nazareth.

Departing from that district, JESUS went to HIS hometown accompanied by HIS disciples. On the Sabbath, HE began to teach in the synagogue, and many of those who heard HIM asked in amazement, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that HE has been granted? What mighty deeds HE performs! Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? Are not HIS sisters here with us?" And so they took offense at HIM.

       Then JESUS said to them, "A prophet is always treated with honor except in his hometown, and among relatives, and in his own house." And HE was unable to perform any mighty works there, aside from curing a few sick people by laying HIS hands on them. HE was amazed at their lack of faith.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 6, VERSES 1 - 6

JESUS Heals a Woman and Raises a Child.

       When JESUS had crossed again in the boat to the other side, a large crowd gathered around HIM, and HE stayed by the lake. Then one of the leaders of the synagogue, named Jairus, came forward, and when he saw JESUS he threw himself down at HIS feet and pleaded with HIM, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. I beg YOU to come and lay YOUR hands on her so that she may recover and live." JESUS went with him, and a large number accompanied HIM and crowded around HIM.

       There was a woman who had suffered from bleeding for twelve years. In spite of long and painful treatment at the hands of many doctors, her condition not only had failed to improve but had actually become worse, and she had spent everything she had. Having heard about JESUS, she came up behind HIM in the crowd and touched HIS cloak, for she thought, "If I simply touch HIS clothing, I shall be made well." And immediately her bleeding dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.

       Instantly aware that power had gone forth from HIM, JESUS turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched MY clothing?" HIS disciples said in reply, "YOU see this vast throng pressing upon YOU. How can YOU ask, 'Who touched ME?' " However, HE continued to look around to determine who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling. She knelt before HIM and revealed to HIM the whole truth. HE said to her, "Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your affliction."

       While HE was still speaking, some people from the house of the synagogue leader arrived and said, "Your daughter has died. Why bother THE TEACHER any further?" JESUS heard the message they had delivered, but HE said to the leader of the synagogue, "Do not be afraid. Just have faith." HE allowed no one to accompany HIM except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

       When they arrived at the house of the synagogue leader, HE observed a great deal of commotion, with people weeping and wailing loudly. When HE entered, HE said to them, "Why this commotion and weeping? The child is not dead; she is asleep." In response, they laughed at HIM.

       After sending them all outside, HE took with HIM the child's father and mother and HIS own companions and entered the room where the child was. HE took the child by the hand and said to her, "Talitha koum!" which means: "Little girl, I say to you, arise!" And immediately the girl, a child of twelve, got up and began to walk around.

       On witnessing this, they were all overcome with amazement, but HE gave them strict instructions that no one should be told anything about this. Then HE told them to give her something to eat.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 21 - 43

JESUS Heals the Gerasene Demoniac.

They reached the region of the Gerasenes on the other side of the lake. No sooner had HE stepped out of the boat than a man with an unclean spirit came up to HIM from the tombs. The man had been living in the tombs, and no one could restrain him any longer, not even with chains. For he had frequently been bound with shackles and chains, but he had snapped the chains and smashed the shackles to pieces, and no one had sufficient strength to subdue him. Day and night among the tombs and on the mountains, he would howl and gash himself with stones.

       When the man caught sight of JESUS from a distance, he ran up and prostrated himself before HIM, as he shouted at the top of his voice, "What do YOU want with me, JESUS, SON OF THE MOST HIGH GOD? I implore YOU in GOD's name: do not torment me!" For JESUS had said to him, "Unclean spirit, come out of the man!" Then HE asked him, "What is your name?" He replied, "My name is Legion, for there are many of us." And he begged HIM earnestly not to send them out of the country.

       Now on the mountainside a great herd of pigs was feeding. And they pleaded with HIM, "Send us into the pigs. Let us enter them." HE allowed this. With that, the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs, and the herd, numbering about two thousand, charged down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned in the waters.

       Those tending the pigs ran off and reported the incident in the town and throughout the countryside. As a result, people came out to see what had happened. When they came near JESUS, they saw the man who had been possessed by Legion sitting there fully clothed and in his right mind, and they were frightened. Those who had been eyewitnesses to the incident confirmed what had happened to the demoniac and what had happened to the pigs. Then they began to implore JESUS to leave their region.

       As JESUS was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons pleaded to be allowed to go with HIM. However, JESUS would not permit him to do so, and instead told him, "Go home to your own people and tell them what THE LORD has done for you, and how HE has had mercy on you." The man then departed and began to make known throughout the Decapolis what JESUS had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 5, VERSES 1 - 20

JESUS Calms the Storm.

       On that day, as evening approached, HE said to them, "Let US cross over to the other side." And so, leaving the crowd behind, they took HIM with them in the boat just as HE was. Some other boats joined them.

       Suddenly, a great storm came up, and the waves were crashing over the boat so that it was almost swamped. JESUS was in the stern, asleep on a cushion. They awakened HIM and said, "TEACHER do YOU not care that we are perishing?"

       Then HE stood up and rebuked the wind, and HE said to the sea, "Quiet! Be still!" The wind ceased, and there was a great calm. HE said to them, "Why are you so frightened? Are you still without faith?" They were filled with awe and said to one another, "Who can this be? Even the wind and the sea obey HIM."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 35 - 41

The Usefulness of Parables.

       With many such parables as these HE spoke the word to them so far as they were able to comprehend it. HE never spoke to them except in parables, but HE explained everything to HIS disciples when they were by themselves.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 33 & 34

The Parable of the Mustard Seed.

       HE then said, "With what shall we compare The Kingdom of GOD, or what parable can we use to explain it? It is like a mustard seed that, when it is sown in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on the earth. But once it is sown, it springs up and becomes the greatest of all plants, and it puts forth large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 30 - 32

The Parable of the Secretly Growing Seed.

       HE went on to say, "The Kingdom of GOD is like this. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he sleeps and while he is awake, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not understand how. The ground produces fruit of its own accord--first the shoot, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. And when the crop is ripe, he immediately stretches out the sickle because the time for harvest has come."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 26 - 29

The Parable of the Measure.

       HE also told them, "Pay careful attention to what you hear. The measure you give will be the measure you will receive, and you will receive more in addition. To the one who has, more will be given; from the one who does not have, even what little he has will be taken away."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 24 & 25

The Parable of the Lamp.

       HE said to them, "Is a lamp brought in to be put under a basket or under a bed? To the contrary, it is placed on a lampstand. For nothing is hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing is secret that will not be brought to light. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 21 & 23

The Explanation of the Parable of the Sower.

       HE went on to say to them, "Do you not understand this parable? How then are you to understand any of the parables? What the sower is sowing is the word.

       "Some people are like seed that falls along the path where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan immediately comes and carries off the word that has been sown in them.

       "Others are like the seed sown on rocky ground. As soon as they hear the word they immediately receive it with joy. But they have no deep root and they endure for only a short time. When some trial or tribulation arises on account of the word, they immediately fall away.

       "Those sown among thorns are the ones who hear the word, but worldly cares, the lure of riches, and the desire for other things come in and choke the word, and it bears no fruit.

       "But those sown in rich soil are those who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit and yield thirty or sixty or a hundred times what was sown."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 13 - 20

The Reason for the Parables.

       When HE was alone, the Twelve and HIS other companions aske HIM about the parables. HE told them, "To you has been granted knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of GOD, but to those outside, everything comes in parables, so that

       'they may look and see but not perceive,

          and hear and listen but fail to understand,

          lest they be converted and be forgiven.' "

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 10 - 12

The Parable of the Sower.

On another occasion HE began to teach by the side of the lake. However, such a large crowd gathered that HE got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while the whole crowd gathered on the shore facing the lake. Then HE taught them many things in parables.

       In the course of HIS teaching, HE said to them: "Listen! A sower went out to sow. As he sowed, some seed fell on the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Other seed fell on rocky ground, where there was little soil. It sprouted quickly, since the soil had no depth, but when the sun rose, it was scorched, and since it lacked roots, it withered away. Other seed fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it produced no crop. But some seed fell onto rich soil and brought forth grain, increasing and yielding thirty, sixty, and a hundred times what was sown." HE then added, "He who has ears to hear, let him hear!"

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 4, VERSES 1 - 9

The True Family of JESUS.

       Then HIS mother and HIS brethren arrived, and, standing outside, they sent someone in to call HIM. A crowd was sitting around HIM, and they said, "Behold, YOUR mother and YOUR brethren are outside asking for YOU." HE replied, "Who are MY mother and MY brethren?" Then, looking around at those who were near HIM, HE said: "Behold, MY mother and MY brethren. Whoever does the will of GOD is MY brother and sister and mother."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 31 - 35

The Blasphemy of the Scribes.

       Meanwhile, the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem said, "HE is possessed by Beelzebul," and "HE casts out demons by the prince of demons." Summoning them to HIM, HE spoke to them in parables, "How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot survive. And if a household is divided against itself, that household will not be able to survive. If Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot survive; he is doomed.

       "But no one can break into a strong man's house and steal his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man; then he can ransack the house.

       "Amen, I say to you, all sins that people commit and whatever blasphemies they utter will be forgiven. But whoever blasphemes against THE HOLY SPIRIT will not be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin." HE said this because they had claimed HE was possessed by an unclean spirit.

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 22 - 30

The Concern of JESUS' Relatives.

       JESUS then returned home, and once again such a great crowd collected around them that they did not even find it possible to eat. When HIS relatives heard about this, they went out to take charge of HIM, saying, "HE has gone out of HIS mind."

GOSPEL OF MARK: CHAPTER 3, VERSES 20 & 21