Study Desk

for they all saw Him and were terrified. He, however, immediately spoke to them. "There is no danger," He said; "it is I; be not alarmed."

Then He went up to them on board the boat, and the wind lulled; and they were beside themselves with silent amazement.

Having crossed over they drew to land in Gennesaret and came to anchor.

Then they scoured the whole district, and began to bring Him the sick on their mats wherever they heard He was.

And enter wherever He might--village or town or hamlet--they laid their sick in the open places, and entreated Him to let them touch were it but the tassel of His robe; and all, whoever touched Him, were restored to health.

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews--being, as they are, zealous for the traditions of the Elders--never eat without first carefully washing their hands,

and when they come from market they will not eat without bathing first; and they have a good many other customs which they have received traditionally and cling to, such as the rinsing of cups and pots and of bronze utensils, and the washing of beds.)

"Let the children first eat all they want," He said; "it is not right to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs."

Then Jesus charged them to tell no one; but the more He charged them, all the more did they spread the news far and wide.

The amazement was extreme. "He succeeds in everything he attempts," they exclaimed; "he even makes deaf men hear and dumb men speak!"

About that time there was again an immense crowd, and they found themselves with nothing to eat. So He called His disciples to Him.

"My heart yearns over the people," He said; "for this is now the third day they have remained with me, and they have nothing to eat.

So He passed the word to the people to sit down on the ground. Then taking the seven loaves He blessed them, and broke them into portions and proceeded to give them to His disciples for them to distribute, and they distributed them to the people.

They had also a few small fish. He blessed them, and He told His disciples to distribute these also.

So the people ate an abundant meal; and what remained over they picked up and carried away--seven hampers of broken pieces.

He perceived what they were saying, and He said to them, "What is this discussion of yours about having no bread? Do you not yet see and understand? Are your minds so dull of comprehension?

"And when the seven for the 4,000, how many hampers full of portions did you take away?" "Seven," they answered.

And they came to Bethsaida. And a blind man was brought to Jesus and they entreated Him to touch him.

"John the Baptist," they replied, "but others say Elijah, and others, that it is one of the Prophets."

Instantly they looked round, and now they could no longer see any one, but themselves and Jesus.