Study Desk

"You did not [even] anoint My head with [ordinary] oil, but she has anointed My feet with [costly and rare] perfume.

"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."

And He said, "To you [who have been chosen] it has been granted to know and recognize the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that though SEEING THEY MAY NOT SEE, AND HEARING THEY MAY NOT UNDERSTAND.

"Those on the rocky soil are the people who, when they hear, receive and welcome the word with joy; but these have no firmly grounded root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation they fall away [from Me and abandon their faith].

"The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, but as they go on their way they are suffocated with the anxieties and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.

"But as for that seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word with a good and noble heart, and hold on to it tightly, and bear fruit with patience.

Then Jesus' mother and His brothers came up toward Him, but they could not reach Him because of the crowd.

But He answered, "My mother and My brothers are these who listen to the word of God and do it!"

But as they were sailing, He fell asleep. And a fierce gale of wind swept down [as if through a wind tunnel] on the lake, and they began to be swamped, and were in great danger.

Now when Jesus stepped out on land, He was met by a man from the city [of Gerasa] who was possessed with demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and was not living in a house, but among the tombs.

Now He was [already] commanding the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him [violently] many times; and he was kept under guard and bound with chains and shackles, but he would break the bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.

But the man from whom the demons had gone out kept begging Him, pleading to go with Him; but Jesus sent him away, saying,

for he had an only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as Jesus went, the people were crowding against Him [almost crushing Him].

But Jesus said, "Someone did touch Me, because I was aware that power [to heal] had gone out of Me."

But Jesus, hearing this, answered him, "Do not be afraid any longer; only believe and trust [in Me and have faith in My ability to do this], and she will be made well."

Now they were all weeping loudly and mourning for her; but He said, "Do not weep, for she is not dead, but is sleeping."

But Jesus took hold of her hand and spoke, saying, "Child, arise!"

Her parents were greatly astonished [by the miracle]; but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.

But when the crowds learned of it, they followed Him; and He welcomed them and He began talking to them about the kingdom of God, and healing those who needed to be healed.

But He said to them, "You give them something to eat." They said, "We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people."