Study Desk

They ran everywhere in that area and began to bring sick people on mats wherever they heard he was.

And everywhere he went—into towns, cities, or countryside—the people brought the sick to the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch just the edge of his coat, and all who touched it were healed.

When some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem, they gathered around Jesus.

And when they buy something in the market, they never eat it until they wash themselves in a special way. They also follow many other unwritten laws, such as the washing of cups, pitchers, and pots.)

Jesus told the woman, "It is not right to take the children's bread and give it to the dogs. First let the children eat all they want."

They were completely amazed and said, "Jesus does everything well. He makes the deaf hear! And those who can't talk he makes able to speak."

"I feel sorry for these people, because they have already been with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat.

Jesus told the people to sit on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks to God, and divided the bread. He gave the pieces to his followers to give to the people, and they did so.

The Pharisees came to Jesus and began to ask him questions. Hoping to trap him, they asked Jesus for a miracle from God.

"And when I divided seven loaves of bread for the four thousand, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces of food?" They answered, "Seven."

The man looked up and said, "Yes, I see people, but they look like trees walking around."

Again Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then the man opened his eyes wide and they were healed, and he was able to see everything clearly.

Jesus and his followers went to the towns around Caesarea Philippi. While they were traveling, Jesus asked them, "Who do people say I am?"

They answered, "Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah, and others say you are one of the prophets."

Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on a high mountain by themselves. While they watched, Jesus' appearance was changed.

Suddenly Peter, James, and John looked around, but they saw only Jesus there alone with them.

Jesus answered, "They are right to say that Elijah must come first and make everything the way it should be. But why does the Scripture say that the Son of Man will suffer much and that people will treat him as if he were nothing?

I tell you that Elijah has already come. And people did to him whatever they wanted to do, just as the Scriptures said it would happen."

When Jesus, Peter, James, and John came back to the other followers, they saw a great crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.

When the spirit attacks him, it throws him on the ground. Then my son foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes very stiff. I asked your followers to force the evil spirit out, but they couldn't."