1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
4 And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?
5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6 And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.
7 And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.
8 So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.
9 And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
10 And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13 And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf.
15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.
16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread.
17 And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened?
18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19 When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21 And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?
22 And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him.
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking.
25 After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly.
26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
28 And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.
34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?
37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
1 In G1722 those G1565 days G2250 the multitude G3793 being G5607 very great, G3827 and G2532 having G2192 nothing G3361 G5101 to eat, G5315 Jesus G2424 called G4341 his G846 disciples G3101 unto him, and saith G3004 unto them, G846
2 I have compassion G4697 on G1909 the multitude, G3793 because G3754 they have G4357 now G2235 been G4357 with me G3427 three G5140 days, G2250 and G2532 have G2192 nothing G3756 G5101 to eat: G5315
3 And G2532 if G1437 I send G630 them G846 away G630 fasting G3523 to G1519 their own G846 houses, G3624 they will faint G1590 by G1722 the way: G3598 for G1063 divers G5100 of them G846 came G2240 from far. G3113
4 And G2532 his G846 disciples G3101 answered G611 him, G846 From whence G4159 can G1410 a man G5100 satisfy G5526 these G5128 men with bread G740 here G5602 in G1909 the wilderness? G2047
5 And G2532 he asked G1905 them, G846 How many G4214 loaves G740 have ye? G2192 And G1161 they said, G2036 Seven. G2033
6 And G2532 he commanded G3853 the people G3793 to sit down G377 on G1909 the ground: G1093 and G2532 he took G2983 the seven G2033 loaves, G740 and gave thanks, G2168 and brake, G2806 and G2532 gave G1325 to his G846 disciples G3101 to G2443 set before G3908 them; and G2532 they did set them before G3908 the people. G3793
7 And G2532 they had G2192 a few G3641 small fishes: G2485 and G2532 he blessed, G2127 and commanded G2036 to set G3908 them G846 also G2532 before G3908 them.
8 So G1161 they did eat, G5315 and G2532 were filled: G5526 and G2532 they took up G142 of the broken G2801 meat that was left G4051 seven G2033 baskets. G4711
9 And G1161 they that had eaten G5315 were G2258 about G5613 four thousand: G5070 and G2532 he sent G630 them G846 away. G630
10 And G2532 straightway G2112 he entered G1684 into G1519 a ship G4143 with G3326 his G846 disciples, G3101 and came G2064 into G1519 the parts G3313 of Dalmanutha. G1148
11 And G2532 the Pharisees G5330 came forth, G1831 and G2532 began G756 to question G4802 with him, G846 seeking G2212 of G3844 him G846 a sign G4592 from G575 heaven, G3772 tempting G3985 him. G846
12 And G2532 he sighed deeply G389 in his G846 spirit, G4151 and saith, G3004 Why G5101 doth G1934 this G3778 generation G1074 seek after G1934 a sign? G4592 verily G281 I say G3004 unto you, G5213 There shall no G1487 sign G4592 be given G1325 unto this G5026 generation. G1074
13 And G2532 he left G863 them, G846 and entering G1684 into G1519 the ship G4143 again G3825 departed G565 to G1519 the other side. G4008
14 Now G2532 the disciples had forgotten G1950 to take G2983 bread, G740 neither G2532 G3756 had G2192 they in G1722 the ship G4143 with G3326 them G1438 more than G1508 one G1520 loaf. G740
15 And G2532 he charged G1291 them, G846 saying, G3004 Take heed, G3708 beware G991 of G575 the leaven G2219 of the Pharisees, G5330 and G2532 of the leaven G2219 of Herod. G2264
16 And G2532 they reasoned G1260 among G4314 themselves, G240 saying, G3004 It is because G3754 we have G2192 no G3756 bread. G740
17 And G2532 when Jesus G2424 knew G1097 it, he saith G3004 unto them, G846 Why G5101 reason ye, G1260 because G3754 ye have G2192 no G3756 bread? G740 perceive ye G3539 not yet, G3768 neither G3761 understand? G4920 have ye G2192 your G5216 heart G2588 yet G2089 hardened? G4456
18 Having G2192 eyes, G3788 see ye G991 not? G3756 and G2532 having G2192 ears, G3775 hear ye G191 not? G3756 and G2532 do ye G3421 not G3756 remember? G3421
19 When G3753 I brake G2806 the five G4002 loaves G740 among G1519 five thousand, G4000 how many G4214 baskets G2894 full G4134 of fragments G2801 took ye up? G142 They say G3004 unto him, G846 Twelve. G1427
20 And G1161 when G3753 the seven G2033 among G1519 four thousand, G5070 how many G4214 baskets G4711 full G4138 of fragments G2801 took ye up? G142 And G1161 they said, G2036 Seven. G2033
21 And G2532 he said G3004 unto them, G846 How G4459 is it that ye do G4920 not G3756 understand? G4920
22 And G2532 he cometh G2064 to G1519 Bethsaida; G966 and G2532 they bring G5342 a blind man G5185 unto him, G846 and G2532 besought G3870 him G846 to G2443 touch G680 him. G846
23 And G2532 he took G1949 the blind man G5185 by the hand, G5495 and led G1806 him G846 out of G1854 the town; G2968 and G2532 when he had spit G4429 on G1519 his G846 eyes, G3659 and put G2007 his hands G5495 upon him, G846 he asked G1905 him G846 if G1536 he saw G991 ought. G1536
24 And G2532 he looked up, G308 and said, G3004 G3754 I see G991 men G444 as G5613 G3708 trees, G1186 walking. G4043
25 After G1534 that he put G2007 his hands G5495 again G3825 upon G1909 his G846 eyes, G3788 and G2532 made G4160 him G846 look up: G308 and G2532 he was restored, G600 and G2532 saw G1689 every man G537 clearly. G5081
26 And G2532 he sent G649 him G846 away G649 to G1519 his G846 house, G3624 saying, G3004 Neither G3366 go G1525 into G1519 the town, G2968 nor G3366 tell G2036 it to any G5100 in G1722 the town. G2968
27 And G2532 Jesus G2424 went out, G1831 and G2532 his G846 disciples, G3101 into G1519 the towns G2968 of Caesarea G2542 Philippi: G5376 and G2532 by G1722 the way G3598 he asked G1905 his G846 disciples, G3101 saying G3004 unto them, G846 Whom G5101 do G3004 men G444 say G3004 that I G3165 am? G1511
28 And G1161 they answered, G611 John G2491 the Baptist: G910 but G1161 some G243 say, Elias; G2243 and G2532 others, G243 One G1520 of the prophets. G4396
29 And G2532 he G846 saith G3004 unto them, G846 But G1161 whom G5101 say G3004 ye G5210 that I G3165 am? G1511 And G1161 Peter G4074 answereth G611 and saith G3004 unto him, G846 Thou G4771 art G1488 the Christ. G5547
30 And G2532 he charged G2008 them G846 that G2443 they should tell G3004 no man G3367 of G4012 him. G846
31 And G2532 he began G756 to teach G1321 them, G846 that G3754 the Son G5207 of man G444 must G1163 suffer G3958 many things, G4183 and G2532 be rejected G593 of G575 the elders, G4245 and G2532 of the chief priests, G749 and G2532 scribes, G1122 and G2532 be killed, G615 and G2532 after G3326 three G5140 days G2250 rise again. G450
32 And G2532 he spake G2980 that saying G3056 openly. G3954 And G2532 Peter G4074 took G4355 him, G846 and began G756 to rebuke G2008 him. G846
33 But G1161 when he had turned about G1994 and G2532 looked G1492 on his G846 disciples, G3101 he rebuked G2008 Peter, G4074 saying, G3004 Get thee G5217 behind G3694 me, G3450 Satan: G4567 for G3754 thou savourest G5426 not G3756 the things that be of God, G2316 but G235 the things that be of men. G444
34 And G2532 when he had called G4341 the people G3793 unto him with G4862 his G846 disciples G3101 also, he said G2036 unto them, G846 Whosoever G3748 will G2309 come G2064 after G3694 me, G3450 let him deny G533 himself, G1438 and G2532 take up G142 his G846 cross, G4716 and G2532 follow G190 me. G3427
35 For G1063 whosoever G3739 G302 will G2309 save G4982 his G846 life G5590 shall lose G622 it; G846 but G1161 whosoever G3739 G302 shall lose G622 his G846 life G5590 for G1752 my sake G1700 and G2532 the gospel's, G2098 the same G3778 shall save G4982 it. G846
36 For G1063 what G5101 shall it profit G5623 a man, G444 if G1437 he shall gain G2770 the whole G3650 world, G2889 and G2532 lose G2210 his own G846 soul? G5590
37 Or G2228 what G5101 shall G1325 a man G444 give G1325 in exchange G465 for his G846 soul? G5590
38 Whosoever G3739 G302 therefore G1063 shall be ashamed G1870 of me G3165 and G2532 of my G1699 words G3056 in G1722 this G5026 adulterous G3428 and G2532 sinful G268 generation; G1074 of him G846 also G2532 shall G1870 the Son G5207 of man G444 be ashamed, G1870 when G3752 he cometh G2064 in G1722 the glory G1391 of his G846 Father G3962 with G3326 the holy G40 angels. G32
1 In those days, when there was again a great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them,
2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat:
3 and if I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way; and some of them are come from far.
4 And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to fill these men with bread here in a desert place?
5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6 And he commandeth the multitude to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and having given thanks, he brake, and gave to his disciples, to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.
7 And they had a few small fishes: and having blessed them, he commanded to set these also before them.
8 And they ate, and were filled: and they took up, of broken pieces that remained over, seven baskets.
9 And they were about four thousand: and he sent them away.
10 And straightway he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, trying him.
12 And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
13 And he left them, and again entering into `the boat' departed to the other side.
14 And they forgot to take bread; and they had not in the boat with them more than one loaf.
15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
16 And they reasoned one with another, saying, We have no bread.
17 And Jesus perceiving it saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? do ye not yet perceive, neither understand? have ye your heart hardened?
18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19 When I brake the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces took ye up? And they say unto him, Seven.
21 And he said unto them, Do ye not yet understand?
22 And they come unto Bethsaida. And they bring to him a blind man, and beseech him to touch him.
23 And he took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village; and when he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands upon him, he asked him, Seest thou aught?
24 And he looked up, and said, I see men; for I behold `them' as trees, walking.
25 Then again he laid his hands upon his eyes; and he looked stedfastly, and was restored, and saw all things clearly.
26 And he sent him away to his home, saying, Do not even enter into the village.
27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi: and on the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?
28 And they told him, saying, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.
29 And he asked them, But who say ye that I am? Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
31 And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 And he spake the saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33 But he turning about, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and saith, Get thee behind me, Satan; for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.
34 And he called unto him the multitude with his disciples, and said unto them, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it.
36 For what doth it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
37 For what should a man give in exchange for his life?
38 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of man also shall be ashamed of him, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
1 In those days the multitude being very great, and not having what they may eat, Jesus having called near his disciples, saith to them,
2 `I have compassion upon the multitude, because now three days they do continue with me, and they have not what they may eat;
3 and if I shall let them away fasting to their home, they will faint in the way, for certain of them are come from far.'
4 And his disciples answered him, `Whence shall any one be able these here to feed with bread in a wilderness?'
5 And he was questioning them, `How many loaves have ye?' and they said, `Seven.'
6 And he commanded the multitude to sit down upon the ground, and having taken the seven loaves, having given thanks, he brake, and was giving to his disciples that they may set before `them'; and they did set before the multitude.
7 And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed, he said to set them also before `them';
8 and they did eat and were filled, and they took up that which was over of broken pieces -- seven baskets;
9 and those eating were about four thousand. And he let them away,
10 and immediately having entered into the boat with his disciples, he came to the parts of Dalmanutha,
11 and the Pharisees came forth, and began to dispute with him, seeking from him a sign from the heaven, tempting him;
12 and having sighed deeply in his spirit, he saith, `Why doth this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.'
13 And having left them, having entered again into the boat, he went away to the other side;
14 and they forgot to take loaves, and except one loaf they had nothing with them in the boat,
15 and he was charging them, saying, `Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod,'
16 and they were reasoning with one another, saying -- `Because we have no loaves.'
17 And Jesus having known, saith to them, `Why do ye reason, because ye have no loaves? do ye not yet perceive, nor understand, yet have ye your heart hardened?
18 Having eyes, do ye not see? and having ears, do ye not hear? and do ye not remember?
19 When the five loaves I did brake to the five thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?' they say to him, `Twelve.'
20 `And when the seven to the four thousand, how many hand-baskets full of broken pieces took ye up?' and they said, `Seven.'
21 And he said to them, `How do ye not understand?'
22 And he cometh to Bethsaida, and they bring to him one blind, and call upon him that he may touch him,
23 and having taken the hand of the blind man, he led him forth without the village, and having spit on his eyes, having put `his' hands on him, he was questioning him if he doth behold anything:
24 and he, having looked up, said, `I behold men, as I see trees, walking.'
25 Afterwards again he put `his' hands on his eyes, and made him look up, and he was restored, and discerned all things clearly,
26 and he sent him away to his house, saying, `Neither to the village mayest thou go, nor tell `it' to any in the village.'
27 And Jesus went forth, and his disciples, to the villages of Cesarea Philippi, and in the way he was questioning his disciples, saying to them, `Who do men say me to be?'
28 And they answered, `John the Baptist, and others Elijah, but others one of the prophets.'
29 And he saith to them, `And ye -- who do ye say me to be?' and Peter answering saith to him, `Thou art the Christ.'
30 And he strictly charged them that they may tell no one about it,
31 and began to teach them, that it behoveth the Son of Man to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and after three days to rise again;
32 and openly he was speaking the word. And Peter having taken him aside, began to rebuke him,
33 and he, having turned, and having looked on his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, `Get behind me, Adversary, because thou dost not mind the things of God, but the things of men.'
34 And having called near the multitude, with his disciples, he said to them, `Whoever doth will to come after me -- let him disown himself, and take up his cross, and follow me;
35 for whoever may will to save his life shall lose it; and whoever may lose his life for my sake and for the good news' sake, he shall save it;
36 for what shall it profit a man, if he may gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
37 Or what shall a man give as an exchange for his life?
38 for whoever may be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also shall be ashamed of him, when he may come in the glory of his Father, with the holy messengers.'
1 In those days, there being again a great crowd, and they having nothing that they could eat, having called his disciples to [him], he says to them,
2 I have compassion on the crowd, because they have stayed with me already three days and they have not anything they can eat,
3 and if I should dismiss them to their home fasting, they will faint on the way; for some of them are come from far.
4 And his disciples answered him, Whence shall one be able to satisfy these with bread here in a desert place?
5 And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.
6 And he commanded the crowd to sit down on the ground. And having taken the seven loaves, he gave thanks, and broke [them] and gave [them] to his disciples, that they might set [them] before [them]; and they set [them] before the crowd.
7 And they had a few small fishes, and having blessed them, he desired these also to be set before [them].
8 And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up of fragments that remained seven baskets.
9 And they [that had eaten] were about four thousand; and he sent them away.
10 And immediately going on board ship with his disciples, he came into the parts of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees went out and began to dispute against him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, tempting him.
12 And groaning in his spirit, he says, Why does this generation seek a sign? Verily I say unto you, A sign shall in no wise be given to this generation.
13 And he left them, and going again on board ship, went away to the other side.
14 And they forgot to take bread, and save one loaf, they had not [any] with them in the ship.
15 And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and [of] the leaven of Herod.
16 And they reasoned with one another, [saying], It is because we have no bread.
17 And Jesus knowing [it], says to them, Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Do ye not yet perceive nor understand? Have ye your heart [yet] hardened?
18 Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?
19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many hand-baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say to him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven for the four thousand, the filling of how many baskets of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven.
21 And he said to them, How do ye not yet understand?
22 And he comes to Bethsaida; and they bring him a blind man, and beseech him that he might touch him.
23 And taking hold of the hand of the blind man he led him forth out of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, he laid his hands upon him, and asked him if he beheld anything.
24 And having looked up, he said, I behold men, for I see [them], as trees, walking.
25 Then he laid his hands again upon his eyes, and he saw distinctly, and was restored and saw all things clearly.
26 And he sent him to his house, saying, Neither enter into the village, nor tell [it] to any one in the village.
27 And Jesus went forth and his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea-Philippi. And by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Who do men say that I am?
28 And they answered him, saying, John the baptist; and others, Elias; but others, One of the prophets.
29 And he asked them, But *ye*, who do ye say that I am? And Peter answering says to him, *Thou* art the Christ.
30 And he charged them straitly, in order that they should tell no man about him.
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and of the chief priests and of the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise [again].
32 And he spoke the thing openly. And Peter, taking him to [him], began to rebuke him.
33 But he, turning round and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, saying, Get away behind me, Satan, for thy mind is not on the things that are of God, but on the things that are of men.
34 And having called the crowd with his disciples, he said to them, Whoever desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me.
35 For whosoever shall desire to save his life shall lose it, but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's shall save it.
36 For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul?
37 for what should a man give in exchange for his soul?
38 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall the Son of man also be ashamed when he shall come in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
1 In those days, when there was a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself, and said to them,
2 "I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days, and have nothing to eat.
3 If I send them away fasting to their home, they will faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way."
4 His disciples answered him, "From where could one satisfy these people with bread here in a deserted place?"
5 He asked them, "How many loaves do you have?" They said, "Seven."
6 He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude.
7 They had a few small fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also.
8 They ate, and were filled. They took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over.
9 Those who had eaten were about four thousand. Then he sent them away.
10 Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples, and came into the region of Dalmanutha.
11 The Pharisees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven, and testing him.
12 He sighed deeply in his spirit, and said, "Why does this generation{The word translated "generation" here (genea) could also be translated "people," "race," or "family."} seek a sign? Most assuredly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation."
13 He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side.
14 They forgot to take bread; and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them.
15 He charged them, saying, "Take heed: beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod."
16 They reasoned with one another, saying, "It's because we have no bread."
17 Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, "Why do you reason that it's because you have no bread? Don't you perceive yet, neither understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 Having eyes, don't you see? Having ears, don't you hear? Don't you remember?
19 When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Twelve."
20 "When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They told him, "Seven."
21 He asked them, "Don't you understand, yet?"
22 He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him, and begged him to touch him.
23 He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spit on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
24 He looked up, and said, "I see men; for I see them like trees walking."
25 Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly.
26 He sent him away to his house, saying, "Don't enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village."
27 Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, "Who do men say that I am?"
28 They told him, "John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others: one of the prophets."
29 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ."
30 He charged them that they should tell no one about him.
31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32 He spoke to them openly. Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.
33 But he, turning around, and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you have in mind not the things of God, but the things of men."
34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's will save it.
36 For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?
37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life?
38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."
1 In those days again, when there was a great mass of people and they had no food, he made his disciples come to him and said to them,
2 I have pity for these people because they have been with me now three days, and have no food;
3 If I send them away to their houses with no food, they will be overcome by weariness on the way; and some of them have come from far.
4 And his disciples said in answer, How will it be possible to get enough bread for these men here in a waste place?
5 And he put the question, How much bread have you? And they said, Seven cakes.
6 And he made the people be seated on the earth: and he took the seven cakes and, having given praise, he gave the broken bread to his disciples to put before them; and they put it before the people.
7 And they had some small fishes; and blessing them he had them put before the people in the same way.
8 And they took the food, and had enough; and they took up seven baskets full of the broken bits.
9 And there were about four thousand people: and he sent them away.
10 And he got into the boat with his disciples straight away, and came into the country of Dalmanutha.
11 And the Pharisees came out and put questions to him, requesting from him a sign from heaven, testing him.
12 And he was very sad in spirit, and said, Why is this generation looking for a sign? truly, I say to you, No sign will be given to this generation.
13 And he went away from them, and again got into the boat and went across to the other side.
14 And they had taken no thought to get bread; and they had only one cake of bread with them in the boat.
15 And he said to them, Take care to be on the watch against the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.
16 And they said to one another, We have no bread.
17 And Jesus, hearing it, said to them, Why are you reasoning among yourselves because you have no bread? do you still not see, and is it still not clear to you? are your hearts so hard?
18 Having eyes, do you not see? and having ears, have you no hearing? and have you no memory?
19 When I made a division of the five cakes of bread among the five thousand, what number of baskets full of broken bits did you take up? They said to him, Twelve.
20 And when the seven among the four thousand, what number of baskets full of broken bits did you take up? And they said to him, Seven.
21 And he said to them, Is it still not clear to you?
22 And they came to Beth-saida. And they took a blind man to him, requesting him to put his hands on him.
23 And he took the blind man by the hand, and went with him out of the town; and when he had put water from his mouth on his eyes, and put his hands on him, he said, Do you see anything?
24 And looking up, he said, I see men; I see them like trees, walking.
25 Then again he put his hands on his eyes; and looking hard, he was able to see, and saw all things clearly.
26 And he sent him away to his house, saying, Do not even go into the town.
27 And Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the little towns round Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he put a question to his disciples, saying, Who do men say that I am?
28 And they made answer, John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but others, One of the prophets.
29 And he said to them, But who do you say I am? Peter said in answer, You are the Christ.
30 And he put them under orders not to say this of him to anyone.
31 And teaching them, he said that the Son of man would have to undergo much, and be hated by those in authority, and the chief priests, and the scribes, and be put to death, and after three days come back from the dead.
32 And he said this openly. And Peter took him, and was protesting.
33 But he, turning about, and seeing his disciples, said sharply to Peter, Get out of my way, Satan: for your mind is not on the things of God, but on the things of men.
34 And turning to the mass of people with his disciples, he said to them, If any man has the desire to come after me, let him give up all other desires, and take up his cross and come after me.
35 Whoever has a desire to keep his life, will have it taken from him; and whoever gives up his life because of me and the good news, will keep it.
36 What profit has a man if he gets all the world with the loss of his life?
37 And what would a man give in exchange for his life?
38 Whoever has a feeling of shame because of me and my words in this false and evil generation, the Son of man will have a feeling of shame because of him, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » John Gill's Exposition of the Bible » Commentary on Mark 8
Commentary on Mark 8 John Gill's Exposition of the Bible
In those days,.... The Ethiopic version reads, on that day; as if it was on the same day that the deaf man was healed; and so it might be; and on the third day from Christ's coming into those parts; and so is very properly expressed, "in those days"; see Mark 7:31, compared with the following verse:
the multitude being very great: for the number of men that ate, when the following miracle was wrought, were about four thousand; see Mark 8:9. The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions add, "again"; referring to the former miracle of the five thousand, who were fed with five loaves, and two fishes, Mark 6:44.
And having nothing to eat; what they might have brought with them being expended, and they in a desert, where nothing was to be had, nor bought for money:
Jesus called his disciples to him, and saith unto them; See Gill on Matthew 15:32.
I have compassion on the multitude,.... Christ is a compassionate Saviour both of the bodies and souls of men: he had compassion on the souls of this multitude, and therefore had been teaching them sound doctrine and he had compassion on the bodies of many of them, and had healed them of their diseases; and his bowels yearned towards them all;
because, says he,
they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat; for if they brought any food with them, it was all spent, and they were in a wilderness, where nothing was to be got; where they had no house to go into, nor bed to lie upon, and no provisions to be bought; and in this case they had been two nights and three days; which showed great affection and zeal in these people, and a close attachment to Christ, in exposing themselves to all these difficulties and hardships, which they seemed to bear with much patience and unconcernedness. The Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions prefix the word "behold" to this clause, as expressing admiration at their stay with him so long in such a place.
And if I send them away fasting to their own houses,.... Greek, "to their own house", or home; but all the Oriental versions render it as we do, in the plural, "their own houses", or habitations; and it seems from hence that they were now tasting, and at least had had no food all that day, whatever they might have the day before, which it not certain.
They will faint by the way; for want of food their strength will be exhausted, their animal spirits will fail, their nerves will be loosened, they will not be able to perform their journey, or get to the end of it:
for divers of them came from far; perhaps some had followed him from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, from whence he came last; and others from Decapolis, through the midst of the borders of which he passed hither; and others from different parts, who had heard of his coming; See Gill on Matthew 15:32.
And his disciples answered him,.... The Syriac version renders it, "say unto him"; and the Persic and Ethiopic, "said unto him"; forgetting the late miracle of feeding five thousand with five loaves and two fishes, when they had now a less number, and more provisions:
from whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? from what place, and by what ways and means can it be thought, that such a quantity of bread can be got at any rate in a desert, as to satisfy so large a number of hungry men? See Gill on Matthew 15:33.
And he asked them, how many loaves have ye?.... See Gill on Matthew 15:34;
and they said, seven. Matthew adds, "and a few little fishes", which are here afterwards mentioned.
And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground,.... See Gill on Matthew 15:35;
and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake them; See Gill on Matthew 15:36;
and gave to his disciples to set before them, the multitude,
and they did set them before the people; in which they were obedient to their Lord's commands, though they were so forgetful, unbelieving, and stupid.
And they had a few small fishes,.... Which they also acquainted Christ with, and brought out unto him:
and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. It looks, by this account, as if the fishes were blessed, and brake, and distributed separately, alter the blessing, breaking, and distribution of the bread; and so the Syriac version renders it, "upon whom also he blessed"; and the Persic thus, "and he also blessed the fishes"; but, according to Matthew they were both blessed, and brake, and distributed together, as it is highly reasonable to suppose they were both ate together; See Gill on Matthew 15:36.
So they did eat, and were filled,.... Christ and his disciples, and the whole multitude: they not only had some, but they had all enough, a full meal. It was surprising that it could be divided so, is that every one should have a bit; but that they should all be satisfied to the full, is amazing:
and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets; as many as there were loaves; See Gill on Matthew 15:37.
And they that had eaten were about four thousand,.... That is, men, besides women and children, as Matthew observes; See Gill on Matthew 15:38.
and he sent them away; some that came dumb, with their speech, and deaf, with their hearing; others that were maimed, with perfect healing of their wounds, and with their limbs sound and whole; others that came lame, he dismissed leaping; and others that were blind, with their sight restored to them, and all of them full.
And straightway he entered into a ship, with his disciples,.... As soon as ever he had, dismissed the multitude, he took shipping with his disciples; for he was at the sea of Galilee, either at a place near it, or upon the shore of it; see Mark 7:31;
and came into the parts of Dalmanutha; which Matthew calls, "the coasts of Magdala"; See Gill on Matthew 15:39. The Arabic version reads it, "Magdal"; and in two of Beza's copies it is read, "Madegada"; but the Syriac version reads, "Dalmanutha"; and the Persic, "Dalmanuth"; and the Ethiopic, "Dalmathy": it was a city in the coasts of Magdala, and is thought by Dr. Lightfoot to be the same with Tzalmon, or Salmon, a place often mentionedF6Misn. Celaim, c. 4. sect. 9. & Yebarnot, c. 16. sect. 6. T. Bab. Bava Bathra, fol. 82. 2. in the Jewish writings.
And the Pharisees came forth,.... Out of their houses; who dwelt in the coasts of Magdala, and parts of Dalmanutha, and came to Jesus, hearing of his being arrived in their neighbourhood:
and began to question with him; or to dispute with him, it being their manner to carry on disputations by questions and answers. The Persic version has the question they put, and about which they disputed, "if thou art the Christ"; in proof of which they required a sign:
seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him; See Gill on Matthew 16:1.
And he sighed deeply in his Spirit,.... In his human soul; and which shows that he had one, and was subject to grief and sorrow, and all passions and infirmities, excepting sin. This deep sigh was on account of the hardness of their hearts, the malignity of their minds, and insincerity of their intentions; who had no view to come at truth by this inquiry, but to ensnare him:
and saith, why doth this generation seek after a sign? when so many have been shown among them, and they will not believe:
verily I say unto you, there shall no sign be given to this generation: such as they desired; namely, one from heaven. The Evangelist Matthew adds, "but the sign of the Prophet Jonas"; See Gill on Matthew 16:4, Matthew 12:40.
And he left them,.... As a perverse and hardened generation of men, and as such with whom it was not worth while to discourse:
and entering into the ship again; which brought him over, and waited for him:
departed to the other side; of the sea of Galilee, towards Bethsaida, Mark 8:22.
Now the disciples had, forgotten to take bread,.... At Dalmanutha, or Magdala, or whatever place in those parts they were at, before they took shipping, as was their usual method.
Neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf; for thirteen passengers of them. The Persic version reads the whole thus: "and they forgot to take bread with them, not indeed one loaf, and there was no bread with them in the ship"; See Gill on Matthew 16:5.
And he charged them,.... When they were in the ship, and had just recollected themselves, that they had took no care to bring any provisions with them:
saying, take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees; and of the leaven of Herod: in Matthew, instead of "the leaven of Herod", it is read, "the leaven of the Sadducees": which are either the same, Herod and his courtiers being Sadducees, or favourers of them; or the Sadducees being sticklers for Herod, and his government, which the Pharisees had no good opinion of; or else distinct from one another; and so Christ cautions against the doctrines of the Pharisees, which regarded the traditions of the elders, and of the Sadducees, concerning the resurrection, and of the Herodians, who thought Herod to be the Messiah; and against the unreasonable request and demand of them all to have a sign from heaven, in proof of his own Messiahship; See Gill on Matthew 16:6.
And they reasoned among themselves,.... Upon Christ's giving this caution, and recollecting with themselves, that they had forgot to buy any provisions, and take with them:
saying, it is because we have no bread; that he says these words; tacitly chiding and reproving us, for our want of thought and care; See Gill on Matthew 16:7.
And when Jesus knew it,.... As he did immediately, by his omniscience; for as he knew the thoughts and reasonings of the Scribes and Pharisees, Matthew 9:4, so he did those of his own disciples:
he saith unto them, why reason ye because ye have no bread? or imagine that I have given you this caution on that account; or are distressed because this is your case, as if you should be reduced to great difficulties, by reason of your forgetfulness and negligence:
perceive ye not yet, neither understand? the meaning of the parabolical expressions, which he had used them to; or his power in providing food for them, and supporting a great number of persons with very little food, of which they had some very late instances:
have ye your heart yet hardened? as after the first miracle; see Mark 6:52, for it might have been expected, that by a second miracle of the loaves, their understandings would have been more enlightened, and their faith increased, and that they would have relinquished their gross notions, their anxieties, doubts, and unbelief.
Having eyes, see ye not?.... Meaning perhaps both the eyes of their bodies, and of their understandings: they had bodily eyes, and with them saw the miracles he wrought, and yet took little notice of them; and the eyes of their understandings were enlightened by Christ, and yet saw things but very darkly:
and having ears, hear ye not? They had their natural hearing, and yet made but little use of it; and did not so diligently attend to the sound of Christ's words: and though they had spiritual ears given them to hear, yet were very dull of, understanding, and taking in things:
and do ye not remember? the interpretation of parables formerly given, and the miracles of the loaves lately wrought.
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand,.... This, with what follows, chiefly regards the last question:
how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? do not you remember? have you forgot what was so lately done? surely you cannot:
they say unto him, twelve. Their memories were hereby refreshed, and they call to mind the exact number of the baskets of fragments that were taken up, which were above double the number of the loaves, the multitude were fed with.
And when the seven among four thousand,.... That is, when seven loaves were broken among four thousand men,
how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? this surely you must remember, it being so recent an action, but just done, as it were:
and they said, seven; for this, as yet, could not have slipped their memories; though they had, been reasoning among themselves because of their straitness of provisions, as if these things had never been done.
And he said unto them,.... Since this was the case, and they so well remembered the miracles he had wrought, and the circumstances of them:
how is it that ye do not understand? my words concerning the leaven of the Pharisees, of the Sadducees, and of Herod, as to imagine I spoke of bread, taken in a literal sense; or that I concerned myself about the scantiness of your provisions, when you, might have learnt from my late miracles, how able I am to support you, if you had not so much as one loaf with you: wherefore it argues great want both of understanding and faith, and shows great stupidity, ignorance, and unbelief, to give such a sense of my words, and to be anxiously concerned on the score of your provisions.
And he cometh to Bethsaida,.... The city of Andrew, Peter, and Philip, John 1:44; a fishing town, which was situated by the sea of Galilee. Beza's ancient copy, and the Gothic version, wrongly read "Bethany". The Vulgate Latin, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions read, "they came"; Christ, and his twelve apostles, who landed at this place:
and they bring a blind man unto him; for Christ had been here before, and was known by the inhabitants of the place; who, as soon as they heard of his arrival, and knowing what miracles were done by him, brought a poor blind man, of their town, to him, to be cured by him:
and besought him to touch him; having heard of, or seen cures performed by him this way. This man is an emblem of such who are spiritually blind: he had no natural sight at all; he could see nothing; he had not the least glimmering of any thing, until he was touched by Christ: so men, in a state of nature, are quite dark, even darkness itself, until they are made light by the Lord: they have no sight, nor sense of themselves, of their sinful, lost, and dangerous estate and condition they are in; they know not because they are blind, that they are wretched, and poor, and miserable, and naked: they have no sight of Christ, neither of the glory of his person, nor of the fulness of his grace, nor of the nature, necessity, and suitableness of his salvation: they are quite blind as to any saving knowledge of God in Christ, the way of life and peace by him, and the work of the Spirit of God upon the soul; or with regard to any spiritual experience of the power of Gospel truths, or views of the glories of another world: and as this man seemed to be unconcerned himself about the cure of his blindness, only his friends were affected with his case, and brought him to Christ, and solicited a cure, so it is with unregenerate men, they are insensible of their case, and so thoughtless of it, and unaffected with it, and do not, of themselves, seek for a deliverance out of it; nor do they make use of means for that purpose; but it becomes their friends, relations, and acquaintance, that are spiritual, who know their case, and their need of Christ, and his grace, to bring them to him under the means, and pray unto him, that he would put forth the mighty power of his grace upon them, and give them spiritual sight to see in what a lost condition they are, and their need of him.
And he took the blind man by the hand,.... Not for the sake of touching him, in order to heal him, as they desired, but to be his guide:
and led him out of the town; to shun all appearance of vain glory and popular applause, being willing to do the miracle in a private manner; and because of the obstinacy and unbelief of the inhabitants of this place, who were not worthy to be witnesses of such a cure; see Matthew 11:21;
and when he had spit on his eyes; not as a cause of healing him; for whatever use spittle may be of to such that have weak eyes, it can have no causal influence upon, or be of any service, in a natural way, to a blind man to restore his sight unto him:
and put his hands upon him; as he sometimes did, when he healed persons of any disorder:
he asked him, if he saw ought; any object whatever, whether he could perceive he had any sight at all. Christ's taking the blind man by the hand, and leading him out or the town, and spitting on his eyes, and putting his hands upon him, and then asking him if he saw ought, are emblematical of what he does in spiritual conversion, when he turns men from darkness to light: he takes them by the hand, which expresses his condescension, grace, and mercy, and becomes their guide and leader; and a better, and safer guide they cannot have; he brings them by a way they know not, and leads them in paths they had not known before; makes darkness light before them, and crooked things straight, and does not forsake them: he takes them apart, and separates them from the rest of the world; he calls them out from thence to go with him, teaching them, that, when enlightened by him, they should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, and the workers of them; for what communion has light with darkness? his putting spittle upon his eyes, may signify the means of grace, the eye salve of the word, which, when attended with a divine power, enlightens the eyes; and which power may be represented here by Christ's putting his hands upon the man; for the Gospel, without the power of Christ, Is insufficient to produce such an effect; but when it is accompanied with that, it always succeeds.
And he looked up,.... This is omitted in the Arabic and Persic versions. The sense is, that he opened his eyelids, and lifted up his eyes, to try if he could see, and he could, and did see again; his sight was returned again, though very imperfectly as yet:
and said, I see men, as trees, walking: he saw some objects at a little distance from him, which, by their motion, he supposed to be men; otherwise his sight was so imperfect, that he could not have distinguished them from trees: he was capable of discerning the bulk of their bodies, and that they walked, or moved forward; but he could not distinguish the particular parts of their bodies; they seemed to be like trunks of trees, in an erect posture, and which he should have took for such, had it not been for their walking. As this man immediately, upon Christ's putting spittle on his eyes, and laying his hands on him, had sight given him, though it was very obscure and glimmering; so, as soon as ever the Gospel comes with power, it dispels the darkness of the mind, and introduces light; though at first it is but very small; it is let in gradually: the sinner is first convinced of the evil of his actions, and then of the sinfulness of his nature; he first sees the ability and suitableness of Christ as a Saviour, and after that his willingness, and his interest in him as such; and all this is commonly before he is so well acquainted with the dignity and infiniteness of his person, as the Son of God: and it is some time before he has his spiritual senses exercised to discern between good and evil, between truth and error; or arrives to a clear and distinct knowledge of Gospel truths, and a stability in them. Hence it is, that such are greatly harassed with Satan's temptations; are disquieted in their souls; are filled with doubts and fears, and are in danger of being imposed upon by false teachers.
After that he had put his hands again upon his eyes,.... By the former account it does not appear on what part of him he put his hands; but this determines it; and from hence it seems plain, that he first spit on his eyes, and then closed them, and put his hands on them; which last action of his he repeated, though not the former:
and made him look up. This is omitted in the Syriac, Persic, and Ethiopic versions. The Vulgate Latin reads it, "he began to see"; and so Beza's ancient copy: but this he did before, upon the first imposition of hands on him. The Arabic version renders it, "he saw well": this is expressed afterwards. The words are an order, or command of Christ to the man to lift up his eyes, and try again how he could see, and whether any better than before, which he did:
and he was restored; his sight was restored to him as before, and he was perfectly cured of his blindness;
and saw every man clearly; or "all things", as the Vulgate Latin, Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read: he saw every object distinctly, and afar off, as the word used also signifies; he could distinguish men from trees, and trees from men. This man, as before observed, was a very lively emblem of one that is spiritually enlightened by the grace of God: Christ first separated this man from the rest of the multitude; and such are first distinguished from others in election, and redemption, and calling, who are illuminated by the Spirit of God: means were made use of by Christ for healing this man; though the bare actions, without a divine power, would have been insufficient, as the spittle of his mouth, and the imposition of his hands: and, generally speaking, in the illumination of a sinner the word of Christ's mouth is a means; though this, without the efficacy of his grace, is not of itself sufficient. This man, upon his first reception of sight, had a very dim, obscure, and imperfect view of things; could not well distinguish one thing from another, though he saw. As at first conversion, the enlightened soul has but a very glimmering view of things, particularly of Christ, the glory and fulness of his person, the efficacy of his blood, the excellency of his righteousness, of his ability, willingness, and suitableness as a Saviour; and especially of those doctrines of the Gospel, that are more sublime and distinguishing. But as this man afterwards had a more clear, and distinct view of objects; so it is with true believers in Christ; their shining light increases, and shines more and more unto the perfect day. For Gospel light at present is not perfect in any such who have the clearest views of things, have some darkness and imperfection in them; though they may be said to see all things clearly in comparison of what they sometimes did, and others do: particularly saints, under the Gospel dispensation see more clearly than those under the legal dispensation did; the object was at a greater distance from them; they saw the promises afar off; and the medium of their sight or through which they saw were obscure types shadows and sacrifices and dark prophecies. Moses, and his law, had a veil over them; but New Testament saints with open face without a veil behold as in a glass the glory of the Lord Jesus and of Gospel truths: indeed, they that know most see things most clearly and speak of them most distinctly know but in part and prophesy but in part in comparison of the beatific vision; when saints shall see face to face and know, as they are known; they now see but through a glass darkly. How clearly will all things be seen in the new Jerusalem state when there will be no need of the light of the sun or moon of ordinances; but Christ, the Lamb will be the everlasting light thereof in which the nations of them that are saved shall walk!
And he sent him away to his house,.... Which seems to have been in one of the neighbouring villages or was one of the houses scattered about in the fields for the conveniency of rural business.
Saying, neither go into the town: or "that town", as the Syriac, the town or city of Bethsaida:
nor tell it to any in the town; to any of the inhabitants of the town that he should meet with any where or at any time: the reason of this was not merely or only because Christ would have the miracle concealed; but chiefly because the inhabitants of this place were notorious for their impenitence and unbelief. Christ had done many wonderful works among them and yet they repented not; nor did they believe in him; but despised him, his doctrine and his miracles; and therefore for their neglect and contempt of such means he was determined to withdraw them from them. So Christ sometimes deals with nations cities and towns that disbelieve reject and despise his Gospel; he takes it away from them he orders his ministering servants to preach no more to them; no more to tell them of the good news of life and salvation by him: thus he dealt with the Jews who contradicted and blasphemed and judged themselves or by their conduct made themselves appear to be unworthy of the words of eternal life; he took away the kingdom of God or the Gospel from them and sent it among the Gentiles: and thus he threatened the church of Ephesus for leaving its first love to remove the candlestick out of its place in case of non-repentance; and a grievous judgment it is upon a place and people when God commands the clouds to rain no rain upon them, Isaiah 5:6; or, in other words when he enjoins his ministers no more to tell, or publish his Gospel to them; he determining to withdraw from them and have no more to do with them; so Christ and his disciples departed from this place, declared in the following verse.
And Jesus went out, and his disciples,.... From Bethsaida and even from Galilee
into the towns Caesarea Philippi; in the jurisdiction of Philip, tetrarch of Iturea and Trachonitis; for this Caesarea was rebuilt by him and called so in honour of Tiberius Caesar; and the towns and villages adjacent to it are here intended: See Gill on Matthew 16:13;
and by the way he asked his disciples; as they were going from Galilee to those parts:
saying unto them; whom do men say that I am? not that he needed any information of this; for he knew not only what was said by men but What was in them; but he put this question, in order to bring out their sense of, and faith in him, and to impart something to them which was necessary they should be acquainted with; See Gill on Matthew 16:13, where it is read, "whom do men say that I, the son of man am?"
And they answered,.... That some said he was
John the Baptist; which was the opinion of Herod, and others:
but some say Elias; that is the "Tishbite", whom the Jews in general expected in person before the coming of the Messiah and imagined that Jesus was he:
and others one of the prophets; as Jeremiah or Isaiah or some other. The Vulgate Latin reads, "as one of the prophets"; and so Beza's ancient copy as in Mark 6:15. All spake highly and honourably of him: the people in common did not look upon him as a mean person; they perceived by his doctrine and more especially by his miracles that he was an extraordinary one: the several persons which they differently took him to be and make mention of were such as were of great repute; as John the Baptist, who had lately, been among them and whom all held to be a prophet, and indeed was more than a prophet; and Elias who was so very zealous for the Lord of hosts and wrought many miracles in his day; and whose coming the Jews were in expectation of to usher in the Messiah; and none thought him less than one of the prophets; and all agreed he was an uncommon man; even one raised from the dead as he must be, if he was John the Baptist or Elias or one of the old prophets; but they knew him not at least did not confess him to be the Messiah; he not appearing as a temporal prince, they were taught to believe he would be; See Gill on Matthew 16:14.
And he saith unto them, but whom say ye that I am?.... It was for the sake of this question he put the former; See Gill on Matthew 16:15;
and Peter answereth and saith unto him, thou art the Christ; the Messiah that was long ago promised and so often prophesied of in the books of Moses and the prophets; and whom the Jews have so much and long expected. This confession of Peter's in which all the apostles agreed with him speaks out what Jesus really was, and exceeds the most exalted sentiments which the people had of him: he was not the harbinger of the Messiah but the Messiah himself; not Elias in whose Spirit his forerunner was to come and did come; nor any one of the prophets; but he who was spoken of by all the holy prophets; which have been since the beginning of the world. Not one of the various opinions of the people being just, and answering the true character of Jesus, he demands the sense of his disciples which is here given by Peter in their name, and which was right; and on account of which he declared Peter blessed and ascribed his knowledge of him not to flesh and blood but to the revelation of his Father. The Syriac and Persic versions add, "the Son of the living God"; and so Beza found it in one ancient copy; but it may be it is only taken from Mat_16:16; See Gill on Matthew 16:16.
And he charged them,.... His disciples, after he had declared his approbation of Peter's confession of faith, and signified he would build his church on that rock, and the gates of hell should not prevail against it: and promised Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and that whatsoever was bound, or loosed by him on earth, should be bound and loosed in heaven; which are omitted by Mark, but related by Matthew, Matthew 16:17, after this he gave a strict and severe charge,
that they should tell no man of him; that he was the Messiah, and the Son of God; See Gill on Matthew 16:20.
And he began to teach them,.... For as yet he had said nothing to them about his sufferings and death, at least in express terms; but now they being firmly established in the faith of him, as the Messiah, he thought it proper to inform them,
that the son of man must suffer many things; meaning himself, as that he should be betrayed, apprehended, and bound, should be smitten, spit upon, buffeted, and scourged; and which things must be done, and he suffer them, because it was so determined by God, and foretold in the Scriptures:
and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests and Scribes; which composed the grand sanhedrim of the nation, and are the builders that were prophesied of by whom he should be rejected, Psalm 118:22,
and be killed; in a violent manner; his life be taken away by force, without law, or justice:
and after three days rise again: not after three days were ended, and on the fourth day, but after the third day was come; that is, "on the third day", as the Syriac, Arabic, Persic, and Ethiopic versions read; and even the Pharisees themselves thus understood Christ, Matthew 27:63, so the phrase, "after eight days", is used for the eighth day, being come, or that same day a week later; see Luke 9:28 compared with Matthew 17:1.
And he spake that saying openly,.... Concerning his sufferings, death, and resurrection from the dead. He not only spoke it before them all, but in plain words, without a figure; so that it might be, and was clearly understood by them; and he spake it as the word will also bear, not only very freely, but likewise boldly, with an undaunted courage, with intrepidity of mind; being not in the least discouraged, nor showing any concern or fear about what was to befall him:
and Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. Peter might more especially be concerned at this free and open account Christ gave of his sufferings and death, because he had just now acquainted him, that he should have the keys of the kingdom of heaven; by which he might understand some high post in the temporal kingdom of the Messiah he expected; and immediately to hear of his sufferings and death, damped his spirits, and destroyed his hopes, and threw him into such difficulties he was not able to remove; and therefore he takes Christ aside, and very warmly expostulates with him about what he had said, and chides him for it, and entreats him that he would not think, or talk of such like things: the words of Peter are recorded by Matthew; see Gill on Matthew 16:22.
But when he had turned about,.... Upon Peter, and showed quick resentment at what he said:
and looked on his disciples; he cast his eye toward, them at the same time, and expressed to them the same displeasure in his countenance, they being of the same mind:
he rebuked Peter, saying, get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God; things which were according to the will of God, as the sufferings of Christ were: they were according to the determinate counsel of his will; what he had determined in his purposes and council should be; and what he had declared in the Scriptures of truth, the revelation of his will, would be; and in which, according to them, he should have a great concern himself, Isaiah 53:6, and whereby all his divine perfections would be glorified, and therefore may well be said to be the things of God; and which ought to be savoured, minded, and attended to, as things of the greatest moment and importance: and which, though the apostle had often read of in the books of the Old Testament; yet either had not a clear understanding of them, as being the will of God; or however, they were greatly out of his view at this time, his mind being possessed with notions of a temporal kingdom, and of worldly honour and grandeur: wherefore it follows,
but the things that be of men; as were the notions of Christ's being a temporal prince, that would set up a worldly kingdom, and deliver the Jews from the Roman yoke, and make his subjects happy, with an affluence of all worldly things; and particularly his favourites, as the disciples were: these were schemes of men's devising, and were suited to the corrupt nature, and carnal inclinations of men; and these things at present too much possessed Peter's mind: wherefore the Lord rebuked him in a very severe, though just manner; being touched in his most tender part, and dissuaded from that which his heart was set upon, and he came into the world for; whose keen resentment is seen by using a phrase he never did but to the devil himself, Matthew 4:10; See Gill on Matthew 16:23.
And when he had called the people unto him,.... Who, it seems, followed him out of Galilee, from Bethsaida, and these parts; for it was in the way from thence to Caesarea Philippi, that Christ had this conversation with his disciples; who walked together alone, the multitude following at some distance; and the private conversation being ended, Christ called, or beckoned to the people, to come nearer to him:
with his disciples also; for what he was about to say, concerned them both:
whosoever will come after me; in a spiritual sense, as this multitude did in a natural one, and which is the same as to be a disciple of his:
let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me; signifying, that his followers must deny themselves of worldly advantages, and suffer many things, as well as he, which he had been but just before acquainting his disciples with; See Gill on Matthew 16:24.
For whosoever will save his life,.... Life is a valuable thing, and all that a man has he will give for it; self preservation is a principle in nature; and it becomes every man to take all lawful methods to save his life, when it is threatened, or is in danger: but whoever is willing to save it, when it is called for to be laid down for Christ's sake; and rather than lay it down, will deny Christ, and give up a profession of him, and his Gospel,
shall lose it: he shall not enjoy it with honour and comfort now, and much less with peace, pleasure, and happiness hereafter, but shall be under the power of the second death:
but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's; that is, shall willingly part with it when he is called to it, rather than deny Christ and his Gospel,
the same shall save it: though he will lose it now, he will find it again in the resurrection of life; for he will rise to eternal life; when such, who have apostatized from Christ, will rise to shame, and everlasting contempt: this man will have greatly the advantage over such; they will die the second death, or be destroyed soul and body in hell; and he will live for ever with Christ, in endless pleasure and glory; See Gill on Matthew 16:25.
For what shall it profit a man,.... In the long run, in the issue of things, who by denying Christ, and his Gospel, may not only save his life for the present, but procure for himself great riches and wealth:
if he shall gain the whole world; were that possible to be done, and which the ambitious, worldly man is desirous of; yet supposing he: had his desire, of what avail would this be in the upshot of things, should the following be his case, as it will,
and lose his own soul? which is immortal and everlasting, when the world, and the glory of it pass away, and so is of more worth than the whole world. The world can only be enjoyed for a season, and that with a great deal of fatigue and trouble; but the soul continues for ever; and if it is lost and damned, its torment always abides, and the smoke of it ascends for ever, its worm never dies, and its fire is never quenched; See Gill on Matthew 16:26.
Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? To deliver it out of its miserable state and condition; all the riches of the world, and the whole world itself, are not an equivalent to it, or a sufficient ransom for it; riches will not profit in the day of wrath, or deliver a soul from damnation, and ruin: wherefore, if he had the whole world, he could not redeem his soul with it; and he has nothing else to give for it, and therefore it is past all recovery: See Gill on Matthew 16:26.
Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me,.... As suffering, crucified, and put to death; things he had been speaking of before: whoever through scandal of the cross, and fear of men, will be ashamed of Christ, and dare not profess faith in him, but shall conceal and keep it to themselves:
and of my words; the doctrines of the Gospel, of remission of sins by his blood, of justification by his righteousness, and of salvation alone by him, with every other truth relating to him, or connected with these;
in this adulterous and sinful generation; which was so both in a moral and spiritual sense; for both corporeal and spiritual adultery prevailed among them, And particularly the Scribes and Pharisees adulterated the word of God by their false glosses, in which they acted a very sinful part; and such was their authority, that few durst contradict them, or profess doctrines which were the reverse of them. Wherefore our Lord assures his disciples and followers, that should they be deterred by these men from a free and open profession of him, and his Gospel, by which it would appear that they were ashamed of both,
of him also shall the son of man be ashamed; will not own such an one for his; he will take no notice of him; he will not confess his name; but, as one that he is ashamed of, he will turn away from him; not so much as look at him, or say one favourable word to him, or for him; but bid him be gone from him, as a worker of iniquity: this he will do,
when he cometh in the glory of his Father; the same that the Father has; being his Son, of the same nature with him, and equal to him; and as mediator, endued with power and authority from him, to judge the world; and when he will be accompanied
with the holy angels; who will descend from heaven with him, and be employed on earth by him; See Gill on Matthew 16:27.