Study Desk

An opportunity came during Herod's birthday celebration, when he gave a banquet for his top officials, military officers, and the most important people of Galilee.Genesis 40:20; Matthew 14:6;">[xr]

When the daughter of Herodiashis daughter by Herodias">[fn] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. So the king told the girl, "Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you."

He swore with an oath to her, "I'll give you anything you ask for, up to half of my kingdom."Esther 5:3,6; 7:2;">[xr]

So she went out and said to her mother, "What should I ask for?" Her motherShe">[fn] replied, "The head of John the Baptist."

He said to them, "Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves and rest for a while." For so many people were coming and going that theyand they">[fn] didn't even have time to eat.Matthew 14:13; Mark 3:20;">[xr]

When he got out of the boat,of the boat">[fn] he saw a large crowd. He had compassion for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd, and he began to teach them many things.Matthew 9:36; 14:14; Luke 9:11;">[xr]

for they didn't understand the significance of the loaves. Instead, their hearts were hardened.Mark 3:5; 8:17-18; 16:14;">[xr]

(For the Pharisees and indeed all the Jewish people don't eat unless they wash their hands properly,with a fist">[fn] following the tradition of their elders.

For Moses said, 'Honor your father and your mother,'Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16">[fn] and 'Whoever curses his father or mother must certainly be put to death.'Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9">[fn]Exodus 20:12; 21:17; Leviticus 20:9; Deuteronomy 5:16; Proverbs 20:20; Matthew 15:4;">[xr]

you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother.

For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and is expelled as waste." (Thus he declared all foods clean.)he cleansed all foods">[fn]

For it is from within, from the human heart, that evil thoughts come, as well as sexual immorality, stealing, murder,Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Matthew 15:19;">[xr]

Then he looked up to heaven, sighed, and said to him, "Ephphatha,"Ephphatha is Heb./Aram. for Be opened!">[fn] that is, "Be opened!"Mark 6:41; John 11:33,38, 41; 17:1;">[xr]

"I have compassion for the crowd because they have already been with me for three days and have nothing to eat.

When I broke the five loaves for the 5,000, how many baskets did you fill with leftover pieces?" They told him, "Twelve."Matthew 14:20; Mark 6:43; Luke 9:17; John 6:13;">[xr]

"When I brokeI broke">[fn] the seven loavesloaves">[fn] for the 4,000, how many large baskets did you fill with the leftover pieces?" They told him, "Seven."Matthew 15:37; Mark 15:8;">[xr]

Then Jesus and his disciples set out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he was asking his disciples, "Who do people say I am?"Matthew 16:13; Luke 9:18;">[xr]

But turning and looking at his disciples, Jesushe">[fn] rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not thinking God's thoughts but human thoughts!"

For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and for the gospel will save it.John 12:25;">[xr]

For what profit will a person have if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?