Luke 9:1–62

¹ Then Jesus called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and power to cure diseases. ² And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. ³ “Take nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no second tunic. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that area. ⁵ If anyone does not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that town, as a testimony against them.” ⁶ So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. ⁷ When Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, he was perplexed. For some were saying that John had risen from the dead, ⁸ others that Elijah had appeared, and still others that a prophet of old had arisen. ⁹ “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this man I hear such things about?” And he kept trying to see Jesus. ¹⁰ Then the apostles returned and reported to Jesus all that they had done. Taking them away privately, He withdrew to a town called Bethsaida. ¹¹ But the crowds found out and followed Him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and He healed those who needed healing. ¹² As the day neared its end, the Twelve came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss the crowd so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside for lodging and provisions. For we are in a desolate place here.” ¹³ But Jesus told them, “You give them something to eat.” “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” ¹⁴ (There were about five thousand men.) He told His disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ They did so, and everyone was seated. ¹⁶ Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, Jesus spoke a blessing and broke them. Then He gave them to the disciples to set before the people. ¹⁷ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ¹⁸ One day as Jesus was praying in private and the disciples were with Him, He questioned them: “Who do the crowds say I am?” ¹⁹ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, that a prophet of old has arisen.” ²⁰ “But what about you?” Jesus asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” ²¹ Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone. ²² “The Son of Man must suffer many things,” He said. “He must be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” ²³ Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to com…