Chapter 20
Feeding the Four Thousand
Verse 1: About that time, when there was a large crowd of people without anything to eat again. And he called his disciples and said to them, | Mark 8:1
2 “I have compassion for this crowd because they have now been with me for three days and have nothing to eat. | Mark 8:2
3 If I send them home hungry, they will faint on the way. For some of them have travelled from a great distance.” | Mark 8:3
4 His disciples answered, “From where can we get enough bread in this desert to feed these people?” | Mark 8:4
5 Jesus asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they answered, “Seven and a few small fish.” | Mark 8:5, Matthew 15:34
6 Then he directed the crowd to sit down on the ground. After he took the seven loaves and the fish, and he broke them as he gave thanks and then asked his disciples to distribute them to the crowd. | Mark 8:6, Matthew 15:35
7 Everyone ate and were satisfied, and the disciples took up the broken pieces that were left over, seven baskets full. | Mark 8:8
8 Now there were about four thousand people, in addition to women and children. And Jesus then sent them away. | Mark 8:9, Matthew 15:38
9 And after sending away the crowds, he got into the boarded with his disciples and went to the borders of Magadan, to the district of Dalmanutha. | Mark 8:10, Matthew 15:39
The Demand for a Sign
10 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and trying to test Jesus, they requested that he showed them a sign from heaven. | Matthew 16:1
11 He replied, “When the evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, because the sky is red.’ | Matthew 16:2
12 And in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and darkening.’ You learn how to read the appearance of the sky, but you cannot read the signs of the times. | Matthew 16:3
13 You read the face of the sky and of the earth, but you have not know the one who is right in front of you, and you do not know how to perceive this moment. | Gospel of Thomas 91
14 An adulterous and wicked generation demands a sign, but no sign shall be given to it.” Then he left them and went away. | Matthew 16:4
The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees
15 When the disciples crossed to the opposite side of the shore, they had forgotten to bring any bread. | Matthew 16:5
16 Jesus said to them, “Guard yourselves. Beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” | Matthew 16:6
17 They then began to discuss with one another and asked, “It is because we have brought no bread.” | Matthew 16:7
18 On noticing this, Jesus said, “You of such little faith, why are you discussing amongst yourselves about having no bread? | Matthew 16:8
19 Do you still not understand? Do you not remember the five loaves and fish for the crowd of five thousand and how many baskets you all gathered? | Matthew 16:9
20 Or the seven loaves and fish for the crowd of four thousand and how many baskets you gathered there? | Matthew 16:10
21 How could you not understand that I was not speaking to you about bread? But beware the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” | Matthew 16:11
22 Then they realized he wasn't talking about yeast for bread, but of the teachings of the Pharisees and Sadducees. | Matthew 16:12
23 Meanwhile, when the people had gathered in the thousands, so much that they began trample in on one another, he continued saying to his disciples, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. | Luke 12:1
24 For there is nothing concealed that shall not be revealed and nothing secret which will not become known. | Luke 12:2
25 Therefore whatsoever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have whispered in private rooms will be proclaimed from the housetops. | Luke 12:3
26 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; rather, be afraid the one in darkness who has authority to cast back into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear that one! | Matthew 10:28
27 Are not two sparrows then sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father knowing. | Matthew 10:29
28 For even single hair on your head are numbered by your father also. | Matthew 10:30
29 So therefore do not be afraid; you are more precious and more valuable than many sparrows. | Matthew 10:31
30 Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me publicly, I also will acknowledge them before my Father in heaven, | Matthew 10:32
31 but whoever denies me publicly, I also will deny them before my Father in heaven.” | Matthew 10:33
Not Peace, but a Sword
32 Jesus continued, “Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to this earth! I have not come to bring you peace but a sword! | Matthew 10:34
33 I have been sent to cast fire upon the earth, and look! I am guarding it until it blazes. How I wish it were already ablaze! | Luke 12:49, Gospel of Thomas 10
34 I have a baptism with which all must be baptized with, and how my soul is troubled until it is accomplished! | Luke 12:50
35 Do you think that I was sent to bring peace to this earth? No, I tell you, but to cause division! | Luke 12:51
36 From now on five in one household, they will be set against each other, three against two and two against three; | Luke 12:52
37 they shall be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law. | Luke 12:53
38 and their enemies will be the members of their own household. | Matthew 10:36
39 Whoever is near me is near the fire, and whoever is far from me is far from my father's kingdom.” | Gospel of Thomas 82