Mark – Gospel 8 – Miracle of Loaves & Fishes

About that time, when there was again a great crowd of people who had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said: 2 “My heart is moved at the sight of all these people, for they have already been with me three days and they have nothing to eat; 3 And if I send them away to their homes hungry, they will break down on the way; and some of them have come a long distance.” 4 “Where will it be possible,” his disciples answered, “to get sufficient bread for these people in this lonely place?”

5 “How many loaves have you?” he asked. “Seven,” they answered. 6 Jesus told the crowd to sit down upon the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve out; and they served them out to the crowd. 7 They had also a few small fish; and, after he had said the blessing, he told the disciples to serve out these as well. 8 The people had sufficient to eat, and they picked up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left. 9 There were about four thousand people. Then Jesus dismissed them.

10 Immediately afterwards, getting into the boat with his disciples, Jesus went to the district of Dalmanutha. 11 Here the Pharisees came out, and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for some sign from the heavens, to test him. 12 Sighing deeply, Jesus said: “Why does this generation ask for a sign? I tell you, no sign shall be given it.” 13 So he left them to themselves, and, getting into the boat again, went away to the opposite shore.

14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take any bread with them, one loaf being all that they had in the boat. 15 So Jesus gave them this warning. “Take care,” he said, “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” 16 They began talking to one another about their being short of bread. 17 And, noticing this, Jesus said to them: “Why are you talking about your being short of bread? Do not you yet see or understand? Are your minds still so slow to comprehend?

18 ‘Though you have eyes, do you not see? And though you have ears, do you not hear?’ Do not you remember, 19 When I broke up the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces you picked up?” “Twelve,” they said. 20 And when the seven for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you pick up?” “Seven,” they said. 21 “Do not you understand now?” he repeated.

22 They came to Bethsaida. There some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and begged him to touch him. 23 Taking the blind man’s hand, Jesus led him to the outskirts of the village, and, when he had put saliva on the man’s eyes, he placed his hands on him, and asked him: “Do you see anything?” 24 The man looked up, and said: “I see the people, for, as they walk about, they look to me like trees.” 25 Then Jesus again placed his hands on the man’s eyes; and the man saw clearly, his sight was restored, and he saw everything with perfect distinctness. 26 Jesus sent him to his home, and said: “Do not go even into the village.”

27 Afterwards Jesus and his disciples went into the villages round Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples this question: “Who do people say that I am?” 28 “John the Baptist,” they answered, “but others say Elijah, while others say one of the prophets.” 29 “But you,” he asked, “who do you say that I am?” To this Peter replied: “You are the Christ.” 30 On which Jesus charged them not to say this about him to anyone.

31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and that he must be rejected by the councilors, and the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and be put to death, and rise again after three days. 32 This statement he made openly. But Peter took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke him. 33 Jesus, however, turning round and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter. “Out of my sight, Satan!” he exclaimed. “For you look at things, not as God does, but as man does.”

34 Calling the people and his disciples to him, Jesus said: “If anyone wishes to walk in my steps, let them renounce self, take up their cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save their lives will lose it, and whoever, for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, will lose their lives shall save it. 36 What good is it to you to gain the whole world and forfeit your life? 37 For what could you give that is of equal value with your life? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, in this unfaithful and wicked generation, of them will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

To read the next chapter of the Book of Mark, please go to The Gospel of Mark – 9.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Mark is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

Mark – Gospel 9 – The First Must Be Last

“I tell you,” he added, “that some of those who are standing here will not know death till they have seen the kingdom of God come in power.” 2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain alone by themselves. There his appearance was transformed before their eyes, 3 And his clothes became of a more dazzling white than any bleacher in the world could make them. 4 And Elijah appeared to them, in company with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

5 “Rabbi,” said Peter, interposing, “it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he did not know what to say, because they were much afraid. 7 Then a cloud came down and enveloped them; and from the cloud there came a voice: “This is my beloved Son; him you must hear.” 8 And suddenly, on looking round, they saw that there was now no one with them but Jesus alone.

9 As they were going down the mountain-side, Jesus cautioned them not to relate what they had seen to anyone, till after the Son of Man should have risen again from the dead. 10 They seized upon these words and discussed with one another what this ‘rising from the dead’ meant. 11 “How is it,” they asked Jesus, “that our teachers of the law say that Elijah has to come first?”

12 “Elijah does indeed come first,” answered Jesus, “and re-establish everything; and does not scripture speak, with regard to the Son of Man, of his undergoing much suffering and being utterly despised? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and people have treated him just as they pleased, as scripture says of him.”

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a great crowd round them, and some teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 But, as soon as they saw Jesus, all the people, in great astonishment, ran up and greeted him. 16 “What are you arguing about with them?” Jesus asked. 17 “Teacher,” answered a man in the crowd, “I brought my son to see you, as he has a dumb spirit in him; 18 And, wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they failed.”

19 “O faithless generation!” exclaimed Jesus. “How long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 They brought him to Jesus; but no sooner did the boy see him than the spirit threw him into convulsions; and he fell on the ground, and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 “How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked the boy’s father.

22 “From his childhood,” he answered; “and it has often thrown him into fire and into water to put an end to his life; but, if you can possibly do anything, take pity on us, and help us!” 23 Why say ‘possibly’?” Jesus replied. “Everything is possible for one who has faith.” 24 The boy’s father immediately cried out: “I have faith; help my want of faith!”

25 But, when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly collecting, he rebuked the foul spirit: “Deaf and dumb spirit, it is I who command you. Come out from him and never enter him again.” 26 With a loud cry the spirit threw the boy into repeated convulsions, and then came out from him. The boy looked like a corpse, so that most of them said that he was dead. 27 But Jesus took his hand, and lifted him; and he stood up. 28 When Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately: “Why could not we drive it out?” 29 “A spirit of this kind,” he said, “can be driven out only by prayer.”

30 Leaving that place, Jesus and his disciples went on their way through Galilee; but he did not wish anyone to know it, 31 for he was instructing his disciples, and telling them: “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of his community, and they will put him to death, but, when he has been put to death, he will rise again after three days.” 32 But the disciples did not understand his meaning and were afraid to question him.

33 They came to Capernaum. When Jesus had gone into the house, he asked them: “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent; for on the way they had been arguing with one another which was the greatest. 35 Sitting down, Jesus called the twelve and said: “If anyone wishes to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.”

36 Then Jesus took a little child, and placed it in the middle of them. Folding it in his arms, he said to them: 37 “Anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even a little child like this is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming not me, but him who sent me as his messenger.”

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he did not follow us.” 39 “None of you must prevent the man,” answered Jesus, “for no one will use my name in working a miracle, and yet find it easy to speak evil of me. 40 He who is not against us is for us.”

41 “If anyone gives you a cup of water because you belong to Christ, I tell you, he shall assuredly not lose his reward. 42 And, if anyone puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe in me, it would be far better for him if he had been thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. 43 If your hand proves a snare to you, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter the life maimed, than to have both your hands and go into the pit, into the inextinguishable fire: 44 Where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched.”

45 “If your foot proves a snare to you, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter the Life lame, than to have both your feet and be thrown into the pit: 46 Where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 47 If your eye proves a snare to you, tear it out. It would be better for you to enter the kingdom of God with only one eye, than to have both eyes and be thrown into the pit: 48 Where the worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For it is by fire that everyone will be salted. 50 Salt is good, but, if the salt should lose its saltiness, what will you use to season it? You must have salt in yourselves, and live at peace with one another.”

Excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Testament Gospels). A faith book especially suited for Progressive Christianity workshops, Bible Study Groups, Unitarian Christians, and all who seek a richer life.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.

To read the next chapter of the Book of Mark, please go to The Gospel of Mark – 10.

Mark – Gospel 15 – Jesus Wrapped In The Shroud

As soon as it was daylight, the chief priests, after holding a consultation with the councilors and teachers of the law—that is to say, the whole high council—put Jesus in chains and took him away, and gave him up to Pilate.

2 “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate. “That is what you say,” replied Jesus. 3 Then the chief priests brought a number of charges against him; 4 Upon which Pilate questioned Jesus again. “Have you no reply to make?” he asked. “Listen, how many charges they are bringing against you.” 5 But Jesus still made no reply whatsoever; at which Pilate was astonished.

6 Now, at the feast, Pilate used to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might ask for. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with rioters who had committed murder during a riot. 8 So, when the crowd went up and began to ask Pilate to follow his usual custom, 9 He asked: “Do you want me to release the ‘King of the Jews’ for you?”10 For he was aware that it was out of jealousy that the chief priests had given Jesus up to him.

11 But the chief priests incited the crowd to get Barabbas released instead. 12 Pilate, however, spoke to them again: “What shall I do then with the man whom you call the ‘King of the Jews’?” 13 Again they shouted: “Crucify him!” 14 “Why, what harm has he done?” Pilate kept saying to them. But they shouted furiously: “Crucify him!” 15 And Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and after scourging Jesus, gave him up to be crucified.

16 The soldiers then took Jesus away into the court-yard—that is the government house—and they called the whole garrison together. 17 They dressed him in a purple robe and, having twisted a crown of thorns, put it on him, 18 And then began to salute him. “Long life to you, King of the Jews!” they said. 19 And they kept striking him on the head with a rod, spitting at him, and bowing to the ground before him, going down on their knees; 20 And, when they had left off mocking him, they took off the purple robe, and put his own clothes on him.

21 And they led Jesus out to crucify him; and they compelled a passer-by, Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross. 22 They brought Jesus to the place which was known as Golgotha—a name which means ‘Place of a Skull.’ 23 There they offered him drugged wine; but Jesus refused it. 24 Then they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots for them to settle what each should take.

25 It was nine in the morning when they crucified him. 26 The words of the charge against him, written up over his head, read: ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 27 And with him they crucified two robbers, one on the right, and the other on the left. 28 And the scripture was fulfilled that said: ‘And he was numbered with the transgressors.’

29 The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads, as they said: “Ah! you who ‘destroys the temple and builds one in three days,’ 30 Come down from the cross and save yourself!” 31 In the same way the chief priests, with the teachers of the law, said to one another in mockery: 32 “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let the Christ, the ‘King of Israel,’ come down from the cross now, that we may see it and believe.” Even the men who had been crucified with Jesus reviled him.

33 At midday, a darkness came over the whole country, lasting until three in the afternoon. 34 And at three, Jesus called out loudly: “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani,” which means: ‘My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me?’ 35 Some of those standing round heard this and said: “Listen! He is calling for Elijah!” 36 And a man ran, and soaking a sponge in common wine, put it on the end of a rod and offered it to him to drink, saying as he did so: “Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to take him down.” 37 But Jesus, giving a loud cry, gave up the ghost.

38 The temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 The Roman officer, who was standing facing Jesus, on seeing the way in which he expired, exclaimed: “This man must indeed have been ‘God’s Son’!” 40 There were some women also watching from a distance, among them being Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Little and of Joseph, and Salome; 41 All of whom used to accompany Jesus when he was in Galilee, and attend on him—besides many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem.

42 The evening had already fallen, when, as it was the preparation day (the day before the Sabbath), 43 Joseph of Arimathǽa, an honorable councilor, who was himself living in expectation of the kingdom of God, came and ventured to go in to see Pilate, and to ask for the body of Jesus. 44 But Pilate was surprised to hear that he had already died. So he sent for an officer, and asked if he were already dead; 45 And, on learning from the officer that it was so, he gave the corpse to Joseph.

46 Joseph, having bought a linen sheet, took Jesus down, and wound the sheet round him, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock; and then rolled a stone up against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Joseph, were watching to see where he was laid.

To read the next chapter of The Book of Mark, please go toThe Gospel of Mark – 16.

This Online New Testament Gospel of Mark is excerpted from the book The Living Hour: The Lord’s Prayer for Daily Life (with New Century Gospels). Including over 200 bookmarked citations from the canonical Gospels, this Progressive Christian book appeals to the Unitarian spirit at the heart of all faiths.

Challenge your perceptions on the Gospel of Christ, Jesus’s parables, and the Kingdom of God by purchasing The Lord’s Prayer book today. Produced by LivingHour.org, a Thailand-based small press dedicated to publishing unique Learn Thai Language books and eBooks, as well as works on progressive spirituality.