Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
18 uNow it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, v“The Christ of God.”
Jesus Foretells His Death
21 wAnd he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to xno one, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be yrejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the zthird day be raised.”
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
23 aAnd he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and btake up his cross cdaily and dfollow me. 24 eFor whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he fgains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is gashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he hcomes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are isome standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But the people did gnot receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to hcome down from heaven and consume them?”1 55 But he turned and rebuked them.2 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 iAs they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus3 said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but let me first say jfarewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, k“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
