Jesus Says

Once when Jesus was praying in solitude, and the disciples were with Him, He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “ The Christ of God.” He rebuked them and directed not to tell this to anyone.

Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead.”; others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?

He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town shake the dust from your feet in testimony against them.”

The mother of Jesus and His brothers came to Him but were unable to join Him because of the crowd. He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside and they wish to see you.” He said to them in reply, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear the word of God and act on it.”

The Pharisees saw this and said to His disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” He heard this and said, “Those who are well do not need a physician, but the sick do. Go learn the meaning of the words, I desire mercy, not sacrifice. I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.”

“Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she has bathed them with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give Me a kiss, but she has not ceased kissing My feet since the time I entered. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment.”

Jesus said to the crowds: “To what shall I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, but you did not dance. We sang the dirge, but you did not weep.’”

He said to one of them in reply, “My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?’ Thus, the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

After saying this, He called out, “Whoever has ears to hear ought to hear.” Then His disciples asked Him what the meaning of this parable might be. He answered, “Knowledge of the mysteries of the Kingdom of God has been granted to you; but the rest, they are made known through parables so that they may look but not see, and hear but not understand.”

Standing by the cross of Jesus were his mother and his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple there whom He loved, He said to his mother, “Mother, behold, your son.” Then He said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.”