The Demand for a Sign
(Mark 8:11–13; Luke 12:54–56)

1Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came and tested Jesus by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

2But He replied, “When evening comes, you⁺ say, ‘The weather will be fair, for the sky is red,’ 3and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You⁺ know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.a 4A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah (dove).” Then He left them and went away.

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
(Mark 8:14–21; Luke 12:1–3)

5When they crossed to the other side, the disciples (pupils) forgot to take bread. 6“Watch out!” Jesus (YHWH saves) told them. “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

7They discussed this among themselves and concluded, “It is because we did not bring any bread.”

8Aware of their conversation, Jesus (YHWH saves) said, “You⁺ of little faith, why are you⁺ debating among yourselves about having no bread? 9Do you⁺ still not understand? Do you⁺ not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you⁺ gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you⁺ gathered? 11How do you⁺ not understand that I was not telling you⁺ about bread? But beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

12Then they understood that He was not telling them to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching {didachēs} of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter’s Confession of Christ
(Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20; John 6:67–71)

13When Jesus (YHWH saves) came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples (pupils): “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14They replied, “Some say John (YHWH is gracious) the Baptist; others say Elijah (my God is YHWH); and still others, Jeremiah (YHWH will exalt) or one of the prophets.”

15“But what about you⁺?” Jesus asked. “Who do you⁺ say I am?”

16Simon (hearing) Peter (rock) answered, “You are the Christ (the Anointed One), the Son of the living God {Theou}.”

17Jesus (YHWH saves) replied, “Blessed are you, Simon (hearing) son of Jonah \Simon Bar-Jonah/!b For this was not revealed (uncovered) to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father {Patēr} in heaven. 18And I tell you that you are Peter (rock), and on this rock I will build My church {ekklēsian}, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

20Then He admonished the disciples (pupils) not to tell anyone that He was the Christ (the Anointed One).

Christ’s Passion Foretold
(Mark 8:31–33; Luke 9:21–22)

21From that time on Jesus [Jesus Christ]c began to show His disciples (pupils) that He must go to Jerusalem (city of peace) and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22Peter (rock) took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. “Far be it from You, Lord {Kyrie}!” he said. “This shall never happen to You!”

23But Jesus turned and said to Peter (rock), “Get behind Me, Satan (adversary)! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God {Theou}, but the things of men.”

Take Up Your Cross
(Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–27)

24Then Jesus (YHWH saves) told His disciples (pupils), “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow (accompany) Me. 25For whoever wants to save his life {psychēn} will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul {psychēn}? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul {psychēs}? 27For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory {doxē} with His angels (messengers), and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

28Truly I tell you⁺, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”