17. And all the people ate and were satisfied. And they gathered up what remained over–twelve [small hand] baskets of broken pieces.
18. Now it occurred that as Jesus was praying privately, the disciples were with Him, and He asked them, Who do men say that I am?
19. And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.
20. And He said to them, But who do you [yourselves] say that I am? And Peter replied, The Christ of God!
21. But He strictly charged and sharply commanded them [under penalty] to tell this to no one [no one, whoever he might be],
22. Saying, The Son of Man must suffer many things and be [deliberately] disapproved and repudiated and rejected on the part of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be put to death and on the third day be raised [again].
23. And He said to all, If any person wills to come after Me, let him deny himself [disown himself, forget, lose sight of himself and his own interests, refuse and give up himself] and take up his cross daily and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and, if need be, in dying also].
24. For whoever would preserve his life and save it will lose and destroy it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he will preserve and save it [from the penalty of eternal death].