7. Herod, the governor, heard about all these things that were happening. He was confused because some people said, “John the Baptist is risen from death.”
8. Others said, “Elijah has come to us.” And still others said, “One of the prophets from long ago has risen from death.”
9. Herod said, “I cut off John’s head. So who is this man I hear these things about?” And Herod kept trying to see Jesus.
10. When the apostles returned, they told Jesus all the things they had done on their trip. Then Jesus took them away to a town called Bethsaida. There, Jesus and his apostles could be alone together.
11. But the people learned where Jesus went and followed him. Jesus welcomed them and talked with them about God’s kingdom. He healed those who needed to be healed.
12. Late in the afternoon, the 12 apostles came to Jesus and said, “No one lives in this place. Send the people away. They need to find food and places to sleep in the towns and countryside around here.”
13. But Jesus said to them, “You give them something to eat.”They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Do you want us to go buy food for all these people?”
14. (There were about 5,000 men there.)Jesus said to his followers, “Tell the people to sit in groups of about 50 people.”
15. So the followers did this, and all the people sat down.
16. Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish. He looked up to heaven and thanked God for the food. Then Jesus divided the food and gave it to the followers to give to the people.
17. All the people ate and were satisfied. And there was much food left. Twelve baskets were filled with pieces of food that were not eaten.
18. One time when Jesus was praying alone, his followers came together there. Jesus asked them, “Who do the people say I am?”
19. They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist. Others say you are Elijah. And others say you are one of the prophets from long ago who has come back to life.”
20. Then Jesus asked, “And who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Christ from God.”
21. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone. Then he said,
22. “The Son of Man must suffer many things. He will be rejected by the Jewish elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of the law. The Son of Man will be killed. But after three days he will be raised from death.”