Warning against wrong influences1The Pharisees and Sadducees came to test Jesus, wanting Him to show them a sign from heaven.2He told them: "When you see a red sky in the evening you say, 'Tomorrow the weather will be good.'3But if you see a red and overcast sky in the morning you say, 'It will be stormy today.' You can interpret the way the sky appears, but you are unable to interpret the signs of these present times.4Only a wicked, adulterous generation would ask for a sign; and none shall be given to it, except what happened to Jonah." With that Jesus turned away from them and left.5He went across the lake with His disciples, who had forgotten to take any bread with them.6Jesus told them: "Be on your guard. Be careful not to be influenced by the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."7They discussed among themselves what He meant by this and concluded: "He is referring to the fact that we didn't bring any bread with us."8Aware of what they were saying, Jesus asked them: "Why do you talk about forgetting to bring bread? Is your faith still so weak?9Do you still not understand what I mean? Surely you remember how five thousand men were fed from five loaves, and how many baskets were filled with the remaining pieces!10What about the four thousand who were fed with seven loaves! How many basketfuls did you gather on that occasion?11Why don't you understand that I was not referring to bread at all? I repeat, be sure that you do not allow the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees to influence you in any way."12Then they realised that Jesus had not been referring to the yeast used in making bread, but they were to be wary of what the Pharisees and Sadducees taught.Peter's revelation of Christ13When they arrived in the area of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked His disciples: "What do the people say about the Son of Man? Who do they understand Him to be?"14They answered: "Some say He is John the Baptist, others Elijah and others think He is Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."15"Well, what do you think?" Jesus asked. "Who do you say I am?"16"You are the Christ, the Messiah, God's Son," Simon Peter answered.17"Simon, son of Jonah, you are blessed," Jesus said. "This could not have been revealed to you by any man, but only by My Father in heaven.18And I tell you clearly that you are Peter, a rock, and I will build My church on the bedrock on which you are placed. And the very gates of hell shall not overcome My church.19I give you the key truths that unlock the way into the Kingdom of heaven. So you have the authority to restrict or prevent on earth what is not allowed in heaven. And you have my permission to liberate on earth whatever is liberated in heaven."20Then He forbade His disciples to tell anyone that He was the Christ, the Messiah.The cost of following Jesus21Now they knew for certain who He was, Jesus began to explain to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem, where He would suffer greatly at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the religious law. He must even be killed, but He would be raised back to life on the third day after His death.22When he heard this, Peter took Jesus to one side and began to rebuke Him. "God forbid that this should ever happen to You!" he said.23Jesus turned and said directly to Peter's face: "Get out of My way satan! You only want to hinder Me, because you do not understand the things of God; you think only as men think."24Then Jesus said to all the disciples: "If anyone makes the decision to be My follower, he will have to deny what he wants for himself. He must be prepared to suffer willingly any cross of sacrifice asked of him; then he can follow Me.25For whoever is intent only on his own welfare will lose his life eternally. But whoever is prepared to lose his life for Me will find eternal life.26"What good would it do a man if he were to have everything he wanted in this world, yet lose his soul in the process? What could be more valuable to anyone than the eternal destiny of his soul?27You see, the Son of Man will come again in His Father's glory together with His angels. Then He will give each person the appropriate reward, according to what he or she has done.28So I tell you the truth, some of you here with Me will not die before you see that I, the Son of Man, reveal the glory of My Kingdom."
Scripture quoted by permission. The passage above is taken from THE TRUTH VERSION. Copyright © 2009 by Colin Urquhart. All rights reserved worldwide. (The Truth New Testament)