There were about four thousand who ate. Then he dismissed them.

The people there were amazed by his teaching, because he taught them like one who had authority, not like the experts in the law.

Regaining his sight he said, “I see people, but they look like trees walking.”

He also said, “The kingdom of God is like someone who spreads seed on the ground.

Others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past.”

For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

The second is: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

Jesus said to them, “Have you come with swords and clubs to arrest me like you would an outlaw?

And just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Spirit descending on him like a dove.

He goes to sleep and gets up, night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how.

It is like a mustard seed that when sown in the ground, even though it is the smallest of all the seeds in the ground –

So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him.

As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he taught them many things.

Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.

I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Jesus gave them permission. So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and about two thousand were drowned in the lake.

He said to them, “Isaiah prophesied correctly about you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.

Then Jesus left that place and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan River. Again crowds gathered to him, and again, as was his custom, he taught them.

And to love him with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

It is like a man going on a journey. He left his house and put his slaves in charge, assigning to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to stay alert.