Other seed fell among the thorns, and they grew up and choked it, and it did not produce grain.

But they have no root in themselves and do not endure. Then, when trouble or persecution comes because of the word, immediately they fall away.

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

He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James.

(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they perform a ritual washing, holding fast to the tradition of the elders.

And when they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. They hold fast to many other traditions: the washing of cups, pots, kettles, and dining couches.)

For it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and then goes out into the sewer.” (This means all foods are clean.)

After Jesus left there, he went to the region of Tyre. When he went into a house, he did not want anyone to know, but he was not able to escape notice.

When he learned of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you arguing about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Have your hearts been hardened?

Then, after he went into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”

John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not following us.”

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The expert in the law said to him, “That is true, Teacher; you are right to say that he is one, and there is no one else besides him.

And if the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would be saved. But because of the elect, whom he chose, he has cut them short.

Stay alert, then, because you do not know when the owner of the house will return – whether during evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or at dawn –

Then he came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake for one hour?

When he came again he found them sleeping; they could not keep their eyes open. And they did not know what to tell him.

Day after day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, yet you did not arrest me. But this has happened so that the scriptures would be fulfilled.”

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is this that they are testifying against you?”

But they did not have a child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both very old.