1After Jesus called the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave the area. 5Wherever they do not receive you, as you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6Then they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was happening, and he was thoroughly perplexed because some people were saying that John had been raised from the dead, 8while others were saying that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen. 9Herod said, “I had John beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.
10When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. 11But when the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who needed healing. 12Now the day began to draw to a close, so the twelve came and said to Jesus, “Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and food because we are in an isolated place.” 13But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They replied, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14(Now about 5,000 men were there.) Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15So they did as Jesus directed, and the people all sat down.
16Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke them. He gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was picked up—twelve baskets of broken pieces.
18Once when Jesus was praying by himself and his disciples were nearby, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19They answered, “John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.” 20Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21But he forcefully commanded them not to tell this to anyone, 22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”