"Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?"

Jesus answered: "Can the bridegroom's friends fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

So Jesus called them to him, and answered them in parables: "How can Satan drive out Satan?

No man who has got into a strong man's house can carry off his goods, without first securing him; and not till then will he plunder his house.

Jesus also said: "To what can we liken the Kingdom of God?

By what can we illustrate it? Perhaps by the growth of a mustard-seed. This seed, when sown in the ground, though it is smaller than all other seeds,

Yet, when sown, shoots up, and becomes larger than any other herb, and puts out great branches, so that even 'the wild birds can roost in its shelter.'"

But they were struck with great awe, and said to one another: "Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey him?"

"If I can only touch his clothes," she said, "I shall get well!"

There is nothing external to a man, which by going into him can 'defile' him; but the things that come out from a man are the things that defile him."

"What, do even you understand so little?" exclaimed Jesus. "Do not you see that there is nothing external to a man, which by going into a man, can 'defile' him,

"From his childhood," he answered; "and it has often thrown him into fire and into water to put an end to his life; but, if you can possibly do anything, take pity on us, and help us!"

"A spirit of this kind," he said, "can be driven out only by prayer."

"Then who can be saved?" they exclaimed in the greatest astonishment.

"You do not know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup that I am to drink? or receive the baptism that I am to receive?"

"Yes," they answered, "we can." "You shall indeed drink the cup that I am to drink," Jesus said, "and receive the baptism that I am to receive,

Yet can we say 'human'?"--They were afraid of the people, for everyone regarded John as undoubtedly a Prophet.

You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have me.

They were grieved at this, and began to say to him, one after another: "Can it be I?"