Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left [the house], and went out to a secluded place, and was praying there.

But he went out and began to proclaim it freely and to spread the news [of his healing], to such an extent that Jesus could no longer openly enter a city [where He was known], but stayed out in the unpopulated places; yet people were still coming to Him from everywhere.

When they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above Jesus; and when they had dug out an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying.

The herdsmen [tending the pigs] ran away and reported it in the city and in the country. And the people came to see what had happened.

And He told them, “Wherever you go into a house, stay there until you leave that town.

He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a little while”—for there were many [people who were continually] coming and going, and they could not even find time to eat.

And they went away by themselves in the boat to a secluded place.

When the day was nearly gone, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is an isolated place, and it is already late;

and ran throughout that surrounding countryside and began to carry around on their mats those who were sick, to any place where they heard He was.

since it does not enter his heart, but [only] his stomach, and [from there it] is eliminated?” (By this, He declared all foods ceremonially clean.)

They brought to Him a man who was deaf and had difficulty speaking, and they begged Jesus to place His hand on him.

They also had a few small fish; and when Jesus had blessed them [and given thanks], He ordered these [fish] to be set before them as well.

The disciples were amazed and bewildered by His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is [for those who place their hope and confidence in riches] to enter the kingdom of God!

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will].

“Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?”

When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet.

I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread and blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.”

Then they went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit down here until I have prayed.”

Then they brought Him to the place [called] Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.

And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See, [here is] the place where they laid Him.