In the morning, while it was still very dark, Jesus got up and went to a deserted place and prayed there.

But when the man left, he began to proclaim it freely. He spread the news so widely that Jesus could no longer enter a town openly, but had to stay out in deserted places. Still, people kept coming to him from everywhere.

Still others are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the people who hear the word,

He went on to say to them, "Pay attention to what you're hearing! You will be evaluated by the same standard with which you do your evaluating, and still more will be given to you,

Then he got up, rebuked the wind, and told the sea, "Calm down! Be still!" Then the wind stopped blowing, and there was a great calm.

While he was still speaking, some people came from the synagogue leader's home and said, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore?"

Others were saying, "He is Elijah." Still others were saying, "He is a prophet like one of the other prophets."

They answered him, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others one of the prophets."

You know the commandments: "Never murder.' "Never commit adultery.' "Never steal.' "Never give false testimony.' "Never cheat.' "Honor your father and mother.'"

He still had one more person to send, a son whom he loved. Finally, he sent him to them, saying, "They will respect my son.'

He came back a third time. "Are you still sleeping and resting?" he asked. "Enough of that! The time has come. Look! The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

Just then, while Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived. A crowd armed with swords and clubs was with him. They were from the high priests, the scribes, and the elders.

Then the high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we still need witnesses?" he asked.