The Demand for a Sign
(Mark 8:11–13; Luke 12:54–56)

1And the pharisees and sadducees came to Him, and captiously asked Him to shew them a sign from heaven. 2But He answered them, In the evening ye say, It will be fair weather, for the sky is red: 3and in the morning, It will be foul weather to-day, for the sky is red and lowring. Ye hypocrites, can ye distinguish the appearance of the sky, and not discern the signs of these times? 4This wicked and degenerate race demand a sign; but no sign shall be given them, except that of the prophet Jonah. And so He left them and went away.

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
(Mark 8:14–21; Luke 12:1–3)

5Now when his disciples departed to the other side, they forgot to take bread with them:

6and therefore when Jesus said to them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees, 7they said one to another, It is because we have taken no bread. 8And Jesus knowing their thoughts said to them, O ye of little faith, why do ye argue among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? 9Do ye not yet understand, nor remember the five loaves divided among five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 10nor the seven loaves among four thousand, and how many baskets-full ye took away? 11How is it then that ye do not understand that I did not speak to you concerning bread, when I bid you to beware of the leaven of the pharisees and of the sadducees? 12Then they understood, that He did not bid them beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the pharisees and of the sadducees.

Peter’s Confession of Christ
(Mark 8:27–30; Luke 9:18–20; John 6:67–71)

13And when Jesus came into the parts of Cesarea Philippi, He asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am? 14And they answered, Some say thou art John the Baptist, others Elias, and others Jeremias, or one of the prophets. 15But, saith He unto them, whom do ye say that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus replied and said unto him, Blessed art thou Simon son of Jonas, for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father who is in heaven. 18And I also say unto thee, as thou art called Peter, so upon this rock, which thou hast confessed, will I build my church, and the gates of death shall not prevail against it. 19And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20Then charged He his disciples that they should tell no one that He was the Messiah.

Christ’s Passion Foretold
(Mark 8:31–33; Luke 9:21–22)

21And from that time began Jesus to acquaint his disciples, that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, and chief priests, and scribes; and be put to death, and be raised again on the third day. 22Then Peter took Him and began to expostulate with Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: may this never be unto thee. 23But He turned and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan, thou art an offence to me; for thou regardest not the things of God, but those that be of men.

Take Up Your Cross
(Mark 8:34–38; Luke 9:23–27)

24Then said Jesus to his disciples, If any one is willing to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me: 25for he that would save his life shall lose it; but he that would lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give as a ransom for his soul? 27For the Son of man will come in the glory of his father, with his angels, and then he will recompense every one according to his practice.

28And I tell you of a truth, there be some of those standing here, who shall not taste of death, till they have seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom.