The Life of Jesus

After He had sent them away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone,

but the boat was already far from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea.

When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear.

But Jesus spoke up at once: “Take courage! It is I. Do not be afraid.”

“Lord, if it is You,” Peter replied, “command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come,” said Jesus. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water, and came toward Jesus.

But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out His hand and took hold of Peter. “You of little faith,” He said, “why did you doubt?”

And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down.

Then those who were in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret.

And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding region. People brought all the sick to Him

and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched Him were healed.

Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked,

“Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They do not wash their hands before they eat.”

Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?

For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death.’

But you say that if anyone says to his father or mother, ‘Whatever you would have received from me is a gift devoted to God,’

he need not honor his father or mother with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.

You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you:

‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.

They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’”

Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.

A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”