Summary
Jesus begins by lamenting the lack of food for the large crowd and miraculously feeds about four thousand people with seven loaves and a few fish, showing His compassion. He then faces a Pharisee’s request for a sign and declares that no sign will be given to this generation. The disciples, still short of bread, are warned about the ‘leaven’ of the Pharisees and Herod, prompting Jesus to teach them about the true nourishment found in Him, contrasting it with the empty miracles. Jesus heals a blind man in Bethsaida, instructing him not to tell anyone in the town, and then travels with the disciples to Caesarea Philippi where He asks about His identity. Peter boldly declares Jesus as the Christ, but Jesus rebukes him as Satan and calls the disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him, emphasizing the paradox that those who lose their life for the gospel will find it.