18. One day Jesus was praying alone. Only his disciples were with him. He asked them, "Who do the crowds say I am?"
19. They replied, "Some say John the Baptist. Others say Elijah. Still others say that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life."
20. "But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
21. Jesus strongly warned them not to tell this to anyone.
22. He said, "The Son of Man must suffer many things. The elders will not accept him. The chief priests and teachers of the law will not accept him either. He must be killed and on the third day rise from the dead."
23. Then he said to all of them, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must say no to himself. He must pick up his cross every day and follow me.
24. If he wants to save his life, he will lose it. But if he loses his life for me, he will save it.