9:18 Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
9:19 They answered, "John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen."
9:20 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "The Messiah of God."
9:21 He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone,
9:22 saying, "The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
9:23 Then he said to them all, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.
9:24 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.
9:25 What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?