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The Pharisees got out as fast as they could, sputtering about how they would join forces with Herod's followers and ruin him.
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Jesus went off with his disciples to the sea to get away. But a huge crowd from Galilee trailed after them -
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also from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, across the Jordan, and around Tyre and Sidon - swarms of people who had heard the reports and had come to see for themselves.
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He told his disciples to get a boat ready so he wouldn't be trampled by the crowd.
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He had healed many people, and now everyone who had something wrong was pushing and shoving to get near and touch him.
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Evil spirits, when they recognized him, fell down and cried out, "You are the Son of God!"
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But Jesus would have none of it. He shut them up, forbidding them to identify him in public.
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He climbed a mountain and invited those he wanted with him. They climbed together.
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He settled on twelve, and designated them apostles. The plan was that they would be with him, and he would send them out to proclaim the Word
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and give them authority to banish demons.
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These are the Twelve: Simon (Jesus later named him Peter, meaning "Rock"),