³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother:^(A) “This child is destined to cause the falling^(B) and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against,

Many Disciples Desert Jesus

⁶⁰ On hearing it, many of his disciples^(A) said, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?”^(B)

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted?^(A) In that case the offense^(B) of the cross has been abolished.

⁸ and,

They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.^(B)