My Account

Luke

The Testimony of Luke

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Contents

Prologue (1:1–4)

1 Inasmuch as many have endeavored to set forth a narrative of the things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning have handed these things down to us, 3 it seemed good to me as well, since I have investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it for you in orderly sequence, noble Theophilus, 4 so that you may understand for certain concerning those principles which you have been taught.

Zacharias and Elisabeth (1:5–25)

5 In the days that Herod was king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zacharias from the priestly division of Abijah, and the name of his wife, who was of the daughters of Aaron, was Elizabeth. 6 Both were righteous in the sight of God, conducting themselves blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. 7 And they had no child, because Elizabeth was unable to have children, and they were both advanced in years. 8 And it came to pass while he was fulfilling his duties as a priest before God in the order of his division, 9 in accordance with the custom of the priest’s office, that he was chosen by lot to go into the Lord’s sanctuary and make the incense offering. 10 And all the assembly of the people were praying outside at the time of incense.

11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the incense altar. 12 And when he saw him, Zacharias was shaken and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Ghost while still in his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 And he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the understanding of the righteous, to prepare a people ready for the Lord.”

18 And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I know this? For I am old, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And answering, the angel said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. And I was sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and not be able to speak until the days when these things will happen, because you did not believe my words, which will indeed be fulfilled in their due time.”

21 And the people were waiting for Zacharias and were amazed that he spent so much time in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the sanctuary. For his part, he kept nodding to them and remained mute.

23 And it came to pass that when the days of his service were completed, he went to his home. 24 After these days, his wife, Elizabeth, conceived and kept herself in confinement for five months, saying, 25 “This is how the Lord has treated me in the days when he looked on me to take away my disgrace among men.”

The Annunciation (1:26–38)

26 And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph of the house of David. And the young ­woman’s name was Mary. 28 And coming in to her, he said, “Greetings, you who are favored! The Lord is with you. [You are blessed among women.]” 29 But she was confused at the statement, and wondered what kind of greeting this was.

30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son and name him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David, his father, 33 and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his reign.”

34 But Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I do not know any man?” 35 And answering, the angel said to her, “The Holy Ghost will come upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore the holy child that is born will be called the Son of God. 36 And behold Elizabeth, your kinswoman, even she has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be infertile. 37 For all things are possible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord. May it happen to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

Mary in Elisabeth’s Home (1:39–56)

39 So rising up in those days, Mary traveled quickly to a city in the hill country of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it came to pass that, when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leapt in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost 42 and exclaimed with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 And whence has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, my baby leapt for joy inside my womb. 45 And blessed is she who has believed that there will be a fulfillment of things spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced because of God, my savior;
48 because He has looked upon the humble station of his servant.
For from now on, all generations will consider me blessed
49 because the Mighty One has done great things through me,
and Holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is upon generation after generation,
on those who reverence him.
51 He has performed a mighty deed with his arm;
he has scattered the proud because of the disposition of their hearts.
52 He has brought down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and has sent the rich away empty-handed.
54 He has come to the aid of Israel, his child,
remembering his compassion,
55 just as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his seed, forever.

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

Birth and Naming of John (1:57–80)

57 And the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it came to pass on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child, and they called him by the name of his father, Zacharias. 60 And his mother replied and said, “No! Rather he will be called John.”

61 And they said to her, “No one among your relatives is called by that name.” 62 So they gestured to his father as to what he would call him. 63 And after asking for a writing tablet, he wrote, saying, “John will be his name.” And everyone was amazed.

64 And immediately his mouth was opened, and he spoke, praising God. 65 And fear came upon all his neighbors, and all these things were discussed throughout the whole hill-country of Judea. 66 And everyone who heard pondered in their hearts, saying, “What sort of child, then, will this be,” and “Indeed, the hand of the Lord is with him.”

67 And Zacharias, his father, was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
for he has looked after and prepared a redemption for his people.
69 And he has lifted up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of David his son.
70 So he has spoken through the mouth of his holy prophets,
who have been forever:
71 Salvation from our enemies,
and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 To extend mercy to our fathers,
and remember his holy covenant,
73 which oath he swore to Abraham our father to give him,
74 that, having been delivered from the hand of our enemies,
he would allow us to serve him without fear
75 in his presence with holiness and righteousness
all our days.
76 And so you, child, will be called the prophet of the Highest,
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his paths.
77 To give to his people knowledge of salvation
by remission of their sins
78 because of the compassionate heart of our God,
by which the rising star will visit us from heaven,
79 to show himself unto them who sit in darkness and the shadow of death,
and to direct our feet in the path of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit and was in the wilderness until the days of his mission to Israel.

Jesus’ Birth in Bethlehem (2:1–7)

1 And it happened in those days that a writ went out from Caesar Augustus for the whole empire to be registered. 2 This first registration happened when Cyrenius governed Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own city. 4 And Joseph too went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea into the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was from the house and descent of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, who was pledged to him and expecting a child. 6 And it came to pass while they were there, the days of her pregnancy were brought to completion. 7 And she delivered her firstborn son and swaddled him and laid him in a feeding trough, because there was no place for them in the guestroom.

The Shepherds (2:8–20)

8 And there were shepherds in that countryside living outdoors and keeping the night’s watch over their flock. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord glowed around them, and they were terribly afraid. 10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I announce to you good news of great joy, which will belong to all people, 11 because today is born for you in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. 12 And this is your sign: you will find the infant swaddled and lying in a feeding trough.”

13 And immediately with the angel were scores of the army of heaven praising God, saying,

14 “Glory in the highest places to God,
and peace on earth
among men of good favor.”

15 And it happened that, when the angels withdrew from them into heaven, the shepherds began to say to one another, “Well, let us pass through to Bethlehem and see this event that has taken place, of which the Lord has made us aware. 16 And hurrying, they came and found both Mary and Joseph and the infant laid in the feeding trough. 17 When they saw, they made it known concerning the saying which was spoken to them about this child.

18 And everyone who heard marveled at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept all these sayings to ponder in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they heard and witnessed, just as it was told to them.

Circumcision and Purification (2:21–24)

21 And when eight days for his circumcision were fulfilled, then his name was called Jesus; it was so named by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 22 And when the days for their purification were fulfilled, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up into Jerusalem to present him before the Lord, 23 just as it was written in the law of the Lord that, “Every male who opens a mother’s womb shall be called holy to the Lord,” 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was spoken in the law of the Lord, “Either a pair of turtledoves or two young doves.”

Simeon (2:25–35)

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the encouragement of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And revelation had been given to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he should see the Messiah of the Lord.

27 And he came in the spirit to the temple precinct when the parents were taking the child Jesus in so that they could do for him according to the custom of the law. 28 And he took him into his arms and blessed God and said,

29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your saying, ‘in peace,’
30 because my eyes have seen your salvation
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
32 a light for enlightening nations
and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 And his father and mother marveled at the proclamations concerning him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, “See, this boy is positioned for the falling and rising up of many in Israel and for a sign to be spoken against 35 (but a sword shall run through your own soul, too) so that the designs of many hearts shall be revealed.”

Anna (2:36–38)

36 And Anna was a prophetess, a daughter of Phanuel, from the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in days, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood. 37 And she was a widow until the age of eighty-four, who did not depart from the temple since she served by fasts and prayers night and day. 38 And she came that same hour, and praised God, and spoke about him to all those waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

The Youthful Jesus in the Jerusalem Temple (2:39–52)

39 And when they had finished everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee into Nazareth, their city. 40 And the child grew and was strengthened, being filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

41 And his parents went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, having gone up according to the custom of the festival, 43 when the days were finished, while they were returning, the child Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not know about it. 44 Rather, supposing him to be in the group, they went a day’s journey and looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances.

45 And when they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to look for him. 46 And after three days, they found him in the temple sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and querying them. 47 And all who listened to him were amazed at his intelligence and his answers.

48 And when they saw him, they were shocked. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you behaved like this toward us? Look, your father and I have anxiously looked for you.” 49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in the things of my Father?” 50 But they did not understand the saying which he spoke to them.

51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. And his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. 52 And Jesus excelled in wisdom, stature, and favor with God and men.

John Appears (3:1–6)

1 Now in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign, while Pontius Pilate was prefect of Judea, and Herod [Antipas] was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of Iturea and the land of Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of the Lord came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness.

3 And he came into all the land surrounding the Jordan, proclaiming baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, 4 as it has been written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:

“A voice of one crying in the wilderness.
‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight;’
5 every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be leveled,
and the crooked will be straightened
and the uneven ways will be smoothed;
6 And all flesh will see the salvation of God.”

John’s Ministry (3:7–20)

7 And he said to the people who had come out to be baptized by him, “Offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit worthy of repentance, and do not start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 9 And even now the axe is laid at the root of the trees; so every tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And they asked him, “Then what should we do?” 11 And in reply, he said to them, “He who has two shirts, share with someone who does not have one, and he who has food do likewise.” 12 And tax collectors came to be baptized also, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than you have been directed to.” 14 And soldiers also asked him, saying, “What should even we do?” And he said to them, “Extort nothing, do not accuse any falsely, and be content with your pay.”

15 And because the people were in expectation of the Messiah, and since everyone pondered in their hearts concerning John, whether he was the Christ, 16 John answered everyone, saying, “I baptize you in water; but one is coming who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loosen. He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire, 17 whose winnowing shovel is in his hand to clean off the threshing floor and to gather the grain into the barn. And he will burn the chaff with inextinguishable fire.”

18 He declared the gospel to the people by many and varied exhortations. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, having been reproved by him concerning Herodias, his brother’s wife, and concerning all the atrocities which Herod had committed, 20 he added this too on top of everything: he shut up John in prison.

Jesus’ Baptism (3:21–22)

21 And it came to pass that while all the people were being baptized, and after Jesus had been baptized and was praying, the heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Ghost descended bodily on him in the form of a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Genealogy of Jesus (3:23–38)

23 And Jesus himself was about thirty years, being the son, as was believed, of Joseph, the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Judah, 27 the son of Johannan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealthiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Aminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Peres, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Seruch, the son of Ragau, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methusalah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Temptations (4:1–13)

1 And Jesus, full of the Holy Ghost, turned back from the Jordan, and was led in the wilderness by the spirit 2 for forty days to be tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing in those days, and when they were ended, he was hungry.

3 And the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, say to this stone that it become bread.” 4 And Jesus replied to him, “It is written that man shall not live by bread alone [but by every word of God].”

5 And after the devil had taken him up, he showed him all the kingdoms of the earth in a single moment of time. 6 And the devil said to him, “I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, because it is entrusted to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. 7 Therefore, if you will worship me, all shall be yours.” 8 And answering, Jesus said to him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and shall serve him only.’”

9 And he took him to Jerusalem and stood him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, 10 for it is written that, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, that they protect you,’ 11 and that, ‘They will carry you in their hands so that you will not stub your foot against a stone.’” 12 And answering, Jesus said to him, “It is said, ‘Thou shall not test the Lord your God.’”

13 And when the devil had finished each test, he left him for a time.

Beginning of Galilean Ministry (4:14–15)

14 And Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. And news concerning him went throughout the whole surrounding country. 15 And he began to teach in their synagogues, being praised by all.

Return to Nazareth (4:16–30)

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been raised, and entered the synagogue on the Sabbath, as was his custom and stood up to read. 17 And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him, and after unrolling the book, he found the place where it is written,

18 “The spirit of the Lord is upon me
because he has anointed me to declare
good news to the poor.
He has sent me to heal the broken-hearted,
to proclaim liberation to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to send away with mercy the downtrodden,
19 and to proclaim the welcome year of the Lord.”

20 And when he had rolled up the book and given it to the attendant, he sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed intently upon him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled in your ears.” 22 And everyone began to speak well of him and were astonished at the gracious words that came out of his mouth, and they kept saying, “Is not this Joseph’s son?”

23 And he said to them, “You will doubtless tell me this proverb: ‘Physician, heal yourself.’ As many things as we have heard were done in Capernaum, do here also, in your hometown.” 24 But he said, “Truly I say to you that no prophet is accepted in his homeland. 25 But in truth I say to you that there were many widows in the days of Elijah in Israel, when the heaven was shut for three years and six months, with the result that a great famine came upon all the land. 26 And Elijah was sent to none of them but to a widow woman in Zaraphath of the region of Sidon. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the Prophet, and none of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian.”

28 And all that were in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. 29 And getting up, they threw him out of the city and drove him to the edge of the hill on which their city was built so that they could throw him down from it. 30 But he, passing through the middle of them, went on his way.

Healing in the Capernaum Synagogue (4:31–37)

31 And he went down into Capernaum, a town of Galilee. And he taught them on the Sabbath. 32 And they were astonished by his teaching, because his word was with authority.

33 And there was a man in the synagogue who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried with a loud voice, 34 “Leave us alone! What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: The Holy One of God.” 35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him.” And although the demon threw him into the middle, he went out of him without harming him.

36 And fear came upon all of them, and they began to discuss with one another, saying “What [kind of] command is this? For he commands unclean spirits with authority and power, and they leave.” 37 And news concerning him went out to every place in the surrounding region.

Healing Peter’s Mother-in-law (4:38–39)

38 And rising up from the synagogue, he went into the home of Simon. And Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a great fever, and they pleaded with him on her behalf. 39 And standing over her, he rebuked the fever and he freed her of it. And standing up immediately, she began to serve them.

The Widening Ministry (4:40–44)

40 And when the sun was setting, all who had people afflicted by diverse maladies brought them to him. And he healed each one of them by laying his hands on them. 41 And demons also came out of many, crying and saying, “You are the Son of God.” And rebuking them, he forbade them to speak, because they knew he was the Christ.

42 And when it became day, he left and went into a deserted place. And the crowd searched for him, and came to him, and held him back so he would not leave them. 43 But he said to them, “I must announce the good news of the kingdom of God in other cities as well, because I was sent for this purpose.” 44 And he continued to preach in the synagogues of Galilee.

Call of First Disciples (5:1–11)

1 And it came to pass that, while the crowd pressed upon him and listened to the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 And he saw two boats standing along the lake. And the fishermen from them had disembarked and were washing their nets. 3 Upon getting into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, he asked him to push off a little from the shore. And after sitting down, he began to teach the people from the boat.

4 When he stopped speaking, he said to Simon, “Go out to the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon said in response, “Master, we have caught nothing, although we worked all night. But at your word, I will let down the nets.” 6 And after they did this, they caught a great amount of fish, and their nets began to burst. 7 And they motioned to their co-workers in the other boat to come help them. And they came and filled both boats so that they were sinking.

8 And when Simon Peter saw this, he fell down at Jesus’ knees saying, “Go away from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” 9 For fear seized him and all those with him because of the catch of fish they had taken. 10 And it likewise seized James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid, from now on you will catch men.” 11 And once they had brought their boats to the shore, they left everything and followed him.

Healing a Leper (5:12–16)

12 And it came to pass that while he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. And when he saw Jesus, he implored him by falling on his face, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can cleanse me.” 13 And stretching out his hand, he touched him, saying, “I do want to. Be clean.” And the leprosy immediately left him. 14 And he commanded him not to tell anyone: “Rather go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, as Moses commanded, for a witness to them.” 15 But the word traveled all the more concerning him, and many crowds gathered to listen and to be healed from their ailments.

16 And he went off into the wilderness and prayed.

Healing the Paralyzed Man (5:17–26)

17 And it came to pass on one of the days, he was teaching and there were sitting Pharisees and teachers of the law who had come from all the villages of Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 And behold, men carried on a bed a man who was paralyzed and looked for a way to take him in and place him before him. 19 And when they found no way to carry him in because of the crowd, they went up onto the roof and lowered him through the roof tiles with his stretcher into the middle before Jesus.

20 And seeing their faith, he said, “Man, your sins have been forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and Pharisees began to confer, saying “Who is this who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins, except God alone?” 22 But as Jesus perceived their thoughts, he replied and said to them, “Why are you pondering in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’ 24 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take your stretcher, and go to your home.” 25 And immediately he stood up in front of them, took up what he was lying on, and went to his home praising God.

26 And astonishment seized everyone and they praised God, and were filled with fear, saying, “We saw unusual things today.”

Levi (5:27–32)

27 And after these things he went out and spotted a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office and said to him, “Follow me.” 28 And leaving everything, he stood up and followed him. 29 And Levi prepared a great banquet for him in his home. And there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were dining with them.

30 And the Pharisees and their scribes began to murmur to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus responded and said to them, “The sick, not the healthy, have need of a physician. 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

Early Teachings (5:33–39)

33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast frequently and make prayers as do those of the Pharisees, but your disciples eat and drink.” 34 And Jesus said to them “You cannot make the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them, can you? 35 But days are coming when the bridegroom will surely be taken from them; then they will fast in those days.”

36 But he also spoke a parable to them: “No one who has cut a patch out of new clothing puts it on old clothing. If so, then the new tears from the old; the patch from the new is not compatible. 37 And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If so, then the new wine bursts the skins, and it is spilled, and the skins are ruined. 38 Rather new wine is to be put into new wineskins. 39 And no one, after tasting the old, desires the new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’”

The Question of the Sabbath (6:1–5)

1 And it came to pass that while he was going through grain-fields on the sabbath, his disciples began to pick heads of grain and eat them, rubbing them in their hands. 2 Some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not permitted on the Sabbath?” 3 And answering them Jesus said, “Have you not read that which David did when he and those with him were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and taking the loaves of bread of the presence, he ate and gave to those with him what was not permitted to eat except by the priests alone.” 5 And he said to them, “The Lord of the Sabbath is the Son of Man.”

The Man with the Withered Hand and the Galvanizing Opposition (6:6–12)

6 And it came to pass on another Sabbath that he went into the synagogue and taught. And there was a man there, and his right hand was withered. 7 And the scribes and Pharisees were watching him carefully to see whether he would heal on the Sabbath, so that they might find something to accuse him of. 8 But he knew their designs, and he said to the man who had the withered hand, “Rise and stand in the middle.” And he got up and stood.

9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it permitted to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil, to save a soul or to destroy it?” 10 And after looking around at all of them, he said to him, “Hold out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored. 11 And they were filled with rage and began to discuss with each other what they should do to Jesus.

12 And it came to pass in these days that he went out into the mountain to pray. And he spent the night in prayer to God.

Choosing the Twelve (6:13–16)

13 And when day came, he called his disciples to himself, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he also called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The Expectant Multitude (6:17–19)

17 And going down with them, he stood on a level area. And there was a great crowd of his disciples and large multitude of the people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast area of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who had come to listen to him and to be cured of their illnesses; and those troubled by unclean spirits were healed. 19 And all the crowd strove to touch him, because power proceeded out of him and cured everyone.

The Sermon on the Plain (6:20–49)

20 And when he raised his eyes on his disciples, he said,

“Blessed are the poor,
because yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are those who are now hungry,
because you will eat your fill.
Blessed are those who now weep,
for you will laugh.

22 “Blessed are you when men hate you and when they shun you, and revile, and repudiate your name as evil because of the Son of Man. 23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for behold, your reward will be great in heaven; for their fathers did likewise to the prophets.

24 “Nevertheless, woe unto you wealthy,
for you are receiving your consolation.
25 Woe unto you who are now full,
for you will hunger.
Woe to those who now laugh,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe when all men speak well of you,
for their fathers did likewise to false prophets.

27 “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To him who strikes you on the cheek, offer also your other. And from him who takes your cloak, do not withhold even your inner tunic. 30 Give to all who ask of you, and do not demand back your own things from those who take from you. 31 And as you desire that people do to you, do to them likewise.

32 “And if you love those who love you, what benefit is it to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is it to you? Sinners also do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what benefit is it to you? Even sinners lend to sinners so that they may receive in return the same amount. 35 Rather, love your enemies, and do good and lend without expecting anything in return; and your reward will be great. And you will be the sons of the Highest, because he is kind to the ungrateful and to the wicked.

36 “Become compassionate just as your Father is compassionate. 37 And do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; forgive and you will be forgiven; 38 give and it will be given to you; they will give into the fold of your clothing a good measurement that is pressed down, shaken, and overflowing. For with the measurement that you measure it shall be measured back to you.”

39 And he told them a parable as well: “The blind cannot lead the blind, can they? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 The disciple is not above the teacher; but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.

41 “Why do you see the chip in your brother’s eye but do not notice the beam in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the chip which is in your eye,’ when you yourself cannot see the beam in your own eye? Hypocrite, first remove the beam from your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the chip in your brother’s eye.

43 “For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor on the other hand is there a rotten tree that produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by its own fruit; for they do not gather figs from a thorn bush, nor do they pick grapes from a bramble. 45 The good man produces good from what good is stored in his heart, and the wicked produces wickedness from the wickedness stored in his. For out of the abundance of his heart does his mouth speak.

46 “And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not what I say? 47 I will show you what everyone is like who comes to me and listens to my words and does them. 48 He is like a man building a house who dug and went deep and put a foundation on the rock. And when a flood came, the river broke upon that house, but it did not have power to shake it because it had been well-built. 49 But he who has heard and not done is like a man building a house upon the ground without a foundation, upon which the river broke and it immediately collapsed and the fall of that house was great.”

Healing the Centurion’s Servant (7:1–10)

1 When he had finished all his sayings in the ears of the people, he came into Capernaum. 2 And a slave of a certain centurion, who was honored by him, was ill and about to die. 3 And when he heard concerning Jesus, he sent elders of the Jews to him to ask if he would come to save his slave. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they began to urge him strongly, saying that he deserved that this should be granted to him, 5 “For he loves our nation and built the synagogue for us.”

6 So Jesus went with them. And then, when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself; for I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not consider myself worthy to come to you. But order it with a word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For even I am a person placed under authority who has soldiers under my own authority, and I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

9 And when Jesus heard these words, he admired him and, turning to the crowd that was following, said, “I have not found such faith in all Israel.” 10 And when those who were sent returned to the house, they found the slave who had been sick healthy.

Raising the Widow’s Son from Death (7:11–17)

11 And it came to pass soon afterward that he went into a city called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 And as he approached the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd from the city was with her. 13 And when he saw her, the Lord had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.”

14 And approaching, he took hold of the bier, and the bearers stopped, and he said, “Young man, I say unto you, arise.” 15 And the young man sat up and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother.

16 And fear seized everyone, and they praised God, saying, “A great prophet has been raised among us,” and “God has visited his people.” 17 And this word concerning him went out in all Judea and in the entire surrounding region.

John the Baptist (7:18–35)

18 And John’s disciples reported all these things to John. And John summoned a certain two of his disciples. 19 And he sent them to the Lord to say, “Are you he who is to come, or do we wait for another?” 20 And when they approached him, the men said, “John the Baptist sent us to you to say, ‘Are you he who is to come, or do we wait for another?’”

21 In that hour, he healed many from illnesses and sufferings and wicked spirits, and he granted sight to many blind. 22 And in reply he said to them, “Go report to John what you have seen and heard:

The blind see, the lame walk,
Lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear,
The dead are raised, and the gospel is declared to the poor.
23 And blessed is he who is not offended in me.”

24 And when John’s messengers had departed, he began to speak to the crowd concerning John: “What did you come out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you come out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Behold, those in splendid clothing and living in luxury are among royalty. 26 But what did you come out to see? A prophet? Indeed, I tell you, even more than a prophet. 27 This is he concerning whom it is written:

Behold, I send my messenger before your face
who will prepare your way before you.

28 I say to you that, among those born of women, no one is greater than John; but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” 29 And all the people that heard, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice by being baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and scribes rejected God’s will for themselves by not being baptized by him.

31 “To what will I liken the people of this generation and what are they like? 32 They are like children sitting in the market, and they call out to one another and say,

‘We played you the flute and you did not dance,
we lamented and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist came not eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a devil.’ 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children.”

The Woman at the Pharisee’s Meal (7:36–50)

36 A certain man of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him. And going into the house of the Pharisee, he reclined to dine. 37 And behold, a woman who was a sinner in the city, because she knew that Jesus was dining in the house of the Pharisee, brought an alabaster flask of ointment. 38 And standing behind at his feet and weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. And she wiped them with the hair of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

39 And when the Pharisee who had invited him saw, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know what kind of woman this is who touches him, for she is a sinner.” 40 And responding, Jesus said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” So he said, “Teacher, go ahead and say it.”

41 “Two men were in debt to a certain creditor; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other owed fifty. 42 Since both did not have anything to repay their debt, he forgave them freely. Which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answering said, “The one, I suppose, to whom he forgave the larger debt.” And he said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

44 And turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you did not give me water for my feet. But she wetted my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but she, from the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she anointed my feet with ointment. 47 On this account I say to you, her many sins have been forgiven, because she loved much. He to whom ­little is forgiven loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”

49 And those who reclined at dinner began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 But he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

The Earliest Followers (8:1–3)

1 And it came to pass that, afterward, he traveled through city and town preaching and announcing the good news of the kingdom of God, and with him were the twelve 2 and some women who had been healed from evil spirits and diseases: Mary, who is called Magdalene, out of whom went seven devils; 3 and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; and Susanna, and many ­others who served them from their own resources.

Parable of the Sower (8:4–15)

4 And while a great crowd was gathering together and people were coming to him from city after city, he spoke by way of parable: 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. And while he was sowing, some fell beside the road and was trampled, and the birds of the sky ate it. 6 And some fell down on rock, and after it had sprouted, it dried up, because it did not have moisture. 7 And some fell into the midst of thorns, and when the thorns had grown up with it, they choked it. 8 And other fell into good ground, and when it sprouted, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying this, he said loudly, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”

9 And his disciples began to ask him what this parable might mean. 10 And he said, “To you it has been permitted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God; but to the rest, it has been given in parables, so that ‘although they look, they may not see, and although they hear, they may not understand.’

11 “And this is the parable: the seed is the word of God. 12 Those beside the road are they who hear; then the devil comes and takes the word out of their hearts, so that they might not be saved because they believed. 13 Those on the rock, when they heard, joyfully accepted the word. But these have no root; they believe for a time but they fall away in time of trial. 14 As for that which fell into the thorns, these are they who hear but are choked by the anxieties, riches, and pleasures of life as they go forth, and do not bear fruit to maturity. 15 As for that in the good ground, these are they who, hearing the word with a good and virtuous heart, accept it and produce fruit by persevering.”

Light and Knowledge (8:16–18)

16 “No one, after lighting a lamp, covers it with a jar or places it under a couch, but places it on a lamp stand so that those who come in may see its light. 17 For there is nothing secret that will not become visible, and nothing hidden that will not surely be known or come to light. 18 So take care how you hear, for he who has, to him will be given, and he who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him.”

Mother and Brothers (8:19–21)

19 And his mother and his brothers approached him and could not get close to him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside because they want to see you.” 21 And replying he said to them, “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it.”

Stilling the Storm (8:22–25)

22 And it came to pass on one of those days that he and his disciples embarked on a boat, and he said to them, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” And they cast off. 23 And as they sailed along, he fell asleep, and a fierce wind came down upon the lake, and they began to be swamped and in danger. 24 And coming to him they woke him, saying, “Master, master, we are perishing.” And when he had arisen, he rebuked the wind and the surging water. And they stopped, and it became calm.

25 And he said to them, “Where is your faith?” And, fearful, they were amazed, saying to one another, “Who, then, is this? For he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

Healing the Gergesene Demoniac (8:26–40)

26 And they sailed toward the land of Gerasenes, which was opposite Galilee. 27 And as he was disembarking on the land, a certain man from the city who had a devil met him; for a long time he had not worn clothes, nor lived in a house, but was in the tombs. 28 And when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I plead with you, do not torture me.” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to depart from the man. For many times it had violently seized him, and he was bound in handcuffs and fetters to control him, but breaking through the bonds he was driven by the devil into the wilderness.

30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” and he said, “Legion,” for many devils had gone into him. 31 And they kept asking him not to command them to depart into the abyss. 32 And there was there a considerable herd of pigs grazing on the hillside, and they asked him to allow them to enter those; and he gave them permission. 33 And after the devils had left the man, they entered the pigs, and the herd rushed headlong down the slope into the lake and drowned.

34 And when the swineherds saw what had happened, they fled and reported it in the city and in the fields. 35 And they came out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man, out of whom the devils had gone, clothed and in sound mind sitting at the feet of Jesus, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen this reported to them how the man who had been possessed by a devil had been saved. 37 Then the whole population from the region around the Gerasenes asked him to leave them, for they had been gripped by great fear. So embarking on his ship, he returned.

38 And the man out of whom the devils had gone began to beg that he might be with him. But Jesus sent him away saying, 39 “Return to your home and tell how much God has done for you.” And he went out through the whole city declaring how much Jesus had done for him.

40 And it came to pass when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for everyone was expecting him.

Healing Jairus’s Daughter, Part 1 (8:41–42)

41 And behold, a man came whose name was Jairus, and he was a leader of the synagogue. And falling at the feet of Jesus, he began to entreat him to enter his home, 42 because he had a daughter, his only child, about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

And while he was going, the crowds thronged him.

Healing the Hemorrhaging Woman (8:43–48)

43 And a woman who had had a hemorrhage for twelve years, who having spent her livelihood on doctors, could not be healed by anyone. 44 Coming up from behind, she touched the tassel of his cloak.And immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who touched me?” And while everyone was denying it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds throng and press you.” 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, because I noticed power leaving me.”

47 And when the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and, falling down before him, she reported the cause of her touching him in front of all the people and how she was immediately healed. 48 And he said, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Healing Jairus’s Daughter, Part 2 (8:49–56)

49 While he was still speaking, a representative of the synagogue leader came saying, “Your daughter has died, do not trouble the teacher any longer.” 50 And when Jesus heard, he replied to him, saying, “Do not fear, only believe and she will be saved.” 51 And when he went in the house, he did not let anyone enter with him, except for Peter, John, and James, and the father and mother of the child.

52 And all were crying and mourning her; but he said, “Do not cry, for she is not dead but sleeps.” 53 And they ridiculed him because they knew she was dead. 54 And after he had taken her hand, he called out, saying, “Child, arise.” 55 And her spirit returned and she immediately stood up, and he commanded that she be given something to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but he commanded them not to say to anyone what had happened.

Sending the Twelve (9:1–6)

1 And when he had called together the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to heal sicknesses. 2 And he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And he said to them, “Do not take anything for your journey, neither staff, nor a traveler’s bag, nor bread, nor money. Do not even have two shirts. 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. 5 And whoever does not welcome you, as you are leaving that town, shake the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” 6 And departing, they traveled through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Response (9:7–9)

7 And Herod, the tetrarch, heard about all the things which had taken place, and he was greatly perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by ­others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life. 9 And Herod said, “I have beheaded John. Who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he sought to see him.

Feeding the Five Thousand (9:10–17)

10 And when the apostles returned, they described to him all the things which they had done. And taking them, he withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida. 11 And when the crowds found out, they followed him. And when he had welcomed them, he spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed healing.

12 And the day started to come to its close. And approaching him, the Twelve said, “Send away the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and food, for we are here in a deserted place.” 13 And he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We do not have more than five loaves of bread and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men.

And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit them down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so and made them all sit down. 16 And when he had taken the five loaves and two fish and looked up to heaven, he blessed and broke them, and he gave to his disciples to distribute to the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were filled, and the part left over was gathered up by them—twelve baskets of pieces.

Jesus’ First Prediction of His Death (9:18–22)

18 And it came to pass as he was praying that only his disciples were with him; and he asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And answering they said, “John the Baptist, and others Elijah, and others that one of the ancient prophets has come back to life.” 20 But he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answering said, “The Anointed One of God.”

21 And strictly commanding them, he warned them not to tell this to anyone, 22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.”

Discipleship (9:23–27)

23 And he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses himself or suffers loss?

26 “For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 But I say to you truthfully, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

Transfiguration (9:28–36)

28 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, after he had taken Peter, John, and James aside, he went up to the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying the appearance of his face became different and his clothing became white, flashing like lightning. 30 And behold, two men spoke with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in glory, began to speak about his departure, which he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.

32 And Peter and those with him were overcome with sleep, but when they were awake they beheld his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 And it came to pass as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. And let us build booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he was saying.

34 And as he was saying these things, a cloud came and covered them. And they became frightened as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; hear him.” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days what they had seen.

Healing the Possessed Boy (9:37–42)

37 And it came to pass on the next day, after they came down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. And it throws him into convulsions so that he foams; and it scarcely leaves him, wearing him out. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

41 And answering, Jesus said, “Oh faithless and perverted generation, how long will I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And while he was yet coming, the demon tore at him and convulsed him. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy and returned him to his father.

Second Prediction of Death (9:43–45)

43 And all were amazed at the majesty of God.

And while everyone wondered at all the things he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 “Keep these words in mind: the Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying; and it was hidden from them so that they did not understand it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Who Shall Be Greatest? (9:46–48)

46 And an argument arose among them as to who of them would be the greatest. 47 And Jesus, knowing the thought of their heart, and taking hold of a child, placed him beside him. 48 And he said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is greatest.”

Second Lesson on Discipleship (9:49–50)

49 And John answering said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him, for he does not follow with us.” 50 And Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

Turning toward Jerusalem (9:51–56)

51 And it came to pass when the days of his ascension were approaching, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers before him. And having gone ahead they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him. 53 And they did not welcome him, because he was going to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw, they said, “Lord, do you want us to order fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 And turning around, he rebuked them. 56 And they went to another village.

Third Lesson on Discipleship (9:57–62)

57 And while they were traveling along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 And he said to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.” 60 But he said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to those at my home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Commissioning the Seventy (10:1–12)

1 And after these things, the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them two by two before him into every city and place where he intended to come. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is great, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the lord of the harvest that he will send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go! Behold, I send you out as lambs into the middle of wolves. 4 Do not carry a money purse, nor a traveler’s bag, nor sandals, and do not greet anyone on the road.

5 “And whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this household.’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in that house, eating and drinking whatever comes from them, for the laborer is worthy of his pay. Do not go from house to house.

8 “And whatever city you enter and they welcome you, eat what is set before you. 9 And heal the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 And into whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, when you have gone out into its streets say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your city that clings to our feet we wipe off against you. But know this, that the kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I say to you that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city.”

Woes on Galilee (10:13–16)

13 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles which have been done among you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be lifted up to heaven? No, You will be brought down to Hades.

16 “He who hears you, hears me, and he who rejects you, rejects me. And he who rejects me, rejects the one who sent me.”

Return of the Seventy (10:17–20)

17 And the Seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name.” 18 And he said to them, “I began to see Satan fall from heaven like lightning. 19 Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will ever hurt you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names have been written in the heavens.”

The Savior’s Joy (10:21–24)

21 In that hour, he was overjoyed in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you hid these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to the childlike. Yes, Father, for such was pleasing before you. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. And no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son and the one to whom the Son desires to reveal him.”

23 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I say to you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and did not see, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear.”

Loving One’s Neighbor: Parable of the Good Samaritan
(10:25–37)

25 And behold, a certain lawyer rose up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And he said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read?” 27 And answering he said, “You shall love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”

29 But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replying said, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell among robbers, who both stripped him and wounded him and went away, leaving him half-dead. 31 And by chance a certain priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite also came to the place and, when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

33 “But a certain Samaritan who was traveling came upon him, and when he saw him, he had pity on him. 34 Coming up to him, he bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And after placing him on his own animal, he brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And the next day he took out and gave two denarii to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him, and whatever you spend in addition, I will repay you when I return.’

36 “Which of these three seems to you to be a neighbor to the one who fell to the robbers?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” And Jesus said to him, “Go, and you do likewise.”

Loving God: Martha and Mary (10:38–42)

38 And while they were traveling, he entered a certain village. And a woman by the name of Martha received him. 39 And she had a sister called Mary who, after she sat at the Lord’s feet, listened to his word.

40 But Martha was overburdened with a lot of preparation. And standing nearby, she said, “Does it not concern you that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her, then, to help me.” 41 And answering, the Lord said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed. For Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

The Lord’s Prayer (11:1–4)

1 And it came to pass as he was praying in a certain place, when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 And he said to them, “Whenever you pray, say, ‘Father, may your name be made holy. May your kingdom come. 3 Give us our needed bread each day. 4 And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves are even forgiving everyone who is indebted to us, and do not bring us into a time of trial.’”

The Pleading Friend at Midnight (11:5–10)

5 And he said to them, “Which of you will have a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread. 6 Because a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him.’ 7 And he answering from within will say, ‘Do not trouble me. The door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you.’ 8 I say to you, although he will not rise up and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will give to him as much as he needs.

9 “And I say to you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”

Prayer (11:11–13)

11 Should a son ask one of you who is a father for a fish, would he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or should he ask for an egg, would give him a scorpion? 13 Therefore, if you, being evil, know to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Homes and Households (11:14–28)

14 And he was casting out a demon, and it was mute. And it came to pass, as the demon was departing, the mute spoke, and the crowds were amazed. 15 But some of them said, “He casts out the demons by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons.” 16 And others, testing him, kept asking from him a sign from heaven.

17 And he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a house divided against a house falls. 18 And Satan too, if he is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I am casting out the demons by Beelzebul. 19 And if I cast out the demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore, they will be your judges. 20 But if by the finger of God I am casting out the demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

21 “When the strong man, fully armed, guards his homestead, his possessions are undisturbed. 22 But when a man stronger than he comes against him and overpowers him, he takes his armor in which he trusted and distributes his spoils. 23 He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters.

24 “And whenever an unclean spirit departs from a man, it goes through water­less regions looking for a resting place. And when it does not find it, then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I went out.’ 25 And when it comes, it finds the house swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and when it has entered in it dwells there. And the final condition of that man becomes worse than the first.”

27 And it came to pass while he was saying these things, a woman from the crowd raising her voice said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts that you nursed.” 28 And he said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it.”

Signs of the Times (11:29–32)

29 And while the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is a wicked generation. It looks for a sign, but a sign will not be given to it, except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah was a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. 31 The queen of the south will rise up in the judgment against the men of this generation and will condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and behold a greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and behold, a greater than Jonah is here.”

Light and Darkness (11:33–36)

33 “No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar [nor under a vessel] but on a lamp stand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is healthy, your wholebody is also illumined. But when it is sick, your body is dark. 35 Therefore see to it that the light in you is not darkness. 36 Hence, if your whole body is full of light, without any dark part, it will be completely full of light as when a lamp illuminates you with its light.”

Confronting Pharisees and Lawyers about the Law (11:37–54)

37 And when he had finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to dine with him. And going in, he reclined at the table. 38 And the Pharisee was amazed when he saw that he did not first ritually wash himself before the meal. 39 And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. 40 Fools! Did not he who made the outside, also make the inside? 41 But give what is inside as alms, and behold everything will be clean for you.

42 “But woe to you Pharisees, for you tithe mint and rue and every vegetable, but neglect justice and the love of God. You should have practiced these things without neglecting the others. 43 Woe to you Pharisees, for you love the seat of honor in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplace. 44 Woe to you, for you are like unmarked graves, and men walk over them without knowing it.”

45 And one the lawyers answering said to him, “Teacher, by saying these things you insult us too.” 46 And he said, “Woe to you lawyers also, for you load men with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers. 47 Woe to you, for you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. 48 So, you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your fathers, for they killed them, and you build.

49 “Therefore also the Wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets, shed from the foundation of the world, may be charged to this generation— 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary. Indeed, I say to you, it will be charged to this generation. 52 Woe to you lawyers, for you have taken away the key of knowledge; you did not enter yourselves, and you prevented those who were entering.”

53 And when he left there, the scribes and Pharisees began to be very hostile and to challenge him about various things, 54 plotting to catch him in something he might say.

God’s Influence (12:1–12)

1 Meanwhile, when a very large crowd had gathered, so that they trampled on one another, he began to speak to his disciples first, “Guard yourselves against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 And there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not become known. 3 Therefore, whatever you speak in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you whisper in your secret chambers will be preached upon the housetops. 4 But I say to you, my friends, do not fear those who kill the body, and after that, cannot do anything more. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear; fear the one who, after killing you, has power to throw you into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

6 “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. 7 But even all the hairs of your head have been counted. Do not fear. You are worth more than many sparrows.

8 “And I say to you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will acknowledge him before the angels of God. 9 And he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

11 “And when they drag you to synagogues and rulers and authorities, do not be anxious about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say. 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in the very hour what you should say.”

Earthly Treasures (12:13–21)

13 And someone in the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to share the inheritance with me.” 14 And he said to him, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Watch out and be on your guard against every form of greed, because a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

16 And he told them a parable, saying, “The land of a certain rich man produced a good crop. 17 And he thought to himself, ‘What should I do? For I have nowhere to gather my crops.’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this. I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will gather all my grain and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, and be glad.’ 20 And God said to him, ‘Fool, tonight your life will be demanded from you. And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’ 21 So it is with the one who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.”

God as Provider (12:22–34)

22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storeroom nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more worth do you have than birds? 25 And who among you by being anxious can add an hour to your life? 26 If then you are not able to do the smallest thing, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 “Consider how the lilies grow. They neither toil nor spin. And I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 28 And if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, you of little faith! 29 And do not seek for what you will eat and drink, and do not worry. 30 For the nations of the world seek all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you.

32 “Do not fear, little flock. For your Father has resolved to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where a thief does not come near and a moth does not destroy. 34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

Parable of the Prepared Servants (12:35–40)

35 “Let your loins be well-girded, and your lamps burning. 36 And you be like men who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding celebration, so that when he comes and knocks they may immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those servants, whom the master finds watchful when he comes. Truly I say to you that he will gird himself and have them recline, and when he comes he will serve them. 38 And if he comes in the second or third watch and finds it so, blessed are those servants. 39 But know this; if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 And be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect.”

Parable of the Unfaithful Servant (12:41–48)

41 And Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us or to everyone as well?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who is the faithful and wise steward, whom the master will appoint over his servants, to give them their food allowance at the proper time? 43 Blessed is that servant, whom his master will find doing so when he comes. 44 Truly, I tell you that he will appoint him over all his possessions.

45 “But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My master is taking a long time in coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 47 And that servant who knew the will of his master but did not prepare or act according to his will, will be severely beaten. 48 But he who did not know but did deeds worthy of blows will be beaten a little. And from everyone to whom much is given, much will be required. And the one to whom much has been entrusted will much more be asked.”

Coming Judgments (12:49–59)

49 “I have come to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it was already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is completed. 51 Do you think that I have come to give peace on the earth? No, I say to you, but rather dissension. 52 For from this time on there will be five in one household divided against each other, three against two, and two against three. 53 They will be divided father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against the bride and the bride against the mother-in-law.”

54 And he said to the crowds, “Whenever you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and so it happens. 55 And when the south wind is blowing, you say that it will be hot, and it happens. 56 Hypocrites, you know how to recognize the appearance of the earth and the sky. But how do you not recognized this time of crisis?

57 “And why do you also not judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For when you are on your way with your opponent to the judge, take pains along the road to reach a settlement with him, in order that he not drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last cent.”

Tragedy and Repentance (13:1–5)

1 And at that time some were present who reported to him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And answering he said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were sinners in comparison to all other Galileans because they suffered these things? 3 No, I say to you, rather you will all likewise perish unless you repent. 4 Or those eighteen upon whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you suppose they were sinful compared to all the other people living in Jerusalem? 5 No, I say to you, rather you will all likewise perish unless you repent.”

Parable of the Fig Tree (13:6–9)

6 And he spoke this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came to look for fruit on it and did not find. 7 And he said to his vine-dresser, ‘Behold, three years now I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and have not found any. Cut it down! For why should it waste the soil?’ 8 And answering he said to him, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year too until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 If it should produce fruit in the coming year, good; but if not, you will cut it down.’”

The Infirm Woman (13:10–17)

10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, there was a woman who had had a spirit of sickness for eighteen years. And she was doubled over and was unable to stand up entirely straight. 12 And seeing her, Jesus called to her and said, “Woman, you are released from your illness.” 13 And he laid his hands on her, and she was immediately made straight and glorified God.

14 But the leader of the synagogue, incensed that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, answering said to the crowd, “There are six days in which it is permitted to work, so on these you come and be healed, but not on the Sabbath day.” 15 But the Lord answering him said, “Hypocrites, does not each of you on the Sabbath loose his cow or donkey from the manger and lead it away to water it? 16 But this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has bound lo these eighteen years, is it not fitting that she be released from this bond on the Sabbath day?” 17 And after he had said these things, all those opposed to him were ashamed, and all the crowd rejoiced because of all the splendid things that happened because of him.

Parables of Growth and Equality (13:18–21)

18 And he said, “What is like the kingdom of God and to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a grain of mustard which a man took and cast into his own garden. And it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky made their home in its branches.”

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast which a woman took and concealed in three measures of flour, until the whole was leavened.”

Citizens of the Kingdom (13:22–30)

22 And he went through cities and towns, teaching and making his way to Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, are so few to be saved?” And he said to them, 24 “Struggle to enter through the straight gate, because many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

25 “When the master of the house has risen up and closed the gate, you will begin to stand outside and knock at the gate saying, ‘Lord, open to us!’ And answering he will say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from.’ 26 And then you shall begin to say, ‘We ate and drank before you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 And he will speak to you, saying, ‘I do not know you, where you are from; depart from me all who practice unrighteousness.’ 28 At that place will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you are cast out. 29 And they will come from the east and west, from the north and south, and they will recline in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, there are last who shall be first and first who shall be last.”

Jerusalem’s Future (13:31–35)

31 In the same hour, some Pharisees came to him saying, “Get out and go from here, because Herod wants to kill you.” 32 And he said to them, “When you have gone, tell this fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and I perform healings both today and tomorrow, and the third day I will be brought to completion. 33 Nevertheless, I must go today and tomorrow and the day following, for it is impossible that a prophet perish outside of Jerusalem.’

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who slays the prophets and stones those sent to her—how often I have wanted to gather in your children in the way a hen brings her brood under her wings, and you did not want it. 35 Behold, your house shall be abandoned to you. And I say to you, you shall not see me until you will say, ‘Blessed be he who comes in the name of the Lord.’”

Healing a Man with Dropsy during a Meal (14:1–6)

1 And it came to pass, while he was going to the home of one of the leaders of the Pharisees on the Sabbath to eat bread, they were closely observing him. 2 And behold, a certain man was before him who had edema. 3 And answering, Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, saying, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath or not?” 4 But they kept silent. And he took hold of him, healed him, and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Who among you, should his son or cow fall into a pit, would not immediately pull him up on the Sabbath day?” 6 And they were not able to respond to these things.

Parable of the Marriage Feast (14:7–11)

7 And he spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they selected the prime seats, saying to them, 8 “Whenever you are invited by someone to a wedding, do not recline in the place of honor, lest at some time someone more honorable than you is invited there by him, 9 and the one who invited you and him comes and says to you, ‘Give place to him.’ And then you will begin with shame to take the last place. 10 Rather, when you are invited, go and recline in the last place so that when he who has invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then honor will be yours before everyone with whom you recline for dinner. 11 Because he who lifts himself up shall be humbled, and he who humbles himself shall be lifted up.”

The Proper Guest List (14:12–14)

12 And he also spoke to the one who invited him, “When you make a breakfast or supper, do not call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you and a returned favor come to you. 13 Rather, when you host a banquet, invite the poor, the deformed, the lame, the blind. 14 And blessed will you be because they do not have anything to give you in return; for you will be repaid in the resurrection of the just.”

The Great Supper (14:15–24)

15 But one of those listening to these things and reclining at the table said to him, “Blessed is he who eats bread in the kingdom of God.” 16 And he said to him, “A certain man made a great meal, and invited many. 17 And he sent his slave in the hour of the feast to say to those who had been invited, ‘Come, for all is now prepared.’ 18 And all began at once to decline. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a farm, and I need to go out to see it. I beg you to excuse me.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them. I beg you to excuse me.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and because of this I cannot come.’

21 “And when the slave returned, he reported to his master these things. Then the owner of the house in anger said to his slave, ‘Go swiftly into the streets and the alleys of the city, and bring here the poor, the deformed, the blind, and the lame.’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Lord, it has been done as you ordered, and yet there is still room.’ 23 And the lord said to his slave, ‘Go out into the roads and hedges and compel them to come in so that my house might be full. 24 For I say to you that not one of those men who were invited shall taste of my meal.’”

True Discipleship (14:25–35)

25 And large crowds flocked to him, and turning he said to them, 26 “If someone comes to me, and does not hate his own father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers, and sisters, and even his own soul, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

28 “For who among you, desiring to erect a tower, does not first sit down to reckon the expense, whether he has means to complete it? 29 Lest, after he has laid its foundation but cannot finish it, all who see this begin to mock him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build, but cannot finish.’ 31 Or what king goes to war against another king without first sitting down to take counsel as to whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose him who comes against him with twenty thousand? 32 And if not, he will send an embassy to plead for peace terms while he is still far off. 33 So then, everyone of you who do not take leave of all your possessions cannot be my disciple.

34 “Salt is good; but if the salt also becomes tasteless, how will it be seasoned? 35 It is fit neither for the earth nor for the dunghill; they throw it out. Let him who has ears to hear hear!”

Table Fellowship with Sinners (15:1–2)

1 And all the publicans and sinners were drawing near to him to listen to him. 2 And the scribes and Pharisees began to murmur, saying that, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

Parable of the Lost Sheep (15:3–7)

3 And he told them this parable, saying, 4 “What man among you who has one hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety and nine behind in the wilderness and set out after the lost one until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he places it upon his shoulders with joy. 6 And when he comes back to his house, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 I say to you that there will be this kind of joy in heaven over one sinner repenting more than over ninety-nine righteous who need no repentance.”

Parable of the Lost Coin (15:8–10)

8 “Or what woman having ten drachmas, if she should lose one drachma, does not kindle a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And upon finding it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the drachma which I lost.’ 10 So, I say to you, there will be joy among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

Parable of the Prodigal Son (15:11–32)

11 And he said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give to me that portion of the estate which falls to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 And after a few days, when the young man had gathered everything, he went abroad into a far land, and there he squandered his goods by living dissolutely. 14 When he had exhausted everything, a serious famine arose across that land, and he began to be in short supply. 15 And he went and joined with one of the citizens in that land, and he sent him into his fields to tend swine. 16 And he desired to eat his fill from the carob pods which the pigs were eating. And no one gave him anything.

17 “But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am perishing here from hunger. 18 I will rise up and go to my father and say to him, Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.’ 20 And he rose up and went to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and felt compassion and, running, fell upon his neck and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring out the best robe and clothe him, and put a ring on his hand and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf, slaughter it, and we will rejoice while eating it, 24 because this, my son, was dead and has come alive again, he was lost and was found.’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “But his older son was in the field; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And calling one of the servants to him, he inquired what was going on. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf, because he received him in good health.’ 28 Then he became angry and did not want to go inside. And coming outside, his father called to him. 29 Then answering, he said to his father, ‘Look, for so many years I have worked like a slave for you and have never neglected one of your commandments. And you have never given me a kid so that I might celebrate with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came who has devoured your property with harlots, you slaughtered the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. 32 But it was necessary to celebrate and rejoice because this brother of yours was dead, and has come alive; and he was lost and was found.’”

Parable of the Unjust Steward (16:1–12)

1 And he began to speak also to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a steward, and he was accused before him as squandering his property. 2 And after he had called him, he said to him, ‘What is this I hear concerning you? Give an accounting of your stewardship, for you can no longer be steward.’ 3 And the steward said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my lord is taking away the stewardship from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I should do so that, when I am removed from my stewardship, they will receive me into their houses.’

5 “And summoning each one of his lord’s debtors, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my lord?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And you, how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill and write eighty.’ 8 And the lord commended the unjust steward because he acted shrewdly—because the sons of this age are more shrewd in their generation than the sons of light.

9 “And I say to you, make for yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness so that, when it fails, they may receive you into the everlasting dwellings. 10 He who is trustworthy in little is also trustworthy in much, and he who is unjust in little is also unjust in much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in unrighteous mammon, who will entrust to you the real riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy in what is ­another’s, who will give to you what is yours?”

Forbidden Paths (16:13–18)

13 “No house-slave can serve two masters; for he will either hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

14 And the Pharisees who loved money, were listening to all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men. But God knows your hearts; for that which is lofty among men is an abomination before God.

16 “The law and the prophets were until John; since then the kingdom of God is preached, and all are forcing their way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of the law to fail.

18 “Every one who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries a woman who has been divorced from her husband commits adultery.”

Parable of Dives and Lazarus (16:19–31)

19 “There was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen and made merry in splendor every day. 20 A certain poor man named Lazarus had been laid at his gates, covered with sores 21 and wanting to be fed from what fell from the rich man’s table. Further, even the dogs, when they came, kept licking his sores. 22 And it came to pass that the poor man died and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. And the rich man also died and was buried.

23 “And in Hades, when he raised his eyes, being in torment, he saw Abraham from afar and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And calling out, he said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus to wet the tip of his finger with water and cool my tongue, because I suffer in this blaze.’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you received your good things in your life, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now, here, he is comforted and you suffer. 26 And besides all this, a great chasm has been placed between us and you, so that those who want to cross from here to you cannot, nor from there might they pass over to us.’

27 “But he said, ‘Then I beg you, Father, that you send him to the house of my father, 28 for I have five brothers, that he may bear witness to them, that they might not also come to this place of torment.’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 But he said, ‘No, Father Abraham. Rather, should someone from the dead come to them, they will repent.’ 31 But he said, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not be persuaded should someone rise from the dead.’”

Offenses (17:1–4)

1 And he said to his disciples, “It is impossible for temptations not to come, but woe to the one through whom it comes! 2 It is better for him if a millstone is hung around his neck and cast into the sea than that he should tempt one of these little ones.

3 “Watch yourselves. If your brother should sin, censure him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins seven times in the day against you and turns to you seven times saying ‘I repent,’ you will forgive him.”

Increasing Faith (17:5–10)

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Confer faith on us.” 6 And the Lord said, “If you have faith as a seed of mustard, you could say to [this] mulberry tree, ‘Be rooted out and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “And who among you having a ploughman or shepherd slave will say to him as he comes in from the field, ‘Come now and sit,’ 8 but not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to dine on, and after girding yourself, serve me while I eat and drink, and there­after you eat and drink?’ 9 Are you not thankful to the slave that he did what he was commanded? 10 Likewise you too, when you do all that is commanded you, you say, ‘We are unprofitable slaves; we have done what we were obliged to do.’”

Cleansing Ten Lepers (17:11–19)

11 And it came to pass, while going to Jerusalem, that he also went through the middle of Samaria and Galilee. 12 And when he had come into a certain village, ten leprous men met him, who stood at a distance. 13 And they raised their voice, saying, “Jesus, master, have mercy on us.” 14 And when he saw them, he said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And it came to pass that, while they were going away, they were cleansed.

15 One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a great cry, 16 and fell on his face at his feet, and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 And Jesus replied saying, “Were not the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were they not found turning back to give glory to God except this stranger?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go. Your faith has saved you.”

Second Coming (17:20–37)

20 And being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God will come, he replied to them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with close observation, 21 nor will they say, ‘Look here,’ or ‘There.’ For behold, the kingdom of God is among you.”

22 And he said to the disciples, “Days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 And they will say to you, ‘Look there’ [or] ‘Look here.’ Do not follow or pursue. 24 For just as the lightning flashes and gives light from that part under heaven to this part under heaven, so shall the Son of Man be [in his day]. 25 But first it is necessary for him to suffer many things and to be rejected of this generation.

26 “And just as it happened in the days of Noah, so it will be in the days of the Son of Man too: 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and were given in marriage until the day when Noah entered the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed everyone. 28 And likewise, just as it happened in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built. 29 But the day when Lot went out of Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven, and destroyed everyone.

30 “It will be like these things in the day the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day, whoever will be upon his housetop, and his goods in his home, do not go down to pick them up. And likewise, he in the field do not turn back. 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, and he who loses it will save it. 34 I say unto you, on that night two persons will be in one bed, the one will be taken and the other will be left behind; 35 two women will be grinding together, the one will be taken and the other will be left behind.” 37 And answering, they said to him, “Where, Lord?” And he said to them, “Where the body is, there the eagles will also be gathered together.”

Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge (18:1–8)

1 And he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray and not lose heart, 2 saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who did not fear God and did not have regard for man. 3 And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him saying, ‘See that I get justice from my opponent.’ 4 And he would not for a time. But after these things, he said in himself, ‘Though I do not fear God or have any regard for man, 5 because this widow is annoying me I will get her justice, lest she incessantly come and aggravate me.’”

6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 But will not God surely defend his elect who cry to him day and night? Also, is he delaying long over them? 8 I say to you that he will hastily see justice done for them. But will the Son of Man therefore find faith on the earth when he comes?”

The Pharisee and the Publican (18:9–14)

9 And he also spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and were disdainful of everyone else: 10 “Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed these things to himself, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men, robbers, criminals, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week, I give away a tenth of everything I gain.’ 13 But the tax collector stood afar off and did not even want to lift his eyes to heaven, but began to beat his chest, saying, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ 14 I say to you, this one went down to his home justified instead of the other, because each one who lifts himself up will be humbled, but he who humbles himself, will be lifted up.”

Blessing Little Children (18:15–17)

15 And they brought to him also babies, so that he might touch them. But when the disciples saw, they began to rebuke them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Allow the children to come to me, and do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly, I say to you, he who will not receive the kingdom of God as a child, shall surely not enter into it.”

The Rich Ruler (18:18–25)

18 And one of the rulers asked him saying, “Good teacher, what do I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one: God. 20 You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor your father and mother.” 21 And he said, “I have observed all these things from youth.” 22 And when Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing: sell everything you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me.” 23 But when he heard these things, he became deeply grieved, for he was very rich.

24 When Jesus saw him [being deeply grieved], he said, “How difficult it is for those who have money to enter into the kingdom of God. 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”

On Discipleship and Rewards (18:26–30)

26 And they who were listening said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 And he said, “Things that are impossible for men are possible for God.”

28 And Peter said, “Behold, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I say to you that there is no one who has left home or wife or siblings or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who shall not receive many times more in this time, and eternal life in the world to come.”

Jesus’ Fourth Prediction of His Suffering (18:31–34)

31 And taking the twelve aside, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be fulfilled. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles, and he will be mocked and despitefully treated and spit on. 33 And after they flog him, they will kill him, and he will rise on the third day. 34 And they understood none of these things, and this saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Healing the Blind Man outside Jericho (18:35–43)

35 And it came to pass that, when he came close to Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road begging. 36 And when he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was going on. 37 And they reported to him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.” 38 And he shouted, saying, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on me.” 39 And they who were going ahead rebuked him, that he should be quiet. But he cried all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me.” 40 And Jesus, when he had stopped, commanded that he be led to him. When he had come near, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, that I see again.” 42 And Jesus said to him, “See again! Your faith has saved you.” 43 And immediately he regained his sight, and he followed him, glorifying God. And all the people who saw gave praise to God.

Meeting with Zacchaeus (19:1–10)

1 And entering Jericho he began to pass through it. 2 And behold, there was a man called Zacchaeus by name. And he was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. 3 And he sought to see who Jesus was, and he was not able owing to the crowd because he was small in stature. 4 And running ahead, he climbed up into a sycamore tree in order to see him, because he was about to pass through there. 5 And when he came to the spot, Jesus looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry down, for I must stay in your house this day.” 6 And he hurried down and received him joyfully.

7 And when everyone saw, they began to murmur, saying that he went in to lodge with a sinner. 8 But standing there, Zacchaeus said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions I give to the poor, Lord, and if I have extorted anything, I pay him back four times as much.” 9 And Jesus said to him, “This day salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to search out and save the lost.”

Parable of the Pounds (19:11–27)

11 And after they heard these things, he went on to tell them a parable because he was near to Jerusalem and it seemed to them that the kingdom of God was going to be revealed immediately. 12 Therefore he said, “A certain nobleman went into a far land to receive a kingdom for himself and then return. 13 And, summoning ten of his servants, he gave them ten pounds, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I return.’ 14 But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be king over us.’

15 “And it came to pass that, when he was returned from having received the kingship, he said that those servants to whom he had given the money should be summoned to him, so he might know what they had gained by trading. 16 And the first came saying, ‘Your pound has earned ten pounds.’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant. Because you were dependable in a very small matter, you will have authority over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came to him and said, ‘Your pound, master, has produced five pounds.’ 19 So he said to this one, ‘And you will be over five cities.’ 20 And the other came saying, ‘Master, behold your pound, which I have kept stored away in a napkin. 21 For I feared you, because you are an exacting man; you take out what you have not put in and you reap what you have not sown.’ 22 He said to him, ‘I condemn you from your own mouth, wicked servant. You knew, didn’t you, that I am an exacting man, taking out what I have not put in and reaping what I did not sow? 23 Then why did you not put my money in a bank, and when I came, I would collect it with interest?’

24 “And to those who stood by he said, ‘Take the pound from him and give it to the one who has ten pounds.’ (25 And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten pounds.’) 26 ‘I say to you, to all those who have shall it be given, but from the one who does not have, even what he has shall be taken away. 27 But as for these my enemies who did not want me to be king over them, bring them here and execute them before me.’”

Ascent to the Mount of Olives (19:28–40)

28 And when he had said these things, he went ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it came to pass, when he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount called Olivet, he sent off two of the disciples, 30 saying, “Go to the village on the opposite side. When you enter, you will find a colt tied up, on which no man has ever sat. And when you have released it, bring it. 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you releasing it?’ reply this way, ‘Because the Lord has need of it.’”

32 And when those who were sent went, they found it just as he had told them. 33 And as they were releasing the colt, its masters said to them, “Why are you releasing the colt?” 34 And they said, “Because the Lord has need of it.” 35 And they brought it to Jesus. And after they had thrown their clothes on the colt, they put Jesus on it.

36 And as he was making his way, they kept spreading their clothes on the road. 37 And as he approached the descent down the Mount of Olives, the entire multitude of the disciples began to praise God joyfully in a loud voice for all the mighty works they had seen, 38 saying, “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord; peace be in heaven and glory in the highest!” 39 And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples.” 40 And replying he said to them, “I say to you, if these keep silent, the stones will cry out.”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem (19:41–44)

41 And as he drew near, when he saw the city he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you—even you—knew on this day the things that concern peace, but now it is hidden from your eyes. 43 Because the days will come upon you, and your enemies will throw palisades against you, and surround you, and press upon you from every side. 44 And they will dash to the ground you and your children within you, and they will not leave stone upon stone within you, because you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

In the Temple (19:45–48)

45 And after he had gone into the temple, he began to throw out those who were buying and selling, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘My house will be a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of brigands.”

47 And he was teaching every day in the temple. But the chief priests and scribes sought to kill him, as did the chiefs of the people. 48 And they did not find what they might do, for all the people hung on him as they listened.

By What Authority? (20:1–8)

1 And it happened on one of the days, as he was teaching the people and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and scribes came up with the elders, 2 and they spoke to him, saying, “Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who is the one who gave to you this authority?” 3 And answering he said to them, “I likewise will ask you a question, and you answer me: 4 Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?” 5 And they discussed among themselves, saying,“If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From man,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 And they answered that they did not know from where it came. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen (20:9–16)

9 He began to tell this parable to the people: “A man planted a vineyard, and he leased it to tenant farmers, and he went abroad for a long time. 10 And at the right season he sent a servant to the tenants in order that they would give to him from the fruit of the vineyard. But after beating him, the tenants sent him away empty-handed. 11 And he sent another servant. But after beating and insulting him too, they sent him away empty-handed. 12 And again he sent a third servant. And after wounding him, they drove him out. 13 And the lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do? I will send my beloved son. Perhaps they will have regard for him.’ 14 But after seeing him, the tenants deliberated with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir, let us kill him that the inheritance may be ours.’ 15 And after driving him out from the vineyard, they killed him.

“What then will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy these tenants, and he will give the vineyard to others.” And when they heard this, they said, “May it not be!”

The Rejected Stone (20:17–19)

17 And fixing his gaze on them, he said, “What does it mean that is written: ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this has become the capstone?’ 18 All who fall upon that stone will be dashed to pieces, and upon whomever it falls, it will crush him.” 19 And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay their hands upon him that very hour, and they feared the people, for they knew that he had spoken the parable about them.

Render to Caesar (20:20–26)

20 And watching closely, they sent spies feigning themselves to be just men, that they might catch him in a word, so that they might deliver him into the jurisdiction and authority of the prefect. 21 And they asked him, saying “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly, and you do not show favoritism, but that you teach the way of God in accordance with truth. 22 Is it proper to give tribute to Caesar or not?” 23 But perceiving their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?” And they said, “Caesar’s.” 25 And he said to them, “Therefore give the things of Caesar to Caesar, and the things of God to God.” 26 And they were not able to catch him in what he said in front of the people. And being amazed at his answer, they kept silent.

Marriage and Resurrection (20:27–40)

27 When some of the Sadducees, who claim that there is no resurrection, came to him, they questioned him, 28 saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If someone’s brother dies having a wife, and this man is childless, that his brother should take the man’s wife and raise up seed for his brother.’ 29 Accordingly, there were seven brothers, and the first, taking a wife, died childless. 30 And the second 31 and the third took her, and also the seven in like manner, and they did not leave behind children, and they died. 32 Lastly, the woman also died. In the resurrection, whose wife will the woman be? For the seven had her as wife.”

34 And Jesus said to them, “The children of this world marry and allow themselves to marry. 35 But those judged worthy to obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor allow themselves to marry. 36 For they are no longer able to die, for they are like the angels and, being sons of the resurrection, they are sons of God. 37 And that the dead are raised, even Moses disclosed at the bush when he called the Lord ‘the God of the Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ 38 He is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to Him.”

39 And answering, some of the scribes said, “Teacher, you spoke well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him anything.

David’s Son and Lord (20:41–44)

41 And he said to them, “How do they say that the Christ is the son of David? 42 For David himself said in the book of Psalms, ‘The Lord said to my lord, sit on my right hand, 43 until I place your enemies beneath your footstool.’ 44 David then called him lord, and how is he his son?”

The Widow’s Two Mites (21:1–4)

1 And looking up, he saw the rich casting their offerings into the treasury. 2 And he saw there a poor widow casting in two copper coins. 3 And he said, “Truly, I say to you that this poor widow has cast in more than they all. 4 For all these men from their abundance have cast into the offering chests, but she from her poverty has cast in all of the livelihood which she had.”

The Temple’s Fall (21:5–6)

5 And while certain men were speaking concerning the temple, that it was adorned with beautiful stones and offerings, he said, 6 “These things which you see—the days are coming in which not one stone will be left upon another which will not be thrown down.”

Signs of the End-time (21:7–11)

7 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things be, and what will the sign be that these things are about to come to pass?” 8 And he said, “See that you are not led astray, for many will come in my name saying, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time draws near.’ Do not go after them. 9 But when you hear about wars and insurrections, do not be disturbed. For these things must happen first, but the end is not at once.” 10 Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 And there will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. And there will be dreadful sights and great signs from heaven.”

The Disciples’ Fate (21:12–19)

12 “But before all these things they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you into the synagogues and prisons, being led before kings and leaders on account of my name. 13 It will result in a testimony for you. 14 Therefore, put it in your hearts, not meditating beforehand what to speak in your defense. 15 For I will give you eloquence and wisdom which all those opposing you will not be able to resist or contradict. 16 But you will be betrayed also by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you will be hated by all on account of my name. 18 And not a hair of your head will perish. 19 By your endurance you will gain your souls.”

The Fall of Jerusalem (21:20–24)

20 “But when you see Jerusalem encircled by armies, then know that her desolation has drawn near. 21 Then let those in Judea flee into the mountains, and let those in her midst depart, and let those in the rural regions not enter into her, 22 because these are days of vengeance, that all things that are written may be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those nursing in those days: for there will be a great calamity upon the land and wrath upon this people. 24 And they will fall by the edge of the sword and they will be led away captive into all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.”

Signs of the Coming Son of Man (21:25–28)

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and upon the earth anguish of nations in anxiety at the sounds of the sea and the waves, 26 men fainting from fear and expectation of things coming upon the world, since the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and much glory. 28 And when these things begin to occur, stand up and raise your heads, because your deliverance approaches.”

Parable of the Fig Tree (21:29–33)

29 And he spoke a parable to them: “Behold the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When you see they are already putting out leaves, you know of yourselves that the summer is already near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, you know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly, I say to you that this generation will certainly not pass away until all things occur. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will surely not pass away.”

Watch Ye Therefore (21:34–36)

34 “Give heed to yourselves lest your hearts are weighed down in drunkenness and intoxication and anxieties concerning the affairs of daily life, and that day come upon you unexpectedly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell upon the face of the whole earth. 36 But keep alert at all times, praying that you might have strength to escape all these things about to happen, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.”

Day by Day (21:37–38)

37 During the days he was teaching in the temple. But during the nights, after going out, he spent the night in the mount that is called Olivet. 38 And all the people would awake early to come to him to hear him in the temple.

Judas Turns against the Savior (22:1–6)

1 And the feast of unleavened bread, called Passover, was drawing near. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes kept seeking a way they might kill him, for they feared the people.

3 And Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, being from the number of the twelve. 4 After withdrawing, he discussed with the chief priests and the leaders of the temple guard how he would deliver him to them. 5 And they rejoiced and agreed to give him silver. 6 And he promised and sought an opportunity to deliver him to them apart from the crowd.

Preparations for the Passover Meal (22:7–13)

7 And the day of unleavened bread came, in which it is necessary to sacrifice the paschal lamb. 8 And he sent Peter and John saying, “Go, prepare the Passover for us in order that we might eat.” 9 And they said to him, “Where do you wish that we prepare it?” 10 And he said to them, “Behold, after you enter the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he enters, 11 and say to the master of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, “Where is the dining room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ 12 And that man will show you a large, furnished upstairs room. There prepare it.” 13 After departing, they found it just as he had said to them. And they prepared the Passover.

Institution of the Sacrament (22:14–20)

14 And when the hour came, he reclined and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have desired with longing to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I say to you that I will certainly not eat this until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”

17 And after taking up the cup and giving thanks, he said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves. 18 For I say to you that after this time I will certainly not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And taking bread and giving thanks, he broke it and gave to them, saying, “This is my body given in your behalf. This do in remembrance of me.” 20 And likewise the cup, after eating dinner, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is shed in your behalf.”

Prediction of the Betrayal (22:21–23)

21 “But, behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. 22 For indeed the Son of Man goes according to that which is ordained, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to discuss among themselves who among them was intending to do this.

Who Shall Be Greatest? (22:24–30)

24 And contention arose among them about which of them seemed to be greater. 25 And he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles have dominion over them, and those having authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not thus. Let the greatest among you be even as the youngest, and the one leading as the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one dining or the one serving? Is it not the one dining? But I am in the midst of you as the one serving.

28 “And you are those who have remained constantly with me in my ­trials. 29 And I will assign to you a kingdom, even as my Father assigned to me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit upon thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”

Peter’s Challenge (22:31–34)

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan desires that he may sift you all as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have returned back, strengthen your brethren.” 33 And he said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go with you both to prison and to death.” 34 And he said, “I say to you, Peter, this day the cock will not crow until you will deny knowing me three times.”

Missionary Preparations (22:35–38)

35 And he said to him, “When I sent you forth without a money purse and traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?” And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “Now he who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. And he who has not, let him sell his cloak and buy a sword. 37 For I say to you that this scripture needs to be fulfilled in me: ‘And he will be counted with the lawless.’ For even the thing concerning me has an end.” 38 And they said, “Lord, behold here are two swords.” And he said to them, “It is enough.”

At the Place of Suffering (22:39–46)

39 And coming out, he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him. 40 And when he was at the place, he said to them, “Pray that you do not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them as far as a stone’s throw. And kneeling down he prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you will, remove this cup from me. However, let not my will, but yours be done.”

43 And an angel from heaven was seen by him, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more intently; and his sweat became like thick drops of blood falling down upon the ground.

45 And rising from prayer and coming to the disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. 46 And he said to them “Why do you sleep? Arise, pray that you not enter into temptation.”

The Arrest (22:47–53)

47 While he was yet speaking, behold a crowd; and the one called Judas, one of the twelve, came before them, and he approached Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, by a kiss do you betray the Son of Man?” 49 But seeing what was going to happen, those around him said, “Shall we strike by the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the servant of the chief priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus responding said, “Permit this far.” And fastening the ear, he healed him.

52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and the leaders of the temple guard and the elders coming against him, “Did you come out with swords and clubs as against a brigand? 53 When I was with you daily in the temple, you did not stretch forth your hands against me: But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”

Peter’s Denials (22:54–62)

54 Now seizing him, they led him and brought him into the house of the chief priest. And Peter followed from afar. 55 And after they lit a fire in the midst of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat in the middle of them. 56 But a certain young maid, seeing him and gazing at him while he sat next to the light, said, “This man was also with him.” 57 But he denied, saying, “I do not know him, Woman.” 58 And after a little while another man, upon seeing him, said, “You are also one of them.” But Peter said, “Man, I am not.” 59 And after about one hour had passed, another man affirmed confidently, saying, “Truly, this man was also with him, for he too is a Galilean!” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you say!” And immediately, while he was still speaking, the cock crowed.

61 And turning, the Lord looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he said to him, “Before the cock crows this day, you will deny me three times.” 62 And going outside, he wept bitterly.

The Hearing before Jewish Authorities (22:63–71)

63 And the men holding him prisoner kept mocking him while beating him. 64 And blindfolding him, they demanded, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it who was striking you?” 65 And many other blasphemous things they spoke to him.

66 And as the day began, the elders of the people, the chief priests, and the scribes were gathered together, and they led him to their council, 67 saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us.” But he said to them, “If I were to tell you, you would certainly not believe. 68 And if I were to ask, you would certainly not answer. 69 But from this moment, the Son of Man will be seated on the right hand of the power of God.” 70 And all the men said, “Are you then the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 And they said, “What need do we have of further testimony? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth!”

The First Hearing before Pilate (23:1–7)

1 And arising, the whole multitude of them led him to Pilate.

2 And they began to accuse him saying, “We found this man misleading our nation, and forbidding to give taxes to Caesar, and declaring himself to be Christ, a King.” 3 And Pilate asked him saying, “Are you the King of the Jews?” And answering, he said to him, “You say it.” 4 And Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowd, “I find nothing blameworthy in this man.” 5 But they kept pressing, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even as far as this place.”

6 And Pilate, hearing this, asked if the man was Galilean. 7 And upon learning that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, Pilate sent him to Herod, he also being in Jerusalem in those days.

The Hearing before Herod Antipas (23:8–12)

8 And Herod, seeing Jesus, rejoiced greatly because, for a considerable time, he desired to see him because of what he had heard about him. And he hoped to see some miracle performed by him. 9 And he kept questioning him with many words, but he answered him nothing. 10 And the chief priests and scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his guards treated him with contempt and, mocking him, they put splendid clothing on him and sent him to Pilate. 12 And Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that day. For previously they were hostile to each other.

The Second Hearing before Pilate (23:13–26)

13 And Pilate, calling together the chief priests and the leaders and the people, 14 said to them, “You brought this man to me as one perverting the people. And behold, after investigating before you, I found in this man none of the offense of which you accuse him. 15 But neither did Herod; for he sent him to us. And behold, nothing worthy of death has been committed by him. 16 Therefore, after chastising him I will release him.”

18 And they cried aloud all together, saying, “Take this man away, but release to us Barabbas!” 19 (Who was, on account of a certain insurrection which happened in the city, and murder, thrown into prison.) 20 But Pilate again addressed them, desiring to release Jesus. 21 But they shouted out, saying, “Crucify, Crucify him!” 22 And a third time he said to them, “What evil did this man do? I found nothing worthy of death in him. Therefore, after chastising him, I will release him.” 23 But those calling to crucify him kept pressing with great shouts, and their voices prevailed.

24 And Pilate decided that their demand be granted. 25 He released the one cast into prison on account of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, and he handed over Jesus to their will.

26 And as they led him away, after taking hold of Simon, who was a Cyrenian coming from the country, they laid upon him the cross to bear behind Jesus.

The Longest Walk (23:27–33)

27 And there followed him a large multitude of people and women who were beating themselves and bewailing him. 28 And turning, Jesus said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 For behold, days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not born children, and the breasts that have not suckled.’ 30 At that time they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us.’ 31 Because, if they do these things in a green tree, what will happen in a dry?”

32 And they also led away two other criminals to be executed with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called Skull, there they crucified him and the criminals, who were on his right and left.

On the Cross (23:34–38)

34 And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And dividing his garments, they cast lots. 35 And the people stood watching. And also the leaders kept sneering, saying, “Others he saved. Let him save himself, if he is the Christ, the chosen one of God.” 36 And the solders coming to him, ridiculed him, bringing vinegar to him, 37 and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” 38 And there was also a writing above him, “This is the King of the Jews.”

With the Thieves (23:39–43)

39 And one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed him saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us!” 40 And the other, answering and rebuking him, said, “Do you not fear God, since you are in the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving that which is fitting for what we did. But this man did nothing wrong.” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Nature Responds to Her King (23:44–45)

44 And it was already about the sixth hour, and darkness was upon all the land until the ninth hour 45 because of the failing light of the sun. And the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.

The Great Redeemer Dies (23:46–49)

46 And crying with a loud voice, Jesus said, “Into your hands I commit my spirit.” And after saying this, he gave up his spirit.

47 And seeing what happened, the centurion glorified God, saying, “Truly this man was righteous.” 48 And all the people who had assembled together at this spectacle, after seeing what had happened, returned beating their chests. 49 And standing at a distance, all the men known to him and the women who accompanied him from Galilee saw these things.

The Burial (23:50–56)

50 And behold, a man by the name of Joseph, who was a councilor, and a good and just man, 51 he did not consent to the council and to their action. He came from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, and he was expecting the kingdom of God. 52 This man, approaching Pilate, requested the body of Jesus. 53 And taking it down, he wrapped it in linen and placed it in a tomb cut out of stone in which no one was yet buried. 54 And it was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath drew near.

55 And the women, following after, who came with him from Galilee, beheld the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 And when they returned, they prepared perfumes and ointments. And they rested the Sabbath day according to the commandment.

The Women Receive the First Tidings of the Resurrection
(24:1–12)

1 And on the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came to the tomb bearing the perfumes which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 But upon entering they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it happened, as they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in brilliant clothing appeared to them. 5 And being afraid and bowing their faces to the earth, they said to them, “Why do you seek the Living with the dead? 6 He is not here, but has been raised. Remember how he spoke to you while he was in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be handed over into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and rise the third day? 8 And they remembered his words.

9 And returning from the tomb, they announced these things to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 And it was Mary Magdalene and Johanna and Mary, the mother of James, and the rest of the women who were with them. They kept telling these things to the apostles. 11 And these words appeared to them as idle talk, and they did not believe them. 12 But arising, Peter ran to the tomb and, stooping, he beheld only the linens. And he departed, marveling to himself at what had happened.

The Risen Jesus Appears on the Road to Emmaus (24:13–35)

13 And behold, on the same day two from among them were walking to a village named Emmaus which is sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 And they talked to each other concerning all these things that had occurred. 15 And it happened, while they were conversing and disputing, that Jesus himself, drawing near, walked with them. 16 And their eyes were restrained from knowing him.

17 And he said to them, “What are these words which you are exchanging with each other while walking? And they stood sadly. 18 And one by the name of Cleopas answering said to him, “Do you only sojourn in Jerusalem and not know what happened there in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What sorts of things?” And they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, a man who became a mighty prophet in deed and word before God and all the people— 20 how our chief priests and rulers delivered him to the sentence of death and crucified him. 21 But we hoped that he was the one coming to ransom Israel; but besides all these things, this is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women from among us astonished us, being early at the tomb. 23 And not finding his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who say that he lives. 24 And some with us went out to the tomb, and so they found, even as the women said. But they did not see him.”

25 And he said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets uttered. 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning from Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them all the scriptures concerning himself.

28 And they approached the village where they were going, and he intended to go further. 29 And they compelled him saying, “Remain with us, since the evening is near and the day is already spent.” And he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened, while he reclined to eat with them, taking the bread, he blessed it and, breaking it, he handed it to them. 31 And their eyes were opened and they recognized him; and he became invisible to them.

32 And they said to one another, “Was not our heart burning within us as he spoke to us on the road, as he opened the scriptures to us?” 33 And arising in the same hour, they returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them gathered together, 34 saying, “Truly, the Lord was raised and was seen by Simon.” 35 And those men related the things that happened on the road and how he became known to them in the breaking of bread.

The Last Meeting in Jerusalem (24:36–49)

36 While they spoke these things, he stood in the middle of them and said to them, “Peace be to you.” 37 And being alarmed and afraid, they thought they were seeing a spirit. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do doubts spring up in your heart? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that I am he. Handle me and see, because a spirit does not have flesh and bones as you see me have.” 40 And saying this, he showed them his hands and feet.

41 But while they were still disbelieving from joy and marveling, he said to them, “Do you have anything to eat here?” 42 And they gave him a piece of a cooked fish. 43 And taking it, he ate before them.

44 And he said to them, “These are my words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that it is necessary that everything written in the law of Moses and the prophets and the psalms concerning me be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures. 46 And he said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins be proclaimed in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you. But you remain in the city until you be clothed with power from on high.”

To Bethany and Back (24:50–53)

50 And he led them out toward Bethany and, raising his hands, he blessed them. 51 And it happened, while blessing them, he departed from them and was raised up into heaven. 52 And worshiping him, they returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually in the temple praising God.

About the Brigham Young University New Testament Commentary Series

Welcome to the BYU New Testament Commentary, a project by a group of Latter-day Saint specialists offering to readers a careful, new look at the biblical records that witness the life and ministry of Jesus Christ and the first generation of his church. The commentary series seeks to make the New Testament more accessible to Latter-day Saint general readers and scholars by employing much of current biblical scholarship while reflecting important LDS insights. At the same time, this effort may also be helpful to interested readers of other faiths who want to learn how a group of Latter-­day Saint scholars understands the Bible. A fundamental article of faith for Latter-­­day Saints (Mormons) affirms the Bible “to be the word of God” while adding, understandably, that it needs to be “translated correctly” in order for it to be accurately comprehendible to modern language speakers.

These objectives have helped shape the purposes and parameters of this commentary series. Serious LDS readers of the Bible search the scriptures, looking for depth and breadth in passages whose meanings and mandates may ultimately be plain but not shallow. Such readers and interpreters are served by treatments that unite faith and research, reason and revelation, in prayerfully confronting profound and difficult issues that arise in the texts and affect one’s path of progression. The New Testament has served as an influential guide to western civilization for centuries. As such, its records have long been studied by lay people and scholars alike, resulting in a rich reservoir of information that illuminates the New Testament era culturally, historically, and linguistically. Selectively, the BYUNTC builds upon this vast body of knowledge, resting on the Greek texts of the New Testament and connecting helpful elements of linguistic, literary, historical, and cultural research and traditional scholarship together with LDS scriptures and doctrinal perspectives. The combination of all these features distinguishes the BYUNTC from other commentaries, which are readily available elsewhere and which readers may also want to consult for more encyclopedic or specialized discussions.

The tone of the BYUNTC aims to be informative rather than hortatory, and suggestive rather than definitive in its interpretation. The opinions expressed in this series are the views of its contributors and should not necessarily be attributed to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; Brigham Young University, where many of those involved here are headquartered; or anyone else, though these works have benefited from input and guidance from a number of colleagues, advisers, editors, and peer reviewers.

Each volume in this series contains a new working translation of the New Testament. Calling this a new “rendition” clarifies that it does not seek to replace the authorized KJV adopted by the LDS Church as its official English text. Rather, it aims to enhance readers’ understanding conceptually and spiritually by rendering the Greek texts into modern English with LDS sensitivities in mind. Comparing and explaining the New Rendition in light of the KJV then serves as one important purpose for each volume’s notes, comments, analyses, and summaries. This effort responds in modest ways to the desire President J. Reuben Clark Jr. expressed in his diary in 1956 that someday “qualified scholars [would provide] . . . a translation of the New Testament that will give us an accurate translation that shall be pregnant with the great principles of the Restored Gospel.”

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