Then He called all the people to Him and said, Hearken to me every one of you. Understand that there is nothing from outside a man that, entering into him, can defile him; but the things which come out of him are those that defile the man. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.
After He went into the house, His disciples asked Him about the parable. Jesus replied, Are ye without understanding also? Do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man it cannot defile him because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? But that which comes out of the man is what defiles him. It is from inside, out of the heart of men, that proceed: evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.
From there He arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house and would have no man know it. But He could not be hid for a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit had heard of Him. She found Him and came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him to cast forth the devil from her daughter.
But Jesus said to her, Let the children first be filled. It is not fit to take the child's bread and cast it to the dogs. She answered, Yes, Lord. Yet the dogs under the table eat the child's crumbs. Jesus then said to her, For saying this, go thy way. The devil is gone from thy daughter. When she returned home she found her daughter at rest upon the bed and the devils cast out.
Upon leaving the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, He came to the sea of Galilee through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. Here they brought a man that was deaf and had a speech impediment. They besought Him to put His hand upon him. Jesus took the man apart from the multitude and put His fingers into the man's ears. Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, Ephphatha, Be opened.
Immediately the man's ears were opened. His tongue was loosed and he spoke plain. Then Jesus charged those present to tell no man. However, the more He charged them, the more they published it saying, He has done all things well. He makes the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.
8 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have compassion on the multitude because they have been with me three days and they have nothing to eat. If I send them away to their own houses fasting, they will faint by the way. Many of them came from afar. His disciples answered Him, How can these men be supplied with bread here in the wilderness? Jesus asked them, How many loaves have ye? They answered, Seven.
Then Jesus told the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples. Then His disciples set them before the people. They also had a few small fish which Jesus blessed and told the disciples to set them also before the people. So they did eat and were filled. After this the disciples took up the broken fragments and filled seven baskets. The number of those who had eaten was about four thousand.
After Jesus sent the multitude on their way, He immediately got into a boat with His disciples and came into Dalmanutha. Here the Pharisees came forth and began to question Him, seeking of Him a sign from heaven, and testing Him. To this Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, Why does this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say to you, There shall be no sign given to this generation. Then He left them and departed again by boat to the other side.
Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread. They had no more than one loaf in the boat with them. Jesus uttered, Take heed. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. The disciples reasoned among themselves and said, It is because we have no bread.
When Jesus realized their misunderstanding, He said to them, Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not or understand? Have ye still hardened hearts? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? And do ye not remember the seven loaves among four thousand and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? After they recalled the numbers and told Him, Jesus said, Then how can it be that ye do not understand?
At Bethsaida some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and besought Him to touch the man. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His hands upon him, Jesus asked the man if he saw anything. The man looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that Jesus put His hands again upon his eyes then made him look up. Now he was restored and saw every man clearly. Jesus sent him away to his house saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.
Jesus and His disciples went out into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way He asked His disciples, Who do men say that I am? They answered, Some say John the Baptist, but some say Elias, and others say one of the prophets. Then Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered, Thou art the Christ. Jesus charged them to tell no man of Him. Then He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things; that He must be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and scribes; and that He must be killed and, after three days, rise again.
Jesus said all this very openly to His disciples. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus turned around, looked at His disciples, and rebuked Peter saying, Get behind me, Satan. Thou savor not the things of God, but the things of men.
Now, along with His disciples, He called the people to Him also and said, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it. Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; the Son of man shall be ashamed of him also when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Verily I say to you, There are some who stand here who shall not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of God come into power.
9 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a high mountain and there He was transfigured before them. His raiment became shining and, exceeding the white of snow, such as nothing on earth could be more white. And there appeared Elias and Moses. They were talking with Jesus. Peter said, Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Peter did not know what else to say because they were afraid. But, quickly, a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved Son. Hear Him.
Then, suddenly, when they looked around, they saw only Jesus. Coming down from the mountain Jesus instructed them to tell no man what things they had seen until the Son of man had risen from the dead.
Among themselves they questioned eachother about what the rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked Him if it was not so what the scribes said that Elias must come first?
Jesus answered them, Verily, Elias comes first and restores all things. And it is also written that the Son of man must suffer many things and be set at nought. However, I say to you, Elias is indeed come and they have done to him exactly what was written.
As He approached the disciples, He saw a great multitude gathered about them. And He saw that there were scribes questioning them. Then, when they beheld Him, all the people were greatly amazed and immediately ran to salute Him.
Jesus asked the scribes, Why question them? And one of the multitude answered, Master, I have brought my son who has a dumb spirit. Wherever he takes him he tears him. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and wastes away. I spoke to thy disciples and they could not cast him out. Jesus stepped forward and cried, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.
As soon as Jesus looked at him, the spirit immediately tore forth. The boy fell on the ground wallowing in foam. Jesus asked the father when this came upon the son. The man answered, As a child. Often it has cast him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if thou can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.
Jesus said to the man, If thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. Immediately, with tears flowing, the father of the child cried out, Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.
Then Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and said, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him. Enter into him no more. The spirit cried, lashed out, and then came out of him. The boy lay so still that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up and he arose. After Jesus went inside, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast him out? He said to them, This kind can only come forth by prayer and fasting.
Then they departed and passed through Galilee without notice for He taught His disciples and said, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men. They shall kill Him. After He is killed, He shall arise on the third day.
They did not understand these words but were afraid to ask Him. Once they got safely inside the house at Capernaum, Jesus asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves along the way?
They were silent because, on the way back, they had disputed who among themselves should be the greatest. Jesus then sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all. Then He took a child and set him in the midst of them. As He took the child in His arms, He said to them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receives me. And whosoever shall receive me, receives not me, but Him that sent me.
Then John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, but he does not follow us so we forbad him because he does not follow us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not. There is no man who shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. He that is not against us is on our part. Whosoever shall give to drink a cup of water in my name, because ye belong to Christ, shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
If thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell where the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter halt into life than to have two feet to be cast into hell where the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes to be cast into hell fire. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good. But if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
10 From there Jesus went into the coasts of Judaea by way of the far side of Jordan. He was met by a large crowd who wanted to hear Him speak and He taught them again.
The Pharisees came to Him, and, testing Him, asked, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? In return, Jesus asked, What did Moses command you?
They said, Moses suffered the writing of a bill of divorcement to put her away. Jesus answered, Moses wrote this precept on account of the hardness of your heart. But, from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. The two shall be one flesh: so then they are no more two, but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder.
Later, in the house, His disciples asked Him again about this matter. He said, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another commits adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another she commits adultery.
The people brought young children that He should touch them but His disciples rebuked the people who brought them. Jesus was greatly displeased and said to the disciples, Suffer the little children to come to me. Forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God.
Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter in. Jesus took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.
Along the road, a young man ran up to Jesus, knelt before Him and asked, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said, Why call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.
The young man replied, Master, all these I have observed from my youth. Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, You lack one thing: Go and sell whatever thou has and give the proceeds to the poor. Thou shall have treasure in heaven. Then come, take up the cross, and follow me. Upon hearing this the young man was sad and went away grieving because he had many possessions.
Then Jesus turned to His disciples and said, How hard it shall be for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! The disciples were astonished at His words. Jesus said to them, Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 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.
The disciples were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, Who, then, can be saved? Jesus, looking upon them, said, With men it is impossible, but not with God. With God all things are possible.
Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Jesus answered, Anyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, shall receive a hundredfold now and in eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.
Jesus led them to Jerusalem and, along the way, began to tell them the things that would happen to Him. He said, In Jerusalem the Son of man shall be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and scourge Him. They will spit on Him. And they will kill him. On the third day He shall rise again.
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him and said, Master, we have a desire to tell you about. Jesus said to them, What should I do for you? They said, Grant that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? Can ye be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We can.
Jesus said, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of. Ye shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give. It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.
When the other ten disciples heard this, they became greatly displeased with James and John. Jesus called them and said, Ye know that those who are appointed to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and their great ones heavily influence them. But it shall not be like this among you. Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. Whosoever will be your master shall be servant to all. Even the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give His life as a ransom for many.
They came to Jericho. As Jesus passed through Jericho with His disciples, many, including blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat begging by the side of the highway. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was going by, he began to cry out, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Many told him to be silent, but he cried the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus stood still. Then He called the blind man to Him and said, Be of good comfort. Rise. I call thee.
Casting away his garment, he rose up and went to Jesus. He said to the man, What shall I do for thee? The blind man said, Lord, that I might receive my sight. Jesus said to him, Go thy way. Thy faith has made thee whole. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.
11 They came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany. At the mount of Olives, He beckoned to two of His disciples and said, Go into the village opposite here. As soon as ye enter it, ye shall find tied a colt that has never been sat upon. Loose him and bring him here. If a man asks why ye do this, say that the Lord has need of him; and immediately he will send him.
They went to the village and found the colt tied outside the door in a place where two ways met. As they untied him, a man said to them, What are ye doing, loosing the colt? They said to him what Jesus commanded and he let them go.
They brought the colt, cast their garments on him, and Jesus sat upon him. Many people spread their garments in the way. Others cut branches off the trees, and strewed them in the way. Those who went before, and those that followed, cried, Hosanna. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
Jesus came into Jerusalem and went to the temple. When He had looked around and upon all things, it drew on to the evening. He went out to Bethany with the twelve. The next morning, coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From a distance, He spotted a fig tree that might offer something to eat. When He got to it, He found nothing but leaves for it was not yet the time for figs. Jesus said to it, No man shall eat the fruit of thee ever again. The disciples heard this.
They came to Jerusalem and Jesus went into the temple. He cast out those who sold and bought in the temple. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not allow any man to carry any vessel through the temple. Jesus said to them all, It is written: My house shall be called, by all nations, the house of prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves.
The scribes and chief priests heard this and considered how they might destroy Him. They feared Him because all the people were astonished at His doctrine. When evening came, He went out of the city. The following morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Peter called to Jesus, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursed. It is withered away. Jesus answered, Have faith in God. Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.
Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have anything against anyone, so that your Father which is in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
In Jerusalem, as He was walking in the temple, there came to Him the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They questioned Him and said, By what authority do thou do these things? Who gave thee this authority to do these things?
Jesus answered, I will also ask you a question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or of men? They discussed this among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we must face the people who considered John a prophet. Finally, they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus then said, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.
12 He began to speak to them by parables. A man planted a vineyard. He set a hedge around it. He dug a place for the winevat and built a tower. The man let it out to husbandmen and went into a far country. At the end of the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen to collect the fruit of the vineyard.
The husbandmen caught and beat up the servant. They sent him away empty. The man sent another servant. They cast stones and wounded this servant in the head. They shamefully handled him and sent him away. The man sent another and they killed him as well as many others; beating some, and killing some. Finally, the man sent his only son whom he loved very much. He reasoned, They will respect my son. But the husbandmen said, This is the heir; come, let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours. They took the son, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What, then, shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen and let out the vineyard to others.
Have ye not read this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of the whole foundation. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?
The chief priests and elders sought to lay hold of Jesus, but they feared the people. They knew that He had spoken this parable about them. When they left, they sent certain of the Pharisees and Herodians to try to catch Jesus in His words. They asked, Master, we know that thou art true, and regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?
Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, answered, Why test me? Whose image and superscription is on a coin? They said, Caesar's. Jesus replied, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. They marvelled at Him.
Then came the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection. They asked, Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother dies and leaves his wife behind him, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were seven brethren. The first took a wife and, dying, left no seed. The second took her and, dying, left no seed. The third brother likewise and this through all seven brothers. The seven had her, and left no seed. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection. when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be since all the seven had her as wife.
Jesus answered, Ye err because ye know not the scriptures or the power of God. When they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. They are as the angels who are in heaven. And, as touching on the dead and that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how God spoke to him in the bush and said, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. Ye, therefore, do greatly err.
One of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that Jesus had answered them well, asked, Which is the first commandment of all?
Jesus answered, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. The second is, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.
The scribe said, Well, Master, thou has said the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love thy neighbour as thyself is worth more than all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus saw that he answered discreetly. He said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.
After this no man dared ask Him any more questions. While He taught in the temple, Jesus said, How can the scribes say that Christ is the son of David? David himself said: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David calls him Lord; how is he, then, his son?
The common people heard Him gladly. He said to them in His teaching, Beware of the scribes, who love to go in flowing robes, and love salutations in the marketplace, and the best seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts. These same devour widows' houses, and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They shall receive greater damnation.
Jesus sat over against the treasury and watched how the people cast money into it. Many that were rich cast in large amounts. Then a poor widow walked up and put in two small coins. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, This poor widow has cast more in than all the rest have cast into the treasury. They gave out of their abundance; but she cast in what she had to live upon.
13 As He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said, Master, see these stones and what buildings are here! Jesus answered, See these great buildings? There shall not be one stone left upon another and not one that shall not be thrown down.
Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew went over to Him and asked, When shall these things happen? What sign will there be when all these things will be fulfilled? Jesus cautioned them and said, Take heed lest any man deceive you. Many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
When ye hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled, for such things must needs be. But the end shall not be yet. First, nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be earthquakes in divers places, and famines and crises. These are the beginnings of sorrows.
But, take heed. They shall deliver you up to councils. In the synagogues ye shall be beaten. Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. The gospel must first be published among all nations.
When they lead you away and deliver you up, take no thought or plan beforehand what ye shall speak. Whatever ye need to say shall be given you in that hour, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Spirit.
In that time, brother shall betray brother even unto death; father shall betray his son; and children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved.
When ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him who reads understand), then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains. Let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house to take anything out of his house. Let him that is in the field not turn back again to get his garment. And woe to those who are with child. And pray that your flight be not in the winter. Unless the Lord shortened those days, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has shortened the days. For in those days shall be affliction such as was not seen from the beginning of God's creation to this time.
In the days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall, and the powers in the heavens shall be shaken. Then the Son of man will appear in the clouds with great power and in glory. He shall send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds and from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.
So if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, He is there; do not believe him. False Christs and false prophets shall rise and show signs and wonders to seduce, if it be possible, even the elect. But take heed. I have warned you of these things.
Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. In the same way, when ye see these things come to pass, know that it is near, as close as at the door.
This generation shall not pass until all these things are done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of the day and the hour, no man knows, no, not the angels in heaven or the Son, but the Father only knows. Take heed. Watch and pray. Ye know not when the time is.
For the Son of Man is like a man taking a distant journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, assigned each his work, and left the porter to watch. Therefore, ye watch also for ye know not when the master of the house will come - during evening, or at midnight, or at the break of dawn, or in daylight. Therefore, be alert lest, in His coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all, Watch.
14 The feast of the passover and of unleavened bread was in two days. The chief priests and the scribes considered how they might take Him by craft and put Him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.
Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. As He sat at dinner, a woman came to Him carrying an alabaster box of very precious ointment of spikenard. She broke the container and anointed Jesus' head with the oil.
Some of the others at the table became indignant and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? It might have been sold for a great price and the money given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said, Let her alone. Why trouble her? She has done a good work. Ye have the poor with you always, and, whenever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burying. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the world, this that she has done shall also be told.
Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. They were glad to hear of his offer and promised to give him money. Then Judas schemed about how he might conveniently betray Him.
On the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover lamb, His disciples said to Jesus, Where shall we go to prepare that thou may eat the passover? He sent two of His disciples into the city. He told them, There you shall meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him. Wherever he shall go in, say to the good man of the house, The Master wants to know where the guestchamber is where He shall eat the passover with His disciples. This man will show you a large upper room that is furnished and prepared. Make ready for us there.
The two disciples went into the city and found all as Jesus had said to them. They made ready the passover. In the evening Jesus came with the disciples. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, One of you who eats with me shall betray me. They began to be sorrowful, and, one by one, ask Him, Is it I? Is it I?
Jesus answered, It is one of the twelve that dips with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goes as it is written of Him: But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better were it for that man if he had never been born.
As they ate, Jesus took bread and blessed it. He broke it and gave it to them. He said, Take and eat. This is my body. Then He took the cup and, when He had given thanks, He gave it to them. They all drank from it. And He said to them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.
After they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.Jesus said, Ye shall all be offended because of me this night for it iswritten: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered.But, after that, I am risen and I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter said, Although all shall be offended, I will not. Jesus said to him, This day, even this night, before the cock crows twice, thou shall deny me thrice. But Peter spoke the more vehemently, I will not deny you in any way, even if it means I should die. Likewise, they all said the same.
They came to a place named Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples, Sit here while I go to pray. He took Peter and James and John with Him. He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy unto death. Wait here and watch. Jesus went forward a little, and fell on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.
He came back and found them sleeping. Jesus said to Peter, Simon, why do you sleep? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye and pray so you do not give in to temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed with the same words. WhenHe returned, He found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy)They did not know what to say to Him.
The third time, when He returned to them, Jesus said, It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of man is now betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. The one who betrays me is at hand.
Immediately, while He yet spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. He was with a great multitude who were armed with swords and staves, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. He that betrayed Jesus had given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Take Him and lead Him away swiftly. Judas immediately went to Him and said, Master, master; then kissed Him.
They laid their hands on Him, and took Him. One of them that stood by drew a sword, smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them, Have ye come to take me with swords and staves as against a thief? I was with you daily, teaching in the temple, and ye did not take me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then they all left Him and fled. There followed Him a young man who had a linen cloth cast about his naked body. When they grabbed him and laid hold of him, he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
They led Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled there. Peter, following from afar, went to the palace of the high priest and sat with the servants who warmed themselves at a fire.
The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; but they found none. Many bore false witness against Him, but their witness did not agree. Then there arose a certain false witness who said, We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days, I will build another made without hands. But this witness still did not agree with the rest.
Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, Answer thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? Jesus held His peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest called out, What need we of any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye? They all condemned Him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him, Prophesy; and the servants struck Him with the palms of their hands.
As Peter was outside, one of the maids of the high priest saw him warming himself and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied and said, I do not know nor understand what you say. He went to the porch; and the cock crowed. A maid saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again.
Then, a little after, those who stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them. Thou art a Galilaean by thy speech. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I do not know this man of whom ye speak. The cock crowed a second time. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said to him: Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me three times. When Peter remembered this he wept.
15 First thing the next morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? He answered, Thou say it. The chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Pilate said to Him, Answer thou nothing? Do you behold how many things they witness against thee? But Jesus still answered nothing and Pilate marvelled.
Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whoever the people chose. And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with those involved in insurrection with him and who had committed murder in the insurrection. The multitude began to cry aloud their desire for Pilate to do as he had done before. Pilate said to the multitude, Will ye that I release to you the King of the Jews? But the chief priests told the people that Pilate would rather release Barabbas to them.
Pilate asked, What do you want me to do to Him whom ye call the King of the Jews? They cried out, Crucify Him. Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil has He done? And they cried out the more, Crucify Him.
And so Pilate, to content the people, released Barabbas to them. After he had Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified. The soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they called together the whole troop. They clothed Him with purple, platted a crown of thorns, and put it around His head. They saluted Him, Hail, King of the Jews! They smote Him on the head with a reed, spit on Him, and bowing their knees, worshipped Him.
After they mocked Him, they took off the purple cloth and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to be crucified. They compelled a man named Simon, a Cyrenian and the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was passing by on his way out of the country, to bear His cross.
They took Him to the place called Golgotha, the place of a skull. They gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink but He received it not. When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots for what every man should take.
It was the third hour when they crucified Him. The superscription of His accusation was written and hung over Him: The King of the Jews. Along with Him they crucified two thieves; one on His right hand, and the other on His left. The scripture was fulfilled: And He was numbered with the transgressors.
Those who passed by railed at Him. They said, Ah, thou that destroys the temple and builds it up again in three days, save thyself and come down from the cross. The chief priests along with the scribes said among themselves, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross that we may see and believe. Those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. And, when the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
At the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? Some of those who stood by, when they heard this, said, Behold, He calls Elias. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, gave it to Him to drink. They said, Let Him alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to take Him down. Then Jesus cried with a loud voice and took His last breath.
The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to bottom. And, when the centurion who stood near Him saw this, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.
There were also women looking on from afar; among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and Joses, and Salome (who also, when He was in Galilee, followed Him and ministered to Him), and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
When evening came, because it was the preparation day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus. Pilate marvelled that He was already dead. He called the centurion to him to find out how long He had been dead. When he learned it from the centurion, he released the body. Joseph brought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. He laid Him in a sepulchre hewn out of rock, and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where He was laid.
16 When the sabbath was past, very early in the morning the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. With them they brought sweet spices that they might anoint Him. They said among themselves, Who shall roll the stone away from the door of the sepulchre for us? Then, when they looked, they saw that the large stone was rolled away.
Entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment. They were frightened. But he said, Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him, just as He told you. They went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed. They said nothing to any one because they were afraid.
Then Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned and wept. When they had heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.
Then He appeared, in another form, to two of them as they walked in the country. These two went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they sat at supper. He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He was risen.
Then He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents. And, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere; the Lord working with them and confirming the word with these signs.
Amen.
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The Gospel of Luke
1. Forasmuch as many eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have set forth and delivered to us a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us, it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of these things from the very beginning, to write to you, most excellent Theophilus, in order that thou might know the certainty of the things thou has been instructed.
In the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, there was a priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. They had no child because Elisabeth was barren. They were both well up in years.
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot, while he executed his duty before God, was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. The multitude gathered outside to pray during the time of incense.
There appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and fell down in fear. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard. Thy wife, Elisabeth, shall bear thee a son and thou shall name him John. You shall have joy and gladness and many will rejoice at his birth. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord. He shall not drink wine or strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb.
He shall turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God. He shall go in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? I am an old man, and my wife an old woman. The angel said to him, I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. Behold, thou shall be dumb and unable to speak until the day these things are performed because thou believe not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.
The people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.
It came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his official duties were accomplished, he went home. His wife, Elisabeth, conceived, and hid herself for five months. She said, Thus has the Lord now done for me that which takes away my reproach among others.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth. The angel appeared to a virgin named Mary and espoused to Joseph, of the house of David. He said to her, Hail, thou that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women. When she saw him, she was troubled by his words.
Then the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou has found favor with God. Thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Highest. The Lord God shall give Him the throne of His father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever. And, of His kingdom there shall be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be since I know not a man? The angel answered, The Holy Spirit shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee so the holiness that is born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin, Elisabeth, has conceived a son in her old age. It is the sixth month with her who was once thought barren. With God nothing is impossible. Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done according to thy word. Then the angel departed from her.
Mary arose with haste and went to a city of Juda in the hill country. Here she entered the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. When Elisabeth heard this salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She spoke out with a loud voice, Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believed for there shall be a demonstration of those things which were told her by the Lord.
Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden and, henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. He that is mighty has done great things to me. Holy is His name. His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed forever.
Mary stayed with her cousin, Elisabeth about three months, then returned to her own house. Elisabeth's time came that she should be delivered; and she brought forth a son. Her neighbors and her cousins heard how the Lord had showed great mercy on her; and they rejoiced with her.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. They called him Zacharias after the name of his father. But his mother said, No. He shall be called John. And they said to her, There is none of thy kindred that is called by this name. Then they made signs to his father asking how he would have him called. He asked for a writing table, and wrote, His name is John. Then Zacharias' mouth was opened immediately, his tongue loosed, and he spoke and praised God.
This news was carried throughout all the hill country of Judaea. All who heard were filled with wonder at what kind of child this would be! And the hand of the Lord was with him.
His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed His people, He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant, David; as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets, which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the oath which He swore to our father, Abraham, that He would grant us, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, to serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.
The child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the desert until the day of his showing to Israel.
2 A decree went out from Caesar Augustus. According to the decree every man was to go to his own city to be taxed. Because he was of the house and lineage of David, Joseph went up from Nazareth in Galilee, to the city of Bethlehem in Judaea to be taxed. With him was Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered. She brought forth her firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
In the same country shepherds were in the field keeping watch over their flock by night. Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the glory of the Lord shone about them. They became afraid. And the angel said to them, Fear not. Behold, I bring you good tidings which shall be great joy to all people. A Savior, Christ the Lord, is born this day in the city of David. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. Then there also appeared a heavenly host praising God. They said, Glory to God in the highest and, on earth, peace and good will toward men.
The shepherds said, Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to pass which the Lord has made known to us. They went with haste and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
When they saw, they made it known abroad what was told them concerning this child. Those who heard, wondered at what they were told. But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told to them.
When eight days were completed for the circumcising of the child, His name was called Jesus, which was so named by the angel before He was conceived in the womb. When the days of the purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law: Every male that opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And, also according to law of the Lord, they offered the sacrifice: a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
There was a man in Jerusalem, named Simeon. He was a just and devout man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and revealed to him that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ.
He came by the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child Jesus, Simeon took Him up in his arms, blessed God, and said, Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people, Israel.
Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of Him. Simeon blessed them, and said to His mother, Mary, Behold, this child is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign which will be spoken against. A sword shall pierce thy soul that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Then a prophetess also spoke of Him. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Aser. She was an aged widow who, for fourscore and four years, did not leave the temple and served God with fasting and prayer night and day. She gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to those in Jerusalem who awaited redemption.
When they had performed all that was required according to the law of the Lord, they returned to their own city of Nazareth in Galilee. The child grew, became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom and the grace of God.
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover. When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast. When they had fulfilled the days, they returned, but the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and His mother did not know of it. Supposing Him to have been in the caravan, at the end of the first day's journey, they sought Him among their kinsfolk and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they turned back toward Jerusalem to find Him.
After three days, they found Him in the temple. He was sitting in the midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions. Those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
When His parents saw Him, they were amazed. His mother said to Him, Son, why has thou done this to us? Thy father and I have been very worried. He said, How is it that ye sought me? Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business? But they did not understand what He said to them. Then He went with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them; but His mother kept all this in her heart. Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.
3 It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar. Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea; Herod was tetrarch of Galilee; and his brother, Philip, was tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of Trachonitis; and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas were the high priests.
The word of God came to John the son of Zacharias when he was in the wilderness. He went into all the country around Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This was according to what is written in the book of Isaiah the prophet: The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
John said to the multitude that came to be baptized by him, O generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Stop saying to yourselves, We have our father, Abraham: for I tell you, God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
The people asked him, What shall we do? He answered, He that has two coats, let him give it to him that has none. He that has food, let him do likewise. The publicans who came to him to be baptized also asked, Master, what shall we do? He said to them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. The soldiers, likewise, asked, What shall we do? He said, Do violence to no man, do not accuse anyone falsely; and be content with your wages.
People lived in expectation and wondered whether he was the Christ. John answered by saying to them all, I baptize you with water; but one mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with a fire whose fan is in His hand. He will thoroughly purge His floor. He will gather the wheat into His garner; but He will burn the chaff with fire unquenchable.
Herod, the tetrarch, had been reproved by John on account of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife and for all the evils which Herod had done. Herod held this against him. Then, when Herod heard what John was saying, he had John imprisoned.
When Jesus, also being baptized, was praying, the heaven opened and the Holy Spirit, in a bodily shape like a dove, descended upon Him. A voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I am well pleased.
Jesus was about thirty years of age, the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, which was the son of Joseph, son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, which was the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda.
Joda was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the son of Zerubbabel, which was the son of Shealtiel, which was the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, which was the son of Er, the son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, which was the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, son of Levi.
Levi was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Judah, which was the son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonam, which was the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, which was the son of Menna, which was the son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David, the son of Jesse, son of Obed, which was the son of Boaz, which was the son of Sala.
Sala was the son of Nahshon, son of Amminadab, which was the son of Admin, the son of Arni, which was the son of Hezron, the son of Pherez, son of Judah, the son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac.
Isaac was the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, son of Nahor, which was the son of Serug, the son of Reu, son of Peleg, which was the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, son of Cainan, which was the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, son of Noah.
Noah was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathuselah, which was the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
4 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus returned from Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. For forty days He was tempted by the devil. During this time He ate nothing and, when His fasting ended, He was hungry.
The devil said to him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone to be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
The devil, then, took Him up into a high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Him, I give thee the power and glory of all this that is mine and to whomever I give it. If thou will worship me, all shall be thine. Jesus said to him, Get thee behind me, Satan. It is written: Thou shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall thou serve.
The devil brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on a pinnacle of the temple and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from here. It is written: He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee, and, in their hands, they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said, Thou shall not tempt the Lord thy God.
When the devil had ended all the temptation, He departed from Him for a season. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. His fame spread throughout all the region. He taught in the synagogues and was glorified by all.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His custom, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up to read. He was given the book of the prophet Isaiah. When He opened the book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
He closed the book, returned it, and sat down. The eyes of all who were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. Jesus said to them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
All bore Him witness and wondered at the gracious words which proceededfrom His mouth. They said, Is this not Joseph's son? He said to them,Ye will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself.Whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.
And He said, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell you, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elias sent, except to Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.
When they heard these things, all who were in the synagogue were filled with wrath. They rose up and pushed Him out of the city. They drove Him to the top of the hill upon which their city was built so they might cast Him down headlong. But, passing through the midst of them, He went His way.
Jesus went on to Capernaum in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days. They were astonished at His doctrine for His word was powerful. There was a man in the synagogue who had a spirit of an unclean devil which cried out with a loud voice, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. When the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him. The people were amazed and said, What words are these! With authority and power He commands the unclean spirits and they come out. His fame went out into every corner of that country.
Jesus went out of the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Simon's wife's mother had a serious fever and they besought Him to help her. Jesus stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she arose and ministered to them.
Now when the sun was setting, many who were sick with divers diseases were brought to Him. He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. Devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ, the Son of God. Jesus rebuked and silenced them because they knew that He was Christ.
When it was day, He left and went into a desert place. The people looked for Him. When they found Him, they tried to prevent Him from departing from them. But Jesus said to them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also. This is why I was sent. And He preached in the synagogues of Galilee.
5 As the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He stood by the lake of Gennesaret. He saw two ships standing by the lake. The fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets. He entered one of the ships, which was Simon's, and requested that he thrust out a little from the land. Then He sat down and taught the people from the ship.
When He finished speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep and let down your nets. Simon said to Him, Master, we have toiled all night and have taken nothing. Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let down the net.
When he and his crew had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of fish and their net broke. They beckoned to their partners, who were in another ship, to come and help them. They came and filled both the ships so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees and said, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, and all those who were with them, were astonished at the great number of fish. Jesus said to Simon, Fear not. From now on, thou shall catch men. When they landed the fishing boats, they left everything and followed Him.
It came to pass, when He was in a certain city, a man, full of leprosy, on seeing Jesus, fell before Him and said, Lord, if thou will, thou can make me clean. Jesus stretched out His hand, touched him, and said, I will. Be thou clean. Immediately the leprosy left the man. Jesus then directed him to tell no one about this. He said, Go and show thyself to the priest. Offer for thy cleansing, according to Moses command, for a testimony to them.
Nonetheless, His fame was spread even more abroad. Great multitudes gathered to hear and be healed of their infirmities by Him. Jesus withdrew Himself into the wilderness to pray.
One day He was teaching and the power of the Lord to heal was upon Him. There were gathered people that had come out of every town of Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem. Pharisees and doctors of the law sat among them.
Men approached carrying a bed with a man who had a palsy. They looked for a way to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop and lowered him down on his couch through the tiling and into the midst of where Jesus stood. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
The scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? When Jesus perceived their thoughts, He said to them, Why question in your hearts whether it is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or, to say, Rise up and walk? That ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (He said to the sick man), Arise. Take up thy couch and go to your home. Immediately he rose up before them, took up that upon which he lay, and departed to his own house, glorifying God. They were all amazed and glorified God, and were filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today.
After these things, He went forth and saw a publican named Levi who was sitting at the receipt of custom. He said to him, Follow me. And he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Levi made Him a great feast in his own house. There was a large company of publicans and others that sat down with them.
The scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? Jesus answered and said to them, Those who are whole do not need a physician; but they that are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.
Then they said to Him, Why do the disciples of John fast often and make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but your disciples eat and drink? Jesus said to them, Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them. Then they shall fast.
He spoke also a parable to them. No man puts a piece of a new garment on an old one; if he does, the new makes a rent, and the piece that was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no man puts new wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved. No man, having drunk old wine, straightway desires new, because he says, The old is better.
6 It came to pass that on the second sabbath after the first, Jesus passed through corn fields; and His disciples plucked ears of corn to eat, rubbing them in their hands. Certain of the Pharisees said to them, Why do ye do that which is not lawful on the sabbath days?
Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read what David did, when he and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of God, took the showbread to eat, and also gave it to those who were with him; which is not lawful to eat and is only for the priests? Jesus said to them, The Son of man is also Lord of the sabbath.