John the Baptist Prepares the Way
1The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
2As it is written in the Prophets:a
“Behold, I send My messenger before Your face,
Who will prepare Your way before You.”b
3“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the LORD;
Make His paths straight.’ ”c
4John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Focus: A Voice in the Wilderness
5Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins. Place Profile: Judea
6Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. Person Profile: John the Baptist
7And he preached, saying, “There comes One after me who is mightier than I, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to stoop down and loose.
8“I indeed baptized you with water, but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John Baptizes Jesus
9It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan.
10And immediately, coming up fromd the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove.
11Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
Satan Tempts Jesus
12Immediately the Spirit drove Him into the wilderness.
13And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.
Jesus Begins His Galilean Ministry
14Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdome of God, Focus: Jesus the Galilean Place Profile: Galilee
15and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.”
Four Fishermen Called as Disciples
16And as He walked by the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Person Profile: Simon Peter Insight: The First Disciple
17Then Jesus said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men.”
18They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
19When He had gone a little farther from there, He saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the boat mending their nets.
20And immediately He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants, and went after Him.
Jesus Casts Out an Unclean Spirit
21Then they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath He entered the synagogue and taught. Insight: The Synagogue
22And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
23Now there was a man in their synagogue with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”
25But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
26And when the unclean spirit had convulsed him and cried out with a loud voice, he came out of him.
27Then they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authorityf He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”
28And immediately His fame spread throughout all the region around Galilee.
Peter’s Mother-in-Law Healed
29Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Insight: Jewish Homemaking
30But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
31So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.
Many Healed After Sabbath Sunset
32At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. Insight: The Great Physician
33And the whole city was gathered together at the door.
34Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.
Preaching in Galilee
35Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.
36And Simon and those who were with Him searched for Him.
37When they found Him, they said to Him, “Everyone is looking for You.”
38But He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because for this purpose I have come forth.”
39And He was preaching in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and casting out demons.
Jesus Cleanses a Leper
40Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
41Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.”
42As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
43And He strictly warned him and sent him away at once,
44and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anyone; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
45However, he went out and began to proclaim it freely, and to spread the matter, so that Jesus could no longer openly enter the city, but was outside in deserted places; and they came to Him from every direction.
Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralytic
1And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house.
2Immediatelya many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them.
3Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. Focus: Significant Everyday People
4And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.
5When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”
6And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts,
7“Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
8But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts?
9“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’?
10“But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic,
11“I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
12Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”
Matthew the Tax Collector
13Then He went out again by the sea; and all the multitude came to Him, and He taught them.
14As He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. And He said to him, “Follow Me.” So he arose and followed Him.
15Now it happened, as He was dining in Levi’s house, that many tax collectors and sinners also sat together with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many, and they followed Him.
16And when the scribes andb Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His disciples, “How is it that He eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?”
17When Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”c
Jesus Is Questioned About Fasting
18The disciples of John and of the Pharisees were fasting. Then they came and said to Him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but Your disciples do not fast?”
19And Jesus said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast.
20“But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
21“No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse.
22“And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath
23Now it happened that He went through the grainfields on the Sabbath; and as they went His disciples began to pluck the heads of grain. Insight: No Tolerance for Intolerance
24And the Pharisees said to Him, “Look, why do they do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”
25But He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he was in need and hungry, he and those with him:
26“how he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the showbread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and also gave some to those who were with him?”
27And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath.
28“Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.”
Healing on the Sabbath
1And He entered the synagogue again, and a man was there who had a withered hand.
2So they watched Him closely, whether He would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse Him.
3And He said to the man who had the withered hand, “Step forward.”
4Then He said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they kept silent.
5And when He had looked around at them with anger, being grieved by the hardness of their hearts, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he stretched it out, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.a
6Then the Pharisees went out and immediately plotted with the Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him.
A Great Multitude Follows Jesus
7But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea
8and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him.
9So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him.
10For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him.
11And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.”
12But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.
The Twelve Apostles
13And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him. Insight: A Diverse Group
14Then He appointed twelve,b that they might be with Him and that He might send them out to preach,
15and to have power to heal sicknesses andc to cast out demons:
16Simon,d to whom He gave the name Peter;
17James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James, to whom He gave the name Boanerges, that is, “Sons of Thunder”;
18Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Cananite;
19and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him. And they went into a house.
A House Divided Cannot Stand
20Then the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.
21But when His own people heard about this, they went out to lay hold of Him, for they said, “He is out of His mind.”
22And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebub,” and, “By the ruler of the demons He casts out demons.” Insight: Pagan Gods in the New Testament
23So He called them to Himself and said to them in parables: “How can Satan cast out Satan?
24“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.
25“And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.
26“And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.
27“No one can enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.
The Unpardonable Sin
28“Assuredly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons of men, and whatever blasphemies they may utter;
29“but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation”—
30because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers Send for Him
31Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. Focus: Jesus and Family
32And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brotherse are outside seeking You.”
33But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”
34And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers!
35“For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”
The Parable of the Sower
1And again He began to teach by the sea. And a great multitude was gathered to Him, so that He got into a boat and sat in it on the sea; and the whole multitude was on the land facing the sea.
2Then He taught them many things by parables, and said to them in His teaching: Insight: Parables
3“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. Focus: Sharing Our Faith
4“And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the aira came and devoured it.
5“Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth.
6“But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.
7“And some seed fell among thorns; and the thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no crop.
8“But other seed fell on good ground and yielded a crop that sprang up, increased and produced: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
9And He said to them,b “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
The Purpose of Parables
10But when He was alone, those around Him with the twelve asked Him about the parable.
11And He said to them, “To you it has been given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to those who are outside, all things come in parables,
12“so that
‘Seeing they may see and not perceive,
And hearing they may hear and not understand;
Lest they should turn,
And their sins be forgiven them.’ ”c
The Parable of the Sower Explained
13And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables?
14“The sower sows the word.
15“And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.
16“These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness;
17“and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble.
18“Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word,
19“and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.
20“But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
Light Under a Basket
21Also He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Is it not to be set on a lampstand?
22“For there is nothing hidden which will not be revealed, nor has anything been kept secret but that it should come to light.
23“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”
24Then He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With the same measure you use, it will be measured to you; and to you who hear, more will be given.
25“For whoever has, to him more will be given; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him.”
The Parable of the Growing Seed
26And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground,
27“and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.
28“For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.
29“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
30Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it?
31“It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth;
32“but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”
Jesus’ Use of Parables
33And with many such parables He spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it. Focus: Faith Unfolding
34But without a parable He did not speak to them. And when they were alone, He explained all things to His disciples.
Wind and Wave Obey Jesus
35On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.”
36Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him.
37And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling.
38But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.
40But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”d
41And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”
A Demon-Possessed Man Healed
1Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes.a Insight: The City of the Dead
2And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him,b not even with chains,
4because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him.
5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones.
6When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him.
7And he cried out with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.”
8For He said to him, “Come out of the man, unclean spirit!”
9Then He asked him, “What is your name?” And he answered, saying, “My name is Legion; for we are many.”
10Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country.
11Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains.
12So all the demons begged Him, saying, “Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.”
13And at once Jesusc gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea.
14So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened.
15Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
16And those who saw it told them how it happened to him who had been demon-possessed, and about the swine.
17Then they began to plead with Him to depart from their region.
18And when He got into the boat, he who had been demon-possessed begged Him that he might be with Him.
19However, Jesus did not permit him, but said to him, “Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you.”
20And he departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis all that Jesus had done for him; and all marveled. Place Profile: Decapolis
A Girl Restored to Life and a Woman Healed
21Now when Jesus had crossed over again by boat to the other side, a great multitude gathered to Him; and He was by the sea. Focus: Priority People
22And behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue came, Jairus by name. And when he saw Him, he fell at His feet Insight: Taking Risks
23and begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. Come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be healed, and she will live.”
24So Jesus went with him, and a great multitude followed Him and thronged Him.
25Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years,
26and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse.
27When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment.
28For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.”
29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.
30And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched My clothes?”
31But His disciples said to Him, “You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’ ”
32And He looked around to see her who had done this thing.
33But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell down before Him and told Him the whole truth.
34And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your affliction.”
35While He was still speaking, some came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house who said, “Your daughter is dead. Why trouble the Teacher any further?”
36As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Do not be afraid; only believe.”
37And He permitted no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James.
38Then He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and saw a tumult and those who wept and wailed loudly.
39When He came in, He said to them, “Why make this commotion and weep? The child is not dead, but sleeping.”
40And they ridiculed Him. But when He had put them all outside, He took the father and the mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and entered where the child was lying.
41Then He took the child by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha, cumi,” which is translated, “Little girl, I say to you, arise.”
42Immediately the girl arose and walked, for she was twelve years of age. And they were overcome with great amazement.
43But He commanded them strictly that no one should know it, and said that something should be given her to eat.
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
1Then He went out from there and came to His own country, and His disciples followed Him.
2And when the Sabbath had come, He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, “Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him, that such mighty works are performed by His hands!
3“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. Focus: Jesus the Carpenter
4But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.”
5Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them.
6And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.
Sending Out the Twelve
7And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
8He commanded them to take nothing for the journey except a staff—no bag, no bread, no copper in their money belts—
9but to wear sandals, and not to put on two tunics.
10Also He said to them, “In whatever place you enter a house, stay there till you depart from that place.
11“And whoevera will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them.b Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!”
12So they went out and preached that people should repent.
13And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick, and healed them.
John the Baptist Beheaded
14Now King Herod heard of Him, for His name had become well known. And he said, “John the Baptist is risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.”
15Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is the Prophet, orc like one of the prophets.”
16But when Herod heard, he said, “This is John, whom I beheaded; he has been raised from the dead!”
17For Herod himself had sent and laid hold of John, and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife; for he had married her.
18Because John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
19Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not;
20for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
21Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee.
22And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.”
23He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
24So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”
25Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”
26And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her.
27Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison,
28brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother.
29When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
Feeding the Five Thousand
30Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught.
31And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. Focus: Rest for a While
32So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
33But the multitudesd saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him.
34And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.
35When the day was now far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, “This is a deserted place, and already the hour is late.
36“Send them away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread;e for they have nothing to eat.”
37But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
38But He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they found out they said, “Five, and two fish.”
39Then He commanded them to make them all sit down in groups on the green grass.
40So they sat down in ranks, in hundreds and in fifties.
41And when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and the two fish He divided among them all.
42So they all ate and were filled.
43And they took up twelve baskets full of fragments and of the fish.
44Now those who had eaten the loaves were aboutf five thousand men.
Jesus Walks on the Sea
45Immediately He made His disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He sent the multitude away. Place Profile: Bethsaida
46And when He had sent them away, He departed to the mountain to pray.
47Now when evening came, the boat was in the middle of the sea; and He was alone on the land.
48Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
49And when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed it was a ghost, and cried out;
50for they all saw Him and were troubled. But immediately He talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
51Then He went up into the boat to them, and the wind ceased. And they were greatly amazed in themselves beyond measure, and marveled.
52For they had not understood about the loaves, because their heart was hardened.
Many Touch Him and Are Made Well
53When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret and anchored there. Place Profile: Gennesaret
54And when they came out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,
55ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was.
56Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment. And as many as touched Him were made well.
Defilement Comes from Within
1Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem.
2Now whena they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with unwashed hands, they found fault.
3For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands in a special way, holding the tradition of the elders.
4When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.
5Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”
6He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
7And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’b
8“For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of menc—the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”
9He said to them, “All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. Focus: Honor Your Parents
10“For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’;d and, ‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’e
11“But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God),
12“then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother,
13“making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”
14When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and understand:
15“There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that defile a man.
16“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”f
17When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable.
18So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him,
19“because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?”g
20And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man.
21“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
22“thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
23“All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”
A Gentile Shows Her Faith
24From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon.h And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be hidden. Focus: Jesus and Ethnicity
25For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and fell at His feet.
26The woman was a Greek, a Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter.
27But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”
28And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”
29Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.
Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute
31Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee.
32Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him.
33And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue.
34Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”
35Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly.
36Then He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it.
37And they were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”
Feeding the Four Thousand
1In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them,
2“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.
3“And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”
4Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”
5He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” And they said, “Seven.”
6So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude.
7They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them.
8So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments.
9Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away,
10immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.
The Pharisees Seek a Sign
11Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. Insight: The Miracles of Jesus
12But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”
Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod
13And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.
14Now the disciplesa had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. Focus: Danger Ahead
15Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
16And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”
17But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart stillb hardened?
18“Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
19“When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to Him, “Twelve.”
20“Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?” And they said, “Seven.”
21So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”
A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida
22Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a blind man to Him, and begged Him to touch him.
23So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.
24And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”
25Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly.
26Then He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell anyone in the town.”c
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
27Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?” Place Profile: Caesarea Philippi Insight: You Are the Christ
28So they answered, “John the Baptist; but some say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
29He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to Him, “You are the Christ.”
30Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
31And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
32He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
33But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
34When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
35“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
36“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
37“Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?
38“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
1And He said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see the kingdom of God present with power.” Insight: Works in Progress
2Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.
3His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.
4And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.
5Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—
6because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.
7And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!”
8Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.
9Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
10So they kept this word to themselves, questioning what the rising from the dead meant.
11And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?
13“But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”
A Boy Is Healed
14And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them.
15Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him.
16And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”
17Then one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit.
18“And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”
19He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.”
20Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.
21So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.
22“And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23Jesus said to him, “If you can believe,a all things are possible to him who believes.”
24Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!”
25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it: “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!”
26Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.”
27But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.
28And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”
29So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”b
Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection
30Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it.
31For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
32But they did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.
Who Is the Greatest?
33Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”
34But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest.
35And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.”
36Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them,
37“Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”
Jesus Forbids Sectarianism
38Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”
39But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me.
40“For he who is not against us is on ourc side.
41“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
42“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea.
43“If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
44“where
‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’d
45“And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
46“where
‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’e
47“And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire—
48“where
‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’f
Tasteless Salt Is Worthless
49“For everyone will be seasoned with fire,g and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt.
50“Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”
Marriage and Divorce
1Then He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.
2The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him. Insight: Burned Meals and Bad Smells
3And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”
4They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.”
5And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.
6“But from the beginning of the creation, God ‘made them male and female.’a
7‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife,
8‘and the two shall become one flesh’;b so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.
9“Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”
10In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.
11So He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.
12“And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
14But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.
15“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
16And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
17Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Focus: The Man Who Almost Had It All
18So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
19“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”c
20And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
22But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
With God All Things Are Possible
23Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
24And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in richesd to enter the kingdom of God!
25“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
26And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”
27But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”
28Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”
29So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wifee or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s,
30“who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life.
31“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection
32Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: Focus: No Better Than Gentiles
33“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles;
34“and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”
Greatness Is Serving
35Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”
36And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
37They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”
38But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
39They said to Him, “We are able.” So Jesus said to them, “You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized;
40“but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those for whom it is prepared.”
41And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John.
42But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
43“Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant.
44“And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.
45“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus
46Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging.
47And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
49So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”
50And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.
51So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”
52Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.
The Triumphal Entry
1Now when they drew near Jerusalem, to Bethphagea and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; Place Profile: Bethphage Insight: A Parade for the Common People
2and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it.
3“And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”
4So they went their way, and found theb colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it.
5But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”
6And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go.
7Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it.
8And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road.
9Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:
“Hosanna!
‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!’c
10Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes in the name of the Lord!d
Hosanna in the highest!”
11And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.
The Fig Tree Withered
12Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. Focus: The Fig Tree and the Mountain
13And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
14In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.” And His disciples heard it.
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
15So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves.
16And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple.
17Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’?e But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”f
18And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching.
19When evening had come, He went out of the city.
The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree
20Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”
22So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God.
23“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.
24“Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Forgiveness and Prayer
25“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.
26“But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”g
Jesus’ Authority Questioned
27Then they came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him.
28And they said to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”
29But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things:
30“The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”
31And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’
32“But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for all counted John to have been a prophet indeed.
33So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers
1Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country.
2“Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers.
3“And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed.
4“Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones,a wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.
5“And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some.
6“Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’
7“But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’
8“So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.
9“Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others.
10“Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11This was the LORD’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’? ”b
12And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.
The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
13Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words.
14When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and care about no one; for You do not regard the person of men, but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Insight: Taxes
15“Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it.”
16So they brought it. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”
17And Jesus answered and said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?
18Then some Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying:
19“Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.
20“Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring.
21“And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise.
22“So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also.
23“Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.”
24Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God?
25“For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
26“But concerning the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?c
27“He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly mistaken.”
The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?
28Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceivingd that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”
29Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one.
30‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’e This is the first commandment.f
31“And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’g There is no other commandment greater than these.”
32So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He.
33“And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul,h and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
34Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” But after that no one dared question Him.
Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?
35Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?
36“For David himself said by the Holy Spirit:
37“Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his Son?” And the common people heard Him gladly.
Beware of the Scribes
38Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,
39“the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
40“who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”
The Widow’s Two Mites
41Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. Focus: The Widow’s Mites
42Then one poor widow came and threw in two mites,j which make a quadrans.
43So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury;
44“for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, her whole livelihood.”
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
1Then as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” Focus: Preparing for Doomsday
2And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
3Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked Him privately,
4“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”
5And Jesus, answering them, began to say: “Take heed that no one deceives you.
6“For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many.
7“But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet.
8“For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles.a These are the beginnings of sorrows.
9“But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be broughtb before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.
10“And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.
11“But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditatec what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
12“Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death.
13“And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved. Life Studies: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
The Great Tribulation
14“So when you see the ‘abomination of desolation,’d spoken of by Daniel the prophet,e standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.
15“Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house.
16“And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes.
17“But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days!
18“And pray that your flight may not be in winter.
19“For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be.
20“And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
21“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it.
22“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
23“But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.
The Coming of the Son of Man
24“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light;
25“the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken.
26“Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.
27“And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.
The Parable of the Fig Tree
28“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near.
29“So you also, when you see these things happening, know that itf is near—at the doors!
30“Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place.
31“Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.
No One Knows the Day or Hour
32“But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
33“Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. Focus: A Kingdom Perspective
34“It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.
35“Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—
36“lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.
37“And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1After two days it was the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by trickery and put Him to death.
2But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
3And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. Focus: A Parting Gift
4But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted?
5“For it might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they criticized her sharply.
6But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me.
7“For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always.
8“She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial.
9“Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
10Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them.
11And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.
Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples
12Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”
13And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him.
14“Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’
15“Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.”
16So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.
17In the evening He came with the twelve.
18Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”
19And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” And another said, “Is it I?”a
20He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish.
21“The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”
Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper
22And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, eat;b this is My body.”
23Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.
24And He said to them, “This is My blood of the newc covenant, which is shed for many.
25“Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
26And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
27Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night,d for it is written:
‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.’e
28“But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”
29Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”
30Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”
31But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all said likewise.
The Prayer in the Garden
32Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.”
33And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed.
34Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him.
36And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour?
38“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words.
40And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
41Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
42“Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane
43And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.
44Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
45As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.
46Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him.
47And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
48Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me?
49“I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and you did not seize Me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”
50Then they all forsook Him and fled.
A Young Man Flees Naked
51Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him,
52and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
53And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were assembled all the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. Focus: Marks of Faith
54But Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.
55Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none.
56For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree.
57Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying,
58“We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ”
59But not even then did their testimony agree.
60And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?”
61But He kept silent and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”
62Jesus said, “I am. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”
63Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?
64“You have heard the blasphemy! What do you think?” And they all condemned Him to be deserving of death.
65Then some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers struck Him with the palms of their hands.f
Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps
66Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came.
67And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.”
68But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
69And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.”
70But he denied it again. And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; for you are a Galilean, and your speech shows it.”g
71Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”
72A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.
Jesus Faces Pilate
1Immediately, in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate.
2Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” He answered and said to him, “It is as you say.”
3And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing.
4Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things they testify against You!”a
5But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.
Taking the Place of Barabbas
6Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. Focus: Give Us Barabbas
7And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Person Profile: Barabbas
8Then the multitude, crying aloud,b began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them.
9But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”
10For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.
11But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them.
12Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”
13So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”
14Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?” But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”
15So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
16Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison.
17And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head,
18and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!”
19Then they struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him.
20And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.
The King on a Cross
21Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. Place Profile: Cyrene Insight: Simon of Cyrene
22And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull.
23Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it.
24And when they crucified Him, they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.
25Now it was the third hour, and they crucified Him.
26And the inscription of His accusation was written above:
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
27With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left.
28So the Scripture was fulfilledc which says, “And He was numbered with the transgressors.”d
29And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days,
30“save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”
31Likewise the chief priests also, mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved others; Himself He cannot save.
32“Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe.”e Even those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.
Jesus Dies on the Cross
33Now when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.
34And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”f
35Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!”
36Then someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”
37And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.
38Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.
39So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last,g he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!” Insight: Roman Centurions
40There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, Insight: So Many Marys
41who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.
Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb
42Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Focus: A Burial Fit for a King
43Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
44Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time.
45So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph.
46Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb.
47And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.
He Is Risen
1Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. Insight: Evidence for the Resurrection
2Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen.
3And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?”
4But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large.
5And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.
6But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him.
7“But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you.”
8So they went out quicklya and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.
Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord
9Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons.
10She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept.
11And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.
Jesus Appears to Two Disciples
12After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country.
13And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.
The Great Commission
14Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen.
15And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Focus: Faith Impacts the World
16“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
17“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;
18“theyb will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand
19So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.
20And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.c