The Preface to Luke’s Gospel

1 Since many have attempted to compile an account concerning the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning passed on to us, 3 it seemed best to me also—because I[fn] have followed allthings carefully from the beginning—to write them[fn] down in orderly sequence for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the certainty concerning the things about which you were taught.

The Prediction of John the Baptist’s Birth

5 It happened that in the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest, Zechariah by name, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife[fn] from the daughters of Aaron, and her namewas Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous in the sight of God, living blamelessly in all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 And they did not have[fn] a child, because Elizabeth was barren. And they were both advancedin years.[fn]

8 And it happened that while[fn] he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood he was chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. 10 And the whole crowd of the people were praying outside at the hour of the incense offering. 11 And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was terrified when he[fn] sawthe angel,[fn] and fear fell upon him.

• 13 But the angel said to him,“Do not be afraid, Zechariah,
• because your prayer has been heard,
• and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son,
• and you will call his name John.
• 14 [fn] and many will rejoice at his birth.
• 15  and he must never drink wine or beer,
• and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit
  • while he is[fn] still in his mother’s womb.
  • 16 to the Lord their God.
  • 17  in the spirit and power of Elijah,
• to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,
• and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous,
  • to prepare for the Lord a people made ready.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “By what will I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years!”[fn] 19 And the angel answered and[fn] said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to announce to you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because[fn] you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.”

21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and began to wonder[fn]when[fn] he was delayed in the temple. 22 And when he[fn] came out he was not able to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them, and remained unable to speak. 23 And it happened that when the days of his service came to an end, he went away to his home.

24 Now after these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived, and she kept herself in seclusion for five months, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which he has concerned himself with me,[fn] to take away my disgrace among people.”

The Prediction of Jesus’ Birth

26 Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town of Galilee named[fn] Nazareth, 27 to a virgin legally promised in marriage to a man named[fn] Joseph of the house of David. And the name of the virginwas Mary. 28 And he came to her and[fn] said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lordis with you.” 29 But she was greatly perplexed at the statement, and was pondering what sort of greeting this might be.

• 30 And the angel said to her,“Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.
  • 31  and you will call his name Jesus.
  • 32  and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David.
  • 33 [fn] and of his kingdom there will be no end.

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I have not had sexual relations with a man?”

• 35 And the angel answered and[fn] said to her,“The Holy Spirit will come upon you,
  • and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.
• Therefore also the one to be born will be called holy, the Son of God.

36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth—she also has conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”[fn]

38 So Mary said, “Behold, the Lord’s female slave! May it happen to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

39 Now in those days Mary set out and[fn] traveled with haste into the hill country, to a town of Judah, 40 and entered into the house of Zechariah, and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And it happened that when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby in her womb leaped and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

• 42 And she cried out with a loud shout and said,“Blessed are you among women,
  • and blessed is the fruit of your womb!

43 And why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy! 45 And blessed is she who believed that there will be a fulfillment to what was spoken to her from the Lord!”

Mary’s Hymn of Praise to God

• 46 And Mary said,“My soul exalts the Lord,
  47 
  • 48  for behold, from now on all generations will consider me blessed,
  • 49 One has done great things for me, and holy is his name.
  • 50 is for generation after generation to those who fear him.
  • 51  he has dispersed the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
  • 52 their thrones, and has exalted the lowly.
  • 53 things, and those who are rich he has sent away empty-handed.
  • 54  remembering his mercy,
  • 55  to Abraham and to his descendants[fn]

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

The Birth of John the Baptist

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth that she should give birth, and she gave birth to a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her,[fn] and they rejoiced with her. 59 And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were wanting to name him after[fn] his father Zechariah. 60 And his mother answered and[fn] said, “No, but he will be named John.” 61 And they said to her, “There is no one of your relatives who is called by this name.” 62 So they made signs to his father asking what he wanted him to be named, 63 and he asked for a writing tablet and[fn] wrote, saying, “John is his name.” And they were all astonished. 64 And his mouth and his tongue were opened immediately, and he began to speak,[fn] praising God. 65 And fear came on all those who lived near them, and in all the hill country of Judea all these events were discussed. 66 And all those who heard kept these things[fn] in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be? For indeed the hand of the Lord was with him!”

The Praise and Prophecy of Zechariah

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

• 68 be the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has visited to help and[fn] his people,
• 69  in the house of his servant David,
70 
71 
• 72  and to remember his holy covenant,
• 73  to grant us
• 74 that we, being rescued from the hand of our enemies, could serve him without fear
  • 75  before him all our days.
  • 76  for you will go on before the Lord to prepare his ways,
  • 77  by the forgiveness of their sins,
  • 78 [fn] of our God by which the dawn will visit to help us from on high,
  • 79  to direct our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child kept growing and becoming strong in spirit, and was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.

The Birth of Jesus Christ

2 Now it happened that in those days a decree went out from Caesar[fn] Augustus to register all the empire. 2 (This first registration took place when[fn] Quirinius was governor of Syria.) 3 And everyone went to be registered, each one to his own town. 4 So Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David, 5 to be registered together with Mary, who was legally promised in marriage to him and[fn] was pregnant. 6 And it happened that while they were there, the time came[fn] for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped him in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.

The Shepherds and the Angels

8 And there were shepherds in the same region, living out of doors and keeping watch, guarding over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord stood near them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terribly frightened.[fn] 10 And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people: 11 that today a Savior, who is Christ the Lord, was born for you in the city of David. 12 And this will be the sign for you: you will find the baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army, praising God and saying,

• 14 and on earth peace
• among people[fn]

15 And it happened that when the angels had departed from them into heaven, the shepherds began to say[fn] to one another, “Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has revealed to us!” 16 And they went hurrying and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 And when they[fn] sawit,[fn] they made known the statement that had been told to them about this child. 18 And all who heard it[fn] were astonished concerning what had been said to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary treasured up all these words, pondering them[fn] in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all that they had heard and seen, just as it had been told to them.

21 And when eight days were completed so that he could be circumcised,[fn] he was named Jesus, his namethat he was called by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple

22 And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him[fn] to the Lord 23 (just as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male that opens the womb will be called holy to the Lord”)[fn] 24 and to offer a sacrifice according to what was stated in the law of the Lord, “a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”[fn]

The Prophecy of Simeon

25 And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was[fn] Simeon, and this manwas righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he would see the Lord’s Christ.[fn] 27 And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus so that they could do for him according to what was customary under the law, 28 he took him in his[fn] arms and praised God and said,

• 29 according to your word.
30 
31 
• 32  and glory to your people Israel.”

33 And his father and mother were astonished at what was said about him. 34 And Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rise of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed[fn]—35 and a sword will pierce your own soul also, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed!”

The Testimony of Anna

36 And there was a prophetess, Anna the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher (she was advanced in years,[fn] having lived withher husband seven years after her marriage,[fn] 37 and herself as a widow up to eighty-four years)[fn] who did not depart from the temple with fastings and prayers, serving night and day. 38 And at that same hour she approached and[fn] began to give thanks[fn] to God, and to speak about him to all those who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.

39 And when they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 And the child was growing and becoming strong, filled with wisdom, and the favor of God was upon him.

Jesus in the Temple at Twelve Years Old

41 And his parents went every year to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover. 42 And when he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast. 43 And after[fn] the days were completed, while they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. And his parents did not knowit,[fn] 44 but believing him to be in the group of travelers, they went a day’s journey. And they began searching for[fn] him amongtheir[fn] relatives andtheir[fn] acquaintances, 45 and when they[fn] did not findhim,[fn] they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. 46 And it happened that after three days they found him in the temple courts,[fn] sitting in the midst of the teachers and listening to them and asking themquestions. 47 And all who heard him were amazed at his insight and his[fn] answers. 48 And when they[fn] saw him, they were astounded and his mother said to him, “Child, why have you done this to us? Look, your father and I have been searching for you anxiously!” 49 And he said to them, “Why[fn] were you searching for me? Did you not know that it was necessaryfor me to be in the house[fn] of my Father?” 50 And they did not understand the statement that he spoke to them. 51 And he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was submitting to them. And his mother treasured all these things in her heart.

52 And Jesus was advancing in wisdom and stature and in favor with God and with people.

John the Baptist Begins His Ministry

3 Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,[fn]when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 in the time of the high priest Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 And he went into all the surrounding region of the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

• 4 as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah,“The voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
• ‘Prepare the way of the Lord,
  • make his paths straight!
  • 5  and every mountain and hill will be leveled,
• and the crooked will become straight,
  • and the rough road will become[fn] smooth,
• 6 [fn]

7 Therefore he was saying to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, “Offspring of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Therefore produce fruit worthy of repentance! And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! 9 And even now the ax is positioned at the root of the trees; therefore every tree not producing good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

10 And the crowds were asking him, saying, “What then should we do?” 11 And he answered and[fn] said to them, “The one who has two tunics must share with the one who does not haveone,[fn] and the one who has food must do likewise.” 12 And tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” 13 And he said to them, “Collect no more than what you are ordered to.”[fn] 14 And those who served in the army were also asking him, saying, “What should we also do?” And he said to them, “Extort from no one, and do not blackmail anyone,[fn] and be content with your pay.”

15 And while[fn] the people were waiting expectantly and all were pondering in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he might be the Christ,[fn] 16 John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but the one who is more powerful than I am is coming, of whom I am not worthy to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 17 His winnowing shovel is in his hand, to clean out his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

18 So with many other exhortations also he proclaimed good news to the people. 19 But Herod the tetrarch, who had been reproved by him concerning Herodias, his brother’s wife, and concerning all the evil deeds that Herod had done, 20 added this also to them all: he also locked up John in prison.

The Baptism of Jesus

21 Now it happened that when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he[fn] was praying, heaven was opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

23 And Jesus, when he[fn] beganhis ministry,[fn] was himself about thirty yearsold, being the son (as it was believed) of Joseph the son of Eli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, 25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda, 27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er, 29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, 30 the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim, 31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon, 33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, 35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah,[fn] 36 the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

The Temptation of Jesus

4 And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness 2 forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days, and when[fn] they were completed, he was hungry. 3 So the devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, order this stone that it become bread!” 4 And Jesus replied to him, “It is written, ‘Man will not live on bread alone.’ ”[fn]

5 And he led him up and[fn] showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. 6 And the devil said to him, “I will give you all this domain and their glory, because it has been handed over to me, and I can give it to whomever I want. 7 So if you will worship before me, all this will be yours.” 8 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’ ”[fn]

9 And he brought him to Jerusalem, and had him stand on the highest point of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here,

• 10 for it is written,‘He will command his angels concerning you,
  • to protect you,’[fn]
• 11 and‘on their hands they will lift you up,
  • lest you strike your foot against a stone.’ ”[fn]

12 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to him, “It is said, ‘You are not to put to the test the Lord your God.’ ”[fn] 13 And when[fn] the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until a favorable time.[fn]

Public Ministry in Galilee

14 And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him went out throughout all the surrounding region. 15 And he began to teach[fn] in their synagogues,and[fn] was praised by all.

Rejected at Nazareth

16 And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up,[fn] and according tohis custom[fn] he entered into the synagogue on the day of the Sabbath and stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him, and unrolling the scroll he found the place where it was written,

• 18 is upon me, because of which he has anointed me
• to proclaim good news to the poor.
  • He has sent me
• to proclaim release to the captives,
  • and recovery of sight to the blind,
• to send out in freedom those who are oppressed,
  • 19 [fn]

20 And he rolled up the scroll and[fn] gaveit[fn] back to the attendantand[fn] sat down. And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were looking intently at him. 21 And he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 22 And they were all speaking well of him, and were astonished at the gracious words that were coming out of his mouth. And they were saying, “Is this man not the son of Joseph?” 23 And he said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this parable: ‘Physician, heal yourself!’ Whatever we have heard that took place in Capernaum, do here in your hometown also!” 24 And he said, “Truly I say to you that no prophet is acceptable in his own hometown. 25 But in truth I say to you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut for three years and six months while a great famine took place over all the land. 26 And Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath in the region of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 27 And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, and none of them was made clean except Naaman the Syrian.” 28 And all those in the synagogue were filled with anger when they[fn] heard thesethings. 29 And they stood up and[fn] forced him out of the town and brought him up to the edge of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff. 30 But he passed through their midst and[fn] went on his way.

Jesus Teaches and Heals Many in Capernaum

31 And he came down to Capernaum, a town of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. 32 And they were astounded at his teaching, because he spoke[fn] with authority.

33 And in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon,[fn] and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 “Ha! Leave us alone,[fn] Jesus the Nazarene! Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” 35 And Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent and come out of him!” And after[fn] throwing him down in their midst, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. 36 And amazement came upon them all, and they began to talk[fn] with one another, saying, “What word[fn]is this? For he commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” 37 And news about him went out into every place of the surrounding region.

38 And after he[fn] set out from the synagogue, he went into Simon’s house. And Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a high fever, and they asked him on behalf of her. 39 And he stood over her and[fn] rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she got upand[fn] began to serve[fn] them.

40 Now as[fn] the sun was setting, all who had those who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and placinghis[fn] hands on every one of them, he healed them. 41 And demons also were coming out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Son of God!” And he rebuked them[fn]and did not permit them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.[fn]

42 And when it[fn] was day, he departedand[fn] went to an isolated place. And the crowds were seeking him, and came to him and were trying to prevent him from departing from them. 43 But he said to them, “It is necessary for me to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose. 44 And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

Jesus Calls His First Disciples

5 Now it happened that while the crowd was pressing around him and hearing the word of God, he was standing beside the lake of Gennesaret,[fn] 2 and he saw two boats there beside the lake, but the fishermen had gotten out of them and[fn] were washing their nets. 3 And he got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and[fn] asked him to put out from the land a little. And he sat downand[fn] began to teach[fn] the crowds from the boat. 4 And when he stopped speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch.” 5 And Simon answered and[fn] said, “Master,although we[fn] worked hard through the whole night, we caught nothing. But at your word I will let down the nets.” 6 And when they[fn] did this, they caught a very large number of fish, and their nets began to tear.[fn] 7 And they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and[fn] help them, and they came and filled both the boats so that they began to sink. 8 And when he[fn] sawit,[fn] Simon Peter fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, Lord, because I ama sinful man!”[fn] 9 For amazement had seized him and all those who were with him at the catch of fish that they had caught, 10 and so also were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who were business partners with Simon. And Jesus said to Simon, “Do not be afraid! From now on you will be catching people!” 11 And after they[fn] broughttheir[fn] boats to the land, they left everythingand[fn] followed him.

A Leper Cleansed

12 And it happened that while he was in one of the towns, there was[fn] a mancovered with leprosy.[fn] Andwhen he[fn] saw Jesus, he fell down onhis face and[fn] begged him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you are able to make me clean.” 13 And extending his[fn] hand he touched him, saying, “I am willing; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy went away from him. 14 And he ordered him, “Tell no one, but go and[fn] show yourself to the priest and bringthe offering[fn] for your cleansing just as Moses commanded, for a testimony to them. 15 But the report about him spread even more, and large crowds were gathering to hear him[fn] and to be healed of their illnesses. 16 But he himself was withdrawing in the wilderness and praying.

A Paralytic Healed

17 And it happened that on one of the days as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come[fn] from every village of Galilee and Judea andfrom Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was there in order for him to heal. 18 And behold, men came carrying on a stretcher a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and place him[fn][fn] before him. 19 And when they[fn] did not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roofand[fn] let him down through the roof tiles with the stretcher into the midstof them, in front of Jesus. 20 And when he[fn] saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?” 22 But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered and[fn] said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk?’ 24 But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,” he said to the one who was paralyzed, “I say to you, ‘Get up and pick up your stretcher and[fn] go to your home.’ ” 25 And immediately he stood up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and[fn] went away to his home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they began to glorify[fn] God. And they were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen wonderful things today!”

Levi Called to Follow Jesus

27 And after these things, he went out and saw a tax collector named[fn] Levi sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me!” 28 And leaving everything behind, he got up and[fn] began to follow[fn] him.

29 And Levi gave a great banquet for him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining for the meal with them. 30 And the Pharisees and their scribes began to complain[fn] to his disciples, saying, “Why do you eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?” 31 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to them, “Those who are healthy do not have need of a physician, but thosewho are sick.[fn] 32 I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”

On Fasting

33 And they said to him, “The disciples of John fast often and make prayers—likewise also the disciples[fn] of the Pharisees—but yours are eating and drinking!” 34 So he[fn] said[fn] to them, “You are not able to make thebridegroom’s attendants[fn] fast as long as the bridegroom is with them,are you?[fn] 35 But days will come, and when the bridegroom is taken away from them, then they will fast in those days.” 36 And he also told a parable to them: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and[fn] putsit[fn] on an old garment. Otherwise, he will have torn the new also, and the old will not match the patchthat is from the new. 37 And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the wineskins, and it will be spilled and the wineskins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into new wineskins. 39 And no one after[fn] drinking oldwine[fn] wants new, because he says, ‘The old isjust fine!’ ”

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath

6 Now it happened that on a Sabbath he went through the grain fields, and his disciples were picking and eating the heads of grain, rubbing them[fn] intheir[fn] hands. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not permitted on the Sabbath? 3 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to them, “Have you not read this, what David did when he and thosewho were with him were hungry—4 how he entered into the house of God and took the bread of the presentation, which it is not permitted to eat (except the priests alone), and[fn] ateit[fn] and gaveit[fn] to those with him?” 5 And he said to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

A Man with a Withered Hand Healed

6 Now it happened that on another Sabbath he entered into the synagogue and was teaching, and a man was there, and his right hand was withered. 7 So the scribes and the Pharisees were watching closely[fn]to see if he would heal on the Sabbath, in order that they could find a reason[fn] to accuse him. 8 But he knew their thoughts and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Get up and stand in the middle,” and he got up and[fn] stood there. 9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you whether it is permitted on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save a life or to destroy it?”[fn] 10 And after[fn] looking around at them all, he said to him, “Stretch out your hand,” and he did, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with fury, and began discussing[fn] with one another what they might do to Jesus.

The Selection of the Twelve Apostles

12 Now it happened that in these days he went away to the mountain to pray, and was spending the whole night in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he summoned his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he also named apostles: 14 Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

The Sermon on the Plain: The Beatitudes

17 And he came down with them and[fn] stood on a level place, and a large crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all of Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast district of Tyre and Sidon, 18 who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled by unclean spirits were cured. 19 And the whole crowd was seeking to touch him, because power was going out from him and healing them all.

• 20 And he lifted up his eyes to his disciples and[fn] said,“Blessed are the poor,
  • because yours is the kingdom of God.
  • 21 are those who are hungry now, because you will be satisfied.
• Blessed are those who weep now,
  • Because you will laugh.
• 22 you and spurn your name as evil on account of the Son of Man. 23 is great in heaven. For their fathers used to do the same things to the prophets.

The Sermon on the Plain: Woes

• 24 because you have received your comfort.
• 25  because you will be hungry.
• Woe, you who laugh now,
  • because you will mourn and weep.
  • 26  for their fathers used to do the same things to the false prophets.

The Sermon on the Plain: Love for Enemies

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To the one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from the one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic also. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and from the one who takes away your things, do not ask for them back.[fn] 31 And just as you want people to do[fn] to you, dothe same[fn] to them.

32 “And if you love those who love you, what kind of credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them! 33 And if[fn] you do good to those who do good to you, what kind of credit isthat to you? Even the sinners do the same! 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive back, what kind of credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, so that they may get back an equal amount! 35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend expecting back nothing, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful![fn]

The Sermon on the Plain: On Judging Others

37 “And do not judge, and you will never be judged. And do not condemn, and you will never be condemned. Pardon, and you will be pardoned. 38 Give, and it will be given to you, a good measure—pressed down, shaken, overflowing—they will pour out into your lap. For with the measure by which you measure out, it will be measured out to you in return.”

39 And he also told them a parable: “Surely a blind person cannot lead the blind, can he?[fn] Will they not both fall into a pit? 40 A disciple is not superior to his[fn] teacher, but everyone,when he[fn] is fully trained, will be like his teacher. 41 And why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the beam of wood that is in your own eye? 42 How are you able to say to your brother, “Brother, allow me to remove the speck that is in your eye,” while[fn] you yourself do not see the beam of wood in yourown eye? Hypocrite! First remove the beam of wood from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye!

The Sermon on the Plain: Trees and Their Fruit

43 “For there is no good tree that produces bad fruit, nor on the other hand a bad tree that produces good fruit, 44 for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thorn plants, nor are grapes harvested from thorn bushes. 45 The good person out of the good treasury of his heart brings forth good, and the evil person out of his[fn] eviltreasury[fn] brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.

46 “And why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?[fn]

The Sermon on the Plain: Two Houses and Two Foundations

47 “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and does them—I will show you what he is like: 48 he is like a man building a house, who dug and went down deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when[fn] a flood came, the river burst against that house and was not able to shake it, because it had been built well. 49 But the one who hears my words[fn] and does not dothem[fn] is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation, which the river burst against, and immediately it collapsed—and the collapse of that house was great!”

A Centurion’s Slave Healed

7 After he had finished all his statements in the hearing of the people, he entered into Capernaum. 2 Now a certain centurion’s slave, who was esteemed by him, was sick[fn]and[fn] was about to die. 3 So when he[fn] heard about Jesus, he sent Jewish elders to him, asking him that he would comeand[fn] cure his slave. 4 And when they[fn] came to Jesus, they began imploring[fn] him earnestly, saying, “He is worthythat you grant this for him, 5 because he loves our nation and he himself built the synagogue for us.” 6 So Jesus went with them. Now by this time he was not far away from the house, and[fn] the centurion sent friends, saying to him, “Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy that you should come in under my roof. 7 For this reason neither did I consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word and my slave must be healed. 8 For I also am a man placed under authority, who has soldiers under me, and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another one, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”[fn]

9 And when[fn] Jesus heard thesethings, he marveled at him, and turning around to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such great faith!” 10 And when they[fn] returned to the house, those who had been sent found the slave healthy.

A Widow’s Son Raised

11 And it happened that on the next day he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. 12 And as he approached the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, his mother’s only son, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her. 13 And when[fn] the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, “Do not weep!” 14 And he came up and[fn] touched the bier, and those who were carryingit[fn] stopped. And he said, “Young man, I say to you, get up!” 15 And the dead man sat up and began to speak, and he gave him to his mother. 16 And fear seized them all, and they began to glorify[fn] God, saying, “A great prophet has appeared among us!” and “God has visited to help his people!” 17 And this report about him went out in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.

A Question from John the Baptist

18 And his disciples reported to John about all these things. And summoning a certain two of his disciples, John 19 sent them[fn] to the Lord,[fn] saying, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20 And when[fn] the men came to him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’ ” 21 In that hour he healed many people of diseases and suffering and evil spirits, and he granted sight to many blind people. 22 And he answered and[fn] said to them, “Goand[fn] tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind receive sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear;[fn] the dead are raised, the poor have good news announced tothem.[fn] 23 And whoever is not offended by me is blessed.”

24 And when[fn] the messengers of John had departed, he began to speak to the crowds concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are in splendid clothing and luxury are in the royal palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and even more than a prophet!

• 27 It is this man about whom it is written:‘Behold, I am sending my messenger before your face,
• who will prepare your way before you.’[fn]

28 I tell you, there is no one greater among those born of women than John, but the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he. 29 (And all the people, when they[fn] heardthis[fn]—even the tax collectors—affirmed the righteousness of God,because they[fn] had been baptizedwith the baptism of John, 30 but the Pharisees and the legal experts rejected the purpose of God for themselves, because they[fn] had not been baptized by him.)

31 “To what then shall I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like?

• 32 They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another, who say,‘We played the flute for you and you did not dance;
• we sang a lament and you did not weep.’

33 For John the Baptist has come not eating bread or drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ 34 The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a man who is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ 35 And wisdom is vindicated by all her children.”

A Sinful Woman Anoints Jesus’ Feet

36 Now one of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he entered into the house of the Pharisee and[fn] reclined at the table. 37 And behold, a woman in the town who was a sinner, when she[fn] learned that he was dining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster flask of perfumed oil, 38 and standing behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and was wiping them[fn] with the hair of her head and was kissing his feet and anointingthem[fn] with the perfumed oil. 39 Now when[fn] the Pharisee who invited him sawthis,[fn] he spoke to himself, saying, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of womanthis is who is touching him, that she is a sinner.” 40 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he said, “Teacher, sayit.”[fn] 41 “There were two debtors who owed a certain creditor. One owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty. 42 When[fn] they were not able to repayhim,[fn] he forgavethe debts[fn] of both. Now which of them will love him more?” 43 Simon answered and[fn] said, “I suppose thatit is the one to whom he forgave more.” And he said to him, “You have judged correctly.” 44 And turning toward the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house. You did not give me water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them[fn] with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I entered, she has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with olive oil, but she anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 47 For this reason[fn] I tell you, her sins—which were many—have been forgiven, for she loved much. But the one to whom little is forgiven loves little.” 48 And he said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” 49 And those who were reclining at the table with him began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” 50 And he said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Some Women Accompany Jesus

8 And it happened that afterward[fn] also he was going about fromone town and village to another preaching and proclaiming the good news concerning the kingdom of God, and the twelve were with him, 2 and some women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (who was called Magdalene), from whom seven demons had gone out, 3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza (Herod’s household manager), and Susanna, and many others who were helping to support them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

4 And while[fn] a large crowd was gathering andthey were going to him from town after town, he spoke by means of a parable: 5 “The sower went out to sow his seed, and while he was sowing, some seed[fn] fell on the side of the path and was trampled under foot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 And other seed fell on the rock, and when it[fn] came up, it withered, because it did not have moisture. 7 And other seed fell in the midst of the thorn plants, and the thorn plants grew up with it[fn]and[fn] choked it. 8 And other seed fell on the good soil, and when it[fn] came up, it produced a hundred times as much grain.”As he[fn] said thesethings, he called out, “The one who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Reason for the Parables

9 And his disciples asked him what this parable meant.

• 10 And he said, “To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest they are in parables, so that‘Seeing they may not see,
• and hearing they may not understand.’[fn]

The Parable of the Sower Interpreted

11 Now the parable means this: the seed is the word of God, 12 and those beside the path are the ones who have heard. Then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and[fn] be saved. 13 And those on the rock are those who receive the word with joy when they hear it,[fn] and these do not haveenough root, who believe for a time and in a time of testing fall away. 14 And the seed that fell into the thorn plants—these are the ones who hear and as they[fn] go along are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life, and they do not bear fruit to maturity. 15 But the seed on the good soil—these are the ones who, after[fn] hearing the word, hold fast toit[fn] with a noble and good heart, and bear fruit with patient endurance.

The Parable of the Lamp

16 “And no one, after[fn] lighting a lamp, covers it with a jar or putsit[fn] under a bed, but putsit[fn] on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light. 17 For nothing is secret that will not become evident, and nothing hidden that will never be known and come to light. 18 Therefore consider how you listen, for whoever has, to him more will be given, and whoever does not have, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away from him.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

19 Now his mother and brothers came to him, and they were not able to meet with him because of the crowd. 20 And it was reported to him, “Your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to see you.” 21 But he answered and[fn] said to them, “These are my mother and my brothers—the ones who hear the word of God and doit.[fn]

Calming of a Storm

22 Now it happened that on one of the days both he and his disciples got into a boat, and he said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side of the lake.” And they set sail, 23 and as[fn] they were sailing, he fell asleep. And a storm of wind came down on the lake, and they were being swamped and were in danger. 24 And they came and[fn] woke him up, saying, “Master, master! We are perishing!” So he got upand[fn] rebuked the wind and the billowing waves of water and they ceased, and it became calm. 25 And he said to them, “Where is your faith?” But they were afraid and[fn] were astonished, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water and they obey him?”

A Demon-possessed Gerasene Healed

26 And they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee. 27 And as[fn] he got out on the land, a certain man from the town methim[fn] who had demons and for a considerable time had not worn clothes and did not live in a house, but among the tombs. 28 And when he[fn] saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before him, and said with a loud voice, “What do I have to do with you,[fn] Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me!” 29 For he had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. (For it had seized him many times, and he was bound with chains and shackles and[fn] was guarded, and breaking the bonds he would be driven by the demon into the deserted places.) 30 So Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “Legion,” because many demons had entered into him. 31 And they began imploring[fn] him that he would not order them to depart into the abyss. 32 Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding there on the hill, and they implored him that he would permit them to enter into those pigs. And he permitted them. 33 So the demons came out of the man and[fn] entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed headlong down the steep slope into the lake and were drowned. 34 And when[fn] the herdsmen saw what had happened, they fled and reportedit[fn] in the town and in the countryside. 35 So they went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out sitting there clothed and in his right mind, at the feet of Jesus, and they were afraid. 36 And those who had seen it[fn] reported to them how the man who had been demon-possessed had been healed. 37 And all the people of the surrounding region of the Gerasenes asked him to depart from them, because they had been seized with great fear. So he got into the boat and[fn] returned. 38 And the man from who the demons had gone out was begging him to stay with him, but he sent him away, saying, 39 “Return to your home and tell all that God has done for you.” And he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole town all that Jesus had done for him.

A Woman Healed and a Daughter Raised

40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, because they were all waiting for him. 41 And behold, a man who was named[fn] Jairus came, and this man was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at the feet of Jesusand[fn] began imploring[fn] him to come to his house,

42 because he had[fn] an only daughter, about twelve yearsold, and she was dying.Now as he was going, the crowds were pressing against him. 43 And a woman who was suffering from hemorrhages[fn] for twelve years (who,although she[fn] had spent allher[fn] assets on physicians, was not able to be healed by anyone) 44 came up behind him and[fn] touched the edge of his cloak, and immediatelyher hemorrhaging[fn] stopped. 45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched me?” And when they[fn] all deniedit,[fn] Peter said, “Master, the crowds are pressing you hard and crowdingyou!”[fn] 46 But Jesus said, “Someone touched me, because I know power has gone out from me.” 47 And when[fn] the woman saw that she did not escape notice, she came trembling and falling down before him. In the presence of all the people, she told for what reason she had touched him, and that she was healed immediately. 48 And he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

49 While[fn] he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue ruler’shouse, saying, “Your daughter is dead! Trouble the Teacher no longer!” 50 But Jesus, when he[fn] heardthis,[fn] replied to him, “Do not be afraid! Only believe, and she will be healed.” 51 Now when he[fn] came to the house, he did not allow anyone to enter with him except Peter and John and James and the father and mother of the child. 52 And they were all weeping and mourning for her, but he said, “Do not weep! For she is not dead, but is sleeping.” 53 And they began laughing[fn] at him,because they[fn] knew that she was dead. 54 But he took her hand and[fn] called, saying, “Child, get up.” 55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately, and he ordered something[fn] to be given to her to eat. 56 And her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

The Twelve Commissioned and Sent Out

9 And summoning the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 And he said to them, “Take along nothing for the journey—neither a staff, nor a traveler’s bag, nor bread, nor money, nor to have two tunics apiece. 4 And into whatever house you enter, stay there and depart from there. 5 And as for all those who do not welcome you—when you[fn] depart from that town, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.” 6 So they departed and[fn] went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod Perplexed About Jesus

7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John has been raised from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and others that some prophet of ancient times had risen. 9 And Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was wanting to see him.

The Feeding of Five Thousand

10 And when they[fn] returned, the apostles described to him all that they had done. And he took them alongand[fn] withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida. 11 But when[fn] the crowds found out, they followed him, and welcoming them, he began to speak[fn] to them about the kingdom of God, and he cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to be far spent, and the twelve came up and[fn] said to him, “Send away the crowd so that they can go into the surrounding villages and farms to obtain lodging and find provisions, because we are here in a desolate place. 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no[fn] more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we goand[fn] purchase food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) So he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, and[fn] looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them and began giving[fn]them[fn] to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was picked up by them—twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Peter’s Confession

18 And it happened that while he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered and[fn] said, “John the Baptist, but others, Elijah, and others, that one of the ancient prophets has risen.” 20 And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and[fn] said, “The Christ of God.”

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

21 But he warned and[fn] commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “It is necessary for the Son of Man to suffer many things and to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised on the third day.

Taking Up One’s Cross to Follow Jesus

23 And he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross every day and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me, this person will save it. 25 For what is a person benefited if he[fn] gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this person when he comes in his glory and the glory[fn] of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some of those standing here who will never experience death until they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28 Now it happened that about eight days after these words, he took along Peter and John and James and[fn] went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became white, gleaming like lightning.[fn] 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and[fn] were speakingabout his departure which he was about to fulfill[fn] in Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and those with him were very sleepy,[fn] butwhen they[fn] became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 And it happened that as they were going away from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. And let us make three shelters, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he was saying. 34 And while[fn] he was saying thesethings, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. 35 And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him!” 36 And after the voice had occurred, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

A Demon-possessed Boy Healed

37 Now it happened that on the next day, when[fn] they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look with concern on my son, because he is my only son! 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him and suddenly he screams, and it convulses him with foam and rarely withdraws from him, battering him severely. 40 And I begged your disciples that they would expel it, and they were not able to do so.” 41 So Jesus answered and[fn] said, “O unbelieving and perverted generation!How long[fn] will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here!” 42 And while[fn] he was still approaching, the demon threw him down and convulsedhim.[fn] But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all astounded at the impressiveness of God.

Jesus Predicts His Suffering

But while they[fn] were all marveling at allthe things that he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 “You take these words to heart,[fn] for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they could not understand it. And they were afraid to ask him about this statement.

The Question About Who Is Greatest

46 And an argument developed among them as to who of them might be greatest. 47 But Jesus, because he[fn] knew the thoughts of their hearts, took hold of a child and had him stand beside him 48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the one who is least among you all—this one is great.”

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

49 And John answered and[fn] said, “Master, we saw someone expelling demons in your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow in company with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him,[fn] because whoever is not against you is for you.”

Jesus Rejected in a Samaritan Village

51 Now it happened that when the days were approaching for him to be taken up,[fn] he sethis[fn] face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers before him,[fn] and they wentand[fn] entered into a village of the Samaritans in order to prepare for him. 53 And they did not welcome him because he was determined to go[fn] to Jerusalem. 54 Now when[fn] the disciples James and John sawit,[fn] they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But he turned around and[fn] rebuked them, 56 and they proceeded to another village.

Would-be Followers

57 And as[fn] they were traveling on the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go!” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his[fn] head.” 59 And he said to another, “Follow me!” But he said, “Lord, first allow me to go and[fn] bury my father.” 60 But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead! But you go and[fn] proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 And another person also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say farewell to those in my house.” 62 But Jesus said,[fn] “No one who putshis[fn] hand on the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God!”

The Seventy-Two Appointed and Sent Out

10 And after these things, the Lord also[fn] appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two beforehim[fn] into every town and place where he was about to go. 2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest that he send out workers into his harvest. 3 Go! Behold, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves! 4 Do not carry a money bag or a traveler’s bag or sandals, and greet no one along the road. 5 And into whatever house you enter, first say, “Peace be to this household!” 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him. But if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide,[fn] for the workeris worthy of his pay. Do not move from house to house. 8 And into whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat whatever is[fn] set before you, 9 and heal the sick in it, and say to them, “The kingdom of God has come near to you.” 10 But into whatever town you enter and they do not welcome you, go out into its streets and[fn] say, 11 “Even the dust of your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! Nevertheless know this: that the kingdom of God has come near!”[fn] 12 I tell you that it will be more bearable on that day for Sodom than for that town!

13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes! 14 But it will be more bearable for Tyre and for Sidon in the judgment than for you! 15 And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No! You will be brought down to Hades! 16 The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me. But the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me.”

17 And the seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” 18 So he said to them, “I saw Satan falling like lightning from heaven. 19 Behold, I have given you the authority to tread on snakes and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will ever harm you. 20 Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are inscribed in heaven.”

Jesus Rejoices and Prays

21 At that same time he rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to young children. Yes, Father, for this was pleasing before you. 22 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wants to reveal him.”[fn]

23 And turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see the things which you see! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and did not see them,[fn] and to hearthe things which you hear, and did not hear them.”[fn]

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 And behold, a certain legal expert stood up to test him, saying, “Teacher, what must I do so that I will inherit eternal life?” 26 And he said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”[fn] 27 And he answered and[fn] said, “You shall love the Lord your God from all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind,[fn] and your neighbor as yourself.”[fn] 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this and you will live.”

29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 And[fn] Jesus repliedand[fn] said, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who both stripped him and beathim.[fn]After[fn] inflicting blows onhim,[fn] they went away, leavinghim[fn] half dead. 31 Now by coincidence a certain priest was going down on that road, and when he[fn] saw him, he passed by on the opposite side. 32 And in the same way also a Levite, when he[fn] came down to the place[fn] and sawhim,[fn] passed by on the opposite side. 33 But a certain Samaritan who was traveling came up to him and, when he[fn] sawhim,[fn] had compassion. 34 And he came up and[fn] bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil and wine, and he put him on his own animaland[fn] brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 And on the next day, he took out two denarii and[fn] gavethem[fn][fn] to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him, and whatever you spend in addition, I will repay to you when I return. 36 Which of these three do you suppose became a neighbor of the man who fell among the robbers?” 37 So he said, “The one who showed mercy to him.” And Jesus said to him, “You go and do likewise.”

Martha and Mary

38 Now as they traveled along, he entered into a certain village. And a certain woman named[fn] Martha welcomed him.[fn] 39 And she had[fn] a sister named Mary, who also sat at the feet of Jesus[fn]and[fn] was listening to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much preparation, so she approached and[fn] said, “Lord, is it not a concern to you that my sister has left me alone to make preparations? Then tell her that she should help me!” 41 But the Lord answered and[fn] said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about manythings! 42 But few things are necessary, or only one thing,[fn] for Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.”

How to Pray

11 And it happened that while he was in a certain place praying, when he stopped a certain one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”

• 2 And he said to them, “When you pray, say,“Father,
• may your name be treated as holy.
• May your kingdom come.
3 
• 4  for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
• And do not lead us into temptation.”

Ask, Seek, Knock

5 And he said to them, “Who of you will have a friend, and will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, 6 because a friend of mine has come to me on a journey, and I do not have anything to set before him.’ 7 And that one will answer from inside and[fn] say, ‘Do not cause me trouble! The door has already been shut and my children are with me in bed! I am not able to get up to give youanything.’[fn] 8 I tell you, even if he does not give him anything[fn]after he[fn] gets up becausehe is his friend, at any rate because of his impudence[fn] he will get upand[fn] give him whatever he needs.

9 And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and it will be opened for you. 10 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 11 But what father from among you, if his[fn] son will ask for a fish, instead of a fish will give him a snake? 12 Or also, if he will ask for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13 Therefore if you, although you[fn] are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

A House Divided Cannot Stand

14 And he was expelling a mute demon.[fn] Now it happened thatwhen[fn] the demon came out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowds were astonished. 15 But some of them said, “By Beelzebul the ruler of demons he expels demons!” 16 And others, in order to[fn] testhim,[fn] were demanding from him a sign from heaven. 17 But he, knowing their thoughts, said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and a divided household[fn] falls. 18 So if Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say that I expel demons by Beelzebul. 19 But if I expel demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons expel them?[fn] For thisreason they will be your judges! 20 But if I expel demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you! 21 When a strong man, fully armed, guards his own palace, his possessions are safe.[fn] 22 But when a stronger man attacks him and[fn] conquers him, he takes away his full armor in which he trusted and distributes his plunder. 23 The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters.

An Unclean Spirit Returns

24 “Whenever an unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it travels through waterless places searching for rest, and does not find it.[fn] It says,[fn] ‘I will return to my house from which I came out.’ 25 And when it[fn] arrives it findsthe house[fn] swept and put in order. 26 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they go in and[fn] live there. And the laststate of that person becomes worse than the first!”

27 Now it happened that as he said these things, a certain woman from the crowd raised her voice and[fn] said to him, “Blessedis the womb that bore you, and the breasts at which you nursed!” 28 But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and follow it!”[fn]

The Sign of Jonah

29 And as[fn] the crowds were increasing, he began to say, “This generation is an evil generation! It demands a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah! 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so also the Son of Man will be to this generation. 31 The queen of the south will rise up at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold, something[fn] greater than Solomonis here! 32 The people of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and behold, something[fn] greater than Jonahis here!

Light and Darkness

33 “No one after[fn] lighting a lamp putsit[fn] in a cellar or under a bushel basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who come in can see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is sincere, your whole body is full of light also. But when it is evil, your body is dark also. 35 Therefore pay careful attention that the light in you is not darkness! 36 If therefore your whole body is full of light, not having any part dark, it will be completely full of light, as when the lamp with its light gives light to you.”

Pharisees and Legal Experts Denounced

37 And as he was speaking, a Pharisee asked him to have a meal[fn] with him, and he went inand[fn] reclined at table. 38 And the Pharisee, when he[fn] sawit,[fn] was astonished that he did not first wash before the meal. 39 But the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the dish, but your inside is full of greediness and wickedness. 40 Fools! Did not the one who made the outside make the inside also? 41 But give as charitable giving the things that are within, and behold, everything is clean for you.

42 “But woe to you, Pharisees, because you pay a tenth of mint and rue and every garden herb, and neglect justice and love for God! But it was necessary to do these things without neglecting those things also. 43 Woe to you, Pharisees, because you love the best seat in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces! 44 Woe to you, because you are like unmarked graves, and the people who walk over them[fn] do not knowit![fn]

45 And one of the legal experts answered and[fn] said to him, “Teacher,when you[fn] say thesethings, you insult us also!” 46 So he said, “Woe to you also, legal experts, because you load people with burdens hard to bear, and you yourselves do not touch the burdens with one of your fingers! 47 Woe to you, because you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them! 48 As a result you are witnesses, and you approve of the deeds of your fathers, because they killed them and you build their tombs![fn] 49 For this reason also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute,’ 50 so that the blood of all the prophets that has been shed from the foundation of the world may be required of this generation, 51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the temple building.[fn] Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation! 52 Woe to you, legal experts, because you have taken away the key to knowledge! You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering!”

53 And when[fn] he departed from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly hostile, and to question him closely about manythings, 54 plotting to catch him with reference to something he might say.[fn]

Warning Against Hypocrisy

12 During this time[fn]when[fn] a crowd of many thousands had gathered together, so that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware for yourselves of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But nothing is concealed that will not be revealed, and secret that will not be made known. 3 Therefore everything that you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered[fn] in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.

Fear God Rather Than People

4 “And I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after these things do not have anything more to do. 5 But I will show you whom you should fear: fear the one who has authority, after the killing, to throw you[fn] into hell! Yes, I tell you, fear this one! 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered! Do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

Acknowledgement of Christ and Persecution of Disciples

8 “And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before people, the Son of Man also will acknowledge him before the angels of God, 9 but the one who denies me before people will be denied before the angels of God. 10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to the one who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 But when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious how or what you should speak in your own defense or what you should say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what it is necessary to say.”

The Parable of the Rich Landowner Who Was a Fool

13 Now someone from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me!” 14 But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” 15 And he said to them, “Watch out and guard yourselves from all greediness, because not even when someone has an abundance does[fn] his lifeconsist of his possessions.” 16 And he told a parable to them, saying, “The land of a certain rich man yielded an abundant harvest. 17 And he reasoned to himself, saying, ‘What should I do? For I do not have anywhere I can gather in my crops.’ 18 And he said, ‘I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and I will gather in there all my grain and possessions. 19 And I will say to my soul, “Soul, you have many possessions stored up for many years. Relax, eat, drink, celebrate!” ’ 20 But God said to him, ‘Fool! This night your life[fn] is demanded from you, andthe things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ 21 So is the one who stores up treasure for himself, and who is not rich toward God!”

Anxiety

22 And he said to his disciples, “For this reason I tell you, do not be anxious for your[fn] life, what you will eat, or foryour[fn] body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing. 24 Consider the ravens, that they neither sow nor reap; to them there is neither storeroom nor barn, and God feeds them. How much more are you worth than the birds? 25 And which of you by[fn] being anxious is able to add an hour[fn] to his life span? 26 If then you are not even able to do a very little thing, why are you anxious about the rest? 27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they do not toil or spin, but I say to you, not even Solomon in all his glory was dressed like one of these. 28 But if God clothes the grass in the field in this way, although it[fn] ishere today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he do so for[fn] you, you of little faith? 29 And you, do not consider what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need these things. 31 But seek his kingdom and these things will be added to you.

32 “Do not be afraid, little flock, because your Father is well pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give charitable gifts. Make for yourselves money bags that do not wear out, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven[fn] where thief does not approach or moth destroy. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

On the Alert for the Master’s Return

35 “You must be prepared for action[fn] andyour[fn] lamps burning. 36 And you, be like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast,[fn] so thatwhen he[fn] comes back and knocks, they can openthe door[fn] for him immediately. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by and[fn] serve them. 38 Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find them[fn] like this, blessed are they! 39 But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think he will come.”[fn]

A Faithful Slave and an Unfaithful Slave

41 And Peter said, “Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?” 42 And the Lord said, “Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give them[fn]their[fn] food allowance at the right time? 43 Blessed is that slave whom his master will find so doing when he[fn] comes back. 44 Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 45 But if that slave should say to himself,[fn] ‘My master is taking a long time to return,’ and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, 46 the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. 47 And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will will be given a severe beating.[fn] 48 But the one who did not know and did things deserving blows will be given a light beating.[fn] And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask himfor even more.

Not Peace, But a Sword of Divisiveness

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish that it had been kindled already! 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is accomplished! 51 Do you think that I have come to grant peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division! 52 For from now on there will be five in one household, divided three against two and two against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.”

The Signs of the Times

54 And he also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud coming up in the west, you say at once, ‘A rainstorm is coming,’ and so it happens. 55 And when you see the south wind blowing, you say, ‘There will be burning heat,’ and it happens. 56 Hypocrites! You know how to evaluate the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it you do not know how to evaluate this present time?

Settle Accounts Quickly

57 And why do you not also judge for yourselves what is right? 58 For as you are going with your accuser before the magistrate, make an effort to come to a settlement with him on the way, so that he will not drag you to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you into prison. 59 I tell you, you will never get out of there until you have paid back even the last cent!”[fn]

Repent or Perish

13 Now at the same time some had come to tell him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered and[fn] said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were sinners worse than all the Galileans, because they suffered thesethings? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you repent you will all perish as well! 4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were sinners worse than all the people who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all perish as well!”

The Parable of the Barren Fig Tree

6 And he told this parable: “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any.[fn] 7 So he said to the gardener, ‘Behold, for three years[fn] I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree and did not findany.[fn] Cut it down![fn] Why should it even exhaust the soil?’ 8 But he answered and[fn] said to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put manure onit.[fn] 9 And if indeed it produces fruit in the coming year, so much the better,[fn] but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

A Woman with a Disabling Spirit Healed

10 Now he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. 11 And behold, a woman was there[fn] who had a spiritthat had disabled her[fn]for eighteen years, and she was bent over and not able to straighten herself up completely.[fn] 12 And when he[fn] saw her, Jesus summonedher[fn] and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your disability!” 13 And he placed his[fn] hands on her, and immediately she straightened up and glorified God. 14 But the ruler of the synagogue, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, answered and[fn] said to the crowd, “There are six days on which it is necessary to work. Therefore comeand[fn] be healed on them, and not on the day of the Sabbath!” 15 But the Lord answered and said to him, “Hypocrites! Does not each one of you untie his ox or his[fn] donkey from the feeding trough on the Sabbath and leadit[fn] away to waterit?[fn] 16 And this woman, who is a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound eighteen[fn] long years—is it not necessary that she be released from this bond on the day of the Sabbath?” 17 And when[fn] he said thesethings, all those who opposed him were humiliated, and the whole crowd was rejoicing at all the splendid things that were being done by him.

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

18 Therefore he said, “What is the kingdom of God like, and to what shall I compare it? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and[fn] sowed in his own garden, and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky nested in its branches.”

The Parable of the Yeast

20 And again he said, “To what shall I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and[fn] hid in[fn] three measures of wheat flour until the wholebatch was leavened.”

The Narrow Door

22 And he was going throughout towns and villages, teaching and making his journey toward Jerusalem. 23 And someone said to him, “Lord, are there only[fn] a few who are saved?” And he said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able to, 25 when once the master of the house has gotten up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock on the door, saying, ‘Lord, open the door[fn] for us!’ And he will answerand[fn] say to you, ‘I do not know where you are from!’ 26 Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets!’ 27 And he will reply, saying to you, ‘I do not know where you are from! Go away from me, all you evildoers!’[fn] 28 In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but yourselves thrown outside! 29 And they will come from east and west, and from north and south, and will recline at the table in the kingdom of God. 30 And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

The Lament over Jerusalem

31 At that same hour some Pharisees came up and[fn] said to him, “Go out and depart from here, because Herod wants to kill you!” 32 And he said to them, “Go and[fn] tell that fox, ‘Behold, I am expelling demons and performing healings today and tomorrow, and on the thirdday I will complete my work.’[fn] 33 Nevertheless, it is necessary for me to be on the way today and tomorrow and on the next day, because it is not possible for a prophet to perish outside Jerusalem.

34 “Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How many times I wanted to gather your children together the way[fn] a hengathers[fn] her own brood underher[fn] wings, and you were not willing! 35 Behold, your house has been left to you! And I tell you, you will never see me until the time[fn] will come when you say, ‘Blessedis the one who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”[fn]

A Man Suffering from Edema Healed

14 And it happened that when he came to the house of a certain one of the leaders of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat a meal,[fn] they were watching him closely. 2 And behold, a certain man was in front of him, suffering from edema. 3 And Jesus answered and[fn] said to the legal experts and Pharisees, saying, “Is it permitted to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. And he took hold of him[fn]and[fn] healed him, and senthim[fn] away. 5 And he said to them, “Who among you, if your[fn] son oryour ox falls into a well[fn] on the day of the Sabbath, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they were not able to make a reply to these things.

The Parable of the Guests at the Wedding Feast

7 Now he told a parable to those who had been invited when he[fn] noticed how they were choosing for themselves the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast,[fn] do not recline at the table in the place of honor, lestsomeone more distinguished than you has been invited by him, 9 and the one who invited you both[fn] will comeand[fn] say to you, ‘Give the place to this person,’ and then with shame you will begin to take the last place. 10 But when you are invited, go and[fn] recline at the table in the last place, so that when the one who invited you comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then it will be an honor to you in the presence of all those who are reclining at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

The Parable of the Great Banquet

12 And he also said to the one who had invited him, “When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or wealthy neighbors, lest they also invite you in return, and repayment come to you. 13 But whenever you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they are not able to repay you. For it will be paid back to you at the resurrection of the righteous.”

15 Now when[fn] one of those reclining at the table withhim heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who[fn] will eat bread in the kingdom of God!” 16 But he said to him, “A certain man was giving a large banquet and invited many. 17 And he sent his slave at the hour of the banquet to say to those who have been invited, ‘Come, because now it is ready!’ 18 And they all alike[fn] began to excuse themselves. The first said to him, ‘I have purchased a field, andI must[fn] go out to look at it. I ask you, consider me excused.’ 19 And another said, ‘I have purchased five yoke of oxen, and I am going to examine them. I ask you, consider me excused.’ 20 And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and for this reason I am not able to come.’ 21 And the slave came and[fn] reported thesethings to his master. Then the master of the house became angry and[fn] said to his slave, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city and bring in here the poor and crippled and blind and lame!’ 22 And the slave said, ‘Sir, what you ordered has been done, and there is still room.’ 23 And the master said to the slave, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges and press them[fn] to come in, so that my house will be filled! 24 For I say to you that none of those persons who were invited will taste my banquet!’ ”

The Cost of Discipleship

25 Now large crowds were going along with him, and he turned around and[fn] said to them, 26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, and furthermore, even his own life, he cannot be[fn] my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow[fn] mecannot be[fn] my disciple. 28 For which of you, wanting to build a tower, does not first sit down and[fn] calculate the costto see if he has enough[fn]to complete it?[fn] 29 Otherwise[fn]after[fn] he has laid the foundation and is not able to finishit,[fn] all who seeit[fn] will begin to ridicule him, 30 saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’ 31 Or what king, going out to engage another king in battle, does not sit down first and[fn] deliberate whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand. 32 But if not, while[fn]the other is still far away, he sends an ambassador and[fn] asksfor terms of[fn] peace. 33 In the same way, therefore, every one of you who does not renounce all his own possessions cannot be[fn] my disciple.

34 “Now salt is good, but if salt becomes tasteless, with what will it be made salty? 35 It is usable neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; they throw it out. The one who has ears to hear, let him hear!”

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

15 Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were drawing near to hear him. 2 And both the Pharisees and the scribes were complaining, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them!”

3 So he told them this parable, saying, 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the grassland and go after the one that was lost until he finds it? 5 And when he[fn] has foundit,[fn] he placesit[fn] on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he[fn] returns tohis[fn] home, he calls togetherhis[fn] friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found my sheep that was lost!’ 7 I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.

The Parable of the Lost Coin

8 Or what woman who has ten drachmas, if she loses one drachma, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?[fn] 9 And when she[fn] has foundit,[fn] she calls togetherher[fn] friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, because I have found the drachma that I had lost!’ 10 In the same way, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

The Parable of the Lost Son

11 And he said, “A certain man had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his[fn] father, ‘Father, give me the share of the property that is coming tome.’ So he divided his[fn] assets between them. 13 And after not many days, the younger son gathered everything and[fn] went on a journey to a distant country, and there he squandered his wealthby[fn] living wastefully. 14 And after[fn] he had spent everything, there was a severe famine throughout that country, and he began to be in need. 15 And he went and[fn] hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to tend pigs. 16 And he was longing to fill his stomach with[fn] the carob pods that the pigs were eating, and no one was givinganything[fn] to him.

17 “But when he[fn] came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have an abundanceof food,[fn] and I am dying here from hunger! 18 I will set out and[fn] go to my father and will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven andin your sight![fn] 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son! Make me like one of your hired workers.’ 20 And he set out and[fn] came to his own father. Butwhile[fn] he was still a long way away, his father saw him and had compassion, and ranand embraced him[fn] and kissed him. 21 And his[fn] son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven andin your sight![fn] I am no longer worthy to be called your son!’ 22 But his[fn] father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and putit[fn] on him, and put a ring on his finger[fn] and sandals onhis[fn] feet! 23 And bring the fattened calf—kill it[fn] and let us eatand[fn] celebrate, 24 because this son of mine was dead, and is alive again! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate.

25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and[fn] approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the slaves and[fn] asked what thesethings meant. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has gotten him back healthy.’ 28 But he became angry and did not want to go in. So his father came out and[fn] began to implore[fn] him. 29 But he answered and[fn] said to his father, ‘Behold, so many years I have served you, and have never disobeyed your command! And you never gave me a young goat so that I could celebrate with my friends! 30 But when this son of yours returned—who has consumed your assets with prostitutes—you killed the fattened calf for him!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘Child, you are always with me, and everything I have belongs to you.[fn] 32 But it was necessary to celebrate and to rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead, and is alive, and was lost, and is found!’ ”

The Parable of the Dishonest Manager

16 And he also said to the disciples, “A certain man was rich, who had a manager. And charges were brought to him that this person was squandering his possessions. 2 And he summoned him and[fn] said to him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give the account of your management, because you can no longer manage.’ 3 And the manager said to himself, ‘What should I do, because my master is taking away the management from me? I am not strong enough to dig; I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I should do, so that when I am removed from the management they will welcome me into their homes!’ 5 And he summoned each one of his own master’s debtors and[fn] said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 And he said, ‘A hundred measures of olive oil.’ So he said to him, ‘Take your promissory note and sit down quickly and[fn] write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your promissory note and write eighty.’ 8 And the master praised the dishonest manager, because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this age are shrewder than the sons of light with regard to their own generation.[fn] 9 And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it runs out they will welcome you into the eternal dwellings.

10 “The one who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and the one who is dishonest in very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful with unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches?[fn] 12 And if you have not been faithful with what belongs to another, who will give you your own? 13 No domestic slave is able to serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and will despise the other. You are not able to serve God and money.”

Hypocrisy, Law, and the Kingdom of God

14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 And he said to them, “You are the ones who justify themselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts! For what is considered exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.

16 “The law and the prophets were until John; from that time on the kingdom of God has been proclaimed, and everyone is urgently pressed[fn] into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid.

On Divorce

18 “Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and the one who marries a woman divorced from her husband commits adultery.

The Rich Man and Lazarus

19 “Now a certain man was rich, and dressed in purple cloth and fine linen, feasting sumptuously every day. 20 And a certain poor man named[fn] Lazarus, covered with sores, lay at his gate, 21 and was longing to be filled with what fell from the table of the rich man. But even the dogs came and[fn] licked his sores. 22 Now it happened that the poor man died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s side.[fn] And the rich man also died and was buried. 23 And in Hades he lifted up his eyes as he[fn] was in tormentand[fn] saw Abraham from a distance, and Lazarusat his side.[fn] 24 And he called out and[fn] said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he could dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering pain in this flame!’ 25 But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that you received your good things during your life, and Lazarus likewise bad things. But now he is comforted here, but you are suffering pain. 26 And in addition to all these things, a great chasm has been established between us and you, so that those who want to cross over from here to you are not able to do so,[fn] nor can they cross over from there to us.’ 27 So he said, ‘Then I ask you, father, that you send him to my father’s house, 28 for I have five brothers, so that he could warn them, in order that they also should not come to this place of torment!’ 29 But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they must listen to them.’ 30 And he said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent!’ 31 But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone rises from the dead.’ ”

Sin, Forgiveness, Faith, and Service

17 And he said to his disciples, “It is impossible for causes for stumbling not to come, but woe to him through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone[fn] is placed around his neck and he is thrown into the sea than that he causes one of these little ones to sin.

3 “Be concerned about yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times he returns to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

5 And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!” 6 So the Lord said, “If you have faith like a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.

7 “And which of you who has a slave plowing or shepherding sheep[fn] who comes in from the field will say to him, ‘Come here at onceand[fn] recline at the table’? 8 Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare something that I may eat, and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and after these things you will eat and drink.’ 9 He will not be grateful[fn] to the slave because he did what was ordered,will he?[fn] 10 Thus you also, when you have done all the things you were ordered to do,[fn] say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done what we were obligated to do.’ ”

Ten Lepers Cleansed

11 And it happened that while traveling toward Jerusalem, he was passing through the region between[fn] Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as[fn] he was entering into a certain village, ten men methim[fn][fn]—lepers, who stood at a distance. 13 And they raised their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” 14 And when he[fn] sawthem[fn] he said to them, “Goand[fn] show yourselves to the priests.” And it happened that as they were going, they were cleansed. 15 But one of them, when he[fn] saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 And he fell on his face at his feet, giving thanks to him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 So Jesus answered and[fn] said, “Were not ten cleansed? And whereare the nine? 18 Was no one found to turn back and[fn] give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Get up and[fn] go your way. Your faith has saved you.”

The Coming of the Kingdom of God

20 Now when he[fn] was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come withthings that can be observed,[fn] 21 nor will they say, ‘Behold, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

The Coming of the Son of Man

22 And he said to the disciples, “Days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it.[fn] 23 And they will say to you, ‘Behold, there!’ ‘Behold, here!’[fn] Do not go out or run afterthem![fn] 24 For just as the lightning shines forth, flashing from one place under heaven to another place under heaven, so the Son of Man will be in his day. 25 But first it is necessary for him to suffer many things, and to be rejected by this generation. 26 And just as it was in the days of Noah, so also it will be in the days of the Son of Man—27 they were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day Noah entered into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 Likewise, just as it was in the days of Lot—they were eating, they were drinking, they were buying, they were selling, they were planting, they were building. 29 But on the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulphur from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 It will be just the same[fn] on the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 On that day, whoever is on the housetop and his goods are in the house must not come down to take them away. And likewise the one who is in the field must not turn back 32 Remember Lot’s wife! 33 Whoever seeks to preserve his life will lose it, but whoever loses it[fn] will keep it. 34 I tell you that in that night there will be two in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women[fn] grinding at the sameplace; one will be taken and the other will be left.”[fn]

37 And they answered and[fn] said to him, “Where, Lord?” So he said to them, “Where the dead bodyis, there also the vultures will be gathered.”

The Parable of the Unjust Judge

18 And he told them a parable to show that they must always pray and not be discouraged, 2 saying, “There was a certain judge in a certain town who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3 And there was a widow in that town, and she kept coming to him, saying, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary!’ 4 And he was not willing for a time, but after these things he said to himself, ‘Even if I do not fear God or respect people, 5 yet because this widow is causing trouble for me, I will grant her justice, so that she does not wear me down in the end by her[fn] coming back!’ ” 6 And the Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge is saying! 7 And will not God surely see to it that justice is done[fn] to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, and will he delay toward them? 8 I tell you that he will see to it that justice is done[fn] for them soon! Nevertheless,when[fn] the Son of Man comes, then will he find faith on earth?”

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 And he also told this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and looked down on everyone else:[fn] 10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and[fn] prayed thesethings with reference to himself: ‘God, I give thanks to you that I am not like other people—swindlers, unrighteous people, adulterers, or even like this tax collector! 12 I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all that I get.’ 13 But the tax collector, standing far away, did not want even to raise his eyes to heaven, but was beating his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than that one! For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”

Little Children Brought to Jesus

15 Now they were bringing even their[fn] babies to him so that he could touch them. Butwhen[fn] the disciples sawit,[fn] they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to himself, saying, “Allow the children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such belongs[fn] the kingdom of God. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a young child will never enter into it.”

A Rich Young Man

18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, “Good Teacher, by[fn] doing what will I inherit eternal life?” 19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’ ”[fn] 21 And he said, “All these I have observed from my[fn] youth.” 22 And when he[fn] heardthis,[fn] Jesus said to him, “You still lack one thing:[fn] Sell all that you have, and distributethe proceeds[fn] to the poor—and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me.” 23 But when he[fn] heard thesethings he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.

24 And Jesus took notice of him[fn]and[fn] said, “Howdifficult it is for[fn] those who possess wealth to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 So those who heard this[fn] said, “And who can be saved?” 27 But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”

28 And Peter said, “Behold, we have left all that is ours[fn]and[fn] followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I say to you that there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children on account of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive many times more in this time and in the age to come, eternal life.”

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection a Third Time

31 And taking aside the twelve, he said to them, “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written by the prophets with reference to the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For he will be handed over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and mistreated and spit on, 33 and after[fn] flogginghim[fn] they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 And they understood none of these things, and this saying was concealed from them, and they did not comprehend the things that were said.

A Blind Man Healed at Jericho

35 Now it happened that as he drew near to Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting on the side of the road begging. 36 And when he[fn] heard a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 And they told him, “Jesus the Nazarene is passing by.” 38 And he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who were in front rebuked him, that he should be silent, but he cried out even more loudly,[fn] “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 40 So Jesus stopped and[fn] ordered him to be brought to him. Andwhen[fn] he approached, he asked him, 41 “What do you want me to do for you?” And he said, “Lord, that I may regain my sight. 42 And Jesus said to him, “Regain your sight! Your faith has saved you.” 43 And immediately he regained his sight and began to follow[fn] him, glorifying God. And all the people,when they[fn] sawit,[fn] gave praise to God.

Jesus and Zacchaeus

19 And he entered and[fn] traveled through Jericho. 2 And there was[fn] a mannamed[fn] Zacchaeus, and he was a chief tax collector, and hewas rich. 3 And he was seeking to see Jesus—who he was—and he was not able to as a result of the crowd, because he was short in stature. 4 And he ran on ahead and[fn] climbed up into a sycamore tree so that he could see him, because he was going to go throughthat way. 5 And when he came to the place, Jesus looked up and[fn] said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down quickly, because it is necessaryfor me to stay at your house today!” 6 And he came down quickly and welcomed him joyfully. 7 And when they[fn] sawit,[fn] they all began to complain,[fn] saying, “He has gone in to find lodging with a man who is a sinner!” 8 And Zacchaeus stopped and[fn] said to the Lord, “Behold, half of my possessions, Lord, I am giving to the poor, and if I have extorted anything from anyone, I am payingit[fn] back four timesas much!” 9 And Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save those who are lost.”

The Parable of the Ten Minas

11 Now while[fn] they were listening to thesethings, he went on and[fn] told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they thought that the kingdom of God was going to appear immediately. 12 Therefore he said, “A certain nobleman traveled to a distant country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. 13 And summoning ten of his own slaves, he gave them ten minas[fn] and said to them, ‘Do businessuntil I come back.’[fn] 14 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to be king over us!’ 15 And it happened that when he returned after[fn] receiving the kingdom, he ordered these slaves to whom he had given the money to be summoned to him, so that he could know what they had gained by trading. 16 So the first arrived, saying, ‘Sir, your mina has made ten minas more!’ 17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good slave! Because you have been faithful in a very small thing, have authority[fn] over ten cities.’ 18 And the second came, saying, ‘Sir, your mina has made five minas.’ 19 So he said to this one also, ‘And you be over five cities.’ 20 And another came, saying, ‘Sir, behold your mina, which I had put away for safekeeping in a piece of cloth. 21 For I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man—you withdraw what you did not deposit, and you reap what you did not sow!’ 22 He said to him, ‘By your own words[fn] I will judge you, wicked slave! You knew that I am a severe man, withdrawing what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow. 23 And why did you not give my money to the bank, and I, when I[fn] returned, would have collected it with interest?’ 24 And to the bystanders he said, ‘Take away from him the mina and give it[fn] to the one who has the ten minas!’ 25 And they said to him, ‘Sir, he has ten minas.’ 26 ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given. But from the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 27 But these enemies of mine who did not want me to be king over them—bring them[fn] here and slaughter themin my presence!’ ”

The Triumphal Entry

28 And after he[fn] had said thesethings, he traveled on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. 29 And it happened that when he drew near to Bethphage and Bethany, to the hill[fn] calledthe Mount of Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, ‘Go into the village in front of you, in which as you[fn] enter you will find a colt tied, on whichno person has ever[fn] sat, and untie itand[fn] bringit.[fn] 31 And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’[fn] you will say this: ‘The Lord has need of it.’ ” 32 So those who were sent went and[fn] foundit[fn] just as he had told them. 33 And as[fn] they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’ 34 So they said, ‘The Lord has need of it.’ 35 And they brought it to Jesus, and throwing their cloaks on the colt, they put Jesus on it. 36 And as[fn] he was going along, they were spreading out their cloaks on the road. 37 Now as[fn] he was drawing near by this time to the descent from the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of the disciples began rejoicing to praise God with a loud voice for all the miracles that they had seen,

• 38 saying,“Blessed is the king,
  • the one who comes in the name of the Lord![fn]
• Peace in heaven
  • and glory in the highest!”

39 And some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!” 40 And he answered and[fn] said, “I tell you that[fn] if these keep silent, the stones will cry out!”

Jesus Weeps over Jerusalem

41 And when he approached and[fn] saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known on this day—even you—the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you and your enemies will put up an embankment[fn] against you, and will surround you and press you hard from all directions. 44 And they will raze you to the ground, you and your children within you, and will not leave a stone upon a stone within you, because[fn] you did not recognize the time of your visitation.”

The Cleansing of the Temple

45 And he entered into the temple courts[fn]and[fn] began to drive out those who were selling, 46 saying to them, “It is written, ‘And my house will be a house of prayer,’[fn] but you have made it a cave of robbers!”

47 And he was teaching every day in the temple courts,[fn] and the chief priests and the scribes and the most prominent men of the people were seeking to destroy him. 48 And they did not find anything they could do, because all the people were paying close attention to what they were hearing from him.

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

20 And it happened that on one of the days while[fn] he was teaching the people in the templecourts[fn] and proclaiming the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes approached together with the elders 2 and said, saying to him, “Tell us, by what authority you are doing these things, or who is the one who gave you this authority? 3 And he answered and[fn] said to them, “I also will ask you a question, and you tell me: 4 The baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? 5 And they discussed this[fn] with one another, saying, “If we say ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why did you not believe him?’ 6 But if we say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us to death, because they are convinced that John was a prophet.” 7 And they replied that they did not know where it was from. 8 And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Tenant Farmers in the Vineyard

9 And he began to tell the people this parable: “A man[fn] planted a vineyard, and leased it to tenant farmers, and went on a journey for a long time. 10 And at the proper time he sent a slave to the tenant farmers, so that they would give him some of the fruit of the vineyard. But the tenant farmers sent him away empty-handed after[fn] beatinghim.[fn] 11 And he proceeded to send another slave, but they beat and dishonored that one also, and[fn] senthim[fn] away empty-handed. 12 And he proceeded to send a third, but they wounded and[fn] threw out this one also. 13 So the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What should I do? I will send my beloved son; perhaps they will respect him.’ 14 But when[fn] the tenant farmers saw him, they began to reason[fn] with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him so that the inheritance will become ours!’ 15 And they threw him out of the vineyard and[fn] killedhim.[fn] What then will the owner of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy those tenant farmers and give the vineyard to others.” And when they[fn] heardthis,[fn] they said, “May this never happen!”

• 17 But he looked intently at them and[fn] said, “What then is this that is written:‘The stone which the builders rejected,
  • this has become[fn]

18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls—it will crush him!” 19 And the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay their[fn] hands on him atthat same hour, and they were afraid of the people, for they knew that he had told this parable with reference to them.

Paying Taxes to Caesar

20 And they watched him[fn] closelyand[fn] sent spies who pretended they were upright, in order that they could catch him in a statement, so that they could hand him over to the authority and the jurisdiction of the governor. 21 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach rightly, and do not show partiality,[fn] but teach the way of God in truth. 22 Is it permitted for us to pay taxes[fn] to Caesar or not?” 23 But seeing through their craftiness, he said to them, 24 “Show me a denarius! Whose image and inscription does it have?” And they answered and[fn] said,[fn] “Caesar’s.” 25 So he said to them, “Well then, give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!” 26 And they were not able to catch him[fn][fn] in a statement in the sight of the people, and astonished at his answer, they became silent.

A Question About Marriage and the Resurrection

27 Now some of the Sadducees—who deny that there is a resurrection[fn]—came upand[fn] asked him, 28 saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us if someone’s brother dies having a wife, and this man is childless, that his brother should take the wife and father[fn] descendants for his brother. 29 Now there were seven brothers, and the first took a wife and[fn] died childless, 30 and the second, 31 and the third took her, and likewise also the seven did not leave children and died. 32 Finally the woman also died. 33 Therefore in the resurrection, the woman—whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as wife.” 34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they are not even able to die any longer, because they are like the angels and are sons of God, because they[fn] are sons of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses revealed in the passage about[fn] the bush, when he calls the Lord the God of Abraham andthe God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for all live to him!” 39 And some of the scribes answered and[fn] said, “Teacher, you have spoken well.” 40 For they no longer dared to ask him anything.

David’s Son and Lord

41 But he said to them, “In what sense do they say that the Christ is David’s son?

• 42 For David himself says in the book of Psalms,‘The Lord said to my Lord,
  • “Sit at my right hand,
  • 43  a footstool for your feet.” ’[fn]

44 David therefore calls him ‘Lord,’ and how is he his son?”

Warning to Beware of the Scribes

45 And while[fn] all the people were listening, he said to the disciples,[fn] 46 “Beware of the scribes, who like walking around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces and the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets, 47 who devour the houses of widows and pray lengthy prayers for the sake of appearance. These will receive more severe condemnation!”

A Poor Widow’s Offering

21 And he looked up and[fn] saw the rich putting their gifts into the contribution box, 2 and he saw a certain poor widow putting in there two small copper coins.[fn] 3 And he said, “Truly I say to you that this poor widow put in more than all of them. 4 For these all put gifts[fn] into the offering out of their abundance, but thiswoman out of her poverty put in all the means of subsistence that she had.”

The Destruction of the Temple Predicted

5 And while[fn] some were speaking about the temple, that it was adorned with precious stones and votive offerings, he said, 6 “As for these things that you see—days will come in which not one stone will be left on another stone that will not be thrown down!”

Signs of the End of the Age

7 And they asked him, saying, “Teacher, when therefore will these things happen, and what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?” 8 And he said, Watch out that you are not deceived! For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time is near!’ Do not go after them! 9 And when you hear about wars and insurrections, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not be at once.” 10 Then he said to them, “nation will rise up against nation and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes and famines and plagues in various places. There will be terrible sights and great signs from heaven.

Persecution of Disciples Predicted

12 “But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you,[fn] handingyou[fn] over to the synagogues and prisons. You will be brought before[fn] kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will turn out to you for a time of witness. 14 Therefore make up your minds[fn] not to prepare in advance to speak in your own defense, 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom that all your opponents will not be able to resist or contradict. 16 And you will be handed over even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and they will put to death some of you. 17 And you will be hated by all because of my name. 18 Even a hair of your head will never perish! 19 By your patient endurance you will gain your lives.

The Desolation of Jerusalem

20 “But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains, and those inside it[fn] must depart, and those in the fields must not enter into it, 22 because these are days of vengeance, so that all the things that are written can be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant[fn] and to those who are nursingtheir babies[fn] in those days! For there will be great distress on the earth and wrath against this people, 24 and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations,[fn] and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.

The Arrival of the Son of Man

25 “And there will be signs in the sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity from the noise of the sea and its surging, 26 people fainting from fear and expectation of what is coming on the inhabited earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.[fn] 27 And then they will see the Son of Man arriving in a cloud[fn] with power and great glory. 28 But when[fn] thesethings begin to happen, stand up straight and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near!”

The Parable of the Fig Tree

29 And he told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree and all the trees. 30 When they put out foliage,[fn] now you see for yourselvesand[fn] know that by this time the summer is near. 31 So also you, when you see these things happening, know[fn] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you that this generation will never pass away until all things take place! 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Be Alert

34 “But take care for yourselves, lest your hearts are weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of daily life, and that day come upon you suddenly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon all who reside on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

37 So throughout the days he was teaching in the temple courts,[fn] andthroughout the nights he was going out and[fn] spending the night on the hill that is calledthe Mount of Olives. 38 And all the people were getting up very early in the morning to come[fn] to him in the templecourts[fn] to listen to him.

The Chief Priests and Scribes Plot to Kill Jesus

22 Now the feast of Unleavened Bread (which is called Passover) was drawing near. 2 And the chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could destroy him, because they were afraid of the people.

Judas Arranges to Betray Jesus

3 And Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 And he went away and[fn] discussed with the chief priests and officers of the temple guard how he could betray him to them. 5 And they were delighted, and came to an agreement with him to give him[fn] money. 6 And he agreed, and began looking[fn] for a favorable opportunity to betray him to them apart from the crowd.

Jesus’ Final Passover with the Disciples

7 And the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread came, on which it was necessary for the Passover lamb to be sacrificed. 8 And he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and[fn] prepare the Passover for us, so that we may eatit.[fn] 9 So they said to him, “Where do you want us to prepare it?”[fn] 10 And he said to them, “Behold, when[fn] you have entered into the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him into the house which he enters. 11 And you will say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ 12 And he will show you a large furnished[fn] upstairs room. Make preparations there.” 13 So they went and[fn] foundeverything[fn] just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

The Lord’s Supper

14 And when the hour came, he reclined at the table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, “I have earnestly desired[fn] to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you that I will not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.” 17 And he took in hand a cup, and[fn]after[fn] giving thanks he said, “Take this and shareit[fn] among yourselves. 18 For I tell you,[fn] from now on I will not drink of the product of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

19 And he took bread, and[fn]after[fn] giving thanks, he brokeit[fn] and gaveit[fn] to them, saying, “This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” 20 And in the same way the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you.

21 “But behold, the hand of the one who is betraying me is with me on the table! 22 For the Son of Man is going according to what has been determined, but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed!” 23 And they began to debate with one another who then of them it could be who was going to do this.

A Dispute About Who Is Greatest

24 And a dispute also occurred among them as to which of them was recognized as being greatest. 25 So he said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles[fn] lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like this! But the one who is greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who reclines at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who reclines at the table? But I am in your midst as the one who serves.

28 “And you are the ones who have remained[fn] with me in my trials, 29 and I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred on me, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. And you, when[fn] once you have turned back,[fn] strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death!” 34 And he said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know me!”

The Two Swords

35 And he said to them, “When I sent you out without a money bag and a traveler’s bag and sandals, you did not lack anything, did you?”[fn] And they said, “Nothing.” 36 And he said to them, “But now the one who has a money bag must take it,[fn] and likewise a traveler’s bag. And the one who does not have a sword must sell his cloak and buyone. 37 For I tell you that this that is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘And he was counted with the criminals.’[fn] For indeed,what is written[fn] about meis being fulfilled.”[fn] 38 So they said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords!” And he said to them, “It is adequate.”

The Prayer in Gethsemane

39 And he went away and[fn] proceeded, according tohis[fn] custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples also followed him. 40 And when[fn] he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw and knelt down[fn]and[fn] began to pray,[fn] 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will but yours be done.” 〚 43 And an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 And being in anguish, he began praying[fn] more fervently and his sweat became like drops of blood falling down to the ground.〛[fn] 45 And when he[fn] got up from the prayerand[fn] came to the disciples, he found them sleeping from sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and[fn] pray that you will not enter into temptation!”

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus

47 While[fn] he was still speaking, behold,there came a crowd, and the one named Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. And he approached Jesus to kiss him. 48 But Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” 49 And when[fn] those around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 And a certain one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. 51 But Jesus answered and[fn] said, “Stop! No more of this!”[fn] And he touchedhis[fn] earand[fn] healed him. 52 And Jesus said to the chief priests and officers of the temple and elders who had come out against him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber? 53 Every day when[fn] I was with you in the templecourts,[fn] you did not stretch outyour[fn] hands against me! But this is your hour and the domain of darkness!”

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

54 And they arrested him and[fn] ledhim[fn] away and broughthim[fn] into the house of the high priest. But Peter was following at a distance. 55 And when they[fn] had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat down together, Peter sat down among them. 56 And a certain female slave, seeing him sitting in the light and looking intently at him, said, “This man also was with him!” 57 But he denied it,[fn] saying, “Woman, I do not know him!” 58 And after a short time another person saw him and[fn] said, “You also areone of them!” But Peter said, “Man, I am not!” 59 And after[fn] about one hour had passed, someone else was insisting, saying, “In truth this man also was with him, because he is also a Galilean!” 60 But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about!” And immediately, while[fn] he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 And the Lord turned around and[fn] looked intently at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord,[fn] how he said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny me three times.” 62 And he went outside and[fn] wept bitterly.

63 And the men who were guarding him began to mock[fn] himwhile[fn] they beathim,[fn] 64 and after[fn] blindfolding him they repeatedly asked[fn]him,[fn] saying, “Prophesy! Who is the one who struck you?” 65 And they were saying many other things against him, reviling him.[fn]

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin

66 And when day came, the council of elders of the people gathered, both chief priests and scribes, and they led him away to their Sanhedrin,[fn] 67 saying, “If you are the Christ, tell us!” But he said to them, “If I tell you, you will never believe, 68 and if I ask you,[fn] you will never answer! 69 But from now on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.” 70 So they all said, “Are you then the Son of God?” And he said to them, “You say that I am.” 71 And they said, “Why do we have need of further testimony? For we ourselves have heard it[fn] from his mouth!”

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

23 And the whole assembly of them rose up and[fn] brought him before Pilate. 2 And they began to accuse him, saying, “We have found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us[fn] to pay taxes to Caesar, and sayinghe himself is Christ, a king!” 3 And Pilate asked him, saying, “Are you the king of the Jews?” And he answered him and[fn] said, “You sayso.” 4 So Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no basis for an accusation against this man.” 5 But they insisted, saying, “He incites the people, teaching throughout the whole of Judea and beginning from Galilee as far as here.”

Jesus Brought Before Herod

6 Now when[fn] Pilate heardthis,[fn] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 And when he[fn] found out that he was from the jurisdiction of Herod, he sent him over to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem in those days. 8 And when[fn] Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had been wanting to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him and was hoping to see some miracle performed by him. 9 So he questioned him at considerable length,[fn] but he answered nothing to him. 10 And the chief priests and the scribes were standing there vehemently accusing him. 11 And Herod with his soldiers also treated him with contempt, and after[fn] mockinghim[fn]and[fn] dressinghim[fn]in glistening clothing, he sent him back to Pilate. 12 And both Herod and Pilate became friends with one another on that same day, for they had previously been enemies of one another.[fn]

Pilate Releases Barabbas

13 So Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people 14 and[fn] said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people, and behold,when I[fn] examinedhim[fn] before you, I found nothing in this man as basis for the accusation whichyou are making[fn] against him. 15 But neither did Herod, because he sent him back to us. And behold, nothing deserving death has been done[fn] by him. 16 Therefore I will punish him and[fn] releasehim.”[fn][fn] 18 But they all cried out in unison, saying, “Take this man away, and release for us Barabbas!” 19 (who had been thrown in prison because of a certain insurrection that had taken place in the city, and for murder). 20 And Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, addressed them[fn][fn] again, 21 but they kept crying out, saying, “Crucify! Crucify him!” 22 So he said to them a third time, “Why? What wrong has this man done? I found no basis for an accusation deserving death[fn] in him. Therefore I will punish himand[fn] releasehim.”[fn] 23 But they were urgent, demanding with loud cries that he be crucified. And their cries prevailed. 24 And Pilate decided that their demand should be granted. 25 And he released the one who had been thrown into prison because of insurrection and murder, whom they were asking for, but Jesus he handed over to their will.

Jesus Is Crucified

26 And as they led him away, they seized Simon, a certain man of Cyrene, who was coming from the country, and[fn] placed the cross on him, to carryit[fn] behind Jesus. 27 And a great crowd of the people were following him, and of women who were mourning and lamenting him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children! 29 For behold, days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that did not give birth, and the breasts that did not nurse!’ 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’ 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green,[fn] what will happenwhen it is dry?”[fn]

32 And two other criminals were also led away to be executed with him. 33 And when they came to the place that is called “The Skull,” there they crucified him, and the criminals, the one on his right and the other on his left. 34 〚But Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”〛[fn] And they cast lots to divide his clothes. 35 And the people stood there watching, but the rulers also ridiculed him,[fn] saying, “He saved others; let him save himself, if thisman is the Christ[fn] of God, the Chosen One!” 36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming up and[fn] offering him sour wine 37 and saying, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself!” 38 And there was also an inscription over him, “This is the king of the Jews.”

39 And one of the criminals who were hanged there reviled him, saying, “Are you not the Christ? Save yourself—and us!” 40 But the other answered and[fn] rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, because you are undergoing the same condemnation? 41 And we indeed justly, for we are receiving what we deserve[fn]for what we have done. But this man has done nothing wrong!” 42 And he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!” 43 And he said to him, “Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

Jesus Dies on the Cross

44 And by this time it was about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour 45 because[fn]the light of the sun failed. And the curtain of the temple was torn apart down the middle. 46 And Jesus, calling out with a loud voice, said, “Father, into your hands I entrust my spirit!”[fn] Andafter he[fn] said this, he expired.

47 Now when[fn] the centurion saw what had happened, he began to praise[fn] God, saying, “Certainly this man was righteous!” 48 And all the crowds that had come together for this spectacle, when they[fn] saw the things that had happened, returnedhome[fn] beatingtheir[fn] breasts. 49 And all his acquaintances, and the women who had followed him from Galilee who saw these things, stood at a distance.

Jesus Is Buried

50 And behold, a man named[fn] Joseph, who was a member of the council,[fn] a good[fn] and righteous man 51 (this man was not consenting to their plan and deed), from Arimathea, a Judean town,[fn] who was looking forward to the kingdom of God. 52 This man approached Pilate and[fn] asked for the body of Jesus. 53 And he took it[fn] downand[fn] wrapped it in a linen cloth and placed him in a tomb cut into the rock where no one had ever been placed. 54 And it was the day of preparation, and the Sabbath was drawing near. 55 And the women who had been accompanying him from Galilee followed and[fn] saw the tomb and how his body was placed. 56 And they returned and[fn] prepared fragrant spices and perfumes, and on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.

Jesus Is Raised

24 Now on the first day of the week, at very early dawn, they came back to the tomb bringing the fragrant spices which they had prepared. 2 And they found the stone had been rolled away from the tomb, 3 but when they[fn] went in, they did not find the body.[fn] 4 And it happened that while they were perplexed about this, behold, two men in gleaming clothing stood near them. 5 And as[fn] they were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground, they said to them, “Why are you looking for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he spoke to you while he[fn] was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of men who are sinners, and be crucified, and on the third day rise?” 8 And they remembered his words, 9 and when they[fn] returned from the tomb, they reported all thesethings to the eleven and to all the rest. 10 Now Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the others with them were telling these things to the apostles. 11 And these words appeared to them as nonsense, and they refused to believe them. 12 But Peter got up and[fn] ran to the tomb, and bending over to look, he saw only thestrips of linen cloth, and he went away to his home[fn] wondering what had happened.

Jesus Encountered on the Road to Emmaus

13 And behold, on that same day, two of them were traveling to a village named[fn] Emmausthat was sixty stadia[fn] distant from Jerusalem, 14 and they were conversing with one another about all these things that had happened. 15 And it happened that while they were conversing, and discussing, Jesus himself also approached and[fn] began to go along with[fn] them, 16 but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 And he said to them, “What are these matters that you are discussing with one another as you[fn] are walking along?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 And one of them, named[fn] Cleopas, answeredand[fn] said to him, “Are you the only one living near Jerusalem and not knowing the things that have happened in it in these days?” 19 And he said to them, “What things?” So they said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, a man who was a prophet, powerful in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how our chief priests and rulers handed him over to a sentence of death, and crucified him. 21 But we were hoping that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. But in addition to all these things, this is the third day since[fn] thesethings took place. 22 But also some women from among us astonished us, who were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and when they[fn] did not find his body, they came back sayingthey had seen even a vision of angels, who said that he was alive! 24 And some of those with us went out to the tomb and found it[fn] like this, just as the women had also said, but him they did not see.” 25 And he said to them, “O foolish and slow in heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary that the Christ suffer these things and enter into his glory?” 27 And beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures. 28 And they drew near to the village where they were going, and he acted as though he was going farther. 29 And they urged him strongly, saying, “Stay with us, because it is getting toward evening, and by this time the day is far spent.” And he went in to stay with them. 30 And it happened that when he reclined at the table with them, he took the bread and[fn] gave thanks, andafter[fn] breakingit,[fn] he gaveit[fn] to them. 31 And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he became invisible to them. 32 And they said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was speaking with us on the road, while he was explaining the scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that same hour and[fn] returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven and those with them assembled, 34 saying, “The Lord has really been raised, and has appeared to Simon!” 35 And they began describing[fn]what happened[fn] on the road, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.

Jesus Appears to His Disciples

36 And while[fn] they were saying thesethings, he himself stood there among them.[fn] 37 But they were startled and became terrified, and[fn] thoughtthey had seen a ghost. 38 And he said to them, “Why are you frightened? And for what reason do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at my hands and my feet, that I am I myself! Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”[fn] 40 And when he[fn] had said this, he showed themhis[fn] hands andhis[fn] feet. 41 And while[fn] they were still disbelieving because of joy and were marveling, he said to them, “Do you have anythingto eat[fn] here?” 42 So they gave him a piece of broiled fish, 43 and he took it[fn]and[fn] ateit[fn] in front of them.

Jesus Commissions His Disciples

44 And he said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I[fn] was still with you, that everything that is written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.” 45 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures, 46 and said to them, “Thus it is written that the Christ would suffer and would rise from the dead on the third day, 47 and repentance and the forgiveness[fn] of sins would be proclaimed in his name to all the nations,[fn] beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 And behold, I am sending out[fn] what was promised by my Father upon you, but you stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”

The Ascension

50 And he led them out as far as Bethany, and lifting up his hands, he blessed them. 51 And it happened that while he was blessing them, he parted from them and was taken up into heaven. 52 And they worshiped him and[fn] returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 And they were continually[fn] in the templecourts[fn] praising God.