The beginning of the gospel about Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;

The beginning of the good news concerning Jesus Christ, Son of God,

It is written in Isaiah the prophet: I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way - a voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’

As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.’

According as it stands written in Isaiah the prophet: Behold, I send my messenger on a mission before your face who will make ready your road, a voice of One shouting out in the uninhabited place, ‘Prepare the Lord’s road. Straight and level be constantly making His paths.’

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.

John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins. And John was clothed with camel’s hair, and with a girdle of skin about his loins; and he did eat locusts and wild honey; And preached, saying, There cometh one mightier than I after me, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

There came upon the human scene, John the Baptizer, in the uninhabited region, making a public proclamation with that formality, gravity, and authority which must be heeded and obeyed, of a baptism which had to do with a change of mind relative to the previous life an individual lived, this baptism being in view of the fact that sins are put away. And there kept on proceeding out to him in a steady stream all the Judean region and all the people of Jerusalem. And they were being baptized by him in the Jordan river as they were confessing their sins. And there was this John, clothed habitually in a camel’s hair garment, a leather belt about his loins, his diet locusts and wild honey. And he made a proclamation, saying, There comes He who is mightier than I after me, the thong of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. As for myself, I baptize you by means of water. But He himself will baptize you by means of the Holy Spirit.

At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. As Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.

And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him: And there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized in the Jordan by John. And immediately, while He was coming up out of the water, He saw the heavens being rent asunder and the Spirit in the form of a dove descending upon Him. And a voice came out from within heaven, As for you, you are my Son, the beloved one; in you I am well pleased.

At once the Spirit sent him out into the desert, and he was in the desert forty days, being tempted by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

And immediately the spirit driveth him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.

And immediately the Spirit thrusts Him out into the uninhabited place. And He was in the uninhabited region forty days, being constantly put to the test, being solicited to do evil by Satan; and He was with the wild beasts; and the angels were constantly ministering to Him.

After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. The time has come, he said, The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!

Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe this gospel.

And after John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, making a public proclamation with that formality, gravity, and authority which must be heeded and obeyed of the good news of God, and saying, The time has been fulfilled with the present result that the present moment is epochal in its significance, and the kingdom of God has drawn near and is imminent. Be having a change of mind regarding your former life, and be putting your faith in the good news.

As Jesus walked beside the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fisherman. Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him.

Now as he walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea: for they were fishers. And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And straightway they forsook their nets, and followed him.

And while He was walking along the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon, casting their net about in the sea; for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Come, after me, and I will make you to become fishers of men. And immediately, having put away their nets, they followed with Him as His disciples.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

And when he had gone a little farther thence, he saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, who also were in the ship mending their nets. And straightway he called them: and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired servants, and went after him.

And having gone on a little further, He saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, and they were in the boat mending their nets. And immediately He called both of them. And having left their father Zebedee in the boat with the employees, they went off after Him.

They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an evil spirit cried out, What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are - the Holy One of God! Be quiet! said Jesus sternly. Come out of him! The evil spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, What is this? A new teaching - and with authority! He even gives orders to evil spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee.

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? what new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth he even the unclean spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

And they go into Capernaum. And immediately on the sabbath, having entered the synagogue, He went to teaching. And they were completely amazed at His teaching, for He was teaching them as one who possesses authority, and not as the men learned in the sacred scriptures. And immediately, there was in their synagogue a man with a spirit, an unclean one. And he cried out saying, What is there in common between us and you, Jesus, Nazarene? You came to destroy us. I know you who you are, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, the rebuke not resulting in any conviction or confession of sin, saying, Shut your mouth and come out of him at once. And when the unclean spirit had torn him with convulsions, he screeched with a loud voice and came out of him. And they were all amazed, so that they kept on inquiring and demanding of one another, saying, What is this? Fresh teaching backed by authority. And the unclean spirits He commands, and they obey Him. And there went out the report concerning Him immediately throughout the whole region of Galilee.

As soon as they left the synagogue, they went with James and John to the home of Simon and Andrew. Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them.

And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her. And he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and immediately the fever left her, and she ministered unto them.

And immediately, having come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And Simon's mother-in-law had been bedridden for sometime, burning up with fever. And immediately they speak to Him concerning her. And having come, He went to lifting her up, having taken hold of her hand. And the fever left her, and she went to serving them.

That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.

And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him.

And evening having come, when the sun had gone down, they kept on carrying in a steady procession to Him all those having ailments, and those who were demonized. And all the city was gathered together, seated, and facing the door. And He healed many who were afflicted with various kinds of diseases, and demons, many of them, He ejected, and He kept on refusing the demons permission to be speaking, because they knew Him.

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. Simon and his companions went to look for him, and when they found him, they exclaimed: Everyone is looking for you! Jesus replied, Let us go somewhere else - to the nearby villages - so I can preach there also. That is why I have come. So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto him, All men seek for thee. And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

And in the last watch of the night between three and six, in the early part of the watch while it was still somewhat dark, He arose and went out, and went off into a deserted place, and was there praying. And Simon and those who with him hunted Him out. And they found Him and say to Him, All are seeking for you. And He says to them, Let us be going elsewhere into the nearby country towns in order that also there I may preach. For this purpose I came out. And He went preaching in their synagogues all over Galilee and casting out the demons.

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, If you are willing, you can make me clean. Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am willing, he said. Be clean! Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured. Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: See that you don't tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them. Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere.

And there came a leper to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hands, and touched him., and saith unto him, I will; be thou clean. And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him, and he was cleansed. And he straitly charged him, and forthwith sent him away; And saith unto him, See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But he went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every quarter.

And there comes to Him a leper, begging Him and kneeling, saying to Him, if you are willing, you have the power to cleanse me. And having been moved with compassion, having stretched out His hand, He touched him and says to him, I desire it. Be cleansed at once. And immediately the leprosy left him completely, and he was cleansed. And sternly charging him, He immediately thrust him out, and says to him, See to it that you say nothing to anyone, but go, show yourself as evidence to the priest, and present that offering with reference to your cleansing which Moses commanded for a testimony to them. But having gone out, he began to be proclaiming in public a great deal and to be blazing abroad the account, so that no longer was He able to enter a city, but was outside in uninhabited places. And they kept on coming to Him from everywhere.

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. So many gathered that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralytic, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus and, after digging through it, lowered the mat the paralyzed man was lying on. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, Son, your sins are forgiven.

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

And having again entered Capernaum, after some days, He was heard of as being at home. And there were gathered together many, so that no longer was there room to receive them, not even at the door; and He was talking to them about the Word. And they come, bearing to Him a paralytic who had been picked up and was being carried by four men. And not being able to bring the paralytic to a place before Him because of the crowd, they took off the surface of the roof where He was, and having dug through, they lowered the pallet upon which the paralytic was lying prostrate. And having seen their faith, Jesus says to the paralytic, Child, your sins are put away.

Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, Why does this fellow talk like that? He's blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone? Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven’, or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins… He said to the paralytic, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home. He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, We have never seen anything like this!

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts. Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee’; or to say, ‘Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk’? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion. And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and He taught them.

Now, there were certain of the men learned in the sacred scriptures sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, Why is this fellow speaking in this manner? He is by contemptuous speech coming short of the reverence due to God. Who is able to put away sins except one person, God? And immediately, Jesus having become fully aware in his inner being that in this manner they were reasoning within themselves, says to them, Why are you reasoning these things in your hearts? Which of the two is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are put away’; or to say, ‘Be arising and pick up your pallet at once and carry it away, and start walking and keep on walking’? But in order that you may have absolute knowledge of the fact that the Son of Man possesses authority to forgive sins on the earth, - He says to the paralytic, To you I say, Be arising, pick up your pallet at once, and be going away into your home. And he arose, and immediately, having picked up his pallet, went out before all of them, so that all were astonished, and were glorifying God, saying, In this manner, never have we seen it.

Once again Jesus went out beside the lake. A large crowd came to him, and he began to teach them. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth. Follow me, Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. And it came to pass, that as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him.

And He went out again along the seashore. And all the crowd kept on coming to Him, and He went to teaching them. And as He was passing by He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collector's desk. And He says to him, Start following with me, and continue to do so as a habit of life. And having arisen, he followed with Him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi's house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners? On hearing this, Jesus said to them, It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.

And when the scribes and pharisees saw him eat with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard it, he saith unto the, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

And it comes to pass that, as He was dining in his house, many tax collectors and sinners stained with vice and crime were dining with Jesus and His disciples, for there were many, and they were following with Him. And the men learned in the sacred scriptures belonging to the sect of the Pharisees, having seen that He was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, were saying to His disciples, With the tax collectors and the sinners stained with vice and crime is he eating? And having heard, Jesus says to them, No need do they have who are strong, for a doctor, but those who are ill. I did not come to call righteous ones but sinners.

Now, John's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. Some people came and asked Jesus, How is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees are fasting, but yours are not? Jesus answered, How can the guests of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? They cannot, so long as they have him with them. But the time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and on that day they will fast.

And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days.

And John's disciples and those of the Pharisees were observing a fast. And they come and say to Him, Why are John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fasting, but your disciples are not fasting? And Jesus said to them, The sons of the bridechamber are not able to be fasting while the bridegroom is with them, are they? As long as they are having the bridegroom with them, they are not able to be fasting. But there shall come days when there shall be taken away from them the bridegroom, and then they shall fast in that day.

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the new piece will pull away from the old, making the tear worse. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the wineskins will be ruined. No, he pours new wine into new wineskins.

No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine is spilled, and the bottles will be marred: the new wine must be put into new bottles.

No one sews a patch consisting of cloth which has not been preshrunk upon a worn-out garment. Otherwise that which fills it up takes away from it, the new from the worn-out, and the tear becomes worse. And no one puts newly-made wine into worn-out wineskins. Otherwise, the wine will burst the wineskins, and the wine and the wineskins are destroyed. But newly-made wine is put into wine-skins which are just beginning to be used.

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields, and as his disciples walked along, they began to pick some heads of grain. The Pharisees said to him, Look, why are they doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath? He answered, Have you never read what David did when he and his companions were hungry and in need? In the days of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the house of God and ate the consecrated bread, which is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some to his companions. Then he said to them, The sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.

And it came to pass, that he went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of corn. And the Pharisees said unto him, Behold, why do they on the sabbath day that which is not lawful? And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was an hungred, he, and they that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and did eat the shewbread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to them which were with him? And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath: Therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

And it came to pass that on the sabbath He was proceeding along a path through the fields of grain. And His disciples began to be making their way, picking off the grains as they were going along. And the Pharisees kept on saying to Him, Observe that, will you. Why are they doing on the sabbath that which is not lawful? And He says to them, You have read, have you not, what David did when he was having need and was hungry, he himself and those with him, how he entered the house of God when Abiathar was high priest, and the loaves that were set forth, he ate, which are not permitted to be eaten except by priests, and he gave also to those who were with him? And He was saying to them, The sabbath for the sake of man came into being, and not man for the sake of the sabbath. So that the Son of Man is Lord even of the sabbath.

Another time he went into the synagogue, and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, Stand up in front of everyone. Then Jesus asked them, Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, Stretch out your hand. He stretched it out and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.

And he entered again into the synagogue; and there was a man there which had a withered hand. And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him. And he saith unto the man which had the withered hand, Stand forth. And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace. And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored whole as the other. And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

And He again entered a synagogue. And there was there in that place a man whose one hand had withered. And they kept on spying upon Him closely, whether He would on the sabbath heal him, in order that they might bring a formal accusation against Him before a tribunal. And He says to the man having the withered hand, Be arising in the midst of everybody around you. And He says to them, Is it lawful on the sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill? But they kept on being quiet. And having looked round about on them with righteous indignation, being grieved at the callousness of their hearts, He says to the man, Stretch out your hand at once. And he stretched it out. And his hand was restored to its former state. And having gone out, the Pharisees at once with the Herodians were giving counsel against Him, in order that they might destroy Him.

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the lake, and a large crowd from Galilee followed. When they heard all he was doing, many people came to him from Judea, Jerusalem, Idumea, and the regions across the Jordan and around Tyre and Sidon. Because of the crowd he told his disciples to have a small boat ready for him, to keep the people from crowding him. For he had healed many, so that those with diseases were pushing forward to touch him. Whenever the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, You are the Son of God. But he gave them strict orders not to tell who he was.

But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.

And Jesus with His disciples withdrew to the sea, and a vast multitude from Galilee followed. And from Judaea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea and across the Jordan, and about Tyre and Sidon a vast multitude, hearing constantly of such great things which He was continually doing, came to Him. And He spoke to His disciples to the effect that they should always keep a small boat in readiness for Him because of the crowd, in order that they might not crush Him, for He healed many, so that as a result, they kept on jostling Him in order that they might touch Him, as many as were having a distressing bodily disease. And the spirits, the unclean ones, when they set eyes on Him, kept on falling prostrate before Him, and kept on crying out with a loud voice, saying, As for you, you are the Son of God. And He kept on rebuking them and charging them under penalty that they should not make Him known.

Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve - designating them apostles - that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons.

And he goeth up into a mountain, and calleth unto him whom he would: and they came unto him. And he ordained twelve, that they should be with him, and they he might send them forth to preach, And to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils::

And He goes up into the mountain and calls for himself and to himself those whom He himself was desiring, and they went off to Him. And He appointed twelve in order that they might constantly be with Him, and in order that He might send them forth as ambassadors with credentials, representing Him, to accomplish a certain task, that of making a proclamation with such formality, gravity, and authority as must be heeded and obeyed, being equipped with delegated authority to be casting out the demons.

These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholemew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

And Simon he surnamed Peter; And James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder: And Andrew, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, which also betrayed him: and they went into an house.

And He appointed the Twelve, and added to Simon's name, the name Peter; and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, He surnamed Boanerges, which is, sons of thunder; and Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus, and Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot who also handed Him over.

Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat. When his family heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, He is out of his mind. And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem said, He is possessed by Beelzebub! By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.

And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself. And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils.

And He comes home. And there comes together again the multitude, so that they are not able even to eat bread. And having heard, those nearest to Him among His kinsfolk went out for the purpose of taking Him by force, for they were saying, He is out of His mind. And the men learned in the sacred scriptures, the ones from Jerusalem, having come down, kept on saying, He has Beelzeboul, and by means of the ruler of the demons He is casting out the demons.

So Jesus called them and spoke to them in parables: How can Satan drive out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. In fact, no one can enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he can rob his house. I tell you the truth, all the sins and blasphemies of men will be forgiven them. But whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of an eternal sin. He said this because they were saying, He has an evil spirit.

And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

And having called them to himself, He was speaking to them in the form of illustrations: How is Satan able to be casting out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom is not able to stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. And assuming that Satan arose against himself and is divided, he is not able to stand but has an end. But no one is able, having entered the house of the strong man, thoroughly to ransack his equipment, unless first he binds the strong man, and then he will thoroughly plunder his house. Assuredly I am saying to you, All sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and all malicious misrepresentations, as many as they use to defame, but whoever maliciously misrepresents the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but he is guilty of an everlasting sin: because they kept saying, He has an unclean spirit.

Then Jesus' mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they send someone in to call him. A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you. Who are my mother and my brothers? he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God's will is my brother and sister and mother.

There came then his brethren and his mother, and, standing without, sent unto him, calling him. And when the multitude sat about him, and they said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren without seek for thee. And he answered them, saying, Who is my mother, or my brethren? And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whomsoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

And there come His mother and His brethren, and standing outside, they sent to Him, calling Him. And a crowd was sitting in a circle around Him, and they say to Him, Behold, your mother and your brothers and your sisters outside are seeking you. And answering them He says, Who is my mother and my brethren? And having looked round about upon those sitting in a circle around Him, He says, Behold, my mother and my brethren. Whoever does the will of God, this one is my brother and sister and mother.

Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water's edge. He taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, multiplying thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times. Then Jesus said, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine, Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow: And it came to pass, as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth; and immediately it sprang up, because it had no depth of earth: But when the sun was up, it was scorched; and because it had no root, it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, and some sixty, and some an hundred. And he said unto them, He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

And again He began teaching along the seashore. And there gathers together to Him a crowd, the largest one up to that time, so that He entered a ship in order to occupy a place on the sea. And the whole crowd was on the land facing toward the sea. And He was teaching them many things by means of illustrations, and was saying to them in His teaching, Be listening. Give attention to this. The sower went out to sow. And it came to pass that while he was sowing, some indeed fell alongside the road, and the birds came and ate it up. And other seed fell upon ground full of rocks, where it was not having much earth. And immediately it sprang up because it was not having any depth of earth. And when the sun arose, it was burnt, and because it did not possess rootage, it withered. And other seed fell into the midst of thorns and the thorns sprang up and utterly choked it, and it did not give fruit. And other seeds fell on ground that was good, and it kept on yielding fruit, growing up and increasing, and it kept on bearing, up to thirty-fold and to sixty, and to one hundred. And He was saying, He who has ears to be hearing, let him be hearing.

When he was alone, the Twelve and the others around him asked him about the parables. He told them, The secret of the kingdom of God has been given to you. But to those on the outside everything is said in parables so that, ‘they may be ever seeing but never perceiving, and ever hearing but never understanding; otherwise they might turn and be forgiven!’

And when he was alone, they that were about him with the twelve asked of him the parable. And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: ‘That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.’

And as soon as He was alone, those about Him, with the Twelve, went to asking Him concerning the illustrations. And He was saying to them, To you the mystery of the kingdom of God has been given, and it is in your possession. But to those who are outside, in the form of illustrations are all the things given, ‘in order that seeing, they may be seeing and may not perceive, and hearing, they may be hearing and may not understand, lest haply they turn again and it should be forgiven them.’

Then Jesus said to them, Don't you understand this parable? How then will you understand any parable?

And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?

And He says to them, Do you not understand this illustration? Then how is it possible that you will understand all the illustrations?

The farmer sows the word. Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.

The sower soweth the word. And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

The sower sows the Word. And these are those alongside the road where the Word is being sown; and whenever they hear, immediately there comes Satan and snatches away by force the Word which has been sown in them.

Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.

And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended.

And these are, on the same principle of interpretation, those who are being sown on ground full of rocks, who, whenever they hear the Word, immediately with joy receive it; and they do not have rootage in themselves, but last only for a time; after that, affliction or persecution having come because of the Word, immediately they are displeased, indignant, resentful.

Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.

And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

And others are those who are being sown in the midst of thorns. These are those who heard the Word, and the anxieties of the present age, and the deceitfulness of wealth, and the passionate desires with reference to the rest of the things not in these categories entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.

Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop - thirty, sixty or even a hundred times what was sown.

And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

And those are they which were sown on ground that is good, which are of such a nature as hear the Word and receive it, and bear fruit, some thirty-fold, some sixty, and some one hundred.

He said to them, Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don't you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.

And he said unto them, Is a candle brought to be put under a bushel, or under a bed? and not to be set on a candlestick? For there is nothing hid, which shall not be manifested; neither was any thing kept secret, but that it should come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And He was saying to them, The lamp does not come, does it, in order to be placed under the peck measure or under the reclining couch? Does it not come in order to be placed upon the lampstand? For there is not anything which is hidden, except it be in order that it might be made known, nor has anything become hidden but in order that it might come into full view. Assuming that a person has ears to be hearing, let him be hearing.

Consider carefully what you hear, he continued. With the measure you use, it will be measured to you - and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

And He was saying to them, Keep ever a watchful eye on what you are hearing. In the measure by which you are measuring, it will be measured to you; and it will be measured to you not only according to that measure, but there will be some added on top of that. For he who has, it shall be given to him. And he who does not have, even that which he has shall be taken away from him.

He also said, this is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain - first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.

And he said, So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into the ground; And should sleep, and rise night and day, and the seed should springand grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come.

And He was saying, In this manner is the kingdom of God, as if a man should throw the seed upon the earth, and should be sleeping and arising night and day, and the seed should be sprouting and lengthening; how, he does not himself know. The earth bears fruit spontaneously, first, herbage, then a covering for the grain, then the fully-developed grain in its covering. And whenever the fruit permits, immediately, he sends forth the sickle, because the harvest stands ready.

Again he said, What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds of the air can perch in its shade.

And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches: so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

And He was saying, In what way shall we liken the kingdom of God or by what illustration shall we set it forth? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is planted in the earth, is less than all of the seeds which are upon the earth; and when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all of the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the heaven are able to find shelter under its shadow.

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything.

And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

And by means of many illustrations of this kind He was speaking to them the Word as they were able to be understanding. But without an illustration He was not in the habit of speaking to them; but in private, He was in the habit of fully explaining all things to those pupils who were peculiarly His own.

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, Let us go over to the other side. Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, Teacher, don't you care if we drown? He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, Quiet! Be still! Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith? They were terrified and asked each other, Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!

And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side. And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And then he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

And He says to them on that day, evening having come, Let us go over to the other side. And having dismissed the crowd, they take Him under their care just as He was, in the boat, and there were other boats with Him. And there arises a great windstorm of hurricane proportions, and the waves kept on beating into the boat, so that already it was being filled. And He himself was in the stern of the boat, sleeping on the steersman's leather cushion. And they arouse Him from sleep and say to Him, Teacher, is it not a concern to you that we are perishing? And having awakened, He rebuked the wind and said to the sea, Be getting calm; hush up and stay that way. And the wind ceased its raging, and there was a great calm. And He said to them, Why are you such timid, fearful ones? How is it that you do not have faith? And they feared a great fear, and were saying to one another, Who then is this person, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

They went across the lake to the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, a man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. This man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, not even with a chain. For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and in the hills he would cry out and cut himself with stones.

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains: Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

And they came across the sea into the country of the Gerasenes. And having come out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit who had settled down there, making his home in the tombs; and no longer was anyone able to bind him, not even with manacles, because he often was securely bound with shackles and manacles, and the manacles were snapped in two by him, and the shackles crushed together, and no one had sufficient strength to restrain him. And throughout all the night and the day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was continually screaming and shrieking, and was constantly lacerating himself all over with stones.

When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of him. He shouted at the top of his voice, What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me! For Jesus had said to him, Come out of this man, you evil spirit! Then Jesus asked him, What is your name? My name is Legion, he replied, for we are many. And he begged Jesus again and again not to send them out of the area.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him, And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not. For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

And having seen Jesus from a distance, he ran and prostrated himself on the ground before Him, and he cried out with a great voice, and says, What is there in common between me and you, Jesus, you Son of the most high God? I adjure you, by God, don't begin to torment me. For He was saying to him, Come out of the man, unclean spirit. And He kept on asking him, What is your name? And he says to Him, Legion is my name, because we are many. And he kept on pleading much with Him to the effect that he should not send them off outside of the country.

A large herd of pigs was feeding on the nearby hillside. The demons begged Jesus, Send us among the pigs; allow us to go into them. He gave them permission, and the evil spirits came out and went into the pigs. The herd, about two thousand in number, rushed down the steep bank into the lake and were drowned.

Now there was nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them. And forth with Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (They were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Now, there was there near the mountain, a herd of hogs feeding, a great herd. And they begged Him, saying, Send us at once into the hogs in order that we may enter them. And He gave them permission. And having gone out, the unclean spirits entered the hogs, and the herd rushed impetuously down the steep place into the sea, about two thousand, and were drowned one after another in the sea.

Those tending the pigs ran off and reported this in the town and countryside, and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those who had seen it told the people what had happened to the demon-possessed man - and told about the pigs as well. Then the people began to plead with Jesus to leave their region.

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done. And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid. And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine. And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

And those feeding them fled and brought away tidings into the city and into the farms. And they came for the purpose of seeing what it was that had taken place. And they come to Jesus and view with a critical, searching eye the demoniac sitting, clothed and in control of himself, the one who had had the legion. And they became afraid. And those who saw, related fully and in detail to them how it happened to the demoniac and concerning the hogs. And they began to be begging Him to go away from their boundaries.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you. So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee. And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

And while He was going on board the boat, the one who had been demon-possessed kept on begging Him for permission to be with Him. And He did not permit him, but says to him, Be going into your home, to your own relatives, and bring back tidings to them of such great things which the Lord has done for you, and of the fact that He had a sympathy for you which issued in action in your behalf. And he went off and began proclaiming publicly in the Decapolis such great things which Jesus did for him. And all were marvelling.

When Jesus had again crossed over by boat to the other side of the lake, a large crowd gathered around him while he was by the lake. Then one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came there. Seeing Jesus, he fell at his feet and pleaded earnestly with him, My little daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so that she will be healed and live. So Jesus went with him. A large crowd followed and pressed around him.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet, And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

And when Jesus had crossed over in the boat again to the other side, a great crowd was gathered together after Him, and He was at the seashore. And there comes one of the synagogue rulers, by name, Jairus; and having seen Him, he falls at His feet, and begs Him earnestly, saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. Come, place your hands upon her in order that she might be healed and live. And He went off with him. And there kept on following with Him a large crowd, and they kept pressing upon Him almost to the point of suffocation.

And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed. Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering. At once Jesus realized that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, Who touched my clothes? You see the people crowding against you, his disciples answered, and yet you can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it. Then the woman, knowing what had happened to her, came and fell at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him the whole truth. He said to her, Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes? And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, ‘Who touched me?’ And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

And a woman having come who had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had endured much suffering under the hands of many doctors, and had spent all of the things which she had, and was not even one bit improved but rather grew worse, having heard the things concerning Jesus, having come in the crowd behind, touched His garment, for she kept saying, If I touch even His garments, I shall be made whole. And immediately there was dried up the fountain of her blood, and she suddenly came to feel in her body that she had been healed of her plague and was at that moment in a state of health. And immediately, Jesus, having had a personal and clear knowledge in himself of the experience of power going out of Him, having turned around in the crowd, was saying: Who touched me on my garments? And His disciples kept on saying to Him, You are seeing the crowd pressing hard around you from all sides; yet you are saying, ‘Who touched me?’ And He kept on looking round about to see the woman who had done this. And the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing that which had been done for her, came and fell down before Him, and told Him all the truth. And He said to her, Daughter, your faith has saved you. Be going into a state of peace, and be continually sound in body, healed of your affliction.

While Jesus was still speaking, some men came from the house of Jairus, the synagogue ruler. Your daughter is dead, they said. Why bother the teacher any more? Ignoring what they said, Jesus told the synagogue ruler, Don't be afraid; just believe. He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James.

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

While He was still speaking, they come from the home of the ruler of the synagogue saying, Your daughter died. Why are you still bothering the Teacher? And Jesus overhearing the word being spoken, says to the ruler of the synagogue, Stop fearing, only be believing. And He did not permit anyone to follow with Him except Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

When they came to the home of the synagogue ruler, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly. He went in and said to them, Why all this commotion and wailing? The child is not dead but asleep. But they laughed at him. After he put them all out, he took the child's father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, Talitha koum! (which means, Little girl, I say to you, get up!). Immediately the girl stood up and walked around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished. He gave strict orders not to let anyone know about this, and told them to give her something to eat.

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly. And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying. And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise. And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

And they come into the home of the ruler of the synagogue, and He looks carefully and with an understanding eye at the tumult, and at those who were weeping audibly and at those who were wailing greatly. And having come in He says to them, Why are you wailing tumultuously and weeping? The little girl did not die, but is sleeping. And they went to laughing and jeering at Him. But after He himself had thrown them all out, He takes the father of the little girl and her mother and those with Him, and proceeds in where the little girl was. And having taken a strong grip on the hand of the little girl, He says to her, Talitha koum, which being interpreted is, Little girl, to you I say, be arising. And immediately the little girl stood up and went to walking about, for she was twelve years old. And they were amazed with a great amazement. And He charged them sternly that no one should know this. And He gave orders that she be given something to eat.

Jesus left there and went to his hometown, accompanied by his disciples. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. Where did this man get these things? they asked. What's this wisdom that has been given to him, that he even does miracles! Isn't this the carpenter? Isn't this Mary's son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? Aren't his sisters here with us? And they took offense at him. Jesus said to them, Only in his hometown, among his relatives and is his own house is a prophet without honor. He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith. Then Jesus went around teaching from village to village.

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him. And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him. But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them. And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

And He went out from there and comes into His own country. And His disciples follow with Him. And when the sabbath had come, He began to be teaching in the synagogue. And the many hearing were completely flabbergasted, saying, From where does this one get these things? And what wisdom is this which has been given to this fellow? Even such great exhibitions of supernatural power take place through the medium of His hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, and brother of James, and Joses, and Jude, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us? And they say in Him that of which they disapproved and which kept them from acknowledging Him. And Jesus was saying to them, A prophet is not without a correct evaluation and the due respect and deference which that evaluation demands except in his own country and among his own kinsfolk and in his own home. And He was not able to do there even one work of power, except that He laid His hands on a few sickly ones and healed them. And He marvelled because of their unbelief. And He kept going around the villages in the encircling country, teaching.

Calling the Twelve to him, he sent them out two by two and gave them authority over evil spirits. These were his instructions: Take nothing for the journey except a staff - no bread, no bag, no money in your belts. Wear sandals but not an extra tunic. Whenever you enter a house, stay there until you leave that town. And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them. They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.

And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits; And commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, save a staff only; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse: But be shod with sandals; and not put on two coats. And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye depart thence, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgement, than for that city. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them.

And He calls to himself the Twelve. And He began to be sending them forth as His ambassadors with credentials on a mission to represent Him, sending them forth two by two. And He was giving them authority over the unclean spirits. And He commanded them not to be taking even one thing for the road except only a walking stick, not bread, nor a begging-bag, nor money in their belt, but to wear sandals, and not to clothe themselves with two undergarments. And He was saying to them. Wherever you enter a home, there be abiding as a guest until you go out from there, and whatever place does not welcome you nor hear you, when you are going on your journey out from there, shake off the dust that is underneath your feet as a testimony against them. And having gone out, they made a proclamation to the effect that they should be repenting. And demons, many of them, they were casting out, and they were massaging with oil many who were sick, and were healing them.

King Herod heard about this, for Jesus' name had become well known. Some were saying, John the Baptist has been raised from the dead, and that is why miraculous powers are at work in him. Others said, He is Elijah. And still others claimed, He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of long ago. But when Herod heard this, he said, John, the man I beheaded, has been raised from the dead!

And king Herod heard of him; (for his name was spread abroad:) and he said, That John the Baptist was risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Others said, That it is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the prophets. But when Herod heard thereof, he said, It is John, whom I beheaded: he is risen from the dead.

And the king, Herod, heard, for His name became known, and they were saying that John the Baptizer had been raised out from among those who were dead, and because of this, the miraculous powers are operative in him. But others kept on saying that He was Elijah. But others were saying that He was a prophet like one of the prophets. But Herod, having heard, kept on saying Him whom I decapitated, John, this man was raised.

For Herod himself had given orders to have John arrested, and he had him bound and put in prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, whom he had married. For John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.’ So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to, because Herod feared John and protected him, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard John, he was greatly puzzled; yet he liked to listen to him.

For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had married her. For John had said unto Herod, ‘It is not lawful for thee to have thy brother's wife.’ Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him, and would have killed him; but she could not: For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

For Herod himself, having commissioned an official representative, apprehended this aforementioned John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, the wife of Philip his brother, because he had married her; for John had been saying to Herod, ‘It is not lawful for you to be having the wife of your brother.’ Therefore, Herodias set herself against him and was desiring to kill him. But she was unable to do so, for Herod was fearing John, knowing him to be a man, righteous and holy; and he kept him constantly out of harm's way, and, having heard him often, he was in a continual state of perplexity, and he was in the habit of hearing him with pleasure.

Finally the opportune time came. On his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his high officials and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. The king said to the girl, Ask me for anything you want, and I'll give it to you. And he promised her with an oath, Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.

And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birthday made a supper to his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee; And when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give it thee. And he sware unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give it thee, unto the half of my kingdom.

And a strategic day came, when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his great men, and his military commanders, and the chief men of Galilee. And the daughter of Herodias herself, having entered and danced a rapid-motion, leaping, lewd dance, it pleased Herod and those who were dining with him. And the king said to the young woman, Ask me at once whatever your heart desires, and I will give it to you. And he put himself under oath to her: Whatever you ask me I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.

She went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask for?” “The head of John the Baptist”, she answered. At once the girl hurried in to the king with the request: I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptist on a platter. The king was greatly distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he did not want to refuse her. So he immediately sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. The man went, beheaded John in the prison, and brought back his head on a platter. He presented it to the girl, and she gave it to her mother. On hearing of this, John's disciples came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

And she went forth, and said unto her mother, What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist. And she came in straightway with haste unto the king, and asked, saying, I will that thou give me by and by in a charger the head of John the Baptist. And the king was exceeding sorry; yet for his oath's sake, and for their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought: and he went and beheaded him in the prison, And brought his head in a charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave it to her mother. And when his disciples heard of it, they came and took up his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.

And having gone out, she said to her mother, What shall I ask for myself? And she said, The head of John the Baptizer. And having come immediately with haste to the king, she made a request for herself, saying, I desire that you five me at once on a dish the head of John the Baptizer. And though the king became exceedingly sorrowful, yet because of his oaths and because of those who were dining with him, he did not desire to frustrate her. And immediately, the king, having sent off one of his bodyguards, issued the order to bring his head. And having gone off, he beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head upon a dish and gave it to the young woman, and the young woman gave it to her mother. And having heard, his disciples came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

The apostles gathered around Jesus and reported to him all they had done and taught. Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest. So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things.

And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught. And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. And they departed into a desert place by ship privately. And the people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent them, and came together unto him. And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a shepherd: and he began to teach them many things.

And the missionaries gathered themselves together to Jesus and brought back news to Him of all things whatever they did and whatever they taught. And He says to them, Come here, as for you, yourselves, into the privacy of an uninhabited place, and rest yourselves a little. For there were those who were coming and those who were going, many of them, and not even was there an opportune time to eat. And they went off in the boat to the privacy of an uninhabited place. And they saw them going away, and many understood, and on foot from all the cities they ran there with one another and preceded them. And having come out, He saw a large crowd, and He was moved with compassion for them because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. And He began teaching them many things.

By this time it was late in the day, so his disciples came to him. This is a remote place, they said, and it's already very late. Send the people away so they can go to the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat. But he answered, You give them something to eat. They said to him, That would take eight months of a man's wages! Are we to go and spend that much on bread and give them something to eat? How many loaves do you have? He asked. Go and see. When they found out, they said, Five - and two fish. Then Jesus directed them to have all the people sit down in groups on the green grass. So they sat down in groups of hundreds and fifties. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to set before the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. The number of the men who had eaten was five thousand.

And when the day was now far spent, his disciples came unto him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the time is far passed: Send them away, that they may go into the country round about, and into the villages, and buy themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat. He answered and said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them, How many loaves have ye? go and see. And when they knew, they say, Five, and two fishes. And he commanded them to make all sit down by companies upon the green grass. And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties. And when he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to heaven, and blessed, and brake the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them; and the two fishes divided he among them all. And they did all eat, and were filled. And they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments, and of the fishes. And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men.

And when the day was already far gone, His disciples came to Him and were saying, Uninhabited is the place, and already the hour is late. Dismiss them in order that, having gone off to the neighboring farms and villages, they might purchase for themselves something to eat. And He answering said to them, As for you, you give them to eat. And they say to Him, Having gone off, shall we purchase two hundred denarii worth of bread, and give them to eat? And He says to them, How many loaves do you have? Be going and see. And having found out, they say, Five, and two fish. And He commanded them to make all recline in open squares like oriental diners, upon the green grass. And they reclined in squares that looked like flower-garden plots, by hundreds and by fifties. And having taken the five loaves and the two fish, having looked up to heaven, He invoked a blessing, and broke the loaves, and kept on giving to the disciples in order that they might continue setting them beside them, and the two fish He divided to all. And all ate and were filled. And they took up twelve wicker baskets full of broken pieces, and from the fish. And those who had eaten the loaves were five thousand men.

Immediately Jesus made his disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to Bethsaida, while he dismissed the crowd. After leaving them, he went up on a mountainside to pray. When evening came, the boat was in the middle of the lake, and he was alone on land. He saw the disciples straining at the oars, because the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he went out to them, walking on the lake. He was about to pass buy them, but when they saw him walking on the lake, they thought he was a ghost. They cried out, because they all saw him and were terrified. Immediately he spoke to them and said, Take courage, It is I. Don't be afraid. Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.

And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land. And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all say him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened.

And immediately, He constrained His disciples to go on board the boat and precede Him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while He himself dismisses the crowd. And having taken leave of them, He went off into the mountain to pray. And evening having come, the boat was in the middle of the sea and He himself alone upon the land. And having seen them constantly distressed in their rowing, for the wind was against them, sometime between three and six in the morning He comes to them walking directly on the sea. And He was desiring to go to their side. But having seen Him walking directly upon the sea, they supposed that it was an apparition. And they screamed, for they all saw Him and were agitated. But He immediately spoke with them; and He says to them, Be of good courage. It is I. Stop being afraid. And He went up to them into the boat, and the wind ceased its violence. And exceedingly beyond measure, in themselves they were amazed, for they did not reason upon the basis of the loaves. In fact, their heart was in a settled state of callousness.

When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret and anchored there. As soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized Jesus. They ran throughout that whole region and carried the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went - into villages, towns or countryside - they placed the sick in the marketplaces. They begged him to let them touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who touched him were healed.

And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret, and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, straightway they knew him, And ran through that whole region round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And whithersoerver he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. 

And having crossed over, they came to the land, and to Gennesaret, and they cast anchor off shore. And when they had gone out of the boat, immediately, having recognized Him, they ran around throughout that whole countryside, and began to be carrying around on pallets those who were afflicted, where they were hearing that He was. And wherever He kept on proceeding, into villages, or into cities, or into farming districts, they laid those who were sick in the market places, and they kept on begging Him if they might touch even the fringe of His cloak. And as many as touched Him were being made whole.

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were unclean, that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.) So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with unclean hands?

Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands?

And there gather together to Him the Pharisees and certain ones of the men learned in the sacred scriptures who came from Jerusalem. And having seen certain ones of His pupils, that with unhallowed hands, that is, unwashed hands, were eating the loaves, they found fault, for the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands meticulously in a ritualistic fashion, do not eat, habitually keeping, carefully and faithfully, that which was delivered from the elders to be observed. And from the market place, if they do not wash, they do not eat; and many other things there are which they received for the purpose of keeping, washing of cups and pint measures and copper vessels. Both the Pharisees and the men learned in the sacred scriptures went to asking Him, Why are not your pupils ordering their manner of living according to that which was delivered from the elders to be observed, but with unhallowed hands are eating their bread?

He replied, Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men’. You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.

He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men’. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do.

And He said to them, Well did Isaiah prophesy concerning you, the hypocrites, as it stands written: ‘This people is constantly honoring me with their lips. But their heart holds at a great distance from me. But in vain are they worshipping me while they are teaching as doctrines, commandments of men’. Having abandoned the commandment of God, you are carefully and faithfully keeping those things which men delivered to you to be observed.

And he said to them: You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe your own traditions! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’, and, ‘Anyone who curses his father or mother must be put to death’. But you say that if a man says to his father or mother: ‘Whatever help you might otherwise have received from me is Corban (that is, a gift devoted to God)’, then you no longer let him do anything for his father or mother. Thus you nullify the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.

And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honour thy father and thy mother’; and ‘Whoso curseth father or mother’, let him die the death: ‘But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free.’ And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.

And He was saying to them, In a very beautiful way you are constantly making the commandment of God null and void in order that that which has been delivered to you for observance you may keep. For Moses said, ‘Be paying due respect and reverence to your father and your mother’. And ‘the one who is constantly reviling father or mother, let him come to an end by death’. But as for you, you are saying, ‘If a man should say to his father or his mother, Korban, which is a gift, whatever from me you may be profited’; no longer are you permitting him to do anything for his father or his mother. You are rendering void the authority of the Word of God by that which has been delivered to you to observe, which in turn you are delivering over to another to keep. And many things of this kind you are constantly doing.

Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, Listen to me, everyone, and understand this, Nothing outside a man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him unclean.

And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: There is nothing from without a man that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.

If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.

And having again called to himself the crowd, He was saying to them, Hear me, all, and understand. There is not even one thing that from the outside of the man, which entering him, is able to defile him. But the things proceeding out from the man are those that defile the man.

After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him about this parable. Are you so dull? he asked. Don't you see that nothing that enters a man from the outside can make him unclean? For it doesn't go into his heart but into his stomach, and then out of his body. (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods clean.) He went on: What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean, For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man unclean.

And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.

And when He entered into residence away from the crowd, His disciples went to asking Him about the illustration. And He says to them, In this manner also, as for you, are you without understanding? Do you not know that everything which from the outside enters into the man is not able to defile him, because it does not enter his heart but his intestines, and goes out into that which is designed to receive it? This He said making all the foods clean. And He was saying, That which is constantly proceeding out of the man, that thing defiles the man. For from within, out of the hearts of men are constantly proceeding the depraved thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, covetousness, perniciousness, deceit, wantonness, a malicious, mischief-working eye, malicious misrepresentation, pride, folly. All these pernicious things from within are constantly proceeding and are constantly defiling the man.

Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. First let the children eat all they want, he told her, for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to the dogs. Yes, Lord, she replied, but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs. Then he told her, For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter. She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid. For a certain woman, whose young daughter had an unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet: The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it unto the dogs. And she answered and said unto him, Yes, Lord: yet the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs. And he said unto her, For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy daughter. And when she was come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid upon the bed.

Now from there, having arisen, He went off into the region of Tyre. And having entered a home, He was desiring that not even one should know. And He was not able to be hidden. But immediately, a woman having heard about Him, whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having come, fell at His feet. And the woman was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician as to her race. And she kept on begging Him to cast out the demon out of her little daughter. And He was saying to her, Let first the children be fed, for it is not right to take the bread of the children and to throw it to the little pet dogs. But she answered and says to Him, Yes, Sir, yet the little pet dogs under the table are constantly eating from the little morsels of the little children. And He said to her, Because of this word, be going; the demon is gone out of your daughter. And having gone off into her home, she found the little child lying quietly upon her couch and the demon gone out.

Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee and into the region of the Decapolis. There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk, and they begged him to place his hand on the man. After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man's ears. Then he spit and touched the man's tongue. He looked up to heaven and with a deep sigh said to him, Ephphatha! (which means, Be Opened!) At this, the man's ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone. But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. People were overwhelmed with amazement. He has done everything well, they said. He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.

And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him. And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened. And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it; And were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

And again, having gone out to the region of Tyre, He went through Sidon to the sea of Galilee in the midst of the region of Decapolis. And they bring to Him one who was deaf and who spoke with difficulty. And they beg Him to place upon him His hand. And having taken him away from the crowd, in private He put His fingers into his ears, and having spit, He touched his tongue. And having looked up into heaven, He groaned and says to him, Ephphatha, which is, Be opened. And his ears opened, and immediately that which bound his tongue was loosed, and he began to be enunciating correctly. And He in His own interest commanded them to be saying not even one thing. But the more He kept on commanding them, they themselves kept on proclaiming it publicly so much the more to a greater degree. And they were completely flabbergasted, and that in a super-abundant degree which itself was augmented by the addition of yet more astonishment, saying, He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf to be hearing and the dumb to be speaking.

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance. His disciples answered, But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? How many loaves do you have? Jesus asked. Seven, they replied. He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to set before the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them. The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. About four thousand men were present.

In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat: And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far. And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness? And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven. And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people. And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them. So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets. And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

In those days again, there being a great crowd, and they not having anything to eat, having called His disciples to Him, He says to them, My heart goes out to the crowd, because now for three days they are staying with me and they do not have anything to eat. And if I send them off fasting to their homes, they will faint along the road. And some of them are from a distance. And His disciples answered Him, How can it be that anyone will be able to satisfy these with loaves of bread here in the uninhabited region? And He went to asking them, How many loaves of bread do you have? And they said, Seven. And He commands the crowd to recline on the ground. And having taken the seven loaves of bread, having given thanks, He broke them, and kept on giving them to His disciples in order that they might keep on setting them forth. And they served the crowd. And they had a few little fish. And having prayed that God might bless them to their intended use, He directed them to set these also before them. And they ate and were satisfied. And they took up that which was left over of broken pieces, seven baskets. And there were about four thousand. And He sent them away.

And having sent them away, he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it. Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

And straightway he entered into a ship with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith, Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation. And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other side.

And immediately, having gone on board the boat with His disciples, He went to the region of Dalmanoutha. And there came out the Pharisees and began to be disputing with Him, demanding of Him an attesting miracle from heaven, putting Him to the test. And having groaned deeply in His spirit, He says, Why is this breed of men seeking an attesting miracle? Positively I am saying to you, There shall no attesting miracle be given to this breed. And having sent them away, again having embarked, He went off to the other side.

The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. Be careful, Jesus warned them. Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and that of Herod. They discussed this with one another and said, It is because we have no bread. Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don't you remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? Twelve, they replied. And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up? They answered, Seven. He said to them, Do you still not understand?

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?

And they had completely forgotten to take loaves of bread, and except for one loaf, they did not have any with them in the boat. And He repeatedly charged them, saying, Be taking heed. Constantly be keeping a discerning mind's eye upon, and ever be on the lookout for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod. And they kept on discussing among themselves, saying, Because we do not have loaves of bread. And having come to know, He says to them, Why are you reasoning as follows: Because you do not have loaves of bread? Not yet are you perceiving, nor even understanding? In a settled state of callousness do you have your hearts? Having eyes, you are not seeing, and having ears, you are not hearing? And you are not remembering, when the five loaves I broke among the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces did you take up? They say to Him, Twelve. When the seven among four thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces did you take up? And they say, Seven. And He kept on repeating to them, Not yet are you understanding?

They came to Bethsaida, and some people brought a blind man and begged Jesus to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, Do you see anything? He looked up and said, I see people; they look like trees walking around. Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Jesus sent him home saying, Don't go into the village.

And he cometh to Bethsaida: and they bring a man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

And they come into Bethsaida. And they bring to Him a blind man. And they beg Him to touch him. And having taken the hand of the blind man, He brought him outside of the village, and having spit upon his eyes, having placed His hands upon him, He kept on asking him, Do you possibly see anything? And having looked up, he kept on saying, I see the men; as trees I see them walking around. Then again He placed His hands upon his eyes; and he looked steadfastly; and he was restored to his former state; and he was seeing all things at a distance and clearly. And He sent him off to his home, saying, Do not even go into the town.

Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, Who do people say I am? They replied, Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets. But what about you? he asked. Who do you say that I am? Peter answered, You are the Christ. Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.

And He went out, Jesus and His disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And along the road He kept on asking His disciples, saying to them, Who do men say that I am? And they told Him, saying, John the Baptizer, and others, Elijah, and others, one of the prophets. And He himself kept on questioning them, But as for you, who are you saying that I am? Answering, Peter says to Him, As for you, you are the Christ. And He strictly charged them that they should not tell even one person concerning Him.

He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. Get behind me, Satan! he said, You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.

And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan? for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

And He began to be teaching them that it was necessary in the nature of the case for the Son of Man to suffer many things, and, after having been put to the test for the purpose of being approved should He meet the specifications, to be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the men learned in the sacred scriptures, and to be put to death, and after three days to arise. And with utter plainness of speech He was speaking this aforementioned word. And having taken Him aside to himself, Peter began to be rebuking Him. But having wheeled around, and having looked on His disciples, He rebuked Peter, and says, Be gone under my authority and keep on going. Behind me, out of my sight, Satan, because you do not have a mind for the things of God but for the things of men.

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.

And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it? but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

And having called the crowd together with His disciples to himself, He said to them, If anyone is desiring to come after me as a follower of mine, let him at once begin to lose sight of himself and his own interests, and let him at once begin to take up his cross and carry it, and let him start taking the same road that I travel in company with me, and let him continue to do so moment by moment. For whoever would desire to save his soul-life, will lose it. But whoever will lose his soul-life for my sake and the gospel, will save it. For what shall it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul? For what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this generation which is adulterous and sinful, also the Son of Man shall be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the angels, the holy ones.

And he said to them, I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.

And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. 

And He was saying to them, Assuredly, I am saying to you, there are certain ones of those standing here who are such as will not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God having come in power.

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Peter said to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters - one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah. (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!

And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow: so as no fuller on earth can white them. And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. For he wist not what to say: for they were sore afraid. And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice that came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.

And after six days, Jesus takes with Him Peter, and James, and John, and brings them up into a mountain, a high one, in private, alone. And the manner of His outward expression was changed before them, that outward expression coming from and being truly representative of His inner nature. And His garments became glittering ones, exceedingly white, such as a fuller on earth is not able thus to whiten. And there appeared to them Elijah and Moses, and they were holding a protracted conversation with Jesus. And Peter giving off his judgment, says to Jesus, Rabbi, it is an excellent thing for us to be here. And let us make three booths made of tree branches, for you one, and for Moses one, and for Elijah one; for he did not know what to give as his judgment, for they were terribly frightened. And there came a cloud which enveloped and surrounded them. And there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my Son, the dearly-beloved One! be constantly hearing Him. And suddenly, after they had looked round about, no longer did they see anyone but Jesus only with them.

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what rising from the dead meant.

And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean.

And while they were coming down out of the mountain, He charged them that they should narrate the things which they saw to not even one person, except when the Son of Man should arise out from amongst the dead. And the aforementioned matter they kept carefully and faithfully to themselves, all the while discussing with one another what that particular thing, namely, to arise out from amongst the dead, was.

And they asked him, Why do the teachers of the law say that ‘Elijah must come first’? Jesus replied, To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.

And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that ‘Elias must first come’? And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.

And they kept on putting the question to Him, saying, How is it that the men learned in the sacred scriptures are constantly saying that ‘it is necessary in the nature of the case for Elijah to come first’? And He said to them, Elijah, it is true, having come first, restores all things. And how it stands written concerning the Son of Man, that He will suffer many things and be set at naught. But I say to you that indeed Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever things they were desiring to do, even as it stands written of him.

When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. What are you arguing with them about? he asked. A man in the crowd answered, Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.

And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked with the scribes, What question ye with them? And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not.

And having come to those who were following Him as their teacher, they saw a great crowd around them, and men learned in the sacred scriptures wrangling with them. And immediately, the entire crowd, having seen Him, was completely amazed, and running to Him, welcomed Him. And He asked them, What is it that you are discussing with them? And one of the crowd answered Him, Teacher, I brought my son to you, who has a spirit that has rendered him incapable of speech. And wherever he takes possession of him, he throws him into convulsions, and he foams and grinds his teeth and falls into a motionless stupor. And I spoke to your disciples that they should cast him out, and they did not have the power to do so.

O unbelieving generation, Jesus replied, how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me. So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. Jesus asked the boy's father, How long has he been like this? From childhood, he answered. It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us. ‘If you can’? said Jesus. Everything is possible for him who believes. Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief!

He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, ‘If thou canst believe’, all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

And answering them, He says, O unbelieving generation, how long shall I have to do with you? How long must I bear with you? Be bringing him to me. And they brought him to Him. And, having seen Him, the spirit immediately threw him into a complete convulsion, and having fallen upon the ground, he was being rolled and was foaming. And He asked his father, How long is it that this came to him? And he said, Since he was a little boy. And often also he threw him into fire and into water in order that he might destroy him. But if you are able to do anything, help us at once, having had compassion upon us. And Jesus said to him, As for those words of yours, ‘If you are able’: - all things are possible to the one who believes. Immediately having cried out, the father of the little boy was saying, I am believing. Be helping my weakness of faith.

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. You deaf and mute spirit, he said, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again. The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, He's dead. But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose.

And Jesus, having seen that a crowd was gathering together on the run, rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, Dumb and deaf spirit, I order you, be coming out of him, and no longer enter him. And after crying out and throwing him into severe convulsions, he came out. And he became as one who is dead, so that many were saying that he had died. But Jesus, having taken a strong grip if his hand, went to raising him up. And he stood up. And having entered into a house,

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, Why couldn't we drive it out? He replied, This kind can come out only by prayer.

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.

His disciples kept on asking Him privately, As for us, why were we not able to cast him out? And He said to them, This kind is able to come out by nothing but prayer.

They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men. They will kill him, and after three days he will rise. But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.

And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.

And going out from there, they went on their way through Galilee. And He was not desirous that anyone should know it, for He was constantly teaching His disciples. And He was saying to them, The Son of Man is being betrayed into men's hands, and they will kill Him, and having been put to death, after three days He will arise. But they were not understanding the word. And they were fearing to ask Him.

They came to Capernaum. When he was in the house, he asked them, What were you arguing about on the road? But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all. He took a little child and had him stand among them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

And they came into Capernaum. And having come in the house, He kept on asking them, What along the road were you disputing about? But they kept on being quiet, for with one another they had discussed along the road who was the greatest. And having sat down, He called the Twelve and says to them, If, as is the case, anyone is desiring to be first, let him be last of all and a servant of all. And having taken a little child, He stood him in their midst; and when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, Whoever receives one of such little children in my Name, receives me. And whoever receives me, does not receive me but the One who sent me.

Teacher, said John, we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us. Do not stop him, Jesus said. No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, for whoever is not against us is for us. I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.

And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

John said to Him, Teacher, we saw a certain individual casting out demons in your Name who does not follow with us. And we kept on forbidding him because he was not following with us. But Jesus said, Stop forbidding him, for there is no one who will perform a miracle upon the basis of my Name who will also soon be able to speak ill of me, for whoever is not against us is in behalf of us. For whoever will give you to drink a cup of water in my Name because you belong to Christ, truly I am saying to you, he will positively not lose his reward.

And if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone tied around his neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other. 

And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace on with another.

And whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it is good for him rather if a millstone is hung around his neck and that he has been thrown into the sea. And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off at once. It is good for you to enter life maimed, rather than having two hands to go off into hell, into the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off at once. It is good for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having the two feet, to be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out at once. It is good for you to enter the kingdom of God one-eyed, rather than , having two eyes, to be thrown into hell where their worm does not come to its end in death and the fire is quenched. For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good. But if the salt loses its pungency, with what will you restore the saltness to it? Be having salt in yourselves, and be being at peace with one another.

Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them. Some Pharisees came and tested him by asking, Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife? What did Moses command you? he replied. They said, Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away. It was because your hearts were hard that Moses wrote you this law, Jesus replied. But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate. 

And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judaea by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and, as he was wont, he taught them again. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God ‘made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife; And they twain shall be one flesh’: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. 

And from there, having arisen, He comes into the regions of Judaea and across the Jordan, and again crowds journeying along with Him come constantly to Him, as was His custom, He again was constantly teaching them. And having come to Him, Pharisees kept on asking Him whether it is lawful for a man to dismiss a wife, putting Him to the test. And He answering, said to them, What did Moses command you? And they said, Moses permitted a writing of a bill of divorce and to dismiss her. And Jesus said to them, On account of your hardheartedness he wrote this commandment for you. But from creation's beginning, ‘a male and a female He made them. On account of this a man shall leave behind his father and mother and the two shall become one flesh, so that no longer are they two but one flesh.’ That therefore which God yoked together, let no man separate.

When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. He answered, Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.

And in the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.

And in the house again the disciples kept on asking Him concerning this. And He says to them, Whoever puts away his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she herself, having put away her husband, marries another man, she commits adultery.

People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, but the disciples rebuked them. When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

And they kept on bringing to Him young children in order that He might touch them. And His disciples kept on rebuking them unjustly and without effect. But Jesus having seen this, became indignant, and said to them, Be permitting the little children to come to me. Stop preventing them, for of such ones is the kingdom of God. Truly, I am saying to you, Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God in the same manner as a little child, will positively not enter it. And having taken them up in His arms, He kept on fervently blessing them, placing His hands upon them.

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. No one is good - except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother’. 

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother’.

And when He was going out into the road there came one running toward Him, and having fallen on his knees before Him was asking Him, Teacher, you who are intrinsically good, what one act shall I do in order that I might inherit life eternal? And Jesus said to him, Why do you say that I am intrinsically good? No one is intrinsically good except One, God. The commandments you know: ‘Do not commit murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother’. 

Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. Jesus looked at him and loved him. One thing you lack, he said. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me. At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

And he said to Him, Teacher, these things, all of them, I carefully guarded and obeyed from my boyhood. And Jesus, having fixed His searching gaze upon him, fell in love with him, and said to him, One thing you are lacking; go, whatever you have sell at once and give at once to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, make a beginning of following with me on the same road that I am taking, and continue to do so. And he, saddening at the word, went off, being grieved, for he was in possession of great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, Who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

And Jesus, having glanced swiftly around, says to His disciples, How with difficulty will those who keep on holding on to wealth enter the kingdom of God. And the disciples were astonished at His words. And Jesus again answering, says to them, Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the sewing needle than for a wealthy man to enter the kingdom of God. And beyond measure they were amazed, to the point of almost losing their self-possession, saying to one another, Then who is able to be saved? After having swiftly glanced around them, Jesus says, With men, impossible, but not in the presence of God, for all things are possible in the presence of God.

Peter said to him, We have left everything to follow you! I tell you the truth, Jesus replied, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields - and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Peter began to be saying to Him, Behold, as for us, we abandoned all once for all and have followed with you, and this as a permanent thing. Jesus said, Truly I am saying to you, There is no one who abandoned house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel, but that he will receive one hundred times as much now at this time, houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, life eternal. But many who are first shall be last, and the last ones, first.

They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. We are going up to Jerusalem, he said, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.

And they were in the way going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus went before them: and they were amazed; and as they followed, they were afraid. And he took again the twelve, and began to tell them what things should happen unto him, Saying, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem; and the Son of man shall be delivered unto the chief priests, and unto the scribes; and they shall condemn him to death, and shall deliver him to the Gentiles: And they shall mock him, and shall scourge him, and shall spit upon him, and shall kill him: and the third day he shall rise again.

And they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem. And Jesus was going on before them, and they were amazed. And those who were following along were fearing. And having taken again the Twelve, He began to be speaking to them concerning the things that were about to be converging upon Him. Behold! We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man shall be delivered up treacherously to the chief priests and to the men learned in the sacred scriptures, and they shall condemn Him to death and shall hand Him over to the Gentiles, and they shall deride Him and spit upon Him and scourge Him and kill Him, and after three days He shall rise again.

Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him, Teacher, they said, we want you to do for us whatever we ask. What do you want me to do for you? he asked. They replied, Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory. You don't know what you are asking, Jesus said. Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with? We can, they answered. Jesus said to them, You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.

And James and John, the sons of Zebedee, come unto him, saying, Master, we would that thou shouldest do for us whatsoever we shall desire. And he said unto them, What would ye that I should do for you? They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? And they said unto him, We can. And Jesus said unto them, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of; and with the baptism that I am baptized withal shall ye be baptized: But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

And there come to Him James and John, the sons of Zebedee, saying to Him, Teacher, we desire that whatever we ask you, you will do for us. And He said to them, What do you desire me to do for you? And they said to Him, Grant us at once that, one on your right hand and one on your left hand, we might sit down in your glory. But Jesus said to them, You do not know what you are asking for yourselves. Are you able to be drinking the cup which I am drinking, or with the immersion with which I am to be overwhelmed, are you able to be immersed? And they said to Him, We are able. And Jesus said to them, The cup which I drink, you will drink. And the immersion with which I am to be overwhelmed, with that immersion you will be overwhelmed. But the sitting on my right hand or my left is not mine to give. But it is for those for whom it has been prepared.

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. Jesus called them together and said, You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

And when the ten heard it, they began to be much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

And when the ten heard, they began to be indignant concerning the matter with reference to James and John, and kept it up. And having called them to himself, Jesus says to them, You know that those who are accounted as ruling over the Gentiles, rule with absolute power over them, and their great ones domineer over them. But not thus is it among you. But whoever desires to become great among you, he shall be slave of all. And whoever desires to be first among you, he shall be your slave. For even the Son of Man did not come to have service rendered Him but to render service and to give His life a ransom for many.

Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me! Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, Son of David, have mercy on me! Jesus stopped and said, Call him. So they called to the blind man, Cheer up! On your feet! He's calling you. Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus. What do you want me to do for you? Jesus asked him. The blind man said, Rabbi, I want to see. Go, said Jesus, your faith has healed you. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartemaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee. And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole, And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

And they come into Jericho. And as He is proceeding out from Jericho, and His disciples and a sizable crowd, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, blind, a beggar, was sitting as was his habit alongside the road. And having heard that it was Jesus, the Jesus from Nazareth, he began to be crying out and saying, Son of David, Jesus, have sympathy with me in my affliction and help me at once. And many kept on censuring him severely to the effect that he should become silent. But he kept on crying out all the more, Son of David, have sympathy with me in my affliction and help me at once. And having come to a standstill, Jesus said, Call him at once. And they call the blind man, saying to him, Be of good courage, be arising, he is calling you. And having thrown off his outer garment, having leaped up, he came to Jesus. And answering him, Jesus said, What are you desiring that I shall do for you? And the blind man said to Him, Rabboni, that I might recover my sight. And Jesus said to him, Be going on your way. Your faith has healed you perfectly. And immediately he recovered his sight and was following with Him on the road.

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly’. They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway. As they untied it, some people standing there asked, What are you doing, untying that colt? They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!

And when they came nigh to Jerusalem, unto Bethphage and Bethany, at the mount of Olives, he sendeth forth two of his disciples, And saith unto them, Go your way into the village over against you: and as soon as ye be entered into it, ye shall find a colt tied, whereon never man sat; loose him, and bring him. And if any man say unto you, ‘Why do ye this?’ say ye that ‘the Lord hath need of him; and straightway he will send him hither’. And they went on their way, and found the colt tied by the door without in a place where two ways met; and they loose him. And certain of them that stood there said unto them, What do ye, loosing the colt? And they said unto them even as Jesus had commanded: and they let them go. And they brought the colt to Jesus, and cast their garments on him; and he sat upon him. And many spread their garments in the way: and others cut down branches off the trees, and strawed them in the way. And they that went before, and they that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna; Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord: Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that cometh in the name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.

And when they were getting near Jerusalem, Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olivet, He sends two of His disciples on a mission, and says to them, Be going off into the village opposite you, and immediately upon proceeding into it, you will find a colt securely tied, upon which not even one man ever sat. Loose it at once and be bringing it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this? say, ‘The Lord is having need of it and forthwith will send it here again’. And they went off and found a colt tied securely to a door outside in the open street, and they loose it. And certain of those who were standing there went to saying to them, What are you doing, loosing the colt? And they spoke to them even as Jesus had said. And they gave them permission. And they bring the colt to Jesus and throw upon it their outer garments, and He sat upon it. And many spread their garments into the road, and others, soft foliage, having cut it out of the countryside. And those who went before and those who followed kept on crying out, Hosanna, praised be He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Praised be the coming kingdom of our father David. Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve. The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then he said to the tree, May no one ever eat fruit from you again. And his disciples heard him say it.

And Jesus entered into Jerusalem, and into the temple: and when he had looked round about upon all things, and now the eventide was come, he went out unto Bethany with the twelve. And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry: And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. 

And He entered Jerusalem and the temple. And after He had given all things a comprehensive inspection, it being already the evening hour, He went out to Bethany with the Twelve. And the next day, they having come out of and away from Bethany, He became hungry. And having seen a fig tree a long way off having leaves, He came, assuming that He would find something on it. And having come to it, He found not even one thing, except leaves. For it was not the season of figs. And answering, He said to it, Hereafter forever, from you no one eats fruit. And His disciples were listening.

On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as he taught them, he said, Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers’. The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.

And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves; And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple. And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer’? but ye have made it ‘a den of thieves’. And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine. And when even was come, he went out of the city.

And they come into Jerusalem. And having entered the temple, He began to be throwing out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and He threw down the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold doves, and was not permitting anyone to carry household gear through the temple. And He went to teaching and was saying to them, Does it not stand written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But as for you, you have made it ‘a den of robbers’. And the chief priests and the men learned in the sacred scriptures heard. And they went to seeking how they might destroy Him, for they were fearing Him; for the entire multitude was struck with astonishment at His teaching.

In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered! Have faith in God, Jesus answered. I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.

And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, ‘Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea’; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have out against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespassees. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

And when evening came they were going forth out of the city. And passing by in the morning they saw the fig tree completely withered from the roots. And being reminded, Peter says to Him, Rabbi, see, the fig tree which you cursed is withered away. And answering, Jesus says to them, Be constantly having faith in God. Truly, I am saying to you, Whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and be thrown into the sea’, and does not doubt in his heart but believes that that which he says comes to pass, it shall be his. On this account I am saying to you, All things whatever you are praying and asking for, be believing that you received them, and they shall be yours. And whenever you are standing, praying, forgive, if you have anything against a certain person, in order that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. By what authority are you doing these things? they asked. And who gave you authority to do this? Jesus replied, I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. John's baptism - was it from heaven, or from men? Tell me! They discussed it among themselves and said, If we say, ‘From heaven’, he will ask, ‘Then why didn't you believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’... (they feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.) So they answered Jesus, We don't know. Jesus said, Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

And they come again to Jerusalem: and as he was walking in the temple, there come to him the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders, And say unto him, By what authority doest thou these things? and who gave thee this authority to do these things? And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven, or of men? answer me. And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, ‘From heaven’; he will say, ‘Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, ‘Of men’: they feared the people: for all men counted John, that he was a prophet indeed. And they answered and said unto Jesus, We cannot tell. And Jesus answering saith unto them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

And they come again into Jerusalem. And when He was walking about the temple, there come to Him the chief priests and the men learned in the sacred scriptures and the elders, and they kept on saying to Him, By what sort of delegated authority are you doing these things, or, who gave you this authority to be doing these things? And Jesus said to them, I will ask you concerning one point, and answer me, and I will tell you by what sort of delegated authority I am doing these things. The baptism of John, from heaven was it or from men? Answer me. And they were reasoning with themselves, saying, If we say, ‘From heaven’, he will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From men’, - they were fearing the people. For all were holding John actually to be a prophet. And answering Jesus, they say, We do not know. And Jesus says to them, Neither am I telling you by what sort of delegated authority I am doing these things.

He then began to speak to them in parables: A man planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and went away on a journey. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

And he began to speak unto them by parables. A certain man planted a vineyard, and set an hedge about it, and digged a place for the winefat, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country. And at the season he sent to the husbandmen a servant, that he might receive from the husbandmen of the fruit of the vineyard. And they caught him, and beat him, and sent him away empty. And again he sent unto them another servant; and at him they cast stones, and wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully handled. And again he sent another; and they killed, and many others; beating some, and killing some.

And He began to be speaking to them in the form of illustrations. A man planted a vineyard, and set a hedge about it, and digged a place for a wine-press, and built a tower, and let it out for his own advantage to men, and went away to foreign parts. And he sent off to the vineyard men at the season a slave, in order that from the vineyard men he might receive some of the fruit of the vine. And having taken him, they beat him severely and sent him off empty. And again he sent off to them another slave. And that one they knocked about the head and grossly insulted. And another he sent off. And that one they killed, and many others; some, on the one hand, beating severely, and others, on the other hand, killing.

He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying ‘They will respect my son.’ But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let's kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard. What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others.

Having yet therefore one son, his wellbeloved, he sent him also last unto them, saying, ‘They will reverence my son.’ But those husbandmen said among themselves. ‘This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and the inheritance shall be our's.’ And they took him, and killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What shall therefore the lord of the vineyard do? he will come and destroy the husbandmen, and will give the vineyard unto others.

Yet one he had, a son, a beloved one. He sent him off last to them, saying, ‘They will reverence my son.’ But those vineyard men said to themselves, This is the heir. ‘Come. Let us be putting him to death, and ours shall be the inheritance.’ And having taken him, they killed him and threw him out of the vineyard. What will the master of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vineyard men, and will give the vineyard to others.

Haven't you read this scripture: ‘The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone; the Lord has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes’? Then they looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went away.

And have ye not read this scripture; ‘The stone which the builders rejected is become the head of the corner: This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes’? And they sought to lay hold on him, but feared the people: for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them: and they left him, and went their way.

And did you not even read this scripture, ‘A stone which the builders rejected after having put it to the test for the purpose of approving it, and finding that it did not meet their specifications, this became the head of the corner’? ‘From the Lord came this. And it is marvellous in our eyes’. And they were seeking to seize Him, but were fearing the crowd, for they knew that with reference to them He had given the illustration. And having left Him, they went off.

Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his words. They came to him and said, Teacher, we know you are a man of integrity. You aren't swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not? Should we pay or shouldn't we? But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. Why are you trying to trap me? he asked. Bring me a denarius and let me look at it. They brought the coin, and he asked them, Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription? Caesar's, they replied. Then Jesus said to them, Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's. And they were amazed at him.

And they send unto him certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to catch him in his words. And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not of the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth: Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give? But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said unto them, Why tempt ye me? bring me a penny, that I may see it. And they brought it. And he saith unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? And they said unto him, Caesar's. And Jesus answering said unto them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. And they marvelled at him.

And they sent Him to certain of the Pharisees and of the Herodians with a commission to snare Him in a statement. And having come, they say to Him, Teacher, we know positively that you are true and that you do not kowtow to anyone, for you do not pay regard to the outward appearance of me, but upon the basis of the truth you are teaching the way of God. Is it permissible to give poll tax to Caesar or not? Shall we give, or, shall we not give? But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, Why are you putting me to the test? Be bringing me a denarius in order that I may see it. And they brought one. And He says to them, This likeness and title belong to whom? And they said to Him, To Caesar. And Jesus said to them, The things belonging to Caesar pay off to Caesar, and the things belonging to God, to God. And they were marvelling at Him.

Then the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him with a question. Teacher, they said, Moses wrote for us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and have children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. At the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her? Jesus replied, Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God? When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising - have you not read in the book of Moses, in the account of the bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the god of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!

Then come unto him the Sadducees, which say there is no resurrection; and they asked him, saying, Master, Moses wrote unto us, If a man's brother die, and leave his wife behind him, and leave no children, that his brother should take his wife, and raise up seed unto his brother. Now there were seven brethren: and the first took a wife, and dying left no seed. And the second took her, and died, neither left he any seed: and the third likewise. And the seven had her, and left no seed: last of all the woman did also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? for the seven had her to wife. And Jesus answering said unto them, Do ye not therefore err, because ye know not the scriptures, neither the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven. And as touching the dead, that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how in the bush God spake unto him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.

And there come Sadducees to Him, that class which says there is not a resurrection. And they kept on questioning Him, saying, Teacher, Moses wrote us, If a brother of a certain man should die, and should leave a wife and should not leave a child, his brother should take the wife and raise up offspring for his brother. There were seven brothers. And the first took a wife, and dying, did not leave offspring. And the second took her, and he died, not having left offspring. And the third likewise. And the seven did not leave any children. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection, when they are raised, of which of them shall she be wife, for the seven had her as wife? Jesus said to them, Is it not because of this that you err, namely, that you do not know the scriptures nor even the power of God? For when they arise out from among the dead, neither do they marry nor do they give in marriage, but are [in this respect] just as angels in heaven. But concerning the dead that they arise, did you not read in the book of Moses, at the bush how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not a God of the dead but of the living. Greatly do you err.

One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, Of all the commandments, which is the most important? The most important one, answered Jesus, is this: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these. Well said, teacher, the man replied. You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, You are not far from the kingdom of God. And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, ‘Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength’: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, ‘Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.’ There is none other commandment greater than these. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question.

And having come, one of the men learned in the sacred scriptures having heard them questioning together, knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him, Of what sort is the first commandment of all? Jesus answered, The first is, ‘Be hearing O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with your whole heart, and with your whole soul, and with your whole mind, and with your whole strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Greater than these, another commandment there is not. And the man learned in the sacred scriptures said to Him, Right! Well! Teacher, truthfully you said, He is One, and there is not another except Him. And to be loving Him with your whole heart, and with your whole understanding, and with your whole strength, and to be loving your neighbor as yourself, is much more than all the whole burnt-offerings and sacrifices. And Jesus, having seen him, that he answered intelligently, said to him, Not far are you from the kingdom of God. And no one any longer was daring to ask him a question.

While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts, he asked, How is it that the teachers of the law say that the Christ is the son of David? David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit, declared: ‘The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand until I put your enemies under your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘Lord’. How then can he be his son? The large crowd listened to him with delight.

And Jesus answered and said, while he taught in the temple, How say the scribes that Christ is the son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Ghost, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool.’ David therefore himself calleth him ‘Lord’; and whence is he then his son? And the common people heard him gladly.

And answering, Jesus was saying as He was teaching in the temple, How is it that the men learned in the sacred scriptures say that the Christ is David's son? David himself said by the Holy Spirit, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Be seated on my right hand until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.’ David himself calls him ‘Lord’, and how can it be that He is his son? And the great crowd was hearing Him gladly.

As he taught, Jesus said, Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely.

And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.

And in His teaching He was saying: Be constantly bewaring of the men learned in the sacred scriptures who are fond of parading about in stately robes, and are fond of reverential and deferential greetings in the market places, and the seats of honor in the synagogues, and the chief places at the feasts, those who devour the houses of widows and for a pretense make long prayers; these will receive greater condemnation.

Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything - all she had to live on.

And Jesus sat over against the treasury, and beheld how the people cast money into the treasury: and many that were rich cast in much. And there came a certain poor widow, and she threw in two mites, which make a farthing. And he called unto him his disciples, and saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That this poor widow hath cast more in, than all they which have cast into the treasury: For all they did cast in of their abundance; but she of her want did cast in all that she had, even all her living.

And having sat down opposite the treasury, He was viewing with a discerning eye how the crowd throws money into the treasury. And many wealthy ones were throwing in much. And one having come, a poverty-stricken wido, threw in two very small brass coins which make a farthing. And having called His disciples to himself, He said to them, Truly, I am saying to you, This widow, and she, poverty-stricken, threw in more than all those who are throwing into the treasury, for they all threw in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty threw in all, as much as she had, the whole of her life's necessities.

As he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Look Teacher! What massive stones! What magnificent buildings! Do you see all these great buildings? replied Jesus. Not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down. As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?

And as he went out of the temple, one of his disciples saith unto him, Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

And while He was proceeding out of the temple, one of His disciples says to Him, Teacher, see what manner of stones and what manner of buildings. And Jesus said to him, Do you see these great buildings? There shall positively not be left a stone upon a stone which is not torn down. And being seated on the Mount of Olivet opposite the temple, there were asking Him privately Peter and James and John and Andrew, Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the attesting miracle which will indicate when these things, all of them, are about to be consummated?

Jesus said to them: Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he’, and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. 

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you: For many shall come in my name, saying, ‘I am Christ’; and shall deceive many. And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

And Jesus began to be saying to them, Keep ever watching lest someone lead you astray. Many will come in my Name, saying, ‘I, in contradistinction to others, am he’, and will lead many astray. And when you hear of wars and reports of wars, stop being terrified. It is necessary in the nature of the case for these things to take place. But not yet is the end. For there will rise up nation against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be earthquakes in various places; there shall be famines. A beginning of intolerable anguish are these.

You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Whenever you are arrested and brought to trial, do not worry beforehand about what to say. Just say whatever is given you at the time, for it is not you speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. And the gospel must first be published among all nations. But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

But as for you, be constantly paying heed to yourselves. They will deliver you up to councils, and in synagogues you will be beaten, and before rulers and kings you will be placed for my sake, as a testimony to them. And to all the nations first is it necessary in the nature of the case for the gospel to be proclaimed. And whenever they may be leading you, delivering you up, do not continue to be anxious as to what you will say, but whatever will be given you in that hour, this be speaking. For, as for you, you are not the ones who are speaking, but the Holy Spirit.

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

And a brother will deliver a brother to death, and a father, a child, and children will rise up against parents, and will cause them to be put to death. And you will be those who are being hated by all for my Name's sake. But he who has persevered to the end, this one shall be preserved from destruction.

When you see ‘the abomination that causes desolation’ standing where it does not belong - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down or enter the house to take anything out. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that this will not take place in winter, because those will be the days of distress unequaled from the beginning, when God created the world, until now - and never to be equaled again. If the Lord had not cut short those days, no one would survive. But for the sake of the elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened them.

But when ye shall see ‘the abomination of desolation’, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it out not, (let him that readeth understand,) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains: And let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house, neither enter therein, to take any thing out of his house: And let him that is in the field not turn back again for to take up his garment. But woe to them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter. For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

But when you see ‘the object of religious nausea and loathing who has to do with the desolation, standing where he ought not’; the one who reads, let him understand; then those who are in Judaea, let them flee into the mountains; the one who is on the housetop, let him not go down, neither let him enter to take anything out of his house; and the one in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. But woe to those who are with child, and to those who are nursing their young in those days. But pray that it may not be winter. For those days will be characterized by tribulation such as has not been from the beginning of the creation which God created until this particular time, and will positively not be. And unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the chosen-out ones who He chose out for himself, He shortened the days.

At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.

And then if any man shall say to you, ‘Lo, here is Christ’; or, ‘lo, he is there’; believe him not: For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. But take ye heed: behold, I have foretold you all things.

And then, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ; look, there’; stop believing him. Moreover, there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and they will perform attesting miracles and miracles that arouse amazement in order to be leading astray, if that were possible, which it is not, the chosen-out ones. But, as for you, be constantly taking heed. I have told you beforehand all things.

But in those days, following that distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.‘ At that time men will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. And he will send his angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.

But in those days, after that tribulation, ‘the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, And the stars of heaven shall fall, and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken.' And then shall they see the Son of man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

But in those days, after that tribulation, ‘the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light, and the meteors will be falling out of the heaven’, and the natural powers that control the heavenly bodies will be disorganized. And then they will see the Son of Man coming with the clouds, with much power and glory. And then He will send off the angels and will gather together His chosen-out ones from the four winds, from the outermost border of the earth to the outermost border of heaven.

Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see these things happening, you know that it is near, right at the door. I tell you the truth, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is near: So ye in like manner, when ye shall see these things come to pass, know that it is nigh, even at the doors. Verily I say unto you, that this generation shall not pass, till all these things be done. Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. 

Now, from the fig tree be learning the meaning of the illustration. When already its branch becomes tender and is putting out the leaves, you know from experience that the summer is near. Thus also, as for you, when you see these things coming into being, you know that He is near, at the doors. Truly I am saying to you, This race will positively not pass away until these things, all of them, take place. The heaven and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the father. Be on guard! Be alert! You do not know when that time will come.

But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

But concerning that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven nor even the Son, only the Father. Be constantly taking heed, be constantly on the watch, for you do not know when it is the strategic season.

It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: Watch!

For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.

It is as a man gone off to another country, having left his house, and having given his slaves the authority, to each his work; and to the doorkeeper he gave orders to be constantly alert and watching. Therefore, be constantly alert and on the watch, for you do not know when the master of the house comes, whether at evening time, or at midnight, or at cockcrowing, or in the morning, lest having come unexpectedly, he find you slumbering. And that which I am saying to you, I am saying to all, Be constantly watchful and alert.

Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill him. But not during the Feast, they said, or the people may riot.

After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar of the people.

Now, it was the feasts of the passover and the loaves baked without yeast, after two days. And the chief priests and the men learned in the sacred scriptures were seeking how, having seized Him by craftiness, they might put Him to death. For they were saying, Not during the feast, lest at any time there be an uproar on the part of the people.

While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man known as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year's wages and the money given to the poor. And they rebuked her harshly. Leave her alone, said Jesus, Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them at any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head. And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me. For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always. She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying. Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

And while He was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as He was reclining at table, there came a woman having an alabaster cruse of ointment, nard, pure, very costly. Having broken the alabaster cruse, she was pouring its contents upon His head. Now, there were certain there who were moved with indignation among themselves. To what purpose has been this waste of the ointment? For it was possible to have sold the ointment for more than three hundred denarii and to have given these to the poor. And they bristled with indignation against her. And Jesus said, Let her alone. Why are you causing her trouble? A munificent service she rendered me. For the poor you always have with you, and whenever you desire, you are able to do them good; but me you are not always having. That which she had, she used. She took occasion beforehand to anoint my body for the entombment. And truly I am saying to you, Wherever the gospel may be proclaimed in the whole world, also that which she herself did will be spoken of a memorial of her.

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

And Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went unto the chief priests, to betray him unto them. And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

And Judas Iscariot, the one of the Twelve, went off to the chief priests for the purpose of betraying Him to them. And they, having heard, rejoiced inwardly and promised to give him money. And he went to seeking how he might betray Him when the opportunity presented itself.

On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus' disciples asked him, Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover? So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there. The disciples left, went into the city and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

And the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover, his disciples said unto him, Where wilt thou that we go and prepare that thou mayest eat the passover? And he sendeth forth two of his disciples, and saith unto them, Go ye into the city, and there shall meet you a man bearing a pitcher of water: follow him. And wheresoever he shall go in, say ye to the goodman of the house, ‘The Master saith, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?’ And he will shew you a large upper room furnished and prepared: there make ready for us. And his disciples went forth, and came into the city, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

And on the first day of the feast of loaves baked without yeast, at which time it was the custom to kill the passover, His disciples say to Him, Where do you desire that we go and prepare in order that you may eat the passover? And He sends off two of His disciples, and says to them, Go into the city and there will meet you a man carrying an earthenware pitcher of water. Follow him, and wherever he enters, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, Where is my guest-chamber where I may eat the passover with my disciples?’ And he himself will show you an upper room, large, in a state of readiness, prepared. And there make ready for us. And the disciples went out and came into the city, and found even as He told them. And they prepared the passover.

When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me - one who is eating with me. They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, Surely not I? It is one of the Twelve, he replied, one who dips bread into the bowl with me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.

And in the evening he cometh with the twelve. And as they sat and did eat, Jesus said, Verily I say unto you, One of you which eateth with me shall betray me. And they began to be sorrowful, and to say unto him one by one, Is it I? and another said, Is it I? And he answered and said unto them, It is one of the twelve, that dippeth with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.

And evening having come, He comes with the Twelve. And while they were reclining at table and eating, Jesus said, Truly, I am saying to you, one of you will betray me, the one eating with me. They began to be grieved and to be saying to Him, one after another, It is not I, is it? And He said to them, One of the twelve, the one who dips with me into the deep dish. The Son of Man indeed goes even as it stands written concerning Him. But woe to that man through whose agency the Son of Man is betrayed. Good were it for him, if that man had not been born.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take it; this is my body. Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many, he said to them. I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God. When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

And as they did eat, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and brake it, and gave to them, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. And he took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them: and they all drank of it. And he said unto them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God. And when they had sung an hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives.

And while they were eating, having taken bread, having offered a blessing, He broke it and gave to them and said, Take. This is my body. And having taken a cup, having given thanks, He gave it to them, and all drank from it. And He said to them, This is my blood of the testament which is being poured out in behalf of many. Truly, I am saying to you, I will positively no longer drink of the product of the vine until that day when I drink it new in quality in the kingdom of God. And having sung a hymn, they went out into the Mount of Olivet.

You will all fall away, Jesus told them, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered’. But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee. Peter declared, Even if all fall away, I will not. I tell you the truth, Jesus answered, today - yes, tonight - before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times. But Peter insisted emphatically, Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you. And all the others said the same.

And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, ‘I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered’. But after that I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said unto him, Although all shall be offended, yet will not I. And Jesus saith unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this day, even in this night, before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice. But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all.

And Jesus says to them, All of you will fall away, because it stands written, ‘I will smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered’. But after I have been raised I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter said to Him, Even if all will fall away, certainly not I. And Jesus says to him, Truly, I am saying to you, that, as for you, today, on this night, before a rooster crows twice, three times you will deny me. And he kept on saying with more vehemence and iteration, If it should be necessary for me to die with you, I will positively not deny you. Moreover, in like manner also all kept on saying.

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, Sit here while I pray. He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, he said to them. Stay here and keep watch.

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy; And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

And they come into a place called Gethsemane: and He says to His disciples, Sit here while I shall pray. And He takes with Him Peter and James and John. And He began to be thoroughly alarmed and distressed. And He says to them, My soul is encompassed with grief even to the point of death. Abide here and be watching.

Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. Abba, Father, he said, everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.

And he went forward a little and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

And having gone on ahead a little, He fell repeatedly upon the ground, and was praying that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He was saying, Abba, [namely] Father, all things are possible to you. Cause this cup to pass by and from me. But not what I desire, but what you desire.

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. Simon, he said to Peter, are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak. Once more he went away and prayed the same thing.

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

And He comes and finds them sleeping, and He says to Peter, Simon, are you sleeping? Did you not have strength to watch one hour? Be constantly watching and praying in order that you might not enter a place of testing that will present to you a solicitation to do evil. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. And again, having gone off, He prayed, having said the same thing.

When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

And again, having come, He found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they did not know what they should answer Him. And He comes the third time and says to them, Keep on sleeping now and taking your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Be arising. Let us be going. Behold, the one who is betraying me has come near and is at hand.

Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the elders. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under guard. Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, Rabbi! and kissed him. The men seized Jesus and arrested him.

And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayeth him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely. And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.

And immediately, while He was still speaking, there approaches Judas, one of the Twelve, and with him a crowd with swords and cudgels who came personally from the chief priests and the men learned in the sacred scriptures and the elders. Now, the one betraying Him had given them a prearranged signal, saying, Whomever I shall kiss, it is He himself. Seize Him and lead Him away safely. And having come, immediately approaching Him he says, Rabbi, and kissed Him. And they laid their hands upon Him and seized Him.

Then one of those standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. Am I leading a rebellion, said Jesus, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I was with you, teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the Scriptures must be fulfilled. Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.

And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, and fled. And there followed him a certain young man, having a linen cloth cast about his naked body; and the young men laid hold on him: And he left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.

And a certain one of those who stood by, drawing his sword, struck the slave of the high priest and took off his ear. And answering, Jesus said to them, As against a robber you came out with swords and cudgels to seize me. Daily I was with you in the temple, teaching, and you did not seize me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. And having forsaken Him, they fled, all of them. And a certain young man was following with Him who had thrown a linen cloth around his nakedness. And they seize him. And having left the linen cloth, he fled unclothed.

They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. Peter followed him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

And they led Jesus away to the high priest: and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. And Peter followed him afar off, even into the palace of the high priest: and he sat with the servants, and warmed himself at the fire.

And they led Jesus off to the chief priest. And there are gathered together all the chief priests and the elders and the men learned in the sacred scriptures. And Peter followed Him at a distance even into the uncovered courtyard of the house of the chief priest. And he was sitting with the officers and warming himself at the fire.

The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they did not find any. Many testified falsely against him, but their statements did not agree.

And the chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness against him, but their witness agreed not together.

Now, the chief priests and the entire council were seeking testimony against Jesus with a view to putting Him to death; and they were not finding any, for many were repeatedly bearing false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not in harmony.

Then some stood up and gave this false testimony against him: We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this man-made temple and in three days will build another, not made by man.’ Yet even their testimony did not agree.

And there arose certain, and bare false witness against him, saying, We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ But neither so did their witness agree together.

And certain, having arisen, were bearing false testimony against Him, saying, As for us, we heard him saying, ‘As for myself, I will destroy this temple which is made with hands, and after a period of three days another one made without hands I will build.’ And not even in the way described did their testimony harmonize.

Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you? But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked him, Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? I am, said Jesus. And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.

And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

And having arisen, the chief priest in the midst questioned Jesus, saying, Do you not answer even one thing? What is this that these are testifying against you? But He kept on maintaining His silence and answered not even one thing. Again, the chief priest went to asking Him, and says to Him, As for you, are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, As for myself, in contradistinction to all others, I AM. And you will see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power and coming with the clouds of heaven.

The high priest tore his clothes. Why do we need any more witnesses? he asked. You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think? They all condemned him as worthy of death. Then some began to spit at him; they blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, Prophesy! And the guards took him and beat him.

Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands.

Then the chief priest, having torn apart his tunics, says, Why do we still have need of witnesses? You heard his blasphemy. What is your view? And they all condemned Him to be guilty of death. And certain ones began to be spitting upon Him and to be covering His face and to be pummelling Him and to be saying to Him, Prophesy. And the officers caught Him by blows with the flat of the hand.

While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus, she said. But he denied it. I don't know or understand what you're talking about, he said, and went out into the entryway. When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, This fellow is one of them. Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near said to Peter, Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean. He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, I don't know this man you're talking about. Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: ‘Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.’ And he broke down and wept.

And as Peter was beneath in the palace, there cometh one of the maids of the high priest: And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked upon him, and said, And thou also wast with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied, saying, I know not, neither understand I what thou sayest. And he went out into the porch; and the cock crew. And a maid saw him again, and began to say to them that stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again. And a little after, they that stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them: for thou art a Galilaean, and thy speech agreeth thereto. But he began to curse and swear, saying, I know not this man of whom ye speak. And the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, ‘Before the cock crow twice, thou shalt deny me thrice.’ And when he thought thereon, he wept.

And when Peter was down in the courtyard, there comes one of the female slaves of the high priest, and having seen Peter warming himself, having gazed intently at him, she says, And as for you, with the one of Nazareth you were, that Jesus. But he denied, saying, Neither do I know nor do I understand what you are saying. And he went outside into the forecourt. And the female slave having seen him, began again to be saying to the bystanders, This man is one of them. But again he kept on denying. And a short time afterwards, again the bystanders were saying to Peter, Truly, one of them you are. In fact, you are a Galilaean. But he began to be putting himself under a divine curse, and to be putting himself under oath, I do not know this man concerning whom you are speaking. And immediately a second time a rooster crowed. And Peter was brought to a remembrance of the word as Jesus spoke it to him, ‘Before a rooster crows twice, three times, me you will deny.’ And having put his thought upon it, he began to be weeping audibly.

Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led him away and handed him over to Pilate. Are you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate. Yes, it is as you say, Jesus replied. The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, Aren't you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of. But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed.

And straightway in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried him away, and delivered him to Pilate. And Pilate asked him, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answering said unto him, Thou sayest it. And the chief priests accused him of many things: but he answered nothing. And Pilate asked him again, saying, Answerest thou nothing? behold how many things they witness against thee. But Jesus yet answered nothing; so that Pilate marvelled.

And immediately at daybreak, the chief priests convoked a council with the elders and men learned in the sacred scriptures and the entire Sanhedrin; having bound Jesus they took Him away, and handed Him over to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, As for you, are you the King of the Jews? And answering him He says, As for you, you are saying it. And the chief priests kept on accusing Him of many things. And Pilate again went to asking Him, saying, Are you not answering even one thing? See how many things there are of which they are accusing you. But Jesus still answered not even one thing, so that Pilate was in a state of amazement.

Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did. Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews? asked Pilate, knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead. What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews? Pilate asked them. Crucify him! They shouted. Why? What crime has he committed? asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, Crucify him! Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

Now at that feast he released unto them one prisoner, whomsoever they desired. And there was one named Barabbas, which lay bound with them that had made insurrection with him, who had committed murder in the insurrection. And the multitude crying aloud began to desire him to do as he had ever done unto them. But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered him for envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas unto them. And Pilate answered and said again unto them, What will ye then that I shall do unto him whom ye call the King of the Jews? And they cried out again, Crucify him. Then Pilate said unto them, Why, what evil hath he done? And they cried out the more exceedingly, Crucify him. And so Pilate, willing to content the people, released Barabbas unto them, and delivered Jesus, when he had scourged him, to be crucified.

Now, at the feast, it was his custom to release to them one prisoner whom they would be desiring. And there was the one commonly known as Barabbas, who was in chains with those who had participated in an insurrection, those being of that class that had committed murder in the insurrection referred to. And, having gone up, the crowd began to be asking him to do just as he had always been accustomed to do for them. And Pilate answered them, saying, Are you desiring that I release to you the King of the Jews? for it was gradually dawning upon him that because of envy the chief priests had delivered Him up. And the chief priests stirred up the crowd that he should rather release Barabbas to them. But Pilate again answering, was saying to them, What then shall I do to him whom you are calling the King of the Jews? But they again cried, Crucify him at once. But Pilate was saying to them, Why, what evil did he do? But they cried out with an indescribable uproar, Crucify him at once. Then Pilate, desiring after reflection to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and having scourged Jesus, delivered Him to be crucified.

The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. And they began to call out to him, Hail, king of the Jews! Again and again they struck him on the head with a staff and spit on him. Falling on their knees, they paid homage to him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him out to crucify him.

And the soldiers led him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they call together the whole band. And they clothed him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about his head, And began to salute him, Hail, King of the Jews! And they smote him on the head with a reed, and did spit upon him, and bowing their knees worshipped him. And when they had mocked him, they took off the purple from him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

And the soldiers led Him off into the courtyard which is the Praetorium, and they call together the entire band. And they clothe Him with a purple robe, and having woven together a victor's crown of thorns, they place it upon Him. And they began to be saluting Him, Hail, King of the Jews. And they kept on beating His head with a staff made of a reed, and they kept on spitting upon Him; and bowing their knees, they were doing obeisance to Him. And when they had mocked Him, they took off from Him the purple robe, and put on Him His garments. And they lead Him out in order that they may crucify Him.

A certain man from Cyrene, Simon, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was passing by on his way in from the country, and they forced him to carry the cross. They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). Then they offered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he did not take it.

And they compel one Simon a Cyrenian, who passed by, coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. And they bring him unto the place Golgotha, which is, being interpreted, The place of a skull. And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

And they commandeer the services of a certain Simon of Cyrene who was passing by at the time, coming from the surrounding farmland, the father of Alexander and Rufus, in order that he might carry His cross. And they bring Him to the place, Golgotha, which interpreted is, a place of a skull. And they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh. But He did not receive it.

And they crucified him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get. It was the third hour when they crucified him. The written notice of the charge against him read: THE KING OF THE JEWS. They crucified two robbers with him, one on his right and one on his left.

And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, casting lots upon them, what every man should take. And it was the third hour, and they crucified him. And the superscription of his accusation was written over, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.

And they crucify Him and distribute His garments among themselves, throwing a lot upon them, who should take what. Now, it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. And there was the inscription of His accusation written above, THE KING OF THE JEWS. And with Him they crucify two robbers, one on His right and another on His left.

Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, So! You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, come down from the cross and save yourself! In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked him among themselves. He saved others, they said, but he can't save himself! Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. Those crucified with him also heaped insults on him.

And they that passed by railed on him, wagging their heads, and saying, Ah, thou that destroyest the temple, and buildest it in three days, Save thyself. and come down from the cross. Likewise also the chief priests mocking said among themselves with the scribes, He saved others; himself he cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross, that we may see and believe. And they that were crucified with him reviled him.

And those passing by kept on reviling Him, wagging their heads and saying, Ah, the one who is destroying the inner sanctuary and building it in three days, save yourself, having coming down from the cross. In the same way also, the chief priests, mocking, were saying to one another with the men learned in the sacred scriptures, Others he saved, himself he is not able to save. The Christ, the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross in order that we may see with discernment and believe. And those crucified with Him were reviling Him.

At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? - which means, My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? When some of those standing near heard this, they said, Listen, he's calling Elijah. One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put it on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. Now leave him alone. Let's see if Elijah comes to take him down, he said.

And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? And some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, Behold, he calleth Elias. And one ran and filled a spunge full of vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave him to drink, saying, Let alone; let us see whether Elias will come to take him down.

And the sixth hour having come, a darkness came upon the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus shouted with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama, sabachthani? which interpreted is, My God, My God, why did you let me down? And certain ones of those standing by, having heard, were saying, Behold, he is calling for Elijah. And, having run, a certain one, having filled a sponge with sour wine, having put it upon a reed, was giving Him a drink, saying, Hold off. Let us see whether Elijah comes to take him down.

With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, Surely this man was the Son of God!

And Jesus cried with a loud voice, and gave up the ghost. And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom. And when the centurion, which stood over against him, saw that he so cried out, and gave up the ghost, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

And Jesus, having cried with a loud voice, breathed out His life. And the curtain of the inner sanctuary was torn in two from the top to the bottom. And the centurion standing by opposite Him, having seen that thus He breathed out His life, said, Truly, this man, Son of God He was.

Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there. 

There were also women looking on afar off: among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome; (Who also, when he was in Galilee, followed him, and ministered unto him;) and many other women which came up with him unto Jerusalem.

Now, there were also women looking on carefully and with interest, viewing attentively from a distance, among whom also were Mary, the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome, who when He was in Galilee, were accustomed to follow with Him and minister to Him the necessities of life, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

And now when the even was come, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the sabbath. Joseph of Arimathaea, an honourable counsellor, which also waited for the kingdom of God, came, and went in boldly unto Pilate, and craved the body of Jesus. And Pilate marvelled if he were already dead: and calling unto him the centurion, he asked him whether he had been any while dead. And when he knew it of the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph. And he bought fine linen, and took him down, and wrapped him in the linen, and laid him in a sepulchre which was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone unto the door of the sepulchre. And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses beheld where he was laid.

And already evening had come. Since it was the time of making ready, which is the day before the sabbath, Joseph, the one from Arimathaea, having come, an honorable member of the council, who also himself was waiting for the kingdom of God, having taken courage, went in to Pilate and asked as a personal favor for the body of Jesus. But Pilate wondered whether He were already dead. And having called the centurion, he asked him if He had just died. And having come to know it from the centurion, he freely gave the corpse to Joseph. And having purchased fine linen in the market place, having taken Him down, he wrapped Him with the fine linen and placed Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of rock, and rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb. And Mary, the Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Joses were attentively observing where He was laid.

When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body. Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb? But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. Don't be alarmed, he said, You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ Trembling and bewildered, the women went out and fled from the tomb. They said nothing to anyone, because they were afraid.

And when the sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James, and Salome, had bought sweet spices, that they might come and anoint him. And very early in the morning the first day of the week, they came unto the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. And they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the sepulchre? And when they looked, they saw that the stone was rolled away: for it was very great. And entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment; and they were affrighted. And he saith unto them, Be not affrighted: Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, which was crucified: he is risen; he is not here: behold the place where they laid him. But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that ‘he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you.’ And they went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed: neither said they any thing to any man; for they were afraid.

And the sabbath being past, Mary, the Magdalene, and the mother of James, and Salome, purchased aromatic spices in order that, having come, they might anoint Him. And very early in the morning of the first day of the week they come to the tomb, the sun having risen. And they kept on saying among themselves, Who will roll away for us the stone out of the door of the tomb? And, having looked up, they saw clearly that the stone had been rolled back, for it was exceedingly great. And having entered the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, clothed in a long stately garment, white. And they were utterly amazed. And he says to them, Stop being utterly amazed. Jesus you are seeking, the Jesus of Nazareth, the One who has been crucified. He was raised. He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But be going; say to His disciples and to Peter, ‘He is going before you into Galilee. There you will see Him just as He told you.’ And having gone, they fled from the tomb, for there had come upon them trembling and astonishment: and they said not even one thing to anyone for they were afraid.