Chapter 6

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath

1 aNow it happened that He was passing through some grainfields on a Sabbath; and His disciples bwere picking the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating the grain.

2 But some of the Pharisees said, “Why do you do what ais not lawful on the Sabbath?”

3 And Jesus answering them said, “Have you not even read awhat David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him,

4 how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the 1consecrated bread which ais not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?”

5 And He was saying to them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

6 abOn another Sabbath He entered cthe synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there 1whose right hand was withered.

7 The scribes and the Pharisees awere watching Him closely to see if He healed on the Sabbath, so that they might find reason to accuse Him.

8 But He aknew 1what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, “Get up and 2come forward!” And he got up and 3came forward.

9 And Jesus said to them, “I ask you, is it lawful to do good or to do harm on the Sabbath, to save a life or to destroy it?”

10 After alooking around at them all, He said to him, “Stretch out your hand!” And he did so; and his hand was restored.

11 But they themselves were filled with 1rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.

Choosing the Twelve

12 It was 1at this time that He went off to athe mountain to bpray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.

13 And when day came, aHe called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as bapostles:

14 Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; and 1James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;

15 and aMatthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot;

16 Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

17 Jesus acame down with them and stood on a level place; and there was ba large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of cTyre and Sidon,

18 who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.

19 And all the 1people were trying to atouch Him, for bpower was coming from Him and healing them all.

The Beatitudes

20 And turning His gaze toward His disciples, He began to say, “aBlessed are 1you who are poor, for byours is the kingdom of God.

21 “Blessed are 1you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh.

22 “aBlessed are you when men hate you, and bostracize you, and insult you, and scorn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man.

23 “Be glad in that day and aleap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven. For bin the same way their fathers used to 1treat the prophets.

24 “But woe to ayou who are rich, for byou are receiving your comfort in full.

25 “Woe to you who 1are well-fed now, for you shall be hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you shall mourn and weep.

26 “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for their fathers used to 1treat the afalse prophets in the same way.

27 “But I say to you who hear, alove your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

28 bless those who curse you, apray for those who 1mistreat you.

29 “aWhoever hits you on the cheek, offer him the other also; and whoever takes away your 1coat, do not withhold your 2shirt from him either.

30 “Give to everyone who asks of you, and whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back.

31 “1aTreat others the same way you want 2them to treat you.

32 “aIf you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.

33 “If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.

34 “aIf you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.

35 “But alove your enemies, and do good, and lend, 1expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be bsons of cthe Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

36 “1Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 “aDo not judge, and you will not be judged; and do not condemn, and you will not be condemned; 1bpardon, and you will be pardoned.

38 “Give, and it will be given to you. They will 1pour ainto your lap a bgood measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over. For by your standard of measure it will be measured to you in return.”

39 And He also spoke a parable to them: “aA blind man cannot guide a blind man, can he? Will they not both fall into a pit?

40 “aA 1pupil is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will 2be like his teacher.

41 “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?

42 “Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.

43 “aFor there is no good tree which produces bad fruit, nor, 1on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit.

44 “aFor each tree is known by its own fruit. For men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they pick grapes from a briar bush.

45 “aThe good man out of the good 1treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; bfor his mouth speaks from 2that which fills his heart.

Builders and Foundations

46 “aWhy do you call Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say?

47 “aEveryone who comes to Me and hears My words and 1acts on them, I will show you whom he is like:

48 he is like a man building a house, who 1dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the 2torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.

49 “But the one who has heard and has not acted accordingly, is like a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation; and the 1torrent burst against it and immediately it collapsed, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Chapter 7

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

1 aWhen He had completed all His discourse in the hearing of the people, bHe went to Capernaum.

2 And a centurion’s slave, 1who was highly regarded by him, was sick and about to die.

3 When he heard about Jesus, ahe sent some 1Jewish elders asking Him to come and 2save the life of his slave.

4 When they came to Jesus, they earnestly implored Him, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this to him;

5 for he loves our nation and it was he who built us our synagogue.”

6 Now Jesus started on His way with them; and when He was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends, saying to Him, “1Lord, do not trouble Yourself further, for I am not worthy for You to come under my roof;

7 for this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to You, but just 1say the word, and my 2servant will be healed.

8 “For I also am a man placed under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

9 Now when Jesus heard this, He marveled at him, and turned and said to the crowd that was following Him, “I say to you, anot even in Israel have I found such great faith.”

10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

11 Soon afterwards He went to a city called Nain; and His disciples were going along with Him, 1accompanied by a large crowd.

12 Now as He approached the gate of the city, 1a dead man was being carried out, the 2only son of his mother, and she was a widow; and a sizeable crowd from the city was with her.

13 When athe Lord saw her, He felt compassion for her, and said to her, “1Do not weep.”

14 And He came up and touched the coffin; and the bearers came to a halt. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise!”

15 The 1dead man sat up and began to speak. And Jesus gave him back to his mother.

16 aFear gripped them all, and they began bglorifying God, saying, “A great cprophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has 1visited His people!”

17 aThis report concerning Him went out all over Judea and in all the surrounding district.

A Deputation from John

18 aThe disciples of John reported to him about all these things.

19 Summoning 1two of his disciples, John sent them to athe Lord, saying, “Are You the 2Expected One, or do we look for someone else?”

20 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the 1Expected One, or do we look for someone else?’ ”

21 At that 1very time He acured many people of diseases and bafflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.

22 And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the ablind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the bpoor have the gospel preached to them.

23 “Blessed is he 1who does not take offense at Me.”

24 When the messengers of John had left, He began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?

25 “1But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft 2clothing? Those who are splendidly clothed and live in luxury are found in royal palaces!

26 “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and one who is more than a prophet.

27 “This is the one about whom it is written,

‘aBehold, I send My messenger 1ahead of You,

Who will prepare Your way before You.’

28 “I say to you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet he who is 1least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

29 When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they 1acknowledged aGod’s justice, bhaving been baptized with cthe baptism of John.

30 But the Pharisees and the 1alawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by 2John.

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

32 “They are like children who sit in the market place and call to one another, and they say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance; we sang a dirge, and you did not weep.’

33 “For John the Baptist has come aeating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon!’

34 “The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a 1drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and 2sinners!’

35 “Yet wisdom ais vindicated by all her children.”

36 Now one of the Pharisees was requesting Him to 1dine with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.

37 aAnd there was a woman in the city who was a 1sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,

38 and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.

39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were aa prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a 1sinner.”

Parable of Two Debtors

40 And Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he 1replied, “Say it, Teacher.”

41 “A moneylender had two debtors: one owed five hundred 1adenarii, and the other fifty.

42 “When they awere unable to repay, he graciously forgave them both. So which of them will love him more?”

43 Simon answered and said, “I suppose the one whom he forgave more.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.”

44 Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you agave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

45 “You agave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.

46 “aYou did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.

47 “For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little.”

48 Then He said to her, “aYour sins have been forgiven.”

49 Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say 1to themselves, “aWho is this man who even forgives sins?”

50 And He said to the woman, “aYour faith has saved you; bgo in peace.”

Chapter 8

Ministering Women

1 Soon afterwards, He began going around from one city and village to another, aproclaiming and preaching the kingdom of God. The twelve were with Him,

2 and also asome women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: bMary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

3 and Joanna the wife of Chuza, aHerod’s bsteward, and Susanna, and many others who were contributing to their support out of their private means.

Parable of the Sower

4 aWhen a large crowd was coming together, and those from the various cities were journeying to Him, He spoke by way of a parable:

5 “The sower went out to sow his seed; and as he sowed, some fell beside the road, and it was trampled under foot and the birds of the 1air ate it up.

6 “Other seed fell on rocky soil, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture.

7 “Other seed fell among the thorns; and the thorns grew up with it and choked it out.

8 “Other seed fell into the good soil, and grew up, and produced a crop a hundred times as great.” As He said these things, He would call out, “aHe who has ears to hear, 1let him hear.”

9 aHis disciples began questioning Him as to what this parable meant.

10 And He said, “aTo you it has been granted to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to the rest it is in parables, so that bseeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.

11 “Now the parable is this: athe seed is the word of God.

12 “Those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they will not believe and be saved.

13 “Those on the rocky soil are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no firm root; 1they believe for a while, and in time of temptation fall away.

14 “The seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with worries and riches and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to maturity.

15 “But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with 1perseverance.

Parable of the Lamp

16 “Now ano one after lighting a lamp covers it over with a container, or puts it under a bed; but he puts it on a lampstand, so that those who come in may see the light.

17 “aFor nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.

18 “So take care how you listen; afor whoever has, to him more shall be given; and whoever does not have, even what he 1thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”

19 aAnd His mother and brothers came to Him, and they were unable to get to Him because of the crowd.

20 And it was reported to Him, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wishing to see You.”

21 But He answered and said to them, “My mother and My brothers are these awho hear the word of God and do it.”

Jesus Stills the Sea

22 aNow on one of those days Jesus and His disciples got into a boat, and He said to them, “Let us go over to the other side of bthe lake.” So they launched out.

23 But as they were sailing along He fell asleep; and a fierce gale of wind descended on athe lake, and they began to be swamped and to be in danger.

24 They came to Jesus and woke Him up, saying, “aMaster, Master, we are perishing!” And He got up and brebuked the wind and the surging waves, and they stopped, and 1it became calm.

25 And He said to them, “Where is your faith?” They were fearful and amazed, saying to one another, “Who then is this, that He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him?”

The Demoniac Cured

26 aThen they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes, which is opposite Galilee.

27 And when He came out onto the land, He was met by a man from the city who was possessed with demons; and who had not put on any clothing for a long time, and was not living in a house, but in the tombs.

28 Seeing Jesus, he cried out and fell before Him, and said in a loud voice, “1aWhat business do we have with each other, Jesus, Son of bthe Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me.”

29 For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had seized him many times; and he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, and yet he would break his bonds and be driven by the demon into the desert.

30 And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “aLegion”; for many demons had entered him.

31 They were imploring Him not to command them to go away into athe abyss.

32 Now there was a herd of many swine feeding there on the mountain; and the demons implored Him to permit them to enter 1the swine. And He gave them permission.

33 And the demons came out of the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into athe lake and was drowned.

34 When the herdsmen saw what had happened, they ran away and reported it in the city and out in the country.

35 The people went out to see what had happened; and they came to Jesus, and found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting down aat the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they became frightened.

36 Those who had seen it reported to them how the man who was ademon-possessed had been 1made well.

37 And all the people of the country of the Gerasenes and the surrounding district asked Him to leave them, for they were gripped with great fear; and He got into a boat and returned.

38 aBut the man from whom the demons had gone out was begging Him that he might 1accompany Him; but He sent him away, saying,

39 “Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you.” So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.

Miracles of Healing

40 aAnd as Jesus returned, the 1people welcomed Him, for they had all been waiting for Him.

41 aAnd there came a man named Jairus, and he was an 1bofficial of the synagogue; and he fell at Jesus’ feet, and began to implore Him to come to his house;

42 for he had an 1only daughter, about twelve years old, and she was dying. But as He went, the crowds were pressing against Him.

43 And a woman who had a hemorrhage for twelve years, and could not be healed by anyone,

44 came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His 1cloak, and immediately her hemorrhage stopped.

45 And Jesus said, “Who is the one who touched Me?” And while they were all denying it, Peter said, “aMaster, the 1people are crowding and pressing in on You.”

46 But Jesus said, “Someone did touch Me, for I was aware that apower had gone out of Me.”

47 When the woman saw that she had not escaped notice, she came trembling and fell down before Him, and declared in the presence of all the people the reason why she had touched Him, and how she had been immediately healed.

48 And He said to her, “Daughter, ayour faith has 1made you well; bgo in peace.”

49 While He was still speaking, someone * came from the house of athe synagogue official, saying, “Your daughter has died; do not trouble the Teacher anymore.”

50 But when Jesus heard this, He answered him, “aDo not be afraid any longer; only believe, and she will be 1made well.”

51 When He came to the house, He did not allow anyone to enter with Him, except Peter and John and James, and the girl’s father and mother.

52 Now they were all weeping and alamenting for her; but He said, “Stop weeping, for she has not died, but bis asleep.”

53 And they began laughing at Him, knowing that she had died.

54 He, however, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Child, arise!”

55 And her spirit returned, and she got up immediately; and He gave orders for something to be given her to eat.

56 Her parents were amazed; but He ainstructed them to tell no one what had happened.