1 J esus called His twelve followers to Him. He gave them the right and the power over all demons and to heal diseases.

And He called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

2 H e sent them to preach about the holy nation of God and to heal the sick.

And He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing.

3 T hen He said to them, “Take nothing along for the trip. Do not take a walking stick or a bag or bread or money. Do not take two coats.

And He said to them, “ Take nothing for your journey, neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two tunics apiece.

4 W hatever house you go into, stay there until you are ready to go on.

Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that city.

5 I f anyone will not take you in, as you leave that city, shake its dust off your feet. That will speak against them.”

And as for those who do not receive you, as you go out from that city, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

6 T hey went out, going from town to town. They preached the Good News and healed the sick everywhere. John the Baptist Is Killed

Departing, they began going throughout the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

7 N ow Herod the leader heard of all that had been done by Jesus. He was troubled because some people said that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead,

8 S ome people said that Elijah had come back. Others thought one of the early preachers had been raised from the dead.

and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen again.

9 T hen Herod said, “I had John’s head cut off. But who is this Man that I hear these things about?” He wanted to see Jesus. The Feeding of the Five Thousand

Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see Him.

10 T he twelve followers came back. They told Jesus what they had done. Jesus took them to a desert near the town of Bethsaida. There they could be alone.

When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.

11 W hen the people knew where Jesus was, they followed Him. Jesus was happy to see them and talked to them about the holy nation of God. He healed all who were sick.

But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing. Five Thousand Fed

12 W hen the day was about over, the twelve followers came to Jesus. They said, “Send these many people away so they can go to the towns and country near here. There they can find a place to sleep and get food. We are here in a desert.”

Now the day was ending, and the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get something to eat; for here we are in a desolate place.”

13 B ut Jesus said to them, “Give them something to eat.” They said, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish. Are we to go and buy food for all these people?”

But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.”

14 T here were about five thousand men. Jesus said to His followers, “Have them sit down in groups of fifty people.”

(For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples, “Have them sit down to eat in groups of about fifty each.”

15 T hey did as He told them. They made all of the people sit down.

They did so, and had them all sit down.

16 A s Jesus took the five loaves of bread and two fish, He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke them in pieces and gave them to His followers to give to the people.

Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed them, and broke them, and kept giving them to the disciples to set before the people.

17 T hey all ate and were filled. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces of bread and fish after the people finished eating. Peter Says Jesus Is the Christ

And they all ate and were satisfied; and the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve baskets full.

18 W hile Jesus was praying alone, His followers were with Him. Jesus asked them, “Who do people say that I am?”

And it happened that while He was praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the people say that I am?”

19 T hey said, “John the Baptist, but some say Elijah. Others say that one of the early preachers has been raised from the dead.”

They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen again.”

20 J esus said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said, “You are the Christ of God.” Jesus Tells of His Death for the First Time

And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “ The Christ of God.”

21 T hen Jesus spoke to them and told them to tell no one.

But He warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone,

22 H e said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things. The leaders and the religious leaders and the teachers of the Law will have nothing to do with Him. He must be killed and be raised from the dead three days later.” Giving Up Self and One’s Own Desires

saying, “ The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised up on the third day.”

23 T hen Jesus said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must give up himself and his own desires. He must take up his cross everyday and follow Me.

And He was saying to them all, “ If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.

24 I f anyone wants to keep his own life safe, he must lose it. If anyone gives up his life because of Me, he will save it.

For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.

25 F or what does a man have if he gets all the world and loses or gives up his life?

For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?

26 W hoever is ashamed of Me and My Words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His own shining-greatness and of the Father’s and of the holy angels.

For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27 I tell you the truth, some standing here will not die until they see the holy nation of God.” A Look at What Jesus Will Be Like

But I say to you truthfully, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.” The Transfiguration

28 A bout eight days after Jesus had said these things, He took Peter and James and John with Him. They went up on a mountain to pray.

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray.

29 A s Jesus prayed, He was changed in looks before them. His clothes became white and shining bright.

And while He was praying, the appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming.

30 T wo men talked with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah.

And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah,

31 T hey looked like the shining-greatness of heaven as they talked about His death in Jerusalem which was soon to happen.

who, appearing in glory, were speaking of His departure which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.

32 B ut Peter and those with him had gone to sleep. When they woke up, they saw His shining-greatness and the two men who stood with Him.

Now Peter and his companions had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men standing with Him.

33 A s the two men went from Jesus, Peter said to Him, “Teacher, it is good for us to be here. Let us build three tents to worship in. One will be for You. One will be for Moses. One will be for Elijah.” He did not know what he was saying.

And as these were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “ Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tabernacles: one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— not realizing what he was saying.

34 W hile he was talking, a cloud came over them. They were afraid as the cloud came in around them.

While he was saying this, a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, the One I have chosen. Listen to Him!”

Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “ This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

36 W hen the voice was gone, Jesus was standing there alone. From that time on, they kept these things to themselves. They told no one what they had seen. A Boy with a Demon Is Healed

And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37 T he next day they came down from the mountain and many people met Jesus.

On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him.

38 A man from among the people cried out, “Teacher, I beg of You to look at my son. He is my only child.

And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, for he is my only boy,

39 S ee, a demon takes him and makes him cry out. It takes hold of him and makes him shake. Spit runs from his mouth. He has marks on his body from being hurt. The demon does not want to go from him.

and a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves.

40 I begged Your followers to put the demon out, but they could not.”

I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.”

41 T hen Jesus said, “You people of this day do not have faith. You turn from what is right! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring your son to Me.”

And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42 W hile the boy was coming, the demon threw him down and made him lose the use of his mind for awhile. Jesus spoke sharp words to the demon. He healed the child and gave him back to his father. Jesus Tells of His Death the Second Time

While he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

43 T hey were all surprised at the great power of God. They all were thinking about the special things Jesus had done. And Jesus said to His followers,

And they were all amazed at the greatness of God. But while everyone was marveling at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples,

44 “ Remember these words. For the Son of Man will be given over into the hands of men.”

“Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”

45 T hey did not understand these words because it was hidden from them. They did not know what Jesus meant and were afraid to ask Him. Jesus Teaches about the Faith of a Child

But they did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement. The Test of Greatness

46 T he followers argued among themselves about which of them would be the greatest.

An argument started among them as to which of them might be the greatest.

47 J esus knew what they were thinking. He put a child beside Him.

But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking in their heart, took a child and stood him by His side,

48 H e said to the followers, “Whoever receives this child in My name, receives Me. Whoever receives Me, receives Him Who sent Me. The one who is least among you is the one who is great.” The Sharp Words Against the Followers

and said to them, “ Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

49 J ohn said, “Teacher, we saw someone putting out demons in Your name. We told him to stop because he was not following us.”

John answered and said, “ Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us.”

50 J esus said to him, “Do not stop him. He who is not against us is for us.” Jesus and His Followers Leave Galilee

But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you.”

51 I t was about time for Jesus to be taken up into heaven. He turned toward Jerusalem and was sure that nothing would stop Him from going.

When the days were approaching for His ascension, He was determined to go to Jerusalem;

52 H e sent men on ahead of Him. They came to a town in Samaria. There they got things ready for Jesus.

and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

53 T he people did not want Him there because they knew He was on His way to Jerusalem.

But they did not receive Him, because He was traveling toward Jerusalem.

54 J ames and John, His followers, saw this. They said, “Lord, do You want us to speak so fire will come down from heaven and burn them up as Elijah did?”

When His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

55 J esus turned and spoke sharp words to them. (He said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you have.

But He turned and rebuked them, '> and said, “You do not know what kind of spirit you are of;

56 T he Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives. He came to save them from the punishment of sin.” They went on their way to another town.) The Testing of Some Followers

for the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” ] And they went on to another village. Exacting Discipleship

57 A s they were going on their way, a man said to Jesus, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”

As they were going along the road, someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

58 J esus said to him, “Foxes have holes. Birds of the sky have nests. The Son of Man has no place to put His head.”

And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.”

59 H e said to another, “Follow Me.” But the man said, “Lord, let me go first and bury my father.”

And He said to another, “ Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”

60 J esus said to him, “Let the people who are dead bury their own dead. You go and preach about the holy nation of God.”

But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.”

61 A nd another one said, “Lord, I will follow You, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at home.”

Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first permit me to say good-bye to those at home.”

62 J esus said to him, “Anyone who puts his hand on a plow and looks back at the things behind is of no use in the holy nation of God.”

But Jesus said to him, “ No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”