Bible in 90 Days

Introduction to the Sermon on the Mount

5 Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, ² and he began to teach them.

The Beatitudes^(A)

He said:

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people insult you,^(M) persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.^{(N) 12} Rejoice and be glad,^(O) because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.^(P)

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.^(Q)

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world.^(R) A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.^{(S) 16} In the same way, let your light shine before others,^(T) that they may see your good deeds^(U) and glorify^(V) your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.^{(W) 18} For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.^{(X) 19} Therefore anyone who sets aside one of the least of these commands^(Y) and teaches others accordingly will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.^(Z)

Murder^(AA)

²¹ “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,^[a](AB) and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ ²² But I tell you that anyone who is angry^(AC) with a brother or sister^[b][c] will be subject to judgment.^(AD) Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’^[d] is answerable to the court.^(AE) And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.^(AF)

²³ “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, ²⁴ leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. ²⁶ Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’^{[e](AG) 28} But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.^{(AH) 29} If your right eye causes you to stumble,^(AI) gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ And if your right hand causes you to stumble,^(AJ) cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’^{[f](AK) 32} But I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, makes her the victim of adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.^(AL)

Oaths

³³ “Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not break your oath,^(AM) but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.’^{(AN) 34} But I tell you, do not swear an oath at all:^(AO) either by heaven, for it is God’s throne;^{(AP) 35} or by the earth, for it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.^{(AQ) 36} And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’;^(AR) anything beyond this comes from the evil one.^[g](AS)

Eye for Eye

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’^{[h](AT) 39} But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.^{(AU) 40} And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. ⁴¹ If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.^(AV)

Love for Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor^[i](AW) and hate your enemy.’^{(AX) 44} But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,^{(AY) 45} that you may be children^(AZ) of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.^{(BA) 46} If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?^(BB) Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.^(BC)

Giving to the Needy

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them.^(BD) If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

² “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ³ But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, ⁴ so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.^(BE)

Prayer^(BF)

⁵ “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing^(BG) in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ⁶ But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father,^(BH) who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. ⁷ And when you pray, do not keep on babbling^(BI) like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.^{(BJ) 8} Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need^(BK) before you ask him.

⁹ “This, then, is how you should pray:

¹⁴ For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.^{(BS) 15} But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.^(BT)

Fasting

¹⁶ “When you fast,^(BU) do not look somber^(BV) as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. ¹⁷ But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, ¹⁸ so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.^(BW)

Treasures in Heaven^(BX)

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth,^(BY) where moths and vermin destroy,^(BZ) and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven,^(CA) where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal.^{(CB) 21} For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.^(CC)

²² “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy,^[l] your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But if your eyes are unhealthy,^[m] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.^(CD)

Do Not Worry^(CE)

²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry^(CF) about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.^(CG) Are you not much more valuable than they?^{(CH) 27} Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life^[n]?^(CI)

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor^(CJ) was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith?^{(CK) 31} So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.^{(CL) 33} But seek first his kingdom^(CM) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.^{(CN) 34} Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Judging Others^(CO)

7 “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.^{(CP) 2} For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.^(CQ)

³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Seek, Knock^(CR)

⁷ “Ask and it will be given to you;^(CS) seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;^(CT) and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

⁹ “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? ¹¹ If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts^(CU) to those who ask him! ¹² So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you,^(CV) for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.^(CW)

The Narrow and Wide Gates

¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate.^(CX) For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets.^(CY) They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.^{(CZ) 16} By their fruit you will recognize them.^(DA) Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?^{(DB) 17} Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.^{(DC) 19} Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.^{(DD) 20} Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’^(DE) will enter the kingdom of heaven,^(DF) but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.^{(DG) 22} Many will say to me on that day,^(DH) ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’^{(DI) 23} Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’^(DJ)

The Wise and Foolish Builders^(DK)

²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice^(DL) is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”

²⁸ When Jesus had finished saying these things,^(DM) the crowds were amazed at his teaching,^{(DN) 29} because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law.

Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy^(DO)

8 When Jesus came down from the mountainside, large crowds followed him. ² A man with leprosy^[o](DP) came and knelt before him^(DQ) and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “See that you don’t tell anyone.^(DR) But go, show yourself to the priest^(DS) and offer the gift Moses commanded,^(DT) as a testimony to them.”

The Faith of the Centurion^(DU)

⁵ When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed,^(DV) suffering terribly.”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.^{(DW) 9} For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.^{(DX) 11} I say to you that many will come from the east and the west,^(DY) and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.^{(DZ) 12} But the subjects of the kingdom^(EA) will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”^(EB)

¹³ Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.”^(EC) And his servant was healed at that moment.

Jesus Heals Many^(ED)

¹⁴ When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. ¹⁵ He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him.

¹⁶ When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick.^{(EE) 17} This was to fulfill^(EF) what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

The Cost of Following Jesus^(EH)

¹⁸ When Jesus saw the crowd around him, he gave orders to cross to the other side of the lake.^{(EI) 19} Then a teacher of the law came to him and said, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man^(EJ) has no place to lay his head.”

²¹ Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me,^(EK) and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm^(EL)(EM)

²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith,^(EN) why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.^(EO)

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

Jesus Restores Two Demon-Possessed Men^(EP)

²⁸ When he arrived at the other side in the region of the Gadarenes,^[q] two demon-possessed^(EQ) men coming from the tombs met him. They were so violent that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “What do you want with us,^(ER) Son of God?” they shouted. “Have you come here to torture us before the appointed time?”^(ES)

³⁰ Some distance from them a large herd of pigs was feeding. ³¹ The demons begged Jesus, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs.”

³² He said to them, “Go!” So they came out and went into the pigs, and the whole herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and died in the water. ³³ Those tending the pigs ran off, went into the town and reported all this, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw him, they pleaded with him to leave their region.^(ET)

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed Man^(EU)

9 Jesus stepped into a boat, crossed over and came to his own town.^{(EV) 2} Some men brought to him a paralyzed man,^(EW) lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith,^(EX) he said to the man, “Take heart,^(EY) son; your sins are forgiven.”^(EZ)

³ At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!”^(FA)

⁴ Knowing their thoughts,^(FB) Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ⁶ But I want you to know that the Son of Man^(FC) has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” ⁷ Then the man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God,^(FD) who had given such authority to man.

The Calling of Matthew^(FE)

⁹ As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. “Follow me,”^(FF) he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

¹⁰ While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. ¹¹ When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”^(FG)

¹² On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. ¹³ But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’^[r](FH) For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”^(FI)

Jesus Questioned About Fasting^(FJ)

¹⁴ Then John’s^(FK) disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often,^(FL) but your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them?^(FM) The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.^(FN)

¹⁶ “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. ¹⁷ Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals a Sick Woman^(FO)

¹⁸ While he was saying this, a synagogue leader came and knelt before him^(FP) and said, “My daughter has just died. But come and put your hand on her,^(FQ) and she will live.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him, and so did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak.^{(FR) 21} She said to herself, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart,^(FS) daughter,” he said, “your faith has healed you.”^(FT) And the woman was healed at that moment.^(FU)

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house and saw the noisy crowd and people playing pipes,^{(FV) 24} he said, “Go away. The girl is not dead^(FW) but asleep.”^(FX) But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been put outside, he went in and took the girl by the hand, and she got up.^{(FY) 26} News of this spread through all that region.^(FZ)

Jesus Heals the Blind and the Mute

²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, calling out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”^(GA)

²⁸ When he had gone indoors, the blind men came to him, and he asked them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.^(GB)

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you”;^{(GC) 30} and their sight was restored. Jesus warned them sternly, “See that no one knows about this.”^{(GD) 31} But they went out and spread the news about him all over that region.^(GE)

³² While they were going out, a man who was demon-possessed^(GF) and could not talk^(GG) was brought to Jesus. ³³ And when the demon was driven out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowd was amazed and said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”^(GH)

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons.”^(GI)

The Workers Are Few

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.^{(GJ) 36} When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them,^(GK) because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.^{(GL) 37} Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest^(GM) is plentiful but the workers are few.^{(GN) 38} Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve^{(GO)(GP)(GQ)(GR)(GS)}

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits^(GT) and to heal every disease and sickness.^(GU)

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.^(GV)

⁵ These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.^{(GW) 6} Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.^{(GX) 7} As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven^(GY) has come near.’ ⁸ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,^[s] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

⁹ “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts^(GZ)— ¹⁰ no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.^{(HA) 11} Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, give it your greeting.^{(HB) 13} If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. ¹⁴ If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.^{(HC) 15} Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah^(HD) on the day of judgment^(HE) than for that town.^(HF)

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.^(HG) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.^{(HH) 17} Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils^(HI) and be flogged in the synagogues.^{(HJ) 18} On my account you will be brought before governors and kings^(HK) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.^(HL) At that time you will be given what to say, ²⁰ for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father^(HM) speaking through you.

²¹ “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents^(HN) and have them put to death.^{(HO) 22} You will be hated by everyone because of me,^(HP) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.^{(HQ) 23} When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.^(HR)

²⁴ “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.^{(HS) 25} It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,^(HT) how much more the members of his household!

²⁶ “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.^{(HU) 27} What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One^(HV) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.^{[t] 30} And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.^{(HW) 31} So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.^(HX)

³² “Whoever acknowledges me before others,^(HY) I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.^(HZ)

³⁴ “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵ For I have come to turn

³⁷ “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.^{(IC) 38} Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.^{(ID) 39} Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.^(IE)

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,^(IF) and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.^{(IG) 41} Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. ⁴² And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”^(IH)

Jesus and John the Baptist^(II)

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,^(IJ) he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.^[v]

² When John,^(IK) who was in prison,^(IL) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples ³ to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,^(IM) or should we expect someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: ⁵ The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy^[w] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.^{(IN) 6} Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”^(IO)

⁷ As John’s^(IP) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness^(IQ) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?^(IR) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ This is the one about whom it is written:

¹¹ Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,^[y] and violent people have been raiding it. ¹³ For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.^{(IU) 14} And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.^{(IV) 15} Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(IW)

¹⁶ “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

¹⁸ For John came neither eating^(IX) nor drinking,^(IY) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’^(IZ) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns^(JA)

²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!^(JB) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,^(JC) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.^{(JD) 22} But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.^{(JE) 23} And you, Capernaum,^(JF) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.^[z](JG) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. ²⁴ But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”^(JH)

The Father Revealed in the Son^(JI)

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,^(JJ) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.^{(JK) 26} Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

²⁷ “All things have been committed to me^(JL) by my Father.^(JM) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.^(JN)

²⁸ “Come to me,^(JO) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.^{(JP) 29} Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,^(JQ) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.^{(JR) 30} For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”^(JS)

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath^(JT)(JU)

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain^(JV) and eat them. ² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”^(JW)

³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?^{(JX) 4} He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.^{(JY) 5} Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath^(JZ) and yet are innocent? ⁶ I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.^{(KA) 7} If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’^[aa](KB) you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man^(KC) is Lord of the Sabbath.”

⁹ Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus,^(KD) they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”^(KE)

¹¹ He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?^{(KF) 12} How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!^(KG) Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

¹³ Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.^(KH)

God’s Chosen Servant

¹⁵ Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.^{(KI) 16} He warned them not to tell others about him.^{(KJ) 17} This was to fulfill^(KK) what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

Jesus and Beelzebul^(KO)

²² Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.^{(KP) 23} All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”^(KQ)

²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul,^(KR) the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”^(KS)

²⁵ Jesus knew their thoughts^(KT) and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. ²⁶ If Satan^(KU) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? ²⁷ And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,^(KV) by whom do your people^(KW) drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁸ But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God^(KX) has come upon you.

²⁹ “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

³⁰ “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.^{(KY) 31} And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.^{(KZ) 32} Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age^(LA) or in the age to come.^(LB)

³³ “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.^{(LC) 34} You brood of vipers,^(LD) how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks^(LE) what the heart is full of. ³⁵ A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. ³⁶ But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”^(LF)

The Sign of Jonah^(LG)(LH)

³⁸ Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign^(LI) from you.”^(LJ)

³⁹ He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.^{(LK) 40} For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,^(LL) so the Son of Man^(LM) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.^{(LN) 41} The men of Nineveh^(LO) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,^(LP) and now something greater than Jonah is here. ⁴² The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came^(LQ) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

⁴³ “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.^(LR) That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers^(LS)

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother^(LT) and brothers^(LU) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ⁵⁰ For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven^(LV) is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Parable of the Sower^(LW)(LX)(LY)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house^(LZ) and sat by the lake. ² Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat^(MA) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. ⁴ As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. ⁶ But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,^(MB) sixty or thirty times what was sown. ⁹ Whoever has ears, let them hear.”^(MC)

¹⁰ The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

¹¹ He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven^(MD) has been given to you,^(ME) but not to them. ¹² Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.^{(MF) 13} This is why I speak to them in parables:

¹⁴ In them is fulfilled^(MH) the prophecy of Isaiah:

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.^{(MJ) 17} For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see^(MK) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: ¹⁹ When anyone hears the message about the kingdom^(ML) and does not understand it, the evil one^(MM) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. ²⁰ The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. ²¹ 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.^{(MN) 22} The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth^(MO) choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²³ But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”^(MP)

The Parable of the Weeds

²⁴ Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(MQ) a man who sowed good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. ²⁶ When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

²⁹ “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”^(MR)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast^(MS)(MT)

³¹ He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(MU) a mustard seed,^(MV) which a man took and planted in his field. ³² Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”^(MW)

³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like^(MX) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds^[ad] of flour^(MY) until it worked all through the dough.”^(MZ)

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.^{(NA) 35} So was fulfilled^(NB) what was spoken through the prophet:

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

³⁶ Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable^(ND) of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.^{(NE) 38} The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,^{(NF) 39} and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest^(NG) is the end of the age,^(NH) and the harvesters are angels.^(NI)

⁴⁰ “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. ⁴¹ The Son of Man^(NJ) will send out his angels,^(NK) and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^{(NL) 43} Then the righteous will shine like the sun^(NM) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.^(NN)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like^(NO) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.^(NP)

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(NQ) a merchant looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

⁴⁷ “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like^(NR) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds^(NS) of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous^{(NT) 50} and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.^(NU)

⁵¹ “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

⁵² He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor^(NV)

⁵³ When Jesus had finished these parables,^(NW) he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,^(NX) and they were amazed.^(NY) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?^(NZ) Isn’t his mother’s^(OA) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers^(OB) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense^(OC) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”^(OD)

⁵⁸ And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

John the Baptist Beheaded^(OE)

14 At that time Herod^(OF) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,^{(OG) 2} and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;^(OH) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

³ Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison^(OI) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{(OJ) 4} for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”^{(OK) 5} Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.^(OL)

⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much ⁷ that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” ⁹ The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted ¹⁰ and had John beheaded^(OM) in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.^(ON) Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand^(OO)(OP)

¹³ When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them^(OQ) and healed their sick.^(OR)

¹⁵ As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have here only five loaves^(OS) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.^(OT) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. ²¹ The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water^(OU)(OV)

²² Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. ²³ After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.^(OW) Later that night, he was there alone, ²⁴ and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. ²⁶ When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”^(OX) they said, and cried out in fear.

²⁷ But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!^(OY) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”^(OZ)

²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”^(PA) he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”^(PB)

³⁴ When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him ³⁶ and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,^(PC) and all who touched it were healed.

That Which Defiles^(PD)

15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ² “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”^(PE)

³ Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? ⁴ For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’^[af](PF) and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’^{[ag](PG) 5} But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ ⁶ they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. ⁷ You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,^(PJ) but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”^(PK)

¹² Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

¹³ He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted^(PL) will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave them; they are blind guides.^[ai](PM) If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”^(PN)

¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”^(PO)

¹⁶ “Are you still so dull?”^(PP) Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart,^(PQ) and these defile them. ¹⁹ For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.^{(PR) 20} These are what defile a person;^(PS) but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman^(PT)

²¹ Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.^{(PU) 22} A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,^(PV) have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”^(PW)

²³ Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”^(PX)

²⁵ The woman came and knelt before him.^(PY) “Lord, help me!” she said.

²⁶ He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

²⁷ “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!^(PZ) Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand^(QA)(QB)(QC)

²⁹ Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰ Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.^{(QD) 31} The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.^(QE)

³² Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;^(QF) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

³³ His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

³⁴ “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

³⁵ He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶ Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them^(QG) and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. ³⁷ They all ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.^{(QH) 38} The number of those who ate was four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹ After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat and went to the vicinity of Magadan.