Bible in 90 Days

Jesus Teaches the Disciples and Crowds

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

Jesus Gives Blessings

He said,

¹¹ “Blessed are you when people make fun of you and hurt you because of me. You are also blessed when they tell all kinds of evil lies about you because of me. ¹² Be joyful and glad. Your reward in heaven is great. In the same way, people hurt the prophets who lived long ago.

Salt and Light

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth. But suppose the salt loses its saltiness. How can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything. It will be thrown out. People will walk all over it.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can’t be hidden. ¹⁵ Also, people do not light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand. Then it gives light to everyone in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine so others can see it. Then they will see the good things you do. And they will bring glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Jesus Fulfills the Law

¹⁷ “Do not think I have come to get rid of what is written in the Law or in the Prophets. I have not come to do this. Instead, I have come to fulfill what is written. ¹⁸ What I’m about to tell you is true. Heaven and earth will disappear before the smallest letter disappears from the Law. Not even the smallest mark of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is completed. ¹⁹ Do not ignore even one of the least important commands. And do not teach others to ignore them. If you do, you will be called the least important person in the kingdom of heaven. Instead, practice and teach these commands. Then you will be called important in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ Here is what I tell you. You must be more godly than the Pharisees and the teachers of the law. If you are not, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Murder

²¹ “You have heard what was said to people who lived long ago. They were told, ‘Do not commit murder. (Exodus 20:13) Anyone who murders will be judged for it.’ ²² But here is what I tell you. Do not be angry with a brother or sister. Anyone who is angry with them will be judged. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ must stand trial in court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire in hell.

²³ “Suppose you are offering your gift at the altar. And you remember that your brother or sister has something against you. ²⁴ Leave your gift in front of the altar. First go and make peace with them. Then come back and offer your gift.

²⁵ “Suppose someone has a claim against you and is taking you to court. Settle the matter quickly. Do this while you are still together on the way. If you don’t, you may be handed over to the judge. The judge may hand you over to the officer to be thrown into prison. ²⁶ What I’m about to tell you is true. You will not get out until you have paid the very last penny!

Adultery

²⁷ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Do not commit adultery.’ (Exodus 20:14) ²⁸ But here is what I tell you. Do not even look at a woman in the wrong way. Anyone who does has already committed adultery with her in his heart. ²⁹ If your right eye causes you to sin, poke it out and throw it away. Your eye is only one part of your body. It is better to lose an eye than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. ³⁰ If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. Your hand is only one part of your body. It is better to lose a hand than for your whole body to go into hell.

Divorce

³¹ “It has been said, ‘Suppose a man divorces his wife. If he does, he must give her a letter of divorce.’ (Deuteronomy 24:1) ³² But here is what I tell you. Anyone who divorces his wife makes her a victim of adultery. And anyone who gets married to the divorced woman commits adultery. A man may divorce his wife only if she has not been faithful to him.

Promises

³³ “Again, you have heard what was said to your people long ago. They were told, ‘Do not break the promises you make to the Lord. Keep your promises to the Lord that you have made.’ ³⁴ But here is what I tell you. Do not make any promises like that at all. Do not make them in the name of heaven. That is God’s throne. ³⁵ Do not make them in the name of the earth. That is the stool for God’s feet. Do not make them in the name of Jerusalem. That is the city of the Great King. ³⁶ And do not make a promise in your own name. You can’t make even one hair of your head white or black. ³⁷ All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’ Anything more than this comes from the evil one.

Be Kind to Others

³⁸ “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye must be put out for an eye. A tooth must be knocked out for a tooth.’ (Exodus 21:24; Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21) ³⁹ But here is what I tell you. Do not fight against an evil person. Suppose someone slaps you on your right cheek. Turn your other cheek to them also. ⁴⁰ Suppose someone takes you to court to get your shirt. Let them have your coat also. ⁴¹ Suppose someone forces you to go one mile. Go two miles with them. ⁴² Give to the one who asks you for something. Don’t turn away from the one who wants to borrow something from you.

Love Your Enemies

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor. (Leviticus 19:18) Hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But here is what I tell you. Love your enemies. Pray for those who hurt you. ⁴⁵ Then you will be children of your Father who is in heaven. He causes his sun to shine on evil people and good people. He sends rain on those who do right and those who don’t. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Even the tax collectors do that. ⁴⁷ If you greet only your own people, what more are you doing than others? Even people who are ungodly do that. ⁴⁸ So be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Giving to Needy People

6 “Be careful not to do good deeds in front of other people. Don’t do those deeds to be seen by others. If you do, your Father in heaven will not reward you.

² “When you give to needy people, do not announce it by having trumpets blown. Do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They announce what they do in the synagogues and on the streets. They want to be honored by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. ³ When you give to needy people, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. ⁴ Then your giving will be done secretly. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.

Prayer

⁵ “When you pray, do not be like those who only pretend to be holy. They love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on the street corners. They want to be seen by other people. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. ⁶ When you pray, go into your room. Close the door and pray to your Father, who can’t be seen. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly. ⁷ When you pray, do not keep talking on and on. That is what ungodly people do. They think they will be heard because they talk a lot. ⁸ Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need even before you ask him.

⁹ “This is how you should pray.

¹⁴ Forgive other people when they sin against you. If you do, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. ¹⁵ But if you do not forgive the sins of other people, your Father will not forgive your sins.

Fasting

¹⁶ “When you go without eating, do not look gloomy like those who only pretend to be holy. They make their faces look very sad. They want to show people they are fasting. What I’m about to tell you is true. They have received their complete reward. ¹⁷ But when you go without eating, put olive oil on your head. Wash your face. ¹⁸ Then others will not know that you are fasting. Only your Father, who can’t be seen, will know it. Your Father will reward you, because he sees what you do secretly.

Gather Riches in Heaven

¹⁹ “Do not gather for yourselves riches on earth. Moths and rats can destroy them. Thieves can break in and steal them. ²⁰ Instead, gather for yourselves riches in heaven. There, moths and rats do not destroy them. There, thieves do not break in and steal them. ²¹ Your heart will be where your riches are.

²² “The eye is like a lamp for the body. Suppose your eyes are healthy. Then your whole body will be full of light. ²³ But suppose your eyes can’t see well. Then your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light inside you is darkness, then it is very dark!

²⁴ “No one can serve two masters at the same time. You will hate one of them and love the other. Or you will be faithful to one and dislike the other. You can’t serve God and money at the same time.

Do Not Worry

²⁵ “I tell you, do not worry. Don’t worry about your life and what you will eat or drink. And don’t worry about your body and what you will wear. Isn’t there more to life than eating? Aren’t there more important things for the body than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air. They don’t plant or gather crops. They don’t put away crops in storerooms. But your Father who is in heaven feeds them. Aren’t you worth much more than they are? ²⁷ Can you add even one hour to your life by worrying?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the wild flowers grow. They don’t work or make clothing. ²⁹ But here is what I tell you. Not even Solomon in all his royal robes was dressed like one of these flowers. ³⁰ If that is how God dresses the wild grass, won’t he dress you even better? Your faith is so small! After all, the grass is here only today. Tomorrow it is thrown into the fire. ³¹ So don’t worry. Don’t say, ‘What will we eat?’ Or, ‘What will we drink?’ Or, ‘What will we wear?’ ³² People who are ungodly run after all those things. Your Father who is in heaven knows that you need them. ³³ But put God’s kingdom first. Do what he wants you to do. Then all those things will also be given to you. ³⁴ So don’t worry about tomorrow. Tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Be Fair When You Judge Other People

7 “Do not judge other people. Then you will not be judged. ² You will be judged in the same way you judge others. You will be measured in the same way you measure others.

³ “You look at the bit of sawdust in your friend’s eye. But you pay no attention to the piece of wood in your own eye. ⁴ How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take the bit of sawdust out of your eye’? How can you say this while there is a piece of wood in your own eye? ⁵ You pretender! First take the piece of wood out of your own eye. Then you will be able to see clearly to take the bit of sawdust out of your friend’s eye.

⁶ “Do not give holy things to dogs. Do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they might walk all over them. They might turn around and tear you to pieces.

Ask, Search, Knock

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. ⁸ Everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. The door will be opened to the one who knocks.

⁹ “Suppose your son asks for bread. Which of you will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or suppose he asks for a fish. Which of you will give him a snake? ¹¹ Even though you are evil, you know how to give good gifts to your children. How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him! ¹² In everything, do to others what you would want them to do to you. This is what is written in the Law and in the Prophets.

The Large and Small Gates

¹³ “Enter God’s kingdom through the narrow gate. The gate is large and the road is wide that leads to ruin. Many people go that way. ¹⁴ But the gate is small and the road is narrow that leads to life. Only a few people find it.

True and False Prophets

¹⁵ “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you pretending to be sheep. But on the inside they are hungry wolves. ¹⁶ You can tell each tree by its fruit. Do people pick grapes from bushes? Do they pick figs from thorns? ¹⁷ In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit. But a bad tree bears bad fruit. ¹⁸ A good tree can’t bear bad fruit. And a bad tree can’t bear good fruit. ¹⁹ Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down. It is thrown into the fire. ²⁰ You can tell each tree by its fruit.

True and False Disciples

²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only those who do what my Father in heaven wants will enter. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord! Lord! Didn’t we prophesy in your name? Didn’t we drive out demons in your name? Didn’t we do many miracles in your name?’ ²³ Then I will tell them clearly, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who do evil!’

The Wise and Foolish Builders

²⁴ “So then, everyone who hears my words and puts them into practice is like a wise man. He builds his house on the rock. ²⁵ The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. But it does not fall. It is built on the rock. ²⁶ But everyone who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man. He builds his house on sand. ²⁷ The rain comes down. The water rises. The winds blow and beat against that house. And it falls with a loud crash.”

²⁸ Jesus finished saying all these things. The crowds were amazed at his teaching. ²⁹ That’s because he taught like one who had authority. He did not speak like their teachers of the law.

Jesus Heals a Man Who Had a Skin Disease

8 Jesus came down from the mountainside. Large crowds followed him. ² A man who had a skin disease came and got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, “Lord, if you are willing to make me ‘clean,’ you can do it.”

³ Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing to do it,” he said. “Be ‘clean’!” Right away the man was healed of his skin disease. ⁴ Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone. Go and show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift Moses commanded. It will be a witness to everyone.”

A Roman Commander Has Faith

⁵ When Jesus entered Capernaum, a Roman commander came to him. He asked Jesus for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home and can’t move. He is suffering terribly.”

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

⁸ The commander replied, “Lord, I am not good enough to have you come into my house. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ I myself am a man under authority. And I have soldiers who obey my orders. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes. I tell that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. He said to those following him, “What I’m about to tell you is true. In Israel I have not found anyone whose faith is so strong. ¹¹ I say to you that many will come from the east and the west. They will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of heaven. They will sit with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. ¹² But those who think they belong in the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness. There they will weep and grind their teeth.”

¹³ Then Jesus said to the Roman commander, “Go! It will be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.

Jesus Heals Many People

¹⁴ When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law. She was lying in bed. She had a fever. ¹⁵ Jesus touched her hand, and the fever left her. She got up and began to serve him.

¹⁶ When evening came, many people controlled by demons were brought to Jesus. He drove out the spirits with a word. He healed all who were sick. ¹⁷ This happened so that what Isaiah the prophet had said would come true. He had said,

The Cost of Following Jesus

¹⁸ Jesus saw the crowd around him. So he gave his disciples orders to go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. ¹⁹ Then a teacher of the law came to him. He said, “Teacher, I will follow you no matter where you go.”

²⁰ Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens. Birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

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

²² But Jesus told him, “Follow me. Let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

²³ Jesus got into a boat. His disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a terrible storm came up on the lake. The waves crashed over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him up. They said, “Lord! Save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “Your faith is so small! Why are you so afraid?” Then Jesus got up and ordered the winds and the waves to stop. It became completely calm.

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

Jesus Heals Two Men Controlled by Demons

²⁸ Jesus arrived at the other side of the lake in the area of the Gadarenes. Two men controlled by demons met him. They came from the tombs. The men were so wild that no one could pass that way. ²⁹ “Son of God, what do you want with us?” they shouted. “Have you come here to punish us before the time for us to be judged?”

³⁰ Not very far away, 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 Jesus said to them, “Go!” So the demons came out of the men and went into the pigs. The whole herd rushed down the steep bank. They ran into the lake and drowned in the water. ³³ Those who were tending the pigs ran off. They went into the town and reported all this. They told the people what had happened to the men who had been controlled by demons. ³⁴ Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they begged him to leave their area.

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Man Who Could Not Walk

9 Jesus stepped into a boat. He went over to the other side of the lake and came to his own town. ² Some men brought to him a man who could not walk. He was lying on a mat. Jesus saw that they had faith. So he said to the man, “Don’t lose hope, son. Your sins are forgiven.”

³ Then some teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is saying a very evil thing!”

⁴ Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said, “Why do you have evil thoughts in your hearts? ⁵ Is it 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 has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he spoke to the man who could not walk. “Get up,” he said. “Take your mat and go home.” ⁷ The man got up and went home. ⁸ When the crowd saw this, they were filled with wonder. They praised God for giving that kind of authority to a human being.

Jesus Chooses Matthew and Eats With Sinners

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

¹⁰ Later Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house. Many tax collectors and sinners came. They ate with Jesus and his disciples. ¹¹ The Pharisees saw this. So they asked the disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

¹² Jesus heard this. So he said, “Those who are healthy don’t need a doctor. Sick people do. ¹³ Go and learn what this means, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ (Hosea 6:6) I have not come to get those who think they are right with God to follow me. I have come to get sinners to follow me.”

Jesus Is Asked About Fasting

¹⁴ One day John’s disciples came. They said to Jesus, “We and the Pharisees often go without eating. Why don’t your disciples go without eating?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the groom be sad while he is with them? The time will come when the groom will be taken away from them. Then they will fast.

¹⁶ “People don’t sew a patch of new cloth on old clothes. The new piece will pull away from the old. That will make the tear worse. ¹⁷ People don’t pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst. The wine will run out, and the wineskins will be destroyed. No, people pour new wine into new wineskins. Then both are saved.”

Jesus Heals a Dead Girl and a Suffering Woman

¹⁸ While Jesus was saying this, a synagogue leader came. He got down on his knees in front of Jesus. He said, “My daughter has just died. But come and place your hand on her. Then she will live again.” ¹⁹ Jesus got up and went with him. So did his disciples.

²⁰ Just then a woman came up behind Jesus. She had a sickness that made her bleed. It had lasted for 12 years. She touched the edge of his clothes. ²¹ She thought, “I only need to touch his clothes. Then I will be healed.”

²² Jesus turned and saw her. “Dear woman, don’t give up hope,” he said. “Your faith has healed you.” The woman was healed at that moment.

²³ When Jesus entered the synagogue leader’s house, he saw the noisy crowd and people playing flutes. ²⁴ He said, “Go away. The girl is not dead. She is sleeping.” But they laughed at him. ²⁵ After the crowd had been sent outside, Jesus went in. He took the girl by the hand, and she got up. ²⁶ News about what Jesus had done spread all over that area.

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

²⁷ As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him. They called out, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

²⁸ When Jesus went indoors, the blind men came to him. He asked them, “Do you believe that I can do this?”

“Yes, Lord,” they replied.

²⁹ Then he touched their eyes. He said, “It will happen to you just as you believed.” ³⁰ They could now see again. Jesus strongly warned them, “Be sure that no one knows about this.” ³¹ But they went out and spread the news. They talked about him all over that area.

³² While they were going out, another man was brought to Jesus. A demon controlled him, and he could not speak. ³³ When the demon was driven out, the man spoke. The crowd was amazed. They said, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He drives out demons by the power of the prince of demons.”

There Are Only a Few Workers

³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages. He taught in their synagogues. He preached the good news of the kingdom. And he healed every illness and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he felt deep concern for them. They were treated badly and were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is huge. But there are only a few workers. ³⁸ So ask the Lord of the harvest to send workers out into his harvest field.”

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples

10 Jesus called for his 12 disciples to come to him. He gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every illness and sickness.

² Here are the names of the 12 apostles.

⁵ Jesus sent these 12 out with the following orders. “Do not go among the Gentiles,” he said. “Do not enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ Instead, go to the people of Israel. They are like sheep that have become lost. ⁷ As you go, preach this message, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ⁸ Heal those who are sick. Bring those who are dead back to life. Make those who have skin diseases ‘clean’ again. Drive out demons. You have received freely, so give freely.

⁹ “Do not get any gold, silver or copper to take with you in your belts. ¹⁰ Do not take a bag for the journey. Do not take extra clothes or sandals or walking sticks. A worker should be given what he needs. ¹¹ When you enter a town or village, look for someone who is willing to welcome you. Stay at their house until you leave. ¹² As you enter the home, greet those who live there. ¹³ If that home welcomes you, give it your blessing of peace. If it does not, don’t bless it. ¹⁴ Some people may not welcome you or listen to your words. If they don’t, leave that home or town, and shake the dust off your feet. ¹⁵ What I’m about to tell you is true. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom and Gomorrah than for that town.

¹⁶ “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as wise as snakes and as harmless as doves. ¹⁷ Watch out! You will be handed over to the local courts. You will be whipped in the synagogues. ¹⁸ You will be brought to governors and kings because of me. You will be witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. ¹⁹ But when they arrest you, don’t worry about what you will say or how you will say it. At that time you will be given the right words to say. ²⁰ It will not be you speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.

²¹ “Brothers will hand over brothers to be killed. Fathers will hand over their children. Children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. ²² You will be hated by everyone because of me. But anyone who remains strong in the faith will be saved. ²³ When people attack you in one place, escape to another. What I’m about to tell you is true. You will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

²⁴ “The student is not better than the teacher. A slave is not better than his master. ²⁵ It is enough for students to be like their teachers. And it is enough for slaves to be like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul, what can the others who live there expect?

²⁶ “So don’t be afraid of your enemies. Everything that is secret will be brought out into the open. Everything that is hidden will be uncovered. ²⁷ What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight. What is whispered in your ear, shout from the rooftops. ²⁸ Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but can’t kill the soul. Instead, be afraid of the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell. ²⁹ Aren’t two sparrows sold for only a penny? But not one of them falls to the ground outside your Father’s care. ³⁰ He even counts every hair on your head! ³¹ So don’t be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

³² “What if someone says in front of others that they know me? I will also say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I know them. ³³ But what if someone says in front of others that they don’t know me? I will say in front of my Father who is in heaven that I don’t know them.

³⁴ “Do not think that I came to bring peace to the earth. I didn’t come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword. ³⁵ 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. ³⁸ Whoever does not pick up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Whoever finds their life will lose it. Whoever loses their life because of me will find it.

⁴⁰ “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. ⁴¹ Suppose someone welcomes a prophet as a prophet. They will receive a prophet’s reward. And suppose someone welcomes a godly person as a godly person. They will receive a godly person’s reward. ⁴² Suppose someone gives even a cup of cold water to a little one who follows me. What I’m about to tell you is true. That person will certainly be rewarded.”

Jesus and John the Baptist

11 Jesus finished teaching his 12 disciples. Then he went on to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

² John the Baptist was in prison. When he heard about the actions of the Messiah, he sent his disciples to him. ³ They asked Jesus, “Are you the one who is supposed to come? Or should we look for someone else?”

⁴ Jesus replied, “Go back to John. Report to him what you hear and see. ⁵ Blind people receive sight. Disabled people walk. Those who have skin diseases are made ‘clean.’ Deaf people hear. Those who are dead are raised to life. And the good news is preached to those who are poor. ⁶ Blessed is anyone who does not give up their faith because of me.”

⁷ As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John. He said, “What did you go out into the desert to see? Tall grass waving in the wind? ⁸ If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No. People who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. ¹⁰ He is the one written about in Scripture. It says,

¹¹ What I’m about to tell you is true. No one more important than John the Baptist has ever been born. But the least important person in the kingdom of heaven is more important than he is. ¹² Since the days of John the Baptist, the kingdom of heaven has been under attack. And violent people are taking hold of it. ¹³ All the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came. ¹⁴ If you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was supposed to come. ¹⁵ Whoever has ears should listen.

¹⁶ “What can I compare today’s people to? They are like children sitting in the markets and calling out to others. They say,

¹⁸ When John came, he didn’t eat or drink as you do. And people say, ‘He has a demon.’ ¹⁹ But when the Son of Man came, he ate and drank as you do. And people say, ‘This fellow is always eating and drinking far too much. He’s a friend of tax collectors and “sinners.” ’ By wise actions wisdom is shown to be right.”

Towns That Do Not Turn Away From Sin

²⁰ Jesus began to speak against the towns where he had done most of his miracles. The people there had not turned away from their sins. So he said, ²¹ “How terrible it will be for you, Chorazin! How terrible for you, Bethsaida! Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon. They would have turned away from their sins long ago. They would have put on clothes for mourning. They would have sat down in ashes. ²² But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Tyre and Sidon than for you. ²³ And what about you, Capernaum? Will you be lifted to the heavens? No! You will go down to the place of the dead. Suppose the miracles done in you had been done in Sodom. It would still be here today. ²⁴ But I tell you this. On judgment day it will be easier for Sodom than for you.”

Rest for All Who Are Tired

²⁵ At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father. You are Lord of heaven and earth. You have hidden these things from wise and educated people. But you have shown them to little children. ²⁶ Yes, Father. This is what you wanted to do.

²⁷ “My Father has given all things to me. The Father is the only one who knows the Son. And the only ones who know the Father are the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to make him known.

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are tired and are carrying heavy loads. I will give you rest. ²⁹ Become my servants and learn from me. I am gentle and free of pride. You will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ Serving me is easy, and my load is light.”

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath Day

12 One Sabbath day Jesus walked through the grainfields. His disciples were hungry. So they began to break off some heads of grain and eat them. ² The Pharisees saw this. They said to Jesus, “Look! It is against the Law to do this on the Sabbath day. But your disciples are doing it anyway!”

³ Jesus answered, “Haven’t you read about what David did? He and his men were hungry. ⁴ So he entered the house of God. He and his men ate the holy bread. Only priests were allowed to eat it. ⁵ Haven’t you read the Law? It tells how every Sabbath day the priests in the temple have to do their work on that day. But they are not considered guilty. ⁶ I tell you that something more important than the temple is here. ⁷ Scripture says, ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice.’ (Hosea 6:6) You don’t know what those words mean. If you did, you would not bring charges against those who are not guilty. ⁸ The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath day.”

⁹ Going on from that place, Jesus went into their synagogue. ¹⁰ A man with a weak and twisted hand was there. The Pharisees were trying to accuse Jesus of a crime. So they asked him, “Does the Law allow us to heal on the Sabbath day?”

¹¹ He said to them, “What if one of your sheep falls into a pit on the Sabbath day? Won’t you take hold of it and lift it out? ¹² A person is worth more than sheep! So the Law allows us to do good on the Sabbath day.”

¹³ Then Jesus said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out. It had been made as good as new. It was just as good as the other hand. ¹⁴ But the Pharisees went out and planned how to kill Jesus.

God’s Chosen Servant

¹⁵ Jesus knew all about the Pharisees’ plans. So he left that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were sick. ¹⁶ But he warned them not to tell other people about him. ¹⁷ This was to make what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah come true. It says,

Jesus and Beelzebul

²² A man controlled by demons was brought to Jesus. The man was blind and could not speak. Jesus healed him. Then the man could speak and see. ²³ All the people were amazed. They said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

²⁴ The Pharisees heard this. So they said, “This fellow drives out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.”

²⁵ Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he said to them, “Every kingdom that fights against itself will be destroyed. Every city or family that is divided against itself will not stand. ²⁶ If Satan drives out Satan, he fights against himself. Then how can his kingdom stand? ²⁷ You say I drive out demons by the power of Beelzebul. Then by whose power do your people drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. ²⁸ But suppose I drive out demons by the Spirit of God. Then the kingdom of God has come to you.

²⁹ “Or think about this. How can you enter a strong man’s house and just take what the man owns? You must first tie him up. Then you can rob his house.

³⁰ “Anyone who is not with me is against me. Anyone who does not gather sheep with me scatters them. ³¹ So here is what I tell you. Every kind of sin and every evil word spoken against God will be forgiven. But speaking evil things against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 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. A person like that won’t be forgiven either now or in days to come.

³³ “If you make a tree good, its fruit will be good. If you make a tree bad, its fruit will be bad. You can tell a tree by its fruit. ³⁴ You nest of poisonous snakes! How can you who are evil say anything good? Your mouths say everything that is in your hearts. ³⁵ A good man says good things. These come from the good that is stored up inside him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil that is stored up inside him. ³⁶ But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, everyone will have to account for every empty word they have spoken. ³⁷ By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.”

The Sign of Jonah

³⁸ Some of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law came to Jesus. They said, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”

³⁹ He answered, “Evil and unfaithful people ask for a sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. ⁴⁰ Jonah was in the belly of a huge fish for three days and three nights. Something like that will happen to the Son of Man. He will spend three days and three nights in the grave. ⁴¹ The men of Nineveh will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And the Ninevites will prove that these people are guilty. The men of Nineveh turned away from their sins when Jonah preached to them. And now something more important than Jonah is here. ⁴² The Queen of the South will stand up on judgment day with the people now living. And she will prove that they are guilty. She came from very far away to listen to Solomon’s wisdom. And now something more important than Solomon is here.

⁴³ “What happens when an evil spirit comes out of a person? It goes through dry areas looking for a place to rest. But it doesn’t find it. ⁴⁴ Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives there, it finds the house empty. The house has been swept clean and put in order. ⁴⁵ Then the evil spirit goes and takes with it seven other spirits more evil than itself. They go in and live there. That person is worse off than before. That is how it will be with the evil people of today.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

⁴⁶ While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside. They wanted to speak to him. ⁴⁷ Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to speak to you.”

⁴⁸ Jesus replied to him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” ⁴⁹ Jesus pointed to his disciples. He said, “Here is my mother! Here are my brothers! ⁵⁰ Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.”

The Story of the Farmer

13 That same day Jesus left the house and sat by the Sea of Galilee. ² Large crowds gathered around him. So he got into a boat and sat down. All the people stood on the shore. ³ Then he told them many things using stories. He said, “A farmer went out to plant his seed. ⁴ He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. Birds came and ate it up. ⁵ Some seed fell on rocky places, where there wasn’t much soil. The plants came up quickly, because the soil wasn’t deep. ⁶ When the sun came up, it burned the plants. They dried up because they had no roots. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and crowded out the plants. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good soil. It produced a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than what was planted. ⁹ Whoever has ears should listen.”

¹⁰ The disciples came to him. They asked, “Why do you use stories when you speak to the people?”

¹¹ He replied, “Because you have been given the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. It has not been given to outsiders. ¹² Everyone who has this kind of knowledge will be given more knowledge. In fact, they will have very much. If anyone doesn’t have this kind of knowledge, even what little they have will be taken away from them. ¹³ Here is why I use stories when I speak to the people. I say,

¹⁴ In them the words of the prophet Isaiah come true. He said,

¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see. And blessed are your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ What I’m about to tell you is true. Many prophets and godly people wanted to see what you see. But they didn’t see it. They wanted to hear what you hear. But they didn’t hear it.

¹⁸ “Listen! Here is the meaning of the story of the farmer. ¹⁹ People hear the message about the kingdom but do not understand it. Then the evil one comes. He steals what was planted in their hearts. Those people are like the seed planted on a path. ²⁰ The seed that fell on rocky places is like other people. They hear the message and at once receive it with joy. ²¹ But they have no roots. So they last only a short time. They quickly fall away from the faith when trouble or suffering comes because of the message. ²² The seed that fell among the thorns is like others who hear the message. But then the worries of this life and the false promises of wealth crowd it out. They keep the message from producing fruit. ²³ But the seed that fell on good soil is like those who hear the message and understand it. They produce a crop 100, 60 or 30 times more than the farmer planted.”

The Story of the Weeds

²⁴ Jesus told the crowd another story. “Here is what the kingdom of heaven is like,” he said. “A man planted good seed in his field. ²⁵ But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came. The enemy planted weeds among the wheat and then went away. ²⁶ The wheat began to grow and form grain. At the same time, weeds appeared.

²⁷ “The owner’s slaves came to him. They said, ‘Sir, didn’t you plant good seed in your field? Then where did the weeds come from?’

²⁸ “ ‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The slaves asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull up the weeds?’

²⁹ “ ‘No,’ the owner answered. ‘While you are pulling up the weeds, you might pull up the wheat with them. ³⁰ Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the workers what to do. Here is what I will say to them. First collect the weeds. Tie them in bundles to be burned. Then gather the wheat. Bring it into my storeroom.’ ”

The Stories of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast

³¹ Jesus told the crowd another story. He said, “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed. Someone took the seed and planted it in a field. ³² It is the smallest of all seeds. But when it grows, it is the largest of all garden plants. It becomes a tree. Birds come and rest in its branches.”

³³ Jesus told them still another story. “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast,” he said. “A woman mixed it into 60 pounds of flour. The yeast worked its way all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd using stories. He did not say anything to them without telling a story. ³⁵ So the words spoken by the prophet came true. He had said,

Jesus Explains the Story of the Weeds

³⁶ Then Jesus left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him. They said, “Explain to us the story of the weeds in the field.”

³⁷ He answered, “The one who planted the good seed is the Son of Man. ³⁸ The field is the world. The good seed stands for the people who belong to the kingdom. The weeds are the people who belong to the evil one. ³⁹ The enemy who plants them is the devil. The harvest is judgment day. And the workers are angels.

⁴⁰ “The weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire. That is how it will be on judgment day. ⁴¹ The Son of Man will send out his angels. They will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin. They will also get rid of all who do evil. ⁴² They will throw them into the blazing furnace. There people will weep and grind their teeth. ⁴³ Then God’s people will shine like the sun in their Father’s kingdom. Whoever has ears should listen.

The Stories of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure that was hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again. He was very happy. So he went and sold everything he had. And he bought that field.

⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a trader who was looking for fine pearls. ⁴⁶ He found one that was very valuable. So he went away and sold everything he had. And he bought that pearl.

The Story of the Net

⁴⁷ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net. It was let down into the lake. It caught all kinds of fish. ⁴⁸ When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and gathered the good fish into baskets. But they threw the bad fish away. ⁴⁹ This is how it will be on judgment day. The angels will come. They will separate the people who did what is wrong from those who did what is right. ⁵⁰ They will throw the evil people into the blazing furnace. There the evil ones will weep and grind their teeth.

⁵¹ “Do you understand all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

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

A Prophet Without Honor

⁵³ Jesus finished telling these stories. Then he moved on from there. ⁵⁴ He came to his hometown of Nazareth. There he began teaching the people in their synagogue. They were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom? Where did he get this power to do miracles?” they asked. ⁵⁵ “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t his mother’s name Mary? Aren’t his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ Aren’t all his sisters with us? Then where did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ They were not pleased with him at all.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own town and in his own home.”

⁵⁸ He did only a few miracles in Nazareth because the people there had no faith.

John the Baptist’s Head Is Cut Off

14 At that time Herod, the ruler of Galilee and Perea, heard reports about Jesus. ² He said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist. He has risen from the dead! That is why he has the power to do miracles.”

³ Herod had arrested John. He had tied him up and put him in prison because of Herodias. She was the wife of Herod’s brother Philip. ⁴ John had been saying to Herod, “It is against the Law for you to have her as your wife.” ⁵ Herod wanted to kill John. But he was afraid of the people, because they thought John was a prophet.

⁶ On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for Herod and his guests. She pleased Herod very much. ⁷ So he promised to give her anything she asked for. ⁸ Her mother told her what to say. So the girl said to Herod, “Give me the head of John the Baptist on a big plate.” ⁹ The king was very upset. But he thought of his promise and his dinner guests. So he told one of his men to give her what she asked for. ¹⁰ Herod had John’s head cut off in the prison. ¹¹ His head was brought in on a big plate and given to the girl. She then carried it to her mother. ¹² John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

¹³ Jesus heard what had happened to John. He wanted to be alone. So he went in a boat to a quiet place. The crowds heard about this. They followed him on foot from the towns. ¹⁴ When Jesus came ashore, he saw a large crowd. He felt deep concern for them. He healed their sick people.

¹⁵ When it was almost evening, the disciples came to him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “It’s already getting late. Send the crowds away. They can go and buy some food in the villages.”

¹⁶ Jesus replied, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

¹⁷ “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered.

¹⁸ “Bring them here to me,” he said. ¹⁹ Then Jesus directed the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and gave thanks. He broke the loaves into pieces. Then he gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people. ²⁰ All of them ate and were satisfied. The disciples picked up 12 baskets of leftover pieces. ²¹ The number of men who ate was about 5,000. Women and children also ate.

Jesus Walks on the Water

²² Right away Jesus made the disciples get into the boat. He had them go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. Then he sent the crowd away. ²³ After he had sent them away, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Later that night, he was there alone. ²⁴ The boat was already a long way from land. It was being pounded by the waves because the wind was blowing against it.

²⁵ Shortly before dawn, Jesus went out to the disciples. He walked on the lake. ²⁶ They saw him walking on the lake and were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said. And they cried out in fear.

²⁷ Right away Jesus called out to them, “Be brave! It is I. Don’t be afraid.”

²⁸ “Lord, is it you?” Peter asked. “If it is, tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” Jesus said.

So Peter got out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when Peter saw the wind, he was afraid. He began to sink. He cried out, “Lord! Save me!”

³¹ Right away Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “Your faith is so small!” he said. “Why did you doubt me?”

³² When they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, “You really are the Son of God!”

³⁴ They crossed over the lake and landed at Gennesaret. ³⁵ The men who lived there recognized Jesus. So they sent a message all over the nearby countryside. People brought all those who were sick to Jesus. ³⁶ They begged him to let those who were sick just touch the edge of his clothes. And all who touched his clothes were healed.

What Makes People “Unclean”?

15 Some Pharisees and some teachers of the law came from Jerusalem to see Jesus. They asked, ² “Why don’t your disciples obey what the elders teach? Your disciples don’t wash their hands before they eat!”

³ Jesus replied, “And why don’t you obey God’s command? You would rather follow your own teachings! ⁴ God said, ‘Honor your father and mother.’ (Exodus 20:12; Deuteronomy 5:16) He also said, ‘Anyone who asks for bad things to happen to their father or mother must be put to death.’ (Exodus 21:17; Leviticus 20:9) ⁵ But suppose people have something that might be used to help their parents. You allow them to say it is instead ‘a gift set apart for God.’ ⁶ So they do not need to honor their father or mother with their gift. You make the word of God useless in order to follow your own teachings. ⁷ You pretenders! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you. He said,

¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him. He said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not make them ‘unclean.’ It’s what comes out of their mouth that makes them ‘unclean.’ ”

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

¹³ Jesus replied, “They are plants that my Father in heaven has not planted. They will be pulled up by the roots. ¹⁴ Leave the Pharisees. They are blind guides. If one blind person leads another blind person, both of them will fall into a pit.”

¹⁵ Peter said, “Explain this to us.”

¹⁶ “Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked them. ¹⁷ “Don’t you see? Everything that enters the mouth goes into the stomach. Then it goes out of the body. ¹⁸ But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart. Those are the things that make someone ‘unclean.’ ¹⁹ Evil thoughts come out of a person’s heart. So do murder, adultery, and other sexual sins. And so do stealing, false witness, and telling lies about others. ²⁰ Those are the things that make you ‘unclean.’ But eating without washing your hands does not make you ‘unclean.’ ”

The Faith of a Woman From Canaan

²¹ Jesus left Galilee and went to the area of Tyre and Sidon. ²² A woman from Canaan lived near Tyre and Sidon. She came to him and cried out, “Lord! Son of David! Have mercy on me! A demon controls my daughter. She is suffering terribly.”

²³ Jesus did not say a word. So his disciples came to him. They begged him, “Send her away. She keeps crying out after us.”

²⁴ Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the people of Israel. They are like lost sheep.”

²⁵ Then the woman fell to her knees in front of him. “Lord! Help me!” she said.

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

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

²⁸ Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! You will be given what you are asking for.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus Feeds Four Thousand

²⁹ Jesus left there. He walked along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. ³⁰ Large crowds came to him. They brought blind people and those who could not walk. They also brought disabled people, those who could not speak, and many others. They laid them at his feet, and he healed them. ³¹ The people were amazed. Those who could not speak were speaking. The disabled were made well. Those not able to walk were walking. Those who were blind could see. So the people praised the God of Israel.

³² Then Jesus called for his disciples to come to him. He said, “I feel deep concern for these people. They have already been with me three days. They don’t have anything to eat. I don’t want to send them away hungry. If I do, they will become too weak on their way home.”

³³ His disciples answered him. “There is nothing here,” they said. “Where could we get enough bread to feed this large crowd?”

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

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

³⁵ Jesus told the crowd to sit down on the ground. ³⁶ He took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks. Then he broke them and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples passed them out to the people. ³⁷ All of them ate and were satisfied. After that, the disciples picked up seven baskets of leftover pieces. ³⁸ The number of men who ate was 4,000. Women and children also ate. ³⁹ After Jesus had sent the crowd away, he got into the boat. He went to the area near Magadan.