Bible in 90 Days

The Birth of Jesus

2 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus^[a](A) that the whole empire^[b] should be registered. ² This first registration took place while^[c] Quirinius was governing Syria.^{(B) 3} So everyone went to be registered, each to his own town.

⁴ And Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David,^{(C) 5} to be registered along with Mary, who was engaged to him^[d] and was pregnant. ⁶ While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. ⁷ Then she gave birth to her firstborn Son, and she wrapped Him snugly in cloth and laid Him in a feeding trough—because there was no room for them at the lodging place.

The Shepherds and the Angels

⁸ In the same region, shepherds were staying out in the fields and keeping watch at night over their flock. ⁹ Then an angel of the Lord^(D) stood before^[e] them,^(E) and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.^{[f] 10} But the angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid,^(F) for look, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people:^{[g] 11} Today a Savior,^(G) who is Messiah^(H) the Lord,^(I) was born for you in the city of David. ¹² This will be the sign for you:^(J) You will find a baby wrapped snugly in cloth and lying in a feeding trough.”

¹³ Suddenly there was a multitude of the heavenly host with the angel, praising God and saying:

¹⁵ When the angels had left them and returned to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go straight to Bethlehem and see what has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”

¹⁶ They hurried off and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the feeding trough. ¹⁷ After seeing them, they reported the message they were told about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary was treasuring up all these things^[j] in her heart^(N) and meditating on them. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God^(O) for all they had seen and heard, just as they had been told.

The Circumcision and Presentation of Jesus

²¹ When the eight days were completed for His circumcision,^(P) He was named Jesus^(Q)—the name given by the angel before He was conceived.^{[k] 22} And when the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were finished,^(R) they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord ²³ (just as it is written in the law of the Lord: Every firstborn male^[l] will be dedicated^[m] to the Lord^(S)[n]) ²⁴ and to offer a sacrifice (according to what is stated in the law of the Lord: a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons^(T)[o]).

Simeon’s Prophetic Praise

²⁵ There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout,^(U) looking forward to Israel’s consolation,^[p](V) and the Holy Spirit was on him. ²⁶ It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit^(W) that he would not see death before he saw the Lord’s Messiah.^{(X) 27} Guided by the Spirit, he entered^[q] the temple complex. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to perform for Him what was customary under the law, ²⁸ Simeon took Him up in his arms, praised God, and said:

³³ His father and mother^[s] were amazed at what was being said about Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Indeed, this child is destined to cause the fall and rise of many in Israel^(AB) and to be a sign that will be opposed^[t]— ³⁵ and a sword will pierce your own soul—that the thoughts^[u] of many hearts may be revealed.”

Anna’s Testimony

³⁶ There was also a prophetess,^(AC) Anna, a daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher.^(AD) She was well along in years,^[v] having lived with her husband seven years after her marriage,^{[w](AE) 37} and was a widow for 84 years.^[x] She did not leave the temple complex, serving God night and day with fasting and prayers.^{(AF) 38} At that very moment,^[y] she came up and began to thank God and to speak about Him to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.^[z](AG)

The Family’s Return to Nazareth

³⁹ When they had completed everything according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.^{(AH) 40} The boy grew up and became strong, filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was on Him.^(AI)

In His Father’s House

⁴¹ Every year His parents traveled to Jerusalem for the Passover Festival.^{(AJ) 42} When He was 12 years old, they went up according to the custom of the festival.^{(AK) 43} After those days were over,^(AL) as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but His parents^[aa] did not know it. ⁴⁴ Assuming He was in the traveling party, they went a day’s journey. Then they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends. ⁴⁵ When they did not find Him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for Him. ⁴⁶ After three days, they found Him in the temple complex sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all those who heard Him were astounded at His understanding and His answers. ⁴⁸ When His parents saw Him, they were astonished, and His mother said to Him,^(AM) “Son, why have You treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for You.”^(AN)

⁴⁹ “Why were you searching for Me?” He asked them. “Didn’t you know that I had to be in My Father’s house?”^{[ab] 50} But they did not understand what He said to them.^(AO)

In Favor with God and with People

⁵¹ Then He went down with them and came to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.^{(AP) 52} And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people.^(AQ)

The Messiah’s Herald

3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar,^[ac] while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea,^(AR) Herod was tetrarch^[ad] of Galilee,^(AS) his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Iturea^[ae] and Trachonitis,^[af] and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene,^{[ag] 2} during the high priesthood of Annas^(AT) and Caiaphas,^(AU) God’s word came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness.^{(AV) 3} He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan,^(AW) preaching a baptism of repentance^[ah] for the forgiveness of sins, ⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah:

⁷ He then said to the crowds who came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers!^(AY) Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? ⁸ Therefore produce fruit consistent with repentance. And don’t start saying to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’^(AZ) for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones! ⁹ Even now the ax is ready to strike^[al] the root of the trees! Therefore, every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”^(BA)

¹⁰ “What then should we do?”^(BB) the crowds were asking him.

¹¹ He replied to them, “The one who has two shirts^[am] must share with someone who has none, and the one who has food must do the same.”^(BC)

¹² Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they asked him, “Teacher, what should we do?”^(BD)

¹³ He told them, “Don’t collect any more than what you have been authorized.”

¹⁴ Some soldiers also questioned him: “What should we do?”

He said to them, “Don’t take money from anyone by force or false accusation; be satisfied with your wages.”

¹⁵ Now the people were waiting expectantly, and all of them were debating in their minds^[an] whether John might be the Messiah.^{(BE) 16} John answered them all,^(BF) “I baptize you with^[ao] water, but One is coming who is more powerful than I. I am not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you with^[ap] the Holy Spirit and fire. ¹⁷ His winnowing shovel^[aq](BG) is in His hand to clear His threshing floor and gather the wheat into His barn, but the chaff He will burn up with a fire that never goes out.”^{(BH) 18} Then, along with many other exhortations, he proclaimed good news to the people. ¹⁹ But Herod the tetrarch,^(BI) being rebuked by him about Herodias, his brother’s wife, and about all the evil things Herod had done,^{(BJ) 20} added this to everything else—he locked John up in prison.^(BK)

The Baptism of Jesus

²¹ When all the people were baptized,^(BL) Jesus also was baptized. As He was praying,^(BM) heaven opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on Him in a physical appearance like a dove. And a voice came from heaven:

The Genealogy of Jesus Christ

²³ As He began His ministry, Jesus was about 30 years old and was thought to be^[ar] the

The Temptation of Jesus

4 Then Jesus^(BT) returned from the Jordan,^(BU) full of the Holy Spirit, and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness ² for 40 days to be tempted by the Devil. He ate nothing during those days, and when they were over,^[av] He was hungry. ³ The Devil said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread.”

⁴ But Jesus answered him, “It is written: Man must not live on bread alone.”^[aw](BV)[ax]

⁵ So he took Him up^[ay] and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ The Devil said to Him, “I will give You their splendor and all this authority, because it has been given over to me,^(BW) and I can give it to anyone I want. ⁷ If You, then, will worship me,^[az] all will be Yours.”

⁸ And Jesus answered him,^[ba] “It is written:

⁹ So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written:

¹² And Jesus answered him, “It is said: Do not test the Lord your God.”^(CA)[be]

¹³ After the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time.

Ministry in Galilee

¹⁴ Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit,^(CB) and news about Him spread throughout the entire vicinity.^{(CC) 15} He was teaching in their synagogues,^(CD) being acclaimed^[bf] by everyone.

Rejection at Nazareth

¹⁶ He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up.^(CE) As usual, He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day^(CF) and stood up to read.^{(CG) 17} The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him, and unrolling the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

²⁰ He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down.^(CI) And the eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him. ²¹ He began by saying to them, “Today as you listen, this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

²² They were all speaking well of Him^[bk] and were amazed by the gracious words that came from His mouth, yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”^(CJ)

²³ Then He said to them, “No doubt you will quote this proverb^[bl] to Me: ‘Doctor, heal yourself. So all we’ve heard that took place in Capernaum,^(CK) do here in Your hometown also.’”

²⁴ He also said, “I assure you: No prophet is accepted in his hometown.^{(CL) 25} But I say to you, there were certainly many widows in Israel in Elijah’s days,^(CM) when the sky was shut up for three years and six months while a great famine came over all the land. ²⁶ Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them—but to a widow at Zarephath in Sidon. ²⁷ And in the prophet Elisha’s time, there were many in Israel who had serious skin diseases, yet not one of them was healed^[bm] —only Naaman the Syrian.”^(CN)

²⁸ When they heard this, everyone in the synagogue was enraged. ²⁹ They got up, drove Him out of town,^(CO) and brought Him to the edge^[bn] of the hill that their town was built on, intending to hurl Him over the cliff. ³⁰ But He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.^(CP)

Driving Out an Unclean Spirit

³¹ Then He went down to Capernaum,^(CQ) a town in Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbath. ³² They were astonished at His teaching because His message had authority.^{(CR) 33} In the synagogue there was a man with an unclean demonic spirit who cried out with a loud voice,^{(CS) 34} “Leave us alone!^[bo] What do You have to do with us,^[bp] Jesus—Nazarene? Have You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him^(CT) and said, “Be quiet and come out of him!”

And throwing him down before them, the demon came out of him without hurting him at all. ³⁶ Amazement came over them all, and they kept saying to one another, “What is this message? For He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power, and they come out!” ³⁷ And news about Him began to go out to every place in the vicinity.

Healings at Capernaum

³⁸ After He left the synagogue, He entered Simon’s house.^(CU) Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever, and they asked Him about her. ³⁹ So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and began to serve them.

⁴⁰ When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. As He laid His hands on each one of them, He would heal them.^{(CV) 41} Also, demons were coming out of many, shouting and saying, “You are the Son of God!”^(CW) But He rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew He was the Messiah.^(CX)

Preaching in Galilee

⁴² When it was day, He went out and made His way to a deserted place.^(CY) But the crowds were searching for Him. They came to Him and tried to keep Him from leaving them. ⁴³ But He said to them, “I must proclaim the good news about the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because I was sent for this purpose.” ⁴⁴ And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.^[bq](CZ)

The First Disciples

5 As the crowd was pressing in on Jesus to hear God’s word,^(DA) He was standing by Lake Gennesaret.^{[br](DB) 2} He saw two boats at the edge of the lake;^[bs] the fishermen had left them and were washing their nets. ³ He got into one of the boats,^(DC) which belonged to Simon, and asked him to put out a little from the land. Then He sat down and was teaching the crowds from the boat.

⁴ When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, “Put out into deep water and let down^[bt] your nets for a catch.”^(DD)

⁵ “Master,”^(DE) Simon replied, “we’ve worked hard all night long and caught nothing! But at Your word, I’ll let down the nets.”^[bu]

⁶ When they did this, they caught a great number of fish, and their nets^[bv] began to tear. ⁷ So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them; they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.

⁸ When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, because I’m a sinful man, Lord!” ⁹ For he and all those with him were amazed^[bw] at the catch of fish they took, ¹⁰ and so were James and John, Zebedee’s sons, who were Simon’s partners.

“Don’t be afraid,”^(DF) Jesus told Simon. “From now on you will be catching people!”^{(DG) 11} Then they brought the boats to land, left everything, and followed Him.^(DH)

A Man Cleansed

¹² While He was in one of the towns, a man was there who had a serious skin disease all over him.^(DI) He saw Jesus, fell facedown, and begged Him: “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

¹³ Reaching out His hand, He touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean,” and immediately the disease left him. ¹⁴ Then He ordered him to tell no one: “But go and show yourself to the priest, and offer what Moses prescribed for your cleansing as a testimony to them.”

¹⁵ But the news^[bx] about Him spread even more, and large crowds would come together to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. ¹⁶ Yet He often withdrew to deserted places and prayed.^(DJ)

The Son of Man Forgives and Heals

¹⁷ On one of those days while He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law^(DK) were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power to heal was in Him.^{(DL) 18} Just then some men came,^(DM) carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before Him. ¹⁹ Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the mat through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus.

²⁰ Seeing their faith He said, “Friend,^[by] your sins are forgiven you.”

²¹ Then the scribes and the Pharisees^(DN) began to think: “Who is this man who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”^(DO)

²² But perceiving their thoughts, Jesus replied to them, “Why are you thinking this in your hearts?^{[bz] 23} Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? ²⁴ But so you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He told the paralyzed man, “I tell you: Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.”

²⁵ Immediately he got up before them, picked up what he had been lying on, and went home glorifying God. ²⁶ Then everyone was astounded, and they were giving glory to God. And they were filled with awe^(DP) and said, “We have seen incredible things today!”

The Call of Matthew

²⁷ After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax office,^(DQ) and He said to him, “Follow Me!” ²⁸ So, leaving everything behind, he got up and began to follow Him.

Dining with Sinners

²⁹ Then Levi hosted a grand banquet for Him at his house. Now there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were guests^[ca] with them.^{(DR) 30} But the Pharisees and their scribes^(DS) were complaining to His disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?”

³¹ Jesus replied to them, “The healthy don’t need a doctor, but the sick do. ³² I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

A Question about Fasting

³³ Then they said to Him, “John’s disciples fast often and say prayers, and those of the Pharisees do the same, but Yours eat and drink.”^[cb]

³⁴ Jesus said to them, “You can’t make the wedding guests^[cc] fast while the groom is with them, can you? ³⁵ But the time^[cd] will come^(DT) when the groom will be taken away from them—then they will fast in those days.”

³⁶ He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and puts it on an old garment. Otherwise, not only will he tear the new, but also the piece from the new garment will not match the old. ³⁷ And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins, it will spill, and the skins will be ruined. ³⁸ But new wine should be put into fresh wineskins.^{[ce] 39} And no one, after drinking old wine, wants new, because he says, ‘The old is better.’”^[cf]

Lord of the Sabbath

6 On a Sabbath,^[cg] He passed through the grainfields.^(DU) His disciples were picking heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands, and eating them. ² But some of the Pharisees said, “Why are you doing what is not lawful on the Sabbath?”

³ Jesus answered them, “Haven’t you read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry— ⁴ how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the sacred bread, which is not lawful for any but the priests to eat?^(DV) He even gave some to those who were with him.”^{(DW) 5} Then He told them, “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

The Man with the Paralyzed Hand

⁶ On another Sabbath^(DX) He entered the synagogue and was teaching. A man was there whose right hand was paralyzed. ⁷ The scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely,^(DY) to see if He would heal on the Sabbath, so that they could find a charge against Him.^{(DZ) 8} But He knew their thoughts^(EA) and told the man with the paralyzed hand, “Get up and stand here.”^[ch] So he got up and stood there. ⁹ Then Jesus said to them, “I ask you: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do what is good or to do what is evil, to save life or to destroy it?”^{(EB) 10} After looking around at them all,^(EC) He told him, “Stretch out your hand.”^(ED) He did so, and his hand was restored.^{[ci] 11} They, however, were filled with rage and started discussing with one another what they might do to Jesus.

The 12 Apostles

¹² During those days He went out to the mountain to pray^(EE) and spent all night in prayer to God. ¹³ When daylight came, He summoned His disciples,^(EF) and He chose 12 of them—He also named them apostles:^(EG)

Teaching and Healing

¹⁷ After coming down with them, He stood on a level place with a large crowd of His disciples and a great number of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon.^{(EI) 18} They came to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those tormented by unclean spirits were made well. ¹⁹ The whole crowd was trying to touch Him,^(EJ) because power was coming out from Him and healing them all.^(EK)

The Beatitudes

²⁰ Then looking up at^[cj] His disciples, He said:^(EL)

²³ “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Take note—your reward is great in heaven, for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the prophets.^(EP)

Woe to the Self-Satisfied

Love Your Enemies

²⁷ “But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, ²⁸ bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.^{(ER) 29} If anyone hits you on the cheek,^(ES) offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either. ³⁰ Give to everyone who asks you, and from one who takes your things, don’t ask for them back. ³¹ Just as you want others to do for you, do the same for them.^{(ET) 32} If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.^{(EU) 33} If you do what is good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. ³⁴ And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?^(EV) Even sinners lend to sinners to be repaid in full. ³⁵ But love your enemies, do what is good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High.^(EW) For He is gracious to the ungrateful and evil. ³⁶ Be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.^(EX)

Do Not Judge

³⁷ “Do not judge, and you will not be judged.^(EY) Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.^{(EZ) 38} Give, and it will be given to you; a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over—will be poured into your lap.^(FA) For with the measure you use,^[cm] it will be measured back to you.”^(FB)

³⁹ He also told them a parable: “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit?^{(FC) 40} A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.^(FD)

⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? ⁴² Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself don’t see the log in your eye? Hypocrite! First take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck in your brother’s eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

⁴³ “A good tree doesn’t produce bad fruit; on the other hand, a bad tree doesn’t produce good fruit.^{(FE) 44} For each tree is known by its own fruit. Figs aren’t gathered from thornbushes, or grapes picked from a bramble bush. ⁴⁵ A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart.

The Two Foundations

⁴⁶ “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say?^{(FF) 47} I will show you what someone is like who comes to Me, hears My words, and acts on them:^{(FG) 48} He is like a man building a house, who dug deep^[cn] and laid the foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the river crashed against that house and couldn’t shake it, because it was well built. ⁴⁹ But the one who hears and does not act is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The river crashed against it, and immediately it collapsed. And the destruction of that house was great!”^(FH)

A Centurion’s Faith

7 When He had concluded all His sayings in the hearing of the people, He entered Capernaum.^{(FI) 2} A centurion’s slave, who was highly valued by him, was sick and about to die. ³ When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to Him, requesting Him to come and save the life of his slave. ⁴ When they reached Jesus, they pleaded with Him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for You to grant this, ⁵ because he loves our nation and has built us a synagogue.”^{(FJ) 6} Jesus went with them, and when He was not far from^[co] the house, the centurion sent friends to tell Him, “Lord, don’t trouble Yourself, since I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. ⁷ That is why I didn’t even consider myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be cured.^{[cp](FK) 8} For I too am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under my command.^[cq] I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this!’ and he does it.”

⁹ Jesus heard this and was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following Him, He said, “I tell you, I have not found so great a faith even in Israel!” ¹⁰ When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health.

A Widow’s Son Raised to Life

¹¹ Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. ¹² Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mother’s only son, and she was a widow.^(FL) A large crowd from the city was also with her. ¹³ When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her^(FM) and said, “Don’t cry.” ¹⁴ Then He came up and touched the open coffin,^[cr] and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, “Young man, I tell you, get up!”^(FN)

¹⁵ The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.^{(FO) 16} Then fear^[cs] came over everyone,^(FP) and they glorified God,^(FQ) saying, “A great prophet has risen among us,”^(FR) and “God has visited^[ct] His people.”^{(FS) 17} This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.

In Praise of John the Baptist

¹⁸ Then John’s disciples told him about all these things.^(FT) So John summoned two of his disciples ¹⁹ and sent them to the Lord, asking, “Are You the One^(FU) who is to come, or should we look for someone else?”

²⁰ When the men reached Him, they said, “John the Baptist sent us to ask You, ‘Are You the One who is to come, or should we look for someone else?’”

²¹ At that time Jesus healed many people of diseases,^(FV) plagues, and evil spirits,^(FW) and He granted sight to many blind people.^{(FX) 22} He replied to them, “Go and report to John the things you have seen and heard: The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with skin diseases are healed,^[cu] the deaf hear,^(FY) the dead are raised, and the poor are told the good news.^{(FZ) 23} And anyone who is not offended because of Me is blessed.” ²⁴ After John’s messengers left, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the wind? ²⁵ What then did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft robes? Look, those who are splendidly dressed^[cv] and live in luxury are in royal palaces. ²⁶ What then did you go out to see? A prophet?^(GA) Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. ²⁷ This is the one it is written about:

²⁸ I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John,^[cy] but the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.”

²⁹ (And when all the people, including the tax collectors, heard this, they acknowledged God’s way of righteousness,^[cz] because they had been baptized with John’s baptism.^{(GC) 30} But since the Pharisees and experts in the law^(GD) had not been baptized by him, they rejected the plan of God for themselves.^(GE))

An Unresponsive Generation

³¹ “To what then should I compare the people of this generation, and what are they like? ³² They are like children sitting in the marketplace and calling to each other:

³³ For John the Baptist did not come eating bread or drinking wine,^(GF) and you say, ‘He has a demon!’ ³⁴ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’^{(GG) 35} Yet wisdom is vindicated^[da] by all her children.”

Much Forgiveness, Much Love

³⁶ Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table.^{(GH) 37} And a woman in the town who was a sinner found out that Jesus was reclining at the table in the Pharisee’s house.^(GI) She brought an alabaster jar of fragrant oil ³⁸ and stood behind Him at His feet, weeping, and began to wash His feet with her tears. She wiped His feet with the hair of her head, kissing them and anointing them with the fragrant oil.^(GJ)

³⁹ When the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, “This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what kind of woman this is who is touching Him—she’s a sinner!”^(GK)

⁴⁰ Jesus replied to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.”

“Teacher,” he said, “say it.”

⁴¹ “A creditor had two debtors. One owed 500 denarii,^(GL) and the other 50. ⁴² Since they could not pay it back,^(GM) he graciously forgave them both. So, which of them will love him more?”

⁴³ Simon answered, “I suppose the one he forgave more.”

“You have judged correctly,” He told him. ⁴⁴ Turning to the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet,^(GN) but she, with her tears, has washed My feet and wiped them with her hair. ⁴⁵ You gave Me no kiss,^(GO) but she hasn’t stopped kissing My feet since I came in. ⁴⁶ You didn’t anoint My head with olive oil,^(GP) but she has anointed My feet with fragrant oil. ⁴⁷ Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that’s why^[db] she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” ⁴⁸ Then He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”^(GQ)

⁴⁹ Those who were at the table with Him began to say among themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”^(GR)

⁵⁰ And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you.^(GS) Go in peace.”^(GT)

Many Women Support Christ’s Work

8 Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another,^(GU) preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God.^(GV) The Twelve were with Him, ² and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses:^(GW) Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out^(GX) of her); ³ Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

⁴ As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable:^{(GY) 5} “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up. ⁶ Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture. ⁷ Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. ⁸ Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.”^(GZ) As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!”^(HA)

Why Jesus Used Parables

⁹ Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?”^{(HB) 10} So He said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you^(HC) to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

The Parable of the Sower Explained

¹¹ “This is the meaning of the parable:^[dd](HE) The seed is the word of God.^{(HF) 12} The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. ¹³ And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing.^{(HG) 14} As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life,^(HH) and produce no mature fruit. ¹⁵ But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who,^[de] having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring,^(HI) bear fruit.

Using Your Light

¹⁶ “No one, after lighting a lamp,^(HJ) covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light.^{(HK) 17} For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light.^{(HL) 18} Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him;^(HM) and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

True Relationships

¹⁹ Then His mother and brothers^(HN) came to Him,^(HO) but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd. ²⁰ He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”

²¹ But He replied to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.”^(HP)

Wind and Wave Obey the Master

²² One day He and His disciples got into a boat,^(HQ) and He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.”^(HR) So they set out, ²³ and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. ²⁴ They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm.^{(HS) 25} He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be?^[df](HT) He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!”

Demons Driven Out by the Master

²⁶ Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,^[dg](HU) which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out,^(HV) fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me,^[dh](HW) Jesus, You Son of the Most High God?^(HX) I beg You, don’t torment me!” ²⁹ For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

³⁰ “What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,”^(HY) he said—because many demons had entered him. ³¹ And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss.^(HZ)

³² A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. ³³ The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. ³⁴ When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. ³⁵ Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet,^(IA) dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. ³⁶ Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered.^{(IB) 37} Then all the people of the Gerasene region^[di] asked Him to leave them,^(IC) because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.

³⁸ The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said, ³⁹ “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed

⁴⁰ When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him,^(ID) for they were all expecting Him.^{(IE) 41} Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue.^(IF) He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house, ⁴² because he had an only daughter^(IG) about 12 years old, and she was at death’s door.^[dj]

While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him.^{(IH) 43} A woman suffering from bleeding^(II) for 12 years,^(IJ) who had spent all she had on doctors^[dk] yet could not be healed by any, ⁴⁴ approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe.^(IK) Instantly her bleeding stopped.

⁴⁵ “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter^[dl] said, “Master,^(IL) the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.”^[dm]

⁴⁶ “Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.”^{(IM) 47} When the woman saw that she was discovered,^[dn] she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. ⁴⁸ “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well.^[do] Go in peace.”^(IN)

⁴⁹ While He was still speaking,^(IO) someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother^(IP) the Teacher^(IQ) anymore.”

⁵⁰ When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.” ⁵¹ After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James,^(IR) and the child’s father and mother. ⁵² Everyone was crying^(IS) and mourning for her.^(IT) But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.”^(IU)

⁵³ They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead. ⁵⁴ So He^[dp] took her by the hand^(IV) and called out, “Child, get up!”^{(IW) 55} Her spirit returned,^(IX) and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat. ⁵⁶ Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened.^(IY)

Commissioning the Twelve

9 Summoning the Twelve,^(IZ) He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal^[dq] diseases.^{(JA) 2} Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.^(JB)

³ “Take nothing for the road,”^(JC) He told them, “no walking stick,^(JD) no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. ⁵ If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”^{(JE) 6} So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

⁷ Herod the tetrarch^(JF) heard about everything that was going on.^(JG) He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, ⁸ some that Elijah had appeared,^(JH) and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.^{(JI) 9} “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see Him.^(JJ)

Feeding 5,000

¹⁰ When the apostles returned,^(JK) they reported to Jesus all that they had done.^(JL) He took them along and withdrew privately to a^[dr] town called Bethsaida.^{(JM) 11} When the crowds found out, they followed Him. He welcomed them,^(JN) spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured^[ds] those who needed healing.

¹² Late in the day,^[dt](JO) the Twelve approached and said to Him, “Send the crowd away,^(JP) so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”

¹³ “You give them something to eat,” He told them.

“We have no more than five loaves^(JQ) and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” ¹⁴ (For about 5,000 men were there.)

Then He told His disciples, “Have them sit down^[du] in groups of about 50 each.” ¹⁵ They did so, and had them all sit down. ¹⁶ Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,^(JR) He blessed and broke them.^(JS) He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. ¹⁷ Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up^[dv] 12 baskets of leftover pieces.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

¹⁸ While He was praying in private^(JT) and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

¹⁹ They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”^[dw](JU)

²⁰ “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah!”^(JV)

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

²¹ But He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one,^{(JW) 22} saying,^(JX) “The Son of Man^(JY) must suffer many things^(JZ) and be rejected^(KA) by the elders, chief priests, and scribes,^(KB) be killed, and be raised the third day.”^(KC)

Take Up Your Cross

²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with^[dx] Me, he must deny himself,^(KD) take up his cross daily,^[dy] and follow Me.^{(KE) 24} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.^{(KF) 25} What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?^{(KG) 26} For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words,^(KH) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory^(KI) and that of the Father and the holy angels.^{(KJ) 27} I tell you the truth: There are some standing here who will not taste death^(KK) until they see the kingdom of God.”^(KL)

The Transfiguration

²⁸ About eight days after these words,^(KM) He took along Peter, John, and James^(KN) and went up on the mountain to pray.^{(KO) 29} As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed,^(KP) and His clothes became dazzling white.^{(KQ) 30} Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death,^[dz] which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

³² Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,^[ea](KR) and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. ³³ As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master,^(KS) it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.^(KT)

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed^(KU) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud,^(KV) saying:

³⁶ After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Faith over a Demon

³⁷ The next day,^(KZ) when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. ³⁸ Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he’s my only child.^{(LA) 39} Often a spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth;^[ec] wounding^[ed] him, it hardly ever leaves him. ⁴⁰ I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”^(LB)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious^[ee] generation!^(LC) How long will I be with you and put up with you?^(LD) Bring your son here.”

⁴² As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, cured the boy,^(LE) and gave him back to his father.^{(LF) 43} And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.^(LG)

The Second Prediction of His Death

While everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing,^(LH) He told His disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink in:^[ef] The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”^(LI)

⁴⁵ But they did not understand this statement;^(LJ) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,^(LK) and they were afraid to ask Him about it.^[eg]

Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ Then an argument started among them about who would be the greatest of them.^{(LL) 47} But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts,^(LM) took a little child and had him stand next to Him. ⁴⁸ He told them, “Whoever welcomes^[eh] this little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me.^(LN) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”^(LO)

In His Name

⁴⁹ John responded,^(LP) “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name,^(LQ) and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”^(LR)

⁵⁰ “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”^[ei](LS)

The Journey to Jerusalem

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up,^[ej](LT) He determined^[ek](LU) to journey to Jerusalem.^{(LV) 52} He sent messengers ahead of Him,^(LW) and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans^(LX) to make preparations for Him. ⁵³ But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem.^{(LY) 54} When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”^[el](LZ)

⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them,^{[em] 56} and they went to another village.

Following Jesus

⁵⁷ As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him,^(MA) “I will follow You wherever You go!”

⁵⁸ Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky^[en] have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” ⁵⁹ Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

“Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.”^[eo]

⁶⁰ But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”^(MB)

⁶¹ Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.”^(MC)

⁶² But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”