Bible in 90 Days
God and Caesar
20 They[a](A) watched closely(B) and sent spies(C) who pretended to be righteous,[b] so they could catch Him in what He said,[c](D) to hand Him(E) over to the governor’s(F) rule and authority. 21 They questioned Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly,(G) and You don’t show partiality,[d](H) but teach truthfully the way of God.(I) 22 Is it lawful(J) for us to pay taxes(K) to Caesar(L) or not?”
23 But detecting their craftiness, He said to them,[e] 24 “Show Me a denarius. Whose image and inscription does it have?”
“Caesar’s,” they said.
25 “Well then,” He told them, “give back to Caesar(M) the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”
26 They were not able to catch Him in what He said[f] in public,[g] and being amazed at His answer, they became silent.(N)
The Sadducees and the Resurrection
27 Some(O) of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection,(P) came up and questioned Him: 28 “Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother has a wife, and dies childless, his brother should take the wife and produce offspring for his brother.(Q)[h] 29 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died without children. 30 Also the second[i] 31 and the third took her. In the same way, all seven died and left no children. 32 Finally, the woman died too. 33 In the resurrection, therefore, whose wife will the woman be? For all seven had married her.”[j]
34 Jesus told them, “The sons of this age(R) marry and are given in marriage.(S) 35 But those who are counted worthy(T) to take part in that age(U) and in the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. 36 For they cannot die anymore,(V) because they are like angels and are sons of God,(W) since they are sons of the resurrection. 37 Moses even indicated in the passage about the burning bush that the dead are raised, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.(X)[k] 38 He is not God of the dead but of the living, because all are living to[l] Him.”(Y)
39 Some of the scribes answered, “Teacher, You have spoken well.” 40 And they no longer dared to ask Him anything.
The Question about the Messiah
41 Then(Z) He said to them, “How can they say that the Messiah is the Son of David?(AA) 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms:(AB)
The Lord declared to my Lord,
‘Sit at My right hand
43 until I make Your enemies Your footstool.’(AC)[m]
44 David calls Him ‘Lord’; how then can the Messiah be his Son?”(AD)
Warning against the Scribes
45 While(AE) all the people were listening, He said to His disciples, 46 “Beware(AF) of the scribes, who want to go around in long robes and who love greetings in the marketplaces, the front seats in the synagogues, and the places of honor at banquets.(AG) 47 They devour widows’ houses and say long prayers just for show. These will receive greater punishment.”[n]
The Widow’s Gift
21 He(AH) looked up and saw the rich dropping their offerings into the temple treasury.(AI) 2 He also saw a poor widow dropping in two tiny coins.[o](AJ) 3 “I tell you the truth,” He said. “This poor widow has put in more than all of them.(AK) 4 For all these people have put in gifts out of their surplus, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on.”
Destruction of the Temple Predicted
5 As(AL) some were talking about the temple complex, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God,[p] He said, 6 “These things that you see—the days will come(AM) when not one stone will be left on another that will not be thrown down!”(AN)
Signs of the End of the Age
7 “Teacher,” they asked Him, “so when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to take place?”(AO)
8 Then He said, “Watch out that you are not deceived.(AP) For many will come in My name,(AQ) saying, ‘I am He,’(AR) and, ‘The time is near.’ Don’t follow them.(AS) 9 When you hear of wars and rebellions,[q] don’t be alarmed. Indeed, these things must take place first, but the end won’t come right away.”
10 Then He told them: “Nation will be raised up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.(AT) 11 There will be violent earthquakes,(AU) and famines and plagues(AV) in various places, and there will be terrifying sights and great signs from heaven.(AW) 12 But before all these things, they will lay their hands on you(AX) and persecute(AY) you. They will hand you over to the synagogues(AZ) and prisons,(BA) and you will be brought before kings and governors(BB) because of My name. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for you to witness.[r](BC) 14 Therefore make up your minds[s] not to prepare your defense ahead of time,(BD) 15 for I will give you such words[t](BE) and a wisdom(BF) that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict.(BG) 16 You will even be betrayed by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends.(BH) They will kill some of you. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of My name,(BI) 18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.(BJ) 19 By your endurance gain[u] your lives.(BK)
The Destruction of Jerusalem
20 “When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies,(BL) then recognize that its desolation(BM) has come near. 21 Then those in Judea must flee(BN) to the mountains!(BO) Those inside the city[v] must leave it, and those who are in the country must not enter it, 22 because these are days of vengeance(BP) to fulfill all the things that are written. 23 Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days,(BQ) for there will be great distress in the land[w] and wrath against this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword(BR) and be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles[x](BS) until the times of the Gentiles(BT) are fulfilled.
The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “Then there will be signs in the sun, moon, and stars;(BU) and there will be anguish on the earth among nations bewildered by the roaring sea and waves.(BV) 26 People will faint from fear and expectation of the things that are coming on the world, because the celestial powers will be shaken.(BW) 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud(BX) with power and great glory.(BY) 28 But when these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near!”(BZ)
The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He told them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 As soon as they put out leaves you can see for yourselves and recognize that summer is already near. 31 In the same way, when you see these things happening, recognize[y] that the kingdom of God is near. 32 I assure you: This generation will certainly not pass away until all things take place.(CA) 33 Heaven and earth will pass away,(CB) but My words will never pass away.(CC)
The Need for Watchfulness
34 “Be on your guard,(CD) so that your minds are not dulled[z] from carousing,[aa] drunkenness,(CE) and worries of life,(CF) or that day will come on you unexpectedly(CG) 35 like a trap. For it will come on all who live on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times,(CH) praying that you may have strength[ab] to escape(CI) all these things that are going to take place and to stand before the Son of Man.”
37 During(CJ) the day, He was teaching in the temple complex,(CK) but in the evening He would go out and spend the night on what is called the Mount of Olives.(CL) 38 Then all the people would come early in the morning to hear Him in the temple complex.(CM)
The Plot to Kill Jesus
22 The(CN) Festival of Unleavened Bread,(CO) which is called Passover,(CP) was drawing near. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death,(CQ) because they were afraid of the people.(CR)
3 Then(CS) Satan entered Judas,(CT) called Iscariot,(CU) who was numbered among the Twelve. 4 He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police(CV) how he could hand Him over(CW) to them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him silver.[ac] 6 So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him to them when the crowd was not present.
Preparation for Passover
7 Then(CX) the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.(CY) 8 Jesus sent Peter and John,(CZ) saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so we can eat it.”
9 “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.
10 “Listen,” He said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. 11 Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 12 Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs.(DA) Make the preparations there.”
13 So they went and found it just as He had told them,(DB) and they prepared the Passover.
The First Lord’s Supper
14 When(DC) the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. 15 Then He said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I tell you, I will not eat it again[ad] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”(DD) 17 Then He took a cup,(DE) and after giving thanks,(DF) He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. 18 For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”
19 And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body,(DG) which is given for you. Do this in remembrance(DH) of Me.”
20 In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant(DI) established by My blood;(DJ) it is shed for you.[ae] 21 But(DK) look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me!(DL) 22 For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined,(DM) but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
23 So they began to argue(DN) among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.
The Dispute over Greatness
24 Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.(DO) 25 But He said to them,(DP) “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called[af] ‘Benefactors.’[ag] 26 But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest,(DQ) and whoever leads, like the one serving. 27 For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.(DR) 28 You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials.(DS) 29 I bestow on you a kingdom,(DT) just as My Father bestowed one on Me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom.(DU) And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.(DV)
Peter’s Denial Predicted
31 “Simon, Simon,[ah] look out! Satan(DW) has asked to sift you[ai] like wheat.(DX) 32 But I have prayed(DY) for you[aj] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen(DZ) your brothers.”
33 “Lord,”(EA) he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”
34 “I tell you, Peter,” He said, “the rooster will not crow today until[ak] you deny three times that you know Me!”
Be Ready for Trouble
35 He also said to them, “When I sent you out(EB) without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”
“Not a thing,” they said.
36 Then He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one. 37 For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws.(EC)[al] Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”(ED)
38 “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”
“Enough of that!”[am] He told them.
The Prayer in the Garden
39 He went out and made His way(EE) as usual(EF) to the Mount of Olives,(EG) and the disciples followed Him. 40 When He reached the place,(EH) He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”(EI) 41 Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray,(EJ) 42 “Father, if You are willing, take this cup(EK) away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”
[43 Then an angel from heaven(EL) appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 Being in anguish,(EM) He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.][an] 45 When He got up from prayer and came to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief.[ao] 46 “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation.”
The Judas Kiss
47 While(EN) He was still speaking, suddenly a mob was there, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss Him, 48 but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”
49 When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” 50 Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear.
51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!”[ap] And touching his ear, He healed him. 52 Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?[aq] 53 Every day while I was with you in the temple complex,(EO) you never laid a hand on Me. But this is your hour(EP)—and the dominion of darkness.”(EQ)
Peter Denies His Lord
54 They seized Him, led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter(ER) was following at a distance. 55 They(ES) lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard(ET) and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. 56 When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with Him too.”
57 But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know Him!”
58 After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too!”
“Man, I am not!” Peter said.
59 About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with Him, since he’s also a Galilean.”
60 But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter.(EU) So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”(EV) 62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Jesus Mocked and Beaten
63 The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating Him.(EW) 64 After blindfolding Him, they kept[ar] asking, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” 65 And they were saying many other blasphemous(EX) things against Him.
Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin
66 When daylight came,(EY) the elders[as] of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes,(EZ) convened and brought Him before their Sanhedrin.(FA) 67 They said,(FB) “If You are the Messiah, tell us.”
But He said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. 68 And if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.”(FC)
70 They all asked, “Are You, then, the Son of God?”(FD)
And He said to them, “You say that I am.”(FE)
71 “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from His mouth?”
Jesus Faces Pilate
23 Then(FF) their whole assembly rose up and brought Him before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse Him, saying, “We found this man subverting our nation, opposing payment of taxes(FG) to Caesar, and saying that He Himself is the Messiah, a King.”
3 So Pilate asked Him,(FH) “Are You the King of the Jews?”(FI)
He answered him, “You have said it.”[at]
4 Pilate then told the chief priests and the crowds, “I find no grounds(FJ) for charging this man.”
5 But they kept insisting, “He stirs up the people,(FK) teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee(FL) where He started even to here.”
Jesus Faces Herod Antipas
6 When Pilate(FM) heard this,[au] he asked if the man was a Galilean. 7 Finding that He was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod,(FN) who was also in Jerusalem during those days. 8 Herod was very glad to see Jesus; for a long time he had wanted to see Him because he had heard about Him and was hoping to see some miracle[av] performed by Him. 9 So he kept asking Him questions, but Jesus did not answer him.(FO) 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing Him. 11 Then Herod, with his soldiers, treated Him with contempt, mocked(FP) Him, dressed Him in a brilliant robe,(FQ) and sent Him back to Pilate. 12 That very day Herod and Pilate became friends.[aw](FR) Previously, they had been hostile toward each other.
Jesus or Barabbas
13 Pilate called together the chief priests, the leaders, and the people,(FS) 14 and said to them, “You have brought me this man as one who subverts the people.(FT) But in fact, after examining Him in your presence, I have found no grounds(FU) to charge this man with those things you accuse Him of. 15 Neither has Herod, because he sent Him back to us. Clearly, He has done nothing to deserve death. 16 Therefore, I will have Him whipped[ax](FV) and then release Him.” [17 For according to the festival he had to release someone to them.][ay](FW)
18 Then(FX) they all cried out together, “Take this man away!(FY) Release Barabbas to us!” 19 (He had been thrown into prison for a rebellion that had taken place in the city, and for murder.)
20 Pilate, wanting to release Jesus,(FZ) addressed them again, 21 but they kept shouting, “Crucify! Crucify Him!”
22 A third time he said to them, “Why? What has this man done wrong?(GA) I have found in Him no grounds(GB) for the death penalty. Therefore, I will have Him whipped and then release Him.”
23 But they kept up the pressure, demanding with loud voices that He be crucified. And their voices[az] won out. 24 So(GC) Pilate decided to grant their demand(GD) 25 and released the one they were asking for, who had been thrown into prison for rebellion and murder. But he handed Jesus over to their will.(GE)
The Way to the Cross
26 As(GF) they led Him away, they seized Simon, a Cyrenian,(GG) who was coming in from the country, and laid the cross(GH) on him to carry behind Jesus. 27 A large crowd of people followed Him, including women who were mourning and lamenting Him.(GI) 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, “Daughters of Jerusalem,(GJ) do not weep for Me, but weep for yourselves and your children. 29 Look, the days are coming(GK) when they will say, ‘The women without children, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed, are fortunate!’(GL) 30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’(GM)[ba] 31 For if they do these things when the wood is green, what will happen when it is dry?”(GN)
Crucified between Two Criminals
32 Two others—criminals(GO)—were also led away to be executed with Him. 33 When(GP) they arrived at the place called The Skull, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one on the right and one on the left. [34 Then Jesus said, “Father,(GQ) forgive(GR) them, because they do not know what they are doing.”(GS)][bb] And they divided His clothes and cast lots.(GT)
35 The(GU) people stood watching, and even the leaders kept scoffing:(GV) “He saved others; let Him save Himself if this is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One!”(GW) 36 The soldiers also mocked Him. They came offering Him sour wine(GX) 37 and said, “If You are the King of the Jews,(GY) save Yourself!”
38 An inscription was above Him:[bc]
THIS IS
THE KING OF THE JEWS.
39 Then(GZ) one of the criminals hanging there began to yell insults at[bd] Him: “Aren’t You the Messiah? Save Yourself and us!”
40 But the other answered, rebuking him: “Don’t you even fear God,(HA) since you are undergoing the same punishment? 41 We are punished justly, because we’re getting back what we deserve for the things we did, but this man has done nothing wrong.”(HB) 42 Then he said, “Jesus, remember me[be](HC) when You come into Your kingdom!”(HD)
43 And He said to him, “I assure you: Today you will be with Me in paradise.”(HE)
The Death of Jesus
44 It(HF) was now about noon,[bf] and darkness came over the whole land[bg] until three,[bh] 45 because the sun’s light failed.[bi] The curtain(HG) of the sanctuary was split down the middle. 46 And Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Father, into Your hands I entrust My spirit.”(HH)[bj] Saying this, He breathed His last.
47 When the centurion saw what happened, he began to glorify(HI) God, saying, “This man really was righteous!” 48 All the crowds that had gathered for this spectacle, when they saw what had taken place, went home, striking their chests.[bk](HJ) 49 But(HK) all who knew Him, including the women who had followed Him from Galilee, stood at a distance,(HL) watching these things.
The Burial of Jesus
50 There(HM) was a good and righteous man named Joseph, a member of the Sanhedrin, 51 who had not agreed with their plan(HN) and action. He was from Arimathea, a Judean town, and was looking forward to the kingdom of God.(HO) 52 He approached Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 53 Taking it down, he wrapped it in fine linen and placed it in a tomb cut into the rock, where no one had ever been placed.[bl](HP) 54 It was preparation day, and the Sabbath was about to begin.[bm] 55 The women(HQ) who had come with Him from Galilee followed along and observed the tomb and how His body was placed. 56 Then they returned and prepared spices and perfumes.(HR) And they rested on the Sabbath according to the commandment.(HS)
Resurrection Morning
24 On(HT) the first day of the week,(HU) very early in the morning, they[bn] came to the tomb, bringing the spices they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They went in but did not find the body(HV) of the Lord Jesus.(HW) 4 While they were perplexed about this, suddenly two men stood by them in dazzling(HX) clothes. 5 So the women were terrified and bowed down to the ground.[bo]
“Why are you looking for the living among the dead?” asked the men. 6 “He is not here, but He has been resurrected!(HY) Remember how He spoke to you when He was still in Galilee,(HZ) 7 saying, ‘The Son of Man must be betrayed(IA) into the hands of sinful men, be crucified, and rise(IB) on the third day’?” 8 And they remembered His words.
9 Returning from the tomb, they reported all these things to the Eleven(IC) and to all the rest. 10 Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James,(ID) and the other women with them were telling the apostles(IE) these things. 11 But these words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe(IF) the women. 12 Peter,(IG) however, got up and ran to the tomb. When he stooped to look in, he saw only the linen cloths.[bp](IH) So he went home, amazed(II) at what had happened.
The Emmaus Disciples
13 Now(IJ) that same day two of them were on their way to a village called[bq] Emmaus, which was about seven miles[br](IK) from Jerusalem.(IL) 14 Together they were discussing everything that had taken place. 15 And while they were discussing and arguing, Jesus Himself came near and began to walk along with them. 16 But they[bs] were prevented from recognizing Him.(IM) 17 Then He asked them, “What is this dispute that you’re having[bt] with each other as you are walking?” And they stopped walking and looked discouraged.
18 The one named Cleopas answered Him, “Are You the only visitor in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things that happened there in these days?”(IN)
19 “What things?” He asked them.
So they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene,(IO) who was a Prophet(IP) powerful in action and speech(IQ) before God and all the people,(IR) 20 and how our chief priests and leaders(IS) handed Him over to be sentenced to death,(IT) and they crucified Him.(IU) 21 But we were hoping that He was the One who was about to redeem(IV) Israel. Besides all this, it’s the third day(IW) since these things happened. 22 Moreover, some women from our group astounded us. They arrived early at the tomb, 23 and when they didn’t find His body, they came and reported that they had seen a vision of angels who said He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they didn’t see Him.”(IX)
25 He said to them, “How unwise and slow you are to believe in your hearts all that the prophets have spoken!(IY) 26 Didn’t the Messiah have to suffer(IZ) these things and enter into His glory?”(JA) 27 Then beginning with Moses(JB) and all the Prophets,(JC) He interpreted for them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.(JD)
28 They came near the village where they were going, and He gave the impression that He was going farther.(JE) 29 But they urged Him: “Stay with us, because it’s almost evening, and now the day is almost over.” So He went in to stay with them.
30 It was as He reclined at the table with them that He took the bread, blessed and broke(JF) it, and gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened,(JG) and they recognized Him, but He disappeared from their sight.(JH) 32 So they said to each other, “Weren’t our hearts ablaze within us while He was talking with us on the road and explaining the Scriptures(JI) to us?” 33 That very hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem. They found the Eleven(JJ) and those with them gathered together, 34 who said,[bu] “The Lord has certainly been raised, and has appeared to Simon!”(JK) 35 Then they began to describe what had happened on the road and how He was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.(JL)
The Reality of the Risen Jesus
36 And(JM) as they were saying these things, He Himself stood among them. He said to them, “Peace(JN) to you!” 37 But they were startled and terrified(JO) and thought they were seeing a ghost.(JP) 38 “Why are you troubled?”(JQ) He asked them. “And why do doubts arise in your hearts? 39 Look at My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself!(JR) Touch Me and see,(JS) because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” 40 Having said this, He showed them His hands and feet. 41 But while they still were amazed and unbelieving because of their joy, He asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” 42 So they gave Him a piece of a broiled fish,[bv] 43 and He took it and ate in their presence.
44 Then He told them, “These are My words(JT) that I spoke to you while I was still with you—that everything written about Me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets,(JU) and the Psalms(JV) must be fulfilled.” 45 Then He opened their minds(JW) to understand(JX) the Scriptures. 46 He also said to them, “This is what is written:[bw] The Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead the third day,(JY) 47 and repentance for[bx] forgiveness of sins(JZ) would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations,(KA) beginning at Jerusalem.(KB) 48 You are witnesses(KC) of these things. 49 And look, I am sending you[by] what My Father promised.(KD) As for you, stay in the city[bz] until you are empowered[ca](KE) from on high.”
The Ascension of Jesus
50 Then He led them out as far as Bethany,(KF) and lifting up His hands(KG) He blessed them. 51 And while He was blessing them, He left them and was carried up into heaven.(KH) 52 After worshiping Him,(KI) they returned to Jerusalem with great joy.(KJ) 53 And they were continually in the temple complex praising God.[cb](KK)
Prologue
1 In the beginning(KL) was the Word,[cc](KM)
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.(KN)
2 He was with God in the beginning.(KO)
3 All things were created(KP) through Him,(KQ)
and apart from Him not one thing was created
that has been created.
4 Life was in Him,[cd](KR)
and that life was the light(KS) of men.
5 That light shines(KT) in the darkness,
yet the darkness did not overcome[ce] it.(KU)
6 There was a man named John(KV)
who was sent from God.
7 He came as a witness
to testify about the light,
so that all might believe through him.[cf]
8 He was not the light,
but he came to testify(KW) about the light.
9 The true light,(KX) who gives light to everyone,
was coming into the world.[cg](KY)
10 He was in the world,
and the world was created(KZ) through Him,
yet the world did not recognize Him.
11 He came to His own,[ch]
and His own people[ci] did not receive Him.
12 But to all who did receive(LA) Him,(LB)
He gave them the right(LC) to be[cj] children(LD) of God,(LE)
to those who believe(LF) in His name,(LG)
13 who were born,(LH)
not of blood,[ck]
or of the will(LI) of the flesh,(LJ)
or of the will of man,[cl]
but of God.(LK)
14 The Word(LL) became flesh[cm](LM)
and took up residence[cn] among us.
We observed His glory,(LN)
the glory as the One and Only(LO) Son[co] from the Father,
full of grace and truth.
15 (John testified concerning Him and exclaimed,
“This was the One of whom I said,
‘The One coming after me(LP) has surpassed me,(LQ)
because He existed before me.’”)(LR)
16 Indeed, we have all received grace(LS) after grace
from His fullness,
17 for the law was given through Moses,(LT)
grace and truth(LU) came through Jesus Christ.
18 No one has ever seen God.[cp]
The One and Only(LV) Son[cq]—
the One who is at the Father’s(LW) side[cr]—
He has revealed Him.(LX)
John the Baptist’s Testimony
19 This is John’s testimony when the Jews from Jerusalem(LY) sent priests(LZ) and Levites(MA) to ask him, “Who are you?”
20 He did not refuse to answer, but he declared: “I am not the Messiah.”(MB)
21 “What then?” they asked him. “Are you Elijah?”(MC)
“I am not,” he said.
“Are you the Prophet?”[cs](MD)
“No,” he answered.
22 “Who are you, then?” they asked. “We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What can you tell us about yourself?”
23 He said, “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord(ME)[ct]—just as Isaiah(MF) the prophet said.”
24 Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.(MG) 25 So they asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you aren’t the Messiah, or Elijah, or the Prophet?”
26 “I baptize with[cu] water,”(MH) John answered them. “Someone stands among you, but you don’t know Him. 27 He is the One coming after me,[cv](MI) whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to untie.”
28 All this happened in Bethany[cw] across the Jordan,[cx](MJ) where John was baptizing.
The Lamb of God
29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Here is the Lamb of God,(MK) who takes away the sin(ML) of the world! 30 This is the One I told you about: ‘After me comes a man who has surpassed me, because He existed before me.’ 31 I didn’t know Him,(MM) but I came baptizing with[cy] water so He might be revealed(MN) to Israel.”
32 And John testified, “I watched the Spirit(MO) descending from heaven like a dove, and He rested on Him.(MP) 33 I didn’t know Him, but He[cz] who sent me to baptize with[da] water told me, ‘The One you see the Spirit descending and resting on—He is the One who baptizes with[db] the Holy Spirit.’(MQ) 34 I have seen and testified that He is the Son of God!”[dc](MR)
35 Again the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look! The Lamb of God!”
37 The two disciples heard him say this and followed Jesus. 38 When Jesus turned and noticed them following Him, He asked them, “What are you looking for?”
They said to Him, “Rabbi”(MS) (which means “Teacher”), “where are You staying?”
39 “Come and you’ll see,” He replied. So they went and saw where He was staying, and they stayed with Him that day. It was about 10 in the morning.[dd]
40 Andrew,(MT) Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed Him. 41 He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah!”[de](MU) (which means “Anointed(MV) One”), 42 and he brought Simon to Jesus.
When Jesus saw him, He said, “You are Simon, son of John.[df] You will be called Cephas”(MW) (which means “Rock”).
Philip and Nathanael
43 The next day He[dg] decided to leave for Galilee. Jesus found Philip(MX) and told him, “Follow Me!”
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida,(MY) the hometown of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael[dh](MZ) and told him, “We have found the One Moses wrote about in the Law (and so did the prophets(NA)): Jesus the son of Joseph,(NB) from Nazareth!”(NC)
46 “Can anything good(ND) come out of Nazareth?” Nathanael asked him.
“Come and see,” Philip answered.
47 Then Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him and said about him, “Here is a true Israelite;(NE) no deceit is in him.”
48 “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked.
“Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you,” Jesus answered.
49 “Rabbi,”(NF) Nathanael replied, “You are the Son(NG) of God! You are the King of Israel!”(NH)
50 Jesus responded to him, “Do you believe only because I told you I saw you under the fig tree? You[di] will see greater things than this.” 51 Then He said, “I assure you: You[dj] will see heaven opened and the angels of God(NI) ascending and descending(NJ) on the Son of Man.”(NK)
The First Sign: Turning Water into Wine
2 On the third day a wedding took place in Cana(NL) of Galilee.(NM) Jesus’ mother(NN) was there, and 2 Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding as well. 3 When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother told Him, “They don’t have any wine.”
4 “What has this concern of yours to do with Me,[dk](NO) woman?”(NP) Jesus asked. “My hour[dl] has not yet come.”
5 “Do whatever He tells you,” His mother told the servants.
6 Now six stone water jars had been set there for Jewish purification.(NQ) Each contained 20 or 30 gallons.[dm]
7 “Fill the jars with water,” Jesus told them. So they filled them to the brim. 8 Then He said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the chief servant.”[dn] And they did.
9 When the chief servant tasted the water (after it had become wine), he did not know where it came from—though the servants who had drawn the water knew. He called the groom 10 and told him, “Everyone sets out the fine wine first, then, after people have drunk freely, the inferior. But you have kept the fine wine until now.”
11 Jesus performed this first sign[do] in Cana(NR) of Galilee.(NS) He displayed(NT) His glory,(NU) and His disciples believed in Him.
12 After this, He went down to Capernaum,(NV) together with His mother, His brothers,(NW) and His disciples, and they stayed there only a few days.
Cleansing the Temple Complex
13 The Jewish Passover(NX) was near, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(NY) 14 In the temple complex(NZ) He found people selling oxen, sheep, and doves, and He also found the money changers sitting there. 15 After making a whip out of cords,(OA) He drove everyone out of the temple complex with their sheep(OB) and oxen. He also poured out the money changers’ coins and overturned the tables. 16 He told those who were selling doves, “Get these things out of here! Stop turning My Father’s(OC) house(OD) into a marketplace!”[dp](OE)
17 And His disciples remembered that it is written: Zeal(OF) for Your house will consume(OG) Me.(OH)[dq]
18 So the Jews replied to Him, “What sign of authority will You show us for doing these things?”
19 Jesus answered, “Destroy this sanctuary,(OI) and I will raise it up in three days.”(OJ)
20 Therefore the Jews said, “This sanctuary took 46 years to build, and will You raise it up in three days?”(OK)
21 But He was speaking about the sanctuary of His body.(OL) 22 So when He was raised from the dead,(OM) His disciples remembered that He had said this.(ON) And they believed the Scripture(OO) and the statement Jesus had made.
23 While He was in Jerusalem(OP) at the Passover Festival,(OQ) many trusted in His name(OR) when they saw the signs He was doing. 24 Jesus, however, would not entrust Himself to them, since He knew them all 25 and because He did not need anyone to testify about man; for He Himself knew what was in man.(OS)
Jesus and Nicodemus
3 There was a man from the Pharisees(OT) named Nicodemus,(OU) a ruler(OV) of the Jews. 2 This man came to Him at night and said, “Rabbi,(OW) we know that You have come from God(OX) as a teacher,(OY) for no one could perform these signs You do unless God were with him.”(OZ)
3 Jesus replied, “I assure you: Unless someone is born again,[dr](PA) he cannot see the kingdom of God.”(PB)
4 “But how can anyone be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked Him. “Can he enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born?”
5 Jesus answered, “I assure you: Unless someone is born(PC) of water and the Spirit,[ds](PD) he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 Whatever is born of the flesh(PE) is flesh, and whatever is born of the Spirit(PF) is spirit. 7 Do not be amazed that I told you that you[dt] must be born(PG) again. 8 The wind[du] blows where it pleases, and you hear its sound, but you don’t know where it comes from or where it is going.(PH) So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”(PI)
9 “How can these things be?” asked Nicodemus.
10 “Are you a teacher[dv] of Israel and don’t know these things?” Jesus replied. 11 “I assure you:(PJ) We speak what We know and We testify to what We have seen, but you[dw] do not accept Our testimony.[dx] 12 If I have told you about things that happen on earth and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you about things of heaven? 13 No one has ascended(PK) into heaven(PL) except the One who descended from heaven(PM)—the Son of Man.[dy](PN) 14 Just as Moses(PO) lifted up the snake in the wilderness,(PP) so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in Him will[dz] have eternal life.(PQ)
16 “For God loved(PR) the world in this way:[ea] He gave His One and Only(PS) Son,(PT) so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.(PU) 17 For God did not send His Son into the world that He might condemn(PV) the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 Anyone who believes in Him is not condemned, but anyone who does not believe is already condemned,(PW) because he has not believed in the name(PX) of the One and Only Son(PY) of God.
19 “This, then, is the judgment: The light(PZ) has come into the world,(QA) and people loved darkness rather than the light because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone who practices wicked things hates(QB) the light and avoids it,[eb] so that his deeds(QC) may not be exposed. 21 But anyone who lives by[ec] the truth comes to the light, so that his works(QD) may be shown to be accomplished by God.”[ed]
Jesus and John the Baptist
22 After this, Jesus and His disciples went to the Judean countryside, where He spent time with them and baptized. 23 John(QE) also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water there. People were coming and being baptized, 24 since John had not yet been thrown into prison.(QF)
25 Then a dispute arose between John’s disciples(QG) and a Jew[ee] about purification.(QH) 26 So they came to John and told him, “Rabbi,(QI) the One you testified about, and who was with you across the Jordan,(QJ) is baptizing—and everyone is flocking to Him.”(QK)
27 John responded, “No one can receive a single thing unless it’s given to him from heaven. 28 You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Messiah,(QL) but I’ve been sent ahead of Him.’(QM) 29 He who has the bride(QN) is the groom. But the groom’s friend, who stands by and listens for him, rejoices greatly[ef] at the groom’s voice. So this joy(QO) of mine is complete. 30 He must increase, but I must decrease.”
The One from Heaven
31 The One who comes from above(QP) is above all. The one who is from the earth is earthly and speaks in earthly terms.[eg] The One who comes from heaven is above all.(QQ) 32 He testifies(QR) to what He has seen and heard, yet no one accepts His testimony. 33 The one who has accepted His testimony has affirmed that God is true.(QS) 34 For God sent Him, and He speaks God’s words, since He[eh] gives the Spirit(QT) without measure. 35 The Father loves the Son(QU) and has given all things into His hands.(QV) 36 The one who believes in the Son has eternal life, but the one who refuses to believe in the Son will not see life; instead, the wrath of God remains on him.(QW)
Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
4 When Jesus[ei] knew that the Pharisees(QX) heard He was making(QY) and baptizing more disciples than John(QZ) 2 (though Jesus Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea(RA) and went again to Galilee.(RB) 4 He had to travel through Samaria,(RC) 5 so He came to a town of Samaria called Sychar near the property[ej] that Jacob(RD) had given his son Joseph.(RE) 6 Jacob’s well(RF) was there, and Jesus, worn out from His journey, sat down at the well. It was about six in the evening.[ek]
7 A woman of Samaria came to draw water.(RG)
“Give Me a drink,” Jesus said to her, 8 for His disciples had gone into town to buy food.
9 “How is it that You, a Jew,(RH) ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan(RI) woman?” she asked Him. For Jews do not associate with[el] Samaritans.[em]
10 Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God,(RJ) and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.”(RK)
11 “Sir,”(RL) said the woman, “You don’t even have a bucket, and the well is deep. So where do You get this ‘living water’? 12 You aren’t greater than our father Jacob,(RM) are You? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and livestock.”
13 Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. 14 But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again—ever!(RN) In fact, the water I will give him will become a well[en](RO) of water springing up within him for eternal life.”(RP)
15 “Sir,” the woman said to Him, “give me this water so I won’t get thirsty and come here to draw water.”
16 “Go call your husband,” He told her, “and come back here.”
17 “I don’t have a husband,” she answered.
“You have correctly said, ‘I don’t have a husband,’” Jesus said. 18 “For you’ve had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have said is true.”
19 “Sir,” the woman replied, “I see that You are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,[eo](RQ) yet you Jews say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”(RR)
21 Jesus told her, “Believe Me, woman, an hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans[ep] worship what you do not know. We worship what we do know, because salvation is from the Jews.(RS) 23 But an hour is coming, and is now here,(RT) when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. Yes, the Father wants such people to worship Him. 24 God is spirit,(RU) and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”(RV)
25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah[eq](RW) is coming” (who is called Christ(RX)). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.”
26 “I am He,”(RY) Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.”
The Ripened Harvest
27 Just then His disciples arrived, and they were amazed that He was talking with a woman. Yet no one said, “What do You want?” or “Why are You talking with her?”
28 Then the woman left her water jar, went into town, and told the men, 29 “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could this be the Messiah?”(RZ) 30 They left the town and made their way to Him.(SA)
31 In the meantime the disciples kept urging Him, “Rabbi,(SB) eat something.”
32 But He said, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
33 The disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought Him something to eat?”
34 “My food is to do the will of Him(SC) who sent Me(SD) and to finish His work,”(SE) Jesus told them. 35 “Don’t you say, ‘There are still four more months, then comes the harvest’? Listen to what I’m telling you: Open[er] your eyes and look at the fields, for they are ready[es] for harvest. 36 The reaper is already receiving pay and gathering fruit for eternal life,(SF) so the sower and reaper can rejoice together. 37 For in this case the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’(SG) 38 I sent you to reap what you didn’t labor for; others have labored, and you have benefited from[et] their labor.”
The Savior of the World
39 Now many Samaritans(SH) from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said[eu] when she testified,(SI) “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 Therefore, when the Samaritans came to Him,(SJ) they asked Him to stay with them, and He stayed there two days. 41 Many more believed because of what He said.[ev] 42 And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior(SK) of the world.”[ew]
A Galilean Welcome
43 After two days He left there for Galilee.(SL) 44 Jesus Himself testified(SM) that a prophet has no honor in his own country.(SN) 45 When(SO) they entered Galilee, the Galileans(SP) welcomed Him because they had seen everything He did in Jerusalem(SQ) during the festival.(SR) For they also had gone to the festival.
The Second Sign: Healing an Official’s Son
46 Then He went again to Cana(SS) of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum.(ST) 47 When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea(SU) into Galilee, he went to Him and pleaded with Him to come down and heal his son, for he was about to die.
48 Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders,(SV) you will not believe.”(SW)
49 “Sir,”(SX) the official said to Him, “come down before my boy dies!”
50 “Go,” Jesus told him, “your son will live.” The man believed what[ex] Jesus said to him and departed.
51 While he was still going down, his slaves met him saying that his boy was alive. 52 He asked them at what time he got better. “Yesterday at seven in the morning[ey] the fever left him,” they answered. 53 The father(SY) realized this was the very hour at which Jesus had told him, “Your son will live.” Then he himself believed, along with his whole household.
54 This, therefore, was the second sign(SZ) Jesus performed after He came from Judea to Galilee.(TA)
The Third Sign: Healing the Sick
5 After this, a Jewish festival took place, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.(TB) 2 By the Sheep Gate(TC) in Jerusalem there is a pool, called Bethesda[ez] in Hebrew, which has five colonnades.[fa] 3 Within these lay a large number of the sick—blind, lame, and paralyzed [—waiting for the moving of the water, 4 because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water. Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had].[fb]
5 One man was there who had been sick for 38 years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time,(TD) He said to him, “Do you want to get well?”
7 “Sir,”(TE) the sick man answered, “I don’t have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.”
8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.
Now that day was the Sabbath,(TF) 10 so the Jews(TG) said to the man who had been healed, “This is the Sabbath!(TH) It’s illegal for you to pick up your mat.”
11 He replied, “The man who made me well(TI) told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’”
12 “Who is this man who told you, ‘Pick up your mat and walk’?” they asked. 13 But the man who was cured did not know who it was,(TJ) because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.[fc]
14 After this, Jesus found him in the temple complex(TK) and said to him, “See, you are well. Do not sin anymore, so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.” 15 The man went and reported to the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.(TL)
Honoring the Father and the Son
16 Therefore, the Jews began persecuting(TM) Jesus[fd] because He was doing these things on the Sabbath.(TN) 17 But Jesus responded to them, “My Father(TO) is still working, and I am working also.” 18 This is why the Jews began trying all the more to kill Him:(TP) Not only was He breaking the Sabbath, but He was even calling God His own Father, making Himself equal with God.
19 Then Jesus replied, “I assure you: The Son is not able to do anything on His own, but only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father[fe] does, the Son also does these things in the same way.(TQ) 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows Him everything He is doing, and He will show Him greater works(TR) than these so that you will be amazed. 21 And just as the Father raises(TS) the dead and gives them life, so the Son also gives life to anyone He wants to.(TT) 22 The Father,(TU) in fact, judges no one but has given all judgment to the Son, 23 so that all people will honor the Son just as they honor the Father.(TV) Anyone who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.(TW)
Life and Judgment
24 “I assure you: Anyone who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life(TX) and will not come under judgment but has passed from death to life.
25 “I assure you: An hour is coming, and is now here,(TY) when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.(TZ) 26 For just as the Father has life in Himself, so also He has granted to the Son(UA) to have life in Himself. 27 And He has granted Him the right to pass judgment,(UB) because He is the Son of Man.(UC) 28 Do not be amazed at this, because a time is coming when all who are in the graves will hear His voice 29 and come out—those who have done good things, to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked things, to the resurrection of judgment.
30 “I can do nothing on My own. I judge only as I hear, and My judgment(UD) is righteous,(UE) because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.(UF)
Four Witnesses to Jesus
31 “If I testify about Myself, My testimony is not valid.[ff] 32 There is Another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony He gives about Me is valid.[fg](UG) 33 You have sent messengers to John, and he has testified to the truth.(UH) 34 I don’t receive man’s testimony, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 John[fh](UI) was a burning and shining lamp,(UJ) and for a time you were willing to enjoy his light.(UK)
36 “But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish.(UL) These very works I am doing testify about Me that the Father has sent(UM) Me. 37 The Father who sent Me has Himself testified(UN) about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven’t seen His form.(UO) 38 You don’t have His word living in you, because you don’t believe the One He sent. 39 You pore over[fi] the Scriptures(UP) because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me.(UQ) 40 And you are not willing(UR) to come to Me(US) so that you may have life.
41 “I do not accept glory(UT) from men, 42 but I know you—that you have no love for God(UU) within you. 43 I have come in My Father’s name,(UV) yet you don’t accept Me.(UW) If someone else comes in his own name, you will accept him. 44 How can you believe? While accepting glory from one another, you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only(UX) God.(UY) 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. Your accuser is Moses,(UZ) on whom you have set your hope. 46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, because he wrote about Me. 47 But if you don’t believe his writings,(VA) how will you believe My words?”(VB)
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