Bible in 90 Days

Persecutions Predicted

¹⁸ “If the world hates^(A) you, understand that it hated Me before it hated you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen^(B) you out of it, the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word I spoke to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’^(C) If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word,^(D) they will also keep yours. ²¹ But they will do all these things to you on account of My name,^(E) because they don’t know^(F) the One who sent Me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin.^[a](G) Now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ The one who hates Me also hates My Father.^{(H) 24} If I had not done the works^(I) among them that no one else has done,^(J) they would not have sin.^(K) Now they have seen and hated both Me and My Father. ²⁵ But this happened so that the statement written in their scripture might be fulfilled:^(L) They hated Me for no reason.^(M)[b]

Coming Testimony and Rejection

²⁶ “When the Counselor^(N) comes, the One I will send to you from the Father^(O)—the Spirit of truth^(P) who proceeds from the Father—He will testify about Me. ²⁷ You also will testify,^(Q) because you have been with Me from the beginning.

16 “I have told you these things to keep you from stumbling. ² They will ban you from the synagogues.^(R) In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering service^(S) to God. ³ They will do these things because they haven’t known^(T) the Father or Me. ⁴ But I have told you these things so that when their time^[c] comes you may remember^(U) I told them to you. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you.

The Counselor’s Ministry

⁵ “But now I am going away^(V) to Him who sent Me, and not one of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’^{(W) 6} Yet, because I have spoken these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. ⁷ Nevertheless, I am telling you the truth.^(X) It is for your benefit that I go away, because if I don’t go away the Counselor will not come to you. If I go, I will send Him to you.^{(Y) 8} When He comes, He will convict the world about sin, righteousness, and judgment: ⁹ About sin, because they do not believe in Me; ¹⁰ about righteousness, because I am going to the Father^(Z) and you will no longer see Me; ¹¹ and about judgment,^(AA) because the ruler of this world^(AB) has been judged.^(AC)

¹² “I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.^{(AD) 13} When the Spirit of truth^(AE) comes, He will guide you into all the truth.^(AF) For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak whatever He hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify Me, because He will take from what is Mine and declare it to you. ¹⁵ Everything the Father^(AG) has is Mine.^(AH) This is why I told you that He takes from what is Mine and will declare it to you.^(AI)

Sorrow Turned to Joy

¹⁶ “A little while^(AJ) and you will no longer see Me;^(AK) again a little while and you will see Me.”^[d]

¹⁷ Therefore some of His disciples said to one another, “What is this He tells us: ‘A little while and you will not see Me; again a little while and you will see Me’; and, ‘because I am going to the Father’^(AL)?” ¹⁸ They said, “What is this He is saying,^[e] ‘A little while’? We don’t know what He’s talking about!”

¹⁹ Jesus knew they wanted to question Him, so He said to them, “Are you asking one another about what I said, ‘A little while and you will not see Me; again a little while and you will see Me’?

²⁰ “I assure you: You will weep and wail,^(AM) but the world will rejoice. You will become sorrowful,^(AN) but your sorrow will turn to joy. ²¹ When a woman is in labor she has pain^(AO) because her time has come. But when she has given birth to a child,^(AP) she no longer remembers the suffering because of the joy that a person has been born into the world. ²² So you also have sorrow^[f] now. But I will see you again. Your hearts will rejoice,^(AQ) and no one will rob you of your joy.^{(AR) 23} In that day you will not ask Me anything.

“I assure you: Anything you ask the Father in My name, He will give you.^{(AS) 24} Until now you have asked for nothing in My name.^(AT) Ask and you will receive,^(AU) so that your joy may be complete.^(AV)

Jesus the Victor

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. A time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask^(AW) in My name.^(AX) I am not telling you that I will make requests to the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ For the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved^(AY) Me and have believed that I came from God.^{[g](AZ) 28} I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”^(BA)

²⁹ “Ah!” His disciples said. “Now You’re speaking plainly and not using any figurative language. ³⁰ Now we know that You know everything^(BB) and don’t need anyone to question You. By this we believe that You came from God.”^(BC)

³¹ Jesus responded to them, “Do you now believe? ³² Look: An hour is coming, and has come,^(BD) when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and you will leave Me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.^{(BE) 33} I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. You will have suffering in this world. Be courageous! I have conquered the world.”

Jesus Prays for Himself

17 Jesus spoke these things, looked up to heaven, and said:

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

Jesus Prays for All Believers

Jesus Betrayed

18 After^(DA) Jesus had said these things, He went out with His disciples across the Kidron Valley, where there was a garden, and He and His disciples went into it. ² Judas,^(DB) who betrayed^(DC) Him, also knew the place, because Jesus often met there with His disciples. ³ So Judas took a company of soldiers and some temple police from the chief priests and the Pharisees^(DD) and came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons.

⁴ Then Jesus, knowing everything that was about to happen to Him,^(DE) went out and said to them, “Who is it you’re looking for?”

⁵ “Jesus the Nazarene,” they answered.

“I am He,”^[n](DF) Jesus told them.

Judas, who betrayed Him, was also standing with them. ⁶ When He told them, “I am He,” they stepped back and fell to the ground.

⁷ Then He asked them again, “Who is it you’re looking for?”

“Jesus the Nazarene,” they said.

⁸ “I told you I am He,” Jesus replied. “So if you’re looking for Me, let these men go.” ⁹ This was to fulfill^(DG) the words He had said: “I have not lost one of those You have given Me.”^(DH)

¹⁰ Then Simon^(DI) Peter,^(DJ) who had a sword,^(DK) drew it, struck the high priest’s^(DL) slave, and cut off his right ear. (The slave’s name was Malchus.)

¹¹ At that, Jesus said to Peter, “Sheathe your sword! Am I not to drink the cup^(DM) the Father has given Me?”

Jesus Arrested and Taken to Annas

¹² Then the company of soldiers, the commander, and the Jewish temple police arrested Jesus and tied Him up. ¹³ First they led Him to Annas,^(DN) for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas,^(DO) who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was advantageous that one man should die for the people.^(DP)

Peter Denies Jesus

¹⁵ Meanwhile, Simon Peter^(DQ) was following Jesus, as was another disciple. That disciple was an acquaintance of the high priest; so he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard. ¹⁶ But Peter remained standing outside by the door. So the other disciple, the one known to the high priest, went out and spoke to the girl who was the doorkeeper and brought Peter in.

¹⁷ Then the slave girl who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?”

“I am not!” he said. ¹⁸ Now the slaves and the temple police had made a charcoal fire, because it was cold. They were standing there warming themselves, and Peter was standing with them, warming himself.

Jesus before Annas

¹⁹ The high priest^(DR) questioned Jesus about His disciples and about His teaching.

²⁰ “I have spoken openly to the world,” Jesus answered him. “I have always taught in the synagogue^(DS) and in the temple complex,^(DT) where all the Jews congregate, and I haven’t spoken anything in secret. ²¹ Why do you question Me? Question those who heard what I told them. Look, they know what I said.”

²² When He had said these things, one of the temple police standing by slapped Jesus, saying, “Is this the way you answer the high priest?”

²³ “If I have spoken wrongly,” Jesus answered him, “give evidence^[o] about the wrong; but if rightly,^(DU) why do you hit Me?”

²⁴ Then^(DV) Annas^(DW) sent Him bound to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus Twice More

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said to him, “You aren’t one of His disciples too, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not!”

²⁶ One of the high priest’s slaves, a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you with Him in the garden?”

²⁷ Peter then denied it again. Immediately a rooster crowed.^(DX)

Jesus before Pilate

²⁸ Then^(DY) they took Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters.^(DZ) It was early morning. They did not enter the headquarters themselves; otherwise they would be defiled and unable to eat the Passover.

²⁹ Then Pilate^(EA) came out to them and said, “What charge^(EB) do you bring against this man?”

³⁰ They answered him, “If this man weren’t a criminal,^[p] we wouldn’t have handed Him over to you.”

³¹ So Pilate told them, “Take Him yourselves and judge Him according to your law.”

“It’s not legal^[q] for us to put anyone to death,” the Jews declared. ³² They said this so that Jesus’ words might be fulfilled signifying what kind of death He was going to die.^(EC)

³³ Then Pilate went back into the headquarters, summoned Jesus, and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”^(ED)

³⁴ Jesus answered, “Are you asking this on your own, or have others told you about Me?”

³⁵ “I’m not a Jew, am I?” Pilate replied. “Your own nation and the chief priests handed You over to me. What have You done?”

³⁶ “My kingdom^(EE) is not of this world,” said Jesus. “If My kingdom were of this world,^(EF) My servants^[r](EG) would fight, so that I wouldn’t be handed over to the Jews. As it is, My kingdom does not have its origin here.”^[s](EH)

³⁷ “You are a king then?” Pilate asked.

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world^(EI) for this: to testify^(EJ) to the truth.^(EK) Everyone who is of the truth listens to My voice.”

³⁸ “What is truth?” said Pilate.

Jesus or Barabbas

After he had said this, he went out to the Jews again and told them, “I find no grounds^(EL) for charging Him. ³⁹ You^(EM) have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. So, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

⁴⁰ They shouted back, “Not this man, but Barabbas!”^(EN) Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.^[t](EO)

Jesus Flogged and Mocked

19 Then Pilate took Jesus and had Him flogged. ² The soldiers also twisted together a crown^(EP) of thorns, put it on His head, and threw a purple robe around Him. ³ And they repeatedly came up to Him^(EQ) and said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and were slapping His face.

⁴ Pilate went outside again and said to them, “Look, I’m bringing Him outside to you to let you know I find no grounds^(ER) for charging Him.”

Pilate Sentences Jesus to Death

⁵ Then Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe.^(ES) Pilate said to them, “Here is the man!”^(ET)

⁶ When the chief priests and the temple police saw Him, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!”

Pilate responded, “Take Him and crucify Him yourselves, for I find no grounds for charging Him.”

⁷ “We have a law,” the Jews replied to him, “and according to that law He must die,^(EU) because He made Himself^[u] the Son of God.”^(EV)

⁸ When Pilate heard this statement, he was more afraid than ever. ⁹ He went back into the headquarters^(EW) and asked Jesus, “Where are You from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer.^{(EX) 10} So Pilate said to Him, “You’re not talking to me? Don’t You know that I have the authority to release You and the authority to crucify You?”

¹¹ “You would have no authority over Me at all,” Jesus answered him, “if it hadn’t been given you from above. This is why the one who handed Me over to you has the greater sin.”^[v](EY)

¹² From that moment Pilate made every effort^[w] to release Him. But the Jews shouted, “If you release this man, you are not Caesar’s friend. Anyone who makes himself a king opposes Caesar!”

¹³ When Pilate heard these words, he brought Jesus outside. He sat down on the judge’s bench in a place called the Stone Pavement (but in Hebrew Gabbatha). ¹⁴ It was the preparation day for the Passover, and it was about six in the morning.^[x] Then he told the Jews, “Here is your king!”

¹⁵ But they shouted, “Take Him away! Take Him away! Crucify Him!”

Pilate said to them, “Should I crucify your king?”

“We have no king but Caesar!” the chief priests answered.

¹⁶ So then, because of them, he handed Him over to be crucified.

The Crucifixion

Therefore they took Jesus away.^{[y] 17} Carrying^(EZ) His own cross,^(FA) He went out to what is called Skull Place, which in Hebrew is called Golgotha. ¹⁸ There they crucified Him and two others with Him, one on either side, with Jesus in the middle. ¹⁹ Pilate also had a sign lettered and put on the cross. The inscription was:

²⁰ Many of the Jews read this sign, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city,^(FB) and it was written in Hebrew,^[z] Latin, and Greek. ²¹ So the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’^(FC) but that He said, ‘I am the King of the Jews.’”

²² Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ When the soldiers crucified Jesus, they took His clothes and divided them into four parts, a part for each soldier. They also took the tunic, which was seamless, woven in one piece from the top. ²⁴ So they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it, to see who gets it.” They did this to fulfill^(FD) the Scripture^(FE) that says: They divided My clothes among themselves, and they cast lots for My clothing.^(FF)[aa] And this is what the soldiers did.

Jesus’ Provision for His Mother

²⁵ Standing^(FG) by the cross^(FH) of Jesus were His mother,^(FI) His mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.^{(FJ) 26} When Jesus saw His mother and the disciple He loved^(FK) standing there, He said to His mother, “Woman, here is your son.” ²⁷ Then He said to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” And from that hour the disciple took her into his home.

The Finished Work of Jesus

²⁸ After^(FL) this, when Jesus knew that everything was now accomplished^(FM) that the Scripture might be fulfilled, He said, “I’m thirsty!”^{(FN) 29} A jar full of sour wine was sitting there; so they fixed a sponge full of sour wine on hyssop^[ab](FO) and held it up to His mouth.

³⁰ When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished!”^(FP) Then bowing His head, He gave up His spirit.^(FQ)

Jesus’ Side Pierced

³¹ Since it was the preparation day,^(FR) the Jews did not want the bodies^(FS) to remain on the cross^(FT) on the Sabbath^(FU) (for that Sabbath was a special^[ac] day). They requested that Pilate have the men’s legs broken and that their bodies be taken away.^{(FV) 32} So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first man and of the other one who had been crucified with Him. ³³ When they came to Jesus, they did not break His legs since they saw that He was already dead.^{(FW) 34} But one of the soldiers pierced^(FX) His side^(FY) with a spear, and at once blood and water^(FZ) came out. ³⁵ He who saw this has testified^(GA) so that you also may believe. His testimony is true, and he knows he is telling the truth.^{(GB) 36} For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled:^(GC) Not one of His bones will be broken.^{(GD)[ad] 37} Also, another Scripture says: They will look at the One they pierced.^(GE)[ae]

Jesus’ Burial

³⁸ After^(GF) this, Joseph of Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus—but secretly because of his fear of the Jews—asked Pilate that he might remove Jesus’ body.^(GG) Pilate gave him permission, so he came and took His body away. ³⁹ Nicodemus^(GH) (who had previously come to Him at night) also came, bringing a mixture of about 75 pounds^[af] of myrrh and aloes. ⁴⁰ Then they took Jesus’ body^(GI) and wrapped it in linen cloths^(GJ) with the aromatic spices, according to the burial^(GK) custom of the Jews. ⁴¹ There was a garden in the place where He was crucified. A new tomb was in the garden; no one had yet been placed in it. ⁴² They placed Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation and since the tomb was nearby.

The Empty Tomb

20 On^(GL) the first day of the week^(GM) Mary Magdalene^(GN) came to the tomb^(GO) early, while it was still dark. She saw that the stone^(GP) had been removed^[ag] from the tomb. ² So she ran to Simon Peter^(GQ) and to the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb,^(GR) and we don’t know where they have put Him!”

³ At that, Peter and the other disciple went out, heading for the tomb. ⁴ The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and got to the tomb first. ⁵ Stooping down, he saw the linen cloths^(GS) lying there, yet he did not go in. ⁶ Then, following him, Simon Peter came also. He entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. ⁷ The wrapping^(GT) that had been on His head was not lying with the linen cloths^(GU) but was folded up in a separate place by itself. ⁸ The other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, then entered the tomb, saw, and believed. ⁹ For they still did not understand the Scripture^(GV) that He must rise^(GW) from the dead.^{(GX) 10} Then the disciples went home again.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord

¹¹ But^(GY) Mary stood outside facing the tomb,^(GZ) crying. As she was crying, she stooped to look into the tomb. ¹² She saw two angels^(HA) in white sitting there, one at the head and one at the feet, where Jesus’ body^(HB) had been lying. ¹³ They said to her, “Woman, why are you crying?”

“Because they’ve taken away my Lord,”^(HC) she told them, “and I don’t know where they’ve put Him.” ¹⁴ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, though she did not know it was Jesus.^(HD)

¹⁵ “Woman,” Jesus said to her, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?”

Supposing He was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you’ve removed Him, tell me where you’ve put Him, and I will take Him away.”

¹⁶ Jesus said, “Mary.”

Turning around, she said to Him in Hebrew, “Rabbouni!”^[ah]—which means “Teacher.”^(HE)

¹⁷ “Don’t cling to Me,” Jesus told her, “for I have not yet ascended^(HF) to the Father.^(HG) But go to My brothers^(HH) and tell them that I am ascending to My Father^(HI) and your Father—to My God^(HJ) and your God.”

¹⁸ Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord!”^(HK) And she told them what^[ai] He had said to her.

The Disciples Commissioned

¹⁹ In the evening of that first day of the week,^(HL) the disciples were gathered together with the doors locked because of their fear of the Jews. Then Jesus came, stood among them, and said to them, “Peace to you!”^(HM)

²⁰ Having said this, He showed them His hands and His side.^(HN) So the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord.

²¹ Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me,^(HO) I also send you.”^{(HP) 22} After saying this, He breathed on them^(HQ) and said,^[aj] “Receive the Holy Spirit.^{(HR) 23} If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”^(HS)

Thomas Sees and Believes

²⁴ But one of the Twelve, Thomas^(HT) (called “Twin”), was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples kept telling him, “We have seen the Lord!”

But he said to them, “If I don’t see the mark of the nails in His hands, put my finger into the mark of the nails,^(HU) and put my hand into His side,^(HV) I will never believe!”^(HW)

²⁶ After eight days His disciples were indoors again, and Thomas was with them. Even though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them. He said, “Peace to you!”

²⁷ Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and observe My hands. Reach out your hand and put it into My side. Don’t be an unbeliever, but a believer.”^(HX)

²⁸ Thomas responded to Him, “My Lord and my God!”

²⁹ Jesus said, “Because you have seen Me, you have believed.^[ak] Those who believe without seeing^(HY) are blessed.”

The Purpose of This Gospel

³⁰ Jesus performed many other signs^(HZ) in the presence of His disciples that are not written^(IA) in this book.^{(IB) 31} But these are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah,^(IC) the Son^(ID) of God,^[al](IE) and by believing you may have life in His name.^(IF)

Jesus’ Third Appearance to the Disciples

21 After this, Jesus revealed^(IG) Himself again to His disciples by the Sea of Tiberias.^[am](IH) He revealed Himself in this way:

² Simon Peter,^(II) Thomas^(IJ) (called “Twin”), Nathanael^(IK) from Cana of Galilee,^(IL) Zebedee’s^(IM) sons, and two others of His disciples were together.

³ “I’m going fishing,” Simon Peter said to them.

“We’re coming with you,” they told him. They went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.^(IN)

⁴ When daybreak came, Jesus stood on the shore. However, the disciples did not know it was Jesus.^(IO)

⁵ “Men,”^[an] Jesus called to them, “you don’t have any fish, do you?”

“No,” they answered.

⁶ “Cast the net on the right side of the boat,” He told them, “and you’ll find some.” So they did,^[ao] and they were unable to haul it in because of the large number of fish. ⁷ Therefore the disciple, the one Jesus loved, said to Peter, “It is the Lord!”^(IP)

When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him^[ap] (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea. ⁸ But since they were not far from land (about 100 yards^[aq](IQ) away), the other disciples came in the boat,^(IR) dragging the net full of fish. ⁹ When they got out on land, they saw a charcoal fire there, with fish lying on it, and bread.

¹⁰ “Bring some of the fish you’ve just caught,” Jesus told them. ¹¹ So Simon Peter got up and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish—153 of them. Even though there were so many, the net was not torn.^(IS)

¹² “Come and have breakfast,” Jesus told them. None of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?” because they knew it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish.

¹⁴ This was now the third time^[ar](IT) Jesus appeared^[as](IU) to the disciples after He was raised from the dead.

Jesus’ Threefold Restoration of Peter

¹⁵ When they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John,^[at] do you love^[au] Me more than these?”

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Feed^(IV) My lambs,”^(IW) He told him.

¹⁶ A second time He asked him, “Simon, son of John, do you love^(IX) Me?”^(IY)

“Yes, Lord,” he said to Him, “You know that I love You.”

“Shepherd^(IZ) My sheep,”^(JA) He told him.

¹⁷ He asked him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love^(JB) Me?”

Peter was grieved^(JC) that He asked him the third time, “Do you love Me?” He said, “Lord, You know everything!^(JD) You know that I love You.”

“Feed^(JE) My sheep,” Jesus said. ¹⁸ “I assure you:^(JF) When you were young, you would tie your belt and walk wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you and carry you where you don’t want to go.” ¹⁹ He said this to signify by what kind of death^(JG) he would glorify God.^[av](JH) After saying this, He told him, “Follow Me!”^(JI)

Correcting a False Report

²⁰ So Peter turned around and saw the disciple Jesus loved^(JJ) following them. That disciple was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one that’s going to betray You?”^{(JK) 21} When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord—what about him?”

²² “If I want him to remain until I come,”^(JL) Jesus answered, “what is that to you? As for you, follow Me.”

²³ So this report^[aw] spread to the brothers^[ax](JM) that this disciple would not die.^(JN) Yet Jesus did not tell him that he would not die, but, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?”

Epilogue

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies to these things and who wrote them down. We know that his testimony is true.

²⁵ And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which, if they were written one by one, I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books^[ay] that would be written.^(JO)

Prologue

1 I wrote the first narrative, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach^{(JP) 2} until the day He was taken up, after He had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles He had chosen.^{(JQ) 3} After He had suffered, He also presented Himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during 40 days and speaking about the kingdom of God.^(JR)

The Holy Spirit Promised

⁴ While He was together^[az] with them, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the Father’s promise.^(JS) “This,” He said, “is what you heard from Me; ⁵ for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”^(JT)

⁶ So when they had come together, they asked Him, “Lord, are You restoring the kingdom to Israel at this time?”

⁷ He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority.^{(JU) 8} But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends^[ba] of the earth.”^(JV)

The Ascension

⁹ After He had said this, He was taken up as they were watching, and a cloud took Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ While He was going, they were gazing into heaven, and suddenly two men in white clothes stood by them.^{(JW) 11} They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up into heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come in the same way that you have seen Him going into heaven.”^(JX)

United in Prayer

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called the Mount of Olives, which is near Jerusalem—a Sabbath day’s journey away. ¹³ When they arrived, they went to the room^(JY) upstairs where they were staying:

¹⁴ All these were continually united^(KA) in prayer,^[bb] along with the women, including Mary^[bc] the mother of Jesus, and His brothers.^(KB)

Matthias Chosen

¹⁵ During these days Peter stood up among the brothers^[bd]—the number of people who were together was about 120—and said: ¹⁶ “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled that the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David spoke in advance about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.^{(KC) 17} For he was one of our number and was allotted a share in this ministry.”^{(KD) 18} Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst and burst open in the middle, and all his insides spilled out.^{(KE) 19} This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, Field of Blood). ²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

²¹ “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day He was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of His resurrection.”^(KG)

²³ So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.^{(KH) 24} Then they prayed,^(KI) “You, Lord, know the hearts of all; show which of these two You have chosen^{(KJ) 25} to take the place^[bg] in this apostolic service^(KK) that Judas left to go to his own place.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots^(KL) for them, and the lot fell to Matthias. So he was numbered with the 11 apostles.

Pentecost

2 When the day of Pentecost had arrived, they were all together in one place.^{(KM) 2} Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind^(KN) came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying.^{(KO) 3} And tongues, like flames of fire that were divided, appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ Then they were all filled^(KP) with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different languages, as the Spirit gave them ability for speech.^(KQ)

⁵ There were Jews living in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation^(KR) under heaven. ⁶ When this sound occurred, a crowd came together and was confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. ⁷ And they were astounded and amazed, saying,^[bh] “Look, aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans?^{(KS) 8} How is it that each of us can hear in our own native language? ⁹ Parthians, Medes, Elamites; those who live in Mesopotamia, in Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^{(KT) 10} Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes,^{(KU) 11} Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking the magnificent acts of God in our own languages.” ¹² They were all astounded and perplexed, saying to one another, “What could this be?” ¹³ But some sneered and said, “They’re full of new wine!”^(KV)

Peter’s Sermon

¹⁴ But Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed to them: “Men of Judah and all you residents of Jerusalem, let me explain this^[bi] to you and pay attention to my words. ¹⁵ For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it’s only nine in the morning.^{[bj] 16} On the contrary, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

²² “Men of Israel, listen to these words: This Jesus the Nazarene was a man pointed out to you by God with miracles, wonders, and signs that God did among you through Him, just as you yourselves know.^{(LB) 23} Though He was delivered up according to God’s determined plan and foreknowledge, you used^[bl] lawless people^[bm] to nail Him to a cross and kill Him.^{(LC) 24} God raised Him up, ending the pains of death,^(LD) because it was not possible for Him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says of Him:

²⁹ “Brothers, I can confidently speak to you about the patriarch David: He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.^{(LG) 30} Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn an oath to him to seat one of his descendants^[bo][bp] on his throne.^{(LH) 31} Seeing this in advance, he spoke concerning the resurrection of the Messiah:

³² “God has resurrected^(LJ) this Jesus. We are all witnesses of this. ³³ Therefore, since He has been exalted to the right hand of God^(LK) and has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit,^(LL) He has poured out^(LM) what you both see and hear. ³⁴ For it was not David who ascended into the heavens, but he himself says:

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah!”^(LO)

Forgiveness through the Messiah

³⁷ When they heard this, they came under deep conviction^[bt] and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Brothers, what must we do?”^(LP)

³⁸ “Repent,”^(LQ) Peter said to them, “and be baptized,^(LR) each of you, in the name^(LS) of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all who are far off,^[bu](LT) as many as the Lord our God will call.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he testified and strongly urged them, saying, “Be saved from this corrupt^[bv] generation!”^(LU)

A Generous and Growing Church

⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about 3,000 people were added to them. ⁴² And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching,^(LV) to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to the prayers.^(LW)

⁴³ Then fear came over everyone, and many wonders and signs were being performed through the apostles.^{(LX) 44} Now all the believers were together and held all things in common.^{(LY) 45} They sold their possessions and property and distributed the proceeds to all, as anyone had a need.^{[bw] 46} Every day they devoted themselves to meeting together in the temple complex, and broke bread from house to house. They ate their food with a joyful and humble attitude,^{(LZ) 47} praising God and having favor with all the people. And every day the Lord added to them^[bx] those who were being saved.^(MA)

Healing of a Lame Man

3 Now Peter and John were going up together to the temple complex at the hour of prayer^(MB) at three in the afternoon.^{[by] 2} And a man who was lame from birth was carried there and placed every day at the temple gate called Beautiful, so he could beg from those entering the temple complex.^{(MC) 3} When he saw Peter and John about to enter the temple complex, he asked for help. ⁴ Peter, along with John, looked at him intently and said, “Look at us.” ⁵ So he turned to them,^[bz] expecting to get something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, “I don’t have silver or gold, but what I have, I give you: In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!”^{(MD) 7} Then, taking him by the right hand he raised him up, and at once his feet and ankles became strong. ⁸ So he jumped up, stood, and started to walk, and he entered the temple complex with them—walking, leaping, and praising God.^{(ME) 9} All the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ and they recognized that he was the one who used to sit and beg at the Beautiful Gate of the temple complex. So they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.^(MF)

Preaching in Solomon’s Colonnade

¹¹ While he^[ca] was holding on to Peter and John, all the people, greatly amazed, ran toward them in what is called Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(MG) 12} When Peter saw this, he addressed the people: “Men of Israel, why are you amazed at this? Or why do you stare at us, as though we had made him walk by our own power or godliness? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers,^(MH) has glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate,^(MI) when he had decided to release Him. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One^(MJ) and asked to have a murderer given to you.^{(MK) 15} You killed the source^[cb] of life, whom God raised from the dead; we are witnesses of this.^{(ML) 16} By faith in His name, His name has made this man strong, whom you see and know. So the faith that comes through Him has given him this perfect health in front of all of you.

¹⁷ “And now, brothers, I know that you did it in ignorance, just as your leaders also did.^{(MM) 18} But what God predicted through the mouth of all the prophets—that His Messiah would suffer—He has fulfilled^(MN) in this way. ¹⁹ Therefore repent^(MO) and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out,^(MP) that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,^{[cc] 20} and that He may send Jesus, who has been appointed^(MQ) for you as the Messiah. ²¹ Heaven must welcome^[cd] Him until the times of the restoration of all things, which God spoke about by the mouth of His holy prophets from the beginning.^{(MR) 22} Moses said:^[ce]

²⁴ “In addition, all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those after him, have also announced these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your ancestors, saying to Abraham, And all the families of the earth will be blessed through your offspring.^{(MT)[cg] 26} God raised up His Servant^[ch] and sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your evil ways.”^(MU)

Peter and John Arrested

4 Now as they were speaking to the people, the priests, the commander of the temple police, and the Sadducees confronted them,^{(MV) 2} because they were provoked that they were teaching the people and proclaiming the resurrection from the dead, using Jesus as the example.^{[ci](MW) 3} So they seized them and put them in custody until the next day, since it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who heard the message believed, and the number of the men came to about 5,000.

Peter and John Face the Jewish Leadership

⁵ The next day, their rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem ⁶ with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John and Alexander, and all the members of the high-priestly family.^{[cj](MX) 7} After they had Peter and John stand before them, they asked the question: “By what power or in what name have you done this?”

⁸ Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit and said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders:^{[ck](MY) 9} If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a disabled man—by what means he was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene—whom you crucified and whom God raised from the dead—by Him this man is standing here before you healthy.^{(MZ) 11} This Jesus is

¹² There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to people, and we must be saved by it.”^(NB)

The Name Forbidden

¹³ When they observed the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were amazed and recognized that they had been with Jesus.^{(NC) 14} And since they saw the man who had been healed standing with them, they had nothing to say in response. ¹⁵ After they had ordered them to leave the Sanhedrin, they conferred among themselves, ¹⁶ saying, “What should we do with these men? For an obvious sign, evident to all who live in Jerusalem, has been done through them, and we cannot deny it!^{(ND) 17} However, so this does not spread any further among the people, let’s threaten them against speaking to anyone in this name again.” ¹⁸ So they called for them and ordered them not to preach or teach at all in the name of Jesus.

¹⁹ But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it’s right in the sight of God for us to listen to you rather than to God, you decide;^{(NE) 20} for we are unable to stop speaking about what we have seen and heard.”^(NF)

²¹ After threatening them further, they released them. They found no way to punish them, because the people were all giving glory to God over what had been done;^{(NG) 22} for this sign of healing had been performed on a man over 40 years old.

Prayer for Boldness

²³ After they were released, they went to their own people and reported everything the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ When they heard this, they all raised their voices to God and said, “Master, You are the One who made the heaven, the earth, and the sea, and everything in them.^{(NH) 25} You said through the Holy Spirit, by the mouth of our father David Your servant:^[cn]

²⁷ “For, in fact, in this city both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people^[cp] of Israel, assembled together against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed,^{(NJ) 28} to do whatever Your hand and Your plan had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, consider their threats, and grant that Your slaves may speak Your message with complete boldness,^{(NK) 30} while You stretch out Your hand for healing, signs, and wonders^(NL) to be performed through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” ³¹ When they had prayed, the place where they were assembled was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak God’s message with boldness.^(NM)

Believers Sharing

³² Now the large group of those who believed were of one heart and mind, and no one said that any of his possessions was his own, but instead they held everything in common.^{(NN) 33} And the apostles were giving testimony with great power to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on all of them.^{(NO) 34} For there was not a needy person among them, because all those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the proceeds of the things that were sold,^{(NP) 35} and laid them at the apostles’ feet. This was then distributed for each person’s basic needs.^[cq](NQ)

³⁶ Joseph, a Levite and a Cypriot by birth, the one the apostles called Barnabas, which is translated Son of Encouragement,^{(NR) 37} sold a field he owned, brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet.^(NS)

Lying to the Holy Spirit

5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property. ² However, he kept back part of the proceeds with his wife’s knowledge, and brought a portion of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.^(NT)

³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart^(NU) to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds from the field? ⁴ Wasn’t it yours while you possessed it? And after it was sold, wasn’t it at your disposal? Why is it that you planned this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God!” ⁵ When he heard these words, Ananias dropped dead, and a great fear came on all who heard.^{(NV) 6} The young men got up, wrapped his body, carried him out, and buried him.^(NW)

⁷ There was an interval of about three hours; then his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ “Tell me,” Peter asked her, “did you sell the field for this price?”

“Yes,” she said, “for that price.”

⁹ Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!”^(NX)

¹⁰ Instantly she dropped dead at his feet. When the young men came in, they found her dead, carried her out, and buried her beside her husband. ¹¹ Then great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard these things.

Apostolic Signs and Wonders

¹² Many signs and wonders were being done among the people through the hands of the apostles.^(NY) By common consent they would all meet in Solomon’s Colonnade.^{(NZ) 13} None of the rest dared to join them, but the people praised them highly.^{(OA) 14} Believers were added to the Lord in increasing numbers—crowds of both men and women. ¹⁵ As a result, they would carry the sick out into the streets and lay them on cots and mats so that when Peter came by, at least his shadow^(OB) might fall on some of them. ¹⁶ In addition, a large group came together from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing sick people and those who were tormented by unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

In and Out of Prison

¹⁷ Then the high priest took action. He and all his colleagues, those who belonged to the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.^{(OC) 18} So they arrested^[cr] the apostles and put them in the city jail.^{(OD) 19} But an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail during the night, brought them out, and said,^{(OE) 20} “Go and stand in the temple complex, and tell the people all about this life.”^{(OF) 21} In obedience to this, they entered the temple complex at daybreak and began to teach.

The Apostles on Trial Again

When the high priest and those who were with him arrived, they convened the Sanhedrin—the full Senate of the sons of Israel—and sent orders to the jail to have them brought.^{(OG) 22} But when the temple police got there, they did not find them in the jail, so they returned and reported, ²³ “We found the jail securely locked, with the guards standing in front of the doors, but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ As^[cs] the commander of the temple police and the chief priests heard these things, they were baffled about them, as to what could come of this.

²⁵ Someone came and reported to them, “Look! The men you put in jail are standing in the temple complex and teaching the people.” ²⁶ Then the commander went with the temple police and brought them in without force, because they were afraid the people might stone them.^{(OH) 27} After they brought them in, they had them stand before the Sanhedrin, and the high priest asked, ²⁸ “Didn’t we strictly order you not to teach in this name?^(OI) And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to bring this man’s blood on us!”^(OJ)

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus,^(OK) whom you had murdered by hanging Him on a tree.^{(OL) 31} God exalted this man to His right hand as ruler and Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.^{(OM) 32} We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit^(ON) whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

Gamaliel’s Advice

³³ When they heard this, they were enraged and wanted to kill them.^{(OO) 34} A Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered the men^[ct] to be taken outside for a little while.^{(OP) 35} He said to them, “Men of Israel, be careful about what you’re going to do to these men. ³⁶ Not long ago Theudas rose up, claiming to be somebody, and a group of about 400 men rallied to him. He was killed, and all his partisans were dispersed and came to nothing.^{(OQ) 37} After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and attracted a following.^[cu] That man also perished, and all his partisans were scattered. ³⁸ And now, I tell you, stay away from these men and leave them alone. For if this plan or this work is of men, it will be overthrown;^{(OR) 39} but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You may even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him.^{(OS) 40} After they called in the apostles and had them flogged, they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus and released them.^{(OT) 41} Then they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to be dishonored on behalf of the Name.^{[cv](OU) 42} Every day in the temple complex, and in various homes, they continued teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.

Seven Chosen to Serve

6 In those days, as the number of the disciples^(OV) was multiplying, there arose a complaint by the Hellenistic Jews^[cw] against the Hebraic Jews^[cx] that their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution.^{(OW) 2} Then the Twelve summoned the whole company of the disciples and said, “It would not be right for us to give up preaching about God to handle financial matters.^{[cy] 3} Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^(OX) full of the Spirit^(OY) and wisdom, whom we can appoint to this duty. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the preaching ministry.” ⁵ The proposal pleased the whole company. So they chose Stephen,^(OZ) a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte from Antioch.^{(PA) 6} They had them stand before the apostles, who prayed^(PB) and laid their hands on^(PC) them.^[cz]

⁷ So the preaching about God flourished, the number of the disciples in Jerusalem multiplied^(PD) greatly, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith.