Chapter 1
1 This is the beginning of the good news about Jesus, the Anointed One.
2 As it was written [in the book of] the Prophet Isaiah, ‘{Look!} I’m sending my messenger ahead of you to prepare the way for you. 3 Listen! Someone is calling out in the desert, Prepare the way of the Lord, you people, make his roads straight.
4 John was in the desert and he came baptizing, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And
virtually all those in
6 John wore clothes made of camel’s hair and [he wore] a wide leather belt around his waist. His diet consisted of locusts and wild honey. 7 He also preached, ‘Someone greater is coming behind me, the laces of whose sandals I’m unworthy to get down and untie. 8 I baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Breath [of God].’
9 Back then, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, where he
was baptized in the
12 Thereafter, [God’s] Breath immediately forced him into the desert, 13 where he spent forty days among the wild animals as he was being tempted by the Opposer. However, the messengers [of God] were serving [his needs].
14 It was after John was arrested that Jesus went into
16 While he was walking alongside the
19 Then, going a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in their boat mending their nets. 20 And right away he called them. So, they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
21 Then they entered
23 At the time, there was a man in the synagogue who was under the influence of an unclean spirit that shouted out, 24 ‘What dealings do we have with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I know who you are; the Holy One of God.’
25 But Jesus scolded it, saying, ‘Put a muzzle on it and come out of him!’ 26 Then the unclean spirit, after throwing him into convulsions and yelling loudly, came out.
27 Well, the people were shocked and started asking each other, ‘What is this, some new teaching? He has power to give orders to the unclean spirits and they obey him.’
28 So, the story about him was immediately spread throughout
all the country around
29 Thereafter, [Jesus] (along with James and John) walked out of the synagogue and went directly to the home of Simon and Andrew. 30 And there Simon’s (Peter’s) mother-in-law was lying down burning up with a fever, which they immediately pointed out to [Jesus]. 31 So he took her by the hand to help her stand, and then the fever left her, so she started serving them.
32 That evening, after sunset, the people started bringing him everyone who wasn’t doing well and the demon-possessed. 33 Virtually the whole city gathered at the door. 34 So, he cured many that were sick with various diseases and expelled many demons. But he wouldn’t let the demons speak, because they knew he was the Anointed One.
35 Then early the next morning while it was still dark, he got up, went outside to a lonely place and started praying. 36 However, Simon and those with him searched 37 for him and found him. For they said, ‘Every one is looking for you.’
38 But he replied, ‘Let’s go somewhere else, into the nearby villages, so I can preach there too. That’s why I came outside.’
39 And he went preaching in the synagogues throughout all of
41 And moved with pity, he reached out his hand and touched him, saying, ‘I want to. Be clean.’
42 Immediately, the leprosy left him and he was clean. 43 Then he gave [the man] strict orders and sent him away immediately, 44 telling him, ‘Don’t talk about this to anyone, but go show yourself to the Priests and give the offering of cleansing that was specified by Moses, as a witness to them.’
45 However, after he left, [the man] started telling everyone and spreading the word around, so that Jesus wasn’t able to enter the cities openly. As the result, he stayed out in lonely places, but [people] kept coming to him from all directions.
Chapter 2
1 When he entered
3 In the meantime, they were bringing him a man who was paralyzed and being carried by four people. 4 But because of the huge crowd, they couldn’t bring him straight to [Jesus]. So, they removed part of the roof over where he was and dug an opening, so they could lower the cot that the paralytic was lying on. 5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, ‘Child, your sins are forgiven.’
6 Now, some of the Scribes who were sitting there were reasoning in their hearts, 7 ‘Why is this man talking that way? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except the one God?’
8 But Jesus (who immediately realized in his spirit that they were thinking like that inside themselves) asked, ‘Why are you thinking these things in your hearts? 9 Which is easier, to tell the paralytic your sins are forgiven, or, get up, pick up your cot, and walk? 10 But [I said this so] you men would know that the Son of Man has authority to forgive sins on earth.’
Then he said to the paralytic, 11 ‘I tell you: Get up, pick up your cot, and go home.’ 12 And he got right up, picked up his cot, and walked out in front of them all.
Why, all were simply beside themselves and they glorified God, saying, ‘We’ve never seen anything like this.’
13 Thereafter, he went outside again to the seashore, where huge crowds came to him and he taught them.
14 It was as he was passing by the tax office that he noticed Levi (Matthew), the son of AlphaEus, sitting there. And [he] said to him, ‘Be my follower.’ So, he got up and followed him.
15 Later on, Jesus was reclining at the table in [Levi’s] house, and many tax collectors and sinners were reclining there with him and his disciples, because several of them had started following him. 16 But, when the Pharisee Scribes saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples, ‘Does he eat with the tax collectors and sinners?’
17 Having overheard this, Jesus said to them, ‘Those who are well don’t need a doctor, but those who are ill do. I didn’t come to call the righteous, just the sinners.’
18 Now, both John’s disciples and the Pharisees practiced fasting. So, they came to him and asked, ‘Why is it that the disciples of John and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t?’
19 And Jesus replied, ‘Are the bridegroom’s best men able to fast while the groom is with them? As long as the groom is with them they can’t fast. 20 But, the days will come when the groom will be taken away and then they will fast.
21 ‘Nobody sews an unshrunk cloth patch onto old clothes; for if they do, the [shrinking] strength of the new [cloth] will pull the old [fabric] and the tear will become worse. 22 Also, no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For if they do, the [new] wine will burst the skins and both the wine and the skins will be lost. But people put new wine into new wineskins.’
23 One day, [Jesus] was traveling through the grain fields on the Sabbath, and his disciples started plucking the heads of grain as they walked along. 24 So, the Pharisees asked him, ‘{Look!} Why are they doing something that’s illegal on the Sabbath?’
25 But he replied, ‘Haven’t you ever read what David did when he was in need, and he and the men with him got hungry; 26 how he then entered the [Temple] of God (in the account about AbiAthar, the High Priest) and ate the presentation bread, which isn’t legal for anyone to eat except the Priests… and how he also gave some to the men who were with him?’
27 Then [Jesus] said this: ‘The Sabbath came into existence for the sake of men, not men for the Sabbath. 28 The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath.’
Chapter 3
1 Once again he entered a synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. 2 So they were watching [Jesus] closely to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, so they could accuse him of something. 3 Then he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Get up and come to the center.’ 4 And he asked, ‘Is it legal to do something good or bad, or to save a life or destroy it, on the Sabbath?’
But they remained silent.
5 Then, after looking around at them angrily (because he was saddened by the dullness of their hearts), he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So, he stretched it out and his hand was restored.
6 With that, the Pharisees went outside and immediately met with the followers of Herod to discuss ways to destroy him.
7 Then Jesus and his disciples walked to the sea, followed
by a huge crowd from
9 To keep the crowds at bay, [Jesus] had instructed his disciples to always keep a little boat available for him. 10 This is because he cured so many people that those with terrible diseases were virtually falling on him just to touch him. 11 And when unclean spirits saw him, they would bow low before him and shout, ‘You are the Son of God.’ 12 But he would scold them, telling them not to expose him.
13 [Jesus] walked up a mountain, then he called the ones he wanted and they came to him. 14 There he formed a [special] group of twelve that he called Apostles. These were to stay with him and he would send them out to preach, 15 and to have the authority to cast-out demons. 16 Well, the names of the group of twelve that he formed were, Simon Peter, 17 James (the son of Zebedee) and John his brother (he called them BoanErges, which means Sons of Thunder), 18 Andrew, Philip, BarTholomew ([NathanaEl]), Matthew, Thomas, James (the son of AlphaEus), ThadDaeus (Judas), Simon the Cananaean, 19 and Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).
Whenever he went into a house, 20 so many would show up that they couldn’t even eat a meal. 21 And when his relatives heard about this, they tried to take him away, because they claimed that he had lost his mind.
22 The Scribes who came down from
28 ‘I tell you the truth; the sons of men will be forgiven everything, no matter what sins they commit or what terrible things they say in blasphemy. 29 But, whoever blasphemes the Holy Breath [of God] won’t be forgiven in that era, and which will not be removed in that age.’ 30 [Jesus told them] this, because they were saying he has an unclean spirit.
31 Now, [Jesus’] mother and brothers came and were standing outside, and they asked [someone] to call him, 32 for a crowd was sitting around him. And they said: ‘{Look!} Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.’
33 But he replied to them, ‘Who are my mother and brothers?’
34 Then he looked at those who were sitting around him in a circle, and said, ‘See; my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does what God wants… these are my brothers, sisters, and mother.’
Chapter 4
1 Again he started teaching by the seaside. And such a huge crowd came to him there that he stepped into a boat and sat upon the sea, while the crowd stood on the shore. 2 So, he began to teach them many things using illustrations.
He said: 3 ‘Pay attention; {Look!} A farmer went out to do some planting. 4 And as he was scattering seeds, some of them fell beside the road, which were eaten by birds that came along. 5 Other seeds fell in the rocks where there wasn’t much soil. But they came up immediately, simply because they didn’t have enough soil. 6 However, when the sun arose, they were scorched. And because they didn’t have roots, they withered. 7 Other seeds fell into the briers, which came up and choked them, so they didn’t produce fruit. 8 But others fell on the good soil where they grew and flourished, bearing fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.’ 9 Then he added, ‘Let him who has ears to listen, hear.’
10 However, those who were around him and the twelve asked
him about the illustrations. 11 And he told them, ‘The mystery of the Kingdom of
13 Then he asked, ‘If you don’t understand this illustration, how will you understand all the other illustrations?’
14 ‘The one who scatters the seed is planting the Word. 15 And as for those where the Word is planted alongside the road; as soon as they hear it, the Opposer comes and snatches the Word that was planted in them. 16 The same is true of those who are planted among the rocks. As soon as they hear the Word, they accept it with joy. 17 However, because they don’t have roots, they only last a little while. For, when some difficulty or persecution comes along because of the Word, they are trapped.
18 ‘Those who are planted among the thorns are the ones who hear the Word, 19 but the cares of this life, the allure of wealth, and desire for other things comes in and chokes-out the Word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 Finally, those who are planted on the fine soil are the ones who listen to the Word, accept it, and bear fruit thirty, sixty, and a hundred times.’
21 Then he went on to tell them, ‘A lamp isn’t put under a measuring basket or under a bed, is it? Shouldn’t it be put on a lamp stand? 22 Nothing has been made a secret that shouldn’t be made known, and nothing has been hidden away that shouldn’t be shown. 23 Whoever has ears to hear, let him listen.’
24 He continued, ‘Pay attention to what you’re hearing! For, whatever amount you measure out is the amount that you will be given, and more will also be added. 25 Because he who has will be given more. But he who doesn’t have will have everything taken from him.’
26 He went on to say, ‘The Kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seeds on the ground. 27 He goes to sleep at night and gets up in the day to find that the seeds have sprouted and grown tall. Just how, he doesn’t know, 28 for the earth produces fruit all by itself; first the grass blade, then the stalk head, and finally the full head of grain. 29 Then as soon as it’s ripe, he comes with the sickle, because it’s time for the harvest.’
30 And he asked, ‘To what [else] can we compare the Kingdom of God;… what illustration can we use to describe it? 31 It’s like a mustard seed, which, before it’s planted in the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth. 32 But after it’s planted, it comes up and becomes larger than all other vegetables, producing big branches so the birds of the sky find places to live under its shadow.’
33 This is how he taught the Word to them, using many illustrations… for as long as they were able to pay attention. 34 Because, it was a fact that if he wasn’t using illustrations, he wasn’t talking to them. However, when they were alone he explained everything to his disciples.
35 That evening he said to them: ‘Let’s cross over to the other shore.’ 36 So, after they dismissed the crowd, they took him out in the same boat that he was teaching from, and there were also some other boats with them.
37 Now, there came a typhoon with violent winds; and waves were pouring into the boat to the point where it was almost swamped. 38 And at the time, [Jesus] was in the stern, sleeping on a pillow. So, they woke him up and asked, ‘Teacher, aren’t you worried that we’re about to die?’
39 Then he got up and scolded the wind, and told the sea, ‘Be quiet! Hush!’ At that, the wind died down and a great calm set in. 40 Then he asked them, ‘Why are you so cowardly? Don’t you have any faith yet?’
41 This really scared them and they asked each other, ‘Who really is this, because the wind and the sea also obey him.’
Chapter 5
1 Well, when they got to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes, 2 [Jesus] got out of the boat and was immediately confronted by a man with an unclean spirit, who came from the tombs. 3 He lived there among the tombs and absolutely no one had been able to restrain him, even with chains. 4 In fact, he had often been bound with leg irons and chains, but he broke the chains and smashed the leg irons. Nobody had enough strength to hold him. 5 All day and all night he would go yelling crazily amid the tombs and in the mountains, while he beat himself with rocks.
6 But when he saw Jesus in the distance, he ran up and bowed low. 7 Then he screamed, ‘What dealings do I have with you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I put you under oath by God not to torment me!’ 8 [He said this] because [Jesus] had told [the spirit], ‘Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.’ 9 Then [Jesus] asked him, ‘What’s your name?’ And it replied, ‘My name is Legion, because there are many of us.’ 10 And he begged [Jesus] many times not to send the spirits away.
11 Now, there was a large herd of pigs feeding up on the mountain. 12 So, [the demons] begged him, saying, ‘Send us into the pigs, so we can go into them.’ 13 And he gave them permission. With that, the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs. Then the herd ran down a steep drop-off into the sea, and about two thousand of them drowned in the sea.
14 At this, the herders ran off and reported [to those] in the city and in the fields. So, people came to see what had happened. 15 Then, when they came to Jesus, they noticed the demonized man who had once been possessed by the legion [of demons], sitting, wearing clothes, and in his right mind. And this frightened them. 16 But those who saw it told them what happened to the demon-possessed man, and about the pigs. 17 So, they started begging [Jesus] to leave their districts.
18 Now, when [Jesus] got into the boat, the man who used to be demonized begged him to let him come along with them. 19 However, [Jesus] wouldn’t allow this, but said, ‘Go back to your home and family and tell them all the things that Jehovah has done for you, and about the mercy He has shown you.’
20 So, [the man] went off to the Five Cities and started telling everyone about the many things that Jesus did for him, which amazed all the people.
21 After Jesus had crossed back to the other side by boat, a huge crowd gathered to him as he stood by the sea. 22 Then one of the synagogue’s head people (named JaIrus) saw him and fell at his feet. 23 He kept begging, saying, ‘My little daughter is [about to breathe her] last. Come and put your hands on her so she will recover and live.’
24 At that, [Jesus] went off with him, and a huge number followed, all crowded against him.
25 Now, there was a woman who had [endured] a blood flow for twelve years, 26 and she had suffered a lot at the hands of the healers, spending everything she had to no avail… she only got worse. 27 Well, when she heard about Jesus, she came up behind [him] in the crowd and touched his clothes, 28 because she kept saying, ‘If I can just touch his clothes I will be saved [from this condition].’ 29 Right away, her fountain of blood dried up and she knew in her body that she had been healed of this plague.
30 But, Jesus immediately recognized in himself that power had gone out of him. So, he turned around in the crowd and asked, ‘Who touched my clothes?’
31 And his disciples replied, ‘You see all these people crowding you and you ask, Who touched me?’ 32 But, he kept looking around to see who did this.
33 Then the woman, who was frightened and trembling because she knew what had happened to her, came and fell down before him, telling the truth about the whole thing. 34 And he said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has saved you. Go in peace, and may this be the last of the plague.’
35 However, while he was still speaking, a message came from the home of the synagogue chief, saying, ‘Your daughter has died! Why bother the teacher?’
36 But when Jesus overheard this, he told the chief of the synagogue, ‘Don’t be afraid, just have faith.’ 37 Then he didn’t allow anyone to follow along, other than Peter, James, and John (James’ brother). 38 Then, when he got to the synagogue chief’s house and saw all the confusion, crying, and wailing, 39 he went in and asked, ‘Why are you creating such an uproar and crying? The little child isn’t dead, she’s just sleeping.’
40 Well, they started laughing at him. But, after ushering them all outside, he took the father, mother, and those with him into [the room] where the child was. 41 Then he took her hand and said, ‘Talitha; cumi,’ (which translates as, ‘Little girl; Wake up’). 42 And the twelve-year-old girl got up right away and started walking around.
Well, immediately [the parents] were ecstatic. 43 Then he told them to give her something to eat, and he ordered them repeatedly not to tell anyone what had happened.
Chapter 6
1 He left from there and traveled with his disciples to the place where he was raised. 2 And when it got to be Sabbath, he started teaching in the synagogue.
Well, most of those who heard him were shocked, and asked, ‘Where did he get these things? Why has such wisdom been given to this man, and why are such powerful deeds being performed through his hands, 3 for this is the carpenter – the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon – isn’t it? And aren’t his sisters here among us?’
So, they were stumbled at him. 4 But Jesus told them, ‘A Prophet doesn’t go without honor, except in his home territory, among his relatives, and in his own house.’
5 So, he wasn’t able to do any powerful deeds there, except to lay his hands on a few who were sick and cure them. 6 And he was amazed by their lack of faith.
From there he traveled around the villages in a circuit, teaching. 7 Then he called the twelve and started sending them out by twos, and he gave them power over the unclean spirits. 8 He also ordered them not to carry anything along the way, except a staff… no bread, food pouch, or copper money in their sashes. 9 [He also told them to] tie on their sandals and not to wear two pairs of underclothes.
10 Then he said: ‘Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you get ready to leave that place. 11 But wherever they won’t welcome you or listen to you; as you leave, shake off the dirt that’s under your feet as a witness to them.’
12 So, they went out and preached, calling for people to repent. 13 They also cast out many demons, and greased many sick people with oil and cured them.
14 Now, King Herod heard about [Jesus’] name becoming famous. And people were saying, ‘John (who did the baptizing) has been raised from the dead. And because of this, great powers are working in him.’ 15 But others said, ‘He’s EliJah,’ while still others were saying, ‘He’s a Prophet like one of the Prophets [of old].’
16 But, having heard all this, Herod concluded: ‘The John who I beheaded has been raised.’
17 It was Herod himself who had John arrested and locked in prison. This was because he married Herodias, the wife of his brother. 18 John kept telling Herod, ‘It isn’t legal for you to take the wife of your brother.’ 19 As the result, Herodias hated him and wanted to kill him, but she wasn’t able to do so.
20 Herod was afraid of John, because he knew that he was a righteous and holy man, so he kept him safe. And after listening to him, he was at a loss as to what to do, so he gladly continued listening to him.
21 But, there came a day that turned out to be convenient
for Herod. It was when he held a supper to celebrate his birthday. He had
invited high-ranking men, military commanders, and the foremost people of
24 Well, she went out and asked her mother, ‘What should I ask for?’ And [her mother] replied, ‘The head of John, the one who does the baptizing.’
25 Then she ran back to the king and said, ‘I want you to give me the head of John the Baptist on a platter… right now.’
26 And although this deeply disturbed the king, he didn’t want to ignore her, because of the oaths and because of those who were reclining at the table. 27 So, the king immediately sent his bodyguard and commanded him to bring [John’s] head. So at that, [the guard] went off and beheaded him in prison, 28 brought in his head on a platter, gave it to the young girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
29 Well, when [John’s] disciples heard about this, they came and took his corpse, and laid it in a tomb.
30 All of the Apostles had assembled to meet with Jesus to report to him about everything they had done and taught. 31 And he said to them, ‘I want you to come with me to a private place where you can rest up for a while.’ This was because there were so many coming and going that they virtually had no free time… not even to eat a meal. 32 So, they went off in the boat to a remote place by themselves.
33 However, people saw them leaving and many others got to know about it, and they all ran from the cities on foot and got ahead of them. 34 Well, on getting out of the boat, [Jesus] saw an enormous crowd. But he felt sorry for them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he started teaching them many things.
35 By then it was quite late, and his disciples came up to him and said, ‘This place is isolated and it’s getting late. 36 Send them off to the countryside and villages around here, so they can buy themselves something to eat.’
37 In reply, [Jesus] said, ‘You give them something to eat.’ 38 Then [Jesus] asked, ‘How many loaves do you have? Go see!’
After checking, they said, ‘Five, plus two fish.’
39 So, he told all the people to recline on the green grass in rows, 40 and they laid down in rows of fifties and hundreds. 41 Then [Jesus] took the five loaves [of bread] and two fish, looked up to the sky and spoke a blessing, then broke up the bread and divided the two fish, giving them to the disciples so they could put them in front of the people, 42 and they all ate and were satisfied. 43 And when they picked up the scraps, there were twelve baskets full – in addition to the fish – 44 but there were five thousand men who ate the bread!
45 Well right away, [Jesus] instructed his disciples to get
into the boat and to go on ahead to the opposite shore, toward
47 It was late in the evening and the boat was well out to sea, leaving [Jesus] alone on the land. 48 He could see that they were rowing with all their might, because they had a strong headwind blowing against them.
Then, while it was still dark the next morning, he came toward them walking on the sea. But he started to walk straight past them. 49 And when they saw him walking on the sea, they thought, ‘It’s a phantom!’ And they screamed in fright. 50 For, they all saw him and were deeply disturbed. But right away he spoke to them and said, ‘Be brave, it’s me! Don’t be afraid.’ 51 Then he got into the boat with them and the wind died down. However, all these events left them stunned, 52 because they really didn’t understand meaning of the bread, and their hearts had been dulled.
53 Well, when they got across to the land, they arrived at GenNesaret and they anchored nearby. 54 But as soon as they got out of the boat, people recognized him, 55 and they ran throughout all that area and carried those who weren’t doing well to the place where they heard he was, on cots.
56 Thereafter, wherever he went into a village, city, or even into the fields, they would bring the sick people into the markets, and there they would beg him just to let them touch the fringes of his clothes. And all who touched them were healed.
Chapter 7
1 Now, Pharisees and some Scribes came from
5 So, these Pharisees and Scribes asked him, ‘Why don’t your disciples follow the traditions of the elders? Why, they eat bread with unwashed hands!’
6 But [Jesus] replied: ‘Isaiah prophesied well about you hypocrites when he wrote, These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. 7 It’s a waste for them to keep worshiping me, because they teach commandments of men as doctrines. 8 You ignore the Commandments of God, but hang onto the traditions of men.’
9 Then he said, ‘You go to a lot of trouble to set aside the Commandments of God, so you can observe your traditions. 10 For example, Moses said, Honor your father and mother, and Let the one who says bad things to his father or mother die! 11 But you say that if a man tells his father or his mother, everything that I have to help you is a gift dedicated to God, 12 you don’t allow him to do anything at all [to help] his father or mother. 13 So, you invalidate the Word of God by the traditions you pass on. And you do many other things like that.’
14 Then he called the crowd to him again and told them, ‘All of you, listen to me and make sure you understand. 15 There’s nothing on the outside that goes into a man which can make him unclean. Rather, it’s the things that come out of a man that make him unclean.’ 16 – –
17 Now, after he left the crowd and went into the house, his disciples asked him about the illustration. 18 So he said, ‘Don’t you understand either? Don’t you realize that nothing from the outside that enters a man can make him unclean, 19 for it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his belly and then into the sewer, making all edibles clean.’ 20 Then he added, ‘It’s what comes out of a man that makes him unclean. 21 It’s the things on the inside – from their hearts – that bad thoughts come… things such as immorality, thefts, murders, 22 adulteries, selfish desires, wicked actions, deceit, lack of restraint, eyes that are wicked, blasphemy, arrogance, and unreasonableness. 23 All these wicked things that come from the inside are what make a man unclean.’
24 Then he got up and left, traveling [north] into the area
of
28 But, she replied, ‘Yes Lord, but don’t the puppies under the table eat the crumbs [that fall from] the little children?’
29 So, he said to her, ‘Because you said this, go! The demon has left your daughter.’ 30 Then she went back home and found the child lying on the bed, and the demon was gone.
31 [After that], he left the area of
33 Then [Jesus] took him away from the crowd to a private spot and put his fingers into the man’s ears. And after spitting, he touched his tongue, 34 and looked up to the sky and groaned, then he said: ‘EphPhatha,’ (which means, ‘Be opened).’ 35 Well, the man’s hearing ability was opened and the thing that held his tongue was loosened, and he started speaking normally.
36 After that, Jesus commanded [the crowd] not to tell anyone. But, the more he commanded them, the more they told it. 37 Everyone was amazed beyond belief, and said, ‘He has done everything well. He even makes the deaf hear and those who can’t talk, speak.’
Chapter 8
1 At that time, there was another huge crowd that had nothing to eat. So, he called the disciples and said to them: 2 ‘I feel sorry for the crowd, because they’ve stayed here with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry, they will give out on the road, for some of them have for a fact come a long way.’
4 But, his disciples asked: ‘Where will anyone find enough loaves [of bread] here in this isolated place to satisfy all these people?’
5 And he asked: ‘How many loaves do you have?’
And they answered: ‘Seven.’
6 Next, he told the crowd to get down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they passed them out to the crowd. 7 They also had a few little fish. And after offering a blessing over them, he told [the disciples] to serve these also. 8 So, everyone ate and was satisfied. And when they picked up the leftovers, [they filled] seven provision baskets. 9 Yet, [they fed] about four thousand men.
Finally, he sent them away, 10 and he immediately got into the boat with his disciples and traveled to parts of DalmaNutha. 11 Here the Pharisees came up and started arguing with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. 12 So, he breathed a deep sigh and asked, ‘Why is this generation always looking for a sign? I tell you the truth; this generation won’t be given a sign.’ 13 And with that, he walked away, got back into the boat, and traveled to the opposite shore.
14 However, [the Apostles] forgot to bring any [extra] loaves [of bread] along, and except for one loaf, they had nothing with them in the boat. 15 So, when [Jesus] started warning them, saying, ‘Keep your eyes open! Look out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod,’ 16 they began arguing with each other over the fact that they didn’t have any bread.
17 Well, when he realized this, he asked them: ‘Why are you arguing over not having any bread? Don’t you understand yet and get the meaning? Are your hearts dull when it comes to understanding? 18 You have eyes; can’t you see? And you have ears; can’t you hear? Do you remember 19 when I broke the five loaves [to feed] five thousand men? Just how many baskets full of scraps did you pick up?’
They replied, ‘Twelve.’
20 ‘Then, when I broke the seven loaves [of bread to serve] four thousand men, how many provision baskets full of leftovers did you pick up?’
And they said, ‘Seven.’
21 At that, he said to them, ‘Don’t you get the meaning yet?’
22 Next, they went to
24 So, the man looked up and said, ‘I see men. They look a little like trees, but they are walking around.’
25 Then he laid his hands on the man’s eyes again, and he started to see through. Finally, [his eyesight] was restored and he began to see everything clearly. 26 So, [Jesus] sent him home with the warning, ‘Don’t go into the village.’
27 Jesus and his disciples then left for the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way, he asked his disciples: ‘Who are people saying that I am?’
28 And they replied: ‘[Some say you are] John the Baptist, others EliJah, while others say [you’re] one of the Prophets.’
29 Then he asked, ‘So, who do you say I am?’
And Peter answered, ‘You’re the Anointed One.’
30 At that, he ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31 Then he started teaching them that the Son of Man would have to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, Chief Priests, and Scribes, and be killed; then [he would] wake up three days later. 32 He told them plainly [what was going to happen], but Peter took him aside and started scolding him. 33 However, [Jesus] turned and looked at his disciples, then scolded Peter saying, ‘Get behind me opposer, because you aren’t thinking Gods thoughts, but those of men.’
34 Then he called the crowd and his disciples to him and said, ‘If anyone wants to be my follower, [he will have to] deny his own wants, pick up his impaling pole, and follow me continuously. 35 Because, whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake and for the [sake of the] good news, will save it.
36 ‘What good does it do a man to gain the whole world if he loses his life? 37 What would a man give in exchange for his life? 38 If someone becomes ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when he arrives in the glory of his Father with the holy messengers.’
Chapter 9
1 He went on to say to them, ‘I tell you the truth,;some of
you who are standing here won’t taste death before you see the Kingdom of
2 And six days later, Jesus took just Peter, James, and John along and brought them to a private spot on a high mountain. There he changed form in front of them. 3 His clothes started to glow much whiter than anyone on earth who washes and bleaches clothes could whiten them. 4 Then EliJah and Moses also appeared and they were talking to Jesus.
5 In reaction, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Rabbi, it’s good for us to be here, so let’s make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for EliJah.’ 6 (For a fact, he didn’t know what he was saying, because they were all really scared).
7 Next, a cloud formed that covered them, and a voice came from the cloud that said, ‘This is My loved Son, listen to him!’
8 Then they looked around and suddenly they didn’t see anyone but Jesus by himself.
9 And as they were coming down the mountain, [Jesus] ordered them not to tell anyone what they saw until after the Son of Man had been resurrected from the dead. 10 Well, they took these words to heart, but they talked among themselves about what [he meant by] being resurrected from the dead.
11 Then they asked him, ‘Why do the Scribes say that EliJah must come first?’
12 And [Jesus] answered, ‘EliJah does come first and he restores everything. However, why do you suppose it was written about the Son of Man, that he will be tried, suffer greatly, and be treated as a no-account? 13 I tell you this; EliJah has in fact come and they did whatever they wanted to him, just as it was written would happen to him.’
14 Well, when they got back to the rest of the disciples, they noticed a large crowd standing around them and some Scribes arguing with them. 15 However, as soon as the crowd saw [Jesus], they were stunned and they ran up to him and started greeting him.
16 Then he asked [the disciples], ‘What are you arguing about?’
17 And someone in the crowd answered, ‘Teacher, I brought my son to you, because he has a spirit that won’t allow him talk. 18 Whenever it takes control of him, it throws him on the ground, he foams [at the mouth] and grinds his teeth; and then he just goes limp. I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they couldn’t.’
19 Well, Jesus replied: ‘O faithless generation, how much longer do I have to be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.’
20 So, they brought [the boy] to him. However, at the sight of [Jesus], the spirit immediately threw [the child] into convulsions. He fell on the ground and rolled around, foaming [at the mouth].
21 Then [Jesus] asked the father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’
And he replied, ‘Since he was a child. 22 It has thrown him into the fire and into the water repeatedly to destroy him. If you can do anything, [please] pity us and help us.’
23 And Jesus told him, ‘You said, If you can! Why, everything is possible for one who has faith.’
24 Then the father of the young boy immediately shouted, ‘I have faith! Help me out where I need faith!’
25 Now, Jesus saw that a crowd was running toward [them], so he scolded the unclean spirit saying, ‘I order you to come out of him, you speechless and deaf spirit, and don’t go back into him anymore!’
26 Then after shouting and going through several convulsions, [the spirit] came out, and [the boy] looked like he was dead. So, most of the crowd was saying ‘He’s dead.’ 27 But, Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he stood.
28 Well, after [Jesus] went into a house, his disciples came to ask him in private, ‘Why couldn’t we cast it out?’
29 And [Jesus] replied: ‘This is the kind that will only come out by means of prayer.’
30 Thereafter, they left that place and traveled through
33 Then they returned to
34 Well, they didn’t answer, because while they were on the road they had been arguing about which of them is the greatest. 35 So, he sat down and called the twelve over, then said to them: ‘If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and a servant to all.’
36 Then he took a little boy and stood him in their midst, put his arms around him, and said,: 37 ‘Whoever welcomes someone like this little boy in my name, welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me, doesn’t just welcome me, [he also welcomes] the One who sent me.’
38 [Later], John said to him, ‘Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he isn’t one of our followers.’
39 But Jesus said, ‘Don’t stop him, because nobody who does powerful deeds in my name will be too quick to say bad things about me. 40 Anyone who isn’t against us is for us. 41 Why, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you walk in the name of the Anointed One, I tell you the truth, he won’t lose his reward. 42 But whoever traps one of these little ones that believe; it would be better if a millstone – the type that’s turned by a burro – was hung around his neck and he was thrown into the sea.
43 ‘Why, if your hand traps you, cut it off. It’s better for
you to go through life physically handicapped than to have both hands and go
into the garbage dump – into
the fire that can’t be put out. 44 – – 45 If your foot
traps you, cut it off. It’s better for you to go through life lame than to
have both feet and end up in the garbage dump. 46 – – 47 If your eye traps you, throw it away. For, it’s better
for you to enter the Kingdom of
49 ‘Everyone must be salted with fire. 50 Salt is good. But if salt loses its salty flavor, what will you use it for seasoning in? Have salt in yourselves and stay at peace with each other.’
Chapter 10
1 From there, he traveled to the border of
4 And they answered, ‘Moses allowed [us to] write out a certificate of dismissal and divorce [her].’
5 Then Jesus said, ‘He wrote this Commandment for you because you’re so hardhearted. 6 From the early [days] of their creation He made them male and female [and said], 7 This is why a man will leave his father and mother, 8 for the two will become one flesh. They are no longer two, but one flesh. 9 So, what God has put together under the same yoke, no man should separate.’
10 Well, when they got back home again, the disciples asked him about this. 11 And he told them, ‘Whoever divorces his wife and marries another, commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman who is divorced from her husband ever marries another, she commits adultery.’
13 Thereafter, people started bringing their young children for
[Jesus to] to touch them, but the disciples discouraged them. 14 Well, when
Jesus saw this, he was irritated and said to them, ‘Let the young children come
to me! Don’t try to stop them, because God’s Kingdom belongs to people like
this. 15 I tell you the truth; whoever doesn’t welcome the
17 Well, while Jesus was on his way out, someone ran up and fell on his knees before him, then asked, ‘Good Teacher, what do I have to do to be able to inherit life in the age?’
18 And Jesus replied, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good except one; God. 19 You know the Commandments; ‘don’t murder; don’t commit adultery; don’t steal; don’t give false testimony; don’t defraud; honor your father and mother.’
20 Then the man said, ‘Teacher, I’ve kept all these things since I was young.’
21 Well, Jesus saw what he was on the inside, and feeling love for him, said: ‘Then just one thing is missing. Go and sell all the things you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come be my follower.’ 22 But [the young man] grew very sad at what [Jesus] said and went off grieving, because he owned many things.
23 Well, Jesus looked around, and then he said to his
disciples, ‘What a difficult thing it is for those with money to enter the
26 And at that, they were even more shocked and asked, ‘Then, who can be saved?’
27 Well, looking straight at them, Jesus said: ‘With men it’s impossible. But that isn’t true with God, because all things are possible with God.’
28 Then Peter said, ‘Look! We’ve left everything to follow you.’
29 And Jesus said, ‘I tell you the truth, nobody has left a house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news, 30 who won’t get a hundred times more now, in houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields (along with persecution). And in the coming era [they will get] life in the age. 31 However, many that are first will be last and the last first.’
32 Now, they were on their way
up to
35 [Later], James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, [later] came up to him and said: ‘Teacher, we want to ask you to do something for us.’
36 And he replied: ‘What do you want?’
37 They said: ‘Allow us to sit, one at your right hand and the other on your left, in your glory.’
38 But Jesus replied: ‘You don’t know what you’re asking. Can you drink the cup that I’m drinking, or to be baptized in the baptism that I’m being baptized with?’
39 And they answered: ‘We can.’
Then Jesus told them: ‘You will indeed drink the cup that I’m drinking and you will be baptized in the baptism that I’m being baptized with. 40 However, sitting at my right or left isn’t mine to give. That belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.’
41 Well, when the ten others heard about [this request], they were very irritated at James and John. 42 But Jesus called [them all] to him and said: ‘You know that those who appear to be ruling the nations act like masters over [their subjects], and how the greatest of them like to use their power. 43 This isn’t the way it should be among you. Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant. 44 And whoever wants to be first among you must be everyone’s slave. 45 Because, even the Son of Man didn’t come to be served; [he came] to serve and to give his living body as a ransom for many.’
46 Well, before long they got to
48 But many [in the crowd] told him to be quiet. Yet he kept shouting even louder, ‘Son of David, have mercy on me!’
49 So, Jesus stopped and said, ‘Call him over.’
So, they called the blind man and told him, ‘Don’t be afraid. Get up; he’s calling you!’
50 Well, he threw off his robe, jumped to his feet, and went to Jesus.
51 Then Jesus asked: ‘What do you want me to do for you?’
And the blind man replied: ‘Rabboni; let me see again!’
52 And Jesus said to him: ‘Go, for your faith has made you well.’ And immediately he started to see, and he followed [Jesus] on the road.
Chapter 11
1 Now, when they got close to
4 So, they went and found the colt tied outside a door on a side street, and they untied it. 5 But, some of those who were standing there asked, ‘Why are you untying the colt?’
6 Then [the disciples] did just as Jesus said and they let them take it.
7 So, they brought the colt to Jesus, put a robe over it,
and he sat on it. 8 Also, many [who were there] spread their robes on the road,
while others cut branches from trees in the fields. 9 And
those who walked in front and behind him were shouting, ‘May [God] save him!
Praised is he who comes in Jehovah’s name! 10
Praised is the
11 Then he rode into
12 The next morning, as he was leaving
15 From there, they went on to
18 Well, the Chief Priests and Scribes heard this and started looking for ways to destroy him. But they were afraid of him, because his teaching always amazed the crowds.
19 After it got late, they left the city. 20 But, as they were traveling along early the [next] morning, they saw that fig tree all withered up from the roots. 21 So, Peter remembered it and said to [Jesus], ‘Rabbi, look; the fig tree that you cursed has withered.’
22 Then Jesus said, ‘Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth; whoever would tell this mountain to rise and be thrown into the sea – if he doesn’t doubt in his heart, but has faith – what he says will happen is what’s going to happen. 24 This is why I tell you; Have faith that you will receive everything that you pray and ask for, and you will have them. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive whatever you have against anyone, so that your Father who is in the heavens will also