Title page THE
TWENTIETH CENTURY
NEW TESTAMENT
A TRANSLATION INTO
MODERN ENGLISH
Made from the Original Greek
(Westcott & Hort's Text) REVISED EDITION London
Horace Marshall & Son
America
The Fleming H. Revell Company
New York & Chicago
1904
(All Rights Reserved)

Title page Entered at Stationers' Hall
Copyright in America, 1904, by Fleming H. Revell Co.
All Rights Reserved

PREFACE. ^note

English-speaking people of to-day have not, until quite recently, had the opportunity of reading the Bible in the English of their own time. Though in the course of the last hundred years the Bible has been translated into the vernacular of most countries, the language of our Bible remains the English of three hundred years ago.

This translation of the New Testament is an endeavour to do for the English nation what has been done already for the people of almost all other countries—to enable Englishmen to read the most important part of their Bible in that form of their own language which they themselves use. It had its origin in the recognition of the fact that the English of the Authorized Version (closely followed in that of the Revised Version), though widely valued for its antique charm, is in many passages difficult, or even quite unintelligible to the modern reader. The retention, too, of a form of English no longer in common use is liable to give the impression that the contents of the Bible have little to do with the life of today. The Greek used by the New Testament writers was not the Classical Greek of some centuries earlier, but the form of the language spoken in their own day. Moreover the writers represent those whose utterances they record as using the words and phrases of every-day life.

We believe that the New Testament will be better understood by modern readers if presented in a modern form; and that a translation of it, which presents the original in an exalted literary and antiquated dress, cannot, despite its ‘aroma’ and the tender memories that have gathered around it, really make the New Testament for the reader of to-day the living reality that it was to its first readers. In this respect the present translation differs altogether in its aim from that of the Revised Version of 1881. No attempt is made in that Version to translate the original into the language of our own time. Its authors state in their preface:

“We have faithfully adhered to the rule that the alterations to be introduced should be expressed, as far as possible, in the language of the Authorized Version, or of the Versions that preceded it.” Our constant effort, on the contrary, has been to exclude all words

and phrases not used in current English. We have, however, followed the modern practice of using an older phraseology in the rendering of poetical passages, and of quotations from the Old Testament, and in the language of prayer. ^note

The translation of 1611, known as the “Authorized Version,” was the outcome of many successive revisions of the translation completed by Tyndale in 1534, which was, at least to some extent, founded on that completed by Wycliffe about 1380. Further, the last named translation was not made from the original Greek, but from the Latin Version, known as the Vulgate. The present translation is not a revision of any previous one, but is made directly from the Greek. Nor is it a paraphrase. A paraphrase might be useful as a help to the interpretation of the New Testament, but it would not be the New Testament itself. Yet, on the other hand, our work is more than a verbal translation. No purely verbal rendering can ever adequately represent the thoughts conveyed in the idioms of another language. In this translation, not only has every word been carefully weighed, but also the emphasis placed upon every word, and the effort has been made to give the exact force and meaning in idiomatic modern English. ^note

Since the publication of the Authorized Version of 1611, more than 1,500 manuscripts of the whole or of parts of the New Testament have been discovered or have become accessible, and among them are the three oldest and most important. The Greek text here translated, that of Westcott and Hort, is mainly founded on the oldest manuscripts, and may be said to represent that form of the text of the New Testament which was generally in use in the Church at the end of the Third Century. ^note

A large amount of time and care has been expended upon those passages of the gospels which record the same, or similar, events or discourses, in order to show the remarkable similarities, and the no less remarkable divergences, which abound in them. Such passages are common in the first three gospels, while in the fourth they are more numerous than is generally supposed. Dr. Westcott writes:

“The English reader has a right to expect that he will find in the Revision which is placed in his hands a faithful indication of the verbal agreement or difference between the several narratives.”

In addition to such help as that referred to by Dr. Westcott, the English reader should now be able, to some extent, to study the origins of the gospels, and to discern their relation to a common source. Great advances have been made in the study of this subject since the issue of the Authorized and even of the Revised Version. There are still, however, minute points where such an indication as that required by Dr. Westcott seems impossible.

^note

The numerous and important quotations from the Old Testament are in this translation set out in modern form; but minor quotations (i.e., those not specially introduced as quotations) from the Old Testament, the Apocrypha, the Book of Enoch, and other sources, are placed between single inverted commas; while, at the foot of the pages, references are given to some of the vast number of places, in which the writers consciously or unconsciously borrow the phraseology of the Old Testament. This will enable the reader to see how familiar the writers were with the very words and phrases of the Septuagint Version of the Old Testament, and how insensibly it influenced them in describing the events of their own day. ^note

The names of persons and places we have, as a rule, left in the forms with which English readers have been made familiar by the Authorized and Revised Versions, except where a change in the spelling seemed likely to show the correct pronunciation. ^note

We have attempted to give measures of space and time, the values of coins, and also official titles in their nearest English equivalents. ^note

A few passages, numbering fourteen in all, will be found placed between square brackets. These are judged by Westcott and Hort “not to have originally formed part of the work in which they occur,” but to be “stray relics from the Apostolic or sub-Apostolic age.” The three most mportant of these will be found at pages 39 and 210. ^note

The order, in which the Books and Letters of the New Testament appear in this translation, is due to the desire not to inconvenience a reader, familiar with the old order, more than is necessary, but, at the same time, to make an advance in the direction of such a chronological arrangement, as modern research has rendered possible. Three main divisions have been adopted suggested by the character of the books—Historical Books, Letters, and an Apocalypse; and, in the sub-divisions, the Letters have been grouped under the names of those writers to whom they have been traditionally attributed. Within these sub-divisions the Books and Letters stand in a probable chronological arrangement.

It is certain that our translation will not be acceptable to those who regard any attempt to re-translate the New Testament as undesirable, if not dangerous. It is, nevertheless, hoped that, by this modern translation, the New Testament may become a living reality to many by whom the Authorized Version, with all its acknowledged beauties, is but imperfectly understood or never read.

In this hope, we now commend this translation, which has been undertaken as a labour of love, to the good-will of all English-speaking people, and to the blessing of Almighty God. The Translators. September, 1904.

Note.

The ‘Tentative Edition’ of this Translation was issued in three parts between 1898 and 1901. In that Edition we endeavoured to discover what was practicable in a modern translation of the New Testament, before issuing a permanent edition. This Revision of our Translation, rendered necessary by the large demand for our ‘Tentative Edition’ in every part of the English-speaking world, amounts practically to a careful re-translation made in the light of experience derived from our previous attempts, and of the many valuable criticisms that have been received.

THE ORDER OF THE BOOKS AND LETTERS AS ARRANGED IN THIS TRANSLATION.

PAGE Mark3 Matthew41 Luke101 John163 Acts211 James273 I. Thessalonians281 II. Thessalonians289 Galatians295 I. Corinthians307 II. Corinthians331 Romans349 Colossians375 Philemon383 Ephesians387 Philippians397 I. Timothy405 II. Timothy415 Titus423 Hebrews429 I. Peter451 II. Peter461 Jude469 I. John475 II. John485 III. John489 Revelation493

CONTENTS. A.—THE HISTORICAL BOOKS. I.—THE GOSPELS. (1). THE SYNOPTICAL GOSPELS. (a). ACCORDING TO MARK.

I.—The Preparation. Chap. 1. 1—13.PAGE The Baptist and his Message5 The Baptism of Jesus5 The Temptation of Jesus5 II.—The Work in Galilee. Chaps. 1. 14—9. 50. Jesus begins his Work6 The first Disciples6 Cure of a possessed Man6 Cure of Peter's Mother-in-law and of many others6 Jesus retires for Prayer7 Cure of a Leper7 Cure of a paralyzed Man7 Call of Levi8 The Disciples blamed for not observing the Law8 Cure of a Man with a Withered Hand9 Cures by the Lake-side9 The twelve Apostles10 Jesus and his Relations10 Jesus accused of Acting by the Help of Satan10 The true Brotherhood10 Parable of the Sower10 Lesson from a Lamp11 Parable of the Seed growing unobserved12 Parable of the Mustard Seed12 Jesus stills a Storm12 Cure of a Madman12 The Raising of the Daughter of Jaeirus13 Cure of an afflicted Woman14 Jesus teaches at Nazareth15 The Mission of the twelve Apostles15 The Death of the Baptist15 The Return of the Apostles16 Jesus feeds five thousand by the Lake of Galilee16

ACCORDING TO MARK—Cont. The Work in Galilee—Cont.PAGE Jesus walks on the Water17 Jesus at Gennesaret17 The Disciples blamed for neglecting Ceremonies17 Cure of a Syrian Girl near Tyre18 Cure of a deaf Mute19 Jesus feeds four thousand19 Warning against the Teaching of the Pharisees20 Cure of a blind Man at Bethsaida20 Peter's Confession of the Christ20 Jesus foretells his Death21 A Call to renounce Self21 The Transfiguration21 A Question about Elijah21 Cure of an epileptic Boy22 Jesus a second time foretells his Death23 Jesus teaches at Capernaum— On Humility23 On Toleration23 Against hindering Others23 III.—The Journey to Jerusalem. Chap. 10. 1—52. A Question about Divorce24 Jesus blesses little Children24 The Responsibilities of Wealth24 Jesus a third time foretells his Death25 The Request of James and John26 The Dignity of Service26 Cure of blind Bartimaeus26 IV.—The Last Days. Chaps. 11. 1—15. 47. Jesus enters Jerusalem27 The fruitless Fig Tree27 Jesus in the Temple27 Jesus and the Chief Priests28 Parable of the wicked Tenants28 A Question about Tribute29 A Question about the Resurrection29 The Great Commandment30 Christ the Son of David30 Warnings against the Teachers of the Law31 The Widow's Offering31 Jesus foretells the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age31 The Need for Watchfulness32 The Plot against Jesus33 Jesus anointed by a Woman at Bethany33 Judas agrees to betray Jesus33 The Passover33 The ‘Lord's Supper’34 Peter's Fall foretold34 Jesus in Gethsemane34

ACCORDING TO MARK—Cont. The Last Days—Cont.PAGE The Arrest of Jesus35 Jesus before the High Priest35 Peter disowns Jesus36 Jesus before the Roman Governor36 The Crucifixion of Jesus37 The Death of Jesus38 The Burial of Jesus38 V.—The Risen Life Announced. Chap. 16. 1—20. The Resurrection of Jesus39 A Late Appendix39 Another Appendix40 (b). ACCORDING TO MATTHEW. I.—The Birth, Parentage, and Infancy. Chaps. 1. 1—2. 23. The Ancestors of Jesus43 The Birth of Jesus44 The Visit of the Astrologers45 The Flight into Egypt45 II.—The Preparation. Chaps. 3. 1—4. 11. The Baptist and his Message46 The Baptism of Jesus47 The Temptation of Jesus47 III.—The Work in Galilee. Chaps. 4. 12—18. 35. Jesus settles at Capernaum48 Jesus begins his Work48 The first Disciples48 Jesus preaches in Galilee The Sermon on the Mount— The Happy49 A real Disciple of Jesus49 Lesson from a Lamp49 The old Law and the new—on Anger50 on Impurity50 on Divorce50 on Oaths51 on Revenge51 on Love51 About Giving51 About Praying52 The ‘Lord's Prayer’52 About Fasting52 The true Treasure52 Light and Darkness52 True Service52 The Cares of Life53 On Judging Others53 Encouragement to Prayer53

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW—Cont. The Work in Galilee—Cont.PAGE The Golden Rule53 The two Roads54 True and false Teachers54 The two Foundations54 Cure of a Leper54 Cure of an Officer's Servant55 Cure of Peter's Mother-in-law and of many others55 Tests of Sincerity55 Jesus stills a Storm56 Cure of two Madmen56 Cure of a paralyzed Man56 Call of Matthew57 Jesus blamed for his Companions57 The Disciples blamed for not Fasting57 The Raising of the Daughter of Jaeirus57 Cure of an afflicted Woman57 Cure of two blind Men58 Cure of a dumb Man58 The Need for Workers58 The twelve Apostles58 The Mission of the twelve Apostles59 The Cost of Christ's Service60 The Baptist's Message to Jesus60 The Testimony of Jesus to the Baptist61 The Doom of the Towns of Galilee61 The Child-like Mind62 Jesus invites the Weary62 The Disciples blamed for not observing the Law62 Cure of a man with a withered Hand62 Cure of a blind and dumb Man63 Jesus accused of Acting by the Help of Satan63 Words a Test of Character64 Warning against seeking Signs64 Danger of imperfect Reformation64 The true Brotherhood64 Parable of the Sower65 Parable of the Tares66 Parable of the Mustard Seed66 Parable of the Leaven66 Parable of the Tares explained67 Parable of the Treasure67 Parable of the Pearl67 Parable of the Net67 New and Old Truths67 Jesus teaches at Nazareth67 The Death of the Baptist68 Jesus feeds five thousand by the Lake of Galilee68 Jesus walks on the Water69 Jesus at Gennesaret69 The Disciples blamed for neglecting Ceremonies69

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW—Cont. The Work in Galilee—Cont.PAGE Cure of a Syrian Girl near Tyre70 Jesus cures many Persons71 Jesus feeds four thousand71 Signs of the Times71 Warning against the Teaching of the Pharisees72 Peter's Confession of the Christ72 Jesus foretells his Death72 A Call to renounce Self73 The Transfiguration73 A Question about Elijah73 Cure of an epileptic Boy74 The Power of Faith74 Jesus a second time foretells his Death74 A Question about the Temple-rate74 On Humility75 Against hindering Others75 Parable of the lost Sheep75 On dealing with Wrong-doers75 Encouragement to united Prayer76 Parable of the unforgiving Servant76 IV.—The Journey to Jerusalem. Chaps. 19. 1—20. 34. A Question about Divorce76 Jesus blesses little Children77 The Responsibilities of Wealth77 Parable of the Labourers in the Vineyard78 Jesus a third time foretells his Death79 The Request of the Mother of James and John79 The Dignity of Service79 Cure of two blind Men80 V.—The Last Days. Chaps. 21. 1—27. 66. Jesus enters Jerusalem80 Jesus in the Temple81 The fruitless Fig Tree81 Jesus and the Chief Priests81 Parable of the two Sons82 Parable of the wicked Tenants82 Parable of the Marriage Feast83 A Question about Tribute83 A Question about the Resurrection84 The Great Commandment84 Christ the Son of David85 Warnings against the Teachers of the Law85 Jesus denounces the Pharisees85 Jesus laments the fate of Jerusalem86 Jesus foretells the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age87 The Need for Watchfulness88 Parable of the Good and Bad Servants89 Parable of the ten Bridesmaids89

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW—Cont. The Last Days—Cont.PAGE Parable of the Talents89 The Great Judgement90 The Plot against Jesus91 Jesus anointed by a Woman at Bethany91 Judas agrees to betray Jesus92 The Passover92 The ‘Lord's Supper’92 Peter's Fall foretold92 Jesus in Gethsemane93 The Arrest of Jesus93 Jesus before the High Priest94 Peter disowns Jesus95 The End of Judas95 Jesus before the Roman Governor96 The Crucifixion of Jesus96 The Death of Jesus97 The Burial of Jesus98 VI.—The Risen Life. Chap. 28. 1—20. The Resurrection of Jesus98 Jesus appears to the Apostles99 (c). ACCORDING TO LUKE. Dedication. Chap. 1. 1—4103 I.—The Birth, Parentage, Infancy, and Boyhood. Chaps. 1. 5—2. 52. The Birth of the Baptist foretold103 The Birth of Jesus foretold104 Mary's visit to Elizabeth105 The Birth and Circumcision of the Baptist106 The Birth and Circumcision of Jesus107 The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple107 The Boyhood of Jesus108 II.—The Preparation. Chaps. 3. 1—4. 13. The Baptist and his Message109 The Baptism of Jesus110 The Ancestors of Jesus110 The Temptation of Jesus111 III.—The Work in Galilee. Chaps. 4. 14—9. 50. Jesus begins his Work112 Jesus teaches at Nazareth112 Cure of a possessed Man113 Cure of Peter's Mother-in-law and of many others113 Jesus retires to a lonely Place113 The great Catch of Fish114 Cure of a Leper114 Cure of a paralyzed Man115 Call of Levi115

ACCORDING TO LUKE—Cont. The Work in Galilee—Cont.PAGE Jesus blamed for his Companions115 The Disciples blamed for not observing the Law115 Cure of a Man with a withered Hand116 The twelve Apostles117 The Sermon on the Mount— The Happy117 The Unhappy117 The New Law— on Love117 on Revenge117 The Golden Rule117 On judging Others118 True and false Teachers118 The two Foundations118 Cure of an Officer's Servant119 Raising of a Widow's Son119 The Baptist's Message to Jesus119 The Testimony of Jesus to the Baptist120 Jesus anointed by a Woman120 Women who ministered to Jesus121 Parable of the Sower121 Lesson from a Lamp122 The true Brotherhood122 Jesus stills a Storm123 Cure of a Madman123 The raising of the Daughter of Jaeirus124 Cure of an afflicted Woman124 The Mission of the twelve Apostles125 Herod and the Baptist125 The Return of the Apostles125 Jesus feeds five thousand by the Lake of Galilee125 Peter's Confession of the Christ126 Jesus foretells his Death126 A Call to renounce Self126 The Transfiguration126 Cure of an epileptic Boy127 Jesus a second time foretells his Death127 On Humility127 On Toleration127 IV.—The Journey to Jerusalem. Chaps. 9. 51—19. 28. Tests of Sincerity128 The Mission of the Seventy128 The Doom of the Towns of Galilee129 The Return of the Seventy129 The Child-like Mind129 The Great Commandment129 The Good Samaritan130 The Sisters of Bethany130 The ‘Lord's Prayer’131

ACCORDING TO LUKE—Cont. The Journey to Jerusalem—Cont.PAGE Persistence in Prayer131 Encouragement to Prayer131 Cure of a dumb Man131 Jesus accused of Acting by the Help of Satan131 Danger of imperfect Reformation132 Warning against seeking Signs132 Lesson from a Lamp132 Light and Darkness132 Jesus denounces the Pharisees132 A Plot against Jesus133 Warnings and Encouragements133 Instances of Covetousness134 The Cares of Life134 The true Treasure135 Watchfulness135 Parable of the good and bad Servants135 The Cost of Christ's Service136 Signs of the Times136 The Settlement of Disputes136 The Meaning of Calamities136 The barren Fig Tree136 A Woman healed on the Sabbath137 Parable of the Mustard Seed137 Parable of the Leaven137 The narrow Door137 A Message to Herod Antipas138 Jesus laments the Fate of Jerusalem138 Cure of a dropsical Man138 Lessons on Humility and Hospitality139 Parable of the great Dinner139 The Cost of Self-denial140 A real Disciple of Jesus140 Parable of the lost Sheep140 Parable of the lost Coin140 Parable of the lost Son141 Parable of the dishonest Steward142 True Service142 Jesus rebukes the Pharisees142 Parable of the rich Man and Lazarus143 Against hindering Others143 On dealing with Wrong-doers143 The Power of Faith143 Duty143 Jesus heals ten Lepers144 The Coming of the Kingdom144 Parable of the corrupt Judge145 Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax-gatherer145 Jesus blesses little Children145 The Responsibilities of Wealth146 Jesus a third time foretells his Death146

ACCORDING TO LUKE—Cont. The Journey to Jerusalem—Cont.PAGE Cure of a blind Man147 Zacchaeus the Tax-gatherer147 Parable of the Pounds147 V.—The Last Days. Chaps. 19. 29—23. 56. Jesus enters Jerusalem148 Jesus in the Temple149 Jesus and the Chief Priests149 Parable of the wicked Tenants150 A Question about Tribute150 A Question about the Resurrection151 Christ the Son of David151 Warnings against the Teachers of the Law152 The Widow's Offering152 Jesus foretells the Destruction of the Temple and the End of the Age152 The Need for Watchfulness153 The Plot against Jesus154 Judas agrees to betray Jesus154 The Passover154 The ‘Lord's Supper’154 The Dignity of Service155 Peter's Fall foretold155 The End at Hand155 Jesus on the Mount of Olives155 The Arrest of Jesus156 Jesus before the High Priest156 Peter disowns Jesus156 Jesus before the Chief Priests157 Jesus before the Roman Governor157 Jesus before Herod157 Jesus again before the Roman Governor158 The Crucifixion of Jesus158 The penitent Robber159 The Death of Jesus159 The Burial of Jesus159 VI.—The Risen Life. Chap. 24. 1—53. The Resurrection of Jesus160 Jesus appears on the road to Emmaus160 Jesus appears to the Apostles161 Jesus ascends to Heaven162 (2). A LATER GOSPEL. ACCORDING TO JOHN. Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—18165 I.—The Preparation. Chap. 1. 19—51. The Testimony of the Baptist to Jesus166 The first Disciples of Jesus167

ACCORDING TO JOHN—Cont. II.—The Work in Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria. Chaps. 2. 1—11. 57.PAGE Jesus at a Wedding at Cana168 Jesus at Capernaum168 Jesus at the Temple in Jerusalem168 The Visit of Nicodemus to Jesus169 The Baptist's Testimony to Jesus in Judaea170 Jesus and the Woman of Samaria171 Jesus cures an Officer's Son in Galilee173 Jesus cures a Cripple in Jerusalem on the Sabbath173 Jesus defends his Action and explains his Mission174 Jesus feeds five thousand by the Lake of Galilee175 Jesus walks on the Water176 Jesus teaches at Capernaum— The Bread of Life176 Jesus and his Brothers179 Jesus teaches at the Festival of Tabernacles in Jerusalem179 The ‘Living Water’180 The ‘Light of the World’181 Jesus defends his Mission and Authority181 Jesus cures a Man born blind183 The ‘Good Shepherd’185 Jesus at the Re-dedication Festival186 Jesus retires beyond the Jordan187 Jesus raises Lazarus to Life at Bethany187 The Chief Priests plot the Death of Jesus189 Jesus retires to Ephraim190 III.—The Last Days. Chaps. 12. 1—19. 42. Jesus anointed by Mary at Bethany190 Jesus publicly enters Jerusalem for the Last Time191 Jesus closes his public Ministry191 Jesus washes the Disciples' Feet193 Jesus points out the Betrayer194 Jesus teaches his Disciples privately— The New Commandment194 The Way195 The Helper195 The Vine and the Branches196 The World and the Spirit of Truth197 Words of Farewell198 The Prayer of Jesus199 Jesus in Gethsemane200 The Arrest of Jesus201 Peter disowns Jesus201 Jesus before the High Priest201 Jesus before the Roman Governor202 The Crucifixion of Jesus204 The Death of Jesus204 The Burial of Jesus205

ACCORDING TO JOHN—Cont. IV.—The Risen Life. Chaps. 20. 1—21. 25.PAGE The Resurrection of Jesus205 Jesus appears to Mary206 Jesus appears to the Apostles206 Jesus appears to Thomas207 The Object of this Gospel207 A later Appearance of Jesus207 Jesus' last Words to Peter208 Conclusion209 A Passage about an Adulteress210 II.—THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. ACTS OF APOSTLES. I.—The Church and the Jews. Chaps. 1. 1—12. 25. Doings of the Apostles Peter and John— Introduction213 Ascension of Jesus213 The Apostles in Jerusalem214 Appointment of Matthias214 The Gift of the Holy Spirit215 Peter's Address215 Early Days of the Christian Society217 Cure of a lame Beggar217 Peter's Address in the Temple218 Peter and John before the Council219 The Common Fund220 Punishment of Ananias and Sapphira221 Miracles done by the Apostles221 Peter and John again before the Council222 Appointment of ‘The Seven’223 Stephen's Ministry and Trial224 Stephen's Defence224 Stephen's Martyrdom227 The First Persecution227 Philip's Ministry in Samaria227 Peter and John at Samaria228 Philip and the Abyssinian228 Saul's Conversion229 Saul at Damascus230 Saul at Jerusalem and Tarsus231 Peter's Miracles at Lydda and Jaffa231 Peter and Cornelius232 First Conversion of Gentiles234 Peter's Defence of his Action234 ‘Christians’ at Antioch235 Errand of Barnabas and Saul to Judaea236 Persecution of the Church by Herod Agrippa I.236 Herod's Death237

ACTS OF APOSTLES—Cont. II.—The Church and the Gentiles. Chaps. 13. 1—28. 31.PAGE Doings of the Apostle Paul— Paul's first Missionary Journey— The Start from Antioch237 Paul and Barnabas at Cyprus238 Paul and Barnabas at Pisidian Antioch238 Paul and Barnabas at Iconium240 Paul and Barnabas at Lystra241 Paul and Barnabas return to Pisidian Antioch241 Paul and Barnabas again at Syrian Antioch242 The Council at Jerusalem242 Paul's second Missionary Journey— Paul separates from Barnabas244 Paul joined by Timothy at Lystra244 Paul determines to cross to Macedonia245 Paul at Philippi245 Paul at Thessalonica246 Paul at Beroea247 Paul at Athens247 Paul at Corinth249 Paul's Return249 Paul's third Missionary Journey— Tour in Galatia250 Apollos250 Paul at Ephesus250 Paul plans to visit Jerusalem and Rome251 The Riot at Ephesus251 Paul again in Greece and Macedonia252 Paul at Troas253 Paul at Miletus253 Paul at Tyre254 Paul at Caesarea255 Paul arrives at Jerusalem255 Paul's Arrest256 Paul's Defence to the People of Jerusalem257 Paul's claim as a Roman Citizen258 Paul before the High Council of the Jews258 The Plot against Paul259 Paul sent to Caesarea260 Paul before Felix260 Paul before Festus262 Paul before Herod Agrippa II.263 Paul's Voyage to Rome265 Paul is shipwrecked267 Paul at Malta267 Paul's Voyage to Rome continued268 Paul at Rome268

B.—THE LETTERS. I.—THE LETTER ATTRIBUTED TO ST. JAMES. FROM JAMES. PAGE I.—Greeting. Chap. 1. 1275 II.—Advice upon Various Subjects. Chap. 1. 2—27. Trials275 Lack of Wisdom275 Wealth and Poverty275 Temptation275 True Religion276 III.—Warning upon Various Subjects. Chaps. 2. 1—5. 6. On the Treatment of the Poor276 On ‘Faith and Works’277 On the Control of the Tongue278 Against false Wisdom278 Against Party-Strife278 Against Presumption279 Against Oppression279 IV.—Concluding Exhortations. Chap. 5. 7—20. Christian Patience280 Against Oaths280 The Power of Prayer280 The Blessedness of Saving a Soul280 II.—THE LETTERS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. PAUL. (1). AN EARLY GROUP. (a). TO THE THESSALONIANS.—I. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1. Greeting283 II.—The Apostle and his Converts. Chaps. 1. 2—3. 13. His Thankfulness for their Faith and its Influence283 His Life among them284 Their Persecution by their Fellow-citizens284 Frustrated Plans285 Timothy's Mission285 The Apostle's Prayer for his Converts285 III.—Advice upon the Daily Life. Chap. 4. 1—12. Warning against Immorality286 Brotherly Love286 The Duty of Work286 IV.—The Dead in Christ at the Coming of the Lord. Chaps. 4. 13—5. 11. The Living and the Dead286 The Time of the Lord's Coming287 The Necessity for Watchfulness287

TO THE THESSALONIANS.—I.—Cont. V.—Conclusion. Chap. 5. 12—28.PAGE Final Counsels287 Farewell288 (b). TO THE THESSALONIANS.—II. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—2. Greeting291 II.—The Apostle and his Converts. Chap. 1. 3—12. His Thankfulness and Confidence291 His Prayer for them292 III.—Events that must precede the Lord's Coming. Chap. 2. 1—17. The ‘Man of Sin’ and the ‘Great Apostasy’292 The Need for Stedfastness292 IV.—Conclusion. Chap. 3. 1—18. Mutual Prayer293 The Duty of Work293 The Apostle's Autograph Farewell293 (2). THE MAIN GROUP. (a). TO THE GALATIANS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—10. Greeting297 The Apostle's Disappointment297 II.—The Independence of the Apostle's Gospel. Chaps. 1. 11—2. 14. Its Special Revelation297 His Special Call298 His independent Action298 His Rebuke to Peter299 III.—The Law and the Gospel. Chaps. 2. 15—4. 31. The Failure of the Law299 The Galatians misled as to the Law299 Faith, not Law, the Ground of Acceptance300 The Purpose of the Law301 The Effect of the Gospel301 The retrograde Spirit of the Galatians301 The Apostle and his Converts302 An Allegory of the Law and the Gospel302 IV.—The Gospel in the Daily Life. Chaps. 5. 1—6. 10. Christian Freedom303 The Limits of Christian Freedom303 The Guidance of the Spirit303 V.—Conclusion in the Apostle's own Hand-writing. Chap. 6. 11—18305

(b). TO THE CORINTHIANS.—I. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—9.PAGE Greeting309 The Apostle's Thankfulness and Confidence309 II.—The State of the Church at Corinth. Chaps. 1. 10— 6. 20. Prevalence of Party Spirit309 The Power of the Cross310 ‘Weakness’ and ‘Strength’310 Philosophy and Revelation311 The true Position and Work of the Apostles312 A flagrant case of Immorality314 Lawsuits between Christians314 The Sacredness of the Body315 III.—Answers to Questions asked by the Church at Corinth. Chaps. 7. 1—14. 40. On Marriage— The Apostle's Views315 Marriages with Unbelievers316 Christianity independent of Conditions of Life316 Difficulties connected with Marriage317 On Heathen Festivals— A Question of Conscience318 The Apostle's Example318 A Warning from History320 The Apostle's Conclusions320 On Public Worship— As to Covering the Head321 As to the ‘Lord's Supper’322 On Spiritual Gifts— Their Variety and Unity323 Love the greatest of all324 The Gift of the ‘Tongues’ and the Gift of Preaching324 The Necessity for Order326 IV.—The Apostle's Teaching as to the Resurrection of the Dead. Chap. 15. 1—58327 V.—Conclusion. Chap. 16. 1—24. The Collection for the Poor at Jerusalem329 The Apostle's Plans329 Timothy330 Apollos330 Exhortations330 Farewells330 The Apostle's own Farewell330 (c). TO THE CORINTHIANS.—II. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—11. Greeting333 The Apostle's Thanksgiving for Encouragement333

TO THE CORINTHIANS.—II.—Cont. II.—The Apostle's Relations with his Converts. Chaps. 1. 12—3. 3.PAGE The Purity of his Motives334 The Postponement of his Visit334 His Converts the Vindication of his Ministry335 III.—The Ministry of the Apostles. Chaps. 3. 4—6. 10. The Glory of the Gospel contrasted with the Glory of the Law335 The Weakness of the Apostles336 Christ their Motive and Strength337 IV.—The Apostle and his Converts. Chaps. 6. 11—7. 16. His Appeal for their Love339 His Warning against Heathen Influences339 His Anxieties and Encouragements339 V.—The Palestine Famine Fund. Chaps. 8. 1—9. 15. The Example of the Macedonian Churches340 The Completion of the Collection at Corinth341 Titus and others to assist341 The Spirit in which to make the Collection342 VI.—The Apostle's Claims and Authority. Chaps. 10. 1— 12. 10. The Assertion of his Authority342 His Right as an Apostle343 His Claims for Consideration; his Life and Work344 His Visions345 VII.—Conclusion. Chaps. 12. 11—13. 14. A Remonstrance346 A Defence346 A Warning346 Farewells347 (d). TO THE ROMANS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—13. The Apostle's Greeting351 The Apostle's Thankfulness and Hope351 II.—Faith the One Ground of Acceptance with God. Chaps. 1. 14—5. 21. The Divine Ideal for Mankind352 Failure of the Gentile to reach this Ideal352 Failure of the Jew to reach this Ideal353 The One Hope for Jew and Gentile alike354 Faith the Ground of Acceptance before the Coming of the Law356 Results of attaining the Divine Ideal357 The Divine Ideal recovered in the Christ358

TO THE ROMANS—Cont. III.—Consideration of Difficulties arising from this Teaching. Chaps. 6. 1—8. 39.PAGE Is this Faith consistent with a Sinful Life?358 Can Law deliver from a Sinful Life?359 God's Deliverance through the Christ and the Holy Spirit361 IV.—The Jews' Rejection of the Christ. Chaps. 9. 1—11. 36. The Apostle's Lament over Israel363 The Justice of Israel's Rejection by God363 The Cause of Israel's Rejection364 The merciful Purpose in Israel's Rejection366 V.—Advice upon the Daily Life of Christian. Chaps. 12. 1—15. 21. On Christian Sacrifice368 On Christian Membership368 On Christian Duties368 On Obedience to the Authorities369 On Brotherly Love369 On the Approach of ‘The Day’370 On Consideration for the Scrupulous370 On the Reception of the Gentiles371 VI.—Conclusion. Chaps. 15. 22—16. 27. Personal Plans372 The Bearer of the Letter373 Personal Greetings373 A Doxology374 (3). THE GROUP WRITTEN DURING THE ROMAN IMPRISONMENT. (a). TO THE COLOSSIANS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—12. Greeting377 The Apostle's Thankfulness and Prayer377 II.—The Person and Work of the Christ. Chap. 1. 13—29. His Deliverance378 His Pre-eminence378 His Reconciliation378 The Apostle's Share in this Work378 III.—Christ and the Gnostic Teaching. Chaps. 2. 1—3. 4. The Wisdom of God in Christ379 Union with Christ379 This Union obscured by Gnostic Teaching379 Sharing Christ's Death380 Sharing Christ's Resurrection380

TO THE COLOSSIANS—Cont. IV.—The Gospel in the Daily Life. Chaps. 3. 5—4. 6.PAGE The Old Life and the New380 Christian Family Life381 Rules for Christian Life381 V.—Conclusion. Chap. 4. 7—18. The Bearers of the Letter381 Personal Greetings and Messages382 The Apostle's own Farewell382 (b). TO PHILEMON. I.—Introduction. 1—3385 II.—The Apostle's Request concerning a run-away Slave. 4—22385 III.—Messages and Blessing. 23—25386 (c). TO THE EPHESIANS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—14. Greeting389 The Apostle's Ascription of Praise389 II.—The Power of God displayed in Christ, the Head of the Church. Chaps. 1. 15—2. 22. Prayer for Knowledge of this Power390 This Power displayed in the Resurrection of Christ390 This Power displayed in the Conversion of the Gentiles390 This Power displayed in the Union of Jew and Gentile within the Church391 III.—The Apostle's Divine Commission to the Gentiles. Chap. 3. 1—21. The Gospel made known to the Church through the Apostle391 The Gospel made known to the Heavenly Powers through the Church392 Prayer that the Church may comprehend this Gospel392 Doxology392 IV.—The Gospel and the Daily Life. Chaps. 4. 1—6. 20. Unity in Christ392 The New Life and the Old393 Precepts for the Daily Life394 Christian Family Life395 The Christian's Armour396 V.—Conclusion. Chap. 6. 21—24396

(d). TO THE PHILIPPIANS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—11.PAGE Greeting399 The Apostle's Thankfulness and Prayer399 II.—The Apostle in Prison at Rome. Chap. 1. 12—26. The Results of his Imprisonment399 The Spread of the Gospel400 Life or Death400 III.—The Christian Life. Chaps. 1. 27—2. 18. Unity400 Humility401 The Great Example401 Following this Example401 IV.—Personal Plans. Chaps. 2. 19—3. 1. Timothy401 Epaphroditus402 V.—Judaism and Christianity. Chap. 3. 2—21. The Apostle's Warning402 The Apostle's Experience402 The Apostle's Example403 VI.—Conclusion. Chap. 4. 1—23. Exhortations403 The Gift from Philippi404 Farewell404 (4). A LATE GROUP OF PASTORAL LETTERS. (a). TO TIMOTHY.—I. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—20. Greeting407 Warning against False Teaching407 The Apostle's Thankfulness for his Call to the Ministry408 His Charge to Timothy408 II.—General Directions on Church-Matters. Chaps. 2. 1— 3. 13. Public Prayer408 Public Testimony408 Public Worship408 Presiding Officers409 Assistant Officers409 III.—Special Directions to Timothy. Chaps. 3. 14—6. 2. On Dealing with False Teachers410 On the Development of his Powers410 On his Relations with those under his Care411 On the Provision for Widows411 As to the Officers of the Church411 On various Subjects412 As to Slaves412

TO TIMOTHY.—I.—Cont. IV.—Conclusion. Chap. 6. 3—21PAGE False Teaching412 True Wealth412 Personal Exhortations413 Blessing413 (b). TO TIMOTHY.—II. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—18. Greeting417 An Appeal to Timothy417 Onesiphorus418 II.—Injunctions to Timothy. Chaps. 2. 1—4. 8. The Service of the Good News418 The Danger of Controversy418 Impending Evils419 III.—Conclusion. Chap. 4. 9—22. Personal Messages420 Farewells and Blessing421 (c). TO TITUS. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—4. Greeting425 II.—The Mission of Titus in Crete. Chaps. 1. 5—3. 11. The Appointment of Officers of the Church425 On Dealing with False Teachers426 On his Relations with those under his Care426 The inspiring Motive426 Directions as to his Teaching427 III.—Conclusion. Chap. 3. 12—15. Farewell Messages, and Blessing427 III.—THE ANONYMOUS LETTER TO HEBREWS. TO HEBREWS. I.—The Paramount Position of the Christ as the Mediator of the New Revelation. Chaps. 1. 1—6. 20. His Superiority to Angels431 His Superiority to Moses and Joshua433 His Superiority to Aaron435 The Superiority of the Christian's Position436 II.—The Paramount Priesthood of the Christ. Chaps. 7. 1—8. 13. Parallel with the Priesthood of Melchizedek437 Superior to the Levitical Priesthood439

TO HEBREWS—Cont. III.—The Superiority of the New Revelation to the Old. Chaps. 9. 1—10. 18.PAGE As regards its Sanctuary440 As regards its Power to purify440 As regards its High Priest441 As regards its Sacrifices441 IV.—Encouragement and Warning based on the previous Teaching. Chap. 10. 19—39442 V.—Heroes of Faith. Chaps. 11. 1—12. 13. The Power of their Faith444 The Encouragement of their Endurance446 The Purpose of Discipline446 VI.—Conclusion. Chaps. 12. 14—13. 25. Exhortations447 Warnings447 Certain Christian Virtues448 Loyalty to Christ and the Leaders in the Church448 Final Requests, Messages, and Blessing448 IV.—THE LETTERS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. PETER. (a). FROM PETER.—I. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—2. Greeting453 II.—The Christian's Hope of Salvation. Chap. 1. 3—12453 III.—The Christian's Character. Chaps. 1. 13—2. 10. Holiness of Life454 Brotherly Love454 Innocence455 Consecration455 IV.—Practical Exhortations in view of the Dangers of the Times. Chaps. 2, 11—4. 19. The Necessity of setting a good Example455 Submission to the Civil Authorities455 The Duty of Servants456 The Relations between Husbands and Wives456 Christian Sympathy and Forbearance456 Endurance after the Example of Christ457 Renunciation of the Heathen Life457 Self-control, Love and Service458 The Ordeal of Suffering458 V.—Conclusion. Chap. 5. 1—14. Special Exhortations458 General Exhortations459 Messages and Blessing459

(b). FROM PETER.—II. I.—Introduction. Chap. 1. 1—11.PAGE Greeting463 Christian Privileges and Christian Life463 II.—The Transfiguration and the ‘Second Coming’ of the Christ. Chap. 1. 12.—21464 III.—Warning against separating Christianity from a Holy Life. Chap. 2. 1—22464 IV.—A Re-assertion of the ‘Second Coming’ of the Christ. Chap. 3. 1—18. Long-delayed but certain466 ‘The Day of the Lord’466 The needful Preparation466 V.—THE LETTER ATTRIBUTED TO ST. JUDE. FROM JUDE. I.—Introduction. 1—2. Greeting471 II.—Warnings against the moral Corruption introduced by false Teachers. 3—23. The Object of the Letter471 The false Teachers and their certain Doom471 A Christian's Attitude towards these Teachers472 III.—Ascription. 24.473 VI.—THE LETTERS ATTRIBUTED TO ST. JOHN. (a). FROM JOHN.—I. I.—The Immortal Life. Chaps. 1. 1—2. 17. Manifested in Christ477 Lived in the Light477 II.—Warnings against Anti-Christ. Chap. 2. 18—29. The Anti-Christs478 The Christian's Consecration479 III.—The Privileges and Duties of God's Children. Chap. 3. 1—24. The Father's Love479 The Children's Lives479 Love of ‘The Brethren’480 IV.—True and False Inspiration. Chap. 4. 1—6. The Test of Inspiration481 V.—Love of God and Love of Man. Chap. 4. 7—21481

FROM JOHN.—I.—Cont. VI.—A Christian's Faith and Confidence. Chap. 5. 1—21.PAGE Faith482 The Three-fold Testimony482 Confidence482 (b). FROM JOHN.—II. (c). FROM JOHN.—III. C.—AN APOCALYPSE. THE REVELATION OF JOHN. I.—Messages to the Seven Churches. Chaps. 1. 4—3. 22497 II.—The Vision of the Seven Seals. Chaps. 4. 1—8. 1501 III.—The Vision of the Seven Trumpet-Blasts. Chaps. 8. 2— 11. 19506 IV.—The Vision of Seven Symbolical Figures. Chaps. 12. 1—14. 20510 V.—The Vision of the Seven Curses. Chaps. 15. 1—16. 21513 VI.—The Doom of the Enemies of the Christ. Chaps. 17. 1—20. 15515 VII.—The New Creation. Chaps. 21. 1—22. 5520 VIII.—Conclusion. Chap. 22. 6—21522

THE HISTORICAL BOOKS.

Introductory matter

[Contents]

THE GOOD NEWS—   ACCORDING TO MARK.   ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.   ACCORDING TO LUKE.   ACCORDING TO JOHN. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES.

ACCORDING TO MARK.

Introductory matter

‘THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MARK’. COMPILED AT AN UNCERTAIN DATE LATER THAN 55 A. D. This gospel contains “the earliest and the simplest picture of the ministry of Jesus,” but tells nothing of his birth or early life. It appears to be the work of the John Mark who is mentioned more than once in the New Testament, and to have been compiled from information gathered from the Apostle Peter (whose convert Mark is supposed to have been), as well as from other sources, both written and oral. Of these sources it is plain that the compilers of ‘The Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke’ also availed themselves, as well as, in all probability, of a draft of this gospel. It is evident from the writer's habit of translating Aramaic words, and using Latin expressions, that his Life of Jesus was intended for readers of the Western World; a view confirmed by many interesting traditions of the Western Church. From the absence of much of the Teaching of Jesus given in ‘The Gospels according to St. Matthew and St. Luke,’ it has been inferred that this was not available in a connected form for the compiler of the present gospel.

ACCORDING TO MARK. 1   The beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ. I.—The Preparation. ^{note note}

2   It is said in the Prophet Isaiah—

‘Behold! I send my Messenger before thy face;
He shall prepare thy way.’ 3   
  ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the Wilderness:
“Make ready the way of the Lord,
Make his paths straight.”’ ^note 4   And in fulfilment of this, John the Baptizer appeared in the Wilderness, proclaiming a baptism upon repentance, for the forgiveness of sins. 5   The whole of Judaea, as well as all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, went out to him; and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. 6   John was clad in clothing of camels' hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and lived on locusts and wild honey; ^note 7   and he proclaimed—

“There is coming after me one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to stoop down and unfasten his sandals. ^note 8   I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” ^note

9   Now about that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10   And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens rent apart, and the Spirit, like a dove, 11   descending upon him, and from the heavens came a voice—

“Thou art my Son, the Beloved; in thee I delight.” ^{note note}

12   Immediately afterwards the Spirit drove Jesus out into the Wilderness; 13   and he was there in the Wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and among the wild beasts, while the angels ministered to him.

II.—The Work in Galilee. ^note

14   After John had been committed to prison, Jesus went to Galilee, proclaiming the Good News of God—

15   “The time has come, and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent, and believe the Good News.” ^{note note}

16   As Jesus was going along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net in the Sea, for they were fishermen.

17   “Come and follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will set you to fish for men.”
18    19   They left their nets at once, and followed him. ⪆⪆Going on a little further, he saw James, Zebediah's son, and his brother John, who also were in their boat mending the nets. 20   Jesus at once called them, and they left their father Zebediah in the boat with the crew, and went after him.

^note

21   And they walked into Capernaum. ⪆⪆On the next Sabbath Jesus went into the Synagogue and began to teach. 22   The people were amazed at his teaching, for he taught them like one who had authority, and not like the Teachers of the Law. 23   Now there was in their Synagogue at the time a man under the power of a foul spirit, who called out:

24   “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” ^note
25   But Jesus rebuked the spirit:

“Be silent! come out from him.”
26   The foul spirit threw the man into a fit, and with a loud cry came out from him. 27   And they were all so amazed that they kept asking:

“What is this? Strange teaching indeed! He gives his commands with authority even to the foul spirits, and they obey him!”
28   And the fame of Jesus spread at once in all directions, through the whole neighbourhood of Galilee. ^note

29   As soon as they had come out from the Synagogue, they went, with James and John, into the house of Simon and Andrew. 30   Now Simon's mother-in-law was lying ill with fever, and they at once told Jesus about her. 31   Jesus went up to her and, grasping her hand, raised her up; the fever left her, and she began to wait upon them.

32   In the evening, after sunset, the people brought to Jesus

all who were ill or possessed by demons; 33   and the whole city was gathered round the door. 34   Jesus cured many who were ill with various diseases, and drove out many demons, and would not permit them to speak, because they knew him to be the Christ. ^note

35   In the morning, long before daylight, Jesus rose and went out, and, going to a lonely spot, there began to pray. 36   But Simon and his companions hastened after him; and, when they found him, they exclaimed: 37   

“Every one is looking for you!”
38   But Jesus said to them:

“Let us go somewhere else, into the country towns near, that I may make my proclamation in them also; for that was why I came.”
39   And he went about making his proclamation in their Synagogues all through Galilee, and driving out the demons.

^note

40   One day a leper came to Jesus and, falling on his knees, begged him for help.

“If only you are willing,” he said, “you are able to make me clean.”
41   Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying as he did so:

“I am willing; become clean.”
42    43   Instantly the leprosy left the man, and he became clean; and then Jesus, after sternly warning him, immediately sent him away, and said to him: 44   

“Be careful not to say anything to any one; but go and show yourself to the Priest, and make the offerings for your cleansing directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.” ^note
45   The man, however, went away, and began to speak about it publicly, and to spread the story so widely, that Jesus could no longer go openly into a town, but stayed outside in lonely places; and people came to him from every direction. ^note

1   Some days later, when Jesus came back to Capernaum, the news spread that he was in a house there; 2   and so many people collected together, that after a while there was no room for them even round the door; and he began to tell them his Message. 3   And some people came bringing to him a paralyzed man, who was being carried by four bearers. 4   Being, however, unable to get him near to Jesus, owing to the crowd, they removed the roofing below which Jesus was; and, when they had made an opening, they let down the mat on which the paralyzed man was lying. 5   When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man:

‘Child, your sins are forgiven.”

6   But some of the Teachers of the Law who were sitting there were debating in their minds:

7   “Why does this man speak like this? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins except God?”
8   Jesus, at once intuitively aware that they were debating with themselves in this way, said to them:

9   “Why are you debating in your minds about this? Which is easier?—to say to the paralyzed man ‘Your sins are forgiven’? or to say ‘Get up, and take up your mat, and walk about’? 10   But that you may know that the Son of Man has power to forgive sins on earth”—here he said to the paralyzed man—“To you I say, ^note 11   Get up, take up your mat, and return to your home.”
12   The man got up, and immediately took up his mat, and went out before them all; at which they were amazed, and, as they praised God, they said:

“We have never seen anything like this!”

^note

13   Jesus went out again to the Sea; and all the people came to him, and he taught them. ⪆⪆ 14   As he went along, he saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting in the tax-office, and said to him: “Follow me.” Levi got up and followed him.

15   And later on he was in his house at table, and a number of tax-gatherers and outcasts took their places at table with Jesus and his disciples; for many of them were following him. 16   When the Teachers of the Law belonging to the party of the Pharisees saw that he was eating in the company of such people, they said to his disciples:

“He is eating in the company of tax-gatherers and outcasts!”
17   Hearing this, Jesus said:

“It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill. I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast.” ^note

18   Now John's disciples and the Pharisees were keeping a fast, and people came and asked Jesus:

“Why is it that John's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, while yours do not?”
19   Jesus answered:

“Can the bridegroom's friends fast, while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. 20   But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be parted from them, and they will fast then—when that day comes. 21   No man ever sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; if he does, the patch tears away from it—the new from the old—and a worse rent is

made. 22   And no man ever puts new wine into old wine-skins; if he does, the wine will burst the skins, and both the wine and the skins are lost. But new wine is put into fresh skins.”

23   One Sabbath, as Jesus was walking through the cornfields, his disciples began to pick the ears of wheat as they went along.

24   “Look!” the Pharisees said to him, “why are they doing what is not allowed on the Sabbath?”

25   “Have you never read,” answered Jesus, “what David did when he was in want and hungry, he and his companions— how he went into the House of God, 26   in the time of Abiathar the High Priest, and ate ‘the consecrated bread,’ which only the priests are allowed to eat, and gave some to his comrades as well?” ^note
27   Then Jesus added:

“The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath; 28   so the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.” ^note

1   On another occasion Jesus went into a Synagogue, where there was a man whose hand was withered. 2   And they watched Jesus closely, to see if he would cure the man on the Sabbath, so that they might have a charge to bring against him.

3   “Stand out in the middle,” Jesus said to the man with the withered hand; and to the people he said: 4   

“Is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath—or harm? to save a life, or destroy it?”
5   As they remained silent, Jesus looked round at them in anger, grieving at the hardness of their hearts, and said to the man:

“Stretch out your hand.”
The man stretched it out; and his hand had become sound. ⪆⪆ 6   Immediately on leaving the Synagogue, the Pharisees and the Herodians united in laying a plot against Jesus, to put him to death.

^note

7   Then Jesus went away with his disciples to the Sea, followed by a great number of people from Galilee. And a great number, hearing of all that he was doing, 8   came to him from Judaea, from Jerusalem, from Edom, from beyond the Jordan, and from the country round Tyre and Sidon. 9   So Jesus told his disciples to keep a small boat close by, for fear the crowd should crush him. 10   For he had cured many of them, and so people kept crowding upon him, that all who were afflicted might touch him. 11   The foul spirits, too, whenever they caught sight of him, flung themselves down before him, and screamed out:

“You are the Son of God”! ^note
12   But he repeatedly warned them not to make him known.

^note

13   And Jesus made his way up the hill, and called those whom he wished; and they went to him. 14   And he appointed twelve—whom he also named ‘Apostles’— that they might be with him, and that he might send them out as his Messengers, 15   to preach, and with power to drive out demons. 16   So he appointed the Twelve—Peter (which was the name that Jesus gave to Simon), 17   James, the son of Zebediah, and his brother John (to whom he gave the name of Boanerges, which means the Thunderers), 18   Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, 19   and Judas Iscariot, the man that betrayed him. ^note

20   Jesus went into a house; and again a crowd collected, so that they were not able even to eat their food. 21   When his relations heard of it, they went to take charge of him, for they said that he was out of his mind. 22   And the Teachers of the Law, who had come down from Jerusalem, said: ^note

“He has Baal-zebub in him, and he drives the demons out by the help of Baal-zebub, their chief.”
23   So Jesus called them to him, and answered them in parables:

24   “How can Satan drive out Satan? When a kingdom is divided against itself, it cannot last; 25   and when a household is divided against itself, it will not be able to last. 26   So, if Satan is in revolt against himself and is divided, he cannot last— his end has come! 27   No man who has got into a strong man's house can carry off his goods, without first securing him; and not till then will he plunder his house. ⪆⪆ 28   I tell you that men will be forgiven everything—their sins, and all the slanders that they utter; 29   but whoever slanders the Holy Spirit remains unforgiven to the end; he has to answer for an enduring sin.” 30   This was said in reply to the charge that he had a foul spirit in him. ^note

31   And his mother and his brothers came, and stood outside, and sent to ask him to come to them. 32   There was a crowd sitting round Jesus, and some of them said to him:

“Look, your mother and your brothers are outside, asking for you.”

33   “Who is my mother? and my brothers?” was his reply. 34   Then he looked around on the people sitting in a circle round him, and said:

33   “Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does the will of God is my brother and sister and mother.” ^note

1   Jesus again began to teach by the Sea; and, as an immense crowd was gathering round him, he got into a boat, and sat in it on the Sea, while all

the people were on the shore at the water's edge. 2   Then he taught them many truths in parables; and in the course of his teaching he said to them:

3    4   “Listen! The sower went out to sow; and presently, as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path; and the birds came, and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky ground, where it had not much soil, and, having no depth of soil, sprang up at once; 6   but, when the sun rose, it was scorched, and, having no root, withered away. 7   Some of the seed fell among brambles; but the brambles shot up and completely choked it, and it yielded no return. 8   Some fell into good soil, and, shooting up and growing, yielded a return, amounting to thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold.”
9   And Jesus said:

“Let any one who has ears to hear with hear.

10   Afterwards, when he was alone, his followers and the Twelve asked him about his parables; and he said: 11   

“To you the hidden truth of the Kingdom of God has been imparted; but to those who are outside it all teaching takes the form of parables, that—

12   
‘Though they have eyes, they may see without perceiving;
And though they have ears, they may hear without understanding;
  Lest some day they should turn and be forgiven.’ ^note 13   You do not know the meaning of this parable!” he went on; “then how will you understand all the other parables? ⪆⪆ 14    15   The sower sows the Message. The people meant by the seed that falls along the path are these—where the Message is sown, but, as soon as they have heard it, Satan immediately comes and carries away the Message that has been sown in them. 16   So, too, those meant by the seed sown on the rocky places are the people who, when they have heard the Message, at once accept it joyfully; 17   but, as they have no root, they stand only for a short time; and so, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Message, they fall away at once. 18   Those meant by the seed sown among the brambles are different; 19   they are the people who hear the Message, but the cares of life, and the glamour of wealth, and cravings for many other things come in and completely choke the Message, so that it gives no return. 20   But the people meant by the seed sown on the good ground are those who hear the Message, and welcome it, and yield a return, thirty, sixty, and even a hundred fold.” ^note

21   And Jesus said to them:

“Is a lamp brought to be put under the corn-measure or under the couch, instead of being put on the lamp-stand? 22   Nothing is hidden unless it is some day to come to light, nor was anything ever kept hidden but that it should

some day come into the light of day. ⪆⪆ 23   Let all who have ears to hear with hear. 24   Take care what you listen to,” said Jesus. “The measure you mete will be meted out to you, and more will be added for you. 25   For, to those who have, more will be given; while, from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.” ^note

26   Jesus also said:

“This is what the Kingdom of God is like— like a man who has scattered seed on the ground, and then sleeps by night and rises by day, 27   while the seed is shooting up and growing—he knows not how. 28   The ground bears the crop of itself—first the blade, then the ear, and then the full grain in the ear; 29   but, as soon as the crop is ready, immediately he ‘puts in the sickle because harvest has come.’” ^{note note}

30   Jesus also said:

31   “To what can we liken the Kingdom of God? or by what can we illustrate it? Perhaps by the growth of a mustard-seed. This seed, when sown in the ground, 32   though it is smaller than all other seeds, yet, when sown, shoots up, and becomes larger than any other herb, and puts out great branches, so that even ‘the wild birds can roost in its shelter.’” ^note

33   With many such parables Jesus used to speak to the people of his Message, as far as they were able to receive it; 34   and to them he never used to speak except in parables; but in private to his own disciples he explained everything.

^note

35   In the evening of the same day, Jesus said to them:

“Let us go across.”
36   So, leaving the crowd behind, they took him with them, just as he was, in the boat; and there were other boats with him. 37   A violent squall came on, and the waves kept dashing into the boat, so that the boat was actually filling. 38   Jesus was in the stern asleep upon the cushion; and the disciples roused him and cried:

“Teacher! is it nothing to you that we are lost?”
39   Jesus rose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea: “Hush! Be still!”
Then the wind dropped, and a great calm followed.

40   “Why are you so timid?” he exclaimed. ⪆⪆“Have you no faith yet?”
41   But they were struck with great awe, and said to one another:

“Who can this be that even the wind and the sea obey him?” ^note

1   And they came to the other side of the Sea— the country of the Gerasenes; 2   and, as soon as Jesus had got out of the boat, he met a man coming out of

the tombs, 3   who was under the power of a foul spirit, and who made his home in the tombs. No one had ever been able to secure him, even with a chain; 4   for, though he had many times been left secured with fetters and chains, he had snapped the chains and broken the fetters to pieces, and no one could master him. 5   Night and day alike, he was continually shrieking in the tombs and among the hills, and cutting himself with stones. 6   Catching sight of Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed to the ground before him, shrieking out in a loud voice: 7   

“What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? For God's sake do not torment me!”
8   For Jesus had said:

9   “Come out from the man, you foul spirit.”

And he asked him: “What is your name?”

“My name,” he said, “is Legion, for there are many of us;” 10   and he begged Jesus again and again not to send them away out of that country. ⪆⪆ 11   There was a large drove of pigs close by, feeding on the hill-side. 12   And the spirits begged Jesus:

“Send us into the pigs, that we may take possession of them.”

13   Jesus gave them leave. They came out, and entered into the pigs; and the drove—about two thousand in number— rushed down the steep slope into the Sea and were drowned in the Sea. ⪆⪆ 14   On this the men who tended them ran away, and carried the news to the town, and to the country round; and the people went to see what had happened. 15   When they came to Jesus, they found the possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind—the very man who had had the ‘Legion’ in him—and they were awe-struck. 16   Then those who had seen it related to them all that had happened to the possessed man, as well as about the pigs; 17   upon which they began to beg Jesus to leave their neighbourhood. ⪆⪆ 18   As Jesus was getting into the boat, the possessed man begged him to let him stay with him. 19   But Jesus refused.

“Go back to your home, to your own people,” he said, “and tell them of all that the Lord has done for you, and how he took pity on you.”
20   So the man went, and began to proclaim in the district of the Ten Towns all that Jesus had done for him; and every one was amazed.

^note

21   By the time Jesus had re-crossed in the boat to the opposite shore, a great number of people had gathered to meet him, and were standing by the Sea. ⪆⪆ 22   And one of the Presidents of the Synagogue, whose name was Jaeirus, came and, as soon as he saw Jesus, 23   threw himself at his feet with repeated entreaties.

“My little daughter,” he said, “is at the point of death; I

beg you to come and place your hands on her, that her life may be spared.”
24   So Jesus went with him. ⪆⪆A great number of people followed Jesus, and kept pressing round him. ^note 25   Meanwhile a woman who for twelve years had suffered from haemorrhage, 26   and undergone much at the hands of many doctors, (spending all she had without obtaining any relief, 27   but, on the contrary, growing worse), heard about Jesus, came behind in the crowd, and touched his cloak.

28   “If I can only touch his clothes,” she said, “I shall get well!”
29   At once the mischief was stopped, and she felt in herself that she was cured of her complaint. 30   Jesus at once became aware of the power that had gone out from him, and, turning round in the crowd, he said:

“Who touched my clothes?”

31   “You see the people pressing round you,” exclaimed his disciples, “and yet you say ‘Who touched me?’”
32    33   But Jesus looked about to see who had done it. Then the woman, in fear and trembling, knowing what had happened to her, came and threw herself down before him, and told him the whole truth.

34   “Daughter,” he said, “your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you; be free from your complaint.”

35   Before he had finished speaking, some people from the house of the President of the Synagogue came and said:

“Your daughter is dead! Why should you trouble the Teacher further?”
36   But Jesus, overhearing what they were saying, said to the President of the Synagogue:

“Do not be afraid; only have faith.”
37   And he allowed no one to accompany him, except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. 38   Presently they reached the President's house, where Jesus saw a scene of confusion—people weeping and wailing incessantly.

39   “Why this confusion and weeping?” he said on entering. “The little child is not dead; she is asleep.”
40   They began to laugh at him; but he sent them all out, and then, with the child's father and mother and his companions, went into the room where she was lying. 41   Taking her hand, Jesus said to her:

“Taleitha, koum!”—which means ‘Little girl, I am speaking to you—Rise!’
42   The little girl stood up at once, and began to walk about; for she was twelve years old. And, as soon as they saw it, they were overwhelmed with amazement; 43   but Jesus repeatedly cautioned them not to let any one know of it, and told them to give her something to eat.

^note

1   On leaving that place, Jesus, followed by his disciples, went to his own part of the country. ⪆⪆ 2   When the Sabbath came, he began to teach in the Synagogue; and the people, as they listened, were deeply impressed.

“Where did he get this?” they said, “and what is this wisdom that has been given him? and these miracles which he is doing? 3   Is not he the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, and Joses, and Judas, and Simon? And are not his sisters, too, living here among us?”
4   This proved a hindrance to their believing in him; on which Jesus said:

“A Prophet is not without honour, except in his own country, and among his own relations, and in his own home.”
5   And he could not work any miracle there, beyond placing his hands upon a few infirm persons, and curing them; 6   and he wondered at the want of faith shown by the people.

^note

Jesus went round the villages, one after another, teaching. ⪆⪆ 7   He called the Twelve to him, and began to send them out as his Messengers, two and two, and gave them authority over foul spirits. 8   He instructed them to take nothing but a staff for the journey —not even bread, or a bag, or pence in their purse; 9   but they were to wear sandals, and not to put on a second coat.

10   “Whenever you go to stay at a house,” he said, “remain there till you leave that place; 11   and if a place does not welcome you, or listen to you, as you go out of it shake off the dust that is on the soles of your feet, as a protest against them.” 12   So they set out, and proclaimed the need of repentance. 13   They drove out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were infirm, and cured them.

^note

14   Now King Herod heard of Jesus; for his name had become well known. People were saying— “John the Baptizer must have risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him.” 15   Others again said—“He is Elijah,” and others—“He is a Prophet, like one of the great Prophets.” 16   But when Herod heard of him, he said—“The man whom I beheaded—John— he must be risen!”

17   For Herod himself had sent and arrested John, and put him in prison, in chains, to please Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because Herod had married her. 18   For John had said to Herod—‘You have no right to be living with your brother's wife.’ 19   So Herodias was incensed against John, and wanted to put him to death, 20   but was unable to do so, because Herod stood in fear of John, knowing him to be an upright and holy man, and protected him. He had listened to John, but still

remained much perplexed, and yet he found pleasure in listening to him. ⪆⪆ 21   A suitable opportunity, however, occurred when Herod, on his birthday, gave a dinner to his high officials, and his generals, and the foremost men in Galilee. 22   And when his daughter—that is, the daughter of Herodias—came in and danced, she delighted Herod and those who were dining with him. ‘Ask me for whatever you like,’ the King said to the girl, ‘and I will give it to you’; 23   and he swore to her that he would give her whatever she asked him—up to half his kingdom. The girl went out, and said to her mother ‘What must I ask for?’ ‘The head of John the Baptizer,’ answered her mother. 25   So she went in as quickly as possible to the King, and made her request. ‘I want you,’ she said, ‘to give me at once, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.’ 26   The King was much distressed; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he did not like to refuse her. 27   He immediately despatched one of his bodyguard, with orders to bring John's head. 28   The man went and beheaded John in the prison, and, bringing his head on a dish, gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29   When John's disciples heard of it, they came and took his body away, and laid it in a tomb.

^note

30   When the Apostles came back to Jesus, they told him all that they had done and all that they had taught.

31   “Come by yourselves privately to some lonely spot,” he said, “and rest for a while”—for there were so many people coming and going that they had not time even to eat. 32   So they set off privately in their boat for a lonely spot. 33   And many people saw them going, and recognised them, and from all the towns they flocked together to the place on foot, and got there before them. ⪆⪆ 34   On getting out of the boat, Jesus saw a great crowd, and his heart was moved at the sight of them, because they were ‘like sheep without a shepherd’; and he began to teach them many things. ^note ⪆⪆ 35   When it grew late, his disciples came up to him, and said: ^note

“This is a lonely spot, and it is already late. 36   Send the people away, so that they may go to the farms and villages around and buy themselves something to eat.”

37   But Jesus answered: “It is for you to give them something to eat.”

“Are we to go and buy twenty pounds' worth of bread,” they asked, “to give them to eat?”

38   “How many loaves have you?” he asked; “go, and see.” When they had found out, they told him: “Five, and two fishes.” 39   Jesus directed them to make all the people take their

seats on the green grass, in parties; 40   and they sat down in groups—in hundreds, and in fifties. 41   Taking the five loaves and the two fishes, Jesus looked up to Heaven, and said the blessing; he broke the loaves into pieces, and gave them to his disciples for them to serve out to the people, and he divided the two fishes also among them all. 42   Every one had sufficient to eat; 43   and they picked up enough broken pieces to fill twelve baskets, as well as some of the fish. 44   The men who ate the bread were five thousand in number. ^note

45   Immediately afterwards Jesus made his disciples get into the boat, and cross over in advance, in the direction of Bethsaida, while he himself was dismissing the crowd. 46   After he had taken leave of the people, he went away up the hill to pray. 47   When evening fell, the boat was out in the middle of the Sea, and Jesus on the shore alone. 48   Seeing them labouring at the oars—for the wind was against them—about three hours after midnight Jesus came towards them, walking on the water, intending to join them. 49   But, when they saw him walking on the water, they thought it was a ghost, and cried out; 50   for all of them saw him, and were terrified. But Jesus at once spoke to them.

“Courage!” he said, “it is I; do not be afraid!”
51   Then he got into the boat with them, and the wind dropped. 52   The disciples were utterly amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves, their minds being slow to learn. ^note

53   When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret, and moored the boat. 54   But they had no sooner left her than the people, 55   recognizing Jesus, hurried over the whole country-side, and began to carry about upon mats those who were ill, wherever they heard he was. 56   So wherever he went—to villages, or towns, or farms—they would lay their sick in the market-places, begging him to let them touch only the tassel of his cloak; and all who touched were made well. ^{note note}

1   One day the Pharisees and some of the Teachers of the Law who had come from Jerusalem gathered round Jesus. 2   They had noticed that some of his disciples ate their food with their hands ‘defiled,’ by which they meant unwashed. 3   (For the Pharisees, and indeed all strict Jews, will not eat without first scrupulously washing their hands, holding in this to the traditions of their ancestors. 4   When they come from market, they will not eat without first sprinkling themselves; and there are many other customs which they have inherited and hold to, such as the ceremonial washing of cups, and jugs, and copper pans). 5   So the Pharisees and the Teachers of the Law asked Jesus this question—

“How is it that your disciples do not follow the traditions of our ancestors, but eat their food with defiled hands?”
6   His answer was:

“It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you hypocrites in the words—

  ‘This is a people that honour me with their lips,
    While their hearts are far removed from me; 7   
  But vainly do they worship me,
    For they teach but the precepts of men.’ ^note 8   You neglect God's commandments and hold to the traditions of men. 9   Wisely do you set aside God's commandments,” he exclaimed, “to keep your own traditions! 10   For while Moses said

‘Honour thy father and thy mother,’ and

‘Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,’ ^note 11   you say ‘If a man says to his father or mother “Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is Korban”’ (which means ‘Given to God’)—why, 12   then you do not allow him to do anything further for his father or mother! 13   In this way you nullify the words of God by your traditions, which you hand down; and you do many similar things.”
14   Then Jesus called the people to him again, and said:

15   “Listen to me, all of you, and mark my words. There is nothing external to a man, which by going into him can ‘defile’ him; but the things that come out from a man are the things that defile him.”
17   When Jesus went indoors, away from the crowd, his disciples began questioning him about this saying.

18   “What, do even you understand so little?” exclaimed Jesus. “Do not you see that there is nothing external to a man, which by going into a man, 19   can ‘defile’ him, because it does not pass into his heart, but into his stomach, and is afterwards got rid of?”—in saying this Jesus pronounced all food ‘clean.’

20   “It is what comes out from a man,” he added, “that defiles him, 21   for it is from within, out of the hearts of men, that there come evil thoughts—unchastity, 22   theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, haughtiness, folly; 23   all these wicked things come from within, and do defile a man.”

^note

24   On leaving that place, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. ⪆⪆And he went into a house, and did not wish any one to know it, but could not escape notice. 25   For a woman, whose little daughter had a foul spirit in her, heard of him immediately, and came and threw herself at his feet—the woman was a foreigner, 26    a native of Syrian Phoenicia—and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27   “Let the children be satisfied first,” answered Jesus. “For it is not fair to take the children's food, and throw it to dogs.”

28   “Yes, Master,” she replied; “even the dogs under the table do feed on the children's crumbs.”

29   “For saying that,” he answered, “you may go. The demon has gone out of your daughter.”
30   The woman went home, and found the child lying on her bed, and the demon gone. ^note

31   On returning from the district of Tyre, Jesus went, by way of Sidon, to the Sea of Galilee, across the district of the Ten Towns. ⪆⪆ 32   Some people brought to him a man who was deaf and almost dumb, and they begged Jesus to place his hand on him. 33   Jesus took him aside from the crowd quietly, put his fingers into the man's ears, and touched his tongue with saliva. 34   Then, looking up to Heaven, he sighed, and said to the man:

“Ephphatha!” which means ‘Be opened.’
35   The man's ears were opened, the string of his tongue was freed, and he began to talk plainly. 36   Jesus insisted upon their not telling any one; but the more he insisted, the more perseveringly they made it known, 37   and a profound impression was made upon the people.

“He has done everything well!” they exclaimed. “He makes even the deaf hear and the dumb speak!” ^note

1   About that time, when there was again a great crowd of people who had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him, and said:

2   “My heart is moved at the sight of all these people, for they have already been with me three days and they have nothing to eat; 3   and if I send them away to their homes hungry, they will break down on the way; and some of them have come a long distance.”

4   “Where will it be possible,” his disciples answered, “to get sufficient bread for these people in this lonely place?”

5   “How many loaves have you?” he asked.

“Seven,” they answered.
6   Jesus told the crowd to sit down upon the ground. Then he took the seven loaves, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to serve out; and they served them out to the crowd. 7   They had also a few small fish; and, after he had said the blessing, he told the disciples to serve out these as well. 8   The people had sufficient to eat, and they picked up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left. 9   There were about four thousand people. 10   Then Jesus dismissed them. ⪆⪆Immediately afterwards, getting into the boat with his disciples, Jesus went to the district of Dalmanutha.

^note

11   Here the Pharisees came out, and began to argue with Jesus, asking him for some sign from the heavens, to test him. 12   Sighing deeply, Jesus said:

“Why does this generation ask for a sign? I tell you, no sign shall be given it.”
13   So he left them to themselves, and, getting into the boat again, went away to the opposite shore.

14   Now the disciples had forgotten to take any bread with them, one loaf being all that they had in the boat. 15   So Jesus gave them this warning.

“Take care,” he said, “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
16   They began talking to one another about their being short of bread. 17   And, noticing this, Jesus said to them:

“Why are you talking about your being short of bread? Do not you yet see or understand? Are your minds still so slow of comprehension? 18   ‘Though you have eyes, do you not see? and though you have ears, do you not hear?’ Do not you remember, ^note 19   when I broke up the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets of broken pieces you picked up?”

“Twelve,” they said.

20   “And when the seven for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of broken pieces did you pick up?”

“Seven,” they said.

21   “Do not you understand now?” he repeated.

^note

22   They came to Bethsaida ⪆⪆There some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and begged him to touch him. 23   Taking the blind man's hand, Jesus led him to the outskirts of the village, and, when he had put saliva on the man's eyes, he placed his hands on him, and asked him: “Do you see anything?” 24   The man looked up, and said:

“I see the people, for, as they walk about, they look to me like trees.”
25   Then Jesus again placed his hands on the man's eyes; and the man saw clearly, his sight was restored, and he saw everything with perfect distinctness. 26   Jesus sent him to his home, and said: “Do not go even into the village.”

^note

27   Afterwards Jesus and his disciples went into the villages round Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples this question—

“Who do people say that I am?”

28   “John the Baptist,” they answered, “but others say Elijah, while others say one of the Prophets.”

29   “But you,” he asked, “who do you say that I am?”

To this Peter replied:

“You are the Christ.”
30   On which Jesus charged them not to say this about him to any one. ^{note note}

31   Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and that he must be rejected by the Councillors, and the Chief Priests, and the Teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise again after three days. 32   This statement he made openly. But Peter took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke him. 33   Jesus, however, turning round and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter.

“Out of my sight, Satan!” he exclaimed. “For you look at things, not as God does, but as man does.” ^note

34   Calling the people and his disciples to him, Jesus said:

“If any man wishes to walk in my steps, let him renounce self, take up his cross, and follow me. 35   For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, will lose his life shall save it. 36   What good is it to a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37   For what could a man give that is of equal value with his life? 38   Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, in this unfaithful and wicked generation, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed, when he comes in his Father's Glory with the holy angels.

1   I tell you,” he added, “that some of those who are standing here will not know death, till they have seen the Kingdom of God come in power.”

^note

2   Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain alone by themselves. There his appearance was transformed before their eyes, 3   and his clothes became of a more dazzling white than any bleacher in the world could make them. 4   And Elijah appeared to them, in company with Moses; and they were talking with Jesus.

5   “Rabbi,” said Peter, interposing, “it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6   For he did not know what to say, because they were much afraid. 7   Then a cloud came down and enveloped them; and from the cloud there came a voice—

“This is my Son, the Beloved; him you must hear.” ^note
8   And suddenly, on looking round, they saw that there was now no one with them but Jesus alone. ⪆⪆ ^note 9   As they were going down the mountain-side, Jesus cautioned them not to relate what they had seen to any one, till after the Son of Man should have risen again from the dead. 10   They seized upon these words and discussed with one another what this ‘rising from the dead’ meant.

11   “How is it,” they asked Jesus, “that our Teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?”

12   “Elijah does indeed come first,” answered Jesus, “and re-establish everything; and does not Scripture speak, with regard to the Son of Man, of his undergoing much suffering and being utterly despised? ^note 13   But I tell you that Elijah has come, and people have treated him just as they pleased, as Scripture says of him.”

^note

14   When they came to the other disciples, they saw a great crowd round them, and some Teachers of the Law arguing with them. 15   But, as soon as they saw Jesus, all the people, in great astonishment, ran up and greeted him.

16   “What are you arguing about with them?” Jesus asked.

17   “Teacher,” answered a man in the crowd, “I brought my son to see you, as he has a dumb spirit in him; 18   and, wherever it seizes him, it dashes him down; he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth, and he is pining away. I asked your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they failed.”

19   “O faithless generation!” exclaimed Jesus. “How long must I be with you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy to me.”
20   They brought him to Jesus; but no sooner did the boy see him than the spirit threw him into convulsions; and he fell on the ground, and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

21   “How long has he been like this?” Jesus asked the boy's father.

22   “From his childhood,” he answered; “and it has often thrown him into fire and into water to put an end to his life; but, if you can possibly do anything, take pity on us, and help us!”

23   “Why say ‘possibly’?” Jesus replied. “Everything is possible for one who has faith.”
24   The boy's father immediately cried out:

“I have faith; help my want of faith!”
25   But, when Jesus saw that a crowd was quickly collecting, he rebuked the foul spirit:

“Deaf and dumb spirit, it is I who command you. Come out from him and never enter him again.”
26   With a loud cry the spirit threw the boy into repeated convulsions, and then came out from him. The boy looked like a corpse, so that most of them said that he was dead. 27   But Jesus took his hand, and lifted him; and he stood up. 28   When Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately:

“Why could not we drive it out?”

29   “A spirit of this kind,” he said, “can be driven out only by prayer.”

^note

30   Leaving that place, Jesus and his disciples went on their way through Galilee; but he did not wish any one to know it, 31   for he was instructing his disciples, and telling them—

“The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of his fellow men, and they will put him to death, but, when he has been put to death, he will rise again after three days.” ^note
32   But the disciples did not understand his meaning, and were afraid to question him.

^note

33   They came to Capernaum. ⪆⪆When Jesus had gone into the house, he asked them: ^note

“What were you discussing on the way?”
34   But they were silent; for on the way they had been arguing with one another which was the greatest. 35   Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said:

“If any one wishes to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all.”
36   Then Jesus took a little child, and placed it in the middle of them. Folding it in his arms, he said to them:

37   “Any one who, for the sake of my Name, welcomes even a little child like this is welcoming me, and any one who welcomes me is welcoming not me, but him who sent me as his Messenger.” ^note

38   “Teacher,” said John, “we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he did not follow us.”

39   “None of you must prevent the man,” answered Jesus, “for no one will use my name in working a miracle, and yet find it easy to speak evil of me. 40   He who is not against us is for us. ⪆⪆ 41   If any one gives you a cup of water because you belong to Christ, I tell you, he shall assuredly not lose his reward. ⪆⪆ ^note 42   And, if any one puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe in me, it would be far better for him if he had been thrown into the sea with a great millstone round his neck. ⪆⪆ 43   If your hand proves a snare to you, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter the Life maimed, than to have both your hands and go into the Pit, into the inextinguishable fire. 45   If your foot proves a snare to you, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter the Life lame, than to have both your feet and be thrown into the Pit. 47   If your eye proves a snare to you, tear it out. It would be better for you to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye, than to have both eyes and be thrown into the Pit, 48   where ‘their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.’ ^note 49   For it is by fire that every one will be salted. ⪆⪆ 50   Salt is good, but, if the salt should lose its saltness, what will you use to season it? You must have salt in yourselves, and live at peace with one another.”

III. The Journey to Jerusalem. ^note

1   On leaving that place, Jesus went into the district of Judaea on the other side of the Jordan. Crowds gathered about him again; and again, as usual, he began teaching them. ⪆⪆ 2   Presently some Pharisees came up and, to test him, asked:

“Has a husband the right to divorce his wife?”

3   “What direction did Moses give you?” replied Jesus.

4   “Moses,” they said, “permitted a man to ‘draw up in writing a notice of separation and divorce his wife.’” ^note

5   “It was owing to the hardness of your hearts,” said Jesus, “that Moses gave you this direction; 6   but, at the beginning of the Creation, God ‘made them male and female.’ ^note

7    8   ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and the man and his wife shall become one;’ ^note 9   so that they are no longer two, but one. What God himself, then, has yoked together man must not separate.”
10   When they were indoors, the disciples asked him again about this, and he said: 11   

“Any one who divorces his wife and marries another woman is guilty of adultery against his wife; 12   and, if the woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she is guilty of adultery.”

^note

13   Some of the people were bringing little children to Jesus, for him to touch them; but the disciples found fault with those who had brought them. 14   When, however, Jesus saw this, he was indignant.

“Let the little children come to me,” he said, “do not hinder them; for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of God belongs. 15   I tell you, unless a man receives the Kingdom of God like a child, he will not enter it at all.”
16   Then he folded the children in his arms, and, placing his hands on them, gave them his blessing.

^note

17   And, as Jesus was resuming his journey, a man came running up to him, and threw himself on his knees before him.

“Good Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to gain Immortal Life?”

18   “Why do you call me good?” answered Jesus. “No one is good but God. 19   You know the commandments—

‘Do not kill. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not say what is false about others. Do not cheat. Honour thy father and thy mother.’” ^note

20   “Teacher,” he replied, “I have observed all these from my childhood.”
21   Jesus looked at the man, and his heart went out to him, and he said:

“There is still one thing wanting in you; go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me.”
22   But the man's face clouded at these words, and he went away distressed, for he had great possessions.

23   Then Jesus looked round, and said to his disciples:

“How hard it will be for men of wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!”
24   The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again:

“My children, how hard a thing it is to enter the Kingdom of God! 25   It is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.”

26   “Then who can be saved?” they exclaimed in the greatest astonishment.
27   Jesus looked at them, and answered:

“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for everything is possible with God.”

28   “But we,” began Peter, “we left everything and have followed you.”

29   “I tell you,” said Jesus, “there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or land, on my account and on account of the Good News, who will not receive a hundred times as much, 30   even now in the present—houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and land—though not without persecutions, and, in the age that is coming, Immortal Life. 31   But many who are first now will then be last, and the last will be first.”

^note

32   One day, when they were on their way, going up to Jerusalem, Jesus was walking in front of the Apostles, who were filled with misgivings; while those who were following behind were alarmed. Gathering the Twelve round him once more, Jesus began to tell them what was about to happen to him.

33   “Listen!” he said. “We are going up to Jerusalem; and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law, and they will condemn him to death, and they will give him up to the Gentiles, 34   who will mock him, spit upon him, and scourge him, and put him to death; and after three days he will rise again.” ^note

^note

35   James and John, the two sons of Zebediah, went to Jesus, and said:

“Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36   “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37   “Grant us this,” they answered, “to sit, one on your right, and the other on your left, when you come in glory.”

38   “You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus said to them. “Can you drink the cup that I am to drink? or receive the baptism that I am to receive?”

39   “Yes,” they answered, “we can.”

“You shall indeed drink the cup that I am to drink,” Jesus said, 40   “and receive the baptism that I am to receive, but as to a seat at my right or at my left—that is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared.”
^note 41   On hearing of this, the ten others were at first very indignant about James and John. 42   But Jesus called the ten to him, and said:

“Those who are regarded as ruling among the Gentiles lord it over them, as you know, and their great men oppress them. 43   But among you it is not so. No, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and 44   whoever wants to take the first place among you must be the servant of all; 45   for even the Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

^note

46   They came to Jericho. ⪆⪆When Jesus was going out of the town with his disciples and a large crowd, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road-side. 47   Hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to call out:

“Jesus, Son of David, take pity on me.”
48   Many of the people kept telling him to be quiet; but the man continued to call out all the louder:

“Son of David, take pity on me.”
49   Then Jesus stopped. “Call him,” he said.
So they called the blind man.

“Courage!” they exclaimed. “Get up; he is calling you.”
50   The man threw off his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus.

51   “What do you want me to do for you?” said Jesus, addressing him.

“Rabboni,” the blind man answered, “I want to recover my sight.”

52   “You may go,” Jesus said; “your faith has delivered you.” Immediately he recovered his sight, and began to follow Jesus along the road.

IV.—The Last Days. ^note

1   When they had almost reached Jerusalem, as far as Bethphage and Bethany, near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two of his disciples.

2   “Go to the village facing you,” he said; “and, as soon as you get there, you will find a foal tethered, which no one has ever ridden; untie it, and bring it. 3   And, if any one says to you ‘Why are you doing that?’, say ‘The Master wants it, and will be sure to send it back here at once.’”
4   The two disciples went, and, finding a foal tethered outside a door in the street, they untied it. 5   Some of the by-standers said to them: “What are you doing, untying the foal?” 6   and the two disciples answered as Jesus had told them; and they allowed them to go. 7   Then they brought the foal to Jesus, and, when they had laid their cloaks on it, he seated himself upon it. 8   Many of the people spread their cloaks on the road, while some strewed boughs which they had cut from the fields; and those who led the way, 9   as well as those who followed, kept shouting:

“‘God save him!
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ^note 10   
Blessed is the coming Kingdom of our father David!
‘God save him from on high!’” ^note 11   Jesus entered Jerusalem, and went into the Temple Courts; and, after looking round at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.

^note

12   The next day, after they had left Bethany, Jesus became hungry; 13   and, noticing a fig-tree at a distance in leaf, he went to it to see if by any chance he could find something on it; but, on coming up to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14   So, addressing the tree, he exclaimed:

“May no man ever again eat of your fruit!”
And his disciples heard what he said. ^note

15   They came to Jerusalem. ⪆⪆Jesus went into the Temple Courts, and began to drive out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money-changers, and the seats of the pigeon-dealers, 16   and would not allow any one to carry anything across the Temple Courts. 17   Then he began to teach.

“Does not Scripture say,” he asked,

“‘My House shall be called a House of Prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’” ^note
18   Now the Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law heard this,

and began to look for some way of putting Jesus to death; for they were afraid of him, since all the people were greatly impressed by his teaching. ⪆⪆ 19   As soon as evening fell, Jesus and his disciples went out of the city.

20   As they passed by early in the morning, they noticed that the fig-tree was withered up from the very roots. 21   Then Peter recollected what had occurred.

“Look, Rabbi,” he exclaimed, “the fig-tree which you doomed is withered up!”

22    23   “Have faith in God!” replied Jesus. “I tell you that if any one should say to this hill ‘Be lifted up and hurled into the sea!’, without ever a doubt in his mind, but in the faith that what he says will be done, he would find that it would be. 24   And therefore I say to you ‘Have faith that whatever you ask for in prayer is already granted you, and you will find that it will be.’ 25   And, whenever you stand up to pray, forgive any grievance that you have against any one, that your Father who is in Heaven also may forgive you your offences.”

^note

27   They came to Jerusalem again. ⪆⪆While Jesus was walking about in the Temple Courts, the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors came up to him.

28   “What authority have you to do these things?” they said. “Who gave you the authority to do them?”

29   “I will put one question to you,” said Jesus. “Answer me that, and then I will tell you what authority I have to act as I do. 30   It is about John's baptism. Was it of divine or human origin? Answer me that.”
31   They began arguing together:

“If we say ‘divine,’ he will say ‘Why then did not you believe him?’ 32   Yet can we say ‘human’?”—
They were afraid of the people, for every one regarded John as undoubtedly a Prophet. 33   So their answer to Jesus was—“We do not know.”

“Then I,” replied Jesus, “refuse to tell you what authority I have to do these things.” ^note

1   And Jesus began to speak to them in parables:

“A man once planted a vineyard, put a fence round it, dug a wine-press, built a tower, and then let it out to tenants and went abroad. ^note 2   At the proper time he sent a servant to the tenants, to receive from them a share of the produce of the vintage; 3   but they seized him, and beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 4   A second time the owner sent a servant to them; this man, too, the tenants struck on the head, and insulted. 5   He sent another, but him they killed; and so with many others—some they beat and some they killed. 6   He had still one son, who was very dear to him; and

him he sent to them last of all. ‘They will respect my son,’ he said. 7   But those tenants said to one another ‘Here is the heir! Come, let us kill him, and his inheritance will be ours.’ 8   So they seized him, and killed him, and threw his body outside the vineyard. 9   What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put the tenants to death, and he will let the vineyard to others. ⪆⪆ 10   Have you never read this passage of Scripture?—

  ‘The very stone which the builders despised
    Has now itself become the corner-stone; 11   
  This corner-stone has come from the Lord,
    And is marvellous in our eyes.’” ^note

12   After this his enemies were eager to arrest him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they saw that it was at them that he had aimed the parable. So they let him alone, and went away.

^note

13   Afterwards they sent to Jesus some of the Pharisees and of the Herodians, to set a trap for him in the course of conversation. 14   These men came to him and said:

“Teacher, we know that you are an honest man, and are not afraid of any one, for you pay no regard to a man's position, but teach the Way of God honestly; are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not? 15   Should we pay, or should we not pay?”
Knowing their hypocrisy, Jesus said to them:

“Why are you testing me? Bring me a florin to look at.” 16   And, when they had brought it, he asked:

“Whose head and title are these?”

17   “The Emperor's,” they said; and Jesus replied:

“Pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God.”
And they wondered at him.

^note

18   Next came some Sadducees—the men who maintain that there is no resurrection. Their question was this—

19   “Teacher, in our Scriptures Moses decreed that, should a man's brother die, leaving a widow but no child, the man should take the widow as his wife, and raise up a family for his brother. ^note 20   There were once seven brothers; of whom the eldest took a wife, but died and left no family; 21   and the second took her, and died without family; and so did the third. 22   All the seven died and left no family. The woman herself died last of all. 23   At the resurrection whose wife will she be, all seven brothers having had her as their wife?”

24   “Is not the reason of your mistake,” answered Jesus, “your ignorance of the Scriptures and of the power of God? 25   When men rise from the dead, there is no marrying or being married; but they are as angels in Heaven. 26   As to the dead, and the fact that they rise, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him thus—

‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not God of dead men, but of living. ^note 27   You are greatly mistaken.”

^note

28   Then came up one of the Teachers of the Law who had heard their discussions. Knowing that Jesus had answered them wisely, he asked him this question:

“What is the first of all the commandments?”

29   “The first,” answered Jesus, “is—

30   ‘Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is the one Lord; and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength.’ ^note 31   The second is this—

‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thou dost love thyself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” ^note

32   “Wisely answered, Teacher!” exclaimed the Teacher of the Law. “It is true, as you say, that ‘there is one God,’ and that ‘there is no other besides him’; ^note 33   and to ‘love him with all one's heart, and with all one's understanding, and with all one's strength,’ and to ‘love one's neighbour as one loves oneself’ is far beyond all ‘burnt-offerings and sacrifices.’” ^note 34   Seeing that he had answered with discernment, Jesus said to him:

“You are not far from the Kingdom of God.”
After that no one ventured to question him further. ^note

35   While Jesus was teaching in the Temple Courts, he asked:

“How is it that the Teachers of the Law say that the Christ is to be David's son? 36   David said himself, speaking under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit—

  ‘The Lord said to my lord: “Sit at my right hand,
  Until I put thy enemies beneath thy feet.”’ ^note 37   David himself calls him ‘lord,’ how comes it, then, that he is to be his son?”

^note

The mass of the people listened to Jesus with delight. ⪆⪆ 38   In the course of his teaching, Jesus said:
“See that you are on your guard against the Teachers of the Law, who delight to walk about in long robes, 39   and to be greeted in the streets with respect, and to have the best seats in the Synagogues, and places of honour at dinner. 40   They are the men that rob widows of their homes, and make a pretence of saying long prayers. Their sentence will be all the heavier.” ^note

41   Then Jesus sat down opposite the chests for the Temple offerings, and watched how the people put money into them. Many rich people were putting in large sums; 42   but one poor widow came and put in two farthings, which make a half-penny. 43   On this, calling his disciples to him, Jesus said:

“I tell you that this poor widow has put in more than all the others who were putting money into the chests; 44   for every one else put in something from what he had to spare, while she, in her need, put in all she had—everything that she had to live on.” ^note

1   As Jesus was walking out of the Temple Courts, one of his disciples said to him:

“Teacher, look what fine stones and buildings these are!”

2   “Do you see these great buildings?” asked Jesus. “Not a single stone will be left here upon another, which shall not be thrown down.”

3   When Jesus had sat down on the Mount of Olives, facing the Temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew questioned him privately: 4   “Tell us when this will be, and what will be the sign when all this is drawing to its close.” 5   Then Jesus began:

6   “See that no one leads you astray. Many will take my name, and come saying ‘I am He’, and will lead many astray. 7   And, when you hear of wars and rumours of wars, do not be alarmed; such things must occur; but the end is not yet. ^note 8   For ‘nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom’; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. This will be but the beginning of the birth-pangs. ^note 9   See to yourselves! They will betray you to courts of law; and you will be taken to Synagogues and beaten; and you will be brought up before governors and kings for my sake, that you may bear witness before them. 10   But the Good News must first be proclaimed to every nation. 11   Whenever they betray you and hand you over for trial, do not be anxious beforehand as to what you shall say, but say whatever is given you at the moment; for it will not be you who

speak, but the Holy Spirit. 12   Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will turn against their parents, and cause them to be put to death; ^note 13   and you will be hated by every one on account of my Name. Yet the man that endures to the end shall be saved. ⪆⪆ 14   As soon, however, as you see ‘the Foul Desecration’ standing where he ought not” (the reader must consider what this means) “then those of you who are in Judaea must take refuge in the mountains; ^note 15   and a man on the house-top must not go down, or go in to get anything out of his house; 16   nor must one who is on his farm turn back to get his cloak. ^note 17   And alas for the women that are with child, and for those that are nursing infants in those days! 18   Pray, too, that this may not occur in winter. 19   For those days will be a time of distress, the like of which has not occurred from the beginning of God's creation until now—and never will again. ^note 20   And, had not the Lord put a limit to those days, not a single soul would escape; but, for the sake of God's own chosen People, he did limit them. ⪆⪆ 21   And at that time if any one should say to you ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ ‘Look, there he is!’, do not believe it; 22   for false Christs and false Prophets will arise, and display signs and marvels, to lead astray, were it possible, even God's People. ^note 23   But see that you are on your guard! I have told you all this beforehand. ⪆⪆ 24   In those days, after that time of distress, ‘the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, ^note 25   the stars will be falling from the heavens,’ and ‘the forces that are in the heavens will be convulsed.’ ^note 26   Then will be seen the ‘Son of Man coming in clouds’ with great power and glory; ^note 27   and then he will send the angels, and gather his People from the four winds, from one end of the world to the other. ^{note note}

28   Learn the lesson taught by the fig-tree. As soon as its branches are full of sap, and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near. 29   And so may you, as soon as you see these things happening, know that he is at your doors. 30   I tell you that even the present generation will not pass away, until all these things have taken place. 31   The heavens and the earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. ⪆⪆ 32   But about ‘That Day,’ or ‘The Hour,’ no one knows—not even the angels in Heaven, nor yet the Son—but only the Father. 33   See that you are on the watch; for you do not know when the time will be. 34   It is like a man going on a journey, who leaves his home, puts his servants in charge—each having his special duty—and orders the porter to watch. 35   Therefore watch, for you cannot be sure when the Master of the house is coming—

whether in the evening, at midnight, at daybreak, or in the 36   morning—lest he should come suddenly and find you asleep. 37   And what I say to you I say to all—Watch!” ^note

1   It was now two days before the Festival of the Passover and the Unleavened Bread. ⪆⪆The Chief Priests and the Teachers of the Law were looking for an opportunity to arrest Jesus by stealth, and to put him to death; for they said: 2   “Not during the Festival, for fear of a riot.”

^note

3   When Jesus was still at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, while he was at table, a woman came with an alabaster jar of choice spikenard perfume of great value. She broke the jar, and poured the perfume on his head. 4   Some of those who were present said to one another indignantly:

5   “Why has the perfume been wasted like this? This perfume could have been sold for more than thirty pounds, and the money given to the poor.”

6   “Let her alone,” said Jesus, as they began to find fault with her, “why are you troubling her? This is a beautiful deed that she has done for me. 7   You always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do good to them; but you will not always have me. 8   She has done what she could; she has perfumed my body beforehand for my burial. 9   And I tell you, wherever, in the whole world, the Good News is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her.” ^note

10   After this, Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the Chief Priests, to betray Jesus to them. 11   They were glad to hear what he said, and promised to pay him. So he looked for a way to betray Jesus opportunely.

^note

12   On the first day of the Festival of the Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to kill the Passover lambs, his disciples said to Jesus:

“Where do you wish us to go and make preparations for your eating the Passover?”
13   Jesus sent forward two of his disciples and said to them:

“Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; 14   follow him; and, wherever he goes in, say to the owner of the house ‘The Teacher says—Where is my room where I am to eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15   He will himself show you a large upstairs room, set out ready; and there make preparations for us.”
16   So the disciples set out and went into the city, and found everything just as Jesus had told them; and they prepared the Passover.

17    18   In the evening he went there with the Twelve, and, when they had taken their places and were eating, Jesus said:

“I tell you that one of you is going to betray me—one who is eating with me.” ^note
19   They were grieved at this, and began to say to him, one after another:

“Can it be I?”

20   “It is one of you Twelve,” said Jesus, “the one who is dipping his bread beside me into the dish. 21   True, the Son of Man must go, as Scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the Son of Man is being betrayed! For that man ‘it would be better never to have been born!’” ^{note note}

22   While they were eating, Jesus took some bread, and, after saying the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said:

“Take it; this is my body.”
23   Then he took a cup, and, after saying the thanksgiving, gave it to them, and they all drank from it.

24   “This is my Covenant-blood,” he said, “which is poured out on behalf of many. ^note 25   I tell you that I shall never again drink of the juice of the grape, until that day when I shall drink it new in the Kingdom of God.”

26   They then sang a hymn, and went out up the Mount of Olives. ^note

27   Presently Jesus said to them:
“All of you will fall away; for Scripture says—

‘I will strike down the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ ^note 28   Yet, after I have risen, I shall go before you into Galilee.”

29   “Even if every one else falls away,” said Peter, “yet I shall not.”

30   “I tell you,” answered Jesus, “that you yourself to-day— yes, this very night—before the cock crows twice, will disown me three times.”
31   But Peter vehemently protested:

“Even if I must die with you, I shall never disown you!” And they all said the same.

^note

32   Presently they came to a garden known as Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples “Sit down here while I pray.”
33   He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to show signs of great dismay and deep distress of mind.

34   “I am sad at heart,” he said, “sad even to death; wait here, and watch.”
35   Going on a little further, he threw himself on the ground, and began to pray that, if it were possible, he might be spared that 36   hour.

“Abba, Father,” he said, “all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me; yet, not what I will, but what thou willest.”

37   Then he came and found the three Apostles asleep.

“Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Could not you watch for one hour? 38   Watch and pray,” he said to them all, “that you may not fall into temptation. True, the spirit is eager, but human nature is weak.”
39    40   Again he went away, and prayed in the same words; and coming back again he found them asleep, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. 41   A third time he came, and said to them:

“Sleep on now, and rest yourselves. Enough! My time has come. Hark! the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked men. 42   Up, and let us be going. Look! my betrayer is close at hand.” ^note

43   And just then, while he was still speaking, Judas, who was one of the Twelve, came up; and with him a crowd of people, with swords and clubs, sent by the Chief Priests, the Teachers of the Law, and the Councillors. 44   Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them.

“The man whom I kiss,” he had said, “will be the one; arrest him and take him away safely.”
45   As soon as Judas came, he went up to Jesus at once, and said: “Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46   Then the men seized Jesus, and arrested him. 47   One of those who were standing by drew his sword, and struck at the High Priest's servant, and cut off his ear. 48   But Jesus interposed, and said to the men:

“Have you come out, as if after a robber, with swords and clubs, to take me? 49   I have been among you day after day in the Temple Courts teaching, and yet you did not arrest me; but this is in fulfilment of the Scriptures.”
And all the Apostles forsook him, and fled. ⪆⪆ 50    51   One young man did indeed follow him, wrapped only in a linen sheet. 52   They tried to arrest him; but he left the sheet in their hands, and fled naked.

^note

53   Then they took Jesus to the High Priest; and all the Chief Priests, the Councillors, and the Teachers of the Law assembled. 54   Peter, who had followed Jesus at a distance into the court-yard of the High Priest, was sitting there among the police-officers, warming himself at the blaze of the fire. 55   Meanwhile the Chief Priests and the whole of the High Council were trying to get such evidence against Jesus as would warrant his being put to death, but they could not find any; 56   for, though there were many who gave false evidence against him, yet their evidence did not

agree. 57   Presently some men stood up, and gave this false evidence against him—

58   “We ourselves heard him say ‘I will destroy this Temple made with hands, and in three days build another made without hands.’”
59    60   Yet not even on that point did their evidence agree. Then the High Priest stood forward, and questioned Jesus.

“Have you no answer to make?” he asked. “What is this evidence which these men are giving against you?”
But Jesus remained silent, and made no answer. 61   A second time the High Priest questioned him.

“Are you,” he asked, “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?”

62   “I am,” replied Jesus, “and you shall all see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty; and ‘coming in the clouds of heaven’.” ^note
63   At this the High Priest tore his vestments.

“Why do we want any more witnesses?” he exclaimed. “You heard his blasphemy? 64   What is your verdict?”
They all condemned him, declaring that he deserved death. ⪆⪆ 65   Some of those present began to spit at him, and to blindfold his eyes, and strike him, saying, as they did so, “Now play the Prophet!” and even the police-officers received him with blows. ^note

66   While Peter was in the court-yard down below, one of the High Priest's maidservants came up; and, 67   seeing Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him, and exclaimed:

“Why, you were with Jesus, the Nazarene!”
68   But Peter denied it.

“I do not know or understand what you mean,” he replied. 69   Then he went out into the porch; and there the maidservant, on seeing him, began to say again to the by-standers:

“This is one of them!”
But Peter again denied it. 70   Soon afterwards the by-standers again said to him:

“You certainly are one of them; why, you are a Galilean!” 71   But he began to swear with the most solemn imprecations:

“I do not know the man you are speaking about.”
At that moment, for the second time, a cock crowed; 72   and Peter remembered the words that Jesus had said to him—‘Before a cock has crowed twice, you will disown me three times’; and, as he thought of it, he began to weep. ^note

1   As soon as it was daylight, the Chief Priests, after holding a consultation with the Councillors and Teachers of the Law—that is to say, the

whole High Council—put Jesus in chains, and took him away, and gave him up to Pilate.

2   “Are you the King of the Jews?” asked Pilate.

“It is true,” replied Jesus.
3   Then the Chief Priests brought a number of charges against him; 4   upon which Pilate questioned Jesus again.

“Have you no reply to make?” he asked. “Listen, how many charges they are bringing against you.”
5   But Jesus still made no reply whatever; at which Pilate was astonished. ⪆⪆ 6   Now, at the Feast, Pilate used to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might ask for. 7   A man called Barabbas was in prison, with the rioters who had committed murder during a riot. 8   So, when the crowd went up and began to ask Pilate to follow his usual custom, 9   he answered:

“Do you want me to release the ‘King of the Jews’ for you?” 10   For he was aware that it was out of jealousy that the Chief Priests had given Jesus up to him. 11   But the Chief Priests incited the crowd to get Barabbas released instead. 12   Pilate, however, spoke to them again:

“What shall I do then with the man whom you call the ‘King of the Jews’?”
13   Again they shouted: “Crucify him!”

14   “Why, what harm has he done?” Pilate kept saying to them. But they shouted furiously: “Crucify him!”
15   And Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them, and, after scourging Jesus, gave him up to be crucified.

16   The soldiers then took Jesus away into the court-yard—that is the Government House—and they called the whole garrison together. 17   They dressed him in a purple robe, and, having twisted a crown of thorns, 18   put it on him, and then began to salute him.

“Long life to you, King of the Jews!” they said.
19   And they kept striking him on the head with a rod, spitting at him, and bowing to the ground before him—going down on their knees; 20   and, when they had left off mocking him, they took off the purple robe, and put his own clothes on him. ^note

21   And they led Jesus out to crucify him; and they compelled a passer-by, Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to go with them to carry his cross. 22   They brought Jesus to the place which was known as Golgotha—a name which means ‘Place of a Skull.’ 23   There they offered him drugged wine; but Jesus refused it. ^note 24   Then they crucified him, and divided his clothes among them, casting lots for them, to settle what each should take. ^note 25   It was nine in

the morning when they crucified him. 26   The words of the charge against him, written up over his head, ran thus— ‘THE KING OF THE JEWS.’ 27   And with him they crucified two robbers, one on the right, and the other on the left. ⪆⪆ 29   The passers-by railed at him, shaking their heads, as they said:

“Ah! you who ‘destroy the Temple and build one in three days,’ ^note 30   come down from the cross and save yourself!”
31   In the same way the Chief Priests, with the Teachers of the Law, said to one another in mockery:

32   “He saved others, but he cannot save himself! Let the Christ, the ‘King of Israel,’ come down from the cross now, that we may see it and believe.”
Even the men who had been crucified with Jesus reviled him. ^note

33   At midday, a darkness came over the whole country, lasting till three in the afternoon. ^note 34   And, at three, Jesus called out loudly:

“‘Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani?’” which means ‘My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?’
35   Some of those standing round heard this, and said:

“Listen! He is calling for Elijah!”
36   And a man ran, and, soaking a sponge in common wine, put it on the end of a rod, and offered it to him to drink, saying as he did so:

“Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to take him down.” ^note
37    38   But Jesus, giving a loud cry, expired. ⪆⪆The Temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. ⪆⪆ 39   The Roman Officer, who was standing facing Jesus, on seeing the way in which he expired, exclaimed:

“This man must indeed have been ‘God's Son’!” ^note
40   There were some women also watching from a distance, among them being Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James the Little and of Joseph, 41   and Salome—all of whom used to accompany Jesus when he was in Galilee, and attend on him—besides many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem. ^note

42   The evening had already fallen, when, as it was the Preparation Day—the day before the Sabbath— Joseph from Ramah, 43   a Councillor of good position, who was himself living in expectation of the Kingdom of God, came and ventured to go in to see Pilate, and to ask for the body of Jesus. 44   But Pilate was surprised to hear that he had already died. So he sent for the Officer, and asked if he were already dead; 45   and, on learning from the Officer that it was so, he gave the corpse

to Joseph. 46   Joseph, having bought a linen sheet, took Jesus down, and wound the sheet round him, and laid him in a tomb which had been cut out of the rock; and then rolled a stone up against the entrance of the tomb. ⪆⪆ 47   Mary of Magdala and Mary, the mother of Joseph, were watching to see where he was laid. V.—THE RISEN LIFE ANNOUNCED. ^note

1   When the Sabbath was over, Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought some spices, so that they might go and anoint the body of Jesus. 2   And very early on the first day of the week they went to the tomb, after sunrise. 3   They were saying to one another:

“Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?”
4   But, on looking up, they saw that the stone had already been rolled back; it was a very large one. 5   Going into the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on their right, in a white robe, and they were dismayed. 6   But he said to them:

“Do not be dismayed; you are looking for Jesus, the Nazarene, who has been crucified; he has risen, he is not here! 7   Look! Here is the place where they laid him. But go, and say to his disciples and to Peter ‘He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see him, as he told you.’”
8   They went out, and fled from the tomb, for they were trembling and bewildered; and they did not say a word to any one, for they were frightened; * * * * * * * A LATE APPENDIX. (Inserted in some manuscripts from an ancient source).

9   [After his rising again, early on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first of all to Mary of Magdala, from whom he had driven out seven demons. 10   She went and told the news to those who had been with him and who were now in sorrow and tears; 11   yet even they, when they heard that he was alive and had been seen by her, did not believe it. ⪆⪆ 12   Afterwards, altered in appearance, he made himself known to two of them, as they were walking, on their way into the country. 13   They also went and told the rest, but they did not believe even them. ⪆⪆ 14   Later on, he made himself known to the Eleven themselves as they were at a meal, and reproached them with their want of faith and their stubbornness, because

they did not believe those who had seen him after he had risen from the dead. 15   Then he said to them:

“Go into all the world, and proclaim the Good News to all creation. 16   He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who refuses to believe will be condemned. 17   Moreover these signs shall attend those who believe. In my Name they shall drive out demons; they shall speak with ‘tongues’; they shall take up serpents in their hands; 18   and, it they drink any poison, it shall not hurt them; they will place their hands on sick people and they shall recover.”
19   So the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sat at the right hand of God. ^note 20   But they set out, and made the proclamation everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Message by the signs which attended it.] Another Appendix.

[But all that had been enjoined on them they reported briefly to Peter and his companions. ⪆⪆Afterwards Jesus himself sent out by them, from east to west, the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal Salvation.]

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW.

COMPILED AT AN UNCERTAIN DATE LATER THAN 60 A.D.

This gospel, in common with the ‘The Gospel according to St. Luke,’ incorporates the greater part of the record of the ministry of Jesus given in ‘The Gospel according to St. Mark.’ It is probable that the compiler was able to make use of the same sources as St. Mark had at his disposal, and perhaps even of St. Mark's gospel itself. Beyond this, he was able to add to that record a very important collection of the Sayings of Jesus from some source of which the compiler of ‘The Gospel according to St. Luke’ was also able to avail himself. The gospel, in its present form, begins with a preface giving an account of the birth of Jesus, and concludes with an appendix giving an account of his resurrection. These are evidently from sources other than those from which the body of the work was derived.

The standpoint of the compiler of this gospel is clearly that of a Jew writing primarily for converts from Judaism, one marked feature being the prominence given to the fulfilment of Jewish prophecy.

ACCORDING TO MATTHEW. I.—The Birth, Parentage, and Infancy. 1   A Genealogy of Jesus Christ, a descendant of David and Abraham. ^{note note} 2   

Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac of Jacob, Jacob of Judah and his brothers, 3   Judah of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez of Hezron, Hezron of Ram, Ram of Amminadab, 4   Amminadab of Nashon, Nashon of Salmon, 5   Salmon of Boaz, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed of Jesse, 6   Jesse of David the King.

David was the father of Solomon, whose mother was Uriah's widow, 7   Solomon of Rehoboam, Rehoboam of Abijah, Abijah of Asa, 8   Asa of Jehoshaphat, Jehoshaphat of Jehoram, Jehoram of Uzziah, 9   Uzziah of Jotham, Jotham of Ahaz, Ahaz of Hezekiah, 10   Hezekiah of Manasseh, Manasseh of Ammon,

Ammon of Josiah, 11   Josiah of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the Exile to Babylon. 12   

After the Exile to Babylon— Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel, Shealtiel of Zerubbabel, 13   Zerubbabel of Abiud, Abiud of Eliakim, Eliakim of Azor, 14   Azor of Zadok, Zadok of Achim, Achim of Eliud, 15   Eliud of Eleazar, Eleazar of Matthan, Matthan of Jacob, 16   Jacob of Joseph, the husband of Mary, who was the mother of Jesus, who is called ‘Christ’.

17   So the whole number of generations from Abraham to David is fourteen; from David to the Exile to Babylon fourteen; and from the Exile to Babylon to the Christ fourteen.

^note

18   The birth of Jesus Christ took place as follows:— His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but, before the marriage took place, she found herself to be with child by the power of the Holy Spirit. 19   Her husband, Joseph, was a religious man and, being unwilling to expose her to contempt, resolved to put an end to their betrothal privately. ⪆⪆ 20   He had been dwelling upon this, when an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream.

“Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary for your wife, for her child has been conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit. 21   She shall give birth to a son; and you shall give him the name Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
22   All this happened in fulfilment of these words of the Lord in the Prophet, where he says—

23   
‘Behold! the virgin shall be with child and shall give birth to a son,
And they will give him the name Immanuel’ ^note 24   —a word which means ‘God is with us.’ ⪆⪆When Joseph awoke from his sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord had

directed him. 25   He made Mary his wife, but did not live with her as her husband until after the birth of her son; and to this son he gave the name Jesus. ^note

1   After the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem in Judaea, in the reign of King Herod, some Astrologers from the East arrived in Jerusalem, 2   asking:

“Where is the new-born King of the Jews? for we saw his star in the east, and have come to do homage to him.”
3   When King Herod heard of this, he was much troubled, and so, too, was all Jerusalem. 4   He called together all the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law in the nation, and questioned them as to where the Christ was to be born.

5   “At Bethlehem in Judaea,” was their answer; “for it is said in the Prophet—

6   
  ‘And thou, Bethlehem in Judah's land,
    Art in no way least among the chief cities of Judah;
  For out of thee will come a Chieftain—
    One who will shepherd my people Israel.’” ^note

7   Then Herod secretly sent for the Astrologers, and ascertained from them the date of the appearance of the star; 8   and, sending them to Bethlehem, he said: “Go and make careful inquiries about the child, and, as soon as you have found him, bring me word, that I, too, may go and do homage to him.”
9   The Astrologers heard what the King had to say, and then continued their journey. And the star which they had seen in the east led them on, until it reached, and stood over, the place where the child was. 10   At the sight of the star they were filled with joy. 11   Entering the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and fell at his feet and did homage to him. Then they unpacked their treasures, and offered to the child presents of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. 12   But afterwards, having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their own country by another road. ^note

13   After they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, and said:

“Awake, take the child and his mother, and seek refuge in Egypt; and stay there until I bid you return, for Herod is about to search for the child, to put him to death.”
14   Joseph awoke, and, taking the child and his mother by night, 15   went into Egypt, and there he stayed until Herod's death; in fulfilment of these words of the Lord in the Prophet, where he says—

‘Out of Egypt I called my Son.’ ^note

16   When Herod found that he had been trifled with by the Astrologers, he was very angry. He sent and put to death all

the boys in Bethlehem and the whole of that neighbourhood, who were two years old or under, guided by the date which he had ascertained from the Astrologers. ⪆⪆ 17   Then were fulfilled these words spoken in the Prophet Jeremiah, where he says—

18   
  ‘A voice was heard in Ramah,
    Weeping and much lamentation;
  Rachel, weeping for her children,
    Refused all comfort because they were not.’ ^note

19   But, on the death of Herod, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, and said:

20   “Awake, take the child and his mother, and go into the Land of Israel, for those who sought to take the child's life are dead.” ^note
21   And he awoke, and, taking the child and his mother, went into the Land of Israel. 22   But, hearing that Archelaus had succeeded his father Herod as King of Judaea, he was afraid to go back there; and, having been warned in a dream, he went into the part of the country called Galilee. 23   And there he settled in the town of Nazareth, in fulfilment of these words in the Prophets— ‘He will be called a Nazarene.’ II.—The Preparation. ^note

1   About that time John the Baptist first appeared, proclaiming in the Wilderness of Judaea:

2   “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” ^note
3   This is he who was spoken of in the Prophet Isaiah, where he says—

    ‘The voice of one crying aloud in the Wilderness:
  “Make ready the way of the Lord,
  Make his paths straight.”’ ^note

4   John wore clothing made of camels' hair, with a belt of leather round his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. ^note ⪆⪆ 5   At that time Jerusalem, and all Judaea, as well as the whole district of the Jordan, 6   went out to him and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

7   When, however, John saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to receive his baptism, he said to them:

“You brood of vipers! Who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgement? 8   Let your life, then,

prove your repentance; 9   and do not think that you can say among yourselves ‘Abraham is our ancestor,’ for I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham! 10   Already the axe is lying at the root of the trees. Therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. 11   I, indeed, baptize you with water to teach repentance; but He who is Coming after me is more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to carry his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. ^note 12   His winnowing-fan is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing-floor, and store his grain in the barn, but the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire.” ^note

13   Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan, to John, to be baptized by him. 14   But John tried to prevent him.

“It is I,” he said, “who need to be baptized by you; why then do you come to me?”

15   “Let it be so for the present,” Jesus answered, “since it is fitting for us thus to satisfy every claim of religion.”
16   Upon this, John consented. After the baptism of Jesus, and just as he came up from the water, the heavens opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending, like a dove, and alighting upon him, 17   and from the heavens there came a voice which said:

“This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight.” ^{note note}

1   Then Jesus was led up into the Wilderness by the Spirit to be tempted by the Devil. 2   And, after he had fasted for forty days and forty nights, he became hungry. ⪆⪆ 3   And the Tempter came to him, and said:

“If you are God's Son, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” ^note
4   But Jesus answered: “Scripture says—

‘It is not on bread alone that man is to live, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” ^note 5   Then the Devil took him to the Holy City, and, placing him on the parapet of the temple, 6   said to him:

“If you are God's Son, throw yourself down, for Scripture says—

‘He will give his angels commands about thee,
And on their hands they will upbear thee,
  Lest ever thou should'st strike thy foot against a stone.’” ^note

7   “Scripture also says,” answered Jesus,

“‘Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.’” ^note

8   The third time, the Devil took Jesus to a very high mountain, and, showing him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendour, 9   said to him:

“All these I will give you, if you will fall at my feet and do homage to me.”
10   Then Jesus said to him:

“Begone, Satan! for Scripture says—

‘Thou shalt do homage to the Lord thy God, and worship him only.’” ^note 11   Then the Devil left him alone, and angels came and ministered to him.

III.—The Work in Galilee. ^note

12   When Jesus heard that John had been committed to prison, he retired to Galilee. 13   Afterwards, leaving Nazareth, he went and settled at Capernaum, which is by the side of the Sea, within the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali; 14   in fulfilment of these words in the Prophet Isaiah—

15   
‘The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
The land of the Road by the Sea, and beyond the Jordan,
  With Galilee of the Gentiles— 16   
The people who were dwelling in darkness
  Have seen a great Light,
And, for those who were dwelling in the shadow-land of Death,
  A Light has risen!’ ^note

^note

17   At that time Jesus began to proclaim—

“Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

^note

18   As Jesus was walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers—Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew—casting a net into the Sea; for they were fishermen.

19   “Come and follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will set you to fish for men.”
20    21   The two men left their nets at once and followed him. ⪆⪆Going further on, he saw two other men who were also brothers, James, Zebediah's son, and his brother John, in their boat with their father, mending their nets. Jesus called them,

and they at once left their boat and their father, 22   and followed him. ^note

23   And Jesus went all through Galilee, teaching in their Synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people; and his fame spread all through Syria. 24   They brought to him all who were ill with any form of disease, or who were suffering pain—any who were either possessed by demons, or were lunatic, or paralyzed; and he cured them. 25   And he was followed by large crowds from Galilee, the district of the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, Judaea, and from beyond the Jordan. ^note

1   On seeing the crowds of people, Jesus went up the hill; and, when he had taken his seat, his disciples came up to him; 2   and he began to teach them as follows: ^note

3   “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ^note
4   Blessed are the mourners, for they shall be comforted. ^note
5   Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. ^note
6   Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
7   Blessed are the merciful, for they shall find mercy.
8   Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. ^note
9   Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called Sons of God.
10   Blessed are those who have been persecuted in the cause of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
11   Blessed are you when people taunt you, and persecute you, and say everything evil about you—untruly, and on my account. 12   Be glad and rejoice, because your reward in Heaven will be great; for so men persecuted the Prophets who lived before you. ^note

13   It is you who are the Salt of the earth; but, if the salt should lose its strength, what will you use to restore its saltness? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown away, and trampled underfoot. ^note 14   It is you who are the Light of the world. A town that stands on a hill cannot be hidden. 15   Men do not light a lamp and put it under the corn-measure, but on the lamp-stand, where it gives light to every one in the house. 16   Let your light so shine before the eyes of your fellowmen, that, seeing your good actions, they may praise your Father who is in Heaven.

^note

17   Do not think that I have come to do away with the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to do away with them, but to complete them. 18   For I tell you,

until the heavens and the earth disappear, not even the smallest letter, nor one stroke of a letter, shall disappear from the Law until all is done. 19   Whoever, therefore, breaks one of these commandments, even the least of them, and teaches others to do so, will be the least-esteemed in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever keeps them, and teaches others to do so, will be esteemed great in the Kingdom of Heaven. 20   Indeed I tell you that, unless your religion is above that of the Teachers of the Law, and Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. ^note

21   You have heard that to our ancestors it was said—

‘Thou shalt not commit murder,’ and

‘Whoever commits murder shall be liable to answer for it to the Court.’ ^note 22   I, however, say to you that any one who cherishes anger against his brother shall be liable to answer for it to the Court; and whoever pours contempt upon his brother shall be liable to answer for it to the High Council, while whoever calls down curses upon him shall be liable to answer for it in the fiery Pit. 23   Therefore, when presenting your gift at the altar, if even there you remember that your brother has some grievance against you, 24   leave your gift there, before the altar, go and be reconciled to your brother first, then come and present your gift. 25   Be ready to make friends with your opponent, even when you meet him on your way to the court; for fear that he should hand you over to the judge, and the judge to his officer, and you should be thrown into prison. 26   I tell you, you will not come out until you have paid the last penny. ^note

27   You have heard that it was said—

‘Thou shalt not commit adultery.’ ^note 28   I, however, say to you that any one who looks at a woman with an impure intention has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29   If your right eye is a snare to you, take it out and throw it away. It would be best for you to lose one part of your body, and not to have the whole of it thrown into the Pit. 30   And, if your right hand is a snare to you, cut it off and throw it away. It would be best for you to lose one part of your body, and not to have the whole of it go down to the Pit. ^note

31   It was also said—

‘Let any one who divorces his wife serve her with a notice of separation.’ ^note 32   I, however, say to you that any one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of her unchastity, leads to her

committing adultery; while any one who marries her after her divorce is guilty of adultery. ^note

33   Again, you have heard that to our ancestors it was said—

‘Thou shalt not break an oath, but thou shalt keep thine oaths as a debt due to the Lord.’ ^note 34   I, however, say to you that you must not swear at all, either by Heaven, ^note 35   since that is God's throne, or by the earth, since that is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, since that is the city of the Great King. ^note 36   Nor should you swear by your head, since you cannot make a single hair either white or black. 37   Let your words be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from what is wrong. ^note

38   You have heard that it was said—

‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. ^note 39   I, however, say to you that you must not resist wrong; but, if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also; 40   and, when any one wants to go to law with you, to take your coat, let him have your cloak as well; 41   and, if any one compels you to go one mile, go two miles with him. 42   Give to him who asks of you; and, from him who wants to borrow from you, do not turn away. ^note

43   You have heard that it was said—

‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour and hate thy enemy.’ ^note 44   I, however, say to you—Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45   that you may become Sons of your Father who is in Heaven; for he causes his sun to rise upon bad and good alike, and sends rain upon the righteous and upon the unrighteous. 46   For, if you love only those who love you, what reward will you have? 47   Even the tax-gatherers do this! And, if you show courtesy to your brothers only, what are you doing more than others? 48   Even the Gentiles do this! ⪆⪆You, then, must become perfect—as your heavenly Father is perfect. ^{note note}

1   Take care not to perform your religious duties in public in order to be seen by others; if you do, your Father who is in Heaven has no reward for you.

2   Therefore, when you do acts of charity, do not have a trumpet blown in front of you, as hypocrites do in the Synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. 3   There, I tell you, is their reward! But, when you do acts of charity, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your charity may be secret; 4   and your Father, who sees what is in secret, will recompense you.

^note

5   And, when you pray, you are not to behave as hypocrites do. They like to pray standing in the Synagogues and at the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. 6   There, I tell you, is their reward! But, when one of you prays, let him go into his own room, shut the door, and pray to his Father who dwells in secret; and his Father, who sees what is secret, will recompense him. ^note ⪆⪆ 7   When praying, do not repeat the same words over and over again, as is done by the Gentiles, who think that by using many words they will obtain a hearing. 8   Do not imitate them; for God, your Father, knows what you need before you ask him. ⪆⪆ 9   You, therefore, should pray thus— ^note

‘Our Father, who art in Heaven,
  May thy name be held holy, 10   
      thy Kingdom come,
      thy will be done—
        on earth, as in Heaven. 11   
    Give us to-day
        the bread that we shall need; 12   
    And forgive us our wrong-doings,
        as we have forgiven those who have wronged us; 13   
    And take us not into temptation,
        but deliver us from Evil.’ 14   For, if you forgive others their offences, your heavenly Father will forgive you also; 15   but, if you do not forgive others their offences, not even your Father will forgive your offences. ^note

16   And, when you fast, do not put on gloomy looks, as hypocrites do who disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. That, I tell you, is their reward! 17   But, when one of you fasts, let him anoint his head and wash his face, 18   that he may not be seen by men to be fasting, but by his Father who dwells in secret; and his Father, who sees what is secret, will recompense him.

^note

19   Do not store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20   But store up treasures for yourselves in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal. 21   For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. ⪆⪆ ^note 22   The lamp of the body is the eye. If your eye is unclouded, your whole body will be lit up; 23   but, if your eye is diseased, your whole body will be darkened. And, if the inner light is darkness, how intense must that darkness be! ⪆⪆ ^note 24   No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate one and love the other, or else he will attach himself to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

^note

25   That is why I say to you, Do not be anxious about your life here—what you can get to eat or drink; nor yet about your body—what you can get to wear. Is not life more than food, and the body than its clothing? 26   Look at the wild birds—they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into barns; and yet your heavenly Father feeds them! And are not you more precious than they? 27   But which of you, by being anxious, can prolong his life a single moment? 28   And why be anxious about clothing? Study the wild lilies, and how they grow. They neither toil nor spin; 29   yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his splendour was not robed like one of these. 30   If God so clothes even the grass of the field, which is living to-day and to-morrow will be thrown into the oven, will not he much more clothe you, O men of little faith? 31   Do not then ask anxiously ‘What can we get to eat?’ or ‘What can we get to drink?’ or ‘What can we get to wear?’ 32   All these are the things for which the nations are seeking, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. 33   But first seek his Kingdom and the righteousness that he requires, and then all these things shall be added for you. 34   Therefore do not be anxious about to-morrow, for to-morrow will bring its own anxieties. Every day has trouble enough of its own. ^note

1   Do not judge, that you may not be judged. 2   For, just as you judge others, you will yourselves be judged, and the measure that you mete will be meted out to you. 3   And why do you look at the straw in your brother's eye, while you pay no attention at all to the beam in yours? 4   How will you say to your brother ‘Let me take out the straw from your eye,’ when all the time there is a beam in your own? 5   Hypocrite! Take out the beam from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the straw from your brother's. ⪆⪆ 6   Do not give what is sacred to dogs; nor yet throw your pearls before pigs, lest they should trample them under their feet, and then turn and attack you. ⪆⪆ ^note 7   Ask, and your prayer shall be granted; search, and you shall find; knock, and the door shall be opened to you. 8   For he that asks receives, he that searches finds, and to him that knocks the door shall be opened. 9   Who among you, when his son asks him for a loaf, will give him a stone, 10   or when he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11   If you, then, wicked though you are, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in Heaven give what is good to those that ask him! ⪆⪆ ^note 12   Do to others whatever you would wish them to do to you; for that is the teaching of both the Law and the Prophets.

^note

13   Go in by the small gate. Broad and spacious is the road that leads to destruction, and those that go in by it are many; 14   for small is the gate, and narrow the road, that leads to Life, and those that find it are few. ^note

15   Beware of false Teachers—men who come to you in the guise of sheep, but at heart they are ravenous wolves. 16   By the fruit of their lives you will know them. Do people gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17   So, too, every sound tree bears good fruit, while a worthless tree bears bad fruit. 18   A sound tree cannot produce bad fruit, nor can a worthless tree bear good fruit. 19   Every tree that fails to bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20   Hence it is by the fruit of their lives that you will know such men. ⪆⪆ 21   Not every one who says to me ‘Master! Master!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. 22   On ‘That Day’ many will say to me ‘Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?’ ^note 23   And then I shall say to them plainly ‘I never knew you. Go from my presence, you who live in sin.’ ^note

^note

24   Every one, therefore, that listens to this teaching of mine and acts upon it may be compared to a prudent man, who built his house upon the rock. 25   The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and beat upon that house, but it did not fall, for its foundations were upon the rock. ⪆⪆ 26   And every one that listens to this teaching of mine and does not act upon it may be compared to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. 27   The rain poured down, the rivers rose, the winds blew and struck against that house, and it fell; and great was its downfall.”

28   By the time that Jesus had finished speaking, the crowd was filled with amazement at his teaching. 29   For he taught them like one who had authority, and not like their Teachers of the Law. ^note

1   When Jesus had come down from the hill, great crowds followed him. ⪆⪆ 2   And he saw a leper who came up, and bowed to the ground before him, and said:

“Master, if only you are willing, you are able to make me clean.”
3   Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did so:

“I am willing; become clean.”

4   Instantly he was made clean from his leprosy; and then Jesus said to him:

“Be careful not to say a word to any one, but go and show yourself to the Priest, and offer the gift directed by Moses, as evidence of your cure.” ^{note note}

5   After Jesus had entered Capernaum, a Captain in the Roman army came up to him, entreating his help.

6   “Sir,” he said, “my manservant is lying ill at my house with a stroke of paralysis, and is suffering terribly.”

7   “I will come and cure him,” answered Jesus.

8   “Sir,” the Captain went on, “I am unworthy to receive you under my roof; but only speak, and my manservant will be cured. 9   For I myself am a man under the orders of others, with soldiers under me; and, if I say to one of them ‘Go,’ he goes, and to another ‘Come,’ he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this,’ he does it.”
10   Jesus was surprised to hear this, and said to those who were following him:

“Never, I tell you, in any Israelite have I met with such faith as this! 11   Yes, and many will come in from East and West and take their places beside Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of Heaven; ^note 12   while the heirs to the Kingdom will be ‘banished into the darkness’ outside; there, there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.” ^note
13   Then Jesus said to the Captain:

“Go now, and it shall be according to your faith.”
And the man was cured that very hour. ^note

14   When Jesus went into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law prostrated with fever. 15   On his taking her hand, the fever left her, and she rose and began to wait upon him.

16   In the evening the people brought to Jesus many who were possessed by demons; and he drove out the spirits with a word, 17   and cured all who were ill, in fulfilment of these words in the Prophet Isaiah—

‘He took our infirmities on himself, and bore the burden of our diseases.’ ^note

^note

18   Seeing a crowd round him, Jesus gave orders to go across.

19   And a Teacher of the Law came up to him, and said:

“Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.”

20   “Foxes have holes,” answered Jesus, “and wild birds their roosting-places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” ^note

21   “Master,” said another, who was a disciple, “let me first go and bury my father.”

22   But Jesus answered:

“Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their dead.” ^note

23   Then he got into the boat, followed by his disciples. 24   Suddenly so great a storm came on upon the Sea, that the waves broke right over the boat. But Jesus was asleep; 25   and the disciples came and roused him.

“Master,” they cried, “save us; we are lost!”

26   “Why are you so timid?” he said. “O men of little faith!”
Then Jesus rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and a great calm followed. ⪆⪆ 27   The men were amazed, and exclaimed:

“What kind of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey him!” ^note

28   And on getting to the other side—the country of the Gadarenes—Jesus met two men who were possessed by demons, coming out of the tombs. They were so violent that no one was able to pass that way. 29   Suddenly they shrieked out:

“What do you want with us, Son of God? Have you come here to torment us before our time?”
30    31   A long way off, there was a drove of many pigs, feeding; and the foul spirits began begging Jesus:

“If you drive us out, send us into the drove of pigs.”

32   “Go,” he said.
The spirits came out, and entered the pigs; and the whole drove rushed down the steep slope into the Sea, and died in the water. ⪆⪆ 33   At this the men who tended them ran away and went to the town, carrying the news of all that had occurred, and of what had happened to the possessed men. 34   At the news the whole town went out to meet Jesus, and, when they saw him, they entreated him to go away from their neighbourhood. ^note

1   Afterwards Jesus got into a boat, and, crossing over, came to his own city. ⪆⪆ 2   And there some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man:

“Courage, Child! your sins are forgiven.”
3   Then some of the Teachers of the Law said to themselves:

“This man is blaspheming!”
4   Knowing their thoughts, Jesus exclaimed:

5   “Why do you cherish such wicked thoughts? Which, I ask, is the easier?—to say ‘Your sins are forgiven’? or to say ‘Get up, and walk about’? 6   But, that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralyzed man—“Get up, take up your bed, and return to your home.” 7    8   The man got up and went to his home. ⪆⪆When the crowd saw this, they were awe-struck, and praised God for giving such power to men.

^note

9   As Jesus went along, he saw a man, called Matthew, sitting in the tax-office, and said to him:

“Follow me.”
Matthew got up and followed him. ^note

10   And, later on, when he was at table in the house, a number of tax-gatherers and outcasts came in and took their places at table with Jesus and his disciples. 11   When the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples:

“Why does your Teacher eat in the company of tax-gatherers and outcasts?”
12   On hearing this, Jesus said:

“It is not those who are in health that need a doctor, but those who are ill. 13   Go and learn what this means—

‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’; for I did not come to call the religious, but the outcast.” ^{note note}

14   Then John's disciples came to Jesus, and asked:

“Why do we and the Pharisees fast while your disciples do not?”
15   Jesus answered:

“Can the bridegroom's friends mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be parted from them, and they will fast then. 16   No man ever puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for such a patch tears away from the garment, and a worse rent is made. 17   Nor do people put new wine into old wineskins; for, if they do, the skins burst, and the wine runs out, and the skins are lost; but they put new wine into fresh skins, and so both are preserved.”

^note

18   While Jesus was saying this, a President of a Synagogue came up and bowed to the ground before him.

“My daughter,” he said, “has just died; but come and place your hand on her, and she will be restored to life.”
19   So Jesus rose and followed him, and his disciples went also. ^note

20   But meanwhile a woman, who had been suffering from haemorrhage for twelve years, came up behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. ^note

21   “If I only touch his cloak,” she said to herself, “I shall get well.”
22   Turning and seeing her, Jesus said:

“Courage, Daughter! your faith has delivered you.” And the woman was delivered from her malady from that very hour. ⪆⪆ 23   When Jesus reached the President's house, seeing

the flute-players, and a number of people all in confusion, he said:

24   “Go away, the little girl is not dead; she is asleep.”
25   They began to laugh at him; but, when the people had been sent out, Jesus went in, and took the little girl's hand, and she rose. ⪆⪆ 26   The report of this spread through all that part of the country. ^note

27   As Jesus was passing on from there, he was followed by two blind men, who kept calling out:

“Take pity on us, Son of David!”
28   When he had gone indoors, the blind men came up to him; and Jesus asked them:

“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”

“Yes, Master!” they answered.
29   Upon that he touched their eyes, and said:

“It shall be according to your faith.”
30   Then their eyes were opened. ⪆⪆Jesus sternly cautioned them. ⪆⪆ 31   “See that no one knows of it,” he said. But the men went out, and spread the news about him through all that part of the country. ^note

32   Just as they were going out, some people brought up to Jesus a dumb man who was possessed by a demon; 33   and, as soon as the demon had been driven out, the dumb man spoke. The people were astonished at this, and exclaimed:

“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
34   But the Pharisees said:

“He drives out the demons by the help of the chief of the demons.”

^note

35   Jesus went round all the towns and the villages, teaching in their Synagogues, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom, and curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

36   But, when he saw the crowds, his heart was moved with compassion for them, because they were distressed and harassed, ‘like sheep without a shepherd’; ^note 37   and he said to his disciples:

“The harvest is abundant, but the labourers are few. 38   Therefore pray to the Owner of the harvest to send labourers to gather in his harvest.” ^note

1   Calling his twelve Disciples to him, Jesus gave them authority over foul spirits, so that they could drive them out, as well as the power of curing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.

2   The names of the twelve Apostles are these:
First Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew;
James the son of Zebediah, and his brother John;
3   Philip and Bartholomew;

Thomas, and Matthew the tax-gatherer;
James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus;
4   Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot—the Apostle who betrayed him. ^note

5   These twelve Jesus sent out as his Messengers, after giving them these instructions—

“Do not go to the Gentiles, nor enter any Samaritan town, but make your way rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 6    7   And on your way proclaim that the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand. 8   Cure the sick, raise the dead, make the lepers clean, drive out demons. You have received free of cost, give free of cost. ⪆⪆ 9   Do not provide yourselves with gold, or silver, or pence in your purses; 10   not even with a bag for the journey, or a change of clothes, or sandals, or even a staff; for the worker is worth his food. 11   Whatever town or village you visit, find out who is worthy in that place, and remain there till you leave. 12    13   As you enter the house, greet it. Then, if the house is worthy, let your blessing rest upon it, but, if it is unworthy, let your blessing return upon yourselves. 14   If no one welcomes you, or listens to what you say, as you leave that house or that town, shake off its dust from your feet. 15   I tell you, the doom of the land of Sodom and Gomorrah will be more bearable in the ‘Day of Judgement’ than the doom of that town. ^note

16   Remember, I am sending you out as my Messengers like sheep among wolves. 17   So be as wise as serpents, and as blameless as doves. Be on your guard against your fellow men, for they will betray you to courts of law, and scourge you in their Synagogues; 18   and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, that you may witness for me before them and the nations. 19   Whenever they betray you, do not be anxious as to how you shall speak or what you shall say, for what you shall say will be given you at the moment; 20   for it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father that speaks within you. 21   Brother will betray brother to death, and the father his child; and children will turn against their parents, and cause them to be put to death; ^note 22   and you will be hated by every one on account of my Name. Yet the man that endures to the end shall be saved. 23   But, when they persecute you in one town, escape to the next; for, I tell you, you will not have come to the end of the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes. ⪆⪆ 24   A scholar is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25   It is enough for a scholar to be treated like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Baal-zebub, how much more the members of his household! 26   Do not, therefore, be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed which will not be revealed, nor

anything hidden which will not become known. 27   What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. 28   And do not be afraid of those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; rather be afraid of him who is able to destroy both soul and body in the Pit. 29   Are not two sparrows sold for a half-penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father's knowledge. 30   While as for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31   Do not, therefore, be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ⪆⪆ 32   Every one, therefore, who shall acknowledge me before his fellow men, I, too, will acknowledge before my Father who is in Heaven; but, 33   if any one disowns me before his fellow men, I, too, will disown him before my Father who is in Heaven. ^note

34   Do not imagine that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring, not peace, but the sword. 35   For I have come to set—

‘a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36   A man's enemies will be the members of his own household.’ ^note 37   He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38   And the man who does not take his cross and follow in my steps is not worthy of me. 39   He who has found his life will lose it, while he who, for my sake, has lost his life shall find it.

40   He who welcomes you is welcoming me; and he who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his Messenger. 41   He who welcomes a Prophet, because he is a Prophet, shall receive a Prophet's reward; and he who welcomes a good man, because he is a good man, shall receive a good man's reward. 42   And, if any one gives but a cup of cold water to one of these lowly ones because he is a disciple, I tell you that he shall assuredly not lose his reward.”

1   After Jesus had finished giving directions to his twelve Disciples, he left that place in order to teach and preach in their towns.

^note

2   Now John had heard in prison what the Christ was doing, 3   and he sent a message by his disciples and asked—

“Are you ‘The Coming One,’ or are we to look for some one else?” ^note

4   The answer of Jesus to the question was—

5   “Go and report to John what you hear and see—The blind recover their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are made clean and the deaf hear, the dead, too, are raised to life, and the Good News is told to the poor. ^note 6   And blessed is the man who finds no hindrance in me.” ^note

7   While these men were going back, Jesus began to say to the crowds with reference to John:

8   “What did you go out into the Wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man richly dressed? Why, those who wear rich things are to be found in the courts of kings! 9   What, then, did you go for? To see a Prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a Prophet. 10   This is the man of whom Scripture says—

‘Behold, I am myself sending my Messenger before thy face,
And he shall prepare thy way before thee.’ ^note 11   I tell you, no one born of a woman has yet appeared who is greater than John the Baptist; and yet the lowliest in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he. 12   From the time of John the Baptist to this very hour, the Kingdom of Heaven has been taken by force, and men using force have been seizing it. 13   For the teaching of all the Prophets and of the Law continued till the time of John; 14   and—if you are ready to accept it—John is himself the Elijah who was destined to come. ⪆⪆ 15    16   Let him who has ears hear. ⪆⪆But to what shall I compare the present generation? It is like 17   little children sitting in the market-places and calling out to their playmates—

‘We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced;
We have wailed, but you have not mourned.’ 18   For, when John came, neither eating nor drinking, men said ‘He has a demon in him’; 19   and now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, they are saying ‘Here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and outcasts!’ And yet Wisdom is vindicated by her actions.” ^note

20   Then Jesus began to reproach the towns in which most of his miracles had been done, because they had not repented:

21   “Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For, if the miracles which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. 22   Yet, I tell you, the doom of Tyre and Sidon will be more bearable in the ‘Day of Judgement’ than yours. ⪆⪆ 23   And you, Capernaum! Will you ‘exalt yourself to Heaven’? ‘You shall go down to the Place of Death.’ For, if the miracles

which have been done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have been standing to this day. ^note 24   Yet, I tell you, the doom of Sodom will be more bearable in the ‘Day of Judgement’ than yours.” ^note

^note

25   At that same time Jesus uttered the words:

  “I thank thee, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, that, though thou hast hidden these things from the wise and learned, thou hast revealed them to the child-like! 26   Yes, Father, I thank thee that this has seemed good to thee.
27   Everything has been committed to me by my Father; nor does any one fully know the Son, except the Father, or fully know the Father, except the Son and those to whom the Son may choose to reveal him. ⪆⪆ ^note 28   Come to me, all you who toil and are burdened, and I will give you rest! 29   Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly-minded, and ‘you shall find rest for your souls’; ^note 30   for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” ^note

1   About the same time Jesus walked through the corn-fields one Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and began to pick some ears of wheat and eat them. 2   But, when the Pharisees saw this, they said:

“Look! your disciples are doing what it is not allowable to do on a Sabbath!”

3   “Have not you read,” replied Jesus, “what David did, when 4   he and his companions were hungry—how he went into the House of God, and how they ate the consecrated bread, though it was not allowable for him or his companions to eat it, but only for the priests? ^note 5   And have not you read in the Law that, on the Sabbath, the priests in the Temple break the Sabbath and yet are not guilty? 6   Here, however, I tell you, there is something greater than the Temple! 7   And had you learnt the meaning of the words—

‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned those who are not guilty. ^note 8   For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.” ^note

9   Passing on, Jesus went into their Synagogue, 10   and there he saw a man with a withered hand. Some people asked Jesus whether it was allowable to work a cure on the Sabbath—so that they might have a charge to bring against him. 11   But Jesus said to them:

“Which of you, if he had only one sheep, and that sheep fell into a pit on the Sabbath, would not lay hold of it and pull it out? 12   And how much more precious a man is than a sheep! Therefore it is allowable to do good on the Sabbath.” 13   Then he said to the man.

“Stretch out your hand.”
The man stretched it out; and it had become as sound as the other. ⪆⪆ 14   On coming out, the Pharisees plotted against Jesus, to put him to death.

15   Jesus, however, became aware of it, and went away from that place. ⪆⪆A number of people followed him, and he cured them all; 16   but he warned them not to make him known, 17   in fulfilment of these words in the Prophet Isaiah—

18   
‘Behold! the Servant of my Choice,
  My Beloved, in whom my heart delights!
I will breathe my spirit upon him,
  And he shall announce a time of judgement to the Gentiles. ^note 19   
He shall not contend, nor cry aloud,
  Neither shall any one hear his voice in the streets; 20   
A bruised reed he will not break,
And a smouldering wick he will not quench,
  Till he has brought the judgement to a victorious issue, 21   
    And on his name shall the Gentiles rest their hopes.’ ^note

^note

22   Then some people brought to Jesus a possessed man, who was blind and dumb; and he cured him, so that the man who had been dumb both talked and saw. ⪆⪆ 23   At this all the people were astounded.

“Is it possible that this is the son of David?” they exclaimed. 24   But the Pharisees heard of it and said: ^note

“He drives out demons only by the help of Baal-zebub the chief of the demons.”
25   Jesus, however, was aware of what was passing in their minds, and said to them:

“Any kingdom divided against itself becomes a desolation, and any town or household divided against itself will not last. 26   So, if Satan drives Satan out, he must be divided against himself; and how, then, can his kingdom last? 27   And, if it is by Baal-zebub's help that I drive out demons, by whose help is it that your own sons drive them out? Therefore they shall themselves be your judges. 28   But, if it is by the help of the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the Kingdom of God must already be upon you. 29   How, again, can any one get into a strong man's house and carry off his goods, without first securing him? And not till then will he plunder his house. 30   He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not help me to gather is scattering. ⪆⪆ 31   Therefore, I tell you, men will be forgiven every sin and slander; but

slander against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. 32   Whoever speaks against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in the present age, or in the age to come. ^note

33   You must assume either that both tree and fruit are good, or that both tree and fruit are worthless; since it is by its fruit that a tree is known. 34   You brood of vipers! how can you, evil as you are, say anything good? 35   For what fills the heart will rise to the lips. A good man, from his good stores, produces good things; while an evil man, from his evil stores, produces evil things. ⪆⪆ 36   I tell you that for every careless thing that men say, they must answer on the ‘Day of Judgement.’ 37   For it is by your words that you will be acquitted, and by your words that you will be condemned.”

^note

38   At this point, some Teachers of the Law and Pharisees interposed.

“Teacher,” they said, “we want to see some sign from you.”

39   “It is a wicked and unfaithful generation,” answered Jesus, “that is asking for a sign, and no sign shall be given it except the sign of the Prophet Jonah. 40   For, just as ‘Jonah was inside the sea-monster three days and three nights,’ so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. ^note 41   At the Judgement, the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation, and will condemn it, because they repented at Jonah's proclamation; and here is more than a Jonah! 42   At the Judgement the Queen of the South will rise up with the present generation, and will condemn it, because she came from the very ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon; and here is more than a Solomon! ^{note note}

43   No sooner does a foul spirit leave a man, than it passes through places where there is no water, in search of rest, and does not find it. 44   Then it says ‘I will go back to the home which I left’; but, on coming there, it finds it unoccupied, and swept, and put in order. 45   Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in, and make their home there; and the last state of that man proves to be worse than the first. ⪆⪆So, too, will it be with this wicked generation.”

^note

46   While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and brothers were standing outside, asking to speak to him. 47    48   Some one told him this, and Jesus replied:

“Who is my mother? and who are my brothers?”
49   Then, stretching out his hand towards his disciples, he said:

50   “Here are my mother and my brothers! For any one who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” ^note

1   That same day, when Jesus had left the house and was sitting by the Sea, 2   such great crowds gathered round him, that he got into a boat, and sat in it, while all the people stood upon the beach. 3   Then he told them many truths in parables.

4   “The sower,” he began, “went out to sow; and, as he was sowing, some seed fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5   Some fell on rocky places, where it had not much soil, and, having no depth of soil, sprang up at once. 6   As soon as the sun had risen, it was scorched, and, having no root, withered away. 7   Some, again, fell into the brambles; but the brambles shot up and choked it. 8   Some, however, fell on good soil, and yielded a return, sometimes one hundred, sometimes sixty, sometimes thirty fold. ⪆⪆ 9   Let him who has ears hear.”

10   Afterwards his disciples came to him, and said:

“Why do you speak to them in parables?”

11   “To you,” answered Jesus, “the knowledge of the hidden truths of the Kingdom of Heaven has been imparted, but not to those. 12   For, to all who have, more will be given, and they shall have abundance; but, from all who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. 13   That is why I speak to them in parables, because, though they have eyes, they do not see, and though they have ears, they do not hear or understand. 14   And in them is being fulfilled that prophecy of Isaiah which says—

‘You will hear with your ears without ever understanding,
  And, though you have eyes, you will see without ever perceiving, 15   
For the mind of this nation has grown dense,
  And their ears are dull of hearing,
    Their eyes also have they closed;
    Lest some day they should perceive with their eyes,
  And with their ears they should hear,
And in their mind they should understand, and should turn—
      And I should heal them.’ ^note 16   But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear; 17   for I tell you that many Prophets and good men have longed for the sight of the things which you are seeing, yet never saw them, and to hear the things which you are hearing, yet never heard them.

Listen, then, yourselves to the parable of the Sower. ⪆⪆When any one hears the Message of the Kingdom without understanding

it, the Evil One comes and snatches away what has been sown in his mind. This is the man meant by the seed which was sown along the path. 20   By the seed which was sown on rocky places is meant the man who hears the Message, and at once accepts it joyfully; 21   but, as he has no root, he stands for only a short time; and, when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Message, he falls away at once. 22   By the seed which was sown among the brambles is meant the man who hears the Message, but the cares of life and the glamour of wealth completely choke the Message, so that it gives no return. 23   But by the seed which was sown on the good ground is meant the man who hears the Message and understands it, and really yields a return, sometimes one hundred, sometimes sixty, sometimes thirty fold.”

^note

24   Another parable which Jesus told them was this—

“The Kingdom of Heaven is compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25   But, while every one was asleep, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and then went away. 26   So, when the blades of corn shot up, and came into ear, the tares made their appearance also. 27   On this the owner's servants came to him, and said ‘Was not it good seed that you sowed in your field? Where, then, do the tares in it come from?’

28   ‘An enemy has done this,’ was his answer.

‘Do you wish us, then,’ they asked, ‘to go and gather them together?’

29   ‘No,’ said he, ‘for fear that, while you are gathering the tares, you should root up the wheat as well. 30   Let both grow side by side till harvest; and then I shall say to the reapers, Gather the tares together first, and tie them in bundles for burning; but bring all the wheat into my barn.’” ^note

31   Another parable which he told them was this—

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field. 32   This seed is smaller than all other seeds, but, when it has grown up, it is larger than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that ‘the wild birds come and roost in its branches.’” ^{note note}

33   This was another parable which Jesus related—

“The Kingdom of Heaven is like some yeast which a woman took and covered up in three pecks of flour, until the whole had risen.”

34   Of all this Jesus spoke to the crowd in parables; indeed to them he used never to speak at all except in parables, 35   in fulfilment of these words in the Prophet—

‘I will speak to them in parables;
I will utter things kept secret since the foundation of the world.’ ^note

^note

36   Then Jesus left the crowd, and went into the house. ⪆⪆Presently his disciples came to him, and said:

“Explain to us the parable of the tares in the field.”

37   And he answered: “The sower of the good seed is the Son of Man. 38   The field is the world. By the good seed is meant the People of the Kingdom. 39   The tares are the wicked, and the enemy who sowed them is the Devil. The harvest-time is the close of the age, and the reapers are angels. 40   And, just as the tares are gathered and burnt, so it will be at the close of the age. 41   The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will gather from his kingdom all that hinders and those who live in sin, ^note 42   and ‘will throw them into the fiery furnace,’ where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.

43   Then shall the righteous shine, like the sun, in the Kingdom of their Father. ⪆⪆Let him who has ears hear. ^{note note}

44   The Kingdom of Heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again, and then, in his delight, went and sold everything that he had, and bought that field. ^note

45   Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a merchant in search of choice pearls. 46   Finding one of great value, he went and sold everything that he had, and bought it. ^note

47   Or again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a net which was cast into the sea, and caught fish of all kinds. 48   When it was full, they hauled it up on the beach, and sat down and sorted the good fish into baskets, but threw the worthless ones away. 49   So will it be at the close of the age. The angels will go out and separate the wicked from the righteous, ^note 50   and ‘will throw them into the fiery furnace,’ where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. ^note

51   Have you understood all this?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they answered.
52   Then he added:

“So every Teacher of the Law, who has received instruction about the Kingdom of Heaven, is like a householder who produces from his stores things both new and old.”

^note

53   When Jesus had finished these parables, he withdrew from that place. 54   Going to his own part of the country, he taught the people in their Synagogue in such a manner that they were deeply impressed.

“Where did he get this wisdom?” they said, “and the miracles? 55   Is not he the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, and Joseph, and Simon, and Judas? 56   And his sisters, too—are not they all living among us? Where, then, did he get all this?”

57   These things proved a hindrance to their believing in him; whereupon Jesus said:

“A Prophet is not without honour, except in his own country and in his own house.”
58   And he did not work many miracles there, because of their want of faith. ^note

1   At that time Prince Herod heard of the fame of Jesus, 2   and said to his attendants:

“This must be John the Baptist; he must be risen from the dead, and that is why these miraculous powers are active in him.”

3   For Herod had arrested John, put him in chains, and shut him up in prison, to please Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother Philip. 4   For John had said to him ‘You have no right to be living with her.’ 5   Yet, though Herod wanted to put him to death, he was afraid of the people, because they looked on John as a Prophet. 6   But, when Herod's birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before his guests, and so pleased Herod, 7   that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8   Prompted by her mother, the girl said ‘Give me here, on a dish, the head of John the Baptist.’ 9   The king was distressed at this; yet, on account of his oath and of the guests at his table, he ordered it to be given her. 10   He sent and beheaded John in the prison; 11   and his head was brought on a dish and given to the girl, and she took it to her mother. ⪆⪆ 12   Then John's disciples came, and took the body away, and buried it; and went and told Jesus. ^note

13   When Jesus heard of it, he retired privately in a boat to a lonely spot. The people, however, heard of his going, and followed him in crowds from the towns on foot. ⪆⪆ 14   On getting out of the boat, Jesus saw a great crowd, and his heart was moved at the sight of them; and he cured all the sick among them. ⪆⪆ 15   In the evening the disciples came up to him, and said:

“This is a lonely spot, and the day is now far advanced; send the crowds away, that they may go to the villages, and buy themselves food.”

16   But Jesus said: “They need not go away, it is for you to give them something to eat.”

17   “We have nothing here,” they said, “except five loaves and two fishes.”

18   “Bring them here to me,” was his reply.
19   Jesus ordered the people to take their seats on the grass; and, taking the five loaves and the two fishes, he looked up to Heaven, and said the blessing, and, after he had broken the loaves, gave them to his disciples; and they gave them to the crowds. 20   Every one had sufficient to eat, and they picked up

enough of the broken pieces that were left to fill twelve baskets. 21   The men who ate were about five thousand in number, without counting women and children. ^note

22   Immediately afterwards Jesus made the disciples get into a boat and cross over in advance of him, while he dismissed the crowds. 23   After dismissing the crowds, he went up the hill by himself to pray; and, when evening fell, he was there alone. ⪆⪆ 24   The boat was by this time some miles from shore, labouring in the waves, for the wind was against her. ⪆⪆ 25   Three hours after midnight, however, Jesus came towards the disciples, walking on the water. 26   But, when they saw him walking on the water, they were terrified.

“It is a ghost,” they exclaimed, and cried out for fear. But 27   Jesus at once spoke to them.

“Courage!” he said, “It is I; do not be afraid!”

28   “Master,” Peter exclaimed, “if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”

29   And Jesus said: “Come.”
So Peter got down from the boat, and walked on the water, and went towards Jesus; 30   but, when he felt the wind, he was frightened, and, beginning to sink, cried out:

“Master! Save me!”
31   Instantly Jesus stretched out his hand, and caught hold of him.

“O man of little faith!” he said, “Why did you falter?”
32    33   When they had got into the boat, the wind dropped. But the men in the boat threw themselves on their faces before him, and said:

“You are indeed God's Son.” ^note

34   When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35   But the people of that place, recognizing Jesus, sent out to the whole country round, and brought to him all who were ill, 36   begging him merely to let them touch the tassel of his cloak; and all who touched were made perfectly well. ^note

1   Then some Pharisees and Teachers of the Law came to Jesus, and said:

2   “How is it that your disciples break the traditions of our ancestors? For they do not wash their hands when they eat food.”
3   His reply was:

“How is it that you on your side break God's commandments out of respect for your own traditions? 4   For God said—

‘Honour thy father and mother,’ and

‘Let him who reviles his father or mother suffer death,’ ^note

5   but you say ‘Whenever any one says to his father or mother “Whatever of mine might have been of service to you is ‘Given to God,’” he is in no way bound to honour his father.’ 6   In this way you have nullified the words of God on account of your traditions. 7   Hypocrites! It was well said by Isaiah when he prophesied about you—

8   
  ‘This is a people that honour me with their lips,
    While their hearts are far removed from me; 9   
  But vainly do they worship me,
    For they teach but the precepts of men.’” ^note

10   Then Jesus called the people to him, and said:

11   “Listen, and mark my words. It is not what enters a man's mouth that ‘defiles’ him, but what comes out from his mouth—that does defile him!”

12   On this his disciples came up to him, and said:

“Do you know that the Pharisees were shocked on hearing what you said?”

13   “Every plant,” Jesus replied, “that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. 14   Let them be; they are but blind guides; and, if one blind man guides another, both of them will fall into a ditch.”

15   Upon this, Peter said to Jesus:

“Explain this saying to us.”

16   “What, do even you understand nothing yet?” Jesus exclaimed. 17   “Do not you see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is afterwards expelled? 18   But the things that come out from the mouth proceed from the heart, and it is these that defile a man. 19   For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts—murder, adultery, unchastity, theft, perjury, slander. 20   These are the things that defile a man; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile a man.”

^note

21   On going away from that place, Jesus retired to the country round Tyre and Sidon. ⪆⪆ 22   There, a Canaanite woman of that district came out and began calling to Jesus:

“Take pity on me, Master, Son of David; my daughter is grievously possessed by a demon.”
23   But Jesus did not answer her a word; and his disciples came up and begged him to send her away.

“She keeps calling out after us,” they said.

24   “I was not sent,” replied Jesus, “to any one except the lost sheep of Israel.”
25   But the woman came, and, bowing to the ground before him, said:

“Master, help me!”

26   “It is not fair,” replied Jesus, “to take the children's food and throw it to dogs.”

27   “Yes, Master,” she said, “for even dogs do feed on the scraps that fall from their owners' table.”

28   “Your faith is great,” was his reply to the woman; “it shall be as you wish!”
And her daughter was cured that very hour.

^note

29   On leaving that place, Jesus went to the shore of the Sea of Galilee; and then went up the hill, and sat down. 30   Great crowds of people came to him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, or dumb, and many others. They put them down at his feet, and he cured them; 31   and the crowd were astonished, when they saw the dumb talking, the cripples made sound, the lame walking about, and the blind with their sight restored; and they praised the God of Israel. ^note

32   Afterwards Jesus called his disciples to him, and said:

“My heart is moved at the sight of all these people, for they have already been with me three days and they have nothing to eat; and I am unwilling to send them away hungry, for fear that they should break down on the way.”

33   “Where can we,” his disciples asked, “in a lonely place find enough bread for such a crowd as this?”

34   “How many loaves have you?” said Jesus.

“Seven,” they answered, “and a few small fish.”
35    36   Telling the crowd to sit down on the ground, Jesus took the seven loaves and the fish, and, after saying the thanksgiving, broke them, and gave them to the disciples; and the disciples gave them to the crowds. 37   Every one had sufficient to eat, and they picked up seven baskets full of the broken pieces left. 38   The men who ate were four thousand in number, without counting women and children. ⪆⪆ 39   Then, after dismissing the crowds, Jesus got into the boat, and went to the neighbourhood of Magadan. ^note

1   Here the Pharisees and Sadducees came up, and, to test Jesus, requested him to show them some sign from the heavens. 2   But Jesus answered:

[“In the evening you say ‘It will be fine weather, for the sky is as red as fire.’ 3   But in the morning you say ‘To-day it will be stormy, for the sky is as red as fire and threatening.’ You learn to read the sky; yet you are unable to read the signs of the times!] ⪆⪆ 4   A wicked and unfaithful generation is asking for a sign, but no sign shall be given it except the sign of Jonah.”
So he left them and went away.

^note

5   Now the disciples had crossed to the opposite shore, and had forgotten to take any bread. 6   Presently Jesus said to them:

“Take care and be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7   But the disciples began talking among themselves about their having brought no bread. 8   On noticing this, Jesus said:

“Why are you talking among yourselves about your being short of bread, O men of little faith? 9   Do not you yet see, nor remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took away? 10   Nor yet the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you took away? 11   How is it that you do not see that I was not speaking about bread? Be on your guard against the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
12   Then they understood that he had told them to be on their guard, not against the leaven of bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

^note

13   On coming into the neighbourhood of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asked his disciples this question—

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

14   “Some say John the Baptist,” they answered, “others, however, say that he is Elijah, while others again say Jeremiah, or one of the Prophets.”

15   “But you,” he said, “who do you say that I am?”

16   And to this Simon Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

17   “Blessed are you, Simon, Son of Jonah,” Jesus replied. “For no human being has revealed this to you, but my Father who is in Heaven. 18   Yes, and I say to you, Your name is ‘Peter’—a Rock, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the Powers of the Place of Death shall not prevail over it. ^note 19   I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be held in Heaven to be forbidden, and whatever you allow on earth will be held in Heaven to be allowed.” ^note
20   Then he charged his disciples not to tell any one that he was the Christ.

^note

21   At that time Jesus Christ began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and undergo much suffering at the hands of the Councillors, and Chief Priests, and Teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day. ^note 22   But Peter took Jesus aside, and began to rebuke him.

“Master,” he said, “please God that shall never be your fate!”
23   Jesus, however, turning to Peter, said:

“Out of my way, Satan! You are a hindrance to me; for you look at things, not as God does, but as man does.” ^note

24   Then Jesus said to his disciples:

“If any man wishes to walk in my steps, let him renounce self, and take up his cross, and follow me. 25   For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses his life shall find it. 26   What good will it do a man to gain the whole world, if he forfeits his life? or what will a man give that is of equal value with his life? 27   For the Son of Man is to come in his Father's Glory, with his angels, and then he ‘will give to every man what his actions deserve.’ ^note 28   I tell you, some of those who are standing here will not know death till they have seen the Son of Man coming into his Kingdom.” ^note

1   Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter, and the brothers James and John, and led them up a high mountain alone. 2   There his appearance was transformed before their eyes; his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. 3   And all at once Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus.

4   “Master,” exclaimed Peter, interposing, “it is good to be here; if you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
5   While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and there was a voice from the cloud which said—

“This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I delight; him you must hear.” ^note
6   The disciples, on hearing this, fell on their faces, greatly afraid. 7   But Jesus came and touched them, saying as he did so:

“Rise up, and do not be afraid.”
8   When they raised their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus himself alone. ⪆⪆ 9   As they were going down the mountain side, Jesus gave them this warning—“Do not speak of this vision to any one, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” ^note

10   “How is it,” his disciples asked, “that our Teachers of the Law say that Elijah has to come first?”

11   “Elijah indeed does come,” Jesus replied, “and will restore everything; ^note 12   and I tell you that Elijah has already come, and people have not recognized him, but have treated him just as

they pleased. In the same way, too, the Son of Man is destined to undergo suffering at men's hands.”
13   Then the disciples understood that it was of John the Baptist that he had spoken to them.

^note

14   When they came to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus, and, kneeling down before him, said:

15   “Master, take pity on my son, for he is epileptic and suffers terribly; indeed, he often falls into the fire and into the water; 16   I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” ^note

17   “O faithless and perverse generation!” Jesus exclaimed, “how long must I be among you? how long must I have patience with you? Bring the boy here to me.” ^note
18   Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of the boy; and he was cured from that very hour. ⪆⪆ 19   Afterwards the disciples came up to Jesus, and asked him privately: “Why was it that we could not drive it out?”

20   “Because you have so little faith,” he answered; “for, I tell you, if your faith were only like a mustard-seed, you could say to this mountain ‘Move from this place to that!’ and it would be moved; and nothing would be impossible to you.”

^note

22   While Jesus and his disciples were together in Galilee, he said to them:

“The Son of Man is destined to be betrayed into the hands of his fellow-men, 23   and they will put him to death, but on the third day he will rise.”
And the disciples were greatly distressed. ^note

^note

24   After they had reached Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple-rate came up to Peter, and said:

“Does not your Master pay the Temple-rate?”

25   “Yes,” answered Peter.
But, on going into the house, before he could speak, Jesus said:

“What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings take taxes or tribute? From their sons, or from others?”

26   “From others,” answered Peter.

27   “Well then,” continued Jesus, “their sons go free. Still, that we may not shock them, go and throw a line into the Sea; take the first fish that rises, open its mouth, and you

will find in it a piece of money. Take that, and give it to the collectors for both of us.” ^note

1   On the same occasion the disciples came to Jesus, and asked him:

“Who is really the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” 2   Jesus called a little child to him, and placed it in the middle of them, 3   and then said:

“I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will not enter the Kingdom of Heaven at all. 4   Therefore, any one who will humble himself like this child— that man shall be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. 5   And any one who, for the sake of my Name, welcomes even one little child like this, is welcoming me. ^note 6   But, if any one puts a snare in the way of one of these lowly ones who believe in me, it would be best for him to be sunk in the depths of the sea with a great millstone hung round his neck. ⪆⪆ 7   Alas for the world because of such snares! There cannot but be snares; yet alas for the man who is answerable for the snare!

8   If your hand or your foot is a snare to you, cut it off, and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter the Life maimed or lame, than to have both hands, or both feet, and be thrown into the aeonian fire. 9   If your eye is a snare to you, take it out, and throw it away. It would be better for you to enter the Life with only one eye, than to have both eyes and be thrown into the fiery Pit.

10   Beware of despising one of these lowly ones, for in Heaven, I tell you, their angels always see the face of my Father who is in Heaven. 12   What think you? ^noteIf a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them strays, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills, and go and search for the one that is straying? 13   And, if he succeeds in finding it, I tell you that he rejoices more over that one sheep than over the ninety-nine which did not stray. 14   So, too, it is the will of my Father who is in Heaven that not one of these lowly ones should be lost. ^note

15   If your Brother does wrong, go to him and convince him of his fault when you and he are alone. If he listens to you, you have won your Brother. 16   But, if he does not listen to you, take with you one or two others, so that ‘on the evidence of two or three witnesses, every word may be put beyond dispute.’ ^note 17   If he refuses to listen to them, speak to the Church; and, if he also refuses to listen to the Church, treat him as you would a Gentile or a tax-gatherer.

18   I tell you, all that you forbid on earth will be held in Heaven to be forbidden, and all that you allow on earth will

be held in Heaven to be allowed. ⪆⪆ ^note 19   Again, I tell you that, if but two of you on earth agree as to what they shall pray for, whatever it be, it will be granted them by my Father who is in Heaven. 20   For where two or three have come together in my Name, I am present with them.”

^note

21   Then Peter came up, and said to Jesus:

“Master, how often am I to forgive my Brother when he wrongs me? As many as seven times?”
22   But Jesus answered: ^note

23   “Not seven times, but ‘seventy times seven.’ ⪆⪆And therefore the Kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24   When he had begun to do so, one of them was brought to him who owed him six million pounds; 25   and, as he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold towards the payment of the debt, together with his wife, and his children, and everything that he had. 26   Thereupon the servant threw himself down on the ground before him and said ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you all.’ 27   The master was moved with compassion; and he let him go, and forgave him the debt. 28   But, on going out, that same servant came upon one of his fellow-servants who owed him ten pounds. Seizing him by the throat, he said ‘Pay what you owe me.’ 29   Thereupon his fellow-servant threw himself on the ground, and begged for mercy. ‘Have patience with me,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you.’ 30   But the other would not, but went and put him in prison till he should pay his debt. 31   When his fellow-servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and went to their master and laid the whole matter before him. 32   Upon that the master sent for the servant, and said to him ‘You wicked servant! When you begged me for mercy, I forgave you the whole of that debt. 33   Ought not you, also, to have shown mercy to your fellow-servant, just as I showed mercy to you?’ 34   Then his master, in anger, handed him over to the gaolers, until he should pay the whole of his debt. ⪆⪆ 35   So, also, will my heavenly Father do to you, unless each one of you forgives his Brother from his heart.” IV.—The Journey to Jerusalem. ^note

1   At the conclusion of this teaching, Jesus withdrew from Galilee, and went into that district of Judaea which is on the other side of the Jordan. 2   Great crowds followed him, and he cured them there.

3   Presently some Pharisees came up to him, and, to test him, said: “Has a man the right to divorce his wife for every cause?”

4   “Have not you read,” replied Jesus, “that at the beginning the Creator ‘made them male and female,’ ^note 5   and said—

‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife, and the man and his wife shall become one’? ^note 6   So that they are no longer two, but one. What God himself, then, has yoked together man must not separate.”

7   “Why, then,” they said, “did Moses direct that a man should ‘serve his wife with a notice of separation and divorce her’?” ^note

8   “Moses, owing to the hardness of your hearts,” answered Jesus, “permitted you to divorce your wives, but that was not so at the beginning. 9   But I tell you that any one who divorces his wife, except on the ground of her unchastity, and marries another woman, is guilty of adultery.”

10   “If that,” said the disciples, “is the position of a man with regard to his wife, it is better not to marry.”

11   “It is not every one,” replied Jesus, “who can accept this teaching, but only those who have been enabled to do so. 12   Some men, it is true, have from birth been disabled for marriage, while others have been disabled by their fellow men, and others again have disabled themselves for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven. Let him accept it who can.”

^note

13   Then some little children were brought to Jesus, for him to place his hands on them, and pray; but the disciples found fault with those who had brought them. 14   Jesus, however, said:

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for it is to the childlike that the Kingdom of Heaven belongs.”
15   So he placed his hands on them, and then went on his way.

^note

16   And a man came up to Jesus, and said:

“Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain Immortal Life?”

17   “Why ask me about goodness?” answered Jesus. “There is but One who is good. If you want to enter the Life, keep the commandments.”

18   “What commandments?” asked the man.

“These,” answered Jesus:—

“‘Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not commit adultery. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not say what is false about others. 19   Honour thy father and thy mother.’ And

‘Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thou dost thyself.” ^note

20   “I have observed all these,” said the young man. “What is still wanting in me?”

21   “If you wish to be perfect,” answered Jesus, “go and sell your property, and give to the poor, and you shall have wealth in Heaven; then come and follow me.”
22   On hearing these words, the young man went away distressed, for he had great possessions.

23   At this, Jesus said to his disciples:

“I tell you that a rich man will find it hard to enter the Kingdom of Heaven! 24   I say again, it is easier for a camel to get through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”
25   On hearing this, the disciples exclaimed in great astonishment:

“Who then can possibly be saved?”
26   But Jesus looked at them, and said:

“With men this is impossible, but with God everything is possible.”

Then Peter turned and said to Jesus:

27   “But we—we left everything, and followed you; what, then, shall we have?”

28   “I tell you,” answered Jesus, “that at the New Creation, ‘when the Son of Man takes his seat on his throne of glory,’ you who followed me shall be seated upon twelve thrones, as judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. ^note 29   Every one who has left houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children, or land, on account of my Name, will receive many times as much, and will ‘gain Immortal Life.’ ^note ⪆⪆ 30   But many who are first now will then be last, and those who are last will be first. ⪆⪆ ^note

1   For the Kingdom of Heaven is like an employer who went out in the early morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. 2   He agreed with the labourers to pay them two shillings a day, and sent them into his vineyard. 3   On going out again, about nine o'clock, he saw some others standing in the market-place, doing nothing. 4   ‘You also may go into my vineyard,’ he said, ‘and I will pay you what is fair.’ 5   So the men went. Going out again about mid-day and about three o'clock, he did as before. 6   When he went out about five, he found some other men standing there, and said to them ‘Why have you been standing here all day long, doing nothing?’

7   ‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

‘You also may go into my vineyard,’ he said.
8   In the evening the owner of the vineyard said to his steward ‘Call the labourers, and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, and ending with the first.’ 9   Now when those who had been hired about five o'clock went up, they received two shillings each. ^note 10   So, when the first went up, they thought

that they would receive more, but they also received two shillings each; 11   on which they began to grumble at their employer.

12   ‘These last,’ they said, ‘have done only one hour's work, and yet you have put them on the same footing with us, who have borne the brunt of the day's work, and the heat.’

13   ‘My friend,’ was his reply to one of them, ‘I am not treating you unfairly. Did not you agree with me for two shillings? 14   Take what belongs to you, and go. I choose to give to this last man the same as to you. 15   Have not I the right to do as I choose with what is mine? Are you envious because I am liberal?’ ⪆⪆ 16   So those who are last will be first, and the first last.”

^note

17   When Jesus was on the point of going up to Jerusalem, he gathered the twelve disciples round him by themselves, and said to them as they were on their way:

18   “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem; and there the Son of Man will be betrayed to the Chief Priests and Teachers of the Law, 19   and they will condemn him to death, and give him up to the Gentiles for them to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify; and on the third day he will rise.”

^note

20   Then the mother of Zebediah's sons came to him with her sons, bowing to the ground, and begging a favour.

21   “What is it that you want?” he asked.

“I want you to say,” she replied, “that in your Kingdom these two sons of mine may sit, one on your right, and the other on your left.”

22   “You do not know what you are asking,” was Jesus' answer. “Can you drink the cup that I am to drink?”

“Yes,” they exclaimed, “we can.”

23   “You shall indeed drink my cup,” he said, “but as to a seat at my right and at my left—that is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.” 24   On hearing of this, the ten others were very indignant about the two brothers. 25   Jesus, however, called the ten to him, and said: ^note

“The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them as you know, and their great men oppress them. 26    27   Among you it is not so. No, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to take the first place among you, must be your slave; 28   just as the

Son of Man came, not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

^note

29   As they were going out of Jericho, a great crowd followed him. 30   Two blind men who were sitting by the road-side, hearing that Jesus was passing, called out:

“Take pity on us, Master, Son of David!”
31   The crowd told them to be quiet; but the men only called out the louder:

“Take pity on us, Master, Son of David!”
32   Then Jesus stopped and called them.

“What do you want me to do for you?” he said.

33   “Master,” they replied, “we want our eyes to be opened.” So Jesus, 34   moved with compassion, touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight, and followed him. V.—The Last Days. ^note

1   When they had almost reached Jerusalem, having come as far as Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent on two disciples.

2   “Go to the village facing you,” he said, “and you will immediately find an ass tethered, with a foal by her side; untie her, and lead her here for me. 3   And, if any one says anything to you, you are to say this—‘The Master wants them’; and he will send them at once.”
4   This happened in fulfilment of these words in the Prophet—

5   
      ‘Say to the daughter of Zion—
  “Behold, thy King is coming to thee,
    Gentle, and riding on an ass,
    And on the foal of a beast of burden.”’ ^note

6   So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7   They led the ass and the foal back, and, when they had put their cloaks on them, he seated himself upon them. 8   The immense crowd of people spread their cloaks in the road, while some cut branches off the trees, and spread them on the road. 9   The crowds that led the way, as well as those that followed behind, kept shouting: