Copyright (C) 2002 by Lightheart.
www.PracticeGodsPresence.com
The Gospel of Luke
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1. Forasmuch as many eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have
set forth and delivered to us a declaration of those things which are
most surely believed among us, it seemed good to me also, having had
perfect understanding of these things from the very beginning, to
write to you, most excellent Theophilus, in order that thou might know
the certainty of the things thou has been instructed.
In the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, there was a priest named
Zacharias, of the course of Abia. His wife was of the daughters of
Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. They were both righteous before
God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the
Lord. They had no child because Elisabeth was barren. They were both
well up in years.
According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot, while he
executed his duty before God, was to burn incense when he went into
the temple of the Lord. The multitude gathered outside to pray during
the time of incense.
There appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side
of the altar of incense. When Zacharias saw him, he was troubled and
fell down in fear. But the angel said to him, Fear not, Zacharias: for
thy prayer is heard. Thy wife, Elisabeth, shall bear thee a son and
thou shall name him John. You shall have joy and gladness and many
will rejoice at his birth. He shall be great in the sight of the Lord.
He shall not drink wine or strong drink; and he shall be filled with
the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb.
He shall turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord, their God.
He shall go in the spirit and power of Elias to turn the hearts of the
fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the
just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.
Zacharias said to the angel, How shall I know this? I am an old man,
and my wife an old woman. The angel said to him, I am Gabriel, who
stands in the presence of God; and am sent to speak to thee, and to
show thee these glad tidings. Behold, thou shall be dumb and unable to
speak until the day these things are performed because thou believe
not my words which shall be fulfilled in their season.
The people waited for Zacharias, and marvelled that he tarried so long
in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They
perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple for he beckoned to
them and remained speechless.
It came to pass, that, as soon as the days of his official duties were
accomplished, he went home. His wife, Elisabeth, conceived, and hid
herself for five months. She said, Thus has the Lord now done for me
that which takes away my reproach among others.
In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of
Galilee, named Nazareth. The angel appeared to a virgin named Mary and
espoused to Joseph, of the house of David. He said to her, Hail, thou
that art highly favored. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among
women. When she saw him, she was troubled by his words.
Then the angel said to her, Fear not, Mary, for thou has found favor
with God. Thou shall conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and
shall call His name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the
Son of the Highest. The Lord God shall give Him the throne of His
father David. He shall reign over the house of Jacob forever. And, of
His kingdom there shall be no end.
Then Mary said to the angel, How shall this be since I know not a man?
The angel answered, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power
of the Highest shall overshadow thee so the holiness that is born of
thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold, thy cousin,
Elisabeth, has conceived a son in her old age. It is the sixth month
with her who was once thought barren. With God nothing is impossible.
Mary said, Behold, the handmaid of the Lord. Be it done according to
thy word. Then the angel departed from her.
Mary arose with haste and went to a city of Juda in the hill country.
Here she entered the house of Zacharias, and saluted Elisabeth. When
Elisabeth heard this salutation of Mary, the babe leaped in her womb
and Elisabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost. She spoke out with a
loud voice, Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of
thy womb. How is it that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As
soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in my ears, the babe
leaped in my womb for joy. Blessed is she that believed for there
shall be a demonstration of those things which were told her by the
Lord.
Mary said, My soul does magnify the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced
in God my Savior. He has regarded the low estate of His handmaiden
and, henceforth, all generations shall call me blessed. He that is
mighty has done great things to me. Holy is His name. His mercy is on
them that fear Him from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the
imagination of their hearts. He has put down the mighty from their
thrones, and exalted those of low degree. He has filled the hungry
with good things; and the rich He has sent away empty. He has helped
His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy; as He spoke to our
fathers, to Abraham, and to His seed forever.
Mary stayed with her cousin, Elisabeth about three months, then
returned to her own house. Elisabeth's time came that she should be
delivered; and she brought forth a son. Her neighbors and her cousins
heard how the Lord had showed great mercy on her; and they rejoiced
with her.
On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. They called him
Zacharias after the name of his father. But his mother said, No. He
shall be called John. And they said to her, There is none of thy
kindred that is called by this name. Then they made signs to his
father asking how he would have him called. He asked for a writing
table, and wrote, His name is John. Then Zacharias' mouth was opened
immediately, his tongue loosed, and he spoke and praised God.
This news was carried throughout all the hill country of Judaea. All
who heard were filled with wonder at what kind of child this would be!
And the hand of the Lord was with him.
His father, Zacharias, was filled with the Holy Ghost and prophesied,
Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel; for He has visited and redeemed
His people, He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house
of His servant, David; as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
which have been since the world began: That we should be saved from
our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us; to perform the
mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember His holy covenant; the
oath which He swore to our father, Abraham, that He would grant us,
being delivered out of the hand of our enemies, to serve Him without
fear, in holiness and righteousness, all the days of our life.
And thou, child, shall be called the prophet of the Highest, for thou
shall go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways; to give
knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins,
through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on
high has visited us to give light to those who sit in darkness and in
the shadow of death, to guide our feet in the way of peace.
The child grew and became strong in spirit. He was in the desert until
the day of his showing to Israel.
2 A decree went out from Caesar Augustus. According to the
decree every man was to go to his own city to be taxed. Because he was
of the house and lineage of David, Joseph went up from Nazareth in
Galilee, to the city of Bethlehem in Judaea to be taxed. With him was
Mary, his espoused wife, who was great with child. While they were
there, the time came for her to be delivered. She brought forth her
firstborn son, wrapped Him in swaddling clothes, and laid Him in a
manger because there was no room for them in the inn.
In the same country shepherds were in the field keeping watch over
their flock by night. Lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them and the
glory of the Lord shone about them. They became afraid. And the angel
said to them, Fear not. Behold, I bring you good tidings which shall
be great joy to all people. A Savior, Christ the Lord, is born this
day in the city of David. Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling
clothes, lying in a manger. Then there also appeared a heavenly host
praising God. They said, Glory to God in the highest and, on earth,
peace and good will toward men.
The shepherds said, Let us go to Bethlehem and see what has come to
pass which the Lord has made known to us. They went with haste and
found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
When they saw, they made it known abroad what was told them concerning
this child. Those who heard, wondered at what they were told. But Mary
kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds
returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had
heard and seen, as it was told to them.
When eight days were completed for the circumcising of the child, His
name was called Jesus, which was so named by the angel before He was
conceived in the womb. When the days of the purification according to
the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought Jesus to Jerusalem to
present Him to the Lord, as it is written in the law: Every male that
opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord. And, also according
to law of the Lord, they offered the sacrifice: a pair of turtledoves,
or two young pigeons.
There was a man in Jerusalem, named Simeon. He was a just and devout
man, waiting for the consolation of Israel. The Holy Ghost was upon
him and revealed to him that he should not see death before he had
seen the Lord's Christ.
He came by the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the
child Jesus, Simeon took Him up in his arms, blessed God, and said,
Lord, now let thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word, for
my eyes have seen thy salvation which thou has prepared before the
face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of
thy people, Israel.
Joseph and Mary marvelled at the things which were spoken of Him.
Simeon blessed them, and said to His mother, Mary, Behold, this child
is set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel; and for a sign
which will be spoken against. A sword shall pierce thy soul that the
thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.
Then a prophetess also spoke of Him. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel,
of the tribe of Aser. She was an aged widow who, for fourscore and
four years, did not leave the temple and served God with fasting and
prayer night and day. She gave thanks to the Lord, and spoke of Him to
those in Jerusalem who awaited redemption.
When they had performed all that was required according to the law of
the Lord, they returned to their own city of Nazareth in Galilee. The
child grew, became strong in spirit, and was filled with wisdom and
the grace of God.
Every year His parents went to Jerusalem at the feast of the passover.
When He was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the
custom of the feast. When they had fulfilled the days, they returned,
but the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and His mother
did not know of it. Supposing Him to have been in the caravan, at the
end of the first day's journey, they sought Him among their kinsfolk
and acquaintances. When they did not find Him, they turned back toward
Jerusalem to find Him.
After three days, they found Him in the temple. He was sitting in the
midst of the doctors, listening to them and asking them questions.
Those who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.
When His parents saw Him, they were amazed. His mother said to Him,
Son, why has thou done this to us? Thy father and I have been very
worried. He said, How is it that ye sought me? Do you not know that I
must be about my Father's business? But they did not understand what
He said to them. Then He went with them to Nazareth and was obedient
to them; but His mother kept all this in her heart. Jesus increased in
wisdom, in stature, and in favor with God and man.
3 It was the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar.
Pontius Pilate was governor of Judaea; Herod was tetrarch of Galilee;
and his brother, Philip, was tetrarch of Ituraea and the region of
Trachonitis; and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene. Annas and Caiaphas
were the high priests.
The word of God came to John the son of Zacharias when he was in the
wilderness. He went into all the country around Jordan, preaching the
baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. This was according to
what is written in the book of Esaias the prophet: The voice of one
crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths
straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill
shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the
rough ways shall be made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation
of God.
John said to the multitude that came to be baptized by him, O
generation of vipers, who has warned you to flee from the wrath to
come? Bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Stop saying to
yourselves, We have our father, Abraham: for I tell you, God is able
to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. Now the axe is laid
to the root of the trees. Every tree which does not bring forth good
fruit is hewn down and cast into the fire.
The people asked him, What shall we do? He answered, He that has two
coats, let him give it to him that has none. He that has food, let him
do likewise. The publicans who came to him to be baptized also asked,
Master, what shall we do? He said to them, Exact no more than that
which is appointed you. The soldiers, likewise, asked, What shall we
do? He said, Do violence to no man, do not accuse anyone falsely; and
be content with your wages.
People lived in expectation and wondered whether he was the Christ.
John answered by saying to them all, I baptize you with water; but one
mightier than I comes, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to
unloose. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with a fire
whose fan is in His hand. He will thoroughly purge His floor. He will
gather the wheat into His garner; but He will burn the chaff with fire
unquenchable.
Herod, the tetrarch, had been reproved by John on account of Herodias,
his brother Philip's wife and for all the evils which Herod had done.
Herod held this against him. Then, when Herod heard what John was
saying, he had John imprisoned.
When Jesus, also being baptized, was praying, the heaven opened and
the Holy Ghost, in a bodily shape like a dove, descended upon Him. A
voice came from heaven which said, Thou art my beloved Son. In thee I
am well pleased.
Jesus was about thirty years of age, the son of Joseph, which was the
son of Heli, the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi, which was
the son of Melchi, the son of Janna, which was the son of Joseph, son
of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos, the son of Naum, the son of
Esli, which was the son of Nagge, the son of Maath, which was the son
of Mattathias, the son of Semei, the son of Joseph, the son of Juda.
Juda was the son of Joanna, which was the son of Rhesa, which was the
son of Zorobabel, which was the son of Salathiel, which was the son of
Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of
Elmodam, which was the son of Er, the son of Jose, son of Eliezer,
which was the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, son of Levi.
Levi was the son of Simeon, which was the son of Juda, which was the
son of Joseph, which was the son of Jonan, which was the son of
Eliakim, the son of Melea, which was the son of Menan, which was the
son of Mattatha, which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of
David, the son of Jesse, son of Obed, which was the son of Booz, which
was the son of Salmon.
Salmon was the son of Naasson, son of Aminadab, which was the son of
Aram, which was the son of Esrom, the son of Phares, son of Juda, the
son of Jacob, which was the son of Isaac.
Isaac was the son of Abraham, the son of Thara, son of Nachor, which
was the son of Saruch, the son of Ragau, son of Phalec, which was the
son of Heber, the son of Sala, son of Cainan, which was the son of
Arphaxad, the son of Sem, son of Noah.
Noah was the son of Lamech, which was the son of Mathusala, which was
the son of Enoch, which was the son of Jared, the son of Maleleel, son
of Cainan, which was the son of Enos, which was the son of Seth, which
was the son of Adam, which was the son of God.
4 Filled with the Holy Ghost, Jesus returned from Jordan and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness. For forty days He was tempted
by the devil. During this time He ate nothing and, when His fasting
ended, He was hungry.
The devil said to him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone
to be made bread. Jesus answered, It is written: Man shall not live by
bread alone, but by every word of God.
The devil, then, took Him up into a high mountain and showed Him all
the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. The devil said to Him,
I give thee the power and glory of all this that is mine and to
whomever I give it. If thou will worship me, all shall be thine. Jesus
said to him, Get thee behind me, Satan. It is written: Thou shall
worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall thou serve.
The devil brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on a pinnacle of the
temple and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from
here. It is written: He shall give His angels charge over thee, to
keep thee, and, in their hands, they shall bear thee up lest at any
time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said, Thou shall not
tempt the Lord thy God.
When the devil had ended all the temptation, He departed from Him for
a season. Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit. His
fame spread throughout all the region. He taught in the synagogues and
was glorified by all.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. As was His
custom, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day and stood up to
read. He was given the book of the prophet Esaias. When He opened the
book, He found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord
is upon me, because He has anointed me to preach the gospel to the
poor; He has sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance
to the captives, recover sight to the blind, to set at liberty those
who are bruised, and to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.
He closed the book, returned it, and sat down. The eyes of all who
were in the synagogue were fastened on Him. Jesus said to them, This
day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.
All bore Him witness and wondered at the gracious words which
proceeded from His mouth. They said, Is this not Joseph's son? He said
to them, Ye will surely say to me this proverb, Physician, heal
thyself. Whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in
thy country.
And He said, No prophet is accepted in his own country. But I tell
you, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven
was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was
throughout all the land; but to none of them was Elias sent, except to
Sarepta, a city of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. Many lepers were
in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was
cleansed, except Naaman the Syrian.
When they heard these things, all who were in the synagogue were
filled with wrath. They rose up and pushed Him out of the city. They
drove Him to the top of the hill upon which their city was built so
they might cast Him down headlong. But, passing through the midst of
them, He went His way.
Jesus went on to Capernaum in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath
days. They were astonished at His doctrine for His word was powerful.
There was a man in the synagogue who had a spirit of an unclean devil
which cried out with a loud voice, Let us alone; what have we to do
with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know
who thou art; the Holy One of God.
Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. When
the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him. The people
were amazed and said, What words are these! With authority and power
He commands the unclean spirits and they come out. His fame went out
into every corner of that country.
Jesus went out of the synagogue and entered Simon's house. Simon's
wife's mother had a serious fever and they besought Him to help her.
Jesus stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately
she arose and ministered to them.
Now when the sun was setting, many who were sick with divers diseases
were brought to Him. He laid His hands on every one of them and healed
them. Devils came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art
Christ, the Son of God. Jesus rebuked and silenced them because they
knew that He was Christ.
When it was day, He left and went into a desert place. The people
looked for Him. When they found Him, they tried to prevent Him from
departing from them. But Jesus said to them, I must preach the kingdom
of God to other cities also. This is why I was sent. And He preached
in the synagogues of Galilee.
5 As the people pressed upon Him to hear the word of God, He
stood by the lake of Gennesaret. He saw two ships standing by the
lake. The fishermen were gone out of them and were washing their nets.
He entered one of the ships, which was Simon's, and requested that he
thrust out a little from the land. Then He sat down and taught the
people from the ship.
When He finished speaking, He said to Simon, Launch out into the deep
and let down your nets. Simon said to Him, Master, we have toiled all
night and have taken nothing. Nevertheless, at thy word, I will let
down the net.
When he and his crew had this done, they enclosed a great multitude of
fish and their net broke. They beckoned to their partners, who were in
another ship, to come and help them. They came and filled both the
ships so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees and said, Depart
from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, who were partners with Simon, and all those who were with
them, were astonished at the great number of fish. Jesus said to
Simon, Fear not. From now on, thou shall catch men. When they landed
the fishing boats, they left everything and followed Him.
It came to pass, when He was in a certain city, a man, full of
leprosy, on seeing Jesus, fell before Him and said, Lord, if thou
will, thou can make me clean. Jesus stretched out His hand, touched
him, and said, I will. Be thou clean. Immediately the leprosy left the
man. Jesus then directed him to tell no one about this. He said, Go
and show thyself to the priest. Offer for thy cleansing, according to
Moses command, for a testimony to them.
Nonetheless, His fame was spread even more abroad. Great multitudes
gathered to hear and be healed of their infirmities by Him. Jesus
withdrew Himself into the wilderness to pray.
One day He was teaching and the power of the Lord to heal was upon
Him. There were gathered people that had come out of every town of
Galilee, and Judaea, and Jerusalem. Pharisees and doctors of the law
sat among them.
Men approached carrying a bed with a man who had a palsy. They looked
for a way to bring him in and lay him before Jesus. When they could
not find a way to bring him in because of the multitude, they went
upon the housetop and lowered him down on his couch through the tiling
and into the midst of where Jesus stood. When Jesus saw their faith,
He said, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
The scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, Who is this
who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? When
Jesus perceived their thoughts, He said to them, Why question in your
hearts whether it is easier to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or, to
say, Rise up and walk? That ye may know that the Son of man has power
on earth to forgive sins, (He said to the sick man), Arise. Take up
thy couch and go to your home. Immediately he rose up before them,
took up that upon which he lay, and departed to his own house,
glorifying God. They were all amazed and glorified God, and were
filled with fear, saying, We have seen strange things today.
After these things, He went forth and saw a publican named Levi who
was sitting at the receipt of custom. He said to him, Follow me. And
he left all, rose up, and followed Him. Levi made Him a great feast in
his own house. There was a large company of publicans and others that
sat down with them.
The scribes and Pharisees murmured against His disciples, saying, Why
do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners? Jesus answered and
said to them, Those who are whole do not need a physician; but they
that are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but to call
sinners to repentance.
Then they said to Him, Why do the disciples of John fast often and
make prayers, and likewise the disciples of the Pharisees; but your
disciples eat and drink? Jesus said to them, Can ye make the children
of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? The days
will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them. Then they
shall fast.
He spoke also a parable to them. No man puts a piece of a new garment
on an old one; if he does, the new makes a rent, and the piece that
was taken out of the new does not match the old. And no man puts new
wine into old bottles; else the new wine will burst the bottles, be
spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine must be put into
new bottles; and both are preserved. No man, having drunk old wine,
straightway desires new, because he says, The old is better.
6 It came to pass that on the second sabbath after the first,
Jesus passed through corn fields; and His disciples plucked ears of
corn to eat, rubbing them in their hands. Certain of the Pharisees
said to them, Why do ye do that which is not lawful on the sabbath
days?
Jesus answering them said, Have ye not read what David did, when he
and those who were with him were hungry? How he went into the house of
God, took the showbread to eat, and also gave it to those who were
with him; which is not lawful to eat and is only for the priests?
Jesus said to them, The Son of man is also Lord of the sabbath.
It came to pass on another sabbath, He entered the synagogue and
taught. There was a man whose right hand was withered. The scribes and
Pharisees watched whether He would heal on the sabbath day so they
might find an accusation against Him.
Jesus knew their intentions and said to the man with the withered
hand, Rise up. Stand forth in the midst. The man arose and stood
forth. Then Jesus said to them, I will ask you one thing; Is it lawful
on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? To save life, or to
destroy it? Then looking around at them, He said to the man, Stretch
forth thy hand. As the man did so, his hand was restored whole as the
other. They were filled with anger and discussed what they might do to
Jesus.
It came to pass in those days, Jesus went up into a mountain to pray.
He continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, He called to
Him His disciples and, of them, He chose twelve whom He also named
apostles:
Simon (whom He also named Peter); Andrew, his brother; James and John;
Philip and Bartholomew; Matthew and Thomas; James, the son of
Alphaeus; and Simon called Zelotes; Judas, the brother of James; and
Judas Iscariot, who also was the traitor.
Jesus came down with the company of His disciples and stood in the
plain. There was now gathered a great multitude of people out of all
Judaea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who
came to hear Him, and to be healed of their diseases and unclean
spirits. The whole multitude sought to touch Him because virtue flowed
out of Him and healed them all.
Jesus lifted His eyes to His disciples and said, Blessed are you who
are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are who who are
hungry, for you shall be filled. Blessed are you who weep, for you
shall laugh. Blessed are you when others hate you, separate you from
their company, reproach you, and denounce your name as evil for the
Son of man's sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! Your reward
in heaven is great. Their fathers treated the prophets the same way.
But woe to you who are rich! You have already received your
consolation. Woe to you who are full! Later you be hungry. Woe to you
who now laugh! You will mourn and weep. Woe to you, when everyone
speaks well of you, because the ancestors treated the false prophets
in the same way.
I say to you who hear, Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate
you. Bless them that curse you. Pray for those who use you and treat
you badly. To one who strikes you on the one cheek, offer also the
other. To one who takes away your cloak let him take away your coat
also. Give to everyone who asks. From one who takes your goods do not
ask for them back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
If ye love only those who love you, what thanks have ye? Sinners also
love those who love them. If ye do good only to those who do good to
you, what thanks have ye? Sinners do even the same also. And if ye
lend only to those from whom ye expect to receive back, what thanks
have ye? Sinners also lend to sinners to receive as much again.
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return
and your reward shall be great. Ye shall be the children of the
Highest for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye
therefore merciful as your Father also is merciful.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged. Condemn not, and ye shall not
be condemned. Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven. Give, and it shall be
given to you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running
over shall men give into your bosom. With the same measure that ye
mete it shall be measured to you again.
Jesus spoke a parable to them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall
they not both fall into the ditch? The disciple is not above his
master; but everyone that is perfect shall be as his master.
And why behold the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but not perceive
the beam that is in thine own eye? How can you say to your brother,
Brother, let me pull out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou
thyself does not see the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou
hypocrite, first cast out the beam from your own eye, and only then
shall thou see clearly enough to pull out the mote in thy brother's
eye.
For a good tree does not bring forth corrupt fruit; and a corrupt tree
does not bring forth good fruit. Every tree is known by its own fruit.
Of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush do they gather
grapes.
A good man, out of the good treasure of his heart, brings forth that
which is good. An evil man, out of the evil of his heart, brings forth
that which is evil. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth
speaks.
And why call me, Lord, Lord, and not do the things I say? Whoever
comes to me, hears my sayings, and does them, I will tell you who he
is like: He is like a man who built a house on a deep foundation of
rock. When the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently on that house
and could not shake it for it was founded upon a rock.
But he that hears and does not do the things I say is like a man that
is without a foundation for he built a house upon the earth against
which the stream beat vehemently. Immediately it fell and the ruin of
that house was great.
7 Jesus then went into Capernaum. A centurion whose servant was
dear to him, was sick and ready to die. When the centurion heard of
Jesus, he sent the elders of the Jews to Him, beseeching that Jesus
come and heal his servant. Those who came to Jesus on the centurion's
behalf said he was a worthy man who loved the nation and had built a
synagogue.
Jesus went with them and, when he was not far from the house, the
centurion sent friends to say, Lord, do not trouble thyself. I am not
worthy that thou should enter under my roof. Neither did I think
myself worthy to come to thee. Only say in a word, and my servant
shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority. And I have
soldiers under me. I say to one, Go, and he goes; and to another,
Come, and he comes. And to my servant I say, Do this, and he does it.
When Jesus heard this, He marvelled. He turned around and said to the
people that followed Him, I have not found such great faith anywhere
in Israel. When those who came to Jesus on behalf of the centurion
returned to the house they found the servant healed.
The next day Jesus went to a city called Nain. His disciples and many
people were with Him. When He got near the gate of the city, a dead
man was being carried out. He had been the only son of a widow and
many people of the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, He had
compassion and said to her, Weep not. Then Jesus went over and touched
the bier. Those who bore him stood still. Then Jesus said, Young man,
I say to thee, Arise.
The young man that was dead sat up and began to speak and Jesus
delivered him to his mother. And there came a fear on all and they
glorified God, saying, A great prophet is risen up among us. God has
visited His people. This story of Him went forth throughout all
Judaea, and all the surrounding region.
When the disciples of John told him of these things, John sent two of
them to Jesus to ask, Art thou He that should come or do we look for
another? At the same time Jesus cured many of their infirmities and
plagues, and of evil spirits; and to many that were blind He gave
sight. Then Jesus said to John's disciples, Go and tell John the
things ye have seen and heard; how the blind see, the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and to the
poor the gospel is preached. Blessed is he, who shall not be offended
in me.
Jesus then told the people about John. He said, What went ye out into
the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? What went ye out
to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, those who are
gorgeously apparelled and live delicately are in kings' courts.
But what went ye out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and much
more than a prophet. This is he, of whom it is written: Behold, I send
my messenger, who shall prepare thy way before thee. And, I say to
you, Among those that are born of women there is not a greater prophet
than John the Baptist, only he that is least in the kingdom of God is
greater than he. All the people that heard Him, even the publicans,
who received the baptism of John, justified God. But the Pharisees and
lawyers rejected the counsel of God and were not baptized by him.
The Lord said, Those of this generation are like children sitting in
the marketplace, and, calling one to another, saying, We have piped to
you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not
wept. For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking
wine; and ye say, He has a devil. The Son of man is come eating and
drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a
friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom is justified of all her
children.
One of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. Jesus went into the
Pharisee's house and sat down. When a woman in the city, who was a
sinner, heard that Jesus ate at the Pharisee's house, she came with an
alabaster box of ointment and stood behind Him at His feet. She was
weeping, and began to wash His feet with tears, and wipe them with her
hair. She kissed His feet and anointed them with the ointment.
When the Pharisee who invited Him saw it, he said to himself, If this
man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman
this is that touches Him. She is a sinner. Then Jesus turned and said,
Simon, I have something to say to thee. And he said, Master, say on.
Jesus began, There was a creditor who had two debtors. One owed five
hundred coins, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he
freely forgave them both. Tell me, therefore, which of them will love
him most? Simon answered and said, I suppose it would be he whom he
forgave most. Jesus said, Thou has rightly judged.
Jesus turned to the woman, and said to Simon, See this woman? When I
entered your house, you gave me no water for my feet. But she has
washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.
When I entered your house, you gave me no kiss. But this woman, since
the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint
my head with oil. But this woman has anointed my feet with ointment.
So I say to thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven for she loved
much; but to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little. Jesus
said to her, Thy sins are forgiven. Those who sat at supper with Him
began to wonder, Who is this that forgives sins also? Then Jesus said
to the woman, Thy faith has saved thee; go in peace.
8 Afterward, He went throughout every city and village,
preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God, and the
twelve were with Him. A woman, Mary called Magdalene, who had been
healed of evil spirits and out of whom went seven devils; and Joanna,
the wife of Herod's steward, Chuza; and Susanna; and many others
provided for and ministered to Him.
When people from many towns were gathered together, He told them a
parable. A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell by
the wayside. It was trodden down and the fowls of the air devoured it.
Some of the seed fell upon rock. As soon as it sprang up, it withered
away because it lacked moisture. Some of the seed fell among thorns.
The thorns sprang up with it, and choked it. Other seed fell on good
ground. It sprang up and bore fruit a hundredfold. Then He finished by
saying, He who has ears to hear, let him hear.
His disciples asked Him, What might this parable mean? He said, To you
it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But, to
others, it is given in parables that looking, they might not see, and
hearing, they might not understand.
Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. Those by the
wayside are they that hear; then the devil comes and takes the word
out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Those on
the rock are they, who, when they hear, receive the word with joy.
They have no root. For a while they believe but in time of temptation
they fall away.
The seed which fell among thorns are they, who, when they have heard,
they go forth. But they are choked with cares and riches and pleasures
of this life; and they bring no fruit to perfection. The seed on the
good ground are they, who with an honest and good heart, have heard
the word. They keep it and bring forth fruit with patience.
No man, when he has lighted a candle, covers it with a vessel, or puts
it under a bed. Instead he sets it on a candlestick so those who enter
in may see the light. Nothing is secret that shall not be made
manifest and nothing is hidden that shall not be known and come to
light. Take heed how ye hear: for whoever has understanding, to him
more shall be given; and whoever has not, from him shall be taken even
that which he seems to have.
Then His mother and His brothers came but could not get near Him
through the press of the multitude. Someone said to Him, Thy mother
and thy brethren stand outside desiring to see thee. Jesus said to all
those gathered, My mother and my brethren are those who hear the word
of God, and do it.
Now it came to pass. Jesus went into a ship with His disciples. He
said, Let us go over to the other side of the lake. They launched
forth. As they sailed Jesus fell asleep. There came a windstorm on the
lake. The ship filled up with water, and they were in jeopardy. They
came and woke Him and said, Master, master, we perish. Jesus arose and
rebuked the wind and the raging water. The storm ceased and there was
a calm. He said to them, Where is your faith? They wondered, What kind
of man is this! He even commands the winds and water and they obey
Him.
They arrived at the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against
Galilee. Outside the city, a man who had devils for a long time
approached Him. He wore no clothes and had no house but lived in the
tombs. Oftentimes he was kept bound with chains and in fetters; but he
broke the bands, and was driven by the devil into the wilderness.
When he saw Jesus, he cried out, and fell down before Him. Jesus
commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. With a loud voice
the man said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God most
high? I beseech thee, torment me not. Then Jesus asked him, What is
thy name? He said it was Legion, because many devils were entered into
him. They besought Jesus not to command them to go out into the nearby
deep water.
There was a herd of swine feeding on the mountain. The devils besought
Jesus to let them enter into the swine. Jesus allowed them. When the
devils went out of the man and entered the swine the herd ran
violently down a steep place into the lake and were choked.
When those who fed them saw what was done, they fled into the city and
told what happened. Many went out to see what was done. They came to
Jesus and found the man out of whom the devils departed. He was
sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind. The
people were afraid. Those who saw it explained how the man possessed
with the devils was healed. Then the whole multitude of the country
around the Gadarenes besought Jesus to leave.
Jesus went back to the boat. The man who had been possessed by the
devils asked to go with Him. But Jesus sent him away. He said, Return
to thine own house and show the great things God has done for thee.
The man went his way and told the whole city the great things Jesus
had done.
It came to pass that Jesus returned and the people gladly received
Him. They were all waiting for Him. There came a man named Jairus. He
was a ruler of the synagogue. He fell down at Jesus' feet and besought
Him to come to his house. His only daughter, about twelve years of
age, lay dying. As Jesus started out, the people thronged Him.
A woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and who had spent
all her living on physicians who were unable to heal her, came up
behind Him, and touched the border of His garment. Immediately her
issue of blood ceased. Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied,
Peter and those with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and
press thee, and you ask, Who touched me? Jesus said, Somebody has
touched me for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.
When the woman felt she could not hide, she came trembling and,
falling down before Him, she declared to Him before all the people why
she had touched Him, and how she was healed immediately. Jesus said to
her, Daughter, be of good comfort. Thy faith has made thee whole. Go
in peace.
While He yet spoke, there came a messenger from the ruler of the
synagogue's house. He said, Thy daughter is dead. Do not trouble the
Master. But when Jesus heard it, He said, Fear not. Only believe and
she shall be made whole.
When He got to the house, He allowed no one to go in, except Peter,
James, John, and the father and the mother of the maiden. All wept but
He said, Weep not. She is not dead, but sleeps. Those gathered outside
laughed Him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. He put them all out,
and took her by the hand, and said, Maid, arise.
Her spirit returned and she arose straightway. Then He told them to
give her food. Her parents were astonished, but He charged them that
they tell no one what was done.
9 Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them
power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases. He sent them
to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Jesus said to
them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staves, nor scrip, nor
bread, nor money; neither take two coats.
Whatever house ye enter, abide and depart from there. Whoever will not
receive you, when ye leave that city, shake off the very dust from
your feet as a testimony against them. They departed and went through
the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Herod, the tetrarch, heard about all this. He was perplexed because
some people said it was John the Baptist risen from the dead; and some
said Elias had appeared. Others said that one of the prophets of old
was risen again. Herod said, I have beheaded John so who is this of
whom I hear so much? He wanted to see Him.
When they returned, the apostles told Jesus all that they had done. He
took them and went into a private desert place that belonged to the
city of Bethsaida. But people soon found out and followed Him. Jesus
received them. He spoke to them of the kingdom of God and healed those
who had need of healing.
When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, Send
the multitude away so they may go into the towns and country nearby to
find lodging and get food.
But He said to them, Give ye them to eat. They answered, We have no
more than five loaves and two fish unless we go and buy meat for all
these people, about five thousand men.
He said to His disciples, Have them sit down in groups of fifty. Then
He took the five loaves and two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He
blessed them. He broke them and gave them to the disciples to set
before the multitude. They all ate and were full. And twelve baskets
of fragmants that remained were taken up.
It came to pass, as Jesus was alone praying, His disciples were nearby
and He asked them, Whom do the people say that I am? They answered and
said, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others say, one of
the prophets of old is risen again.
He said to them, But who do you say that I am? Peter spoke up and
said, The Christ of God. Jesus charged them to tell no one of this. He
said, The Son of man must suffer many things; and be rejected by the
elders, chief priests, and scribes; and be slain; and be raised on the
third day.
Then He said, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself,
take up his cross daily, and follow me. Whoever will save his life
shall lose it. Whoever will lose his life for my sake, shall save it.
For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose
himself, or be cast away?
Whoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man shall
also be ashamed of him when He comes in His own glory, and in His
Father's, and of the holy angels. I tell you, there are some standing
here now, who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of
God.
About eight days after these sayings, He took Peter, John, and James
and went up into a mountain to pray. As He prayed, His whole
appearance was altered. His raiment was white and glistering. And
there talked with Him two men, Moses and Elias, who appeared in glory
and spoke of His decease which He should accomplish at Jerusalem.
Peter and those with him became heavy with sleep. When they awoke,
they saw His glory and the two men that stood with Him. Later, as they
departed from Him, Peter, not knowing what to say, said to Jesus,
Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles;
one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
But while Peter spoke, a cloud overshadowed them and they became
afraid. Then there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my
beloved Son. Hear Him. When the voice was past, Jesus was alone. They
kept it close and told no man any of those things which they had seen.
The next day, when they came down from the hill, many people met Him.
A man in the group cried out, Master, I beseech thee, look upon my
son. He is my only child. A spirit takes him and, suddenly, he cries
out. It tears and bruises him so that he foams and hardly departs from
him. I besought thy disciples to cast him out but they could not.
Jesus said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you, and suffer you? Bring thy son here. As the boy approached,
the devil threw him down and tore him. Jesus rebuked the unclean
spirit. He healed the child and delivered him again to his father.
All were amazed at the mighty power of God. Jesus said to His
disciples, Let these words sink down into your ears: The Son of man
shall be delivered into the hands of men. But they did not understand
this. It was hid from them that they did not perceive it and they
feared asking Him about the saying.
Then there arose a discussion among them about which of them should be
the greatest. Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, took a
child, and set the child next to Him. He said, Whoever shall receive
this child in my name receives me. Whoever shall receive me, receives
Him that sent me: for he that is least among you all shall be great.
John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name. We
forbad him because he does not follow with us. Jesus said to him,
Forbid him not: for he that is not against us is for us.
And it came to pass, when the time came that Jesus should be received
up, He stedfastly set His face toward Jerusalem. He sent messengers
ahead and they entered into a village of the Samaritans to make a way
for Him. But they did not receive Him because He was heading to
Jerusalem.