Many Women Support Christ’s Work

8 Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, y preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. z The Twelve were with Him, 2 and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: a Mary, called * Magdalene (seven demons had come out b of her); 3 Joanna the wife of Chuza, * Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.

The Parable of the Sower

4 As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable: c 5 “A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up. 6 Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture. 7 Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it. 8 Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.” d As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen!” e

Why Jesus Used Parables

9 Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean?” f 10 So He said, “The * secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you g to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that

Looking they may not see,

and hearing they may not understand. h i

The Parable of the Sower Explained

11 “This is the meaning of the parable: j k The seed is the word of God. l 12 The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13 And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing. m 14 As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, n and produce no mature fruit. 15 But the seed in the good ground—these are the ones who, o having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, p bear fruit.

Using Your Light

16 “No one, after lighting a lamp, q covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light. r 17 For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light. s 18 Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; t and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”

True Relationships

19 Then His mother and brothers u came to Him, v but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”

21 But He replied to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” w

Wind and Wave Obey the Master

22 One day He and His disciples got into a boat, x and He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” y So they set out, 23 and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger. 24 They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die!” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. z 25 He said to them, “Where is your faith?”

They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be? a b He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him!”

Demons Driven Out by the Master

26 Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, c d which is opposite Galilee. 27 When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out, e fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me, f g Jesus, You Son of the Most High God? h I beg You, don’t torment me!” 29 For He had commanded the * unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.

30 “What is your name?” Jesus asked him.

“Legion,” i he said—because many demons had entered him. 31 And they begged Him not to banish them to the * abyss. j

32 A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission. 33 The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned. 34 When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside. 35 Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, k dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid. 36 Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered. l 37 Then all the people of the Gerasene region m asked Him to leave them, n because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.

38 The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said, 39 “Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed

40 When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, o for they were all expecting Him. p 41 Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the * synagogue. q He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house, 42 because he had an only daughter r about 12 years old, and she was at death’s door. s

While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. t 43 A woman suffering from bleeding u for 12 years, v who had spent all she had on doctors w yet could not be healed by any, 44 approached from behind and touched the * tassel of His robe. x Instantly her bleeding stopped.

45 “Who touched Me?” Jesus asked.

When they all denied it, Peter y said, “Master, z the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.” a

46 “Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” b 47 When the woman saw that she was discovered, c she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. 48 “Daughter,” He said to her, “your faith has made you well. d Go in peace.” e

49 While He was still speaking, f someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother g the Teacher h anymore.”

50 When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.” 51 After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, i and the child’s father and mother. 52 Everyone was crying j and mourning for her. k But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.” l

53 They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead. 54 So He m took her by the hand n and called out, “Child, get up!” o 55 Her spirit returned, p and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat. 56 Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened. q

Commissioning the Twelve

9 Summoning the Twelve, r He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal s diseases. t 2 Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. u

3 “Take nothing for the road,” v He told them, “no walking stick, w no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. 5 If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” x 6 So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

7 * Herod the tetrarch y heard about everything that was going on. z He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, 8 some that Elijah had appeared, a and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen. b 9 “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see Him. c

Feeding 5,000

10 When the apostles returned, d they reported to Jesus all that they had done. e He took them along and withdrew privately to a f town called Bethsaida. g 11 When the crowds found out, they followed Him. He welcomed them, h spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and cured i those who needed healing.

12 Late in the day, j k the Twelve approached and said to Him, “Send the crowd away, l so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”

13 “You give them something to eat,” He told them.

“We have no more than five loaves m and two fish,” they said, “unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For about 5,000 men were there.)

Then He told His disciples, “Have them sit down n in groups of about 50 each.” 15 They did so, and had them all sit down. 16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, o He blessed and broke them. p He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 Everyone ate and was filled. Then they picked up q 12 baskets of leftover pieces.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

18 While He was praying in private r and His disciples were with Him, He asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.” s t

20 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s * Messiah!” u

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

21 But He strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, v 22 saying, w “The * Son of Man x must suffer many things y and be rejected z by the elders, * chief priests, and * scribes, a be killed, and be raised the third day.” b

Take Up Your Cross

23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with c Me, he must deny himself, d take up his cross daily, e and follow Me. f 24 For whoever wants to save his * life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it. g 25 What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself? h 26 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, i the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory j and that of the Father and the holy angels. k 27 I tell you the truth: There are some standing here who will not taste death l until they see the kingdom of God.” m

The Transfiguration

28 About eight days after these words, n He took along Peter, John, and James o and went up on the mountain to pray. p 29 As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed, q and His clothes became dazzling white. r 30 Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death, s which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep, t u and when they became fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. 33 As the two men were departing from Him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, v it’s good for us to be here! Let us make three * tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said. w

34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed x them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud, y saying:

This is My Son, z the Chosen One; a b

listen to Him! c

36 After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Faith over a Demon

37 The next day, d when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he’s my only child. e 39 Often a spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; f wounding g him, it hardly ever leaves him. 40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.” h

41 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious i generation! j How long will I be with you and put up with you? k Bring your son here.”

42 As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the * unclean spirit, cured the boy, l and gave him back to his father. m 43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. n

The Second Prediction of His Death

While everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing, o He told His disciples, 44 “Let these words sink in: p The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” q

45 But they did not understand this statement; r it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, s and they were afraid to ask Him about it. t

Who Is the Greatest?

46 Then an argument started among them about who would be the greatest of them. u 47 But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, v took a little child and had him stand next to Him. 48 He told them, “Whoever welcomes w this little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. x For whoever is least among you—this one is great.” y

In His Name

49 John responded, z “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, a and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.” b

50 “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.” c d

The Journey to Jerusalem

51 When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, e f He determined g h to journey to Jerusalem. i 52 He sent messengers ahead of Him, j and on the way they entered a village of the * Samaritans k to make preparations for Him. 53 But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem. l 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” m n

55 But He turned and rebuked them, o 56 and they went to another village.

Following Jesus

57 As they were traveling on the road someone said to Him, p “I will follow You wherever You go!”

58 Jesus told him, “Foxes have dens, and birds of the sky q have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.” 59 Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”

“Lord,” he said, “first let me go bury my father.” r

60 But He told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.” s

61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.” t

62 But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Sending Out the Seventy

10 After this, the Lord appointed 70 u others, and He sent them ahead of Him in pairs to every town and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 He told them: v “The harvest w is abundant, but the workers x are few. Therefore, pray to the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest. y 3 Now go; I’m sending you out like lambs among wolves. z 4 Don’t carry a money-bag, a traveling bag, b or sandals; c don’t greet anyone along the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace d to this household.’ 6 If a son of peace e is there, your peace f will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they offer, for the worker is worthy of his wages. g Don’t be moving from house to house. 8 When you enter any town, and they welcome you, eat the things set before you. h 9 Heal the sick i who are there, and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God j has come near k you.’ 10 When you enter any town, and they don’t welcome you, go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘We are wiping off as a witness against you l even the dust of your town that clings to our feet. Know this for certain: The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, on that day m it will be more tolerable for Sodom n than for that town. o

Unrepentant Towns

13 “Woe p to you, q Chorazin! r Woe to you, Bethsaida! s For if the miracles t that were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, u they would have repented long ago, sitting in * sackcloth and ashes! v 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment w than for you. 15 And you, Capernaum, x will you be exalted to heaven? y No, you will go down to * Hades! z 16 Whoever listens to you listens to Me. a Whoever rejects you rejects Me. b And whoever rejects Me rejects the One who sent Me.” c

The Return of the Seventy

17 The Seventy d e returned with joy, saying, f “Lord, even the demons g submit to us in Your name.” h

18 He said to them, “I watched Satan i fall from heaven like a lightning flash. j 19 Look, I have given you the authority k to trample l on snakes m and scorpions n and over all the power of the enemy; o nothing will ever harm you. p 20 However, don’t rejoice that q the spirits r submit to you, s but rejoice that your names are written t in heaven.”

The Son Reveals the Father

21 In that same hour u He v rejoiced in the Holy w Spirit x and said, “I praise y You, Father, z Lord of heaven and earth, a because You have hidden these things from the wise and the learned b and have revealed them to infants. c Yes, Father, because this was Your good pleasure. d e 22 All things have f been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son desires g to reveal Him.” h

23 Then turning to His disciples He said privately, “The eyes that see the things you see are blessed! 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see the things you see yet didn’t see them; to hear the things you hear yet didn’t hear them.” i

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

25 Just j then an expert in the law k stood up to test l Him, saying, “Teacher, m what must I do to inherit eternal life?” n

26 “What is written in the law?” He asked him. “How do you read it?”

27 He answered:

Love the Lord your God o with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; p and your neighbor as yourself. q r

28 “You’ve answered correctly,” He told him. “Do this and you will live.” s

29 But wanting to justify himself, t he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” u

30 Jesus took up the question and said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him, beat him up, and fled, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down that road. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way, a Levite, when he arrived at the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a * Samaritan v on his journey came up to him, and when he saw the man, he had compassion. w 34 He went over to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on olive oil x and wine. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day y he took out two * denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him. When I come back I’ll reimburse you for whatever extra you spend.’

36 “Which of these three do you think proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”

37 “The one who showed mercy z to him,” he said.

Then Jesus told him, “Go and do the same.”

Martha and Mary

38 While they were traveling, He entered a village, and a woman named Martha a welcomed Him into her home. b 39 She had a sister named Mary, who also sat at the Lord’s c feet d and was listening to what He said. e 40 But Martha was distracted by her many tasks, and she came up and asked, “Lord, don’t You care f that my sister has left me to serve alone? So tell her to give me a hand.” g h

41 The Lord i answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, j 42 but one thing is necessary. k Mary has made the right choice, l and it will not be taken away from her.”