Jesus Appoints the Twelve(A)

13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him.(B) 14 He appointed twelve[a](C) that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons.(D) 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter),(E) 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

Jesus Accused by His Family and by Teachers of the Law(F)(G)

20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a crowd gathered,(H) so that he and his disciples were not even able to eat.(I) 21 When his family[b] heard about this, they went to take charge of him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”(J)

22 And the teachers of the law who came down from Jerusalem(K) said, “He is possessed by Beelzebul!(L) By the prince of demons he is driving out demons.”(M)

23 So Jesus called them over to him and began to speak to them in parables:(N) “How can Satan(O) drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. 26 And if Satan opposes himself and is divided, he cannot stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can enter a strong man’s house without first tying him up. Then he can plunder the strong man’s house.(P) 28 Truly I tell you, people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; they are guilty of an eternal sin.”(Q)

30 He said this because they were saying, “He has an impure spirit.”

31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived.(R) Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him. 32 A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.”

33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

34 Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

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The Twelve Are Chosen

13 And He *went up on (A)the mountain and *(B)summoned those whom He Himself wanted, and they came to Him. 14 And He appointed twelve, so that they would be with Him and that He could send them out to preach, 15 and to have authority to cast out the demons. 16 And He appointed the twelve: (C)Simon (to whom He gave the name Peter), 17 [a]James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of [b]James (to them He gave the name Boanerges, which means, “Sons of Thunder”); 18 and Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, [c]James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, and Simon the [d]Zealot; 19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

20 And He *came [e](D)home, and the (E)crowd *gathered again, (F)to such an extent that they could not even eat [f]a meal. 21 And when (G)His own [g]people heard about this, they came out to take custody of Him; for they were saying, “(H)He has lost His senses.” 22 The scribes who came down (I)from Jerusalem were saying, “He [h]is possessed by [i](J)Beelzebul,” and “(K)He casts out the demons by the ruler of the demons.” 23 (L)And so He called them to Himself and began speaking to them in (M)parables: “How can (N)Satan cast out Satan? 24 And if a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. 25 If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand. 26 And if (O)Satan has risen up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand, but [j]he is finished! 27 (P)But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first ties up the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

28 (Q)Truly I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the sons and daughters of men, and whatever blasphemies they commit; 29 but (R)whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin” 30 because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

31 (S)Then His mother and His brothers *came, and while standing outside they sent word to Him, calling for Him. 32 And a crowd was sitting around Him, and they *said to Him, “Behold, Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You.” 33 Answering them, He *said, “Who are My mother and My brothers?” 34 And looking around at those who were sitting around Him, He *said, (T)Here are My mother and My brothers! 35 For whoever (U)does the will of God, this is My brother, and sister, and mother.”

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