Luke 9:23-45

Holman Christian Standard Bible

Take Up Your Cross

²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone wants to come with^[a] Me, he must deny himself,^(A) take up his cross daily,^[b] and follow Me.^{(B) 24} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will save it.^{(C) 25} What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, yet loses or forfeits himself?^{(D) 26} For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words,^(E) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory^(F) and that of the Father and the holy angels.^{(G) 27} I tell you the truth: There are some standing here who will not taste death^(H) until they see the kingdom of God.”^(I)

The Transfiguration

²⁸ About eight days after these words,^(J) He took along Peter, John, and James^(K) and went up on the mountain to pray.^{(L) 29} As He was praying, the appearance of His face changed,^(M) and His clothes became dazzling white.^{(N) 30} Suddenly, two men were talking with Him—Moses and Elijah. ³¹ They appeared in glory and were speaking of His death,^[c] which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

³² Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,^[d](O) 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,^(P) 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.^(Q)

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed^(R) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud,^(S) saying:

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,^(W) 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.^{(X) 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.”^(Y)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious^[h] generation!^(Z) How long will I be with you and put up with you?^(AA) 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,^(AB) and gave him back to his father.^{(AC) 43} And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.^(AD)

The Second Prediction of His Death

While everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing,^(AE) He told His disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink in:^[i] The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”^(AF)

⁴⁵ But they did not understand this statement;^(AG) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,^(AH) and they were afraid to ask Him about it.^[j]