Bible in 90 Days

All Things Possible

¹⁴ When they came [back] to the [other nine] disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes questioning and arguing with them.^{(A) 15} Immediately, when the entire crowd saw Jesus, they were startled and began running up to greet Him. ¹⁶ He asked them, “What are you discussing with them?” ¹⁷ One of the crowd replied to Him, “Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him unable to speak; ¹⁸ and whenever it seizes him [intending to do harm], it throws him down, and he foams [at the mouth], and grinds his teeth and becomes stiff. I told Your disciples to drive it out, and they could not do it.” ¹⁹ He replied, “O unbelieving (faithless) generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me!” ²⁰ They brought the boy to Him. When the [demonic] spirit saw Him, immediately it threw the boy into a convulsion, and falling to the ground he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. ²¹ Jesus asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he answered, “Since childhood. ²² The demon has often thrown him both into fire and into water, intending to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” ²³ Jesus said to him, “[You say to Me,] ‘If You can?’ All things are possible for the one who believes and trusts [in Me]!” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out [with a desperate, piercing cry], saying, “I do believe; help [me overcome] my unbelief.” ²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering [around them], He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and mute spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!” ²⁶ After screaming out and throwing him into a terrible convulsion, it came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse [so still and pale] that many [of the spectators] said, “He is dead!” ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he stood up. ²⁸ When He had gone indoors, His disciples began asking Him privately, “Why were we unable to drive it out?” ²⁹ He replied to them, “This kind [of unclean spirit] cannot come out by anything but prayer [to the Father].”

Death and Resurrection Foretold

³⁰ They went on from there and began to go through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know it, ³¹ because He was teaching His disciples [and preparing them for the future]. He told them, “The Son of Man is to be betrayed and handed over to men [who are His enemies], and they will kill Him; and when He has been killed, He will rise [from the dead] three days later.” ³² But ^[a]they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him [what He meant].

³³ They arrived at Capernaum; and when He was in the ^[b]house, He asked them, “What were you discussing and arguing about on the road?”^{(B) 34} But they kept quiet, because on the road they had discussed and debated with one another which one [of them] was the greatest. ³⁵ Sitting down [to teach], He called the twelve [disciples] and said to them, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all [in importance] and a servant of all.” ³⁶ Taking a child, He set him before them; and taking him in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever receives and welcomes one child such as this in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me receives not [only] Me, but Him who sent Me.”^(C)

Dire Warnings

³⁸ John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he was not accompanying us [as Your disciple].”^{(D) 39} But Jesus said, “Do not stop him; for there is no one who will perform a miracle in My name, and be able soon afterward to speak evil of Me. ⁴⁰ For he who is not against us is for us.^{(E) 41} For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because of your name as followers of Christ, I assure you and most solemnly say to you, he will not lose his reward.

⁴² “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe and trust in Me to stumble [that is, to sin or lose faith], it would be better for him if a heavy millstone [one requiring a donkey’s strength to turn it] were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.^{(F) 43} If your hand causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]! It is better for you to enter life crippled, than to have two hands and go into ^[c]hell, into the unquenchable fire, ^44 [d][where their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.]^{(G) 45} If your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]! It would be better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell, ^46 [e][where their worm does not die, and the fire is not put out.]^{(H) 47} If your eye causes you to stumble and sin, throw it out [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]! It would be better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ⁴⁸ where their worm [that feeds on the dead] does not die, and the fire is not put out.^(I)

⁴⁹ “For everyone will be salted with fire. ⁵⁰ Salt is good and useful; but if salt has lost its saltiness (purpose), how will you make it salty? Have salt within yourselves continually, and be at peace with one another.”

Jesus’ Teaching about Divorce

10 Getting up, He left there (Capernaum) and went to the region of Judea and beyond the Jordan; and crowds gathered around Him again and accompanied Him, and as was His custom, He once more began to teach them.

² Pharisees came to Jesus to test Him [intending to trick Him into saying something wrong], and asked Him, “Is it lawful [according to Scripture] for a man to divorce his wife and send her away?” ³ He replied to them, “What did Moses command you?” ⁴ They said, “Moses allowed a man to write a certificate of divorce and to send her away.”^{(J) 5} But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of hearts [your callousness and insensitivity toward your wives and the ^[f]provision of God] he wrote you this precept. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation God made them male and female.^{(K) 7} For this reason a man shall leave his father and his mother [to establish a home with his wife],^{(L) 8} and the two shall become one flesh; so that they are no longer two, but [are united as] one flesh.^{(M) 9} Therefore, what God has united and joined together, man must not separate [by divorce].”

¹⁰ In the house the disciples began questioning Him again about this. ¹¹ And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her; ¹² and if a woman divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children

¹³ People were bringing children to Him so that He would touch and bless them, but the disciples reprimanded them and discouraged them [from coming]. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw this, He was indignant and He said to them, “Allow the children to come to Me; do not forbid them; for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. ¹⁵ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever does not receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” ¹⁶ And He took the children [one by one] in His arms and ^[g]blessed them [with kind, encouraging words], placing His hands on them.

The Rich Young Ruler

¹⁷ As He was leaving on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, “Good Teacher [You who are essentially good and morally perfect], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?”^{(N) 18} Jesus said to him, “^[h]Why do you call Me good? No one is [essentially] good [by nature] except God alone. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not testify falsely, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’”^{(O) 20} And he replied to Him, “Teacher, I have [carefully] kept all these [commandments] since my ^[i]youth.” ²¹ Looking at him, Jesus felt a love (high regard, compassion) for him, and He said to him, “You lack one thing: go and sell all your property and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have [abundant] treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” ²² But the man was saddened at Jesus’ words, and he left grieving, because he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].

²³ Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who are wealthy [and cling to possessions and status as security] to enter the kingdom of God!” ²⁴ The disciples were ^[j]amazed and bewildered by His words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is [for those who place their hope and confidence in riches] to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man [who places his faith in wealth or status] to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ They were completely and utterly astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved [from the wrath of God]?” ²⁷ Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people [as far as it depends on them] it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”

²⁸ Peter started saying to Him, “Look, we have given up everything and followed You [becoming Your disciples and accepting You as Teacher and Lord].” ²⁹ Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, there is no one who has given up a house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, ³⁰ who will not receive a hundred times as much now in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms—along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. ³¹ But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”

Jesus’ Sufferings Foretold

³² Now they were on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was walking on ahead of them; and they were perplexed [at what Jesus had said], and those who were following were alarmed and afraid. And again He took the twelve [disciples] aside and began telling them what was going to happen to Him, ³³ saying, “Listen very carefully: we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to the chief priests and the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles (Romans). ³⁴ They will mock and ridicule Him and spit on Him, and whip (scourge) Him and kill Him, and three days later He will rise [from the dead].”

³⁵ James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask of You.”^{(P) 36} And He replied to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?” ³⁷ They said to Him, “Grant that we may sit [with You], one on Your right and one on Your left, in Your glory [Your majesty and splendor in Your kingdom].” ³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, or to be baptized with the baptism [of suffering and death] with which I am baptized?” ³⁹ And they replied to Him, “We are able.” Jesus told them, “The cup that I drink you will drink, and you will be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. ⁴⁰ But to sit on My right or left, this is not Mine to give; but it is for those for whom it has been prepared [by My Father].”

⁴¹ Hearing this, the [other] ten became indignant with James and John. ⁴² Calling them to Himself, Jesus said to them, “You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their powerful men exercise authority over them [tyrannizing them]. ⁴³ But this is not how it is among you; instead, whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wishes to be first and most important among you must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ^[k]ransom for many.”

Bartimaeus Receives His Sight

⁴⁶ Then they came to Jericho. And as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, a blind beggar, Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, was sitting beside the road [as was his custom].^{(Q) 47} When Bartimaeus heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout and say, “Jesus, ^[l]Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” ⁴⁸ Many sternly rebuked him, telling him to keep still and be quiet; but he kept on shouting out all the more, “Son of David (Messiah), have mercy on me!” ⁴⁹ Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called the blind man, telling him, “Take courage, get up! He is calling for you.” ⁵⁰ Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped up and came to Jesus. ⁵¹ And Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni (my Master), let me regain my sight.” ⁵² Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith [and confident trust in My power] has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and began following Jesus on the road.^(R)

The Triumphal Entry

11 When they were nearing Jerusalem, at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples,^{(S) 2} saying to them, “Go into the ^[m]village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it, you will find a [donkey’s] ^[n]colt tied, which has never been ridden by anyone; untie it and bring it here. ³ If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it’; and immediately he will send it here.” ⁴ So they went away [to the village] and found a colt tied outside at a gate in the street, and they untied it. ⁵ Some of the people who were standing there said to them, “What are you doing, untying the colt?” ⁶ They replied to them just as Jesus had directed, and they allowed them to go. ⁷ They brought the colt to Jesus and put their coats on it, and He sat on it. ⁸ And many [of the people] spread their coats on the road [as an act of tribute and homage before a new king], and others [scattered a layer of] leafy branches which they had cut from the fields [honoring Him as Messiah].^{(T) 9} Those who went in front and those who were following [Him] were shouting [in joy and praise],

¹¹ Jesus entered Jerusalem and went to the temple [enclosure]; and after looking around at everything, He left for Bethany with the twelve [disciples], because it was already late [in the day].

¹² On the next day, when they had left Bethany, He was hungry.^{(V) 13} Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if He would find anything on it. But He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. ¹⁴ He said to it, “No one will ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening [to what He said].

Jesus Drives Moneychangers from the Temple

¹⁵ Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple [grounds] and began driving out [with force] the people who were ^[p]selling and buying [animals for sacrifice] in the temple area, and overturned the tables of the moneychangers [who made a profit exchanging foreign money for temple coinage] and the seats of those who were selling doves;^{(W) 16} and He would not permit anyone to carry ^[q]merchandise or household wares through the temple [grounds, using the temple area irreverently as a shortcut]. ¹⁷ He began to teach and say to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a robbers’ den.”^{(X) 18} The chief priests and the scribes heard this and began searching for a way to destroy Him; for they were afraid of Him, since the entire crowd was struck with astonishment at His teaching.

¹⁹ When evening came, Jesus and His disciples would leave the city.

²⁰ In the morning, as they were passing by, the disciples saw that the fig tree had withered away from the roots up. ²¹ And remembering, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi (Master), look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered!” ²² Jesus replied, “Have faith in God [constantly]. ²³ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea!’ and ^[r]does not doubt in his heart [in God’s unlimited power], but believes that what he says is going to take place, it will be done for him [in accordance with God’s will].^{(Y) 24} For this reason I am telling you, whatever things you ask for in prayer [in accordance with God’s will], believe [with confident trust] that you have received them, and they will be given to you. ²⁵ Whenever you ^[s]stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him [drop the issue, let it go], so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions and wrongdoings [against Him and others]. ^26 [t][But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”]

Jesus’ Authority Questioned

²⁷ They came again to Jerusalem. And as Jesus was walking in the [courts and porches of the] temple, the ^[u]chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him,^{(Z) 28} and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things?” ²⁹ Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. ³⁰ Was the baptism of John [the Baptist] from heaven [that is, ordained by God] or from men? Answer Me.” ³¹ They began discussing it with each other, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him?’ ³² But ^[v]shall we say, ‘From men?’” —they were afraid [to answer because] of the crowd, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. ³³ So they replied to Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

Parable of the Vineyard Owner

12 Jesus began to speak to them [the chief priests, scribes and elders who were questioning Him] in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and put a ^[w]wall around it, and dug a pit for the wine press and built a tower; and he rented it out to tenant farmers and left the country.^{(AA) 2} When the harvest season came he sent a ^[x]servant to the tenants, in order to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. ³ They took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent them another servant, and they [threw stones and] wounded him in the head, and treated him disgracefully. ⁵ And he sent another, and that one they killed; then many others—some they beat and some they killed. ⁶ He still had one man left to send, a beloved son; he sent him last of all to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those tenants said to each other, ‘This man is the heir! Come on, let us kill him [and destroy the evidence], and his inheritance will be ours!’ ⁸ So they took him and killed him, and threw his body outside the vineyard. ⁹ What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants, and will give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture:

¹² And they were looking for a way to seize Him, but they were afraid of the crowd; for they knew that He spoke this parable in reference to [and as a charge against] them. And so they left Him and went away.

Jesus Answers the Pharisees, Sadducees and Scribes

¹³ Then they sent some of the ^[y]Pharisees and Herodians to Jesus in order to trap Him into making a statement [that they could use against Him].^{(AC) 14} They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and have no personal bias toward anyone; for You are not influenced by outward appearances or social status, but in truth You teach the way of God. Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay the ^[z]poll-tax to [^[aa]Tiberius] Caesar, or not? ¹⁵ Should we pay [the tax] or should we not pay?” But knowing their hypocrisy, He asked them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a ^[ab]coin (denarius) to look at.” ¹⁶ So they brought one. Then He asked them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.” ¹⁷ Jesus said to them, “Pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they were greatly amazed at Him.

¹⁸ Some Sadducees (who say that there is no resurrection) came to Him, and began questioning Him, saying,^{(AD) 19} “Teacher, Moses wrote for us [a law] that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but leaves no child, his brother is to ^[ac]marry the widow and raise up children for his brother.^{(AE) 20} There were seven brothers; the first [one] took a wife, and died leaving no children. ²¹ The second brother married her, and died leaving no children; and the third likewise; ²² and so all seven [married her and died, and] left no children. Last of all the woman died also. ²³ In the resurrection, whose wife will she be? For all seven [brothers] were married to her.” ²⁴ Jesus said to them, “Is this not why you are wrong, because you know neither the Scriptures [that teach the resurrection] nor the power of God [who is able to raise the dead]? ²⁵ For when they rise from the dead, they do not marry nor are they given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven. ²⁶ But concerning the raising of the dead, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the passage about the burning bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?^{(AF) 27} He is not the God of the dead, but of the living; you are greatly mistaken and you are deceiving yourselves!”

²⁸ Then one of the scribes [an expert in Mosaic Law] came up and listened to them arguing [with one another], and noticing that Jesus answered them well, asked Him, “Which commandment is first and most important of all?”^{(AG) 29} Jesus answered, “The first and most important one is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord; ³⁰ and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul (life), and with all your mind (thought, understanding), and with all your strength.’^{(AH) 31} This is the second: ‘You shall [unselfishly] ^[ad]love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”^{(AI) 32} The scribe said to Him, “Admirably answered, Teacher; You truthfully stated that He is One, and there is no other but Him; ³³ and to love Him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to [unselfishly] love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”^{(AJ) 34} When Jesus saw that he answered thoughtfully and intelligently, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one would dare to ask Him any more questions.

³⁵ Jesus began to say, as He taught in [a portico or court of] the temple, “^[ae]How can the scribes say that the Christ is the son of David?^{(AK) 36} David himself said [when inspired] by the Holy Spirit,

³⁷ David himself calls Him (the Son, the Messiah) ‘Lord’; so how can it be that He is ^[af]David’s Son?” The large crowd enjoyed hearing Jesus and listened to Him with delight.

³⁸ In [the course of] His teaching He was saying, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes [displaying their prominence], and like to receive respectful greetings in the market places, ³⁹ and [they love] the ^[ag]chief seats in the synagogues and the places of distinction and honor at banquets, ⁴⁰ [these scribes] who devour (confiscate) widows’ houses, and offer long prayers for appearance’s sake [to impress others]. These men will receive greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Mite

⁴¹ And He sat down opposite the [temple] treasury, and began watching how the people were putting money into the ^[ah]treasury. And many rich people were putting in ^[ai]large sums.^{(AM) 42} A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a ^[aj]mite. ⁴³ Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this poor widow put in [proportionally] more than all the contributors to the treasury. ⁴⁴ For they all contributed from their surplus, but she, from her poverty, put in all she had, all she had to live on.”

Things to Come

13 As He was coming out of the temple [grounds], one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, look what ^[ak]wonderful stones and what wonderful buildings!”^{(AN) 2} Jesus replied to him, “You see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another which will not be ^[al]torn down!”

³ As He was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked Him privately, ⁴ “Tell us, when will these things happen, and what will be the sign when all these things are about to be fulfilled?” ⁵ Jesus began to say to them, “Be careful and see to it that no one misleads you. ⁶ Many will come in My name [misusing My name or claiming to be the Messiah], saying, ‘I am He!’ and will deceive and mislead many. ⁷ When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed (frightened, troubled); these things must take place, but the end is not yet. ⁸ For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will be famines. These things are the beginning of the ^[am]birth pangs [the intolerable anguish and suffering].

⁹ “But be on your guard; they will turn you over to courts, and you will be beaten in synagogues, and you will stand [as accused] before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them. ¹⁰ The gospel [that is, the good news regarding the way of salvation] must first be preached to all the [Gentile] nations.^{(AO) 11} When they take you and turn you over [to the court], do not worry beforehand about what to say, but say whatever is given to you [by God] in that hour; for it is not you who speak, but it is the Holy Spirit [who will speak through you]. ¹² Brother will betray brother to [be put to] death, and a father [will hand over] his child; and children will rise up and take a stand against parents and have them put to death. ¹³ You will be hated by everyone because of [your association with] My name, but the one who [patiently perseveres empowered by the Holy Spirit and] endures to the end, he will be saved.

¹⁴ “But when you see the ^[an]abomination of desolation standing [in the temple sanctuary] where it ought not to be (let the ^[ao]reader understand) then those who are in Judea must flee to the mountains.^{(AP) 15} Whoever is on the housetop must not go down [to enter the house], or go inside to take anything out of his house; ¹⁶ whoever is in the field must not turn back to get his coat. ¹⁷ And woe to those women who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! ¹⁸ Pray that it will not occur in winter, ¹⁹ for at that time there will be such tribulation as has not occurred, from the beginning of the creation which God made, until now—and never will [be again]. ²⁰ And if the Lord had not shortened the days, no human life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect, whom He chose [for Himself], He shortened the days.^{(AQ) 21} Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed)!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it; ²² for false Christs and false prophets will arise, and they will provide signs and wonders in order to deceive, if [such a thing were] possible, even the elect [those God has chosen for Himself]. ²³ But be on your guard; I have told you everything in advance.

The Return of Christ

²⁴ “But in those days, after [the suffering and distress of] that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light,^{(AR) 25} and the stars will be falling from the sky, and the powers that are in the heavens will be shaken.^{(AS) 26} Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory [in royal majesty and splendor].^{(AT) 27} And then He will send out the angels, and will gather together His elect [those He has chosen for Himself] from the four winds, from the farthest end of the earth to the farthest end of heaven.

²⁸ “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: as soon as its branch becomes tender and it puts out its leaves, you recognize that summer is near.^{(AU) 29} Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, know [for certain] that He is near, right at the door. ³⁰ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this generation [the people living when these signs and events begin] will not pass away until all these things take place. ³¹ Heaven and earth [as now known] will ^[ap]pass away, but My words will not pass away. ³² But of that [exact] day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son [in His humanity], but the Father alone.

³³ “Be on guard and stay constantly alert ^[aq][and pray]; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. ³⁴ It is like a man away on a journey, who when he left home put his servants in charge, each with his particular task, and also ordered the doorkeeper to be continually alert. ³⁵ Therefore, be continually on the alert—for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— ³⁶ [stay alert,] in case he should come suddenly and unexpectedly and find you asleep and unprepared. ³⁷ What I say to you I say to everyone, ‘Be on the alert [stay awake and be continually cautious]!’”

Death Plot and the Anointing in Bethany

14 It was now two days before the Passover and [the festival of] Unleavened Bread, and the chief priests and the scribes were searching for a deceitful way to arrest Jesus and kill Him;^{(AV) 2} but they were saying, “Not during the festival, for the people might riot.”

³ While He was in Bethany [as a guest] at the home of ^[ar]Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, a ^[as]woman came with an alabaster vial of very costly and precious perfume of pure ^[at]nard; and she broke the vial and poured the perfume over His head. ⁴ But there were ^[au]some who were indignantly remarking to one another, “Why has this perfume been wasted? ⁵ For this perfume might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii [a laborer’s wages for almost a year], and the money given to the poor.” And they scolded her. ⁶ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; why are you bothering her and causing trouble? She has done a good and beautiful thing to Me. ⁷ For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you wish you can do something good to them; but you will not always have Me.^{(AW) 8} She has done what she could; she has anointed My body beforehand for the burial. ⁹ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, wherever the good news [regarding salvation] is proclaimed throughout the world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.”

¹⁰ Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve [disciples], went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them.^{(AX) 11} When they heard this they were delighted, and promised to give him money. And he began looking for an opportune time to betray Jesus.

The Last Passover

¹² On the first day [of the festival] of ^[av]Unleavened Bread, when [as was customary] they sacrificed the Passover lamb, His disciples asked Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?”^{(AY) 13} And He sent two of His disciples, saying to them, “Go into the city, and a ^[aw]man carrying a jar of water will meet you; follow him; ¹⁴ and say to the ^[ax]owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks, “Where is My guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹⁵ He will show you a large upstairs room, furnished and ready [with carpets and dining couches]; prepare [the supper] for us there.” ¹⁶ The disciples left and went to the city and found everything just as He had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

¹⁷ When it was evening, He came with the twelve [disciples].^{(AZ) 18} While they were reclining at the table, Jesus said, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you that one of you will betray Me—one who is eating with Me.”^{(BA) 19} They began to be grieved and deeply distressed and to say to Him one by one, “Surely not I?” ²⁰ And He replied, “It is one of the twelve [disciples], one who is dipping bread in the bowl with Me. ²¹ For the Son of Man goes [to the cross] just as it is written [in Scripture] of Him; but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had not been born.”

The Lord’s Supper

²² While they were eating, Jesus took bread and ^[ay]blessed it [giving thanks and praise], and He broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take it. This is My body.”^{(BB) 23} And when He had taken a cup [of wine] and ^[az]given thanks, He gave it to them, and they all drank from it.^{(BC) 24} And He said to them, “This is My blood of the [new] covenant, [My blood] which is being poured out for many [for the forgiveness of sins]. ²⁵ I assure you and most solemnly say to you, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

²⁶ After they had sung a ^[ba]hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

²⁷ Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away [and be ashamed and be afraid to be associated with Me as disciples], because it is written, ‘I will strike the Shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’^{(BD) 28} But after I have been raised [from the dead], I will go ahead of you to Galilee.” ²⁹ But Peter said to Him, “Even if they all fall away [and desert You, ashamed and afraid of being associated with You], yet I will not [do so]!” ³⁰ Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you will deny [that you even know] Me three times.”^{(BE) 31} But Peter kept saying insistently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!” And they all were saying the same thing as well.

Jesus in Gethsemane

³² Then they went to a place called Gethsemane; and Jesus said to His disciples, “Sit down here until I have prayed.”^{(BF) 33} He took Peter and James and John with Him, and He began to be deeply distressed and troubled [extremely anguished at the prospect of what was to come]. ³⁴ And He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved and overwhelmed with sorrow, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch.” ³⁵ After going a little farther, He fell to the ground [distressed by the weight of His spiritual burden] and began to pray that if it were possible [in the Father’s will], the hour [of suffering and death for the sins of mankind] might pass from Him. ³⁶ He was saying, “^[bb]Abba, Father! All things are possible for You; take this cup [of judgment] away from Me; but not what I will, but what You will.” ³⁷ And He came back and found them sleeping, and He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Were you unable to keep watch for one hour? ³⁸ Keep [actively] watching and praying so that you do not come into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the ^[bc]body is weak.” ³⁹ He went away again and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰ And again He came back and found them sleeping, because their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know how to answer Him. ⁴¹ He came back a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough [of that]! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Get up, let us go. Look, my betrayer is near!”

Betrayal and Arrest

⁴³ And at once, while He was still speaking, Judas [Iscariot], one of the twelve [disciples], came up, and with him a crowd of men with swords and clubs, who came from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders [of the Sanhedrin].^{(BG) 44} Now the betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the one; seize Him and lead Him away safely [under guard].” ⁴⁵ When Judas came, immediately he went up to Jesus and said, “Rabbi (Master)!” and he ^[bd]kissed Him [forcefully]. ⁴⁶ They laid hands on Him and seized Him. ⁴⁷ But one of the bystanders [Simon Peter] drew his sword and struck [Malchus] the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear.^{(BH) 48} Jesus said to them, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me, as you would against a robber? ⁴⁹ Day after day I was with you, teaching in the [courts and porches of the] temple, and you did not seize Me; but this has happened so that the Scriptures would be fulfilled.” ⁵⁰ Then all of His disciples abandoned Him and fled.

⁵¹ A young ^[be]man was following Him, wearing [only] a linen sheet over his naked body; and some men seized him. ⁵² But pulling free of the linen sheet, he escaped [from them] naked.

Jesus before His Accusers

⁵³ They led Jesus away to the high priest, and all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) gathered together.^{(BI) 54} Peter had followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest; and he was sitting with the officers [guards and servants] and warming himself at the fire. ⁵⁵ Now the chief priests and the entire Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court) were trying to obtain testimony against Jesus [which they could use] to have Him [condemned and] executed, but they were not finding any. ⁵⁶ For many [people] were giving false testimony against Him, but their testimonies were not consistent. ⁵⁷ Some stood up and began to give false testimony against Him, saying, ⁵⁸ “We heard Him say, ‘I will destroy this temple (sanctuary) that was made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’”^{(BJ) 59} Not even in this respect was their testimony consistent. ⁶⁰ The high priest stood up and came forward and asked Jesus, “Have You no answer to give [in response] to what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶¹ But Jesus kept silent and gave no answer at all. Again the high priest was questioning Him, and saying to Him, “Are You the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the Son of the ^[bf]Blessed One?” ⁶² Jesus said, “I am; and you will [all] see the Son of Man seated [with authority] at the right hand of Power (the Father), and coming with the clouds of heaven.”^{(BK) 63} Then ^[bg]tearing his robe [to express his indignation], the high priest said, “What further need do we have of witnesses?^{(BL) 64} You have heard the blasphemy [that is, His claim to be the Son of God]. What is your decision?” And they all condemned Him to be [guilty and] deserving of death.^{(BM) 65} And some began to spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him with their fists, and to say to Him, “Prophesy [by telling us who hit you]!” Then the officers took custody of Him and struck him in the face.

Peter’s Denials

⁶⁶ While Peter was down below in the courtyard, one of the servant-girls of the high priest came,^{(BN) 67} and when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked intently at him and said, “You were with Jesus the Nazarene, too.” ⁶⁸ But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are talking about.” Then he went out [of the courtyard] to the porch, ^[bh][and a rooster crowed.] ⁶⁹ The servant-girl saw him, and began once more to tell the bystanders, “This [man] is one of them.” ⁷⁰ But again he denied it. After a little while, the bystanders again said to Peter, “You are in fact one of them, for [it is clear from your accent, that] you are a Galilean, too.” ⁷¹ But he began to ^[bi]invoke a curse [on himself] and to swear [an oath], “I do not know this man you are talking about!” ⁷² Immediately a rooster crowed the second time. And Peter remembered what Jesus said to him: “Before a rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And thinking of this, he began weeping [in anguish].

Jesus before Pilate

15 Early in the morning the chief priests, with the elders and scribes and the whole Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), immediately consulted together; and they bound Jesus, they took Him away [violently] and handed Him over to Pilate.^{(BO) 2} Pilate questioned Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” And He replied to him, “It is as you say.”^{(BP) 3} The chief priests began accusing Him of many things. ⁴ Then Pilate again asked Him, “Have You no answer [to give]? See how many charges they are bringing against You!” ⁵ But Jesus gave no further answer; so Pilate was perplexed.^(BQ)

⁶ Now at the [Passover] feast Pilate used to set free for them any one prisoner whom they requested.^{(BR) 7} The man called Barabbas was imprisoned with the insurrectionists (revolutionaries) who had committed murder in the civil rebellion. ⁸ The crowd came up and began asking Pilate to do as he usually did for them. ⁹ Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to set free for you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he was aware that the chief priests had turned Jesus over to him because of envy and resentment. ¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to get him to release Barabbas for them instead. ¹² Again Pilate answered, “Then what shall I do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?” ¹³ They screamed back, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁴ But Pilate asked them, “Why, what has He done that is evil?” But they screamed all the more, “Crucify Him!” ¹⁵ So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, set Barabbas free for them; and after having Jesus ^[bj]scourged, he handed Him over [to his soldiers] to be crucified.^(BS)

Jesus Is Mocked

¹⁶ The soldiers led Him away into the palace (that is, the ^[bk]Praetorium), and they called together the entire [Roman] battalion [of 600 soldiers].^{(BT) 17} They dressed Him up in [a ranking Roman officer’s robe of] purple, and after twisting [together] a crown of thorns, they placed it on Him; ¹⁸ and they began saluting and mocking Him: “Hail, King of the Jews!” ¹⁹ They kept beating Him on the head with a ^[bl]reed and spitting on Him, and kneeling and bowing in [mock] homage to Him.^{(BU) 20} After they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. And they led Him out [of the city] to crucify Him.

²¹ They forced into service a passer-by coming in from the countryside, Simon of ^[bm]Cyrene (the father of Alexander and Rufus), ^[bn]to carry His cross.^(BV)

The Crucifixion

²² Then they brought Him to the place [called] Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a ^[bo]Skull.^{(BW) 23} They tried to give Him ^[bp]wine mixed with myrrh [to dull the pain], but He would not take it. ²⁴ And they crucified Him, and ^[bq]divided up His clothes among themselves, casting lots for them to see who should take what.^{(BX) 25} It was the third hour (9:00 a.m.) when they crucified Him.^{(BY) 26} The inscription of the accusation against Him had been written [above Him]: “THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

²⁷ They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one on His left. ^28 [br][And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “He was counted with the transgressors.”]^{(BZ) 29} Those who were passing by were insulting Him with abusive and insolent language, wagging their heads [as a sign of contempt], and saying, “Ha! You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in [only] three days,^{(CA) 30} save Yourself by coming down from the cross!” ³¹ In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes, were ridiculing and mocking Him among themselves and saying, “He saved others [from death]; He cannot save Himself!^{(CB) 32} Let the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe and trust [in Him]!” Those who were crucified with Him were also insulting Him.

³³ When the sixth hour (noon) came, darkness covered the whole land until the ninth hour (3:00 p.m.).^{(CC) 34} And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?”—which is translated, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”^{(CD) 35} Some of the bystanders heard Him and said, “Look! He is calling for ^[bs]Elijah!” ³⁶ Someone ran and filled a sponge with sour wine, put it on a reed and gave Him a drink, saying, “Let us see whether Elijah is coming to take Him down.”^{(CE) 37} But Jesus uttered a loud cry, and breathed out His last [voluntarily, sovereignly dismissing and releasing His spirit from His body in submission to His Father’s plan]. ³⁸ And the veil [of the Holy of Holies] of the temple was torn in two from ^[bt]top to bottom. ³⁹ When the centurion, who was standing opposite Him, saw the way He breathed His last [being fully in control], he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ Now some women also were watching from a distance, among whom were Mary Magdalene, and ^[bu]Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and ^[bv]Salome.^{(CF) 41} When Jesus was in Galilee, they used to accompany him and minister to Him; and there were also many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Is Buried

⁴² When evening had already come, because it was the preparation day, that is, the day before the Sabbath,^{(CG) 43} Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent and respected member of the Council (Sanhedrin, Jewish High Court), who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God—and he courageously dared to go in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁴⁴ Pilate ^[bw]wondered if He was dead by this time [only six hours after being crucified], and he summoned the centurion and asked him whether He was already dead. ⁴⁵ And when he learned from the centurion [that Jesus was in fact dead], he gave the body to Joseph [by granting him permission to remove it]. ⁴⁶ So Joseph purchased a [fine] linen cloth [for ^[bx]wrapping the body], and after taking Jesus down [from the cross], he wrapped Him in the linen cloth and placed Him in a tomb which had been cut out of rock. Then he rolled a [large, wheel-shaped] stone against the entrance of the tomb.^{(CH) 47} Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses were [carefully] watching to see where He was laid.

The Resurrection

16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome purchased [sweet-smelling] spices, so that they might go and ^[by]anoint Him.^{(CI) 2} Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³ And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll back the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” ⁴ Looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away, though it was extremely large. ⁵ Entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right, wearing a [long, stately] white robe; and they were amazed and bewildered. ⁶ And he said to them, “Do not be amazed; you are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen; He is not here. See, [here is] the place where they laid Him.^{(CJ) 7} But go, tell His disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you to Galilee; you will see Him there, just as He told you.’”^{(CK) 8} They went out and fled from the tomb, for they were seized with trembling and astonishment; and they said nothing [about it] to anyone, because they were afraid.

^9 [bz][Now Jesus, having risen [from death] early on the first day of the week, appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast out seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and reported it to those who had been with Him, while they were mourning and weeping. ¹¹ When they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.

¹² After that, He appeared in a different form to two of them as they were walking along the way to the country.^{(CL) 13} They returned [to Jerusalem] and told the others, but they did not believe them either.

The Disciples Commissioned

¹⁴ Later, Jesus appeared to the eleven [disciples] themselves as they were reclining at the table; and He called them to account for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they had not believed those who had seen Him after He had risen [from death]. ¹⁵ And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. ¹⁶ He who has believed [in Me] and has been baptized will be saved [from the penalty of God’s wrath and judgment]; but he who has not believed will be condemned. ¹⁷ These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak in new tongues; ¹⁸ they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well.”

¹⁹ So then, when the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.^{(CM) 20} And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord was working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed.]

Introduction

1 Since [as is well known] many have undertaken to compile an orderly account of the things which have been fulfilled among us [by God], ² exactly as they were handed down to us by those [with personal experience] who from the beginning [of Christ’s ministry] were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word [that is, of the teaching concerning salvation through faith in Christ], ³ it seemed fitting for ^[ca]me as well, [and so I have decided] after having carefully searched out and investigated all the events accurately, from the very beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus;^{(CN) 4} so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been ^[cb]taught [that is, the history and doctrine of the faith].

Birth of John the Baptist Foretold

⁵ In the days of Herod [the Great], king of Judea, there was a certain priest whose name was ^[cc]Zacharias, of ^[cd]the division of Abijah. His wife was ^[ce]a descendant of Aaron [the first high priest of Israel], and her name was Elizabeth. ⁶ They both were righteous (approved) in the sight of God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and requirements of the Lord. ⁷ But they were childless, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both far advanced in years.

⁸ Now it happened while Zacharias was serving as priest before God in the appointed order of his priestly division, ⁹ as was the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter [the sanctuary of] the temple of the Lord and ^[cf]burn incense [on the altar of incense].^{(CO) 10} And all the congregation was praying outside [in the court of the temple] at the hour of the incense offering. ¹¹ And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing to the right of the altar of incense. ¹² When Zacharias saw the angel, he was troubled and overcome with fear. ¹³ But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, because your petition [in prayer] was heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will name him ^[cg]John. ¹⁴ You will have great joy and delight, and many will rejoice over his birth, ¹⁵ for he will be great and distinguished in the sight of the Lord; and will never drink wine or liquor, and he will be filled with and empowered to act by the Holy Spirit while still in his mother’s womb.^{(CP) 16} He will turn many of the sons of Israel back [from sin] to [love and serve] the Lord their God. ¹⁷ It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers back to the children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous [which is to seek and submit to the will of God]—in order to make ready a people [perfectly] prepared [spiritually and morally] for the Lord.”^(CQ)

¹⁸ And Zacharias said to the angel, “How will I be certain of this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in age.” ¹⁹ The angel replied and said to him, “I am Gabriel; I stand and minister in the [very] presence of God, and I have been sent [by Him] to speak to you and to bring you this good news.^{(CR) 20 [ch]}Listen carefully, you will be continually silent and unable to speak until the day when these things take place, because you did not believe what I told you; but my words will be fulfilled at their proper time.”

²¹ The people [outside in the court] were waiting for Zacharias, and were wondering about his long delay in the temple. ²² But when he did come out, he was unable to speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he kept making signs to them, and remained mute. ²³ When his time of priestly service was finished, he returned to his home.

²⁴ Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying, ²⁵ “This is how the Lord has dealt with me in the days when He looked with favor on me, to take away my ^[ci]disgrace among men.”^(CS)

Jesus’ Birth Foretold

²⁶ Now in the sixth month [of Elizabeth’s pregnancy] the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, ²⁷ to a virgin ^[cj]betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, a descendant of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. ²⁸ And coming to her, the angel said, “Greetings, favored one! The Lord is with you.” ²⁹ But she was greatly perplexed at what he said, and kept carefully considering what kind of greeting this was. ³⁰ The angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. ³¹ Listen carefully: you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. ³² He will be great and eminent and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David; ³³ and He will reign over the house of Jacob (Israel) forever, and of His kingdom there shall be no end.”^{(CT) 34} Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin and have no intimacy with any man?” ³⁵ Then the angel replied to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you [like a cloud]; for that reason the holy (pure, sinless) Child shall be called the Son of God.^{(CU) 36} And listen, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. ³⁷ For with God nothing [is or ever] shall be impossible.” ³⁸ Then Mary said, “^[ck]Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; may it be done to me according to your word.” And the angel left her.

Mary Visits Elizabeth

³⁹ Now at this time Mary arose and hurried to the hill country, to a city of Judah (Judea), ⁴⁰ and she entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, her baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him. ⁴² And she exclaimed loudly, “Blessed [worthy to be praised] are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ And how has it happened to me, that the mother of my Lord would come to me? ⁴⁴ For behold, when the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. ⁴⁵ And blessed [spiritually fortunate and favored by God] is she who believed and confidently trusted that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were spoken to her [by the angel sent] from the Lord.”

The Magnificat

⁴⁶ And Mary said,

⁵⁶ And Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months, and then returned to her home.

John Is Born

⁵⁷ Now the time had come for Elizabeth to give birth, and she gave birth to a son. ⁵⁸ Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown His great mercy toward her, and they were rejoicing with her.

⁵⁹ It happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child [as required by the Law], and they intended to name him Zacharias, after his father;^{(CX) 60} but his mother answered, “No indeed; instead he will be called John.” ⁶¹ And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by that name.” ⁶² Then they made signs to his father, as to what he wanted him called. ⁶³ And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote as follows, “His name is John.” And they were all astonished. ⁶⁴ At once Zacharias’ mouth was opened and his tongue freed, and he began speaking, praising and blessing and thanking God. ⁶⁵ Then fear came on all their neighbors; and all these things were discussed throughout the hill country of Judea. ⁶⁶ All who heard these things kept them in mind, saying, “What then will this little boy turn out to be?” For the hand of the Lord was certainly with him [to bring about his birth].

Zacharias’ Prophecy

⁶⁷ Now Zacharias his father was filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered by Him, and he prophesied, saying,

⁸⁰ The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].