差遣十二使徒

耶稣召集了十二个使徒,赐他们能力和权柄可以医病赶鬼, 又差遣他们出去宣讲上帝国的福音、医治病人。 耶稣叮嘱他们:“出门的时候,什么也不要带,不要带手杖、背包、干粮、金钱,也不要带两件衣服。 有人家接待你们,就住下来,一直住到你们离开。 如果有人不欢迎你们,你们在离开那城的时候,就把脚上的尘土跺掉,作为对他们的警告。”

使徒领命出发,走遍各个乡村,到处宣扬福音,替人治病。

希律的困惑

耶稣的事迹很快便传到希律耳中,令他十分困惑,因为有人说:“约翰死而复活了”, 有人说:“以利亚显现了”,还有人说:“古代的某个先知复活了”。 希律说:“约翰已经被我斩首,这个行奇事的人到底是谁呢?”于是他想见耶稣。

五饼二鱼的神迹

10 使徒回来后,向耶稣报告了他们所行的事。随后耶稣带着他们悄悄地来到伯赛大城。 11 但百姓发现了耶稣的行踪,随即也赶来了。耶稣接待他们,向他们宣讲天国的福音,医好了有病的人。 12 黄昏将近,十二个使徒过来对耶稣说:“请遣散众人,好让他们到附近的村庄去借宿找吃的,因为这地方很偏僻。”

13 耶稣对他们说:“你们给他们吃的吧。”

使徒们说:“我们只有五个饼和两条鱼,除非我们去买食物才够这么一大群人吃。” 14 当时那里约有五千男人。

耶稣便对使徒说:“让这些人分组坐下,每组大约五十人。” 15 于是使徒安排众人都坐好。 16 耶稣拿起那五个饼、两条鱼,举目望着天祝谢后,掰开递给门徒,让他们分给众人。 17 大家都吃饱了,把剩下的零碎收拾起来,竟装满了十二个篮子。

彼得宣告耶稣是基督

18 有一次,耶稣独自祷告的时候,门徒也在旁边。

耶稣问他们:“人们说我是谁?”

19 他们答道:“有人说你是施洗者约翰,也有人说你是以利亚,或是一位复活的古代先知。”

20 耶稣对他们说:“那么,你们说我是谁?”

彼得回答说:“你是上帝所立的基督。”

21 耶稣郑重地吩咐他们不许泄露祂的身份, 22 又说:“人子必须受许多苦,被长老、祭司长和律法教师弃绝,杀害,但必在第三天复活。”

跟从主的代价

23 耶稣又教导众人说:“如果有人要跟从我,就应当舍己,天天背起他的十字架跟从我。 24 因为想救自己生命的,必失去生命;但为了我而失去生命的,必得到生命。 25 人若赚得全世界,却失去自己或丧掉自己,又有什么益处呢? 26 如果有人以我和我的道为耻,将来人子在自己、天父和圣天使的荣耀中降临时,也必以这人为耻。 27 我实在告诉你们,有些站在这里的人在有生之年就必看见上帝的国。”

登山变象

28 讲完这些话后大约八天,耶稣带着彼得、约翰和雅各一同到山上祷告。 29 耶稣在祷告的时候,容貌改变了,衣裳洁白发光。 30 忽然,摩西和以利亚二人在跟耶稣交谈。 31 二人在荣光中显现,谈论有关耶稣离世的事情,就是祂在耶路撒冷将要成就的事。 32 彼得和两个同伴都困得睡着了,他们醒来后,看见了耶稣的荣光以及站在祂身边的两个人。 33 当摩西和以利亚要离开时,彼得对耶稣说:“老师,我们在这里真好!让我们搭三座帐篷,一座给你,一座给摩西,一座给以利亚。”其实彼得并不知道自己在说什么。 34 他的话还没说完,有一朵云彩飘来,笼罩他们,他们进入云彩中,都很害怕。 35 云彩中有声音说:“这是我的儿子,是我拣选的,你们要听从祂!” 36 声音消逝了,门徒只见耶稣独自在那里。那些日子,他们对这事都绝口不提,没有告诉任何人。

山下赶鬼

37 次日,他们来到山下,有一大群人迎接耶稣。 38 人群中有一个人高声喊叫:“老师,求求你看看我的儿子吧!他是我的独生子, 39 鬼控制着他,他常常突然狂喊乱叫、抽搐、口吐白沫,倍受折磨,无休无止。 40 我曾求过你的门徒把鬼赶出去,但他们都无能为力。”

41 耶稣回答说:“唉!这又不信又败坏的世代啊!我要跟你们在一起容忍你们多久呢?把你的儿子带来吧。”

42 那孩子走过来时,鬼又把他摔倒,使他抽搐,耶稣立刻斥责污鬼,把那孩子治好了,交给他父亲。 43 大家看见了上帝的大能,都很惊奇。

再次预言受难

他们正为耶稣所做的一切惊讶不已时,耶稣对门徒说: 44 “你们要牢记人子所说的话,因为祂将要被交到人的手里。” 45 但门徒不明白这句话的意思,因为还没有向他们显明,他们听不懂,又不敢追问耶稣。

论地位

46 门徒开始议论他们当中谁最伟大。 47 耶稣知道他们的心思,就叫了一个小孩子来,让他站在自己身旁, 48 然后对门徒说:“任何人为了我的缘故接待这样一个小孩子,就是接待我;接待我,就是接待差我来的那位。你们当中最卑微的其实是最伟大的。”

49 约翰说:“老师,我们看见有人奉你的名赶鬼,就阻止他,因为他不是和我们一起跟从你的。” 50 耶稣却对他说:“你不要阻止他,因为不反对你们的,就是支持你们的。”

不肯接待耶稣的村庄

51 耶稣被接回天家的日子快到了,祂决定前往耶路撒冷。 52 祂先派人到撒玛利亚的一个村庄去预备食宿, 53 但撒玛利亚人见他们是上耶路撒冷去的,不肯接待他们。 54 祂的门徒雅各和约翰见状,说:“主啊,你要我们[a]叫天上的火降下来烧死他们吗?” 55 耶稣转过身来责备他们[b] 56 接着,一行人改道去另一个村子。

跟从主的代价

57 在路上有人对耶稣说:“无论你往哪里去,我都要跟从你。”

58 耶稣对他说:“狐狸有洞,飞鸟有窝,人子却没有安枕之处。”

59 耶稣又对另一个人说:“跟从我!”但是那人说:“主啊,请让我先回去安葬我的父亲。”

60 耶稣说:“让死人去埋葬他们的死人吧,你只管去传扬上帝国的福音。”

61 又有一个人说:“主啊!我愿意跟从你,但请让我先回去向家人告别。”

62 耶稣说:“手扶着犁向后看的人不配进上帝的国。”

Footnotes

  1. 9:54 有古卷加“像以利亚一样”。
  2. 9:55 有古卷在“责备他们”之后有“说,‘你们的心如何,你们自己不知道,人子来是为了拯救人,不是为了毁灭人。’”

συγκαλεσαμενος δε τους δωδεκα εδωκεν αυτοις δυναμιν και εξουσιαν επι παντα τα δαιμονια και νοσους θεραπευειν

και απεστειλεν αυτους κηρυσσειν την βασιλειαν του θεου και ιασθαι

και ειπεν προς αυτους μηδεν αιρετε εις την οδον μητε ραβδον μητε πηραν μητε αρτον μητε αργυριον μητε δυο χιτωνας εχειν

και εις ην αν οικιαν εισελθητε εκει μενετε και εκειθεν εξερχεσθε

και οσοι αν μη δεχωνται υμας εξερχομενοι απο της πολεως εκεινης τον κονιορτον απο των ποδων υμων αποτινασσετε εις μαρτυριον επ αυτους

εξερχομενοι δε διηρχοντο κατα τας κωμας ευαγγελιζομενοι και θεραπευοντες πανταχου

ηκουσεν δε ηρωδης ο τετρααρχης τα γινομενα παντα και διηπορει δια το λεγεσθαι υπο τινων οτι ιωαννης ηγερθη εκ νεκρων

υπο τινων δε οτι ηλιας εφανη αλλων δε οτι προφητης τις των αρχαιων ανεστη

ειπεν δε [ο] ηρωδης ιωαννην εγω απεκεφαλισα τις δε εστιν ουτος περι ου ακουω τοιαυτα και εζητει ιδειν αυτον

10 και υποστρεψαντες οι αποστολοι διηγησαντο αυτω οσα εποιησαν και παραλαβων αυτους υπεχωρησεν κατ ιδιαν εις πολιν καλουμενην βηθσαιδα

11 οι δε οχλοι γνοντες ηκολουθησαν αυτω και αποδεξαμενος αυτους ελαλει αυτοις περι της βασιλειας του θεου και τους χρειαν εχοντας θεραπειας ιατο

12 η δε ημερα ηρξατο κλινειν προσελθοντες δε οι δωδεκα ειπαν αυτω απολυσον τον οχλον ινα πορευθεντες εις τας κυκλω κωμας και αγρους καταλυσωσιν και ευρωσιν επισιτισμον οτι ωδε εν ερημω τοπω εσμεν

13 ειπεν δε προς αυτους δοτε αυτοις φαγειν υμεις οι δε ειπαν ουκ εισιν ημιν πλειον η αρτοι πεντε και ιχθυες δυο ει μητι πορευθεντες ημεις αγορασωμεν εις παντα τον λαον τουτον βρωματα

14 ησαν γαρ ωσει ανδρες πεντακισχιλιοι ειπεν δε προς τους μαθητας αυτου κατακλινατε αυτους κλισιας ωσει ανα πεντηκοντα

15 και εποιησαν ουτως και κατεκλιναν απαντας

16 λαβων δε τους πεντε αρτους και τους δυο ιχθυας αναβλεψας εις τον ουρανον ευλογησεν αυτους και κατεκλασεν και εδιδου τοις μαθηταις παραθειναι τω οχλω

17 και εφαγον και εχορτασθησαν παντες και ηρθη το περισσευσαν αυτοις κλασματων κοφινοι δωδεκα

18 και εγενετο εν τω ειναι αυτον προσευχομενον κατα μονας συνησαν αυτω οι μαθηται και επηρωτησεν αυτους λεγων τινα με οι οχλοι λεγουσιν ειναι

19 οι δε αποκριθεντες ειπαν ιωαννην τον βαπτιστην αλλοι δε ηλιαν αλλοι δε οτι προφητης τις των αρχαιων ανεστη

20 ειπεν δε αυτοις υμεις δε τινα με λεγετε ειναι πετρος δε αποκριθεις ειπεν τον χριστον του θεου

21 ο δε επιτιμησας αυτοις παρηγγειλεν μηδενι λεγειν τουτο

22 ειπων οτι δει τον υιον του ανθρωπου πολλα παθειν και αποδοκιμασθηναι απο των πρεσβυτερων και αρχιερεων και γραμματεων και αποκτανθηναι και τη τριτη ημερα εγερθηναι

23 ελεγεν δε προς παντας ει τις θελει οπισω μου ερχεσθαι αρνησασθω εαυτον και αρατω τον σταυρον αυτου καθ ημεραν και ακολουθειτω μοι

24 ος γαρ αν θελη την ψυχην αυτου σωσαι απολεσει αυτην ος δ αν απολεση την ψυχην αυτου ενεκεν εμου ουτος σωσει αυτην

25 τι γαρ ωφελειται ανθρωπος κερδησας τον κοσμον ολον εαυτον δε απολεσας η ζημιωθεις

26 ος γαρ αν επαισχυνθη με και τους εμους λογους τουτον ο υιος του ανθρωπου επαισχυνθησεται οταν ελθη εν τη δοξη αυτου και του πατρος και των αγιων αγγελων

27 λεγω δε υμιν αληθως εισιν τινες των αυτου εστηκοτων οι ου μη γευσωνται θανατου εως αν ιδωσιν την βασιλειαν του θεου

28 εγενετο δε μετα τους λογους τουτους ωσει ημεραι οκτω παραλαβων πετρον και ιωαννην και ιακωβον ανεβη εις το ορος προσευξασθαι

29 και εγενετο εν τω προσευχεσθαι αυτον το ειδος του προσωπου αυτου ετερον και ο ιματισμος αυτου λευκος εξαστραπτων

30 και ιδου ανδρες δυο συνελαλουν αυτω οιτινες ησαν μωυσης και ηλιας

31 οι οφθεντες εν δοξη ελεγον την εξοδον αυτου ην ημελλεν πληρουν εν ιερουσαλημ

32 ο δε πετρος και οι συν αυτω ησαν βεβαρημενοι υπνω διαγρηγορησαντες δε ειδον την δοξαν αυτου και τους δυο ανδρας τους συνεστωτας αυτω

33 και εγενετο εν τω διαχωριζεσθαι αυτους απ αυτου ειπεν ο πετρος προς τον ιησουν επιστατα καλον εστιν ημας ωδε ειναι και ποιησωμεν σκηνας τρεις μιαν σοι και μιαν μωυσει και μιαν ηλια μη ειδως ο λεγει

34 ταυτα δε αυτου λεγοντος εγενετο νεφελη και επεσκιαζεν αυτους εφοβηθησαν δε εν τω εισελθειν αυτους εις την νεφελην

35 και φωνη εγενετο εκ της νεφελης λεγουσα ουτος εστιν ο υιος μου ο εκλελεγμενος αυτου ακουετε

36 και εν τω γενεσθαι την φωνην ευρεθη ιησους μονος και αυτοι εσιγησαν και ουδενι απηγγειλαν εν εκειναις ταις ημεραις ουδεν ων εωρακαν

37 εγενετο δε τη εξης ημερα κατελθοντων αυτων απο του ορους συνηντησεν αυτω οχλος πολυς

38 και ιδου ανηρ απο του οχλου εβοησεν λεγων διδασκαλε δεομαι σου επιβλεψαι επι τον υιον μου οτι μονογενης μοι εστιν

39 και ιδου πνευμα λαμβανει αυτον και εξαιφνης κραζει και σπαρασσει αυτον μετα αφρου και μολις αποχωρει απ αυτου συντριβον αυτον

40 και εδεηθην των μαθητων σου ινα εκβαλωσιν αυτο και ουκ ηδυνηθησαν

41 αποκριθεις δε ο ιησους ειπεν ω γενεα απιστος και διεστραμμενη εως ποτε εσομαι προς υμας και ανεξομαι υμων προσαγαγε ωδε τον υιον σου

42 ετι δε προσερχομενου αυτου ερρηξεν αυτον το δαιμονιον και συνεσπαραξεν επετιμησεν δε ο ιησους τω πνευματι τω ακαθαρτω και ιασατο τον παιδα και απεδωκεν αυτον τω πατρι αυτου

43 εξεπλησσοντο δε παντες επι τη μεγαλειοτητι του θεου παντων δε θαυμαζοντων επι πασιν οις εποιει ειπεν προς τους μαθητας αυτου

44 θεσθε υμεις εις τα ωτα υμων τους λογους τουτους ο γαρ υιος του ανθρωπου μελλει παραδιδοσθαι εις χειρας ανθρωπων

45 οι δε ηγνοουν το ρημα τουτο και ην παρακεκαλυμμενον απ αυτων ινα μη αισθωνται αυτο και εφοβουντο ερωτησαι αυτον περι του ρηματος τουτου

46 εισηλθεν δε διαλογισμος εν αυτοις το τις αν ειη μειζων αυτων

47 ο δε ιησους ειδως τον διαλογισμον της καρδιας αυτων επιλαβομενος παιδιον εστησεν αυτο παρ εαυτω

48 και ειπεν αυτοις ος εαν δεξηται τουτο το παιδιον επι τω ονοματι μου εμε δεχεται και ος αν εμε δεξηται δεχεται τον αποστειλαντα με ο γαρ μικροτερος εν πασιν υμιν υπαρχων ουτος εστιν μεγας

49 αποκριθεις δε ιωαννης ειπεν επιστατα ειδομεν τινα εν τω ονοματι σου εκβαλλοντα δαιμονια και εκωλυομεν αυτον οτι ουκ ακολουθει μεθ ημων

50 ειπεν δε προς αυτον ιησους μη κωλυετε ος γαρ ουκ εστιν καθ υμων υπερ υμων εστιν

51 εγενετο δε εν τω συμπληρουσθαι τας ημερας της αναλημψεως αυτου και αυτος το προσωπον εστηρισεν του πορευεσθαι εις ιερουσαλημ

52 και απεστειλεν αγγελους προ προσωπου αυτου και πορευθεντες εισηλθον εις κωμην σαμαριτων ως ετοιμασαι αυτω

53 και ουκ εδεξαντο αυτον οτι το προσωπον αυτου ην πορευομενον εις ιερουσαλημ

54 ιδοντες δε οι μαθηται ιακωβος και ιωαννης ειπαν κυριε θελεις ειπωμεν πυρ καταβηναι απο του ουρανου και αναλωσαι αυτους

55 στραφεις δε επετιμησεν αυτοις

56 και επορευθησαν εις ετεραν κωμην

57 και πορευομενων αυτων εν τη οδω ειπεν τις προς αυτον ακολουθησω σοι οπου εαν απερχη

58 και ειπεν αυτω [ο] ιησους αι αλωπεκες φωλεους εχουσιν και τα πετεινα του ουρανου κατασκηνωσεις ο δε υιος του ανθρωπου ουκ εχει που την κεφαλην κλινη

59 ειπεν δε προς ετερον ακολουθει μοι ο δε ειπεν επιτρεψον μοι πρωτον απελθοντι θαψαι τον πατερα μου

60 ειπεν δε αυτω αφες τους νεκρους θαψαι τους εαυτων νεκρους συ δε απελθων διαγγελλε την βασιλειαν του θεου

61 ειπεν δε και ετερος ακολουθησω σοι κυριε πρωτον δε επιτρεψον μοι αποταξασθαι τοις εις τον οικον μου

62 ειπεν δε [προς αυτον] ο ιησους ουδεις επιβαλων την χειρα επ αροτρον και βλεπων εις τα οπισω ευθετος εστιν τη βασιλεια του θεου

Chapter 9

The Mission of the Twelve.[a] (A)He summoned the Twelve and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal [the sick]. He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey,[b] neither walking stick, nor sack, nor food, nor money, and let no one take a second tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there.(B) And as for those who do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake the dust from your feet[c] in testimony against them.”(C) Then they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Herod’s Opinion of Jesus.(D) [d]Herod the tetrarch[e] heard about all that was happening, and he was greatly perplexed because some were saying, “John has been raised from the dead”;(E) others were saying, “Elijah has appeared”; still others, “One of the ancient prophets has arisen.” [f](F)But Herod said, “John I beheaded. Who then is this about whom I hear such things?” And he kept trying to see him.

The Return of the Twelve and the Feeding of the Five Thousand.(G) 10 When the apostles returned, they explained to him what they had done. He took them and withdrew in private to a town called Bethsaida. 11 The crowds, meanwhile, learned of this and followed him. He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he healed those who needed to be cured. 12 As the day was drawing to a close, the Twelve approached him and said, “Dismiss the crowd so that they can go to the surrounding villages and farms and find lodging and provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.” 13 (H)He said to them, “Give them some food yourselves.” They replied, “Five loaves and two fish are all we have, unless we ourselves go and buy food for all these people.” 14 Now the men there numbered about five thousand. Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of [about] fifty.” 15 They did so and made them all sit down. 16 Then taking[g] the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he said the blessing over them, broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.(I) 17 They all ate and were satisfied. And when the leftover fragments were picked up, they filled twelve wicker baskets.

Peter’s Confession About Jesus.[h] 18 (J)Once when Jesus was praying in solitude,[i] and the disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 They said in reply, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, ‘One of the ancient prophets has arisen.’”(K) 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter said in reply, “The Messiah of God.”[j] 21 He rebuked them and directed them not to tell this to anyone.

The First Prediction of the Passion. 22 He said, “The Son of Man must suffer greatly and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised.”(L)

The Conditions of Discipleship.(M) 23 Then he said to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily[k] and follow me.(N) 24 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.(O) 25 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world yet lose or forfeit himself? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.(P) 27 Truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration of Jesus.[l] 28 (Q)About eight days after he said this, he took Peter, John, and James and went up the mountain to pray.[m] 29 While he was praying his face changed in appearance and his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were conversing with him, Moses and Elijah,[n] 31 [o](R)who appeared in glory and spoke of his exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory[p] and the two men standing with him.(S) 33 As they were about to part from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here; let us make three tents,[q] one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But he did not know what he was saying. 34 [r]While he was still speaking, a cloud came and cast a shadow over them, and they became frightened when they entered the cloud. 35 [s](T)Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my chosen Son; listen to him.” 36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They fell silent and did not at that time[t] tell anyone what they had seen.

The Healing of a Boy with a Demon.[u] 37 (U)On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 There was a man in the crowd who cried out, “Teacher, I beg you, look at my son; he is my only child. 39 For a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams and it convulses him until he foams at the mouth; it releases him only with difficulty, wearing him out. 40 I begged your disciples to cast it out but they could not.” 41 Jesus said in reply, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long will I be with you and endure you? Bring your son here.” 42 As he was coming forward, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion; but Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and returned him to his father. 43 And all were astonished by the majesty of God.

The Second Prediction of the Passion.(V) While they were all amazed at his every deed, he said to his disciples, 44 “Pay attention to what I am telling you. The Son of Man is to be handed over to men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying; its meaning was hidden from them so that they should not understand it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

The Greatest in the Kingdom.(W) 46 [v]An argument arose among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.(X) 47 Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child and placed it by his side 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you is the one who is the greatest.”(Y)

Another Exorcist.(Z) 49 Then John said in reply, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.” 50 Jesus said to him, “Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

V. The Journey to Jerusalem: Luke’s Travel Narrative[w]

Departure for Jerusalem; Samaritan Inhospitality. 51 [x]When the days for his being taken up[y] were fulfilled, he resolutely determined to journey to Jerusalem,(AA) 52 [z]and he sent messengers ahead of him.(AB) On the way they entered a Samaritan village to prepare for his reception there, 53 but they would not welcome him because the destination of his journey was Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”(AC) 55 Jesus turned and rebuked them, 56 and they journeyed to another village.

The Would-be Followers of Jesus.[aa] 57 (AD)As they were proceeding on their journey someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 Jesus answered him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to rest his head.” 59 And to another he said, “Follow me.” But he replied, “[Lord,] let me go first and bury my father.” 60 But he answered him, “Let the dead bury their dead.[ab] But you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 (AE)And another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say farewell to my family at home.” 62 [To him] Jesus said, “No one who sets a hand to the plow and looks to what was left behind is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes

  1. 9:1–6 Armed with the power and authority that Jesus himself has been displaying in the previous episodes, the Twelve are now sent out to continue the work that Jesus has been performing throughout his Galilean ministry: (1) proclaiming the kingdom (Lk 4:43; 8:1); (2) exorcising demons (Lk 4:33–37, 41; 8:26–39) and (3) healing the sick (Lk 4:38–40; 5:12–16, 17–26; 6:6–10; 7:1–10, 17, 22; Lk 8:40–56).
  2. 9:3 Take nothing for the journey: the absolute detachment required of the disciple (Lk 14:33) leads to complete reliance on God (Lk 12:22–31).
  3. 9:5 Shake the dust from your feet: see note on Mt 10:14.
  4. 9:7–56 This section in which Luke gathers together incidents that focus on the identity of Jesus is introduced by a question that Herod is made to ask in this gospel: “Who then is this about whom I hear such things?”(Lk 9:9) In subsequent episodes, Luke reveals to the reader various answers to Herod’s question: Jesus is one in whom God’s power is present and who provides for the needs of God’s people (Lk 9:10–17); Peter declares Jesus to be “the Messiah of God” (Lk 9:18–21); Jesus says he is the suffering Son of Man (Lk 9:22, 43–45); Jesus is the Master to be followed, even to death (Lk 9:23–27); Jesus is God’s son, his Chosen One (Lk 9:28–36).
  5. 9:7 Herod the tetrarch: see note on Lk 3:1.
  6. 9:9 And he kept trying to see him: this indication of Herod’s interest in Jesus prepares for Lk 13:31–33 and for Lk 23:8–12 where Herod’s curiosity about Jesus’ power to perform miracles remains unsatisfied.
  7. 9:16 Then taking…: the actions of Jesus recall the institution of the Eucharist in Lk 22:19; see also note on Mt 14:19.
  8. 9:18–22 This incident is based on Mk 8:27–33, but Luke has eliminated Peter’s refusal to accept Jesus as suffering Son of Man (Mk 8:32) and the rebuke of Peter by Jesus (Mk 8:33). Elsewhere in the gospel, Luke softens the harsh portrait of Peter and the other apostles found in his Marcan source (cf. Lk 22:39–46, which similarly lacks a rebuke of Peter that occurs in the source, Mk 14:37–38).
  9. 9:18 When Jesus was praying in solitude: see note on Lk 3:21.
  10. 9:20 The Messiah of God: on the meaning of this title in first-century Palestinian Judaism, see notes on Lk 2:11 and on Mt 16:13–20 and Mk 8:27–30.
  11. 9:23 Daily: this is a Lucan addition to a saying of Jesus, removing the saying from a context that envisioned the imminent suffering and death of the disciple of Jesus (as does the saying in Mk 8:34–35) to one that focuses on the demands of daily Christian existence.
  12. 9:28–36 Situated shortly after the first announcement of the passion, death, and resurrection, this scene of Jesus’ transfiguration provides the heavenly confirmation to Jesus’ declaration that his suffering will end in glory (Lk 9:32); see also notes on Mt 17:1–8 and Mk 9:2–8.
  13. 9:28 Up the mountain to pray: the “mountain” is the regular place of prayer in Luke (see Lk 6:12; 22:39–41).
  14. 9:30 Moses and Elijah: the two figures represent the Old Testament law and the prophets. At the end of this episode, the heavenly voice will identify Jesus as the one to be listened to now (Lk 9:35). See also note on Mk 9:5.
  15. 9:31 His exodus that he was going to accomplish in Jerusalem: Luke identifies the subject of the conversation as the exodus of Jesus, a reference to the death, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus that will take place in Jerusalem, the city of destiny (see Lk 9:51). The mention of exodus, however, also calls to mind the Israelite Exodus from Egypt to the promised land.
  16. 9:32 They saw his glory: the glory that is proper to God is here attributed to Jesus (see Lk 24:26).
  17. 9:33 Let us make three tents: in a possible allusion to the feast of Tabernacles, Peter may be likening his joy on the occasion of the transfiguration to the joyful celebration of this harvest festival.
  18. 9:34 Over them: it is not clear whether them refers to Jesus, Moses, and Elijah, or to the disciples. For the cloud casting its shadow, see note on Mk 9:7.
  19. 9:35 Like the heavenly voice that identified Jesus at his baptism prior to his undertaking the Galilean ministry (Lk 3:22), so too here before the journey to the city of destiny is begun (Lk 9:51) the heavenly voice again identifies Jesus as Son. Listen to him: the two representatives of Israel of old depart (Lk 9:33) and Jesus is left alone (Lk 9:36) as the teacher whose words must be heeded (see also Acts 3:22).
  20. 9:36 At that time: i.e., before the resurrection.
  21. 9:37–43a See note on Mk 9:14–29.
  22. 9:46–50 These two incidents focus on attitudes that are opposed to Christian discipleship: rivalry and intolerance of outsiders.
  23. 9:51–18:14 The Galilean ministry of Jesus finishes with the previous episode and a new section of Luke’s gospel begins, the journey to Jerusalem. This journey is based on Mk 10:1–52 but Luke uses his Marcan source only in Lk 18:15–19:27. Before that point he has inserted into his gospel a distinctive collection of sayings of Jesus and stories about him that he has drawn from Q, a collection of sayings of Jesus used also by Matthew, and from his own special traditions. All of the material collected in this section is loosely organized within the framework of a journey of Jesus to Jerusalem, the city of destiny, where his exodus (suffering, death, resurrection, ascension) is to take place (Lk 9:31), where salvation is accomplished, and from where the proclamation of God’s saving word is to go forth (Lk 24:47; Acts 1:8). Much of the material in the Lucan travel narrative is teaching for the disciples. During the course of this journey Jesus is preparing his chosen Galilean witnesses for the role they will play after his exodus (Lk 9:31): they are to be his witnesses to the people (Acts 10:39; 13:31) and thereby provide certainty to the readers of Luke’s gospel that the teachings they have received are rooted in the teachings of Jesus (Lk 1:1–4).
  24. 9:51–55 Just as the Galilean ministry began with a rejection of Jesus in his hometown, so too the travel narrative begins with the rejection of him by Samaritans. In this episode Jesus disassociates himself from the attitude expressed by his disciples that those who reject him are to be punished severely. The story alludes to 2 Kgs 1:10, 12 where the prophet Elijah takes the course of action Jesus rejects, and Jesus thereby rejects the identification of himself with Elijah.
  25. 9:51 Days for his being taken up: like the reference to his exodus in Lk 9:31 this is probably a reference to all the events (suffering, death, resurrection, ascension) of his last days in Jerusalem. He resolutely determined: literally, “he set his face.”
  26. 9:52 Samaritan: Samaria was the territory between Judea and Galilee west of the Jordan river. For ethnic and religious reasons, the Samaritans and the Jews were bitterly opposed to one another (see Jn 4:9).
  27. 9:57–62 In these sayings Jesus speaks of the severity and the unconditional nature of Christian discipleship. Even family ties and filial obligations, such as burying one’s parents, cannot distract one no matter how briefly from proclaiming the kingdom of God. The first two sayings are paralleled in Mt 8:19–22; see also notes there.
  28. 9:60 Let the dead bury their dead: i.e., let the spiritually dead (those who do not follow) bury their physically dead. See also note on Mt 8:22.

And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal [a]the sick. And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats. And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart. And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them. And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the [b]gospel, and healing everywhere.

Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead; and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again. And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

10 And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida. 11 But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured. 12 And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place. 13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people. 14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them [c]sit down in companies, about fifty each. 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.

18 And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am? 19 And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again. 20 And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God. 21 But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man; 22 saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. 23 And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.

28 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling. 30 And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah; 31 who appeared in glory, and spake of his [d]decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but [e]when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him. 33 And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three [f]tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said. 34 And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is [g]my Son, my chosen: hear ye him. 36 And when the voice [h]came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37 And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. 38 And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child: 39 and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it [i]teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely. 40 And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not. 41 And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son. 42 And as he was yet a coming, the demon [j]dashed him down, and [k]tare him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all astonished at the majesty of God.

But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples, 44 Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be [l]delivered up into the hands of men. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

46 And there arose a [m]reasoning among them, which of them was the [n]greatest. 47 But when Jesus saw the [o]reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side, 48 and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is [p]least among you all, the same is great.

49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us. 50 But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.

51 And it came to pass, when the days [q]were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them[r]? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them[s]. 56 And they went to another village.

57 And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. 58 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have [t]nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. 59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. 60 But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house. 62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:2 Some ancient authorities omit the sick.
  2. Luke 9:6 Or, good tidings
  3. Luke 9:14 Greek recline.
  4. Luke 9:31 Or, departure
  5. Luke 9:32 Or, having remained awake
  6. Luke 9:33 Or, booths
  7. Luke 9:35 Many ancient authorities read my beloved Son. See Mt. 17:5; Mk. 9:7.
  8. Luke 9:36 Or, was past
  9. Luke 9:39 Or, convulseth
  10. Luke 9:42 Or, rent him
  11. Luke 9:42 Or, convulsed
  12. Luke 9:44 Or, betrayed
  13. Luke 9:46 Or, questioning
  14. Luke 9:46 Greek greater.
  15. Luke 9:47 Or, questioning
  16. Luke 9:48 Greek lesser.
  17. Luke 9:51 Greek were being fulfilled.
  18. Luke 9:54 Many ancient authorities add even as Elijah did. Compare 2 Kin. 1:10–12.
  19. Luke 9:55 Some ancient authorities add and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. Some, but fewer, add also For the Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them. Compare 19:10; Jn. 3:17; 12:47.
  20. Luke 9:58 Greek lodging-places.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(A)(B)

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons(C) and to cure diseases,(D) and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God(E) and to heal the sick. He told them: “Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt.(F) Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”(G) So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.

Now Herod(H) the tetrarch heard about all that was going on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that John(I) had been raised from the dead,(J) others that Elijah had appeared,(K) and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had come back to life.(L) But Herod said, “I beheaded John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about?” And he tried to see him.(M)

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(N)(O)

10 When the apostles(P) returned, they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida,(Q) 11 but the crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God,(R) and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we are in a remote place here.”

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

They answered, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all this crowd.” 14 (About five thousand men were there.)

But he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 The disciples did so, and everyone sat down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them.(S) Then he gave them to the disciples to distribute to the people. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah(T)(U)

18 Once when Jesus was praying(V) in private and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say I am?”

19 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(W) others say Elijah; and still others, that one of the prophets of long ago has come back to life.”(X)

20 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”(Y)

Jesus Predicts His Death

21 Jesus strictly warned them not to tell this to anyone.(Z) 22 And he said, “The Son of Man(AA) must suffer many things(AB) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(AC) and he must be killed(AD) and on the third day(AE) be raised to life.”(AF)

23 Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.(AG) 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.(AH) 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them(AI) when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.(AJ)

27 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration(AK)

28 About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James(AL) with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.(AM) 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became as bright as a flash of lightning. 30 Two men, Moses and Elijah, appeared in glorious splendor, talking with Jesus. 31 They spoke about his departure,[a](AN) which he was about to bring to fulfillment at Jerusalem. 32 Peter and his companions were very sleepy,(AO) but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him. 33 As the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master,(AP) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what he was saying.)

34 While he was speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen;(AQ) listen to him.”(AR) 36 When the voice had spoken, they found that Jesus was alone. The disciples kept this to themselves and did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.(AS)

Jesus Heals a Demon-Possessed Boy(AT)

37 The next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 A spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams; it throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It scarcely ever leaves him and is destroying him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they could not.”

41 “You unbelieving and perverse generation,”(AU) Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42 Even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time

While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Listen carefully to what I am about to tell you: The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.”(AV) 45 But they did not understand what this meant. It was hidden from them, so that they did not grasp it,(AW) and they were afraid to ask him about it.

46 An argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.(AX) 47 Jesus, knowing their thoughts,(AY) took a little child and had him stand beside him. 48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(AZ) For it is the one who is least among you all who is the greatest.”(BA)

49 “Master,”(BB) said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him, because he is not one of us.”

50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”(BC)

Samaritan Opposition

51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven,(BD) Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.(BE) 52 And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan(BF) village to get things ready for him; 53 but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John(BG) saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them[b]?”(BH) 55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them. 56 Then he and his disciples went to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus(BI)

57 As they were walking along the road,(BJ) a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man(BK) has no place to lay his head.”

59 He said to another man, “Follow me.”(BL)

But he replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”(BM)

61 Still another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.”(BN)

62 Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:31 Greek exodos
  2. Luke 9:54 Some manuscripts them, just as Elijah did