Commissioning the Twelve

Summoning the Twelve,(A) he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.(B) Then he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.(C)

“Take nothing for the road,”(D) he told them, “no staff,(E) no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”(F) So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

Herod the tetrarch(G) heard about everything that was going on.(H) He was perplexed, because some said that John had been raised from the dead, some that Elijah had appeared,(I) and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.(J) “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see him.(K)

Feeding of the Five Thousand

10 When the apostles returned,(L) they reported to Jesus all that they had done.(M) He took them along and withdrew privately to a[a] town called Bethsaida.(N) 11 When the crowds found out, they followed him. He welcomed them,(O) spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing.

12 Late in the day,(P) the Twelve approached and said to him, “Send the crowd away,(Q) so that they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find food and lodging, because we are in a deserted place here.”

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

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

Then he told his disciples, “Have them sit down[b] in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did what he said, and had them all sit down. 16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven,(S) he blessed and broke them.(T) He kept giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 Everyone ate and was filled. They picked up twelve baskets of leftover pieces.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

18 While he was praying in private(U) and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19 They answered, “John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, that one of the ancient prophets has come back.”[c](V)

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

Peter answered, “God’s Messiah.”(W)

His Death and Resurrection Predicted

21 But he strictly warned and instructed them to tell this to no one,(X) 22 saying,(Y) “It is necessary that the Son of Man(Z) suffer many things(AA) and be rejected(AB) by the elders, chief priests, and scribes,(AC) be killed, and be raised the third day.”(AD)

Take Up Your Cross

23 Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after[d] me, let him deny himself,(AE) take up his cross daily,[e] and follow me.(AF) 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.(AG) 25 For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?(AH) 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and my words,(AI) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory(AJ) and that of the Father and the holy angels.(AK) 27 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death(AL) until they see the kingdom of God.”(AM)

The Transfiguration

28 About eight days after this conversation,(AN) he took along Peter, John, and James(AO) and went up on the mountain to pray.(AP) 29 As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,(AQ) and his clothes became dazzling white.(AR) 30 Suddenly, two men were talking with him—Moses and Elijah. 31 They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,[f](AS) and when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 As the two men were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master,(AT) it’s good for us to be here. Let’s set up three shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying.(AU)

34 While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed(AV) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 Then a voice came from the cloud,(AW) saying, “This is my Son,(AX) the Chosen One;[g](AY) listen to him!” (AZ)

36 After the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent, and at that time told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Jesus over a Demon

37 The next day,(BA) when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 Just then a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, because he’s my only child.(BB) 39 A spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth; severely bruising him, it scarcely ever leaves him. 40 I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”(BC)

41 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse[h] generation,(BD) how long will I be with you and put up with you?(BE) Bring your son here.”

42 As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy,(BF) and gave him back to his father.(BG) 43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.(BH)

The Second Prediction of His Death

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

45 But they did not understand this statement;(BK) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,(BL) and they were afraid to ask him about it.

Who Is the Greatest?

46 An argument started among them about who was the greatest of them.(BM) 47 But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts,[j](BN) took a little child and had him stand next to him. 48 He told them, “Whoever welcomes[k] this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.(BO) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”(BP)

In His Name

49 John responded,(BQ) “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name,(BR) and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”(BS)

50 “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”[l](BT)

The Journey to Jerusalem

51 When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up,(BU) he determined[m](BV) to journey to Jerusalem.(BW) 52 He sent messengers ahead of himself,(BX) and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans(BY) to make preparations for him. 53 But they did not welcome him, because he determined to journey to Jerusalem.(BZ) 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?” [n](CA)

55 But he turned and rebuked them,[o] 56 and they went to another village.

Following Jesus

57 As they were traveling on the road someone said to him,(CB) “I will follow you wherever you go.”

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

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

60 But he told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and spread the news of the kingdom of God.”(CC)

61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me go and say good-bye to those at my house.”(CD)

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

Footnotes

  1. 9:10 Other mss add deserted place near a
  2. 9:14 Lit them recline
  3. 9:19 Lit has risen
  4. 9:23 Lit come after
  5. 9:23 Other mss omit daily
  6. 9:32 Lit were weighed down with sleep
  7. 9:35 Other mss read the Beloved
  8. 9:41 Or corrupt, or perverted, or twisted; Dt 32:5
  9. 9:44 Lit “Put these words in your ears
  10. 9:47 Lit the thoughts of their hearts
  11. 9:48 Or receives, throughout the verse
  12. 9:50 Other mss read against us is for us
  13. 9:51 Lit he stiffened his face to go; Is 50:7
  14. 9:54 Other mss add as Elijah also did
  15. 9:55–56 Other mss add and said, “You don’t know what kind of spirit you belong to. 56 For the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s lives but to save them,”

The Mission of the Twelve

And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Perplexity

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

Feeding the Five Thousand

10 On their return the apostles told him what they had done. And he took them and withdrew apart to a city called Beth-sa′ida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him; and he welcomed them and spoke to them of the kingdom of God, and cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now the day began to wear away; and the twelve came and said to him, “Send the crowd away, to go into the villages and country round about, to lodge and get provisions; for we are here in a lonely place.” 13 But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish he looked up to heaven, and blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And all ate and were satisfied. And they took up what was left over, twelve baskets of broken pieces.

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

18 Now it happened that as he was praying alone the disciples were with him; and he asked them, “Who do the people say that I am?” 19 And they answered, “John the Baptist; but others say, Eli′jah; and others, that one of the old prophets has risen.” 20 And he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.” 21 But he charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

23 And he said to all, “If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake, he will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28 Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men talked with him, Moses and Eli′jah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, and when they wakened they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is well that we are here; let us make three booths, one for you and one for Moses and one for Eli′jah”—not knowing what he said. 34 As he said this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen;[a] listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silence and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

37 On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried, “Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my only child; 39 and behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him till he foams, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon tore him and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death

But while they were all marveling at everything he did, he said to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears; for the Son of man is to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

True Greatness

46 And an argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But when Jesus perceived the thought of their hearts, he took a child and put him by his side, 48 and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me; for he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”

Another Exorcist

49 John answered, “Master, we saw a man casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for he that is not against you is for you.”

A Samaritan Village Refuses to Receive Jesus

51 When the days drew near for him to be received up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him; 53 but the people would not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to bid fire come down from heaven and consume them?”[b] 55 But he turned and rebuked them.[c] 56 And they went on to another village.

Would-Be Followers of Jesus

57 As they were going along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Another said, “I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:35 Other ancient authorities read my Beloved
  2. Luke 9:54 Other ancient authorities add as Elijah did
  3. Luke 9:55 Other ancient authorities add and he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; for the Son of man came not to destroy men’s lives but to save them”