差遣十二使徒

耶穌召集了十二個使徒,賜他們能力和權柄可以醫病趕鬼, 又差遣他們出去宣講上帝國的福音、醫治病人。 耶穌叮囑他們:「出門的時候,什麼也不要帶,不要帶手杖、背包、乾糧、金錢,也不要帶兩件衣服。 有人家接待你們,就住下來,一直住到你們離開。 如果有人不歡迎你們,你們在離開那城的時候,就把腳上的塵土跺掉,作為對他們的警告。」

使徒領命出發,走遍各個鄉村,到處宣揚福音,替人治病。

希律的困惑

耶穌的事蹟很快便傳到希律耳中,令他十分困惑,因為有人說:「約翰死而復活了」, 有人說:「以利亞顯現了」,還有人說:「古代的某個先知復活了」。 希律說:「約翰已經被我斬首,這個行奇事的人到底是誰呢?」於是他想見耶穌。

五餅二魚的神蹟

10 使徒回來後,向耶穌報告了他們所行的事。隨後耶穌帶著他們悄悄地來到伯賽大城。 11 但百姓發現了耶穌的行蹤,隨即也趕來了。耶穌接待他們,向他們宣講天國的福音,醫好了有病的人。 12 黃昏將近,十二個使徒過來對耶穌說:「請遣散眾人,好讓他們到附近的村莊去借宿找吃的,因為這地方很偏僻。」

13 耶穌對他們說:「你們給他們吃的吧。」

使徒們說:「我們只有五個餅和兩條魚,除非我們去買食物才夠這麼一大群人吃。」 14 當時那裡約有五千男人。

耶穌便對使徒說:「讓這些人分組坐下,每組大約五十人。」 15 於是使徒安排眾人都坐好。 16 耶穌拿起那五個餅、兩條魚,舉目望著天祝謝後,掰開遞給門徒,讓他們分給眾人。 17 大家都吃飽了,把剩下的零碎收拾起來,竟裝滿了十二個籃子。

彼得宣告耶穌是基督

18 有一次,耶穌獨自禱告的時候,門徒也在旁邊。

耶穌問他們:「人們說我是誰?」

19 他們答道:「有人說你是施洗者約翰,也有人說你是以利亞,或是一位復活的古代先知。」

20 耶穌對他們說:「那麼,你們說我是誰?」

彼得回答說:「你是上帝所立的基督。」

21 耶穌鄭重地吩咐他們不許洩露祂的身分, 22 又說:「人子必須受許多苦,被長老、祭司長和律法教師棄絕,殺害,但必在第三天復活。」

跟從主的代價

23 耶穌又教導眾人說:「如果有人要跟從我,就應當捨己,天天背起他的十字架跟從我。 24 因為想救自己生命的,必失去生命;但為了我而失去生命的,必得到生命。 25 人若賺得全世界,卻失去自己或喪掉自己,又有什麼益處呢? 26 如果有人以我和我的道為恥,將來人子在自己、天父和聖天使的榮耀中降臨時,也必以這人為恥。 27 我實在告訴你們,有些站在這裡的人在有生之年就必看見上帝的國。」

登山變象

28 講完這些話後大約八天,耶穌帶著彼得、約翰和雅各一同到山上禱告。 29 耶穌在禱告的時候,容貌改變了,衣裳潔白發光。 30 忽然,摩西和以利亞二人在跟耶穌交談。 31 二人在榮光中顯現,談論有關耶穌離世的事情,就是祂在耶路撒冷將要成就的事。 32 彼得和兩個同伴都睏得睡著了,他們醒來後,看見了耶穌的榮光以及站在祂身邊的兩個人。 33 當摩西和以利亞要離開時,彼得對耶穌說:「老師,我們在這裡真好!讓我們搭三座帳篷,一座給你,一座給摩西,一座給以利亞。」其實彼得並不知道自己在說什麼。 34 他的話還沒說完,有一朵雲彩飄來,籠罩他們,他們進入雲彩中,都很害怕。 35 雲彩中有聲音說:「這是我的兒子,是我揀選的,你們要聽從祂!」 36 聲音消逝了,門徒只見耶穌獨自在那裡。那些日子,他們對這事都絕口不提,沒有告訴任何人。

山下趕鬼

37 次日,他們來到山下,有一大群人迎接耶穌。 38 人群中有一個人高聲喊叫:「老師,求求你看看我的兒子吧!他是我的獨生子, 39 鬼控制著他,他常常突然狂喊亂叫、抽搐、口吐白沫,倍受折磨,無休無止。 40 我曾求過你的門徒把鬼趕出去,但他們都無能為力。」

41 耶穌回答說:「唉!這又不信又敗壞的世代啊!我要跟你們在一起容忍你們多久呢?把你的兒子帶來吧。」

42 那孩子走過來時,鬼又把他摔倒,使他抽搐,耶穌立刻斥責污鬼,把那孩子治好了,交給他父親。 43 大家看見了上帝的大能,都很驚奇。

再次預言受難

他們正為耶穌所做的一切驚訝不已時,耶穌對門徒說: 44 「你們要牢記人子所說的話,因為祂將要被交到人的手裡。」 45 但門徒不明白這句話的意思,因為還沒有向他們顯明,他們聽不懂,又不敢追問耶穌。

論地位

46 門徒開始議論他們當中誰最偉大。 47 耶穌知道他們的心思,就叫了一個小孩子來,讓他站在自己身旁, 48 然後對門徒說:「任何人為了我的緣故接待這樣一個小孩子,就是接待我;接待我,就是接待差我來的那位。你們當中最卑微的其實是最偉大的。」

49 約翰說:「老師,我們看見有人奉你的名趕鬼,就阻止他,因為他不是和我們一起跟從你的。」 50 耶穌卻對他說:「你不要阻止他,因為不反對你們的,就是支持你們的。」

不肯接待耶穌的村莊

51 耶穌被接回天家的日子快到了,祂決定前往耶路撒冷。 52 祂先派人到撒瑪利亞的一個村莊去預備食宿, 53 但撒瑪利亞人見他們是上耶路撒冷去的,不肯接待他們。 54 祂的門徒雅各和約翰見狀,說:「主啊,你要我們[a]叫天上的火降下來燒死他們嗎?」 55 耶穌轉過身來責備他們[b] 56 接著,一行人改道去另一個村子。

跟從主的代價

57 在路上有人對耶穌說:「無論你往哪裡去,我都要跟從你。」

58 耶穌對他說:「狐狸有洞,飛鳥有窩,人子卻沒有安枕之處。」

59 耶穌又對另一個人說:「跟從我!」但是那人說:「主啊,請讓我先回去安葬我的父親。」

60 耶穌說:「讓死人去埋葬他們的死人吧,你只管去傳揚上帝國的福音。」

61 又有一個人說:「主啊!我願意跟從你,但請讓我先回去向家人告別。」

62 耶穌說:「手扶著犁向後看的人不配進上帝的國。」

Footnotes

  1. 9·54 有古卷加「像以利亞一樣」。
  2. 9·55 有古卷在「責備他們」之後有「說,『你們的心如何,你們自己不知道,人子來是為了拯救人,不是為了毀滅人。』」

Instructions for the Twelve Apostles

(Matthew 10.5-15; Mark 6.7-13)

Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them complete power over all demons and diseases. Then he sent them to tell about God's kingdom and to heal the sick. (A) He told them, “Don't take anything with you! Don't take a walking stick or a traveling bag or food or money or even a change of clothes. When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. (B) If people won't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet[a] as a warning to them.”

The apostles left and went from village to village, telling the good news and healing people everywhere.

Herod Is Worried

(Matthew 14.1-12; Mark 6.14-29)

(C) Herod[b] the ruler heard about all that was happening, and he was worried. Some people were saying John the Baptist had come back to life. Others were saying Elijah had come[c] or one of the prophets from long ago had come back to life. But Herod said, “I had John's head cut off! Who is this I hear so much about?” Herod was eager to meet Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

(Matthew 14.13-21; Mark 6.30-44; John 6.1-14)

10 The apostles came back and told Jesus everything they had done. He then took them with him to the village of Bethsaida, where they could be alone. 11 But a lot of people found out about this and followed him. Jesus welcomed them. He spoke about God's kingdom and healed everyone who was sick.

12 Late in the afternoon the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd to the villages and farms around here. They need to find a place to stay and something to eat. There is nothing in this place. It's like a desert!”

13 Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.”

But they replied, “We have only five small loaves of bread[d] and two fish. If we are going to feed all these people, we will have to go and buy food.” 14 There were about 5,000 men in the crowd.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Tell the people to sit in groups of 50.” 15 They did this, and all the people sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and fish and handed them to his disciples to give to the people.

17 Everyone ate all they wanted. What was left over filled twelve baskets.

Who Is Jesus?

(Matthew 16.13-19; Mark 8.27-29)

18 When Jesus was alone praying, his disciples came to him, and he asked them, “What do people say about me?”

19 (D) They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist or Elijah[e] or a prophet from long ago who has come back to life.”

20 (E) Jesus then asked, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah sent from God.”

21 Jesus strictly warned his disciples not to tell anyone about this.

Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death

(Matthew 16.20-28; Mark 8.30—9.1)

22 Jesus told his disciples, “The nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. They will reject him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.”

23 (F) Then Jesus said to all the people:

If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me. 24 (G) If you want to save your life,[f] you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it. 25 What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself or waste your life? 26 If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and the holy angels. 27 You can be sure some of the people standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom.

The True Glory of Jesus

(Matthew 17.1-8; Mark 9.2-8)

28 (H) About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining white. 30 Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. 31 They appeared in heavenly glory and talked about all that Jesus' death[g] in Jerusalem would mean.

32 Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. They also saw the two men who were with him.

33 Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about.

34 While Peter was still speaking, a shadow from a cloud passed over, and they were frightened as the cloud covered them. 35 (I) From the cloud a voice spoke, “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”

36 After the voice had spoken, Peter, John, and James saw only Jesus. For some time they kept quiet and did not say anything about what they had seen.

Jesus Heals a Boy

(Matthew 17.14-18; Mark 9.14-27)

37 The next day Jesus and his three disciples came down from the mountain and were met by a large crowd. 38 Just then someone in the crowd shouted, “Teacher, please do something for my son! He is my only child! 39 A demon often attacks him and makes him scream. It shakes him until he foams at the mouth, and it won't leave him until it has completely worn the boy out. 40 I begged your disciples to force out the demon, but they couldn't do it.”

41 Jesus said to them, “You people are stubborn and don't have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you?”

Then Jesus said to the man, “Bring your son to me.” 42 While the boy was being brought, the demon attacked him and made him shake all over. Jesus ordered the demon to stop. Then he healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 Everyone was amazed at God's great power.

Jesus Again Speaks about His Death

(Matthew 17.22,23; Mark 9.30-32)

While everyone was still amazed at what Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 “Pay close attention to what I am telling you! The Son of Man will be handed over to his enemies.” 45 But the disciples did not know what he meant. The meaning was hidden from them. They could not understand it, and they were afraid to ask.

Who Is the Greatest?

(Matthew 18.1-5; Mark 9.33-37)

46 (J) Jesus' disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he had a child stand there beside him. 48 (K) Then he said to his disciples, “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me. Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest.”

For or against Jesus

(Mark 9.38-40)

49 John said, “Master, we saw a man using your name to force demons out of people. But we told him to stop, because he isn't one of us.”

50 “Don't stop him!” Jesus said. “Anyone who isn't against you is for you.”

A Samaritan Village Refuses To Receive Jesus

51 Not long before it was time for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. 52 He sent some messengers on ahead to a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. 53 But he was on his way to Jerusalem, so the people there refused to welcome him. 54 (L) When the disciples James and John saw what was happening, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy these people?”[h]

55 But Jesus turned and corrected them for what they had said.[i] 56 Then they all went on to another village.

Three People Who Wanted To Be Followers

(Matthew 8.19-22)

57 Along the way someone said to Jesus, “I'll follow you anywhere!”

58 Jesus said, “Foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man doesn't have a place to call his own.”

59 Jesus told someone else to come with him. But the man said, “Lord, let me wait until I bury my father.”[j]

60 Jesus answered, “Let the dead take care of the dead, while you go and tell about God's kingdom.”

61 (M) Then someone said to Jesus, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and take care of things at home.”

62 Jesus answered, “Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!”

Footnotes

  1. 9.5 shake the dust from your feet: This was a way of showing rejection.
  2. 9.7 Herod: Herod Antipas, the son of Herod the Great.
  3. 9.8 Elijah had come: Many of the Jewish people expected the prophet Elijah to come and prepare the way for the Messiah.
  4. 9.13 small loaves of bread: These would have been flat and round or in the shape of a bun.
  5. 9.19 Elijah: See the note at 9.8.
  6. 9.24 life: In verses 24,25 a Greek word which often means “soul” is translated “life” and “yourself.”
  7. 9.31 Jesus' death: In Greek this is “his departure,” which probably includes his rising to life and his return to heaven.
  8. 9.54 to destroy these people: Some manuscripts add “as Elijah did.”
  9. 9.55 what they had said: Some manuscripts add, “and said, ‘Don't you know what spirit you belong to? The Son of Man did not come to destroy people's lives, but to save them.’ ”
  10. 9.59 bury my father: The Jewish people taught that giving someone a proper burial was even more important than helping the poor.