差派十二使徒

耶穌召集了十二使徒[a],賜給他們能力和權柄勝過一切鬼魔,又能治癒各樣疾病, 然後差派他們去宣講神的國,並且使病人痊癒。

耶穌對他們說:「你們在路上什麼都不要帶。不要帶手杖,不要帶行囊,不要帶食物,不要帶銀子,每個人也不要帶兩件衣服[b] 你們無論進哪一家,就要住在那裡,也要從那裡再出發。 如果他們不接受你們,你們離開那城的時候,要把腳上的塵土跺掉,做為對他們的見證。」 使徒們就出去,走遍各村莊到處傳福音,使人痊癒。

希律的困惑

分封王希律聽說了所發生的這一切,就感到困惑,因為有些人說:「約翰從死人中復活了。」 也有些人說:「以利亞顯現了。」還有些人說:「古時候的一位先知復活了。」 希律卻說:「我已經砍了約翰的頭,而這個人又是誰呢?我竟聽到關於他這樣的事!」於是希律就想要見他。

五餅二魚

10 使徒們回來,把他們所做的事都告訴了耶穌。耶穌就帶著他們,悄悄地退往一個叫做伯賽達的城[c]去。 11 可是眾人知道了,就跟著他去。耶穌歡迎他們,向他們講說有關神國的事,並且使那些需要醫治的人得痊癒。

12 太陽開始平西的時候,十二使徒前來對耶穌說:「請遣散人群,好讓他們到周圍的村莊和田舍去借宿、找食物,因為我們這裡是個荒僻的地方。」

13 但耶穌對他們說:「你們給他們吃的吧。」

他們說:「我們只有五個餅和兩條魚,除非我們去為全體民眾買食物。」 14 當時,男人就約有五千。

耶穌對他的門徒們說:「叫他們分組坐下,每組約五十人。」 15 門徒們就如此行,叫大家都坐下。 16 耶穌拿起這五個餅和兩條魚,抬頭望天,祝福了,然後掰開,不斷遞給門徒們,讓他們分給眾人。 17 大家吃了,並且都吃飽了。他們把剩下的碎塊收拾起來,裝滿了[d]十二個籃子。

彼得認耶穌為基督

18 有一次,耶穌獨自禱告的時候,門徒們和他在一起。耶穌問他們,說:「眾人說我是誰?」

19 他們回答說:「是施洗者[e]約翰,有的說是以利亞,也有的說是古時候的一位先知復活了。」

20 耶穌問他們:「那麼你們呢?你們說我是誰?」

彼得回答說:「是神的基督!」

預言受難與復活

21 耶穌告誡他們,吩咐他們不要把這事告訴任何人。 22 又說:「人子必須受很多苦害,被長老們、祭司長們和經文士們棄絕,並且被殺,然後在第三天復活。」

背起你的十字架

23 耶穌又對大家說:「如果有人想要來跟從我,他就當否定自己,天天[f]背起自己的十字架,然後跟從我。 24 因為凡想要保全[g]自己生命的,將失去生命;凡為我的緣故失去自己生命的,這個人將保全[h]生命。 25 一個人就是賺得了全世界,卻喪失了自己,或賠上了自己,到底有什麼益處呢? 26 一個人如果以我和我的話為恥,當人子在自己、父,和聖天使們的榮耀中來臨的時候,也要以這個人為恥。 27 我確實地告訴你們:站在這裡的有些人,在還沒有嘗到死的滋味之前,必定見到神的國。」

登山變相

28 說了這些話以後約八天,耶穌帶著彼得約翰雅各上山去禱告。 29 正在禱告的時候,耶穌的相貌改變了,衣服也潔白發光。 30 這時候,忽然有兩個人和耶穌談話——他們是摩西以利亞—— 31 他們在榮光中顯現,談論耶穌離世的事,就是他將要在耶路撒冷成就的事。

32 彼得和他的同伴正在沉睡著。可是他們清醒過來時,看見了耶穌的榮光和同他站著的那兩個人。 33 那兩個人正要離開耶穌的時候,彼得對耶穌說:「老師,我們在這裡真好!讓我們來搭三座帳幕,一座為你,一座為摩西,一座為以利亞。」他不知道自己在說什麼。

34 他正說這些話,有一朵雲彩出現,籠罩著他們。他們一沒入雲彩中,門徒們就懼怕起來。 35 有聲音從雲中傳來,說:

「這是我的兒子,我所揀選的[i]
你們當聽從他!」

36 聲音過後,門徒們發現只有耶穌一個人了。在那些日子裡,他們保持沉默,沒有告訴任何人他們所看到的事。

信心的力量

37 第二天,他們從山上下來,有一大群人迎著耶穌而來。 38 這時候,忽然人群中有一個人呼喊說:「老師,求求你看顧我的兒子吧!因為他是我的獨生兒子。 39 你看,邪靈抓住他,忽然喊叫起來,又使他抽瘋,口吐白沫;邪靈折磨著他,就是不離開。 40 我求過你的門徒們,要他們驅趕那邪靈,可是他們不能。」

41 耶穌回答說:「唉,這個不信、歪曲的世代!我還要和你們在一起多久呢?我還要容忍你們多久呢?把你的兒子帶到這裡來吧!」

42 那孩子上前來的時候,鬼魔把他摔倒,使他劇烈地抽瘋。耶穌就斥責那汙靈,使孩子痊癒,把孩子交給他父親。 43 大家都對神的威榮驚嘆不已。

再次預言受難

正當大家對耶穌所做的一切感到驚奇的時候,耶穌對他的門徒們說: 44 「你們要把這話存在耳中:人子將要被交在[j]人的手中。」

45 可是他們不明白這話,因為這話的意思對他們是隱藏的,使他們不能領悟。他們也不敢問耶穌這話的意思。

誰是最大的

46 門徒之間起了爭論:他們當中到底誰更大。 47 耶穌看出他們心中的意念,就領來一個小孩子,讓他站在自己身旁, 48 然後對他們說:「無論誰奉我的名接受這小孩子,就是接受我;接受我的,就是接受差派我來的那一位。要知道,在你們當中誰更小,他才為大。」

奉耶穌的名

49 約翰回答說:「老師,我們看見一個人奉你的名驅趕鬼魔,我們就去阻止他,因為他不與我們一起跟從你。」

50 耶穌對他說:「不要阻止他,因為不反對你們的,就是支持你們的[k]。」

前往耶路撒冷

51 耶穌升天的日子快到了,他就堅定地面向耶路撒冷而去。 52 他派了幾個使者在他前頭。他們就去了,進到撒馬利亞人的一個村子,要為他做預備。 53 但那裡的人不接受他,因為他是往耶路撒冷去的。 54 門徒雅各約翰看見了,就說:「主啊,你要我們[l]吩咐火從天上降下來燒滅他們嗎?」

55 耶穌轉過身來責備他們[m] 56 於是他們往別的村子去了。

跟隨耶穌

57 他們在路上走的時候,有一個人對耶穌說:「[n]無論你到哪裡去,我都要跟從你。」

58 耶穌對他說:「狐狸有洞,天空的飛鳥有窩,人子卻沒有枕頭的地方。」 59 耶穌對另一個人說:「你跟從我!」

可是他說:「主啊,請准許我先去埋葬我的父親。」

60 耶穌[o]對他說:「讓死人去埋葬他們的死人吧至於你,你要去宣講神的國。」

61 另有一個人說:「主啊,我要跟從你,但是請准許我先向我家裡的人告別。」

62 耶穌對他說:「手扶著犁又看背後之事的人,不配神的國。」

Footnotes

  1. 路加福音 9:1 使徒——輔助詞語。
  2. 路加福音 9:3 衣服——或譯作「襯袍」。
  3. 路加福音 9:10 有古抄本附「的一個荒僻的地方」。
  4. 路加福音 9:17 裝滿了——輔助詞語。
  5. 路加福音 9:19 施洗——或譯作「施浸」。
  6. 路加福音 9:23 有古抄本沒有「天天」。
  7. 路加福音 9:24 保全——原文直譯「救」。
  8. 路加福音 9:24 保全——原文直譯「救」。
  9. 路加福音 9:35 這是我的兒子,我所揀選的——有古抄本作「這是我的愛子」。
  10. 路加福音 9:44 被交在——或譯作「被出賣到」。
  11. 路加福音 9:50 不反對你們的,就是支持你們的——有古抄本作「不反對我們的,就是支持我們的」。
  12. 路加福音 9:54 有古抄本附「像以利亞所做的那樣」。
  13. 路加福音 9:55 有古抄本附「說:『你們並不知道自己是什麼樣的靈;56 人子不是來毀滅人的靈魂,而是來拯救人的靈魂。』」
  14. 路加福音 9:57 有古抄本附「主啊,」。
  15. 路加福音 9:60 耶穌——有古抄本作「他」。

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。』」

And when the twelve apostles were called together, Jesus gave to them virtue and power on [upon] all devils, and that they should heal sicknesses.

And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal sick men.

And he said to them, Nothing take ye in the way, neither a staff, nor scrip, neither bread, nor money[a], and neither have ye two coats.

And into what house ye enter, dwell ye there, and go ye not out from thence. [And into whatever house ye shall enter, dwell ye there, and go ye not out thence.]

And whoever receive not you, go ye out of that city, and shake ye off the powder of your feet into witnessing on them. [And whoever shall not receive you, ye going out of that city shake off also the powder of your feet into witnessing upon them.]

And they went forth, and went about by castles, preaching [evangelizing] and healing every where.

And Herod [the] tetrarch heard all [the] things that were done of him, and he doubted, for that it was said of some men, that John was risen from death;[b]

and of some men, that Elias had appeared; but of others, that one of the old prophets was risen.

And Herod said, I have beheaded John; and who is this, of whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.

10 And the apostles turned again, and told to him all things that they had done. And he took them, and went beside into a desert place, that is Bethsaida [the which is called Bethsaida].

11 And when the people knew this, they followed him. And he received them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God; and he healed them that had need of cure [and healed them that had need of cure].

12 And the day began to bow down, and the twelve came, and said to him, Let go the people [Leave the companies of people], that they go, and turn into the castles and towns, that be about, that they find meat [that they find meats], for we be here in a desert place.

13 And he said to them, Give ye to them to eat. And they said, There be not to us more than five loaves and two fishes, but peradventure that we go, and buy meats to all this people [and buy meats for all the company].

14 And the men were almost five thousand. And he said to his disciples, Make them sit to meat by companies, a fifty together.

15 And they did so, and they made all men sit to [the] meat.

16 And when he had taken the five loaves and two fishes, he beheld into heaven, and blessed them, and brake, and dealed to his disciples, that they should set before the companies.

18 And it was done, when he was alone praying, his disciples were with him, and he asked them, and said [saying], Whom say the people that I am?

19 And they answered, and said, John Baptist, others say Elias, and others say, one prophet of the former is risen [but others say, for one prophet of the former hath risen].

20 And he said to them, But whom say ye that I am? Simon Peter answered, and said, The Christ of God [Simon Peter answering said, The Christ of God].

21 And he blaming them commanded that they should say to no man, [And he blaming them commanded them that they should say to no man these things,]

22 and said these things [saying], For it behooveth man's Son to suffer many things, and to be reproved of the elder men, and of the princes of priests [and princes of priests], and of the scribes, and to be slain, and the third day to rise again.

23 And he said to all [men], If any [man] will come after me, deny he himself, and take he his cross every day [and take his cross every day], and follow he me.

24 For he that will make his life safe shall lose it; and he that loseth his life for me, shall make it safe. [Soothly he that shall desire to make his life safe, shall lose it; for why he that shall lose his life for me, shall make it safe.]

25 And what profiteth a man, if he win all the world, and lose himself, and do impairing of himself. [Forsooth what profiteth it to a man, if he win all the world, forsooth lose himself, and do impairing to himself.]

26 For who so shameth me and my words, man's Son shall shame him, when he cometh in his majesty [For why who that shall shame me and my words, and man's Son shall shame him, when he shall come in his majesty], and of the Father's, and of the holy angels.

27 And I say to you, verily there be some standing here, which shall not taste death, till they see the realm of God.

28 And it was done after these words almost eight days, and he took Peter and James and John, and he ascended into an hill, to pray.

29 And while he prayed, the likeness of his face was changed, and his clothing was white shining. [And the while he prayed, the likeness of his cheer was made other manner, and his clothing white shining.]

30 And lo! two men spake with him, and Moses and Elias

31 were seen in majesty; and they said his going out, which he should fulfill in Jerusalem.

32 And Peter, and they that were with him, were heavy of sleep [were grieved, or heavied, with sleep], and they waking saw his majesty, and the two men that stood with him.

33 And it was done, when they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus, Commander, it is good that we be here, and make we here three tabernacles, one to thee, and one to Moses, and one to Elias. And he knew not what he should say. [And it was done, when they departed from him, Peter saith to Jesus, Commander, it is good to us for to be here, and make we here three tabernacles, one to thee, and one to Moses, and one to Elias; not witting what he should say.]

34 But while he spake these things, a cloud was made, and overshadowed them; and they dreaded, when they entered into the cloud.

35 And a voice was made out of the cloud, and said [saying], This is my dear-worthy Son, hear ye him.

36 And while the voice was made, Jesus was found alone. And they were still, and to no man said in those days any of those things, that they had seen [And they held peace, and said to no man in those days aught of those things, which they had seen].

37 But it was done in the day following, when they came down of the hill, much people met them.

38 And lo! a man of the company cried, and said [saying], Master, I beseech thee, behold [into] my son, for I have no more [for he is only to me];

39 and lo! a spirit taketh him, and suddenly he crieth, and hurtleth [him] down, and draweth him with foam, and scarcely he goeth away drawing him all to pieces.

40 And I prayed thy disciples, that they should cast him out, and they might not.

41 And Jesus answered and said to them, A! unfaithful generation and wayward [Soothly Jesus answering said to them, O! unfaithful generation and wayward], how long shall I be with you, and suffer you? bring hither thy son.

42 And when he came nigh, the devil hurtled him down [the devil hurled him down], and wrenched him. And Jesus blamed the unclean spirit, and healed the child, and yielded him to his father.

43 And all men wondered greatly in the greatness of God. And when all men wondered in all things that he did [And all men wondering in all things which he did], he said to his disciples,

44 Put ye these words in your hearts [Put ye these words in your heart], for it is to come, that man's Son be betrayed into the hands of men.

45 And they knew not this word, and it was hid before them, that they feeled it not; and they dreaded to ask him of this word.

46 But a thought entered into them, who of them should be greatest.

47 And Jesus, seeing the thoughts of the heart of them, took a child, and setted [set] him beside him;

48 and said to them, Whoever receiveth this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever receiveth me, receiveth him that sent me; for he that is least among you all, is the greatest. [and said to them, Whoever shall receive this child in my name, receiveth me; and whoever shall receive me, receiveth him that sent me; for why he that is less among you all, this is the more.]

49 And John answered and said, Commander, we saw a man casting out fiends in thy name, and we have forbidden him, for he followeth not thee with us.

50 And Jesus said to him, Do not ye forbid, for he that is not against us, is for us.

51 And it was done, when the days of his taking up were fulfilled, he set fast his face, to go to Jerusalem,

52 and sent messengers before his sight. And they went, and entered into a city of Samaritans, to make ready to him.

53 And they received not him, for the face of him was going into Jerusalem [for the face was of him going into Jerusalem].

54 And when James and John, his disciples, saw, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we say [wilt thou that we ask], that fire come down from heaven, and waste them, [as Elias did]?

55 And he turned, and blamed them, and said, Ye know not, whose spirits ye be; [And he turned blamed them, saying, Ye know not, whose spirit ye be;]

56 for man's Son came not to destroy men's souls [to lose men's souls], but to save [them]. And they went into another castle.

57 And it was done, when they walked in the way, a man said to him [some man said to him], I shall follow thee, whither ever thou [shalt] go.

58 And Jesus said to him, Foxes have dens [Foxes have ditches, or dens], and birds of the air have nests, but man's Son hath not where he [shall] rest his head.

59 And he said to another, Follow thou me. And he said, Lord, suffer me first to go, and bury my father.

60 And Jesus said to him, Suffer that dead men bury their dead men [Suffer that dead men bury their dead]; but go thou, and tell the kingdom of God.

61 And another said, Lord, I shall follow thee, but first suffer me to leave all things that be at home [but first suffer me to tell to them that be at home].

62 And Jesus said to him, No man that putteth his hand to the plow, and beholding backward, is able to the kingdom of God.

Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:3 And he saith to them, Take ye nothing in the way, neither rod, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money
  2. Luke 9:7 Forsooth Herod, the fourth prince/prince of the fourth part, heard all the things that were done of him, and he doubted, for that it was said of some, for John hath risen from dead;

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