Luke 9:23-51

Christian Standard Bible

Take Up Your Cross

²³ Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after^[a] me, let him deny himself,^(A) take up his cross daily,^[b] and follow me.^{(B) 24} For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will save it.^{(C) 25} For what does it benefit someone if he gains the whole world, and yet loses or forfeits himself?^{(D) 26} For whoever is ashamed of me and my words,^(E) the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory^(F) and that of the Father and the holy angels.^{(G) 27} Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death^(H) until they see the kingdom of God.”^(I)

The Transfiguration

²⁸ About eight days after this conversation,^(J) he took along Peter, John, and James^(K) and went up on the mountain to pray.^{(L) 29} As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed,^(M) and his clothes became dazzling white.^{(N) 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,^[c](O) 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,^(P) 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.^(Q)

³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud appeared and overshadowed^(R) them. They became afraid as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ Then a voice came from the cloud,^(S) saying, “This is my Son,^(T) the Chosen One;^[d](U) listen to him!” ^(V)

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,^(W) 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.^{(X) 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.”^(Y)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and perverse^[e] generation,^(Z) how long will I be with you and put up with you?^(AA) 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,^(AB) and gave him back to his father.^{(AC) 43} And they were all astonished at the greatness of God.^(AD)

The Second Prediction of His Death

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

⁴⁵ But they did not understand this statement;^(AG) it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it,^(AH) 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.^{(AI) 47} But Jesus, knowing their inner thoughts,^[g](AJ) took a little child and had him stand next to him. ⁴⁸ He told them, “Whoever welcomes^[h] this little child in my name welcomes me. And whoever welcomes me welcomes him who sent me.^(AK) For whoever is least among you—this one is great.”^(AL)

In His Name

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

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

The Journey to Jerusalem

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for him to be taken up,^(AQ) he determined^[j](AR) to journey to Jerusalem.^(AS)