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,”

Ministry of the Twelve

(A)Now He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons, and the power to heal diseases. And He sent them out to (B)proclaim the kingdom of God and to perform healing. And He said to them, (C)Take nothing for your journey, (D)neither a staff, nor a [a]bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not even have two [b]tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there [c]until you leave that city. And as for all who do not receive you, when you leave that city, (E)shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” And as they were leaving, they began going [d]throughout the villages, (F)preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

(G)Now (H)Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening; and he was greatly perplexed, because it was said by some that (I)John had risen from the dead, and by some that (J)Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. Herod said, “I myself had John beheaded; but who is this man about whom I hear such things?” And (K)he kept trying to see Him.

10 (L)When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. (M)And taking them with Him, He withdrew privately to a city called (N)Bethsaida. 11 But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and He welcomed them and began speaking to them about the kingdom of God, and curing those who had need of healing.

Five Thousand Men Fed

12 Now the day [e]was ending, and the twelve came up and said to Him, “Dismiss the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and get [f]something to eat; because here, we are in a secluded place.” 13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat!” But they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless perhaps we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 (For there were about five thousand men.) But He said to His disciples, “Have them recline to eat (O)in groups of about fifty each.” 15 They did so, and had them all recline. 16 And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and, looking up to heaven, He blessed them and broke them, and gave them to the disciples again and again, to serve the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied; and [g]the broken pieces which they had left over were picked up, twelve (P)baskets full.

Peter Says Jesus is The Christ

18 (Q)And it happened that while He was (R)praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying, “Who do the [h]people say that I am?” 19 They answered and said, “John the Baptist, and others say Elijah; but others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 And He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered and said, “(S)The [i]Christ of God.” 21 But He [j](T)warned them and instructed them not to tell this to anyone, 22 (U)saying, (V)The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed and be raised on the third day.”

23 And He was saying to them all, (W)If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For (X)whoever wants to save his [k]life will lose it, but whoever loses his [l]life for My sake, this is the one who will save it. 25 For what good does it do a person if he gains the whole world, but (Y)loses or forfeits himself? 26 (Z)For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels. 27 But I say to you truthfully, (AA)there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28 (AB)About eight days after these sayings, He took along (AC)Peter, John, and James, and (AD)went up on the mountain (AE)to pray. 29 And while He was (AF)praying, the appearance of His face (AG)became different, and His clothing became white and [m]gleaming. 30 And behold, two men were talking with Him; and they were Moses and Elijah, 31 who, appearing in [n]glory, were speaking of His (AH)departure, which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and his companions (AI)had been overcome with sleep; but when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who were standing with Him. 33 And as [o]these two men were leaving Him, Peter said to Jesus, “(AJ)Master, it is good that we are here; and (AK)let’s make three [p]tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—(AL)not realizing what he was saying. 34 But while he was saying this, a cloud [q]formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And then (AM)a voice came from the cloud, saying, “(AN)This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!” 36 And when the voice [r]had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And (AO)they kept silent, and reported to no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.

37 (AP)On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met Him. 38 And a man from the crowd shouted, saying, “Teacher, I beg You to look at my son, because he is my only son, 39 and a spirit seizes him and he suddenly screams, and it throws him into a convulsion with foaming at the mouth; and only with difficulty does it leave him, mauling him as it leaves. 40 And I begged Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.” 41 And Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.” 42 Now while he was still approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground and threw him into a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 And they were all amazed at the [s](AQ)greatness of God.

(AR)But while everyone was astonished at all that He was doing, He said to His disciples, 44 “As for you, let these words sink into your ears: (AS)for the Son of Man is going to be [t]handed over to men.” 45 But (AT)they [u]did not understand this statement, and it was concealed from them so that they would not comprehend it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this statement.

The Test of Greatness

46 (AU)Now an argument [v]started among them as to which of them might be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, (AV)knowing [w]what they were thinking in their hearts, took a child and had him stand by His side, 48 and He said to them, (AW)Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; (AX)for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.”

49 (AY)John answered and said, “(AZ)Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow along with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not hinder him; (BA)for the one who is not against you is [x]for you.”

51 When the days were approaching for (BB)His [y]ascension, He [z]was determined (BC)to go to Jerusalem; 52 and He sent messengers on ahead of Him, and they went and entered a village of the (BD)Samaritans to [aa]make arrangements for Him. 53 And they did not receive Him, (BE)because [ab]He was traveling toward Jerusalem. 54 When His disciples (BF)James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to (BG)command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?” 55 But He turned and rebuked them.[ac] 56 And they went on to another village.

Exacting Discipleship

57 (BH)As they were going on the road, (BI)someone said to Him, “I will follow You wherever You go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but (BJ)the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” 59 And He said to another, (BK)Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.” 60 But He said to him, “Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and (BL)proclaim everywhere the kingdom of God.” 61 Another also said, “I will follow You, Lord; but (BM)first permit me to say goodbye to those at my home.” 62 But Jesus said to him, (BN)No one, after putting his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Footnotes

  1. Luke 9:3 Or knapsack
  2. Luke 9:3 A long shirt worn next to the skin
  3. Luke 9:4 Lit and leave from there
  4. Luke 9:6 Or from village to village
  5. Luke 9:12 Lit began to decline
  6. Luke 9:12 Lit provisions
  7. Luke 9:17 Lit what was left over to them of the broken pieces was
  8. Luke 9:18 Lit crowds
  9. Luke 9:20 I.e., Messiah
  10. Luke 9:21 Or strictly admonished
  11. Luke 9:24 Or soul
  12. Luke 9:24 Or soul
  13. Luke 9:29 Or flashing like lightning
  14. Luke 9:31 Or splendor
  15. Luke 9:33 Lit they
  16. Luke 9:33 Or sacred tents
  17. Luke 9:34 Lit occurred
  18. Luke 9:36 Lit occurred
  19. Luke 9:43 Or majesty
  20. Luke 9:44 Or betrayed
  21. Luke 9:45 Lit were not knowing
  22. Luke 9:46 Lit entered
  23. Luke 9:47 Lit the reasoning; or argument
  24. Luke 9:50 Or on your side
  25. Luke 9:51 Lit taking up
  26. Luke 9:51 Lit set His face
  27. Luke 9:52 Or prepare
  28. Luke 9:53 Lit His face was proceeding toward
  29. Luke 9:55 Some late mss add: and said, “You do not know of what kind of spirit you are; for the Son of Man did not come to destroy people’s lives, but to save them.”