Commissioning the Twelve

9 Summoning the Twelve,^(A) He gave them power and authority over all the demons, and power to heal^[a] diseases.^{(B) 2} Then He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.^(C)

³ “Take nothing for the road,”^(D) He told them, “no walking stick,^(E) no traveling bag, no bread, no money; and don’t take an extra shirt. ⁴ Whatever house you enter, stay there and leave from there. ⁵ If they do not welcome you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”^{(F) 6} So they went out and traveled from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Desire to See Jesus

⁷ 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, ⁸ some that Elijah had appeared,^(I) and others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.^{(J) 9} “I beheaded John,” Herod said, “but who is this I hear such things about?” And he wanted to see Him.^(K)

Feeding 5,000

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^[b] 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 cured^[c] those who needed healing.

¹² Late in the day,^[d](P) the Twelve approached and said to Him, “Send the crowd away,^(Q) so 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 5,000 men were there.)

Then He told His disciples, “Have them sit down^[e] in groups of about 50 each.” ¹⁵ They did so, 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. Then they picked up^[f] 12 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.”^[g](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) “The Son of Man^(Z) must 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 come with^[h] Me, he must deny himself,^(AE) take up his cross daily,^[i] 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} What is a man benefited if he gains the whole world, 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} I tell you the truth: 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 these words,^(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 death,^[j] which He was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

³² Peter and those with him were in a deep sleep,^[k](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 us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.^(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:

³⁶ After the voice had spoken, only Jesus was found. They kept silent, and in those days told no one what they had seen.

The Power of Faith 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} Often a spirit seizes him; suddenly he shrieks, and it throws him into convulsions until he foams at the mouth;^[m] wounding^[n] him, it hardly ever leaves him. ⁴⁰ I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”^(BC)

⁴¹ Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious^[o] 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, cured 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:^[p] 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.^[q]

Who Is the Greatest?

⁴⁶ Then an argument started among them about who would be the greatest of them.^{(BM) 47} But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts,^(BN) took a little child and had him stand next to Him. ⁴⁸ He told them, “Whoever welcomes^[r] 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.”^[s](BT)

The Journey to Jerusalem

⁵¹ When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up,^[t](BU) He determined^[u](BV) to journey to Jerusalem.^{(BW) 52} He sent messengers ahead of Him,^(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?”^[v](CA)

⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them,^{[w] 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^[x] 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.”^[y]

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 also 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.”

The Plot to Kill Jesus

22 The^(A) Festival of Unleavened Bread,^(B) which is called Passover,^(C) was drawing near. ² The chief priests and the scribes were looking for a way to put Him to death,^(D) because they were afraid of the people.^(E)

³ Then^(F) Satan entered Judas,^(G) called Iscariot,^(H) who was numbered among the Twelve. ⁴ He went away and discussed with the chief priests and temple police^(I) how he could hand Him over^(J) to them. ⁵ They were glad and agreed to give him silver.^{[a] 6} So he accepted the offer and started looking for a good opportunity to betray Him to them when the crowd was not present.

Preparation for Passover

⁷ Then^(K) the Day of Unleavened Bread came when the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.^{(L) 8} Jesus sent Peter and John,^(M) saying, “Go and prepare the Passover meal for us, so we can eat it.”

⁹ “Where do You want us to prepare it?” they asked Him.

¹⁰ “Listen,” He said to them, “when you’ve entered the city, a man carrying a water jug will meet you. Follow him into the house he enters. ¹¹ Tell the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks you, “Where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ ¹² Then he will show you a large, furnished room upstairs.^(N) Make the preparations there.”

¹³ So they went and found it just as He had told them,^(O) and they prepared the Passover.

The First Lord’s Supper

¹⁴ When^(P) the hour came, He reclined at the table, and the apostles with Him. ¹⁵ Then He said to them, “I have fervently desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. ¹⁶ For I tell you, I will not eat it again^[b] until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”^{(Q) 17} Then He took a cup,^(R) and after giving thanks,^(S) He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. ¹⁸ For I tell you, from now on I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.”

¹⁹ And He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, gave it to them, and said, “This is My body,^(T) which is given for you. Do this in remembrance^(U) of Me.”

²⁰ In the same way He also took the cup after supper and said, “This cup is the new covenant^(V) established by My blood;^(W) it is shed for you.^{[c] 21} But^(X) look, the hand of the one betraying Me is at the table with Me!^{(Y) 22} For the Son of Man will go away as it has been determined,^(Z) but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”

²³ So they began to argue^(AA) among themselves which of them it could be who was going to do this thing.

The Dispute over Greatness

²⁴ Then a dispute also arose among them about who should be considered the greatest.^{(AB) 25} But He said to them,^(AC) “The kings of the Gentiles dominate them, and those who have authority over them are called^[d] ‘Benefactors.’^{[e] 26} But it must not be like that among you. On the contrary, whoever is greatest among you must become like the youngest,^(AD) and whoever leads, like the one serving. ²⁷ For who is greater, the one at the table or the one serving? Isn’t it the one at the table? But I am among you as the One who serves.^{(AE) 28} You are the ones who stood by Me in My trials.^{(AF) 29} I bestow on you a kingdom,^(AG) just as My Father bestowed one on Me, ³⁰ so that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom.^(AH) And you will sit on thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel.^(AI)

Peter’s Denial Predicted

³¹ “Simon, Simon,^[f] look out! Satan^(AJ) has asked to sift you^[g] like wheat.^{(AK) 32} But I have prayed^(AL) for you^[h] that your faith may not fail. And you, when you have turned back, strengthen^(AM) your brothers.”

³³ “Lord,”^(AN) he told Him, “I’m ready to go with You both to prison and to death!”

³⁴ “I tell you, Peter,” He said, “the rooster will not crow today until^[i] you deny three times that you know Me!”

Be Ready for Trouble

³⁵ He also said to them, “When I sent you out^(AO) without money-bag, traveling bag, or sandals, did you lack anything?”

“Not a thing,” they said.

³⁶ Then He said to them, “But now, whoever has a money-bag should take it, and also a traveling bag. And whoever doesn’t have a sword should sell his robe and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you, what is written must be fulfilled in Me: And He was counted among the outlaws.^(AP)[j] Yes, what is written about Me is coming to its fulfillment.”^(AQ)

³⁸ “Lord,” they said, “look, here are two swords.”

“Enough of that!”^[k] He told them.

The Prayer in the Garden

³⁹ He went out and made His way^(AR) as usual^(AS) to the Mount of Olives,^(AT) and the disciples followed Him. ⁴⁰ When He reached the place,^(AU) He told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”^{(AV) 41} Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray,^{(AW) 42} “Father, if You are willing, take this cup^(AX) away from Me—nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.”

[⁴³ Then an angel from heaven^(AY) appeared to Him, strengthening Him. ⁴⁴ Being in anguish,^(AZ) He prayed more fervently, and His sweat became like drops of blood falling to the ground.]^{[l] 45} When He got up from prayer and came to the disciples, He found them sleeping, exhausted from their grief.^{[m] 46} “Why are you sleeping?” He asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you won’t enter into temptation.”

The Judas Kiss

⁴⁷ While^(BA) He was still speaking, suddenly a mob was there, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss Him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

⁴⁹ When those around Him saw what was going to happen, they asked, “Lord, should we strike with the sword?” ⁵⁰ Then one of them struck the high priest’s slave and cut off his right ear.

⁵¹ But Jesus responded, “No more of this!”^[n] And touching his ear, He healed him. ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, temple police, and the elders who had come for Him, “Have you come out with swords and clubs as if I were a criminal?^{[o] 53} Every day while I was with you in the temple complex,^(BB) you never laid a hand on Me. But this is your hour^(BC)—and the dominion of darkness.”^(BD)

Peter Denies His Lord

⁵⁴ They seized Him, led Him away, and brought Him into the high priest’s house. Meanwhile Peter^(BE) was following at a distance. ⁵⁵ They^(BF) lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard^(BG) and sat down together, and Peter sat among them. ⁵⁶ When a servant saw him sitting in the firelight, and looked closely at him, she said, “This man was with Him too.”

⁵⁷ But he denied it: “Woman, I don’t know Him!”

⁵⁸ After a little while, someone else saw him and said, “You’re one of them too!”

“Man, I am not!” Peter said.

⁵⁹ About an hour later, another kept insisting, “This man was certainly with Him, since he’s also a Galilean.”

⁶⁰ But Peter said, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. ⁶¹ Then the Lord turned and looked at Peter.^(BH) So Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said to him, “Before the rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.”^{(BI) 62} And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Jesus Mocked and Beaten

⁶³ The men who were holding Jesus started mocking and beating Him.^{(BJ) 64} After blindfolding Him, they kept^[p] asking, “Prophesy! Who hit You?” ⁶⁵ And they were saying many other blasphemous^(BK) things against Him.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin

⁶⁶ When daylight came,^(BL) the elders^[q] of the people, both the chief priests and the scribes,^(BM) convened and brought Him before their Sanhedrin.^{(BN) 67} They said,^(BO) “If You are the Messiah, tell us.”

But He said to them, “If I do tell you, you will not believe. ⁶⁸ And if I ask you, you will not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God.”^(BP)

⁷⁰ They all asked, “Are You, then, the Son of God?”^(BQ)

And He said to them, “You say that I am.”^(BR)

⁷¹ “Why do we need any more testimony,” they said, “since we’ve heard it ourselves from His mouth?”