Add parallel Print Page Options

Jesus called his twelve disciples together. He gave them power over all the bad spirits, and power to heal sick people.

He sent them out to tell people about the kingdom of God and to heal sick people.

He said, `Take nothing with you for your trip. Do not take a walking stick, or a bag, or food, or money. And do not take two shirts.

When you go into a certain house, stay there until you leave the town.

Some people might not take you in. When you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet. That will be a sign to them.'

The disciples left and went through the towns. They told the good news and healed people everywhere.

Herod the ruler heard about all that was happening. He did not know what to think. Some people said John the Baptizer had risen from death.

Some people said Elijah had come back. And other people said that one of the old prophets of God had risen from death.

Herod said, `I cut off John's head. Now who is this man of whom I hear such things?' He wanted to see Jesus.

10 When the apostles came back, they told Jesus all they had done. He took them away with him and they went by themselves to a town called Bethsaida.

11 But the people found out and they followed him. He was glad to see them and talked to them about God's kingdom. He healed those who were sick.

12 When it was late in the day, the twelve disciples came to him. They said, `Send the people away so they can go to the towns and the farms to sleep and get something to eat. This is a lonely place.'

13 But Jesus said to them, `You give them food to eat.' They said, `All we have is five loaves of bread and two fish. Shall we go and buy food for all these people?'

14 There were about five thousand men. He said to his disciples, `Tell the people to sit down in groups of fifty.'

15 They did what he said, and they made all the people sit down.

16 He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish. He looked up to heaven and thanked God for them. Then he broke the bread. He gave it to the disciples to give to the people.

17 They all ate and had enough. They picked up twelve baskets full of pieces that were left.

18 One day Jesus was alone talking to God. His disciples were there too. He asked them, `Who do people say I am?'

19 They answered, `Some people say you are John the Baptizer. Others say you are Elijah. And others say that one of the old prophets of God has risen from death.'

20 Jesus said, `But who do you say I am?' Peter answered, `You are the Christ sent by God.'

21 Jesus said to them, `Do not tell this to anyone.'

22 Then he went on to say, `The Son of Man will have much trouble. The leaders of the people, the chief priests, and the scribes will not believe him. He will be killed. On the third day he will be raised from death.'

23 And He said to all the people, `If anyone wants to come with me, he must leave what he himself wants to do. Every day he must take up his cross [be ready to die] and come with me.

24 Anyone who tries to keep his life will lose it. And anyone who gives up his life for my sake will find it.

25 What good will it do a man if he gets the whole world for himself but loses his life or spoils it?

26 If anyone is ashamed of me and the things I say, the Son of man will be ashamed of that person when he comes. The Son of man will come with his holy angels and be great like his Father.

27 I tell you the truth. Some people are standing here who will not die before they see the kingdom of God.'

28 About eight days after saying these things, Jesus went up on a hill to talk with God. He took Peter, John, and James with him.

29 As he was talking with God, he was changed. His face was different. His clothes became very white and shining.

30 And then two men were talking with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah.

31 Light was shining from them. They talked about his leaving this world. That would happen when he was in Jerusalem.

32 Peter and the others were very sleepy. They woke up and saw the light shining from Jesus. And they saw the two men standing with him.

33 When the men were leaving Jesus, Peter said to him, `Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three places here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' Peter did not know what he was saying.

34 As he said this, a cloud came over them. They were very much afraid when the cloud came around them.

35 A voice in the cloud said, `This is my dear Son. Listen to him!'

36 The talking stopped. Then Jesus was left alone. The disciples did not say anything. They did not tell anyone at that time what they had seen.

37 The next day they came down the hill. Many people met him.

38 One man among them called out, `Teacher, I beg you, look at my son. He is my only child.

39 A bad spirit takes hold of him and he screams. It throws him around and makes him foam at his mouth. It beats him badly and does not want to leave him.

40 I begged your disciples to drive the bad spirit out, but they could not do it.'

41 Jesus said, `You people today do not believe. You have turned away from God. How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.'

42 While he was coming, the bad spirit knocked him down and threw him around. Jesus told the spirit to stop. He healed the boy and gave him back to his father.

43 All the people were surprised to see that God has so much power. While the people were wondering about everything Jesus did, he talked to his disciples.

44 He said, `Listen well to what I say. The Son of Man will be given over to men,'

45 But they did not understand what he said. The meaning was hidden from them so they would not understand it. And they were afraid to ask him about it.

46 The disciples started talking among themselves. They quarrelled about which of them was the greatest person.

47 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he took a child and put him by his side.

48 Then he said, `If anyone takes in a child like this for my sake, he takes in me. And if anyone takes in me, he takes in the one who sent me. The one who takes the least or lowest place among you is the greatest.'

49 John answered, `Master, we saw a man driving bad spirits out of people. He was using your name. We told him to stop because he is not one of us.'

50 But Jesus said, `Do not stop him. Anyone who is not against you is on your side.'

51 The time was near for Jesus to be taken up to heaven. Then he started off for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead of him.

52 They went to one of the towns of the Samaritan people to get ready for him.

53 But the people would not take him in because he was going to Jerusalem.

54 When the disciples James and John saw that, they said, `Lord, do you want us to ask for fire to come down from the sky and burn them up?'

55 But he turned and said to them, `Stop that! You do not think about what kind of spirit you are showing.

56 The Son of Man did not come to kill people, but to save them.' And they went on to another town.

57 As they went along on the road, a man said to him, `I will go anywhere you go.'

58 Jesus said, `Foxes have holes to live in. Birds have nests. But the Son of Man has no place to lie down to rest.'

59 Jesus said to another man who followed him, `Come with me.' But the man said, `Lord, let me go first and bury my father.'

60 Jesus said to him, `Let those who are dead bury their own dead people. As for you, go and tell people about God's kingdom.'

61 Another man said to Jesus, `Sir, I will go with you. But let me go first to my home and tell them I am going.'

62 Jesus said to him, `Any person who starts doing something and then keeps looking back is not fit for the kingdom of God.'

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.”