Luke 9
Wycliffe Bible
9 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.
2 And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal sick men.
3 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.
4 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.]
5 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.]
6 And they went forth, and went about by castles, preaching [evangelizing] and healing every where.
7 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]
8 and of some men, that Elias had appeared; but of others, that one of the old prophets was risen.
9 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
- Luke 9:3 And he saith to them, Take ye nothing in the way, neither rod, nor scrip, neither bread, neither money
- 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;
Luke 9
New King James Version
Sending Out the Twelve(A)
9 Then (B)He called His twelve disciples together and (C)gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. 2 (D)He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 (E)And He said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staffs nor bag nor bread nor money; and do not have two tunics apiece.
4 (F)“Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 (G)And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, (H)shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6 (I)So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Herod Seeks to See Jesus(J)
7 (K)Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by Him; and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the old prophets had risen again. 9 Herod said, “John I have beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things?” (L)So he sought to see Him.
Feeding the Five Thousand(M)
10 (N)And the apostles, when they had returned, told Him all that they had done. (O)Then He took them and went aside privately into a deserted place belonging to the city called Bethsaida. 11 But when the multitudes knew it, they followed Him; and He received them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who had need of healing. 12 (P)When the day began to wear away, the twelve came and said to Him, “Send the multitude away, that they may go into the surrounding towns and country, and lodge and get provisions; for we are in a deserted place here.”
13 But He said to them, “You give them something to eat.”
And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men.
Then He said to His disciples, “Make them sit down in groups of fifty.” 15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.
16 Then He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He (Q)blessed and broke them, and gave them to the disciples to set before the multitude. 17 So they all ate and were [a]filled, and twelve baskets of the leftover fragments were taken up by them.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ(R)
18 (S)And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
19 So they answered and said, (T)“John the Baptist, but some say Elijah; and others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
(U)Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(V)
21 (W)And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, (X)“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 the third day.”
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him(Y)
23 (Z)Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross [b]daily, and follow Me. 24 (AA)For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 25 (AB)For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? 26 (AC)For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be (AD)ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. 27 (AE)But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount(AF)
28 (AG)Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. 30 And behold, two men talked with Him, who were (AH)Moses and (AI)Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of His [c]decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him (AJ)were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him. 33 Then it happened, as they were parting from Him, that Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three [d]tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he said.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the (AK)cloud. 35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, (AL)“This is [e]My beloved Son. (AM)Hear Him!” 36 When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. (AN)But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
A Boy Is Healed(AO)
37 (AP)Now it happened on the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, that a great multitude met Him. 38 Suddenly a man from the multitude cried out, saying, “Teacher, I implore You, look on my son, for he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out; it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth; and it departs from him with great difficulty, bruising him. 40 So I implored Your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”
41 Then Jesus answered and said, “O [f]faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and [g]bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 And as he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. Then Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.
Jesus Again Predicts His Death(AQ)
43 And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.
But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, 44 (AR)“Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” 45 (AS)But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.
Who Is the Greatest?(AT)
46 (AU)Then a dispute arose among them as to which of them would be greatest. 47 And Jesus, (AV)perceiving the thought of their heart, took a (AW)little child and set him by Him, 48 and said to them, (AX)“Whoever receives this little child in My name receives Me; and (AY)whoever receives Me (AZ)receives Him who sent Me. (BA)For he who is least among you all will be great.”
Jesus Forbids Sectarianism(BB)
49 (BC)Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for (BD)he who is not against [h]us is on [i]our side.”
A Samaritan Village Rejects the Savior
51 Now it came to pass, when the time had come for (BE)Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, 52 and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. 53 But (BF)they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. 54 And when His disciples (BG)James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, [j]just as (BH)Elijah did?”
55 But He turned and rebuked them, [k]and said, “You do not know what manner of (BI)spirit you are of. 56 [l]For (BJ)the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.
The Cost of Discipleship(BK)
57 (BL)Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.”
58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man (BM)has nowhere to lay His head.”
59 (BN)Then He said to another, “Follow Me.”
But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.”
60 Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.”
61 And another also said, “Lord, (BO)I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.”
62 But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is (BP)fit for the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
- Luke 9:17 satisfied
- Luke 9:23 M omits daily
- Luke 9:31 Death, lit. departure
- Luke 9:33 tents
- Luke 9:35 NU My Son, the Chosen One
- Luke 9:41 unbelieving
- Luke 9:41 put up with
- Luke 9:50 NU you
- Luke 9:50 NU your
- Luke 9:54 NU omits just as Elijah did
- Luke 9:55 NU omits the rest of v. 55.
- Luke 9:56 NU omits For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.
Luke 9
English Standard Version
Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Apostles
9 (A)And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 (B)and he sent them out to (C)proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 (D)And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, (E)no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics.[a] 4 And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. 5 And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town (F)shake off the dust from your feet (G)as a testimony (H)against them.” 6 (I)And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.
Herod Is Perplexed by Jesus
7 (J)Now (K)Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that (L)John had been raised from the dead, 8 (M)by some that Elijah had appeared, and (N)by others that one of the prophets of old had risen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And (O)he sought to see him.
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand
10 On their return (P)the apostles told him all that they had done. (Q)And he took them and withdrew apart to a town called Bethsaida. 11 When the crowds learned it, they followed him, and he (R)welcomed them and (S)spoke to them of the kingdom of God and (T)cured those who had need of healing. 12 Now (U)the day began to wear away, and the twelve came and said to him, (V)“Send the crowd away to go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, for we are here in a desolate place.” 13 But he said to them, (W)“You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than (X)five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all these people.” 14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” 15 And they did so, and had them all sit down. 16 And taking the five loaves and the two fish, (Y)he looked up to heaven and (Z)said a blessing over them. Then he broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 And they all ate and were satisfied. And what was left over was picked up, twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
18 (AA)Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” 19 And they answered, (AB)“John the Baptist. But others say, (AC)Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.” 20 Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, (AD)“The Christ of God.”
Jesus Foretells His Death
21 (AE)And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, 22 (AF)saying, (AG)“The Son of Man must (AH)suffer many things and (AI)be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on (AJ)the third day be raised.”
Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus
23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him (AK)deny himself and (AL)take up his cross (AM)daily and follow me. 24 For (AN)whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 (AO)For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? 26 For (AP)whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed (AQ)when he comes in (AR)his glory and the glory of the Father and of (AS)the holy angels. 27 But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not (AT)taste death (AU)until they see the kingdom of God.”
The Transfiguration
28 (AV)Now about eight days after these sayings he took with him (AW)Peter and John and James and (AX)went up on the mountain to pray. 29 And as he was praying, the appearance of his face was (AY)altered, and (AZ)his clothing became dazzling white. 30 And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure,[b] which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him (BA)were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake (BB)they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. 33 And as the men were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good that we are here. Let us make three (BC)tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah”—(BD)not knowing what he said. 34 As he was saying these things, (BE)a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud. 35 And (BF)a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, (BG)my Chosen One;[c] (BH)listen to him!” 36 And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. (BI)And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
37 (BJ)On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for (BK)he is my only child. 39 And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, and shatters him, and will hardly leave him. 40 And I begged your disciples to cast it out, but (BL)they could not.” 41 Jesus answered, “O (BM)faithless and twisted generation, (BN)how long am I to be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” 42 While he was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and convulsed him. But Jesus (BO)rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and (BP)gave him back to his father. 43 And all were astonished at (BQ)the majesty of God.
Jesus Again Foretells His Death
(BR)But while they were all marveling at everything he was doing, Jesus[d] said (BS)to his disciples, 44 “Let these words sink into your ears: (BT)The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.” 45 (BU)But they did not understand this saying, and (BV)it was concealed from them, so that they might not perceive it. And they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Who Is the Greatest?
46 (BW)An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, (BX)“Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and (BY)whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For (BZ)he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”
Anyone Not Against Us Is For Us
49 (CA)John answered, “Master, we saw someone (CB)casting out demons in your name, and (CC)we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.” 50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, (CD)for the one who is not against you is for you.”
A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus
51 When the days drew near for (CE)him to be taken up, (CF)he set his face (CG)to go to Jerusalem. 52 And (CH)he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of (CI)the Samaritans, to make preparations for him. 53 But (CJ)the people did not receive him, because (CK)his face was set toward Jerusalem. 54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell (CL)fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”[e] 55 But he turned and rebuked them.[f] 56 And they went on to another village.
The Cost of Following Jesus
57 As they were going (CM)along the road, (CN)someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” 58 And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.” 59 To another he said, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” 60 And Jesus[g] said to him, “Leave (CO)the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and (CP)proclaim the kingdom of God.” 61 Yet another said, “I will follow you, Lord, (CQ)but let me first say farewell to those at my home.” 62 Jesus said to him, (CR)“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
Footnotes
- Luke 9:3 Greek chiton, a long garment worn under the cloak next to the skin
- Luke 9:31 Greek exodus
- Luke 9:35 Some manuscripts my Beloved
- Luke 9:43 Greek he
- Luke 9:54 Some manuscripts add as Elijah did
- Luke 9:55 Some manuscripts add And he said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of; 56 for the Son of Man came not to destroy people's lives but to save them”
- Luke 9:60 Greek he
2001 by Terence P. Noble
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.

