Luke 9:1-11

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Mission of the Twelve

9 Then Jesus^[a] called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases,^{(A) 2} and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.^{(B) 3} He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey: no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic.^{(C) 4} Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. ⁵ Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”^{(D) 6} So they departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Herod’s Perplexity

⁷ Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead,^{(E) 8} by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen.^{(F) 9} Herod said, “John I beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.^(G)

Feeding the Five Thousand

¹⁰ On their return the apostles told Jesus^[b] all they had done. Then, taking them along, he slipped quietly into a city called Bethsaida.^{(H) 11} When the crowds found out about it, they followed him, and he welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God and healed those who needed to be cured.