Jesus’ Compassion for People

³⁵ Jesus went to all the towns and villages. He taught in the synagogues and spread the Good News of the kingdom. He also cured every disease and sickness.

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them. They were troubled and helpless like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is large, but the workers are few. ³⁸ So ask the Lord who gives this harvest to send workers to harvest his crops.”

Jesus Appoints Twelve Apostles^(A)

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples and gave them authority to force evil spirits out of people and to cure every disease and sickness.

² These are the names of the twelve apostles: first and foremost, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee; ³ Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James (son of Alphaeus), and Thaddaeus; ⁴ Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who later betrayed Jesus.

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve^(B)

⁵ Jesus sent these twelve out with the following instructions: “Don’t go among people who are not Jewish or into any Samaritan city. ⁶ Instead, go to the lost sheep of the nation of Israel. ⁷ As you go, spread this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’

¹⁶ “I’m sending you out like sheep among wolves. So be as cunning as snakes but as innocent as doves. ¹⁷ Watch out for people who will hand you over to the Jewish courts and whip you in their synagogues. ¹⁸ Because of me you will even be brought in front of governors and kings to testify to them and to everyone in the world. ¹⁹ When they hand you over ⌞to the authorities⌟, don’t worry about what to say or how to say it. When the time comes, you will be given what to say. ²⁰ Indeed, you’re not the ones who will be speaking. The Spirit of your Father will be speaking through you.