Defilement Comes from Within(A)

Then (B)the Pharisees and some of the scribes came together to Him, having come from Jerusalem. Now [a]when they saw some of His disciples eat bread with defiled, that is, with (C)unwashed hands, [b]they found fault. For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they wash their hands [c]in a special way, holding the (D)tradition of the elders. When they come from the marketplace, they do not eat unless they wash. And there are many other things which they have received and hold, like the washing of cups, pitchers, copper vessels, and couches.

(E)Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?”

He answered and said to them, “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you (F)hypocrites, as it is written:

(G)‘This people honors Me with their lips,
But their heart is far from Me.
And in vain they worship Me,
Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’

For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men—[d]the washing of pitchers and cups, and many other such things you do.”

He said to them, All too well (H)you [e]reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. 10 For Moses said, (I)‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, (J)‘He who curses father or mother, let him be put to death.’ 11 But you say, ‘If a man says to his father or mother, (K)“Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban”—’ (that is, a gift to God), 12 then you no longer let him do anything for his father or his mother, 13 making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.”

14 (L)When He had called all the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear Me, everyone, and (M)understand: 15 There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, those are the things that (N)defile a man. 16 (O)If[f] anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”

17 (P)When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. 18 So He said to them, (Q)“Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, 19 because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, [g]thus purifying all foods?” 20 And He said, (R)“What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21 (S)For from within, out of the heart of men, (T)proceed evil thoughts, (U)adulteries, (V)fornications, murders, 22 thefts, (W)covetousness, wickedness, (X)deceit, (Y)lewdness, an evil eye, (Z)blasphemy, (AA)pride, foolishness. 23 All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

A Gentile Shows Her Faith(AB)

24 (AC)From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre [h]and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it, but He could not be (AD)hidden. 25 For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard about Him, and she came and (AE)fell at His feet. 26 The woman was a [i]Greek, a [j]Syro-Phoenician by birth, and she kept [k]asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 But Jesus said to her, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.”

28 And she answered and said to Him, “Yes, Lord, yet even the little dogs under the table eat from the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.”

30 And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed.

Jesus Heals a Deaf-Mute(AF)

31 (AG)Again, departing from the region of Tyre and Sidon, He came through the midst of the region of Decapolis to the Sea of Galilee. 32 Then (AH)they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. 33 And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and (AI)He spat and touched his tongue. 34 Then, (AJ)looking up to heaven, (AK)He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.”

35 (AL)Immediately his ears were opened, and the [l]impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly. 36 Then (AM)He commanded them that they should tell no one; but the more He commanded them, the more widely they proclaimed it. 37 And they were (AN)astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He (AO)makes both the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Feeding the Four Thousand(AP)

In those days, (AQ)the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called His disciples to Him and said to them, “I have (AR)compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And if I send them away hungry to their own houses, they will faint on the way; for some of them have come from afar.”

Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”

(AS)He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”

And they said, “Seven.”

So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. They also had a few small fish; and (AT)having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away, 10 (AU)immediately got into the boat with His disciples, and came to the region of Dalmanutha.

The Pharisees Seek a Sign(AV)

11 (AW)Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him. 12 But He (AX)sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, (AY)no sign shall be given to this generation.”

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod(AZ)

13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. 14 (BA)Now [m]the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. 15 (BB)Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the [n]leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? (BC)Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart [o]still hardened? 18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? 19 (BD)When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

20 “Also, (BE)when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

21 So He said to them, “How is it (BF)you do not understand?”

A Blind Man Healed at Bethsaida

22 Then He came to Bethsaida; and they brought a (BG)blind man to Him, and begged Him to (BH)touch him. 23 So He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. And when (BI)He had spit on his eyes and put His hands on him, He asked him if he saw anything.

24 And he looked up and said, “I see men like trees, walking.”

25 Then He put His hands on his eyes again and made him look up. And he was restored and saw everyone clearly. 26 Then He sent him away to his house, saying, [p]“Neither go into the town, (BJ)nor tell anyone in the town.”

Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ(BK)

27 (BL)Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the towns of Caesarea Philippi; and on the road He asked His disciples, saying to them, “Who do men say that I am?”

28 So they answered, (BM)“John the Baptist; but some say, (BN)Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”

29 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

Peter answered and said to Him, (BO)“You are the Christ.”

30 (BP)Then He strictly warned them that they should tell no one about Him.

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection(BQ)

31 And (BR)He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be (BS)rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be (BT)killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He (BU)rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not [q]mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him(BV)

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, (BW)“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For (BX)whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 (BY)For whoever (BZ)is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

The Transfiguration of Christ(CA)

And He said to them, (CB)“Assuredly, I say to you that there are some standing here who will not taste death till they see (CC)the kingdom of God [r]present with power.”

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

(CD)Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceedingly (CE)white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

And a (CF)cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is (CG)My beloved Son. (CH)Hear Him!” Suddenly, when they had looked around, they saw no one anymore, but only Jesus with themselves.

(CI)Now as they came down from the mountain, He commanded them that they should tell no one the things they had seen, till the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this word to themselves, questioning (CJ)what the rising from the dead meant.

11 And they asked Him, saying, “Why do the scribes say (CK)that Elijah must come first?”

12 Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And (CL)how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and (CM)be treated with contempt? 13 But I say to you that (CN)Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

A Boy Is Healed(CO)

14 (CP)And when He came to the disciples, He saw a great multitude around them, and scribes disputing with them. 15 Immediately, when they saw Him, all the people were greatly amazed, and running to Him, greeted Him. 16 And He asked the scribes, “What are you discussing with them?”

17 Then (CQ)one of the crowd answered and said, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a mute spirit. 18 And wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; he foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. So I spoke to Your disciples, that they should cast it out, but they could not.”

19 He answered him and said, “O (CR)faithless[s] generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I [t]bear with you? Bring him to Me.” 20 Then they brought him to Him. And (CS)when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth.

21 So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?”

And he said, “From childhood. 22 And often he has thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”

23 Jesus said to him, (CT)“If[u] you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; (CU)help my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that the people came running together, He (CV)rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “Deaf and dumb spirit, I command you, come out of him and enter him no more!” 26 Then the spirit cried out, convulsed him greatly, and came out of him. And he became as one dead, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose.

28 (CW)And when He had come into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?”

29 So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but (CX)prayer [v]and fasting.”

Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection

30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 31 (CY)For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will (CZ)kill Him. And after He is killed, He will (DA)rise the third day.” 32 But they (DB)did not understand this saying, and were afraid to ask Him.

Who Is the Greatest?(DC)

33 (DD)Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you [w]disputed among yourselves on the road?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the road they had (DE)disputed among themselves who would be the (DF)greatest. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, (DG)“If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” 36 Then (DH)He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and (DI)whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

Jesus Forbids Sectarianism(DJ)

38 (DK)Now John answered Him, saying, “Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.”

39 But Jesus said, “Do not forbid him, (DL)for no one who works a miracle in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40 For (DM)he who is not against [x]us is on [y]our side. 41 (DN)For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.

Jesus Warns of Offenses(DO)

42 (DP)“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me [z]to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. 43 (DQ)If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life [aa]maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to [ab]hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— 44 [ac]where

(DR)‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

45 And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into [ad]hell, [ae]into the fire that shall never be quenched— 46 where

(DS)‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into [af]hell fire— 48 where

(DT)‘Their worm does not die
And the (DU)fire is not quenched.’

Tasteless Salt Is Worthless

49 “For everyone will be (DV)seasoned with fire, (DW)and[ag] every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 (DX)Salt is good, but if the salt loses its flavor, how will you season it? (DY)Have salt in yourselves, and (DZ)have peace with one another.”

Marriage and Divorce(EA)

10 Then (EB)He arose from there and came to the region of Judea by the other side of the Jordan. And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.

(EC)The Pharisees came and asked Him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” testing Him.

And He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?”

They said, (ED)“Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her.

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this [ah]precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God (EE)‘made them male and female.’ (EF)‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate.”

10 In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter. 11 So He said to them, (EG)“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”

Jesus Blesses Little Children(EH)

13 (EI)Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for (EJ)of such is the kingdom of God. 15 Assuredly, I say to you, (EK)whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will (EL)by no means enter it.” 16 And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler(EM)

17 (EN)Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I (EO)do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, (EP)God. 19 You know the commandments: (EQ)‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’

20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have (ER)kept from my youth.”

21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, (ES)sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have (ET)treasure in heaven; and come, (EU)take up the cross, and follow Me.”

22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

With God All Things Are Possible(EV)

23 (EW)Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is [ai]for those (EX)who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a (EY)rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”

27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not (EZ)with God; for with God all things are possible.”

28 (FA)Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.”

29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother [aj]or wife or children or [ak]lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 (FB)who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with (FC)persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 (FD)But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Jesus a Third Time Predicts His Death and Resurrection(FE)

32 (FF)Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. (FG)Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: 33 “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; 34 and they will mock Him, and [al]scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

Greatness Is Serving(FH)

35 (FI)Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, “Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 And He said to them, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

37 They said to Him, “Grant us that we may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on Your left, in Your glory.”

38 But Jesus said to them, “You do not know what you ask. Are you able to drink the (FJ)cup that I drink, and be baptized with the (FK)baptism that I am baptized with?”

39 They said to Him, “We are able.”

So Jesus said to them, (FL)“You will indeed drink the cup that I drink, and with the baptism I am baptized with you will be baptized; 40 but to sit on My right hand and on My left is not Mine to give, but it is for those (FM)for whom it is prepared.”

41 (FN)And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. 42 But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, (FO)“You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 43 (FP)Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 45 For even (FQ)the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and (FR)to give His life a ransom for many.”

Jesus Heals Blind Bartimaeus(FS)

46 (FT)Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. 47 And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, (FU)Son of David, (FV)have mercy on me!”

48 Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called.

Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.”

50 And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus.

51 So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”

The blind man said to Him, [am]“Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.”

52 Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; (FW)your faith has [an]made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

The Triumphal Entry(FX)

11 Now (FY)when they drew near Jerusalem, to [ao]Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, He sent two of His disciples; and He said to them, “Go into the village opposite you; and as soon as you have entered it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has sat. Loose it and bring it. And if anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it,’ and immediately he will send it here.”

So they went their way, and found [ap]the colt tied by the door outside on the street, and they loosed it. But some of those who stood there said to them, “What are you doing, loosing the colt?”

And they spoke to them just as Jesus had commanded. So they let them go. Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their clothes on it, and He sat on it. (FZ)And many spread their clothes on the road, and others cut down leafy branches from the trees and spread them on the road. Then those who went before and those who followed cried out, saying:

“Hosanna!
(GA)‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’
10 Blessed is the kingdom of our father David
That comes [aq]in the name of the Lord!
(GB)Hosanna in the highest!”

11 (GC)And Jesus went into Jerusalem and into the temple. So when He had looked around at all things, as the hour was already late, He went out to Bethany with the twelve.

The Fig Tree Withered(GD)

12 (GE)Now the next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 (GF)And seeing from afar a fig tree having leaves, He went to see if perhaps He would find something on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 In response Jesus said to it, “Let no one eat fruit from you ever again.”

And His disciples heard it.

Jesus Cleanses the Temple(GG)

15 (GH)So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold (GI)doves. 16 And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. 17 Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, (GJ)‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a (GK)‘den of thieves.’

18 And (GL)the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because (GM)all the people were astonished at His teaching. 19 When evening had come, He went out of the city.

The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree(GN)

20 (GO)Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.”

22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 For (GP)assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 Therefore I say to you, (GQ)whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.

Forgiveness and Prayer(GR)

25 “And whenever you stand praying, (GS)if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 [ar]But (GT)if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

Jesus’ Authority Questioned(GU)

27 Then they came again to Jerusalem. (GV)And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders came to Him. 28 And they said to Him, “By what (GW)authority are You doing these things? And who gave You this authority to do these things?”

29 But Jesus answered and said to them, “I also will ask you one question; then answer Me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things: 30 The (GX)baptism of John—was it from heaven or from men? Answer Me.”

31 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ He will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘From men’ ”—they feared the people, for (GY)all counted John to have been a prophet indeed. 33 So they answered and said to Jesus, “We do not know.”

And Jesus answered and said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

The Parable of the Wicked Vinedressers(GZ)

12 Then (HA)He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to [as]vinedressers and went into a far country. Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Again he sent them another servant, [at]and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, (HB)beating some and killing some. Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But those [au]vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and (HC)killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

“Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. 10 Have you not even read this Scripture:

(HD)‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.
11 This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

12 (HE)And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

The Pharisees: Is It Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?(HF)

13 (HG)Then they sent to Him some of the Pharisees and the Herodians, to catch Him in His words. 14 When they had come, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are true, and [av]care about no one; for You do not [aw]regard the person of men, but teach the (HH)way of God in truth. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay, or shall we not pay?”

But He, knowing their (HI)hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you test Me? Bring Me a denarius that I may see it. 16 So they brought it.

And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s.”

17 And Jesus answered and said to them, [ax]“Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to (HJ)God the things that are God’s.”

And they marveled at Him.

The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?(HK)

18 (HL)Then some Sadducees, (HM)who say there is no resurrection, came to Him; and they asked Him, saying: 19 “Teacher, (HN)Moses wrote to us that if a man’s brother dies, and leaves his wife behind, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother. 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first took a wife; and dying, he left no offspring. 21 And the second took her, and he died; nor did he leave any offspring. And the third likewise. 22 So the seven had her and left no offspring. Last of all the woman died also. 23 Therefore, in the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be? For all seven had her as wife.”

24 Jesus answered and said to them, “Are you not therefore [ay]mistaken, because you do not know the Scriptures nor the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but (HO)are like angels in heaven. 26 But concerning the dead, that they (HP)rise, have you not read in the book of Moses, in the burning bush passage, how God spoke to him, saying, (HQ)‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? 27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. You are therefore greatly [az]mistaken.”

The Scribes: Which Is the First Commandment of All?(HR)

28 (HS)Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, [ba]perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the [bb]first commandment of all?”

29 Jesus answered him, “The [bc]first of all the commandments is: (HT)‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall (HU)love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ [bd]This is the first commandment. 31 And the second, like it, is this: (HV)‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than (HW)these.”

32 So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, (HX)and there is no other but He. 33 And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, [be]with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, (HY)is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

(HZ)But after that no one dared question Him.

Jesus: How Can David Call His Descendant Lord?(IA)

35 (IB)Then Jesus answered and said, while He taught in the temple, “How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David? 36 For David himself said (IC)by the Holy Spirit:

(ID)‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

37 Therefore David himself calls Him ‘Lord’; how is He then his (IE)Son?”

And the common people heard Him gladly.

Beware of the Scribes(IF)

38 Then (IG)He said to them in His teaching, (IH)“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, (II)love greetings in the marketplaces, 39 the (IJ)best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, 40 (IK)who devour widows’ houses, and [bf]for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

The Widow’s Two Mites(IL)

41 (IM)Now Jesus sat opposite the treasury and saw how the people put money (IN)into the treasury. And many who were rich put in much. 42 Then one poor widow came and threw in two [bg]mites, which make a [bh]quadrans. 43 So He called His disciples to Himself and said to them, “Assuredly, I say to you that (IO)this poor widow has put in more than all those who have given to the treasury; 44 for they all put in out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty put in all that she had, (IP)her whole livelihood.”

Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple(IQ)

13 Then (IR)as He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said to Him, “Teacher, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!

And Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? (IS)Not one stone shall be left upon another, that shall not be thrown down.”

The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age(IT)

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, (IU)Peter, (IV)James, (IW)John, and (IX)Andrew asked Him privately, (IY)“Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?”

And Jesus, answering them, began to say: (IZ)“Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and will deceive many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for such things must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and (JA)kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines [bi]and troubles. (JB)These are the beginnings of [bj]sorrows.

“But (JC)watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will [bk]be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them. 10 And (JD)the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. 11 (JE)But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, [bl]or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, (JF)but the Holy Spirit. 12 Now (JG)brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. 13 (JH)And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But (JI)he who [bm]endures to the end shall be saved.

The Great Tribulation(JJ)

14 (JK)“So when you see the (JL)‘abomination of desolation,’ [bn]spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not” (let the reader understand), “then (JM)let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 15 Let him who is on the housetop not go down into the house, nor enter to take anything out of his house. 16 And let him who is in the field not go back to get his clothes. 17 (JN)But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 18 And pray that your flight may not be in winter. 19 (JO)For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.

21 (JP)“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. 22 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and (JQ)wonders to deceive, if possible, even the [bo]elect. 23 But (JR)take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand.

The Coming of the Son of Man(JS)

24 (JT)“But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; 25 the stars of heaven will fall, and the powers in the heavens will be (JU)shaken. 26 (JV)Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then He will send His angels, and gather together His [bp]elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

The Parable of the Fig Tree(JW)

28 (JX)“Now learn this parable from the fig tree: When its branch has already become tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that [bq]it is near—at the doors! 30 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but (JY)My words will by no means pass away.

No One Knows the Day or Hour(JZ)

32 “But of that day and hour (KA)no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the (KB)Father. 33 (KC)Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. 34 (KD)It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave (KE)authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. 35 (KF)Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— 36 lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. 37 And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

The Plot to Kill Jesus(KG)

14 After (KH)two days it was the Passover and (KI)the Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take Him by [br]trickery and put Him to death. But they said, “Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar of the people.”

The Anointing at Bethany(KJ)

(KK)And being in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper, as He sat at the table, a woman came having an alabaster flask of very costly [bs]oil of spikenard. Then she broke the flask and poured it on His head. But there were some who were indignant among themselves, and said, “Why was this fragrant oil wasted? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred (KL)denarii and given to the poor.” And they (KM)criticized[bt] her sharply.

But Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for Me. (KN)For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; (KO)but Me you do not have always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint My body for burial. Assuredly, I say to you, wherever this gospel is (KP)preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus(KQ)

10 (KR)Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Him to them. 11 And when they heard it, they were glad, and promised to give him money. So he sought how he might conveniently betray Him.

Jesus Celebrates the Passover with His Disciples(KS)

12 (KT)Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they [bu]killed the Passover lamb, His disciples said to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover?”

13 And He sent out two of His disciples and said to them, “Go into the city, and a man will meet you carrying a pitcher of water; follow him. 14 Wherever he goes in, say to the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room in which I may eat the Passover with My disciples?” ’ 15 Then he will show you a large upper room, furnished and prepared; there make ready for us.”

16 So His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found it just as He had said to them; and they prepared the Passover.

17 (KU)In the evening He came with the twelve. 18 Now as they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Assuredly, I say to you, (KV)one of you who eats with Me will betray Me.”

19 And they began to be sorrowful, and to say to Him one by one, “Is it I?” [bv]And another said,Is it I?”

20 He answered and said to them, It is one of the twelve, who dips with Me in the dish. 21 (KW)The Son of Man indeed goes just as it is written of Him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would have been good for that man if he had never been born.”

Jesus Institutes the Lord’s Supper(KX)

22 (KY)And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them and said, “Take, [bw]eat; this is My (KZ)body.”

23 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the [bx]new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

26 (LA)And when they had sung [by]a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial(LB)

27 (LC)Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble [bz]because of Me this night, for it is written:

(LD)‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.’

28 “But (LE)after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

29 (LF)Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to [ca]stumble, yet I will not be.

30 Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

31 But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And they all said likewise.

The Prayer in the Garden(LG)

32 (LH)Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He (LI)took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, (LJ)“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, (LK)“Abba, Father, (LL)all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; (LM)nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.

37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 (LN)Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. (LO)The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.

41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! (LP)The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 (LQ)Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.”

Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane(LR)

43 (LS)And immediately, while He was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, with a great multitude with swords and clubs, came from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I (LT)kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”

45 As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, “Rabbi, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

46 Then they laid their hands on Him and took Him. 47 And one of those who stood by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.

48 (LU)Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to take Me? 49 I was daily with you in the temple (LV)teaching, and you did not seize Me. But (LW)the Scriptures must be fulfilled.”

50 (LX)Then they all forsook Him and fled.

A Young Man Flees Naked

51 Now a certain young man followed Him, having a linen cloth thrown around his naked body. And the young men laid hold of him, 52 and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

Jesus Faces the Sanhedrin(LY)

53 (LZ)And they led Jesus away to the high priest; and with him were (MA)assembled all the (MB)chief priests, the elders, and the scribes. 54 But (MC)Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. And he sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire.

55 (MD)Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56 For many bore (ME)false witness against Him, but their testimonies [cb]did not agree.

57 Then some rose up and bore false witness against Him, saying, 58 “We heard Him say, (MF)‘I will destroy this temple made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” 59 But not even then did their testimony agree.

60 (MG)And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, saying, “Do You answer nothing? What is it these men testify against You?” 61 But (MH)He kept silent and answered nothing.

(MI)Again the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?”

62 Jesus said, “I am. (MJ)And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

63 Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What further need do we have of witnesses? 64 You have heard the (MK)blasphemy! What do you think?”

And they all condemned Him to be deserving of (ML)death.

65 Then some began to (MM)spit on Him, and to blindfold Him, and to beat Him, and to say to Him, “Prophesy!” And the officers [cc]struck Him with the palms of their hands.

Peter Denies Jesus, and Weeps(MN)

66 (MO)Now as Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came. 67 And when she saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, “You also were with (MP)Jesus of Nazareth.”

68 But he denied it, saying, “I neither know nor understand what you are saying.” And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.

69 (MQ)And the servant girl saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, “This is one of them.” 70 But he denied it again.

(MR)And a little later those who stood by said to Peter again, “Surely you are one of them; (MS)for you are a Galilean, [cd]and your [ce]speech shows it.

71 Then he began to curse and swear, “I do not know this Man of whom you speak!”

72 (MT)A second time the rooster crowed. Then Peter called to mind the word that Jesus had said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.” And when he thought about it, he wept.

Jesus Faces Pilate(MU)

15 Immediately, (MV)in the morning, the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council; and they bound Jesus, led Him away, and (MW)delivered Him to Pilate. (MX)Then Pilate asked Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?”

He answered and said to him, It is as you say.”

And the chief priests accused Him of many things, but He (MY)answered nothing. (MZ)Then Pilate asked Him again, saying, “Do You answer nothing? See how many things [cf]they testify against You!” (NA)But Jesus still answered nothing, so that Pilate marveled.

Taking the Place of Barabbas(NB)

Now (NC)at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. Then the multitude, [cg]crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

11 But (ND)the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the (NE)King of the Jews?”

13 So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

14 Then Pilate said to them, “Why, (NF)what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

15 (NG)So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be (NH)crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus(NI)

16 (NJ)Then the soldiers led Him away into the hall called [ch]Praetorium, and they called together the whole garrison. 17 And they clothed Him with purple; and they twisted a crown of thorns, put it on His head, 18 and began to salute Him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 19 Then they (NK)struck Him on the head with a reed and spat on Him; and bowing the knee, they worshiped Him. 20 And when they had (NL)mocked Him, they took the purple off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to crucify Him.

The King on a Cross(NM)

21 (NN)Then they compelled a certain man, Simon a Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus, as he was coming out of the country and passing by, to bear His cross. 22 (NO)And they brought Him to the place Golgotha, which is translated, Place of a Skull. 23 (NP)Then they gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink, but He did not take it. 24 And when they crucified Him, (NQ)they divided His garments, casting lots for them to determine what every man should take.

25 Now (NR)it was the third hour, and they crucified Him. 26 And (NS)the inscription of His [ci]accusation was written above:

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

27 (NT)With Him they also crucified two robbers, one on His right and the other on His left. 28 [cj]So the Scripture was fulfilled which says, (NU)“And He was numbered with the transgressors.”

29 And (NV)those who passed by blasphemed Him, (NW)wagging their heads and saying, “Aha! (NX)You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, 30 save Yourself, and come down from the cross!”

31 Likewise the chief priests also, (NY)mocking among themselves with the scribes, said, “He saved (NZ)others; Himself He cannot save. 32 Let the Christ, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross, that we may see and [ck]believe.”

Even (OA)those who were crucified with Him reviled Him.

Jesus Dies on the Cross(OB)

33 Now (OC)when the sixth hour had come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is translated, (OD)“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”

35 Some of those who stood by, when they heard that, said, “Look, He is calling for Elijah!” 36 Then (OE)someone ran and filled a sponge full of sour wine, put it on a reed, and (OF)offered it to Him to drink, saying, “Let Him alone; let us see if Elijah will come to take Him down.”

37 (OG)And Jesus cried out with a loud voice, and breathed His last.

38 Then (OH)the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 So (OI)when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that [cl]He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

40 (OJ)There were also women looking on (OK)from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, 41 who also (OL)followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

Jesus Buried in Joseph’s Tomb(OM)

42 (ON)Now when evening had come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who (OO)was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate marveled that He was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him if He had been dead for some time. 45 So when he found out from the centurion, he granted the body to Joseph. 46 (OP)Then he bought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. And he laid Him in a tomb which had been hewn out of the rock, and rolled a stone against the door of the tomb. 47 And Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses observed where He was laid.

He Is Risen(OQ)

16 Now (OR)when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome (OS)bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. (OT)Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. (OU)And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

(OV)But he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going [cm]before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, (OW)as He said to you.”

So they went out [cn]quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. (OX)And they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord(OY)

[co]Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, (OZ)out of whom He had cast seven demons. 10 (PA)She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. 11 (PB)And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

Jesus Appears to Two Disciples(PC)

12 After that, He appeared in another form (PD)to two of them as they walked and went into the country. 13 And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

The Great Commission(PE)

14 (PF)Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. 15 (PG)And He said to them, “Go into all the world (PH)and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 (PI)He who believes and is baptized will be saved; (PJ)but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these (PK)signs will follow those who [cp]believe: (PL)In My name they will cast out demons; (PM)they will speak with new tongues; 18 (PN)they[cq] will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; (PO)they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

Christ Ascends to God’s Right Hand(PP)

19 So then, (PQ)after the Lord had spoken to them, He was (PR)received up into heaven, and (PS)sat down at the right hand of God. 20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them (PT)and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:2 NU omits when
  2. Mark 7:2 NU omits they found fault
  3. Mark 7:3 Lit. with the fist
  4. Mark 7:8 NU omits the rest of v. 8.
  5. Mark 7:9 set aside
  6. Mark 7:16 NU omits v. 16.
  7. Mark 7:19 NU sets off the final phrase as Mark’s comment that Jesus has declared all foods clean.
  8. Mark 7:24 NU omits and Sidon
  9. Mark 7:26 Gentile
  10. Mark 7:26 A Syrian of Phoenicia
  11. Mark 7:26 begging
  12. Mark 7:35 Lit. bond
  13. Mark 8:14 NU, M they
  14. Mark 8:15 yeast
  15. Mark 8:17 NU omits still
  16. Mark 8:26 NU “Do not even go into the town.”
  17. Mark 8:33 setting your mind on
  18. Mark 9:1 having come
  19. Mark 9:19 unbelieving
  20. Mark 9:19 put up with
  21. Mark 9:23 NU “ ‘If You can!’ All things
  22. Mark 9:29 NU omits and fasting
  23. Mark 9:33 discussed
  24. Mark 9:40 M you
  25. Mark 9:40 M your
  26. Mark 9:42 To fall into sin
  27. Mark 9:43 crippled
  28. Mark 9:43 Gr. Gehenna
  29. Mark 9:44 NU omits v. 44.
  30. Mark 9:45 Gr. Gehenna
  31. Mark 9:45 NU omits the rest of v. 45 and all of v. 46.
  32. Mark 9:47 Gr. Gehenna
  33. Mark 9:49 NU omits the rest of v. 49.
  34. Mark 10:5 command
  35. Mark 10:24 NU omits for those who trust in riches
  36. Mark 10:29 NU omits or wife
  37. Mark 10:29 Lit. fields
  38. Mark 10:34 flog Him with a Roman scourge
  39. Mark 10:51 Lit. My Great One
  40. Mark 10:52 Lit. saved you
  41. Mark 11:1 M Bethsphage
  42. Mark 11:4 NU, M a
  43. Mark 11:10 NU omits in the name of the Lord
  44. Mark 11:26 NU omits v. 26.
  45. Mark 12:1 tenant farmers
  46. Mark 12:4 NU omits and at him they threw stones
  47. Mark 12:7 tenant farmers
  48. Mark 12:14 Court no man’s favor
  49. Mark 12:14 Lit. look at the face of men
  50. Mark 12:17 Pay
  51. Mark 12:24 Or deceived
  52. Mark 12:27 Or deceived
  53. Mark 12:28 NU seeing
  54. Mark 12:28 foremost
  55. Mark 12:29 foremost
  56. Mark 12:30 NU omits the rest of v. 30.
  57. Mark 12:33 NU omits with all the soul
  58. Mark 12:40 for appearance’ sake
  59. Mark 12:42 Gr. lepta, very small copper coins
  60. Mark 12:42 A Roman coin
  61. Mark 13:8 NU omits and troubles
  62. Mark 13:8 Lit. birth pangs
  63. Mark 13:9 NU, M stand
  64. Mark 13:11 NU omits or premeditate
  65. Mark 13:13 bears patiently
  66. Mark 13:14 NU omits spoken of by Daniel the prophet
  67. Mark 13:22 chosen ones
  68. Mark 13:27 chosen ones
  69. Mark 13:29 Or He
  70. Mark 14:1 deception
  71. Mark 14:3 Perfume of pure nard
  72. Mark 14:5 scolded
  73. Mark 14:12 sacrificed
  74. Mark 14:19 NU omits the rest of v. 19.
  75. Mark 14:22 NU omits eat
  76. Mark 14:24 NU omits new
  77. Mark 14:26 Or hymns
  78. Mark 14:27 NU omits because of Me this night
  79. Mark 14:29 fall away
  80. Mark 14:56 were not consistent
  81. Mark 14:65 NU received Him with slaps
  82. Mark 14:70 NU omits the rest of v. 70.
  83. Mark 14:70 accent
  84. Mark 15:4 NU of which they accuse You
  85. Mark 15:8 NU going up
  86. Mark 15:16 The governor’s headquarters
  87. Mark 15:26 crime
  88. Mark 15:28 NU omits v. 28.
  89. Mark 15:32 M believe Him
  90. Mark 15:39 NU He thus breathed His last
  91. Mark 16:7 ahead of
  92. Mark 16:8 NU, M omit quickly
  93. Mark 16:9 Vv. 9–20 are bracketed in NU as not in the original text. They are lacking in Codex Sinaiticus and Codex Vaticanus, although nearly all other mss. of Mark contain them.
  94. Mark 16:17 have believed
  95. Mark 16:18 NU and in their hands they will

That Which Defiles(A)

The Pharisees and some of the teachers of the law who had come from Jerusalem gathered around Jesus and saw some of his disciples eating food with hands that were defiled,(B) that is, unwashed. (The Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they give their hands a ceremonial washing, holding to the tradition of the elders.(C) When they come from the marketplace they do not eat unless they wash. And they observe many other traditions, such as the washing of cups, pitchers and kettles.[a])(D)

So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders(E) instead of eating their food with defiled hands?”

He replied, “Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites; as it is written:

“‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.’[b](F)

You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to human traditions.”(G)

And he continued, “You have a fine way of setting aside the commands of God in order to observe[c] your own traditions!(H) 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and mother,’[d](I) and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[e](J) 11 But you say(K) that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is Corban (that is, devoted to God)— 12 then you no longer let them do anything for their father or mother. 13 Thus you nullify the word of God(L) by your tradition(M) that you have handed down. And you do many things like that.”

14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and understand this. 15 Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” [16] [f]

17 After he had left the crowd and entered the house, his disciples asked him(N) about this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked. “Don’t you see that nothing that enters a person from the outside can defile them? 19 For it doesn’t go into their heart but into their stomach, and then out of the body.” (In saying this, Jesus declared all foods(O) clean.)(P)

20 He went on: “What comes out of a person is what defiles them. 21 For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed,(Q) malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 23 All these evils come from inside and defile a person.”

Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician Woman’s Faith(R)

24 Jesus left that place and went to the vicinity of Tyre.[g](S) He entered a house and did not want anyone to know it; yet he could not keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as she heard about him, a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an impure spirit(T) came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.

27 “First let the children eat all they want,” he told her, “for it is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter.”

30 She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man(U)

31 Then Jesus left the vicinity of Tyre(V) and went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Galilee(W) and into the region of the Decapolis.[h](X) 32 There some people brought to him a man who was deaf and could hardly talk,(Y) and they begged Jesus to place his hand on(Z) him.

33 After he took him aside, away from the crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s ears. Then he spit(AA) and touched the man’s tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven(AB) and with a deep sigh(AC) said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s ears were opened, his tongue was loosened and he began to speak plainly.(AD)

36 Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone.(AE) But the more he did so, the more they kept talking about it. 37 People were overwhelmed with amazement. “He has done everything well,” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.”

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand(AF)(AG)(AH)

During those days another large crowd gathered. Since they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;(AI) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them home hungry, they will collapse on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.”

His disciples answered, “But where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them?”

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied.

He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. When he had taken the seven loaves and given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people, and they did so. They had a few small fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and told the disciples to distribute them.(AJ) The people ate and were satisfied. Afterward the disciples picked up seven basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.(AK) About four thousand were present. After he had sent them away, 10 he got into the boat with his disciples and went to the region of Dalmanutha.

11 The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a sign from heaven.(AL) 12 He sighed deeply(AM) and said, “Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod

14 The disciples had forgotten to bring bread, except for one loaf they had with them in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned them. “Watch out for the yeast(AN) of the Pharisees(AO) and that of Herod.”(AP)

16 They discussed this with one another and said, “It is because we have no bread.”

17 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked them: “Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?(AQ) 18 Do you have eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear? And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

“Twelve,”(AR) they replied.

20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many basketfuls of pieces did you pick up?”

They answered, “Seven.”(AS)

21 He said to them, “Do you still not understand?”(AT)

Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida

22 They came to Bethsaida,(AU) and some people brought a blind man(AV) and begged Jesus to touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit(AW) on the man’s eyes and put his hands on(AX) him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”

24 He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26 Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[i] the village.”

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah(AY)

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”

28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist;(AZ) others say Elijah;(BA) and still others, one of the prophets.”

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”(BB)

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.(BC)

Jesus Predicts His Death(BD)

31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man(BE) must suffer many things(BF) and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law,(BG) and that he must be killed(BH) and after three days(BI) rise again.(BJ) 32 He spoke plainly(BK) about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.

33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!”(BL) he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

The Way of the Cross

34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(BM) 35 For whoever wants to save their life[j] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.(BN) 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man(BO) will be ashamed of them(BP) when he comes(BQ) in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come(BR) with power.”(BS)

The Transfiguration(BT)(BU)

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John(BV) with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white,(BW) whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.

Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(BX) it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud:(BY) “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”(BZ)

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone(CA) what they had seen until the Son of Man(CB) had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”

12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man(CC) must suffer much(CD) and be rejected?(CE) 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come,(CF) and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”

Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit(CG)

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.

16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked.

17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.(CH)

21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”

“From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”

23 “‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”(CI)

24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”

25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene,(CJ) he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”

26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately,(CK) “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.[k]

Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time(CL)

30 They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, 31 because he was teaching his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man(CM) is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill him,(CN) and after three days(CO) he will rise.”(CP) 32 But they did not understand what he meant(CQ) and were afraid to ask him about it.

33 They came to Capernaum.(CR) When he was in the house,(CS) he asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?” 34 But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.(CT)

35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”(CU)

36 He took a little child whom he placed among them. Taking the child in his arms,(CV) he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”(CW)

Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us(CX)

38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”(CY)

39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.(CZ) 41 Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.(DA)

Causing to Stumble

42 “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble,(DB) it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.(DC) 43 If your hand causes you to stumble,(DD) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell,(DE) where the fire never goes out.(DF) [44] [l] 45 And if your foot causes you to stumble,(DG) cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.(DH) [46] [m] 47 And if your eye causes you to stumble,(DI) pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,(DJ) 48 where

“‘the worms that eat them do not die,
    and the fire is not quenched.’[n](DK)

49 Everyone will be salted(DL) with fire.

50 “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?(DM) Have salt among yourselves,(DN) and be at peace with each other.”(DO)

Divorce(DP)

10 Jesus then left that place and went into the region of Judea and across the Jordan.(DQ) Again crowds of people came to him, and as was his custom, he taught them.(DR)

Some Pharisees(DS) came and tested him by asking, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?”

“What did Moses command you?” he replied.

They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away.”(DT)

“It was because your hearts were hard(DU) that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. “But at the beginning of creation God ‘made them male and female.’[o](DV) ‘For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife,[p] and the two will become one flesh.’[q](DW) So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

10 When they were in the house again, the disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He answered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her.(DX) 12 And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery.”(DY)

The Little Children and Jesus(DZ)

13 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.(EA) 15 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”(EB) 16 And he took the children in his arms,(EC) placed his hands on them and blessed them.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God(ED)

17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees(EE) before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”(EF)

18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[r](EG)

20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor,(EH) and you will have treasure in heaven.(EI) Then come, follow me.”(EJ)

22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich(EK) to enter the kingdom of God!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is[s] to enter the kingdom of God!(EL) 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”(EM)

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”(EN)

28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”(EO)

29 “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much(EP) in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come(EQ) eternal life.(ER) 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”(ES)

Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time(ET)

32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve(EU) aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,”(EV) he said, “and the Son of Man(EW) will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law.(EX) They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him(EY) and kill him.(EZ) Three days later(FA) he will rise.”(FB)

The Request of James and John(FC)

35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”

36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.”(FD)

38 “You don’t know what you are asking,”(FE) Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup(FF) I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?”(FG)

39 “We can,” they answered.

Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with,(FH) 40 but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared.”

41 When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and John. 42 Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,(FI) 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,(FJ) and to give his life as a ransom for many.”(FK)

Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight(FL)

46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. 47 When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth,(FM) he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David,(FN) have mercy on me!”

48 Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.”

So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” 50 Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.

51 “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him.

The blind man said, “Rabbi,(FO) I want to see.”

52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.”(FP) Immediately he received his sight and followed(FQ) Jesus along the road.

Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King(FR)(FS)

11 As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage and Bethany(FT) at the Mount of Olives,(FU) Jesus sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden.(FV) Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here shortly.’”

They went and found a colt outside in the street, tied at a doorway.(FW) As they untied it, some people standing there asked, “What are you doing, untying that colt?” They answered as Jesus had told them to, and the people let them go. When they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he sat on it. Many people spread their cloaks on the road, while others spread branches they had cut in the fields. Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted,

“Hosanna![t]

“Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!”[u](FX)

10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!”

“Hosanna in the highest heaven!”(FY)

11 Jesus entered Jerusalem and went into the temple courts. He looked around at everything, but since it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the Twelve.(FZ)

Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears the Temple Courts(GA)(GB)(GC)

12 The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs.(GD) 14 Then he said to the tree, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard him say it.

15 On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple courts and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16 and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17 And as he taught them, he said, “Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’[v]?(GE) But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’[w](GF)

18 The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him,(GG) because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.(GH)

19 When evening came, Jesus and his disciples[x] went out of the city.(GI)

20 In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi,(GJ) look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!”

22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[y] I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them.(GK) 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.(GL) 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”(GM) [26] [z]

The Authority of Jesus Questioned(GN)

27 They arrived again in Jerusalem, and while Jesus was walking in the temple courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what authority are you doing these things?” they asked. “And who gave you authority to do this?”

29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one question. Answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 30 John’s baptism—was it from heaven, or of human origin? Tell me!”

31 They discussed it among themselves and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But if we say, ‘Of human origin’ …” (They feared the people, for everyone held that John really was a prophet.)(GO)

33 So they answered Jesus, “We don’t know.”

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

The Parable of the Tenants(GP)

12 Jesus then began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard.(GQ) He put a wall around it, dug a pit for the winepress and built a watchtower. Then he rented the vineyard to some farmers and moved to another place. At harvest time he sent a servant to the tenants to collect from them some of the fruit of the vineyard. But they seized him, beat him and sent him away empty-handed. Then he sent another servant to them; they struck this man on the head and treated him shamefully. He sent still another, and that one they killed. He sent many others; some of them they beat, others they killed.

“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all,(GR) saying, ‘They will respect my son.’

“But the tenants said to one another, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ So they took him and killed him, and threw him out of the vineyard.

“What then will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and kill those tenants and give the vineyard to others. 10 Haven’t you read this passage of Scripture:

“‘The stone the builders rejected
    has become the cornerstone;(GS)
11 the Lord has done this,
    and it is marvelous in our eyes’[aa]?”(GT)

12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders looked for a way to arrest him because they knew he had spoken the parable against them. But they were afraid of the crowd;(GU) so they left him and went away.(GV)

Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar(GW)

13 Later they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians(GX) to Jesus to catch him(GY) in his words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teacher, we know that you are a man of integrity. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are; but you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. Is it right to pay the imperial tax[ab] to Caesar or not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?”

But Jesus knew their hypocrisy. “Why are you trying to trap me?” he asked. “Bring me a denarius and let me look at it.” 16 They brought the coin, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they replied.

17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is God’s.”(GZ)

And they were amazed at him.

Marriage at the Resurrection(HA)

18 Then the Sadducees,(HB) who say there is no resurrection,(HC) came to him with a question. 19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother.(HD) 20 Now there were seven brothers. The first one married and died without leaving any children. 21 The second one married the widow, but he also died, leaving no child. It was the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the seven left any children. Last of all, the woman died too. 23 At the resurrection[ac] whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?”

24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in error because you do not know the Scriptures(HE) or the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, they will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.(HF) 26 Now about the dead rising—have you not read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the burning bush, how God said to him, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[ad]?(HG) 27 He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are badly mistaken!”

The Greatest Commandment(HH)

28 One of the teachers of the law(HI) came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”

29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.[ae] 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’[af](HJ) 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[ag](HK) There is no commandment greater than these.”

32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him.(HL) 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”(HM)

34 When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”(HN) And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.(HO)

Whose Son Is the Messiah?(HP)(HQ)

35 While Jesus was teaching in the temple courts,(HR) he asked, “Why do the teachers of the law say that the Messiah is the son of David?(HS) 36 David himself, speaking by the Holy Spirit,(HT) declared:

“‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’[ah](HU)

37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then can he be his son?”

The large crowd(HV) listened to him with delight.

Warning Against the Teachers of the Law

38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, 39 and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets.(HW) 40 They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

Footnotes

  1. Mark 7:4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining couches
  2. Mark 7:7 Isaiah 29:13
  3. Mark 7:9 Some manuscripts set up
  4. Mark 7:10 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  5. Mark 7:10 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
  6. Mark 7:16 Some manuscripts include here the words of 4:23.
  7. Mark 7:24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon
  8. Mark 7:31 That is, the Ten Cities
  9. Mark 8:26 Some manuscripts go and tell anyone in
  10. Mark 8:35 The Greek word means either life or soul; also in verses 36 and 37.
  11. Mark 9:29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting
  12. Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  13. Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
  14. Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24
  15. Mark 10:6 Gen. 1:27
  16. Mark 10:7 Some early manuscripts do not have and be united to his wife.
  17. Mark 10:8 Gen. 2:24
  18. Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20
  19. Mark 10:24 Some manuscripts is for those who trust in riches
  20. Mark 11:9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 10
  21. Mark 11:9 Psalm 118:25,26
  22. Mark 11:17 Isaiah 56:7
  23. Mark 11:17 Jer. 7:11
  24. Mark 11:19 Some early manuscripts came, Jesus
  25. Mark 11:23 Some early manuscripts “If you have faith in God,” Jesus answered, 23 “truly
  26. Mark 11:26 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Matt. 6:15.
  27. Mark 12:11 Psalm 118:22,23
  28. Mark 12:14 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens
  29. Mark 12:23 Some manuscripts resurrection, when people rise from the dead,
  30. Mark 12:26 Exodus 3:6
  31. Mark 12:29 Or The Lord our God is one Lord
  32. Mark 12:30 Deut. 6:4,5
  33. Mark 12:31 Lev. 19:18
  34. Mark 12:36 Psalm 110:1