Bible in 90 Days

The World’s Hatred for the Disciples

¹⁸ If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated^[a] you. ¹⁹ If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But they will do all these things to you on account of my name, because they do not know the one who sent me. ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they do not have a valid excuse for their sin. ²³ The one who hates me hates my Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works that no one else did, they would not have sin. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father. ²⁵ But this happened^[b] so that the word that is written in their law would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me without a reason.’

²⁶ “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father—the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father—that one will testify about me. ²⁷ And you also will testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.

Persecution of Disciples Predicted

16 “I have said these things to you so that you will not fall away. ² They will expel you from the synagogue,^[c] but an hour is coming that everyone who kills you will think they are offering service to God. ³ And they will do these things because they do not know the Father or me. ⁴ But I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes, you may remember that I told you about them.

Jesus’ Departure and the Coming of the Holy Spirit

“And I have not said these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. ⁵ But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and none of you is asking me, ‘Where are you going?’ ⁶ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your hearts. ⁷ But I tell you the truth, it is better for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. ⁸ And when he^[d] comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and concerning righteousness and concerning judgment: ⁹ concerning sin, because they do not believe in me, ¹⁰ and concerning righteousness, because I am going away to the Father and you will see me no more, ¹¹ and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.

¹² I still have many things to say to you, but you are not able to bear them^[e] now. ¹³ But when he—the Spirit of truth—comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak from himself, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will proclaim to you the things to come. ¹⁴ He will glorify me, because he will take from what is mine and will proclaim it^[f] to you. ¹⁵ Everything that the Father has is mine. For this reason I said that he takes from what is mine and will proclaim it^[g] to you.

Jesus Predicts His Return to the Disciples

¹⁶ “A little while and you will see me no more, and again a little while and you will see me. ¹⁷ So some of his disciples said to one another, “What is this that he is saying to us, ‘A little while and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going away to the Father’?” ¹⁸ So they kept on saying, “What is this that he is saying, ‘A little while’? We do not understand what he is speaking about!”

¹⁹ Jesus knew that they were wanting to ask him, and he said to them, “Are you deliberating with one another about this—that I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see me, and again a little while and you will see me’? ²⁰ Truly, truly I say to you, that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; you will become sorrowful, but your sorrow will change to joy. ²¹ A woman, when she gives birth, experiences pain because her hour has come. But when her^[h] child is born, she no longer remembers the affliction, on account of the joy that a human being has been born into the world. ²² So you also are experiencing sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy from you. ²³ And on that day you will ask me nothing. Truly, truly I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. ²⁴ Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Jesus’ Victory Over the World

²⁵ “I have said these things to you in figurative sayings. An hour is coming when I will speak to you in figurative sayings no longer, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf. ²⁷ For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. ²⁸ I have gone out from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.”

²⁹ His disciples said, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly^[i] and are telling us^[j] no figurative saying! ³⁰ Now we know that you know everything and do not need for^[k] anyone to ask you questions.^[l] By this we believe that you have come from God.”

³¹ Jesus replied to them, “Now do you believe? ³² Behold, an hour is coming—and has come—that you will be scattered each one to his own home,^[m] and you will leave me alone. And I am not alone, because the Father is with me. ³³ I have said these things to you so that in me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction, but have courage! I have conquered the world.”

Jesus Prays to be Glorified

17 Jesus said these things, and lifting up his eyes to heaven he said, “Father, the hour has come! Glorify your Son, in order that your Son may glorify you— ² just as you have given him authority over all flesh, in order that he would give eternal life to them—everyone whom you have given him. ³ Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. ⁴ I have glorified you on earth by^[n] completing the work that you have given me to do.^{[o] 5} And now, Father, you glorify me at your side^[p] with the glory that I had at your side^[q] before the world existed.

Jesus Prays for His Disciples

⁶ “I have revealed your name to the men whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me, and they have kept your word. ⁷ Now they understand that all the things that^[r] you have given me are from you, ⁸ because the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they received them^[s] and know truly that I have come from you, and they have believed that you have sent me. ⁹ I am asking on behalf of them. I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you have given me, because they are yours, ¹⁰ and all my things are yours, and your things are mine, and I have been glorified in^[t] them. ¹¹ And I am no longer in the world, and they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given to me, so that they may be one, just as we are. ¹² When I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given to me, and guarded them,^[u] and none of them has perished except the son of destruction, in order that the scripture would be fulfilled. ¹³ And now I am coming to you, and I am saying these things in the world so that they may have my joy completed in themselves. ¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you protect them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them in the truth—your word is truth. ¹⁸ Just as you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for them I sanctify myself, so that they themselves also may be sanctified in the truth.

Jesus Prays for the Unity of Believers

²⁰ “And I do not ask on behalf of these only, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their word, ²¹ that they all may be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you, that they also may be in us, in order that the world may believe that you sent me. ²² And the glory that you have given to me, I have given to them, in order that they may be one, just as we are one— ²³ I in them, and you in me, in order that they may be completed in one, so that the world may know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.

²⁴ “Father, those whom you have given to me—I want that those also may be with me where I am, in order that they may see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world. ²⁵ Righteous Father, although the world does not know you, yet I have known you, and these men have come to know that you sent me. ²⁶ And I made known to them your name, and will make it^[v] known, in order that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I may be in them.”

Jesus Is Betrayed and Arrested

18 When^[w] Jesus had said these things, he went out with his disciples to the other side of the ravine of the Kidron, where there was a garden into which he and his disciples entered. ² (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, also knew about the place, because Jesus often gathered there with his disciples.) ³ So Judas, taking the cohort and officers from the chief priests and from the Pharisees, came there with lanterns and torches and weapons. ⁴ Then Jesus, because he^[x] knew all the things that were coming upon him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?” ⁵ They replied to him, “Jesus the Nazarene.” He said to them, “I am he.”^[y] (Now Judas, the one who betrayed him, was also standing with them.) ⁶ So when he said to them, “I am he,”^[z] they drew back^[aa] and fell to the ground. ⁷ Then he asked them again, “Who are you looking for?” And they said, “Jesus the Nazarene.” ⁸ Jesus replied, “I said to you that I am he!^[ab] So if you are looking for me, let these men go,” ⁹ in order that the word that he had spoken would be fulfilled: “Those whom you have given to me—I have not lost anyone of them.”^[ac]

¹⁰ Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear. (Now the name of the slave was Malchus.) ¹¹ So Jesus said to Peter, “Put the sword into its^[ad] sheath! The cup that the Father has given me—shall I not drink it?”

Jesus Taken to Annas

¹² Then the cohort and the military tribune and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and tied him up, ¹³ and brought him^[ae] to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ (Now it was Caiaphas who had advised the Jews that it was better that one man die for the people.)

Peter Denies Jesus the First Time

¹⁵ So Simon Peter and another disciple followed Jesus. (Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered with Jesus into the courtyard of the high priest.) ¹⁶ But Peter was standing by the door outside. So the other disciple who was known to the high priest went out and spoke to the doorkeeper and brought Peter in. ¹⁷ Then the female slave who was the doorkeeper said to Peter, “You are not also one of the disciples of this man, are you?”^[af] He said, “I am not!” ¹⁸ (Now the slaves and the officers were standing there, having made a charcoal fire because it was cold, and they were warming themselves. And Peter was also standing there with them and warming himself.)

Jesus Before Annas

¹⁹ So the high priest questioned Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. ²⁰ Jesus replied to him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in the synagogue and in the temple courts^[ag] where all the Jews assemble, and I have said nothing in secret. ²¹ Why are you asking me? Ask those who heard what I have said to them! Behold, these people know what I said.” ²² Now when^[ah] he had said these things, one of the officers who was standing by gave a slap in the face to Jesus, saying, “Do you reply to the high priest in this way?” ²³ Jesus replied to him, “If I have spoken wrongly, testify about what is wrong! But if I have spoken^[ai] correctly, why do you strike me?” ²⁴ Then Annas sent him, tied up, to Caiaphas the high priest.

Peter Denies Jesus the Second and Third Times

²⁵ Now Simon Peter was standing there and warming himself. So they said to him, “You are not also one of his disciples, are you?”^[aj] He denied it^[ak] and said, “I am not!” ²⁶ One of the slaves of the high priest, who was related to the one whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with him?” ²⁷ So Peter denied it^[al] again, and immediately a rooster crowed.

Jesus Brought Before Pilate

²⁸ Then they brought Jesus from Caiaphas to the governor’s residence. Now it was early, and they did not enter into the governor’s residence so that they would not be defiled, but could eat the Passover. ²⁹ So Pilate came outside to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?” ³⁰ They answered and said to him, “If this man were not doing evil, we would not have handed him over to you!” ³¹ So Pilate said to them, “You take him and judge him according to your law!” The Jews said to him, “It is not permitted for us to kill anyone,” ³² in order that the word of Jesus would be fulfilled that he had spoken, indicating by what sort of death he was going to die.

Pilate Questions Jesus

³³ Then Pilate entered again into the governor’s residence and summoned Jesus and said to him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “Do you say this from yourself, or have others said this^[am] to you about me?” ³⁵ Pilate replied, “I am not a Jew, am I?^[an] Your people and the chief priests handed you over to me! What have you done?” ³⁶ Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews. But now my kingdom is not from here.” ³⁷ Then Pilate said to him, “So then you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I have come into the world: in order that I can testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears my voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to him, “What is truth?”

And when he^[ao] had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no basis for an accusation against him. ³⁹ But it is your custom that I release for you one prisoner^[ap] at the Passover. So do you want me^[aq] to release for you the king of the Jews?” ⁴⁰ Then they shouted again, saying, “Not this man, but Barabbas!” (Now Barabbas was a revolutionary.)^[ar]

Pilate Attempts to Release Jesus

19 So then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged.^{[as] 2} And the soldiers wove a crown of thorns and placed it^[at] on his head, and put a purple robe on him, ³ and were coming up to him and saying, “Hail, king of the Jews!” and were giving him slaps in the face.

⁴ And Pilate came outside again and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing him outside to you, so that you will know that I find no basis for an accusation against him.” ⁵ Then Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, and he said to them, “Behold the man!” ⁶ So when they saw him, the chief priests and the officers shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!” Pilate said to them, “You take him and crucify him!^[au] For I do not find a basis for an accusation against him.” ⁷ The Jews replied to him, “We have a law, and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself out to be the Son of God!”

⁸ So when Pilate heard this statement, he was even more afraid, ⁹ and he entered into the governor’s residence again and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus did not give him an answer. ¹⁰ So Pilate said to him, “Will you not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you, and I have authority to crucify you?” ¹¹ Jesus replied to him, “You would not have any authority over me unless it was given to you from above. For this reason the one who handed me over to you has greater sin.”

¹² From this point on Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews shouted, saying, “If you release this man, you are not a friend of Caesar! Everyone who makes himself out to be a king opposes Caesar!” ¹³ So Pilate, when he^[av] heard these words, brought Jesus outside and sat down on the judgment seat, in the place called The Stone Pavement (but Gabbatha in Aramaic). ¹⁴ (Now it was the day of preparation of the Passover; it was about the sixth hour.) And he said to the Jews, “Behold your king!”

¹⁵ Then those shouted, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!” Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your king?” The chief priests replied, “We do not have a king except Caesar!” ¹⁶ So then he handed him over to them in order that he could be crucified.

Jesus Is Crucified

So they took Jesus, ¹⁷ and carrying for himself the cross, he went out to the place called The Place of a Skull (which is called Golgotha in Aramaic), ¹⁸ where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side,^[aw] and Jesus in the middle. ¹⁹ And Pilate also wrote a notice and placed it^[ax] on the cross, and it was written: “Jesus the Nazarene, the king of the Jews.” ²⁰ So many of the Jews read this notice, because the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city. And it was written in Aramaic, in Latin, and in Greek. ²¹ Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The king of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, I am king of the Jews.’” ²² Pilate replied, “What I have written, I have written.”

²³ Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his clothing and made four shares—for each soldier a share—and the tunic. (Now the tunic was seamless, woven from the top in a single piece.)^{[ay] 24} So they said to one another, “Let us not tear it apart, but cast lots for it, to see whose it will be,” so that the scripture would be fulfilled that says,

Thus the soldiers did these things.

²⁵ Now his mother and the sister of his mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene were standing near the cross of Jesus. ²⁶ So Jesus, seeing his^[ba] mother and the disciple whom he loved standing there, said to his^[bb] mother, “Woman, behold your son!” ²⁷ Then he said to the disciple, “Behold your mother!” And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home.

Jesus Dies on the Cross

²⁸ After this, Jesus, knowing that now at last everything was completed, in order that the scripture would be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty.” ²⁹ A jar full of sour wine was standing there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a branch of hyssop and^[bc] brought it^[bd] to his mouth. ³⁰ Then when he had received the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,”^[be] and bowing his^[bf] head, he gave up his^[bg] spirit.

³¹ Then the Jews, because it was the day of preparation, so that the bodies would not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was an important day), asked Pilate that their legs could be broken and they could be taken away. ³² So the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who had been crucified with him. ³³ But when they^[bh] came to Jesus, after they saw he was already dead, they did not break his legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and blood and water came out immediately. ³⁵ And the one who has seen it^[bi] has testified, and his testimony is true, and that person knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. ³⁶ For these things happened in order that the scripture would be fulfilled: “Not a bone of his will be broken.”^{[bj] 37} And again another scripture says, “They will look on the one whom they have pierced.”^[bk]

Jesus Is Buried

³⁸ And after these things, Joseph who was from Arimathea, who was a disciple of Jesus (but a secret one for fear of the Jews), asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus. And Pilate allowed it,^[bl] so he came and took away his body. ³⁹ And Nicodemus—the one who had come to him formerly at night—also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes weighing about a hundred pounds.^{[bm] 40} So they took the body of Jesus and wrapped it in strips of linen cloth with the fragrant spices, as is the Jews’ custom to prepare for burial. ⁴¹ Now there was a garden at the place where he was crucified, and in the garden a new tomb in which no one was yet buried. ⁴² So there, on account of the day of preparation of the Jews, because the tomb was close by, they buried Jesus.

Jesus Is Raised

20 Now on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it^[bn] was still dark, and saw the stone had been taken away from the tomb. ² So she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord from the tomb and we do not know where they have put him!” ³ Then Peter and the other disciple went out and were going to the tomb. ⁴ And the two were running together, and the other disciple ran ahead, faster than Peter, and came to the tomb first. ⁵ And bending over to look, he saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, though he did not go in. ⁶ Then Simon Peter also came following him, and he went into the tomb and saw the strips of linen cloth lying there, ⁷ and the facecloth that was on his head—not lying with the strips of linen cloth, but folded up separately in one place. ⁸ So then the other disciple who had come to the tomb first also went in, and he saw and believed. ⁹ (For they did not yet know the scripture that it was necessary for him to rise from the dead.)

Jesus Appears to Mary Magdalene

¹⁰ Then the disciples went away again to their own homes.^{[bo] 11} But Mary stood outside at the tomb, weeping. Then, while she was weeping, she bent over to look into the tomb, ¹² and she saw two angels in white, seated one at the head and one at the feet where the body of Jesus had been lying. ¹³ And they said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping?” She said to them, “They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have put him!” ¹⁴ When she^[bp] had said these things, she turned around^[bq] and saw Jesus standing there, and she did not know that it was Jesus.

¹⁵ Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?” She thought that it was the gardener, and^[br] said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will take him.” ¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned around and^[bs] said to him in Aramaic, “Rabboni” (which means “Teacher”). ¹⁷ Jesus said to her, “Do not touch me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, and my God and your God.’” ¹⁸ Mary Magdalene came and^[bt] announced to the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and he had said these things to her.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples

¹⁹ Now when it^[bu] was evening on that day—the first day of the week—and the doors had been shut where the disciples were because of fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace to you.” ²⁰ And when he^[bv] had said this, he showed his^[bw] hands and his^[bx] side to them. Then the disciples rejoiced when they^[by] saw the Lord. ²¹ So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you. As the Father has sent me, I also send you.” ²² And when he^[bz] had said this, he breathed on them^[ca] and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³ If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins^[cb] of any, they are retained.”

Thomas Doubts But Later Believes

²⁴ Now Thomas, one of the twelve, who was called Didymus,^[cc] was not with them when Jesus came. ²⁵ So the other disciples said to him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and put my finger into the mark of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will never believe!”

²⁶ And after eight days his disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Although^[cd] the doors had been shut, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said, “Peace to you.” ²⁷ Then he said to Thomas, “Place your finger here and see my hands, and place your hand and put it^[ce] into my side. And do not be unbelieving, but believing!” ²⁸ Thomas answered and said to him, “My Lord and my God!” ²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, have you believed? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”

Why This Book Was Written

³⁰ Now Jesus also performed many other signs in the presence of the disciples^[cf] which are not recorded in this book, ³¹ but these things are recorded in order that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by^[cg] believing you may have life in his name.

Jesus Appears to the Disciples in Galilee

21 After these things Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples by the Sea of Tiberias. Now he revealed himself^[ch] in this way: ² Simon Peter and Thomas (who was called Didymus)^[ci] and Nathanael from Cana in Galilee and the sons of Zebedee and two others of his disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing!” They said to him, “We also are coming with you.” They went out and got into the boat, and during that night they caught nothing.

⁴ Now when it^[cj] was already early morning, Jesus stood on the beach. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ So Jesus said to them, “Children, you do not have any fish to eat, do you?^[ck] They answered him, “No.” ⁶ And he said to them, “Throw the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”^[cl] So they threw it,^[cm] and were no longer able to haul it in from the large number of the fish.

⁷ Then that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” So Simon Peter, when he^[cn] heard that it was the Lord, tied around himself his outer garment (for he was naked)^[co] and threw himself into the sea. ⁸ But the other disciples came in the boat, dragging the net of fish, because they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits^[cp] away.

⁹ So when they got out on the land, they saw a charcoal fire laid there, and a fish lying on it,^[cq] and bread. ¹⁰ Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you have just now caught.” ¹¹ So Simon Peter got into the boat^[cr] and hauled the net to the land, full of large fish—one hundred fifty-three—and although there^[cs] were so many, the net was not torn. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come, eat breakfast!” But none of the disciples dared to ask him, “Who are you?” because they^[ct] knew that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus came and took the bread and gave it^[cu] to them, and the fish likewise. ¹⁴ This was now the third time Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he^[cv] had been raised from the dead.

Peter Is Restored Three Times

¹⁵ Now when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Feed my lambs!” ¹⁶ He said to him again a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He said to him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” He said to him, “Shepherd my sheep!” ¹⁷ He said to him a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was distressed because he said to him a third time, “Do you love me?” and he said to him, “Lord, you know everything! You know that I love you!” Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep! ¹⁸ Truly, truly I say to you, when you were young, you tied your clothes^[cw] around yourself and walked wherever you wanted. But when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will tie you up and carry you where you do not want to go.^{[cx] 19} (Now he said this to indicate by what kind of death he would glorify God.) And after he^[cy] had said this, he said to him, “Follow me!”

Peter and the Other Disciple Jesus Loved

²⁰ Peter turned and^[cz] saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them^[da] (who also leaned back on his chest at the dinner and said, “Lord, who is the one betraying you?”) ²¹ So when he^[db] saw this one, Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, but what about this one?” ²² Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that^[dc] to you? You follow me!” ²³ So this saying went out to the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that^[dd] to you?”

A Concluding Word of Testimony

²⁴ This is the disciple who is testifying about these things, and who has written down these things. And we know that his testimony is true. ²⁵ Now there are also many other things that Jesus did, which—if they were written down one after the other—I suppose not even the world itself could contain the books that would be written.

The Preface

1 I produced the former account, O Theophilus, about all that^[de] Jesus began to do and to teach, ² until the day he was taken up, after he^[df] had given orders through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen, ³ to whom he also presented himself alive after he suffered, with many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking the things about the kingdom of God. ⁴ And while he^[dg] was with^[dh] them,^[di] he commanded them, “Do not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for what was promised by the Father, which you heard about from me. ⁵ For John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”^[dj]

The Ascension

⁶ So when^[dk] they had come together, they began asking^[dl] him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time you are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ But he said to them, “It is not for you to know the times or seasons that the Father has set by his own authority. ⁸ But you will receive power when^[dm] the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the farthest part of the earth.” ⁹ And after he^[dn] had said these things, while^[do] they were watching, he was taken up, and a cloud received him from their sight. ¹⁰ And as they were staring into the sky while^[dp] he was departing, behold, two men in white clothing stood by them ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee,^[dq] why do you stand there looking^[dr] into the sky? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven like this will come back in the same way you saw him departing into heaven!”

Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas

¹² Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain that is called Olive Grove^[ds] which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey away.^{[dt] 13} And when they had entered, they went up to the upstairs room where they were staying—Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas son of James. ¹⁴ All these were busily engaged with one mind in prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus and with^[du] his brothers.

¹⁵ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the brothers (and it was a crowd of persons of about one hundred twenty at the same place) and^[dv] said, ¹⁶ “Men and brothers, it was necessary that the scripture be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit proclaimed beforehand through the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus, ¹⁷ because he was counted among us and received a share in this ministry.” ¹⁸ (Now this man acquired a field for the wages of his wickedness, and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his intestines spilled out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all who live in Jerusalem, so that that field was called in their own language^[dw] “Akeldama,” that is, “Field of Blood.”) ²⁰ “For it is written in the book of Psalms,

and,

²¹ Therefore it is necessary for one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time in which the Lord Jesus went in and went out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John until the day on which he was taken up from us—one of these men must become a witness of his resurrection together with us.” ²³ And they proposed two men, Joseph called Barsabbas (who was called Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and^[dz] said, “You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show clearly which one of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to depart to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias, and he was added to serve^[ea] with the eleven apostles.

Pentecost and the Coming of the Holy Spirit

2 And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same place. ² And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. ³ And divided^[eb] tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages^[ec] as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out.

⁵ Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. ⁶ And when^[ed] this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language. ⁷ And they were astounded and astonished, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? ⁸ And how do we hear, each one of us, in our own native language?^{[ee] 9} Parthians and Medes and Elamites and those residing in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,^{[ef] 10} Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya toward Cyrene, and the Romans who were in town, ¹¹ both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own languages the great deeds of God!” ¹² And all were amazed and greatly perplexed, saying to one another,^[eg] “What can this mean?”^{[eh] 13} But others jeered and^[ei] said, “They are full of sweet new wine!”

Peter’s Sermon on the Day of Pentecost

¹⁴ But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them, “Judean men, and all those who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and pay attention to my words! ¹⁵ For these men are not drunk, as you assume, because it is the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

²² “Israelite men, listen to these words! Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, just as you yourselves know— ²³ this man, delivered up by the determined plan and foreknowledge of God, you executed by^[el] nailing to a cross^[em] through the hand of lawless men. ²⁴ God raised him^[en] up, having brought to an end the pains of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. ²⁵ For David says with reference to him,

²⁹ “Men and brothers, it is possible to speak with confidence to you about the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us until this day. ³⁰ Therefore, because he^[eq] was a prophet and knew that God had sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants^[er] on his throne, ³¹ by^[es] having foreseen this,^[et] he spoke about the resurrection of the Christ,^[eu] that neither was he abandoned in Hades nor did his flesh experience decay. ³² This Jesus God raised up, of which^[ev] we all are witnesses. ³³ Therefore, having been exalted to the right hand of God and having received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, he has poured out this that you see and hear.^{[ew] 34} For David did not ascend into heaven, but he himself says,

³⁶ Therefore let all the house of Israel know beyond a doubt, that God has made him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified!”

The Response to Peter’s Sermon

³⁷ Now when they^[ey] heard this,^[ez] they were pierced to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “What should we do, men and brothers?” ³⁸ And Peter said^[fa] to them, “Repent and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is for you and for your children, and for all those who are far away, as many as the Lord our God calls to himself.” ⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly urged and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!” ⁴¹ So those who accepted his message were baptized, and on that day about three thousand souls were added.

The Fellowship of the First Believers

⁴² And they were devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayers. ⁴³ And fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were being performed by the apostles. ⁴⁴ And all who believed were in the same place, and had everything in common. ⁴⁵ And they began selling^[fb] their^[fc] possessions and property, and distributing these things to all, to the degree that anyone had need. ⁴⁶ And every day, devoting themselves to meeting^[fd] with one purpose in the temple courts^[fe] and breaking bread from house to house, they were eating their food with joy and simplicity of heart, ⁴⁷ praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding every day to the total of those who were being saved.

A Lame Beggar Healed at the Temple

3 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. ² And a certain man was being carried who was lame from birth.^[ff] He^[fg] was placed every day at the gate of the temple called “Beautiful,” so that he could ask for charitable gifts from those who were going into the temple courts.^{[fh] 3} When he^[fi] saw Peter and John about to go into the temple courts,^[fj] he began asking to receive alms. ⁴ And Peter looked intently at him, together with John, and^[fk] said, “Look at us!” ⁵ So he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. ⁶ But Peter said, “Silver and gold I do not possess,^[fl] but what I have, this I give to you—in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, walk!”^{[fm] 7} And taking hold of him by the right hand, he raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. ⁸ And leaping up, he stood and began walking around^[fn] and entered into the temple courts^[fo] with them, walking and leaping and praising God. ⁹ And all the people saw him walking and praising God, ¹⁰ And they recognized him, that this one^[fp] was the one who used to sit asking for alms at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, and they were filled with awe and astonishment at what had happened to him.

Peter’s Sermon in Solomon’s Portico

¹¹ And while^[fq] he was holding fast to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the portico called Solomon’s, utterly astonished. ¹² And when he^[fr] saw it,^[fs] Peter replied to the people, “Men and Israelites, why are you astonished at this? Or why are you staring at us, as if by our own power or godliness we have made him walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham and of Isaac^[ft] and of Jacob,^[fu] the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus, whom you handed over and denied in the presence of Pilate, after^[fv] he had decided to release him.^{[fw] 14} But you denied the Holy and Righteous One and demanded that a man—a murderer—be granted to you. ¹⁵ And you killed the originator of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses! ¹⁶ And on the basis of faith in his name, his name has made this man strong, whom you see and know, and the faith that is through him has given him this perfect health in the presence of you all. ¹⁷ And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, just as your rulers did also. ¹⁸ But the things which God foretold through the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ^[fx] would suffer, he has fulfilled in this way. ¹⁹ Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be blotted out, ²⁰ so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and he may send the Christ^[fy] appointed for you—Jesus, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of the restoration of all things, about which God spoke through the mouth of his holy prophets from earliest times. ²² Moses said, ‘The Lord God^[fz] will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You will listen to him in everything that he says to you.^{[ga] 23} And it will be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet will be destroyed utterly from the people.’^{[gb] 24} And indeed, all the prophets from Samuel and all those who followed him^[gc] have spoken about and proclaimed these days. ²⁵ You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God ordained with your fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed.’^{[gd] 26} God, after he^[ge] had raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning each of you back from your wickedness!”

Peter and John Arrested

4 And while^[gf] they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees approached them, ² greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. ³ And they laid hands on them and put them^[gg] in custody until the next day, because it was already evening. ⁴ But many of those who listened to the message believed, and the number of the men was approximately five thousand.

Peter and John on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

⁵ And it happened that on the next day, their rulers and elders and scribes came together in Jerusalem, ⁶ and Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all those who were from the high priest’s family. ⁷ And they made them stand in their^[gh] midst and^[gi] began to ask,^[gj] “By what power or by what name did you do this?” ⁸ Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, ⁹ if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a sick man—by what means^[gk] this man was healed— ¹⁰ let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man stands before you healthy! ¹¹ This one^[gl] is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, that has become the cornerstone.^{[gm] 12} And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven that is given among people by which we must be saved.”

¹³ Now when they^[gn] saw the boldness of Peter and John, and understood that they were uneducated and untrained men, they were astonished, and recognized them, that they had been with Jesus. ¹⁴ And because they^[go] saw the man who had been healed standing there with them, they had nothing to say in return. ¹⁵ But after they^[gp] had ordered them to go outside the Sanhedrin,^[gq] they began to confer^[gr] with one another, ¹⁶ saying, “What should we do with these men? For that a remarkable sign has taken place through them is evident to all those who live in Jerusalem, and we are not able to deny it!^{[gs] 17} But in order that it may not spread much further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more in this name to anyone at all.”^{[gt] 18} And they called them back and^[gu] commanded them^[gv] not to speak or to teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John answered and^[gw] said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than God, you decide! ²⁰ For we are not able to refrain from speaking about the things that we have seen and heard.” ²¹ So after^[gx] threatening them^[gy] further, they released them, finding no way to punish them on account of the people, because they were all praising God for what had happened. ²² For the man on whom this sign of healing had been performed was more than forty years old.

The Believers Pray for Continued Bold Witness

²³ And when they^[gz] were released, they went to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. ²⁴ And when they^[ha] heard it,^[hb] they lifted their voices with one mind to God and said, “Master, you are the one who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all the things in them, ²⁵ the one who said by the Holy Spirit through the mouth of our father David, your servant,

²⁷ For in truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, assembled together in this city against your holy servant Jesus whom you anointed, ²⁸ to do all that your hand and plan^[he] had predestined to take place. ²⁹ And now, Lord, concern yourself with their threats and grant your slaves to speak your message with all boldness, ³⁰ as you extend your hand to heal and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” ³¹ And when^[hf] they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak^[hg] the word^[hh] of God with boldness.

The Believers Share All Things in Common

³² Now the group of those who believed were one heart and soul, and no one said anything of what belonged to him was his own, but all things were theirs in common. ³³ And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was on them all. ³⁴ For there was not even anyone needy among them, because all those who were owners of plots of land or houses were selling them^[hi] and^[hj] bringing the proceeds of the things that were sold ³⁵ and placing them^[hk] at the feet of the apostles. And it was being distributed to each as anyone had need. ³⁶ So Joseph, who was called Barnabas by the apostles (which is translated “son of encouragement”), a Levite of Cyprus by nationality, ³⁷ sold a field^[hl] that belonged to him and^[hm] brought the money and placed it^[hn] at the feet of the apostles.

Ananias and Sapphira Lie to the Holy Spirit

5 Now a certain man named^[ho] Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, ² and he kept back for himself some of the proceeds, and his^[hp] wife was aware of it.^[hq] And he brought a certain part and^[hr] placed it^[hs] at the feet of the apostles. ³ But Peter said, “Ananias, for what reason has Satan filled your heart, that you lied to the Holy Spirit and kept back for yourself some of the proceeds of the piece of land? ⁴ When it^[ht] remained to you, did it not remain yours? And when it^[hu] was sold, was it at your disposal? How is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to people, but to God!”

⁵ And when^[hv] Ananias heard these words, he fell down and^[hw] died. And great fear came on all those who heard about it.^{[hx] 6} So the young men stood up, wrapped him up, and carried him^[hy] out and^[hz] buried him.^{[ia] 7} And it happened that there was an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. ⁸ And Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you both^[ib] were paid this much for the piece of land.” And she said, “Yes, this much.” ⁹ So Peter said to her, “How is it that it was agreed by you two^[ic] to test the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of those who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out!” ¹⁰ And immediately she fell down at his feet and died. So when^[id] the young men came in, they found her dead, and carried her^[ie] out and^[if] buried her^[ig] with her husband. ¹¹ And great fear came on the whole church and on all who heard about these things.

Many Signs and Wonders Are Performed by the Apostles

¹² Now many signs and wonders were being performed among the people through the hands of the apostles. And they were all together^[ih] in Solomon’s Portico. ¹³ And none of the rest dared to join them, but the people spoke highly of them. ¹⁴ And even more believers in the Lord^[ii] were being added, large numbers of both men and women, ¹⁵ so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and put them^[ij] on cots and mats^[ik] so that when^[il] Peter came by, at least his^[im] shadow would fall on some of them. ¹⁶ And the people of the towns around Jerusalem also came together, bringing the sick and those tormented by unclean spirits, who were all being healed.

The Apostles Arrested and Imprisoned

¹⁷ Now the high priest rose up and all those who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and^[in] they were filled with jealousy. ¹⁸ And they laid hands on the apostles and put them in the public prison. ¹⁹ But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the prison and led them out and^[io] said, ²⁰ “Go and stand in the temple courts^[ip] and^[iq] proclaim to the people all the words of this life.” ²¹ And when they^[ir] heard this,^[is] they entered at daybreak into the temple courts^[it] and began teaching.^[iu]

Now when^[iv] the high priest and those with him arrived, they summoned the Sanhedrin—even the whole council of elders of the sons of Israel—and sent to the prison to have them brought. ²² But the officers who came^[iw] did not find them in the prison, and they returned and^[ix] reported, ²³ saying, “We found the prison locked with all security and the guards standing at the doors, but when we^[iy] opened them,^[iz] we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when both the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these words, they were greatly perplexed concerning them, as to what this might be. ²⁵ But someone came and^[ja] reported to them, “Behold, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple courts^[jb] and teaching the people!” ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and^[jc] brought them, not with force (for they were afraid of the people, lest they be stoned by them).^[jd]

The Apostles on Trial Before the Sanhedrin

²⁷ And when they^[je] had brought them, they made them^[jf] stand in the Sanhedrin,^[jg] and the high priest put a question to them, ²⁸ saying, “We strictly commanded^[jh] you^[ji] not to teach in this name? And behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching! And you are intending to bring upon us the blood of this man!” ²⁹ But Peter and the apostles answered and^[jj] said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men! ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you killed by^[jk] hanging him^[jl] on a tree. ³¹ This one God has exalted to his right hand as Leader and Savior to grant repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are witnesses of these things, and so is^[jm] the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey him.” ³³ Now when^[jn] they heard this,^[jo] they were infuriated, and were wanting to execute them. ³⁴ But a certain man stood up in the Sanhedrin,^[jp] a Pharisee named^[jq] Gamaliel, a teacher of the law respected by all the people, and^[jr] gave orders to put the men outside for a short time. ³⁵ And he said to them, “Men and Israelites, take care for yourselves what you are about to do to these men! ³⁶ For before these days, Theudas rose up saying he was somebody. A number of men, about four hundred, joined him.^[js] He^[jt] was executed, and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. ³⁷ After this man, Judas the Galilean rose up in the days of the census and caused people to follow him in revolt.^[ju] And that one perished, and all who followed him were scattered. ³⁸ And now I tell you, keep away from these men, and leave them alone, because if this plan or this matter is from people, it will be overthrown.^{[jv] 39} But if it is from God, you will not be able to overthrow them, lest you even be found fighting against God.” So they were persuaded by him. ⁴⁰ And they summoned the apostles, beat them,^[jw] commanded them^[jx] not to speak in the name of Jesus, and released them.^{[jy] 41} So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin^[jz] rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name. ⁴² Every day, both in the temple courts^[ka] and from house to house, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the good news that the Christ^[kb] was Jesus.

The First Seven Deacons Appointed

6 Now in these days, as^[kc] the disciples were increasing in number,^[kd] a complaint arose by the Greek-speaking Jews^[ke] against the Hebraic Jews^[kf] because^[kg] their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food.^{[kh] 2} So the twelve summoned the community of disciples and^[ki] said, “It is not desirable that we neglect the word of God to serve tables. ³ So, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation,^[kj] full of the Spirit and wisdom, whom we will put in charge of this need. ⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” ⁵ And the statement pleased the whole group, and they chose Stephen (a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit), and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus (a convert from Antioch), ⁶ whom they stood before the apostles. And they prayed and^[kk] placed their^[kl] hands on them.

⁷ And the word of God kept spreading, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem was increasing greatly, and a large number of priests began obeying^[km] the faith.