 CHAPTER 22 Jesus answered and spoke again in parables to them saying, The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who made a marriage-feast for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the marriage-feast. But they would not come. Again he sent out other servants saying, Tell those who are invited. Behold, I have made ready my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed and all things are ready. Come to the marriage-feast. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise, and the rest grabbed his servants and treated them shamefully and killed them. When the king heard that he was angry and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren't worthy. Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the marriage-feast. Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests. But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there was a man who didn't have on wedding-clothing, and he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding-clothing? He was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. There is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be. For many are called, but few chosen. Then the Pharisees went and took counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. They sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, Teacher, we know that you are honest and teach the ways of God in truth, no matter who you teach, for you aren't partial to anyone. Tell us, therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not? But Jesus perceived their wickedness and said, Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Show me the tax money. They brought him a denarius. He asked them, Whose is this image and inscription? They said to him, Caesar's. Then he said to them, Give, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. When they heard it, they marveled, and left him and went away. On that day Sadducees, those who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying, Teacher, Moses said, If a man dies having no children, his brother shall marry his wife and raise up seed for his brother. Now there were with us seven brothers, the first married and died, and having no seed left his wife to his brother, in like manner, the second also, and the third to the seventh. After them all the woman died, in the resurrection therefore, whose wife will she be of the seven, for they all had her? But Jesus answered them, You are mistaken not knowing the scriptures nor the power of God, for in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like God's angels in heaven. But concerning the resurrection of the dead, since you read that which was spoken to you by God saying, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching. But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him, Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law. Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. The second likewise is this. You shall love your neighbor as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments. Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, saying, What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he? They said to him, of David. He said to them, How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying? The Lord said to my Lord, Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet. If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son? No one was able to answer him a word. Neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forth. Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sat on Moses' seat. All things, therefore, whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but don't do their works, for they say and don't do, for they bind heavy burdens that are grievous to be born and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them, but all their works they do to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad, enlarge the fringes of their garments, and love the place of honour at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the market places, and to be called Rabbi Rabbi by men. But don't you be called Rabbi, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on earth your father, for one is your father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant, whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you devour windows' houses, and as pretense you make long prayers, therefore you will receive greater condemnation. But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men, for you don't enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one you make him twice as much of a son of Gehenna as yourselves. Woe to you, you blind guides who say, whoever swears by the temple it is nothing, but whoever swears by the gold of the temple he is obligated, you blind fools, for which is greater the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold. Whoever swears by the altar it is nothing, but whoever swears by the gift that is on it he is obligated. You blind fools, for which is greater the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He therefore who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. He who swears by the temple swears by it and by him who was living in it. He who swears by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you tithe, mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the way to your matters of the law, justice, mercy, and faith, but you ought to have done these and not to have left the other undone, you blind guides who strain out a gnat and swallow a camel. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup and of the platter, that its outside may become clean also. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you are like white in tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, for you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous and say, if we had lived in the days of our fathers we wouldn't have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who kill the prophets. Fill up then the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you offspring of vipers. How will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? Therefore behold, I send to you prophets, wise men and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from city to city. That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel, to the blood of Zachariah, son of Bakariah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to her. How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not. Behold, your house is left to you desolate, for I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Chapter 24 Jesus went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them. Don't you see all of these things? Most certainly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone on another, that will not be thrown down. As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age? Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one leads you astray, for many will come in my name saying, I am the Christ, and will lead many astray. You will hear of wars, and rumors of wars. See that you aren't troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to oppression, and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations, for my name's sake. Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise, and will lead many astray. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endears to the end, the same will be saved. This good news of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come. When therefore you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the Prophet, standing in the holy place, let the reader understand. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out things that are in his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes, but woe to those who are with child, and to nursing mothers in those days. Pray that your flight will not be in the winter, nor on a Sabbath, for then there will be great oppression, such as not being from the beginning of the world until now. No, nor ever will be. Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved, but for the sake of the chosen ones those days will be shortened. Then if any man tells you, behold, here is the Christ, or there, don't believe it, for there will arise false Christs and false prophets, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. Behold, I have told you beforehand, if therefore they tell you, behold, he is in the wilderness, don't go out. Behold, he is in the inner chambers, don't believe it, for as the lightning flashes from the east and is seen even to the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For wherever the carcass is, there is where the vultures gather together. But immediately after the oppression of those days the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. He will send out his angels with the great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other. Now from the fig tree learn this parable. When its branch has now become tender, and puts forth its leaves, you know that the summer is near. Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. As the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man, for as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying, and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn't know until the flood came and took them all away. So will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two men will be in the field, one will be taken, and one will be left. Two women grinding at the mill, one will be taken, and one will be left. Watch therefore, for you don't know in what hour your Lord comes, but know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don't expect the Son of Man will come. Who then is the faithful and wise servant whom his Lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his Lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. But if that evil servant should say in his heart, my Lord is delaying his coming, and begins to beat his fellow-servants and eat and drink with the drunkards, the Lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn't expect it, and in an hour when he doesn't know it, and will cut him to pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites, there is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be. Chapter 25 Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and would out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry. Behold! The bridegroom is coming. Come out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out. But the wise answered, saying, What if there isn't enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell and buy for yourselves. While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage-feast, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other virgins also came, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us! But he answered, Most certainly I tell you, I don't know you. Watch, therefore, for you don't know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants, and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, another two, to another one. To each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In like manner he also, who got the two, gained another two. But he who received the one went away and dug in the earth, and hid his Lord's money. Now after a long time the Lord of those servants came, and reconciled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came, and brought another five talents, saying, Lord, you delivered me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents besides them. His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. He also, who got the two talents, came and said, Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents besides them. His Lord said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your Lord. He also, who had received the one talent, came and said, Lord, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours. But as Lord answered him, You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn't sow, and gather where I didn't scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents, for to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance. But from him who doesn't have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on his left. Then the king will tell those on his right hand, Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry, and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me drink. I was a stranger, and you took me in. Naked, and you clothed me. I was sick, and you visited me. I was in prison, and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, and feed you, or thirsty, and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger, and take you in, or naked, and clothe you? When did we see you sick, or in prison, and come to you? The king will answer them. Most certainly I tell you, in as much as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me. Then he will say, also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil, and his angels. For I was hungry, and you didn't give me food to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink. I was a stranger, and you didn't take me in. Naked, and you didn't clothe me. Sick, and in prison, and you didn't visit me. Then they will also answer, saying, Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn't help you? Then he will answer them, saying, Most certainly I tell you, in as much as you didn't do it to one of the least of these you didn't do it to me. These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life. Chapter 26 It happened when Jesus had finished all these words that he said to his disciples, You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified. Then the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people, were gathered together in the court of the high priest who was called Caiaphas. They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him. But they said, not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people. Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the Lepper, a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, Why this waste? For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor. However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, Why do you trouble the woman? Because she has done a good work for me, for you always have the poor with you, but you don't always have me. For in pouring this ointment on my body she did it to prepare me for burial. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this good news is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her. Then one of the twelve who was called Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and said, What are you willing to give me that I should deliver him to you? They weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. From that time he sought an opportunity to betray him. Now on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus saying to him, Where do you want us to prepare for you to eat the Passover? He said, Go into the city to a certain person and tell him, The teacher says, My time is at hand. I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples. The disciples did as Jesus commanded them and they prepared the Passover. Now when evening had come he was reclining at the table with the twelve disciples. As they were eating he said, Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me. They were exceedingly sorrowful and each began to ask him, It isn't me, is it Lord? He answered, He who dipped his hand with me in the dish the same will betray me. The son of man goes even as it is written of him, but woe to that man through whom the son of man is betrayed. It would be better for that man if he had not been born. Judas who betrayed him answered, It isn't me, is it Rabbi? He said to him, You said it. As they were eating Jesus took bread, gave thanks for it, and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, Take, eat, this is my body. He took the cup, gave thanks, and gave to them saying, All of you drink it, for this is my blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. But I tell you that I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in my father's kingdom. When they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I am raised up I will go before you into Galilee. Then Peter answered him, Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble. Jesus said to him, Most certainly I tell you that tonight before the rooster crows you will deny me three times. Peter said to him, Even if I must die with you I will not deny you. All the disciples also said likewise. Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane and said to his disciples, Sit here while I go there and pray. He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. Then he said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch with me. He went forward a little, fell on his face and prayed, saying, My Father, if it is possible let this cup pass away from me. Nevertheless, not what I desire but what you desire. He came to the disciples and found them sleeping and said to Peter, What couldn't you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you don't enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing but the flesh is weak. Again a second time he went away and prayed, saying, My Father, if this cup can't pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done. He came again and found them sleeping for their eyes were heavy. He left them again, went away and prayed a third time, saying the same words. Then he came to his disciples and said to them, Sleep on now and take your rest. Behold the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let's be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand. While he was still speaking behold Judas one of the twelve came and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the elders of the people. Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign saying, Whoever I kiss he is the one. Seize him. Immediately he came to Jesus and said, Hail Rabbi and kissed him. Jesus said to him, Friend, why are you here? Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and took him. Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and struck off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, Put your sword back into its place for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I couldn't ask my father and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching and you did not arrest me. But all this has happened that the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. Then all the disciples left him and fled. Those who had taken Jesus led him away to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. But Peter followed him from a distance to the court of the high priest and entered in and sat with the officers to see the end. Now the chief priests and the elders and the whole council sought false testimony against Jesus that they might put him to death. But they found none. Though many false witnesses came forward they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days. The high priest stood up and said to him, Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you? But Jesus held his peace. The high priest answered him, I adjure you by the living God that you tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus said to him, You have said it. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power and coming on the clouds of the sky. Then the high priest tore his clothing saying, He has spoken blasphemy. Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard his blasphemy. What do you think? They answered, He is worthy of death. Then they spit in his face and beat him with their fists. And some slapped him saying, Prophecy to us, you Christ, who hit you? Now Peter was sitting outside in the court and a maid came to him saying, You were also with Jesus the Galilean. But he denied it before them all saying, I don't know what you're talking about. When he had gone out onto the porch, someone else saw him and said to those who were there. This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth. Again he denied it with an oath, I don't know the man. After a little while those who stood by came and said to Peter, Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known. Then he began to curse and to swear, I don't know the man. Immediately the rooster crowed. Peter remembered the word which Jesus had said to him. Before the rooster crows you will deny me three times. He went out and wept bitterly. Chapter 27 Now when morning had come all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death and they bound him and led him away and delivered him up to Pontius Pilate the governor. Then Judas who betrayed him when he saw that Jesus was condemned felt remorse and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed innocent blood. But they said, what is that to us? You see to it. He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. He went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, It is not lawful to put them into the treasury since it is the price of blood. They took counsel and bought the potters field with them to bury strangers in. Therefore that field was called the field of blood to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah the Prophet was fulfilled saying, They took the thirty pieces of silver the price of him upon whom a price had been set whom some of the children of Israel priced and they gave them for the potters field as the Lord commanded me. Now Jesus stood before the governor and the governor asked him saying, Are you the king of the Jews? Jesus said to him, So you say, When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders he answered nothing. Then Pilate said to him, Don't you hear how many things they testify against you? He gave him no answer not even one word so that the governor marveled greatly. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner whom they desired. They had then a notable prisoner called Barabbas. When therefore they were gathered together Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release to you Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up. While he was sitting on the judgment seat his wife sent to him saying, Have nothing to do with that righteous man for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitudes to ask for Barabbas and to destroy Jesus. But the governor answered them, Which of the two do you want me to release to you? They said Barabbas Pilate said to them, What then shall I do to Jesus who is called Christ? They all said to him, Let him be crucified. But the governor said, Why what evil has he done? But they cried out exceedingly saying, Let him be crucified. So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained but rather that a disturbance was starting he took water and washed his hands before the multitude saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it. All the people answered, May his blood be on us and on our children. Then he released to them Barabbas. But Jesus he flogged and delivered to be crucified. Then the governor's soldiers took Jesus into the praetorium and gathered the whole garrison together against him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him. They braided a crown of thorns and put it on his head and a reed in his right hand. And they kneeled down before him and mocked him saying, Hail king of the Jews. They spat on him and took the reed and struck him on the head. When they had mocked him they took the robe off of him and put his clothes on him and led him away to crucify him. As they came out they found a man of Sirene, Simon by name, and they compelled him to go with them that he might carry his cross. They came to a place called Golgotha, that is to say the place of a skull. They gave him sour wine to drink mixed with gall. When he had tasted it he would not drink. When they had crucified him they divided his clothing among them casting lots and they sat and watched him there. They set up over his head the accusation against him written. This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. Then there were two robbers crucified with him, one on his right hand and one on the left. Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, You who destroy the temple and build it in three days save yourself if you are the son of God come down from the cross. Likewise the chief priests also mocking with the scribes the Pharisees and the elders said, He saved others but he can't save himself. If he is the king of Israel let him come down from the cross now and we will believe in him. He trusts in God let God deliver him now if he wants him for he said I am the son of God. The robbers also who were crucified with him cast on him the same reproach. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over the land until the ninth hour. About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice saying, Eli Eli Lama sabachthanai that is my God my God why have you forsaken me? Some of them who stood there when they heard it said this man is calling Elijah. Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge and filled it with vinegar and put it on a reed and gave him a drink. The rest said let him be let's see whether Elijah comes to save him. Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. Behold the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split the tombs were opened and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done feared exceedingly saying truly this was the son of God. Many women were there watching from afar who had followed Jesus from Galilee serving him. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. When evening had come a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph who himself was also Jesus' disciple came. This man went to Pilate and asked for Jesus' body. Then Pilate commanded the body to be given up. Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which he had cut in the rock and he rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and departed. Mary Magdalene was there and the other Mary sitting opposite the tomb. Now on the next day which was the day after the preparation the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate saying, Sir we remember that that deceiver said while he was still alive after three days I will rise again command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day lest perhaps his disciples come at night and steal him away and tell the people he is risen from the dead and the last deception will be worse than the first. Pilate said to them you have a guard go make it as secure as you can so they went with the guard and made the tomb secure sealing the stone. Now after the Sabbath as it began to dawn on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. Behold there was a great earthquake for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning his clothing was white as snow for fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. The angel answered the women don't be afraid for I know that you seek Jesus who has been crucified he is not here for he has risen just like he said come see the place where the Lord was lying go quickly and tell his disciples he has risen from the dead and behold he goes before you into Galilee there you will see him behold I have told you they departed quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy and ran to bring his disciples word as they went to tell his disciples behold Jesus met them saying rejoice they came and took hold of his feet and worshiped him then Jesus said to them don't be afraid go tell my brothers that they should go into Galilee and there they will see me now while they were going behold some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that had happened when they were assembled with the elders and had taken counsel they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers saying say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept if this comes to the governor's ears we will persuade him and make you free of worry so they took the money and did as they were told this saying was spread abroad among the Jews and continues until this day but the 11 disciples went into Galilee do the mountain where Jesus had sent them him when they saw him they bowed down to him but some doubted Jesus came to them and spoke to them saying all authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth therefore go and make disciples of all nations baptizing them in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit teaching them to observe all things that i commanded you behold i am with you always even to the end of the age amen end of the book of matthew chapters one to five of the book of mark from the world english bible this is a livery vox recording all livery vox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit livery vox.org the book of mark from the world english bible chapters one to five chapter one the beginning of the good news of jesus christ the son of god as it is written in the prophets behold i send my messenger before your face who will prepare your way before you the voice of one crying in the wilderness make ready the way of the lord make his path straight john came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins all the country of judia and all those of jerusalem went out to him they were baptized by him in the jordan river confessing their sins john was clothed with camels hair and a leather belt around his waist he ate locusts and wild honey he preached saying after me comes he who is mightier than i the thong of whose sandals i'm not worthy to stoop down and loosen i baptized you in water but he will baptize you in the holy spirit it happened in those days that jesus came from nazareth of galley and was baptized by john in the jordan immediately coming up from the water he saw the heavens parting and the spirit descending on him like a dove a voice came out of the sky you are my beloved son in whom i am well pleased immediately the spirit drove him out into the wilderness he was there in the wilderness forty days tempted by satan he was with the wild animals and the angels were serving him now after john was taken into custody jesus came into galley preaching the good news of the kingdom of god and saying the time is fulfilled and the kingdom of god is at hand repent and believe in the good news passing along by the sea of galley he saw simon and andrew the brother of simon casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen jesus said to them come after me and i will make you into fishers of men immediately they left their nets and followed him going on a little further from there he saw james the son of zebedy and john his brother who were also in the boat mending the nets immediately he called them and they left their father zebedy in the boat with the hired servants and went after him they went into caponeum and immediately on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught they were astonished at his teaching for he taught them as having authority and not as the scribes immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit and he cried out saying ha what do we have to do with you jesus you nazarene have you come to destroy us i know you who you are the holy one of god jesus rebuked him saying be quiet and come out of him the unclean spirit convulsing him and crying with a loud voice came out of him they were all amazed so that they questioned among themselves saying what is this a new teaching for with authority he commands even the unclean spirits and they obey him the report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of galley and its surrounding area immediately when they had come out of the synagogue they came into the house of simon and andrew with james and john now simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever and immediately they told him about her he came and took her by the hand and raised her up the fever left her and she served them at evening when the sun had set they brought to him all who were sick and those who were possessed by demons all the city was gathered together at the door he healed many who were sick with various diseases and cast out many demons he didn't allow the demons to speak because they knew him early in the morning while it was still dark he rose up and went out and departed into a deserted place and prayed there simon and those who were with him followed after him and they found him and told him everyone is looking for you he said to them let's go elsewhere into the next towns that i may preach there also because i came out for this reason he went into their synagogues throughout all galley preaching and casting out demons a leper came to him begging him kneeling down to him and saying to him if you want to you can make me clean being moved with compassion he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him i want to be made clean when he had said this immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean he strictly warned him and immediately sent him out and said to him see you say nothing to anybody but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing the things which moses commanded for a testimony to them but he went out and began to proclaim it much and to spread about the matter so that jesus could no more openly enter into a city but was outside in desert places and they came to him from everywhere chapter 2 when he entered again into caponeum after some days it was heard that he was in the house immediately many were gathered together so that there was no more room not even around the door and he spoke the word to them four people came carrying a paralytic to him when they could not come near to him for the crowd they removed the roof where he was when they had broken it up they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic son your sins are forgiven you but there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts why does this man speak blasphem is like that who can forgive sins but god alone immediately jesus perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves said to them why do you reason these things in your hearts which is easier to tell the paralytic your sins are forgiven or to say arise and take up your bed and walk but that you may know that the son of man has authority on earth to forgive sins he said to the paralytic i tell you arise take up your mat and go to your house he arose and immediately took up the mat and went out in front of them all so that they were all amazed and glorified god saying we never saw anything like this he went out again by the seaside all the multitude came to him and he taught them as he passed by he saw Levi the son of alpheus sitting at the tax office and said to him follow me and he arose and followed him it happened that he was reclining at the table in his house and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with jesus and his disciples for there were many and they followed him the scribes and the Pharisees when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors said to his disciples why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners when jesus heard it he said to them those who are healthy have no need for a physician but those who are sick i came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance john's disciples and the Pharisees were fasting and they came and asked him why do john's disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast but your disciples don't fast jesus said to them can the groom's men fast while the bridegroom is with them as long as they have the bridegroom with them they can't fast but the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them and then will they fast in that day no one sows a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old and a worse hole is made no one puts new wine into old wine skins or else the new wine will burst the skins and the wine pours out and the skins will be destroyed but they put new wine into fresh wine skins it happened that he was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields and his disciples began as they went to pluck the ears of grain the Pharisees said to him behold why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day he said to them did you never read what david did when he had need and was hungry he and those who were with him how he entered into the house of god when abyathar was high priest and ate the showbread which is not lawful to eat except for the priests and gave also to those who were with him he said to them the Sabbath was made for man not man for the Sabbath therefore the son of man is lord even of the Sabbath chapter three he entered again into the synagogue and there was a man there who had his hand withered they watched him whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day that they might accuse him he said to the man who had his hand withered stand up he said to them is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good or to do harm to save a life or to kill but they were silent when he had looked around at them with anger being grieved at the hardening of their hearts he said to the man stretch out your hand he stretched it out and his hand was restored as healthy as the other the Pharisees went out and immediately conspired with the Herodians against him how they might destroy him Jesus withdrew to the sea with his disciples and a great multitude followed him from Galilee from Judea from Jerusalem from Idumea from the Jordan and those from around Tyre and Sidon a great multitude hearing what great things he did came to him he spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd so that they wouldn't press on him for he had healed many so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him the unclean spirits whenever they saw him fell down before him and cried you are the Son of God he sternly warned them that they should not make him known he went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted and they went to him he appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons Simon to whom he gave the name Peter James the son of Zebedee John the brother of James and he sir named them Boaneges which means son of thunder Andrew Philip Bartholomew Matthew Thomas James the son of Alpheus Thaddeus Simon the zealot and Judas Iscariot who also betrayed him he came into a house the multitude came together again so that they could not so much as eat bread when his friends heard it they went out to seize him for they said he is insane the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said he has beelzebel and by the prince of the demons he casts out the demons he summoned them and said to them in parables how can Satan cast out Satan if a kingdom is divided against itself that kingdom cannot stand if a house is divided against itself that house cannot stand if Satan has risen up against himself and is divided he can't stand but has an end but no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man and then he will plunder his house most certainly I tell you all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme but whoever may blaspheme against the holy spirit never has forgiveness but is guilty of an eternal sin because they said he has an unclean spirit his mother and his brothers came and standing outside they sent to him calling him a multitude was sitting around him and they told him behold your mother your brothers and your sisters are outside looking for you he answered them who are my mother and my brothers looking around at those who sat around him he said behold my mother and my brothers for whoever does the will of god the same is my brother and my sister and my mother chapter four again he began to teach by the seaside a great multitude was gathered to him so that he entered into a boat in the sea and sat down all the multitude were on the land by the sea he taught them many things in parables and told them in his teaching listen behold the farmer went out to sow and it happened as he sowed some seed fell by the road and the birds came and devoured it others fell on the rocky ground where it had little soil and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of soil when the sun had risen it was scorched and because it had no root it withered away others fell among the thorns and the thorns grew up and choked it and it yielded no fruit others fell into the good ground and yielded fruit growing up and increasing some brought forth thirty times some sixty times and some one hundred times as much he said whoever has ears to hear let him hear when he was alone those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables he said to them to you is given the mystery of the kingdom of god but to those who are outside all things are done in parables that seeing they may see and not perceive and hearing they may hear and not understand lest perhaps they should turn again and their sins should be forgiven them he said to them don't you understand this parable how will you understand all of the parables the farmer sows the word the ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown and when they have heard immediately satan comes and takes away the word which has been sown in them these in like manner are those who are sown on the rocky places who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with joy they have no root in themselves but are short-lived when oppression or persecution arises because of the word immediately they stumble others are those who are sown among the thorns these are those who have heard the word and the cares of this age and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word and it becomes unfruitful those which were sown on the good ground are those who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit some 30 times some 60 times and some 100 times he said to them is the lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed isn't it put on a stand for there is nothing hidden except that it should be made known neither was anything made secret but that it should come to light if any man has ears to hear let him hear he said to them take heed what you hear with whatever measure you measure it will be measured to you and more will be given to you who hear for whoever has to him will more be given and he who doesn't have even that which he has will be taken away from him he said the kingdom of god is as if a man should cast seed on the earth and should sleep and rise night and day and the seed should spring up and grow he doesn't know how for the earth bears fruit first the blade then the ear then the full grain in the ear but when the fruit is ripe immediately he puts forth the sickle because the harvest has come he said how will we liken the kingdom of god or with what parable will we illustrate it it's like a grain of mustard seed which when it is sown in the earth though it is less than all the seeds that are on the earth yet when it is sown grows up and becomes greater than all the herbs and puts out great branches so that the birds of the sky can lodge under its shadow with many such parables he spoke the word to them as they were able to hear it without a parable he didn't speak to them but privately to his own disciples he explained everything on that day when evening had come he said to them let's go over to the other side leaving the multitude they took him with them even as he was in the boat other small boats were also with him a big windstorm arose and the waves beat into the boat so much so that the boat was already filled he himself was in the stern asleep on the cushion and they woke him up and told him teacher don't you care that we are dying he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea peace be still the wind ceased and there was a great calm he said to them why are you so afraid how is it that you have no faith they were greatly afraid and said to one another who then is this that even the wind and the sea obey him chapter five they came to the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes when he had come out of the boat immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit who had his dwelling in the tombs nobody could bind him anymore not even with chains because he had been often bound with fetters and chains and the chains had been torn apart by him and the fetters broken in pieces nobody had the strength to tame him always night and day in the tombs and in the mountains he was crying out and cutting himself with stones when he saw Jesus from afar he ran and bowed down to him and crying out with a loud voice he said what have I to do with you Jesus you son of the most high god I adjure you by god don't torment me for he said to him come out of the man you unclean spirit he asked him what is your name he said to him my name is legion for we are many he begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country now there was on the mountain side a great herd of pigs feeding all the demons begged him saying send us into the pigs that we may enter into them at once jesus gave them permission the unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs the herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea and they were drowned in the sea those who fed them fled and told it in the city and in the country the people came to see what it was that had happened they came to jesus and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting clothed and in his right mind even him who had the legion and they were afraid those who saw it declared to them how it happened to him who was possessed by demons and about the pigs they began to beg him to depart from their region as he was entering into the boat he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him he didn't allow him but said to him go to your house to your friends and tell them what great things the lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you he went his way and began to proclaim in decapolis how jesus had done great things for him and everyone marveled when jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side a great multitude was gathered to him and he was by the sea behold one of the rulers of the synagogue jairus by name came and seeing him he fell at his feet and begged him much saying my little daughter is at the point of death please come and lay your hands on her that she may be made healthy and live he went with him and a great multitude followed him and they pressed upon him on all sides a certain woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years and had suffered many things by many physicians and had spent all that she had and was no better but rather grew worse having heard the things concerning jesus came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes for she said if i just touch his clothes i will be made well immediately the flow of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction immediately jesus perceiving in himself that the power had gone out of him turned around in the crowd and asked who touched my clothes his disciples said to him you see the multitude pressing against you and you say who touched me he looked around to see her who had done this thing but the woman fearing and trembling knowing what had been done to her came and fell down before him and told him all the truth he said to her daughter your faith has made you well go in peace and be cured of your disease while he was still speaking they came from the synagogue ruler's house saying your daughter is dead why bother the teacher anymore but jesus when he heard the message spoken immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue don't be afraid only believe he allowed no one to follow him except peter james and john the brother of james he came to the synagogue ruler's house and he saw an uproar weeping and great wailing when he had entered in he said to them why do you make an uproar and weep the child is not dead but is sleeping they ridiculed him but he having put them all out took the father of the child and her mother and those who were with him and went in where the child was lying taking the child by the hand he said to her talitha kumi which means being interpreted girl i tell you get up immediately the girl rose up and walked for she was 12 years old they were amazed with great amazement he strictly ordered them that no one should know this and commanded that something should be given to her to eat end of chapter five chapters six to nine of the book of mark from the world english bible this is a livery vox recording all livery vox recordings are in the public domain for more information auto volunteer please visit livery vox.org the book of mark from the world english bible chapters six to nine chapter six he went out from there he came into his own country and his disciples followed him when the sabbath had come he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished saying where did this man get these things and what is the wisdom that is given to this man that such mighty works come about by his hands isn't this the carpenter the son of mary and brother of james joseph judas and simon aren't his sisters here with us they were offended by him jesus said to them a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and among his own relatives and in his own house he could do no mighty work there except that he laid his hands on a few sick folk and healed them he marveled because of their unbelief he went around the villages teaching he called to himself the twelve and began to send them out two by two and he gave them authority over the unclean spirits he charged them that they should take nothing for their journey except a staff only no bread no wallet no money in their purse but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics he said to them wherever you enter into a house stay there until you depart from there whoever will not receive you nor hear you as you depart from there shake off the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them assuredly i tell you it will be more tolerable for sodom and gemora in the day of judgment than for that city they went out and preach that people should repent they cast out many demons and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them king herod heard this for his name had become known and he said john the baptizer has risen from the dead and therefore these powers work in him but others said it is Elijah others said it is the prophet or like one of the prophets but herod when he heard this said this is john who might be headed he has risen from the dead for herod himself had sent out and laid hold on john and bound him in prison for the sake of herodias his brother philip's wife for he had married her for john said to herod it is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him but she couldn't for herod feared john knowing that he was a righteous and holy man and kept him safe when he heard him he did many things and he heard him gladly when a convenient day had come that herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords and the high captains and the chief men of galilee and when the daughter of herodias herself came in and danced she pleased herod and those reclining with him the king said to the young lady ask me whatever you want and i will give it to you he swore to her whatever you shall ask of me i will give you up to half of my kingdom she went out and said to her mother what shall i ask she said the head of john the baptizer she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked i want you to give me right now the head of john the baptizer on a platter the king was exceedingly sorry but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests he didn't wish to refuse her immediately the king sent forth a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring john's head and he went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the young lady and the young lady gave it to her mother when his disciples heard this they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb the apostles gathered themselves together to jesus and they told him all things whatever they had done and whatever they had taught he said to them you come apart into a desert place and rest a while for there were many coming and going and they had no leisure so much as to eat they went away in the boats to a desert place by themselves they saw them going and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities they arrived before them and came together to him jesus came out saw a great multitude and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd and he began to teach them many things when it was late in the day his disciples came to him and said this place is a desert and it is late in the day send them away that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat but he answered them you give them something to eat they asked him shall we go and buy 200 denari worth of bread and give them something to eat he said to them how many loaves do you have go see when they knew they said five and two fish he commanded those that all should sit down by companies on the green grass they sat down in ranks by hundreds and by fifties he took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven he blessed and broke the loaves and he gave to his disciples to set before them and he divided the two fish among them all they all ate and were filled they took up twelve baskets full of broken pieces and also of the fish those who ate the loaves were five thousand men immediately he made his disciples enter into the boat and to go ahead to the other side to Bethsaida while he himself sent the multitude away after he had taken leave of them he departed into the mountain to pray when evening had come the boat was in the midst of the sea and he was alone in the land seeing them distressed in rowing for the wind was contrary to them and about the fourth watch of the night he came to them walking on the sea and he would have passed them by but they when they saw him walking on the sea supposed that it was a ghost and cried out for they all saw him and were troubled but he immediately spoke with them and said to them cheer up it is I don't be afraid he went up to them into the boat and the wind ceased and they were very amazed among themselves and marveled for they hadn't understood about the loaves but their hearts were hardened when they had crossed over they came to the land to Gennesaret and moored to the shore when they had come out of the boat immediately the people recognized him and ran around that whole region and began to carry around those who were sick on their mats to where they heard he was wherever he entered into villages or into cities or into the country they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might touch just the fringe of his garment and as many as touched him were made well chapter seven then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him having come from Jerusalem now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled that is unwashed hands they found fault for the Pharisees and all the Jews don't eat unless they wash their hands and forearms holding to the tradition of the elders they don't eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves and there are many other things which they have received to hold to washings of cops pictures bronze vessels and couches the Pharisees and the scribes asked him why don't your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders but eat their bread with unwashed hands he answered them well did I desire prophesy of you hypocrites as it is written this people honors me with their lips but their heart is far from me but in vain do they worship me teaching as doctrines the commandments of men for as you set aside the commandment of god and hold tightly to the tradition of men the washing of pictures and cops and you do many other such things he said to them full well do you reject the commandment of god that you may keep your tradition for moses said honor your father and your mother and he who speaks evil of father or mother let him be put to death but you say if a man will tell his father or mother whatever you might have been profited by me is Corban that is to say given to god and you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother making void the word of god by your tradition which you have handed down you do many things like this he called all the multitude to himself and said to them hear me all of you and understand there is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can defile him but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man if anyone has ears to hear let him hear when he had entered into the house from the multitude his disciples asked him about the parable he said to them are you so without understanding also don't you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can't defile him because it doesn't go into his heart but into his belly and into the latrine thus making all foods clean he said that which proceeds out of the man that defiles the man for from within out of the hearts of men proceed evil thoughts adulteries sexual sins murders thefts covetings wickedness deceit lustful desires an evil eye blasphemy pride and foolishness all these evil things proceed from within and defile the man from there he arose and went away into the borders of tire and Sidon he entered into a house and wanted no one to know it but he couldn't escape detection for a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit having heard of him came and fell down at his feet now the woman was a Greek a syrophoenician by race she begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter but Jesus said to her let the children be filled first for it is not appropriate to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs but she answered him yes lord for even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs he said to her for this saying go your way the demon has gone out of your daughter she went away to her house and found the child lying on the bed with the demon gone out again he departed from the borders of tire and Sidon and came to the sea of Galilee through the midst of the borders of Decapolis they brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech they begged him to lay his hand on him he took him aside from the multitude privately and put his fingers into his ears and he spat and touched his tongue looking up to heaven he sighed and said to him f father that is be opened immediately his ears were opened and the bond of his tongue was loosed and he spoke clearly he charged them that they should tell no one but the more he charged them so much the more widely they proclaimed it they were astonished beyond measure saying he has done all things well he makes even the deaf here and the mute speak chapter eight in those days when there was a very great multitude and they had nothing to eat jesus called his disciples to himself and said to them i have compassion on the multitude because they continue with me now three days and have nothing to eat if i send them away fasting to their home they will faint on the way for some of them have come a long way his disciples answered him from where will one be able to fill these men with bread here in the desert he asked them how many loaves do you have they said seven he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground and he took the seven loaves having given thanks he broke them and gave them to his disciples to serve and they served the multitude they had a few small fish having blessed them he said to serve these also they ate and were filled they took up seven baskets of broken pieces that were left over those who had eaten were about four thousand then he sent them away immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples and came into the region of dalmanutha the Pharisees came out and began to question him seeking a sign from heaven from him and tempting him he sighed deeply in his spirit and said why does this generation seek a sign most assuredly i tell you there will no sign be given to this generation he left them and again entering into the boat departed to the other side they forgot to take bread and they didn't have more than one loaf in the boat with them he charged them saying take heed beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod they reasoned with one another saying it's because we have no bread jesus perceiving it said to them why do you reason that it's because you have no bread don't you perceive yet neither understand is your heart still hardened having eyes don't you see having ears don't you hear don't you remember when i broke the five loaves among the five thousand how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up they told him twelve when the seven loaves fed the four thousand how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up they told him seven he asked them don't you understand yet he came to Bethsaida they brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him he took hold of the blind man by the hand and brought him out of the village when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him he asked him if he saw anything he looked up and said i see men for i see them like trees walking then again he laid his hands on his eyes he looked intently and was restored and saw everyone clearly he sent him away to his house saying don't enter into the village nor tell anyone in the village jesus went forth with his disciples into the villages of Caesarea Philippi on the way he asked his disciples who do men say that i am they told him john the baptizer and others Elijah but others one of the prophets he asked them but who do you say that i am peter answered you are the christ he charged them that they should tell no one about him he began to teach them that the son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders the chief priests and the scribes and be killed and after three days rise again he spoke to them openly peter took him and began to rebuke him but he turning round and seeing his disciples rebuked peter and said get behind me satan for you have in mind not the things of god but the things of men he called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them whoever wants to come after me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me for whoever wants to save his life will lose it and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the gospels will save it for what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life for what should a man give in exchange for his life for whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation the son of man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in the glory of his father with the holy angels chapter nine he said to them most assuredly i tell you there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the kingdom of god come with power after six days jesus took with him peter james and john and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves and he was changed into another form in front of them his clothing became glistening exceedingly white like snow such as no launderer on earth can whiten them elijah and moses appeared to them and they were talking with jesus peter answered jesus rabbi it is good for us to be here let's make three tents one for you one for moses and one for elijah for he didn't know what to say for they were very afraid a cloud came overshadowing them and a voice came out of the cloud this is my beloved son listen to him suddenly looking round they saw no one with them anymore except jesus only as they were coming down from the mountain he charged them that they should tell no one what things they had seen until the son of man had risen again from the dead they kept the saying questioning among themselves what the rising again from the dead should mean they asked him saying why do the scribes say that elijah must come first he said to them elijah indeed comes first and restores all things how is it written about the son of man that he should suffer many things and be despised but i tell you that elijah has come and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to even as it is written about him coming to the disciples he saw a great multitude around them and scribes questioning them immediately all the multitude when they saw him were greatly amazed and running to him greeted him he asked the scribes what are you asking them one of the multitude answered teacher i brought to you my son who has a mute spirit and wherever it seizes him it dashes him down and he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and wastes away i asked your disciples to cast it out and they weren't able he answered them unbelieving generation how long will i be with you how long will i bear with you bring him to me they brought him to him and when he saw him immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground wallowing and foaming at the mouth he asked his father how long has it been since this has come to him he said from childhood often it has cast 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 jesus said to him if you can believe all things are possible to him who believes immediately the father of the child cried out with tears i believe help my unbelief when jesus saw that a multitude came running together he rebuked the unclean spirit saying to him you mute and deaf spirit i command you come out of him and enter no more into him having cried out and convulsed him greatly it came out the boy became like one dead so much that most of them said he is dead but jesus took him by the hand and raised him up and he arose when he came into the house his disciples asked him privately why couldn't we cast it out he said to them this kind can come out by nothing except by prayer and fasting they went forth from there and passed through galilee he didn't want anyone to know about it for he taught his disciples and said to them the son of man is delivered up into the hands of men and they will kill him and when he is killed on the third day he will rise again but they didn't understand the saying and were afraid to ask him he came to copernium and when he was in the house he asked them what were you arguing among yourselves on the way but they were silent for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest he sat down and called the 12 and he said to them if any man wants to be first he will be last of all and servant of all he took a little child and set him in the midst of them taking him in his arms he said to them whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me and whoever receives me doesn't receive me but him who sent me john said to him teacher we saw someone who doesn't follow us casting out demons in your name and we forbade him because he doesn't follow us but jesus said don't forbid him for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me for whoever is not against us he's on our side for whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are christ's most assuredly i tell you he will in no way lose his reward whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble it will be better for him if a millstone were hanged about his neck and he were cast into the sea if your hand causes you to stumble cut it off it is better for you to enter into life maimed rather than having your two hands to go into gehenna into the unquenchable fire where their worm doesn't die and the fire is not quenched if your foot causes you to stumble cut it off it is better for you to enter into life lame rather than having your two feet to be cast into gehenna into the fire that will never be quenched where their worm doesn't die and the fire is not quenched if your eye causes you to stumble cast it out it is better for you to enter into the kingdom of god with one eye rather than having two eyes to be cast into the gehenna of fire where their worm doesn't die and the fire is not quenched for everyone will be salted with fire and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt salt is good but if the salt has lost its saltiness with what will you season it have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another end of chapter nine