 The Gospel of Matthew, chapters 23 through 28, from the twentieth century New Testament. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. CHAPTER 23 Then Jesus, speaking to the crowds and to his disciples, said, The teachers of the law and the Pharisees now occupy the chair of Moses. Therefore practice and lay to heart everything that they tell you, but do not follow their example, for they preach but do not practice. While they make up heavy loads and pile them on other men's shoulders, they decline themselves to lift a finger to move them. All their actions are done to attract attention. They widen their phylacteries and increase the size of their tassels and like to have the place of honor at dinner and the best seats in the synagogues, and to be greeted in the markets with respect and to be called rabbi by everybody. But do not you allow yourselves to be called rabbi, for you have only one teacher and you yourselves are all brothers. And do not call anyone on the earth your father, for you have only one father, the heavenly father. Nor must you allow yourselves to be called leaders, for you have only one leader, the Christ. The man who would be the greatest among you must be your servant. Whoever shall exalt himself will be humbled, and whoever shall humble himself will be exalted. But alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you turn the key of the kingdom of heaven and men's faces, for you do not go in yourselves, nor yet allow those who try to go in to do so. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you scour land and sea to make a single convert, and when he has gained you make him twice as deserving of the pit as you are yourselves. Alas for you, blind guides, you say if anyone swears by the temple his oath counts for nothing, but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple his oath is binding on him. Fools that you are and blind, which is the more important, the gold or the temple which has given sacredness to the gold? You say too, if anyone swears by the altar his oath counts for nothing, but if anyone swears by the offering placed on it his oath is binding on him. Blind indeed, which is the more important, the offering or the altar which gives sacredness to the offering? Therefore a man swearing by the altar swears by it and by all that is on it, and a man swearing by the temple swears by it and by him who dwells in it while a man swearing by heaven swears by the throne of God and by him who sits upon it. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you pay ties on ment, fennel, and caraway seed and have neglected the weightier matters of the law, justice, mercy, and good faith. These last you ought to have put into practice without neglecting the first. You blind guides to strain out a gnat and to swallow a camel. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are filled with the results of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee. First clean the inside of the cup and the dish so that the outside may become clean as well. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed look fair outside while inside they are filled with dead men's bones at all kind of filth. It is the same with you. Outwardly and to others you have the look of religious men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and sin. Alas for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, hypocrites that you are, you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the monuments of religious men and say had we been living in the days of our ancestors we should have taken no part in their murder of the prophets. By doing this you are furnishing evidence against yourselves that you are the true children of the men who murdered the prophets. Fill up the measure of your ancestors guilt, you serpents and brood of vipers, how can you escape being sentenced to the pit. That is why I send you prophets, wise men and teachers of the law, some of whom you will crucify and kill and some of whom you will scourge in your synagogues and persecute from town to town, in order that upon your heads may fall every drop of innocent blood spilt on earth, from the blood of innocent Abel down to that of Zechariah Barakiah's son whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. All this I tell you will come home to the present generation. Jerusalem. Jerusalem, she who slays the prophets and stones the messengers sent to her. O how often I have wished to gather your children round me, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not come. Verily your house is left to you desolate, for nevermore I tell you shall you see me, until you say, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Chapter 24 Leaving the temple courts, Jesus was walking away when his disciples came up to draw his attention to the temple buildings. Do you see all these things? was his answer. I tell you not a single stone will be left here upon another, which will not be thrown down. So, while Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples came up to him privately and said, Tell us, when will this be and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age? Jesus replied to them as follows, See that no one leads you astray, for many will take my name and come saying I am the Christ, and will lead many astray, and you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. Take care not to be alarmed, for such things must occur, but the end is not yet here. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All this, however, will be but the beginning of the birth pangs. When that time comes, they will give you up to persecution, and will put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations on account of my name. And then many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another. Many false prophets also will appear and lead many astray, and owing to the increase of wickedness the love of most will grow cold, yet the man that endures to the end shall be saved. And this good news of the kingdom shall be proclaimed throughout the world as a witness to all nations, and then will come the end. As soon then as you see the foul desecration mentioned by the prophet Daniel standing in the holy place, the reader must consider what this means. Then those who are in Judea must take refuge in the mountains, and a man on the house top must not go down to get the things that are in his house, nor must one who is on his farm turn back to get his cloak. It will last for the women that are with child, and for those that are nursing infants in those days. Pray, too, that your flight may not take place in winter, nor on a Sabbath. For that will be a time of great distress, the like of which has not occurred from the beginning of the world down to the present time. No, nor ever will again. And had not those days been limited, not a single soul would escape. But for the sake of God's people a limit will be put to them. And at that time, if any one should say to you, Look, here is the Christ, or here he is, do not believe it, for false Christs and false prophets will arise and will display great signs and marvels so that were it possible even God's people would be led astray. Remember, I have told you beforehand. Therefore if people say to you he is in the wilderness, do not go out there, or he is in an inner room. Do not believe it, for just as lightning will start from the east and flash across to the west, so will it be with the coming of the Son of Man. Wherever a dead body lies, there will the vultures flock. Immediately after the distress of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give her light, the stars will fall from the heavens and the forces of the heavens will be convulsed. Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heavens, and all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the heavens with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with a great trumpet, and they will gather his people round him from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. Learn the lesson taught by the fig tree. As soon as its branches are full of sap and it is bursting into leaf, you know that summer is near. And so may you, as soon as you see all these things, know that he is at your doors. I tell you even the present generation will not pass away till all these things have taken place. The heavens and the earth will pass away. But my words shall never pass away. But about that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven nor yet the Son, but only the Father himself. For just as in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. In those days before the Flood they went on eating and drinking, marrying and being married, up to the very day on which Noah entered the Ark, taking no notice till the Flood came and swept them one and all away. And so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. At that time, of two men on a farm, one will be taken and one left. Of two women grinding with the hand-mill, one will be taken and one left. Therefore watch, for you cannot be sure on what day your master is coming. But this you do know, that had the owner of the house known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have been on the watch and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Or do you also prepare, since it is just when you are least expecting him, that the Son of Man will come? Who then is that trustworthy, careful servant, who has been placed by his master over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. I tell you that his master will put him in charge of the whole of his property. But should he be a bad servant, and say to himself, my master is a long time coming, and begin to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards, that servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, at an hour of which he is unaware, and will flog him severely, and assign him his place among the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. CHAPTER XXV Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten bridesmaids, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were prudent. The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them, while the prudent ones, besides taking their lamps, took oil in their jars. As the bridegroom was late in coming, they all became drowsy, and slept. But at midnight a shout was raised, the bridegroom is coming, come out to meet him. Then all the bridesmaids awoke and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish ones said to the prudent, give us some of your oil, our lamps are going out. But the prudent ones answered, No, for fear that there will not be enough for you and for us. Go instead to those who sell it and buy for yourselves. But while they were on their way to buy it, the bridegroom came, and the bridesmaids who were ready went in with him to the banquet, and the door was shut. Afterwards the other bridesmaids came. Sir, sir, they said, open the door to us. But the bridegroom answered, I tell you, I do not know you. Therefore watch, since you know neither the day nor the hour. For it is as though a man, going on his travels, called his servants, and gave his property into their charge. He gave three thousand pounds to one, twelve hundred to another, and six hundred to a third, in proportion to the ability of each. Then he set out on his travels. The man who had received the three thousand pounds went at once and traded with it, and made another three thousand. So too the man who had received the twelve hundred pounds made another twelve hundred. But the man who had received the six hundred went and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the three thousand pounds came up and brought three thousand more. Sir, he said, you entrusted me with three thousand pounds? Look, I have made another three thousand. Well done, good trustworthy servant, said his master. You have been trustworthy with a small sum. Now I will place a large one in your hands. Come and share your master's joy. Then the one who had received the twelve hundred pounds came up and said, Sir, you entrusted me with twelve hundred pounds? Look, I have made another twelve hundred. Well done, good trustworthy servant, said his master. You have been trustworthy with a small sum. Now I will place a large one in your hands. Come and share your master's joy. The man who had received the six hundred pounds came up too and said, Sir, I knew that you were a hard man. You reap where you have not sown and gather up where you have not winnowed. And in my fear I went and hid your money in the ground. Look, here is what belongs to you. You lazy worthless servant, was his master's reply. You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather up where I have not winnowed? Then you ought to have placed my money in the hands of bankers, and I on my return should have received my money with interest. Therefore, he continued, take away from him the six hundred pounds and give it to the one who has the six thousand, for to him who has more will be given, and he shall have abundance. But as for him who has nothing, even what he has will be taken away from him. As for the useless servant, put him out into the darkness outside where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth. When the Son of Man has come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will take his seat on his throne of glory, and all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people, just as a shepherd separates sheep from goats, placing the sheep on his right hand and the goats on his left. Then the King will say to those on his right, Come, you who are blessed by my Father, upon possession of the kingdom prepared for you since the beginning of the world. For when I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me drink. When I was a stranger, you took me into your homes. When I was naked, you closed me. When I fell ill, you visited me. And when I was in prison, you came to me. Then the righteous will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you drink? When did we see you a stranger and take you to our homes? Or naked and clothe you? When did we see you ill or in prison and come to you? And the King will reply, I tell you, as often as you did it to one of these my brothers, however lowly, you did it to me. Then he will say to those on his left, Go from my presence accursed into the Aeonian fire which has been prepared for the devil and his angels. For when I was hungry, you gave me no food. When I was thirsty, you gave me no drink. When I was a stranger, you did not take me into your homes. When I was naked, you did not close me. And when I was ill and in prison, you did not visit me. Then they in their turn will answer, Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or ill or in prison and did not supply your wants? And then he will reply, I tell you, as often as you failed to do it to one of these, however lowly, you failed to do it to me. And these last will go away into Aeonian punishment, but the righteous into Aeonian life. CHAPTER XXVI When Jesus had finished all this teaching, he said to his disciples, You know that in two days time the festival of the Passover will be here and that the Son of Man is to be given up to be crucified. Then the chief priests and the counselors of the nation met in the house of the High Priest who was called Caiaphas and plotted together to arrest Jesus by stealth and put him to death. But they said, not during the festival, for fear of causing a riot. After Jesus had reached Bethany and while he was in the house of Simon the Lepper, a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume and poured the perfume upon his head as he was at table. The disciples were indignant at seeing this. What is this waste for? they exclaimed. It could have been sold for a large sum and the money given to poor people. Why are you troubling the woman? Jesus said, when he noticed it. For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me. You always have the poor with you, but you will not always have me. In pouring this perfume on my body she has done it for my burying. I tell you, wherever in the whole world this good news is proclaimed, what this woman has done will be told in memory of her. It was then that one of the twelve named Judas Iscariot made his way to the chief priests and said, What are you willing to give me if I betray Jesus to you? The priests weighed him out thirty pieces of silver as payment. From that time Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Jesus. On the first day of the festival of the unleavened bread the disciples came up to Jesus and said, Where do you wish us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover? Go into the city to a certain man, he answered, and say to him, The teacher says my time is near. I will keep the Passover with my disciples at your house. The disciples did as Jesus directed them and prepared the Passover. In the evening Jesus took his place with the twelve disciples, and while they were eating he said, I tell you that one of you will betray me. In great grief they began to say to him one by one, Can it be I, master? The one who dipped his bread beside me in the dish replied Jesus is the one who will betray me. True, the son of man must go as scripture says of him, yet alas for that man by whom the son of man is being betrayed, for that man it would be better never to have been born. And Judas who was betraying him turned to him and said, Can it be I, rabbi? It is, answered Jesus. While they were eating Jesus took some bread and after saying the blessing broke it and as he gave it to his disciples said, Take it and eat it. This is my body. Then he took a cup and after saying the thanksgiving gave it to them with the words, Drink from it all of you for this is my covenant blood which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. And I tell you that I shall never after this drink of this juice of the grape until that day when I shall drink it new with you in the kingdom of my father. They then sang a hymn and went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, Even you will all fall away from me tonight. Scripture says I will strike down the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will be scattered. But after I have risen I shall go before you into Galilee. If everyone else falls away from you, Peter answered, I shall never fall away. I tell you replied Jesus that this very night before the cock crows you will disown me three times. Even if I must die with you Peter exclaimed I shall never disown you. All the disciples spoke in the same way. Then Jesus came with them to a garden called Gethsemane and he said to his disciples, Sit down here while I go and pray yonder. Taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebediah he began to show signs of sadness and deep distress of mind. I am sad at heart he said, Sad even to death. Wait here and watch with me. Going on a little further he threw himself on his face in prayer. My father he said, If it is possible let me be spared this cup. Only not as I will but as thou willest. Then he came to his disciples and found them asleep. What he said to Peter could none of you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation. True the spirit is eager but human nature is weak. Again a second time he went away and prayed. My father he said, If I cannot be spared this cup but must drink it, Thy will be done. And coming back again he found them asleep for their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away again and prayed a third time again saying the same words. Then he came to the disciples and said, Sleep on now and rest yourselves. Hark! My time is close at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of wicked men. Up and let us be going. Look my betrayer is close at hand. And while he was still speaking Judas who was one of the twelve came in sight and with him was a great crowd of people with swords and clubs sent from the chief priests and counsellors of the nation. Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them. The man whom I kiss he had said will be the one. Arrest him. So he went up to Jesus at once and exclaimed, Welcome Rabbi! and kissed him. On which Jesus said to him, Friend, do what you have come for. Thereupon the men went up, seized Jesus and arrested him. Suddenly one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and striking the high priest's servant cut off his ear. She, the o'er sword, Jesus said. For all who draw the sword will be put to the sword. Do you think that I cannot ask my Father for help when he would at once send to my aid more than twelve legions of angels? But in that case how would the scriptures be fulfilled which say that this must be? Jesus at the same time said to the crowds, Have you come out as if after a robber with swords and clubs to take me? I have sat teaching day after day in the temple courts and yet you did not arrest me. The whole of this occurred in fulfillment of the prophetic scriptures. Then the disciples all forsook him and fled. Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas, the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the counsellors had assembled. Peter followed him at a distance as far as the courtyard of the high priest, and went in and sat down among the police officers to see the end. Meanwhile the chief priests and the whole of the high council were trying to get such false evidence against Jesus as would warrant putting him to death, but they did not find any, although many came forward with false evidence. Later on however two men came forward and said, This man said, I am able to destroy the temple of God and to build it in three days. Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, Have you no answer? What is this evidence which these men are giving against you? But Jesus remained silent. On this the high priest said to him, I adjure you by the living God to tell us whether you are the Christ, the Son of God. It is true, Jesus answered. Moreover I tell you all that hereafter you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the Almighty and coming on the clouds of the heavens. Then the high priest tore his robes. This is blasphemy, he exclaimed. Why do we want any more witnesses? You have just heard his blasphemy. What is your decision? They answered, He deserves death. Then they spat in his face and struck him while others dealt blows at him, saying as they did so, Now play the prophet for us, you Christ. Who was it that struck you? Peter meanwhile was sitting outside in the courtyard, and a maid servant came up to him and exclaimed, Why, you were with Jesus the Galilean. But Peter denied it before them all. I do not know what you mean, he replied. When he had gone out into the gateway another maid saw him and said to those who were there, This man was with Jesus of Nazareth. Again he denied it with an oath. I do not know the man. But soon afterwards those who were standing by came up and said to Peter, You also are certainly one of them, why your very way of speaking proves it. Then Peter began to swear with the most solemn implications, I do not know the man. At that moment a cock crowed, and Peter remembered the words which Jesus had said, Before a cock has crowed you will disown me three times. And he went outside and wept bitterly. Chapter 27 At daybreak all the chief priests and the counselors of the nation consulted together against Jesus to bring about his death. They put him in chains and led him away and gave him up to the Roman governor, Pilate. Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that Jesus was condemned, repented of what he had done, and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and counselors. I did wrong in betraying a good man to his death, he said. What has that to do with us? they replied. You must see to that yourself. Judas flung down the pieces of silver in the temple and left, and went away and hanged himself. The chief priests took the pieces of silver, but they said, We must not put them into the temple treasury because they are blood money. So after consultation they bought with them the potter's field, for a burial ground for foreigners, and that is why that field is called the field of blood to this very day. Then it was that these words spoken by the prophet Jeremiah were fulfilled. They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him who was valued, whom some of the people of Israel valued, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord commanded me. Meanwhile Jesus was brought before the Roman governor. Are you the king of the Jews? asked the governor. It is true, answered Jesus. While charges were being brought against him by the chief priests and counselors, Jesus made no reply. Then Pilate said to him, Do not you hear how many accusations they are making against you? Yet Jesus made no reply, not even a single word at which the governor was greatly astonished. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to grant the people the release of any one prisoner whom they might choose. At that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when the people had collected Pilate said to them, Which do you wish me to release for you? Barabbas or Jesus who is called Christ? For he knew that it was out of jealousy that they had given Jesus up to him. While he was still on the bench his wife sent this message to him. Do not have anything to do with that good man, for I have been very unhappy today in a dream on account of him. But the chief priests and the counselors persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to kill Jesus. The governor however said to them, Which of these two do you wish me to release to you? Barabbas they answered. What then Pilate asked shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ? Let him be crucified, they all replied. Why? What harm has he done? he asked. But they kept shouting furiously. Let him be crucified. When Pilate saw that his efforts were unavailing, but that on the contrary a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying as he did so, I am not answerable for this bloodshed. You must see to it yourselves. And all the people answered, His blood be on our heads and on our children's. Then Pilate released Barabbas to them, but Jesus he scourged and gave him up to be crucified. After that the governor's soldiers took Jesus with them into the government house and gathered the whole garrison round him. They stripped him and put on him a red military cloak and having twisted some thorns into a crown put it on his head and a rod in his right hand and then going down on their knees before him they mocked him. Long life to you king of the Jews, they said. They spat at him and taking the rod kept striking him on the head and when they had left off mocking him they took off the military cloak and put his own clothes on him and led him away to be crucified. As they were on their way out they came upon a man from Cyrene of the name of Simon and they compelled him to go with them to carry the cross. On reaching a place called Golgotha, a place named from its likeness to a skull, they gave him some wine to drink which had been mixed with gall, but after tasting it Jesus refused to drink it. When they had crucified him they divided his clothes among them by casting lots. Then they sat down and kept a watch over him there. Above his head they fixed the accusation against him, written out, This is Jesus, the king of the Jews. At the same time two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right, the other on the left. The passers-by railed at him shaking their heads as they said, You who destroy the temple and build one in three days, save yourself. If you are God's son come down from the cross. In the same way the chief priests with the teachers of the law and councillors set in mockery. He saved others, but he cannot save himself. He is the king of Israel. Let him come down from the cross now and we will believe in him. He has trusted in God. If God wants him let him deliver him now, for he said I am God's son. Even the robbers who were crucified with him reviled him in the same way. After midday a darkness came over all the country, lasting till three in the afternoon. At about three, Jesus called out loudly, Iloi, Iloi, lemma sabaccanai, that is to say, Oh my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Some of those standing by heard this and said, The man is calling for Elijah. One of them immediately ran and took a sponge and filling it with common wine, put it on the end of a rod and offered it to him to drink. The rest said, Wait and let us see if Elijah is coming to save him. However another man took a spear and pierced his side and water and blood flowed from it. But Jesus uttering another loud cry gave up his spirit. Suddenly the temple curtain was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks were torn asunder, the tombs opened in the bodies of many of God's people who had fallen asleep rose and they leaving their tombs went after the resurrection of Jesus into the holy city and appeared to many people. The Roman captain and the men with him who were watching Jesus on seeing the earthquake and all that was happening became greatly frightened and exclaimed, This must indeed have been God's son. There were many women there watching from a distance who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee and had been attending on him. Among them were Mary of Magdala, Mary the mother of James and Joseph and the mother of Zebediah's sons. When evening had fallen there came a rich man belonging to Rama named Joseph who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. He went to see Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus upon which Pilate ordered it to be given him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen sheet and laid it in his newly made tomb which he had cut in the rock and before he left he rolled a great stone against the entrance of the tomb. Mary of Magdala and the other Mary remained behind sitting in front of the grave. The next day that is the day following the preparation day the chief priests and Pharisees came in a body to Pilate and said, Sir, we remember that during his lifetime that impostor said, I shall rise after three days. So order the tomb to be made secure till the third day, otherwise his disciples may come and steal him and then say to the people he has risen from the dead when the latest impostor will be worse than the first. You may have a guard, was Pilate's reply. Go and make the tomb as secure as you can. So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone in presence of the guard. After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary had gone to look at the grave when suddenly a great earthquake occurred. For an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone and seated himself upon it. His appearance was as dazzling as lightning and his clothing was as white as snow and in their terror of him the men on guard trembled violently and became like dead men. But the angel addressing the women said, You need not be afraid. I know that it is Jesus who was crucified for whom you are looking. He is not here, for he has risen as he said he would. Come and see the place where he was lying and then go quickly and say to his disciples, he has risen from the dead and is going before you into Galilee. There you will see him. Remember, I have told you. On this they left the tomb quickly in awe and great joy and ran to tell the news to the disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them. Welcome, he said. The women went up to him and clasped his feet bowing to the ground before him. Then Jesus said to them, Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to set out for Galilee, and they shall see me there. While they were still on their way, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. So they and the counselors met, and after holding a consultation, he have a large sum of money to the soldiers and told them to say that his disciples came in the night and stole him while they were asleep. And should this matter come before the governor, they added, We will satisfy him and see that you have nothing to fear. So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed, and this story has been current among the Jews from that day to this. The eleven disciples went to Galilee to the mountain where Jesus told them to meet him, and when they saw him they bowed to the ground before him, although some felt doubtful. Then Jesus came up and spoke to them thus, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the faith of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to lay to heart all the commands that I have given you. And remember, I myself am with you every day until the close of the age. End of chapters 23 through 28 End of the Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Luke introduction and chapters 1 through 4 from the 20th century New Testament This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by J. A. Carter, www.authenticlight.org The 20th century New Testament, by a company of about 20 scholars The Gospel of Luke Introduction and chapters 1 through 4 Introduction The Gospel according to St. Luke compiled at an uncertain date later than 60 AD. The compiler of this Gospel was probably the Luke who also compiled the Acts of the Apostles and appears in that book as a companion of St. Paul. That Apostles influence may apparently be traced in the selection of many of the incidents and parables that are peculiar to this record of the life and teaching of Jesus. In addition to the record of the ministry given in the Gospel according to St. Mark, which appears to rest largely on information derived from the Apostle Peter and the greater part of which is embodied here, this Gospel contains much of the teaching of Jesus which is also recorded in the Gospel according to St. Matthew as well as a quantity of additional and very important matter. The sources from which this matter was drawn cannot yet be identified with certainty, but the compiler evidently aimed at presenting a more complete picture of the life of Jesus than had hitherto been attempted. His standpoint appears to be that of a converted Gentile writing for his fellow converts. There is nothing to show where this Gospel was compiled, though it was probably outside Palestine. It is not clear that it was originally drawn up in its present form, nor can its date be fixed with any certainty. Its compiler is evidently at times translating from the Aramaic language and at other times writing with greater ease of events of which he had learned from Greek sources. Apparently he was not himself an eyewitness of the life that he records. The tradition that he was a doctor by profession is to some extent supported by the internal evidence of the Gospel. Chapter 1 To His Excellency Theophilus Many attempts have been already made to draw up an account of those events which have reached their conclusion among us, just as they were reported to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and afterwards became bearers of the message. And therefore I also, since I have investigated all these events with great care from their very beginning, have resolved to write a connected history of them for you in order that you may be able to satisfy yourself of the accuracy of the story which you have heard from the lips of others. In the reign of Herod, King of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah who belonged to the division called after Abijah. His wife, whose name was Elizabeth, was also a descendant of Aaron. They were both righteous people who lived blameless lives guiding their steps by all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no child, Elizabeth, being barren, and both of them were advanced in years. One day, when Zechariah was officiating as priest before God during the turn of his division, it fell to him by lot in accordance with the practice among the priests to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And as it was the hour of incense the people were all praying outside. And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right of the altar of incense. Zechariah was startled at the sight and was awestruck. But the angel said to him, Do not be afraid, Zechariah, your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth shall bear you a son whom you shall call by the name John. He shall be to you a joy and a delight, and many shall rejoice over his birth, for he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, he shall not drink any wine or strong drink, and he shall be filled with the Holy Spirit from the very hour of his birth, and shall reconcile many of the Israelites to the Lord their God. He shall go before him in the Spirit and with the power of Elijah to reconcile fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous, and so make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him. How can I be sure of this, Zechariah asked the angel, for I am an old man and my wife is advanced in years. I am Gabriel, the angel answered, who stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news, and now you shall be silent and unable to speak until the day when this takes place, because you did not believe what I said, though my words will be fulfilled in due course. Meanwhile the people were watching for Zechariah, wondering at his remaining so long in the temple. When he came out he was unable to speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision there, but Zechariah kept making signs to them and remained dumb. And as soon as his term of service was finished he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth, expecting to become a mother, lived in seclusion for five months. This is what the Lord has done for me, she said, now that he has deigned to take away the reproach under which I have been living. Six months later the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, to a maiden there who was betrothed to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. Her name was Mary. Gabriel came into her presence and said, Hale, you who have been highly favoured, the Lord is with you. Mary was much disturbed at his words, and was wondering to herself what such a greeting could mean when the angel spoke again. Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God, and now you shall be with child, and give birth to a son, and you shall give him the name Jesus. The child shall be great, and shall be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David, and he shall reign over the descendants of Jacob for ever, and to his kingdom there shall be no end. How can this be? Mary asked the angel, for I have no husband. The Holy Spirit shall descend upon you, answered the angel, and the power of the Most High shall overshadow you, and therefore the child will be called Holy and Son of God. And Elizabeth, your cousin, is herself also expecting a son in her old age, and it is now the sixth month with her, though she is called barren, for no promise from God shall fail to be fulfilled. I am the servant of the Lord, exclaimed Mary, let it be with me as you have said. Then the angel left her. Soon after this Mary set out and made her way quickly into the hill country to a town in Judah. And there she went into Zechariah's house and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child moved within her, and Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit and cried aloud, Blessed are you among women, and blessed is your unborn child. But how have I this honour that the mother of my Lord should come to me, for as soon as your greeting reached my ears the child moved within me with delight. Happy indeed is she who believed that the promise which she received from the Lord would be fulfilled. And Mary said, My soul exalts the Lord, my spirit delights in God my Saviour, for he has remembered his servant in her lowliness, and from this hour all ages will count me happy. Great things has the Almighty done for me, and Holy is his name. From age to age his mercy rests on those who reverence him. Mighty are the deeds of his arm. He scatters the proud with their own devices. He casts down princes from their thrones, and the lowly he uplifts. The hungry he loads with gifts, and the rich he sends empty away. He has stretched out his hand to his servant Israel, ever mindful of his mercy, as he promised to our forefathers, for Abraham and his race for ever. Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months, and then returned to her home. When Elizabeth's time came, she gave birth to a son, and her neighbors and relations, hearing of the great goodness of the Lord to her, came to share her joy. A week later they met to circumcise the child, and were about to call him Zechariah after his father, when his mother interposed. No, he is to be called John. You have no relation of that name, they exclaimed, and they made signs to the child's father to find out what he wished the child to be called. Asking for a writing tablet, he wrote the words, His name is John. Everyone was surprised, and immediately Zechariah recovered his voice and the use of his tongue and began to bless God. All their neighbors were awestruck at this, and throughout the hill-country of Judah the whole story was much talked about, and all who heard it kept it in mind, asking one another, What can this child be destined to become? for the power of the Lord was with him. Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit, and speaking under inspiration said, Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, who has visited his people and wrought their deliverance, and has raised up for us the strength of our salvation in the house of his servant David. As he promised, by the lips of his holy prophets of old, salvation from our enemies and from the hands of all that hate us, showing mercy to our forefathers and mindful of his sacred covenant, this was the oath which he swore to our forefather Abraham, that we should be rescued from the hands of our enemies, and should serve him without fear in holiness and righteousness in his presence all our days. And thou, child, shalt be called prophet of the Most High, for thou shalt go before the Lord to make ready his way, to give to his people the knowledge of salvation in the forgiveness of their sins, through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the dawn will break on us from heaven, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and guide our feet into the way of peace. The child grew and became strong in spirit, and he lived in the wilds till the time came for his appearance before Israel. Chapter 2 About that time an edict was issued by the Emperor Augustus that a census should be taken of the whole empire. This was the first census taken while Quirinus was governor of Syria, and every one went to his own town to be registered. Among others Joseph went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Bethlehem, the town of David in Judea, because he belonged to the family and house of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed wife who was about to become a mother. While they were there her time came, and she gave birth to her first child, a son. And because there was no room for them in the inn, she swathed him round and laid him in a manger. In the same countryside were shepherds out in the open fields, watching their flocks that night, when an angel of the Lord suddenly stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone round them, and they were seized with fear. Have no fear, the angel said, for I bring you good news of a great joy in store for all the nation. This day there has been born to you in the town of David a Savior who is Christ and Lord, and this shall be the sign for you. You will find the infant swathed and lying in a manger. Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and singing glory to God on high and on earth peace among men in whom he finds pleasure. Now when the angels had left them and gone back to heaven, the shepherds said to one another, let us go at once to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened of which the Lord has told us. So they went quickly and found Mary and Joseph and the infant lying in a manger, and when they saw it they told of all that had been said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds were astonished at their story, while Mary treasured up all that they said and dwelt upon it in her thoughts. And the shepherds went back giving glory and praise to God for all that they had seen and heard as it had been told them. Eight days after the birth of the child, when it was time to circumcise him, he received the name Jesus, the name given him by the angel before his conception. When the period of purification of mother and child, enjoined by the law of Moses, came to an end, his parents took the child up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord in compliance with the law of the Lord, that every firstborn male shall be dedicated to the Lord, and also to offer the sacrifice enjoined in the law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons. There was at that time in Jerusalem a man named Simeon, a righteous and devout man who lived in constant expectation of the consolation of Israel and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not die until he had seen the Lord's Christ. Moved by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple courts, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon himself took the child in his arms and blessed God, and said, Now, Lord, thou wilt let thy servant go according to thy word in peace. For my eyes have seen the salvation which thou hast prepared in the sight of all nations, a light to bring light to the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. While the child's father and mother were wondering at what he said about him, Simeon gave them his blessing and said to Mary, the child's mother, This child is appointed to be the cause of the fall and rise of many in Israel, and to be a sign much spoken against. Yes, the sword will pierce your own heart. And so the thoughts of many minds will be disclosed. There was also a prophetess named Hannah, a daughter of Fanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was far advanced in years, having lived with her husband for seven years after marriage, and then a widow till she had reached the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple courts, but fasting and praying worshiped God night and day. At that moment she came up and began publicly to thank God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the deliverance of Jerusalem. When the child's parents had done everything and joined by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong and wise, and the blessing of God was upon him. Every year the child's parents used to go to Jerusalem at the Passover festival. When Jesus was twelve years old they went according to custom to Jerusalem and had finished their visit, but when they started to return the boy Jesus remained behind in Jerusalem without their knowing it. Thinking that he was with their fellow travelers they went one day's journey before searching for him among their relations and acquaintances, and then as they did not find him they returned to Jerusalem searching everywhere for him. It was not till the third day that they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, now listening to them, now asking them questions. All who listened to him marveled at his intelligence and his answers. His parents were amazed when they saw him, and his mother said to him, My child, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been searching for you in great distress. What made you search for me? he answered. Did you not know that I must be in my father's house? His parents did not understand what he meant. However he went down with them to Nazareth and submitted himself to their control, and his mother treasured all that was said in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom as he grew in years, and gained the blessing of God and men. Chapter 3 In the fifteenth year of the reign of the Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was Governor of Judea, Herod Ruler of Galilee, his brother Philip Ruler of the Territory comprising Iteria and Trachonitis, and Licenius Ruler of Abilene, and when Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, a command from God came to John, the son of Zechariah, while he was in the wilderness. And John went through the whole district of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism upon repentance for the forgiveness of sins. This was in fulfillment of what was said in the writings of the prophet Isaiah. The voice of one crying aloud in the wilderness, make ready the way of the Lord, make his path straight. Every chasm shall be filled, every mountain and hill shall be leveled, the winding ways shall be straightened, the rough roads made smooth, and all mankind shall see the salvation of God. And John said to the crowds that went to be baptized by him, you brood of vipers, who has prompted you to seek refuge from the coming judgment, let your lives then prove your repentance, and do not begin to say among yourselves, Abraham is our ancestor, for I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham. Already indeed the axe is lying at the root of the trees, therefore every tree that fails to bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. What are we to do then? the people asked. Let the man who has two coats, answered John, share with him who has none, and the man who has food do the same. Even tax-gatherers came to be baptized, and said to John, Teacher, what are we to do? Do not collect more than you have authority to demand, John answered. And when some soldiers on active service asked, and we, what are we to do? He said, never use violence or exact anything by false accusation, and be content with your pay. Then, while the people were in suspense and were all debating with themselves whether John could be the Christ, John, addressing them all, said, I indeed baptize you with water, but there is coming one more powerful than I, and I am not fit even to unfasten his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand, that he may clear his threshing floor and store the grain in his barn. But the chaff he will burn with inextinguishable fire. And so, with many different exhortations, John told his good news to the people. But Prince Herod, being rebuked by John, respecting Herodias, the wife of Herod's brother, and for all the evil things that he had done, crowned them all by shutting John up in prison. Now, after the baptism of all the people, and when Jesus had been baptized and was still praying, the heavens opened and the Holy Spirit descended in a visible form like a dove upon him, and from the heavens came a voice, Thou art my Son, the Beloved, in Thee I delight. When beginning his work, Jesus was about thirty years old. He was regarded as the son of Joseph, whose ancestors were Eli, Matith, Levi, Melchia, Janna, Joseph, Metathiah, Amos, Nahum, Azalaya, Noga, Matith, Matathiah, Shimei, Joseph, Josheh, Johanan, Coresa, Zarubabel, Shieltyel, Niraia, Melchia, Adi, Khosam, Elmadam, Ur, Joshua, Eleazar, Joram, Matith, Levi, Simeon, Judah, Joseph, Johanan, Eliakim, Malaya, Menon, Matithiah, Nathan, David, Jesse, Obid, Boaz, Sala, Nashon, Amenadab, Arnai, Hezran, Perez, Judah, Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Terra, Nehor, Serug, Rayu, Pilleg, Eber, Shila, Kinan, Arfaxid, Shem, Noah, Lamek, Methuselah, Enoch, Jared, Mahallel, Kinan, Enosh, Seth, and Adam, the Son of God. On returning from the Jordan, full of the Holy Spirit, Jesus was led by the power of the Spirit through the wilderness for forty days, tempted by the devil. All that time he ate nothing, and when it was over, he became hungry. So the devil said to him, If you are God's Son, tell this stone to become a loaf of bread. And Jesus answered him. Scripture says it is not on bread alone that man is to live. And the devil led Jesus up and showing him in a single moment all the kingdoms of the world, said to him, I will give you all this power and the splendor of them, for it has been given into my hands and I give it to whom I wish. If you therefore will do homage before me, it shall all be yours. And Jesus answered him. Scripture says, Thou shalt do homage to the Lord thy God and worship him only. The devil next led him into Jerusalem, and placing him on the parapet of the temple, said, If you are God's Son, throw yourself down from here, for Scripture says, He will give his angels commands about thee to guard thee safely, and on their hands they will aber thee lest ever thou shouldst strike thy foot against a stone. But Jesus answered him. It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. When he had tried every kind of temptation, the devil left Jesus till another opportunity. Moved by the power of the Spirit, Jesus returned to Galilee. Reports about him spread through all that neighborhood, and he began to teach in their synagogues and was honored by everyone. Coming to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, Jesus, as was his custom, went on the Sabbath into the synagogue and stood up to read the Scriptures. The book given him was that of the prophet Isaiah, and Jesus opened the book and found the place where it says, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has consecrated me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to captives and restoration of sight to the blind, to set the oppressed at liberty, to proclaim the accepted year of the Lord. Then, closing the book and returning it to the attendant, he sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed upon him, and Jesus began, This very day this passage has been fulfilled in your hearing. All who were present spoke well of him and were astonished at the beautiful words that fell from his lips. Is not he Joseph's son, they asked? Doubtless, said Jesus, you will remind me of the saying, Doctor, cure yourself, and you will say, Do here in your own country all that we have heard has been done at Capernaum. I tell you, he continued, that no prophet is acceptable in his own country. There were doubtless many widows in Israel in Elijah's days, when the heavens were closed for three years and six months, and a severe famine prevailed throughout the country, and yet it was not to one of them that Elijah was sent, but to a widow at Zarephath in Sedonia. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, yet it was not one of them who was made clean, but Naaman, the Syrian. All the people in the synagogue, as they listened to this, became enraged. Starting up they drove Jesus out of the town and led him to the brow of the hill on which their town stood, intending to hurl him down. But he passed through the middle of the crowd and went on his way. Then Jesus went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee. On the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching because his words were spoken with authority. In the synagogue there was a man with the spirit of a foul demon in him who called out loudly. Stop! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God! But Jesus rebuked the demon. Be silent. Come out of him, he said. The demon flung the man down in the middle of the people, and then came out of him without causing him further harm. And they were all lost in amazement and kept saying to one another, What words are these? For he gives his commands to the foul spirits with a marvellous authority, and they come out. And rumours about Jesus travelled through every place in the neighbourhood. On leaving the synagogue, Jesus went into Simon's house. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering from a severe attack of fever, and they asked Jesus to cure her. Benning over her he rebuked the fever. The fever left her, and she immediately got up and began to wait upon them. At sunset all who had friends suffering from various diseases took them to Jesus, and he placed his hands upon every one of them, and cured them. And even demons came out from many people screaming, You are the Son of God! Jesus rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ. At daybreak Jesus went out and walked to a lonely spot. But crowds of people began to look for him, and they came to where he was and tried to detain him and prevent his leaving them. Jesus however said to them, I must take the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, for that was why I was sent. And he continued to make his proclamation in the synagogues of Judea. End of introduction and chapters 1 through 4 The Gospel of Luke, chapters 5 through 9 from the 20th century New Testament This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org Recording by J. A. Carter, www.authenticlight.org The 20th century New Testament by a company of about 20 scholars The Gospel of Luke, chapters 5 through 9 Chapter 5 Once, when the people were pressing round Jesus as they listened to God's message, he happened to be standing by the shore of the lake of Gennesaret and saw two boats close to the shore. The fishermen had gone away from them and were washing the nets. So, getting into one of the boats which belonged to Simon, Jesus asked him to push off a little away from the shore and then sat down and taught the people from the boat. When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Push off into deep water and all throw out your nets for a haul. We've been hard at work all night, sir, answered Simon, and have not caught anything. But at your bidding, I will throw out the nets. They did so, and he closed such a great shoal of fish that their nets began to break, so they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both the boats so full of fish that they were almost sinking. When Simon Peter saw this, he threw himself down at Jesus' knees, exclaiming, Master, leave me, for I am a sinful man. For he and all who were with him were lost in amazement at the haul of fish which they had made, and so too were James and John's, Ebediah's sons, who were Simon's partners. Do not be afraid, Jesus said to Simon, from today you shall catch men. And when they had brought their boats to shore, they left everything and followed him. On one occasion, Jesus was staying in a town where he saw a man who was covered with leprosy. When the leper saw Jesus, he threw himself on his face and implored his help. Master, if only you are willing you are able to make me clean. Stretching out his hand, Jesus touched him, saying as he did, I am willing, become clean. Instantly the leprosy left the man, and then Jesus impressed upon him that he was not to say a word to anyone. But, he added, set out and show yourself to the priest, and make the offerings for your cleansing, and the manner directed by Moses as evidence of your cure. However, the story about Jesus spread all the more, and great crowds came together to listen to him and to be cured of their illnesses. But Jesus used to withdraw to lonely places and pray. On one of those days, when Jesus was teaching, some Pharisees and doctors of the law were sitting nearby. They had come from all the villages in Galilee and Judea, and from Jerusalem, and the power of the Lord was upon Jesus so that he could work cures. And there some men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed. They tried to get him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way of getting him in, owing to the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him through the tiles with his palette into the middle of the people and in front of Jesus. When he saw their faith, Jesus said, Friend, your sins have been forgiven you. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees began debating about this. Who is this man who speaks so blasphemously, they asked? Who can forgive sins except God? When Jesus became aware of the way in which they were debating, he turned to them and exclaimed, What are you debating with yourselves? Which is easier? To say, Your sins have been forgiven you? Or to say, Get up and walk about? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. Here he spoke to the paralyzed man. To you I say, Get up and take up your palette and go to your home. Instantly the man stood up before their eyes, took up what he had been lying on and went to his home praising God. The people, one and all, were lost in amazement and praised God and in great awe they said, We have seen marvelous things today. After this Jesus went out and noticed a tax collector named Levi sitting in the tax office and said to him, Follow me. Levi left everything and got up and followed him. And Levi gave a great entertainment at his house in honor of Jesus and a large number of tax gatherers and others were at table with them. The Pharisees and the teachers of the law belonging to their party complained of this to the disciples of Jesus. Why do you eat and drink with tax gatherers and outcasts? In answer Jesus said, It is not those who are well that need a doctor, but those who are ill. I have not come to call the religious but the outcast to repent. John's disciples they said to Jesus often fast and say prayers and so do the disciples of the Pharisees while yours are eating and drinking. But Jesus answered them, Can you make the bridegroom's friends fast while the bridegroom is with them? But the day will come, a time when the bridegroom will be parted from them and they will fast then when those days come. Then as an illustration Jesus said to them, No man ever tears a piece from a new garment and puts it upon an old one, for if he does he will not only tear the new garment but the piece from the new one will not match the old. And no man puts new wine into old wine skins for if he does the new wine will burst the skins and the wine itself will run out and the skins be lost. But new wine must be put into fresh skins. No man after drinking old wine wishes for new. No, he says, the old is excellent. Chapter 6 One Sabbath Jesus was walking through cornfields and his disciples were picking the ears of wheat and rubbing them in their hands and eating them. Why are you doing what it is not allowable to do on the Sabbath? asked some of the Pharisees. Jesus's answer was, Have you not read even of what David did when he was hungry he and his companions, that he went into the house of God and took the consecrated bread and ate it and gave some to his companions though only the priests are allowed to eat it? Then Jesus added, The son of man is Lord even of the Sabbath. On another Sabbath Jesus went into the synagogue and taught and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees watched Jesus closely to see if he would work cures on the Sabbath so that they might find a charge to bring against him. Jesus however knew what was in their minds and said to the man whose hand was withered, Stand up and come out into the middle. The man stood up and Jesus said to them, I ask you is it allowable to do good on the Sabbath or harm to save a life or let it perish? Then looking round at them all he said to the man stretch out your hand. The man did so and his hand had become sound. But the teachers of the law and the Pharisees were goaded to madness and consulted together what they could do to Jesus. Now about that time Jesus went out up the hill to pray and spent the whole night in prayer to God. When day came he summoned his disciples and chose twelve of them whom he also named apostles. They were Simon, whom Jesus also named Peter, and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James' son of Alphaeus, Simon known as the Zealot, Judas' son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who proved a traitor. Afterwards Jesus came down the hill with them and took his stand on a level place. With him were a large crowd of his disciples and great numbers of people from the whole of Judea, Jerusalem and the coast district of Tyre and Sidon who had come to hear him and to be restored to health. Those two who were troubled with foul spirits were cured and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because a power went out from him which restored them all. Then raising his eyes and looking at his disciples Jesus spoke as follows. Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you shall be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh. Blessed are you when men hate you and when they expel you from among them and taunt you and reject your name as an evil thing on account of the Son of Man. Then indeed you may be glad and dance for joy, for be sure that your reward in heaven will be great, for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. But alas for you who are rich, for you have had your comforts in full. Alas for you who are sated now, for you will hunger. Alas for you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Alas for you when all men speak well of you, for this is what their ancestors did to the false prophets. But to you who hear, I say, love your enemies. Show kindness to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who insult you. When a man gives one of you a blow on the cheek, offer the other cheek as well. And when anyone takes away your cloak, do not keep back your coat, either. Give to everyone who asks of you. And when anyone takes away what is yours, do not demand its return. Due to others, as you wish them to do to you. If you love only those who love you, what thanks will be due to you. Why, even the outcasts love those who love them. For if you show kindness only to those who show kindness to you, what thanks will be due to you? Even the outcasts do that. If you lend only to those from whom you expect to get something, what thanks will be due to you? Even the outcast lend to the outcast in the hope of getting as much in return. But love your enemies, and show them kindness, and lend to them, never despairing. Then your reward shall be great, and you shall be sons of the most high. For he is kind to the thankless and the bad. Learn to be merciful, just as your father is merciful. Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and others will give to you. A generous measure pressed and shaken down and running over, will they pour into your lap. For the measure that you meet will be meted out to you in return. Then, speaking in parables, Jesus said, Can one blind man guide another? Will they not both fall into a ditch? A scholar is not above his teacher, yet every finished scholar shall be like his teacher. And why do you look at the straw in your brother's eye, while you pay no attention at all to the beam in your own? How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take out the straw in your eye, while you yourself do not see the beam in your own. Hypocrite, take out the beam from your own eye first, and then you will see clearly how to take out the straw in your brother's. There is no such thing as a good tree bearing worthless fruit, or on the other hand a worthless tree bearing good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit. People do not gather figs off thorn bushes, or pick a bunch of grapes off a bramble. A good man from the good stores of his heart brings out what is good, while a bad man from his bad stores brings out what is bad, for what fills a man's heart will rise to his lips. Why do you call me master, master, and yet fail to do what I tell you? Everyone who comes to me and listens to my teaching and acts upon it, I will show you to whom he may be compared. He may be compared to a man building a house who dug and went deep and laid the foundation upon the rock. Then when a flood came the river swept down upon that house, but had no power to shake it because it had been built well. But those who have listened and not acted upon what they have heard, may be compared to a man who built a house on the ground without any foundation. The river swept down upon it, and the house immediately collapsed, and great was the crash that followed. When Jesus had brought to a conclusion all that he then had to say to the people, he entered Capernaum. A captain in the Roman army had a slave whom he valued, and who was seriously ill, almost to the point of death. And hearing about Jesus, he sent some Jewish counselors to him with the request that he would come and save his slave's life. When they found Jesus they earnestly implored him to do so. He is a man who deserves that you should show him this favour, they said, for he is devoted to our nation and himself built our synagogue for us. So Jesus went with them. But when he was no great distance from the house, the captain sent some friends with the message, Do not trouble yourself, sir, for I am unworthy to receive you under my roof. That is why I did not even venture to come to you myself. But speak, and let my man-servant be cured. For I myself am a man under the orders of others, with soldiers under me, and if I say to one of them go, he goes, and to another come, he comes, and to my slave do this, he does it. Jesus was surprised to hear these words from him, and turning to the crowd which was following him, he said, I tell you, nowhere in Israel have I met with such faith as this. And when the messengers returned to the house, they found the slave recovered. Shortly after, Jesus went to a town called Nain, his disciples in a great crowd going with him. Just as he approached the gate of the town, there was a dead man being carried out for burial, and only son and his mother was a widow. A large number of the people of the town were with her. When he saw her, the master was moved with compassion for her, and he said to her, Do not weep. Then he went up and touched the beer, and the bearers stopped. And Jesus said, Young man, I am speaking to you. Rise. The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus restored him to his mother. Everyone was awestruck and began praising God. A great prophet has risen among us, they said, and God has visited his people. And this story about Jesus spread all through Judea and in the neighboring countries as well. All these events were reported to John by his disciples, so he summoned two of them and sent them to the master to ask, Are you the coming one, or are we to look for someone else? When these men found Jesus, they said, John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, Are you the coming one, or are we to look for somebody else? At that very time Jesus had cured many people of diseases, afflictions, and wicked spirits, and had given many blind people their sight. So his answer to the question was, Go and report to John what you have witnessed and heard, the blind recover their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are made clean, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the good news is told to the poor, and blessed is the man who finds no hindrance in me. When John's messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John, What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed waving in the wind? If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in rich clothing? By those who are accustomed to fine clothes and luxury live in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and far more than a prophet. This is the very man of whom Scripture says, Behold, I am sending my messenger before thy face, and he shall prepare thy way before thee. There is, I tell you, no one born of a woman who is greater than John. And yet the lowest in the kingdom of God is greater than he. All the people when they heard this, and even the tax-gatherers, having accepted John's baptism, acknowledged the justice of God. But the Pharisees and the students of the law, having rejected John's baptism, frustrated God's purpose in regard to them. To what then, Jesus continued, shall I compare the people of this present generation? What are they like? They are like some little children who are sitting in the marketplace and calling out to one another. We have played the flute for you, but you have not danced. We have wailed, but you have not wept. For now that John the Baptist has come, not eating bread or drinking wine, you are saying he has a demon in him. And now that the Son of Man has come, eating and drinking, you are saying, here is a glutton and a wine-drinker, a friend of tax-gatherers and outcasts. And yet wisdom is vindicated by all her children. One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him. So Jesus went to his house and took his place at table. Just then a woman, who was an outcast in the town, having ascertained that Jesus was at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster jar of perfume and placed herself behind Jesus near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume. When the Pharisee, who had invited Jesus, saw this, he said to himself, Had this man been the prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him and that she is an outcast. But addressing him, Jesus said, Simon, I have something to say to you. Pray do so, teacher, Simon answered. And Jesus began, There were two people who were in debt to a moneylender, one owed fifty pounds and the other five, and as they were unable to pay he forgave them both. Which of them do you think will love him the more? I suppose, answered Simon, it will be the man to whom he forgave the greater debt. You are right, said Jesus. And then turning to the woman, he said to Simon, Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has made my feet wet with tears and dried them with her hair. You did not give me one kiss, but she, from the moment I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not anoint even my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfume. And for this I tell you her sins, many as they are, have been pardoned, because she has loved greatly. But one who has little pardoned him, loves but little. Then he said to the woman, Your sins have been pardoned. On this, those at table began to say to one another, Who is this man who even pardons sins? But Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you. Shortly afterwards, Jesus went on a journey through the towns and villages, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. With him went the twelve, as well as some women who had been cured of wicked spirits and of infirmities. They were Mary, known as Mary of Magdala, from whom seven demons had been expelled, and Joanna, the wife of Herod Steward Cousa, and Susanna, and many others, all of whom ministered to Jesus and his apostles out of their means. Once, when a great crowd was collecting, and when the people of town after town were flocking to Jesus, he spoke to them in the form of a parable. The sower went out to sow his seed, and as he was sowing, some of the seed fell along the path and was trodden upon, and the wild birds ate it up. Other seed fell upon rock, and as soon as it began to grow, having no moisture, withered away. Other seed fell in the middle of brambles, but the brambles grew up with it and choked it entirely. Other seed fell into rich soil, and grew and gave a hundred fold return. After saying this, Jesus cried aloud, that him who has ears to hear with, hear. His disciples asked Jesus the meaning of this parable. To you, he said, the knowledge of the hidden truths of the kingdom of God has been imparted, but to others, in parables only, that though they have eyes they may not see, and though they have ears they may not understand. This is the parable. The seed is God's message. By the seed which fell along the path, are meant those who hear the message, but then comes the devil, and carries away the message from their minds, to prevent their believing it and being saved. By the seed which fell upon the rock, are meant those who, as soon as they hear the message, welcome it joyfully, but they have no root, and believe it only for a time, and when the time of temptation comes, they draw back. By that which fell among the brambles, are meant those who hear the message, but who, as they go on their way, are completely choked by this world's cares, and wealth, and pleasures, and bring nothing to perfection. But by that in the good ground, are meant those who, having heard the message, keep it in the good, rich soil of their hearts, and patiently yield a return. No man sets light to a lamp, and then covers it with a bowl, or puts it underneath a couch, but he puts it on a lampstand, so that anyone who comes in may see the light. Nothing is hidden which will not be brought into the light of day, nor ever kept hidden, which will not some day become known, and come into the light of day. Take care, then, how you listen, for to all those who have, more will be given, while from all those who have nothing, even what they seem to have, will be taken away. Presently, Jesus's mother and brothers came where he was, but they were not able to join him on account of the crowd. So word was brought to him. Your mother and your brothers are standing outside wanting to see you. His reply, spoken to them all, was, My mother and my brothers are those who listen to God's teaching and do what it bids. One day, about that time, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, Let us go across the lake. So they put off. While they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A squall swept down upon the lake, and their boat was filling, and they were in danger. So the disciples came and roused him. Sir, sir, they cried, we are lost! Jesus rose and rebuked the wind, and the rushing waves, and they fell at a calm followed. Where is your faith? He exclaimed. But in great awe and amazement they said to one another, Who can this be? That he commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him. And they reached the country of the garrisons, which is on the opposite side to Galilee. And on getting ashore, Jesus met a man who had demons in him coming out of the town. For a long time this man had worn no clothing, and he had not lived in a house, but in the tombs. Catching sight of Jesus, he shrieked out and threw himself down before him, and in a loud voice exclaimed, What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I beseech you not to torment me. For Jesus was commanded in the Athal Spirit to come out from the man. On many occasions it had seized him, and even when secured with chains and fetters, and watched, he would break through anything that bound him, and be driven by the demon into the wilds. What is your name? Jesus asked. Legion, he answered, for many demons had taken possession of him, and the demons begged Jesus not to order them away into the bottomless pit. There was a drove of many pigs close by, feeding upon the hillside, and the demons begged Jesus to give them leave to enter into them. Jesus gave them leave. They came out from the man, and took possession of the pigs, and the drove, rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and were drowned. When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran away, and carried the news to the town and to the country round. The people went out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting clothed and in his right mind at Jesus' feet, and they were awestruck. Those who had seen it told them how the possessed man had been delivered, upon which all the people in the neighborhood of the garrisons asked Jesus to leave them, for they were terrified. Jesus got into a boat, and returned. The man from whom the demons had gone out begged Jesus to let him be with him, but Jesus sent him away. Go back to your home, he said, and relate the story of all that God has done for you. So the man went through the whole town, and proclaimed as he went, all that Jesus had done for him. On his return, Jesus was welcomed by the people, for everyone was looking out for him, and a man named Jairus, who was the president of the synagogue, came to Jesus, and threw himself at Jesus' feet with entreaties that he would come to his house, because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, the people were pressing, closely round him, and a woman, who had suffered from hemorrhage for twelve years, and whom no one could cure, came up behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. Instantly, the hemorrhage ceased. Who was it that touched me? Jesus asked, and while everyone was denying having done so, Peter exclaimed, Why, sir, the people are crowding round you and pressing upon you. Somebody touched me, said Jesus, for I felt that power had gone out from me. Then the woman, when she saw that she was discovered, came forward, trembling, and threw herself down before him, and in presence of all the people she told him her reason for touching him, and that she had been cured instantly. Daughter, he said, your faith has delivered you. Go, and peace be with you. Before he had finished speaking, someone came from the house of the president of the synagogue, and said, Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher further. But Jesus, hearing this, spoke to the president. Do not be afraid. Only have faith, and she shall yet be delivered. When he reached the house, he did not allow anyone to go in with him, except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother. And everyone was weeping and mourning for her. Do not weep, Jesus said. She is not dead. She is asleep. They began to laugh at him, for they knew that she was dead. But, taking her by the hand, Jesus said in a loud voice, Child, rise! The child's spirit returned to her, and she instantly stood up, and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat. Her parents were amazed, but Jesus impressed on them that they were not to tell anyone what had happened. Chapter 9 Jesus called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, as well as to cure diseases. He sent them out, as his messengers, to proclaim the kingdom of God and to work cures. Do not, he said to them, take anything for your journey, not even a staff, or a bag, or bread, or any silver, or a change of clothes with you. Whatever house you go to stay in, remain there and leave from that place. If people do not welcome you, as you leave that town, shake even the dust off your feet as a protest against them. Then they set out and went from village to village, telling the good news, and curing people everywhere. Prince Herod heard of all that was happening, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John must be risen from the dead. Some again said that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the old prophets had risen again. But Herod himself said, John, I beheaded, but who is this of whom I hear such things? And he endeavored to see him. When the apostles returned, they related to Jesus all that they had done. Then Jesus retired privately to a town called Bethsaida, taking the apostles with him. But the people recognized him, and followed him in crowds, and Jesus welcomed them, and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, while he cured those who were in need of help. The day was drawing to a close, when the twelve came up to him and said, Send the crowd away, so that they may make their way to the villages and farms round about, and find themselves lodgings and provisions, for we are in a lonely spot here. But Jesus said, It is for you to give them something to eat. We have not more than five loaves and two fishes, they answered, unless indeed we are to go and buy food for all these people, for the men among them were about five thousand. Get them seated in companies, was his reply, about fifty in each. This they did, and got all the people seated. Taking the five loaves and the two fishes, Jesus looked up to heaven, and said the blessing over them. Then he broke them in pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people. Everyone had sufficient to eat, and what was left of the broken pieces was picked up. Twelve baskets. Afterwards, when Jesus was alone praying, his disciples joined him, and he asked them this question. Who do the people say that I am? John the Baptist was their answer. Others, however, say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the old prophets has risen again. But you, he went on. Who do you say that I am? And to this Peter answered, The Christ of God. Jesus, however, strictly charged them not to say this to anyone. He told them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and be rejected by the counselors and chief priests and teachers of the law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day. And to all present he said, If any man wishes to walk in my steps, let him renounce self, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses his life, that man shall find it. What good does it do a man, if when he has gained the whole world, he is lost or forfeited himself? Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory, and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. Indeed, I tell you, some who are standing before me will not know death till they have seen the kingdom of God. About eight days after speaking these words, Jesus went up the mountain to pray, taking with him Peter, John, and James. As he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed, and his clothing became of a glittering whiteness. And all at once two men were talking with Jesus. They were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in a glorified state, and spoke of his departure, which was destined to take place at Jerusalem. Peter and his companions had been overpowered by sleep, but suddenly, becoming wide awake, they saw Jesus glorified, and the two men who were standing beside him. And as Moses and Elijah were passing away from Jesus, Peter exclaimed, Sir, it is good to be here. Let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah. He didn't know what he was saying. And while he was speaking, a cloud came down and enveloped them, and they were afraid as they passed into the cloud. And from the cloud came a voice, which said, This is my son, the chosen one, him you must hear. And as the voice ceased, Jesus was found alone. The apostles kept silence and told no one about any of these things that they had seen. The next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met Jesus. And just then a man in the crowd shouted out, Teacher, I entreat you to look at my son, for he is my only child. All at once a spirit will seize him, suddenly shriek out and throw him into convulsions till he foams and will leave him only when he is utterly exhausted. I entreated your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not. O faithless and perverse generation, Jesus exclaimed, How long must I be with you and have patience with you? Lead your son here. While the boy was coming up to Jesus, the demon dashed him down and threw him into convulsions, but Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and cured the boy and gave him back to his father. And all present were struck with awe at the majesty of God. In the midst of the general astonishment at all that Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples, Listen carefully to my words, for the son of man is destined to be betrayed into the hands of his fellow man. But the disciples did not understand the meaning of this. It had been concealed from them so that they did not see it, and they were afraid to question him as to what he meant. A discussion arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest. And Jesus, knowing of the discussion that was occupying their thoughts, took hold of a little child and placed it beside him, and then said to them, Anyone who for the sake of my name welcomes even this little child is welcoming me, and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his messenger, for whoever is lowliest among you all, that man is great. Thereupon John said, Sir, we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow you with us. None of you must prevent him, Jesus said to John. He who is not against you is for you. As the days before his being taken up to heaven were growing few, Jesus set his face resolutely in the direction of Jerusalem, and he sent on messengers in advance. On their way they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him, but the people there did not welcome him because his face was set in the direction of Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said, Master, do you wish us to call for fire to come down from the heavens and consume them? But Jesus turned and rebuked them, and they made their way to another village. And while they were on their way, a man said to Jesus, I will follow you wherever you go. Foxes have holes, he replied, and wild birds their roosting places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head. To another man, Jesus said, follow me. Let me first go and bury my father, said the man. But Jesus said, leave the dead to bury their dead, but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God. Master, said another, I will follow you, but first let me say goodbye to my family. But Jesus answered, no one who looks back after putting his hand to the plow is spitted for the Kingdom of God.