 9. I tell you indeed, he went on to declare, that there are some of those standing here who shall not taste of death until they see the kingdom of God appearing with power. And six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and went with him privately by themselves into a high mountain, and he was transformed in their presence, when his garments became sparkling bright, exceedingly white as snow, such as no bleacher on earth could whiten them. Elijah and Moses then appeared to them, and they conversed with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, How delightful it is to be here! Let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah! For he knew not what he should say, being as they were exceedingly terrified. A cloud also came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud. This is my son, my beloved, listen to him! And suddenly, looking round, they saw no one except Jesus alone with themselves, and while they were coming down from the mountain, he specially instructed them that they should disclose to no one what they had seen, until the son of man had risen from the dead. They however retained the event in their memory, puzzling themselves about this rising from the dead. They also asked him, Why do the professors say that Elijah must come first? Elijah, certainly coming first, will restore all, he replied, and how is it written about the son of man, that he must suffer much, and be treated with contempt? I tell you, however, that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they liked, as it was written about him. Coming then to his disciples, he observed a great mob around them, and the professors engaged in discussion with them, but as soon as they saw him, all the crowd were much astonished, and rushing forward they saluted him. He then inquired of the professors, What are you arguing against them? Teacher, one of them answered, I brought to you my son, who has a speechless spirit in possession of him, and whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, when he foams and grinds his teeth, and he wastes away. I accordingly asked your disciples to expel it, but they have not the power. What a skeptical race, he exclaimed in reply, Until when must I remain with you? Until when must I be burdened with you? Telling him to me, they accordingly brought him to him, and on seeing him, the spirit at once convulsed him painfully, and falling upon the ground, he wallowed, foaming. He then asked his father, What length of time is it since this came to him? From childhood, he replied, and it often throws him into the fire, and into the water, so that it may put an end to him. If however anything is possible, have pity on us, and help us. That depends upon yourself, said Jesus to him, If you only believe, all is possible to the believer. I do believe, exclaimed the father at once, Sucker me in my unbelief. Seeing however that the crowd rushed together, Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, Use speechless and deaf spirit, I command you to go out of him and never enter him again. Then shrieking and convulsing him, it took its departure, and he became as if dead, so that many said, He is dead! But Jesus took his hand, lifting him, and he stood up. And having entered a house, his disciples asked him privately, Why were we powerless to cast him out? This sort can only be expelled by means of prayer and fasting. He told them in reply, Then going away from there, they traveled through Galilee, and he did not wish anyone to know it, because he was teaching his disciples and repeating to them that The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will murder him. But having been murdered, he will rise again after three days. They did not however comprehend this statement, and they were afraid to ask him. When they had come to Capernaum, and had entered the house, he asked them, What were you discussing among yourselves on the road? But they kept silent, because upon the journey they had been arguing as to who was the greatest. Then sitting down, he called the twelve, and said to them, If anyone wishes to be first, let him be the last and the attendant upon all. And taking a little child, he placed it in the midst of them, and caressing it, he said to them, If anyone shall accept one child such as this for my namesake, he accepts me, and if anyone accepts me, he accepts not myself only, but my sender. John said to him, Teacher, we saw a man casting out demons by means of your name, and we forbade him, because he was not one of our followers. Jesus however said, Do not forbid him, for no one who works a miracle in my name can easily speak ill of me, because he who is not against us is upon our side. And whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of the Messiah, I tell you indeed, that he shall by no means go unrewarded. And on the other hand, whoever causes one of the weakest believers in me to fall, it would be much better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and be flung into the sea. If even your hand should cause you to fall, cut it off, it will be better for you to enter into life maimed than possessing both hands to go into Gehenna into the inextinguishable fire, where their worm never ends and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot leads you astray, cut it off, it will be better for you to enter into life lame than having two feet to be flung into Gehenna into the inextinguishable fire, where their worm never ends and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye makes you fall, throw it away, it will be better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with but one eye than possessing both eyes to be thrown into the fire of Gehenna where their worm never ends and the fire is not quenched. For everyone shall be salted by fire, as every sacrifice is salted with salt. Salt is useful, but if the salt rock should become saltless, how can itself be seasoned? Have salt in yourselves, and live at peace together. CHAPTER X Arising from there, he then proceeded to the borders of Judea by way of the farther side of the Jordan, and a crowd again rushed together about him, and, as was his custom, he again taught them. The Pharisees also approached him with the inquiry. Is it legal for a man to repudiate his wife, thus testing him? What did Moses order you, he asked them in reply? Moses, they answered, gave permission to secure a divorce and to send her away. Because of your brutality he wrote you that order, said Jesus to them, but God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. On account of this a man must leave his father and his mother and cling to his wife, and the two shall be as one body so that they are no more two, but a single body. What therefore God has yoked together, let man not separate. While in the house his disciples again asked him about this statement, and he answered them. Whoever may repudiate his wife and marry another commits adultery against her, and if a woman should repudiate her husband and marry another, she commits adultery. And when they were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, his disciples repelled those who brought them, but Jesus, seeing it, became indignant and said to them, Allow the little children to come to me and do not prevent them, for of such is the kingdom of God. I tell you indeed that whoever does not accept the kingdom of God like a little child, he can never by any means enter it. Then having caressed them, placing his hands upon them, he blessed them. And as he was going out into the road, one ran up to him, and kneeling to him asked him, Perfect teacher, what shall I do to inherit everlasting life? Why do you call me perfect? Asked Jesus in reply, None but one is perfect, God alone. You know the commands, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not commit perjury, you shall not cheat, honor your father and mother. Teacher, he replied, All these I have observed from my youth. Jesus then, gazing at him, admired him and said, One thing is missing in you. Go away, sell whatever you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then follow me, carrying the cross. But he became crestfallen at that idea and went away grieving, for he possessed many estates. Jesus then, looking round, remarked to his disciples, With what difficulty can those who possess wealth enter the kingdom of God? His disciples, however, were amazed at his language, but Jesus, speaking to them again, said, Children, how hard it is for those who rely upon their wealth to enter the kingdom of God. It is easier for a camel to pass through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. They were then still more astonished than before, saying to one another, Who then can be saved? Jesus gazing at them replied, By human power it is impossible, but not with the help of God, for with God everything is possible. Peter then began to say to him, Why, we have abandoned all and followed you. I tell you indeed, said Jesus in reply, That no one who has abandoned home, or brothers or sisters, or father or mother, or wife or children or lands, on account of me and the good news, but will receive a hundredfold in the present time, with homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands, together with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. But many first will be last, and the last first. They were now on the road going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going in advance of them. And they were astonished and followed him in terror. Then calling the twelve to him, he again began to tell them what would befall him in the future. Now said he, We are going up to Jerusalem, and the son of man will be betrayed to the chief priests and professors. And they will condemn him to death, and hand him over to the heathen. They will also insult him, lash him, spit upon him, eye, and murder him. Yet at the close of three days he will rise again. James and John, the two sons of Zebedee, then approached him, saying, Teacher, we would like you to do for us whatever we may ask you. What do you wish me to do for you? He asked them. Grant us, they replied, that in your majesty we may be seated, the one upon your right hand, and the other upon your left. You know not what you ask, said Jesus to them. Are you able to drink the cup of which I drink, or to be baptized in the baptism in which I shall be baptized? We are able, was their reply. Jesus however said to them, You shall certainly drink of the cup of which I drink, and you shall be baptized with a baptism in which I shall be baptized. But to sit upon my right hand, or upon my left, is not mine to give, except to those for whom it is prepared. And when the ten heard it, they were very indignant concerning James and John. But Jesus, calling them to him, said to them, You know that those chosen to govern the heathen lorded over them, and their nobles also dominere over them. But it must not be so among you. On the contrary, if anyone wishes to take rank among you, let him become your servant, and whoever among you wishes to be exalted to a leadership, let him be slave for all. For indeed the son of man came not to be served, but on the contrary, to serve, and to sacrifice his life a ransom for many. Then they arrived at Jericho, and as he was leaving Jericho with his disciples and a great crowd, Bar Timaeus, a blind man, the son of Timaeus, sat by the roadside, begging. And hearing that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to call out and say, Jesus, son of David, pity me! And many reproved him to make him keep silent, but he rather called out more loudly, oh, son of David, do pity me! Jesus then, standing still, said, call him. So hailing the blind man, they said to him, take heart, get up, he calls you. Throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came toward Jesus. What do you wish that I should do for you? Jesus asked him. Great master, the blind man answered him, that I may see again. Go away, said Jesus in reply to him. Your faith has saved you. And he saw again immediately and followed Jesus along the road. CHAPTER XI. And when they drew near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany towards the Mount of Olives, he sent forward two of his disciples, instructing them, go into the village opposite you, and as soon as you enter it you will find a cult upon which no man has ever been seated. Unfassin' it and bring it. And should anyone ask you, why are you doing this? Reply, because the master has need of it, and he will at once send it. They accordingly went and found a cult tied up against the door outside in the open street, and they unfassin' it, and some of those who were standing about asked them, what are you doing untieing that cult? They answered just as Jesus had instructed them, they then allowed them, and they took the cult to Jesus and throwing their cloaks over it, he took his seat upon it. Then many spread their cloaks upon the road, while others cut off foliage from the trees and scattered them upon the pathway, and those in advance and those in the rear shouted, exclaiming, HOZANA! BELESSED IS THE ONE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! BELESSED BE THE APPROACHING KINGDOM OF OUR FATHER DAVEN! HOZANA! IN THE HIGHEST! Then entering Jerusalem and the temple he examined everything, but it being now late he returned again to Bethany together with the twelve, and on the morning following when leaving Bethany he was hungry, and seeing at a distance a fig tree with leaves he went to see if he could find anything upon it. On coming to it however he found nothing but leaves, for it was not a good fig here. Then addressing it he said, NEVER FROM NOW LET ANYONE EAT FRUIT FROM YOU! And his disciples heard him. They then arrived at Jerusalem, and Jesus entering the temple began to expel the buyers and sellers from the temple, overturning the tables of the moneybrokers as well as the stands of the pigeon dealers. While he would not allow anyone to carry an article through the temple he also taught, saying to them, IS IT NOT RITTEN? MY HOUSE SHALL BE SUT APART AS A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS, BUT YOU HAVE TURNED IT INTO A CAVE OF ROBBERS! When the chief priests and professors heard it, however, they planned how they could murder him, for they were afraid of him, because all the masses were struck with admiration at his teaching, but when evening came he went out of the city. When returning in the early morning they observed the fig tree withered from the root, and Peter, remembering, said to him, RAP I LUCK! THE FIG TREE WHICH YOU DENOUNCED IS WITHERED! JESUS ADDRESSING THEM THEN SAID, HAVE FAITH IN GOD! I TELL YOU INDEED THAT IF YOU SHOULD SAY TO THIS MOUNTAIN, BE TAKEN AWAY AND FLUNG INTO THE SEA, AND SHOULD NOT DOUBT IN YOUR HEART, BUT BELIEVE THAT WHAT YOU SAY THEY COULD BE, IT WILL BE DONE AS YOU SHALL SAY. I therefore tell you that whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it, and it shall come to you. And when you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive it, so that your Father who is in Heaven may forgive you your own trespasses. But if you will not forgive, your Father who is in Heaven will not forgive your trespasses. When they returned to Jerusalem, and while he was walking in the temple, the chief priests, professors, and elders approached and asked him, By what authority do you do this? And who gave you that authority so that you should do it? I will myself ask you one question, said Jesus in reply to them, and on answering me, I will in return give you my authority for acting as I do. Was the baptism of John from Heaven or from men? Can you answer me? They accordingly consulted privately among themselves, saying, If we answer from Heaven, he will ask, Why then did you not believe him? But should we say from men? They dreaded the people, because all believed that John was really a prophet. In reply they therefore said to Jesus, We do not know! And Jesus answering said to them, Neither do I tell you by what authority I act in this way. CHAPTER 12 He now began to speak to them in parables. A man, he said, planted a vineyard, surrounded it with a fence, dug out a wine vat, built a watchtower, let it out to cultivators, and took his departure. And at the right time he sent a messenger to the tenants in order that he might receive from the tenants the rent of the vineyard. But seizing him, they lashed him and sent him away without anything. Again he sent another messenger to them, but at him they threw stones, injured his head, and maltreated him most disgracefully. Then he sent still another, and they murdered him. And of many others some were lashed and some murdered. Having still a very dearly loved son, he even sent him to them at the last, thinking, They will surely respect my son. But the cultivators said to one another, Since this fellow is the heir, come on, let us murder him and the estate will be our own. Then seizing him, they murdered him and flung him outside the vineyard. What therefore will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and put an end to these tenants and hand the vineyard over to others. Was there reply? Then did you never read the scripture? A stone which the builders rejected. That same one was made the chief keystone. It was done by the Lord and is wonderful in our eyes. And they longed to arrest him, but they dreaded the crowd, for they perceived that he had spoken the parable against themselves. So leaving him alone, they took their departure. They then sent to him some of the Pharisees, and of the Herodians, so that they might ensnare him in discussion. And when they came, they said to him, Teacher, we know that you are to be trusted and that you are partial to none, for you do not study a man's face, but on the contrary, truthfully teach the way of God. Is it right to pay tribute to Caesar or not? Shall we pay, or ought we not to pay? He however, knowing their deception, replied, Why do you tempt me? Bring me a denarius, so that I may see it. And on their producing one he asked them, Who is this portrait and inscription? Caesar's, was their reply. Jesus then answered them, Give back to Caesar, Caesar's own, and to God what belongs to God. And they were very much surprised at him. The Sadducees, who hold that there is no resurrection, afterwards came to him with a question, Teacher, Moses wrote for us that if anyone dies, leaving a wife childless, then his brother must take his widow and rear children to his brother. There were seven brothers, and the first took a wife and died without leaving offspring. And the second married her and died, leaving no children behind him. So also the third. Indeed, the whole seven married her and left no children. Last of all, the woman also died. In the resurrection, therefore, when they will all rise, of which one of them will she be the wife? For all the seven married that woman? Are you not in deep error respecting this, said Jesus in reply to them, on account of your ignorance of the scriptures and the power of God? Because when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as angels in heaven. But with respect to the dead, that they are raised, have you not read in the Book of Moses how God spoke to him at the bush, saying, I, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of dead, but of living men. You are consequently greatly mistaken. One of the professors, hearing their discussion and finding that he had answered them well, now asked him, what is the most important of all the commands? The first, answered Jesus, is Israel, listen. The Lord our God is one Lord, and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and all your soul, and all your intellect, and all your strength. That is the first command, and the second is like it. You shall love your neighbor as your own self. No other commands are greater than these. The professor then said to him, Teacher, you have spoken the truth admirably, for when he is, and apart from him there is no other, and to love him with all the heart, and with all the intellect, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is better than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus, seeing that he answered intelligently, said to him, Ha ha ha, you are not far from the kingdom of God. After that, none dared again to question him. Now while teaching in the temple, Jesus inquired, how can the professor say that the Messiah is a son of David? David himself, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, said, the Lord said to my Lord, be seated on my right hand until I place your enemies beneath your feet. David himself calls him his Lord. In what way is he then his son? And the many listened to him with the greatest of pleasure. In the course of his teaching he told them, be on your guard against the professors who delight to walk about in flowing robes, to be addressed in the markets who secure the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They desolate the homes of widows and then gabble long prayers by way of extinuation. Their punishment, however, will be all the more severe. While seated opposite the treasury, Jesus observed how the crowd threw money into the treasure chest, and much was thrown into it by the rich people. A poor widow coming up, however, put in two lepta, which make a codrantes. Then calling his disciples, he said to them, I tell you indeed that this same poor woman has put more into the treasury than all the others, for they all gave but a part of their superfluity, while she in her poverty threw in all she possessed, the whole of her living. The end of chapters 9 through 12, recording by Mark Penfold. CHAPTERS 13 THROUGH 16 OF THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK, FROM THE NEW TESTIMENT IN MODERN INGLISH, TRANSLATED BY FERRAR FENTON. THIS LIBRAVOX RECORDING IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. CHAPTER XIII And as he was leaving the temple, one of his disciples said to him, Teacher, just see these large stones and magnificent buildings! Do you see these great buildings? remarked Jesus in reply to him, there will not be one stone left upon another except in ruins. And while he was resting upon the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to him privately, asking, Tell us when this will be, and what is the sign of the accomplishment of these events? In reply Jesus began to say to them, Be on your guard, for fear anyone should lead you astray. Many will come in my name, declaring, I am, and will mislead many. But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be afraid, for they must of necessity come. Though that is not the end. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. In many places there will be earthquakes, there will be famines and riots, these however are but the birth pangs. But you, take care of yourselves, for they will deliver you up to tribunals, you will be lashed in synagogues, and arraigned before governors and kings as evidence to them about me. The good news, however, must first be proclaimed among all the heathen, and when they arrest you and hand you over, do not get distracted with anxiety beforehand as to how you can defend yourselves, neither be distressed, but in that hour speak whatever may be then given to you. Because you are not the speakers, but the Holy Spirit. Brother shall then deliver brother to death and the father his child, while children will rise up against parents and bring them to death. And because of my name you will be hated above all men, but whoever holds out to the end shall be saved. When however you see the brutal desolator spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing where it ought not, let the reader comprehend. Then let those in Judea take flight to the hills, and let him who is upon the balcony not descend into the house, nor enter it to take anything from his own dwelling. And whoever is in the field, let him not turn round to pick up his cloak. But alas for those with child, and for the nursing women in those days, and pray especially that your flight may not take place during the winter, for in those days there will be affliction such as has never been known since the beginning of the creation which God created until now, and such as shall never be again. And unless the Lord had cut short those times none could be saved, yet for the sake of the elect whom he has chosen he has shortened those days. Then if any one should say to you, Look, the Messiah is here, or there he is, believe it not. For false messiahs and false prophets shall make their appearance and shall give out signs and wonders to lead astray if it were possible, even the elect. But you be on your guard, because I have foretold you all. In those days, however, after that affliction the sun will be darkened, the moon will cease to shine, the stars of the sky will be disappearing, and the powers of the heavens will be convulsed. And then they will see the Son of Man appearing in the clouds with transcendent power and majesty, and he will then send out his messengers to collect the chosen ones from the four winds from the extremity of the earth to the farthest bounds of heaven. Learn now from the fig tree this lesson. When its branch becomes soft and the leaves sprout, you recognize that the summer approaches, and so also when you see these events you will know that they are near to the doors. I tell you indeed that this generation shall not pass away until all this is accomplished. The heaven and the earth will pass away, but my declarations will remain. About that day or hour, however, none know, not even the angels in heaven, neither the sun, none but the Father. Be on your guard, watch and pray, because you do not know when the time is. Like a man traveling abroad, on leaving his house and giving instructions to his servants to each one his own task and ordering the porter that he should keep guard, be on the alert, for you do not know when the master of the house will come, whether in the evening or at midnight or at dawn or in the morning. Coming suddenly he may find you asleep, but what I say to you, I say to all, be on the alert. CHAPTER XIV It was now the Passover and the feast of unfermented bread had two days later, and the chief priests and professors planned how they might arrest him by treachery and murder him, for they said, Not during the festival, for fear a riot might break out among the mob. And while he was in Bethany reclining at food in the house of Simon the Lepper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very valuable perfume, and having opened the jar she poured it over his head, but there were some who grumbled among themselves, saying, To what purpose is all this waste of the perfume? Why this oil might have been sold for over three hundred denarii and given to the poor, and they grumbled at her. Jesus however said, Leave her alone, why do you grieve her? To me she has done a noble act, the poor you always have with you, and you can render them a service whenever you feel inclined, but me you have not always. She has done all she could, she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. Indeed I tell you that wherever this good news may be proclaimed throughout the whole world, what this woman has done shall be related in memory of her. Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went off to the chief priests in order that he might betray him to them, and when they learned it they were delighted and promised to reward him with money, he accordingly planned how he might conveniently hand him over. And on the first day of the unfermented bread, when the Passover is offered, his disciples said to him, Where do you desire us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover? He accordingly sent two of his disciples, instructing them, Go into the city, and there a man will meet you carrying a jar of water, follow him. And wherever he may enter, say to the master of the house that our teacher says, Where is the dining-room where I can eat the Passover with my disciples, and he will himself show you a large upper room, ready furnished, get in readiness for us there? And his disciples departed and came into the city, and finding just as he had told them, they prepared for the Passover, and when the evening arrived he came with the twelve, and while they were reclining and eating, Jesus said to them, Indeed, I tell you, that one of you who is eating with me shall betray me, and they began to grieve and to say to him one by one, Never I! One of the twelve, he answered them, Who dips in the dish with me, for the son of man departs as it was written about him, but alas for that man by whose means the son of man shall be betrayed, better for him if that man had never been born. And while they were eating, Jesus took a loaf, and having offered a blessing, he broke it and handed to them, saying, Take it, eat it, this is my body. Then taking the cup and having blessed, he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. See note in Matthew chapter twenty-six, verse twenty-eight. He then said to them, This is my blood, that of the new settlement shed for many. I tell you indeed that I will not again drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God. And singing a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. Jesus then said to them, You will all be ashamed of me tonight, because it is written, I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered. After I am risen, however, I will go before you into Galilee. But Peter replied, Even if all are ashamed of you, yet I will not be. I tell you indeed, said Jesus to him, You yourself today on this very night before the bugle sounds twice will have thrice denied me. But he exclaimed still more emphatically, Even if it is necessary for me to die with you, I will never deny you. And all the others said the same thing. They then arrived at a garden bearing the name of Gethsemane, and speaking to his disciples he said, Sit here, while I go forward to pray. Taking with him Peter, James and John, he began to be agitated and agonized, and he said to them, My soul is sick, even to death. You stay here and keep guard. Then going a little farther, he fell upon the ground and he prayed that if it were possible, that our might pass away from him. And he cried out, Abba, Father, all is possible to you. Take this cup away from me. Not however what I will, but what you will. Then returning, he found them sleeping and said to Peter, Simon, Are you asleep? Have you not strength to watch a single hour? Watch and pray that you may not fall into temptation. Your spirit is ready, but your flesh weak. And going away, he prayed, uttering the same words. Then returning, he again found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy, and they knew not what to answer him. Then returning the third time, he said to them, Sleep on now and refresh yourselves. It has passed, the hour comes. Now the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise, let us go forward. My betrayer is at hand. And immediately as he was speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, approached with a great crowd carrying swords and staves set by the chief priests, professors, and elders. Now his betrayer had given them a token, saying, The one I shall kiss, that is he, arrest him at once and lead him safely away. And approaching with all speed, he at once went to him, saluting him with rabbi, rabbi, and fervently kissed him. They accordingly arrested him and took him. But one of the bystanders, drawing his sword, struck the officer of the high priest, and cut off a part of his ear. Jesus addressing them, however, said, Have you come out as though against a robber with swords and staves to arrest me? I was daily with you, teaching in the temple, and you did not arrest me. But thus are the scriptures fulfilled. Then leaving him, they all fled. Yet one of them, a young man, followed him, with a shawl over him to hide his nakedness, and the lads caught hold of him. But leaving the shawl, he fled naked. They now conducted Jesus to the high priest, and there collected to him all the chief priests, the elders, and the professors. But Peter followed him at a distance, and even into the court of the high priest, and he took a seat with the officers, and warmed himself by the fire. Now the professors and the whole council sought out evidence against Jesus with the object of condemning him to death, but they found none. For although many false witnesses came forward, their evidence did not agree. Other liars then came forward, asserting that they heard him saying, I will demolish this handmaid temple, and in three days I will construct another without hand labor. But even in this their evidence did not agree. The high priest then standing up among them questioned Jesus, asking, Have you nothing to say in your defense? What is all this that they charge against you? But he continued silent, answering nothing. The high priest again questioned him, asking, Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed? I am, said Jesus in reply, and you shall see the Son of Man seated upon the right of that power and coming in the clouds of heaven. The high priest thereupon tore his robes, exclaiming, What need have we of further witnesses? You have hurt his blasphemy. How does it appear to you? They all decided that he was liable to be put to death and some began to spit upon him, others to blindfold him, and striking him on the head asked him to prophesy, while the officers struck him with their staves. And while Peter was seated at the back of the court, one of the girls of the high priest came forward and noticing Peter warming himself, she gazed upon him and said, Why? You are with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied saying, I neither know nor understand what you say. And he went out into the passage and the bugle sounded. But the same girl, seeing him again, began to say to the bystanders, This fellow belongs to them. But he again denied it. After a little, however, the bystanders said to Peter, You are certainly one of them, for you are a Galilean. Then Peter began to curse and to swear saying, I do not even know the man you talk about. And again the bugle sounded. Peter then called to remembrance the prediction of Jesus when he told him, Before the bugle sounds twice, you will have denied me thrice. And rushing out, he wept. Chapter 15. And as soon as the morning arrived, the chief priests, elders, and professors, and the whole Senate held a conference and binding Jesus, they led him away and delivered him over to Pilate. Then Pilate inquired of him, Are you the king of the Jews? You say so, Jesus replied. The chief priests then brought many accusations against him, Pilate again asked him, Can you say nothing in defense? See how many charges they bring against you. But even then Jesus said nothing in reply so that Pilate was much astonished. Now at festival time it was customary for him to liberate for them one prisoner, whoever they might ask for. And there was one named Bar Abbas, imprisoned with the rebels who had committed murder in the rebellion. And the mob began to yell out, demanding him to do what he had been accustomed to do for them. Well, said Pilate in reply to them, Do you wish me to liberate for you the king of the Jews? For he perceived that it was through malice that the chief priests had arraigned him, but the chief priests incited the mob to ask that he might rather liberate Bar Abbas. Pilate however then said to them again, What then do you wish that I should do with him whom you call the king of the Jews? Crucify him, they shouted in reply, Why, what crime has he committed? Pilate asked them again. Crucify him, they yelled out more fiercely than before. Then Pilate deciding to satisfy the mob liberated Bar Abbas and after flogging Jesus handed him over to be crucified. And the soldiers led him into the courtyard known as the palace where they mustered all the troops and they arrayed him in a purple robe and crowned him with a crown of plated thorns and began to salute him with, Good health to the king of the Jews. While at the same time they kept striking him upon the head with a stick spitting upon him and bowing before him in homage. And when they had insulted him, they took from off him the purple robe, clad him in his own attire and led him out for crucifixion. And they seized a passerby from the country, Simon the Cyrenian, the father of Alexander and Rufus to accompany them in order that he might carry the cross. And they took him on to Golgotha, which means Skoll field. And they offered him wine medicated with myrrh but he refused to drink it. They then crucified him and divided his clothing among them casting lots what each should take. It was about nine o'clock when they crucified him and the inscription of the indictment written over him was the king of the Judeans. And with him they crucified two robbers, one on his right and one on his left and thus was fulfilled the scripture which says he was cataloged with criminals. The passersby also railed at him shaking their heads and exclaiming, aha, you demolisher of the temple and rebuilder in three days, now save yourself and come down from the cross. The chief priests also sneered among themselves with the professors and remarked, he saved others, he cannot save himself. You messiah, you king of Israel, descend now from the cross so that we may see it and we will believe. And those crucified with him cursed him. And when 12 o'clock arrived, there was darkness over all the land until three o'clock and at three o'clock Jesus cried out with a loud voice. L-O-I, L-O-I, I must be back tonight. Which when translated means my God, my God, to what have you abandoned me? Then some of the spectators hearing it exclaimed, see, he calls Elijah. But one of them ran and filled a sponge with sour wine and placing it upon a cane, offered it to him to drink saying, let him alone. Let us see if Elijah will come to deliver him. Jesus having given utterance to a deep groan, yielded up his spirit. The veil of the temple was then torn in two from the top to the bottom. And when the captain on guard opposite to him saw that he thus expired, he exclaimed, this man was undoubtedly a son of a God. And there were also women looking on from a distance, among whom were Mary the Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Little, and Josie's and Salome, who when he was in Galilee were his followers and ministered to him. And many other women also went up with him to Jerusalem. And evening having now arrived, following which was the preparation, that is the day preceding the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathea, a much esteemed nobleman who was himself expecting the kingdom of God, came and went boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. But Pilate wondered if he were yet dead and summoning the captain, he inquired if he were already dead. And ascertaining it from the captain, he presented the corpse to Joseph, who, having taken it down, wrapped it in a fine linen shroud which he had bought and placed it in a tomb which he had hewn out of a rock. And he rolled a large stone over the entrance to the tomb. And Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joseph took note of where it was placed. Chapter 16. Now when the Sabbath was over, Mary the Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought aromatic spices so that they might embalm him. And at very early dawn, following the Sabbaths, they came to the tomb as the sun was rising. And they were saying among themselves, who will roll away for us the stone from the entrance of the tomb? Looking about, however, they saw that the stone had been rolled back for it was very large. Then entering the tomb, they saw a youth seated upon the right, attired in a robe of light, and they were awestruck. Be not startled, he said to them. You search for Jesus, the Nazarene, the crucified. He is risen, he is not here. Look at the spot where they laid him. Go, however, tell his disciples and Peter that he will go before you into Galilee. You will see him there as he told you. Then hastening out, they ran from the tomb. For possessed as they were by trembling and ecstasy, they said nothing to anyone. They were afraid for, note, the following fourteen verses are omitted from the older manuscripts. They differ greatly in style and language from the rest of the book. And on this account it has been supposed that they were added by a later hand. Alford expresses the opinion that, quote, in all probability they formed no part of Mark's original gospel, close quote. See also Westcott and Horace, Greek Testament. I would suggest that these three so-called endings of St. Mark's gospel are simply notes of ancient copyists or editors. Farar Fenton. However, having risen at the dawn of the first day following the Sabbath, he first appeared to marry the Magdalene out of whom he had cast seven demons. She went and reported it to his companions as they were mourning and weeping. But they, when they heard that he lived and had been seen by her, disbelieved it. After this, however, when two of them were walking along, going out into the country, he was manifested in another form and they, turning back, reported it to the others. But neither did they believe them. At last he was manifested to the eleven themselves as they were seated together at a meal and he reproached them with their unbelieve and hard-heartedness because they did not believe those who had seen him after he was risen. And he said to them, go out into all parts of the world and proclaim the good news to the whole creation. The one who believes and is baptized shall be saved, but the unbelieving shall be condemned, and to the believing these signs shall follow. They shall cast out demons in my name, they shall speak in new languages, they shall handle serpents, and if they were to drink poison, it would not in any way injure them. They shall lay their hands upon the sick and fully restore them to strength. Now, after the Lord Jesus had discoursed with them, he was taken up into heaven and took his seat at God's right hand and they went out and proclaimed it everywhere, the Lord energizing them and confirming the message by the signs which followed. But they reported all these events briefly to those about Peter. After that, however, Jesus himself sent out by them the holy and incorruptible proclamation of the everlasting salvation from the East to the West. Amen! And the end of the Gospel according to Mark. Recording by Mark Penfold.