The Gospel of Mark for Readers
Author: Unknown
Date: 2004-09-02T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Bible. Mark

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Title: The Gospel of Mark for Readers

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Release date: September 1, 2004 [eBook #6530]
Most recently updated: August 21, 2012

Language: English

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The Gospel of Mark
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1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger who shall prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. After confessing their sins many from the land of Judaea and from Jerusalem were baptized by him in the river of Jordan.

John was clothed with camel's hair and wore animal hides around his loins and he ate locusts and wild honey. He preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water but He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.

And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the river of Jordan. Immediately, upon His coming up out of the water, John saw the heavens open and the Spirit, like a dove, descend upon Him. And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.

The spirit drove Him into the wilderness. There, among wild beasts, He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Then the angels ministered to Him. Now, after that, John was put in prison and Jesus came into Galilee. He began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.

He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.

When He had gone on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in a boat mending their nets. Jesus called them. They immediately left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him.

They went into Capernaum. On the sabbath day He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught them as one with authority and not as the scribes. And in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out and said, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him and said, Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.

The people were amazed, so much so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? He even commands with authority the unclean spirits and they obey Him. Immediately His fame spread throughout the region around Galilee.

After they left the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and presently they told Jesus about her. He came and took her by the hand. Then He lifted her up and, immediately, the fever left her. And she, then, ministered to them.

That evening around sunset, many people were brought to Him who were diseased and some who were possessed with devils. And all the city gathered together at the door. Jesus healed many that were sick of divers diseases. He cast out many devils and did not allow the devils to speak because they knew Him.

The next morning, rising before dawn, He went to a solitary place to pray. Simon and those who were with him followed. When they found Him, they said, All men seek for thee. And Jesus said to them, Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.

And Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and cast out devils. There came to Him a leper. Kneeling down and beseeching Him, the leper said, If thou wilt, thou can make me clean. Jesus was moved with compassion. He put out His hand, touched him, and said, I will. Be thou clean.

And, as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy departed and the man was cleansed. Jesus directly charged him to say nothing to any man. Jesus said, Go thy way. Show thyself to the priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.

But he went out and began to broadcast the matter. He said so much that Jesus could no more openly enter the city but had to stay out in desert places. And they came to Him from every quarter.

2 After some days Jesus entered Capernaum again and His arrival was widely announced. The people knew that He returned to the house. And, immediately, many gathered, so much that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as outside the door. Jesus preached the word to them.

There came to Him one sick with palsy who was carried by four others. When they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above where Jesus stood. Having broken through, they lowered down the bed wherein the sick man lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.

There were certain of the scribes sitting there. They wondered, Why does this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? When Jesus realized that they so reasoned, He said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether it is easier to say to the sick man, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or, Arise. Take up thy bed and walk?

So that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (Jesus turned to the sick man and said,) I say to thee, Arise. Take up thy bed and go thy way to thine own house. At that moment, he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all. They were amazed. They glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this.

Jesus went to the seaside again and the multitude gathered around Him, and He taught them. Later, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him.

And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at supper in Levi's house, many publicans and sinners also joined together with Jesus and His disciples. There now were many who followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with publicans and sinners, they asked His disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this, He said to them, Those who are whole have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees came to Jesus and asked, Why do the disciples of John and the Pharisees fast, but thy disciples do not? And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. But the day will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast.

No man sews a piece of new cloth on an old garment: else the new piece that filled it up takes away from the old and the rent is made worse. And no man puts new wine into old bottles: else the new wine bursts the bottles, the wine is spilled, and the bottles are marred. New wine must be put into new bottles.

And it came to pass, that He went through the corn fields on the sabbath day; and His disciples began to pluck the ears of corn as they went along. The Pharisees said to Him, Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the sabbath day? And Jesus responded, Have ye never read what David, and they that were with him, did when they had need and were hungry? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar, the high priest, and ate the showbread? How this was only lawful for the priests to eat? And how David also gave it to those who were with him? Then Jesus said to them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath; therefore, the Son of man is Lord of the sabbath also.

3 Then Jesus entered the synagogue again. Inside was a man with a withered hand. They watched to see if Jesus would heal him on the sabbath day so they might accuse Him. And Jesus said to the man with the withered hand, Step Forward. Then Jesus said to them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? To save life, or to kill? But they remained silent.

Jesus looked at them with anger and was grieved for the hardness of their hearts. He said to the man, Stretch forth thy hand. As the man stretched it out, his hand was restored as whole as his other hand.

The Pharisees left and immediately took counsel with the Herodians about how they might get rid of Him. But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. A great multitude from Galilee, Judaea, Jerusalem, Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan, and those around Tyre and Sidon came to Him when they heard all the things He did.

Jesus told His disciples He needed to get out into a small boat lest the multitude should throng Him. For He had healed many and many who had plagues now pressed upon Him just to touch Him. Unclean spirits, when they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried, Thou art the Son of God. Jesus directly charged them that they should not make Him known.

Then Jesus went up into a mountain. He called to whom He would and they came to Him. Here He ordained twelve to be with Him, and that He might send forth to preach, to heal sickness, and to cast out devils. Then He took these twelve into a house: Simon surnamed Peter; James, the son of Zebedee, John, the brother of James (He named them Boanerges, which is, The sons of thunder); Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Canaanite; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed Him.

Then the multitude came again so that they could not eat bread undisturbed. When His friends heard about this, they lay hold of Him and said, This is too much. And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, He has Beelzebub, and, by the prince of the devils, He casts out devils.

Jesus called them to Him and said, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand and is finished. Nor can a man enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods unless he first binds up the strong man so he can then spoil his house.

Verily I say to you, All sins shall be forgiven to the sons of men, and blasphemies also, however they blaspheme. But he that blasphemes against the Holy Ghost will never have forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation. He said this because they said, He has an unclean spirit.

His brethren and His mother came and, standing outside, they called for Him. The multitude that sat around Him said, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren are outside and seek for thee. Jesus answered, Who is my mother, or my brethren? Then He looked around on those who sat about Him and said, Behold, my mother and my brethren! Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother.

4 Later, as Jesus was again by the seaside, there gathered a great multitude. He entered into a boat and began to address the large crowd on shore. He taught them many things by parables. Jesus began, Hearken. Behold, there went out a sower of seeds. It came to pass, as he sowed, some seed fell by the wayside. The fowls of the air came and devoured it. Some seed fell on stony ground where there was no good soil. It sprang up quickly. But, because it had no roots, it was scorched by the sunlight and withered away.

Some seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked it, and it yielded no fruit. Other seed fell on good ground. This did yield fruit that sprang up and increased; and brought forth some thirty, some sixty, and some a hundredfold. And Jesus finished by saying, He that has ears to hear, let him hear.

After this, when the twelve were alone with Jesus, they asked Him about the parable and why He told the people a parable. Jesus said to them, To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God. But, to those who are without, the teachings are in parables: That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

And Jesus said to them, Know ye not this parable? The sower sows the word. And these are the people by the wayside, where the word is sown. When they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

And these are likewise those who are sown on stony ground. When they have heard the word, they receive it with gladness. But they have no root and endure only for a while. When affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, they are offended.

And these are also the seed sown among the thorns of the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things. All these thorns enter in, choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And, finally, are those who are sown on good ground. In hearing the word, they receive it and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundredfold.

Then Jesus said, Is a candle lighted to be put under a bushel, or under a bed instead of set on a candlestick? You see, if there is nothing hidden which shall not be manifested, then there is nothing kept secret, which shall not be uncovered. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.

And He said to them, Take heed what ye hear. With what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, more shall be given. For he that has, to him shall be given. He that has not, from him shall be taken away even that which he has.

Then Jesus said, Such is the kingdom of God like a man who casts seed into the ground. He passes nights and days, and the seed springs up and grows, he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, and, after that, the full ear of corn. When the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts the sickle to it because the harvest is come.

And He said, Whereto shall we liken the kingdom of God? With what shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, it is less than all the seeds on earth. But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all. It shoots out branches so great that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it. To those without, Jesus spoke in parables. He explained all these things to His disciples when they were alone.

That evening, Jesus told His disciples that they should cross over to the other side. And when they sent away the multitude, they took Him even as He was in the boat. There were also other little ships. And there arose a great storm. Wind and waves beat into the boat and it was now full of water. Jesus was in the back part of the boat, asleep on a pillow. They woke Him and said, Master, carest thou not that we perish? Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, Peace, be still.

The wind ceased and there was a great calm. Jesus said to them, Why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith? Then those nearby said one to another, What kind of man is this that even the wind and the sea obey?

5 They arrived on the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. When Jesus got out of the boat, He was immediately met by a man who came out of his dwelling place in the tombs. The man had an unclean spirit and no man could bind him. Whenever he had been bound with fetters and chains, he plucked the chains asunder and broke the fetters in pieces. No one could tame him and night and day he was in the mountains or in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Yet, when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshipped Him. The man cried with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not. Jesus turned to the man saying, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit. Then Jesus asked, What is thy name? The man answered, My name is Legion: for we are many. And he besought Jesus that he not send them away out of the country.

Nearby, in the mountains, there was a great herd of swine feeding. The devils, in one voice, said, Send us to those swine that we may enter into them. Right away, Jesus gave them leave. The unclean spirits left the man and entered into the swine. The herd ran violently down a steep slope into the sea and drowned (there were about two thousand).

The swine tenders fled and told it in the city and in the country. The people went out to see what was done. When they approached Jesus, they saw the man that was possessed with the devil and had the legion, sitting, clothed, and in his right mind. The people became fearful. Those who saw it told the others how it befell the man who was possessed, and also told about the swine. The people then begged Jesus to leave their coasts.

When He returned to the boat, the man who had been possessed prayed Jesus to let him stay with Him. Howbeit, Jesus suffered him not but said, Go home to thy friends. Tell them the great things the Lord has done for thee, and tell them He has had compassion on thee. Then the man departed and began to tell all in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done for him. Then all men did marvel.

After Jesus crossed again by boat to the other side, many people gathered to Him. And, behold, there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name. When he saw Jesus, he fell at His feet and besought Him saying, My little daughter is at the point of death. I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her that she may be healed and shall live. Jesus went with him and the people followed and thronged Him.

In the crowd was a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years. She had been to many physicians, spent all that she had, and nothing was bettered, but, instead, grew worse. She had heard of Jesus and, pressing through the crowd, she came up behind Him and touched His garment. She said, If I may but touch His clothes, I shall be whole. After she did this the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed.

Presently, Jesus, knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of Him, turned about and said, Who touched my clothes? His disciples said, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee and ask Who touched me? Then Jesus spotted her who had done this thing. The woman, in fear and trembling, but knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before Him and spoke the truth. He said to her, Daughter, thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

While He yet spoke, messengers came from the ruler of the synagogue's house and announced, Thy daughter is dead. Why trouble the Master any further? As soon as Jesus heard the message, He said to the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. Jesus allowed no one to follow Him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. When they got to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, Jesus saw the tumult and many weeping and wailing.

Inside the house Jesus said to them, Why make this commotion and weep? The damsel is not dead, but sleeps. They laughed Him to scorn. But when He had put them all out, He took the father and mother of the damsel and those who were with Him and entered where she was lying. Then Jesus took her by the hand and said, Talitha cumi; Damsel, I say to thee, arise.

Immediately the damsel, who was twelve years old, arose and walked. They were astonished and Jesus charged them directly that they should tell no one. Then He said that she should be given something to eat.

6 And He went, followed by His disciples, into His own country. On the sabbath day, He began to teach in the synagogue. Many local people heard the sayings of Jesus and were astonished. They asked, From whence has this man learned these things? What wisdom is this that is given to Him that even such mighty works are wrought by His hands? Is this not the carpenter, the son of Mary, and the brother of James, Joses, Juda, and Simon? Are His sisters not right here among us? Thus, they were offended at Him. And Jesus said, A prophet is without honour in his own country, among his own kin, and in his own house.

Jesus went there to do mighty works. He marvelled at their unbelief and, because of this, could do little but lay His hands upon and heal a few of the sick and teach in the villages around the area.

In a little while, Jesus called to Him the twelve to begin to go forth by two and two. He gave them power over unclean spirits. He told them that they should take nothing for their journey except a staff; no scrip, no bread, no money in their purse. He instructed them to be shod with only sandals; and not put on two coats.

He said to them, In what place soever ye enter into a house, abide there until ye depart from that place. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear you, when ye leave there, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them. Verily I say to you, It shall be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment than for that place. The disciples went out and preached that men should repent. They cast out many devils, anointed many sick people with oil, and healed many of them.

King Herod heard of Him (for His name was spread abroad) and said that John the Baptist was risen from the dead and, therefore, mighty works were shown forth in him. Others said, It is Elias. And others said, It is one of the prophets. But when Herod heard all this he said, It is John whom I beheaded. He is risen from the dead.

Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold of John. He had him bound and imprisoned for Herodias, his brother Philip's wife's sake whom Herod had married. John told Herod that it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. Herodias, therefore, held this against John and wanted him killed. Herod, however, feared John and knew he was a just and holy man. Herod saw and heard John many times and heard him gladly.

Then Herod, on his birthday, made a supper for his lords, high captains, and chief estates of Galilee. The daughter of Herodias came and danced. Herod and those who sat with him were pleased. The king said to the damsel, Ask of me whatsoever thou wilt and I will give it thee. He swore to her that whatever she should ask of him, he would give her even up to half of his kingdom. She went to her mother, Herodias, and said, What shall I ask? Her mother said, The head of John the Baptist. Then she hurried back to the king and said, I will that thou give me the head of John the Baptist on a charger.

The king was exceedingly sorry. Yet for his oath's sake, and for the sake of those who sat with him, he would not reject her. The king sent for an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. The executioner went and beheaded John in the prison. He brought his head on a charger and gave it to the damsel. Then the damsel gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard of this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

The apostles gathered together, went to Jesus, and told him all things, what they had done and what they had taught. Then Jesus said to them, Come ye away into a desert place and rest a while. They had been coming and going and had no time even to eat. Thus they departed into a desert place, going privately by boat. But the people saw them departing, outran them, and came together to Him.

Jesus saw the multitude that had gathered and was moved with compassion toward them because they were as sheep without a shepherd. He began to teach them. And when the day was far spent, His disciples came to Him and said, This is a desert place and it is very late. Send them away so they may go into the country and into the villages to buy themselves bread for they have nothing to eat.

Jesus answered, Give ye them to eat. And they said, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of bread and give it to them to eat? He asked them, How many loaves have ye? Go and see. They came back and told Him, Five, and two fish.

Jesus commanded them to make all the people sit down in groups upon the green grass. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. Then, when He had taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven and blessed it. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set before them all. And He divided the two fish among them. They all ate and were filled. After, they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments of bread and fish. Those who ate of the loaves were about five thousand men.

And immediately He instructed His disciples to get into the boat and go to the other side to Bethsaida while He sent the people away and He departed into a mountain to pray. At evening time the boat was in the midst of the sea. Jesus was alone on the land.

He looked out and saw them rowing with great difficulty for the wind was contrary to them. At about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. But, when they saw Him walking upon the sea, they supposed it was a spirit. They cried out and were troubled.

Immediately Jesus talked with them and said, Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid. And He went up to them in the boat. Then the wind ceased and they were amazed beyond measure. They wondered and did not even remember the miracle of the loaves for their hearts were hardened.

They reached the other shore and came into the land of Gennesaret. As they drew into shore and got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Jesus. After they ran to all the area around the region, many arrived carrying in beds those that were sick. And wheresoever He entered into villages or cities or country, they laid the sick in the streets and besought Him to allow the sick to touch but the border of His garment. And as many as touched Him, He made them whole.

7 Pharisees and some scribes from Jerusalem observed that some of His disciples ate bread with unwashed hands. They found fault with this defilement for the Pharisees, and all the Jews, do not eat unless they wash their hands, holding the tradition of the elders along with the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked Him, Why do thy disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?

Jesus answered, Well has Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites. It is written, This people honor me with their lips but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. In laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups and many other things that ye do. And He said to them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God in order to keep your own tradition.

Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother and, whoso curses father or mother, let him die. But ye say, If a man says to his father or mother, It is Corban, a gift, by whatsoever thou might be gained by me; he shall be free. Ye allow him to do nothing for his father or mother and make the word of God worthless through your tradition and many other things like this.

Then He called all the people to Him and said, Hearken to me every one of you. Understand that there is nothing from outside a man that, entering into him, can defile him; but the things which come out of him are those that defile the man. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.

After He went into the house, His disciples asked Him about the parable. Jesus replied, Are ye without understanding also? Do ye not perceive that whatsoever thing from without enters into the man it cannot defile him because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? But that which comes out of the man is what defiles him. It is from inside, out of the heart of men, that proceed: evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.

From there He arose and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house and would have no man know it. But He could not be hid for a certain woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit had heard of Him. She found Him and came and fell at His feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought Him to cast forth the devil from her daughter.

But Jesus said to her, Let the children first be filled. It is not fit to take the child's bread and cast it to the dogs. She answered, Yes, Lord. Yet the dogs under the table eat the child's crumbs. Jesus then said to her, For saying this, go thy way. The devil is gone from thy daughter. When she returned home she found her daughter at rest upon the bed and the devils cast out.

Upon leaving the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, He came to the sea of Galilee through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. Here they brought a man that was deaf and had a speech impediment. They besought Him to put His hand upon him. Jesus took the man apart from the multitude and put His fingers into the man's ears. Looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, Ephphatha, Be opened.

Immediately the man's ears were opened. His tongue was loosed and he spoke plain. Then Jesus charged those present to tell no man. However, the more He charged them, the more they published it saying, He has done all things well. He makes the deaf to hear, and the dumb to speak.

8 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, I have compassion on the multitude because they have been with me three days and they have nothing to eat. If I send them away to their own houses fasting, they will faint by the way. Many of them came from afar. His disciples answered Him, How can these men be supplied with bread here in the wilderness? Jesus asked them, How many loaves have ye? They answered, Seven.

Then Jesus told the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves and gave thanks. He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples. Then His disciples set them before the people. They also had a few small fish which Jesus blessed and told the disciples to set them also before the people. So they did eat and were filled. After this the disciples took up the broken fragments and filled seven baskets. The number of those who had eaten was about four thousand.

After Jesus sent the multitude on their way, He immediately got into a boat with His disciples and came into Dalmanutha. Here the Pharisees came forth and began to question Him, seeking of Him a sign from heaven, and testing Him. To this Jesus sighed deeply in His spirit and said, Why does this generation seek after a sign? Verily I say to you, There shall be no sign given to this generation. Then He left them and departed again by boat to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread. They had no more than one loaf in the boat with them. Jesus uttered, Take heed. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod. The disciples reasoned among themselves and said, It is because we have no bread.

When Jesus realized their misunderstanding, He said to them, Why reason ye because ye have no bread? Perceive ye not or understand? Have ye still hardened hearts? Having eyes, see ye not? And having ears, hear ye not? And do ye not remember when I broke the five loaves among five thousand and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? And do ye not remember the seven loaves among four thousand and how many baskets full of fragments ye took up? After they recalled the numbers and told Him, Jesus said, Then how can it be that ye do not understand?

At Bethsaida some people brought a blind man to Jesus, and besought Him to touch the man. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. When He had spit on the man's eyes and put His hands upon him, Jesus asked the man if he saw anything. The man looked up and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that Jesus put His hands again upon his eyes then made him look up. Now he was restored and saw every man clearly. Jesus sent him away to his house saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.

Jesus and His disciples went out into the towns of Caesarea Philippi. Along the way He asked His disciples, Who do men say that I am? They answered, Some say John the Baptist, but some say Elias, and others say one of the prophets. Then Jesus said to them, But who do you say that I am? Peter answered, Thou art the Christ. Jesus charged them to tell no man of Him. Then He began to teach them that the Son of man must suffer many things; that He must be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and scribes; and that He must be killed and, after three days, rise again.

Jesus said all this very openly to His disciples. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But Jesus turned around, looked at His disciples, and rebuked Peter saying, Get behind me, Satan. Thou savor not the things of God, but the things of men.

Now, along with His disciples, He called the people to Him also and said, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it. Whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; the Son of man shall be ashamed of him also when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels. Verily I say to you, There are some who stand here who shall not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of God come into power.

9 After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John up into a high mountain and there He was transfigured before them. His raiment became shining and, exceeding the white of snow, such as nothing on earth could be more white. And there appeared Elias and Moses. They were talking with Jesus. Peter said, Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias.

Peter did not know what else to say because they were afraid. But, quickly, a cloud overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved Son. Hear Him.

Then, suddenly, when they looked around, they saw only Jesus. Coming down from the mountain Jesus instructed them to tell no man what things they had seen until the Son of man had risen from the dead.

Among themselves they questioned eachother about what the rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked Him if it was not so what the scribes said that Elias must come first?

Jesus answered them, Verily, Elias comes first and restores all things. And it is also written that the Son of man must suffer many things and be set at nought. However, I say to you, Elias is indeed come and they have done to him exactly what was written.

As He approached the disciples, He saw a great multitude gathered about them. And He saw that there were scribes questioning them. Then, when they beheld Him, all the people were greatly amazed and immediately ran to salute Him.

Jesus asked the scribes, Why question them? And one of the multitude answered, Master, I have brought my son who has a dumb spirit. Wherever he takes him he tears him. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and wastes away. I spoke to thy disciples and they could not cast him out. Jesus stepped forward and cried, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him to me.

As soon as Jesus looked at him, the spirit immediately tore forth. The boy fell on the ground wallowing in foam. Jesus asked the father when this came upon the son. The man answered, As a child. Often it has cast him into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if thou can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.

Jesus said to the man, If thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believes. Immediately, with tears flowing, the father of the child cried out, Lord, I believe. Help thou my unbelief.

Then Jesus rebuked the foul spirit and said, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him. Enter into him no more. The spirit cried, lashed out, and then came out of him. The boy lay so still that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up and he arose. After Jesus went inside, His disciples asked Him privately, Why could we not cast him out? He said to them, This kind can only come forth by prayer and fasting.

Then they departed and passed through Galilee without notice for He taught His disciples and said, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men. They shall kill Him. After He is killed, He shall arise on the third day.

They did not understand these words but were afraid to ask Him. Once they got safely inside the house at Capernaum, Jesus asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves along the way?

They were silent because, on the way back, they had disputed who among themselves should be the greatest. Jesus then sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all. Then He took a child and set him in the midst of them. As He took the child in His arms, He said to them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receives me. And whosoever shall receive me, receives not me, but Him that sent me.

Then John said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, but he does not follow us so we forbad him because he does not follow us. But Jesus said, Forbid him not. There is no man who shall do a miracle in my name that can lightly speak evil of me. He that is not against us is on our part. Whosoever shall give to drink a cup of water in my name, because ye belong to Christ, shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

If thy hand offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter into life maimed than to have two hands and go into hell where the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off. It is better for thee to enter halt into life than to have two feet to be cast into hell where the worm does not die and the fire is never quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out. It is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes to be cast into hell fire. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. Salt is good. But if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

10 From there Jesus went into the coasts of Judaea by way of the far side of Jordan. He was met by a large crowd who wanted to hear Him speak and He taught them again.

The Pharisees came to Him, and, testing Him, asked, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? In return, Jesus asked, What did Moses command you?

They said, Moses suffered the writing of a bill of divorcement to put her away. Jesus answered, Moses wrote this precept on account of the hardness of your heart. But, from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife. The two shall be one flesh: so then they are no more two, but one flesh. What, therefore, God has joined together, let no man put asunder.

Later, in the house, His disciples asked Him again about this matter. He said, Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another commits adultery against her. And if a woman shall put away her husband and be married to another she commits adultery.

The people brought young children that He should touch them but His disciples rebuked the people who brought them. Jesus was greatly displeased and said to the disciples, Suffer the little children to come to me. Forbid them not for of such is the kingdom of God.

Verily I say to you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, shall not enter in. Jesus took them up in His arms, put His hands upon them, and blessed them.

Along the road, a young man ran up to Jesus, knelt before Him and asked, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus said, Why call me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother.

The young man replied, Master, all these I have observed from my youth. Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, You lack one thing: Go and sell whatever thou has and give the proceeds to the poor. Thou shall have treasure in heaven. Then come, take up the cross, and follow me. Upon hearing this the young man was sad and went away grieving because he had many possessions.

Then Jesus turned to His disciples and said, How hard it shall be for those who have riches to enter into the kingdom of God! The disciples were astonished at His words. Jesus and said to them, Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The disciples were astonished beyond measure, saying among themselves, Who, then, can be saved? Jesus, looking upon them, said, With men it is impossible, but not with God. With God all things are possible.

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. Jesus answered, Anyone who has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, shall receive a hundredfold now and in eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Jesus led them to Jerusalem and, along the way, began to tell them the things that would happen to Him. He said, In Jerusalem the Son of man shall be delivered to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death, and shall deliver Him to the Gentiles. They will mock Him and scourge Him. They will spit on Him. And they will kill him. On the third day He shall rise again.

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him and said, Master, we have a desire to tell you about. Jesus said to them, What should I do for you? They said, Grant that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. Jesus answered, Ye know not what ye ask. Can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? Can ye be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They said to Him, We can.

Jesus said, Ye shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink of. Ye shall be baptized with the baptism with which I am baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give. It shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

When the other ten disciples heard this, they became greatly displeased with James and John. Jesus called them and said, Ye know that those who are appointed to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and their great ones heavily influence them. But it shall not be like this among you. Whosoever will be great among you shall be your minister. Whosoever will be your master shall be servant to all. Even the Son of man came not to be ministered to, but to minister and to give His life as a ransom for many.

They came to Jericho. As Jesus passed through Jericho with His disciples, many, including blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat begging by the side of the highway. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus of Nazareth was going by, he began to cry out, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me. Many told him to be silent, but he cried the more, Thou son of David, have mercy on me. Jesus stood still. Then He called the blind man to Him and said, Be of good comfort. Rise. I call thee.

Casting away his garment, he rose up and went to Jesus. He said to the man, What shall I do for thee? The blind man said, Lord, that I might receive my sight. Jesus said to him, Go thy way. Thy faith has made thee whole. Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus.

11 They came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany. At the mount of Olives, He beckoned to two of His disciples and said, Go into the village opposite here. As soon as ye enter it, ye shall find tied a colt that has never been sat upon. Loose him and bring him here. If a man asks why ye do this, say that the Lord has need of him; and immediately he will send him.

They went to the village and found the colt tied outside the door in a place where two ways met. As they untied him, a man said to them, What are ye doing, loosing the colt? They said to him what Jesus commanded and he let them go.

They brought the colt, cast their garments on him, and Jesus sat upon him. Many people spread their garments in the way. Others cut branches off the trees, and strewed them in the way. Those who went before, and those that followed, cried, Hosanna. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David, that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Jesus came into Jerusalem and went to the temple. When He had looked around and upon all things, it drew on to the evening. He went out to Bethany with the twelve. The next morning, coming back from Bethany, Jesus was hungry. From a distance, He spotted a fig tree that might offer something to eat. When He got to it, He found nothing but leaves for it was not yet the time for figs. Jesus said to it, No man shall eat the fruit of thee ever again. The disciples heard this.

They came to Jerusalem and Jesus went into the temple. He cast out those who sold and bought in the temple. He overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those who sold doves. He would not allow any man to carry any vessel through the temple. Jesus said to them all, It is written: My house shall be called, by all nations, the house of prayer but ye have made it a den of thieves.

The scribes and chief priests heard this and considered how they might destroy Him. They feared Him because all the people were astonished at His doctrine. When evening came, He went out of the city. The following morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Peter called to Jesus, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursed. It is withered away. Jesus answered, Have faith in God. Whosoever shall say to this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.

Whatever things ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have anything against anyone, so that your Father which is in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. If ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.

In Jerusalem, as He was walking in the temple, there came to Him the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders. They questioned Him and said, By what authority do thou do these things? Who gave thee this authority to do these things?

Jesus answered, I will also ask you a question. If you answer me, I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or of men? They discussed this among themselves and said, If we say, From heaven; He will say, Why then did ye not believe him? But if we shall say, Of men; we must face the people who considered John a prophet. Finally, they answered and said to Jesus, We cannot tell. Jesus then said, Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.

12 He began to speak to them by parables. A man planted a vineyard. He set a hedge around it. He dug a place for the winevat and built a tower. The man let it out to husbandmen and went into a far country. At the end of the season he sent a servant to the husbandmen to collect the fruit of the vineyard.

The husbandmen caught and beat up the servant. They sent him away empty. The man sent another servant. They cast stones and wounded this servant in the head. They shamefully handled him and sent him away. The man sent another and they killed him as well as many others; beating some, and killing some. Finally, the man sent his only son whom he loved very much. He reasoned, They will respect my son. But the husbandmen said, This is the heir; come, let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours. They took the son, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard. What, then, shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the husbandmen and let out the vineyard to others.

Have ye not read this scripture: The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone of the whole foundation. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes?

The chief priests and elders sought to lay hold of Jesus, but they feared the people. They knew that He had spoken this parable about them. When they left, they sent certain of the Pharisees and Herodians to try to catch Jesus in His words. They asked, Master, we know that thou art true, and regard not the person of men, but teach the way of God. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?

Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, answered, Why test me? Whose image and superscription is on a coin? They said, Caesar's. Jesus replied, Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. They marvelled at Him.

Then came the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection. They asked, Master, Moses wrote to us, If a man's brother dies and leaves his wife behind him, and leaves no children, his brother should take his wife and raise up seed to his brother. Now there were seven brethren. The first took a wife and, dying, left no seed. The second took her and, dying, left no seed. The third brother likewise and this through all seven brothers. The seven had her, and left no seed. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection. when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be since all the seven had her as wife.

Jesus answered, Ye err because ye know not the scriptures or the power of God. When they rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage. They are as the angels who are in heaven. And, as touching on the dead and that they rise: have ye not read in the book of Moses, how God spoke to him in the bush and said, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living. Ye, therefore, do greatly err.

One of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that Jesus had answered them well, asked, Which is the first commandment of all?

Jesus answered, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel. The Lord our God is one Lord. Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, with all thy mind, and with all thy strength. This is the first commandment. The second is, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is no other commandment greater than these.

The scribe said, Well, Master, thou has said the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but Him. To love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love thy neighbour as thyself is worth more than all of the burnt offerings and sacrifices. Jesus saw that he answered discreetly. He said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God.

After this no man dared ask Him any more questions. While He taught in the temple, Jesus said, How can the scribes say that Christ is the son of David? David himself said: The Lord said to my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. If David calls him Lord; how is he, then, his son?

The common people heard Him gladly. He said to them in His teaching, Beware of the scribes, who love to go in flowing robes, and love salutations in the marketplace, and the best seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts. These same devour widows' houses, and, for a pretence, make long prayers. They shall receive greater damnation.

Jesus sat over against the treasury and watched how the people cast money into it. Many that were rich cast in large amounts. Then a poor widow walked up and put in two small coins. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, This poor widow has cast more in than all the rest have cast into the treasury. They gave out of their abundance; but she cast in what she had to live upon.

13 As He went out of the temple, one of His disciples said, Master, see these stones and what buildings are here! Jesus answered, See these great buildings? There shall not be one stone left upon another and not one that shall not be thrown down.

Jesus sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew went over to Him and asked, When shall these things happen? What sign will there be when all these things will be fulfilled? Jesus cautioned them and said, Take heed lest any man deceive you. Many shall come in my name saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

When ye hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled, for such things must needs be. But the end shall not be yet. First, nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There shall be earthquakes in divers places, and famines and crises. These are the beginnings of sorrows.

But, take heed. They shall deliver you up to councils. In the synagogues ye shall be beaten. Ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them. The gospel must first be published among all nations.

When they lead you away and deliver you up, take no thought or plan beforehand what ye shall speak. Whatever ye need to say shall be given you in that hour, for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

In that time, brother shall betray brother even unto death; father shall betray his son; and children shall rise up against their parents and cause them to be put to death. Ye shall be hated by all men for my name's sake. But he that shall endure to the end shall be saved.

When ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing where it ought not (let him who reads understand), then let those who are in Judaea flee to the mountains. Let him that is on the housetop not go down into the house to take anything out of his house. Let him that is in the field not turn back again to get his garment. And woe to those who are with child. And pray that your flight be not in the winter. Unless the Lord shortened those days, no flesh would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, whom He has chosen, He has shortened the days. For in those days shall be affliction such as was not seen from the beginning of God's creation to this time.

In the days after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened, the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall, and the powers in the heavens shall be shaken. Then the Son of man will appear in the clouds with great power and in glory. He shall send His angels, and shall gather together His elect from the four winds and from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

So if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, He is there; do not believe him. False Christs and false prophets shall rise and show signs and wonders to seduce, if it be possible, even the elect. But take heed. I have warned you of these things.

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When her branch is yet tender, and puts forth leaves, ye know that summer is near. In the same way, when ye see these things come to pass, know that it is near, as close as at the door.

This generation shall not pass until all these things are done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away. But, of the day and the hour, no man knows, no, not the angels in heaven or the Son, but the Father only knows. Take heed. Watch and pray. Ye know not when the time is.

For the Son of Man is like a man taking a distant journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, assigned each his work, and left the porter to watch. Therefore, ye watch also for ye know not when the master of the house will come - during evening, or at midnight, or at the break of dawn, or in daylight. Therefore, be alert lest, in His coming suddenly, He find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to all, Watch.

14 The feast of the passover and of unleavened bread was in two days. The chief priests and the scribes considered how they might take Him by craft and put Him to death. But they said, Not on the feast day, lest there be an uproar among the people.

Jesus was in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. As He sat at dinner, a woman came to Him carrying an alabaster box of very precious ointment of spikenard. She broke the container and anointed Jesus' head with the oil.

Some of the others at the table became indignant and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made? It might have been sold for a great price and the money given to the poor. And they murmured against her. But Jesus said, Let her alone. Why trouble her? She has done a good work. Ye have the poor with you always, and, whenever ye will, ye may do them good; but me ye have not always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for burying. Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the world, this that she has done shall also be told.

Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to arrange to betray Jesus to them. They were glad to hear of his offer and promised to give him money. Then Judas schemed about how he might conveniently betray Him.

On the first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the passover lamb, His disciples said to Jesus, Where shall we go to prepare that thou may eat the passover? He sent two of His disciples into the city. He told them, There you shall meet a man bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him. Wherever he shall go in, say to the good man of the house, The Master wants to know where the guestchamber is where He shall eat the passover with His disciples. This man will show you a large upper room that is furnished and prepared. Make ready for us there.

The two disciples went into the city and found all as Jesus had said to them. They made ready the passover. In the evening Jesus came with the disciples. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, One of you who eats with me shall betray me. They began to be sorrowful, and, one by one, ask Him, Is it I? Is it I?

Jesus answered, It is one of the twelve that dips with me in the dish. The Son of man indeed goes as it is written of Him: But woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! Better were it for that man if he had never been born.

As they ate, Jesus took bread and blessed it. He broke it and gave it to them. He said, Take and eat. This is my body. Then He took the cup and, when He had given thanks, He gave it to them. They all drank from it. And He said to them, This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God.

After they had sung a hymn, they went out into the mount of Olives. Jesus said, Ye shall all be offended because of me this night for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered. But, after that, I am risen and I will go before you into Galilee.

Peter said, Although all shall be offended, I will not. Jesus said to him, This day, even this night, before the cock crows twice, thou shall deny me thrice. But Peter spoke the more vehemently, I will not deny you in any way, even if it means I should die. Likewise, they all said the same.

They came to a place named Gethsemane. Jesus said to His disciples, Sit here while I go to pray. He took Peter and James and John with Him. He said to them, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy unto death. Wait here and watch. Jesus went forward a little, and fell on the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; take away this cup from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what thou wilt.

He came back and found them sleeping. Jesus said to Peter, Simon, why do you sleep? Could you not watch one hour with me? Watch ye and pray so you do not give in to temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

Then Jesus went away a second time and prayed with the same words. When He returned, He found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy) They did not know what to say to Him.

The third time, when He returned to them, Jesus said, It is enough. The hour has come. The Son of man is now betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. The one who betrays me is at hand.

Immediately, while He yet spoke, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived. He was with a great multitude who were armed with swords and staves, sent from the chief priests, scribes, and elders. He that betrayed Jesus had given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Take Him and lead Him away swiftly. Judas immediately went to Him and said, Master, master; then kissed Him.

They laid their hands on Him, and took Him. One of them that stood by drew a sword, smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them, Have ye come to take me with swords and staves as against a thief? I was with you daily, teaching in the temple, and ye did not take me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled. Then they all left Him and fled. There followed Him a young man who had a linen cloth cast about his naked body. When they grabbed him and laid hold of him, he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

They led Jesus to the high priest. All the chief priests and the elders and the scribes were assembled there. Peter, following from afar, went to the palace of the high priest and sat with the servants who warmed themselves at a fire.

The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Jesus to put Him to death; but they found none. Many bore false witness against Him, but their witness did not agree. Then there arose a certain false witness who said, We heard Him say, I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and within three days, I will build another made without hands. But this witness still did not agree with the rest.

Then the high priest stood up and said to Jesus, Answer thou nothing? What is it that these witness against thee? Jesus held His peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked Him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.

Then the high priest called out, What need we of any further witnesses? Ye have heard the blasphemy. What think ye? They all condemned Him to be guilty of death. And some began to spit on Him, and to cover His face, and to buffet Him, and to say to Him, Prophesy; and the servants struck Him with the palms of their hands.

As Peter was outside, one of the maids of the high priest saw him warming himself and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Nazareth. But he denied and said, I do not know nor understand what you say. He went to the porch; and the cock crowed. A maid saw him again, and began to say to those who stood by, This is one of them. And he denied it again.

Then, a little after, those who stood by said again to Peter, Surely thou art one of them. Thou art a Galilaean by thy speech. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I do not know this man of whom ye speak. The cock crowed a second time. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said to him: Before the cock crows twice, thou shalt deny me three times. When Peter remembered this he wept.

15 First thing the next morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders and scribes and the whole council, and bound Jesus, and carried Him away, and delivered Him to Pilate. And Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? He answered, Thou say it. The chief priests accused Him of many things, but He answered nothing. Pilate said to Him, Answer thou nothing? Do you behold how many things they witness against thee? But Jesus still answered nothing and Pilate marvelled.

Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whoever the people chose. And there was one named Barabbas, who lay bound with those involved in insurrection with him and who had committed murder in the insurrection. The multitude began to cry aloud their desire for Pilate to do as he had done before. Pilate said to the multitude, Will ye that I release to you the King of the Jews? But the chief priests told the people that Pilate would rather release Barabbas to them.

Pilate asked, What do you want me to do to Him whom ye call the King of the Jews? They cried out, Crucify Him. Then Pilate said to them, Why, what evil has He done? And they cried out the more, Crucify Him.

And so Pilate, to content the people, released Barabbas to them. After he had Jesus scourged, he delivered Him to be crucified. The soldiers led Him away into the hall, called Praetorium; and they called together the whole troop. They clothed Him with purple, platted a crown of thorns, and put it around His head. They saluted Him, Hail, King of the Jews! They smote Him on the head with a reed, spit on Him, and bowing their knees, worshipped Him.

After they mocked Him, they took off the purple cloth and put His own clothes on Him, and led Him out to be crucified. They compelled a man named Simon, a Cyrenian and the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was passing by on his way out of the country, to bear His cross.

They took Him to the place called Golgotha, the place of a skull. They gave Him wine mingled with myrrh to drink but He received it not. When they had crucified Him, they parted His garments, casting lots for what every man should take.

It was the third hour when they crucified Him. The superscription of His accusation was written and hung over Him: The King of the Jews. Along with Him they crucified two thieves; one on His right hand, and the other on His left. The scripture was fulfilled: And He was numbered with the transgressors.

Those who passed by railed at Him. They said, Ah, thou that destroys the temple and builds it up again in three days, save thyself and come down from the cross. The chief priests along with the scribes said among themselves, He saved others; Himself He cannot save. Let Christ the King of Israel descend now from the cross that we may see and believe. Those who were crucified with Him reviled Him. And, when the sixth hour came, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour.

At the ninth hour, Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why has thou forsaken me? Some of those who stood by, when they heard this, said, Behold, He calls Elias. And one ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed, gave it to Him to drink. They said, Let Him alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to take Him down. Then Jesus cried with a loud voice and took His last breath.

The veil of the temple was rent in two from the top to bottom. And, when the centurion who stood near Him saw this, he said, Truly this man was the Son of God.

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

When evening came, because it was the preparation day before the sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counsellor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, went to Pilate to request the body of Jesus. Pilate marvelled that He was already dead. He called the centurion to him to find out how long He had been dead. When he learned it from the centurion, he released the body. Joseph brought fine linen, took Him down, and wrapped Him in the linen. He laid Him in a sepulchre hewn out of rock, and rolled a stone across the entrance. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses watched where He was laid.

16 When the sabbath was past, very early in the morning the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, went to the sepulchre at the rising of the sun. With them they brought sweet spices that they might anoint Him. They said among themselves, Who shall roll the stone away from the door of the sepulchre for us? Then, when they looked, they saw that the large stone was rolled away.

Entering into the sepulchre, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment. They were frightened. But he said, Be not afraid. Ye seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. See the place where they laid Him. But go your way, tell His disciples and Peter that He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him, just as He told you. They went out quickly, and fled from the sepulchre; for they trembled and were amazed. They said nothing to any one because they were afraid.

Then Jesus appeared to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven devils. She went and told those who had been with Him as they mourned and wept. When they had heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe it.

Then He appeared, in another form, to two of them as they walked in the country. These two went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they sat at supper. He upbraided them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He was risen.

Then He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils. They shall speak with new tongues. They shall take up serpents. And, if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth and preached everywhere; the Lord working with them and confirming the word with these signs.

Amen.
_________________________________________________________________

edited by Lightheart www.PracticeGodsPresence.com

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