The Family Record of Jesus

1  This is the record of the family names of Jesus Christ (* or, the Messiah), a descendant of
David, a descendant of Abraham:

2 Abraham fathered Isaac.
Isaac fathered Jacob.
Jacob fathered Judah and his brothers.
3 Judah fathered Perez and Zerah by Tamar.
Perez fathered Hezron.
Hezron fathered Ram.
4 Ram fathered Amminadab.
Amminadab fathered Nahshon.
Nahshon fathered Salmon.
5 Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab.
Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth.
Obed fathered Jesse.
6 Jesse fathered David, the king.
David fathered Solomon by the wife of Uriah.
7 Solomon fathered Rehoboam.
Rehoboam fathered Abijah.
Abijah fathered Asa.
8 Asa fathered Jehoshaphat.
Jehoshaphat fathered Jehoram.
Jehoram fathered Uzziah.
9 Uzziah fathered Jotham.
Jotham fathered Ahaz.
Ahaz fathered Hezekiah.
l0 Hezekiah fathered Manasseh.
Manasseh fathered Amon.
Amon fathered Josiah.
11 Josiah fathered Jehoiachin and his brothers when Israel was carried away to Babylon.
12 After Israel was carried away to Babylon,
Jehoiachin fathered Sheahiel.
Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel.
13 Zerubbabel fathered Abiud.
Abiud fathered Eliakim.
Eliakim fathered Azor.
14 Azor fathered Zadok.
Zadok fathered Achim.
Achim fathered Eliud.
15 Eliud fathered Eleazar.
Eleazar fathered Matthan.
Matthan fathered Jacob.
16 Jacob fathered Joseph, Mary's husband.
Mary gave birth to Jesus, the one called the Messiah.

17 There was a total of 14 generations from the time of Abraham until David's time. There
were 14 generations from the time of David until Israel was carried away to Babylon. And
there were 14 generations from the time when Israel was carried away to Babylon until the
time of the Messiah.

The Birth of Jesus

18 This is how the birth of Jesus Christ (* or, the Messiah) occurred: Mary, the mother of Jesus,
was engaged to be married to Joseph, but before they were married, it was discovered that she
was pregnant (by the Holy Spirit)! 19 However, Joseph, her husband-to-be, was a fair man;
he did not want to disgrace her. So he decided to quietly call off the marriage. 20 He was
thinking deeply upon these things when, suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a
dream, saying, "Joseph, descendant of David, don't be afraid to take Mary to be your wife.
The baby inside her comes from the Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a son. You will name
him Jesus (* “Jesus” comes from a Hebrew word which means “Yahweh [God] is salvation.”),
because he will save his people from their sins. 22 The Lord spoke about this through the
prophet Isaiah. All these things occurred to make this come true:

       23 'Listen! The virgin will be pregnant and give birth to a son.
          They will name him Emmanuel (which means, God is with us).'" Isaiah 7:14; Isaiah 8:8

24 When Joseph woke up from sleeping, he did as the angel of the Lord had ordered him to do;
he took Mary to be his wife. 25 He did not have sexual relations with her (* literally, know her
[in a sexual way] - see Genesis 4:1) until she gave birth to her firstborn, a little boy.  Joseph
named him Jesus.

The Messiah Must Come from Bethlehem

2  Jesus was born in Bethlehem, a town in Judea, during the time of King Herod the Great.
Some wise men from the east traveled to Jerusalem. 2 They asked, "Where is the one who was
born to be king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and we came to worship him."

      3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed. Everyone else in Jerusalem was too. 4 He
gathered all of the most important priests and teachers of the law from the people and asked
them where the Messiah would be born. 5 They answered, "In the town of Bethlehem in Judea,
because this was written by the prophet Micah:

      6 'And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judea, you are surely not the least important
             among the leading towns of Judea, because a leader will come out from you.
                 He will shepherd my people, Israel.'"  Micah 5:2

7 Then, in secret, Herod called for the wise men. From them he added up the exact time when
the star appeared. 8-10 "Go, search very carefully for information about the child. When you
find him, report to me, so that I, too, may come to worship him." After they had listened to the
king, they left; Herod sent them to Bethlehem.

        Suddenly, the star which they had seen in the east was leading them. When they saw the
star, they were very, very happy. It finally stopped above the place where the child was. 11 They went into the house and saw the child with Mary, his mother. They bowed down to worship him. They opened their treasures and brought him gifts--gold, perfume, and precious spices.

      12 But God used a dream to warn them that they should not return to Herod. So they
returned to their country by a different road.

God Warns of Danger

13 After they had gone, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream. The
angel said, "Get up! Take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I speak
to you again. Herod is about to begin searching for the child to kill him." 14 So, Joseph got
ready. He took the child and his mother at night and left for Egypt. 15 He stayed there until
Herod died, to make what the Lord God had said through the prophet come true:

                 "I called my Son out of Egypt." Hosea 11:1

Herod Kills the Baby Boys

    16 When Herod realized that the wise men had made a fool out of him, he was very angry.
He ordered his men to kill all the little boys in and around the town of Bethlehem--the boys
who were two years old or younger (the exact time which Herod had figured out from the wise
men.) 17 Then what God had said through Jeremiah the prophet came true:

            18 "A sound was heard in the town of Ramah (* Bethlehem), crying and loud screaming.
                   Rachel is crying for her children: She will not let anyone comfort her,
                         because the children are dead.' "    Jeremiah 31:15

God Brings the Family Home Safely

    19 After Herod died, an angel of the Lord suddenly appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt.
20 The angel said, "Get ready! Take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel. The
people who were trying to kill the child have died." 21 So, Joseph got ready. He took the child
and his mother and entered the land of Israel. 22 Joseph heard that Herod Archelaus was ruling
Judea, instead of his father, Herod the Great. Joseph was afraid to go back there, but, in a
dream, God told him to leave for the land of Galilee. 23 So, he went and lived in a town called
Nazareth, so that what God had said through the prophets would come true:

                           "He will be called a Nazarene."

The Preaching of John

3 During those days, John (the one who immersed people) was preaching in the desert in the
land of Judea. 2 He said, "Change your hearts! The kingdom of heaven is very near? 3 This is the
man whom God talked about through the prophet Isaiah:

                        "There is a voice crying out in the desert: 'Prepare the Lord's road.
                                    Make His paths straight.'"  Isaiah 40:3

4 John always wore clothes made of camel hair. He had a leather belt around his waist. He ate
grasshoppers and wild honey. 5 People from Jerusalem and all over the land of Judea and all
the area around the Jordan River continued coming to John. 6 They were admitting that they
had sinned. John immersed them in the Jordan River.

     7 When John saw many Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersions, he said to them,
"You are like poisonous snakes! Who told you to run away from God's punishment which  is
coming? 8 You must do the things which will show that you really have changed your hearts!
9 Don't think this to yourselves: 'Abraham is our father!'  I tell you that God could make
children for Abraham from these rocks here. 10 The ax is now ready to cut the trees down.
Every tree which does not produce good fruit is being cut down and thrown into fire.

     11 "Whenever you change your hearts, I immerse you in water. But there is one coming later
who is more important than I am. I am not worthy to carry his shoes. He will immerse you in the
Holy Spirit and in fire! 12 He will come ready to clean the grain. He will separate the good grain
from the straw. He will put the good part of the grain into his barn. Then he will burn the straw
with a fire which cannot be put out."

Jesus Is Immersed by John

     13 Then Jesus traveled from the land of Galilee to the Jordan River where John was, so that
John could immerse him, 14 but John was trying to stop him. John said, "I need you to immerse
me, yet you are coming to me?"

     15 Jesus answered him, "Allow this for now, because this is the proper way for us to fulfill
all righteousness." Then John did so. 16 After Jesus was immersed, he came up from the water
immediately. Suddenly, the sky was opened for him. He saw the Spirit of God coming down on
him like a dove. 17 Suddenly, a Voice came from heaven and said, "This is My Son, and I love
him. I am very pleased with him!"

Jesus Is Tempted by the Devil

4 Then the Spirit led Jesus into the desert to be tempted by the Devil (* literally, the tempter).
2 Jesus did not eat anything for 40 days and nights. After this, Jesus was very hungry. 3 The
Devil came and said to Jesus, "Since you are the Son of God, command these rocks to become
food."

     4 Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘A person does not live on food alone. Instead, he lives on
                       every word which comes from the mouth of God.'"  Deuteronomy 8:3

     5 Then the devil took Jesus into the holy city, Jerusalem, and put him on a very high place
of the temple. 6 He said to Jesus, "Since you are the Son of God, jump off! Because it is written:

                          'God will command His angels to take care of you.'  Psalm 91:11

                           'Their hands will catch you, so that you will not hit your foot against a rock.' "
                                   Psalm 91:12
and,

     7 Jesus answered him, “But this is also written: ‘You must not test the Lord your God.'"
                                            Deuteronomy 6:16

8 Suddenly, the Devil took Jesus to a very tall mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of
the world and the glory which was in them. 9 The Devil said to Jesus, "I will give you all of these
things, if you will only bow down to worship me."

     10 Then Jesus said to the Devil, “Go away, Satan, because it is written:
              ‘You must worship the Lord your God. Serve only Him.’” Deuteronomy 6:13
 

     11 Then the Devil left Jesus. Immediately, angels came and helped him.

Jesus Teaches the People

     12 When Jesus heard that John had been arrested (* Herod Antipas arrested John because
John had accused Herod Antipas of illegally marrying his half-brother’s wife - see Matthew 14:3)
he went away to Galilee. 13 After leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, beside
Lake Galilee, in the Zebulun and Naphtali area. 14 He did this to fulfill what God had said
through the prophet Isaiah:

                       15 "Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali, the way to the Mediterranean Sea
                           across the Jordan River, Galilee of the nations.
                       16 The people who live in darkness have seen a great light.
                               The light has dawned upon the people who live in that country and in the
                                 fear of death."  Isaiah 9:1-2

17 From then on Jesus began to preach: "Change your hearts, because the kingdom of heaven
is very near!”

Peter, Andrew, James, and John Follow Jesus

     18 While Jesus was walking beside Lake Galilee, he saw two brothers. They were Simon
(called Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were fishermen and they were throwing their nets
into the lake. 19 Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fishermen -- of people!"
20 They left their nets immediately and followed him.

     21 Jesus went further and saw two more men. They were brothers -- James and John -- sons
of Zebedee. They were in a boat with Zebedee, their father, preparing their nets. Jesus called
them also. 22 Immediately they left the boat and their father to follow Jesus.

Jesus Teaches the People and Heals Them

     23 Jesus was going all around Galilee, teaching the Good News of the kingdom in their
synagogues. Jesus was healing people of all types of diseases and sicknesses. 24 The news
about Jesus went all over the land of Syria. They brought him all the people who were sick.
These people had all kinds of diseases; they were suffering with much pain. Some of them had
demons inside them. Some were epileptics (* Epilepsy is a disease that violently affects the central
nervous system by loss of muscular control and loss of consciousness) and some were paralyzed.
Jesus healed them all. 25 Large crowds followed him, coming from the land of Galilee, from
the area of the Ten Towns (* literally, the Decapolis, a defense confederation which originally
consisted of ten cities. Eventually, they became an entire Roman province.), from Jerusalem,
from the land of Judea, and from the area across the Jordan River.

The Sermon on the Mount

5 When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up on a mountain and sat down. His followers came to
him. 2 This is what he started teaching them:

Being Happy

              3 "The people who are broken in spirit are happy,
                   because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
              4 The people who are crying now will be happy
                   because they will be comforted.
              5 Humble people are happy,
                   because the earth will be given to them.
              6 People who are hungry and thirsty for what is right are happy,
                   because they will be filled.
              7 People who give mercy to others are happy,
                   because they will receive mercy.
              8 People who have pure hearts are happy,
                    because they will see God.
              9 People who make peace are happy,
                    because they will be called the sons of God.
             10 The people who have been persecuted
                   because they were doing right are happy,
                 because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them.
              11 "You will be happy when people insult you,
                 persecute you, and tell all kinds of lies against you because of me.
     12 You should be full of joy and be very glad, because you will have great rewards in heaven. This was the way your ancestors persecuted the prophets before you.

Losing Your Influence

     13 "You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt loses its salty taste (* In Jesus' day, salt was
often stored inside bags made of animal skin. This salt contained impurities which absorbed
moisture during damp weather. The pure salt would dissolve and leak through thc bags, leaving
only saltless residue. Thus, salt eventually lost its qualities), then it is no good. You cannot make
it salty again. It is good for nothing. It is thrown outside where people walk on it.

     l4 "You are light for the world. It is not possible to hide a city which is sitting on a hill.15 No
one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, he puts the lamp on a lamp table, and
it shines for everyone in the house. 16 So, let your light shine in front of people, so that they will
see the good things you do. Then they will give glory to your Father, who is in heaven.

The Importance of the Law and the Prophets

     17 "Do not think I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy them.
I have come to give them their full meaning. 18 I am telling you the truth: While heaven and
earth are standing, not even the smallest letter -- or part of a letter -- can be changed in the law
until everything is completed. 19 Anyone who disobeys even one of the smallest commands
and teaches this way to others will not be important in the kingdom of heaven. But, anyone who
obeys and teaches the right way will be important in the kingdom of heaven. 20 I tell you, if
your 'righteousness' is no better than that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will
not enter the kingdom of heaven.

Make Things Right

     21 "You have heard that this was said to the people long ago: 'Do not murder. Anyone who
commits murder will be punished.' 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother
without a reason will be punished. Anyone who says 'You idiot!' (* a very unkind word [raka].
It attacks the humanity of a person. It is the same as calling someone empty-headed, stupid,
and good-for-nothing--a judgment which only God can make. We are made in God's image -
Genesis 1:26) to his brother must answer to the Jewish Council. Anyone who says, 'You fool!'
will be punished in hell fire. 23 Suppose you are bringing your gift to God at the altar. While
there, you remember that your brother has something against, you. 24 Leave your gift right
there in front of the altar. The important thing is to go and make friends with your brother.
When you come back, offer your gift to God. 25 When someone is trying to sue you, settle
things out of court quickly. Do this while you are still with him on the way to court, or he
might give you to the judge. And the judge might give you to the officer and then you might be
thrown into jail. 26 I am telling you the truth: You may never get out of there, until you pay
off the last penny.

Sin Begins in the Heart

     27 You have heard that this was said to the people long ago: 'You must not commit
adultery.' 28 But I am telling you that when any man continues looking at a woman because he
wants her sexually, he has already, in his heart, committed adultery with her. 29 If your right
eye is making you sin, take it out and throw it away from you! You would be better off to
destroy one part of your body than to have your whole body thrown into hell. 30 Or, if your
right hand is making you sin, cut it off and throw it away from you! You would be better off to
destroy one member of your body than for your whole body to go off into hell.

Divorce and Remarriage

     31 "This has been said: 'A man who divorces his wife must give her divorce papers.' 32 But
I am telling you, unless the reason is her sexual sin, any man who divorces his wife causes her
to commit adultery, and anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery, too.

Say What You Mean and Do It

     33 "Again, you have heard that this was said to the people long ago: 'Do not break your
vow by God; do what you promised!' 34 But I am telling you this: Do not make vows by God!
Don't make a vow by heaven, because heaven is God's throne. 35 Don't do it by the earth,
because the earth is God's footstool. Don't do it by Jerusalem, because that is the city of the
great king. 36 Don't do it by your head, because you are not able to change one hair to be white
or black. 37 Your yes answer should mean 'yes' and your no answer should mean 'no.'
Saying any more than this is bad.

Return Good instead of Evil

     38 "You have heard that this was said: 'Get back an eye for an eye. Get back a tooth for a
tooth.' 39 But I am telling you this: Do not fight back against evil. Instead, if a person hits you
on the right side of your face, turn the other side to him, too! 40 If someone wants to sue you
in order to take your shirt, let him have your robe, too! 41 If someone forces you to go one
mile (* A Roman mile [4,854 feet] was shorter than today's mile [5,280 feet]), go two miles
with him! 42 Give to every person who asks you. When someone wants to borrow something,
lend it to him.

Love Your Enemies

     43 "You have heard that this was said: 'Love your friend (* literally, neighbor) and hate your
enemy.' 44 But I say this to you: Love your enemies! Bless those people who curse you. Do
good to those who hate you.  Pray for those who are cruel to you and persecute to you, 45 so
that you will become sons of your Father, who is in heaven. God's sun shines (* literally, rises)
upon good people and bad people. It rains upon the people who do right and upon those who
do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, then you are not any better than
anyone else. Even tax collectors do the same thing! 47 If you greet only your brothers, what
more are you doing? Even people without God do the same thing! 48 You must be mature, as
your Father in heaven is."

Seek God's Approval

6 "Be careful not to do your good deeds in front of people, so that they will notice you. If you do
that, you will not receive a reward from your Father who is in heaven.

     2 "When you help poor people, don't sound a trumpet before you (* make a religious show).
The hypocrites (* those who act as though they are good when they are not) act like that in the
synagogues and on the streets, so that people will praise them. I am telling you the truth: They
have received their reward. 3 Instead, when you are helping poor people, don't let your left hand
know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your good deeds will be in secret. Your heavenly
Father secretly sees this; He will repay you openly.

Jesus Teaches about Prayer

     5 "And when you pray, don't be like the two-faced people  (* hypocrites).  They love to
stand praying in the synagogues and on the street corners, so that other people will see them.
I am telling you the truth: They have received their reward. 6 Instead, when you pray, go into
your private room and close the door. Then pray secretly to your heavenly Father. He sees this
in secret; He will repay you openly.

     7 "When you pray, don't use words without thinking, as people in the world do. They think
that by saying many words they will be listened to. 8 Don't be like them. Your heavenly Father
knows the things you need, even before you ask Him.

     9 "This is the way you should pray:
  'Father in heaven, may Your name always be kept holy.
         l0 May Your kingdom come. May what You want done be done. May it always be here
                       on earth as it is in heaven.
        11 Give us the food we need each day.
        12 Forgive us of the sins we have committed as we forgive everyone who has done wrong
                       to us.
         13 Keep us away from temptation. Rescue us from the evil one' (* the Devil).
                       The kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours forever. Amen.

     14 "If you forgive people of the things they have done wrong to you, your heavenly Father will
also forgive you. 15 However, if you do not forgive people, then your Father will not forgive the
wrong things which you have done.

True Fasting

     16 "And when you fast (* to go without food for a period of time, usually for spiritual
reasons), do not wear a sad face as the hypocrites do. They make their faces look serious, so that
people will realize that they are fasting. I am telling you the truth: They are receiving their reward.
17 Instead, when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face, l8 so that people will not realize
that you are fasting. Your heavenly Father sees it in secret; He will repay you openly.

Don't Trust in Money

     19 "Do not store your treasures on the earth, where moths and rust destroy and where robbers
dig through to steal. 20 Instead, store your treasures in heaven where moths and rust do not
destroy and where robbers cannot dig through to steal. 21 The place where your treasure is will
also be the place where your heart is.

Be a Light for the World

     22 "Your eye is like a lamp for the body. If your eye can see clearly, then the whole body is
made bright. 23 But if your eye is dark with sin, then your whole body is made dark. If the light in
you becomes dark, how great is that darkness!

Put God's Kingdom First

    24 "No one can serve two masters at the same time. He will either like one and not like the
other or he will be more loyal to one and not care about the other. You cannot serve God and
Money at the same time. 25 Because of this, I am telling you, you should not worry about what
you will eat (* Many manuscripts add: "or what you will drink") to stay alive. Don't worry about
what clothes you will wear. Living is more important than eating, and the body is more important
than clothes. 26 Look at the wild birds of the sky. Birds do not plant seeds or harvest them or
gather them into barns, but your heavenly Father takes care of them. Are you not worth so much
more than birds? Of course! 27 None of you can grow 18 inches taller by worrying about it.
28 And why worry about clothes? Learn from the way the wild flowers grow. They do not work
hard or make threads for clothes. 29 I tell you, even Solomon, with all his beautiful clothes, was
not dressed as well as one of these flowers. 30 Look how well God clothes the grass in the fields!
But the grass is here today and thrown into the oven tomorrow to be burned. Will not God dress
you so much better? Oh, you have so little faith!

     31 "So, don't worry, thinking to yourself, 'What will we eat?' or, 'What will we drink?' or,
'What will we wear?' 32 People without God put all these things first. Your heavenly Father
knows you need all these things. 33 So, put first God's kingdom and what is right. Then all the
things you need will be given to you. 34 Don't worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will
have its own worries. There is enough trouble in just one day."

Look at Yourselves First

7 "Don't pass judgment on others. Then you won't be condemned. 2 You will be judged by the
standard which you use to judge others. You will be measured by the measure you use to measure
others. 3 Why do you see the small speck which is in your brother's eye, but you don't notice the
wooden pole which is in your own eye? 4 Or, how can you say this to your brother:  'Let me take that little speck out of your eye!'? When, look, there is a wooden pole in your own eye! 5 You
are a hypocrite! (* those who act as though they are good when they are not). First, take the pole out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

     6 "Don't give what is holy to dogs. Don't throw your pearls in front of pigs. They might walk
on them, then turn and attack you!

Continue to Ask

    7 "So, I tell you, continue asking, and it will be given to you. Keep on searching and you will
find. Be knocking, and the door will open for you. 8 You will receive, if you will always ask. You
will find, if you continue looking. And the door will open for you, if you continue knocking. 9 Do
any of you have a son? What would you do if your son asked you for bread? Would you give him
a rock? l0 What if he asked you for a fish? Would you give him a snake?  11You are evil people,
and yet you know how to give good gifts to your children. Surely your heavenly Father knows
how to give good things to those people who ask Him.

     12 "Do for other people all the things which you want them to do for you. This is the meaning
of the law and the prophets.

The Narrow Door

     13 "Go through the narrow door which leads to eternal life. The door is wide and the road is
broad which leads to destruction. Many people are entering through it. 14 The door is small
which leads to life and the road is narrow. Only a few people are finding it.

Two Kinds of Fruit

     15 "Be careful of false prophets. They come to you wearing clothes to make them look like
sheep, but they are actually fierce wolves. 16 They can be recognized by the things they produce.
Do people get grapes from thorn bushes? Do they gather figs from thorny weeds? 17 So, every
tree which is a good tree produces good fruit. But a rotten tree produces bad fruit. 18 It is not
possible for a good tree to yield bad fruit. A rotten tree cannot yield good fruit. 19 Every tree
which does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into fire. 20 Therefore, you can
recognize them by what they produce.

Some Religious People will be Lost

     21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the kingdom of heaven. Only the
person who does what my heavenly Father wants will enter it. 22 On that Day many people will
say this to me: 'Lord! Lord! Isn't it true that we have prophesied, using your name? We threw out
demons with your name. And, by your name, we performed many miracles.' 23 But then I will say
this openly to them: 'You people who are doing wrong, go away from me, because I never knew
you!'

Two Kinds of People

      24 "Every person who listens to my words and obeys them is like a wise man who built his
house upon rock. 25 It rained and the river overflowed. The winds blew hard against that house,
but the house did not fall, because it was founded upon rock! 26 However, every person who
listens to my words and does not obey them is like a foolish man; he built his house upon sand.
27 The rain came down and the river overflowed. The winds blew hard against that house and it
fell down. It was a terrible fall!”

Jesus Taught with Authority

     28 And when Jesus finished saying these things, the crowds were greatly amazed at his
teaching. 29 Jesus was teaching them as one having authority, not like the teachers of the law.

Jesus Heals an Awful Disease

8 When Jesus came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 Then a man with
leprosy (* a very bad skin disease which destroys the flesh) came to him. He bowed down in front
of Jesus. The leper said, "Lord, you can heal me, if you want to."

     3 Jesus said, "I do want to heal you -- be healed!" Then Jesus stretched out his hand and
touched the man. Immediately the man's leprosy was healed. 4 Jesus said to him, "Don't tell
anyone what happened. Go show yourself to the priest. Then give a gift to God, because you have
been healed. This is what the law of Moses commands. It will prove to the priests that you are
healed."

Jesus Makes a Servant Well

     5 Jesus went into the town of Capernaum. A Roman army officer came to him, begging him,
saying, 6 "Lord, my servant is at home, sick in bed. He is crippled and suffering badly."

     7 Jesus said to him, "I will go heal him."

     8 The army officer answered, "Lord, you don't need to come into my house. I am not good
enough to be with you. You only need to give the order and my servant boy will be healed. 9 I,
too, am a person under authority. And, there are soldiers below me whom I command. I can say
to one, 'Go!' and he goes. I can say to another man, 'Come!' and he will come. Or, if I say to my
servant, 'Do this!' he will do it."

     10 When Jesus heard this, he was surprised. Jesus turned to the people who were following
him and he said, "I am telling you the truth: I have not found this much faith anywhere -- not even
in Israel! 11 I tell you, many people will come from the east and the west and sit down with
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 Those who were sons of the kingdom
will be thrown out into the dark.  In that place there will be screaming and grinding of teeth."
13 Then Jesus said to the army officer, "Go, it will happen for you as you believed."  The servant boy was healed in that same hour.

Jesus Heals a Woman

     14 As Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw Peter's mother-in-law. She was sick in bed with
a fever.

     15 Jesus touched her hand and the fever left her. She got up and began to serve Jesus.

     16 When it was late, they brought many people with demons to Jesus. With one word, he
threw out the spirits. He healed all the people who were sick, 17 so that what God had said
through the prophet Isaiah would come true:

                       "He took our sicknesses and carried away our diseases."  Isaiah 53:4

Following Jesus

     18 When Jesus saw that there was a crowd around him, he ordered, "Let us go across the
lake." 19 A teacher of the law came near and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever
you go!"

     20 Jesus said to him, "The foxes have holes to live in. The wild birds have nests in which to
live, but I (* literally, the Son of Man) have no place where I can rest my head."

     21 Another follower said to Jesus, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first."

     22 But Jesus said to him, "Follow me! Let the 'dead' bury their own dead!"

Jesus' Power over Nature

     23 Jesus got into a boat and his followers did, too. 24 Soon there was such a big storm on the
lake that the waves were getting into the boat, but Jesus was asleep. 25 The followers went to
Jesus and woke him up. They said, "Lord, save us!  We are going to die!"

     26 Then Jesus said to them, "Why are you so afraid? Oh, you have so little faith!" Then Jesus
got up and gave an order to the wind and the waves of the lake. The lake became very calm.
27 The men were amazed. They said, "What kind of man is this? Even the wind and the lake
obey him!"

The Men with Demons inside Them

     28 Jesus arrived on the other side of the lake in the country of the Gadarene people (* Some
ancient copies have "Gergesenes"; others have "Gerasenes). Two men met him. They had demons
in them. These men came out of the graveyard. They were so fierce that no one could pass by on
that road. 29 They yelled, "What do you want with us Jesus, Son of God? Did you come here to
punish us ahead of time?" 30 A long way off there was a large herd of pigs that were feeding.
31 The demons were begging Jesus, "Since you must throw us out, send us into the herd of pigs."

     32 Jesus said to them, "Go!" And they came out and went into the pigs. Suddenly, the whole
herd ran down the cliff and into the lake. They drowned. 33 Some men had been taking care of
the pigs. They ran away. When they came into the town, they told the whole story about the two
men with demons. 34 Then the whole town came out to meet Jesus. When they saw him, they
begged him to leave their area.

Jesus Heals a Crippled Man

9 Jesus got into a boat and went back across the lake. He came to his own home town. 2 There
was a man who was paralyzed. He was lying on a small bed and some men were carrying him.
When Jesus saw that these men believed, he said to the paralyzed man, "Be strong, friend, your
sins are forgiven."

     3 Some of the teachers of the law thought to themselves, "This man is speaking as if he were
God!” 4 Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said, "Why are you thinking evil thoughts in
your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'?
6 I will prove to you that, on earth, I (* literally, the Son of Man) have the authority to forgive
sins." Then Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Stand up! Pick up your bed and go home!"

     7 Then the man stood up and went home.

     8 When the crowds saw this, they had great respect for Jesus; they praised God for giving
such power to men.

Matthew Follows Jesus

     9 As Jesus was leaving that place, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax office. Jesus
said to him, "Follow me!" Matthew got up and followed him.

     l0 While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and sinful people
came and joined Jesus and his followers for dinner. 11 Some Pharisees saw this. They asked
Jesus' followers, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinful people?"

     12 When Jesus heard about it, he said, "Healthy people don't need a doctor, but sick people
do. 13 Go and learn what this means:

         'I want mercy more than I want animal sacrifices.’ Hosea 6:6

I came to invite sinners, not 'righteous' people."

Fasting

     14 Then the followers of John came to Jesus, asking,  "Why do we and the Pharisees fast
(* to go without food for a period of time -- usually for spiritual reasons), but your followers do
not fast?"

     15 Jesus asked them, "Would it be right for the friends of the groom to be sad (* literally, fast)
while he is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them.
Then his friends will fast.

     16 "No one sews a piece of cloth which has never been washed onto an old robe because it
would shrink and tear away from the robe and the hole would become worse. 17 No one puts
new wine into old wine bags. If they did, the old wine bags would break open, the wine would
spill out, and the wine bags would be ruined. Instead, people put new wine into new wine bags
and both are preserved." (* In those days, the wine bottles were made of animal skins. The grape
juice would ferment and stretch the wine bags. If new wine were put into an old wine bag [one
which was already stretched to the limit], the fermentation process would break it open. A new
wine bag still had room to stretch.).

The Daughter of Jairus

     18 While Jesus was talking to them, suddenly a ruler of the synagogue came near and began to
bow down in front of Jesus. The man said, "My daughter has just died! But, if you come and put
your hand on her, she will come back to life."

     19 Jesus stood up and started to follow him. Jesus' followers did too. 20 But there was a
woman who had an open sore. (It had been bleeding for twelve years).  She went behind Jesus
and touched the tassel of his robe (* A true Israelite wore tassels on the four corners of his outer
garment - see Numbers 15:38-39). 21 She was thinking to herself, "If only I can touch his robe,
then I will be made well!"

     22 But Jesus turned around and saw her. He said, "Be strong, dear woman, you are made well
because you believed.'' And, from that moment on, the woman was made well.

     23 When Jesus came to the ruler's house, he saw the men playing flutes and the crowd making
noise (* They were probably mourners who were paid to perform this function). 24 Jesus said
again and again, "Go away! The little girl did not die; she is only sleeping." But they laughed at
him. 25 When the crowd had been put outside, Jesus went in and took her hand, and the little girl
stood up. 26 And the news about this went out all over that land.

Two Blind Men See

     27 As Jesus was leaving that place, two blind men followed him. They were shouting, "Son of
David! Please help us!" 28 After Jesus had gone into a house, the blind men came to him. Jesus
said to them, "Do you believe that I can do this?"
          They said to him, "Yes, Lord."

     29 Then Jesus touched their eyes. He said, "May this happen to you because you believed!"
30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them, "Don't tell anyone about this!" 31 But they
went out and spread the news about him all over that whole area.

Jesus' Power over Demons

     32 While they were leaving, they brought a man to Jesus. The man could not talk. He had a
demon. 33 After the demon had been thrown out, the man who had not been able to talk began
to talk. The crowds were amazed. They said, "No one has ever seen anything like this happen in
Israel!"

     34 However, the Pharisees continued to say, "Jesus makes demons go away by using the
power of the ruler of the demons!"

Jesus' Compassion for Lost People

     35 Jesus went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching
the Good News about the kingdom. He was healing all kinds of sicknesses and diseases.
36 When Jesus saw the crowds, he felt sorry for them, because they were worried and helpless,
like sheep that didn't have a shepherd. 37 Then Jesus said to his followers, "There is a big harvest,
but there are not many workers. 38 So, pray that the Owner of the harvest will send more
workers into the harvest field."

Jesus Chooses Twelve Apostles

10 Jesus called his twelve followers. He gave them the authority to throw out evil spirits and
to heal every kind of disease and sickness. 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles:

                           First there was Simon (called Peter)
                           Andrew (Peter's brother)
                           James (the son of Zebedee)
                           John (James' brother)
                        3 Philip
                           Bartholomew
                           Thomas
                           Matthew (the tax collector)
                           James (the son of Alphaeus)
                           Thaddaeus
                        4 Simon the Revolutionary (* The Zealots were a group of Jewish men -- fanatics.
                                   They claimed to uphold the law of Moses, even if they had to become
                                   violent to do so. They favored revolt against Rome).
                          Judas Iscariot (He turned against Jesus.)

Jesus Sends out the Twelve Apostles

     5 Jesus sent out these twelve men with these orders: "Don't go off into any non-Jewish area.
Don't go into any Samaritan town. 6 Instead, go to the lost sheep -- the people of Israel. 7 As you
are going, preach this: 'The kingdom of heaven is very near!' 8 Heal sick people. Raise people
from death. Make lepers well. Throw out demons. You received freely; give freely. 9 Don't take
along any gold, silver, or copper in your money belts.  10 Don't take a bag for the trip, an extra
suit of clothes, shoes, or a walking cane. A worker should be given his pay. ll-13 When you enter
a town or a village, find someone there who is worthy. When you go into his house, give your
greeting to it. If the household is worthy, let your greeting of peace be upon it. Stay there until it
is time to leave. However, if the household is not worthy, let your greeting of peace come back to
you. 14 Whenever someone does not welcome you or listen to your words, go outside that town
or house and shake the dust off your feet (* A Jewish custom showing rejection of non-Jews.
Here it is used toward those who reject the Good News). I am telling you the truth: On the
Judgment Day, God will punish the people of that town more than He will punish the people of
Sodom and Gomorrah!

Watch Out!

     16 "Listen! I am sending you like sheep into a pack of wolves. Be wise like snakes, yet as
gentle as doves.

     17 "Watch out for people! They will betray you to the local courts. They will whip you in their
synagogues. 18 Men will take you to be judged before governors and kings because you are
associated with me. You can tell them and the nations of the world all of the things you have seen
me do. 19 When they turn against you, don't worry about what or how you will speak. At that
time what you should say will be given to you. 20 You will not be doing the talking; it will be the
Spirit of your heavenly Father who will be speaking through you.

     21 "A brother will hand over his own brother -- to put him to death! A father will do the same
thing to his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. 22 Everyone will hate you because of me, but the person who endures to the end will be saved. 23 When they persecute you in one town, quickly go to another town. I am telling you the truth: I (* literally, the Son of Man) will come before you finish working in the towns of Israel.

     24 "A student is not higher than the teacher. A servant is not higher than his master. 25 The
student should be satisfied to become like his teacher. The servant should be satisfied to become
like his master. Since they called the owner of the house 'Beelzebul' (* literally, lord of the flies,
a name given to the Devil) they will call the members of the owner's family by names which are
even worse.

The One to Fear

     26 "Don't be afraid of people, because everything which is hidden will be found out and
everything which is secret will be made known. 27 What I am telling you in the dark you must
tell in the light. What you hear whispered you must announce from the top of the houses.

     28 "Don't be afraid of people. People can kill the body, but they cannot kill the soul. Instead,
you should fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Two sparrows are sold
for only a small coin and yet, not one sparrow falls to the ground without your heavenly Father
knowing it.

     30 God even knows how many hairs you have on your head.

     31 Don't be afraid. You are worth more than many sparrows.

Don't Be Ashamed of Jesus

     32 "If anyone confesses, in front of other people, that he believes in me, then I will speak for
him in front of my Father in heaven. 33 But if anyone is ashamed of me in front of people, then I
will be ashamed of him in front of my Father in heaven."

People will not Agree about Jesus

     34 "Don't think that I came to give peace to the world. No, I came to make war. 35 I came
to divide:
               'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother,
          36 a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
                The enemies of a person might be the members of his own family.'  Micah 7:6

     37 "The person who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. The person
who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 The person who does not
accept his cross (* responsibility from God) and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 The person
who finds his life will lose it, but the person who gives his life away because of me will find it.

A Prophet's Reward

     40 "The person who welcomes you welcomes me. The person who is welcoming me is
welcoming the One who sent me. 41 The person who welcomes a prophet as a true prophet will
receive a prophet's reward. A person who receives a good man as a truly good man will receive
a good man's reward.  42 If anyone gives one of these precious ones a drink of cold water
because he is my follower, I tell you the truth, that person will certainly not lose his reward."

John Asks a Question

11 When Jesus finished giving these orders to his twelve followers he left there to teach and to
preach among their towns.

     2 John was in prison. (* Herod Antipas had put John in prison, because John accused Herod
Antipas of illegally marrying his half-brother's wife - see Matthew 14:3). He heard about the
things which the Messiah was doing. So he sent his followers to ask Jesus this question: 3 "Are
you the one who is coming, or should we expect someone else?"

     4 Jesus answered them, "Go tell John the things you see and hear. 5 The blind people can see
again. Crippled people can walk. People with leprosy are made well. The deaf can hear. Dead
people are given life. And the Good News is given to the poor people. 6 The person who is not
ashamed of me is truly happy!"

     7 After these men left, Jesus began to tell the crowds about John: "What did you people go
into the desert to see? A stalk of grass being blown by the wind? 8 Why did you go out there? Did
you go to see a man dressed in fine clothes? Listen, the people who wear fine clothes live in
palaces. 9 Really, what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, John is even more than
a prophet. l0 This was written about John:

                   'Listen! I am sending my messenger to go ahead of you.
                   He will prepare the way for you!'    Malachi 3:1

11 I am telling you the truth: John (the one who immersed people) is greater than any man ever
born, but the person who is least important in the kingdom of heaven is greater than John.
12 From the time when John appeared until now, the kingdom of heaven is being attacked;
violent men are trying to capture it. 13 Until the time of John, the law of Moses and all the
prophets prophesied about it. 14 And, if you are willing to accept it, John is the Elijah who was
to appear (* see Malachi 4:5-6). 15 The person who has ears to hear with should use them.

     16 "Now, I will compare the people of this time to something else: What are they like? The
people of this time are like little children sitting in the marketplaces, 17 calling to each other:

                     'We played a happy song, but you did not dance.
                       We played a sad song, but you did not cry!'

18 John came neither eating normal food nor drinking wine. And they say, 'He has a demon inside
him!' 19  I (* literally, the Son of Man) came eating and drinking. And they say, 'Look, he eats
too much and drinks too much wine! He is the friend of tax collectors and other sinful people!'
True wisdom is shown to be right by the things it does.” (* literally, Wisdom is made right by her
works).

People Who Won't Listen

     20 Then Jesus began to criticize the towns where most of his miracles had occurred. The
people had not changed their hearts. 21 "It will be horrible for you, O town of Chorazin! It will be
horrible for you, Bethsaida! Many miracles have occurred in you. If these same miracles had
occurred in the cities of Tyre and Sidon, then those people in Tyre and Sidon would have changed
their hearts and actions (* or, repented) long ago. 22 But on the Judgment Day, God will punish
you more than the people of Tyre and Sidon. 23 And you, Capernaum, do you think you will be
lifted up to heaven? You will be thrown down to Hades! (* the world of the dead). Many miracles
have occurred in you. If these same miracles had occurred in Sodom, that city would still be
standing today. 24 But on the Judgment Day, God will punish you more than He will punish the
people of Sodom!"

Jesus Prays to the Father

     25 At that time, Jesus said, "Father, Lord of heaven and earth, I praise You because You have
hidden these teachings from the 'wise' and 'intelligent' people, but You show Your teachings to
little children. 26 Yes, Father, I praise You, because this is what You really wanted to do.

      27 "My Father has given me all things. Only the Father knows who the Son is. And only the
Son knows who the Father is. The only people who will know about the Father are those people
whom the Son chooses to tell."

     28 "You are tired and have heavy loads. If all of you will come to me, I will give you rest.
29 Take the job (* literally, the yoke - responsibility) I give you.  Learn from me because I am
gentle and humble in heart.  You will find rest for your lives. 30 The duty I give you is easy. The
load I put upon you is not heavy."

Jesus Is Lord over the Sabbath Day

12 At that time, Jesus was traveling through a field of grain on a Sabbath day. His followers
were hungry.  They began to pick the grain and eat it. 2 The Pharisees saw this and said to Jesus,
“Look! Your followers are doing what is not right to do on the Sabbath day."

     3 Jesus said to them, "Do you remember reading about what David did when he and his men
were hungry? 4 David went into the house of God. They ate the holy loaves of bread. The law did
not permit David or his men to eat them – only the priests could eat them. 5 You have read in the
law of Moses that every Sabbath day the priests in the temple courtyard disobey the laws of the
Sabbath. And yet, they have no guilt. 6 But, I'm telling you, there is one here who is more
important than the temple! 7 Have you read this:

               'I want mercy more than I want animal sacrifices.'?  Hosea 6:6

If you had read this, you would not have condemned innocent people! 8  I (* Jesus) am Lord over
the Sabbath day."

Jesus Heals a Man on the Sabbath Day

     9 Jesus moved away from that place. He went into their synagogue. 10 A man with a crippled
hand was there. They asked Jesus, "Is it right to heal people on the Sabbath day?" (They wanted
to accuse Jesus of doing something wrong).

     11 Jesus said to them, "Suppose one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath
day. Wouldn't you grab it and pull it out? 12 A human being is so much more important than a
sheep. So it is right to do good on the Sabbath day."

      13 Then Jesus said to the man, "Stretch out your hand!" The man did this. His hand was made
as healthy as his other hand. 14 The Pharisees left. They made plans to kill Jesus.

Jesus, God's Special Servant

     15 When Jesus learned about this, he left that place. Many people followed him. Jesus healed
them all. 16 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 17 What God said through the
prophet Isaiah came true:

                 18 "Look at My special servant! He is the one I have chosen.
                        I love him and I am very pleased with him. I will put My Spirit upon him.
                        He will announce justice for the nations, too.
                  19 He will not argue or yell. No one will hear his voice in the streets.
                  20 He will not break the stem of a plant that has been bent.
                          He will not even put out the flame of a wick which is barely burning,
                                 until he causes justice to win.
                   21 The nations will put their hope in his name." Isaiah 42:1-4

The Power of God

     22 Then they brought a man with a demon to Jesus. This man was blind and he could not talk.
Jesus healed him. The man was able to speak and see. 23 All the crowds were amazed. They kept
saying, "This man is not the son of David, is he?"

     24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man throws demons out only by using
the power of Beelezebul (* literally, the lord of flies, a name given to the Devil), the ruler of
demons!"

      25 Jesus knew what they were thinking. He said to them, "Every kingdom which is divided
against itself will be ruined. Every town or family which is divided against itself will not hold
together. 26 If Satan were throwing out Satan, then he would be divided against himself. How
could his kingdom stay together? 27 But if I throw out demons by using the power of Beelezebul
(* the Devil), then whose power do your own people use to throw them out? This is why your
own people prove you are wrong! 28 However, if it is true that I use the Spirit of God to throw
out demons, then God's kingdom has come upon you!

     29 How can someone go into a strong man's house and take away his possessions? He must
first tie up the strong man. Then he can rob the strong man's house.

     30 If a person is not with me, he is against me. The person who does not gather with me
scatters. 31 This is why I am telling you that people may be forgiven of any sin or any evil
thing said against God, but they cannot be forgiven of saying evil things against the Holy Spirit!
32 If someone says something against me (* literally, the Son of Man), he can be forgiven.
However, if someone says something against the Holy Spirit, he cannot be forgiven--not in this
age nor the next one.

Two Kinds of Fruit

     33 Either call the tree good and its fruit good, or call the tree rotten and its fruit rotten. A tree
can be known by its fruit. 34 You are like poisonous snakes. You are evil. How can you say good
things? A person speaks what flows out of his heart. 35 A good man brings good things out of the
good treasure of his heart, but an evil man brings out evil things from an evil treasure. 36 I tell
you, sometimes people talk without thinking. On the Judgment Day they will be held responsible
for every word. 37 Your words can make you right with God or your words can condemn you."

Give Us Proof!

     38 Then some of the teachers of the law and the Pharisees answered Jesus, "Teacher, we
want to see you do a miracle."

     39 Jesus answered them, "The people living today are very evil. They are not faithful to God.
They ask for a proof from God, but no proof will be given to them. The only proof will be the
miracle which God worked for Jonah the prophet. 40 Jonah was in the belly of the big fish for
three days and three nights. In the same way, I (* literally, the Son of Man) will be in the heart of
the earth for three days and three nights. 41 On the Judgment Day the men from the city of
Nineveh will condemn the people of this time. Why? Because when Jonah preached to them, they
changed their hearts. Listen! I am greater than Jonah. 42 The Queen of Sheba (* literally, the
queen of the south  - see 1 Kings 10:1-10; 2 Chron. 9:1-12) will rise up on the Judgment Day
with the men of this time and she will condemn them.  Why?  Because she came a very long way
to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.  Listen!  I am greater than Solomon!

The Empty Man

     43 When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through dry places looking for a place to
rest. If the spirit does not find a place, 44 it says, "I will go back to the house (* The meaning of
house here is "body") from which I came. So, it goes and finds that house empty, cleaned up, and
in order. 45 Then the evil spirit goes and brings seven other spirits worse than itself, and they go
into that man and live there. And that man has even more trouble than he had before. The evil
people of this time will be the same way."

The True Family of Jesus

     46 While Jesus was speaking to the crowds, suddenly, his mother and his brothers stood
outside. They were wanting to speak with him. 47 Someone said to him, "Your mother and your
brothers are standing outside; they want to speak with you."

     48 Jesus answered that person, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?" 49 Then Jesus
pointed to his followers and said, "Look, all these people are my mother and my brothers!  50 If a
person does what my Father in heaven wants him to do, he is my brother, my sister, or my
mother!"

Four Kinds of Heart

13  That day Jesus left the house, and he was sitting beside the lake of Galilee. 2 There were so
many people who came to Jesus that he had to get into a boat. He sat in the boat and all the
crowd stood on the shore. 3 Jesus used many examples to speak with them: "A farmer went out
to plant his seed. 4 While he was planting, some seeds fell along the road. The wild birds ate them
up. 5 Some other seeds fell on rocky soil. There was not much soil there. The little plants grew up
quickly, because the soil was not deep. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were burned,
because their roots dried up. 7 Some more seeds fell among thorny weeds. But the thorny weeds
came up and killed them off later. 8 And some seeds fell on good soil. Some were producing fruit
100 times more, some were producing 60 times more, and some 30 times more. 9 The person
who has ears must use them!”

Why Examples?

     10 Jesus' followers came and asked him, "Why do you use examples to speak to us?"

     11 Jesus answered, "You have been chosen to learn the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but
these secrets have not been given to others. 12 The person who has something will get more.
However, what will happen to the one who has almost nothing? Even what he has will be taken
away from him! 13 This is why I use stories when I talk with them, so that they look, but do not
see, and they listen, but they do not understand. 14 They have made Isaiah's prophecy come true:

                      'You will certainly hear, but you won't understand!
                      You will certainly see, but you won't understand!
                 15 The heart of this people has become hard.
                        They have ears, but they do not listen. They have shut their eyes.
                             Otherwise, they would see with their eyes,
                        hear with their ears, understand with their minds, and then turn.
                              I would heal them.'  Isaiah 6:9-10

16 "You are very blessed to see what you now see, and to hear what you now hear. 17 I am
telling you the truth: Many prophets and good men wanted to see what you now see, but they did
not see it. And they wanted to hear what you now hear, but they did not hear it.

The Meaning of the Story

     l8 "Listen to the meaning of the example about the farmer: 19 A person hears the message
about the kingdom, but he does not understand it. Then the evil one (* the Devil) comes and
takes away what was planted in the person's heart. This is the meaning of what was planted
along the road. 20 What was planted on rocky soil is the person who hears the message and
accepts it with gladness right away. 21 However, he does not have deep roots in himself; he
doesn't last long. When, because of the message, trouble or persecution comes, he soon gets
discouraged and gives up. 22 That which was planted among the thorny weeds is the one who
hears the message, but the worries of this age and deceiving riches chokes out the message. It
never produces fruit. 23 What was planted on good soil is the one who listens to the message
and understands it. He produces fruit -- some of it is 100 times more, some is 60 times more,
and some 30 times more."

Wheat and Weeds

     24 Jesus used another story. He said, "The kingdom of heaven is like this: A man planted some
good wheat seed in his field. 25 While his men were sleeping, the man's enemy came and planted
some weeds among the wheat. Then he went away. 26 When the wheat came up and started
making heads of wheat, the weeds appeared, too. 27 The servants went to the owner and said to
him, 'Lord, you planted good wheat seed in your field. Where did the weeds come from?'

     28 The man said to them, 'An enemy did this!'

    The servants said to him, 'Do you want us to go out and collect the weeds?'

     29 He said, 'No, because while you are collecting the weeds, you might tear up the wheat
which is next to the weeds. 30 Let the wheat and the weeds grow together until harvest time. At
that time, I will tell the workers to gather up the weeds first. Then they can tie them together in
bundles to burn them, but they will gather the wheat into my barn.'"

A Mustard Seed

     31 As Jesus was talking to them, he used another story: "What is the kingdom of heaven like?
It is like the seed of the mustard plant. A person plants the seed in his garden. 32 It is one of the
smallest seeds of all. But when it grows up, it is the largest garden plant -- it becomes a tree. The
wild birds build nests in its branches."

Yeast

     33 Jesus spoke to them with another example: "The kingdom of heaven is like yeast which a
woman mixes into a tub (* literally, three satas; about 40 liters - about four and a half pecks) of
flour to make the bread rise."

Jesus Used Examples

     34 Jesus used examples to say all these things to the crowds. He always spoke to them with a
story. 35 What God said through the prophet came true:

                   "When I open my mouth to speak, I will use examples.
           I will tell things which have been hidden since the world was created."  Psalm 78:2

The Meaning of the Wheat/Weed Story

     36 Then Jesus left the crowds and went into the house. His followers came to him and said,
"Tell us plainly the meaning of the story about the weeds in the field."

     37 Jesus answered, "I (* literally, the Son of Man) am the one who planted the good seed.
38 The field is the world. The good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of
the evil one (* the Devil). 39 The enemy who sowed the weeds is the Devil. Harvest time is the
end of the age. And the workers are angels. 40 The weeds will be collected and burned in fire. It
will be like this at the end of the age.  41 I (* literally, the Son of Man) will send my angels. They
will collect everything which makes people sin and the people who do wrong, and put them out of
his kingdom. 42 The angels will throw them into a hot oven. In that place there will be screaming
and grinding of teeth. 43 Then the good people will shine as brightly as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. The person who has ears should use them!"

A Buried Treasure

     44 "The kingdom of heaven is like a buried treasure. A man finds it buried in a field. He is so
happy that he goes and sells everything he owns and buys that field."

A Very Beautiful Pearl

     45 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a businessman who is always looking for good pearls.
46 One day he found a very beautiful pearl. He went and sold everything he owned and bought
that pearl.

A Large Net

     47 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a big net which is thrown into the lake. It catches
every kind of fish. 48 When the net is full, the men pull it onto the shore. Then they sit down and
pick out the good fish. They throw the good fish on the beach, but they throw the worthless fish
away. 49 It will be like this at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the good
people from the bad people. 50 The angels will throw the bad people into a hot oven. In that place
there will be screaming and grinding of teeth."

Things Old and New

     51 Jesus said to them, "Do you understand all these things?" They said to him, "Yes, Lord."

     52 Jesus said to them, "Every teacher of the law who becomes trained for the kingdom of
heaven is like a man who is the head of his house. He brings new things and old things out of his
treasure."

Ashamed of Jesus

     53 When Jesus finished all these examples, he left that place. 54 He came to his home town.
He was teaching them in their synagogue. They were greatly amazed at him. They asked, "Where
did Jesus get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Isn't it true that he is the son of
Joseph, the woodworker, and that his mother's name is Mary? His brothers are: James, Joseph,
Simon, and Judas. 56 His sisters are here with us, too. So, where did he get all these things?"
57 They were offended at Jesus.

       But Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not accepted in his own home town or by his own
family." 58 So, because they did not believe, Jesus did not perform many miracles there.

Herod Is Confused about Jesus

14  At that time, Herod Antipas, the ruler, heard the report about Jesus. 2 He said to his
servants, "This is John (the one who immersed people)! He has come back to life! That is why
these powers are working in him."

     3 Before this time, Herod had ordered his men to arrest John, tie him up, and put him in
prison. He did this because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife. (* This was not Philip the
tetrarch, ruler of Iturea and Trachonitus [Luke 3:1], but he was another half-brother of Herod
Antipas by the same name).  4 John had been saying to Herod, "It is not right for you to have
her!" 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the crowd. (The people thought of John as
a prophet.) 6 When it was Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced in front of everyone.
She pleased Herod. 7 He vowed to give her anything she asked for. 8 Her mother suggested this
to her: "Give me, here on a plate, the head of John!" 9 The king was very sad, but, because of the
vow and the guests, Herod ordered that it be done. l0 He sent some men to the prison to cut off
John's head. 11 His head was brought on a plate and given to the girl. She gave it to her mother.
12 John's followers came and carried the body away and buried it. Then they went to tell Jesus
about it.

Jesus Feeds more than 5,000 People

     13 When Jesus heard this, he left there in a boat to be all alone.  He went to a place where no
one lived. However, the crowds found out where Jesus had gone and, on foot, they followed him
from the towns. 14 When Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a large crowd; he felt sorry for them.
He healed their sick people.

     15 Since evening was coming, Jesus' followers came to him and said, "No one lives in this
place and it is already late. Tell the people to go away. They need to buy food for themselves in
the villages around here."

     16 Jesus said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat!”

     17 But they said to him, “We have only five loaves of bread and two fish.”

     18 Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.”

     19 Jesus ordered the people to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves of bread and two
fish.  Then he looked up to heaven. He thanked God for the food and divided it. Then he began
giving the loaves of bread to his followers and they gave it to the people. 20 Everyone ate and was full. They gathered up all the pieces of the food which were left over. They filled twelve large
baskets with this food. 21 (There were about 5,000 men, not including the women and children,
who were eating).

Walking on Water

     22 Soon Jesus made his followers get into the boat. He wanted them to go on ahead of him
across the lake, while he sent the people away. 23 After Jesus sent the people away, he went up
to a mountain to be alone and to pray. It was evening and Jesus was the only one there. 24 The
boat was already a long way from the shore. The waves were beating against the boat; they were
heading into the wind. 25 It was after three o'clock in the morning when Jesus came to them. He
was walking on the lake. 26 When Jesus' followers saw him walking on the lake, they were
alarmed. They shouted with fear, "It's a ghost!” 27 Immediately, Jesus spoke to them, "Be strong!
It is I. Don't be afraid."

     28 Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water!"

     29 Jesus said, "Come!" Then Peter got down from the boat and went toward Jesus, walking on
the water. 30 But when Peter saw the way the wind was blowing, he was afraid. He began to sink.
Peter cried out, "Lord, save me!"

     31 Immediately, Jesus stretched out his hand and caught him. Jesus said to him, "Oh, you have
so little faith; why did you doubt?" 32 When they climbed into the boat, the wind stopped.
33 They all worshiped him, saying, "You really are the Son of God!"

Jesus Heals Some Sick People

     34 After they crossed over, they came to the shore at Gennesaret. 35 The men from that place
recognized Jesus. They sent people all over that area, bringing all of their sick people to Jesus.
36 The people were begging him; they only wanted to touch the tassel of his robe (* Tassels were
worn on four corners of a robe to remind the people of the law - Numbers 15:38-40). And all
those who did touch it were made well.

God's Command or Man's Tradition?

15  Then some teachers of the law and some Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Jesus. They
asked, 2 "Why are your followers breaking the old rules of the elders? When your followers eat,
they do not wash their hands."

     3 Jesus answered them, "Why do you break God's command for the sake of old rules of your
own? 4 God said,

                   'You must love and obey your father and mother.'  Exodus 20:12

and

               'The person who curses his father or mother must die.' Exodus 21:17

5 But you say if anyone says to his father or mother, 'Whatever you might have gotten from me, I
have given to God instead!'  6 So, he will never respect his father or his mother. Because of your
tradition you are taking away the authority of God's teaching! 7 Hypocrites! (* those who act as though they are good when they are not).  How right Isaiah was when he prophesied about you:

                         8 'These people come near me with their mouth and respect me with their lips,
                              but their heart is far away from Me.
                         9 It does no good for them to worship Me.
                              They teach rules made by men, not God.'"  Isaiah 29:13

Evil Comes from the Heart

     l0 Jesus called the crowd. He said to them, "Listen, and understand! l1 What goes into the
mouth does not make a person unholy. No, it's what comes out of the mouth that makes a person
unholy."

     12 Then Jesus' followers came to him and asked, "Do you know that the Pharisees were
insulted when they heard this teaching?"

     13 Jesus answered, "Every plant which was not planted by my heavenly Father will be pulled
up by the roots.14 Leave them alone! They are blind guides. If a blind man guides another blind
man, both of them will fall into a pit."

     15 Peter said to Jesus, "Explain this story to us."

     16 Jesus said, "Do you still not understand? 17 You know that everything which goes into the
mouth goes into the stomach. Then it comes out as waste. 18 But the things which are coming
from the mouth are really coming from the heart-these things make a person unholy. 19 These
things come from the heart:

                               evil thoughts
                               murder
                               adultery
                               sexual sin
                               stealing
                               lying
                               slander

20 These are the things which make a person unholy. Eating with unwashed hands does not make
a person unholy!"

A Canaanite Woman

     21 Jesus left there and went to the area of the cities of Tyre and Sidon. 22 A Canaanite woman
from that area came out to Jesus. She shouted, "Lord! Son of David! Please help me! My
daughter has a demon inside her; she is suffering terribly!''

     23 But Jesus did not say a word to her. His followers came begging him, "Send her away!
She is always following us around, shouting."

     24 Jesus answered her, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the family of Israel."

     25 But she came to Jesus and bowed down in front of him. She said, "Lord, help me!"

     26 Jesus answered, "It is not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the puppies."

     27 But the woman said, "Yes, Lord, but even the puppies eat the crumbs which fall from their
masters' table."

     28 Then Jesus answered her, "Woman, you have a strong faith. What you want will be done
for you!" At that moment her daughter was healed.

     29 Jesus went away from there and came to Lake Galilee. He went up a mountain and sat
down there. 30 Many people came to him. They had their sick people with them: the lame, the
blind, the crippled, the deaf, and many others. They laid them at Jesus' feet and he healed them all.
31 The crowd was amazed when they saw the deaf talking, crippled people healthy, the lame
walking, and blind people seeing. They praised the God of Israel.

Jesus Feeds more than 4,000 People

     32 Jesus called his followers. He said to them, "I feel sorry for the people. For three days they
have stayed with me without eating anything. I don't want to send them away hungry; they might
faint along the road."

     33 His followers said to him, "Where can we get enough bread in this remote place to satisfy
such a large crowd?"

     34 Jesus said to them, "How many loaves of bread do you have?"

          They answered, "Seven... and a few little fish."

     35 Jesus ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 He took the seven loaves of bread
and the fish. After he thanked God, he divided the food and began giving it to his followers who
then gave it to the crowd. 37 Everyone ate and was full. They gathered up all the pieces of food
which were left over. With this food, they filled seven small baskets. 38 (There were 4,000 men,
not including the women and children, who ate.) 39 Jesus sent the crowds away. Then he
climbed into the boat and he came to the Magadan area.

Understanding the Times

16  The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus. They were trying to make Jesus prove to them
that he came from heaven. 2 Jesus answered them, "When evening begins, you say, 'It will be
good weather tomorrow, because the sky is red.' 3 And, in the morning, you say, 'Today it will be
stormy, because the sky is red and dark.' You hypocrites! You can understand changes in the sky
which show a change in the weather, but you cannot understand the signs of change of this time in
history. 4 The people who are living today are evil and not faithful to God. They ask for a proof
from God, but no proof will be given to them except the Jonah miracle." Then Jesus left them and
went away.

The Teaching of the Pharisees and the Sadducees

     5 When Jesus' followers went across Lake Galilee, they forgot to bring along some bread.
6 Jesus said to them, "Be careful! Watch out for the yeast (* Here "yeast" means influence) of the
Pharisees and the Sadducees."

     7 They started thinking to themselves, "Jesus must have said this because we didn't bring along
any bread."

     8 Jesus knew what was on their minds. He said, "Oh, you have so little faith! Why are you
thinking to yourselves, '... that you have no bread'? 9 Do you still not understand? Do you
remember the five loaves of bread which fed the 5,000 men? Do you remember how many large
baskets of leftovers you picked up?

     l0 Do you remember the seven loaves of bread which fed the 4,000 men? Do you remember
how many small baskets of leftovers you picked up? 11 "Why could you not understand what I
was saying to you? When I said, 'Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees,' I
was not talking about bread."

     12 Then they understood that Jesus was not wanting them to stay away from the yeast used
for bread. Instead, he wanted them to stay away from the teaching of the Pharisees and the
Sadducees.

Jesus Is the Messiah

     13 When Jesus came to the area of Caesarea Philippi, he began to ask his followers, "Who do
people say I (* literally, the Son of Man) am?"

     14 They answered, "Some people say you are John (the one who immerses people). Other
people say you are Elijah. And some people say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

     15 Jesus asked them, "But who do you say I am?"

     16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!"

      17-18 "Upon this rock foundation"(* The Greek word is "petra" - feminine gender), Jesus
answered, "I will build my community--those called out by God. Death (* literally, the gates of
Hades) will not overpower them. Blessed are you, Simon, son of John. My Father in heaven, not
man, showed that to you. You are Peter (* The Greek word is "petros” - masculine gender).
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth will have
already been bound in heaven. And whatever you loosen on earth will have already been loosened
in heaven." 20 Then Jesus warned his followers not to tell anyone that he is the Messiah.

Jesus Must Die

     21 From then on, Jesus began to show his followers that he must go away to Jerusalem; that
the Jewish elders, the most important priests, and the teachers of the law would make him suffer
many things; that he would be killed, but on the third day, he would rise from death.

      22 But Peter came to him and began to correct him, "This will never happen to you, Lord!"

      23 Jesus turned around and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are thinking something
which might cause me to sin. You are not thinking the way that God thinks, but as man thinks."

     24 Then Jesus said to his followers, "If anyone wants to follow me, he must carry his cross
(* suffering) and follow me. He must say no to himself. 25 The person who wants to save his life
will lose it, but every person who gives his life for me will find it. 26 What good is it, if a person
gains the whole world, but wrecks his own soul? What can a person use to trade for his soul?
27  I (* literally, the Son of Man) am ready to come with my angels in the glory of my Father. I
will repay every person according to the kind of life they lived. 28 I am telling you the truth:
There are some people standing here who will see me (* literally, the Son of Man) coming into
my kingdom."

Moses, Elijah, and Jesus

17  After six days, Jesus took along Peter and the two brothers, James and John. He went up on
a tall mountain to be alone. 2 Jesus' appearance began to change in front of them. His face was
shining like the sun. His clothes became white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared to
them. They were talking with Jesus.

     4 Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three holy
tents here; one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

     5 While Peter was still speaking, a bright cloud came all around them. Suddenly, a Voice
spoke from the cloud, saying, "This is My Son, and I love him. I am very pleased with him. He is
the one you must listen to!"

     6 When Peter, James, and John heard this, they fell to the ground and bowed. They were very
frightened. 7 Jesus came to them and touched them. He said, "Get up. Don't be afraid." 8 They
looked up. They saw no one else but Jesus.

     9 As they were going down the mountain, Jesus gave them this command, "Don't tell anyone
about this vision until after I (* literally, the Son of Man) rise from death."

     10 They asked Jesus, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come before the
Messiah?"

     11 Jesus answered, "Elijah comes and makes all things right. 12 But, I am telling you, Elijah
has already come! They did not acknowledge him. Instead, they treated him as they wished. In the
same way, I (* literally, the Son of Man) am about to suffer many things from them." 13 Then the
followers understood that Jesus was talking to them about John (the one who immersed people).

Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit

     14 When they got to the crowd, a man came up to Jesus. Kneeling down, 15 he said, "Lord,
please help my son. He has a very bad case of epilepsy (* a disease that violently affects the
central nervous system by loss of muscular control and loss of consciousness).  Many times he
falls into the fire. Often he falls into the water. 16 I brought him to your followers, but they could
not heal him."

     17 Jesus answered, "You people are a generation with no faith. You are warped. How long
must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here to me." 18 Jesus gave an order and
the demon came out of him. The boy was healed from that moment on.

     19 Then Jesus' followers came to him alone. They asked, "Why were we not able to throw out
the demon?"

     20 Jesus answered them, "Because of your unbelief. I am telling you the truth: If your faith
were the size of the small seed of the mustard plant, then you could say to this mountain, 'Move
from here to there!' and the mountain would move. Nothing would be impossible for you."
21 (* Many manuscripts include verse 21: "This kind does not go out except by prayer and
fasting" - see Mark 9:29).

Jesus will be Killed

     22 When they gathered together in the land of Galilee, Jesus said to them, "I (* literally, the
Son of Man) am about to be handed over to some men. 23 They will kill me." (This made the
followers feel very sad).  "However, on the third day, I will rise from death."

Jesus Pays the Temple Tax

     24 They came to the town of Capernaum. The temple tax collectors (* Jews were commanded
to support the temple's upkeep) came to Peter and said, "Your teacher pays the temple tax,
doesn't he?"

     25 Peter said, "Yes."

     When Peter went into the house, before Peter could say anything, Jesus spoke, "Simon, what
do you think? From whom do kings on earth take their taxes or tariffs? From their own sons or
from other people?"

     26 Peter said, "From other people."

     Jesus said to him, ASo their sons are free from being taxed. 27 However, we don’t want to
offend them. Go to the lake and throw in your hook.  Take the first fish that comes up. When you
have opened its mouth, you will find a coin. Take it and use it to pay the temple tax for you and
me."

The Most Important Person

18  At that time, the followers came to Jesus. They asked, "Who is the most important in the
kingdom of heaven?" 2 So Jesus called for a little child and placed the child in the middle of them.
3 He said, "I am telling you the truth: If you don't change and become like little children, you
will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 The person who humbles himself like this little child is
the most important one in the kingdom of heaven. 5 The person who, in my name, welcomes a
little child such as this one welcomes me.

Sin and Forgiveness

     6 AIf someone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for
him to have a large rock hanging around his neck and to be drowned in the deep ocean. 7 It will
be horrible for the world, because of the things which cause people to sin. Things will surely
happen which will cause people to sin. But it will be horrible for the person who causes this to
happen. 8 If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you! It
would be better for you to enter eternal life injured or crippled than to be thrown into eternal fire
with two hands or two feet. 9 If your eye causes you to sin, take it out and throw it away from
you! It would be better for you to enter eternal life with one eye than to be thrown into hell fire
with two eyes.

Each One Is Precious

     l0 "Don't treat one of these little ones as if they were not important. I tell you, their angels in
heaven are always looking at my heavenly Father's face. 11 (* Many manuscripts include
verse 11: "For the Son of Man came to save that which was lost" - see Luke 19:10.)

     12 "What do you think? Suppose a man has 100 sheep, but one of them wanders away. Then
he will leave the other 99 on the mountain and go out and look for the sheep that wandered away.
13 I am telling you the truth: When he finds it, he will be happier about it than the 99 sheep that
did not wander away. 14 In the same way, your heavenly Father doesn't want any of these little
ones to be lost.

If Your Brother Sins

     15 If your brother or sister does something wrong against you, go to him or her. Give that
person a private warning, just between you and that person. If he or she listens to you, you have
won a brother or sister. 16 But if he or she will not listen to you, take one or two people along
with you because:

                     'The testimony of two or three people is true.'  Deuteronomy 19:15

17 If that person doesn't want to listen to them, then tell the congregation. And, if he or she won't
listen to the congregation, have nothing to do with them. Treat him like tax collectors or
unbelievers are treated.

Authority from God

     18 I am telling you the truth: Whatever you bind on earth will have already been bound in
heaven. Whatever you loosen on earth will have already been loosened in heaven. 19 Again, I am
telling you, if two people on earth agree to ask God for anything, my heavenly Father will make it
happen for them. 20 Wherever two or three people have gathered in my name, I am there."

Forgiving Others

     21 Then Peter came to Jesus and said, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother when
he sins against me? Seven times?"

     22 Jesus said to him, "I am not saying seven, but seven times seventy? (* The numbers 7 and
10 were considered to be perfect [complete] numbers. 70 is a multiple of both numbers. The
meaning here is: Forgive your brother every time he sins against you). 23 The kingdom of heaven
is like a man who is ruling. He wanted to make his servants give an account. 24 When the audit
began, a man who owed the ruler several million dollars (* literally, 10,000 talents. It would take
a workman about 1,000 weeks to earn one talent) came to him. 25 The man could not repay. So,
the master ordered that his wife, children, and everything he owned be sold to pay the debt.
26 The servant fell down and began bowing to him. He said, 'Be patient with me! I will pay you
back everything!' 27 The master felt sorry for that servant. He canceled his debt and allowed him
to leave. 28 However, the same servant went out and found another servant who owed him three
months' wages (* literally, 100 silver coins). He grabbed that servant and began to choke him,
saying, 'Pay me what you owe me!' 29 The servant fell down and began to beg him, 'Be patient
with me! I will pay you back!' 30 But he wouldn't do it. Instead, he went and threw the servant in
jail until he could repay what he owed. 31 When the other servants saw what had taken place,
they felt very sad. They went and told the whole story to their master. 32 Then the master of the
first servant came to him and said, 'You evil servant! You begged me, so I canceled your whole
debt. 33 You should have given mercy to your fellow servant as I did to you!' 34 The master
became very angry. He handed the servant over to some men to punish him, until he paid back
everything he owed. 35 My heavenly Father will treat you the same way, if each of you does not
forgive his brother or sister from his heart."

Divorce

19  When Jesus finished saying these words, he left Galilee. He went to the part of Judea which
is on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him. Jesus healed
some of them there.

     3 Some Pharisees came to Jesus. They were testing him with this question: "Is it all right for a
man to divorce his wife for any reason?"

     4 Jesus answered, "You have read this:

       'In the beginning, when God created people, he made them male and female.'  Genesis 1:27

     5 He said,

          'A man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife.
           The husband and wife will become one flesh.' Genesis 2:24

6 So, they are no longer two, but one flesh. Man must not separate what God has joined
together."

     7 The Pharisees said to Jesus, "Then why did Moses give this command:

        'A man who divorces his wife must give her divorce papers.'?" Deuteronomy 24:1

     8 Jesus said to them, "Your hearts were hard, so Moses allowed you to divorce your wives,
but it was not like that from the very beginning. 9 I am telling you, unless her sexual sin is the
reason, if a man divorces his wife and marries another woman, he is committing adultery. And
anyone who marries a divorced woman commits adultery, too.”

     l0 Jesus' followers said to him, "If this is the true relationship between a husband and his wife,
it would be better not to marry!"

     11 But Jesus said to them, "Not everyone can accept this teaching--only those to whom it has
been given. There are some men who cannot have sexual relations; they were born like this.
Others were made that way by man. And some did this to themselves because of the kingdom of
heaven. Let the person who is able to accept it accept it."

Who will Enter God's Kingdom?

     13 Then some people brought their small children to Jesus, so that he could put his hands on
them and pray. But his followers told the people not to do this. 14 Jesus said to his followers,
"Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of heaven belongs to
people who are like these children." 15 Then Jesus placed his hands on them. Later he left there.

A Selfish Rich Man

     16 A man came to Jesus and asked, "Good teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal
life?"

     17 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? God is the only One who is good. Since you
want to enter eternal life, obey the commands of God."

     18 The man said to Jesus, "Which commands?"
     Jesus said,

                      "'You must not commit murder.'
                        'You must not commit adultery.'
                        'You must not steal.'
                        'You must not lie.'
                  19  'You must love and obey your father and your mother.’ Exodus 20:12-16
                        'You must love other people the same way you love yourself .... '"
                             Leviticus 19:18

     20 However, the young man said to Jesus, "But I have obeyed all these things from my
childhood! What do I still need to do?"

     21 Jesus answered him, "If you want to be all that God wants you to be, go sell everything you
have and give the money to the poor people. Then you will have a treasure in heaven. Then come,
follow me!"

     22 When the young man heard these words, he went away sad, because he owned many things
and he wanted to keep them.

     23 Jesus said this to his followers, "I am telling you the truth: It will be hard for a person with
lots of money to enter the kingdom of heaven! 24 I am telling you again: It will be easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

     25 When Jesus' followers heard this, they were very surprised. They asked, "Then who can be
saved?"

     26 Jesus looked into their eyes and said, "For men, this is impossible, but for God, all things
are possible!"

     27 Then Peter answered Jesus, "Look, we have left everything and followed you! What will
there be for us?"

     28 Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: You have followed me. At the time when
things will be made right, when I (* literally, the Son of Man) sit on my glorious throne, you will
also sit on twelve thrones. You will judge the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 Every person who has left
his home, brothers, sisters, father, mother, children, or fields, because of my name, will receive
many rewards and, after that person dies, he will receive eternal life with God. 30 Many people
who seem as if they are not important now will be important at that time. Those who seem
important now will not be important then."

God Is Fair

20  "The kingdom of heaven is like the man who owned some land. He went out early in the
morning to hire some workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay them one silver coin per day.
Then he sent them into his vineyard. 3 At about nine o'clock in the morning, he went out again
and saw some men standing around in the marketplace. They were not working. 4 He said to
them, 'You go into my vineyard, too. I will pay you whatever is fair.' 5 So they went. In the same
way, the owner went out about noon and again around three o'clock in the afternoon. 6 About
five o'clock in the afternoon, he went out and found some more men standing around. He asked
them, 'Why have you been standing around here all day long; why weren't you working?' 7 They
answered him, 'Because no one hired us.' He said to them, 'You go into my vineyard, too. I will
pay you whatever is fair.’ 8 When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager,
'Call the workers and give them their pay.’ He began paying the ones who came to work last
before the ones who came first. 9 The men who came to work at five o'clock received one silver
coin each! 10 The men who came to work first thought they would be paid more than a silver
coin, but they also received only one silver coin. 11 They took the money, but they began to
complain against the owner of the farm. 12 They said, 'The men who came last worked only one
hour. You are paying them the same amount as us! We did most of the work all day long -- and
it was hot, too!' 13 But the owner said to one, 'Friend, I was not unfair to you. You agreed to
work for me for one silver coin.14 Take this coin. It belongs to you. Go! I want to give to this
man who came to work last the same amount that I gave to you.15 It is not wrong for me to do
what I desire with what's mine! Do you have a jealous eye because I am generous?' 16 The people
who seem as though they are not important now will be important later. Those who seem
important now will not be important then. Many people are invited, but few people are chosen."

Jesus will Rise from Death

     17 Jesus was ready to go up to Jerusalem. Along the road he took the twelve followers aside.
He said to them, 18 “Listen! We are going up to Jerusalem. The most important priests and the
teachers of the law will turn against me (* literally, the Son of Man). They will condemn me to
death. 19 Then they will give me to non-Jewish men who will laugh at me, beat me with whips,
and nail me to a cross. However, I will rise from death on the third day."

The Mother of James and John

     20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee, James and John, came to Jesus with her sons. She
bowed down and asked him for something.

     21 Jesus said to her, "What do you want?"
     She said to him, "Promise me that these two sons of mine will sit on thrones in your kingdom,
one at your right side and one at your left side."

     22 Jesus answered them, "You don't know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup of
suffering which I am about to drink? Can you be immersed in the trouble in which I am being
immersed?”

     They said to Jesus, "We are able."

     23 Jesus said to them, "Yes, you will drink from the cup of suffering which I will drink, and
you will be immersed in the trouble in which I am immersed, but the privilege of sitting at my
right side or my left side is not mine to give. Instead, those places belong to those for whom my
Father prepared them." 24 When the other ten apostles heard about this, they were very angry
with the two brothers. 25 Jesus called for them and said, "You know that the rulers of the world
lord it over their people. Important men use their authority over them, 26 but you must not think
that way. Instead, if one of you wants to be great, that person should be your servant. 27 If one of
you wants to be important, he should be your slave. 28 I (* literally, the Son of Man) did not
come to be served. Instead, I came to serve and to give my life to pay the price for many people's
sins.”

Jesus Heals Two Blind Men

     29 As they were coming out of Jericho, a large crowd was following Jesus. 30 Two blind men
were sitting beside the road. When these men heard that Jesus was passing by, they shouted,
“Lord! Son of David! Please help us!" 31 Some of the people told them to be quiet. But they
shouted even louder, “Lord! Son of David! Please help us!" 32 Jesus stopped there and called for
them. He asked, "What do you want me to do for you?"

     33 They answered, "Lord, heal us! Let us be able to see again!”

     34 Jesus felt sorry for them, so he touched their eyes. Immediately, the men were able to see
again. They followed Jesus.

 Jesus Enters Jerusalem

21 When they came near Jerusalem, they went into the town of Bethphage on Olive Mountain.
Then Jesus sent two of his followers on ahead. 2 He said to them, "Go into the village just ahead
of you. You will soon find a donkey tied up. A young donkey will be with her. Untie them and
bring them to me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, say, ‘The Lord, their owner, needs them.'
Then he will send them right away."

     4 This took place to make what God said through the prophet come true:

                    5 "Tell this to the city of Jerusalem: (* literally, daughter of Zion)
                       'Listen! Your king is coming to you.
                       He is gentle; he is riding on a donkey
                       even upon a young donkey, born of a work  animal.'"  Zechariah 9:9

     6 The two followers went into town. They did exactly as Jesus told them. 7 They brought the
mother donkey and her young colt. They put their robes on top of the donkeys. Jesus took his
seat upon the robes. 8 A very large crowd spread their robes on the road for Jesus. Other people
began to cut down branches from trees and to spread them on the road. 9 The crowds were
shouting. Some people were in front of Jesus and some were behind him. They said, "Hosanna
(* literally, "Help!" "Please save!" This expressed great religious enthusiasm) to the son of David!
Give praise to this one who is coming with the authority of the Lord God. Hosanna to God!”
(* literally, in the highest places).

     l0 When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the whole city was excited, asking, "Who is this man?"

     11 The crowds continued to say, "He is Jesus, the prophet from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee."

Jesus Goes to the Temple

     12 Jesus went into the courtyard of the temple of God. He threw out all the people who were
selling and buying things there. He turned the money-exchangers' tables upside down. He also
turned over the chairs of the people who were selling pigeons. 13 Jesus said to them, "It is
written,

       'My house will be called a place for praying'  Isaiah 56:7

but you have changed it into a hiding place for thieves!" (* The merchants and money-exchangers
were providing a service for foreign Jews who needed to buy animals for sacrifice and exchange
their foreign money, but they should not have been conducting such business in the temple
courtyard. Also, they should not have charged such high prices for their services).

     14 Blind people and crippled people came to Jesus in the temple courtyard. He healed them.
15 The most important priests and teachers of the law became very angry. They saw the amazing
things which Jesus did. They saw children crying out in the temple courtyard, "Hosanna (* an
Aramaic expression of praise meaning, "Save, I pray” to the son of David!" 16 The most
important priests and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Do you hear what they are saying?" Jesus
answered them, "Yes! Have you not read this:

          'I will make praise complete by using the words of small children and babies.'" Psalm 8:2

17 Then Jesus left them and went outside of Jerusalem to the town of Bethany where he spent the
night.

A Fig Tree

     18 Early the next morning, when Jesus was going back into Jerusalem, he was hungry. 19 He
saw a fig tree next to the road. He went to it, but found no fruit on it--only leaves. (* Although
it was not time to gather figs, edible figs would have been present, along with the leaves.  This
tree would never produce figs; it was deceptive). Then Jesus spoke to the tree, "May no fruit ever
come from you!" The fig tree soon dried up. 20 When Jesus' followers saw this, they were
amazed. They asked, "How could the fig tree dry up so quickly?"

     21 Jesus answered them, "I am telling you the truth, if you have faith and don't doubt, you will
be able to perform this, too! You can even say to this mountain, 'Pick yourself up and throw
yourself into the sea!' and it will happen. 22 If you believe, then you will receive everything you
ask for in prayer.”

Where does Your Authority Come from?

     23 Jesus went into the temple courtyard. He was teaching the people. The most important
priests and some of the Jewish elders came to him. They asked, "What sort of authority do you
have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

     24 Jesus answered them, "I will ask you a question, too. If you answer me, I will tell you what
sort of authority I have to do these things: 25 Where did John's immersion come from? Was it
from God (* literally, heaven) or from man?"

     They began thinking to themselves: "If we say, 'From God’ (* literally, heaven) then he will
say this to us: Why didn’t you believe John?” 26 But if we say, 'From man,' we are afraid of the
people.  All of them thought of John as a prophet."

     27 They answered Jesus, "We don't know."

     Jesus said to them, "Then I am not telling you what sort of authority I have to do these
things."

Two Sons

     28 Jesus said to them, "What do you think? A man had two sons. The man came to the first
son and said, 'Son, go work in the vineyard today.' 29-31 He answered, 'Yes sir,' but he did not
go. Then the man went to the second son and said the same thing. The son answered, 'I don't
want to!' but later he changed his mind and went. Which of the two sons did what their father
wanted?"

     The Jewish leaders answered, "The second one."

     Jesus said to them, "I am telling you the truth: The tax collectors and prostitutes will go into
the kingdom of God before you ever do! 32 John came to you preaching the way of
righteousness, but you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes believed him.
You saw this, but you did not change your mind later to believe what John was saying."

God Sends His Precious Son

     33 "Listen to another story: There was a man who owned some land. He planted a vineyard.
He put a wall around it, dug a hole for the wine press, and built a lookout tower. Then he rented
the land to some farmers and went away on a trip. 34 When harvest time was near, he sent his
servants to the farmers to receive his part of the grapes. 35 But the farmers grabbed his servants.
They beat one and killed another. They threw stones at another servant until he died. 36 Again
the owner sent servants, more than before, but they did the same thing to those servants.
37 Finally, the owner sent his son to them, thinking, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the
farmers saw the son, they thought to themselves, 'When the owner dies, his son will own the
vineyard. Come, let us kill him and we will get his field!' 39 So they took the son, threw him out
of the vineyard, and killed him. 40 When the owner of the vineyard comes, what will he do to
those farmers?"

     41 The Jewish leaders answered Jesus, "He will kill those evil men! After that, he will give the
field to some other farmers who will share the fruits with him at harvest time."

     42 Jesus said to them, "You have read this in the Scriptures:

                        'The stone that the builders did not want will become the cornerstone.
                         The Lord God makes this happen.
                         It is a wonderful thing for us to see.' Psalm 118:22-23

43 This is why I am telling you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given
to a people who will make it produce fruit. 44 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken. If
that stone falls on you, it will crush you!" (* Some ancient copies omit this verse).

     45 When the most important priests and the Pharisees heard these stories, they knew that he
was talking about them. 46 They wanted to arrest Jesus, but they were afraid of what the crowds
might do to them, because the people believed that Jesus was a prophet.

The Wedding Banquet

22 Again Jesus used an example to answer them: 2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who
gave a wedding party for his son. 3 The king sent his servants to invite the guests to the wedding
party, but the guests didn't want to come. 4 Again, the king sent more servants saying, "Tell the
guests, 'Look, I have prepared the dinner--the steers and fattened calves have been killed --
everything is ready!'  5 However, the guests didn’t care. They left. One went to his field. One
went to his business.  6 The others grabbed the king’s servants, insulted them, and killed them.
7 The king was very angry when he heard this. He sent his army to destroy those murderers and
to burn their city. 8 Then the king said to his servants, 'The wedding party is still ready, but the
guests were not worthy enough to come. 9 So, go to the street corners and invite whomever
you can find to the wedding party.' 10 Those servants went out to the streets and gathered up
everyone they could find, good people and bad people. Then the wedding hall was filled with
guests. 11 The king entered and looked at the guests. He saw a man there who was not wearing
wedding clothes. 12 The king said to him, 'Friend, how did you get in here without wedding
clothes?' The man had nothing to say. 13 Then the king said to the servants, 'Tie his hands and
feet and take him away. Throw him outside in the dark. In that place there will be screaming and
grinding of teeth.' 14 Many people are invited, but few people are chosen."

The Jewish Leaders Try to Trick Jesus

     15 Then the Pharisees came. They had made a plan to trap Jesus with a question. 16 The
Pharisees sent some of their followers and the followers of Herod Antipas to him. They said,
"Teacher, we know that you are true and you teach God's true way. It does not matter to you
what people think. You don't pay attention to how important someone is. 17 So, tell us, what do
you think? Is it right that we should pay taxes to Caesar? (* The title of the supreme Roman
rulers. "Caesar" became the title of each emperor). Yes or no?"

     18 But Jesus knew their evil plan. He said, "You hypocrites! (* those who act as though they
are good when they are not). Why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.'
They brought a silver coin. 20 Jesus said to them, "Whose name and picture is on it?"

     21 They answered, "Caesar's."

     Jesus said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things which are Caesar's and give to God the
things which belong to God." 22 When they heard this, they were amazed. They left him and went
away.

They will Live Forever

     23 That same day some Sadducees came to Jesus. (Sadducees believe that no one will rise
from death). They asked Jesus, 24 "Teacher, Moses said that if someone has no children and he
dies, his brother must marry the widow. Then they will have children for the dead brother. 25
There were seven brothers among us. The first one got married, but died. He left his wife with no
children. 26 In the same way, the second brother, the third brother -- all seven brothers -- died
without having children. 27 Last of all, the woman died. 28 All seven men had married her. So,
when this woman rises from death, whose wife will she be?"

     29 Jesus answered them, "You are wrong. You don't know the Scriptures or God's power.
30 When people rise from death, they don't marry one another. Instead, they are like the angels of
God in heaven. 31 Do people rise from death? I know you have read what God said to Moses:

          32 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.' Exodus 3:6,15,16

God is not a God of dead people; He is the God of people who are alive!" 33 When the crowds
heard this, they were very surprised at his teaching.

The Most Important Command from God

     34 When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together.
35 One of them, an expert on the law of Moses, tried to trap Jesus. He asked,  36 "Teacher, what
is the most important command in the law?"

     37 Jesus answered him,

                "'You must love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul,
                        and with all your mind.' Deuteronomy 6:5

38 This is the most important command. 39 The second most important command is like it:

       'You must love other people the same way you love yourself.'  Leviticus 19:18

40 These two commands support the whole law and the prophets."

Is the Messiah the Son of David?

     41 When some Pharisees gathered, Jesus asked them, 42 "What do you think about the
Messiah? Whose son is he?"

     They answered Jesus, "David's son."

     43 Jesus asked them, "Then why did the Spirit (through David) call the Messiah 'Lord'? David
wrote:

          44 'The Lord God said to my Lord: (* In the Hebrew text of this psalm, the first “Lord” is
                      Yahweh; the second “Lord” is Adonai, referring to the Messiah).

                       Sit at My right side until I put you enemies under your feet' (* in his control).
                              Psalm 110:1

45 Since David called him "Lord," how could Messiah be David's son?" 46 No one was able to
answer Jesus. From that time on, no one dared to ask him any more trick questions.

Jesus Condemns the Jewish Leaders

23 Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to his followers. 2 He said, "The teachers of the law and
the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat of authority. 3 Therefore, do everything they tell you. Obey them.
But don't act as they do, because they say one thing and do another. 4 They bind heavy loads that
are hard to bear and put them on people's shoulders, but they don't want to lift a finger to help
move them. 5 Everything they do, they do so that people will notice them. They show off their
phylacteries (* These leather boxes contained verses of Scripture and were strapped to their arms
or foreheads while praying) and they make their tassels long (* Tassels were worn on four corners
of a robe to remind the people of the law - Numbers15:38-40). 6 They like to have the best seats
at the dinners and the most important seats in the synagogues (* on a raised platform where
speakers stood, overlooking the congregation). 7 They like the greetings of respect which people
give them in the marketplaces. They like people to call them, 'Rabbi.' (* It means "my master" or
"my teacher." It became a title of respect for Jewish leaders). 8 You should not be called 'Rabbi,'
because there is only one teacher for you, even Christ. You are all brothers. 9 On earth, you
should not be called 'Father,' because you have only one Father--the heavenly Father. 10 You
should not be called, 'Leader' because the Messiah is your only Leader. 11 The most important
one among you will be your servant. 12 Every person who acts as though he is important will be
made ashamed, but every person who truly humbles himself will be made important.

The Teachers of the Law and Pharisees

     13 "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! (* those
who acted as though they were righteous but they were not righteous). You shut the door to
the kingdom of heaven in people's faces. You will not go in and you stop those who are trying to
get in. 14 (* Some manuscripts include verse 14: "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law
and Pharisees.  You are hypocrites, because you rob widows' houses while you make long prayers
for a show. You will receive greater condemnation" - see Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47).

     15 It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You travel all
over the world (* literally, travel over land and sea) to make one convert. And when you convert
him, you make him twice as much a child of hell as you are!

     16 It will be horrible for you, you blind guides who say, 'It is not important if someone makes
a vow to God by the temple sanctuary. But, if someone makes a vow to God by the gold in the
temple sanctuary, he is guilty!’ 17 You are foolish and blind! What is more important? The gold
or the temple sanctuary which makes the gold holy? 18 You also say, 'If someone vows to God by
the altar, it does not matter. But, if someone vows to God by the gift on the altar, he is guilty!'
19 You fools and blind men! Which is more important? The gift or the altar which makes the gift
holy? 20 The person who vows to God by the altar vows to God by the altar and everything on
the altar. 21 The person who vows to God by the temple sanctuary vows by the sanctuary and by
the One who dwells there. 22 The person who vows to God by heaven vows to God by God's
throne and the One who sits upon it.

     23 "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! It is true that
you give God ten percent of everything you have. You even give him ten percent of your spices --
mint, dill, and cummin. But you forget about more important things in the law: being fair to other
people, giving mercy, and faith. You should always tithe, but you must remember to do the more
important things, too. 24 You blind guides! You strain out the gnat, (* The Pharisees strained out
drinking water to avoid ceremonially unclean insects - see Leviticus 23:4-8) but you swallow the
camel!

     25 "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You wash
the outside of the cup or the bowl. But inside, there are the things you got by cheating other
people and pleasing yourselves. 26 Blind Pharisees! Make the inside of the cup clean first, so that
the outside of it will be clean, too.

     27 "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and Pharisees. You hypocrites! You are like
tombs which have been painted white. They seem to be very beautiful outside, but inside they are
full of all kinds of filth and the bones of dead people. 28 You are the same way. Outside you seem
good to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy (* they were not sincere) and sin.

You Murderers!

     29 "It will be horrible for you, teachers of the law and pharisees. You hypocrites! You build
tombs for the prophets. You make the graves of good people beautiful. 30 You claim, 'If we had
lived in the time of our ancestors, we would not have helped them kill the prophets.' 31 So, you
are admitting you are the sons of the men who murdered the prophets! 32 You are finishing what
your ancestors started.

     33 "You snakes! You are from a family of poisonous snakes! How will you escape the
judgment of hell? 34 Look! I am sending you prophets, wise men, and teachers of the law. You
will kill some of them and you will nail others to crosses. You will whip some of them in your
synagogues. You will chase them from town to town. 35 You will have to answer for the death of
every good person who has been killed on earth. You will have to answer for all the spilled blood
from the murder of Abel to the murder of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah (* see 2 Chronicles
24:20-21). You murdered Zechariah between the temple sanctuary and the altar. 36 I am telling
you the truth: All these things will happen to the people of this generation!"

Jerusalem will be Destroyed

      37 "0 Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets. God sent you His men, but you stoned
them to death. I have often wanted to gather up your people, as a hen gathers up her baby chicks
under her wings, but you refused. 38 Listen! Your house is completely abandoned. 39 I tell you,
you will never see me again until you say, 'Praise to the one who is coming with the authority of
the Lord God.'"

The Destruction of the Temple And the Last Days

24 Jesus left the temple courtyard. While he was walking away, his followers came to him to
show him the beautiful things of the temple area. 2 Jesus said to them, "Do you see all these
things? I am telling you the truth: Everything you see here will be destroyed. No stone will stay on
top of another. Everything will be completely destroyed!"

     3 While Jesus was sitting on Olive Mountain, his followers came to him alone. They asked,
"Tell us, when will these things happen? How will we know when it is the time for you to return?
When will the end of the age be?"

     4 Jesus answered them, "Be careful! Don't let anyone fool you. 5 Many people will come to
you using my name. They will say, 'I am the Messiah!' And, they will fool many people. 6 You
will hear about wars and wars that are about to begin. Be sure that you don't get upset. These
things must happen, but the end will come later. 7 One country will fight against another country.
Kingdoms will fight against other kingdoms. There will not be enough food to eat. Everywhere
there will be sicknesses and earthquakes, 8 but all these things are only the beginning of the pain.

     9 "Then they will hand you over to some men for torturing. They will kill you. All people will
hate you, because of my name. 10 Then many people will feel disgraced; they will turn against one
another. They will hate each other. 11 Many false prophets will appear. They will fool many
people. 12 Because the influence of sin will be so strong, the love of many people will grow cold.
13 But the person who endures until the end will be saved. 14 This Good News about the
kingdom will be preached in the whole world, so that all nations may hear the truth. And then the
end will come."

Run Away!

     15 "When you see what God talked about through Daniel the prophet -- 'The Abomination of
Desolation' -- standing in the holy place (let the reader note the meaning) [* see Daniel 9:27;
11:31; 12:11], 16 then those people who are in the land of Judea must run away to the mountains.
17 The person who is on top of his house must not come down to carry things in the house away
with him. 18 The person who is in the field must not turn back to get his robe. 19 At that time,
it will be horrible for pregnant women and nursing mothers. 20 Pray that the time when you
escape will not be during winter or on a Sabbath day. 21 There will be great suffering. Never has
there been such suffering since the beginning of the world until the present time and there will
never be such suffering in the future. 22 If that period of time were to last any longer, then no one
would be left alive. But those times will be cut short because of the people chosen by God.

     23 "At that time, if someone says to you, 'Look, here is the Messiah!' or, 'There he is!' don't
believe him. 24 False messiahs and false prophets will appear. They will perform such great proofs
and miracles to fool people -- even God's chosen people, if that were possible. 25 Listen! I am
telling you ahead of lime. 26 If they say this to you, 'Look, he is in the desert!' don't go out there!
or, 'He is in secret rooms!' don't believe them! 27 I (* literally, the Son of Man) will return. On the
day when I come, I will shine, as lightning flashes across the sky, from the east to the west.
28 People can always know where a dead body is--they can see the vultures gathering."

Christ Is Coming Again

                   29 "Soon after the trouble of those times, 'The sun will become dark.
                         The light of the moon will not be seen. Isaiah 13:10
                              The stars will fall from the sky.
                              The powers in the universe will be moved.'" Isaiah 34:4

     30 "Then my (* literally, the Son of Man) sign will appear in the sky: All people on earth will
see me coming on the clouds with power and great glory; they will mourn. 31 I will use the sound
of a loud trumpet to send out my angels. From all directions the angels will gather together my
chosen people."

Jerusalem to be Destroyed Soon

     32 "Learn from the story about the fig tree: When its branches start to become soft and green,
and new leaves begin to grow, you know that summer is near. 33 In the same way, when you see
all these things happening, you will know that the time is very, very near. 34 I am telling you the
truth: All these things will happen in this generation."

Be Ready at all Times

     35 "The world (* literally, the sky and the earth) will be destroyed, but my words will never be
destroyed! 36 No one knows when that exact time will be. The angels of heaven don't know it.
Only the heavenly Father knows. 37 When I (* literally, the Son of Man) come, it will be just as it
was in Noah's time. 38 People were eating, drinking, getting married, giving their daughters away
in marriage-even on the day when Noah entered the ark. 39 The people did not know the truth,
until the flood came and swept them all away. That is how it will be when I (* literally, the Son of
Man) come. 40 At that time, there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one will be
left. 41 Two women will be grinding grain; one will be taken and the other will be left. 42 So,
watch! You don't know on what day your Lord is coming. 43 Know this: If a homeowner knew
what time of night a robber was coming, he would watch for the robber and not let him break into
his house. 44 This is why you must be ready. I (* literally, the Son of Man) will come at a time
when you are not expecting me."

Who Is the Trusted Servant?

     45 "Who is the wise and trusted servant? Who is the servant whom the master can choose to
take care of the master's family and the other servants by giving them food at the right time?
46 When the master comes and finds that servant doing the work he gave him, that servant will be
very happy. 47 I am telling you the truth: The master will choose that servant to take care of
everything which the master owns. 48 However, if that servant thinks his master will not come
back soon, 49 then he may begin to beat the other servants. That servant may also eat all the food
and get drunk with other men. 50 Then the master of that servant will come when that servant is
not ready, at a time when that servant is not expecting him. 51 Then the master will punish that
servant and send him away. This is what the master does to all the servants he cannot trust. In that
place there will be screaming and grinding of teeth."

Ten Virgins

25 Jesus said, "At that time, the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins. They took their
lamps and went out to meet the groom. 2 Five of them were foolish and five were wise. 3 The
foolish ones took their lamps, but they did not take extra oil with them. 4 The wise virgins took
extra oil in their jars with their lamps. 5 The groom was late. All of the virgins became sleepy.
They fell asleep. 6 About midnight there was a shout: 'Look, the groom! Go out and meet him!'
7 Then all ten virgins got up and prepared their lamps. 8 But the foolish virgins said to the wise
virgins, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps have almost gone out.'

     9 The wise virgins answered, 'No! There would not be enough for all of us. Instead, go to the
store and buy some more oil.' 10 While these virgins were gone to buy some more oil, the groom
came. The wise virgins, who were ready, went inside with him to the wedding party. And the door
was shut. 11 Later, the other virgins came and said, 'Master, master, open the door for us!'

     12 But the master answered, 'I am telling you the truth: I don't know you.' 13 So, watch! You
don't know the day or the exact hour when I, the Son of man, will come."

Responsibility in God's Kingdom

     14 "The kingdom of heaven will be like a man leaving on a trip. He called his servants and
turned his property over to them. 15 He gave five talents (* It would take a workman 1,000
weeks to earn one talent) to one, two talents to one, and one talent to another. Each man received
what he was able to manage. Then the man went on the trip. 16 The man with five talents went
out immediately and earned five more talents. 17 In the same way, the man with two talents
earned two more talents. 18 But the man with one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and
buried his master's money. 19 After a long time, the master of those servants came back. He made
them give an account. 20 The man who had received five talents came and brought five more
talents, saying, 'Master, you turned five talents over to me, but, look, I earned five more talents!'

     21 His master said to him, 'Fine! You are a good and faithful servant. I see that I can trust you
with small things. Therefore, I will put you in charge of important things. Come and share your
master's happiness.'

     22 The man with two talents came and said, 'Master, you turned two talents over to me, but,
look, I have earned two more talents!'

     23 His master said to him, 'Fine! You are a good and faithful servant. I see that I can trust you
with small things. Therefore, I will put you in charge of important things. Come and share your
master's happiness.' 24 Then the man who had received one talent came. He said, 'Master, I knew
you were a hard man. You take money which you didn't earn and you gather food which you
didn't grow. 25 So I was afraid. I went off and hid your talent in the ground. Look, here is your
talent.'

     26 His master answered, 'You evil, lazy slave! You knew that I take money which I didn't earn
and gather food which I didn't grow. 27 Therefore, you should have put my money in the bank.
Then when I returned, I could have my money, with interest, too. 28 Take the talent away from
him and give it to the man who has ten talents. 29 The person who uses what he has will get
more, but the person who doesn't use what he has will have everything taken away from him.
30 Throw this useless slave outside into the dark.' In that place, there will be screaming and
grinding of teeth."

Good People and Bad People

     31 "When I (* literally, the Son of Man) come with my glory and all my holy angels, then I will
sit on my glorious throne. 32 All the people in the world will be gathered in front of me. I will
separate them from one another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 I will put
the sheep on the right side and the goats on the left side. 34 Then I (* literally, the Son of Man)
will say to the people on the right side, 'You are blessed by my Father. Come, take what belongs
to you -- the kingdom which was prepared for you since the beginning of the world. 35 I was
hungry and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I
was a stranger and you took me into your home. 36 I had no clothes, so you gave me some
clothes. I was sick you took care of me. I was in jail and you came to visit me.’

     37 Then the good people will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you? When did we feed you
when you were hungry? When did we give you something to drink when you were thirsty?
38 When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes? When did you need clothes
and we gave you some clothes? 39 When were you sick or in jail? When did we come
to you?'

     40 I (* literally, the Son of Man) will answer them, 'I am telling you the truth: Since you
treated some of my so-called "unimportant" brothers this way, you did it to me!'

     41 Then I (* literally, the Son of Man) will say to the people on the left side, 'Go away from
me into eternal fire. You are condemned! The fire has been prepared for the Devil and his angels.
42 I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink.
43 I was a stranger and you didn't take me into your homes. I had no clothes and you didn't give
me any. I was sick; I was in jail, but you didn't take care of me.'

     44 Then they will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you? When were you hungry, thirsty, a
stranger, without clothes, sick, or in jail and we didn't help you?'

     45 Then I will answer them, 'I am telling you the truth: Since you didn't treat one of these
so-called "unimportant" people with kindness, you didn't do it to me, either.'

     46 Then these people will go off into eternal punishment, but the good people will go into
eternal life."

They Wanted to Kill Jesus

26  When Jesus finished saying all these things, he said this to his followers, 2 "You know that
the day after tomorrow is the Passover Festival (* A yearly feast reminding the Jews of the death
angel that had "passed over" their homes in Egypt - Exodus 12:21-28). I (* literally, the Son of
Man) will be handed over to be nailed to a cross."

     3 Then the most important priests and the scribes and the Jewish elders of the people gathered
together at the high priest's house. His name was Caiaphas. 4 They planned to use a trick to arrest
Jesus and kill him, 5 but they said, "Let us not do it during the Passover Festival, so that there will
be no trouble among the people."

A Woman Does a Good Thing

     6 Jesus was in the town of Bethany in Simon's house. (Simon was a leper) [* a person who had
a very bad skin disease which destroyed the flesh]. 7 A woman came to Jesus. She had an
alabaster jar (*Jars were sometimes made of alabaster, a soft, cream-colored stone) of some very
expensive perfume. While Jesus was sitting at the table, she poured it on his head. 8 When Jesus'
followers saw this, they became very angry. They asked, "Why waste this? 9 This could have been
sold for alot of money and given to poor people!"

     10 Knowing what they were saying, Jesus said to them, "Why are you bothering this woman?
She has done a good thing to me. 11 You will always have poor people with you, but you will not
always have me! 12 When she put this perfume on my body, she did it for when I will be buried.
13 I am telling you the truth: The Good News will be preached in the whole world. Wherever
they tell it, what she did will be mentioned to remember her."

Judas Turns against Jesus

     14 Then one of the twelve apostles, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the most important
priests. 15 He said, "If I were to hand Jesus over to you, what would you pay me?" They agreed
with him on the price -- 30 silver coins (* about one month's pay). 16 From that time on, Judas
was looking for the best time to give Jesus to them.

Prepare the Passover Meal

     17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread (* A yearly feast when unleavened bread
[no yeast to make the bread rise] was eaten. It lasted seven days - see Leviticus 23:4-8), Jesus'
followers came to him. They asked, "Where do you want us to prepare the Passover meal?"

     18 Jesus answered, "Go into the city to the host. Tell him, 'The teacher says, "My time is near.
My followers and I will have the Passover meal with you.”’”

     19 Jesus' followers did exactly as Jesus told them. They prepared the Passover meal. 20 When
evening came, Jesus sat down at the table with his twelve followers. 21 While they were eating,
Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: One of you will turn against me!"

     22 They began to feel very sad. Each one of them said to Jesus, "Lord, I am not the one, am
I?"

     23 Jesus answered, "The person who dipped his hand in the same dinner bowl with me will
turn against me. 24 I (* literally, the Son of Man) will die just as it is written about me (* literally,
the Son of Man). But, how horrible it will be for that man who turns against me (* literally, the
Son of Man). It would be better if that man had never been born!"

     25 Judas (the one who turned against him) answered, "Rabbi, I am not the one, am I?"

     Jesus answered Judas, "Yes, you are" (* literally, “You are saying it"; a statement meaning: "I
agree with what you are saying”).

The Supper of the Lord

     26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread and gave thanks. He broke off some of the bread
and gave it to his followers. He said, "Take it and eat it. This bread is (* represents) my body."
27 Then he took a cup. He gave thanks to God for it and gave it to them. He said, "All of you,
drink from it. 28 This is (* represents) my blood which I am pouring out for many people for the
forgiveness of sins. It shows the new agreement which God has made with men. 29 I tell you,
from now on, I will never drink this fruit of the vine again, until the day when I drink it new with
you in my Father's kingdom." 30 Then they sang a song of praise and went out to Olive Mountain.

     31 Then Jesus said to them, "Tonight all of you will be ashamed of me. This is written:

          'I will strike the shepherd and the flock of sheep will be scattered.'  Zechariah 13:7

32 However, after I rise from death, I will go ahead of you to the land of Galilee."

     33 Peter answered him, "Everyone else may be ashamed of you, but I will never be ashamed of
you!"

     34 Jesus said to Peter, "I am telling you the truth: Before the rooster crows in the morning,
you will say you don't even know me three different times!"

     35 Peter answered him, "Even if I must die with you, I will always be loyal to you." All of
Jesus' followers said the same thing.

Jesus Tells the Apostles to Pray

     36 Then Jesus and his followers went to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to them, "Sit
here while I go over there and pray."

     37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He began to feel sad and depressed.
38 Then he said to them, "My soul is full of sorrow; I am going to die. Stay here and be watchful
with me." 39 Then Jesus went forward a short distance and bowed down to pray. He said, "My
Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me -- but what You want is more
important than what I want."

     40 Then Jesus came to his followers. He found them sleeping. He asked Peter, "Were you not
strong enough to stay awake with me for just one hour? 41 Watch and pray for strength against
temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

     42 Jesus went away the second time. He prayed, "My Father, if this must happen and I must
drink the cup of suffering, if this is what You want, let it be." 43 Again, Jesus came and found
them sleeping. Their eyes were very tired. 44 He left them again. The third time he prayed the
same prayer. 45 Then Jesus came to his followers and asked them, "Are you still sleeping and
resting? Listen, the time has come -- I (* literally, the Son of Man) am now being handed over
into the hands of sinful men. 46 Get up, we must go. Look! The one who turned against me is
near!"

They Arrest Jesus

     47 While Jesus was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve apostles, came. There was a large
crowd with him. They had come from the most important priests and the elders of the Jewish
people. They had sticks and swords. 48 Judas had given them the signal to arrest the one he
would kiss. 49 Judas went immediately to Jesus and said, "Greetings, Rabbi!" Then Judas kissed
him.

     50 But Jesus said to him, "Friend, do what you came for!" Then the men who came with Judas
reached out and took hold of Jesus. 51 Suddenly, one of the men with Jesus reached for his sword
and pulled it out. He struck the high priest's slave, cutting off his ear. 52 Then Jesus said, "Put
your sword back in its place! Everyone who uses violence will be violently destroyed. 53 Don't
you think I could call on my Father for help? He would bring more than twelve legions (* In the
Roman army a legion numbered about 5,000 men) of angels here! 54 But how could the
Scriptures come true, if this did not happen?" 55 At that moment, Jesus said this to the crowd:
"Why did you come out here to get me with swords and sticks? Do you think I am a criminal? I
was sitting in the temple courtyard every day teaching. You did not arrest me there. 56 All this
happened to make the writings of the prophets come true." Then all of Jesus' followers left him.
They ran away.

They Bring Jesus to Caiaphas

     57 After they arrested Jesus, they brought him to Caiaphas, the high priest. The teachers of the
law and the Jewish elders were gathered there. 58 Peter was following Jesus, but he did not come
near Jesus. He came as far as the high priest's courtyard. Later, he went inside. He was sitting
with the guards. He wanted to see what would happen. 59 The most important priests and elders,
and the whole Jewish Council were trying to find some men who would give false evidence
against Jesus, so that they could put him to death. 60 But they didn't find many people to come
forward to tell lies. Finally, two men came forward. 61 They claimed, "This man said, 'I am able
to destroy God's temple sanctuary and build it again in three days!'"

     62 The high priest stood up and asked Jesus, "Will you give no answer to what they say
against you -- is it true?" 63 Jesus continued to be silent. The high priest said to him, "By the
living God, I hereby force you: You must answer! Tell us if you are the Messiah, the Son of
God!"

     64 Jesus said to him, "Yes, I am (* literally, “You are saying it”; a statement meaning: “I agree
with what you are saying”). Nevertheless, I tell you, from now on, you will see me: (* literally,
the Son of Man)

             'sitting at the right side of God (* literally, the power).  Psalm 110:1
                 I (* literally, the Son of Man) will be coming on the clouds of the sky.'"  Daniel 7:13

     65 Then the high priest ripped his clothes (* a sign of grief or outrage) and he cried out, "He
has said an evil thing! Why do we need any more witnesses? Listen, you have just heard him say
this evil thing! 66 What do you think?"

     They answered, "He is guilty! He must die!" 67 Then they spit in Jesus' face. They hit him with
their fists. Some of them slapped him. 68 They said, "Prophesy for us, you Messiah! Let God tell
you which one of us hit you!"

Peter Falls Away

     69 Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came to him. She said, "You, too,
were with Jesus, the one from Galilee!” 70 But, in front of everyone, Peter said that this was not
true. He said, "I don't know what you're talking about!"

     71 Later, Peter went out to the gate. Another girl saw him. She said to the men there, "This
man was with Jesus from Nazareth!"

     72 Again Peter denied it. This time he said, "I swear, I don't know the man!"

     73 After a little while, the men who were standing there came to Peter and said, "Surely you
are one of Jesus' group! It is clear that you have a Galilean accent!"

     74 Peter began to curse and swear, "I don't know the man!' Immediately the rooster crowed.
75 Then Peter remembered that Jesus had said, "Before the rooster crows, you will say, three
different times, that you don't even know me." Peter went outside and cried bitterly.

Early the Next Morning

27 It was early in the morning. The most important priests and the Jewish elders of the people
made the decision to put Jesus to death. 2 They tied him up. Then they brought him and handed
him over to Governor Pilate.

     3 Judas, the one who turned against Jesus, saw that Jesus had been condemned. Judas changed
his mind and brought back the 30 silver coins to the most important priests and the Jewish elders.
4 He said, "I have done wrong! I handed over an innocent man to die!"

     They answered, "We don't care! That's your problem!" 5 Then Judas threw the silver coins
toward the temple sanctuary and left. He went off and killed himself by hanging.

     6 The priests picked up the coins and said, "Since this is blood money, it would not be right to
put this into the treasury.''
7 So they decided to use it to buy a potter's field for burying strangers. 8 Today that field is called
Blood Land. 9 Then what God had said through Jeremiah the prophet came true:

                     'They took 30 silver coins. This was the value that the sons of Israel put on him.
                10 They used the money to buy the potter's field, as the Lord God ordered me.'
                               Zechariah 11:12-13

They Bring Jesus to Pilate

     11 Jesus stood before the governor. The governor asked him, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
     Jesus answered, "Yes" (* literally, "You are saying it"; a statement meaning: "I agree with
what you are saying”).

     12 The most important priests and the Jewish elders accused Jesus, but Jesus gave no answer.
13 Then Pilate said to him, "Don't you hear how many charges they are bringing against you?”

     14 But Jesus didn't even say a word. The governor was very surprised.

Jesus must Die on the Cross

     15 Every year at the Passover Feast, the governor always set one prisoner free, whomever the
people wanted. 16 This time they had a well-known prisoner named Jesus Barabbas. 17
Therefore, when the people gathered, Pilate said to them, "Who do you want me to set free? Jesus
Barabbas or the Jesus who is called Messiah?" 18 (Pilate knew that they had handed Jesus over to
him because of jealousy). 29 While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent a
message to him. It said, "Have nothing to do with this innocent man! Last night in a dream I
suffered many things because of him!”

     20 The most important priests and the Jewish elders persuaded the crowds to ask Pilate for
Barabbas. They wanted to destroy Jesus. 21 The governor asked them, “Which of the two men
do you want me to set free?”

     They answered, “Barabbas!"

     22 Pilate asked them, "What should I do with Jesus, the one who is called Messiah?"

     They all answered, "Nail him to a cross!"

     23 But Pilate asked, "Why? What crime has Jesus done?"

     But they continued yelling even more, "Nail him to a cross!"

     24 Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere--only more trouble. He took some water and
washed his hands in front of the crowd (* a sign claiming innocence - Deuteronomy 21:6-7;
Psalm 26:6). He said, "I am not responsible for this man's death--you are!"

     25 The whole crowd answered, "We accept that responsibility for us and for our children!"

     26 Then he set Barabbas free for them. After beating Jesus with whips, Pilate handed him over
to be nailed to the cross.

     27 The governor's soldiers took Jesus to the Roman fortress. The whole group gathered
around Jesus. 28 They took off his clothes and dressed him with a long red robe. 29 They used
thorny branches to make a crown. Then they put it on his head. They put a stick in his right hand.
They kneeled down before him and made fun of him, saying, "Hail, King of the Jews!" 30 They
spit on him. They took the stick and began to hit him on the head. 31 When they finished making
fun of him, they took off the long robe and dressed him with his own clothes. Then they led him
away to nail him to the cross.

Jesus on the Cross

     32 As they were going out of Jerusalem, they found a man from the city of Cyrene. His name
was Simon. They forced him to carry Jesus' cross. 33 They came to a place called Golgotha. (This
means 'the Place of the Skull'). 34 They gave Jesus some vinegar. (A drug for pain was mixed
with it). When he had tasted it, he refused to drink it. 35 Then they nailed him to the cross. The
soldiers gambled to see who would get Jesus' clothes. This happened to make what the prophet
said come true:

                        “They divided my clothes among them.
                            They gambled for my clothing.” Psalm 22:18

36 They sat there watching him. 37 At the top of the cross they wrote the reason for his
punishment in these words:

                   THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

38 Along with Jesus, two criminals were nailed to crosses. One was on his right side. The other
was on his left. 39 The people who were passing by shook their heads and said terrible things to
Jesus. 40 They said, "You are the one who was going to destroy the temple sanctuary and build it
again in three days!
Since you are the Son of God, save yourself! Come on down from the cross!"

     41 In the same way, the most important priests, the teachers of the law, and the Jewish elders
made fun of Jesus. They continued to say, 42 "He saved other people, but he cannot save himself!
If he is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now! Then we will believe in him!
43 He trusts in God; let God rescue him now if He wants him. Jesus did say, 'I am the Son of
God.'"

     44 Even the criminals who were nailed to the other crosses did the same thing -- they kept
insulting Jesus.

Jesus Dies

     45 There was darkness over the whole land from noon until three o'clock in the afternoon.
46 At about three o'clock, Jesus shouted this loudly: "Eli, Eli, lema sabakthani?" (This means:
"My God, my God, why did you abandon me?') 47 Some of the men standing there heard this.
They said, "This man is calling for Elijah" (* "Eli" may have sounded like "Elijah" in his
language).

     48 One of them quickly ran and got a sponge. He soaked it in some sour wine. Then he put it
on the end of a long stick and gave Jesus a drink. 49 The other men said, "Leave him alone. Let's
see if Elijah will come and save him!"

     50 Again, Jesus cried out very loudly. Then he died.

     51 The curtain in the temple sanctuary was split into two parts -- from the top to the bottom
(* Jesus, our high priest, had entered the most holy place on our behalf - see Hebrews 9:11-12).
The earth shook. Large rocks broke apart. (52-53 Tombs were opened. After Jesus rose from the
grave, many holy people who had died were raised from death, too. They left their tombs and
went into Jerusalem [* literally, the holy city] and appeared to many people).

     54 There was a Roman army officer and some of his men guarding Jesus. When they saw the
earthquake and the other things that happened, they were very frightened. They said, "This man
really was God's Son."

     55 There were many women there. They had helped Jesus and followed him from the land of
Galilee. They were far away, watching. 56 Some of them were:

                    Mary (from the town of Magdala)
                    Mary (the mother of James and Joseph)
                    the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

Joseph of Arimathea

     57 Since it was getting late, a rich man named Joseph from the town of Arimathea (He was
also a follower of Jesus) 58 came to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate gave an order
to give the body to him. 59 So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean sheet. 60 Then he
put Jesus' body into his own new tomb which he had cut out of solid rock. He rolled a large stone
to cover the door of the tomb. Then Joseph left. 61 Mary (the one from Magdala) and the other
Mary were there. They were sitting in front of the grave.

A Meeting with Pilate

     62 That day was called Preparation Day (* Friday). The next day (* The Jews considered
sundown to be the beginning of the day), the most important priests and the Pharisees had a
meeting with Pilate. 63 They said, "Sir, we remember what that liar said while he was still alive:
'After three days I will rise from death.'  64 So, give an order to make the grave secure until the
third day. Otherwise, his followers might come at night, steal him, and tell the people: 'Jesus came
back to life!' Then this last lie will be even worse than the first lie."

     65 Pilate said to them, "You have a guard. Go and make it as secure as you know how." 66 So
they went and protected the grave. They put a seal on the stone and they stationed a guard.

Where Is Jesus?

28 After the Sabbath day, when Sunday (* literally, the first day of the week) morning was
dawning, Mary (the one from Magdala) and the other Mary were on their way to look at the
grave. 2 Suddenly, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord came down from heaven.
He went to the large stone and rolled it away from the door. Then the angel sat on top of it. 3 His
appearance was shining like lightning. His clothes were as white as snow. 4 The men who were
guarding the tomb acted as if they were dead men; they trembled with fear.

     5 The angel said to the women, "Don't be afraid. I know you are looking for Jesus who was
nailed to the cross. 6 He is not here! He was raised from death, just as he said. Come, look at the
place where the Lord lay. 7 Go quickly and tell his followers: 'Jesus has been raised from death!
Listen, he will go ahead of you to the land of Galilee. You will see him there.’ Remember, I told
you."

     8 The women left the tomb quickly. They were afraid, yet very happy. They ran to tell Jesus'
followers. 9 As they went to tell his disciples, suddenly, Jesus met them. He said, "Greetings!"
They went to him, held onto his feet, and worshiped him. 10 Then Jesus said to them, "Don't be
afraid. Go tell my brothers that they must leave for Galilee. They will see me there."

The Soldiers Tell a Lie

     11 While the women were going, some of the guards went into Jerusalem. They told the most
important priests everything which had happened. 12 The priests had a meeting with the Jewish
elders. They decided to give the soldiers some money to lie. 13 They said to the soldiers, "Say
this: 'While we were sleeping, the followers of Jesus came at night and stole his body.' 14 If the
governor hears about this, we will make him believe us. We will fix it; don't worry." 15 So, the
soldiers took the money and did as they were told. This rumor has spread among Jewish people
until this very day.

The Great Commission

     16 The eleven followers went to a mountain in Galilee where Jesus had told them to meet him.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but some had doubts. 18 Jesus came to them and
said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore, after you've gone
out, make followers for me from all nations (* every cultural group). Immerse them by the
authority of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach them to obey everything I
commanded you. Remember, I will always be with you -- even until the end of time!"

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