Luke 9
1 [One day] Jesus summoned his twelve [apostles], and gave them power to expel all [kinds of] demons and to heal [people with] diseases. He gave them authority to do that.
Jesus called the twelve disciples together. He gave them power and authority over all demons, and the ability to heal diseases.
2 [Before] he sent them out to heal people and to tell people [what it meant to let] God (rule/have complete control [over]) [their lives],
Then he sent them out to proclaim God's kingdom and to heal the sick.
3 he said to them, “Do not take things for your journey. Do not take a walking stick or a [traveler’s] bag or food or money. Do not take (an extra shirt/extra clothes).
“Take nothing with you for the journey,” he told them. “No staff, no bag, no bread, no money, not even any extra clothes.
4 Whenever you enter some house [to lodge there], stay in that house until you leave that town.
Whatever house you enter, stay there, and when you leave, leave from there.
5 [In towns] where the people do not welcome you, [you should not continue to stay there. Just] leave those towns. And as you leave, shake off the dust from your feet. [Do that to] warn them [that God will punish them for rejecting your message].”
If people refuse to accept you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave town as a warning against them.”
6 Then they left and traveled through many villages. Everywhere [they went], they told people God’s good message and healed sick people.
They left and went around the villages, announcing the good news and healing everywhere they went.
7 Herod [Antipas], the ruler of [that] district, heard about the things that [Jesus and his disciples] were doing. [He had previously commanded his soldiers to execute John the Baptizer, so now] he was perplexed, because some people were saying that John had become alive again [and was doing those miracles].
Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was happening, and he was very puzzled. Some were saying that John had been raised from the dead;
8 Others were saying that [the prophet] Elijah had appeared [again as had been prophesied]. Others were saying that one of the [other] former prophets had become alive again [and was doing those miracles].
others that Elijah had appeared; still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.
9 But Herod said, “[It cannot be John who is doing these things], [because] I [commanded my soldiers to] cut off his head. So who is [this man] that I am hearing these things about?” And he kept wanting to see [Jesus].
Herod said, “There's no question I beheaded John. So who is this man? I'm hearing all these things about him.” And he tried to find a way to meet Jesus.
10 When the apostles returned [from traveling to various towns], they told Jesus the things that they had done. Then he took them and they went by themselves [by boat] to a town called Bethsaida.
When the apostles returned they reported to Jesus what they had done. Then he left with them and went to a town called Bethsaida.
11 But when the crowds [of people who had been with Jesus] found out about that, they followed him [on land. When they got to where he was], he welcomed them. He taught them about how God is going to some day (rule as king/have complete control [over people’s lives]). He also healed the sick people.
However, the crowds found out where he was going and followed him there. He welcomed them and explained the kingdom of God to them, and healed those who needed healing.
12 Late in the afternoon Jesus’ twelve [apostles] came to him and said, “This is a place where nobody lives, so dismiss the people so that they can go to the surrounding villages and other places where they can get some food and find places to stay!”
Late in the day, the twelve disciples came to him and said, “You should send the crowd away now so they can go to the villages and farms nearby and find a place to stay and food to eat—there's nothing here where we are.”
13 But he said to them, “[No], you [yourselves] give them something to eat!” They replied, “We [(exc)] have only five small loaves and two [cooked] fish. Are you [(sg)] going to [give] us [the money] to go somewhere and buy food for all these people?”
“You give them something to eat!” said Jesus. “All we have here are five loaves and two fish—unless you want us to go and buy food for everyone,” they said.
14 There were about 5,000 men [there]. He replied to the disciples, “[No], [just] tell the people to sit down. Tell them to sit in groups, with about 50 people in each group.”
There were about five thousand men present. “Sit them down in groups of about fifty,” he told his disciples.
15 After they told the people that, they all sat down.
The disciples did so, and everybody sat down.
16 Then he took the five small loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and thanked [God for them]. Then he broke them [into pieces] and gave them to the disciples so that they would distribute them to the crowd.
Jesus picked up the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed the food and broke it into pieces. He kept on giving the food to the disciples to share with the people.
17 All [the people in the crowd] ate until they all had enough to eat. Then [the disciples] collected twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over!
Everybody ate until they were full, and then twelve baskets of leftovers were collected.
18 [One day] Jesus was praying in a place where only the disciples were with him. He asked them, “The crowds [of people], who do they say that I [really] am?”
At another time, when Jesus was praying in private with just his disciples with him, he asked them, “All these crowds of people—who do they say I am?”
19 They replied, “[Some people say that you are] John the Baptizer, [who has come back to life again]. Others say that you are [the prophet] Elijah, [who has returned from heaven as God promised]. Others say that you are one of the [other] prophets who lived long ago, who has come back to life again.”
“Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and still others say one of the ancient prophets risen from the dead,” they replied.
20 He asked them, “What about you [(pl)]? Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You [(sg)] are the Messiah, who [has come from] God.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” “God's Messiah,” Peter replied.
21 Then Jesus warned them strongly not to tell that to anyone [yet].
Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anybody about this.
22 Then he said, “[Even though I am] the one who came from heaven, it is necessary that I suffer very much. It is also necessary that I be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the men who teach the [Jewish] laws {that the [Jewish] elders and the chief priests and the men who teach the [Jewish] laws will reject me}. It is necessary that I be killed {that [people] will kill me}. Then on the third day [after that], I will become alive again.”
“The Son of man must experience terrible sufferings,” he said. “He will be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the religious teachers. He will be killed, but on the third day he will rise again.”
23 Then he said to all of them, “If any one [of you] wants to be my disciple, you must not do [only] what you yourself desire [to do]. [Specifically], you must be willing each day [MET] [to let others hurt you and disgrace you. That is like what is done to criminals who are forced] to carry [MET] crosses [to the place where they will be executed]. [That is what anyone who wants to] be my disciple [must do].
“If any one of you wants to follow me, you must deny yourself, pick up your cross daily, and follow me,” Jesus told all of them.
24 You must do that, because those who try to save their lives [by denying that they belong to me when people want to kill them for believing in me] will not live [eternally], but those who are killed because of being my [disciples] will live [forever with me].
“For if you want to save your life, you will lose it; and if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.
25 People might get everything that [they want] in this world, but (they are really gaining nothing if they do not get eternal life by [becoming my disciples]!/are they really gaining anything if they do not get eternal life by [becoming my disciples]?) [RHQ]
What do you benefit by gaining the whole world if you end up lost or destroyed?
26 Those who reject my message [and] refuse to say that [they belong] to me, [I], the one who came from heaven, will also refuse to say that [they belong to me] when I come back with the holy angels, and have the glorious brightness that my Father has.
If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory, and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.
27 But listen carefully! Some of you [(pl)] who are here now will see God ruling [MET] [in many powerful ways]. You will see it before you die!”
I tell you the truth, some standing here won't taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”
28 About a week after [Jesus] said those things, he took Peter, James, and [James’ brother] John and led them up a mountain so that he could pray [there].
About eight days later, after he had told them this, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a mountain to pray.
29 As he was praying, his face appeared very different to them. His clothes became as bright as lightning.
While he was praying, his face changed in appearance, and his clothing became a dazzling white.
30 Suddenly, two men appeared who had the brightness [of heaven] surrounding them. They were [prophets who had lived long ago], Moses and Elijah. They started talking with Jesus about how he [would accomplish what God had planned when he died] [EUP] [very soon] in Jerusalem.
Two men appeared in brilliant glory. They were Moses and Elijah, and they began to talk with Jesus.
They spoke about his death, which would soon happen in Jerusalem.
32 Peter and the other [disciples] who were with him were sound asleep. When they woke up, they saw [Jesus’] brightness. They also saw the two men standing with him.
Peter and the others were asleep. When they woke up they saw Jesus in his glory, and the two men standing next to him.
33 As [Moses and Elijah] were starting to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here! Allow us to make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!” But he really did not realize what he was talking about.
As the two men were about to leave, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it's great to be here. Let's make some shelters: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He really didn't know what he was saying.
34 As he was saying that, a [bright] cloud appeared and covered them all. The disciples were afraid as the cloud surrounded them.
While he was speaking a cloud came and spread over them. They were terrified as they entered the cloud.
35 [God] [MTY/EUP] spoke to them from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son. He is the one whom [I] have chosen [to do a great work for me]. [So] you must listen to him!”
A voice spoke from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him!”
36 After [God] [MTY/EUP] finished saying that, [the three disciples] saw that only Jesus was there. They did not tell anyone what they had seen until much later.
When the voice finished speaking, Jesus was there alone. They kept this to themselves, and didn't tell anyone at that time what they'd seen.
37 The next day, after they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd [of people] met Jesus.
The next day, when they had come down the mountain, a huge crowd was waiting to meet Jesus.
38 Then a man from the crowd exclaimed, “Teacher, I plead with you, [do something to help] my son! He is my only child!
A man in the crowd called out, “Teacher, please look at my son. He's my only child.
39 At various times an evil spirit suddenly seizes him and [causes] him to scream. The evil spirit shakes him violently and causes him to foam at the mouth. It does not leave until my child is completely exhausted.
A spirit possesses him and he screams immediately. It sends him into convulsions and makes him foam at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him alone and it causes him a lot of pain.
40 I pleaded with your disciples [who were here] for them to expel [the evil spirit], but they were not able to do it!”
I begged your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn't.”
41 Jesus replied [by saying to everyone who had gathered there], “[You who have seen how I help people] do not believe [that you can do anything]. What you [think] is perverted! How long must I be with you [before you are able to do what I do] [RHQ]? [How long must I] endure your [lack of faith]?” [Then he said to the boy’s father], “Bring your [(sg)] son here [to me]!”
“What an unbelieving and corrupt people you are! How long do I have to remain here with you, and put up with you?” said Jesus. “Bring your son here.”
42 While they were bringing the boy to Jesus, the demon attacked the boy, threw him to the ground, and shook him severely. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he returned him to his father’s [care].
Even as the boy came over, the demon sent him into convulsions, throwing him to the ground. But Jesus intervened, rebuking the evil spirit and healing the boy, and then gave him back to his father.
43 All the people [there] were amazed at the great [power] of God. Luke 9:43b-45 While they were all amazed at all the miracles [Jesus] was doing, he said to his disciples,
Everyone was amazed at this demonstration of God's power. However, even though everyone was amazed by all he did, Jesus warned his disciples,
44 “Think carefully [MTY] about what I am about to tell you: [Even though I am] the one who came from heaven, [I will soon] be handed over to the authorities (OR, my enemies) {[someone] is about to enable [MTY] my enemies to seize me}.”
“Listen carefully to what I'm telling you: the Son of man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
45 But [the disciples] did not understand what he was saying; [God] prevented them from understanding it, so that they would not know [yet] what he meant. And they were afraid to ask him about [what he had said].
But they didn't understand what this meant. Its meaning was hidden from them so they didn't realize its implications, and they were afraid to ask him about it.
46 The disciples began to argue among themselves about which one of them would be the greatest [when Jesus became king].
Then an argument started among the disciples about which of them was the greatest.
47 But Jesus perceived what they were thinking. So he brought a young child to his side.
But Jesus, knowing what they were arguing about, picked up and placed a small child next to him.
48 He said to [the disciples], “Those who, because they [love] me, (OR, because they want to behave like me) welcome a little child ([like] this one/[as] I [would]) [MTY], [God considers that] [MET] they are welcoming me. And those who welcome me, [God considers] that [MET] they are welcoming him, the one who sent me. Remember that those among you who think of themselves as being very unimportant will be the ones [whom God considers] to be great.”
Then he said to them, “Anyone who accepts this little child in my name accepts me, and anyone who accepts me accepts the one who sent me. Whoever is least among you all is the greatest.”
49 John replied to [Jesus], “Master, we [(exc)] saw a man who was expelling demons, [claiming] that [he had] authority from you [MTY] to do that. So we told him to stop doing it, because he is not one of us [disciples].”
John spoke up, saying, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in your name and we tried to stop him because he wasn't one of us.”
50 But Jesus said to him [and the other disciples], “Do not tell him not to [do that]! Remember that those who are not opposing you are trying to [achieve the same goals that] you are!”
“Don't stop him,” Jesus replied. “Anyone who isn't against you is for you.”
51 When it was almost time for [God] to take Jesus up to heaven, he firmly resolved to go to Jerusalem.
As the time approached for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus was determined to go to Jerusalem.
52 He sent some messengers to go ahead of him, and they entered a village in Samaria [district] to prepare for him [SYN] [to go there].
He sent messengers on ahead to a Samaritan village to get things ready for him.
53 But [the Samaritans did not like the Jews because of their insisting that it was necessary to go to Jerusalem to worship God. So], because Jesus had firmly resolved to go to Jerusalem, they would not let him come [to their village].
But the people would not welcome him because he was determined to press on to Jerusalem.
54 When two of his disciples, James and John, heard about that, they said, “Lord, do you [(sg)] want us [(exc)] to pray that [God] will send fire down from heaven, [as the prophet Elijah did long ago], and destroy those people?”
When James and John saw this, they asked Jesus, “Master, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to burn them up?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them [for saying that].
But Jesus turned, and reprimanded them.
56 So they went to a different village.
Then they proceeded to another village.
57 As Jesus and the disciples were walking along the road, one man said to him, “I will go with you [(sg)] wherever you go!”
While they were walking, one man told Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go!”
58 [In order that the man might know what he could expect if he went with Jesus], Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes [in the ground in which to live], and birds have nests, but [even though I am] the one who came from heaven, I do not have a home where I can sleep!”
Jesus told the man, “Foxes have their dens, and wild birds have their nests, but the Son of man doesn't even have a place to rest his head.”
59 Jesus told another man, “Come with me!” But the man said, “Lord/Sir, let me go [home] first. [After] my father [dies] I will bury him, [and then I will come with you].”
He told another man, “Follow me.” But the man replied, “Master, first let me go home and bury my father.”
60 But Jesus said to him, “[God considers that those who do not have eternal life are] dead [MET]. Let those people [do the work of] burying people who die. As for you, go and tell people about how God wants (to rule/to have complete control [over]) [people’s lives]!”
“Let the dead bury their own dead,” Jesus replied. “You go and proclaim God's kingdom.”
61 Someone else said, “Lord, I will come with you and be your disciple, but first let me go home to say goodbye to my relatives.”
Another man said, “Lord, I will follow you! But first let me go home and say goodbye to my family.”
62 Jesus said to him, “Anyone who is plowing his field should not look back [to see what he has done. He must look forward to what is ahead. Similarly], [anyone who continues to be concerned about his family and other things he has left behind] is not fit [to serve me and tell others about how] God wants to rule [MTY] [people’s lives].”
But Jesus told him, “Nobody once they've started plowing and then looks back is fit for God's kingdom.”
