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 together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, as well as to cure 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],
He sent them out as his messengers, to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to work cures.
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).
“Do not,” he said to them, “take anything for your journey; not even a staff, or a bag, or bread, or any silver, or a change of clothes with you.
4 Whenever you enter some house [to lodge there], stay in that house until you leave that town.
Whatever house you go to stay in, remain there, and leave from that place.
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 do not welcome you, as you leave that town, shake even the dust off your feet, as a protest 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.
Then they set out and went from village to village, telling the good news and curing people everywhere.
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 ruler heard of all that was happening, and was perplexed, because it was said by some that John must be risen 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].
Some again said that Elijah had appeared, and others that one of the old prophets had risen again.
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].
But Herod himself said, “John I beheaded; but who is this of whom I hear such things?” And he endeavored to see him.
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 related to Jesus all that they had done. Then Jesus went privately to a town called Bethsaida, taking the apostles with him.
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.
But the people recognized him and followed him in crowds; and Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, while he cured those who were in need of help.
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!”
The day was drawing to a close, when the twelve came up to him, and said, “Send the crowd away, so that they may make their way to the villages and farms around about, and find themselves lodgings and provisions, for we are in a lonely spot here.”
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?”
But Jesus said, “It is for you to give them something to eat.” “We have not more than five loaves and two fish,” they answered. “Unless indeed we are to go and buy food for all these people.”
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.”
(For the men among them were about five thousand.) “Get them seated in companies,” was his reply, “about fifty in each.”
15 After they told the people that, they all sat down.
This they did, and got all the people seated.
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.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, Jesus looked up to heaven and said the blessing over them. Then he broke them in pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people.
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!
Everyone had sufficient to eat, and what was left of the broken pieces was picked up – twelve baskets.
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?”
Afterward, when Jesus was alone, praying, his disciples joined him, and he asked them this question – “Who do the people say that 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.”
“John the Baptist,” was their answer. “Others, however, say that you are Elijah, while others say that one of the old prophets has risen again.”
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 you,” he went on, “who do you say that I am?” And to this Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
21 Then Jesus warned them strongly not to tell that to anyone [yet].
Jesus, however, strictly charged them not to say this to anyone;
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.”
he told them that the Son of Man must undergo much suffering, and be rejected by the elders, and chief priests, and teachers of the Law, and be put to death, and rise on the third day.
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].
And to all present he said, “If any one wishes to walk in my steps, they must renounce self, and take up their cross daily, and follow me.
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 whoever wishes to save their life will lose it, and whoever, for my sake, loses his life – that person 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 good does it do someone if, when they has gained the whole world, they has lost or forfeited themselves?
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.
Whoever is ashamed of me and of my teaching, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them, when he comes in his glory and the glory of the father and of 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!”
Indeed, I tell you, some who are standing before me will not know death, until they have seen 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 after speaking these words, Jesus went up the mountain to pray, taking with him Peter, John, and James.
29 As he was praying, his face appeared very different to them. His clothes became as bright as lightning.
As he was praying, the aspect of his face was changed, 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.
And all at once two men were talking with Jesus; they were Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in a glorified state, and spoke of his departure, which was destined to take place at Jerusalem.
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 his companions had been overpowered by sleep but, suddenly becoming wide awake, they saw Jesus glorified and the two men who were standing beside him.
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.
And, as Moses and Elijah were passing away from Jesus, Peter exclaimed, “Sir, it is good to be here; let us make three tents, one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” He did not 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.
and, while he was speaking, a cloud came down and enveloped them; and they were afraid, as they passed into 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!”
and from the cloud came a voice which said – “This is my Son, the Chosen One; him you must hear.”
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.
And, as the voice ceased, Jesus was found alone. The apostles kept silence, and told no one about any of the things that they had 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 from the mountain, a great crowd met 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!
And just then a man in the crowd shouted out, “Teacher, I entreat you to look at my son, for he is my only child;
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.
all at once a spirit will seize him, suddenly shriek out, and throw him into convulsions until he foams, and will leave him only when he is utterly exhausted.
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 entreated your disciples to drive the spirit out, but they could not.”
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]!”
“Faithless and perverse generation!” Jesus exclaimed, “How long must I be with you and have patience with you? Lead 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].
While the boy was coming up to Jesus, the demon dashed him down and threw him into convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and cured the boy, and gave him back to his father.
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,
And all present were struck with awe at the majesty of God. In the midst of the general astonishment at all that Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples,
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 my words. For the Son of Man is destined to be betrayed into the hands of his fellow 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 the disciples did not understand the meaning of this; it had been concealed from them so that they did not see it, and they were afraid to question him as to what he meant.
46 The disciples began to argue among themselves about which one of them would be the greatest [when Jesus became king].
A discussion arose among the disciples as to which of them was the greatest;
47 But Jesus perceived what they were thinking. So he brought a young child to his side.
and Jesus, knowing of the discussion that was occupying their thoughts, took hold of a little child, and placed it beside 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.”
and then said to them, “Anyone who, for the sake of my name, welcomes even this little child is welcoming me; and anyone who welcomes me is welcoming him who sent me as his messenger. For whoever is least among you all – that person is great.”
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 said, “Sir, we saw a man driving out demons by using your name, and we tried to prevent him, because he does not follow you with us.”
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!”
“None of you must prevent him,” Jesus said to John, “whoever is not 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 days before his being taken up to heaven were growing few, Jesus set his face resolutely in the direction of Jerusalem; and he sent on messengers in advance.
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].
On their way, they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations 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 there did not welcome him, because his face was set in the direction of 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 said, “Master, do you wish us to call for fire to come down from the heavens and consume them?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them [for saying that].
But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
56 So they went to a different village.
And they made their way 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!”
And, while they were on their way, a man said to 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!”
“Foxes have holes,” he replied, “and wild birds their nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay 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].”
To another man Jesus said, “Follow me.” “Let me first go and bury my father,” said the man.
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]!”
But Jesus said, “Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the kingdom of God.”
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.”
“Master,” said another, “I will follow you; but first let me 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 answered, “No one who looks back, after putting their hand to the plow, is fitted for the kingdom of God.”
