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.
He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and 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 to preach the kingdom of God 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).
He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no wallet, no bread, no money, and no extra tunic.
4 Whenever you enter some house [to lodge there], stay in that house until you leave that town.
Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave.
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].”
Wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony 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 departed and went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing 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].
Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had 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].
and others said that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen.
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, “I beheaded John. Who is this about whom I hear such things?” And so he tried 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 told him everything they had done. Then he took them with him, and they went away privately 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.
But when the crowds heard about this, they followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he cured 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!”
Now the day was about to come to an end, and the twelve came to him and said, “Send the crowd away that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and food, because we are here in an isolated place.”
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 he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said, “We have no more than five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we 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.”
(There were about five thousand men.) He said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
15 After they told the people that, they all sat down.
So they did this, and made the people sit 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.
Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, he blessed them and broke them into pieces, and he gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
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!
They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was picked up—twelve baskets of broken pieces.
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?”
It came about while Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples were with him. He questioned them, saying, “Who do the crowds 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.”
They answered, “John the Baptist. But others say Elijah, and others say that one of the prophets from long ago has risen.”
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.”
Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”
21 Then Jesus warned them strongly not to tell that to anyone [yet].
But he strongly warned them to tell this to no one,
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.”
saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and he will be killed and on the third day be raised.”
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].
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his 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].
Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake 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 is it for a person to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit himself?
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 my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his own 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!”
But I say to you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before 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].
Now about eight days after Jesus said these words, he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray.
29 As he was praying, his face appeared very different to them. His clothes became as bright as lightning.
As he was praying, the form of his face was changed, and his clothes became brilliant 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.
Behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah,
who appeared in glorious splendor. They spoke about his departure, which he was about to bring to completion 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.
Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with 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 they were going away from Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters, one for you, 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.
As he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered 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!”
A voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the one who is chosen; 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 had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
37 The next day, after they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd [of people] met Jesus.
Now on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.
38 Then a man from the crowd exclaimed, “Teacher, I plead with you, [do something to help] my son! He is my only child!
Behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, “Teacher, I beg 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.
You see, a spirit takes control over him and he suddenly screams; it causes him to have convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him and it bruises him badly.
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 force it 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]!”
Jesus answered and said, “You unbelieving and depraved generation, how long must I be with you and put up with you? 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].
While the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and shook him with convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed 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,
Then they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While they all were marveling at everything he 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}.”
“Let these words go deeply into your ears: The Son of Man will 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 did not understand this statement. It was hidden from them, so they could not know its meaning, and yet they were afraid to ask about this statement.
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 them about which of them would be the greatest.
47 But Jesus perceived what they were thinking. So he brought a young child to his side.
But Jesus, knowing the reasoning in their hearts, took a little child and put him by his side
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 said to them, “Whoever welcomes this child in my name, welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. For whoever is least among you all is the one who 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 answered, “Master, we saw someone forcing out demons in your name and we prevented him, because he does not follow along 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!”
“Do not stop him,” Jesus said, “because 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.
When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face 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 of him, and they went and entered into a Samaritan village to prepare everything 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 he had set his face to go 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 the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?”
55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them [for saying that].
But he turned and rebuked them,
56 So they went to a different village.
and they went on 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!”
As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “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 said to him, “Foxes have holes, and birds in the sky have 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].”
Then he said to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, first let me go 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]!”
But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim far and wide 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.”
Then someone else said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to those in my home.”
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].”
Jesus replied to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
