AUV(i)
1 About that time Herod the tetrarch [Note: This man was the son of Herod the Great (See 2: 1 and governor of that district] heard the report about what Jesus had been saying and doing.
2 He told his servants, “This must be John, the Immerser; he has risen from the dead and [that explains how] these powers can work through him [i.e., Jesus].”
3 For Herod had arrested John and had him chained and put in prison in order to please Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife.
4 For John had said to him, “It is not lawful for you to be married to her.”
5 Now Herod wanted to have him put to death, [but hesitated], fearing the crowd, because they considered John to be a prophet.
6 But when Herod’s birthday came, Herodias’ daughter [Note: According to Josephus her name was Salome], pleased him by [her sensual] dancing in front of the party guests.
7 [Herod was so pleased with her performance that] he promised, with an oath, to give her whatever she asked for [i.e., with limitations. See Mark 6:23].
8 Her mother persuaded her to say, “Give me the head of John, the Immerser, here on this [large] platter.”
9 Now King Herod became very distressed [over such a gruesome request]; but because he had [promised with] oaths and [to look good in front of] his party guests, he ordered John’s head to be given [to her].
10 So, he sent [word to his officers] and had John decapitated in the prison.
11 His head was brought on a [large] platter and given to the young woman [i.e., Salome], and she took it to her mother [i.e., Herodias].
12 Jesus’ disciples came and took the body and buried it; then they went and told Jesus [all about the incident].
13 Now when Jesus heard about it He left there in a boat and went [across to the east side of the lake] to a deserted place. When the crowds found out [He was leaving] they followed Him [i.e., by traveling around] on the shore from the [surrounding] towns.
14 When Jesus came out [of His place of seclusion] and saw a large crowd, He felt a deep compassion for them and healed their sick people.
15 When it became evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is deserted and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the towns and buy food [for their supper].”
16 But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you men give them [something] to eat.”
17 And they replied, “But we have here [only] five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish.”
18 And He said, “Bring the bread and fish here to me.”
19 He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds.
20 They all ate until they were full, then gathered up twelve baskets full of the remaining broken pieces.
21 Those eating numbered about five thousand men, in addition to the women and children.
22 Then immediately Jesus ordered the disciples to enter the boat and row on ahead of Him to the other side [i.e., to the west side of Lake Galilee] until He could send the crowds away.
23 After He had dispersed them, He went up into the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening had come He was there alone.
24 [Meanwhile] the boat, still some distance from shore, was being severely battered by the waves because of the opposing winds.
25 Then between three and six o’clock in the morning Jesus came walking to them on the [surface of the] lake.
26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the water they became frightened, saying, “It is a spirit!” and cried out with fear.
27 Just then Jesus called out to them, “Take courage and do not be afraid; it is I.”
28 Peter answered Him, “Lord, if it is [really] you, ask me to come to you [walking] on the water.”
29 And Jesus replied, “Come [ahead].” So, Peter climbed over the side of the boat and went to Jesus, walking on the water.
30 But when he saw the [furious] wind he became fearful and began to sink, shouting out, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him and said, “You have such little faith; why did you doubt?”
32 And when they [i.e., both Jesus and Peter] got up into the boat, the wind [immediately] stopped.
33 Then the disciples in the boat worshiped Jesus, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”
34 And when they had [finally] crossed over [i.e., to the west side of the lake], they landed at the region of Gennesaret.
35 When the people there recognized Jesus, they sent to all the surrounding regions and had all who were sick brought to Him.
36 They begged Him that they might only touch the edge of His robe. And all those who got to touch it were made well.
15 1 Then some Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples violate the tradition of the [Jewish] elders? For they do not [ceremonially] wash their hands before eating [their meals].” 3 And He answered them, “Why do you also violate the commandments of God by [following] your traditions? 4 For God said, [Ex. 20:12], ‘Give honor to your father and mother.’ and [Ex. 21:17], ‘Whoever says bad things about his father or mother should surely be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, I have given to God the money I could have helped you with;’ 6 this person does not honor his father [or mother]. You have made God’s message useless by [thus enforcing] your traditions. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied accurately about you, saying [Isa. 29:13], 8 ‘These people [claim to] honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. 9 They are worshiping me for nothing [because they are] teaching principles that are [merely] the requirements of men.’” 10 Then Jesus called the crowds to come to Him, and He said to them, “Listen and understand. 11 It is not what enters the mouth of a person that [spiritually] corrupts him, but what proceeds out of his mouth that [spiritually] corrupts him.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were upset [with you] when they heard [you say] that?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 [So], let these Pharisees alone; they are blind leaders. And if a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall into a ditch.” 15 And Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And He replied, “Are you still unable to understand? 17 Do you not realize that whatever enters a person’s mouth goes into his stomach and [eventually] passes out into the toilet? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from his heart. These are what [spiritually] corrupt a person. 19 For evil thoughts, murder, extramarital affairs, sexual immorality, stealing, perjury, slander --- [all these] come from a person’s heart, 20 and are what corrupt him [spiritually]. But eating [a meal] with [ceremonially] unwashed hands does not [spiritually] corrupt him.” 21 And Jesus left there and went into the regions of Tyre and Sidon [i.e., cities on the northwest coast of Palestine]. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman came out of that area [Note: Mark 7:26 calls her a Syrophoenician Gentile], crying, “O Lord, son of David, have pity on me. My daughter is seriously troubled by an evil spirit.” 23 But He did not say a word to her. His disciples came and begged Him, “Send her away, for she is [continually] shouting at us [as we go along].” 24 He answered them, “I was sent only to the straying sheep of the Israelites.” 25 But she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And He answered [her], “It is not proper to take bread away from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their owner’s table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O, woman, how great your faith is. May what you want be done for you.” And her daughter was healed that very moment. 29 Jesus left there and went [over] near Lake Galilee. He went up into a mountain and sat down there. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing crippled, blind, deaf-mute, disabled and many other [sick] people and laid them down at His feet. And He healed [all of] them, 31 so that the crowd marveled when they saw deaf-mutes talking, injured people healed, crippled people walking and blind people seeing. And they honored the God of the Israelites [for such great miracles]. 32 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel deeply moved over this crowd, because they have continued listening to me for three days now, and have nothing [left] to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry because they will become weak along the way.” 33 And the disciples said to Him, “Where will we get enough loaves of bread to feed a large crowd in [such] a deserted place [as this]?” 34 Jesus replied, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish.” 35 Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds. 37 They all ate until they were full; then gathered up seven baskets full of broken pieces which were left over. 38 The number who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 Jesus then sent the crowds away while He boarded a boat and crossed the lake to the region of Magadan [i.e., the west side of Lake Galilee].
16 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came [and attempted] to test Jesus [by] asking Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. 2 But He answered them, {[{[These words are omitted in most ancient manuscripts: “When the sky is reddish in the evening, you predict fair weather [for the next day]. 3 And when the sky is reddish and overcast in the morning, you predict [that it will be] bad weather that day. You know how to interpret [weather] conditions from the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times [i.e., what will happen in the spiritual realm]”]}]}. 4 “It is an evil and spiritually unfaithful generation of people [that keeps on] looking for a [supernatural] sign; but there will be no [such] sign given to it except the sign of Jonah [i.e., being in the huge fish for three days].” Then He left them and went away. 5 Now the disciples came to the other side [i.e., to the east side of the lake], but had forgotten to bring food [with them]. 6 Jesus said to them, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “[Why be concerned about yeast since] we did not bring [any] bread?” 8 Jesus, being aware of their thoughts, said, “O, you people with [such] little faith! Why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread? 9 Do you not understand yet or remember that five thousand people [were fed] with five loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? 10 Or that four thousand people [were fed] with seven loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I was not speaking to you about [physical] bread? But [rather I meant] watch out for the yeast [i.e., the influence] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He was not telling them to watch out for the yeast in [physical] bread, but for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who are people saying that the Son of man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say you are John the Immerser; some [the prophet] Elijah; and others [the prophet] Jeremiah, or one of the [other] prophets [come back to life].” 15 He [then] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail]. 19 [And] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [i.e., for opening up the way into it]. And whatever [truth] you [and the other apostles. See 18:18] require [people to believe and practice] here on earth will have already been required of them [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people] on earth, will not be required [by God] in heaven.” 20 Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ. 21 From that time onward Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the [Jewish] elders, leading priests, and experts in the law of Moses; [that He would then] be killed and [yet] raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “I should say not, Lord; that will never happen to you.” 23 But Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan; you are causing a hindrance to me because you are not thinking about God’s things but about men’s.” 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower. 25 For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing to] lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake will find it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. 26 For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of man will return in the splendor of His Father, accompanied by His angels. Then He will reward or punish every person in proportion to what he has done [with his life]. 28 It is true when I tell you, some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”
17 1 And after six days [had passed], Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John aside and went up into a high mountain [i.e., an unidentified mountain nearby]. 2 There His whole appearance was [miraculously] changed in front of them. His face shone [as brilliantly] as the sun and His clothing became as bright as light. 3 Then suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is so good for us to be here. If you wish, I will build three [small] shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [Note: Perhaps Peter wanted to provide quarters for the three to stay temporarily, thus prolonging the wonderful experience. In any event, he should not have done what suggested that Moses and Elijah were equal to Jesus]. 5 While he was still talking, suddenly a bright cloud engulfed them. Just then, a voice spoke out of the cloud, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, who is very pleasing to me; listen to Him.” 6 And when the disciples heard [the voice], they fell [to the ground] on their faces and became very afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, the only one they saw was Jesus. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus ordered them, saying, “Do not tell anyone about the vision [you have just seen] until the Son of man has been raised from the dead.” 10 His disciples asked Him, “Why then [since you are obviously the Messiah] do the experts in the law of Moses say that Elijah must come first, [i.e., before the Messiah]?” 11 Jesus answered them, “Elijah truly was to come, and restore all things [i.e., to their proper perspective concerning the Messiah]. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, but they [i.e., the Jewish leaders] did not understand who he was, but [instead] did to him what they wanted to. In the same way, the Son of man will also suffer from what the Jews will do.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He was talking to them about John the Immerser. 14 When Jesus and His disciples met the crowd [that was gathered], a man came kneeling down to Jesus and saying to Him, 15 “Lord, take pity on my son, for he has violent seizures and suffers intense pain. He often falls into a fire or into water. [Note: This man was also dominated by an evil spirit. See verse 18]. 16 I brought him to [some of] your disciples [for help] but they were not able to heal him.” 17 Jesus replied [to the crowd], “You perverse generation of faithless people! How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.” 18 Then Jesus spoke sternly to [the evil spirit in] the boy, and it left him, and he was immediately healed. 19 Then Jesus’ disciples came to Him privately and said, “Why could we not drive out that evil spirit?” 20 He answered them, “[It was] because you had such little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith as [small as] a mustard tree seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to that place over there’ and it would move. And nothing will be impossible for you [to do].” {[{[Some manuscripts contain the following verse: 21 But this kind [of spirit] can not be driven out except by praying and fasting.]}]} 22 And while the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man will be handed over to [evil] men 23 and they will kill Him, but on the third day He will be raised up [from the dead].” And they were very grieved [when they heard this]. 24 When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the tax [Note: This was the annual tax used for meeting the expenses of the Temple service and consisted of two days’ worth of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $140 in 1994] came to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher [also] pay the [Temple] tax?” 25 He replied, “Yes, [He does].” And when Peter entered the house, Jesus spoke to him first, [i.e., without waiting for Peter to tell Him what he had said to the tax collectors], saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect custom duty and taxes? From their children or from strangers?” 26 And when Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus added, “Therefore, children are free [from such taxation]. 27 But, so that we do not become a hindrance to these [tax collectors], go to the lake and cast in your hook [and line]. Then take the first fish [you catch], open its mouth and you will find a coin [i.e., worth twice the amount of an individual’s Temple tax assessment]. Take it and give it [to the tax collectors] for you and me.”
18 1 At that very time His disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who then is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 So, He called to Him a little child and placed him in front of them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility]. 4 Therefore, the person who will humble himself, as this little child, is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And the person who welcomes one little child like this, in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also]. 6 But that person who causes one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of the Lord] who believes in me to be led astray [from God], he would have been better off to have had a huge millstone tied around his neck and dumped into a deep ocean [Note: This “millstone” was a heavy circular stone rolled over grain to crush it and was moved by an animal walking in a circle]. 7 “It will be too bad for the world because of occasions that cause people to fall away [from God]! For it is inevitable that such occasions come, but it is too bad for that person who is responsible for causing it to happen. 8 If your hand or your foot becomes the occasion for you falling away [from God], cut them off and throw them away. It would be better for you to enter [never ending] life disabled or crippled, rather than keeping both hands and both feet and being thrown into the never ending fire [i.e., because they caused you to fall away from God]. 9 And if your eye becomes the occasion for you falling away [from God], gouge it out and throw it away, for it would be better for you to enter [never ending] life with [only] one eye, rather than keeping both eyes and being thrown into a fiery hell [i.e., because one of them caused you to fall away from God]. 10 Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. {[{[Some ancient manuscripts include verse 11 For the Son of man came to save those who were lost.]}]} 12 What do you think? If anyone had a hundred sheep, and one of them wandered away, would he not leave the ninety-nine [safe ones] and go to the mountains looking for the one that wandered away? 13 Truly I tell you, if he happens to find it, he is happier over it than over the ninety-nine that had not wandered away. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that [a single] one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ] should be lost. 15 “And if your brother sins against you, go and show him where he wronged you, [but] keep it between just the two of you. If he listens to you [i.e., accepts your reasoning and repents], you have won your brother [back]. 16 But if he does not listen [to your reasoning], take one or two other people with you, so that two or three witnesses can verify every word [that was said]. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them [i.e., the witnesses], explain the [whole] matter to the church [i.e., probably a specially called meeting of mature Christians to resolve the matter]. And if he refuses to listen to the church also, [i.e., to acknowledge his sin and repent of it], consider him like an [unconverted] Gentile or tax collector [i.e., do not have fellowship with him]. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever [truth] you disciples require [of people to believe and obey] on earth will have [already] been required [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people to believe and obey] on earth, will not have [already] been required [by God] in heaven. 19 I tell you again, if two of you agree [here] on earth concerning anything you ask for [i.e., in prayer], God in heaven will grant it to you. 20 For I am in the presence of two or three [disciples] wherever they are gathered in my name.” 21 Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus replied, “I tell you, not [just] up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven [i.e., a large indefinite number of times]. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who decided to settle his account with his servants. 24 When he began figuring, one of his servants, who owed him a huge sum of money [Note: The amount is variously estimated to be as much as $50,000,000 in 1994], was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have enough [money] to pay [what he owed], his master ordered that he, his wife, his children and all his possessions be sold [in order] to pay [his debt]. 26 The servant then fell to the ground [before his master] and humbly implored him, saying, ‘Master, [please] be patient with me and I will repay you everything [I owe].’ 27 And the master of that servant felt deep pity [for him], so released him [from custody] and canceled his debt. 28 But that [same] servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small sum of money [Note: The amount was about 100 days of a farm laborer’s pay or about $7,000 in 1994]. He grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay [me] what you owe.’ 29 His fellow-servant fell [on the ground before him] and begged him, saying, ‘[Please] be patient with me and I will repay you [all I owe you].’ 30 But he would not do it. Instead, he took him and had him thrown into prison until he paid [him] all he owed. 31 When his fellow-servants saw what he had done, they were very upset and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 Then his master called for him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I canceled all of your debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not also have had pity on your fellow-servant just as I pitied you?’ 34 His master then became furious and turned him over [to the authorities] to be punished until he paid all that he owed. 35 In the same way my heavenly Father will also deal with you [i.e., punish you] unless every one of you forgives his brother from the heart.”
19 1 And so when Jesus had finished speaking He left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed Him there and were healed by Him.
15 1 Then some Pharisees and experts in the law of Moses came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples violate the tradition of the [Jewish] elders? For they do not [ceremonially] wash their hands before eating [their meals].” 3 And He answered them, “Why do you also violate the commandments of God by [following] your traditions? 4 For God said, [Ex. 20:12], ‘Give honor to your father and mother.’ and [Ex. 21:17], ‘Whoever says bad things about his father or mother should surely be put to death.’ 5 But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, I have given to God the money I could have helped you with;’ 6 this person does not honor his father [or mother]. You have made God’s message useless by [thus enforcing] your traditions. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied accurately about you, saying [Isa. 29:13], 8 ‘These people [claim to] honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. 9 They are worshiping me for nothing [because they are] teaching principles that are [merely] the requirements of men.’” 10 Then Jesus called the crowds to come to Him, and He said to them, “Listen and understand. 11 It is not what enters the mouth of a person that [spiritually] corrupts him, but what proceeds out of his mouth that [spiritually] corrupts him.” 12 Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were upset [with you] when they heard [you say] that?” 13 But He answered and said, “Every plant that my heavenly Father did not plant will be uprooted. 14 [So], let these Pharisees alone; they are blind leaders. And if a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall into a ditch.” 15 And Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16 And He replied, “Are you still unable to understand? 17 Do you not realize that whatever enters a person’s mouth goes into his stomach and [eventually] passes out into the toilet? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from his heart. These are what [spiritually] corrupt a person. 19 For evil thoughts, murder, extramarital affairs, sexual immorality, stealing, perjury, slander --- [all these] come from a person’s heart, 20 and are what corrupt him [spiritually]. But eating [a meal] with [ceremonially] unwashed hands does not [spiritually] corrupt him.” 21 And Jesus left there and went into the regions of Tyre and Sidon [i.e., cities on the northwest coast of Palestine]. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman came out of that area [Note: Mark 7:26 calls her a Syrophoenician Gentile], crying, “O Lord, son of David, have pity on me. My daughter is seriously troubled by an evil spirit.” 23 But He did not say a word to her. His disciples came and begged Him, “Send her away, for she is [continually] shouting at us [as we go along].” 24 He answered them, “I was sent only to the straying sheep of the Israelites.” 25 But she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” 26 And He answered [her], “It is not proper to take bread away from the children and throw it to the dogs.” 27 But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their owner’s table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “O, woman, how great your faith is. May what you want be done for you.” And her daughter was healed that very moment. 29 Jesus left there and went [over] near Lake Galilee. He went up into a mountain and sat down there. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing crippled, blind, deaf-mute, disabled and many other [sick] people and laid them down at His feet. And He healed [all of] them, 31 so that the crowd marveled when they saw deaf-mutes talking, injured people healed, crippled people walking and blind people seeing. And they honored the God of the Israelites [for such great miracles]. 32 Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel deeply moved over this crowd, because they have continued listening to me for three days now, and have nothing [left] to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry because they will become weak along the way.” 33 And the disciples said to Him, “Where will we get enough loaves of bread to feed a large crowd in [such] a deserted place [as this]?” 34 Jesus replied, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish.” 35 Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds. 37 They all ate until they were full; then gathered up seven baskets full of broken pieces which were left over. 38 The number who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 Jesus then sent the crowds away while He boarded a boat and crossed the lake to the region of Magadan [i.e., the west side of Lake Galilee].
16 1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came [and attempted] to test Jesus [by] asking Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. 2 But He answered them, {[{[These words are omitted in most ancient manuscripts: “When the sky is reddish in the evening, you predict fair weather [for the next day]. 3 And when the sky is reddish and overcast in the morning, you predict [that it will be] bad weather that day. You know how to interpret [weather] conditions from the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times [i.e., what will happen in the spiritual realm]”]}]}. 4 “It is an evil and spiritually unfaithful generation of people [that keeps on] looking for a [supernatural] sign; but there will be no [such] sign given to it except the sign of Jonah [i.e., being in the huge fish for three days].” Then He left them and went away. 5 Now the disciples came to the other side [i.e., to the east side of the lake], but had forgotten to bring food [with them]. 6 Jesus said to them, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 7 And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “[Why be concerned about yeast since] we did not bring [any] bread?” 8 Jesus, being aware of their thoughts, said, “O, you people with [such] little faith! Why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread? 9 Do you not understand yet or remember that five thousand people [were fed] with five loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? 10 Or that four thousand people [were fed] with seven loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I was not speaking to you about [physical] bread? But [rather I meant] watch out for the yeast [i.e., the influence] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that He was not telling them to watch out for the yeast in [physical] bread, but for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. 13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who are people saying that the Son of man is?” 14 They replied, “Some say you are John the Immerser; some [the prophet] Elijah; and others [the prophet] Jeremiah, or one of the [other] prophets [come back to life].” 15 He [then] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail]. 19 [And] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [i.e., for opening up the way into it]. And whatever [truth] you [and the other apostles. See 18:18] require [people to believe and practice] here on earth will have already been required of them [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people] on earth, will not be required [by God] in heaven.” 20 Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ. 21 From that time onward Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the [Jewish] elders, leading priests, and experts in the law of Moses; [that He would then] be killed and [yet] raised up on the third day. 22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “I should say not, Lord; that will never happen to you.” 23 But Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan; you are causing a hindrance to me because you are not thinking about God’s things but about men’s.” 24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower. 25 For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing to] lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake will find it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. 26 For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of man will return in the splendor of His Father, accompanied by His angels. Then He will reward or punish every person in proportion to what he has done [with his life]. 28 It is true when I tell you, some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”
17 1 And after six days [had passed], Jesus took Peter, James, and his brother John aside and went up into a high mountain [i.e., an unidentified mountain nearby]. 2 There His whole appearance was [miraculously] changed in front of them. His face shone [as brilliantly] as the sun and His clothing became as bright as light. 3 Then suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Jesus. 4 Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is so good for us to be here. If you wish, I will build three [small] shelters here, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” [Note: Perhaps Peter wanted to provide quarters for the three to stay temporarily, thus prolonging the wonderful experience. In any event, he should not have done what suggested that Moses and Elijah were equal to Jesus]. 5 While he was still talking, suddenly a bright cloud engulfed them. Just then, a voice spoke out of the cloud, saying, “This is my dearly loved Son, who is very pleasing to me; listen to Him.” 6 And when the disciples heard [the voice], they fell [to the ground] on their faces and became very afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they looked up, the only one they saw was Jesus. 9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus ordered them, saying, “Do not tell anyone about the vision [you have just seen] until the Son of man has been raised from the dead.” 10 His disciples asked Him, “Why then [since you are obviously the Messiah] do the experts in the law of Moses say that Elijah must come first, [i.e., before the Messiah]?” 11 Jesus answered them, “Elijah truly was to come, and restore all things [i.e., to their proper perspective concerning the Messiah]. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, but they [i.e., the Jewish leaders] did not understand who he was, but [instead] did to him what they wanted to. In the same way, the Son of man will also suffer from what the Jews will do.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He was talking to them about John the Immerser. 14 When Jesus and His disciples met the crowd [that was gathered], a man came kneeling down to Jesus and saying to Him, 15 “Lord, take pity on my son, for he has violent seizures and suffers intense pain. He often falls into a fire or into water. [Note: This man was also dominated by an evil spirit. See verse 18]. 16 I brought him to [some of] your disciples [for help] but they were not able to heal him.” 17 Jesus replied [to the crowd], “You perverse generation of faithless people! How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.” 18 Then Jesus spoke sternly to [the evil spirit in] the boy, and it left him, and he was immediately healed. 19 Then Jesus’ disciples came to Him privately and said, “Why could we not drive out that evil spirit?” 20 He answered them, “[It was] because you had such little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith as [small as] a mustard tree seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to that place over there’ and it would move. And nothing will be impossible for you [to do].” {[{[Some manuscripts contain the following verse: 21 But this kind [of spirit] can not be driven out except by praying and fasting.]}]} 22 And while the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man will be handed over to [evil] men 23 and they will kill Him, but on the third day He will be raised up [from the dead].” And they were very grieved [when they heard this]. 24 When Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum, the collectors of the tax [Note: This was the annual tax used for meeting the expenses of the Temple service and consisted of two days’ worth of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $140 in 1994] came to Peter and said, “Does not your teacher [also] pay the [Temple] tax?” 25 He replied, “Yes, [He does].” And when Peter entered the house, Jesus spoke to him first, [i.e., without waiting for Peter to tell Him what he had said to the tax collectors], saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do earthly kings collect custom duty and taxes? From their children or from strangers?” 26 And when Peter said, “From strangers,” Jesus added, “Therefore, children are free [from such taxation]. 27 But, so that we do not become a hindrance to these [tax collectors], go to the lake and cast in your hook [and line]. Then take the first fish [you catch], open its mouth and you will find a coin [i.e., worth twice the amount of an individual’s Temple tax assessment]. Take it and give it [to the tax collectors] for you and me.”
18 1 At that very time His disciples came to Jesus, asking, “Who then is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 So, He called to Him a little child and placed him in front of them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility]. 4 Therefore, the person who will humble himself, as this little child, is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And the person who welcomes one little child like this, in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also]. 6 But that person who causes one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of the Lord] who believes in me to be led astray [from God], he would have been better off to have had a huge millstone tied around his neck and dumped into a deep ocean [Note: This “millstone” was a heavy circular stone rolled over grain to crush it and was moved by an animal walking in a circle]. 7 “It will be too bad for the world because of occasions that cause people to fall away [from God]! For it is inevitable that such occasions come, but it is too bad for that person who is responsible for causing it to happen. 8 If your hand or your foot becomes the occasion for you falling away [from God], cut them off and throw them away. It would be better for you to enter [never ending] life disabled or crippled, rather than keeping both hands and both feet and being thrown into the never ending fire [i.e., because they caused you to fall away from God]. 9 And if your eye becomes the occasion for you falling away [from God], gouge it out and throw it away, for it would be better for you to enter [never ending] life with [only] one eye, rather than keeping both eyes and being thrown into a fiery hell [i.e., because one of them caused you to fall away from God]. 10 Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. {[{[Some ancient manuscripts include verse 11 For the Son of man came to save those who were lost.]}]} 12 What do you think? If anyone had a hundred sheep, and one of them wandered away, would he not leave the ninety-nine [safe ones] and go to the mountains looking for the one that wandered away? 13 Truly I tell you, if he happens to find it, he is happier over it than over the ninety-nine that had not wandered away. 14 In the same way, it is not the will of your Father in heaven that [a single] one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ] should be lost. 15 “And if your brother sins against you, go and show him where he wronged you, [but] keep it between just the two of you. If he listens to you [i.e., accepts your reasoning and repents], you have won your brother [back]. 16 But if he does not listen [to your reasoning], take one or two other people with you, so that two or three witnesses can verify every word [that was said]. 17 And if he refuses to listen to them [i.e., the witnesses], explain the [whole] matter to the church [i.e., probably a specially called meeting of mature Christians to resolve the matter]. And if he refuses to listen to the church also, [i.e., to acknowledge his sin and repent of it], consider him like an [unconverted] Gentile or tax collector [i.e., do not have fellowship with him]. 18 Truly I tell you, whatever [truth] you disciples require [of people to believe and obey] on earth will have [already] been required [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people to believe and obey] on earth, will not have [already] been required [by God] in heaven. 19 I tell you again, if two of you agree [here] on earth concerning anything you ask for [i.e., in prayer], God in heaven will grant it to you. 20 For I am in the presence of two or three [disciples] wherever they are gathered in my name.” 21 Then Peter came and said to Jesus, “Lord, how often must I forgive my brother when he sins against me? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus replied, “I tell you, not [just] up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven [i.e., a large indefinite number of times]. 23 “Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a certain king who decided to settle his account with his servants. 24 When he began figuring, one of his servants, who owed him a huge sum of money [Note: The amount is variously estimated to be as much as $50,000,000 in 1994], was brought to him. 25 But since he did not have enough [money] to pay [what he owed], his master ordered that he, his wife, his children and all his possessions be sold [in order] to pay [his debt]. 26 The servant then fell to the ground [before his master] and humbly implored him, saying, ‘Master, [please] be patient with me and I will repay you everything [I owe].’ 27 And the master of that servant felt deep pity [for him], so released him [from custody] and canceled his debt. 28 But that [same] servant went out and found one of his fellow-servants who owed him a small sum of money [Note: The amount was about 100 days of a farm laborer’s pay or about $7,000 in 1994]. He grabbed him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay [me] what you owe.’ 29 His fellow-servant fell [on the ground before him] and begged him, saying, ‘[Please] be patient with me and I will repay you [all I owe you].’ 30 But he would not do it. Instead, he took him and had him thrown into prison until he paid [him] all he owed. 31 When his fellow-servants saw what he had done, they were very upset and went and told their master everything that had happened. 32 Then his master called for him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I canceled all of your debt because you begged me to. 33 Should you not also have had pity on your fellow-servant just as I pitied you?’ 34 His master then became furious and turned him over [to the authorities] to be punished until he paid all that he owed. 35 In the same way my heavenly Father will also deal with you [i.e., punish you] unless every one of you forgives his brother from the heart.”
19 1 And so when Jesus had finished speaking He left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed Him there and were healed by Him.