John 4 Cross References - AUV

¹ Therefore, when the Lord [Jesus] knew that the Pharisees were aware of Him making and immersing more disciples than John, ² (OMITTED TEXT) ³ He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself). ⁴ [Now to get to Galilee] it required that Jesus travel through Samaria [Note: Samaria was the next country north of Judea]. ⁵ So, He arrived at the Samaritan town called Sychar, which was near the piece of property that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s [spring-fed] well was there so Jesus, tired from His [long] journey, sat down beside the well just as He was [i.e., before doing anything else]. It was about six o’clock in the morning [Note: This would have been 12 noon if Jewish time were meant]. ⁷ [About then] a Samaritan woman came [to the well] to draw water. Jesus said to her, “[Please] give me a drink.” ⁸ (Now Jesus’ disciples had gone away to town to buy some food). ⁹ Therefore, the Samaritan woman asked Him, “Why is it that you, being a Jew, would ask a Samaritan woman [like me] for a drink?” (For Jews do not have any fellowship with Samaritans). [Note: The reason for this stemmed from longstanding religious, cultural and ethnic prejudices]. ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you [only] knew the [real] gift of God, and who it is that said to you, ‘[Please], give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.” ¹¹ The woman [then] said to Him, “Sir, you do not have anything to draw [water] with, and the well is deep. Where will you get that living water? ¹² Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us this well? He himself and his sons and cattle [all] drank from it.” ¹³ Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give him will never get thirsty [again]. For the water I will give him will become in him [i.e., in his spirit] a spring of water, bubbling up and producing never ending life.” [See John 7:38]. ¹⁵ The woman [then] said to Him, “Sir, [please] give me [some of] that water, so that I do not get thirsty [again], or have to come all the way here to draw [water].” ¹⁶ Jesus replied to her, “Go call your husband and [then] come here.” ¹⁷ The woman said to Him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus said to her, “You were right when you said, ‘I do not have a husband,’ ¹⁸ because you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not [really] your husband. So, you have told the truth.” ¹⁹ [Then] the woman said to Jesus, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. ²⁰ Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain [i.e., Mt. Gerizim, which was visible from where they were sitting]; but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people should worship [God].” ²¹ Jesus replied to her, “[My dear] woman, believe me [when I tell you], the time will come when you people will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. ²² You [Samaritans] do not [really] know what you worship; we [Jews] know what we worship because salvation is from the Jews [i.e., through Jewish prophets, Jewish Scriptures and a Jewish Messiah]. ²³ But the time will come, and is now [actually] here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [i.e., from the heart] and truth [i.e., according to God’s revealed will], for these are the people whom the Father seeks to be His worshipers. ²⁴ God is Spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” ²⁵ [Then] the woman said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming ([He is] the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything.” ²⁶ Jesus replied to her, “I, who am speaking to you, am [the Messiah].” ²⁷ Just about then Jesus’ disciples returned [from town], and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. [Note: It was not customary for a Jewish male to engage a woman in extended conversation in that day, much less a stranger, and certainly not a Samaritan], yet no one said [to Him], “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking to her?” ²⁸ So, the woman left her water jar and went back into town and told the people [there], ²⁹ “Come [and] see a man who told me everything I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” ³⁰ [So], the people went out from the town and came to where Jesus was. ³¹ Meanwhile Jesus’ disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, [have something to] eat.” ³² But He said to them, “I [already] have food to eat that you do not know about.” ³³ So, the disciples said to one another, “No one has brought Him anything to eat [have they]?” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “My food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work. ³⁵ Are you not [always] saying, ‘There are still four months before harvest time comes’? Look, I am telling you [disciples], lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white and ripe for harvest [i.e., people are ready to make a spiritual response]. ³⁶ Already the person who is harvesting [the crop] is being paid for his work, and is gathering a crop for never ending life, so that the one planting and the one harvesting [the crop] may rejoice together. ³⁷ So, the saying is true that one person plants and another harvests [the crop]. ³⁸ I sent you [disciples] to harvest [a crop] that you did not work on; other people have done the work and you have reaped the results of their work.” [Note: This is probably an allusion to the preliminary work of preaching done by John, the Immerser, with results occurring under the preaching of the apostles]. ³⁹ Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, “He told me everything that I ever did.” ⁴⁰ When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days. ⁴¹ And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, ⁴² and they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world.” ⁴³ Two days later Jesus left Sychar and went to Galilee. ⁴⁴ For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet does not receive honor in his own country. [Note: Jesus’ reference here to his “own country” means Judea, while in Matt., Mark and Luke it refers to Nazareth]. ⁴⁵ So, when He got to Galilee, the people there welcomed Him, for they had also gone to the [Passover] Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything He had done there during the festival. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana]. ⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down [to Capernaum] and heal his son who was about to die. ⁴⁸ So, Jesus said to him, “None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?].” ⁴⁹ The government official replied, “Sir, [please] come down [to Capernaum] before my child dies.” ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Go on [home]; your son will live.” And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home]. ⁵¹ While he was going along, his slaves met him and told him that his son was [still] alive. ⁵² Then he asked them what the [exact] time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, “[It was] yesterday at seven o’clock in the morning that the fever left him.” [Note: This would have been 1 PM, if Jewish time were meant]. ⁵³ So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus]. ⁵⁴ [Now] this was the second [miraculous] sign that Jesus performed after going from Judea to Galilee.

¹⁶ Jacob had a son named Joseph, who was the husband of Mary. Mary [alone] was the mother of Jesus, who is called the Christ.

²¹ She is going to have a son and you should name Him Jesus, for He is the One who will save His people from their sins.”

¹ Now Jesus was born in Bethlehem [a small town] in Judea during the time when Herod [the Great] was king [of Judea]. About that time some astrologer/sages from the east [i.e., Persia] came to Jerusalem, saying, ² “Where is the one who was born to be king of the Jews? For we saw a star [signifying his birth while we were still] in the east, and have come here to worship him.” ³ And when King Herod heard this, he and the entire city of Jerusalem were [very] upset.

¹ In those days, John the Immerser went into the desert of Judea preaching [to Jews], saying, ² “You must repent [i.e., change your hearts and lives], for the kingdom of heaven will soon be here.” ³ For this is the man who was spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, who said, [Isa. 40:3], “[It is] the voice of a man who speaks out in the desert, [urging people to] make the road for the Lord ready [for Him to travel]; to make a straight pathway for Him [to walk on].” ⁴ Now John dressed in clothing made of camel’s hair and he wore a leather belt around his waist; he ate grasshoppers and wild honey [i.e., for his regular diet]. ⁵ [People from] Jerusalem and all over Judea and the region around the Jordan River all went out [to the desert] to [hear] him, ⁶ and people were immersed by him in the Jordan River as they confessed their sins.

² After He had fasted forty days and nights, He was [very] hungry.

¹³ [After] leaving Nazareth [i.e., a major town in Galilee], He came to live in Capernaum, [a city] beside Lake Galilee, near the districts of Zebulun and Naphtali.

²³ Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in the [Jewish] synagogues and preaching the good news of the [coming, see verse 17] kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people.

²³ Jesus went all over Galilee teaching in the [Jewish] synagogues and preaching the good news of the [coming, see verse 17] kingdom, and healing all kinds of disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ The news [of what Jesus was doing] spread all over [the country of] Syria and they brought to Him all those who were sick, stricken with various diseases and pains, dominated by evil spirits, and afflicted with seizures and paralysis, and He healed them [all].

²⁸ And so it happened when Jesus had finished [speaking] these words, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, ²⁹ for he taught like a person who had authority, instead of like their experts in the law of Moses.

⁸ But the military officer answered, “Sir, I do not deserve for you to come into my house; just say the word and [I know] my slave-boy will be healed. ⁹ For I also am a man [who serves] under the authority [of others], and I have soldiers [who serve] under me. I can say to this one ‘Go,’ and he goes, and to another one, ‘Come,’ and he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹¹ And I [also] say to you, that many people will come from the east and the west and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. ¹² But the children who [are supposed to] belong to the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness where there will be crying and excruciating pain.” ¹³ And Jesus said to the military officer, “Go on your way; since you have believed [in my power to heal], what you desired will be done for you.” And the slave-boy was healed that [very] hour.

²⁴ Suddenly a violent storm came up over the lake, so that [huge] waves began to overwhelm the boat. But Jesus was sleeping [through it all].

¹⁸ While Jesus spoke these things, a leader [of the Jewish synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark 5:22-43] came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but if you come and place your hand on her, she will live [again].”

³⁷ Then He said to His disciples, “Certainly there is plenty to harvest but there are [too] few people to do the work.” ³⁸ “You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop.”

⁵ Jesus sent these twelve apostles out and ordered them saying, “Do not go on any road leading to Gentile territory or enter any town of the Samaritans.

⁵ Jesus sent these twelve apostles out and ordered them saying, “Do not go on any road leading to Gentile territory or enter any town of the Samaritans. ⁶ But [rather] go to the lost sheep of the people of Israel.

²³ When they persecute you in one town, run to the next one, for it is true when I tell you, you will not have traveled through [all] the towns of the Israelites until the Son of man comes [i.e., in His kingdom].

⁴² Truly I tell you, whoever gives a mere drink of cold water to one of these least significant [disciples of mine] because he is a disciple, will certainly not lose his [temporal or eternal] reward.”

⁸ What did you expect to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, people who wear fancy clothes live in kings’ palaces. ⁹ Why did you go out [to the desert]? To see a prophet? Yes, I should say [he was], and much more than a prophet. ¹⁰ He is the one about whom it was written [Mal. 3:1], ‘Look, I [will] send my messenger on ahead of you. He will prepare the pathway in front of you.’ ¹¹ It is true when I tell you, among [all] those born of women, no one greater than John the Immerser has come along. Yet the least significant person in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ¹² And from the days of John the Immerser the kingdom of heaven is experiencing turmoil, for violent men are [trying to] take control of it [by bringing it into existence] forcibly [i.e., before its appointed time. See Acts 1:6-7]. ¹³ For all of the prophets and the law of Moses prophesied [of this kingdom] up until the time of John.

²⁰ Then Jesus began to rebuke the people of the towns where most of His powerful miracles were performed because they did not repent [when they saw Him perform them]. ²¹ [He said] “It will be too bad for you, Chorazin! It will be too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in [the cities of] Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago, [demonstrating it] by wearing sackcloth [i.e., a coarse cloth made of goat hair] and throwing ashes [into the air]. ²² But I tell you, Tyre and Sidon will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you people will. ²³ And Capernaum, do you think you will be lifted up toward heaven [as a proud city]? [No indeed], you will [surely] go down to the place of the unseen [i.e., become obscure or obliterated as a city]. For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Sodom which were performed in your presence, it would have remained [even] until today. ²⁴ But I say to you, Sodom will be shown more leniency on the judgment day than you will.”

²³ All the crowds of people were amazed and said, “Can this [Jesus] be the son of David?”

⁴⁰ For just like Jonah was in the stomach of the huge fish for three days and nights, so the Son of man will be in the heart of the earth [i.e., the cave-tomb] for three days and nights. ⁴¹ The people of Nineveh will stand up on the judgment day along with the people of this generation and will condemn them because they repented [i.e., changed their hearts and lives] when hearing the preaching of Jonah [See Jonah 3:5-10], and [now] Someone greater than Jonah is here [i.e., Jesus]. ⁴² The queen of the South [Note: This queen was from Sheba, I Kings 10:1, which was probably in Arabia] will stand up on the judgment day along with the people of this generation and will condemn them because she came from a great distance to hear [and see] Solomon’s wisdom [I Kings 10:1ff] and [now] Someone greater than Solomon is here [i.e., Jesus].

⁴² The queen of the South [Note: This queen was from Sheba, I Kings 10:1, which was probably in Arabia] will stand up on the judgment day along with the people of this generation and will condemn them because she came from a great distance to hear [and see] Solomon’s wisdom [I Kings 10:1ff] and [now] Someone greater than Solomon is here [i.e., Jesus].

⁵⁷ And they were led to doubt His true identity. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet does not go without being honored, except in His own home town and among His own family members.”

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.’”

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.”

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.”

¹ The Pharisees and Sadducees came [and attempted] to test Jesus [by] asking Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven.

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.”

²⁰ Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

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].

²⁰ For I am in the presence of two or three [disciples] wherever they are gathered in my name.”

¹⁵ Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my own money? Or, is it that your eye is envious because I choose to be so generous?’ ¹⁶ So, the [person who seems to be] last will be first [i.e., in importance and blessings], but the [person who seems to be] first will [end up] being last.”

¹¹ The crowds answered, “He is the prophet Jesus, from Nazareth in Galilee.”

⁷ They love the [special] greetings they receive at the open shopping markets and to be addressed as ‘Rabbi’ [Note: This word signified ‘great’ or ‘master’].

²⁴ For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will perform great [miraculous] signs and [supernatural] wonders in order to lead astray even the elect [i.e., God’s people], if possible.

⁴⁶ And these [i.e., the ones at His left side] will go away to never ending punishment, but those who did what was right will go to never ending life.”

³⁹ And He went on ahead a short distance and fell face-down and prayed, “My Father, allow this cup [i.e., of suffering] to pass away from me if it is [at all] possible; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what You want [for me].”

⁶³ But Jesus did not say anything. So, the head priest said to Him, “I command you [to swear] by the living God, [and] to tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of God!” ⁶⁴ Jesus replied to him, “You have said so; nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

⁴² “He saved other people, [but] he cannot [even] save himself [i.e., from dying]. He is ‘the king of Israel;’ let him now come down from the cross and then we will believe in him.

⁴⁵ Now from noon until three o’clock in the afternoon there was darkness over all the land.

⁸ So, they left the grave site quickly, with fear and great joy, and ran to give the message to His disciples.

¹⁹ So, as you go, make disciples out of people from all the nations, then immerse believers [See Mark 16:15-16] into the name of [i.e., to enter a relationship with] the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

¹ After Jesus returned to Capernaum several days later, it became known that He was [back] at home [i.e., possibly at the house of Peter and Andrew, where He was staying. See 1:29]. ² And there were so many people gathered to listen to His message that there was no room for any more [in the courtyard] around the doorway. ³ Then some people came, bringing a man afflicted with paralysis, who was being carried by four friends.

⁷ [Then] Jesus withdrew [from there] with His disciples and went to the lake [i.e., Lake of Galilee], being followed by a large crowd from Galilee. Also, a large crowd from Judea,

²³ He begged Him earnestly, saying, “My little daughter is about to die; [please] come and place your hands on her so she may be healed and live.”

³⁵ While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue official’s house and said [to the official], “Your daughter is dead; why are you bothering the Teacher any more?” ³⁶ But Jesus disregarded what the person said and told the official, “Do not be afraid; just believe [i.e., in my power to restore your daughter].”

⁴ Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet does not go without receiving honor, except in his own home town, and among his own relatives, and among his own family members.”

⁵⁵ and rushed around the whole district to bring sick people on cots to where He was. ⁵⁶ And wherever He entered towns, cities or the countryside, they placed sick people at the open shopping markets and begged Him to allow them to touch even the edge of His robe. And all those who touched Him were made well.

²⁷ So, He said to her, “Children should be the first ones to eat until they are full, for it is not proper to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁸ But she answered Him, “Yes Lord, but even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs dropped by the children.” ²⁹ And He said to her, “Because you have said this, go on your way; the evil spirit has left your daughter.” ³⁰ And she went away to her house and found her child lying on her bed with the evil spirit gone from her.

²³ And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can.’ [Note: By repeating the man’s words Jesus seems to be saying, “You mean, if YOU can believe”]. Everything is possible to the person who believes [it can happen].” ²⁴ Immediately the father of the boy cried out, “I do believe; help me to have more faith.”

¹² And if she herself divorces her husband and marries another [man], she commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward him].”

⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth [passing by], he began shouting, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.”

²² For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will perform [miraculous] signs and [supernatural] wonders in order to lead astray [even] the elect, if possible.

⁶¹ But Jesus kept quiet and did not give them any answer. Again the head priest asked Him, “Are you the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]?” ⁶² And Jesus answered, “Yes, I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God, Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

⁸ So, they left, running out of the cave, [and] trembling with amazement. And they said nothing to anyone about this for they were afraid. ⁹ Now when Jesus arose from the dead early on the first day of the week [i.e., Sunday morning], He appeared first to Mary from Magdala, from whom He had driven out seven evil spirits. ¹⁰ Then she went and told those disciples who had been with Him what had happened. They were sorrowful and began to cry.

⁷⁶ Yes, you [my] child [i.e., John], will be called the prophet of the Highest [i.e., God], for you will go ahead of the Lord’s presence to prepare His ways.

⁷ So, she bore her firstborn Son and wrapped Him in [linen] cloths and laid Him in an animal’s feeding trough because there was no room for them in the lodge.

¹⁰ And the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid; for look, I am bringing good news that will cause great joy to all people. ¹¹ For a Savior has been born today in David’s city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].

¹¹ For a Savior has been born today in David’s city [i.e., Bethlehem], who is Christ the Lord [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].

³² [to be] a light for revealing [God’s way of salvation] to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and a [source of] glory to your people, the Israelites.”

⁴² When Jesus was twelve years old, they [all] went up to the Festival as usual. ⁴³ And when they had completed [all] the days [of festivities], and were returning [home], the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Now His parents did not know this, ⁴⁴ so thinking He was in the caravan, they continued traveling for an entire day [before] they began looking for Him among their relatives and friends.

⁴⁹ And He replied to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I had to be in my Father’s house [i.e., the Temple]?”

²⁴ And He said, “Truly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his own home town.

³² They were amazed at His teaching for He spoke with authority.

² And a certain military officer’s slave [was there], whom the officer highly valued. This slave was [so] sick that he was about to die.

⁶ So, Jesus went with them. And when He got close to the military officer’s house, the officer sent [his] friends to Jesus, saying to Him [i.e., speaking on behalf of the military officer], “Sir, do not trouble yourself, for I do not deserve for you to come into my house; ⁷ [and] for the same reason I did not think I deserved to come to you either. So, [just] say the word and [I know] my slave will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man [who was] placed under the authority [of others], and I have soldiers [who serve] under me. I can say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another one, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my slave, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁶ Then everyone was gripped with fear and gave honor to God, saying, “ [Surely] a great prophet has arisen among us and God’s [presence] has come to His people.”

³⁹ Now when the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would have known who touched him and what kind of a woman she was --- a sinner.”

³⁸ But the man from whom the evil spirits had been driven out begged Jesus to allow him to travel with Him, but Jesus sent him away, saying,

⁴⁰ Then as Jesus returned [i.e., to the northwest shore of the lake, probably to the vicinity of Capernaum], a crowd was waiting for Him and welcomed Him. ⁴¹ And just then an official of the [Jewish] synagogue named Jairus came to Him and fell at His feet [i.e., worshiping. See Matt. 9:18] and begged Him to go to his house, ⁴² for the official’s only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, large crowds pressed in on Him.

¹³ But He said to the apostles, “You men give them something to eat.” But they replied, “We have only five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish, unless we go and buy [more] food for all these people.”

⁴⁵ But they did not understand what He was talking about, for it was hidden from them, so that they would not understand its meaning. And they were afraid to ask Him about what He had said.

⁵¹ And it happened when the time came for Jesus to be taken up [to heaven] that He firmly determined to go to Jerusalem. ⁵² So, He sent messengers on ahead of Him, who went and entered a Samaritan village to prepare for Him [i.e., for His food and lodging].

⁵² So, He sent messengers on ahead of Him, who went and entered a Samaritan village to prepare for Him [i.e., for His food and lodging]. ⁵³ And these Samaritans did not welcome Him because He was heading for Jerusalem. [Note: They perceived He was a Jew and Samaritans did not associate with Jews].

⁵³ And these Samaritans did not welcome Him because He was heading for Jerusalem. [Note: They perceived He was a Jew and Samaritans did not associate with Jews]. ⁵⁴ And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said [to Him], “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to burn them up?” ⁵⁵ But He turned to them and spoke sternly. {{Some manuscripts add “You do not know what kind of a spirit you represent, ⁵⁶ for the Son of man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them”}} So, they went to another village.

⁵⁸ Jesus replied to him, “The foxes have dens [in which to live] and the birds of the sky have nests [in which to roost], but the Son of man does not have anywhere to lay His head.”

² And He said to them, “There is certainly plenty to harvest, but there are [too] few people to do the work. You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop. ³ [So], go on; See, I am sending you out as lambs among wolves.

¹⁸ And Jesus said to them, “I saw Satan falling from heaven as lightning.

³³ But [then] a certain Samaritan [Note: This was a person despised by the Jews and regarded by them as a ‘half-breed’], as he traveled along, came to where the [injured] man was [lying], and upon seeing him [lying there], felt deep pity [for him].

³⁹ And she had a sister named Mary who was also sitting at the Lord’s feet, listening to what He said.

⁸ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him something because he is a friend, yet because of his friend’s persistence, he will [eventually] get up and give him whatever he needs. ⁹ And I tell you, ask [God for something] and it will be given to you; look [to God for something] and you will find it; knock [on the door of opportunity] and it will be opened up to you. ¹⁰ For every person who asks will [certainly] receive; and the one who looks will [certainly] find; and to the person who knocks, the door will [certainly] be opened up.

¹³ If then you know how to give good gifts to your children, even though you are sinful [human beings], how much more [likely] is it that your Father in heaven will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”

³⁰ And certainly, those [who appear to be] last will be first [i.e., in importance and blessings], and those [who appear to be] first will [end up] being last.”

⁴ “Which one of you who has a hundred sheep, and loses one of them, would not leave the ninety-nine in a deserted place and go looking for the lost one until he finds it? ⁵ And when he finds it, he places it on his shoulders [i.e., to return it], and is so glad. ⁶ And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost.’

¹⁰ In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels [i.e., in heaven ?] over one sinful person who repents.”

²⁴ And he shouted out, ‘Forefather Abraham, take pity on me and send Lazarus [to me], so he can dip the tip of his finger in water [and touch] my tongue to cool it, because I am in agony in these flames.’

³¹ And Abraham replied, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded [even] if someone rises from the dead [i.e., to come back and warn them].’”

¹¹ And it happened as Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem that He passed along the border between Samaria and Galilee. [Note: These were the next two provinces north of Judea].

¹⁴ And when Jesus saw them, He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” [See Lev. 13:49; 14:2ff]. And it happened, as they went [along], that they were healed.

¹⁶ And he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. And he was a Samaritan. [Note: Samaritans were despised by the Jews and regarded as a ‘half-breeds’].

¹⁶ And he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet and thanked Him. And he was a Samaritan. [Note: Samaritans were despised by the Jews and regarded as a ‘half-breeds’]. ¹⁷ Jesus asked [those standing nearby], “Were there not ten men [who were] healed? Where are the [other] nine?

¹⁷ Jesus asked [those standing nearby], “Were there not ten men [who were] healed? Where are the [other] nine? ¹⁸ Did not anyone [else] come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner?”

¹⁸ Did not anyone [else] come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner?” ¹⁹ Then Jesus said to the one [who had returned], “Get up and go on your way. Your faith has made you well.”

¹¹ The Pharisee stood up [conspicuously] and prayed about himself this way [i.e., bragging to God about how good he was], ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, sexually unfaithful to their mates, or even like that tax collector [over there]. ¹² I fast [i.e., going without food and/or drink for religious reasons] twice a week and I give [to God’s work] a tenth of everything I get.’ ¹³ But the tax collector stood at a distance [i.e., inconspicuously] and would not even look up to heaven, but struck his chest [i.e., in remorse], saying, ‘God, [please] have mercy on a sinner like me.’

¹³ But the tax collector stood at a distance [i.e., inconspicuously] and would not even look up to heaven, but struck his chest [i.e., in remorse], saying, ‘God, [please] have mercy on a sinner like me.’ ¹⁴ I tell you, this man went back home right with God instead of the other man. For every person who exalts himself [as important] will be humbled, but whoever humbles himself will be exalted [as important].”

⁵ And when Jesus came to the tree, He said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down [from that tree], for I need to stay at your house today.” ⁶ So, he came down immediately and welcomed Jesus gladly. ⁷ And when the crowd saw this, they began complaining [i.e., because Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector] and said, “He is going to lodge with a sinful man.” ⁸ Then Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord, I [plan to] give half of my possessions to poor people. And if I have cheated anyone out of something, [I promise] to repay them four times as much.” ⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Salvation has come to this house today, since he too [i.e., Zacchaeus] is a descendant of Abraham.

⁹ Then Jesus said to him, “Salvation has come to this house today, since he too [i.e., Zacchaeus] is a descendant of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of man came to search for and save those who were lost.”

¹⁰ For the Son of man came to search for and save those who were lost.”

²¹ for I was afraid of you, knowing you are a hard man to deal with and that you pick up [and keep] something you did not lay down [i.e., lose], and you harvest a crop that you did not plant.’

³¹ And if anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ you should say, ‘The Lord needs it.’”

³⁴ And they replied, ‘The Lord needs it.’

⁵ Then, as someone [i.e., of His disciples. See Mark 13:1], spoke of how the Temple was decorated with beautiful stones and objects dedicated as gifts, Jesus said, ⁶ “As for these things you are looking at, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another here that will not be thrown down.”

²⁴ And people will die by the sword and be led captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the [unconverted] Gentiles [i.e., by the Romans and later by others] until the times of [domination by] the Gentiles are fulfilled.

⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember [to be merciful to] me when you come into your kingdom.” ⁴³ Then Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise [Note: This is a place in God’s presence, referred to as “the third heaven” (II Cor. 12:2-4), and where overcomers will be able to eat from “the tree of life” (Rev. 2:7)].”

⁹ When they returned from the grave site, they told all this to the eleven apostles and to all the rest [of the disciples].

¹⁹ And He replied, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus, from Nazareth, who was a prophet speaking powerful words and performing powerful deeds in front of God and all the people.

²⁹ So, the men urged Him to remain with them, saying, “Stay with us [i.e., overnight], because it is getting late and the day is almost over.” So, He went [to their house] to stay with them.

³³ So, they got up at once and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven apostles gathered together with some other disciples.

⁴⁷ And [the need for] a change of heart and life in order to receive the forgiveness of sins [from God] will be preached in Jesus’ name [i.e., by His authority] to people of all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

⁷ He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe [in Jesus] through him [i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4].

¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; [but] God’s favor and truth came through Jesus Christ.

²⁹ On the next day John [the Immerser] saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look, [there is] the Lamb of God; He [will] take away the sin of the people of the world.

³⁸ Then Jesus turned and saw them following [Him] and said to them, “What are you looking for?” And they answered Him, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?”

⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]).”

⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]).” ⁴² So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).”

⁴² So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).”

⁴² So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).” ⁴³ [Then] on the next day He [i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew] decided to travel into Galilee, [and there] He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, “Become my follower.”

⁴³ [Then] on the next day He [i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew] decided to travel into Galilee, [and there] He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, “Become my follower.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew’s and Peter’s home town. [Note: This town was on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, a few miles from Capernaum]. ⁴⁵ [Then] Philip found Nathaniel [i.e., the same as Bartholomew. See Matt. 10:3] and said to him, “We have found Him, the one Moses wrote about in the law; and the prophets [also wrote about Him]. [He is] Jesus from Nazareth, the [step-] son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathaniel replied to him, “Can anything worthwhile come from Nazareth?” [Note: Nazareth had a bad reputation and Jewish writings made no prediction of a prophet coming from that area. See John 7:52]. Philip answered him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷ [As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, “Look, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!”

⁴⁷ [As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, “Look, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!” ⁴⁸ Nathaniel asked Jesus, “How did you know me?” Jesus answered him, “I saw you when you were under that fig tree, [even] before Philip called you.”

⁴⁸ Nathaniel asked Jesus, “How did you know me?” Jesus answered him, “I saw you when you were under that fig tree, [even] before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Nathaniel replied to Him, “Rabbi [i.e., Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

⁴⁹ Nathaniel replied to Him, “Rabbi [i.e., Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

¹ Then on the third day [i.e., since Jesus’ conversation with Nathaniel. See 1:47], a wedding took place in Cana in Galilee. [Note: This was a small town near Nazareth]. Jesus’ mother was there ² and Jesus and His disciples had been invited to it also. ³ Now when they had run out of wine, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They do not have any more wine [left].” ⁴ So, Jesus said to her, “[My dear] woman, what do you want me to do [about it]? My time [i.e., to be revealed to people as the Messiah] has not yet come.” ⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you to do.” ⁶ Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings [i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons. ⁷ Jesus said to them, “Fill the jars with water.” So, the servants filled them clear full. ⁸ Then He said to them, “Now pour [some of it] out and take it to the banquet host.” So, they took some to him, ⁹ and when the banquet host tasted the water, which had [now] been turned into wine, he did not know where it had come from. (But the servants who had poured out the water knew [full well]). So, the banquet host called the groom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone sets out the best wine first, and when people have had plenty to drink, he then sets out the poor quality [wine]. But you have kept the best wine until now.” [Note: See Barnes Notes and The Gospel of John by Butler for evidence suggesting that this was not intoxicating wine]. ¹¹ This was the beginning of Jesus’ [miraculous] signs, which He performed in Cana in Galilee. [In doing this] He demonstrated His glorious power and His disciples believed in Him.

¹¹ This was the beginning of Jesus’ [miraculous] signs, which He performed in Cana in Galilee. [In doing this] He demonstrated His glorious power and His disciples believed in Him.

¹³ Now the Jewish Passover Festival was soon [to be held], so Jesus went up to Jerusalem [to attend it]. ¹⁴ There in the Temple [area] He found people selling oxen, sheep and pigeons. [i.e., for use as sacrifices]. Also cashiers were sitting there. [Note: These people exchanged foreign coins so visitors to Jerusalem could make purchases and pay taxes]. ¹⁵ Then Jesus made a whip out of strands of rope and drove all of the sheep and oxen out of the Temple [area], dumped out the cashiers’ money and overturned their tables. ¹⁶ He said to those who were selling the pigeons, “Take these things out of here, and quit making my Father’s house [i.e., the Temple] a merchandise mart.”

¹⁸ So, the Jews asked Him, “What [miraculous] sign will you show us, since you are doing these things [i.e., disrupting their merchandising activities]?”

²³ Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people believed in His name [i.e., in Jesus Himself] when they saw the [miraculous] signs He was doing. ²⁴ But Jesus would not trust Himself to them [i.e., to the care of these Jewish leaders] because He knew all men, ²⁵ and He did not need anyone to tell Him about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in the hearts of mankind.

² This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we [i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders] know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these [miraculous] signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.”

⁴ Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born [again] after he is [already] old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”

¹⁴ And [just] like Moses lifted up the snake [on the pole] in the wilderness [Num. 21:9], so the Son of man must be lifted up [on the cross] ¹⁵ so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” [Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21]. ¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life.

¹⁶ For God loved the world [of sinners] so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not [have to] be destroyed, but have never ending life. ¹⁷ For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge [i.e., to condemn it], but [rather] so that the people of the world could be saved [from condemnation] though Him. ¹⁸ The person who believes in Him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in Him has already been condemned, because he did not believe in the name of God’s one and only Son.

²² After this Jesus and His disciples went to the country-[side] of Judea and there they remained and immersed people.

²⁶ These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River [i.e., Jesus], whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” [Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2].

³² He testifies concerning what He has seen and heard, but no one accepts His testimony.

³ He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself).

⁵ So, He arrived at the Samaritan town called Sychar, which was near the piece of property that Jacob had given to his son Joseph. ⁶ Jacob’s [spring-fed] well was there so Jesus, tired from His [long] journey, sat down beside the well just as He was [i.e., before doing anything else]. It was about six o’clock in the morning [Note: This would have been 12 noon if Jewish time were meant]. ⁷ [About then] a Samaritan woman came [to the well] to draw water. Jesus said to her, “[Please] give me a drink.” ⁸ (Now Jesus’ disciples had gone away to town to buy some food). ⁹ Therefore, the Samaritan woman asked Him, “Why is it that you, being a Jew, would ask a Samaritan woman [like me] for a drink?” (For Jews do not have any fellowship with Samaritans). [Note: The reason for this stemmed from longstanding religious, cultural and ethnic prejudices]. ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you [only] knew the [real] gift of God, and who it is that said to you, ‘[Please], give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”

¹² Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us this well? He himself and his sons and cattle [all] drank from it.”

¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give him will never get thirsty [again]. For the water I will give him will become in him [i.e., in his spirit] a spring of water, bubbling up and producing never ending life.” [See John 7:38].

¹⁷ The woman said to Him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus said to her, “You were right when you said, ‘I do not have a husband,’ ¹⁸ because you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not [really] your husband. So, you have told the truth.”

¹⁸ because you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not [really] your husband. So, you have told the truth.”

²¹ Jesus replied to her, “[My dear] woman, believe me [when I tell you], the time will come when you people will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.

²³ But the time will come, and is now [actually] here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit [i.e., from the heart] and truth [i.e., according to God’s revealed will], for these are the people whom the Father seeks to be His worshipers.

²⁵ [Then] the woman said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming ([He is] the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything.”

²⁵ [Then] the woman said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming ([He is] the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything.” ²⁶ Jesus replied to her, “I, who am speaking to you, am [the Messiah].” ²⁷ Just about then Jesus’ disciples returned [from town], and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. [Note: It was not customary for a Jewish male to engage a woman in extended conversation in that day, much less a stranger, and certainly not a Samaritan], yet no one said [to Him], “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking to her?”

²⁹ “Come [and] see a man who told me everything I ever did. Can this be the Christ?” ³⁰ [So], the people went out from the town and came to where Jesus was.

³² But He said to them, “I [already] have food to eat that you do not know about.”

³⁴ Jesus answered them, “My food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work.

³⁹ Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, “He told me everything that I ever did.” ⁴⁰ When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days. ⁴¹ And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, ⁴² and they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

⁴² and they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”

⁴⁵ So, when He got to Galilee, the people there welcomed Him, for they had also gone to the [Passover] Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything He had done there during the festival. ⁴⁶ Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum [Note: Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana].

⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “Go on [home]; your son will live.” And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went [home].

⁵³ So [then], the father realized that it was at that [exact] hour that Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So, he and his entire family believed [in Jesus]. ⁵⁴ [Now] this was the second [miraculous] sign that Jesus performed after going from Judea to Galilee.

²⁵ Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now [actually] here, when those who are [spiritually] dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear [i.e., and heed His message] will have [spiritual] life.

²⁸ “Do not be surprised at this: The time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear His voice

³⁰ “I cannot do anything by my own [authority]. I judge [people] based on what I hear [i.e., from the Father] and my judgment [of them] is just, because I do not look for what I want [to do], but for what He who sent me [i.e., God] wants.

³⁶ But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.

⁵ So Jesus, looking up and seeing a large crowd coming to Him, said to Philip [Note: He was one of the apostles, whose home town was at nearby Bethsaida. See 1:44], “Where are we going to buy [enough] bread, so that this crowd can eat?” ⁶ Now He said this to test Philip, for He [already] knew what He was going to do. ⁷ Philip answered Him, “Not even two hundred coins’ worth of bread would be enough to feed them if everyone ate only a little bit.” [Note: The amount here indicated was two hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $14,000 in 1994].

¹⁴ So, when the people saw the [miraculous] sign that Jesus had performed [i.e., the feeding of the large crowd with such a small amount of food], they said, “Truly, this is the prophet who was to come into the world.” [Note: This was probably a reference to the promise made in Deut. 18:15-19].

²⁶ Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you people are looking for me because you got to eat the loaves of bread and were satisfied and not because you saw [miraculous] signs. [See verse 14]. ²⁷ Do not work for the [kind of] food that spoils, but for the kind that lasts until never ending life. The Son of man will give you this [kind of food], for God the Father has placed His seal [of approval] on Him.”

³³ For the bread God gives is the One [see verse 35] who comes down from heaven, and [He] gives [spiritual] life to the world.” ³⁴ Then they said to Him, “Sir, [please] give us this bread all the time.” ³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread who gives [spiritual] life; the person who comes to me will never get hungry [again], and the one who believes in me will never get thirsty [again].

³⁸ For I have come down from heaven to do what God, who sent me, wants me to do, not what I want to do.

⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the ‘manna’ in the desert and died.

⁵¹ I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life.”

⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]. [It is] not like [the bread] our forefathers ate and [then] died. The person who eats this bread will live forever.”

⁶³ It is the Holy Spirit who [Note: The Greek word here is “that” instead of “who”] gives life [i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ teaching can produce spiritual life]; the flesh is of no value [i.e., understanding Jesus’ teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]. The words I have spoken to you are [from the] Holy Spirit and [they give] life.

⁶⁸ Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, who [else] could we go to? You have the message about never ending life. ⁶⁹ And we apostles have believed [in you] and know that you are God’s Holy One.”

²⁶ And look, he is speaking openly and they are not saying anything to him [about it]. Can it be that the [Jewish] authorities know that he really is the Messiah [i.e., the Christ, God’s specially chosen one]?

³¹ But many people in the crowd believed in Him, saying, “When the Messiah does come, will he perform more [miraculous] signs than this man has done?”

³⁷ Now on the last and greatest day of the Festival [of Tabernacles], Jesus stood up and spoke out, “If anyone is thirsty he should come to me for a drink. ³⁸ As the Scripture has recorded [Note: The following is not an exact quotation from the OT, but echoes Isa. 58:11 and Zech. 14:8], ‘Streams of life-giving water will flow from the person’s heart who believes in me.’” ³⁹ Now He said this about the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive [See Acts 2:38]. For [at that time] the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet received splendor [in heaven]. ⁴⁰ When they heard these words some people in the crowd said, “Truly, this man is the prophet.” [See note on 1:21].

⁴⁶ The guards answered, “No one has ever spoken like this man.”

²⁴ Therefore I said to you that you will die [condemned] in your sins. For unless you believe that I am [the Messiah, who came from above. See verse 23], you will die [condemned] in your sins.”

⁴⁸ The Jews answered and said to Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan [See note on 4:9], and are dominated by an evil spirit?”

⁵³ Are you greater [i.e., more important] than our forefather Abraham and the prophets, who [all] died? Who do you think you are?”

¹⁷ So, they said to the [former] blind man again, “What do you have to say about the man, since [you say] he restored your sight?” The man replied, “He is a prophet.”

³⁵ [When] Jesus heard that they had thrown the beggar out, He found him and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of man?”

³⁵ [When] Jesus heard that they had thrown the beggar out, He found him and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of man?” ³⁶ He answered, “Who is he, sir? [Tell me], so I can believe in him.”

³⁶ He answered, “Who is he, sir? [Tell me], so I can believe in him.” ³⁷ Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him and He is the One who is talking with you.”

³⁷ Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him and He is the One who is talking with you.” ³⁸ And the man said, “Lord, I believe.” And he knelt in front of Jesus [i.e., in reverence].

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.

⁴⁰ Then Jesus again went across [to the east side of] the Jordan River, to the place where John had first immersed people, and stayed there. ⁴¹ Many people came to Him and were saying, “It is true that John did not perform any [miraculous] signs, but everything he said about this man was true.” ⁴² So, many people there believed in Jesus.

⁹ Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? [i.e., hours of daylight]. If a person walks during daylight, he will not stumble because he can see [by] the sun’s light.

¹⁷ So, when Jesus arrived, He found out that Lazarus had already been in his grave [i.e., a cave-like tomb] for four days.

²¹ Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if [only] you had been here, my brother would not have died.

²⁶ And whoever goes on living and believing in me, will never die [spiritually]. Do you believe this?”

³² So, when Mary arrived at where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell down at His feet and said, “Lord, if [only] you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

⁴⁰ Jesus replied to her, “Did I not tell you that you would see God’s glory [i.e., a miraculous resurrection. See verses 22-27] if you believed?”

⁴⁵ When many of Mary’s Jewish friends, who had come to console her, saw what Jesus had done, they believed in Him.

⁵⁴ So, Jesus stopped traveling publicly among the Jews [in Judea], but left there and went to a district near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, where He remained with His disciples. [Note: Ephraim was a small town about 14 miles northeast of Jerusalem, near Samaria].

²³ Then Jesus said to [all of] them, “The time has come for the Son of man to be glorified [i.e., by His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension].

³⁷ But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him.

⁶ Jesus answered him, “I am the way [to God], and the truth [to believe], and the life [to live]. No one can go to the Father, except through [believing in] me.

¹⁶ “And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper [i.e., besides me], who will be with you forever. ¹⁷ He is the Holy Spirit of truth [i.e., who reveals truth], whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him or know Him. [But] you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be within you. ¹⁸ I will not abandon you [Note: The Greek says, “leave you orphans”]; I will come [back] to you. ¹⁹ After a little while [longer] the world will not see me anymore, but you men will see me. Because I [will continue to] live, you will live also.

²⁴ If I had not performed the [miraculous] deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.

² The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God. ³ And they will do these things because they have not known [either] the Father or me.

³² Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.

² Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people [Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”] you have given Him. ³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.

³ And this is never ending life; that people may know you [as] the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent. ⁴ I am honoring you [while] on earth by completing the work you gave me to do.

⁸ because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They [also] knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.

²⁸ Now Jesus knew that everything had been completed [i.e., relating to His crucifixion], so then He said, in order to fulfill Scripture [Psa. 69:21], “I am thirsty.”

³⁰ After drinking some of the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,” [i.e., His work of dying for the sins of mankind] and gave up His spirit [i.e., to God. See Luke 23:46].

²⁹ Jesus said to him, “Have you believed [that I am alive] because you have seen me? Those who have not seen me and yet believe are [even more] blessed.”

² Simon Peter; Thomas, called “The Twin;” Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee; the sons of Zebedee [i.e., James and John] and two other disciples of Jesus were [all] together [at the lake].

¹⁷ Then Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you [truly] love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you [even] love me?” So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, you know all things. You [surely] know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my sheep.

⁸ But, you apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit descends on you and [then] you will become My witnesses [i.e., to tell what you know] in Jerusalem, in [the countries of] Judea and Samaria, and [even] to the distant regions of the earth."

¹⁹ And I will display miracles in the sky above and [supernatural] signs on the earth below [consisting of] blood, fire and smoky vapor.

²² "You people of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God [demonstrated] His approval of by powerful deeds, miracles and [supernatural] signs which He accomplished through Jesus in your very presence --- and you all know this!

³⁹ For the promise [of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit] is being given to you [Jews] and to your descendants and [also] to all those who are far away [i.e., Gentiles. See Eph. 2:17]. [This promise is] to as many as [respond to] the Lord, our God's call [through the Gospel, See II Thess. 2:14]."

⁴¹ Then those who responded [by faith] to the words [spoken by Peter and the apostles] were immersed, and about three thousand persons were added to them [i.e., the apostles] on that day.

⁴³ Everyone [who saw this happen] was filled with awe at the many miracles and [supernatural] signs performed by the apostles.

⁴ But many of the people who heard the message [of God] believed [in Jesus] and the number of men [alone] came to be about five thousand.

¹² And there is salvation in no other One [than Jesus] for there is no other Name in the whole world, proclaimed by men, by which [a person] can be saved."

³⁰ while you perform [miraculous] healings and signs and wonders through the name [i.e., by the authority] of your Holy Servant Jesus."

³² So, the large number of believers were united in heart and soul [i.e., mind and spirit] and not one of them said that anything he owned [really] belonged to him, but they shared all things in common.

¹² And many [miraculous] signs and wonders were performed through the apostles' hands in front of the people. And all [the disciples] were united together in "Solomon's Portico" [See 3:11].

¹⁴ And more and more believers were [being] added to the [people of the] Lord.

⁷ So, the message of God increased [in its influence] and the disciples multiplied in number greatly in Jerusalem, [so that even] a large number of [Jewish] priests became obedient to [the message of] the faith. ⁸ And Stephen [i.e., one of the seven men chosen to minister to widows, verse 5], who was full of [God's] favor and power, performed great wonders and [miraculous] signs in front of the [Jewish] people.

¹⁴ for we [ourselves] heard him saying that this Jesus from Nazareth would destroy the Temple and change the customs handed down to us by Moses."

³⁶ This man led them out [of Egypt], performing wonders and [miraculous] signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.

⁴ Now the disciples, who had become scattered all over, went everywhere preaching the message [of God]. ⁵ And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed Christ to them. ⁶ Great crowds of people joined together in accepting Philip's message when they heard and saw the [miraculous] signs he was able to perform. ⁷ Evil spirits came out, with loud shrieks, from many persons and large numbers of people were healed of their paralysis and crippled conditions. ⁸ And there was much rejoicing in Samaria [over the wonderful effects of Philip's ministry].

¹² When people believed the good news about God's kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, which Philip was preaching, both men and women were immersed [in water].

¹⁴ Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had responded to the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them. ¹⁵ When these two apostles had come [to Samaria] they prayed for some [of the disciples] to receive [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ for as yet [such power] had not fallen on any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus [i.e., with no accompanying miraculous powers]. ¹⁷ Then the apostles placed their hands on [some of] them [and prayed, see verse 15] and they received [miraculous power from] the Holy Spirit.

²⁵ When Peter and John had testified [regarding the truth] and had proclaimed the message of God [to the people] they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news [about Jesus] in many Samaritan villages [on their way back].

¹¹ The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to Straight Street and ask for a person named Saul, from Tarsus, at the home of Judas; you will find him [there] praying.”

³⁸ And since Lydda was very close to Joppa, the disciples [at Joppa], hearing that Peter was at Lydda [See verse 32], sent two men there to urge him, "Do not delay your coming [here] to us."

²⁸ And he said to them, "You people know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with, or even go near a person from another [i.e., non-Jewish] country, and yet God showed me that I should not consider any person ordinary or [ceremonially] unacceptable.

³³ So, I proceeded to send [my men] for you and you have done the right thing in coming [here]. Now, therefore, we are all assembled here before God, to hear everything you were commanded by the Lord [to tell us]."

³⁶ He sent His message [first] to the Israelites; [it involved] preaching the good news through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all). ³⁷ You yourselves know [all this, and] how this message was proclaimed throughout Judea, having begun from Galilee after the preaching of the immersion [taught and practiced] by John. ³⁸ This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him [and signified it] by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good [for people] and healing everyone who was [being] oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He [i.e., Jesus] is the One whom God ordained to be the Judge of people who are [now] alive and those who have [already] died. ⁴³ All the prophets have testified [in their writings], that it is through the name of Jesus that every person who believes in Him will receive the forgiveness of sins."

⁴⁸ So, Peter commanded them to be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ. Then Cornelius and his household asked Peter to stay on for a number of days.

¹⁴ so he can speak words to you that will bring salvation to you and your household.'

⁴² As Paul and Barnabas left [the synagogue], the people urged them to speak [more] about this message the next Sabbath day.

³ Paul and Barnabas remained there a long time and spoke [the message] boldly for [or, in the power of] the Lord who gave His approval to the message of unearned favor by allowing [miraculous] signs and wonders to be performed by them.

⁹ As he listened to Paul, [the apostle] looked at him intently, perceiving that he had [enough] faith to be fully healed [of his lame condition], ¹⁰ so he said loudly, "Stand straight up on your feet." And the man jumped up and began walking.

³ So, they were sent on their way with the backing of the [Antioch] church and traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them about the conversion of the Gentiles. This brought great rejoicing to all the brothers [who heard about it].

¹² The whole crowd remained quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting on the [miraculous] signs and wonders God had performed among the Gentiles through them.

¹⁵ And when she was immersed [into Christ], along with her household [i.e., possibly relatives and/or employees] she urged us, saying, "If you consider me to be a faithful disciple of the Lord, come and stay at my house." And she insisted that we go [to her house].

³⁰ After bringing them out [of the jail area] he said, "Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?" ³¹ Paul and Silas said, "You and your family can be saved if you [all] believe in the Lord Jesus." ³² Then they [continued to] speak the message of the Lord to him and everyone [else] in his household. ³³ The jailor immediately took Paul and Silas, and cleansed [and soothed] their wounded [backs] and then he and his [believing] household were immersed [into Christ]. ³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and prepared a meal for them. So, he and everyone in his household, who had believed in God [and were immersed], rejoiced greatly.

³⁴ Then he brought them up into his house and prepared a meal for them. So, he and everyone in his household, who had believed in God [and were immersed], rejoiced greatly.

¹¹ Now these people [in Berea] had more character than those in Thessalonica because they [not only] received the message with an open mind but [also] examined the [Old Testament] Scriptures every day to see if what they had heard was really true. ¹² Many people therefore became believers [in Christ], including a number of leading Greek women and also a number of men.

²³ For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.

³⁰ Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed [about His complete will], but now [in the Gospel age] He requires all people everywhere to repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].

⁸ Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and all of his family became believers in the Lord. [And] many of the Corinthians who heard [Paul's message] believed [in the Lord] and were immersed [into Christ].

³⁵ I have demonstrated before you a [good] example in all [these] things, so that you [too] will work hard to help those who are [physically] weak. [Also] remember the words of the Lord Jesus who Himself said, 'It is a greater blessing [for you] to give [to people's needs] than to receive [help yourselves].' "

²⁸ Then let it be known to you that salvation from God is [now] being announced to the Gentiles. They will listen [to it]." {{Some ancient manuscripts insert verse

⁹ For God, whom I serve wholeheartedly in [preaching] the Gospel of His Son, is my witness [to the truth] of how continually I mention you in my prayers.

¹³ And I want you to be aware, brothers, of how frequently I [had] planned to visit you (but was prevented from doing so until now). I wanted to come in order to bear some fruit [i.e., make additional converts] among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles [i.e., unconverted people].

¹ What advantage then does the Jew have [i.e., over the Gentile]? Or what value is there in circumcision? ² Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God [i.e., their prophets received divine revelations].

²⁰ Yet he looked for the promise of God [to be fulfilled] and did not waver, doubting [that it would happen], but his faith strengthened him. He honored God ²¹ and was fully convinced that what He had promised, He was able to carry out.

²⁰ Now the law of Moses was introduced [into the world] in order to cause sin to increase [i.e., it defined many things to be wrong that were previously not regarded as sin]. But with the increase of sin, God’s unearned favor increased all the more. ²¹ This was so that just as sin ruled [over mankind], causing [physical] death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule [over mankind], providing [them with] righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

²² But now, since you have been freed from [the practice of] sin and have become slaves to God, the benefits you receive are a holy life [here] and never ending life in the future. ²³ For the wages for sinning is [spiritual] death, but God’s free gift is never ending life in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus our Lord.

³ So, if she lives with another man while her husband is still alive, she will be called an adulteress [i.e., a person who is sexually unfaithful to their mate]. But if her husband dies, she is legally free to marry another man without committing adultery.

⁵ For those people who are [controlled] by the flesh think about [i.e., desire] what the flesh wants; but those who are [controlled] by the Holy Spirit [desire] what the Holy Spirit wants.

¹⁵ For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take “Holy Spirit” here to be “spirit,” making the verse say “you did not receive the spirit of slavery”], but you received the Holy Spirit [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, “Abba”, [which means] “Father.” ¹⁶ The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony [along] with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God. ¹⁷ And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].

²⁶ And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps [us in] our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for [Note: Some translators understand this as “how to pray”]. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings [in our hearts] that are not expressed [in words].

³² God did not withhold His own Son [from dying], but offered Him up for all of us. [Since He did that], will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything [else] also?

⁴ the Israelites. These people are God’s adopted children; they have [experienced] His glorious presence; they have [received] His Agreements; they have been given the law of Moses; they possess the [Temple] service and the promises [of God]. ⁵ They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything [Note: Or this may be “God is over everything”] and should be praised forever! May it be so.

¹¹ For the Scripture says [Isa. 28:16], “Whoever believes in Him [i.e., Christ] will not be put to shame.” [i.e., he will never have unforgiven sin brought up against him] ¹² For there is no distinction [with God] between Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], for all have the same Lord, who is generous to all who appeal to Him [for help]. ¹³ For [Joel 2:32 says], “Every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” [i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]

²⁰ Then Isaiah boldly said [Isa. 45:1], “I [i.e., God] was found by a people [i.e., the Gentiles] who were not looking for me. I became known to people who were not asking for me.” ²¹ But Isaiah said about the Israelites [Isa. 40:2], “I reached out all day long to [help] people who disobeyed and spoke against [me].”

⁸ For I tell you that Christ was [appointed] to be a servant of the circumcised ones [i.e., the Jews], in order to uphold the truth of God. This was so He could confirm [as valid] the promises made to our forefathers,

¹⁹ in the power demonstrated by [miraculous] signs and wonders, [produced] by the power of the Holy Spirit. So, I have completed preaching the good news about Christ from Jerusalem, all the way around [the area] to Illyricum [Note: This country was located northwest of Greece and in present-day Croatia].

¹³ Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you immersed into the name of Paul? ¹⁴ I am thankful that I did not immerse any of you, except for Crispus and Gaius, ¹⁵ so that none of you could say that you were immersed into my name. ¹⁶ (Oh, yes, I also immersed the family of Stephanas. Besides these, I do not remember immersing anyone else). ¹⁷ For Christ did not send me to immerse people, but to preach the good news. [Note: Christ specifically commissioned Paul to preach; most of the immersing was done by his attendants]. It was not to be done with words of [human] wisdom, so that the [message of the] cross of Christ would not have its power taken away.

²² Now Jews ask for [miraculous] signs and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] are looking for wisdom,

³⁰ But God brought you into [fellowship with] Christ Jesus, who was made to be God’s wisdom for us. Through Christ you have received a right relationship with God, [as well as] holiness and redemption [i.e., being bought back from Satan].

⁴ And I did not use persuasive words of [human] wisdom in my message and preaching, but they were [accompanied by] a demonstration of the Holy Spirit and power [from God]. [Note: This “demonstration” could have included the evidence of miraculous spiritual gifts which Paul utilized while there in Corinth. See 14:18]. ⁵ This was so that your faith would not [have to] depend on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power.

⁸ None of the rulers of this age knew about this [divine] wisdom, for if they had [known it], they would not have crucified the glorious Lord [i.e., Jesus].

¹⁴ Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

⁵ After all, who is Apollos? And who is Paul? They are [only] servants through whom you believed [in Christ], with each one doing what the Lord gave him to do. ⁶ I [Paul] planted [i.e., preached God’s word], Apollos watered [it], but God made it grow. ⁷ So then, it does not matter who plants or who waters, but [it is] God who matters, for He makes the seed grow. ⁸ Now the person who plants and the person who waters have the same [purpose], and each one will receive his own wages, according to the work each one does. ⁹ For we are all fellow-workers in God’s service; you people are God’s farm land; [you are] God’s building.

¹⁰ Now I command married people, although it is [really] the Lord’s command [See. Mark 10:2-12]: A wife should not separate from her husband. [Note: This act implies the intention of pursuing a legal and permanent breach of the marriage relationship by divorce. “Separate” and “divorce” appear to be used interchangeably in this section. See verses 11-15]. ¹¹ (But if she does separate [from her husband], she should remain unmarried, or else [attempt] a reconciliation with her husband). And a husband should not divorce his wife.

¹⁹ For although I am free from [being accountable to] all people, I placed myself under obligation to them [as a slave], so as to win as many as possible [to Christ]. ²⁰ I behaved like a Jew in front of the Jews in order to win Jews [to Christ]. I behaved like a person who was under [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., Jews] in front of those who observe that law, although I was not [really] under [obligation to] it. I did this to win those who are under [obligation to observe] the law. ²¹ I [also] behaved like a person without [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., a Gentile] in front of those who are not obligated to it, although I was not [really] without obligation to God’s law; but was under [obligation to] Christ’s law. I did this to win those who are without [obligation to observe] the law [i.e., Gentiles]. ²² I behaved like a weak person in front of weak people [See 8:9-12], in order to win them over [i.e., to help them become stronger]. I have become all things to all people so that, in every way, I could save some of them. ²³ And everything I do is for the sake of [the work of] the Gospel, so that I may share in its benefits.

⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink [i.e., water coming from a rock supernaturally. See Ex. 17:6]. For they drank from the spiritual rock that followed them, and that rock was Christ. [Note: Besides actual water, they were refreshed from the spiritual presence of Christ].

²⁴ But if everyone prophesies and someone comes [into the assembly] who is an outsider or an unbeliever, he will be convicted [of his sins] by everyone [i.e., who speaks the message in an intelligible language], and judged by everyone. ²⁵ The secrets of his heart will be revealed so that he will fall [to the ground] on his face and worship God, declaring that God is truly among you.

⁴⁷ The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven.

¹² For this is what we boast of: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially toward you, in holiness and godly sincerity, not with human wisdom, but with the favor of God.

²² He has placed His seal of ownership upon us by giving us the down payment of the Holy Spirit [to live] in our hearts.

¹⁷ Now the Lord [i.e., Christ] is the Holy Spirit, and there is freedom [from the bondage of sin and fear] wherever the Spirit of the Lord is.

⁵ For we do not preach ourselves, but [we preach] Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus’ sake.

¹⁹ That is, God was in Christ restoring the world to fellowship with Himself, not counting people’s sins against them. And He entrusted to us the message of restoring people to fellowship [with Him].

¹ As workers together with God we urge you also, who have received God’s unearned favor, do not allow it to be for nothing, ² for God said [Isa. 49:8], “I listened to you at the right time [i.e., when you needed my favor], and I helped you on the day of your salvation.” Look, now is the right time [to accept God’s favor]; now is the day of salvation.

⁹ For you know the unearned favor of our Lord Jesus Christ, [how] that even though He was rich, He became poor for your sakes, so that through His poverty you people could become [spiritually] rich.

¹⁵ I thank God for His indescribable gift [i.e., Christ. See Rom. 8:32].

¹² Truly, I endured [opposition] patiently, while showing evidence of being an apostle among you. I performed [supernatural] signs, and wonders and powerful miracles.

⁶ And because you are [His] children, God sent the Holy Spirit of His Son into our hearts, to call out, “Abba,” [which means] “Father.”

¹³ You [Gentiles] also, who are in Christ, after having heard the message of truth, the good news about your salvation, and [after] believing in Him, were sealed [i.e., as evidence of ownership] with the promised Holy Spirit. [or, “the Holy Spirit who brings promises”]. ¹⁴ He is a down payment of our inheritance, until God’s own possession [i.e., His people] receives redemption. [Note: Here “redemption” refers to receiving a new body in heaven]. May this bring about praise to God’s splendor.

⁸ For you have been saved by God’s unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God.

¹⁸ For through Him we [Jews and Gentiles] both have access to the Father by means of one Holy Spirit.

¹⁴ This is the reason that I bow my knees [in prayer] to the Father,

³⁰ And do not grieve God’s Holy Spirit by whom you were sealed [i.e., given evidence of God’s ownership] until the day of redemption [i.e., until you receive your new body in heaven. See 1:14].

¹⁸ [Then] offer all kinds of prayers and requests in [harmony with] the Holy Spirit at all times, and be alert constantly in making requests for all the saints [i.e., God’s holy people].

¹⁵ so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky, ¹⁶ as you hold out [i.e., offer to people] the message of [never ending] life. Then I will have something to boast about on the day of Christ’s [return, See 1:6], that I had not run the race for nothing nor had worked for nothing.

³ For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real “Jews” in God’s eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God’s Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].

¹⁹ For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By “crown” Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people?

⁹ The coming [of this lawless person] is according to the work of Satan, [and will be] attended by all kinds of powerful [i.e., miraculous] signs and false wonders,

¹⁷ Now, may there be honor and praise forever and ever to the eternal King, the immortal, invisible, only God. May it be so.

⁸ Therefore, I want the men to pray in every place [i.e., in all worship assemblies. See verses 1-2], lifting up holy hands without being angry or argumentative. [Note: This passage stresses both the physical and spiritual aspects of prayer].

¹⁰ For that reason we work hard and struggle, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, [and] especially of those who believe [in Christ].

¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to what you teach [people]. Continue doing these things, for in doing them you will both save yourself and those who listen to you.

⁷ I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment]. ⁸ So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the judgment day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.

⁴ God also testified, along with those people, by [giving them] both signs and wonders and various miracles, and by [supernatural] gifts distributed [to them] by the Holy Spirit, as He desired.

¹⁷ So, for this reason, He had to become like His brothers in every way [i.e., except that He never sinned], so that He could become a merciful and faithful Head Priest in things related to God’s [service], [and] that He could provide a means of purifying [Lev. 16:30] for people’s sins [i.e., make atonement for them].

³ For Jesus has been considered deserving of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house deserves greater honor than the house itself.

¹³ And no created being is hidden from God’s sight, but everything is laid bare and is openly visible to the eyes of God, to whom we must give account.

¹⁵ For we do not have a head priest who is incapable of sympathizing with our weaknesses, but One [i.e., Jesus] who has been tempted in every way that we have, and yet without sinning.

¹⁴ For it is quite evident that our Lord has descended from Judah, a tribe about which Moses said nothing concerning priests.

¹⁹ [So], he reasoned that God was able to raise up [Isaac] from the dead, which, in a sense, he did receive him back [from the dead].

² We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne.

⁴ Marriage should be considered honorable among all people and its sexual responsibilities should be faithfully kept. For God will judge [and condemn] those people who are sexually immoral and who are sexually unfaithful to their mates.

¹ My brothers, do not hold [views regarding] the faith of our glorious Lord Jesus Christ [i.e., as tenets of Christianity] which show favoritism toward [certain] persons.

³ [When] you do ask, you do not receive it, because you ask from wrong motives, [just] so you can satisfy your own pleasures.

¹⁹ My brothers, if anyone among you strays away from the truth [of God’s inspired message], and someone brings him back [to it], ²⁰ that person should know that whoever brings a sinner back from the error of his way will save that soul from [spiritual] death and will cover over a large number of sins [i.e., the many sins of that person will become forgiven].

¹¹ They studied [their own prophecies] to learn what, or which, [person or] time the Holy Spirit in them pointed to, in predicting the sufferings of Christ and the glories yet to come. ¹² It was revealed to these prophets that you people, not they, were the ones being ministered to in the matters now being announced to you by those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. [This message contained] things which angels would like to look into.

¹⁷ And if you call upon [God as] your Father, who judges each person’s work impartially, [then] conduct yourselves during the time you spend in this life showing reverence [to God].

²² [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another.

⁹ But you people are especially chosen [by God]; you are a royal body of priests; you are a nation especially set apart for God’s use; you are a people who belong exclusively to God, that you may express the virtues of the One who called you out of darkness [i.e., of sin and error], and into His marvelous light [i.e., righteousness and truth].

¹⁴ And we [apostles] have seen and are [reliable] witnesses that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world [See 1:2; 2:2].

²⁰ And [in addition], we know that the Son of God has come [in a physical body, See 4:2] and has given us understanding, so that we can know the True One [i.e., God], and that we are in [fellowship with] the True One, even His Son Jesus Christ. This Son is the true God and eternal life.

²⁰ But, you dearly loved ones, build yourselves up [spiritually] on [the foundation of] your most sacred faith; pray in [the power of] the Holy Spirit. ²¹ Keep yourselves in God’s love [i.e., continue to love God], as you look forward to [receiving] the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, [who will grant you] never ending life.

¹⁷ “The person who has an ear should listen to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the churches. To the person who has victory [in the Christian life] I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will [also] give him a white stone with a new name written on it, which no one understands, except the one who receives it.”

²³ And I will strike her children dead [or, “kill her children by some terrible calamity” See Ex. 5:3 LXX]. Then all the churches will know that I am the One who searches the inmost being of people [Note: The Greek says, “searches the kidneys and hearts.” In that day these internal organs stood for the inner thoughts, emotions, etc.]. And I will repay each one of you people according to what you have done.

¹⁷ For you are saying, ‘I am wealthy; I have made plenty of money and do not need anything.’ But you do not know that you are [spiritually] wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. ¹⁸ [Because of that], I advise you to buy from me gold, refined by fire, so that you will become rich; and white clothing to wear, so that you can cover yourself and not be seen as shamefully naked; and eye drops for your eyes, so that you can see. [Note: The foregoing all refer to taking measures for becoming more spiritual].

²⁰ Look, I am standing at [your] door and knocking; if anyone hears my voice [i.e., the sound of my knocking], and opens the door, I will [surely] come in to him and eat with him and he [will eat] with me.

¹⁶ They will not be hungry anymore, nor will they get thirsty anymore. The sun will not beat down on them, nor will they become scorched by the heat. ¹⁷ For the Lamb, who is at the center of the throne, will be their Shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

¹⁶ And on His robe and His thigh was written the name, “King of kings, and Lord of lords.”

⁶ Then He said to me, “These things have already happened. [Note: These words express the certainty of what has been predicted in this book, even though not all the events had actually taken place yet]. I am the Alpha and the Omega [See note at 1:8], the beginning and the end. I will give the person who is [spiritually] thirsty [a drink] from the spring of water of life without his having to pay for it.

¹ Then the angel [See 21:9] showed me the river of the water of life. It was crystal-clear as it flowed out of the throne of God and the Lamb, ² and down the middle of the city’s street. And on each side of the river stood the tree of life; it produced twelve crops of fruit, yielding a crop every month. And the leaves of the tree [served as medicine] for healing the nations.

¹⁷ And the Holy Spirit and the bride [i.e., the church. See 21:9] say, “Come!” And the person who hears [this] should say “Come.” And the person who is [spiritually] thirsty should come; [and] whoever wants to should come and drink the water of life without having to pay for it.