Mark 10 Cross References - AUV

¹ And Jesus left there and went to the region of Judea and east of the Jordan River. Again crowds gathered around Him and He continued teaching them, as was His custom. ² Some Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] came to Him [and attempted] to test Him by asking, “Is it permissible by the law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife?” ³ And He answered them, “What did Moses command you [to do]?” ⁴ They replied, “Moses allowed us to provide a legal divorce decree and [then] to divorce her.” ⁵ But Jesus said to them, “He wrote you this commandment [only] because of the rebellious spirit of you [Jews]. ⁶ But from the beginning of creation God made mankind male and female. ⁷ For this reason [i.e., since he made one woman for one man] a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother and will cling to his wife ⁸ and the two of them will [then] become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship as to constitute one body], so that [upon becoming husband and wife] they no longer function as two persons but as one body. ⁹ Therefore, those whom God so joins together [in the marriage bond], no person must ever separate.” ¹⁰ And when they were in the house, His disciples asked Him about this matter again. ¹¹ And He said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another [woman] commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward her]. ¹² And if she herself divorces her husband and marries another [man], she commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward him].” ¹³ Then some [parents] were bringing [their] little children to Jesus so He could touch them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them], but His disciples spoke harshly to these parents [for doing this]. ¹⁴ But when Jesus saw it, He was moved with [righteous] indignation, and said to them, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such [humble ones. See Matt. 18:4]. ¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God as a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.” ¹⁶ Then He lifted up the children into His arms, and placing His hands on them, He asked God’s blessing on them. ¹⁷ As Jesus was leaving to go on His way, a man ran to Him and kneeled down in front of Him and asked, “Good Teacher, what should I do in order to possess never ending life?” ¹⁸ Jesus answered him, “Why are you calling me good? Nobody is good except One, that is, God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: Do not murder. Do not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Do not cheat. Show honor to your father and mother.” ²⁰ And he replied, “Teacher, I have [already] been observing all these commandments since I was a young lad.” ²¹ And Jesus looked at him, and filled with love, said to him, “There is one thing you [still] lack. Go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; become my follower, then you will have treasure in heaven.” ²² But the man had a sad look on his face when he heard these words, and went away sorrowful, for he had many possessions. ²³ Then Jesus looked around Him and said to His disciples, “How difficult it is for rich people to enter the kingdom of God ” ²⁴ And His disciples were amazed at what He said. But Jesus spoke to them again and said, “How difficult it is [for anyone] to enter the kingdom of God ²⁵ It is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And they were utterly amazed and said to Him, “Then who can [possibly] be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “This would be impossible with men, but not with God, for everything is possible with God.” ²⁸ Peter began saying to Him, “Look, we have left everything [i.e., homes, jobs, family, etc.] to follow you.” ²⁹ Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, no one who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children or property for my sake and the Gospel’s sake [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord], ³⁰ but what he will receive [back] a hundred times as much now in this life --- houses, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children and property --- [yet] with persecutions. And in the coming age [he will receive] never ending life. ³¹ But many that [appear to] be first [i.e., in importance and blessings] will [end up] being last. And [those appearing to] be last will [end up] being first.” ³² Now Jesus and His disciples were [traveling] along the road, going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus moving on ahead of the others. The disciples were amazed and they followed [behind Him] fearfully. [Note: From the context, it appears their amazement was due to His eagerness to enter Jerusalem in spite of the imminent danger they felt awaited Him there]. He took the twelve apostles aside and began telling them about the things that were going to happen to Him. ³³ He said, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem and the Son of man will be turned over to the leading priests and experts in the law of Moses. They will condemn Him to death and turn Him over to the [unconverted] Gentiles. ³⁴ They will mock Him, and spit on Him, and whip Him and [finally] kill Him, but after three days He will rise again [from the dead].” ³⁵ Now James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over to Jesus and said to Him, “We would like you to do for us whatever we ask you.” ³⁶ And He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?” ³⁷ They answered Him, “Appoint one of us to sit at your right side and the other at your left side [when you come] in splendor.” ³⁸ But Jesus said to them, “You [really] do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] that I will drink? Or [are you able] to be immersed with the immersion that I am [to be] immersed with?” [i.e., to be overwhelmed with agony]. ³⁹ And they said to Him, “ [Yes], we are able to.” And Jesus said to them, “The cup [of suffering] that I [will] drink, you [also] will drink. And the immersion [with agony] with which I am [to be] immersed, you [also] will be immersed. ⁴⁰ But it is not my prerogative to appoint who sits at my right side and at my left, but [those places] are for people to whom it has been assigned [by the Father].” ⁴¹ When the ten other apostles heard this, they became very upset with James and John. ⁴² Jesus called them [i.e., probably all twelve apostles] to Him and said, “You are aware that those who are regarded as rulers among the [unconverted] Gentiles lord it over their own people, and their important men domineer over them [as well]. ⁴³ But it is not [to be] this way among you, for whoever would like to become important among you will be your servant. ⁴⁴ And whoever would like to be first [in prominence] among you, will be your slave. ⁴⁵ For the Son of man did not come to be served [by others] but to be the servant [of others], and to sacrifice His life as a ransom price for many people [i.e., to purchase them back from Satan].” ⁴⁶ Then they [i.e., Jesus and the twelve apostles] came to Jericho [Note: This was a town about 18 miles northeast of Jerusalem]. As He left there with His disciples and a large crowd, they met a blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sitting along side the road. ⁴⁷ When he heard that it was Jesus from Nazareth [passing by], he began shouting, “Jesus, son of David, have pity on me.” ⁴⁸ Many people spoke harshly to the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more [loudly], “Son of David, have pity on me.” ⁴⁹ So, Jesus stopped and said, “Call that man [to me].” Then the crowd called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up, Jesus is calling you.” ⁵⁰ So, he threw off his robe, jumped up, and [immediately] went to Jesus. ⁵¹ Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man answered, “Rabboni [i.e., Teacher], I want to have my sight restored.” ⁵² And Jesus said to him, “Go on your way, your faith [in me] has made you well.” And immediately his sight was restored, and he began following Jesus along the road.

¹ [This is] a record of the family background of Jesus Christ, the descendant of David, who was the descendant of Abraham. [Note: The following is an incomplete lineage through Jesus’ step-father Joseph].

¹⁹ Now Joseph, her husband [to be], being a man who did what was right, and not wanting to make a public spectacle out of her, decided to break off their engagement privately.

²³ and settled in a town called Nazareth, so that it could fulfill what was spoken by the prophets [Isa. 11:1 in the Hebrew text] that Jesus would be called a Nazarene.

²⁰ They immediately left their nets and went with Him.

²² and immediately they left their boat and their father and went with Him. 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.

¹⁰ “Those persons who have suffered for trying to do what is right will be blessed because the kingdom of heaven belongs to them. ¹¹ You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me.

¹¹ You will be blessed when people speak against you and harm you and say bad things about you that are untrue, because of [your devotion to] me. ¹² Be happy and very glad, for your reward in heaven will be great. For they persecuted the prophets [who lived] before you in the same way.

¹⁷ “Do not think that I came to do away with the law of Moses or the prophets. I did not come to do away with them, but to fulfill them [i.e., their requirements and predictions]. ¹⁸ For it is true when I say, not one little letter or even a portion of a letter will be removed from the law of Moses until everything is accomplished [that is required by them]. [When that happens, then] heaven and earth will pass away [i.e., be destroyed. See II Peter 3:12]. ¹⁹ Therefore, whoever disregards one of these least [significant] requirements [of the law of Moses] and teaches others to [disregard them], he will be considered the least [significant person] in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever obeys them and teaches [others to obey] them, will be considered important in the kingdom of heaven. ²⁰ For I say to you people, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven unless what you do that is right excels what the experts in the law of Moses and the Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] do that is right.

³¹ It was also said [Deut. 24:1-3], ‘Whoever divorces his wife, let it be done with a [legally binding] divorce decree, which he must give her.’ ³² But I say to you, every person who divorces his wife makes her become sexually unfaithful to him [i.e., since she will probably marry someone else], unless the reason for the divorce is that she had [already] become sexually unfaithful to him. And whoever marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].

⁸ So, do not be like them, for your Father [already] knows what things you need, [even] before you ask Him.

¹⁹ “Do not store your valuables [here] on earth, where moths can eat them and where rust can corrode them, and where burglars can break in and steal [them]. ²⁰ But [rather] store up your valuables in heaven [i.e., by investing your life in spiritual things], where neither moths can eat nor rust corrode, nor burglars break in and steal, ²¹ for wherever [you store] your valuables, that is where your heart [i.e., your real concern] will be also.

³³ So, you should put the kingdom of God and what He says is right first [in your lives], then all these things [i.e., food, drink and clothing] will be provided for you.

³ And why do you look for the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye but ignore the board in your own eye? ⁴ Or, how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take that speck of sawdust out of your eye,’ while there is a board in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, take the board out of your own eye first; and then you will be able to see clearly enough to take the speck of sawdust out of your brother’s eye.

⁷ “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.

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.”

²² When Jesus turned and saw her, He said, “Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well.” And the woman was healed that [very] moment.

²⁷ Now as Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed Him [i.e., probably being led by sighted persons]. They were shouting, “Have pity on us, son of David!” ²⁸ And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend’s house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?” They replied, “Yes, Lord.” ²⁹ Then He touched their eyes and said, “Let what you expect be done for you.” ³⁰ And [immediately] they were able to see. Jesus then strongly urged them, saying, “Make sure that no one knows [what I have done for you].”

³⁴ But the Pharisees said, “He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits.”

¹⁸ Yes, you will [even] be brought in front of governors and kings for being loyal to me. [This will give you an opportunity] for witnessing to them [as well] as to the [unconverted] Gentiles.

²⁵ A disciple is doing well if he can be [as good] as his teacher, and the slave [as good] as his master. If they have called the master of the house [i.e., Jesus] Beelzebub [i.e., the chief of evil spirits. See Mark 3:22], how much more [likely] will they call members of his household [i.e., the disciples] the same thing!

⁵ [how] blind people are receiving back their sight, and crippled people are walking [again], and people with infectious skin diseases are being healed, and deaf-mutes are hearing [and speaking (?) again], and people are being raised [from the dead], and poor people are having the good news preached to them.

²⁵ About that time Jesus said [in prayer], “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things [i.e., the significance of Jesus’ words and works] from those who [thought they] were wise and intelligent and have [instead] revealed them to people who are child-like.

²² Then a person dominated by an evil spirit, who was [also] blind and mute, was brought to Jesus. He healed the man so that he was able [both] to speak and see [again]. ²³ All the crowds of people were amazed and said, “Can this [Jesus] be the son of David?”

³² And whoever speaks an [abusive] word against the Son of man will be forgiven [of it], but whoever speaks [an abusive word] against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven [of it], not in this world nor the one to come.

³⁹ But He said to them, “It is [only] an evil and unfaithful [i.e., to God] generation of people that looks for a [supernatural] sign. And there will not be any sign given to it except the [supernatural] sign [demonstrated in the life] of Jonah, the prophet. 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.

¹¹ He replied, “You disciples are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but the crowds of people are not.

²² And the person who was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the message, but the anxieties of the world [i.e., of life] and the deceptiveness of [material] riches choke the message and he becomes unproductive.

⁴⁴ “The kingdom of heaven is similar to a person finding a treasure hidden in a field. After finding it, he was so happy he hid it [again], then went out and sold everything he owned so he could buy that field. ⁴⁵ “Again, the kingdom of heaven is similar to a [retail] merchant searching to buy some fine pearls. ⁴⁶ When he found an extremely valuable one he went and sold all that he owned and bought it.

¹² Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were upset [with you] when they heard [you say] that?”

²² Just then a Canaanite woman came out of that area [Note: Mark 7:26 calls her a Syrophoenician Gentile], crying, “O Lord, son of David, have pity on me. My daughter is seriously troubled by an evil spirit.” ²³ But He did not say a word to her. His disciples came and begged Him, “Send her away, for she is [continually] shouting at us [as we go along].” ²⁴ He answered them, “I was sent only to the straying sheep of the Israelites.” ²⁵ But she came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, help me.” ²⁶ And He answered [her], “It is not proper to take bread away from the children and throw it to the dogs.” ²⁷ But she replied, “Yes, Lord, but even dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their owner’s table.” ²⁸ Then Jesus answered her, “O, woman, how great your faith is. May what you want be done for you.” And her daughter was healed that very moment.

²⁸ Then Jesus answered her, “O, woman, how great your faith is. May what you want be done for you.” And her daughter was healed that very moment.

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

²¹ From that time onward Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the [Jewish] elders, leading priests, and experts in the law of Moses; [that He would then] be killed and [yet] raised up on the third day.

²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower.

¹⁴ When Jesus and His disciples met the crowd [that was gathered], a man came kneeling down to Jesus and saying to Him,

²² And while the disciples were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of man will be handed over to [evil] men ²³ and they will kill Him, but on the third day He will be raised up [from the dead].” And they were very grieved [when they heard this].

³ and said, “Truly I tell you, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven unless you turn [your life around] and become like little children [i.e., having child-like humility]. ⁴ Therefore, the person who will humble himself, as this little child, is the most important person in the kingdom of heaven.

¹⁰ Make sure you do not look down on any one of these little ones [i.e., humble followers of Christ]. For I tell you, their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven. {[{[Some ancient manuscripts include verse

¹ And so when Jesus had finished speaking He left Galilee and came to the region of Judea, on the east side of the Jordan River. ² Large crowds followed Him there and were healed by Him. ³ Some Pharisees came to Him, [attempting] to put Him to a test. They said, “Is it permissible by the law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife for any reason [he chooses]?”

³ Some Pharisees came to Him, [attempting] to put Him to a test. They said, “Is it permissible by the law of Moses for a man to divorce his wife for any reason [he chooses]?” ⁴ And He answered them, “Have you not read [Gen. 1:27; 5:2] that when God created [mankind as] male and female, ⁵ He said [Gen. 2:24], ‘For this reason [i.e., since He made one woman for one man], a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother and will cling to his wife, [so that] the two of them will [then] become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship as to constitute one body]?’

⁵ He said [Gen. 2:24], ‘For this reason [i.e., since He made one woman for one man], a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother and will cling to his wife, [so that] the two of them will [then] become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship as to constitute one body]?’ ⁶ So, [upon becoming husband and wife] they no longer function [entirely] as two persons, but [as] one body. Therefore, those whom God [so] joins together [in the marriage bond], no person must [ever] separate.”

⁶ So, [upon becoming husband and wife] they no longer function [entirely] as two persons, but [as] one body. Therefore, those whom God [so] joins together [in the marriage bond], no person must [ever] separate.” ⁷ They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?”

⁷ They replied, “Why then did Moses order [a man] to provide a legal divorce decree [Deut. 24:1], and then divorce his wife?” ⁸ Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives [only] because of the rebellious spirits you [Jews] had. But this was not how it was [intended to be] from the beginning [i.e., when God created one woman for one man].

⁸ Jesus said to them, “Moses permitted you to divorce your wives [only] because of the rebellious spirits you [Jews] had. But this was not how it was [intended to be] from the beginning [i.e., when God created one woman for one man]. ⁹ And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward her], unless the reason for the divorce was sexual unfaithfulness [on his wife’s part]. And the person who marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].”

⁹ And I tell you, whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits sexual unfaithfulness [toward her], unless the reason for the divorce was sexual unfaithfulness [on his wife’s part]. And the person who marries a woman who has been divorced commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].” ¹⁰ His disciples [then] said to Jesus, “If this is the way it has to be between a man and his wife, it is not worth getting married.” ¹¹ But He replied, “Not all men can accept such an arrangement [i.e., not marrying], but it is [only] for those who have the capacity for accepting it. ¹² For there are eunuchs [i.e., men who do not have normal sexual activity] who are born that way; then there are eunuchs who were made that way by undergoing a surgical operation; then there are [also] eunuchs who purposely chose to avoid normal sexual activity for the sake of [ministering in] the kingdom of heaven. Whoever can accept such an arrangement [i.e., of not marrying], should do so.” ¹³ Then some little children were brought to Jesus so he could pray and place His hands on them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them]. But His disciples spoke harshly to the people [for doing this].

¹³ Then some little children were brought to Jesus so he could pray and place His hands on them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them]. But His disciples spoke harshly to the people [for doing this]. ¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such [humble ones] as these.” [See 18:4].

¹⁴ But Jesus said, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such [humble ones] as these.” [See 18:4]. ¹⁵ So, He placed His hands on them [i.e., to bestow a blessing] and [then] left that place. ¹⁶ Then a rich, young man [See verse 22] came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good deed should I do in order to have never ending life?” ¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments.”

¹⁷ Jesus answered him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is [only] One who is good [i.e., God]. But if you want to enter [never ending] life, [then] obey His commandments.” ¹⁸ The young man asked Him, “Which [ones]?” Jesus answered, “You must not murder. You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. You must not steal. You must not give false testimony.

¹⁸ The young man asked Him, “Which [ones]?” Jesus answered, “You must not murder. You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. You must not steal. You must not give false testimony. ¹⁹ Show honor to your father and mother. And you must love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.”

¹⁹ Show honor to your father and mother. And you must love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” ²⁰ The young man said to Him, “I have [already] been observing all of these commandments. What do I [still] lack?”

²⁰ The young man said to Him, “I have [already] been observing all of these commandments. What do I [still] lack?” ²¹ Jesus replied, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; then become my follower and you will have treasure in heaven.”

²¹ Jesus replied, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; then become my follower and you will have treasure in heaven.” ²² But when the young man heard these words, he went away saddened, for he had many possessions.

²² But when the young man heard these words, he went away saddened, for he had many possessions. ²³ Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.

²³ Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is difficult for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. ²⁴ And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁴ And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁴ And again I tell you, it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, “Who then can [possibly] be saved?”

²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, “Who then can [possibly] be saved?”

²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, “Who then can [possibly] be saved?”

²⁵ When the disciples heard this, they were utterly amazed, saying, “Who then can [possibly] be saved?” ²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God.”

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God.”

²⁶ Jesus looked at them and said, “This would be impossible with men, but everything is possible with God.” ²⁷ Peter then answered Him, “Look, we have left everything [i.e., homes, jobs, family, etc.], to follow you. What will we get for it?” ²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God’s people].

²⁸ Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, [since] you have become my followers, in the time of new beginnings [i.e., the church age], when the Son of man sits on His glorious throne, you apostles will also sit on twelve thrones, judging [i.e., through their writings] the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., God’s people]. ²⁹ And every person who has left his house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or children or property, for my name’s sake [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord], will receive [back] a hundred times as much [in this life] and will [also] inherit never ending life. ³⁰ But many will be last [i.e., in importance and blessings] who [seem to] be first, and those [who seem to be] first will [end up] being last.”

³⁰ But many will be last [i.e., in importance and blessings] who [seem to] be first, and those [who seem to be] first will [end up] being last.”

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.” ¹⁷ As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem He took the twelve apostles aside. As they traveled along He said to them, ¹⁸ “Now look, we are going up to Jerusalem and [while there] the Son of man will be turned over to the leading priests and experts in the law of Moses. They will condemn Him to death, ¹⁹ and turn Him over to the [unconverted] Gentiles, who will mock, whip and crucify Him; then on the third day He will be raised up.” ²⁰ Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons [i.e., James and John] came to Jesus with her sons and, bowing down in reverence before Him, made a request of Him. ²¹ He responded to her, “What would you like me to do for you?” She answered, “Appoint my two sons to sit at your right side and at your left in your [coming] kingdom.”

²¹ He responded to her, “What would you like me to do for you?” She answered, “Appoint my two sons to sit at your right side and at your left in your [coming] kingdom.” ²² But Jesus replied to her, “You [really] do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They [i.e., James, John and their mother. See Mark 10:35ff] answered, “[Yes] we are able to.”

²² But Jesus replied to her, “You [really] do not know what you are asking for. Are you able to drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] that I am about to drink?” They [i.e., James, John and their mother. See Mark 10:35ff] answered, “[Yes] we are able to.” ²³ He said to them, “Indeed you will drink my cup [of suffering]. But it is not my prerogative to appoint who sits at my right side and at my left, but rather these places are for those to whom it has been assigned by my Father.”

²³ He said to them, “Indeed you will drink my cup [of suffering]. But it is not my prerogative to appoint who sits at my right side and at my left, but rather these places are for those to whom it has been assigned by my Father.” ²⁴ When the other ten apostles heard this, they became very upset with the two brothers.

²⁴ When the other ten apostles heard this, they became very upset with the two brothers. ²⁵ Then Jesus called all the apostles to Him and said, “You are aware that rulers among the [unconverted] Gentiles lord it over their own people and their important men domineer over them [as well].

²⁵ Then Jesus called all the apostles to Him and said, “You are aware that rulers among the [unconverted] Gentiles lord it over their own people and their important men domineer over them [as well]. ²⁶ But it will not be this way among you, for whoever would like to become important among you will become your servant.

²⁶ But it will not be this way among you, for whoever would like to become important among you will become your servant. ²⁷ And whoever would like to be first [in prominence] among you will be your slave.

²⁷ And whoever would like to be first [in prominence] among you will be your slave. ²⁸ Even so, the Son of man did not come to be served [by others] but to be the servant [of others], and to sacrifice His life as a ransom price to purchase many people [i.e., back from Satan].”

²⁸ Even so, the Son of man did not come to be served [by others] but to be the servant [of others], and to sacrifice His life as a ransom price to purchase many people [i.e., back from Satan].” ²⁹ As they [i.e., the twelve apostles and Jesus] were leaving Jericho [Note: This was a town about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem], a huge crowd followed them. ³⁰ Just then, two blind men sitting along side of the road heard that Jesus was passing by that way. [So], they shouted out, “Lord, take pity on us, son of David.”

³⁰ Just then, two blind men sitting along side of the road heard that Jesus was passing by that way. [So], they shouted out, “Lord, take pity on us, son of David.” ³¹ The crowd spoke harshly to them, telling them to be quiet, but they shouted all the more, “Lord, have pity on us, son of David.”

³¹ The crowd spoke harshly to them, telling them to be quiet, but they shouted all the more, “Lord, have pity on us, son of David.” ³² Then Jesus stopped, and calling to them, said, “What do you want me to do for you?” ³³ They answered, “Lord, we want to have our sight back.” ³⁴ Jesus felt deep pity for them, so He touched their eyes and immediately their sight was restored, and they became [His] followers.

⁹ And the crowds that walked ahead and followed behind Him shouted, “Hosanna to the son of David. [Note: The Syriac word ‘Hosanna’ originally meant ‘save now’ but came to be used as an expression of welcome, praise, blessing or acclamation]. May He, who comes in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord, be blessed. Hosanna in the highest [i.e., may this blessing reach to the highest heaven].”

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

¹⁴ [Then] blind and crippled people came to Him in the Temple and He healed them.

³¹ Which of these two sons did what his father wanted?” They answered, “The first one.” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, tax collectors and prostitutes [will] enter the kingdom of God ahead of you.

³⁵ One of them, a teacher of the law of Moses, asked Him a question [in an attempt] to test Him.

⁴² “What do you think about the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]? Whose son do you think He is?” They replied, “[He is] the son of David.” ⁴³ He said to them, “How is it [then] that David, by [inspiration of] the Holy Spirit, calls Him Lord, saying, ⁴⁴ [Psa. 110:1] ‘The Lord [i.e., God] said to my [i.e., David’s] Lord [i.e., Jesus], sit at my right side until I put your enemies [in full subjection] beneath your feet.’ ⁴⁵ If David then could call Him [i.e., Jesus] Lord, how could He be his son?”

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’]. ⁸ But you should not assume the title ‘Rabbi,’ for [only] one is your teacher [i.e., Jesus Himself] and all of you are [simply] brothers. ⁹ And do not call any man on earth ‘father,’ [i.e., in a religious sense], for the [only] one who is your Father is in heaven. ¹⁰ Neither assume the title ‘Master’ [i.e., teacher], for [only] one is your Master, the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]. ¹¹ But the greatest person among you will be your servant. ¹² And whoever exalts himself [as important] will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted [as important]. ¹³ “But it is too bad for you hypocritical experts in the law of Moses and [you] Pharisees! [It is] because you withhold the kingdom of heaven from people, for you do not enter it yourselves, nor [do you] allow those who are trying to enter it to get in. {[{[Verse

²⁴ You blind leaders, who strain out a [tiny] gnat [i.e., from your drinking water] and [yet] swallow a [whole] camel.

³¹ “But when the Son of man comes [back] in [all] His splendor, accompanied by all the angels, then He will sit on His throne of splendor.

³⁴ Then the King will say to those at His right side, ‘You who are blessed by my Father, come and receive the kingdom which has been prepared for you since the creation of the world,

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].”

⁶⁶ What do you people think [i.e., about such statements]?” They answered, “He deserves to die.” ⁶⁷ Then they spit in His face and hit Him [with their fists], while others slapped Him [in the face],

⁷¹ And when he had gone out by the gate, another servant-girl saw him and said to those nearby, “This man also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

² So, they chained Him, led Him away and turned Him over to Pilate, the [Roman] governor. ³ Then Judas, who had betrayed Him [to the Jewish leaders], when he saw that Jesus had been condemned to die, changed his mind [i.e., about betraying Him] and brought back the thirty silver coins [Note: See Matt. 26:15 for the amount of money involved] to the leading priests and [Jewish] elders,

²⁴ So, when Pilate saw that he was not convincing anyone, but that a riot was brewing instead, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd saying, “I am not responsible for this man’s blood. [Note: Some ancient manuscripts say “righteous man’s blood”]. You tend to the matter.” ²⁵ And all the people answered, “Let his blood be on our hands, and on our children’s [as well].” ²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them, but he had Jesus flogged and then turned over to be crucified. ²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus to Pilate’s headquarters and assembled the entire company [i.e., about 500 men] in front of Him. ²⁸ They stripped off His clothing and placed a scarlet robe on Him [Note: Mark 15:17 calls this a “purple” robe because in that day, any color with a mixture of “red” in it was often called “purple,” so the use of “scarlet” was appropriate]. ²⁹ Then they made a wreath out of thorns and placed it on His head and put a stick in His right hand. They knelt down in front of Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hey, king of the Jews!” ³⁰ And they spat on Him and took the stick and beat Him on the head with it. ³¹ And after mocking Him [some more], they removed the [scarlet] robe and put His own clothes back on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify Him. ³² As they were leaving [i.e., probably the city of Jerusalem], they met a man from Cyrene [Note: This was a city in the northern African country of Libya]. His name was Simon and they forced him to go with them so he could carry Jesus’ cross [i.e., probably only the cross-beam portion]. ³³ And when they had come to the place called Golgotha, which means “the place of a skull” [i.e., probably because it was a skull-shaped knoll in appearance], ³⁴ they offered Jesus wine mixed with a bitter drug [i.e., for the purpose of dulling the pain of crucifixion. Mark 15:23 calls it “myrrh”], but when He tasted it He refused to drink it. ³⁵ And after they had crucified Him, the soldiers divided His clothing among themselves by gambling for them. ³⁶ Then they just sat there and watched Him [die]. ³⁷ They attached over His head [i.e., to the upright portion of the cross] the charge made against Him, which read, “This is Jesus, the king of the Jews.” ³⁸ They [also] crucified two thieves with Him, one at His right side and one at His left. ³⁹ And those who passed by [the cross] shouted abuse at Him and shook their heads [in derision], ⁴⁰ saying, “You who [said you] would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself [from dying]; if you [really] are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” ⁴¹ In the same way the leading priests, experts in the law of Moses and [Jewish] elders also mocked Him, saying, 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. ⁴³ He trusted in God; now let God deliver him, if He wants [to save him from dying], for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” ⁴⁴ And the thieves who were crucified with Him also heaped the same abuse on Him.

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

¹⁶ And while walking along the shore of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw Simon [i.e., Peter] and his brother Andrew casting their net in the lake, for they were fishermen. ¹⁷ And Jesus said to them, “Come, follow me and I will make you fishermen for people.” ¹⁸ So, they left their nets immediately and became His followers. ¹⁹ Then, as He walked on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John, who were in their boat repairing nets. ²⁰ Immediately He called them [to become His followers] and they left their father, Zebedee, and went along with Him.

²⁴ “What business do we have with you, Jesus from Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are; [you are] God’s Holy One.”

³¹ so He went to her, took her by the hand and raised her up [from bed]. The fever left her and she began serving them.

⁴⁰ Then a person with an infectious skin disease came to Jesus and, kneeling down before Him, begged Him, saying, “If you want to, you can heal me.” [Note: Throughout this narrative the term “heal/healing” is originally “clean/cleansing” because the Jews viewed a person with such a disease as ceremonially “unclean.” See Lev. 13:1-3].

¹³ Then Jesus went out again, walking along the shore of the lake, and [when] all the crowd came out to Him, He taught them.

⁵ And when He had looked around at them with righteous indignation, being grieved over their stubbornness, He said to the man, “Reach out your hand.” And when he reached it out, his hand was restored [to normal use].

² He taught the people many things using parables [to illustrate His lessons]. In His teaching He said to them,

¹⁰ And when He was alone those people who gathered around Him, along with the twelve apostles, asked Him what the parables meant.

³⁴ And He did not speak to them [i.e., concerning the kingdom] without using a parable, but He explained everything to His own disciples privately.

³² Then He looked around to see who had done this [i.e., touched Him and received healing].

³⁴ And He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace and be [i.e., remain] healed from your affliction.” 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?”

³⁷ He did not allow anyone to follow Him [i.e., to the official’s house] except Peter, James and his brother John.

⁶ [But] He marveled at the people’s lack of faith. So, He traveled and taught throughout the [surrounding] villages.

²⁰ It was because Herod was afraid of John, knowing he was a righteous and holy man, so he protected him. And Herod became very disturbed whenever he listened to John, yet he heard him gladly.

²⁶ And the king became very distressed [over such a gruesome request], but because he had promised her with oaths, and [to keep from looking bad] in front of his party guests, he did not refuse her [request].

³⁴ Then Jesus left [His place of seclusion] and, seeing the large crowd, He felt deep compassion for them because they were [as disoriented] as sheep without a shepherd, so He began teaching them.

⁵¹ Then He got up into the boat with them and the wind [immediately] stopped. And His disciples were greatly amazed [at this],

²⁶ Now the woman was a Greek [i.e., a Gentile], a Syrophoenician by nationality. [Note: This was a region just north of Galilee and consisted of Syria and Phoenicia]. She begged Him to drive out the evil spirit from her daughter. 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.”

³⁷ And they were utterly amazed, saying, “He has done everything just right; He makes even the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

¹¹ The Pharisees and Sadducees [i.e., these were strict sects of the Jewish religion], came out and began disputing with Jesus, asking for a [supernatural] sign from Him, [in an attempt] to test Him.

¹⁵ Then Jesus ordered them, saying, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Herod.” [Note: By “Herod” is probably meant the Herodians, who were a party favorable to King Herod and, along with the Pharisees and Sadducees, were out to get Jesus. See Matt. 16:6].

²⁵ Then Jesus again placed His hands on his eyes; the man stared intently, then his sight was [completely] restored and he was able to see everything clearly.

³¹ Jesus then began teaching them that the Son of man must suffer very much, be rejected by the [Jewish] elders, leading priests, and experts in the law of Moses and be killed, but rise again [from the dead] after three days.

³³ But He turned around, and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying to him, “Get away from me, Satan; for you are not thinking about God’s things but about men’s.” ³⁴ And He called the crowd to Him, along with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny himself [i.e., of always having his own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] and then he can become my follower. ³⁵ For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing] to lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake and [the work of] the Gospel’s sake, will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].

³⁸ For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this [spiritually] unfaithful and sinful generation, the Son of man will also be ashamed of him when He returns in the splendor of His Father, accompanied by the holy angels.”

² And after six days had passed, Jesus took Peter, James and John aside alone and went up to a high mountain [i.e., probably Mt. Tabor, which was nearby]. [There] His whole appearance was [miraculously] changed in front of them.

²⁵ When Jesus saw a crowd running together [toward Him], He spoke sternly to the evil spirit [in the boy], saying to it, “You deaf-mute spirit, I order you to come out of this boy and to never return to him again.”

²⁸ And when Jesus had come into a house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why could we not drive out the evil spirit [from that boy]?”

³¹ For He taught His disciples, saying to them, “The Son of man will be handed over to [evil] men and they will kill Him, and three days after He dies He will rise up again.”

³³ Then Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum [Note: This city on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee had become sort of a headquarters for Jesus when He was in this region]. When He [and His disciples] entered a house He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way here?”

³³ Then Jesus and His disciples came to Capernaum [Note: This city on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee had become sort of a headquarters for Jesus when He was in this region]. When He [and His disciples] entered a house He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way here?” ³⁴ But they kept quiet for they had been arguing with one another over which one of them was the greatest. ³⁵ So, He sat down and called the twelve apostles and said to them, “If anyone [of you] should [try to] be first [in importance] he will [end up] being last, and become the servant of all [the others].

³⁵ So, He sat down and called the twelve apostles and said to them, “If anyone [of you] should [try to] be first [in importance] he will [end up] being last, and become the servant of all [the others]. ³⁶ And He took a little child and placed it in front of them, and lifting the child up into His arms, He said to them,

³⁶ And He took a little child and placed it in front of them, and lifting the child up into His arms, He said to them,

³⁸ [Then] John [the apostle] said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone driving out evil spirits by using your name, so we told him to stop doing it, because he was not following [You] with us.”

¹⁵ Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God as a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.”

³⁶ And He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”

⁴⁸ Many people spoke harshly to the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more [loudly], “Son of David, have pity on me.”

⁵¹ Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man answered, “Rabboni [i.e., Teacher], I want to have my sight restored.”

¹⁴ And when they arrived, they said to Him, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and [that you] do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone. For you do not allow [the position of] any person to influence you, but teach the truth about God’s way. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?

²⁸ Then one of the experts in the law of Moses [Note: Matt. 22:34 identifies him as being a Pharisee also], came and heard Jesus and the Sadducees discussing together [i.e., the subject of the resurrection], and knowing that Jesus had refuted the Sadducees successfully, asked Him, “Which commandment is foremost, above all the others?” ²⁹ And Jesus answered, “The foremost one is this [Deut. 6:4-5], ‘Hear this, you Israelites, the Lord our God is the only Lord, ³⁰ and you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ ³¹ The second one is this, ‘You must love your neighbor the same way that you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these [i.e., love for God and man].” ³² The expert in the law of Moses said to Jesus, “Truly, Teacher, you are right in saying that God is [the only] one and that there is no other God but Him. ³³ And that to love Him with all one’s heart, with all one’s understanding, and with all one’s strength, and to love one’s neighbor the same way he loves himself, are far more [important] than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices [in the world].” ³⁴ When Jesus saw that this man answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not [very] far from the kingdom of God.” And after that, no one dared to ask Him any more questions.

¹⁹ There will be great trouble during those days, such as had never been from the beginning of God’s creation until the present, or even will be [in the days to come].

³¹ But Peter kept insisting emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, still I will not deny [knowing] you.” And all the rest of the disciples spoke the same way.

³³ And He took Peter, James and John with Him and began to be troubled and deeply distressed.

³⁶ So, He said, “Abba, [which means] Father, everything is possible with you. Take this cup [i.e., of suffering] away from me; however, let it not be what I want but what you want for me.”

⁶³ And the head priest tore at his clothing [i.e., as an expression of frustration] and said, “What additional need do we have for witnesses? ⁶⁴ You [yourselves] have heard him speaking against God. What do you people think [i.e., about such statements]?” And they all condemned Him as deserving the death penalty. ⁶⁵ And some of them began to spit on Him, then to cover His face [with a blindfold] and hit Him [with their fists], saying, “Prophesy [i.e., tell who hit you].” And the officers in charge of Him also struck Him with their hands.

¹ As soon as it was morning the leading priests, along with the [Jewish] elders and experts in the law of Moses and the entire Council, held a conference. Then they tied Jesus up, led Him away and turned Him over to Pilate [the Roman governor].

¹⁷ They placed a purple robe on Him [Note: Matt. 27:28 calls this a “scarlet” robe. In that day, any color with a mixture of “red” in it was often called “purple”], and making a wreath out of thorns, they placed it on His head. ¹⁸ Then they began “greeting” Him with “Hey, king of the Jews ” ¹⁹ They beat His head with a stick, spat on Him, knelt down before Him and [mockingly] worshiped Him. ²⁰ And when they had mocked Him, they took the purple robe off of Him and put His own clothing [back] on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.

²⁹ And those who passed by the cross shouted abuse at Him and shook their heads [in derision], saying, “Ha, you who said you would destroy the Temple and rebuild it in three days, ³⁰ save yourself [from dying] and come down from the cross.” ³¹ In the same way, the leading priests also mocked Him among themselves, along with the experts in the law of Moses, saying, “He saved other people, now he cannot even save himself.

¹⁹ So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them He was taken up to heaven, where He sat down at the right side of God.

³⁷ For nothing that God says [will happen] is impossible.”

²⁸ Simeon took Jesus in his arms, praised God and said, ²⁹ “Master, you may now allow your servant to be released [i.e., die] in peace, according to what you said. ³⁰ For my eyes have seen your salvation [i.e., Jesus], ³¹ which [i.e., whom] you have prepared before all people [i.e., for their benefit], 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.” ³³ And Jesus’ [step-] father and His mother were amazed at the things said about Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon [asked God to] bless them and said to Jesus’ mother Mary, “Look, many Israelites will be caused to fall [i.e., into spiritual ruin] or rise [i.e., to spiritual renewal] because of Him. And [He will be] a ‘sign’ [for people] to speak against,

¹⁶ Jesus then went to Nazareth where He had been brought up. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day, according to His custom, and stood up to read [the Scriptures].

³⁰ Now the Pharisees and their experts in the law of Moses complained to Jesus’ disciples, saying, “Why do you men eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?”

⁷ And the experts in the law of Moses were watching Him to see if He would heal [someone] on the Sabbath day, so they could figure out how to accuse Him.

²⁹ And when all the people, together with the tax collectors, heard this they praised God for being so just, and were immersed with the immersion [preached] by John. ³⁰ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law of Moses, who would not be immersed by John, rejected God’s purpose for themselves.

³⁰ But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law of Moses, who would not be immersed by John, rejected God’s purpose for themselves.

⁴⁰ Then Jesus said to him, “Simon [See verse 43], I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Teacher, [go ahead and] say it.” ⁴¹ [Jesus then gave this parable]: A certain moneylender had two men who owed him money; one owed him five hundred coins [Note: The total amount was 500 days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $35,000 in 1994], and the other man [owed him] fifty coins [Note: About $3,500 in 1994]. ⁴² When these two men did not have [the money] to repay him, the moneylender canceled [the debts of] both of them. Now which of them will love him more?” ⁴³ Simon answered, “The one who had the largest debt canceled, I suppose.” Jesus said to him, “You are right.” ⁴⁴ Then Jesus turned to the woman [who had just poured the perfume on Him] and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house and you did not give me any water for [washing] my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them dry with her hair. ⁴⁵ You did not give me a kiss [of greeting], but from the time I came in [to your house] she has not stopped kissing my feet. ⁴⁶ You did not pour [aromatic] oil on my head, but she poured perfume on my feet. ⁴⁷ For this reason, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. [Note: This suggests that her forgiveness was the result of her loving, but the point Jesus makes better fits the idea that her forgiveness produced love]. But the person who is forgiven of little [i.e., of only a few sins], loves [only] a little bit.”

⁵⁰ Then Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you [i.e., from condemnation]. Go [away] in peace.”

² and certain women who had been healed from [domination by] evil spirits and diseases. [These women were] Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven evil spirits had been driven out, ³ and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s property manager, and Susanna and many others. These [all] had provided the material support for the group from their own means.

²² saying, “The Son of man must suffer many things and be rejected by the [Jewish] elders, leading priests and experts in the law of Moses. Then He will be killed and [yet] be raised up on the third day.” ²³ Then He said to everyone, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] everyday, and [then he can] become my follower.

⁴⁸ and said to the disciples, “The person who welcomes this little child in my name [i.e., because he belongs to me], welcomes me [also]. And the person who welcomes me [i.e., into his life ?] welcomes God, who sent me. For that person who is the least [significant] among you men is the one who is the greatest [in importance].”

⁵¹ And it happened when the time came for Jesus to be taken up [to heaven] that He firmly determined to go to Jerusalem.

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.

²³ Then Jesus turned to the disciples and said privately, “The eyes that see the things you see are [truly] blessed,

²⁵ Just then a certain teacher of the law of Moses stood up and [attempted to] test Jesus, saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit [never ending] life?” ²⁶ And Jesus said to him, “What is written in the law of Moses? How do you read it?” ²⁷ And the man answered Him, [Deut. 6:5], “You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength and with all your mind.” And [Lev. 19:18 says], “ [You must love] your neighbor just as [you love] yourself.” ²⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “You have answered correctly; [if] you do this, you will live” [i.e., forever. See verse 25]. ²⁹ But, wanting to justify himself, the teacher of the law of Moses asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

⁴² But only one thing is [really] needful. For Mary has made the better choice, which will not be taken away from her.”

⁵ And Jesus said to His disciples, “Suppose one of you who has a friend would go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘ [Please] lend me three loaves of bread, ⁶ for a friend of mine has come to [visit] me while on a trip and I do not have anything to feed him?’ ⁷ Then the man will answer from inside [his house], ‘Do not bother me. My door is [already] locked, my children are [already] in bed with me and I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 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.

³⁹ And the Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees [meticulously] clean the outside of the cup and the dish [i.e., this was an allusion to their lives], but you are filled with greed for wealth and [other] evils on the inside.

⁵³ And when Jesus left there [i.e., probably the Pharisee’s house. See verse 37], the experts in the law of Moses and the Pharisees began opposing Him with hostility and bombarding Him with many questions, ⁵⁴ [and] plotting to trap Him by something He might say.

¹⁵ And [then] He said to them, “Be careful and guard yourselves against [practicing] all forms of greed, for a person’s life does not consist of having a lot of possessions.” ¹⁶ And He told them a parable [i.e., a brief story to illustrate His teaching], saying, “The land of a certain rich man produced a bumper crop, ¹⁷ so he thought to himself, ‘What should I do, because I do not have any [more] room to store my crops?’ ¹⁸ Then he said [to himself], ‘This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build larger [ones]; then I will store all my grain and [other] goods there [i.e., farm supplies]. ¹⁹ And I will say to myself, ‘Soul, you have plenty of goods [i.e., grain and supplies] stored up for many years, [so], take it easy; eat, drink and have fun.’ ²⁰ But God said to him, ‘You fool! Tonight your life will be taken away from you. And [then] who will get the things you have stored up [for yourself]?’ ²¹ This is [the way it will be with] the person who stores up treasures for himself, and [yet] is not rich toward God [i.e., does place enough importance on spiritual things].”

³³ Sell your possessions and give [the money] to poor people; provide yourselves with money belts that do not wear out [i.e., from the constant use of carrying much money all the time, instead of investing it in others’ needs]. [Then you will possess] an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief can approach, nor moth destroy.

⁵⁰ But I have an immersion to experience [i.e., overwhelming suffering to undergo. See Mark 10:38-39], and what stress I am under until it happens!

²³ [Along the way] someone asked Him, “Lord, will [only] a few people be saved?” And He answered them,

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.”

¹¹ For every person who exalts himself [as important] will be humbled, but the person who humbles himself will be exalted [as important].”

³³ So therefore, every one of you who does not say ‘goodbye’ to everything he owns, cannot be my disciple.

⁹ Therefore, I tell you, make friends for yourselves by using worldly wealth, so that when it fails [i.e., when you run out of money] they [i.e., the friends you made with its wise and benevolent use] may welcome you into the eternal [i.e., heavenly] dwelling places. [Note: The idea here seems to be that by your shrewd use of material possessions for the benefit of others, you are actually storing up treasures for yourself in heaven].

¹⁴ Then the Pharisees, who loved money, heard these things and sneered at Jesus.

¹⁸ “Every person who divorces his wife and marries another woman becomes sexually unfaithful to her [i.e., because he is still regarded by God as married to his first wife. See Matt. 19:9]. And the person who marries someone who has been divorced by her husband commits sexual sin with her [i.e., because she is still rightfully married to her first husband].

²⁰ And a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was full of sores, was laid at the rich man’s doorway.

²² And it happened that the beggar died and [his spirit] was carried away by angels to a place close to Abraham. And the rich man also died and [his body] was buried.

¹ Then Jesus told His disciples a parable for the purpose of showing them that they should pray continually and not become discouraged. ² He said, “There was a certain judge in this town who did not revere God nor respect man. ³ There was [also] a widow in that [same] town who kept coming to the judge saying, ‘Grant me a [favorable] judgment against my opponent.’ ⁴ And for some time the judge refused to do it. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not revere God or respect man, ⁵ I will grant her a [favorable] judgment because she keeps bothering me [about the matter] and is about to exhaust my patience by her persistent visits.’” ⁶ And the Lord said, “Listen to what [even] this unjust judge said [about the widow]. ⁷ So, will God not grant justice to His elect [i.e., His people] who call out to Him [i.e., in prayer] day and night? Will He be slow in helping them? ⁸ I tell you, He will grant justice to them quickly. However, will the Son of man find [very many] believing people on the earth when He returns?”

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].

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.’

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.’ 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].”

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].” ¹⁵ People were bringing babies to Jesus so He could touch them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them], but when His disciples saw this, they spoke harshly to these people.

¹⁵ People were bringing babies to Jesus so He could touch them [i.e., to bestow a blessing on them], but when His disciples saw this, they spoke harshly to these people. ¹⁶ But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these [i.e., humble ones. See Matt. 19:14].

¹⁶ But Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “Allow these little children to come to me and stop trying to prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these [i.e., humble ones. See Matt. 19:14]. ¹⁷ Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God the way a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.”

¹⁷ Truly I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God the way a little child does, that person will by no means enter it.” ¹⁸ Then a certain ruler [Note: This man was young and rich. See Matt. 19:16-22] asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what should I do in order to inherit never ending life?” ¹⁹ Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me ‘good’? No one is good except God only.

¹⁹ Jesus answered him, “Why do you call me ‘good’? No one is good except God only. ²⁰ You know the commandments: Do not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Show honor to your father and mother.”

²⁰ You know the commandments: Do not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. Do not murder. Do not steal. Do not give false testimony. Show honor to your father and mother.” ²¹ And the ruler replied, “I have [already] been observing all of these commandments since I was [very] young.” ²² When Jesus heard this He said to him, “ [There is] one thing you still lack. Sell all your possessions and distribute [the money] to poor people; become my follower, [then] you will have treasure in heaven.”

²² When Jesus heard this He said to him, “ [There is] one thing you still lack. Sell all your possessions and distribute [the money] to poor people; become my follower, [then] you will have treasure in heaven.” ²³ But when the ruler heard these words, he became very sad for he was extremely rich.

²³ But when the ruler heard these words, he became very sad for he was extremely rich. ²⁴ Now Jesus looked at him and said, “How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!

²⁴ Now Jesus looked at him and said, “How difficult [it is] for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ For it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God.”

²⁵ For it is [actually] easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ And those who heard this said, “Then who can [possibly] be saved?”

²⁶ And those who heard this said, “Then who can [possibly] be saved?”

²⁶ And those who heard this said, “Then who can [possibly] be saved?” ²⁷ Jesus answered, “The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God.”

²⁷ Jesus answered, “The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God.”

²⁷ Jesus answered, “The things that are impossible with people are [certainly] possible with God.” ²⁸ Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes to follow you.” ²⁹ And Jesus said to the disciples, “Truly I tell you, there is no person who has left his house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children for the sake of the kingdom of God [i.e., to become a servant of the Lord], ³⁰ who will not receive [back] many times as much [as he left in this life], and never ending life in the coming age.”

³⁰ who will not receive [back] many times as much [as he left in this life], and never ending life in the coming age.” ³¹ Then Jesus took the twelve apostles with Him, saying to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem and [while there] everything written in [the writings of] the prophets will be fulfilled concerning the Son of man.

³¹ Then Jesus took the twelve apostles with Him, saying to them, “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem and [while there] everything written in [the writings of] the prophets will be fulfilled concerning the Son of man. ³² For He will be turned over to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted and spit on.

³² For He will be turned over to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and will be mocked, and insulted and spit on. ³³ [The Romans] will flog Him and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again [from the dead].”

³³ [The Romans] will flog Him and kill Him, but on the third day He will rise again [from the dead].” ³⁴ But His disciples did not understand [what He meant by] any of these things, for this message was hidden from them so they did not comprehend what He was saying. ³⁵ And it happened as Jesus was approaching Jericho [Note: This was a town about eighteen miles northeast of Jerusalem], that a certain blind man was [seen] sitting along side of the road, begging. ³⁶ As he heard a crowd of people passing by, he asked [someone] what was happening. ³⁷ And he was told that Jesus from Nazareth was passing by [that way].

³⁹ But those walking in front [of Jesus] spoke harshly to the blind beggar, telling him to be quiet. But he continued shouting all the more, “You son of David, take pity on me.” ⁴⁰ So, Jesus stopped and ordered the beggar to be brought to Him. And when he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?” And he replied, “Lord, I want to receive my sight.” ⁴² And Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight, your faith has made you well.” ⁴³ And immediately his sight was restored and he followed Jesus, giving honor to God. And when all the people saw this, they [too] praised God.

⁴¹ And when Jesus got close and saw the city [of Jerusalem], He cried over it,

²⁴ Then a dispute arose among the apostles as to which one of them should be considered the greatest. ²⁵ And Jesus said to them, “The kings of the [unconverted] Gentiles lord it over their own people, and those who domineer over them are called ‘Benefactors’ [Note: This was a title used by Greek kings in Egypt and Syria]. ²⁶ But it will not be that way among you, for the person who is the most important among you should become [like] the youngest [i.e., least important]. And the person who is the leader should become like the servant. ²⁷ For who is most important, the person who reclines at the dinner table or the person who serves [him]? Is it not the person who reclines at the dinner table? But I am among you as the person who serves. ²⁸ Now you apostles are the ones who have remained with me throughout my trials, ²⁹ and just as my Father assigned a kingdom to me, so I am assigning a kingdom to you, ³⁰ so you can eat and drink at my table in my [coming] kingdom. [Also] you will sit on [twelve] thrones [See Matt. 19:28], judging the twelve tribes of Israel [i.e., judging God’s people through their writings].

⁴² saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup [i.e., of suffering] away from me; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what you want [for me].”

⁶³ Now the men who were holding Jesus [in custody] began mocking Him and beating Him. ⁶⁴ And they blindfolded Him and asked Him, “Prophesy, who is it that hit you?” ⁶⁵ And they said many other derogatory things against Him.

¹ Then the entire group of them [i.e., of the Jewish elders, priests and law experts] got up [from their Council meeting] and took Jesus to [governor] Pilate. ² They began bringing accusations against Him, saying, “We discovered this man misleading the people of our nation and telling them not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he himself was the Messiah, a king!”

¹¹ Then Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in a luxurious robe and then sent Him back to Pilate.

²¹ but they continued shouting, “Crucify him, crucify him.”

³⁵ People stood [around] watching [all this], while the leaders even sneered at Him, saying, “He saved other people; [now] let him save himself [i.e., from dying] if he [really] is the Christ, God’s specially chosen one.” ³⁶ The soldiers also mocked Him; they came to Him, offering Him sour wine [to drink], ³⁷ saying, “If you [really] are the King of the Jews, save yourself.” ³⁸ There was an inscription above Him [i.e., on the upright portion of the cross], stating, “This is the king of the Jews.” ³⁹ Then one of the criminals, who was hanging [on a cross also] spoke abusively to Him, saying, “Are you not the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]? [If you are], then save yourself and us.”

⁶ He is not here; for He has risen [from the dead]. [Do you not] remember what He told you when He was still in Galilee, saying, ⁷ ‘The Son of man must be turned over into the hands of sinful men to be crucified, but the third day [He will] rise again [from the dead]?’”

²⁶ Was it not necessary for the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] to suffer these things, and [then] to enter His glorious state [with the Father]?”

⁵⁰ Then Jesus led His apostles out [of Jerusalem] until they came near to Bethany [Note: This was a village fewer than two miles east of Jerusalem]. [There] He raised His hands and asked God’s blessing on them. ⁵¹ And it happened, as He was blessing them, that He left them and was taken up to heaven.

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

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.”

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].

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.” ³ Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God [i.e., enter it. See verse 5], unless he is born from above [Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth]. 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?” ⁵ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.

⁵ Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit. ⁶ Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being.

³⁹ You search through the Scriptures [i.e., the Old Testament], because you think that you will [learn how to] have never ending life by [reading] them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me.

⁴¹ “I do not accept honor from mankind, ⁴² but I know you [well enough], that you do not have a love for God within you. ⁴³ I have come in my Father’s name [i.e., by His authority] and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name [i.e., by his own authority], you will accept him. ⁴⁴ How can you believe [in me] when you [offer and] accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?

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.” ²⁸ Then the people said to Jesus, “What must we do in order to perform the deeds that God requires?”

⁴⁰ And this is what [else] my Father wants: That every person who sees the Son [i.e., with the eye of faith] and believes in Him should have never ending life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”

⁶⁰ So, when they heard [these things], many of Jesus’ disciples said, “This is difficult teaching. Who can listen to it [i.e., and accept it]?”

³² The Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion] heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, so the leading priests and Pharisees sent some Temple guards to arrest Him.

⁴¹ Others said, “He is the Christ.” But [still] others said, “What [do you mean]? The Christ will not come from Galilee, [will he]?

⁴⁸ Have any of the authorities or Pharisees believed in him?

⁵² They answered him, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search [the Scriptures], and you will see that no prophet will come from Galilee.” [Note: They were probably referring to “the prophet” predicted to come by Moses. Deut. 18:15]. {{Most ancient manuscripts do not contain the section from 7:53 through 8:11, or else place it elsewhere in the book.

⁶ They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote [something] on the ground [i.e., in the dirt] with His finger.

⁵ While I am in the world I am the light of the world.” ⁶ After He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He put the mud on the man’s eyes ⁷ and said to him, “[Now] go and wash in the pool of Siloam (which means “sent”). So, the man left and washed [in the pool], and [when he] returned, [he was] able to see. ⁸ Then the neighbors, who had seen the man begging previously, said, “Is not this the man who [used to] sit there and beg?”

³² It has never been heard of, since the world was created, that anyone has restored sight to a man born blind.

³⁹ And Jesus said, “I came to this world to judge [it], so that people who can not see [spiritually] will [be able to] see; and those who [think they can] see [spiritually] will become blind.”

¹⁵ just like the Father knows me [intimately] and I know the Father [that way]. And I [am about to] give up my life for the sheep.

²³ Jesus was walking in the Temple [area] in “Solomon’s Portico” [Note: This was a large covered area, with rows of columns, on the outside of the Temple enclosure].

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.

⁷ Then, after this, He said to His disciples, “Let us go [back] to Judea again.” ⁸ The disciples replied to Him, “The Jews [there] have just been trying to stone you, and you are going back again?”

¹⁶ Then Thomas, which means, “The Twin,” said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, so we can die with Him.” [i.e., by being stoned to death with Jesus. See 11:8].

²⁸ After saying this, she left and called her sister Mary and said to her privately, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”

⁴⁷ So, the leading priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council [Note: This was the Jewish governing body called “the Sanhedrin”] and said, “What should we do, for this man is performing many [miraculous] signs?

⁵⁷ Now the leading priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he was to report it, so they could arrest Him.

²⁶ If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.

¹³ You call me ‘Teacher,’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right in doing so because that is who I am. ¹⁴ So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet also.

¹⁴ So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet also. ¹⁵ For I have set an example for you, so that you should do as I have done for you. ¹⁶ Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater [in importance] than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him. ¹⁷ If you know these things, you will be happy if you practice them. ¹⁸ “I am not talking about all of you; for I know the ones I have chosen [i.e., which of the twelve apostles would be faithful]. But let the Scripture [Psa. 41:9] be fulfilled [that says], ‘The person who eats with me has [viciously] turned against me.’

³³ “I will be with you, [my dear] children, for only a little while [longer]. You people will look for me, but I am now telling you what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You will not be able to go where I will be.’

³⁷ Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you.”

⁷ If you remain in [fellowship with] me and my teaching remains in your hearts, [you can] ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you.

²⁰ Remember what I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater [in importance] than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will [also] persecute you, too; if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

²² So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy. ²³ At that time [i.e., after my resurrection], you will not be asking me [for] anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything [then], in my name [i.e., by my authority], He will give it to you.

³³ I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”

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.

¹⁴ I have given them your word, and the world hated them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.

²⁴ “Father, I want those you gave me [i.e., the apostles, see verse 6] to be with me where I am [going], so they will see my splendor [i.e., in heaven], which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.

¹¹ Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its sheath. Should I not drink the cup [i.e., of suffering] the Father has given me?”

²⁰ Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world; I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews assemble. I have never said anything in secret.

²⁸ Then, early in the morning they led Jesus from Caiaphas to [governor Pilate’s] headquarters. But the Jewish authorities would not enter it, because [if they had] they would have become ceremonially unclean, and could not eat the Passover meal. [Note: This was because they regarded a Gentile house as defiling].

³⁶ Jesus answered him, “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, then my servants [i.e., disciples] would fight to keep me from being turned over to the Jews. But now my kingdom does not belong here.” [i.e., Jesus’ kingdom was not based on physical, but spiritual principles].

² The soldiers wove thorny twigs into a crown and placed it on His head and dressed Him in a purple robe. ³ Then they went [up] to Him and said, “Hey! King of the Jews!” and struck Him [in the face with their hands].

¹¹ Jesus answered him, “You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above [i.e., from God]. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin.”

¹⁹ Then Pilate had an inscription written and placed on the cross [i.e., on the upright portion, above His head]. It read, “Jesus from Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

² So, she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved [i.e., probably the apostle John], and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have put Him.” ³ So, Peter and the other disciple left [hurriedly] and went to the grave site. ⁴ The two of them ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the grave site first.

¹⁶ [Then] Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward Him and replied in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni,” which means “Teacher.”

⁵ So, Jesus said to them, “Young fellows, you have not [caught] any fish yet, have you?” They answered Him, “No, [we have not].”

¹⁵ So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” [Note: Since two different Greek words for “love” are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, “[Then] feed my lambs.” ¹⁶ Jesus asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you [really] love me?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “[Then] take care of my sheep.” 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.

³⁷ Now when the people heard this message [of Peter and the other apostles, See verse 14], they were convicted [of its truth] in their hearts and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do [about our condemned condition]?"

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]."

⁴⁵ They sold their belongings and property and divided [the money] among all [the believers] according to each one's need.

² [On their way] they met a certain man who had been crippled from birth. Every day he had been carried [by friends] and placed at the "Beautiful Gate" [as it was called] of the Temple [enclosure] where he begged for money from those entering the Temple. ³ When he saw Peter and John about to enter the Temple he asked them [also] for money.

¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob --- the God of our forefathers --- has highly honored His servant Jesus, whom you people turned over [to the Roman authorities] and denied [Him freedom] in the presence of [governor] Pilate, who had already decided to release Him. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy and Righteous One [His rightful freedom] and asked for a murderer to be released to you [instead].

²⁵ You people are descendants of these prophets and [recipients] of the Agreement God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham [Gen. 12:3], 'And through your seed [i.e., your descendant Jesus] all the people of the earth will receive the blessings [of God].'

³⁴ And no one lacked anything, for all who owned property or houses sold [some of] them and brought the money ³⁵ and gave it to the apostles, who distributed it to each person who had a need. ³⁶ And Joseph, who was called by the apostles, Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), was a descendant of the Jewish tribe of Levi, whose family originated from [the island of] Cyprus. ³⁷ He owned a field, but [due to the great need] sold it and brought the money and gave it to the apostles [for distribution].

⁴¹ When the apostles left the Council meeting, they were rejoicing over being considered worthy to suffer [such] shame for the name [of Jesus].

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."

⁵¹ You people are unbending and unrepentant in your hearts and [unwilling to listen with] your ears. You are always resisting [the desires of] the Holy Spirit just like your forefathers did.

⁶ but get up, and enter the city [of Damascus] and [there] you will be told what you must do."

² He had James, the brother of John, killed with the sword.

²² And when God removed him [from the throne of Israel] He raised up David to be their king. God said about him, 'I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man close to my heart [i.e., whom I loved very much] and he will do all that I want him to.' ²³ [Now] it was this David's descendant Jesus who was sent to Israel as their Savior, just as God had promised.

²⁷ For the people living in Jerusalem, together with their ruling officials, did not understand [that Jesus was the Messiah] or what the message of the prophets, which is read every Sabbath day, really meant. So, [because of this] they [actually] made these Scripture predictions come true by condemning Jesus.

⁴⁶ But Paul and Barnabas [continued to] speak out boldly, saying, "It was necessary that the message of God be delivered to you [Jews] first. But since you have rejected it and [thereby] consider yourselves to be unworthy of [receiving] never ending life, we [i.e., Paul and Barnabas] will now begin proclaiming it to the [unconverted] Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For the Lord commanded us to do this by saying, 'I have appointed you to be a light to the [unconverted] Gentiles, so that you should be [the occasion] for [bringing] salvation to the farthest corner of the earth.' " ⁴⁸ And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and gave honor to the message of God [i.e., they accepted it as true]. And all those who were appointed [by God] to receive never ending life [through faith and obedience] became believers.

²⁵ But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God while the [other] prisoners listened.

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."

²² "And now, look, I am going to Jerusalem, impelled by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me [when I get] there,

³² "Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God].

¹⁸ to open their eyes [to the truth] so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power [i.e., the influence] of Satan to God. [Then] they can receive the forgiveness of sins and the inheritance [of never ending life], along with [all] those who are set apart [for God] by trusting in Me.'

³ It was about His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born as a physical descendant of King David. ⁴ He was appointed to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of holiness [Note: This could refer to the Holy Spirit] when He was raised from the dead.

⁷ To the ones who continue doing what is good and who look for glory, honor and immortal life [God will give] never ending life.

¹² Everyone has turned away [from God]. All of them have become worthless. No one is [always] kind; no, not even one person.”

²⁰ This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the law of Moses.

³ And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;

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.

¹ Or, do you not know, brothers, (I am talking to people who know how law works) that the law has authority over a person only as long as he lives? [Note: It is not clear whether this refers to Roman law or the law of Moses]. ² For a married woman is legally bound to her husband for as long as he lives. But, when he dies, she is released from the marriage contract. 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.

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.

⁹ And I was [once] alive before being aware of the law [i.e., complacent and without a sense of guilt]; but when [awareness of] the commandment [not to sin] came, sin sprang to life,

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]. ¹⁸ For I consider that our present sufferings do not deserve to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us [i.e., in the future life].

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].

³⁰ What shall we say then? [Simply this]: That the Gentiles, who did not attempt to become right with God [by how they lived] were made right with God, and this was the result of their faith [in Christ]. ³¹ But the Israelites, who were attempting to become right with God by [conformity to] the law of Moses, never achieved [this righteousness] by that law. ³² Why? Because they did not [attempt to do it] by faith [in Him], but by trying to fulfill all the requirements [of the law]. So, they stumbled over “the stumbling stone,” [i.e., the Jews refused to become obedient to Christ. See I Pet. 2:6-8]. ³³ Even as it is written [Ex. 28:16], “Look, I am placing a stone in the city of Zion that people will stumble over and a rock on which they will trip and fall. But the person who believes in Him will not be put to shame [i.e., he will never have unforgiven sin brought up against him].”

² For I can testify that they have an enthusiasm for God, but it is without [true] knowledge. ³ For they did not know about God’s way of making people right with Himself, so they attempted to establish their own way. In doing this they did not submit to God’s way for being made right with Him. ⁴ So, Christ has brought an end to the law [as a means] of being made right with God for every person who believes [in Him].

⁹ So, if you profess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For a person believes [in Christ] with his heart in order to be made right with God, and he makes a profession with his lips in order to be saved. 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]

¹⁶ And if the first part of the dough is dedicated to God, the entire batch of dough will be also. And if the roots [of a tree] are dedicated to God, the branches will be also.

²⁸ Now in response to the [proclamation of the] good news [about Christ], the Jews became [God’s] enemies for the sake of you [Gentiles]. But concerning [God’s] select people, these Jews became [God’s] dearly loved ones for the sake of their forefathers [i.e, who believed God’s promises regarding their descendants].

² And you people must not be conformed to [the values and standards of] this age, but you should become transformed [i.e., changed in attitude and action] by having your mind renewed [i.e., to think in a totally different way]. Then you will be able to determine [and practice] God’s will, the thing that is good, and acceptable and perfect.

¹⁰ In your love for your brothers, show tender affection toward one another. Try to outdo one another in showing respect [for each other].

⁹ For [the commandments are: Ex. 20:13ff], “You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not have a strong desire for what belongs to someone else.” These and any other commandments are summed up in these words, “You must love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.”

²⁶ Now consider how you were when you were called, brothers. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were from prominent families.

⁷ Indeed, the fact that you have lawsuits with one another is [evidence of] a complete failure among you. Why should you not rather take the wrong? Why should you not rather accept being cheated? ⁸ But [instead], you yourselves do the wrong and cheat [others], and you do this to [Christian] brothers! ⁹ Or, do you not know that evil people will not possess God’s kingdom? Do not be misled: neither will sexually immoral people, nor idolaters, nor those who are sexually unfaithful to their mates, nor homosexual perverts. [Note: The Greek uses two words here, denoting both the passive and active partners in male homosexual acts].

¹⁶ Or, do you not know that the person who is joined to a prostitute is one body [with her, physically]? For God says [Gen. 2:24], “The two will become one flesh” [i.e., united in such a close relationship as to practically constitute one body].

⁴ The wife does not have [sole] authority over her own [physical] body, but the husband [also has his right to it]. And in the same way, the husband also does not have [sole] authority over his own [physical] body, but the wife [i.e., has her right to it, as well].

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.

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.

¹³ And the woman with a husband who is an unbeliever, who agrees to continue living with her, should not divorce her husband. ¹⁴ For the unbelieving husband is set apart [i.e., as an acceptable mate, although not yet saved. See verse 16], through his wife [i.e., her Christian commitment is viewed as having a godly effect on the home], and the unbelieving wife is set apart through the brother [i.e., for the same reason]. Otherwise, your children would be [considered] unclean. [Note: “Unclean” suggests they would be viewed as pagans were it not for one parent being a Christian]. But, as it is, they are set apart as acceptable [i.e., to God, because of the influence of the one Christian parent].

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.

²³ And everything I do is for the sake of [the work of] the Gospel, so that I may share in its benefits.

⁹ Neither should we put the Lord to a test as some of them did, and were killed by snake bites [See Num. 21:5ff].

²⁰ Brothers, do not be children in the way you think, but be babies in wrongdoing; yet be mature in your thinking.

⁴ He was buried; He was raised [from the dead] on the third day, according to the Scriptures;

²¹ God considered Christ to be sinful on our behalf, even though He never sinned, so that we could be considered right with God through Him.

¹⁰ sad and yet always joyous; poor and yet making many people [spiritually] rich; destitute and yet possessing everything.

¹⁰ For the sorrow that God desires produces repentance [i.e., a change of heart and life] that leads to salvation, and which brings no regrets. But the sorrow of the world [i.e., sorrow for wrongdoing for reasons unrelated to God or moral principles] produces [spiritual] death.

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.

⁸ And God is able to provide you with abundant gifts, so that you will always have plenty of everything, and that you will also have plenty for doing every good deed. ⁹ As it is written [Psa. 112:9], “He has distributed [gifts] widely; he has given to poor people; his generosity will last forever.” ¹⁰ Now God, who provides seeds to the planter and bread for food, will [also] supply and [even] multiply your seeds for planting, and will increase the harvest of your generosity. ¹¹ You will be made rich in everything so you can be generous in every way. This will result in people thanking God [for what you have done] through us.

²³ Are they servants of Christ? (I am really talking like a crazy person now). I am more [of a servant, than they are]. I have worked much harder. I have been in prison more often. I have been flogged more severely. I have been in danger of death more frequently.

¹⁵ So, I will most gladly spend [all I have], and [even] spend myself for the sake of your souls. If I love you so much, should you love me less [than that]?

¹³ Christ bought us back from the curse [caused by our not obeying all the requirements] of the law of Moses; He became a curse for us [by dying on the cross], for it is written [Deut. 21:23], “Every one who hangs on a tree [i.e., a cross] is cursed [i.e., cut off from God].”

¹⁹ My little children [i.e., dear ones], I am again deeply pained [as a woman in childbirth] over your [spiritual] condition, until [the life of] Christ becomes formed in your character.

²¹ Tell me, those of you who desire to be under [obligation to the requirements of] the law of Moses: Are you really paying attention to what the law of Moses says?

¹³ For you brothers were called [by God] to enjoy your freedom; but do not use this freedom as an excuse for living a sinful life; instead, use it to render loving service to each other. ¹⁴ For the whole law of Moses can be fulfilled by [obeying this] one requirement [Lev. 19:18]: “You should love your neighbor the way you love yourself.”

²⁶ [Psa. 4:4 says], “Be angry [i.e., at wrongdoing. See Mark 3:5], but do not sin” [i.e., by harboring bitterness or retaliation]. Do not allow the sun to go down while you are still provoked.

⁵ For you [should] know this for certain: No sexually immoral or [morally] impure person, or greedy person, who is [the same as] an idol worshiper, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

²⁸ In the same way also, husbands should love their own wives as they love their own bodies. The man who loves his own wife [actually] loves himself.

³¹ [Gen. 2:24 says], “For this reason a man will leave [the home of] his father and mother, and will cling to his wife, [so that] the two will become one flesh [i.e., united in such a close relationship, as to practically constitute one body].”

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].

³ Do not do anything from rivalry or from empty conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves.

⁵ You should think about things the way Christ Jesus did. ⁶ He existed in the form of God [i.e., He shared God’s very nature], but did not consider [remaining] equal with God something [to continue] to hold onto. ⁷ Instead, He gave up what He had and took on the form [i.e., the nature] of a slave, becoming like a man, [and even] His appearance was found to be like a man’s. ⁸ He humbled Himself [by] becoming obedient [to God] to the point of death, even death on a cross.

⁶ As far as enthusiasm is concerned, I persecuted the church; as far as being righteous according to the law of Moses is concerned, I was without just blame. ⁷ However, those things which were [once regarded as] gain to me, I have [now] considered to be loss for [the sake of] Christ. ⁸ What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ

⁸ What is more, I consider everything to be a loss compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus [as] my Lord, for whose sake I have suffered the loss of all things. [I now] consider [all of] them to be trash, in order to gain Christ ⁹ and to be found in [fellowship with] Him, not having a righteousness of my own, acquired by observing the law of Moses, but one acquired through believing in Christ. This righteousness, which comes from God, is based on faith.

²¹ who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself.

⁶ Do not worry about anything, but in everything, by prayer and [special] petition, along with thanksgivings, you should make your requests known to God.

²⁴ Now I rejoice in [spite of] my sufferings for your sake, and I am filling up [i.e., completing] in my physical body what was lacking in the afflictions Christ endured for His body’s sake, the church.

⁶ And none of you should violate and exploit his brother [or sister] in such a matter. For the Lord will punish people for all these things, just as we told you before and warned you.

¹⁶ Now, may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us never ending encouragement and good hope through [His] unearned favor,

⁴ [He must] manage his own family well and, with dignity, keep his children in subjection [or, “respectful”]. ⁵ For if a man does not know how to manage his own family, how will he be able to take care of the church of God? ⁶ [He must] not be a new convert or else he could become conceited [i.e., over being in a leadership position] and fall into the [same] condemnation incurred by the devil.

⁶ But godliness [itself] is great gain, [when it is] accompanied by contentment.

⁹ But those people who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and [spiritual] destruction. ¹⁰ For, loving money is a source of all kinds of evil, [and] some people who crave it have been led astray from the faith, and have stabbed themselves [in the heart] with many sorrows.

¹⁷ [Solemnly] urge those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to place their hope in the uncertainty of [their] wealth, but in God, who generously supplies us with everything to enjoy.

¹⁷ [Solemnly] urge those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant, nor to place their hope in the uncertainty of [their] wealth, but in God, who generously supplies us with everything to enjoy. ¹⁸ [Urge them] to do what is good, to be rich in [the practice of] good deeds, to be generous and willing to share [with others]. ¹⁹ [In that way] they will store up for themselves a treasure [of never ending rewards] for providing a solid foundation for the future, so that they can take hold of the true life [i.e., in heaven].

⁵ I [also] remember the sincere faith you have in your heart, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am convinced, lives in you [too].

⁵ [These people] maintain an appearance of being godly, but they have denied its power; [you should] turn away from such people.

¹² In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in [the service of] Christ will be persecuted.

¹⁵ And [remember] that, from childhood, you have known the sacred Scriptures which are able to make you wise [enough] to be saved through faith in Christ Jesus.

¹⁰ for Demas loved this world and [so] has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia.

¹⁴ He gave Himself up for us, to buy us back from [enslavement to] all [kinds of] wickedness and to purify for Himself a group of people who belong to Him and who are eager to do good deeds.

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].

⁷ So, even as the Holy Spirit said [Psa. 95:7-11], “Today, if you hear His [i.e., God’s] voice, ⁸ do not have a stubborn heart like you did when you provoked [God] during the time you tested [His patience] in the desert, ⁹ where your forefathers tried me and tested [my patience] when they saw what I did for forty years. ¹⁰ Therefore, I was angry with that generation of people and said, ‘They always go astray in their hearts, and they did not understand my ways.’

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.

⁷ During His life on earth Jesus offered up prayers and special requests with loud crying and tears to God, who was able to save Him from dying, and He was heard because of His [earnest] devotion [to God]. ⁸ [And] although He was a Son, still He learned obedience from the things He suffered,

²⁵ So, He is also able to save completely those people who approach God through Him, since He lives forever to intercede [i.e., to plead to God] on their behalf.

³⁴ For you showed sympathy for those who were in prison and accepted it joyfully when your [own] possessions were taken away, [because] you knew that you yourselves had a better and more permanent possession [in heaven].

¹⁶ But instead, they longed for a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

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].

²⁴ By [having] faith, when Moses was grown up, he refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, ²⁵ but chose rather to suffer mistreatment with God’s people [i.e., the Israelites] than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a brief time. ²⁶ He considered suffering ridicule for Christ’s sake to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking forward to his reward.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a large crowd of spectators [Note: Christians are pictured here as being in a crowded arena, performing in the games], we should lay aside every [excessive] weight and sin that so easily entangle us, and with perseverance, we should run the race [of life] that lies before us.

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.

² Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, ³ because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance. ⁴ And you [should] allow your perseverance to complete its work, so that you will be perfect and complete, [and] not lacking in anything.

¹² The person who perseveres under trials is blessed, because when he has been approved by God, he will receive the crown of [never ending] life, which God has promised to those who love Him.

¹⁷ Every good thing that is given and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].

⁵ Listen, my dearly loved brothers; did not God choose those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be wealthy in faith and to inherit the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?

¹⁰ For, whoever observes the entire law [of God] and yet breaks one requirement [of it], becomes guilty of [breaking] all of it. ¹¹ For God, who said [through Moses, Ex. 20:13f], “You must not be sexually unfaithful to your mate,” also said, “You must not murder.” Now if you are sexually faithful to your mate and yet murder [someone], you have become a lawbreaker.

³ [When] you do ask, you do not receive it, because you ask from wrong motives, [just] so you can satisfy your own pleasures. ⁴ You people who have become unfaithful to God, do you not know that being [intimate] friends with the world [of sin] means hostility toward God? Therefore, whoever determines to be an [intimate] friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. ⁵ Or, do you think that the Scripture says [this] for nothing? [Note: No specific passage is here cited, but the idea occurs in several Old Testament passages]. “The Holy Spirit, whom God has made to live in us, longs jealously [for us to be faithful to God].”

¹ Come on now, you rich people, cry and wail over the miseries that are coming upon you. ² Your wealth has rotted and moths have eaten your clothing. ³ Your gold and silver have tarnished and their tarnish will be a testimony against you [i.e., you have hoarded your wealth instead of using it to benefit others], and they will devour your flesh as fire [i.e., your riches will ultimately consume you]. You have hoarded up your riches in these last days.

⁶ You have condemned and murdered the righteous man [i.e., the innocent person, See verse 4] and he does not [even] resist you.

¹¹ Notice that we consider those who endured [suffering with patience] to be blessed [by God]. You people have heard of Job’s patience and have seen what the Lord finally did [for him]. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

⁴ Through Him we have an inheritance that cannot be corrupted or contaminated, and will never disappear; it is reserved in heaven for you. ⁵ Through God’s power you are protected by [your] faith, so that you can expect to be saved in the end.

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.

¹⁹ but with [the] precious blood of Christ, who represents an unblemished lamb, without defect.

² [So], like newly born babies, you should desire the genuine, spiritual milk [i.e., God’s word. See Heb. 5:12-13], so that by it you may grow toward [final] salvation,

¹² Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. ¹³ You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor. ¹⁴ If you are spoken against for being Christians, you have God’s blessing, because His glorious Holy Spirit rests upon you [to provide comfort, See John 14:16]. ¹⁵ [However], you should not have to suffer for murdering, stealing, doing evil or interfering in the affairs of others. ¹⁶ But if a person should have to suffer because he is a Christian, he should not be ashamed [of it], but instead, he should bring honor to God by [wearing] the name [of Christ].

³ Do not act as dictators over the people you are assigned to care for, but [rather] serve as examples of how they ought to live.

⁵ And in the same way, you younger [Christians] should be [respectfully] submissive to the older ones. And all of you should [be willing to] humbly serve one another, for God stands opposed to [the efforts of] proud people, but extends His unearned favor to those [who serve] with humility. ⁶ Therefore, be humble [in your actions] before God’s powerful authority, so that you may be exalted [by Him] at the proper time.

¹¹ For in this way, you will be provided with a rich welcome into the never ending kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [i.e., in heaven].

⁴ “Why has the promise of a coming Messiah [not been fulfilled yet]? After all, since the time our ancestors died, everything has continued the same, even since the beginning of creation!”

¹ My little children [i.e., dear ones], I am writing this to you so that you will not sin anymore. But if anyone does sin, we have Someone to go to the Father on our behalf; it is Jesus Christ, the [only] righteous One.

¹⁵ You should not love the [godless] world, nor the things [i.e., the materialistic values] that are part of this [present] age. If any person loves the world, a [genuine] love for the Father is not in his heart. ¹⁶ For all that makes up the world, namely, the improper desires of the physical body, the improper desires for what is seen, and the [boastful] pride over life’s possessions; these are not from the Father, but from the [godless] world.

²⁵ And this is the promise which Christ [or, “God”] has given to us: [It is] never ending life. [Note: This passage may mean that God promised us “the Eternal Life,” that is, Christ, See John 3:16].

¹ Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is.

⁴ [But], you people are [followers] of God, little children [i.e., dear ones], and you have overcome them [i.e., these false teachers] because He who is in your lives [i.e., the Holy Spirit, See 3:24] is greater [i.e., more powerful] than he who is in [i.e., dominates] the world [i.e., Satan. See II Cor. 4:4].

⁸ The person who does not love [others] does not know God [as Savior], for [the very nature of] God is love.

¹⁶ And we have known [with certainty] and have believed [with assurance] that God has truly loved us. God’s [very nature] is love and the person who [continually] loves [Him and others] lives in [fellowship with] God [continually], and God [continually] lives in that person’s heart.

²¹ Little children [i.e., dear ones], protect yourselves from [worshiping] idols.

⁹ I [am] John, your brother who participates with you in the suffering and kingdom and endurance [which we experience] in [fellowship with] Jesus. I was on the island called Patmos for [preaching] God’s message and for testifying about Jesus. [Note: Patmos was located in the Aegean Sea between present-day Greece and Turkey].

³ And you have persevered and endured [suffering] for my name’s sake [i.e., in my service] and [yet] have not grown weary. ⁴ “But, this is what I have against you, that you have forsaken your first love [i.e., love for Christ and His church].

⁹ I know [about] your suffering and your poverty (but you are [really] rich), and the slander of those who say they are Jews, though they [really] are not, but are a synagogue of Satan [i.e., they claimed to be an assembly of God’s people, but in reality were serving Satan].

¹⁴ “But I have a few things against you because you have people there [in the church] who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumblingblock in front of the Israelites, [causing them] to eat food sacrificed to idols and to be sexually immoral [See Num. 23-24].

²⁰ But I have this against you, that you tolerate that woman [named] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. She teaches and deceives my servants into [practicing] sexual immorality and into eating things sacrificed to idols.

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].

⁵ They were found not to be liars; [for] they were without just blame.

¹⁶ “I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify to you people about these things for [the benefit of] the churches [See 1:4]. I am the Root and the descendant of King David, the bright Morning Star.”