Mark 8 Cross References - AUV

¹ In those days, when a large crowd again assembled [i.e., to listen to Jesus’ teaching] and did not have anything to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, ² “I feel deep pity for this crowd because they have continued listening to me for three days now and have nothing [left] to eat. ³ And if I send them home hungry they will become weak on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” ⁴ And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will a person get enough bread to feed these people in such a deserted place like this?” ⁵ And He asked them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” And they answered, “We have seven loaves.” ⁶ Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks to God [for them], He divided the food and gave it to His disciples to set in front of them. They [in turn] set it in front of the crowd. ⁷ They [also] had a few small fish and after asking God’s blessing on them, He ordered these also to be set in front of them. ⁸ And they [all] ate until they were full, then gathered up seven baskets of broken pieces which were left over. ⁹ The number [who ate] was about four thousand men [besides women and children. See Matt. 15:38]. Then Jesus sent them away. ¹⁰ Immediately He boarded a boat with His disciples and crossed [to the west side of the lake], to the region of Dalmanutha. [Note: Matt. 15:39 says “Magadan,” which was probably in the same vicinity as Dalmanutha]. 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. ¹² Then He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation of people look for a [supernatural] sign? Truly I tell you, there will not be any [supernatural] sign given to this generation.” ¹³ Then He left them and boarded a boat again and sailed to the other side [i.e., the east side of Lake Galilee]. ¹⁴ Now Jesus’ disciples had forgotten to take [any] food [with them], and had only one loaf of bread in the boat. 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]. ¹⁶ And they began reasoning with one another, saying, “ [Why be concerned about yeast since] we do not have [any] bread?” ¹⁷ Jesus, being aware of what they were thinking, said, “Why are you reasoning about not having any bread? Have you not yet perceived or understood? Have your hearts become insensitive? ¹⁸ Even though you have eyes, do you not see? And even though you have ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹ When I divided the five loaves of bread among the five thousand persons, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you gather up?” They said to Him, “Twelve baskets full.” ²⁰ He again asked, “And when the seven loaves were divided among the four thousand persons, how many large basketfuls of broken pieces did you gather up?” And they said to Him, “Seven large basketfuls.” ²¹ Then He said to them, “Do you not understand yet?” ²² And when they came to Bethsaida some people brought a blind man to Jesus and begged Him to touch him [i.e., for healing]. ²³ [So], He took hold of the blind man by his hand and brought him out of the village. When Jesus spit [and put His saliva] on his eyes [See 7:33 for a similar use of His saliva in healing] and placed His hands on him [for healing], He asked him, “Can you see anything?” ²⁴ The man looked up and said, “ [Yes], I see people, but they look like trees walking around.” 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. ²⁶ Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not even go through the village [on your way].” ²⁷ Now Jesus and His disciples went out to the villages [in the vicinity] of Caesarea Philippi [Note: This was a city about 25 miles north of Lake Galilee]. On their way, He asked His disciples, “Who are people saying that I am?” ²⁸ And they answered Him, “ [Some say] you are John the Immerser; others say [the prophet] Elijah, but others say [you are] one of the prophets.” ²⁹ Then He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].” ³⁰ Then He ordered them not to tell anyone about His identity. 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. ³² And He spoke about this freely. But Peter took Jesus aside and began rebuking Him [i.e., for saying such things]. 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]. ³⁶ For what would it benefit a person to gain the whole world [i.e., of material things] and give up his life [i.e., of spiritual blessings]? ³⁷ Or what should a person give in exchange for his life? 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 After He had fasted forty days and nights, He was [very] hungry. ³ The tempter [i.e., the devil] came and said to Him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to turn into bread.” ⁴ But Jesus answered, “It is written [Deut. 8:3], ‘A person is not to live by [eating] bread only, but [instead] by [believing and obeying] every statement spoken by God.’”

⁸ The devil took Him again, [this time] to a very high mountain and showed Him all the world’s kingdoms, along with their splendor, ⁹ and said to Him, “I will give you all these things if you fall to the ground and worship me.” ¹⁰ Then Jesus replied to him, “Get away from me Satan, for it is written [Deut. 6:13], ‘You are supposed to worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.’”

¹⁰ Then Jesus replied to him, “Get away from me Satan, for it is written [Deut. 6:13], ‘You are supposed to worship the Lord your God, and serve only Him.’”

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. 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.

²⁹ And if your right eye is what ensnares you into falling away [from God], gouge it out and throw it away from you. For it would be better for you to lose a part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. [Note: This is the word “Gehenna,” and because of its Old Testament connotation of burning bodies, II Chron. 33:6, it is used figuratively here, and elsewhere, to describe the place of future, final punishment of the wicked]. ³⁰ And if your right hand is what ensnares you into falling away [from God], cut it off and throw it away from you. For it would be better for you to lose a part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

³¹ Therefore, do not worry by asking, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ ³² For these are the things that the [unconverted] Gentiles keep trying to get. But your heavenly Father [already] knows you need these things.

³² For these are the things that the [unconverted] Gentiles keep trying to get. But your heavenly Father [already] knows you need these things. 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.

⁶ “Do not offer sacred things to dogs, and do not throw your pearls in front of [wild] pigs [i.e., to those who will not appreciate them], because they will probably trample on them with their feet and then turn around and attack you.

¹³ “You should enter [God’s kingdom] by means of the narrow door, for the wide door and the broad road are the ones that lead to [spiritual and physical] destruction. And many people will enter [that wide door]. ¹⁴ But the door that is narrow and the road that is restricted lead to [spiritual] life and [only] a few people will find them.

³ Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man, saying, “I do want to; you are healed.” And immediately his infectious skin disease was healed. ⁴ Jesus said to him, “Be sure you do not tell anyone [about your healing yet]; but [first] go and show yourself to the priest and then offer the [sacrificial] gift required by the law of Moses [See Lev. 13:49; 14:2ff], as evidence to them [that you have been healed].”

¹⁵ He touched her hand and [immediately] her fever subsided and she got up [out of bed] and waited on Him.

²⁰ Jesus replied to him, “The foxes have dens [in which to live] and the birds of the sky have nests [in which to roost]; but the Son of man does not have anywhere to lay His head.”

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].”

³⁶ But when He saw the large crowds He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and disoriented like sheep without a shepherd.

²² And you will be hated by everyone for being loyal to me. But the person who endures [this persecution by remaining faithful] to the end [of his life] is the one who will be saved [i.e., from spiritual and physical destruction].

³² Therefore, every person who acknowledges me in front of people [i.e., to be their Lord and Christ], I will acknowledge him [i.e., to be my disciple] in front of my Father in heaven. ³³ But whoever disowns me in front of people [i.e., denies that I am the Christ, or that he is a disciple. See John 18:15-17, 25-27], I will disown him in front of my Father in heaven.

³⁸ And the person who does not accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and become my follower does not deserve me. ³⁹ The person who finds [everything to satisfy him in] this life [here on earth] will lose [never ending life]. But the person who [is willing to] lose [the comforts and security of] this life [here on earth] for my sake [i.e., in loyal service to me] will find it [i.e., never ending life]. [See Mark 10:29-30]

²¹ [He said] “It will be too bad for you, Chorazin! It will be too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in [the cities of] Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago, [demonstrating it] by wearing sackcloth [i.e., a coarse cloth made of goat hair] and throwing ashes [into the air].

¹⁶ Then He urged them not to reveal His [true] identity,

³⁸ Then certain experts in the law of Moses and some Pharisees answered Jesus, saying, “Teacher, we would like to see you perform a [supernatural] sign.” 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.

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.

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.

¹² For to the person who [already] has something, [more] will be given, so he will have a larger amount [i.e., of understanding], but from the person who has [almost] nothing, even [the little] he has will be taken away from him.

¹⁴ So, the prophecy of Isaiah is being fulfilled by them, which says, [Isa. 6:9f] ‘You will hear all right, but you will not understand [what you hear]. You will see all right but you will not perceive [what you see]. ¹⁵ For these people’s minds are dull, and their ears have difficulty hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and comprehend what they hear with their ears, and understand with their minds and would turn [back to God] again so I would heal them [from their sins].’

⁴¹ The Son of man will send out His angels and they will gather out of His kingdom all those people who cause others to fall away [from God] and those who [continue to] sin.

¹ About that time Herod the tetrarch [Note: This man was the son of Herod the Great (See 2: 1 and governor of that district] heard the report about what Jesus had been saying and doing. ² He told his servants, “This must be John, the Immerser; he has risen from the dead and [that explains how] these powers can work through him [i.e., Jesus].”

¹⁴ When Jesus came out [of His place of seclusion] and saw a large crowd, He felt a deep compassion for them and healed their sick people. ¹⁵ When it became evening, the disciples came to Him and said, “This place is deserted and it is getting late. Send the crowds away so they can go into the towns and buy food [for their supper].” ¹⁶ But Jesus said to them, “They do not need to go away; you men give them [something] to eat.” ¹⁷ And they replied, “But we have here [only] five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish.”

¹⁷ And they replied, “But we have here [only] five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish.” ¹⁸ And He said, “Bring the bread and fish here to me.”

¹⁸ And He said, “Bring the bread and fish here to me.” ¹⁹ He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds.

¹⁹ He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds.

¹⁹ He ordered the crowds to recline on the grass. Then He took the five loaves of bread and two fish and, looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food, broke it [in pieces], then gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds. ²⁰ They all ate until they were full, then gathered up twelve baskets full of the remaining broken pieces. ²¹ Those eating numbered about five thousand men, in addition to the women and children.

¹⁴ [So], let these Pharisees alone; they are blind leaders. And if a blind person leads a blind person, both of them will fall into a ditch.”

¹⁷ Do you not realize that whatever enters a person’s mouth goes into his stomach and [eventually] passes out into the toilet?

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].”

³² Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, “I feel deeply moved over this crowd, because they have continued listening to me for three days now, and have nothing [left] to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry because they will become weak along the way.” ³³ And the disciples said to Him, “Where will we get enough loaves of bread to feed a large crowd in [such] a deserted place [as this]?”

³³ And the disciples said to Him, “Where will we get enough loaves of bread to feed a large crowd in [such] a deserted place [as this]?” ³⁴ Jesus replied, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish.”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish.”

³⁴ Jesus replied, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” They said, “[We have] seven [loaves] and a few small fish.” ³⁵ Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground,

³⁵ Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground,

³⁵ Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground, ³⁶ and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds.

³⁶ and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds.

³⁶ and He took the seven loaves of bread and the fish and gave thanks to God for them. He divided the food and gave it to the disciples who, [in turn], distributed it to the crowds. ³⁷ They all ate until they were full; then gathered up seven baskets full of broken pieces which were left over.

³⁷ They all ate until they were full; then gathered up seven baskets full of broken pieces which were left over. ³⁸ The number who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.

³⁸ The number who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children. ³⁹ Jesus then sent the crowds away while He boarded a boat and crossed the lake to the region of Magadan [i.e., the west side of Lake Galilee].

³⁹ Jesus then sent the crowds away while He boarded a boat and crossed the lake to the region of Magadan [i.e., the west side of Lake Galilee].

¹ The Pharisees and Sadducees came [and attempted] to test Jesus [by] asking Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven. ² But He answered them, {[{[These words are omitted in most ancient manuscripts: “When the sky is reddish in the evening, you predict fair weather [for the next day]. ³ And when the sky is reddish and overcast in the morning, you predict [that it will be] bad weather that day. You know how to interpret [weather] conditions from the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times [i.e., what will happen in the spiritual realm]”]}]}. ⁴ “It is an evil and spiritually unfaithful generation of people [that keeps on] looking for a [supernatural] sign; but there will be no [such] sign given to it except the sign of Jonah [i.e., being in the huge fish for three days].” Then He left them and went away.

⁴ “It is an evil and spiritually unfaithful generation of people [that keeps on] looking for a [supernatural] sign; but there will be no [such] sign given to it except the sign of Jonah [i.e., being in the huge fish for three days].” Then He left them and went away. ⁵ Now the disciples came to the other side [i.e., to the east side of the lake], but had forgotten to bring food [with them].

⁵ Now the disciples came to the other side [i.e., to the east side of the lake], but had forgotten to bring food [with them]. ⁶ Jesus said to them, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

⁶ Jesus said to them, “Pay attention and watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ⁷ And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “[Why be concerned about yeast since] we did not bring [any] bread?”

⁷ And they began reasoning among themselves, saying, “[Why be concerned about yeast since] we did not bring [any] bread?” ⁸ Jesus, being aware of their thoughts, said, “O, you people with [such] little faith! Why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread?

⁸ Jesus, being aware of their thoughts, said, “O, you people with [such] little faith! Why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread?

⁸ Jesus, being aware of their thoughts, said, “O, you people with [such] little faith! Why are you reasoning among yourselves about not having bread? ⁹ Do you not understand yet or remember that five thousand people [were fed] with five loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]?

⁹ Do you not understand yet or remember that five thousand people [were fed] with five loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? ¹⁰ Or that four thousand people [were fed] with seven loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]?

¹⁰ Or that four thousand people [were fed] with seven loaves of bread and how many baskets [of pieces] were picked up [afterward]? ¹¹ How is it that you do not understand that I was not speaking to you about [physical] bread? But [rather I meant] watch out for the yeast [i.e., the influence] of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” ¹² Then they understood that He was not telling them to watch out for the yeast in [physical] bread, but for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. ¹³ Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who are people saying that the Son of man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say you are John the Immerser; some [the prophet] Elijah; and others [the prophet] Jeremiah, or one of the [other] prophets [come back to life].”

¹⁴ They replied, “Some say you are John the Immerser; some [the prophet] Elijah; and others [the prophet] Jeremiah, or one of the [other] prophets [come back to life].” ¹⁵ He [then] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

¹⁵ He [then] said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of the living God.”

¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one], the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus replied, “Simon, son of Jonah, you are fortunate [indeed], for this [truth] was not revealed to you by human beings but [rather] by my Father who is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also tell you, [although] you are Peter [i.e., a stone], it is on this rock [i.e., the truth you have just confessed] that I will build my church and [not even] the gates of the unseen place of departed spirits will win out over it [i.e., all efforts to stamp out the church by killing Christians will fail]. ¹⁹ [And] I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven [i.e., for opening up the way into it]. And whatever [truth] you [and the other apostles. See 18:18] require [people to believe and practice] here on earth will have already been required of them [by God] in heaven. And whatever [truth] you do not require [of people] on earth, will not be required [by God] in heaven.” ²⁰ Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ.

²⁰ Then He ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that He was the Christ. ²¹ From that time onward Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He would have to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the [Jewish] elders, leading priests, and experts in the law of Moses; [that He would then] be killed and [yet] raised up on the third day. ²² Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “I should say not, Lord; that will never happen to you.”

²² Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “I should say not, Lord; that will never happen to you.” ²³ But Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan; you are causing a hindrance to me because you are not thinking about God’s things but about men’s.” ²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower.

²⁴ Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower. ²⁵ For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing to] lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake will find it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].

²⁵ For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing to] lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake will find it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. ²⁶ For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life?

²⁶ For what benefit is it to a person if he gains the whole world [of material things] but [has to] give up his life [i.e., all the spiritual blessings]? Or what should a person give in exchange for his life? ²⁷ For the Son of man will return in the splendor of His Father, accompanied by His angels. Then He will reward or punish every person in proportion to what he has done [with his life].

²⁷ For the Son of man will return in the splendor of His Father, accompanied by His angels. Then He will reward or punish every person in proportion to what he has done [with his life]. ²⁸ It is true when I tell you, some of those standing here will not die before they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.”

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 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]?”

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.

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.”

³⁴ Jesus felt deep pity for them, so He touched their eyes and immediately their sight was restored, and they became [His] followers.

²³ When He had come into the Temple, the leading priests and elders of the [Jewish] people came to Him while He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things [i.e., miracles and teaching]? And who gave you this authority?”

⁴² Jesus [then] said to the leading priests and elders of the Jewish people, “Did you not ever read in the Scriptures [Psa. 118:22-23], ‘The building block rejected by the builders is the same one that was made the principal stone by which the entire building was aligned. This was planned by the Lord and is a marvelous thing to us’?

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees conspired as to how they could trap Jesus by what He said.

¹⁵ Then the Pharisees conspired as to how they could trap Jesus by what He said. ¹⁶ So, they sent their disciples, [along] with the Herodians to Him [Note: These were members of a political party favoring King Herod], saying, “Teacher, we know that you are sincere, and that you teach the truth about God’s way. You do not care for [i.e., do not fear or give in to] anyone or allow the position of any person to influence you. ¹⁷ So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” ¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, “Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites?

¹⁸ But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, “Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites?

²³ Some Sadducees [Note: These were the Jewish party that denied there was a resurrection] came to Jesus that day and asked Him,

³⁴ But when the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced [the objections of] the Sadducees, they gathered together [i.e., to continue plotting against Jesus. See verse 15]. ³⁵ One of them, a teacher of the law of Moses, asked Him a question [in an attempt] to test Him.

³⁰ Then the sign [i.e., signifying the coming] of the Son of man will appear in the sky, and all the nations of the earth will be stricken with grief as they see the Son of man coming in the clouds of the sky [See Acts 1:9-11] with power and great splendor.

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.

²⁶ And as they were eating, Jesus took a [small] loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, then broke it and gave pieces to His disciples and said, “Take some and eat it; this is [i.e., represents] my [physical] body.”

⁶⁴ Jesus replied to him, “You have said so; nevertheless I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

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].

⁴¹ And being moved with deep pity, Jesus reached out His hand, touched him and said, “I do want to; be healed.”

³ Then some people came, bringing a man afflicted with paralysis, who was being carried by four friends.

⁸ And immediately Jesus perceived in His spirit what they were reasoning in their minds and said to them, “Why are you reasoning like this in your minds?

¹⁶ And when the experts in the law of Moses, being Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion], saw that He was eating with tax collectors and worldly people, they said to His disciples, “Why does Jesus eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?”

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].

³⁴ Then He looked out over those gathered around Him and said, “Look, [here is] my mother and my brothers

¹¹ He said to them, “You disciples are being given an understanding of the secret of the kingdom of God, but to outsiders everything will be told in parables. ¹² This is so that even though they see, they will see and yet not perceive. And even though they hear, they will hear and yet not understand. For if they did, they would turn [back to God] again and receive forgiveness.”

³⁸ Jesus was sleeping on a pillow in the stern of the boat. They awakened Him, shouting, “Teacher, do you not care that we are sinking?”

¹⁹ But Jesus would not allow him, saying to the man, “Go home to your friends [and family?] and tell them about the great things the Lord has done for you and how He had pity on you.”

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

²⁷ She had heard what Jesus was doing so came from the crowd behind Jesus and touched His robe. ²⁸ For she had told herself, “If only I can touch his clothing, I will be healed.” ²⁹ And immediately her flow of blood stopped and she felt healed in her body from the affliction.

⁴³ But He strictly ordered them not to tell anyone about this; then He told them to give the girl something to eat.

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

¹⁴ Now King Herod heard about this [i.e., what Jesus was doing] because His name had become well known. He said, “John the Immerser has risen from the dead and it is his powers that are at work in Jesus.” ¹⁵ But others said, “He is [the prophet] Elijah” [while] others said, “He is a prophet like one of the prophets [of old].” ¹⁶ But when King Herod heard [about Jesus], he said, “John, whom I [had] decapitated, has risen.”

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.

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. ³⁵ And when the day was nearly over His disciples came to Him and said, “This place is deserted and the day is almost over; ³⁶ send the crowd away so they can go into the surrounding countryside and towns to buy themselves something to eat.”

³⁶ send the crowd away so they can go into the surrounding countryside and towns to buy themselves something to eat.” ³⁷ But He answered them, “You [men] give them something to eat.” And they replied, “Should we go and buy a supply of bread to give them to eat?” [Note: The amount mentioned here indicates that it was two hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $14,000 in 1994].

³⁷ But He answered them, “You [men] give them something to eat.” And they replied, “Should we go and buy a supply of bread to give them to eat?” [Note: The amount mentioned here indicates that it was two hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $14,000 in 1994]. ³⁸ And He said to them, “How many loaves [of bread] do you have? Go and see.” And when had found out, they said, “Five [barley] loaves [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish.”

³⁸ And He said to them, “How many loaves [of bread] do you have? Go and see.” And when had found out, they said, “Five [barley] loaves [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish.” ³⁹ And He ordered all of them to recline in groups on the green grass. ⁴⁰ So, they reclined in groups of fifty and one hundred. ⁴¹ Then He took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He asked God’s blessing on them. Then He broke the loaves and gave them to His disciples to set in front of the people [to eat]. He divided the two fish among them also ⁴² and they all ate until they were full. ⁴³ Then they gathered up twelve baskets full of broken pieces [of bread] and also some fish. ⁴⁴ The number eating the loaves of bread was five thousand men. [Note: This was besides women and children. See Matt. 14:21]. ⁴⁵ And about then Jesus compelled His disciples to get into a boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side [i.e., to the west side of Lake Galilee] to Bethsaida [Note: This was apparently a different “Bethsaida” from the one mentioned in Luke 9:10, which was on the east side of Lake Galilee], while He Himself sent the crowd away.

⁵² but they did not understand [the miracle] of the loaves because their minds were insensitive [i.e., to the nature and power of Jesus].

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

¹ The Pharisees and some experts in the law of Moses, who had come from Jerusalem, gathered around Jesus. ² They had observed some of His disciples eating their food with contaminated, that is, [ceremonially] unwashed hands.

¹⁴ Then He called the crowd to Him again and said to them, “Listen to me, all of you, and understand [what I am saying].

³³ So, Jesus took him away from the crowd by himself and put His fingers into the man’s ears. Then He spit and touched the man’s tongue [i.e., with His saliva] ³⁴ and, looking up to heaven, He sighed and said, “Ephphatha,” which means, “Be opened.”

³⁶ Then Jesus ordered the people [who witnessed the miracle] not to tell anyone [about it], but the more He urged them not to, the more widely they publicized it.

¹ In those days, when a large crowd again assembled [i.e., to listen to Jesus’ teaching] and did not have anything to eat, Jesus called His disciples and said to them, ² “I feel deep pity for this crowd because they have continued listening to me for three days now and have nothing [left] to eat. ³ And if I send them home hungry they will become weak on the way, because some of them have come a long distance.” ⁴ And His disciples replied to Him, “Where will a person get enough bread to feed these people in such a deserted place like this?” ⁵ And He asked them, “How many loaves of bread do you have?” And they answered, “We have seven loaves.” ⁶ Then He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground; he took the seven loaves, and after giving thanks to God [for them], He divided the food and gave it to His disciples to set in front of them. They [in turn] set it in front of the crowd. ⁷ They [also] had a few small fish and after asking God’s blessing on them, He ordered these also to be set in front of them. ⁸ And they [all] ate until they were full, then gathered up seven baskets of broken pieces which were left over. ⁹ The number [who ate] was about four thousand men [besides women and children. See Matt. 15:38]. Then Jesus sent them away.

¹² Then He sighed deeply in His spirit and said, “Why does this generation of people look for a [supernatural] sign? Truly I tell you, there will not be any [supernatural] sign given to this generation.”

¹⁷ Jesus, being aware of what they were thinking, said, “Why are you reasoning about not having any bread? Have you not yet perceived or understood? Have your hearts become insensitive?

¹⁹ When I divided the five loaves of bread among the five thousand persons, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you gather up?” They said to Him, “Twelve baskets full.” ²⁰ He again asked, “And when the seven loaves were divided among the four thousand persons, how many large basketfuls of broken pieces did you gather up?” And they said to Him, “Seven large basketfuls.”

²³ [So], He took hold of the blind man by his hand and brought him out of the village. When Jesus spit [and put His saliva] on his eyes [See 7:33 for a similar use of His saliva in healing] and placed His hands on him [for healing], He asked him, “Can you see anything?”

²⁶ Then Jesus sent him home, saying, “Do not even go through the village [on your way].”

⁹ And as they were coming down from the mountain Jesus ordered His disciples not to tell anyone what they had seen until [after] the Son of man was raised again from the dead.

¹¹ Then His disciples asked Him, “Why is it, [since you are obviously the Messiah], that the experts in the law of Moses say that Elijah must come first?” ¹² Jesus answered them, “Elijah truly will come first and restore all things [i.e., to their proper perspective concerning the Messiah]. And it is [also] written [in the Scriptures] about the Son of man, that He would suffer very much and be rejected. ¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has [already] come, and they did to him what they wanted to, just like it was written about him [in the Scriptures].”

¹⁹ Jesus said to them, “You generation of faithless people How long must I be with you [i.e., before you understand]? How long do I have to be patient with you? Bring the sick boy to me.”

²² And frequently the evil spirit has tried to kill him, throwing him into a fire or into the water. But if you can do anything [for him], have pity on us and help us.”

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.” ³² But His disciples did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him.

⁴³ And if your hand becomes the occasion for falling away [from God], cut it off; it would be better for you to enter [never ending] life disabled, rather than keeping both hands and going to hell, into the fire that cannot be put out [i.e., all because it caused you to fall away from God]. {{Verse 44 is absent from many manuscripts}}. ⁴⁴ (OMITTED TEXT) ⁴⁵ And if your foot becomes the occasion for falling away [from God], cut it off; it would be better for you to enter [never ending] life crippled, rather than keeping both feet and being thrown into hell. {{Verse 46 is absent from many manuscripts}}. ⁴⁶ (OMITTED TEXT) ⁴⁷ And if your eye becomes the occasion for falling away [from God] gouge it out; it would be better for you to enter the kingdom of God with [only] one eye, rather than keeping both eyes and being thrown into hell [i.e., all because one of them caused you to fall away from God]. ⁴⁸ For in hell the worm of those who are there will never die [i.e., their gnawing punishment will never cease] and the fire [there] will never go out.

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.”

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].”

¹⁰ Have you never read this Scripture [Psa. 118:22-23], ‘The building block rejected by the builders is the same [one] that was made the principal stone by which the entire building was aligned.

¹³ Then the Pharisees sent certain ones of their number [See Matt. 22:15-16] along with the Herodians [Note: This refers to members of a political party favoring King Herod] to attempt to trap Him by what He said.

¹⁵ Should we pay it, or should we not pay it?” But Jesus was aware of their hypocrisy and said to them, “Bring me the coin so I can see it.” [Note: The amount of this coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994].

⁶² And Jesus answered, “Yes, I am; and you will see the Son of man sitting at the right side of Power [i.e., God, Himself], and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

¹⁴ Later on Jesus showed Himself to the eleven apostles as they sat [i.e., reclined. See Matt. 23:6], eating a meal. He scolded them for their lack of faith and stubbornness because they refused to believe those who had seen Him [alive] after His resurrection.

⁵³ He has filled the hungry with good things and has sent the rich away empty-handed.

⁸ And Jesus answered him, “It is written [Deut. 6:13], ‘You are supposed to worship the Lord, your God, and serve only Him.’”

²² You are blessed when men hate you and withdraw their fellowship from you and speak abusively about you and reject your name as evil, [all] for being loyal to the Son of man. ²³ Be happy at that time and jump for joy and realize that your reward in heaven will be great, for the forefathers [i.e., of your corrupt Jewish leaders] treated the prophets the same way.

⁴¹ And why do you look for the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye but ignore the board in your own eye?

¹³ Now when the Lord saw her, He felt very sorry for her and said to her, “Do not cry.”

³⁷ Then all the people around the district of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave their area because they were gripped with great fear. So, He entered a boat and returned.

⁷ Now when King Herod, the tetrarch [i.e., governor of that district] heard about all that was happening [concerning Jesus], he was perplexed because some people were saying that John [the Immerser] had risen from the dead; ⁸ some [were saying] that [the prophet] Elijah had appeared; and [still] others [were saying] that one of the [other] prophets of old had risen again [from the dead]. ⁹ Then Herod said, “I had John decapitated, so who is this person about whom I hear such things?” And he became eager to see Jesus. ¹⁰ When the apostles returned they told Jesus what they had done. Then Jesus took them and went away privately to a town called Bethsaida. [Note: This town was on the east side of Lake Galilee, and apparently was a different “Bethsaida” from the one mentioned in Mark 6:45].

¹² Then late in the day the twelve apostles came and said to Jesus, “Send the crowd away so they can go into the villages and the surrounding countryside to find lodging and food because this place is deserted.” ¹³ But He said to the apostles, “You men give them something to eat.” But they replied, “We have only five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish, unless we go and buy [more] food for all these people.”

¹³ But He said to the apostles, “You men give them something to eat.” But they replied, “We have only five loaves of [barley] bread [See John 6:9] and two [probably smoked] fish, unless we go and buy [more] food for all these people.” ¹⁴ For there were about five thousand men [there]. So, He said to His disciples, “Have these people recline [on the grass. See Matt. 14:19] in groups of about fifty each.”

¹⁴ For there were about five thousand men [there]. So, He said to His disciples, “Have these people recline [on the grass. See Matt. 14:19] in groups of about fifty each.” ¹⁵ So, the disciples did this, and had all the people recline [on the grass in groups].

¹⁵ So, the disciples did this, and had all the people recline [on the grass in groups]. ¹⁶ Then Jesus took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, asked God’s blessing on the food. [Then] He broke it [in pieces] and gave it to the disciples to distribute to the crowds. ¹⁷ They all ate until they were full, then gathered up twelve baskets [full] of the remaining broken pieces. ¹⁸ And it happened while Jesus was praying off by Himself that His disciples joined Him. He asked them, saying, “Who are the crowds saying that I am?” ¹⁹ And they answered, “ [Some say you are] John the Immerser, while others say [the prophet] Elijah, and [still others say] that one of the [other] prophets of old has risen again [from the dead].” ²⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “But who do you men say that I am?” And Peter answered, “ [You are] the Christ of God [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].”

²⁰ Then Jesus said to them, “But who do you men say that I am?” And Peter answered, “ [You are] the Christ of God [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].” ²¹ Then He sternly ordered them not to tell this to anyone, 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.

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. ²⁴ 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 [willingly] loses his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake, that person will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].

²⁴ 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 [willingly] loses his life [i.e., in commitment to God’s service] for my sake, that person will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. ²⁵ For what is a person benefited if he gains the whole world [i.e., of material things] and [yet] loses [his spiritual life] or gives himself up [to spiritual ruin]?

²⁵ For what is a person benefited if he gains the whole world [i.e., of material things] and [yet] loses [his spiritual life] or gives himself up [to spiritual ruin]? ²⁶ For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will [also] be ashamed of him when He returns in His own splendor and that of the Father and of the holy angels.

²⁶ For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will [also] be ashamed of him when He returns in His own splendor and that of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you the truth, there are some people standing here who will surely not experience death until they see that God’s kingdom has come [i.e., in a demonstration of power. See Mark 9:1].”

⁴⁶ Then a dispute developed among Jesus’ disciples as to which one of them was the greatest.

⁵⁵ But He turned to them and spoke sternly. {{Some manuscripts add “You do not know what kind of a spirit you represent,

¹³ “It is too bad for you, Chorazin! It is too bad for you, Bethsaida! For if the powerful miracles had been performed in Tyre and Sidon which were performed in your presence, they would have repented long ago by sitting in ashes and wearing sackcloth. [Note: This sackcloth was a coarse cloth made of goat hair and indicated deep remorse or mourning].

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?”

⁴⁰ But Martha was preoccupied with all the preparations [i.e., for entertaining her beloved guest] and came up to Jesus and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Ask her to help me.”

¹⁶ Then others, trying to test Him, asked Him to perform a [supernatural] sign from heaven.

²⁹ And when the crowds thronged around Jesus, He began saying, “This generation of people is evil, [for] it is looking for a [supernatural] sign. But no [such] sign will be given to it except the sign [demonstrated in the life] of Jonah. ³⁰ For just like Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh [Note: Nineveh was the capital of ancient Assyria], so the Son of man will also be [a sign] to this generation of people.

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.

¹ About this time, while a crowd of many thousands had assembled, [so large that] people were trampling on one another, Jesus first began telling His disciples, “Watch out for the leavening [effect] of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. ² But there is nothing [they do that will remain] covered up; it will [all] be exposed. [And there is] nothing done secretly that will not be made known [openly].

⁸ “And I tell you, every person who acknowledges me in front of people [i.e., to be his Lord and Christ], the Son of man will also acknowledge him in front of God’s angels. ⁹ But that person who disowns me in front of people [i.e., denies that I am the Christ, or that he is a disciple. See John 18:15-17, 25-27], will be disowned in front of God’s angels.

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.”

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]?’

³⁷ Those slaves whom their master finds being watchful when he returns are [certainly] blessed. Truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt [i.e., get things ready] and have them recline [at his dinner table] and will come and serve them.

⁵⁴ And Jesus also said to the crowds, “When you see a cloud rising in the west, you immediately say, ‘A rainstorm is coming up,’ and sure enough, it does. ⁵⁵ And when there is a south wind blowing, you say, ‘It is going to be a scorching day,’ and sure enough, it is. ⁵⁶ You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but why do you not know how to interpret [events of] this present time? ⁵⁷ “And why do you not judge for yourselves what is right?

²⁴ “You should try hard to enter [God’s kingdom] by means of the narrow door, for I tell you, many people will try to enter it but will not be able to.

²⁶ “If anyone comes to me [i.e., to be my disciple], and does not hate his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brothers and sisters and, yes, even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ [And] whoever does not carry his own cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and follow me cannot be my disciple.

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

²⁰ So, he got up and went to his father. But while he was still some distance [from the house], his father saw him and felt deep pity [for him], so ran and embraced him and kissed him [enthusiastically].

¹⁹ “Now there was a certain rich man who was dressed in purple [clothing] and soft linen [garments] and who lived every day in pleasure and luxury. ²⁰ And a certain beggar named Lazarus, who was full of sores, was laid at the rich man’s doorway. ²¹ He longed to be fed with scraps that fell from the rich man’s table and even dogs came and licked his sores. 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. ²³ And in the unseen place of departed spirits the rich man, who was being tormented, looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus close beside him.

²⁹ But Abraham said, ‘They have [the writings of] Moses and the prophets; let them pay attention to them.’ ³⁰ Then the rich man said, ‘No, forefather Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, [then] they will repent [i.e., change their hearts and lives].’ ³¹ And Abraham replied, ‘If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded [even] if someone rises from the dead [i.e., to come back and warn them].’”

²⁵ But first He must experience much suffering and be rejected by the people of this generation.

³³ Whatever person tries to gain [everything to satisfy him in] life [here on earth] will lose it [i.e., never ending life]. But whatever person [is willing to] lose [the comforts and security of] his life [here on earth] will preserve it [for eternity].

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.”

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. 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.

²⁶ [So the gentleman concluded], ‘I tell you, to every person who [already] has something, [more] will be given, but from that person who has [almost] nothing, even [the little] he has will be taken away from him.

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

⁵ And they discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven,’ He will say ‘Why [then] did you not believe him [i.e., believe his message]?’

⁴⁵ Then Jesus said to His disciples in the hearing of all the people,

⁶¹ Then the Lord turned and gave Peter a [penetrating] glance. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how He had said to him, “You will deny [knowing] me three times before the rooster crows today.”

⁶⁷ “Tell us if you are the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one].” But He replied, “You would not believe me if I [did] tell you [who I am]. ⁶⁸ And if I asked you [who I am] you would not answer. ⁶⁹ But from now on the Son of man will be seated at the right side of the powerful God.” ⁷⁰ So, they all asked [Him], “Then are you the Son of God?” And He answered them, “You [are right to] say that I am [the Christ].”

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]?’”

²⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish men! How slow your minds are to believe everything the prophets have spoken [in their writings]! 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]?”

³⁰ And it happened when Jesus had reclined at the dinner table with them [Note: See Matt. 23:6], that He took a [small] loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, then broke it and gave [pieces] to the two men.

⁴¹ And while they still could not believe [i.e., or, could hardly believe], out of joy and wonderment, Jesus said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” ⁴² So, they gave Him a piece of broiled fish.

⁴⁴ Then Jesus said to the apostles, “These are the words that I told you while I was still with you, [when I said] that everything written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms about me needed to be fulfilled.”

¹⁴ [Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

²¹ So, they asked him, “Who then [are you]? Are you Elijah [i.e., returned from the dead]?” But he answered, “[No], I am not.” “[Then], are you the prophet [i.e., Moses. See Deut. 18:15-19]?” they asked. And he answered, “No.”

⁴¹ The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one]).” ⁴² So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. [And when] Jesus saw him, He said [to him], “You are Simon, the son of John [Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter [i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]).” ⁴³ [Then] on the next day He [i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew] decided to travel into Galilee, [and there] He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, “Become my follower.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew’s and Peter’s home town. [Note: This town was on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, a few miles from Capernaum].

⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew’s and Peter’s home town. [Note: This town was on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, a few miles from Capernaum]. ⁴⁵ [Then] Philip found Nathaniel [i.e., the same as Bartholomew. See Matt. 10:3] and said to him, “We have found Him, the one Moses wrote about in the law; and the prophets [also wrote about Him]. [He is] Jesus from Nazareth, the [step-] son of Joseph.” ⁴⁶ Nathaniel replied to him, “Can anything worthwhile come from Nazareth?” [Note: Nazareth had a bad reputation and Jewish writings made no prediction of a prophet coming from that area. See John 7:52]. Philip answered him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷ [As] Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said [this] about him, “Look, [there is] a true Israelite, a completely honest man!” ⁴⁸ Nathaniel asked Jesus, “How did you know me?” Jesus answered him, “I saw you when you were under that fig tree, [even] before Philip called you.” ⁴⁹ Nathaniel replied to Him, “Rabbi [i.e., Teacher], you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”

⁵¹ Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up [from] and coming down on the Son of man” [i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus’ needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43].

⁵ His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever He tells you to do.”

¹⁹ Jesus answered them, “[If you] destroy this Temple, I will raise it up in three days.”

²⁴ But Jesus would not trust Himself to them [i.e., to the care of these Jewish leaders] because He knew all men, ²⁵ and He did not need anyone to tell Him about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in the hearts of mankind.

⁶ Jacob’s [spring-fed] well was there so Jesus, tired from His [long] journey, sat down beside the well just as He was [i.e., before doing anything else]. It was about six o’clock in the morning [Note: This would have been 12 noon if Jewish time were meant]. ⁷ [About then] a Samaritan woman came [to the well] to draw water. Jesus said to her, “[Please] give me a drink.” ⁸ (Now Jesus’ disciples had gone away to town to buy some food).

³⁰ [So], the people went out from the town and came to where Jesus was. ³¹ Meanwhile Jesus’ disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, [have something to] eat.” ³² But He said to them, “I [already] have food to eat that you do not know about.” ³³ So, the disciples said to one another, “No one has brought Him anything to eat [have they]?” ³⁴ Jesus answered them, “My food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work.

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

⁴⁸ So, Jesus said to him, “None of you people will believe [in me] unless you see [miraculous] signs and wonders, [will you?].”

²⁷ And He gave His Son authority to carry out judgment [upon mankind] because He is the Son of man [Note: The Greek actually says “a son of man”].

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

⁷ Philip answered Him, “Not even two hundred coins’ worth of bread would be enough to feed them if everyone ate only a little bit.” [Note: The amount here indicated was two hundred days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $14,000 in 1994]. ⁸ [Then] one of His disciples, named Andrew, [who was] Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,

⁸ [Then] one of His disciples, named Andrew, [who was] Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him, ⁹ “There is a little boy here who has five [small] loaves of barley bread and two [probably smoked] fish. But what is this amount for [feeding] so many people?”

⁹ “There is a little boy here who has five [small] loaves of barley bread and two [probably smoked] fish. But what is this amount for [feeding] so many people?” ¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Have these people recline [on the ground].” Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So, the men, numbering about five thousand, reclined [on the grass].

¹⁰ Jesus answered, “Have these people recline [on the ground].” Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So, the men, numbering about five thousand, reclined [on the grass]. ¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, and [after] giving thanks [to God], He distributed [pieces] to those who were reclining. He did the same thing with the fish, [giving them] as much as they wanted.

¹¹ Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, and [after] giving thanks [to God], He distributed [pieces] to those who were reclining. He did the same thing with the fish, [giving them] as much as they wanted. ¹² And when the people were [all] full, Jesus said to His disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.” ¹³ So, they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces left over from the five loaves of barley bread which they had eaten.

²³ (However, meanwhile, some other [small] boats had come from Tiberias [i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake] near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks).

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.”

³⁰ And they said to Him, “What kind of a [miraculous] sign will you perform so that we can see it and [then] believe [in] you? What [kind of] deed will you perform?

³² So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not [really] Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who is [now] giving you the real bread from heaven. ³³ For the bread God gives is the One [see verse 35] who comes down from heaven, and [He] gives [spiritual] life to the world.” ³⁴ Then they said to Him, “Sir, [please] give us this bread all the time.” ³⁵ Jesus replied, “I am the bread who gives [spiritual] life; the person who comes to me will never get hungry [again], and the one who believes in me will never get thirsty [again].

⁴⁷ Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes [in me] has never ending life. [See note on 5:24]. ⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your forefathers ate the ‘manna’ in the desert and died. ⁵⁰ [But] this is the bread that has come down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself], so that a person who eats of it [i.e., believes in Jesus] will not die [spiritually]. ⁵¹ I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life.” ⁵² Then the Jews [who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59] began arguing bitterly with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his physical body to eat?” ⁵³ So, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to “body” and “blood” throughout this section allude to taking Jesus’ life and teaching into one’s heart. See verse 56]. ⁵⁴ The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood has never ending life [See note on 5:24], and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day [i.e., the judgment day]. ⁵⁵ For my physical body is real food and my blood is [the] real drink. ⁵⁶ The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood lives in me and I [live] in him. ⁵⁷ Just as the living Father has sent me, and I have [physical and spiritual] life because of the Father, so the person who eats me will also have [physical ? and spiritual] life because of me. ⁵⁸ This is the bread that came down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]. [It is] not like [the bread] our forefathers ate and [then] died. The person who eats this bread will live forever.”

⁶⁹ And we apostles have believed [in you] and know that you are God’s Holy One.”

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

²¹ Jesus again said to them, “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die [condemned] in your sins. You cannot go where I am going.”

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.

²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

²⁷ Martha answered Him, “Yes, Lord, I have [already] believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”

³³ When Jesus saw her and her Jewish friends, who had come with her, crying, He felt distressed in His spirit and [visibly] troubled [Note: This last word means to shake with emotion, and seems to have been caused by His deep sympathy for these grieving people], ³⁴ and said, “Where have they laid his body?” They answered Him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Jesus shed tears. ³⁶ [Some of] the Jewish friends then said, “Look how [much] he loved him!” [See verse 3]. ³⁷ But others of them said, “Could not this man, who restored sight to a blind person, have kept Lazarus from dying?” ³⁸ So, Jesus again felt distressed within Himself [as He] went to the grave site, which was a cave with a stone [slab] across its entrance.

²¹ So, these people approached [the apostle] Philip, who was from Bethsaida, in Galilee with the request, “Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”

²⁵ The person who loves his [earthly] life will [eventually] lose it [forever], but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life. 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.

³⁴ Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from [the writings of] the law of Moses that the Christ will live forever; so how can you say, ‘The son of man must be lifted up [i.e., to die]?’ Who is this son of man?”

³⁶ [So], believe in the Light [i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself] while you [still] have the Light [with you], so that you can become enlightened people.” After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them. ³⁷ But [even] though Jesus had performed so many [miraculous] signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him. ³⁸ This was so that these words, which Isaiah the prophet had spoken, would be fulfilled [Isa. 53:1], “Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the Lord’s power been shown to?” ³⁹ They were not able to believe because Isaiah also said [Isa. 6:10], ⁴⁰ “God has blinded their eyes [of understanding] and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would [be able to] see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn [to God] so He could heal them [spiritually].”

⁴⁰ “God has blinded their eyes [of understanding] and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would [be able to] see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn [to God] so He could heal them [spiritually].” ⁴¹ Isaiah had said these things because he saw the [coming] glory of Jesus, and [so] was speaking about Him. ⁴² However, even many [Jewish] leaders believed in Him, but did not admit it, for fear of being expelled from the synagogue. ⁴³ For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they [could] receive from God.

⁴⁸ The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who [will] judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day [i.e., the judgment day].

⁶ He came to Simon Peter, who said to Him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet, [too]?” ⁷ Jesus answered him, “You do not understand what I am doing, but you will later on.” ⁸ Peter said to Him, “[No], you will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied to him, “If I do not wash you, you will not be able to participate with me [i.e., as a disciple].”

³⁶ Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You cannot follow me where I am going now, but you will [be able to] follow later.” ³⁷ Peter [then] said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you [there] even now? I am willing to die for you.”

⁹ Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you men all this time, and [still] you do not know me, Philip? The person who has seen me, has [also] seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

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. ²¹ But they [i.e., the world] will do all these things to you for my name’s sake [i.e., because you are my disciples], for they do not know Him [i.e., God], who sent me.

²⁵ “I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. [However], the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father.

²⁹ [Then] Jesus’ disciples said [to Him], “Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language. ³⁰ Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you [questions]. This makes us believe that you came from God.”

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.

¹⁷ So, they took Jesus [away] and He went out [of the city] carrying the cross by Himself to a place called “The Place of the Skull,” [also] called “Golgotha” in the Hebrew language [and “Calvary” in Latin].

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

⁸ But the other disciples came [to shore] in their little boat, dragging their net full of fish (for they were only about a hundred yards from land). ⁹ So, when they got to shore, they saw a charcoal fire burning there with fish [cooking] on it and [some] bread.

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.

¹⁹ Now Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death Peter would experience in honoring God. [Note: Some see the “stretching out your hands,” verse 18, as a reference to crucifixion]. And after saying this, Jesus said to him, “Be my follower.” ²⁰ Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved [i.e., probably the apostle John] following [along behind him]. This was the same disciple who had leaned over close to Jesus at the [Passover] meal and asked Him, “Lord, who is it that will turn you over [to the Jewish authorities]?”

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]. ¹⁵ [Then, at the hands of the Roman authorities] you killed the Prince of [never ending] life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we [apostles] were [reliable] witnesses of it.

⁹ Then Peter said to her, "Why did you agree together [with your husband] to put the Holy Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the ones who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out [to bury you, too]."

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

³⁵ But the Hebrews refused [to acknowledge Moses as their leader], saying, 'Who made you a ruler and judge [over us]?' [Nevertheless], God sent him [to Egypt] to be both a ruler and liberator [of the people] through the direction of [His] angel who appeared [to Moses] from the bush.

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. ⁵² Which one of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? They [even] killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One [i.e., Jesus], whom you people betrayed and murdered.

³⁶ As they [i.e., Philip, the Ethiopian eunuch and his attendants] traveled along they came to a certain [body of] water. The [Ethiopian] eunuch said, "Look, here is [a body of] water, why can’t I be immersed [right now]?" {{Verse

⁸ Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes but could not see anything, so had to be led by the hand into Damascus.

¹⁶ I will show him how many things he will have to suffer for my name's sake."

²⁰ And so Saul began proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God in the synagogues [of the Damascus area].

⁴⁵ But when the Jews saw the large crowds [gathered to hear the Gospel] they became very jealous and took sharp issue with the things Paul said, and [even] spoke against them. 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.

²² [Along the way] they strengthened the hearts of the disciples, urging them to continue [to believe and practice] the faith and [explaining] that entering God's [heavenly] kingdom [See II Tim. 4:18] requires enduring many trials.

⁶ When the Jews resisted [Paul's efforts] and spoke against him and his message, he shook out his clothing [i.e., an expression of rejection and contempt] and said to them "Let your blood be on your own heads [i.e., you are responsible for whatever harm comes from your action]; I am not responsible. From now on I will go [and preach] to the Gentiles [only]."

²⁴ But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, [when compared to the importance of] accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God's unearned favor [through Christ].

¹³ [But] Paul answered, "What are you trying to do [by your] crying and breaking my heart [like this]? [Do you not know that] I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?"

²⁶ saying, [Isa. 6:9-10], 'Go to these people and say, you will hear all right, but you will not understand [what you hear]. You will see all right, but you will not perceive [what you see]. ²⁷ For these people's minds are dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For, if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and understand what they hear with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and would turn [back to God] again and I [God] would heal them [from their sins].'

¹⁶ I am not ashamed of the good news [i.e., the Gospel], because it is God’s power for [bringing] salvation to every person who believes [in Jesus]; first to Jews and then to Greeks [i.e., unconverted Gentiles].

⁶ We know that our old self was [figuratively] crucified with Christ, in order that the body of sin [i.e., our whole life of sin] might be destroyed [i.e., become powerless to control our actions and thoughts], so that we should not be enslaved to the practice of sin any longer.

²¹ What benefit did you receive at that time from doing the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of such behavior is [spiritual] death.

⁵ For those people who are [controlled] by the flesh think about [i.e., desire] what the flesh wants; but those who are [controlled] by the Holy Spirit [desire] what the Holy Spirit wants. ⁶ For the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh will suffer [spiritual] death; but the one whose mind is [controlled] by the Holy Spirit will enjoy [never ending] life and peace. ⁷ This is because the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh is an enemy of God; for he is not obedient to God’s law, and in fact, cannot obey it. ⁸ And those people who are living according to the flesh cannot please God.

¹⁷ And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].

⁸ as it has been written [Isa. 19:10], “God gave them a spirit of numbness [i.e., they developed a spiritual insensitivity to God and His word]. [He gave them] eyes to see with [but they would not look], and ears to hear with [but they did not listen]. And they still have this spirit.”

⁶ The person who observes a certain day [as specially sacred], does so out of devotion to the Lord. And the person who eats [only certain foods] does so out of devotion to the Lord, for he is thankful to God [for what he eats]. And the person who refuses to eat [certain foods], does so out of devotion to the Lord and he is thankful to God [for what he does eat].

¹ Now those of us who are strong [spiritually] should put up with [or, help] the failings of [spiritually] weak people, and not [simply] do what pleases ourselves. ² [Instead], each of us should do what pleases his neighbor in order to accomplish something good and uplifting [in his life]. ³ For even Christ did not please [just] Himself, but as it is written [Psa. 69:9], “The insults of those people who insulted you [i.e., God] fell on me [i.e., Christ].”

²² Now Jews ask for [miraculous] signs and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles] are looking for wisdom, ²³ but we [apostles] preach that Christ was crucified [for our sins]. This message is offensive to Jews and foolishness to [unconverted] Gentiles.

⁹ For I think that God has displayed us apostles last in line, as men doomed to die. [Note: The picture here is that of gladiators in the arena]. We are being stared at [i.e., as performers on a theater stage] for the whole world to see, both angels and people. ¹⁰ We are “fools” for Christ’s sake, but you people [think you] are “wise” in [the fellowship of] Christ. We are weak, but you people [think you] are “strong.” You are honored, but we are despised. ¹¹ Even to this moment, we [apostles] are hungry and thirsty; we have inadequate clothing; we have been beaten; we do not have a permanent place to live; ¹² we work hard with our hands. [Though] we are cursed, we [ask God’s] blessing [on people]; [though] we are persecuted, we persevere; ¹³ [though] we are slandered, we reply kindly. We have become [like] the scum of the earth, the dregs of all society, to this day.

⁵ to turn such a person over to Satan for his body to be destroyed [Note: This probably refers to his removal from their fellowship. See verse 2], in order for his spirit to be saved in the day of the Lord [i.e., the judgment day]. [Note: This implies that his removal from their fellowship will have produced a genuine repentance before that time]. ⁶ Your boasting is not good. Do you not know that a little yeast can leaven the whole batch of dough? ⁷ Get rid of the old yeast [i.e., of sin, and especially the unrepentant sinner], so that you can be a new batch of dough, without yeast in it [i.e., a godly church without unrepentant sinners in it] as [I know] you really are. For our Passover [Lamb], Christ, has already been sacrificed. ⁸ So, we should observe the Festival [i.e., live the Christian life], but not with the old yeast [i.e., old sinful ways], such as the leavening [effect] of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

⁵ I am saying this to make you ashamed. Can there not be found one wise person [there] among you who is able to decide [on a matter] between his [Christian] brothers?

¹³ Therefore, if [eating certain] foods causes my brother to fall away [from God], I will never eat meat again, so I do not cause my brother to fall away.

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].

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].

³⁰ If I thank God for what I eat, why should I be criticized for eating something I have [already] thanked Him for? ³¹ So, whether you people eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to honor God.

⁹ For [now] we have partial knowledge and partial prophetic messages, ¹⁰ but when that which is complete comes [i.e., the full revelation of God’s will, contained in the New Testament Scriptures], then the partial will be abolished [i.e., the supernatural gifts, which provided only part of the revealed will of God, will cease to be exercised]. ¹¹ When I was a child I spoke, thought and reasoned like a child. But now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [Note: Paul uses an analogy to illustrate that the church made use of the supernatural gifts in its infancy, but that these would no longer be needed when it matured]. ¹² For now [i.e., during the church’s infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God’s word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me.

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

³¹ I face death every day, I assure you brothers, as surely as I boast of [fellowship with] you in Christ Jesus our Lord.

³⁴ Come to your senses; do what is right and stop sinning. Some of you do not know God [i.e., in a personal way]. I am saying this to make you ashamed.

¹⁰ So, I am pleased to [endure] weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties, [all] for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak [physically], then I am strong [spiritually].

²⁰ I have been crucified [i.e., died] with Christ, and so I am not the one who lives [anymore] but rather, it is Christ who lives in my heart. And [now] my entire life is being lived by trusting in the Son of God [to save and keep me], because He loved me and gave Himself up for me.

²⁴ And those persons who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified [i.e., put out of their lives, Col. 3:4ff] the sinful cravings of the body, along with their passionate desires.

¹⁴ But the last thing I want to do is brag [about such things]. For [if I had any bragging to do at all], it would be about [salvation through] the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is through Him that this [sinful] world has been crucified [i.e., died] as far as I am concerned and I have been crucified [i.e., died] as far as it is concerned.

⁶ I am confident of this very thing, that God, who began something good among you, will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ’s [return].

⁷ However, those things which were [once regarded as] gain to me, I have [now] considered to be loss for [the sake of] Christ.

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 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. ¹⁰ I want to know Christ [as Savior] and to experience the power [produced] by His resurrection, and to share in His sufferings and become like Him in His death,

¹⁹ Their [ultimate] end is [spiritual] destruction; their god is their appetite; they boast of what they ought to be ashamed of, and they [constantly] think about worldly things.

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.

⁵ So, put to death [i.e., stop practicing the desires of] your physical bodies [such as] sexual immorality, [moral] impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is [in reality] idolatry.

¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in [your] words or actions, do everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of Christ, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

⁷ and so became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [Note: These two provinces make up present-day Greece]. ⁸ For the Lord’s message sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith toward God [also] spread everywhere [else], so that we do not have to say anything [about you].

¹¹ For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, refusing to work, but [instead] are just being busybodies.

³ They forbid people to get married and require them to avoid [eating] certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and [fully] know the truth. ⁴ For everything created by God is permitted [to be eaten] and nothing should be refused, if it is received with gratitude, ⁵ for it is consecrated [i.e., made acceptable] by the word of God and prayer.

²⁰ You should rebuke in front of everyone [in the church] those elders who continue to sin, so that the rest [of the congregation] will be afraid [of sinning]. ²¹ I solemnly urge you, in the presence of God, and Christ Jesus and the elect [i.e, chosen] angels, that you obey these instructions without showing prejudice [toward anyone], or doing anything out of partiality.

¹³ I [solemnly] urge you in the presence of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession when He testified in front of Pontius Pilate [See John 18:37; Matt. 27:17],

⁸ So, do not be ashamed to testify for our Lord, or ashamed of [being associated with] me, His prisoner, but [be willing to] suffer hardship with me for the sake of the Gospel, relying on God’s power [to sustain you].

¹² For I am suffering these things [See verse 8] for this reason [i.e., because of being a Gospel preacher]. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed in [i.e., Jesus], and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e., Paul’s spiritual well-being] until that day [i.e., the day of judgment].

¹⁶ [But], may the Lord grant mercy to Onesiphorus’ family, for he cheered me up many times and was not ashamed of my [being in] chains.

¹¹ This saying is trustworthy: For if we have died with Christ [i.e., stopped the practice of sin, See Rom. 6:1-11], we will also live with Him [i.e., both here and hereafter]. ¹² If we endure [i.e., remain faithful through suffering], we will also rule with Him [i.e., both here and hereafter]. If we deny Him, He will also deny us. [See Matt. 10:33]. ¹³ If we prove to be unfaithful [i.e., to our commitment to Christ], He [still] remains faithful [to His word], for He cannot deny Himself. [Note: This verse refers to Christ remaining true to His promise of either accepting or rejecting us. See Matt. 10:32-33]. ¹⁴ Remind them [Note: This probably refers to the “trustworthy men” there at Ephesus. See 2:2] of these things [i.e., the truths just mentioned. Verses 8-13], solemnly urging them, in the presence of the Lord, not to argue over words, [for] it is useless and brings [only] ruin to those who listen to it.

⁶ For I am already being “poured out like a drink offering,” and the time for me to leave has come. [Note: Paul here likens the prospect of shedding his blood for the work of Christ to the pouring of wine and oil on an Old Testament sacrifice]. ⁷ I have fought the good battle; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith [i.e., I have been true to my commitment]. ⁸ So, now there is a crown of righteousness reserved for me, which the Lord, who is a just Judge, will award me on that day [i.e., the judgment day], and not to me only, but also to everyone who has loved [the prospect of] His appearing.

¹³ [And] this testimony is true. [So], for this reason you should rebuke them severely, so that they will be sound in the faith,

¹² It instructs us to give up ungodly living and worldly desires and to live sensible, righteous and godly lives in this present age,

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].

¹² For God’s word is alive and active and sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates [deep enough] even to divide [a person’s] soul [from his] spirit, and his joints [from his] bone marrow [Note: This is figurative language describing the penetrating effect of God’s word into a person’s spiritual, inner being] and is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of a person’s heart. ¹³ And no created being is hidden from God’s sight, but everything is laid bare and is openly visible to the eyes of God, to whom we must give account.

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

² He is able to gently put up with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to [the same spiritual] weaknesses.

¹¹ [Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain. ¹² For certainly enough time has elapsed so that [by now] you ought to be teachers, [but instead] you are in need of having someone teach you again the basic principles of God’s message. You have become people who need “milk” and not “solid food.” [Note: The fundamental truths of Christianity are here figuratively spoken of as “milk,” while the more advanced teaching, such as Christ’s priesthood being like Melchizedek’s, is called “solid food”].

⁹ [It will] not be like the Agreement that I made with their forefathers on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the country of Egypt. For they did not [continue to] keep my Agreement, so I did not regard them [as acceptable], says the Lord.

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.

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.

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.

³⁵ Women received their dead [loved ones] back to life. Others were tortured but refused to be rescued, so they could obtain a better resurrection.

² We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne. ³ Now think about how Jesus endured such opposition against Himself from sinners, so that you do not grow weary and become discouraged [yourself].

¹³ So, we should go out to Him, outside of the camp [Note: This probably signifies separating from the whole system of Judaism, as well as full commitment to Christ], bearing the abuse that He suffered.

⁹ But the person [who must live] in humble circumstances should be happy over being lifted up [spiritually by God]. ¹⁰ And the wealthy person [should be happy] that he is humbled [by God], because he will pass away like a flower [blossoming] from grass. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass [so that] its flower [blossoms] fall off, and its beautiful appearance is destroyed. In the same way, the wealthy person will fade away as he goes about his business [affairs].

¹⁵ This “wisdom” is not the kind that comes from [God] above, but is earthly, unspiritual and demonic [i.e., it is motivated by an evil spirit and not the Holy Spirit]. ¹⁶ For when jealousy and rivalry exist, there is [also] disorder and every [kind of] evil practice. ¹⁷ But the [true] wisdom, which is from [God] above, is first of all pure, then peace-loving, patient and easily persuaded. [It is] full of mercy and produces a crop of good deeds; [it is] impartial [or, unwavering] and sincere. ¹⁸ [People who are] peacemakers sow [seeds of] peace and it produces a crop of righteousness [in the lives of others].

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.

¹⁸ You [should] know that you were bought back [from Satan], from your useless way of life, inherited from your forefathers, not with such perishable things as silver and gold, ¹⁹ but with [the] precious blood of Christ, who represents an unblemished lamb, without defect.

⁷ To those of you who believe in Him then, this “Stone” is [very] precious. But to those who do not believe [Psa. 118:22 says], “The stone which those in charge of the building project have rejected has been made the principal stone for aligning the whole structure.”

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

¹ Therefore, since Christ has suffered physically, you people should fortify yourselves with the same attitude He had. For the person who has suffered physically [i.e., in standing for Christ] has quit sinning.

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.

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].

¹² Therefore, I intend to constantly remind you people about these things [i.e., those mentioned in verses 5-11], even though you [already] know them, and have been established in the truth you now possess.

¹⁴ knowing that [I will] soon put off my “tent” [i.e., I will soon die], even as our Lord Jesus Christ made clear to me.

¹⁸ But grow in the unearned favor and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May He be honored both now and forever. May it be so.

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.

²³ Every person who denies [the truth about] the Son [See 4:2-3], does not have the Father [living in his heart]; but, the person who confesses [the truth about] the Son has the Father [living in his heart] also.

¹⁶ Here is how we can know what genuine love really is: It was [demonstrated by] Jesus laying down His life [on the cross] for us. And [because of that] we [too] should [be willing to] lay down our lives for [the sake of helping] our brothers [and sisters].

¹⁵ Whoever proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God, God [continually] lives in that person’s heart, and he lives in [fellowship with] God [See 2:23].

¹ Every person who believes that Jesus is the Christ [i.e., God’s specially chosen one] has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God. And everyone who [continually] loves God, who did the conceiving, also [must continually] love the person whom God has [spiritually] conceived.

¹⁴ And it was also prophesied about [these] people by Enoch, the seventh [descendant] of Adam [Gen. 5:18-24], who said, “Look, the Lord came with thousands upon thousands [Note: The Greek uses the plural form of “myriad,” which means 10,000] of His holy ones [i.e., angels], ¹⁵ to bring judgment upon all [such people], and to convict every person of their ungodly behavior, which they have wickedly committed, and of all the evil things that [such] ungodly sinners have spoken against God.”

¹⁰ Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. [For] look, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, so that you may be tested, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. [But], you should be faithful [to God] even to the point of dying [for Him], and I will give you the crown of [never ending] life.

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

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]. ¹⁹ “I rebuke and discipline those I love, so be earnest and repent.

¹⁴ And I answered him, “Sir, [surely] you know.” And he said to me, “These are the people who have come through the terrible persecution, and they have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb.

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

¹¹ And they [i.e., the brothers. See 6:9-11] gained the victory over Satan by the blood of the Lamb, and by [remaining true to] the message of their testimony. And they did not love their lives [so much that they refused] to die [for their faith].

⁷ Cause her as much torment and sorrow as she gave herself honor and luxurious living. For she is saying to herself, ‘I sit as a queen; I am not a widow and I will never suffer grief.’ ⁸ So, all at once her plagues [i.e., judgments] will fall upon her. [They will be] death and grief and famine. And she will be burned up with fire, for the Lord God who judges her, is mighty.