1 Many have taken on the work of putting together an account of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as they were passed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3 So it seemed good to me also, because I have accurately investigated everything from the beginning, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you might know the certainty of the things you have been taught.
5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a certain priest named Zechariah from the division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. 6 They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both advanced in their days.
8 Now it came about that Zechariah was in God's presence, carrying out the priestly duties in the order of his division. 9 According to the customary way of choosing which priest would serve, he had been chosen by lot to enter into the temple of the Lord to burn incense. 10 The whole crowd of people was praying outside at the hour when the incense was burned. 11 Now an angel of the Lord appeared to him and stood at the right side of the incense altar. 12 When Zechariah saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell on him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechariah, because your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son. You will call his name John. 14 You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He must never drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit from his mother's womb. 16 Many of the descendants of Israel will be turned to the Lord their God. 17 He will go before the face of the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready for the Lord a people prepared for him."
18 Zechariah said to the angel, "How can I know this? For I am an old man and my wife is advanced in her days." 19 The angel answered and said to him, "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you, to bring you this good news. 20 Behold! You will be silent, unable to speak, until the day these things take place. This is because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled at the right time." 21 Now the people were waiting for Zechariah. They were surprised that he was spending so much time in the temple. 22 But when he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple. He kept on making signs to them and remained silent. 23 It came about that when the days of his service were over, he went to his house.
24 After these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and for five months she kept herself hidden. She said, 25 "This is what the Lord has done for me when he looked at me with favor in order to take away my shame before people."
26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, who was a descendant of David, and the virgin's name was Mary. 28 He came to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." 29 But she was very confused by his words, and she wondered what kind of greeting this could be. 30 The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 See, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son. You will call his name 'Jesus.' 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. 33 He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom."
34 Mary said to the angel, "How will this happen, since I have not known any man?"
35 The angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will overshadow you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. 36 See, your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age. This is the sixth month for her, she who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible for God."
38 Mary said, "See, I am the female servant of the Lord. Let it be for me according to your message." Then the angel left her.
39 Then Mary arose in those days and quickly went into the hill country, to a city in Judea. 40 She went into the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 Now it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby in her womb jumped, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. 42 She cried out with a loud shout and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. 43 Why has it happened to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For see, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. 45 Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of the things that were told her from the Lord."
46 Mary said,
"My soul praises the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior.
48 For he has looked
at the low condition of his female servant.
For see, from now on all generations will call me blessed.
49 For the Mighty One has done great things for me,
and his name is holy.
50 His mercy lasts from generation to generation
for those who fear him.
51 He has displayed strength with his arm;
he has scattered those who were proud
about the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has thrown down princes from their thrones
and he has raised up those of low condition.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things,
but the rich he has sent away empty-handed.
54 He has given help to Israel his servant,
so as to remember to show mercy
55 (as he said to our fathers)
to Abraham and his descendants forever."
56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then returned to her house.
57 Now the time had come for Elizabeth to deliver her baby and she gave birth to a son. 58 Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had shown his great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
59 Now it happened on the eighth day that they came to circumcise the child. They would have called him "Zechariah," after the name of his father. 60 But his mother answered and said, "No. He will be called John." 61 They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name." 62 They made signs to his father as to how he wanted him to be named. 63 His father asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." They all were astonished at this. 64 Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was freed. He spoke and praised God. 65 Fear came on all who lived around them. All these matters were spread throughout all the hill country of Judea. 66 All who heard them stored them in their hearts, saying, "What then will this child become?" For the hand of the Lord was with him.
67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,
68 "Praised be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has come to help
and he has accomplished redemption for his people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70 (as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from long ago),
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us.
72 He will do this to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore
to Abraham our father.
74 He swore to grant to us that we,
having been delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
would serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
76 Yes, and you, child,
will be called a prophet of the Most High,
for you will go before the face of the Lord
to prepare his paths,
to prepare people for his coming,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
by the forgiveness of their sins.
78 This will happen because
of the tender mercy of our God,
because of which the sunrise
from on high will come to help us,
79 to shine on those who sit in darkness
and in the shadow of death.
He will do this to guide our feet
into the path of peace."
80 Now the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 1:46-55, 68-79.
Most people in the ancient Near East would give a child the same name as someone in their family. People were surprised that Elizabeth and Zechariah named their son John, because there was no one else in their family with that name.
Luke's language is simple and straightforward. He does not use many figures of speech.
Luke explains why he writes to Theophilus.
"about those things that have happened among us" or "about those events that have happened among us"
No one knows for sure who Theophilus was. If he was a Christian, the word "us" here would include him and so be inclusive, and if not, it would be exclusive.
An "eyewitness" is a person who saw something happen, and a servant of the word is a person who serves God by telling people God's message. You may need to make it clear how they were servants of the word. Alternate translation: "saw what had happened and served God by telling people his message"
The word "word" is a synecdoche for a message made up of many words. Alternate translation: "servants of the message" or "servants of God's message"
"carefully researched." Luke was careful to find out exactly what happened. He probably talked to the different people who saw what happened to make sure that what he wrote down about these events was correct.
Luke said this to show honor and respect for Theophilus. This may mean that Theophilus was an important government official. This section should use the style that your culture uses to address people of high status. Some people may prefer to also put this greeting at the beginning and say, "To most excellent Theophilus" or "Dear most excellent Theophilus."
"honorable" or "noble"
This name means "friend of God." It may describe this man's character or it may have been his actual name. Most translations have it as a name.
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Zechariah and Elizabeth are introduced. Verses 5-7 give background information about them.
The angel prophesies the birth of John.
The phrase "In the days of" is used to indicate a new event. Alternate translation: "During the time that King Herod ruled over Judea"
"there was a particular" or "there was a." This is a way of introducing a new character in a story. Consider how your language does this.
It is understood that this refers to the priests. Alternate translation: "division of priests" or "group of priests"
"who descended from Abijah." Abijah was an ancestor of this group of priests and all of them were descended from Aaron, who was the first Israelite priest.
"in God's sight" or "in God's opinion"
"all that the Lord had commanded and required"
This contrast word shows that what follows here is the opposite of what is expected. People expected that if they did what was right, God would allow them to have children. Although this couple did what was right, they did not have any children.
This is a euphemism that says that they were very old. Alternate translation: "they had both lived many days" or "they had both lived many years" or "they were both very old"
This phrase is used to mark a shift in the story from the background information to the participants.
It is implied that Zechariah was in God's temple and that these priestly duties were part of worshiping God.
"when it was his group's turn" or "when the time came for his group to serve"
This sentence gives us information about priestly duties.
"the traditional method" or "the usual way"
A lot was a marked stone that was thrown or rolled on the ground in order to decide something. The priests believed that God guided the lot to show them which priest he wanted them to choose.
The priests were to burn sweet-smelling incense as an offering to God each morning and evening on a special altar inside the temple.
"A large number of people" or "Many people"
The courtyard was the enclosed area surrounding the temple. Alternate translation: "outside the temple building" or "in the courtyard outside the temple"
"at the set time." It is unclear if this was the morning or evening time for the incense offering.
While Zechariah does his duty in the temple, an angel comes from God to give him a message.
This word marks the beginning of the action in the story.
"suddenly came to him" or "was suddenly there with Zechariah." This expresses that the angel was present with Zechariah, and not simply a vision.
These two phrases mean the same thing, and emphasize how afraid Zechariah was.
"When Zechariah saw the angel." Zechariah was afraid because the appearance of the angel was frightening. He had not done anything wrong, so he was not afraid that the angel would punish him.
Fear is described as if it was something that attacked or overpowered Zechariah.
"Stop being afraid of me" or "You do not need to be afraid of me"
This can be stated in active form. It is implied that God will give Zechariah what he has asked for. Alternate translation: "God has heard your prayer and will give you what you have asked for"
"have a son for you" or "give birth to your son"
The words "joy" and "gladness" mean the same thing and are used to emphasize how great the joy will be. Alternate translation: "you will have great joy" or "you will be very glad"
"because of his birth"
"This is because he will be great." Zechariah and the "many" will rejoice because John will be "great in the sight of the Lord." The rest of verse 15 tells how God wants John to live.
"he will be a very important person for the Lord" or "God will consider him to be very important"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the Holy Spirit will empower him" or "the Holy Spirit will guide him" Make sure it does not sound similar to what an evil spirit might do to a person.
"even while he is in his mother's womb" or "even before he is born"
Here "be turned" is a metaphor for a person repenting and worshiping the Lord. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "He will cause many of the people of Israel to repent and worship the Lord their God"
Before the Lord comes, he will go and announce to the people that the Lord will come to them.
Here "the face of" someone can be an idiom that refers to the that person's presence. It is sometimes omitted in translation. Alternate translation: "the Lord"
"with the same spirit and power that Elijah had." The word "spirit" either refers to God's Holy Spirit or to Elijah's attitude or way of thinking. Make sure that the word "spirit" does not mean ghost or evil spirit.
"persuade fathers to care about their children again" or "cause fathers to restore their relationships with their children"
The heart is spoken of as if it were something that could be turned to go in a different direction. This refers to changing someone's attitude toward something.
Here this refers to people who do not obey the Lord.
What the people will be prepared to do can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "make ready for the Lord a people who are prepared to believe his message"
"How can I know for sure that what you said will happen?" Here, "know" means to learn by experience, suggesting Zechariah was asking for a sign as proof. Alternate translation: "What can you do to prove to me that this will happen?"
This is a euphemism that says that she was very old. See how you translated similar words in [Luke 1:7]
This is stated as a rebuke to Zechariah. The presence of Gabriel, coming directly from God, should be enough proof for Zechariah.
"who serves"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God sent me to speak to you"
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important"
These mean the same thing, and are repeated to emphasize the completeness of his silence. Alternate translation: "completely unable to speak" or "not able to speak at all"
"not believe what I said"
"at the appointed time"
This marks a shift in the story from what happened inside the temple to what happened outside. Alternate translation: "While that was happening" or "While the angel and Zechariah were talking"
These things probably happened at the same time, and Zechariah's signs helped the people understand that he had had a vision. It might be helpful to your audience to change the order to show that. Alternate translation: "He kept on making signs to them and remained silent. So they realized that he had seen a vision while he was in the temple"
The earlier description indicated that Gabriel actually came to Zechariah in the temple. The people, not knowing that, assumed Zechariah saw a vision.
This phrase moves the story ahead to when Zechariah's service was ended.
Zechariah did not live in Jerusalem, where the temple was located. He traveled to his home town.
The phrase "these days" refers to the time Zechariah was serving in the temple. It is possible to state more clearly what this refers to. Alternate translation: "After Zechariah's time of serving at the temple"
"Zechariah's wife"
"did not leave her house"
This phrase refers to the fact that the Lord allowed her to become pregnant.
This is a positive exclamation. She is very happy with what the Lord has done for her.
"to look at" here is an idiom that means "to treat" or "to deal with." Alternate translation: "regarded me kindly" or "had pity on me"
This refers to the shame she felt when she was not able to have children.
"in the sixth month of Elizabeth's pregnancy." It may be necessary to state this clearly if it would be confused with the sixth month of the year.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God told the angel Gabriel to go"
Mary's parents had agreed that Mary would marry Joseph. Though they had not had sexual relations, Joseph would have thought and spoken of her as his wife.
"he belonged to the same tribe as King David"
This introduces Mary as a new character in the story.
"The angel came to Mary"
This was a common greeting. It means: "Rejoice" or "Be glad."
"you who have received great grace!" or "you who have received special kindness!"
"with you" here is an idiom that implies support and acceptance. Alternate translation: "The Lord is pleased with you"
Mary understood the meaning of the individual words, but she did not understand why the angel said this amazing greeting to her.
The angel does not want Mary to be afraid of his appearance, because God sent him with a positive message.
The idiom "to find favor" means to be positively received by someone. The sentence can be altered to show God as the actor. Alternate translation: "God has decided to give you his grace" or "God is showing you his kindness"
Mary will bear "a son" who will be called "the Son of the Most High." Jesus is therefore a human son born of a human mother, and he is also the Son of God. These terms should be translated very carefully.
Mary will bear "a son" who will be called "the Son of the Most High." Jesus is therefore a human son born of a human mother, and he is also the Son of God. These terms should be translated very carefully.
Possible meanings are 1) "people will call him" or 2) "God will call him"
This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.
The throne represents the king's authority to rule. Alternate translation: "give him authority to rule as king as his ancestor David did"
The negative phrase "no end" emphasizes that it continues forever. It could also be stated with a positive phrase. Alternate translation: "his kingdom will never end"
Though Mary did not understand how it could happen, she did not doubt that it would happen.
Mary used this polite expression to say that she had not engaged in sexual activity. Alternate translation: "I am a virgin"
The process of Mary's conception would begin with the Holy Spirit coming to her.
It was God's "power" that would supernaturally cause Mary to become pregnant even while she still remained a virgin. Make sure this does not imply any physical or sexual union—this was a miracle.
"will cover you like a shadow"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "So the holy one who will be born they will call the Son of God" or "So the baby that will be born will be holy, and people will call him the Son of God"
"the holy child" or "the holy baby"
This is an important title for Jesus.
"Pay attention, because what I am about to say is both true and important: your relative"
If you need to state a specific relationship, Elizabeth was probably Mary's aunt or great-aunt.
"Elizabeth has also become pregnant with a son even though she is already very old" or "Elizabeth, even though she is old, has also become pregnant and will bear a son." Make sure it does not sound as though both Mary and Elizabeth were old when they conceived.
"the sixth month of her pregnancy"
"Because nothing" or "This shows that nothing"
Elizabeth's pregnancy was proof that God was able to do anything—even enable Mary to become pregnant without her sleeping with a man. The double negatives in this statement can be stated with positive terms. Alternate translation: "everything will be possible for God" or "God can do anything"
"Here I am, the female servant" or "I am glad to be the female servant." She is responding humbly and willingly.
Choose an expression that shows her humility and obedience to the Lord. She was not boasting about being the Lord's servant.
"Let this happen to me." Mary was expressing her willingness for the things to happen that the angel had told her were about to happen.
Mary goes to visit her relative Elizabeth, who is going to give birth to John.
This idiom means she not only stood up, but also "got ready." Alternate translation: "started out" or "got ready"
"the hilly area" or "the mountainous part of Israel"
It is implied that Mary finished her journey before she went in to Zechariah's house. This could be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "When she arrived, she went"
The phrase is used to mark a new event in this part of the story.
"in Elizabeth's womb"
moved suddenly
The phrases "cried out" and "loud shout" mean the same thing and are used to emphasize how excited Elizabeth was. You may want to combine them into one phrase. Alternate translation: "exclaimed loudly"
The idiom "among women" means "more than any other woman"
Mary's baby is spoken of as if it is the fruit that a plant produces. Alternate translation: "the baby in your womb" or "the baby you will bear"
Elizabeth is not asking for information. She was showing how surprised and happy she was that the mother of the Lord had come to her. Alternate translation: "How wonderful it is that the mother of my Lord has come to me!"
It can be made clear that Elizabeth was calling Mary "the mother of my Lord" by adding the word "you." Alternate translation: "you, the mother of my Lord"
This phrase alerts Mary to pay attention to Elizabeth's surprising statement that follows.
Hearing a sound is spoken of as if the sound came to the ears. Alternate translation: "when I heard the sound of your greeting"
"moved suddenly with joy" or "turned forcefully because he was so happy"
Elizabeth is talking about Mary to Mary. Alternate translation: "Blessed are you who believed ... that were told you from the Lord"
The passive verb can be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will bless her because she believed"
"the things would actually happen" or "the things would come true"
The word "from" is used here instead of "by" because it was the angel Gabriel whom Mary actually heard speak
Mary begins a song of praise to the Lord her Savior.
The word "soul" refers to the spiritual part of a person. Mary is saying that her worship comes from deep inside her. Alternate translation: "My inner being praises" or "I praise"
Both "soul" and "spirit" refer to the spiritual part of a person. Mary is saying that her worship comes from deep inside her. Alternate translation: "my heart has rejoiced" or "I rejoice"
"has felt very joyful about" or "was very happy about"
"God, the One who saves me" or "God, who saves me"
"This is because he"
"looked at with concern" or "cared about"
"poverty." Mary's family was not rich.
This phrase calls attention to the statement that follows.
"now and in the future"
"the people in all generations"
"God, the Powerful One, has"
Here "name" refers to the entire person of God. Alternate translation: "he"
"God's mercy"
"from one generation to the next generation" or "throughout every generation" or "to people in every time period"
Here "his arm" is a metonym that stands for God's power. Alternate translation: "shown that he is very powerful"
"has caused those ... hearts to run away in different directions"
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's inner beings. Alternate translation: "who were proud in their thoughts" or "who were proud"
A throne is a chair that a ruler sits on, and it is a symbol of his authority. If a prince is brought down from his throne, it means he no longer has the authority to reign. Alternate translation: "He has taken away the authority of princes" or "He has made rulers stop ruling"
In this word picture, people who are important are higher than people who are less important. Alternate translation: "has has made humble people important" or "has given honor to people whom others have not honored"
"in poverty." See how you translated this in Luke 1:48.
The contrast between these two opposite actions should be made clear in the translation if possible.
Possible meanings are 1) "given the hungry good food to eat" or 2) "given the needy good things."
The information in verses 54 and 55 can be rearranged, as in the UDB, to make the meaning clearer.
"The Lord has helped"
If readers confuse this with the man named Israel, it could be translated as "his servant, the nation of Israel" or "Israel, his servants."
"in order to"
God cannot forget. When God "remembers," it is an idiom that means God acts upon his earlier promise.
The information in verses 54 and 55 can be rearranged, as in the UDB, to make the meaning clearer.
"just as he promised our ancestors he would do." This phrase supplies background information about God's promise to Abraham. Alternate translation: "because he promised our ancestors he would be merciful"
"Abraham's descendants"
"Mary returned to her (Mary's) house" or "Mary returned to her own house"
This word marks the beginning of the next event in the story.
"give birth to her baby"
"Elizabeth's neighbors and relatives"
"been very kind to her"
This phrase is used here to mark a change in the main story. Here Luke starts to tell a new part of the story.
Here "eighth day" refers to the time after the birth of the baby, counted from the first day, which was the day he was born. Alternate translation: "on the eighth day of the baby's life"
This was often a ceremony where one person circumcised the baby and friends were there to celebrate with the family. Alternate translation: "they came for the baby's circumcision ceremony"
"They were going to name him" or "They wanted to give him the name"
"his father's name"
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"by that name" or "by the same name"
This refers to the people who were there for the circumcision ceremony.
"motioned." Either Zechariah was unable to hear, as well as unable to speak, or the people assumed that he could not hear.
"to the baby's father"
"what name Zechariah wanted to give the baby"
Since he could not speak, it may be helpful to state this differently. Alternate translation: "His father indicated that he wanted them to give him a writing tablet" or "His father showed that he wanted a writing tablets"
"something on which to write"
greatly surprised or amazed
These two phrases are word pictures that together emphasize that Zechariah was suddenly able to speak.
These phrases can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God opened his mouth and freed his tongue"
"All who lived around Zechariah and Elizabeth were afraid." It may be helpful to state clearly why they were afraid. Alternate translation: "All who lived around them were in awe of God because he had done this to Zechariah"
The word "all" here is a generalization. Alternate translation: "those who lived around them" or "many who lived in that area"
The phrase "these matters were spread" is a metaphor for people talking about them. The passive verb here can also be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "All these matters were talked about by people throughout all the hill country of Judea" or "People throughout the hill country of Judea talked about all these matters"
"All who heard about these matters"
People carefully remembering things so that they can think about them later is spoken of as if they were putting those things safely in their hearts. Alternate translation: "kept them in mind" or "thought carefully about these matters" or "thought a lot about these events"
"hearts. They asked"
"What kind of great person will this baby grow up to be?" It is also possible that this question was meant to be a statement of their surprise at what they had heard about the baby. Alternate translation: "What a great man this child will be!"
The phrase "the hand of the Lord" refers to the Lord's power. Alternate translation: "the Lord's power was with him" or "the Lord was working in him powerfully"
Zechariah tells what will happen with his son John.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The Holy Spirit filled his father Zechariah, and Zachariah prophesied"
John's father
Consider natural ways of introducing direct quotes in your language. Alternate translation: "prophesied and said" or "prophesied, and this is what he said"
"Israel" here refers to the nation of Israel. The relationship between God and Israel could be stated more directly. Alternate translation: "the God who reigns over Israel" or "the God whom Israel worships"
"God's people"
The horn of an animal is a symbol of its power to defend itself. To raise up here is to bring into existence or to enable to act. The Messiah is spoken of as if he were a horn with the power to save Israel. Alternate translation: "He has brought to us someone who is in the house of his servant David with the power to save us"
David's "house" here represents his family, specifically, his descendants. Alternate translation: "in the family of his servant David" or "who is a descendant of his servant David"
"just as God said"
God speaking by the prophets' mouths represents God causing his prophets to say what he wanted them to say. Alternate translation: "he caused his holy prophets who lived long ago to say"
The abstract noun "salvation" can be expressed with the verbs "save" or "rescue." Alternate translation: "who will save us from our enemies"
These two phrases mean basically the same thing and are repeated to emphasize how strongly their enemies are against them.
The hand is a metonym for the power that the person uses the hand to exercise. Alternate translation: "power" or "control"
"to be merciful to" or "to act according to his mercy toward"
Here the word "remember" means to keep a commitment or fulfill something.
These words refer to "his holy covenant" (Luke 1:72).
"to make it possible for us"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that after he rescued us from the hand of our enemies we would serve him without fear"
Here "hand" refers to the control or power a person. This could be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "from the control of our enemies"
This refers back to the fear of their enemies. Alternate translation: "without being afraid of our enemies"
This can be restated to remove the abstract nouns "holiness" and "righteousness." Possible meanings are 1) we would serve God in holy and righteous ways. Alternate translation: "doing what is holy and righteous" or 2) we would be holy and righteous. Alternate translation: "being holy and righteous"
This is an idiom which means "in his presence"
Zechariah uses this phrase to begin his direct address to his son. You may have a similar way to direct speech in your language.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "as for you, child, people will know that you are a prophet"
These words are a euphemism for God. Alternate translation: "who serves the Most High" or "who speaks for God Most High"
Before the Lord comes, he will go and announce to the people that the Lord will come to them. See how you translated this in Luke 1:17.
"the face of" someone can be an idiom that refers to the that person's presence. It is sometimes omitted in translation. Alternate translation: "the Lord" See how you translated this in [Luke 1:17]
This is a metaphor that means that John will prepare the people to listen to and believe the Lord's message.
The phrase "give knowledge" is a metaphor for teaching. The abstract nouns "salvation" and "forgiveness" can be expressed with the verbs "save" and "forgive." Alternate translation: "to teach his people salvation through the forgiveness of their sins" or "to teach his people how God saves people by forgiving their sins"
It might be helpful to state that God's mercy helps people. Alternate translation: "because God is compassionate and merciful to us"
Light is often a metaphor for truth. Here, the Savior giving spiritual truth to people is spoken of as if he were a sunrise that shines light on the earth. Alternate translation: "the Savior, who is like a sunrise, will come from on high"
"from heaven"
Light is often a metaphor for truth. Here, the spiritual truth that the Savior will provide is spoken of as if it is a sunrise that lights up the earth
"give knowledge to" or "give spiritual light to"
Darkness is here a metaphor for the absence of spiritual truth. Here, people who lack spiritual truth are spoken of as if they are sitting in darkness. Also "shadow of death" represents the threat of death. Alternate translation: "those who do not know the truth and are in spiritual darkness and fear dying"
Here "guide" is a metaphor for teaching, and "path of peace" is a metaphor for living at peace with God. The phrase "our feet" is a synecdoche that represents the whole person. Alternate translation: "teach us how to live at peace with God"
This tells briefly about John's growing years.
This word is used here to mark a change in the main story. Luke quickly moves from the birth of John to the beginning of his ministry as an adult.
"became spiritually mature" or "strengthened his relationship with God"
"lived in the wilderness." Luke does not say at what age John began to live in the wilderness.
This does not necessarily mark a stopping point. John continued to live out in the desert even after he started preaching publicly.
"when he began to preach in public"
This is used here in the general sense of "the time" or "the occasion."
The "eyewitnesses" were the ones who were with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry.
The "eyewitnesses" were the ones who were with Jesus from the beginning of his ministry.
They wrote down an account or story of what Jesus did.
He wanted Theophilus to know the truth about the things he had been taught.
God considered them to be righteous because they obeyed his commandments.
They did not have children because Elizabeth was unable to bear a child. Now she and Zechariah were very old.
Zechariah was serving as a priest.
He burned incense to God.
The people stayed outside in the courtyard and prayed.
An angel of the Lord appeared to Zechariah in the temple.
When Zechariah saw the angel, he became very afraid.
The angel told Zechariah not to be afraid and that his wife Elizabeth would have a son. His son's name would be John.
The angel said John would turn the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
A people prepared for the Lord would be made ready.
The angel's name was Gabriel and he normally stood in the presence of God.
Zechariah would not be able to speak until the child was born.
A virgin named Mary, who was engaged to Joseph, a descendant of David.
The angel said that Mary would become pregnant.
The child was to be named Jesus and he would reign over the descendants of Jacob forever with no end to his kingdom.
The angel said that the Holy Spirit would come upon Mary and the power of the Most High would overshadow her.
The angel said that the child would be called the Son of God.
Nothing.
The baby leaped in her womb for joy.
Elizabeth said that Mary and her baby were blessed.
They would fulfill God's promises to Abraham and his descendants to be merciful to them and to help them.
Zechariah.
Zechariah wrote "His name is John."
Immediately after he wrote the child's name, Zechariah spoke and praised God.
They realized that the hand of the Lord was with him.
God had now made a way to set his people free.
John would help the people know how they could be saved through the forgiveness of their sins.
John grew up and lived in the desert areas.
1 Now in those days, it came about that Caesar Augustus sent out a decree ordering that a census be taken of all the people living in the world. 2 This was the first census made while Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 So everyone went to his own city to be registered for the census. 4 Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family line of David. 5 He went there to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him and was pregnant. 6 Now it came about that while they were there, the time came for her to deliver her baby. 7 She gave birth to a son, her firstborn child, and she wrapped him in long strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
8 There were shepherds in that region who were staying in the fields, guarding their flock at night. 9 An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, because I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all the people. 11 Today a Savior was born for you in the city of David! He is Christ the Lord! 12 This is the sign that will be given to you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and lying in a manger." 13 Suddenly there was together with the angel a great multitude from heaven, praising God and saying,
14 "Glory to God in the highest,
and may there be peace on earth
among people with whom he is pleased." [1]
15 It came about that when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to each other, "Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us." 16 They hurried there and found Mary, Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in a manger. 17 After they had seen him, they made known what had been said to them about this child. 18 All who heard it were amazed at what was spoken to them by the shepherds. 19 But Mary kept thinking about all the things she had heard, treasuring them in her heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for everything that they had heard and seen, just as it had been spoken to them.
21 When it was the end of the eighth day, when he was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name he had been given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
22 When the required number of days for their purification had passed, according to the law of Moses, they brought him up to the temple in Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. 23 As it is written in the law of the Lord, "Every male who opens the womb will be set apart to the Lord." 24 So they offered a sacrifice according to what was said in the law of the Lord, "a pair of doves or two young pigeons." 25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. 27 Led by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple. When the parents brought in the infant Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the law, 28 he took him into his arms and praised God, and he said,
29 "Now let your servant depart in peace, Lord,
according to your word.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples:
32 A light for revelation to the Gentiles
and glory to your people Israel."
33 His father and mother [2] were amazed at what was said about him. 34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "Behold, this child is appointed for the downfall and rising up of many people in Israel and for a sign that is rejected— 35 and a sword will pierce your own soul—so that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed."
36 A prophetess named Anna was there. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher. She was advanced in her days. She had lived with her husband for seven years after her virginity, 37 and was a widow for eighty-four years. She never left the temple but was serving with fastings and prayers, night and day. 38 At that very hour she came near to them and began giving thanks to God, and she spoke about the child to everyone who had been waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
39 When they had finished everything they were required to do according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. 40 The child grew and became strong; he was full of wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
41 His parents went every year to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42 When he was twelve years old, they again went up at the customary time for the festival. 43 After they had stayed the full number of days for the feast, they began to return home. But the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem and his parents did not know it. 44 They assumed that he was with the group that was traveling with them, so they traveled a day's journey. Then they started to search carefully for him among their relatives and friends. 45 When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem and started to search carefully for him there. 46 It came about that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. 47 All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48 When they saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, "Son, why have you treated us this way? Look, your father and I have been anxiously searching for you." 49 He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I had to be about my Father's business?" [3]50 But they did not understand what he meant by those words. 51 Then he went back home with them to Nazareth and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.
52 But Jesus continued to grow in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 2:14, 29-32.
This gives background to show why Mary and Joseph have to move at the time of Jesus's birth.
This word marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
This phrase is used to show that this is the beginning of an account. If your language has a way of showing the start of an account, you may use that. Some versions do not include this phrase.
"King Augustus" or "Emperor Augustus." Augustus was the first emperor of the Roman Empire.
This command was probably carried by messengers throughout the empire. Alternate translation: "sent messengers with a decree ordering"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that they register all the people living in the world" or "that they count all the people in the world and write down their names"
Here the word "world" represents only the part of the world that Caesar August ruled. Alternate translation: "the Empire" or "the Roman world"
Quirinius was appointed to be the governor of Syria.
"everyone started off" or "everyone was going"
This refers to the cities where people's ancestors lived. People may have lived in a different city. Alternate translation: "the city in which his ancestors lived"
"to have his name written in the register" or "to be included in the official count"
The UDB rearranges verses 4 and 5 into a verse bridge in order to make it easier to shorten the sentences.
This introduces Joseph as a new participant in the story.
The phrase "the city of David" was a name for Bethlehem that tells why Bethlehem was important. Although it was a small town, King David was born there, and there was a prophecy that the Messiah would be born there. Alternate translation: "to Bethlehem, the city of King David" or "to Bethlehem, the town where King David was born"
"because Joseph was a descendant of David"
This means to report to the officials there so they could include him in the count. Use a term for an official government count if possible.
Mary traveled with Joseph from Nazareth. It is likely that women were also taxed, so Mary would have needed to travel and be registered as well.
"his fiancee" or "who was promised to him." An engaged couple was considered legally married, but there would not have been physical intimacy between them.
The UDB rearranges verses 6 and 7 into a verse bridge in order to keep together the details about the place they stayed.
This phrase marks the beginning of the next event in the story.
"while Mary and Joseph were in Bethlehem"
"it was time to give birth to her baby"
In some cultures mothers comfort their babies by wrapping them tightly in cloth or a blanket. Alternate translation: "wrapped cloths firmly around him" or "wrapped him tightly in a blanket"
This was some kind of box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. It was most likely clean and may have had something soft and dry like hay in it as a cushion for the baby. Animals were often kept near the home to keep them secure and to feed them easily. Mary and Joseph stayed in a room that was used for animals.
"there was no space for them to stay in the guest room." This was probably because so many people went to Bethlehem to register. Luke adds this as background information.
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"An angel from the Lord" or "An angel who served the Lord"
"came to the shepherds"
The source of the bright light was the glory of the Lord, which appeared at the same time as the angel.
"Stop being afraid"
"that will make all the people very happy"
Some understand this to refer to the Jewish people. Others understand it to refer to all people.
This refers to Bethlehem.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will give you this sign" or "You will see this sign from God"
"the proof." This could either be a sign to prove that what the angel was saying was true, or it could be a sign that would help the shepherds recognize the baby.
This was the normal way that mothers protected and cared for their babies in that culture. See how you translated this in [Luke 2:7]
This was some kind of box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. See how you translated this in Luke 2:7.
These words could refer to a literal army of angels, or it could be a metaphor for an organized group of angels. Alternate translation: "a large group of angels from heaven"
"giving praise to God"
Possible meanings are 1) "Give honor to God in the highest place" or 2) "Give the highest honor to God."
"may those people on earth with whom God is pleased have peace"
This phrase is used to mark a shift in the story to what the shepherds did after the angels left.
"from the shepherds"
"to one another"
Since the shepherds were speaking to one another, languages that have inclusive forms for "we" and "us" should use the inclusive form here.
"We should"
This refers to the birth of the baby, and not to the appearance of the angels.
A manger is a box or frame that people put hay or other food in for animals to eat. See how you translated this in Luke 2:7.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what the angels had told the shepherds"
"the baby"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "what the shepherds told them"
A person who thinks is something is very valuable or precious is "treasuring" it. Mary considered the things she was told about her son to be very precious. Alternate translation: "carefully remembering them" or "joyfully remembering them"
"shepherds went back to the sheep"
These are very similar and emphasize how excited they were about what God had done. Alternate translation: "talking about and praising God's greatness"
The laws God gave the Jewish believers told them when to circumcise a boy baby and what sacrifice the parents had to bring.
This phrase shows the passing of time before this new event.
"the end of the eighth day of his life." The day he was born was counted as the first day.
Joseph and Mary gave him his name.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the name the angel had called him"
This shows the passing of time before this new event.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the number of days that God required"
"for them to become ceremonially clean." You can also state God's role. Alternate translation: "for God to consider them clean again"
"Mary and Joseph brought the baby up to the temple"
"to bring him to the Lord" or "to bring him into the Lord's presence." This was a ceremony acknowledging God's claim on the firstborn children who were male.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As Moses wrote" or "They did this because Moses wrote"
This is an idiom meaning the first male born into a family. This referred to both animals and people. Alternate translation: "The first male that a mother gives birth to" or "Every firstborn male"
"that which the law of the Lord also says." This is a different place in the law. It refers to all males, whether firstborn or not.
The word "behold" alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.
These abstract terms can be expressed as actions. Alternate translation: "did what was right and feared God" or "obeyed God's laws and feared God"
The word "Israel" is a metonym for the people of Israel. To "console" someone is to give them comfort, or "consolation." The words "consolation of Israel" are a metonym for the Christ or Messiah who would comfort or bring consolation to the people of Israel. Alternate translation: "the one who would comfort the people of Israel"
"the Holy Spirit was with him." God was with him in a special way and gave him wisdom and direction in his life.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "The Holy Spirit had shown him" or "The Holy Spirit had told him"
"he would see the Lord's Messiah before he died"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "As the Holy Spirit directed him"
Some languages may say "went."
"into the temple courtyard." Only priests could enter the temple building.
"Jesus's parents"
"the custom of the law of God"
"Simeon took the infant Jesus into his arms" or "Simeon held Jesus in his arms"
"I am your servant; let me depart in peace." Simeon was referring to himself.
This is a euphemism meaning "die"
"Word" here is a metonym for "promise." Alternate translation: "as you have promised"
This expression means, "I have personally seen" or "I, myself, have seen"
This expression refers to the person who would bring salvation—the infant Jesus—whom Simeon was holding. Alternate translation: "the savior whom you sent" or "the one whom you sent to save"
Depending on how you translate the previous phrase, this may need to be changed to "whom you."
"have planned" or "caused to happen"
This metaphor means that the child will help people to understand God's will. The Gentiles understanding God's will is spoken of as if they were people using physical light to see a solid object. You may need to make explicit what it is that the Gentiles will see. Alternate translation: "This child will enable the Gentiles to understand God's will as light allows people to see clearly"
It may be necessary to state what is to be revealed. Alternate translation: "that will reveal God's truth"
"he will be the reason that glory will come to your people Israel"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the things that Simeon said about him"
"said to the child's mother, Mary." Make sure it does not sound like Mary is the mother of Simeon.
Simeon used this expression to tell Mary that what he is about to say is extremely important to her.
The words "downfall" and "rising up" express turning away from God and drawing closer to God. Alternate translation: "this child will cause many people in Israel to fall away from God or to rise closer to God"
This metaphor describes the deep sadness that Mary would feel. Alternate translation: "your sadness will be painful as though a sword pierced your soul"
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's inner beings. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he may reveal the thoughts of many people" or "he may reveal what many people secretly think"
This introduces a new participant into the story.
This is a man's name.
This is a euphemism that says that she was very old. See how you translated similar words in [Luk 2:7]
"7 years"
"after she married him"
Possible meanings are 1) she had been a widow for 84 years or 2) she was a widow and was now 84 years old.
This is probably an exaggeration meaning that she spent so much time in the temple that it seemed as though she never left it. Alternate translation: "was always at the temple" or "was often at the temple"
"by abstaining from food on many occasions and by offering many prayers"
"approached them" or "went to Mary and Joseph"
Here the word "redemption" is used to refer to the person who would do it. Alternate translation: "the one who would redeem Jerusalem" or "the person who would bring God's blessings and favor back to Jerusalem"
Mary, Joseph, and Jesus leave the town of Bethlehem and return to the city of Nazareth for his childhood.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "that the law of the Lord required them to do"
This phrase means they lived in Nazareth. Make sure it does not sound like they owned the town. Alternate translation: "the town of Nazareth, where they lived"
"becoming wiser" or "learning what was wise"
"God blessed him" or "God was with him in a special way"
This is background information.
"Jesus's parents"
Jerusalem was higher than almost any other place in Israel, so it was normal for Israelites to speak of going up to Jerusalem.
"at the normal time" or "as they did every year"
The Festival of the Passover, which involved eating a ceremonial meal.
"When the entire time for celebrating the feast was over" or "After celebrating the feast for the required number of days"
"They thought"
"they traveled one day" or "they went as far as people walk in one day"
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This phrase is used here to mark an important event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
This refers to the courtyard around the temple. Only the priests were allowed in the temple. Alternate translation: "in the temple courtyard" or "at the temple"
This does not mean the exact center. Rather, it means "among" or "together with" or "surrounded by."
"the religious teachers" or "those who taught people about God"
They could not understand how a twelve-year-old boy with no religious education could answer so well.
"at how much he understood" or "that he understood so much about God"
"at how well he answered them" or "that he answered their questions so well"
"When Mary and Joseph found Jesus"
This was an indirect rebuke because he had not gone with them on the way back home. This caused them to worry about him. Alternate translation: "you should not have done this to us!"
This word is often used to show the beginning of a new or important event. It also can be used to show where the action begins. If your language has a phrase that is used in this way, consider whether it would be natural to use it here.
Jesus uses two questions to mildly rebuke his parents, and to begin to tell them that he had a purpose from his heavenly Father that they did not understand. Alternate translation: "You did not need to be concerned about me."
Jesus uses this second question to try to say that his parents should have known about the purpose for which his Father sent him. Alternate translation: "You should have known ... business."
Possible meanings are 1) Jesus meant these words literally, to indicate that he was doing the work that his Father had given him, or 2) these words are an idiom that indicate where Jesus was, "in my Father's house." Since the next verse says that his parents did not understand what he was telling them, it would be best not to explain it more.
At age 12, Jesus, the Son of God, understood that God was his real Father
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"Jesus went back home with Mary and Joseph"
"obeyed them" or "was always obeying them"
Here "heart" is a metonym for a person's mind or inner being. Alternate translation: "carefully remembered all these things"
"become wiser and stronger." These refer to mental and physical growth.
This refers to spiritual and social growth. These could be stated separately. Alternate translation: "God blessed him more and more, and people liked him more and more"
The people went to their own town to be registered.
Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem because Joseph was a descendant of David.
When the child was born, Mary placed him in an animal feeding trough.
The angel appeared to shepherds who were tending their flocks.
The angel appeared to shepherds who were tending their flocks.
The shepherds were very afraid.
The angel told the shepherds that the Savior had been born, the one who is Christ the Lord.
The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the child that had been born.
The shepherds went to Bethlehem to see the child that had been born.
Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day after his birth.
They brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice, which was commanded in the Law of Moses.
They brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice, which was commanded in the Law of Moses.
They brought him to the temple to present him to the Lord and to offer a sacrifice, which was commanded in the Law of Moses.
The Holy Spirit revealed to Simeon that he would not die before he saw the Lord's Christ.
Simeon said that Jesus would be a light for revealing truth to the Gentiles and the glory of God's people Israel.
Simeon said that a sword would pierce her soul.
Anna began to thank God and to talk about the child to everyone.
Jesus grew and became strong, increasing in wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
They did not realize because they assumed that he was in the group that was traveling with them.
They did not realize Jesus stayed behind because they assumed he was in the group that was traveling with them.
His parents found him in the temple sitting in the middle of the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
"Did you not know I must be in my Father's house?"
He was obedient to them.
He grew in wisdom and stature, and increased in favor with God and people.
1 In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar—while Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip was tetrarch of the region of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was tetrarch of Abilene, 2 during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas—the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3 He went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
"A voice of one crying out in the wilderness,
'Make ready the way of the Lord,
make his paths straight.
5 Every valley will be filled,
and every mountain and hill will be made low,
and the crooked roads will be made straight,
and the uneven places will be built into roads,
6 and all flesh will see the salvation of God.'"
7 So John said to the crowds who were coming out to be baptized by him, "You offspring of vipers! Who warned you to run away from the wrath that is coming? 8 Therefore, produce fruits that are worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham for our father,' for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones. 9 Even now the ax is set against the root of the trees. So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire."
10 Then the crowds kept asking him, saying, "What then are we to do?"
11 He answered and said to them, "If someone has two tunics, he should share with a person who has none, and the one having food should do the same."
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, "Teacher, what must we do?"
13 He said to them, "Do not collect more money than you have been ordered to collect."
14 Some soldiers also asked him, saying, "What about us? What must we do?"
He said to them, "Do not take money from anyone by force, and do not accuse anyone falsely. Be content with your wages."
15 Now as the people were eagerly expecting the Christ to come, everyone was wondering in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ. 16 John answered by saying to them all, "As for me, I baptize you with water, but someone is coming who is more powerful than I, and I am not worthy even to untie the strap of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. 17 His winnowing fork is in his hand to thoroughly clear off his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his storehouse. But he will burn up the chaff with fire that can never be put out."
18 With many other exhortations also, John was announcing the good news to the people. 19 When Herod the tetrarch had been reproved for marrying his brother's wife Herodias, and for all the other evil things that Herod had done, 20 he added this to them all, that he locked John up in prison.
21 Now it came about, when all the people were baptized, Jesus also was baptized, and while he was praying, the heavens opened, 22 and the Holy Spirit in bodily form came down on him like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: "You are my beloved Son. I am pleased with you."
23 When Jesus began his ministry, he was about thirty years of age. He was the son (as it was assumed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph.
25 Joseph was the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, 26 the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Josech, the son of Joda.
27 Joda was the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Salathiel, the son of Neri, 28 the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmadam, the son of Er,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi. 30 Levi was the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon.
33 Nahshon was the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, 34 the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah. 36 Shelah was the son of Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Cainan, 38 the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 3:4-6, which is from the Old Testament.
John's instructions to the soldiers and tax collectors in this chapter are not complicated. They are things that should have been obvious to them. He instructed them to live justly. (See: justice and Luke 3:12-15)
A genealogy is a list which records a person's ancestors or descendants. Such lists were very important in determining who had the right be king, because the king's authority was usually passed down or inherited from his father. It was also common for other important people to have a recorded genealogy.
Prophecy often involves the use of metaphors to express its meaning. Spiritual discernment is needed for proper interpretation of the prophecy. The prophecy of Isaiah is an extended metaphor describing the ministry of John the Baptist
This event can cause confusion because the author says John was imprisoned and then says he was baptizing Jesus. The author probably uses this phrase in anticipation of Herod's imprisonment of John. This would mean that this statement is still in the future at the time of the narrative.
Verses 1-3 give background information to tell what is happening when Jesus's cousin John begins his ministry.
As the prophet Isaiah had foretold, John begins to preach good news to the people.
These are the names of men.
These are names of territories.
"while Annas and Caiaphas were serving together as the high priest." Annas was the high priest, and the Jews continued to recognize him as such even after the Romans appointed his son-in-law, Caiaphas, to replace him as high priest.
The writer speaks of God's message as though it were a person who moved toward those who heard it. Alternate translation: "God spoke his message"
The terms "baptism" and "repentance" could be stated as actions. Alternate translation: "and he preached that people should be baptized to show that they were repenting"
They would repent so that God would forgive their sins. The term "forgiveness" can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "so that their sins would be forgiven" or "so that God would forgive their sins"
The author, Luke, quotes a passage from Isaiah the prophet concerning John the Baptist.
These words introduce a quotation from the prophet Isaiah. They can be stated in active form, and the missing words can be supplied. Alternate translation: "This happened as Isaiah the prophet had written in the book that contains his words:" or "John fulfilled the message that the prophet Isaiah had written in his book:"
This can be expressed as a sentence. Alternate translation: "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness is heard" or "They hear the sound of someone crying out in the wilderness"
The second command explains or adds more detail to the first.
"Get the road ready for the Lord." Doing this represents preparing to hear the Lord's message when he comes. Alternate translation: "Prepare yourselves for the Lord to come" or "Be ready for the Lord when he comes"
"the path" or "the road"
When people prepare the road for an important person who is coming, they cut down the high places and fill in the low places so that the road will be level. This is part of the metaphor started in the previous verse.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "They will fill in every low place in the road"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they will level every mountain and hill" or "they will remove every high place in the road"
This can be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "learn how God saves people from sin"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for John to baptize them"
This is a metaphor. Here "offspring of" means "having the characteristic of." Vipers are poisonous snakes that are dangerous and represent evil. Alternate translation: "You evil poisonous snakes" or "You are evil, like poisonous snakes
He was not really expecting them to answer. John was rebuking the people because they were asking him to baptize them so that God would not punish them, but they did not want to stop sinning. Alternate translation: "You cannot flee from God's wrath like this!" or "You cannot escape from God's wrath just by being baptized!"
The word "wrath" is used here to refer to God's punishment because his wrath precedes it. Alternate translation: "from the punishment that God is sending" or "from God's wrath on which he is about to act"
In this metaphor, a person's behavior is compared to fruit. Just as a plant is expected to produce fruit that is appropriate for that kind of plant, a person who says that he has repented is expected to live righteously. Alternate translation: "produce the kind of fruit that shows that you have repented" or "do the good things that show that you have turned away from your sin"
"saying to yourselves" or "thinking"
"Abraham is our ancestor" or "We are Abraham's descendants." If it is unclear why they would say this, you may also add the implied information: "so God will not punish us."
"create children for Abraham"
John was probably referring to the actual stones along the Jordan River.
The ax that is in position so it can cut the roots of a tree is a metaphor for the punishment that is about to begin. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God is like the man who has placed his ax against the root of the trees"
"fire" here is a metaphor for punishment. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "he chops down every tree ... and throws it into the fire"
"asking him and said" or "asking John"
John begins to respond to questions that people in the crowd ask him.
"answered them, saying" or "answered them" or "said"
This refers back to giving to someone what he needs. Alternate translation: "give food to someone who does not have any" or "share extra food just as you shared the extra tunic"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for John to baptize them"
"Do not ask for more money" or "Do not demand more money." Tax collectors had been collecting more money than they should have been collecting. John tells them to stop doing that.
This is passive to show that the tax collector's authority comes from Rome. Alternate translation: "than what the Romans have authorized you to take"
"How about us soldiers, what must we do?" John is not included in the words "us" and "we." The soldiers have implied that John had told the crowd and the tax collector what they must do and want to know what they as soldiers are to do.
It seems that the soldiers were making false charges against people in order to get money. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "in the same way, do not accuse anyone falsely in order to get money from them" or "do not say that an innocent person has done something illegal"
"Be satisfied with your pay"
"because the people." This refers to the same people who came to John.
"everyone was unsure what to think about John; they asked themselves, 'Could he be the Christ?'" or "no one was sure what to think about John because they were wondering whether he might be the Christ."
John's answer about a greater person coming clearly implies that John is not the Christ. It may be helpful to state this clearly for your audience. Alternate translation: "John clarified that he was not the Christ by saying to them all"
"I baptize using water" or "I baptize by means of water"
"not important enough even to loosen the straps of his sandals." Untying the straps of sandals was a duty of a slave. John was saying that the one who would come is so great that John was not even worthy enough to be his slave.
This metaphor compares literal baptism that brings a person into contact with water to a spiritual baptism that brings them into contact with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
Here the word "fire" may refer to 1) judgment or 2) purification. It is preferred to leave it as "fire"
"He is holding a winnowing fork because he is ready." John speaks of the Christ coming to judge people as if he were a farmer who is ready to separate wheat grain from chaff. Alternate translation: "He is ready to judge people like a farmer who is ready"
This is a tool for tossing wheat into the air to separate the wheat grain from the chaff. The heavier grain falls back down and the unwanted chaff is blown away by the wind. It is similar to a pitchfork.
The threshing floor was the place where wheat was stacked in preparation for threshing. To "clear off" the floor is to finish threshing the grain. Alternate translation: "to finish threshing his grain"
The wheat is the acceptable harvest that is kept and stored.
The chaff is not useful for anything, so people burn it up.
"With many other strong urgings"
Verses 19 and 20 tell what is going to happen to John but has not happened at this time.
Herod was a tetrarch, not a king. He had only limited rule over the region of Galilee.
It is implied that John reproved Herod. This can also be translated with an active form. Alternate translation: "When Herod the tetrarch had been reproved by John" or "When John reproved Herod the tetrarch" )
"because Herod married Herodias, his own brother's wife." This was evil because Herod's brother was still alive. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "because he married his brother's wife, Herodias, while his brother was still alive"
Because Herod was tetrarch, he probably locked John up by ordering his soldiers to lock John up. Alternate translation: "he had his soldiers lock John up in prison" or "he told his soldiers to put John in prison"
The previous verse says that Herod put John in prison. It might be helpful to make it clear that the account starting in verse 21 happened before John was arrested. The UDB does this by starting verse 21 with "But before John was put in prison."
Jesus begins his ministry with his baptism.
This phrase marks the beginning of a new event in the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
"while John baptized all the people." The phrase "all the people" refers to the people present with John.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "John baptized Jesus also"
"the sky opened" or "the sky became open." This is more than a simple clearing of clouds, but it's not clear what it means. It possibly means that a hole appeared in the sky.
"in physical form the Holy Spirit came down like a dove onto Jesus"
Here "a voice came from heaven" represents people on earth hearing God in heaven speaking. It can be made clear that God spoke to Jesus. Alternate translation: "a voice from heaven said" or "God spoke to Jesus from heaven, saying"
This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.
Luke lists the ancestors of Jesus through the line of his supposed father, Joseph.
This word is used here to mark a change from the story to background information about Jesus's age and ancestors.
"30 years old"
"It was thought that he was the son of Joseph" or "People assumed that he was the son of Joseph"
This continues the list that begins with the words "He was the son ... of Joseph, the son of Heli" in verse 24. Consider how people normally list ancestors in your language. You should use the same wording throughout the whole list. Possible formats are 1) "He was the son ... of Joseph, the son of Heli, who was the son of Matthat, who was the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph" or 2) "He was the son ... of Joseph. Joseph was the son of Heli. Heli was the son of Matthat. Matthat was the son of Levi. Levi was the son of Melchi. Melchi was the son of Jannai. Jannai was the son of Joseph" or 3) "His father ... was Joseph. Joseph's father was Heli. Heli's father was Matthat. Matthat's father was Levi. Levi's father was Melchi. Melchi's father was Jannai. Jannai's father was Joseph"
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that begins in [Luke 3:23]
The name Salathiel may be a different spelling of the name Shealtiel (as some versions have it), but identification is difficult.
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
This is a continuation of the list of Jesus's ancestors that began in [Luke 3:23]
"Adam, created by God" or "Adam, who was from God" or "Adam, the son, we could say, of God"
John preached a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
John said he was making ready the way of the Lord.
John told them to produce fruits that come from repentance.
John said that it is chopped down and thrown into the fire.
John said that they must not collect more money than they are supposed to.
John said someone was coming who would baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
John rebuked Herod because Herod had married his own brother's wife, and for doing many other evil things.
Herod put John into prison.
After John baptized Jesus, the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit came down on him like a dove.
After John baptized Jesus, the heavens opened up and the Holy Spirit came down on him like a dove.
The voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved son. I am very pleased with you".
Jesus was about thirty years old when he began to teach.
1 Then Jesus, being full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan River and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness, 2 where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of that time he was hungry. 3 The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread."
4 Jesus answered him, "It is written, 'Man does not live on bread alone.'"
5 Then the devil led Jesus up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in an instant of time. 6 The devil said to him, "I will give to you all this authority and all their glory, for they have been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want. 7 So then, if you will bow down and worship me, it will be yours."
8 But Jesus answered and said to him, "It is written, 'You will worship the Lord your God, and you will serve only him.'"
9 Then the devil led Jesus to Jerusalem and put him on the very highest point of the temple building, and said to him, "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here. 10 For it is written,
'He will give orders to his angels regarding you,
to protect you,'
11 and, 'They will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.'"
12 Answering him, Jesus said, "It is said, 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
13 When the devil had finished tempting Jesus, he went away and left him until another time.
14 Then Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread throughout the entire surrounding region. 15 Then he began to teach in their synagogues and he was praised by all.
16 He came into Nazareth, where he had been raised, and, as was his custom, he entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day and he stood up to read aloud. 17 The scroll of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the scroll and found the place where it was written,
18 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he anointed me
to announce good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom to the captives
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to set free those who are oppressed,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
20 Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 He began to speak to them: "Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing."
22 Everyone there spoke well of him and they were amazed at the gracious words which were coming out of his mouth, and they asked, "Is this not the son of Joseph?"
23 He said to them, "Surely you will say this proverb to me, 'Doctor, heal yourself. Whatever we heard that you did in Capernaum, do the same in your hometown.'" 24 But he said, "Truly I say to you, no prophet is received in his own hometown. 25 But in truth I tell you that there were many widows in Israel during the time of Elijah, when the sky was shut up for three years and six months and a great famine came upon all the land. 26 But Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath in Sidon, to a widow living there. 27 There were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet, but none of them were cleansed except Naaman the Syrian." 28 All the people in the synagogue were filled with rage when they heard these things. 29 They got up, forced him out of the town, and led him to the cliff of the hill on which their town was built, so they might throw him off the cliff. 30 But he passed through the middle of them and he went to another place.
31 Then he went down to Capernaum, a city in Galilee, and he began to teach them on the Sabbath. 32 They were astonished at his teaching, because he spoke with authority. 33 Now in the synagogue there was a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, 34 "Ah! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!"
35 Jesus rebuked the demon, saying, "Do not speak! Come out of him!" When the demon had thrown the man down in the middle of them, he came out of him, and did not harm him in any way.
36 All the people were very amazed, and they kept talking about it with one another. They said, "What kind of words are these? He commands the unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out." 37 So news about him began to spread into every part of the surrounding region.
38 Then Jesus left the synagogue and entered into the house of Simon. Now Simon's mother-in-law was suffering with a high fever, and they pleaded with him on her behalf. 39 So he stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. Immediately she got up and started serving them.
40 When the sun was setting, people brought to Jesus everyone who was sick with various kinds of diseases. He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. 41 Demons also came out from many of them, crying out and saying, "You are the Son of God!" Jesus rebuked the demons and would not let them speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
42 When daybreak came, he went out into a solitary place. Crowds of people were looking for him and came to the place where he was. They tried to keep him from going away from them. 43 But he said to them, "I must also preach the gospel about the kingdom of God to many other cities, because this is the reason I was sent here."
44 Then he continued to preach in the synagogues throughout Judea.
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 4:10-11, 18-19, which is from the Old Testament.
While it is true that the devil sincerely believed that he could persuade Jesus to obey him, it is important not to imply that Jesus actually ever really wanted to obey him.
After John had baptized Jesus.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the Spirit led him"
Jesus fasts for 40 days, and the devil meets him to try to persuade him to sin.
Most versions say that the temptation was throughout the forty days. The UDB states "While he was there, the devil kept tempting him" to make this clear.
"40 days"
This can be stated in active form, and you can make explicit what it was the devil tempted him to do. Alternate translation: "the devil tried to persuade him to disobey God"
The word "he" refers to Jesus.
The devil challenges Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God.
The devil either holds a stone in his hand or points to a nearby stone.
Jesus's rejection of the devil's challenge is clearly implied in his answer. It may be helpful to state this clearly for your audience, as the UDB does. Alternate translation: "Jesus replied, 'No, I will not do that because it is written ... alone."'"
The quotation is from Moses's writings in the Old Testament. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Moses has written in the scriptures"
The word "bread" refers to food in general. Food as compared to God, by itself, is not enough to sustain a person. Jesus quotes the scripture to say why he would not turn the stone into bread. Alternate translation: "People cannot live on just bread" or "It is not just food that makes a person live" or "God says there are more important things than food"
"Then the devil led Jesus up to a very high place ... world." It is uncertain where the devil led Jesus and how he showed all the kingdoms of the world to him.
"in an instant" or "instantly"
This can be stated in active form. Possible meanings are that "them" refers to 1) the authority and splendor of the kingdoms or 2) the kingdoms. Alternate translation: "God has given them to me"
These two phrases are very similar. They can be combined. Alternate translation: "if you will bow down in worship to me"
"I will give you all these kingdoms, with their splendor"
Jesus refused to do what the devil asked. It may be helpful to state this clearly. Alternate translation: "No, I will not worship you, because it is written"
"responded to him" or "replied to him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Moses has written in the scriptures"
Jesus was quoting a command from the scriptures to say why he would not worship the devil.
This refers to the people in the Old Testament who received God's Law. You could use the singular form of 'you' because each person was to obey it, or you could use the plural form of 'you' because all of the people were to obey it.
The word "him" refers to the Lord God.
This was the corner of the temple roof. If someone fell from there, they would be seriously injured or die.
The devil is challenging Jesus to prove that he is the Son of God.
This is an important title for Jesus.
"jump down to the ground"
The devil implies that his quote from the Psalms means Jesus will not be hurt if he is the Son of God. This can be stated clearly, as the UDB does. Alternate translation: "You will not be hurt, because it is written"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the writer has written"
"He" refers to God. The devil partially quoted from the Psalms in an effort to persuade Jesus to jump off the building.
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Jesus tells the devil why he will not do what the devil told him to do. His refusal to do it can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "No, I will not do that, because it is said"
Jesus quotes from the writings of Moses in Deuteronomy. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Moses has said" or "Moses has said in the scriptures"
Possible meanings are 1) Jesus should not test God by jumping off the temple, or 2) the devil should not test Jesus to see if he is the Son of God. It is best to translate the verse as stated rather than to try to explain the meaning.
"until another occasion"
This does not imply that the devil was successful in his temptation—Jesus resisted every attempt. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "had finished trying to persuade Jesus to sin"
Jesus returns to Galilee, teaches in the synagogue (4:15), and tells the people there that he is fulfilling scripture of Isaiah the prophet (4:17-21).
This begins a new event in the story.
"and the Spirit was giving him power." God was with Jesus in a special way, enabling him to do things that humans usually could not.
"people spread the news about Jesus" or "people told other people about Jesus" or "knowledge about him was passed on from person to person." Those who heard Jesus told other people about him, and then those other people told even more people about him.
This refers to the areas or places around Galilee.
"everyone said great things about him" or "all the people spoke about him in a good way"
"where his parents had raised him" or "where he lived when he was a child" or "where he grew up"
"as he did each Sabbath." It was his usual practice to go to the synagogue on the Sabbath day.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Someone gave him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah"
This refers to the book of Isaiah written on a scroll. Isaiah had written the words many years before, and someone else had copied them onto a scroll.
"the place in the scroll with these words." This sentence continues on into the next verse.
"The Holy Spirit is with me in a special way." When someone says this, he is claiming to speak the words of God.
In the Old Testament, ceremonial oil was poured on a person when they were given power and authority to do a special task. Jesus uses this metaphor to refer to the Holy Spirit being on him to prepare him for this work. Alternate translation: "the Holy Spirit is upon me to empower me" or "the Holy Spirit gave me power and authority"
"the poor people"
"tell people who are being held captive that they can go free" or "set free the prisoners of war"
"give sight to the blind" or "make the blind be able to see again"
"set free those who are treated harshly"
"tell everyone that the Lord is ready to bless his people" or "announce that this is the year that the Lord will show his kindness"
A scroll was closed by rolling it like a tube to protect the writing inside it.
This refers to a synagogue worker who brought out and put away with proper care and reverence the scrolls containing the scriptures.
It was customary for teachers to be seated while teaching.
This idiom means "were focused on him" or "were looking intently at him"
Jesus was saying that he was fulfilling that prophecy by his actions and speech at that very time. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I am fulfilling what this scripture says right now as you are listening to me"
This idiom means "while you are listening to me"
"surprised about the gracious things that he was saying." Here "gracious" may refer to 1) how well or how persuasively Jesus spoke, or 2) that Jesus spoke words about God's grace.
People thought that Joseph was Jesus's father. Joseph was not a religious leader, so they were surprised that his son would preach what he did. Alternate translation: "This is just Joseph's son!" or "His father is only Joseph!"
"Certainly" or "There is no doubt that"
If someone claims to be able to heal diseases that he himself has, there is no reason to believe he is really a doctor. People will speak this proverb to Jesus to say that they will only believe he is a prophet if they see him do what they have heard that he did in other places.
The people of Nazareth do not believe Jesus is a prophet because of his low status as Joseph's son. They will not believe unless they personally see him do miracles.
"It is certainly true." This is an emphatic statement about what follows.
Jesus makes this general statement in order to rebuke the people. He means that they are refusing to believe the reports of his miracles in Capernaum. They think they already know all about him.
"homeland" or "native city" or "country where he grew up"
Jesus reminds the people who are listening to him in the synagogue about Elijah and Elisha
"I tell you truthfully." Jesus uses this phrase to emphasize the importance, truth, and accuracy of the statement that follows.
Widows are women whose husbands have died and who have not married again.
The people to whom Jesus was speaking would have known that Elijah was one of God's prophets. If your readers would not know that, you can make this implicit information explicit as in the UDB. Alternate translation: "when Elijah was prophesying in Israel"
This is a metaphor. The sky is pictured as a ceiling that was closed, and so no rain would fall from it. Alternate translation: "when no rain fell down from the sky" or "when there was no rain at all"
"a serious lack of food." A famine occurs when the crops do not produce enough food for the people for a long period of time.
The people living in the town of Zarephath were Gentiles, not Jews. The people listening to Jesus would have understood that the people of Zarephath were Gentiles. Alternate translation: "to a Gentile widow living in Zarephath in Sidon"
This double negative emphasizes that Naaman was the only one who was cleansed. This can also be translated in active form. Alternate translation: "the only one of them who was cleansed was Naaman" or "the only one of them whom God cleansed was Naaman"
People who had leprosy were considered to be unclean. When they were healed from leprosy, they were clean. Alternate translation: "were healed"
A Syrian is a person from the country of Syria. The people of Syria were Gentiles, not Jews. Alternate translation: "the Gentile Naaman from Syria"
The people of Nazareth were deeply offended that Jesus had cited scriptures where God had helped Gentiles instead of Jews.
"forced him to leave the town" or "shoved him out of the city"
"edge of the cliff"
"through the middle of the crowd" or "between the people who were trying to kill him."
"he went away" or "he went on his way" Jesus went where he had planned to go instead of where the people were trying to force him to go.
Jesus then goes to Capernaum, teaches the people in the synagogue there, and commands a demon to leave a man (4:35).
"Then Jesus." This indicates a new event.
The phrase "went down" is used here because Capernaum is lower in elevation than Nazareth.
"Capernaum, another city in Galilee"
greatly surprised, greatly amazed
"he spoke as one with authority" or "his words had great power"
This phrase is used to mark the introduction of a new character into the story; in this case, a demon-possessed man.
"who was possessed by an unclean demon" or "who was controlled by an evil spirit"
"he shouted loudly"
This is an idiom. Alternate translation: "What do we have in common" or "What right do you have to bother us"
This question could be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "What do you, Jesus of Nazareth, have to do with us!" or We have nothing to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth!" or "You have no right to bother us, Jesus of Nazareth!"
"Jesus scolded the demon, saying" or "Jesus sternly said to the demon"
He commanded the demon to stop controlling the man. Alternate translation: "Leave him alone" or "Do not live in this man any longer"
The people were expressing how amazed they were that Jesus had the authority to command demons to leave a person. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "These are amazing words!" or "His words are amazing!"
"He has authority and power to command the unclean spirits"
This is a comment about what happened after the story. The spread of the news was caused by the events within the story itself.
"reports about Jesus began to spread" or "people began to spread the news about Jesus"
Jesus is still in Capernaum, but he is now at the house of Simon.
This introduces a new event.
"the mother of Simon's wife"
This is an idiom that means "was very sick with"
"very hot skin"
This means they asked Jesus to heal her from the fever. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "asked Jesus to heal her from the fever" or "asked Jesus to cure her fever"
The word "So" makes it clear that he did this because the people pleaded with him on behalf of Simon's mother-in-law.
"went to her and leaned over her"
"spoke sternly to the fever, and it left her" or "commanded the fever to leave her, and it did." It may be helpful to state clearly what he told the fever to do. Alternate translation: "commanded that her skin should become cool, and it did" or "commanded the sickness to leave her, and it did"
"rebuked the hotness"
Here this means she began to prepare food for Jesus and the other people in the house.
"placed his hands on" or "touched"
It is implied that Jesus made the demons leave the demon-possessed people. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Jesus also forced demons to come out"
These mean about the same thing, and probably refer to cries of fear or anger. Some translations use only one term. Alternate translation: "screaming" or "shouting"
This is an important title for Jesus.
"spoke sternly to the demons"
"did not allow them to"
Though the people want Jesus to stay in Capernaum, he goes to preach in other Judean synagogues.
"At sunrise" or "At dawn"
"a deserted place" or "a place where there were no people"
"to the people in many other cities"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "this is the reason God sent me here"
Since Jesus had been in Galilee, the term "Judea" here probably refers to the entire region where the Jews lived at that time. Alternate translation: "where the Jews lived"
The Holy Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.
The devil tempted Jesus in the wilderness for 40 days.
The devil told Jesus to turn the stones into bread.
Man shall not live on bread alone.
The devil showed Jesus all of the kingdoms of the world.
The devil wanted Jesus to bow down and worship him.
You must worship the Lord your God, and you must serve him only.
He told Jesus to jump down from there.
You must not test the Lord your God.
The devil left Jesus until another time.
Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah.
Jesus said that the scripture he had just read from Isaiah was being fulfilled that day.
Jesus said that no prophet is accepted in his own country.
God sent Elijah to Zarephath, near the city of Sidon.
God had Elisha help Naaman the Syrian.
They were filled with rage and wanted to throw him over the cliff.
They were filled with rage and wanted to throw him over the cliff.
Jesus walked right through their midst.
The demon said that he knew Jesus was the Holy One of God.
The people were amazed and kept talking about it with one another.
Jesus laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.
The demons said that Jesus was the Son of God, and Jesus did not let them speak because they knew he was the Christ.
Jesus said he was sent to preach the good news about the kingdom of God to many other cities.
1 Now it happened while the people were crowding around Jesus and listening to the word of God, that he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. 2 He saw two boats pulled up by the edge of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out of them and were washing their nets. 3 Jesus got into one of the boats, which was Simon's, and asked him to put it out in the water a short distance from the land. Then he sat down and taught the people out of the boat. 4 When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, "Take the boat out into the deeper water and let down your nets for a catch."
5 Simon answered and said, "Master, we have labored all night and caught nothing, but at your word, I will let down the nets." 6 When they had done this, they gathered a very large number of fish, and their nets were breaking. 7 So they motioned to their partners in the other boat that they should come and help them. They came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. 8 But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord." 9 For he and all who were with him were amazed at the catch of fish which they had taken. 10 And so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid, because from now on you will catch men." 11 When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.
12 It came about that while he was in one of the cities, a man full of leprosy was there. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face and begged him, saying, "Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean."
13 Then Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I am willing. Be clean." Immediately the leprosy left him.
14 He instructed him to tell no one but told him, "Go on your way, and show yourself to the priest and offer a sacrifice for your cleansing, according to what Moses commanded, for a testimony to them." 15 But the report about him spread even farther, and large crowds of people came together to hear him teach and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But he often withdrew into the deserted places and prayed.
17 It came about on one of those days that he was teaching, and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18 Now some men came carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed, and they looked for a way to bring him inside in order to lay him down in front of Jesus. 19 They could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, so they went up to the housetop and let the man down through the tiles, on his mat, into the midst of the people, right in front of Jesus. 20 Seeing their faith, Jesus said, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."
21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to question this, saying, "Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
22 But Jesus, knowing what they were thinking, answered and said to them, "Why are you questioning this in your hearts? 23 Which is easier: to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you' or to say, 'Get up and walk'? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,"—he said to the paralyzed man—"I tell you, get up, pick up your mat and go to your house." 25 Immediately he got up in front of them and picked up the mat on which he was lying. Then he went away to his house, glorifying God.
26 Everyone was amazed and they glorified God. They were filled with fear, saying, "We have seen extraordinary things today."
27 After these things happened, Jesus went out from there and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector's tent. He said to him, "Follow me." 28 So Levi got up and followed him, leaving everything behind.
29 Then Levi gave a big banquet in his house for Jesus. There were many tax collectors there and other people who were reclining at the table and eating with them. 30 But the Pharisees and their scribes were complaining to his disciples, saying, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"
31 Jesus answered them, "People who are well do not need a physician; only those who are sick. 32 I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
33 They said to him, "The disciples of John often fast and pray, and the disciples of the Pharisees do the same. But your disciples eat and drink."
34 Jesus said to them, "Can anyone make the wedding attendants of the bridegroom fast while the bridegroom is still with them? 35 But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, then in those days they will fast." 36 Then Jesus also spoke a parable to them. "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and uses it to mend an old garment. If he does that, he will tear the new garment, and the piece of cloth from the new garment will not fit with the cloth of the old garment. 37 No one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does that, the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine will be spilled, and the wineskins will be destroyed. 38 But new wine must be put into fresh wineskins. 39 No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, 'The old is better.'"
Peter, James, and John were fishermen. When Jesus told them that they would catch men, he was using a metaphor to tell them he wanted them to help people believe the good news about him.
When the people of Jesus's time spoke of "sinners," they were talking about people who did not obey the law of Moses and instead committed sins like stealing or sexual sins. When Jesus said that he came to call "sinners," he meant that only people who believe that they are sinners can be his followers. This is true even if they are not what most people think of as "sinners." (See: sin)
People would fast, or not eat food for a long time, when they were sad or were showing God that they were sorry for their sins. When they were happy, like during weddings, they would have feasts, or meals where they would eat much food. (See: fast)
Jesus uses irony to condemn the Pharisees. This passage includes "people in good health" and "righteous people." This does not mean that there are people who do not need Jesus. There are no "righteous people." Everybody needs Jesus. (See: and Luke 5:31-32)
In several parts of this chapter the author left out some implicit information that his original readers would have understood and thought about. Modern readers might not know some of those things, so they might have trouble understanding all that the author was communicating. The UDB often shows how that information can be presented so that modern readers will be able to understand those passages.
Parts of this chapter are sequences of events that have already happened. In a given passage, Luke sometimes writes as if the events have already happened while other events are still in progress (even though they are complete at the time he writes). This can cause difficulty in translation by creating an illogical order of events. It may be necessary to make these consistent by writing as if all the events have already happened.
Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of Man" in this chapter
Jesus preaches from Simon Peter's boat at the lake of Gennesaret.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you could consider using it here.
Possible meanings are 1) "listening to the message God wanted them to hear" or 2) "listening to Jesus's message about God"
These words refer to the Sea of Galilee. Galilee was on the west side of the lake, and the land of Gennesaret was on the east side, so it was called by both names. Some English versions translate this as the proper name of the body of water, "the Lake of Gennesaret."
They were cleaning their fishing nets in order to use them again to catch fish.
"the boat belonging to Simon and"
"asked Simon to move the boat"
Sitting was the normal position for a teacher.
"taught the people while he sat in the boat." Jesus was in the boat a short distance from the shore and he was speaking to the people who were on the shore.
"When Jesus had finished teaching the people"
"because you have told me to do this"
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They were too far from shore to call, so they made gestures, probably by waving their arms.
"the boats began to sink." The reason could be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the boats began to sink because the catch of fish was so heavy" or "the boats began to sink because there were so many fish"
Possible meanings are 1) "knelt down before Jesus" or 2) "bowed down at Jesus' feet" or 3) "lay down on the ground at Jesus' feet." Peter did not fall accidentally. He did this as a sign of humility and respect for Jesus.
The word here for "man" means "adult male" and not the more general "human being."
"the large number of fish"
"Simon's partners in his fishing business"
The image of catching fish is being used as a metaphor for gathering people to follow Christ. Alternate translation: "you will fish for people" or "you will gather people for me" or "you will bring people to be my disciples"
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Jesus heals a leper in a different city that is not named.
This phrase marks a new event in the story.
"a man who was covered with leprosy." This introduces a new character in the story.
Here "fell on his face" is an idiom that means to bow down. Alternate translation: "he knelt and touched the ground with his face" or "he bowed down to the ground"
"if you want to"
It is understood that he was asking Jesus to heal him. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "please make me clean, because you are able"
This refers to ceremonial cleanness, but it is understood that he is unclean because of the leprosy. He is really asking Jesus to heal him of his disease. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "heal me from leprosy so I will be clean"
This refers to ceremonial cleanness, but it is understood that he is unclean because of the leprosy. He is really asking Jesus to heal him of his disease. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "Be healed"
"he no longer had leprosy"
Jesus's instruction can be stated as a direct quote. Alternate translation: "He said, 'Do not tell anyone, but go on your way"
The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "to not tell anyone that he had been healed"
The law required a person to make a specific sacrifice after they were healed. This allowed the person to be ceremonially clean, and able to again participate in religious rituals.
"as proof of your healing"
Possible meanings are 1) "to the priests" or 2) "to all the people."
"the news about Jesus." This could mean either "the report about Jesus's healing the man with leprosy" or "the report about Jesus's healing people."
"the report about him went out even farther." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people kept telling the news about him in other places"
"lonely places" or "places where there were no other people"
One day when Jesus was teaching in a building, some men brought a paralyzed man for Jesus to heal.
This phrase marks the beginning of a new part of the story.
These are new people in the story. Your language may have a way of showing that these are new people.
sleeping pad or bed or stretcher
"could not move himself"
In some languages it might be more natural to reorder this. Alternate translation: "But because of the crowd of people, they could not find a way to bring the man inside. So"
It is clear that the reason they could not enter was that the crowd was so large that there was no room for them.
Houses had flat roofs, and some houses had a ladder or staircase outside to make it easy to go up there. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "they went up to the flat roof of the house"
"directly in front of Jesus" or "immediately in front of Jesus"
It is understood that they believe Jesus can heal the paralyzed man. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "When Jesus perceived that they believed that he could heal the man, he said to him"
This is a general word that people used when speaking to a man whose name they did not know. It was not rude, but it also did not show special respect. Some languages might use a word like "friend" or "sir."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you are forgiven" or "I forgive your sins"
"discuss this" or "reason about this." What they questioned can be stated. Alternate translation: "discuss whether or not Jesus had authority to forgive sins"
This question shows how shocked and angry they were at what Jesus said. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "This man is blaspheming God!" or "He blasphemes God by saying that!"
The implied information is that if a person claims to forgive sins he says he is God. This can be written as a clear statement. Alternate translation: "No one can forgive sins but God alone!" or "God is the only one who can forgive sins!"
This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "You should not argue about this in your hearts." or "You should not doubt that I have the authority to forgive sins."
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's minds or inner beings.
Jesus uses this question to make the scribes think about what might prove whether or not he could really forgive sins. Alternate translation: "You may think that it is easier to say 'Your sins are forgiven' than it is to say 'Get up and walk.'"
The unspoken implication is that one thing is easier to say because no one will know what has happened, but the other thing is harder to say because everyone will know what has happened. People could not see if the man's sins were forgiven, but they would all know he was healed if he got up and walked.
Jesus was speaking to the scribes and Pharisees. The word "you" is plural.
Jesus was referring to himself.
Jesus was saying this to the paralyzed man. The word "you" is singular.
"At once he got up" or "Right away he got up"
It may be helpful to clearly say that he was healed. Alternate translation: "the man was healed! He got up"
"very afraid" or "filled with awe"
"amazing things" or "strange things"
When Jesus leaves the house, he calls Levi, the Jewish tax collector, to follow him.
The phrase "these things" refers to what happened in the previous verses. This signals a new event.
"looked at a tax collector with attention" or "looked carefully at a tax collector"
To "follow" someone is to become that person's disciple. Alternate translation: "Be my disciple" or "Come, follow me as your teacher"
"followed him and left his work as a tax collector"
"in Levi's house"
It was customary to lie on a couch while eating at a feast and to prop oneself up with the left arm on some pillows. Alternate translation: "eating together" or "eating at the table"
"to Jesus's disciples"
The Pharisees and scribes ask this question to express their disapproval that Jesus's disciples are eating with sinners. Alternate translation: "You should not eat ... sinners!"
people who did not obey the law of Moses but committed what others thought were very bad sins
The Pharisees and scribes believed that religious people should separate themselves from people they consider to be sinners. The word "you" is plural.
At the meal, Jesus speaks with the Pharisees and scribes.
Jesus uses this proverb to begin to tell them that he calls sinners to repentance the way a physician calls sick people to be healed.
"doctor"
You may need to supply the words that have been omitted. Alternate translation: "only those who are sick need a physician"
Jesus uses irony to condemn the Phraisees because they think of themselves as righteous. Anyone who wants to follow Jesus has to think of himself as a sinner, not as righteous. Jesus does not mean that he thinks there are righteous people who do not need to repent.
This nominal adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "righteous people"
"The religious leaders said to Jesus"
Jesus uses this question to cause the people to think about a situation that they already know. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "No one tells the wedding attendants of the bridegroom to fast while he is still with them."
"guests" or "friends." These are friends who celebrate with a man who is getting married.
Fasting is a sign of sadness. The religious leaders understood that the wedding attendants would not fast while the bridegroom was with them.
"soon" or "some day"
Jesus is comparing himself to the bridegroom, and the disciples to the wedding attendants. He does not explain the metaphor, so the translation should explain it only if necessary.
Jesus tells a story to the scribes and pharisees who were at Levi's house.
"No one rips ... uses it ... he ... he" or "People never tear ... use it ... they ... they"
repair
"will not match" or "will not be the same as"
"grape juice." This refers to wine that has not yet fermented.
These were bags made out of animal skins. They could also be called "wine bags" or "bags made of skin."
When the new wine would ferment and expand, it would break the old skins because they could no longer stretch out. Jesus's audience would have understood how wine expands when it ferments.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the wine will spill out of the bags"
"new wineskins" or "new wine bags." This refers to new wineskins, unused.
This metaphor contrasts the old teaching of the religious leaders against the new teaching of Jesus. The point is that people who are used to the old teaching are not willing to listen to the new things that Jesus is teaching.
It may be helpful to add the implicit information. Alternate translation: "for he says, 'The old is better,' and he is therefore not willing to try the new wine."
Take the boat out to deeper water and let his nets down into the water to catch some fish.
He obeyed and let down the nets.
They gathered a very large number of fish, so much that their nets were breaking.
Simon wanted Jesus to go away from him because Simon knew that he (Simon) was a sinful man.
Jesus said that from now on he would be catching men.
Great crowds of people were coming to Jesus.
Man, your sins are forgiven you.
Because God alone can forgive sins.
Jesus healed the man to demonstrate that he had authority on earth to forgive sins.
He came to call sinners to repentance.
His disciples would fast after Jesus was taken away from them.
The new cloth would tear, and would not fit the old garment.
The old wine skins would burst and the new wine would be spilled.
New wine must be put into fresh wine skins.
1 Now it happened on a Sabbath that Jesus was going through the grainfields, and his disciples were picking the heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands, and eating the grain. 2 But some of the Pharisees said, "Why are you doing something that is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?"
3 Answering them, Jesus said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and the men who were with him? 4 He went into the house of God and took the bread of the presence and ate some of it, and also gave some to the men who were with him to eat, even though it was only lawful for the priests to eat it." 5 Then he said to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath."
6 It happened on another Sabbath that he went into the synagogue and taught the people there. A man was there whose right hand was withered. 7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him closely to see whether he would heal someone on the Sabbath, so that they might find a reason to accuse him. 8 But he knew what they were thinking and he said to the man whose hand was withered, "Get up and stand here in the middle of everyone." So the man got up and stood there. 9 Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save a life or to destroy it?" 10 Then he looked around at them all and said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was restored. 11 But they were filled with senseless rage, and they talked to each other about what they might do to Jesus.
12 It happened in those days that he went out to the mountain to pray. He continued all night in prayer to God. 13 When it was day, he called his disciples to him, and he chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles. 14 The names of the apostles were Simon (whom he also named Peter) and his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, 15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. 17 Then Jesus came down the mountain with them and stood on a level place with a large crowd of his disciples and a large number of the people from Judea and Jerusalem and the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon. 18 They had come to listen to him and to be healed of their diseases. People who were troubled with unclean spirits were also healed. 19 Everyone in the crowd kept trying to touch him because power to heal was coming out from him, and he healed them all.
20 Then he looked at his disciples and said,
"Blessed are you who are poor,
for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be filled.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
and when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,
because of the Son of Man.
23 Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because you will surely have a great reward in heaven, for their ancestors treated the prophets in the same way.
24 But woe to you who are rich,
for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are full now,
for you will be hungry later.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep later.
26 Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.
27 "But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies and do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer him also the other. If someone takes away your coat, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks you. If someone takes away something that belongs to you, do not ask him to give it back to you. 31 As you want people to do to you, you should do the same to them. 32 If you only love people who love you, what reward is there for you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 If you do good only to people who do good to you, what reward is there for you? For even sinners do the same. 34 If you only lend to people from whom you hope to be repaid, what reward is there for you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back the same amount. 35 But love your enemies and do good to them. Lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind toward unthankful and evil people. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. 37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good amount—pressed down, shaken together and spilling over—will pour into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you."
39 Then he also told them a parable. "Can a blind person guide another blind person? If he did, they would both fall into a pit, would they not? 40 A disciple is not greater than his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. 41 Why do you look at the tiny piece of straw that is in your brother's eye, but you do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 42 How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take out the piece of straw that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not even see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the piece of straw that is in your brother's eye. 43 For there is no good tree that produces rotten fruit, nor is there a rotten tree that produces good fruit. 44 For each tree is known by the kind of fruit it produces. For people do not gather figs from a thornbush, nor do they gather grapes from a briar bush. 45 The good man from the good treasure of his heart produces what is good, and the evil man from the evil treasure of his heart produces what is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
46 "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and yet you do not obey the things that I say? 47 Every person who comes to me and hears my words and obeys them, I will tell you what he is like. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep in the ground and built the house's foundation on solid rock. When a flood came, the torrent of water flowed against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. 49 But the person who hears my words and does not obey them, he is like a man who built a house on top of the ground without a foundation. When the torrent of water flowed against that house, it immediately collapsed, and the ruin of that house was complete."
Luke 6:20-49 contains many blessings and woes that appear to correspond to Matthew 5-7. This part of Matthew has traditionally been called the "Sermon on the Mount." In Luke, they are not as connected to a teaching on the kingdom of God as they are in Matthew's gospel. (See: kingdomofgod)
When the disciples plucked and ate the grain in a field they were walking through on the Sabbath (Luke 6:1), the Pharisees said that they were breaking the law of Moses. The Pharisees said that the disciples were doing work by picking the grain and so disobeying God's command to rest and not work on the Sabbath.
The Pharisees did not think the disciples were stealing. That is because the law of Moses required farmers to allow travelers to pluck and eat small amounts of grain from plants in fields they traveled through or near. (See: lawofmoses and works and sabbath)
Metaphors are pictures of visible objects that speakers use to explain invisible truths. Jesus used a metaphor of a generous grain merchant to teach his people to be generous
Rhetorical questions are questions to which the speaker already knows the answer. The Pharisees scolded Jesus by asking him a rhetorical question when they thought he was breaking the Sabbath
Speakers usually do not say things that they think their hearers already understand. When Luke wrote that the disciples were rubbing the heads of grain between their hands, he expected his reader to know that they were separating the part they would eat from what they would throw away
The following are the lists of the twelve disciples:
In Matthew:
Simon (Peter), Andrew, James son of Zebedee, John son of Zebedee, Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot.
In Mark:
Simon (Peter), Andrew, James the son of Zebedee and John the son of Zebedee (to whom he gave the name Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder), Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot.
In Luke:
Simon (Peter), Andrew, James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Simon (who was called the Zealot), Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot.
Thaddaeus is probably the same person as Jude, the son of James.
While Jesus and his disciples are walking through grainfields, some Pharisees begin to question the disciples about what they are doing on the Sabbath, which, in God's law, has been set aside for God.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story. If your language has a way for doing this, you can consider using it here.
These are large sections of land where people had scattered wheat seed to grow wheat.
These are the topmost parts of the grain plant, which is a kind of large grass. It holds the mature, edible seeds of the plant.
They did this to separate the grain seeds. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "grain. They rubbed them in their hands to separate the grains from the husks and ate"
The word "you" here is plural, and refers to the disciples.
They asked this question to accuse the disciples of breaking the law. It can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "Picking grain on the Sabbath is against God's law!"
The Pharisees considered even the small action of rubbing a handful of grain to be unlawful work. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "doing work"
Jesus is rebuking the Pharisees for not learning from the scriptures. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "You should learn from what you have read ... him!" or "Certainly you have read ... him!"
This is the sacred bread that priests placed before God in the tabernacle. It represented God's presence. Alternate translation: "the bread of Yahweh's presence" or "the bread that the priest placed before God" or "the sacred bread"
Jesus was referring to himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man, am"
The title "Lord" here emphasizes his authority over the Sabbath. Alternate translation: "has the authority to determine what is right for people to do on the Sabbath!"
It is now another Sabbath day and Jesus is in the synagogue.
The scribes and Pharisees watch as Jesus heals a man on the Sabbath.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new event in the story.
This introduces a new character in the story.
The man's hand was damaged in such a way that he could not stretch it. It was probably almost bent into a fist, making it look small and wrinkled.
"were watching Jesus carefully"
"because they wanted to find"
"in front of everyone." Jesus wanted the man to stand where everyone there could see him.
"to the Pharisees"
Jesus asks this question to force the Pharisees to admit that he was right to heal on the Sabbath. The intent of the question is thus rhetorical: to get them to admit what they all know is true rather than to obtain information. However, Jesus says, "I ask you," so this question is not like other rhetorical questions that might need to be translated as statements. This should be translated as a question.
"to help someone or to harm someone"
"Hold out your hand" or "Extend your hand"
healed
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Jesus chooses twelve apostles after he prays all night.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"around that time" or "not long after" or "one day around then"
"Jesus went out"
"When it was morning" or "The next day"
"he chose twelve of the disciples"
"whom he also made apostles" or "and he appointed them to be apostles"
Luke wrote a list of the names of the apostles. The ULB uses these words to introduce the list.
"Simon's brother, Andrew"
Possible meanings are 1) "the Zealot" is a title that indicates he was part of the group of people who wanted to free the Jewish people from Roman rule. Alternate translation: "the patriot" or "the nationalist" or 2) "the Zealot" is a description that indicates he was zealous for God to be honored. Alternate translation: "the passionate one"
It may be necessary to explain what "traitor" means in this context. Alternate translation: "betrayed his friend" or "turned his friend over to enemies"
Though Jesus especially addresses his disciples, there are many people around who listen.
"with the twelve he had chosen" or "with his twelve apostles"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "for Jesus to heal them"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Jesus also healed people who were troubled with unclean spirits"
"bothered by unclean spirits" or "controlled by evil spirits"
"he had power to heal people" or "he was using his power to heal people"
Jesus speaks this phrase three times. Each time, it indicates that God gives favor to certain people or that their situation is positive or good.
"You who are poor receive God's favor" or "You who are poor benefit"
Languages that do not have a word for kingdom might say, "for God is your king" or "because God is your ruler."
"the kingdom of God belongs to you." This could mean 1) "you belong to God's kingdom" or 2) "you will have authority in God's kingdom."
"you will laugh with joy" or "you will be joyful"
"You receive God's favor" or "You benefit" or "How good it is for you"
"reject you"
"because you associate with the Son of Man" or "because they reject the Son of Man"
"when they do those things" or "when that happens"
This idiom means "be extremely joyful"
"a large payment" or "good gifts"
"how terrible it is for you." Jesus speaks this phrase three times. It is the opposite of "blessed are you." Each time, it indicates that God's anger is directed at the people, or that something negative or bad awaits them.
"how terrible it is for you who are rich" or "trouble will come to you who are rich"
"what comforts you" or "what satisfies you" or "what makes you happy"
"whose stomachs are full now" or "who eat much now"
"who are happy now"
"How terrible it is for you" or "How sad you should be"
Here "men" is used in the generic sense the includes all people. Alternate translation: "when all people speak" or "when everyone speaks"
"their ancestors also spoke well of the false prophets"
Jesus continues to speak to his disciples and the crowd who is listening to him as well.
Jesus now begins to speak to the entire crowd, rather than just to his disciples.
Each of these commands is to be followed continually, not just a single time.
This does not mean those listening were to only love their enemies and not their friends. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "love your enemies, not only your friends, and"
Each of these commands is to be followed continually, not just a single time.
God is the one who blesses. This can made explicit. Alternate translation: "Ask God to bless those"
"those who habitually curse you"
"those who habitually mistreat you"
"If anyone hits you"
"on one side of your face"
It may be helpful to state what the attacker will do to the person. Alternate translation: "turn your face so that he can strike the other cheek also"
"do not prevent him from taking"
"If anyone asks you for something, give it to him"
"do not require him to give" or "do not demand that he give"
In some languages it may be more natural to reverse the order. Alternate translation: "You should do to people the same as what you want them to do to you" or "Treat people they way you want them to treat you"
"what reward will you receive?" or "what praise will you receive for doing that?" This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "you will not receive any reward for that." or "God will not reward you for that."
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Here the word "hope" means to confidently expect that what one desires will happen. The person who hopes in this way believes that what he desires will happen. The verb "to be repaid" can be expressed with an active form. Alternate translation: "people whom you expect will repay you" or "people whom you believe will repay you"
The law of Moses commanded the Jews not to receive interest on money they loaned to other Jews.
"not expecting the person to return what you have given him" or "not expecting the person to give you anything"
"you will receive a great reward" or "you will receive good payment" or "you will get good gifts because of it"
It is best to translate "sons" with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to a human son or child.
Make sure that the word "sons" is plural so it is not confused with Jesus's title "The Son of the Most High."
"people who do not thank him and who are evil"
This refers to God. It is best to translate "Father" with the same word your language would naturally use to refer to a human father.
"Do not judge people" or "Do not harshly criticize people"
"and as a result you"
Jesus does not say who will not judge. Possible meanings are 1) "God will not judge you" or 2) "no one will judge you"
"Do not condemn people"
Jesus does not say who will not condemn. Possible meanings are 1) "God will not condemn you" or 2) "no one will condemn you"
Jesus does not say who will forgive. Possible meanings are 1) "God will forgive you" or 2) "people will forgive you"
Jesus does not say exactly who will give. Possible meanings are 1) "someone will give it to you" or 2) "God will give it to you"
Jesus speaks either of God or of people giving generously as if he were speaking of a generous grain merchant. Alternate translation: "God will pour into your lap a generous amount—pressed down, shaken together and spilling over" or "Like a generous grain merchant who presses down the grain and shakes it together and pours in so much grain that it spills over, they will give generously to you"
"A generous amount" or "A large amount"
Jesus does not say exactly who will measure. Possible meanings are 1) "they will measure things back to you" or 2) "God will measure things back to you"
Jesus includes some examples to make his point.
Jesus used this question to get the people to think about something that they already know. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "We all know that a blind person cannot guide another blind person."
The person who is "blind" is a metaphor for a person who has not been taught as a disciple.
Some languages might prefer, "if one did."
This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "both of them would fall into a hole."
"A disciple does not surpass his teacher." Possible meanings are 1) "A disciple does not have more knowledge than his teacher" or 2) "A disciple does not have more authority than his teacher."
"every disciple who has been trained well" or "every disciple whose teacher has fully taught him"
Jesus uses this question to challenge the people to pay attention to their own sins before they pay attention to another person's sins. Alternate translation: "Do not look ... brothers eye while you ignore the log that is in your own eye."
This is a metaphor that refers to the less important faults of a fellow believer.
"speck" or "splinter" or "bit of dust." Use a word for the smallest thing that commonly falls into a person's eyes.
Here "brother" refers to a fellow Jew or a fellow believer in Jesus.
"do not notice that you have a log in your own eye"
This is a metaphor for a person's most important faults. A log could not literally go into a person's eye. Jesus exaggerates to emphasize that a person should pay attention to his own more important faults before he deals with another person's less important faults.
"beam" or "plank"
Jesus asks this question to challenge the people to pay attention to their own sins before they pay attention to another person's sins. Alternate translation: "You should not say ... eye."
People can tell if a tree is good or bad, and what type of tree it is, by the fruit it produces. Jesus uses this as an unexplained metaphor—we know what kind of person someone is when we see his actions.
"This is because there is." This indicates that what follows is the reason why we should not judge our brother.
"healthy tree"
fruit that is decaying or bad or worthless
People recognize the kind of tree by the fruit it bears. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people know the type of a tree" or "people recognize a tree"
a plant or shrub that has thorns
a vine or shrub that has thorns
Jesus compares the thoughts of a person to his good or evil treasure. When a good person has good thoughts, he engages in good actions. When an evil person thinks evil thoughts, he engages in evil actions.
The word "good" here means righteous or moral.
The word "man" here refers to a person, male or female. Alternate translation: "good person"
Here the good thoughts of a person are spoken of as if they were treasures stored in the heart of that person, and "his heart" is a metonym for the person's inner being. Alternate translation: "the good things he keeps deep inside himself" or "the good things he values very intensely"
Producing what is good is a metaphor for doing what is good. Alternate translation: "does what is good"
Here the evil thoughts of a person are spoken of as if they were evil things stored in the heart of that person, and "his heart" is a metonym the person's inner being. Alternate translation: "the evil things he keeps deep inside himself" or "the evil things he values very intensely"
Here "heart" represents the person's mind or inner being. The phrase "his mouth" represents the person as a whole. Alternate translation: "what he thinks in his heart affects what he says with his mouth" or "a person will speak aloud what truly values inside of himself"
Here the repetition of these words is used as an exclamation. People repeat a name or title in this way when trying to find someone or to get someone's attention.
In verse 47-48 Jesus compares the person who obeys his teaching to a man who builds a house on rock where it will be safe from floods.
It may be clearer to change the order of this sentence. Alternate translation: "I will tell you what every person is like who comes to me and hears my words and obeys them"
"dug down deep into the ground until he found a large, solid rock. Then he built his house on that rock so that it would be strong and stable." Some cultures may not be familiar with this process of building a house and may need to use another image for a stable foundation.
"fast-moving water" or "river"
"crashed against"
Possible meanings are 1) "cause it to shake" or 2) "destroy it."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "because the man had built it well"
Jesus compares the person who hears but does not obey his teaching to a man who builds a house that has no foundation and so will collapse when the flood comes.
"But" shows a strong contrast to the previous person who built with a foundation.
Some cultures may not know that a house with a foundation is stronger. Additional information may be helpful. Alternate translation: "but he did not dig down and build first a foundation"
"fast-moving water" or "river"
"crashed against"
fell down or came apart
"that house was completely destroyed"
They were picking heads of grain, rubbing them between their hands, and eating the grain.
Jesus claimed the title, Lord of the Sabbath.
They were filled with anger, and talked about what they might do to Jesus.
Jesus called them "apostles."
Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated for the Son of Man's sake are blessed.
Those who are poor, hungry, weeping, and hated for the Son of Man's sake are blessed.
Because they will have a great reward in heaven.
They should love their enemies and do good to those who hate them.
He is kind and merciful toward them.
He is kind and merciful toward them.
First, we must remove the log from our own eyes so that we are not hypocrites.
What comes forth from a good man's heart is good.
What comes forth from an evil man's heart is evil.
He hears Jesus' words and obeys them.
He hears Jesus' words and does not obey them.
1 After Jesus had finished everything he was saying in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum.
2 Now a centurion had a slave who was highly regarded by him, and he was sick and about to die. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they had come to Jesus, they asked him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 because he loves our nation, and he is the one who built the synagogue for us."
6 So Jesus continued on his way with them. But when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, because I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. 7 For this reason I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you, but just say a word and my servant will be healed. 8 For I also am a man who is under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another one, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."
9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him said, "I say to you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." 10 When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the servant was healthy.
11 Soon after that, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a great crowd went with him. 12 As he came near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother (who was a widow), and a rather large crowd from the town was with her. 13 When the Lord saw her, he was deeply moved with compassion for her and said to her, "Do not cry." 14 Then he went up and touched the wooden frame on which they carried the body, and those carrying it stood still. He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." 15 The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother.
16 Then fear overcame all of them, and they kept praising God, saying, "A great prophet has been raised among us" and "God has looked upon his people." 17 This news about Jesus spread throughout the whole of Judea and all the neighboring regions.
18 John's disciples told him about all these things. Then John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to the Lord to say, "Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?"
20 When they had come near to Jesus, the men said, "John the Baptist has sent us to you to say, 'Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?'"
21 In that hour he healed many people from sicknesses and afflictions and from evil spirits, and to many blind people he gave sight. 22 Jesus answered and said to them, "After you have gone on your way, report to John what you have seen and heard. Blind people are receiving sight, lame people are walking, lepers are being cleansed, deaf people are hearing, people who have died are being raised back to life, and the poor are being told good news. 23 The person who does not stop believing in me because of my actions is blessed."
24 After John's messengers had gone away, Jesus began to say to the crowds about John, "What did you go out into the desert to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 25 But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothes? Look, those who wear splendid clothing and who live in luxury are in kings' palaces. 26 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is he of whom it is written,
'See, I am sending my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.'
28 I say to you, among those born of women none is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is." 29 (When all the people heard this, including the tax collectors, they declared that God is righteous, because they had been baptized with the baptism of John. 30 But the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.) 31 "To what, then, can I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? 32 They are like children playing in the marketplace, who sit and call to one another and say,
'We played a flute for you,
and you did not dance.
We sang a funeral song,
and you did not cry.' 33 For John the Baptist came eating no bread and drinking no wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, he is a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' 35 But wisdom is justified by all her children."
36 Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him. So after Jesus entered into the Pharisee's house, he reclined at the table to eat. 37 Behold, there was a woman in the city who was a sinner. When she found out that he was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil. 38 As she stood behind him near his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with her hair and kissed them and anointed them with perfumed oil. 39 When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he thought to himself, saying, "If this man were a prophet, then he would know who and what type of woman is touching him, that she is a sinner."
40 Jesus responded and said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you."
He said, "Say it, Teacher!"
41 Jesus said, "A certain moneylender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay him, he forgave them both. Therefore, which of them will love him more?"
43 Simon answered him and said, "I suppose the one whom he forgave the most."
Jesus said to him, "You have judged correctly." 44 Jesus turned to the woman and said to Simon, "You see this woman. I have entered into your house. You gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but from the time I came in she did not stop kissing my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with perfumed oil. 47 For this reason I say to you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven—for she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 Then he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
49 Those reclining together began to say among themselves, "Who is this that even forgives sins?"
50 Then Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you. Go in peace."
Some translations set quotations from the Old Testament farther to the right on the page than the rest of the text. The ULB does this with the quoted material in 7:27.
Several times in this chapter Luke changes his topic without marking the change. You should not try to make these rough changes smooth.
The centurion who asked Jesus to heal his slave (Luke 7:2 was doing many unusual things. A Roman soldier would almost never go to a Jew for anything, and most wealthy people did not love or care for their slaves. (See: centurion and faith)
John baptized people to show that those he was baptizing knew they were sinners and were sorry for their sin. (See: repent and sin)
Luke refers to a group of people as "sinners." The Jewish leaders considered these people to be hopelessly ignorant of the law of Moses, and so called them "sinners." In reality, the leaders were sinful. This situation can be taken as irony.
The feet of the people in the ancient Near East were very dirty because they wore sandals and the roads and trails were dusty and muddy. Only slaves washed other people's feet. The woman who washed Jesus's feet was showing him great honor.
Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of Man" in this chapter
Jesus enters Capernaum, where he heals a centurion's servant.
The idiom "in the hearing" emphasizes that he wanted them to hear what he said. Alternate translation: "to the people who were listening to him" or "to the people who were present" or "for the people to hear"
This begins a new event in the story.
"whom the centurion valued" or "whom he respected"
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"pleaded with him" or "begged him"
"The centurion is worthy"
"our people." This refers to the Jewish people.
"went along"
"near the house"
The centurion was speaking politely to Jesus. Alternate translation: "do not trouble yourself by coming to my house" or "I do not wish to bother you"
This phrase is an idiom that means "come into my house." If your language has an idiom that means "come into my house," think about whether it would be good to use here.
The servant understood that Jesus could heal the servant just by speaking. Here "word" refers to a command. Alternate translation: "just give the order"
The word that is translated here as "servant" is normally translated as "boy." It may indicate that the servant was very young or show the centurion's affection for him.
"I also have someone over me that I must obey"
"under my authority"
The word that is translated here as "servant" is the typical word for a servant.
"he was amazed at the centurion"
Jesus said this to emphasize the surprising thing that he was about to tell them.
The implication is that Jesus expected Jewish people to have this kind of faith, but they did not. He did not expect Gentiles to have this kind of faith, yet this man did. You may need to add this implied information. Alternate translation: "I have not found any Israelite who trusts me as much as this Gentile does!"
It is understood that these were the people the centurion sent. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "the people whom the Roman officer had sent to Jesus"
Jesus goes to the city of Nain, where he heals a man who had died.
This is the name of a city.
The word "behold" alerts us to the introduction of the dead man into the story. Your language may have a way of doing this. Alternate translation: "there was a dead man who"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people were carrying out of the city a man who had died"
"carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow. A rather large crowd." This is background information about the dead man and his mother.
a woman whose husband has died and who has not remarried
"felt very sorry for her"
"he went forward" or "he approached the dead man"
This was a stretcher or bed used to move the body to the burial place. It did not have to be something in which the body was buried. Other translations may have the less common "bier" or "funeral couch."
Jesus says this to emphasize that the young man needs to obey him. "Listen to me! Arise"
The man was not still dead; he was now alive. It may be necessary to state this clearly. Alternate translation: "The man who had been dead"
This tells what happens as a result of Jesus healing the man who had died.
"fear filled all of them." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they all became very afraid"
They were referring to Jesus, not to some unidentified prophet. "Raised" here is an idiom for "caused to become." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has caused one of us to become a great prophet"
This idiom means "cared for"
"This news" refers to the things people were saying in verse 16. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People spread this report about Jesus" or "People told others this report about Jesus"
"This report" or "This message"
This introduces a new event in the story.
"told John"
"all the things Jesus was doing"
John sends two of his disciples to question Jesus.
This sentence can be rewritten so that it only has one direct quote. Alternate translation: "the men said that John the Baptist had sent them to him to ask, 'Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?'" or "the men said, 'John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask if you are the one who is coming, or if we should look for another.'"
"At that time"
It may be helpful to restate the healing. Alternate translation: "he healed them from evil spirits" or "he set people free from evil spirits"
"said to John's messengers" or "said to the messengers that John sent"
"tell John"
"dead people are being caused to live again"
This nominal adjective can be translated as a noun phrase. Alternate translation: "poor people"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will bless the person who does not stop believing in me because of my actions"
"People who do not ... are blessed" or "Anyone who does not ... is blessed" or "Whoever does not ... is blessed." This is not a specific person.
"continues to believe in me despite"
"trusting me completely"
Jesus begins to speak to the crowd about John the Baptist. He asks rhetorical questions to lead them to think about what John the Baptist is really like.
This expects a negative answer. These questions can be written as a question with an answer or as a statement. Alternate translation: "Did you go out to see a reed shaken by the wind? Of course not!" or "Surely you did not go out to see a reed being shaken by the wind!"
Possible meanings of this metaphor are 1) a person who easily changes his mind, as reeds are easily moved by the wind, or 2) a person who talks a lot but does not say anything important, as reeds rattle when the wind blows.
This expects a negative answer. These questions can be written as a question with an answer or as a statement. Alternate translation: "Did you go out to see a man dressed in soft clothes? Of course not!" or "You certainly did not go out to see a man dressed in soft clothes!"
This refers to expensive clothing. Normal clothing was rough. Alternate translation: "wearing expensive clothing"
A palace is a large, expensive house that a king lives in.
This expects a positive answer. These questions can be written as a question with an answer or as a statement. Alternate translation: "Did you go out to see a prophet? Of course you did!" or "But you actually went out to see a prophet!"
Jesus says this to emphasize the importance of what he will say next.
This phrase means that John was indeed a prophet, but that he was even greater than a typical prophet. Alternate translation: "not just an ordinary prophet" or "much more important than a normal prophet"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "John is the one the prophets wrote about long ago"
In this verse, Jesus is quoting the prophet Malachi and saying that John is the messenger of which Malachi spoke.
This idiom means "in front of you" or "to go ahead of you"
The word "your" is singular because God was speaking to the Messiah in the quotation.
Jesus is speaking to the crowd, so "you" is plural. Jesus uses this phrase to emphasize the truth of the surprising thing he is about to say next.
"among those to whom a woman has given birth." This is a metaphor that refers to all people. Alternate translation: "of all the people who have ever lived"
"John is the greatest"
This refers to anyone who is part of the kingdom that God will establish.
The spiritual state of people in the kingdom of God will be higher than that of the people before the kingdom was established. Alternate translation: "has higher spiritual status than John"
Luke, the author of this book, comments on how people responds to John and Jesus.
This verse could be reordered to be more clear. Alternate translation: "When all the people who had been baptized by John, including the tax collectors, heard this, they declared that God is righteous"
"they said that God had shown himself to be righteous" or "they declared that God had acted righteously"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "because they had let John baptize them" or "because John had baptized them"
"rejected what God wanted them to do" or "chose to disobey what God told them"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they did not let John baptize them" or "they rejected John's baptism"
Jesus continues speaking to the people about John the Baptist.
Jesus uses these questions to introduce a comparison. They can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "This is what I compare this generation to. This is what they are like."
These are two ways of saying that this is a comparison.
The people living when Jesus spoke.
These words are the beginning of Jesus's comparison. Jesus is saying that the people are like children who are never satisfied with the way other children act.
a large, open-air area where people come to sell their goods
"but you did not dance to the music"
"but you did not cry with us"
Possible meanings are 1) "frequently fasting" or 2) "not eating normal food."
Jesus was quoting what people were saying about John. This can be stated without the direct quote. Alternate translation: "you say that he has a demon." or "you accuse him of having a demon."
Jesus expected the people to understand that he was referring to himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man, came"
This can be translated as an indirect quote. If you translated "The Son of Man" as "I, the Son of man," you can state this as an indirect statement and use the first person. Alternate translation: "you accuse him of eating and drinking too much and of being a friend of tax collectors and sinners." or "you say that I am a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors sinners."
"he is a greedy eater" or "he continually eats too much food"
"a drunk" or "he continually drinks too much alcohol"
This appears to be a proverb that Jesus applied to this situation, probably to teach that wise people would understand that the people should not have rejected Jesus and John.
It was a custom in that time for onlookers to attend dinners without eating.
A Pharisee invites Jesus to eat at his house.
The marks the beginning of a new part of the story and introduces the Pharisee into the story.
"sat down at the table for the meal." It was the custom at a relaxed meal such as this dinner for men to eat while lying down comfortably around the table.
The word "behold" alerts us to a new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this.
"who lived a sinful lifestyle" or "who had a reputation for living a sinful life." She may have been a prostitute.
"a jar made of soft stone." Alabaster is a soft, white rock. People stored precious things in alabaster jars.
"with perfume in it." The oil had something in it that made it smell nice. People rubbed it on themselves or sprinkled their clothing with it in order to smell nice.
"poured perfume on them"
"he said to himself"
The Pharisee thought that Jesus was not a prophet because he allowed the sinful woman to touch him. Alternate translation: "Apparently Jesus is not a prophet, because a prophet would know that this woman who is touching him is a sinner"
Simon assumed that a prophet would never allow a sinner to touch him. This part of his assumption can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "that she is a sinner, and he would not allow her to touch him"
This was the name of the Pharisee who invited Jesus into his home. This was not Simon Peter.
To emphasize what he is going to tell Simon the Pharisee, Jesus tells him a story.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender"
"500 days' wages ... 50." "Denarii" is the plural of "denarius." A "denarius" was a silver coin.
The understood information can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the other debtor owed fifty denarii" or "the other debtor owed 50 days' wages"
"he forgave their debts" or "he canceled their debts"
Simon was cautious about his answer. Alternate translation: "Probably"
"You are right"
Jesus directed Simon's attention to the woman by turning to her.
It was a basic responsibility of a host to provide water and a towel for guests to wash and dry their feet after walking on dusty roads.
Jesus twice uses these phrases to contrast Simon's lack of courtesy with the woman's extreme actions of gratitude.
The woman used her tears in place of the missing water.
The woman used her hair in place of the missing towel.
A good host in that culture would greet his guest with a kiss on the cheek. Simon did not do this.
"has continued to kiss my feet"
The woman kissed the feet of Jesus rather than his cheek as a sign of extreme repentance and humility.
Jesus continues to contrast Simon's poor hospitality with the actions of the woman.
"put oil on my head." This was the custom to welcome an honored guest. Alternate translation: "welcome me by anointing my head with oil"
The woman greatly honored Jesus by doing this. She demonstrated humility by anointing his feet instead of his head.
This emphasizes the importance of the statement that follows.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has forgiven her many sins"
Her love was the evidence that her sins were forgiven. Some languages require that the object of "love" be stated. Alternate translation: "for she greatly loves the one who forgave her" or "for she loves God very much"
"anyone who is forgiven only a few things." In this sentence Jesus states a general principle. However, he expected Simon to understand that he showed very little love for Jesus.
"Then he said to the woman"
"You are forgiven." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "I forgive your sins"
"reclining together around the table" or "eating together"
The religious leaders knew that only God could forgive sins and did not believe that Jesus was God. This question was probably intended to be an accusation. Alternate translation: "Who does this man think he is? Only God can forgive sins!" or "Why is this man pretending to be God, who alone can forgive sins?"
"Because of your faith, you are saved." The abstract noun "faith" could be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "Because you believe, you are saved"
This is a way of saying good-bye while giving a blessing at the same time. Alternate translation: "As you go, do not worry anymore" or "May God give you peace as you go"
He asked Jesus to come to his house and to heal his slave.
The centurion said he was not worthy that Jesus should come to his house.
The centurion then wanted Jesus to heal the slave by just saying a word.
Jesus said that not even in Israel had he found anyone with so much faith.
He was deeply moved with compassion.
They said that a great prophet had been raised among them, and that God had looked upon his people.
Jesus healed the blind, lame, lepers, and deaf, and he raised the dead.
Jesus said John was much more than a prophet.
They rejected God's counsel for themselves.
They said, "He has a demon."
They said, "He is a gluttonous man and a drunkard."
She wet Jesus' feet with her tears, wiped them with her hair, kissed his feet, and anointed his feet with perfume.
She would love much.
They asked, "Who is this that even forgives sins?"
1 It happened soon afterward that Jesus began traveling around to different cities and villages, preaching and proclaiming the good news about the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, 2 as well as certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and diseases: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had been driven out; 3 Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod's manager; Susanna; and many others, who, out of their possessions, provided for their needs.
4 While a large crowd of people was gathering, and people were coming to him from town after town, he told a parable: 5 "A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell beside the road and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the sky devoured it. 6 Some fell on the rock, and as soon as it grew up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. 7 Some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up together with the seed and choked it. 8 But some fell on good soil and produced a crop that was a hundred times greater." After Jesus had said these things, he called out, "Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear."
9 His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10 He said, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God has been given to you, but for others I speak in parables, so that
'seeing they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand.' 11 Now this is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the word of God. 12 The ones along the road are those who have heard, but then the devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts so they may not believe and be saved. 13 The ones on the rock are those who, when they hear the word, receive it with joy. But they have no root; they believe for a while, and in a time of testing they fall away. 14 The seeds that fell among the thorns are people who hear the word, but as they go on their way, they are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and their fruit does not mature. 15 But the seed that fell on the good soil, these are the ones who, hearing the word with an honest and good heart, hold it securely and bear fruit with patient endurance.
16 "No one lights a lamp and covers it with a bowl or puts it under a bed. Rather, he puts it on a lampstand so that everyone who enters may see the light. 17 For nothing is hidden that will not be made known, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come into the light. 18 So listen carefully, for to the one who has, more will be given to him, but the one who does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him."
19 Then his mother and brothers came to him, but they could not get near him because of the crowd. 20 He was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you." 21 But Jesus answered and said to them, "My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and do it."
22 Now one day he got into a boat with his disciples, and he said to them, "Let us go over to the other side of the lake." They set sail. 23 But as they sailed he fell asleep. A terrible windstorm came down on the lake, and their boat was filling with water, and they were in danger. 24 Then Jesus' disciples came over to him and woke him up, saying, "Master! Master! We are about to die!"
He awoke and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and they ceased, and there was a calm. 25 Then he said to them, "Where is your faith?"
But they were afraid and amazed, and they asked one another, "Who then is this, that he commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
26 They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, which is across the lake from Galilee. 27 When Jesus stepped on the land, he was met by a certain man from the city who had demons. For a long time he had worn no clothes, and he did not live in a house but among the tombs. 28 When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down before him and he said with a loud voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me." 29 For Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and though he was bound with chains and shackles and kept under guard, he had broken his chains and he would be driven by the demon into the wilderness.
30 Then Jesus asked him, "What is your name?"
He said, "Legion," for many demons had entered into him. 31 They kept begging him not to command them to go away into the abyss. 32 Now a large herd of pigs was there feeding on the hillside. The demons begged him to let them go into them, and he gave them permission. 33 So the demons came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake and was drowned. 34 When those tending the pigs saw what had happened, they ran off and told about it in the city and countryside. 35 So the people went out to see what had happened, and they came to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had gone out. He was sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. 36 Then those who had seen it told them how the man who had been possessed by demons had been healed. 37 Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to depart from them, for they were overwhelmed with great fear. So he got into the boat and returned.
38 The man from whom the demons had gone out begged him to let him go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39 "Return to your home and give a full account of what God has done for you." The man went on his way, proclaiming throughout the whole city what Jesus had done for him.
40 Now when Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they were all expecting him. 41 Behold, a man named Jairus, who was one of the leaders of the synagogue, came and fell down at Jesus' feet, and he begged him to come to his house 42 because his only daughter, a girl of about twelve years of age, was dying. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds of people pressed together around him.
43 Now a woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years [1] and could not be healed by anyone. 44 She came behind Jesus and touched the edge of his coat, and immediately her bleeding stopped. 45 Jesus said, "Who was it who touched me?"
When all denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowds of people are all around you and they are pressing in against you."
46 But Jesus said, "Someone did touch me, for I know that power has gone out from me." 47 When the woman saw that she could not escape notice, she came trembling and fell down before him. In the presence of all the people she declared why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed. 48 Then he said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."
49 While he was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader's house, saying, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the teacher any longer."
50 But when Jesus heard this, he answered Jairus, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be healed." 51 When he came to the house, he allowed no one to enter with him, except Peter and John and James, and the father of the child and her mother. 52 Now all were mourning and wailing for her, but he said, "Do not weep; she is not dead but asleep." 53 But they began to mock him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But he took her by the hand and called out, saying, "Child, get up!" 55 Her spirit returned, and she rose up immediately. He ordered them to get her something to eat. 56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.
Several times in this chapter Luke changes his topic without marking the change. You should not try to make these rough changes smooth.
Jesus made a storm stop by speaking to it, he made a dead girl alive by speaking to her, and he made evil spirits leave a man by speaking to them. (See: miracle)
The parables were short stories that Jesus told so that people would easily understand the lesson he was trying to teach them. He also told the stories so that those who did not want to believe in him would not understand the truth (Luke 8:4-15).
These verses give background information about Jesus's preaching while traveling.
This phrase is used here to mark a new part of the story.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "whom Jesus had set free from evil spirits and healed of diseases"
One of the "certain women."
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Mary, whom people called Magdalene ... Jesus had driven out seven demons"
Two of the "certain women"
Joanna was Chuza's wife, and Chuza was Herod's manager. "Joanna, the wife of Herod's manager, Chuza"
"financially supported Jesus and his twelve disciples"
Jesus tells the parable of the soils to the crowd. He explains its meaning to his disciples in 8:11:15.
"coming to Jesus"
"A farmer went out to scatter some seed in a field" or "A farmer went out to scatter some seeds in a field"
"some of the seed fell" or "some of the seeds fell"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "people walked on it" or "people walked on them"
This idiom can be translated simply as "birds" or as "birds flew down and" to keep the sense of "sky."
"ate it all" or "ate them all"
"each plant became dry and shriveled up" or "the plants became dry and shriveled up"
"it was too dry" or "they were too dry." The cause can also be stated. Alternate translation: "the ground was too dry"
Jesus finishes telling the parable to the crowd.
The thorn plants took all the nutrients, water, and sunlight, so the farmer's plants could not grow well.
"grew a harvest" or "grew more seeds"
This means a hundred times more than the seeds that were sown.
Jesus is emphasizing that what he has just said is important and may take some effort to understand and put into practice. The phrase "ears to hear" here is a metonym for the willingness to understand and obey. Since Jesus is speaking directly to his audience, you may prefer to use the second person here. Alternate translation: "Let the one who is willing to listen, listen" or "The one who is willing to understand, let him understand and obey" or "If you are willing to listen, listen" or "If you are willing to understand, then understand and obey"
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Jesus begins to speak to his disciples.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has given to you the knowledge of ... God" or "God has made you able to understand ... God"
These are truths that have been hidden, but that Jesus is now revealing them.
"for other people." This refers to the people who rejected the teaching of Jesus and did not follow him.
"though they see, they will not perceive." This is a quote from the prophet Isaiah. Some languages may need to state the object of the verbs. Alternate translation: "though they see things, they will not understand them" or "though they see things happen, they will not understand what they mean"
"though they hear, they will not understand." This is a quote from the prophet Isaiah. Some languages may need to state the object of the verbs. Alternate translation: "though they hear instruction, they will not understand the truth"
Jesus begins to explain the meaning of the parable that he told in Luke 8:5-8.
"The seed is the message from God"
"The seeds that fell along the path are those." Jesus tells what happens to the seeds as it relates to people. Alternate translation: "The seeds that fell along the road represent people" or "In the parable, the seeds that fell along the road represent people"
Jesus speaks of the seeds showing something about people as if the seeds were the people. Alternate translation: "show what happens to people who"
Here "hearts" is a metonym for people's minds or inner beings. Alternate translation: "the devil comes and takes away the message of God from their inner thoughts"
In the parable this was a metaphor of a bird snatching away the seeds. Try to use words in your language that keep that image.
This is the devil's purpose. Alternate translation: "hearts because the devil thinks, 'They must not believe and they must not be saved.'" or "hearts so it will not be that they believe and God saves them."
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"The seeds that fell among the thorns represent people" or "In the parable the seeds that fell among the thorns represent people"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the cares and riches and pleasures of this life choke them"
things that people worry about
"the things in this life that people enjoy"
This metaphor refers to the way weeds cut off light and nutrients from plants and keep them from growing. Alternate translation: "as weeds prevent good plants from growing, the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life keep these people from becoming mature"
"they do not bear ripe fruit." Mature fruit is a metaphor for good works. Alternate translation: "so like a plant that does not produce mature fruit, they do not produce good works"
"the seed that fell on the good soil represents the people" or "in the parable the seed that fell on the good soil represents the people"
"hearing the message"
Here "heart" is a metonym for a person's thoughts or intentions. Alternate translation: "with an honest and good desire"
"produce fruit by enduring patiently" or "produce fruit by continued effort." Fruit is a metaphor for good works. Alternate translation: "like healthy plants that produce good fruit, they produce good works by persevering"
Jesus continues with another parable.
This marks the beginning of another parable.
This double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate translation: "everything that is hidden will be made known"
This double negative can be written as a positive statement. Alternate translation: "and everything that is secret will be made known and will come into the light"
It is clear from the context that Jesus is talking about understanding and believing. This can be stated clearly and changed to active form. Alternate translation: "whoever has understanding will be given more understanding" or "God will enable those who believe the truth to understand even more"
It is clear from the context that Jesus is talking about understanding and believing. This can be stated clearly and changed to active form. Alternate translation: "whoever does not have understanding will lose even what understanding he thinks he has" or "God will cause those who do not believe the truth not to understand even the little that they think they have understood"
These were Jesus's younger brothers—the sons of Mary and Joseph who were born after Jesus. Since the Father of Jesus was God, and their father was Joseph, they were technically his half-brothers. This detail is not normally translated.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "People told him" or "Someone told him"
"and they want to see you"
This metaphor expresses that the people who were coming to listen to Jesus were as important to him as his own family was. Alternate translation: "Those who hear the word of God and obey it are like a mother and brothers to me"
"the message God has spoken"
Jesus and his disciples use a boat to cross Lake Genneseret. The disciples learn more about Jesus's power through the storm that arises.
This is the lake of Genneseret, which is also called the Sea of Galilee.
This expression means they began to travel across the lake in their sailboat.
"as they went"
"began to sleep"
"A storm of very strong winds began" or "Very strong winds suddenly began to blow"
The strong winds caused high waves which pushed water over the sides of the boat. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "the winds caused high waves that started to fill up their boat with water"
spoke sharply to
"the violent waves"
"the wind and the waves stopped" or "they became still"
Jesus rebukes them mildly because they do not trust him to take care of them. This can be written as a statement. Alternate translation: "You should have faith!" or "You should trust me!"
This question expresses shock and confusion over how Jesus is able to control the storm. Alternate translation: "What kind of man is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him!"
Jesus and his disciples come ashore at Gerasa, where Jesus removes many demons from a man.
Gerasenes were people from the city called Gerasa.
"on the other side of the lake from Galilee"
"a man from the city of Gerasa"
The man had demons; it was not the city that had demons. Alternate translation: "a certain man from the city, and this man had demons"
"who was controlled by demons" or "whom demons controlled"
This is background information about the man who had demons.
"he had not worn clothes"
These are places where people put dead bodies, possibly caves or small buildings that the man could use for shelter.
"When the man who had the demon saw Jesus"
"he screamed" or "he shrieked"
"lay down on the ground before Jesus." He did not fall accidentally.
"he said loudly" or "he shouted out"
This idiom means "Why are you bothering me?"
This is an important title for Jesus.
"many times it had taken control of the man" or "many times it had gone into him." This tells about what the demon had done many times before Jesus met the man.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "though the people had bound him ... and guarded him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the demon would make him go"
Translate this with a word that refers to a large number of soldiers or people. Some other translations say "Army." Alternate translation: "Battalion" or "Brigade"
"kept begging Jesus"
This is supplied as background information to introduce the pigs.
"was nearby eating grass on a hill"
The word "so" is used here to explain that the reason the demons came of out the man was because Jesus had told them that they could go into the pigs.
ran very fast
"the herd ... drowned." No one caused the pigs to drown once they were in the water.
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"saw the man whom the demons had left"
"sane" or "behaving normally"
"sitting at the feet" here is an idiom that means "sitting humbly nearby" or "sitting in front of." Alternate translation: "sitting on the ground in front of Jesus"
It may be helpful to state explicitly that they were afraid of Jesus. Alternate translation: "they were afraid of Jesus"
"those who had seen what had happened"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "Jesus had healed the man whom demons had possessed" or "Jesus had healed the man whom demons had controlled"
"that area of the Gerasenes" or "the area where the Gerasene people lived." See how you translated this in 8:26 Luke 8:26
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they were very afraid"
This is not the last thing that Jesus did in that place, so this can also be stated as "in order to return" or "to go back."
The destination can be stated. Alternate translation: "returned across the lake"
The events in these verses happened before Jesus left in the boat. It may be helpful to state this clearly at the beginning. Alternate translation: "Before Jesus and his disciples left, the man" or "Before Jesus and his disciples set sail, the man"
"your household" or "your family"
"tell them everything about what God has done for you"
When Jesus and his disciples return to Galilee on the other side of the lake, he heals the 12-year-old daughter of the ruler of the synagogue as well as a woman who has been bleeding for 12 years (8:43-48).
"the crowd joyfully greeted him"
"one of the leaders at the local synagogue" or "a leader of the people who met at the synagogue in that city"
Possible meanings are 1) "bowed down at Jesus' feet" or 2) "lay down on the ground at Jesus' feet." Jairus did not fall accidentally. He did this as a sign of humility and respect for Jesus.
"was about to die"
Some translators may need to first say that Jesus had agreed to go with Jairus. Alternate translation: "So Jesus agreed to go with him. As he was on his way"
"the people were crowding tightly around Jesus"
This introduces a new character in the story.
"had a flow of blood." She was probably bleeding from her womb even when it was not the normal time for it. Some cultures may have a polite way of referring to this condition.
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "but no one could heal her"
"touched the fringe of his robe." Jewish men wore tassels on the edges of their robes as a part of their ceremonial dress as commanded in God's Law. This is likely what she touched.
By saying this, Peter was implying that anyone could have touched Jesus. This implicit information can be made explicit if necessary. Alternate translation: "there are many people crowding around you and pressing in against you, so any one of them might have touched you"
It may be helpful to distinguish this intentional "touch" from the accidental touches of the crowd. Alternate translation: "Someone deliberately touched me"
Jesus did not lose power or become weak, but his power healed the woman. Alternate translation: "I know that healing power went out from me" or "I felt my power heal someone"
"that she could not keep secret what she had done." It may be helpful to state what she did. Alternate translation: "that she could not keep it a secret that she was the one who had touched Jesus"
"she came trembling with fear"
Possible meanings are 1) "bowed down in front of Jesus" or 2) "lay down on the ground at Jesus's feet." She did not fall accidentally. This was a sign of humility and respect for Jesus.
"In the sight of all the people"
This was a kind way of speaking to a woman. Your language may have another way of showing this kindness.
"because of your faith, you have become well." The abstract noun "faith" could be stated as an action. Alternate translation: "because you believe, you are healed"
This idiom is a way of saying, "Goodbye" and giving a blessing at the same time. Alternate translation: "As you go, do not worry anymore" or "May God give you peace as you go"
"While Jesus was still speaking to the woman"
This refers to Jairus (Luke 8:41).
This statement implies that Jesus will not be able to do anything to help now that the girl is dead.
This refers to Jesus.
"she will be well" or "she will live again"
"When they came to the house." Jesus went there with Jairus. Some of Jesus's disciples also went with them.
This double negative emphasizes that Peter and the others were the only ones whom Jesus allowed to enter. This could be stated positively. Alternate translation: "he allowed only Peter ... mother to enter with him"
This refers to Jairus.
This was the normal way of showing grief in that culture. Alternate translation: "all the people there were showing how sad they were and crying loudly because the girl had died"
"laughed at him because they knew the girl"
"Jesus took hold of the girl's hand"
"Her spirit returned to her body." The Jews understood that life was the result of the spirit coming into a person. Alternate translation: "She started breathing again" or "She came back to life" or "She became alive again"
This could be stated differently. Alternate translation: "not to tell anyone"
The women provided for them from their own material resources.
The seed is the word of God.
They are people who hear the word, but then the devil comes and takes it away, so that they may not believe and be saved.
They are people who receive the word with joy, but then stop believing during a time of testing.
They are people who hear the word, but then it is choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.
They are people who hear the word, hold onto it, and produce fruit with perseverance.
They are people who hear the word of God and obey it.
They said, "Who is this that commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him?"
They made him live without clothes in the tombs, they made him break chains and shackles, and they often drove him into the wilderness.
The demons entered into a herd of pigs, which rushed into a lake and drowned.
Jesus told him to go to his house and recount all the great things God had done for him.
She was healed because of her faith in Jesus.
Jesus raised Jairus' daughter from the dead.
1 He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases. 2 He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3 He said to them, "Take nothing for your journey—no staff, no wallet, no bread, no money, and no extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave. 5 Wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town, shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them." 6 Then they departed and went through the villages, proclaiming the gospel and healing everywhere.
7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had risen from the dead, 8 and others said that Elijah had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen. 9 Herod said, "I beheaded John. Who is this about whom I hear such things?" And so he tried to see him.
10 When the apostles returned, they told him everything they had done. Then he took them with him, and they went away privately to a town called Bethsaida. 11 But when the crowds heard about this, they followed him. He welcomed them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and he cured those who needed healing. 12 Now the day was about to come to an end, and the twelve came to him and said, "Send the crowd away that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and food, because we are here in an isolated place."
13 But he said to them, "You give them something to eat."
They said, "We have no more than five loaves of bread and two fish—unless we go and buy food for all these people."
14 (There were about five thousand men.) He said to his disciples, "Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each." 15 So they did this, and made the people sit down. 16 Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven, he blessed them and broke them into pieces, and he gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd. 17 They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left over was picked up—twelve baskets of broken pieces.
18 It came about while Jesus was praying by himself, the disciples were with him. He questioned them, saying, "Who do the crowds say that I am?"
19 They answered, "John the Baptist. But others say Elijah, and others say that one of the prophets from long ago has risen."
20 Then he said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered, "The Christ of God."
21 But he warned and instructed them to tell this to no one, 22 saying, "The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and he will be killed and on the third day be raised." 23 Then he said to them all, "If anyone wants to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 What profit is there for a person to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit himself? 26 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 But truly I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."
28 Now about eight days after Jesus said these words, he took with him Peter and John and James and went up on the mountain to pray. 29 As he was praying, the form of his face was changed, and his clothes became brilliant white. 30 Behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, 31 who appeared in glory, talking with him about his departure, which he was about to bring to completion in Jerusalem. 32 Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were standing with him. 33 As they were going away from Jesus, Peter said to him, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." (He did not know what he was saying.) 34 As he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. 35 A voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my Son, the one who is chosen; listen to him." 36 When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.
37 Now on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him. 38 Behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, "Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. 39 You see, a spirit takes control over him and he suddenly screams; it causes him to have convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him and it bruises him badly. 40 I begged your disciples to force it out, but they could not."
41 Jesus answered and said, "You unbelieving and perverse generation, how long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here." 42 While the boy was coming, the demon threw him to the ground and shook him with convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father. 43 Then they were all amazed at the greatness of God. While they all were marveling at everything he was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 "Let these words go deeply into your ears: The Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men." 45 But they did not understand this statement. It was hidden from them, so they could not know its meaning, and yet they were afraid to ask about this statement.
46 Then an argument started among them about which of them would be the greatest. 47 But Jesus, knowing the reasoning in their hearts, took a little child and put him by his side 48 and said to them, "Whoever welcomes this child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For whoever is least among you all is the one who is great."
49 John answered, "Master, we saw someone forcing out demons in your name and we prevented him, because he does not follow along with us." 50 "Do not stop him," Jesus said, "because whoever is not against you is for you."
51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 He sent messengers on ahead of him, and they went and entered into a Samaritan village to prepare everything for him. 53 But the people there did not welcome him because he had set his face to go to Jerusalem. 54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, "Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and destroy them?" 55 But he turned and rebuked them, 56 and they went on to another village.
57 As they were going along the road, someone said to him, "I will follow you wherever you go."
58 Jesus said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds in the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." 59 Then he said to another, "Follow me."
But he said, "Lord, first let me go and bury my father."
60 But he said to him, "Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim far and wide the kingdom of God."
61 Then someone else said, "I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to those in my home."
62 Jesus replied to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."
No one knows for sure what the words "kingdom of God" here refer to. Some say it refers to the reign of God on earth, and others say it refers to the gospel message that Jesus died to pay for his people's sins. It is best to translate this as "to preach about the kingdom of God" or "to teach them about how God was going to show himself as king."
God had promised the Jews that the prophet Elijah would return before the Messiah came, so some people who saw Jesus do miracles thought Jesus was Elijah (Luke 9:9, Luke 9:19). However, Elijah did come to earth to speak with Jesus (Luke 9:30). (See: prophet and christ and elijah)
The term "kingdom of God" is used in this chapter to refer to a kingdom that was still in the future when the words were spoken. (See: kingdomofgod)
Scripture often speaks of God's glory as a great, brilliant light. When people see this light, they are afraid. Luke says in this chapter that Jesus's clothing shone with this glorious light so that his followers could see that Jesus truly was God's Son. At the same time, God told them that Jesus was his Son. (See: glory and fear)
A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. An example in this chapter is: "Whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it." (Luke 9:24).
Jesus refers to himself as the "Son of Man" in this chapter
This word appears several times in this chapter and means different things. When Jesus says, "If someone receives a little child like this in my name, he also is receiving me, and if someone receives me, he is also receiving the one who sent me" (Luke 9:48), he is speaking of people serving the child. When Luke says, "the people there did not receive him" (Luke 9:53), he means that the people did not believe in or accept Jesus. (See: believe)
Jesus reminds his disciples not to depend on money and their things, gives them power, and then sends them out to various places.
These two terms are used together to show that the twelve had both the ability and the right to heal people. Translate this phrase with a combination of words that include both of these ideas.
Possible meanings are 1) "every demon" or 2) "every kind of demon."
sicknesses
"sent them to various places" or "told them to go"
"Jesus said to the twelve." It may be helpful to state that this happened before they went out. Alternate translation: "Before they left, Jesus said to them"
"Do not take anything with you" or "Do not bring anything with you"
large stick that people use for balance when climbing or walking on uneven ground, as well as for defense against attackers
a bag a traveler uses for carrying what he needs on a journey
This is here used as a general reference to "food."
"Any house you enter"
"remain there" or "temporarily live in that house as a guest"
"until you leave that town" or "until you leave that place"
"Here is what you should do in any town where people do not receive you: When you leave"
To "shake off the dust from your feet" was an expression of strong rejection in that culture. It showed they did not want even the dust of that town to remain on them.
"they left the place were Jesus was"
"healing wherever they went"
Verses 7-9 interrupt the story to give information about Herod.
The word "Now" marks a pause in the main story. Here Luke tells background information about Herod.
This refers to Herod Antipas, who was the ruler of one-fourth of Israel.
unable to understand, confused
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "some people said"
The word "said" is understood from the previous phrase. Alternate translation: "still others said that one of the prophets of long ago had risen"
Herod assumes that it is impossible for John to rise from the dead. This can be stated clearly. Alternate translation: "It cannot be John because I had his head cut off. So who is this man"
Herod's soldiers would have carried out executions. Alternate translation: "I commanded my soldiers to cut off John's head"
Though the disciples return to Jesus and they go to Bethsaida to spend time together, the crowds follow Jesus for healing and to listen to his teaching. He performs a miracle to provide bread and fish to the crowds as they return home.
"apostles came back to where Jesus was"
This refers to the teaching and healing that they did when they went to the other cities.
This is the name of a city.
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"the day was about to end" or "it was near the end of the day." The end of the day was at sunset. Alternate translation: "it was almost sunset"
This was a place far away from where people lived. Alternate translation: "a remote place" or "a place where no one lives"
A loaf of bread is a lump of dough that is shaped and baked.
If "unless" is difficult to understand in your language, you could make a new sentence. "two fish. In order to feed all these people, we would have to go and buy food"
"about 5,000 men." This number does not include the women and children who might have been present.
"Tell them to sit down"
"50 each"
"This" refers to what Jesus told them to do Luke 9:14. They told the people to sit down in groups of about fifty people.
"Jesus took the five loaves of bread"
This refers to looking up, toward the sky. The Jews believed that heaven was located above the sky.
This refers to the loaves of bread and the fish.
"to pass out to" or "to give to"
This idiom means they ate enough food so they were not hungry. Alternate translation: "they had as much as they wanted to eat"
Jesus is praying, with only his disciples near him, and they begin to talk about who Jesus is. Jesus tells them that he will soon die and resurrect and urges them to follow him even if it becomes very hard to do that.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new event.
"praying alone." The disciples were with Jesus, but he was praying personally and privately by himself.
It may be helpful to restate part of the question here. Alternate translation: "The crowds say you are John the Baptist"
It may be helpful to clarify how this answer relates to Jesus's question. Alternate translation: "that you are one of the prophets from long ago and have risen"
"has come back to life"
"Then Jesus said to his disciples"
The combination of "warned" and "instructed" is a hendiadys that means "strongly warned" or "strictly instructed." Alternate translation: "he strongly warned them" or he strictly instructed them"
"not to tell anyone." or "that they should not tell anyone." This could be stated as a direct quote. Alternate translation: "them, 'Do not tell anyone.'"
"People will cause the Son of Man to suffer greatly"
Jesus is referring to himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man ... and I will"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the elders, chief priests, and scribes will reject him"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "they will kill him"
"three days after he dies" or "on the third day after his death"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will make him alive again" or "he will live again"
"Jesus said"
This refers to the disciples who were with Jesus.
Coming after Jesus represents being one of his disciples. Alternate translation: "be my disciple" or "be one of my disciples"
"must not give in to his own desires" or "must forsake his own desires"
"carry his cross and follow me every day." The cross represents suffering and death. Taking up the cross represents being willing to suffer and die. To follow Jesus represents obeying him. Alternate translation: "must obey me every day even to the point of suffering and dying"
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The implied answer to this question is that it is not good. Alternate translation: "It will not benefit someone at all to gain the whole world and yet lose or forfeit himself."
"to get everything in the world"
"ruin himself or give up his life"
"what I say" or "what I teach"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him"
Jesus was speaking about himself. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man ... when I come in my own glory"
This is an important title for God.
Jesus uses this phrase to emphasize the importance of what he will say next.
"some of you who are standing here will not taste death"
Jesus was speaking to the people he was talking about. Alternate translation: "before you see"
"Taste death" is an idiom that means "die." This can be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "will see the kingdom of God before they die" or "will see the kingdom of God before you die"
Eight days after Jesus tells his disciples that some would not die before they saw the kingdom of God, Jesus goes up the mountain to pray with Peter, James, and John, who all fall asleep while Jesus is changed to a dazzling appearance.
This refers to what Jesus said to his disciples in the preceding verses.
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The word "Behold" here alerts us to pay attention to the surprising information that follows. Alternate translation: "Suddenly"
This phrase gives information about how Moses and Elijah looked. Some languages would translate it as a separate clause. Alternate translation: "and they appeared in glorious splendor" or "and they were shining brightly"
"his leaving" or "how Jesus would leave this world." This was a polite way of talking about his death. Alternate translation: "his death"
This word is used here to mark a pause in the main story. Here Luke tells about Peter, James, and John.
This idiom means "very sleepy."
This refers to the brilliant light that surrounded them. Alternate translation: "they saw brilliant light coming from Jesus" or "they saw very bright light coming out of Jesus"
This refers to Moses and Elijah.
"As Moses and Elijah were going away"
simple, temporary places in which to sit or sleep
"While Peter was saying these things"
These adult disciples were not afraid of clouds. This phrase indicates that some kind of unusual fear came over them with the cloud. Alternate translation: "they were terrified"
This can be expressed in terms of what the cloud did. Alternate translation: "the cloud surrounded them"
It is understood that the voice could only have belonged to God. Alternate translation: "God spoke to them from the cloud"
This is an important title for Jesus, the Son of God.
This can be stated with an active form. Alternate translation: "the one I have chosen" or "I have chosen him"
This is information that tells what happened after the story as a result of the events in the story itself.
The first phrase refers to their immediate response, and the second refers to what they did in the following days.
The next day after Jesus's dazzling appearance, Jesus heals a demon-possessed boy that the disciples were unable to make better.
The word "behold" alerts us to the new person in the story. Your language may have a way of doing this. English uses "There was a man in the crowd who"
The phrase "You see" introduces us to the evil spirit in the man's story. Your language may have a way of doing this. Alternate translation: "There is an evil spirit that"
"foam comes out of his mouth." When a person has a seizure, he can have trouble breathing or swallowing. This causes white foam to form around his mouth.
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"Jesus answered by saying"
Jesus says this to the crowd that has gathered, and not to his disciples.
"corrupt generation"
Here "you" is plural. Jesus uses these questions to express his sadness that the people do not believe. They can be written as statements. Alternate translation: "I have been with you so long, yet you do not believe. I wonder how long I must put up with you."
Here "your" is singular. Jesus is speaking directly to the father who addressed him.
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Jesus performed the miracle, but the crowd recognized that God was the power behind the healing.
"everything Jesus was doing"
This is an idiom that means they should pay attention. Alternate translation: "Listen carefully and remember" or "Do not forget this"
This can be stated with an active clause. Here "hands" refers to power or control. Alternate translation: "Someone will betray the Son of Man and put him under the control of men"
Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. The word "hands" is a synecdoche for the people whose hands they are or a metonym for the power that uses those hands. You may need to make explicit who these men are. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men" or "The Son of Man will be betrayed into the power of his enemies" or "I, the Son of Man will be betrayed to my enemies"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God hid the meaning from them"
The disciples begin to argue about who will be the most powerful among them.
"among the disciples"
Here "hearts" is a metonym for their minds. Alternate translation: "knowing the reasoning in their minds" or "knowing what they were thinking"
This refers to a person doing something as a representative of Jesus. Alternate translation: "because of me"
This metaphor could also be stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "in my name, it is like he is welcoming me"
"God, who sent me"
"the one whom God considers to be most important"
"In reply, John said" or "John replied to Jesus." John was responding to what Jesus had said about being the greatest. He was not answering a question.
John speaks of himself but not Jesus, so "we" here is exclusive.
This means the person was speaking with the power and authority of Jesus.
This can be stated positively. Alternate translation: "Allow him to continue"
Some modern languages have sayings that mean the same thing. Alternate translation: "if a person does not keep you from working, it is as if he were helping you" or "if someone is not working against you, he is working with you"
It is now obvious that Jesus has decided to go to Jerusalem.
Here "be taken up" implies that Jesus will be taken up to heaven. This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "When the time was coming for him to go up heaven" or "When it was almost time for him to leave this world"
This idiom means he "firmly decided." Alternate translation: "made up his mind" or "decided"
This means to make arrangements for his arrival there, possibly including a place to speak, a place to stay, and food.
"did not want him to stay"
The Samaritans and the Jews hated each other. Therefore the Samaritans would not help Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, the Jewish capital.
"saw that the Samaritans did not receive Jesus"
James and John suggested this method of judgment because they knew that this was how the prophets such as Elijah had judged people who rejected God.
"Jesus turned and rebuked James and John." Jesus did not condemn the Samaritans as the disciples expected.
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This was not one of the disciples.
Jesus responds with a proverb to teach the man about being Jesus's disciple. Jesus implies that if the man were to follow him, that man too might not have a home. Alternate translation: "Foxes have holes ... nowhere to lay his head. So do not expect that you will have a home"
These are land animals similar to small dogs. They sleep in a den or a burrow in the ground.
"birds that fly in the air"
Jesus is speaking about himself in the third person. Alternate translation: "I, the Son of Man, have ... my head"
"nowhere to rest my head" or "nowhere to sleep." Jesus exaggerates to emphasize that he has no permanent home and that people did not often invite him to stay with them.
Jesus continues to talk with the people along the road.
By saying this Jesus is asking the person to become his disciple and to go with him.
It is unclear whether the man's father has died and he will bury him immediately, or if the man wants to stay for a longer amount of time until his father dies so he can bury him then. The main point is the man wants to do something else first before he follows Jesus.
"before I do that, let me go"
Jesus does not mean literally that dead people will bury other dead people. Possible meanings of "the dead" are 1) it is a metaphor for those who will soon die, or 2) it is a metaphor for those who do not follow Jesus and are spiritually dead. The main point is that a disciple must not let anything delay him from following Jesus.
This refers to dead people in general. Alternate translation: "the dead people"
"I will join you as a disciple" or "I am ready to follow you"
"before I do that, let me tell my people at my home that I am leaving"
Jesus responds with a proverb to teach the man about being his disciple. Jesus means that a person is not suitable for the kingdom to God if he focuses on people in his past instead of following Jesus.
Here "puts his hand to" something is an idiom that means the person starts to do something. Alternate translation: "No one who starts to plow his field"
Anyone who is looking back while plowing cannot guide the plow where it needs to go. That person must focus on looking forward in order to plow well.
"useful for the kingdom of God" or "suitable for the kingdom of God"
Jesus sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Some said Jesus was John the Baptizer risen from the dead, some said Elijah had appeared, and some said an ancient prophet had risen.
Some said Jesus was John the Baptizer risen from the dead, some said Elijah had appeared, and some said an ancient prophet had risen.
They had five loaves of bread and two fish.
About five thousand men were there.
He looked up to heaven, blessed them, broke them into pieces, and gave them to the disciples to give to the crowd.
There were twelve baskets full of leftover food.
He said, "The Christ from God."
He must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow Jesus.
The appearance of his face changed and his clothing became white and dazzling.
Moses and Elijah appeared with Jesus.
The voice said, "This is my chosen son; listen to him."
The demon caused him to scream and have convulsions with foaming at the mouth.
He said, "The Son of Man will be delivered over into the hands of men."
The one who is least among them is the one who is great.
He resolutely set his face to go to Jerusalem.
The person must not look back.
1 Now after these things, the Lord appointed seventy [1] others, and sent them out two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go. 2 He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. 3 Go on your way. See, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Do not carry a money bag, or a traveler's bag, or sandals, and greet no one on the road. 5 Whatever house you enter, first say, 'May peace be on this house!' 6 If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest upon him, but if not, it will return to you. 7 Remain in that same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not move around from house to house. 8 Whatever town you enter, and they receive you, eat what is set before you 9 and heal the sick that are there. Say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come close to you.' 10 Whenever you enter a town and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 11 'Even the dust from your town that clings to our feet we wipe off against you! But know this: The kingdom of God is near.' 12 I say to you that on that day it will be more tolerable for Sodom than for that town. 13 Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the mighty works which were done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. 14 But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment than for you. 15 You, Capernaum, do you think you will be exalted to heaven? No, you will be brought down to Hades. 16 The one who listens to you listens to me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects the one who sent me."
17 The seventy returned with joy, saying, "Lord, even the demons submitted to us in your name."
18 Jesus said to them, "I was watching Satan fall from heaven as lightning. 19 See, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will in any way hurt you. 20 Nevertheless do not rejoice only in this, that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice even more that your names are engraved in heaven."
21 At that same hour he rejoiced greatly in the Holy Spirit and said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you concealed these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to those who are untaught, like little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well pleasing in your sight. 22 "All things have been entrusted to me from my Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him." 23 Then he turned around to the disciples and said privately, "Blessed are those who see the things that you see. 24 I say to you, many prophets and kings desired to see the things you see, and they did not see them, and to hear the things that you hear, and they did not hear them."
25 Behold, an expert in the law stood up so that he might test him, saying, "Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
26 Jesus said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read it?"
27 He gave an answer and he said, "You will love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself."
28 Jesus said to him, "You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live." 29 But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "Who is my neighbor?"
30 Jesus answered him and said, "A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho. He fell among robbers, who stripped him of his belongings, and beat him, and left him half dead. 31 By chance a certain priest was going down that way, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 In the same way, a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion. 34 He approached him and bound up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said, 'Take care of him, and whatever extra you spend, when I return, I will repay you.' 36 Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?"
37 He said, "The one who showed mercy to him."
Jesus said to him, "Go and do the same."
38 Now as they were traveling along, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 She had a sister named Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word. 40 But Martha was overly busy with preparing to serve a meal. She came up to Jesus and said, "Lord, do you not care that my sister left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me."
41 But the Lord answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, 42 but only one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen what is best, which will not be taken away from her."
Harvest is when people go out to get the food they have planted so they can bring it to their houses and eat it. Harvest can also refer to the food that is gathered. Jesus used this as a metaphor to teach his followers that they need to go and tell other people about Jesus so those people can be part of God's kingdom. (See: harvest and faith)
A neighbor is anyone who lives nearby. The Jews helped their Jewish neighbors who needed help, and they expected their Jewish neighbors to help them. Jesus wanted them to understand that people who were not Jews were also their neighbors, so he told them a parable
Jesus sends out 70 more people ahead of him.
This word is used here to mark a new event in the story.
"70." Some versions say "seventy-two" or "72." You may want to include a footnote that says that.
"sent them out in groups of two" or "sent them out with two people in each group"
This was before the men actually went out. Alternate translation: "He had said to them" or "Before they went out he told them"
"There is a big crop, but not enough workers to bring it in." Jesus means there are many people ready to enter God's kingdom, but there are not enough disciples to go teach and help the people.
"Go to the cities" or "Go to the people"
Wolves attack and kill sheep. This metaphor therefore means that there are people who would attempt to harm the disciples that Jesus is sending out. The names of other animals could be substituted. Alternate translation: "when I send you out, people will want to harm you, as wolves attack sheep"
"Do not take with you a bag, a traveler's bag, or sandals"
"do not greet anyone on the road." Jesus was emphasizing that they should go quickly to the towns and do this work. He was not telling them to be rude.
This was both a greeting and a blessing. Here "house" refers to those who live in the house. Alternate translation: "May the people in this household receive peace"
The phrase "son of peace" here is a metaphor for a person who wants peace with God and with people. Alternate translation: "a peaceful person"
Here "peace" is described as a living thing that can choose where to stay. Alternate translation: "he will have the peace you blessed him with"
It may be helpful to restate the entire phrase. Alternate translation: "if there is no person of peace there" or "if the owner of the house is not a peaceful person"
Here "peace" is described as a living thing that can choose to leave. Alternate translation: "you will have that peace" or "he will not receive the peace you blessed him with"
Jesus was not saying that they should stay in the house all day, but that they should sleep at the same house every night they were there. Alternate translation: "Continue to sleep at that house"
This is a general principle that Jesus was applying to the men he was sending out. Since they would be teaching and healing the people, the people should provide them with a place to stay and with food.
Moving around from house to house means going to different houses. It can be made clear that he was talking about staying overnight at different houses. "Do not go sleep at a different house each night"
"if they welcome you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "eat whatever food they give you"
This refers to sick people in general. Alternate translation: "the sick people"
The abstract noun "kingdom" can be expressed with the verbs "reign" or "rule." Possible meanings are 1) the kingdom of God will begin soon. Alternate translation: "God will soon rule everywhere as king" or 2) the activities of kingdom of God are happening all around you. Alternate translation: "The proof that God is reigning is all around you"
"and the people of the city reject you"
This is a symbolic action to show that they reject the people of the city. Alternate translation: "Just as you rejected us, we thoroughly reject you. We even reject the dust from your town that clings to our feet"
Since Jesus was sending these people out in groups of two, it would be two people saying this. So languages that have a dual form of "we" would use it.
The phrase "But know this" emphasizes the importance of what is said next. Alternate translation: "But be aware that the kingdom of God is near" or "But be sure of this: The kingdom of God is near"
The abstract noun "kingdom" can be expressed with the verbs "reign" or "rule." See how you translated a similar sentence in [Luke 10:8]
Jesus was saying this to the 70 people he was sending out. He said this to show that he was about to say something very important.
The disciples would have understood that this refers to the time of final judgment of sinners. Alternate translation: "judgment day"
"God will not judge Sodom as severely as he will judge that town." Alternate translation: "God will judge the people of that town more severely than he will judge the people of Sodom"
Jesus speaks as if the people of the cities of Chorazin and Bethsaida are there listening to him, but they are not.
Jesus is describing a situation that could have happened in the past but did not. Alternate translation: "If someone had performed the miracles for the people of Tyre and Sidon that I performed for you"
"the wicked people who lived there would have shown that they were sorry for their sins by sitting"
"wearing sackcloth and sitting in ashes"
It may be helpful to clearly state the reason for their judgment. Alternate translation: "But because you did not repent and believe in me even though you saw me do miracles, God will judge you more severely than he will judge the people of Tyre and Sidon"
"on that final day when God judges everyone"
Jesus now speaks to the people in the city of Capernaum as if they are listening to him, but they are not.
Jesus uses a question to rebuke the people of Capernaum for their pride. The expression "exalted to heaven" means "greately exalted" or "honored." Alternate translation: "you will certainly not go up to heaven!" or "God will not honor you!"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "you will go down to Hades" or "God will send you to Hades"
The comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "When someone listens to you, it is as if they were listening to me"
The comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "when someone rejects you, it is as if they were rejecting me"
The comparison can be clearly stated as a simile. Alternate translation: "when someone rejects me, it is as if they were rejecting the one who sent me"
This refers to God the Father, who appointed Jesus for this special task. Alternate translation: "God, who sent me"
Some languages will need to say that the seventy actually went out first, as the UDB does. This is implicit information that can be made explicit.
You may want to add a footnote: "Some versions have '72' instead of '70.'"
Here "name" refers to Jesus's power and authority.
Jesus used a simile to compare how God was defeating Satan when his 70 disciples were preaching in the towns to the way lightning strikes.
Possible meanings are 1) fall as quickly as lighting strikes, or 2) fall down from heaven as lightning strikes downward. Since both meaning are possible, it may be best to keep the image.
"authority to trample on snakes and crush scorpions." Possible meanings are 1) snakes and scorpions are a metaphor for evil spirits. Alternate translation: "the right to defeat evil spirits" or 2) this refers to actual snakes and scorpions.
This implies that they would do this and not be injured. Alternate translation: "walk on snakes and scorpions, which will not hurt you,"
Scorpions are small animals with two claws and a poisonous stinger on their tail.
"I have given you authority to crush the power of the enemy" or "I have given you authority to defeat the enemy." The enemy is Satan.
"do not rejoice only because the spirits submit to you" can also be stated in positive form. Alternate translation: "rejoice that your names are written in heaven even more than you rejoice that the spirits submit to you"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God has written your names in heaven" or "your names are on the list of people who are citizens of heaven"
"that same time"
This is an important title for God.
The phrase "heaven" and earth" represents everything that exists. Alternate translation: "Master over everyone and everything in heaven and earth"
This refers to Jesus's previous teaching about the authority of the disciples. It may be best to simply say "these things" and let the reader determine the meaning.
The words "wise" and "understanding" are nominal adjectives that refer to people with these qualities. Because God had concealed truth from them, these people were not actually wise and understanding, even though they thought they were. Alternate translation: "from people who think they are wise and have understanding"
This refers to those who may not have much education but who are willing to accept Jesus's teachings in the same way that little children willingly listen to those they trust. Alternate translation: "people who may have little education, but who listen to God as little children do"
"for it pleased you to do this"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "My Father has handed everything over to me"
These are important titles that describe the relationship between God and Jesus.
This double negative emphasizes that the Father is the only one who knows. Alternate translation: "The only one who knows who the Son is, is the Father"
The word that is translated as "knows" means to know from personal experience. God the Father knows Jesus in this way.
Jesus is referring to himself in the third person.
This double negative emphasizes that the Son is the only one who knows. Alternate translation: "The only one who knows who the Father is, is the Son"
"whoever the Son desires to show the Father to"
The word "privately" indicates that he was alone with his disciples. Alternate translation: "Later, when he was alone with his disciples, he turned to them and said"
This probably refers to the good works and miracles that Jesus was doing. Alternate translation: "How good it is for those who see the things that you see me doing"
This implies that Jesus was not yet doing those things. Alternate translation: "but they could not see them because I was not doing them yet"
This probably refers to the teaching of Jesus. Alternate translation: "the things that you have heard me say"
This implies that Jesus was not yet teaching. Alternate translation: "but they could not hear them because I had not yet started to teach"
Jesus replies with a story to a Jewish teacher who wants to test Jesus.
This alerts us to a new event and a new person in the story.
This is an idiom that probably here means "began to act." Your language may have a different way of showing that the expert in the law had been present, listening to Jesus, and was now beginning to act. He was not necessarily sitting before he "stood up" and began to speak.
"challenge Jesus"
Jesus is not seeking information. He uses these questions to test the Jewish teacher's knowledge. Alternate translation: "Tell me what Moses wrote in the law and what you think it means."
This can be asked in active form. Alternate translation: "What did Moses write in the law?"
"What have you read in it?" or "What do you understand it to say?"
The man is quoting what Moses wrote in the law.
Here "heart" and "soul" are metonyms for a person's inner being. These four phrases are used together to mean "completely" or "earnestly."
This simile can be stated more clearly. Alternate translation: "love your neighbor as much as you love yourself"
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"But the expert in the law wanted to find a way to justify himself, so he said" or "But wanting to appear righteous, the expert in the law said"
The man wanted to know whom he was required to love. Alternate translation: "Whom should I consider to be my neighbor and love as I love myself?" or "Which people are my neighbors that I should love?"
Jesus answers the man by telling a parable. Alternate translation: "In response, Jesus told him this story"
This introduces a new character in the parable.
"He was surrounded by robbers, who" or "Some robbers attacked him. They"
"took everything he had" or "stole all his things"
This idiom means "almost dead."
This was not something that any person had planned.
This expression introduces a new person in the story, but does not identify him by name.
"and when the priest saw the injured man." A priest is a very religious person, so the audience would assume that he would help the injured man. Since he did not, this phrase could be stated as "but when he saw him" to call attention to this unexpected result.
It is implied that he did not help the man. Alternate translation: "he did not help the injured man but instead walked past him on the other side of the road"
The Levite served in the temple. He would be expected to help his fellow Jewish man. Since he did not, it may are helpful to state that. Alternate translation: "a Levite ... the other side and did not help him"
This introduces a new person in the story without giving his name. We know only that he was from Samaria.
The Jews despised the Samaritans and would have assumed that he would not help the injured Jewish man.
"When the Samaritan saw the injured man"
"he felt sorry for him"
He would have put the oil and wine on the wounds first. Alternate translation: "he put wine and oil on the wounds and wrapped them with cloth"
Wine was used to clean the wound, and oil was probably used to prevent infection. This can be stated. Alternate translation: "pouring oil and wine on them to help heal them"
"his own pack animal." This was an animal that he used to carry heavy loads. It was probably a donkey.
"two day's wages." "Denarii" is the plural of "denarius."
"the innkeeper" or "the person who took care of the inn"
This could be reordered. Alternate translation: "when I return, I will repay you whatever extra amount you spend"
This could be written as two questions. Alternate translation: "What do you think? Which of these three men ... robbers?"
"showed himself to be a true neighbor"
"to the man whom the robbers attacked"
"The expert in the law said, 'The one who showed mercy to him.'"
Here "do the same" refers to showing mercy to others. Alternate translation: "In the same way, go and show mercy to anyone else who needs help" or "In the same way, go and help everyone you can"
Jesus comes to Martha's house, where her sister Mary listens to Jesus with great attention.
This word is used here to mark a new event.
"as Jesus and his disciples were traveling along"
This introduces the village as a new location, but does not name it.
This introduces Martha as a new character. Your language may have a way of introducing new people.
This was the normal and respectful position for a learner at that time. Alternate translation: "sat on the floor near Jesus"
This refers to everything that Jesus taught while at Martha's house. Alternate translation: "listened to the Lord teach"
"very busy" or "too busy"
Martha is complaining that the Lord is allowing Mary to sit listening to him when there is so much work to do. She respects the Lord, so she uses a rhetorical question to make her complaint more polite. Alternate translation: "it seems like you do not care ... alone."
Jesus repeats Martha's name for emphasis. Alternate translation: "Dear Martha" or "You, Martha"
Jesus is contrasting what Mary is doing with what Martha is doing. It may be helpful to make this explicit. Alternate translation: "the only thing that is really necessary is to listen to my teaching" or "listening to my teaching is more necessary than preparing a meal"
Possible meanings are 1) "and I will not take this opportunity away from her" or 2) "and she will not lose what she has gained as she was listening to me"
They must not carry any bag of money, any traveler's bag, or any sandals.
He told them to heal the sick and to say to the people, "The kingdom of God has come near to you."
It would be worse than the judgment on Sodom.
He said, "Rejoice even more that your names are engraved in heaven."
It was well-pleasing to the Father to reveal the kingdom of God to those who are untaught, like little children.
You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.
He passed by on the other side.
He passed by on the other side.
He bound up his wounds, put him on his animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.
Go and show mercy like the Samaritan in the parable.
She sat at Jesus' feet and listened to him.
She was overly busy with preparing to serve a meal.
He said that Mary had chosen the better thing to do.
1 It happened one day that Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples."
2 Jesus said to them, "When you pray say,
'Father, may your name be honored as holy.
May your kingdom come.
3 Give us our daily bread each day.
4 Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive everyone who is in debt to us.
Do not lead us into temptation.'"
5 Jesus said to them, "Which of you will have a friend, and will go to him at midnight, and say to him, 'Friend, lend to me three loaves of bread, 6 since a friend of mine just came in from the road, and I do not have anything to set before him'? 7 Then the one inside who answered him may say, 'Do not bother me. The door is already shut, and my children, along with me, are in bed. I am not able to get up and give bread to you.' 8 I say to you, even if he does not get up and give bread to you because you are his friend, yet because of your shameless persistence, he will get up and give you as many loaves of bread as you need. 9 I also say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For every asking person receives; and the seeking person finds; and to the person who knocks, it will be opened. 11 Which father among you, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead of a fish? [1]12 Or if he asks for an egg, will you give a scorpion to him? 13 Therefore, if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father from heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"
14 Now Jesus was driving out a demon that was mute. When the demon had gone out, the man who had been mute spoke, and the crowd was amazed. 15 But some of the people said, "By Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, he is driving out demons." 16 Others tested him and sought from him a sign from heaven.
17 But Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is made desolate, and a house divided against itself falls. 18 If Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? For you say I cast out demons by Beelzebul. 19 If I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your followers drive them out? Because of this, they will be your judges. 20 But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you. 21 When a strong man who is fully armed guards his own palace, his possessions are safe, 22 but when a stronger man overcomes him, the stronger man takes away the armor in which the man trusted and plunders the man's possessions. 23 The one who is not with me is against me, and the one who does not gather with me scatters. 24 When an unclean spirit has gone away from a man, it passes through waterless places and looks for rest. Finding none, it says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' 25 Having returned, it finds the house had been swept clean and put in order. 26 Then it goes and takes along with it seven other spirits more evil than itself and they all come in to live there. Then the final condition of that man becomes worse than the first."
27 It happened that, as he said these things, a certain woman raised her voice above the crowd and said to him, "Blessed is the womb that bore you and the breasts that nursed you."
28 But he said, "Rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it."
29 As the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, "This generation is an evil generation. It seeks a sign, though no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. 30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so too the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation. 31 The Queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and see, someone greater than Solomon is here. 32 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation of people and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and see, someone greater than Jonah is here.
33 No one, after lighting a lamp, puts it in a hidden place or under a basket, but on a lampstand, so that those who enter may see the light. 34 Your eye is the lamp of the body. When your eye is good, the whole body is filled with light. But when your eye is bad, your body is full of darkness. 35 Therefore, watch out that the light in you is not darkness. 36 If then your whole body is full of light, not having any member in darkness, then your whole body will be like when a lamp shines its brightness on you."
37 When he had finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to eat with him at his house, so Jesus went in and reclined. 38 The Pharisee was surprised that Jesus did not first wash before dinner. 39 But the Lord said to him, "Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of cups and bowls, but the inside of you is filled with robbery and evil. 40 You senseless men! Did not the one who made the outside also make the inside? 41 Give what is inside as alms, and then all things will be clean for you.
42 "But woe to you Pharisees, because you tithe mint and rue and every other garden herb, but you neglect justice and the love of God. It is necessary to act justly and love God, without failing to do the other things also. 43 Woe to you Pharisees, for you love the front seats in the synagogues and respectful greetings in the marketplaces. 44 Woe to you, for you are like unmarked graves that people walk over without knowing it."
45 One of the experts in the law said to him, "Teacher, what you say insults us too." 46 Jesus said, "Woe to you, teachers of the law! For you put people under burdens that are hard to carry, but you do not touch the burdens with one of your own fingers. 47 Woe to you, because you build tombs for the prophets, and it was your ancestors who killed them. 48 So you are witnesses and you consent to the works of your ancestors, for they indeed killed them and you build their tombs. 49 For this reason also, God's wisdom said, 'I will send to them prophets and apostles, and they will persecute and kill some of them.' 50 As a result, this generation will be charged for all the blood of the prophets shed since the foundation of the world, 51 from Abel's blood to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the temple. Yes, I say to you, this generation will be held responsible. 52 Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key of knowledge; you do not enter in yourselves, and you hinder those who are entering."
53 After Jesus left there, the scribes and the Pharisees opposed him and argued with him about many things, 54 lying in wait to catch him in something he might say.
1 In the meantime, when many thousands of the people were gathered together so much that they trampled on each other, he began to say to his disciples first of all, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2 But there is nothing concealed that will not be revealed, and nothing hidden that will not be known. 3 So whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed upon the housetops. 4 I say to you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that they have no more that they can do. 5 But I will warn you about whom to fear. Fear the one who, after he has killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I say to you, fear him. 6 Are not five sparrows sold for two small coins? Yet not one of them is forgotten in the sight of God. 7 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear. You are more valuable than many sparrows. 8 I say to you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God, 9 but he who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. 10 Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him, but to him who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven. 11 When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, do not worry about how you will speak in your defense, or what you will say, 12 for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that hour what you should say."
13 Then someone from the crowd said to him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me."
14 Jesus said to him, "Man, who appointed me a judge or a mediator over you?" 15 He said to them, "Watch that you keep yourselves from all greedy desires, because a person's life does not consist of the abundance of his possessions." 16 Then Jesus told them a parable, saying, "The field of a rich man yielded abundantly, 17 and he reasoned with himself, saying, 'What will I do, because I do not have a place to store my crops?' 18 He said, 'This is what I will do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all of my grain and other goods. 19 I will say to my soul, "Soul, you have many goods stored up for many years. Rest easy, eat, drink, be merry."' 20 But God said to him, 'Foolish man, tonight your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' 21 That is what someone is like who stores up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God."
22 Jesus said to his disciples, "Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes. 24 Think about the ravens, that they do not sow or reap. They have no storeroom or barn, but God feeds them. How much more valuable you are than the birds! 25 Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his lifespan? 26 If then you are not able to do such a very little thing, why do you worry about the rest? 27 Think about the lilies—how they grow. They do not labor, neither do they spin. Yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. 28 If God so clothes the grass in the field, which exists today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 Do not seek what you will eat and what you will drink, and do not be anxious. 30 For all the nations of the world seek these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you. 32 Do not fear, little flock, because your Father is very pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give alms. Make for yourselves purses which will not wear out—treasure in the heavens that does not run out, where no thief comes near, and no moth destroys. 34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
35 "Keep your loins girded and your lamps lit, 36 and be like people waiting expectantly for their master when he returns from the marriage feast, so that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open the door for him. 37 Blessed are those servants whom the master will find watching when he comes. Truly I say to you, he will gird himself to serve and have them sit down at the table, and he will come and serve them. 38 If the master comes in the second watch of the night, or if even in the third watch, and finds them ready, blessed are those servants. 39 But understand this, that if the master of the house had known the hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into. 40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not expect."
41 Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable only to us, or also to everyone?"
42 The Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager whom his lord will set over his other servants to give them their portion of food at the right time? 43 Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing that when he comes. 44 Truly I say to you that he will set him over all his property. 45 But if that servant says in his heart, 'My lord delays his return,' and begins to beat the male servants and female servants and to eat and drink and to become drunk, 46 the lord of that servant will come in a day when he does not expect and in an hour that he does not know and will cut him in pieces and appoint a place for him with the unfaithful. 47 That servant, having known his lord's will and not having prepared or done according to his will, will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who did not know and did what deserved a beating, he will be beaten with a few blows. But everyone who has been given much, from them much will be required, and from the one who has been entrusted with much, even more will be asked.
49 "I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish that it were already kindled. 50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am distressed until it is completed! 51 Do you think that I came to bring peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. 52 For from now on there will be five in one house divided—three people against two, and two people against three. 53 They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
54 Jesus was saying to the crowds also, "When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, 'A shower is coming,' and so it happens. 55 When a south wind is blowing, you say, 'There will be a scorching heat,' and it happens. 56 Hypocrites, you know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the heavens, but how is it that you do not know how to interpret the present time? 57 Why do you not judge what is right for yourselves? 58 For when you go with your adversary before the magistrate, on the way make an effort to be reconciled with him so that he does not drag you to the judge, and so that the judge does not deliver you to the officer, and the officer does not throw you into prison. 59 I say to you, you will never come out from there until you have paid the very last bit of money."
1 At that time, some people there told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate mixed with their own sacrifices. 2 Jesus answered and said to them, "Do you think that these Galileans were more sinful than all the other Galileans because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you. But if you do not repent, all of you will perish in the same way. 4 Or those eighteen people in Siloam on whom a tower fell and killed them, do you think they were worse sinners than other men in Jerusalem? 5 No, I say. But if you do not repent, all of you will also perish."
6 Jesus told this parable, "Someone had a fig tree planted in his vineyard and he came and looked for fruit on it but found none. 7 The man said to the gardener, 'Look, for three years I have come and tried to find fruit on this fig tree and found none. Cut it down. Why let it waste the ground?'
8 "The gardener answered and said, 'Sir, leave it alone this year while I dig around it and put manure on it. 9 If it bears fruit next year, good; but if it does not, cut it down!'"
10 Now Jesus was teaching in one of the synagogues during the Sabbath. 11 Behold, a woman was there who for eighteen years had a spirit of weakness. She was bent over and was not able to straighten up completely. 12 When Jesus saw her, he called to her and said, "Woman, you are freed from your weakness." 13 He placed his hands on her, and immediately she was made straight again and glorified God.
14 But the synagogue ruler was indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath. So the ruler answered and said to the crowd, "There are six days in which it is necessary to labor. Come and be healed then, not on the Sabbath day."
15 The Lord answered him and said, "Hypocrites! Does not each of you untie his ox or his donkey from the stall and lead it to drink on the Sabbath? 16 So too this daughter of Abraham, whom Satan bound for eighteen long years, should her bonds not be untied on the Sabbath day?" 17 As he said these things, all those who opposed him were ashamed, but the whole crowd was rejoicing over all the glorious things he did.
18 Then Jesus said, "What is the kingdom of God like, and what can I compare it to? 19 It is like a mustard seed that a man took and threw into his garden, and it grew into a big tree, and the birds of heaven built their nests in its branches."
20 Again he said, "To what can I compare the kingdom of God? 21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed with three measures of flour until all the flour was leavened."
22 Then Jesus traveled through the towns and villages, teaching and making his way toward Jerusalem. 23 Someone said to him, "Lord, are only a few people to be saved?"
So he said to them, 24 "Struggle to enter through the narrow door, because, I say to you, many will try to enter, but will not be able to enter. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and locks the door, then you will stand outside and pound the door and say, 'Lord, Lord, let us in.'
"He will answer and say to you, 'I do not know you or where you are from.'
26 "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank in front of you and you taught in our streets.'
27 "But he will reply, 'I say to you, I do not know where you are from. Get away from me, all you workers of unrighteousness!' 28 There will be crying and the grinding of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, but you are thrown out. 29 They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and be seated at a table in the kingdom of God. 30 Know this, those who are least important will be first, and those who are most important will be last."
31 In that same hour, some Pharisees came and said to him, "Go and leave here because Herod wants to kill you."
32 Jesus said, "Go and tell that fox, 'Look, I cast out demons and perform healings today and tomorrow, and the third day I will reach my goal.' 33 In any case, it is necessary for me to continue on today, tomorrow, and the following day, since it is not acceptable for a prophet to be destroyed outside of Jerusalem. 34 Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to you. How often I desired to gather your children the way a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you did not desire this. 35 See, your house is abandoned. I say to you, you will not see me until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.'"
1 It happened one Sabbath, when he went into the house of one of the leaders of the Pharisees to eat bread, that they were watching him closely. 2 Behold, there in front of him was a man who was suffering from edema. 3 Jesus asked the experts in the Jewish law and the Pharisees, "Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?" 4 But they kept silent. So Jesus took hold of him, healed him, and sent him away. 5 He said to them, "Which of you who has a son or an ox that falls into a well on the Sabbath day will not immediately pull him out?" 6 They were not able to give an answer to these things.
7 When Jesus noticed how those who were invited chose the seats of honor, he spoke a parable, saying to them, 8 "When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the place of honor, because someone may have been invited who is more honored than you. 9 When the person who invited both of you arrives, he will say to you, 'Give this other person your place,' and then in shame you will proceed to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
12 Jesus also said to the man who had invited him, "When you give a dinner or a banquet, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors, as they may also invite you in return, and you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind, 14 and you will be blessed, because they cannot repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the just."
15 When one of them who sat at the table with Jesus heard these things, he said to him, "Blessed is he who will eat bread in the kingdom of God!"
16 But Jesus said to him, "A certain man prepared a large dinner and invited many. 17 At the dinner hour, he sent his servant to say to those who were invited, 'Come, because everything is now ready.'
18 "They all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, 'I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please excuse me.'
19 "Another said, 'I have bought five pairs of oxen, and I am going to try them out. Please excuse me.'
20 "Then another man said, 'I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.'
21 "The servant came and told his master these things. Then the master of the house became angry and said to his servant, 'Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'
22 "The servant said, 'Master, what you commanded has been done, and yet there is still room.'
23 "The master said to the servant, 'Go out into the highways and hedges and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say to you, none of those men who were invited will taste my dinner.'"
25 Now large crowds were going with him, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple. 27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple. 28 For which of you who desires to build a tower does not first sit down and count the cost to calculate if he has what he needs to complete it? 29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it will begin to mock him, 30 saying, 'This man began to build and was not able to finish.' 31 Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and take advice about whether he is able with ten thousand men to fight the other king who comes against him with twenty thousand men? 32 If not, while the other army is still far away, he sends a delegation and asks for conditions of peace. 33 So therefore, any one of you who does not give up all his possessions cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its taste, how can it be made salty again? 35 It is of no use for the soil or even for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
1 Now all the tax collectors and other sinners were coming to Jesus to listen to him. 2 Both the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled to each other, saying, "This man welcomes sinners, and even eats with them."
3 Jesus spoke this parable to them, saying, 4 "Which one of you, if he has a hundred sheep and then loses one of them, will not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the lost one until he finds it? 5 Then when he has found it, he lays it across his shoulders and rejoices. 6 When he comes to the house, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my lost sheep.' 7 I say to you that even so, there will be joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, more than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.
8 "Or what woman who has ten silver coins, if she were to lose one coin, would not light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she has found it? 9 When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I lost.' 10 Even so, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."
11 Then Jesus said, "A certain man had two sons, 12 and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the portion of the wealth that falls to me.' So he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered together all he owned and went to a country far away, and there he wasted all his wealth by living recklessly. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine spread through that country, and he began to be in need. 15 He went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 He was longing to eat the carob pods that the pigs ate because no one gave him anything. 17 But when the young son came to himself, he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, and I am here, perishing from hunger! 18 I will get up and leave here and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired servants."' 20 So the young son got up and left and came toward his father. While he was still far away, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and he ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 The son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'
22 "The father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and sandals on his feet. 23 Then bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let us feast and be merry! 24 For my son was dead, and now he is alive. He was lost, and now he is found.' Then they began to be merry.
25 "Now his older son was out in the field. As he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 He called to one of the servants and asked what these things might be. 27 The servant said to him, 'Your brother has come home and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him in good health.'
28 "The older son was angry and would not go in, and his father came out and pleaded with him. 29 But the older son answered and said to his father, 'Look, these many years I slaved for you, and I never neglected a command of yours, and yet you never gave me a young goat that I might be merry with my friends, 30 but when your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed for him the fattened calf.'
31 "The father said to him, 'Child, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 But it was proper for us to be merry and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead, and is now alive; he was lost, and has now been found.'"
1 Jesus also said to the disciples, "There was a certain rich man who had a manager, and it was reported to him that this manager was wasting his possessions. 2 So the rich man called him and said to him, 'What is this that I hear about you? Give an account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.'
3 "The manager said to himself, 'What should I do, since my master is taking away my management job? I do not have strength to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from my management job, people will welcome me into their houses.'
5 "Then the manager called for each one of his master's debtors, and he asked the first one, 'How much do you owe to my master?' 6 He said, 'A hundred baths of olive oil.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write fifty.'
7 "Then the manager said to another, 'How much do you owe?' He said, 'A hundred cors of wheat.' He said to him, 'Take your bill, and write eighty.'
8 "The master then commended the unrighteous manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own people than are the sons of light. 9 I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth so that when it is gone, they may welcome you into the eternal dwellings.
10 "He who is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and he who is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much. 11 If you have not been faithful in using unrighteous wealth, who will trust you with true wealth? 12 If you have not been faithful in using other people's property, who will give you money of your own?
13 "No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth."
14 Now the Pharisees, who were lovers of money, heard all these things, and they ridiculed him. 15 He said to them, "You justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. That which is exalted among men is detestable in the sight of God. 16 The law and the prophets were in effect until John came. From that time on, the gospel of the kingdom of God is preached, and everyone tries to force their way into it. 17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one stroke of a letter of the law to become invalid.
18 "Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery, and he who marries one who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.
19 "Now there was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and was enjoying every day his great wealth. 20 A certain beggar named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 It came about that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried, 23 and in Hades, being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus at his side. 24 So he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in anguish in this flame.'
25 "But Abraham said, 'Child, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things. But now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. 26 Besides all this, a great chasm has been put in place, so that those who want to cross over from here to you cannot, and no one can cross over from there to us.'
27 "The rich man said, 'I beg you, Father Abraham, that you would send him to my father's house— 28 for I have five brothers—in order that he may warn them, so that it may not be that they come into this place of torment.'
29 "But Abraham said, 'They have Moses and the prophets; let them listen to them.'
30 "The rich man replied, 'No, Father Abraham, but if someone would go to them from the dead, they will repent.'
31 "But Abraham said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.'"
1 Jesus said to his disciples, "It is certain there will be stumbling blocks, but woe to that person through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. 3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him. 4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns to you, saying, 'I repent,' you must forgive him!"
5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith."
6 The Lord said, "If you had faith like a mustard seed, you would say to this mulberry tree, 'Be uprooted, and be planted in the sea,' and it would obey you. 7 But which of you, who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, 'Come immediately and sit down to eat'? 8 Will he not say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat, and put a belt around your clothes and serve me until I have finished eating and drinking. Then afterward you will eat and drink'? 9 He does not thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded, does he? 10 Even so you also, when you have done everything that you are commanded, should say, 'We are unworthy servants. We have only done what we ought to do.'"
11 It came about that as he traveled to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered into a certain village, there he was met by ten men who were lepers. They stood far away from him 13 and they lifted up their voices, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us."
14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." As they went away they were cleansed. 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he turned back, with a loud voice glorifying God. 16 He fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus said, "Were not the ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Were there no others who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?" 19 He said to him, "Arise, and go. Your faith has made you well."
20 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with careful observing. 21 Neither will they say, 'Look, here it is!' or 'There it is!' For look, the kingdom of God is within you."
22 He said to the disciples, "The days are coming when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, but you will not see it. 23 Then they will say to you, 'Look, there! Look, here!' But do not go out or run after them, 24 for as the lightning shines brightly when it flashes from one part of the sky to another part of the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day. 25 But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it happened in the days of Noah, even so will it also happen in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ark—and the flood came and destroyed them all. 28 In the same way, even as it happened in the days of Lot—they were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building. 29 But in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from heaven and destroyed them all. 30 After the same manner it will be in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. 31 In that day let him who is on the housetop not go down to get his goods out of the house, and in the same way let him who is in the field not return. 32 Remember Lot's wife. 33 Whoever seeks to gain his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life will save it. 34 I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken, and the other will be left. 35 There will be two women grinding grain together. One will be taken, and the other will be left." 36[1]
37 They asked him, "Where, Lord?"
He said to them, "Where there is a body, there will the vultures also be gathered together."
1 Then he spoke a parable to them about how they should always pray and not become discouraged, 2 saying, "In a certain city there was a judge who did not fear God and did not respect people. 3 Now there was a widow in that city, and she came often to him, saying, 'Help me get justice against my opponent.'
4 For a long time he was not willing to help her, but after a while he said to himself, 'Though I do not fear God or respect man, 5 yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will help her get justice, so that she does not wear me out by her constant coming.'" 6 Then the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7 Now will not God also bring justice to his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I say to you that he will bring justice to them speedily. Even so, when the Son of Man comes, will he indeed find faith on the earth?"
9 Then he also spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and who despised other people: 10 "Two men went up into the temple to pray—the one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed these things about himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, unrighteous people, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast two times every week. I give tithes of all that I get.'
13 But the tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but hit his breast, saying, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' 14 I say to you, this man went back down to his house justified rather than the other, because everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but everyone who humbles himself will be exalted."
15 The people were also bringing to him their infants so that he might touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, "Permit the little children to come to me, and do not forbid them. For the kingdom of God belongs to such ones. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever will not receive the kingdom of God like a child will definitely not enter it."
18 A certain ruler asked him, saying, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
19 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good, except God alone. 20 You know the commandments—do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not testify falsely, honor your father and mother."
21 The ruler said, "All these things I have obeyed from the time I was a youth."
22 When Jesus heard that, he said to him, "One thing you still lack. You must sell all that you have and distribute it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven—and come, follow me."
23 But when the ruler heard these things, he became extremely sad, for he was very rich. 24 Then Jesus, seeing him, [1] said, "How difficult it is for those who are rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."
26 Those hearing it said, "Then who can be saved?"
27 Jesus answered, "The things which are impossible with people are possible with God."
28 Peter said, "Well, we have left everything that is our own and have followed you."
29 Jesus then said to them, "Truly, I say to you that there is no one who has left house, or wife, or brothers, or parents, or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30 who will not receive much more in this time, and in the age to come, eternal life."
31 After he gathered the twelve to himself, he said to them, "See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that have been written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. 32 For he will be given over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked, and shamefully treated, and spit upon. 33 After whipping him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise again." 34 They understood none of these things, and this word was hidden from them, and they did not understand the things that were said.
35 It came about that, as Jesus approached Jericho, a certain blind man was sitting by the road begging, 36 and hearing a crowd going by, he asked what was happening. 37 They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 So the blind man cried out, saying, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me." 39 The ones who were walking ahead rebuked the blind man, telling him to be quiet. But he cried out all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me."
40 Jesus stood still and commanded that the man be brought to him. Then when the blind man was near, Jesus asked him, 41 "What do you want me to do for you?"
He said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight."
42 Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight. Your faith has healed you." 43 Immediately he received his sight and followed him, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw this, gave praise to God.
1 Jesus entered and was passing through Jericho. 2 Behold, there was a man there named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but could not see over the crowd, because he was small in height. 4 So he ran on ahead of the people and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, because Jesus was about to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down quickly, for today I must stay at your house." 6 So he hurried and came down and welcomed him joyfully. 7 When everyone saw this, they all complained, saying, "He has gone in to visit a man who is a sinner." 8 Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, the half of my possessions I give to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone of anything, I will restore four times the amount."
9 Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the people who are lost."
11 As they heard these things, he continued speaking and told a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and they thought that the kingdom of God was about to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, "A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then to return. 13 He called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas and said to them, 'Conduct business until I come back.'
14 "But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man reign over us.' 15 It happened when he returned, having received the kingdom, he commanded the servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what profit they had made by doing business.
16 "The first came before him, saying, 'Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.'
17 "The nobleman said to him, 'Well done, good servant. Because you were faithful in very little, you will have authority over ten cities.'
18 "The second came, saying, 'Your mina, lord, has made five minas.'
19 "The nobleman said to him, 'You take charge over five cities.'
20 "Another came, saying, 'Lord, here is your mina, which I kept safely in a cloth, 21 for I was afraid of you, because you are a demanding person. You take up what you did not put in, and you reap what you did not sow.'
22 "The nobleman said to him, 'By your own words I will judge you, you wicked servant. You knew that I am a demanding person, taking up what I did not put in, and reaping what I did not sow. 23 Then why did you not put my money in the bank, so that when I returned I would have collected it with interest?' 24 The nobleman said to them that stood by, 'Take away from him the mina, and give it to him that has the ten minas.'
25 "They said to him, 'Lord, he has ten minas.'
26 "'I say to you, that everyone who has will be given more, but from him that has not, even that which he has will be taken away. 27 But these enemies of mine, those who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and kill them before me.'"
28 When he had said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
29 It came about that when he came near to Bethphage and Bethany, to the mountain that is called Olives, he sent two of the disciples, 30 saying, "Go into the next village. As you enter, you will find a colt that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it to me. 31 If anyone asks you, 'Why are you untying it?' say, 'The Lord has need of it.'" 32 Those who were sent went and found the colt just as Jesus had told them.
33 As they were untying the colt, the owners said to them, "Why are you untying the colt?"
34 They said, "The Lord has need of it." 35 They brought it to Jesus, and they threw their cloaks upon the colt and set Jesus on it. 36 As he went, they spread their cloaks on the road.
37 As he was now approaching the place where the Mount of Olives descends, the whole multitude of the disciples began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying,
38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!
Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!"
39 Some of the Pharisees in the multitude said to him, "Teacher, rebuke your disciples."
40 Jesus answered and said, "I tell you, if these were silent, the stones would cry out."
41 When Jesus approached the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, "If only you had known in this day, even you, the things which bring you peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build a barricade around you and surround you and press in on you from every side. 44 They will strike you down to the ground, and your children with you. They will not leave one stone upon another because you did not recognize the time of your visitation."
45 Jesus entered the temple and began to cast out those who were selling, 46 saying to them, "It is written, 'My house will be a house of prayer,' but you have made it a den of robbers."
47 So Jesus was teaching daily in the temple. The chief priests and the scribes were seeking to destroy him, as were the leaders of the people, 48 but they could not find a way to do it because all the people were listening to him intently.
1 It came about one day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel that the chief priests and the scribes came to him with the elders. 2 They spoke, saying to him, "Tell us by what authority you do these things, or who it is who gave you this authority."
3 He answered and said to them, "I will also ask you a question, and you tell me. 4 The baptism of John: Was it from heaven or from men?"
5 They reasoned with themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?' 6 But if we say, 'From men,' all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet." 7 So they answered that they did not know where it came from.
8 Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."
9 He told the people this parable: "A man planted a vineyard, rented it out to vine growers, and went into another country for a long time. 10 At the appointed time he sent a servant to the vine growers, that they should give him of the fruit of the vineyard. But the vine growers beat him, and sent him away empty-handed. 11 He then sent yet another servant and they also beat him, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty-handed. 12 He also sent yet a third and they also wounded him, and threw him out. 13 So the lord of the vineyard said, 'What will I do? I will send my beloved son. Maybe they will respect him.'
14 "But when the vine growers saw him, they discussed among themselves, saying, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him, that the inheritance may be ours.' 15 They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. What then will the lord of the vineyard do to them? 16 He will come and destroy these vine growers, and will give the vineyard to others."
When they heard it, they said, "May it never be!"
17 But Jesus looked at them, and said, "What is the meaning of that which is written:
'The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone'?
18 Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, and the one on whom it falls will be crushed."
19 So the scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him in that very hour, for they knew that he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. 20 Watching him carefully, they sent out spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might find fault with his speech, so as to deliver him up to the rule and to the authority of the governor. 21 They asked him, saying, "Teacher, we know that you say and teach rightly, and are not partial to anyone, but you teach the truth about the way of God. 22 Is it lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?"
23 But Jesus understood their craftiness, and said to them, 24 "Show me a denarius. Whose image and name is on it?"
They said, "Caesar's."
25 He said to them, "Then give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's." 26 They were not able to find fault with what he had said in front of the people, but marveling at his answer, they were silent.
27 When some of the Sadducees came to him, the ones who say that there is no resurrection, 28 they asked him, saying, "Teacher, Moses wrote to us that if a man's brother dies, having a wife, and being childless, the man should take the brother's wife, and raise up children for his brother. 29 There were seven brothers and the first took a wife, and died childless, 30 and the second as well. 31 The third took her, and in the same way the seven also left no children and died. 32 Afterward the woman also died. 33 In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be? For the seven had her as their wife."
34 Jesus said to them, "The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage. 35 But those who are regarded as worthy in that age to receive the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage. 36 Neither can they die anymore, for they are equal to the angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection. 37 But that the dead are raised, even Moses showed, in the place concerning the bush, where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. 38 Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, because all live to him."
39 Some of the scribes answered, "Teacher, you have answered well." 40 For they did not dare ask him any more questions.
41 Jesus said to them, "How do they say that the Christ is David's son? 42 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms,
The Lord said to my Lord,
'Sit at my right hand,
43 until I make your enemies
your footstool.'
44 David therefore calls the Christ 'Lord,' so how is he David's son?"
45 In the hearing of all the people he said to his disciples, 46 "Beware of the scribes, who desire to walk in long robes and love special greetings in the marketplaces and chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at feasts. 47 They also devour widows' houses, and for a show they make long prayers. Men like this will receive greater condemnation."
Some translations set poetry farther to the right than the rest of the text to show that it is poetry. The ULB does this with the poetry in 20:17, 42-43, which is from the Old Testament.
When Jesus asked the Pharisees who gave John the authority to baptize (Luke 20:4), they could not answer because any answer they gave would give someone a reason to say that they were wrong (Luke 20:5-6). They thought that they would be able to say that Jesus was wrong when they asked him if people should pay taxes to Caesar (Luke 20:22), but Jesus gave them an answer that they had not thought of.
A paradox is a true statement that appears to describe something impossible. In this chapter, Jesus quotes a psalm that records David calling his son "Lord," that is, "master." However, to the Jews, ancestors were greater than their descendants. In this passage, Jesus is trying to lead his hearers to the true understanding that the Messiah will himself be divine, and that he himself is the Messiah. (Luke 20:41-44).
The chief priests, scribes, and elders question Jesus in the temple.
This phrase is used here to mark the beginning of a new part of the story.
"in the temple courtyard" or "at the temple"
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Jesus responds to the chief priests, scribes, and elders.
"Jesus replied"
The words "I will ... ask you a question" are a statement. The words "you tell me" are a command.
Jesus knows that John's authority comes from heaven, so he is not asking for information. He asks the question so the Jewish leaders will have to tell what they think to all who are listening. This question is rhetorical, but you will probably have to translate it as a question. Alternate translation: "Do you think John's authority to baptize people came from heaven or from men" or "Was it God who told John to baptize people, or did people tell him to do it"
"from God." Jewish people avoided referring to God by his name "Yahweh." Often they used the word "heaven" to refer to him.
"They discussed" or "They considered their answer"
"among themselves" or "with each other"
Some languages might prefer an indirect quote. Alternate translation: "If we say that John's authority is from heaven, he"
"From God." Jewish people avoided referring to God by his name "Yahweh." Often they used the word "heaven" to refer to him. See how these words are translated in [Luke 20:4]
"Jesus will say"
Some languages might prefer an indirect quote. Alternate translation: "if we say that John's authority is from men,"
"kill us by throwing stones on us." God's Law commanded that his people stone those of his people who mocked him or his prophets.
"So the chief priests, scribes and elders answered." The word "so" marks an event that happened because of something else that happened first. In this case, they had reasoned with themselves (Luke 20:5-6), and they did not have an answer they wanted to say.
This could be stated as a direct quote. Alternate translation: "they said, 'We do not know where it came from.'"
"where John's baptism came from." Alternate translation: "where John's authority to baptize came from" or "who authorized John to baptize people"
"And I will not tell you." Jesus knew they were not willing to tell him the answer, so he responded in the same manner. Alternate translation: "Just as you will not tell me, I will not tell you"
Jesus begins to tell a parable to the people in the temple courtyard.
"allowed some vine growers to use it in exchange for payment" or "allowed some vine growers to use it and pay him later." Payment might be in the form of money or a portion of the harvest.
These are people who tend grape vines and grow grapes. Alternate translation: "grape farmers"
"the time they had agreed to pay him." This would have been at the harvest time.
"some of the grapes" or "some of what they produced in the vineyard." It could also refer to the things they made from grapes or the money they earned by selling the grapes.
An empty hand is a metaphor for "nothing." Alternate translation: "sent him away without paying him" or "sent him away without the grapes"
"beat that servant"
"humiliated him"
Having an empty hand is a metaphor for having nothing. Alternate translation: "sent him away without paying him" or "sent him away without any grapes"
"even a third servant" or "yet another servant." The word "yet" hints at the fact that the landowner should not have had to send the second servant, but he went beyond that and sent a third servant.
"injured that servant"
"threw him out of the vineyard"
This question emphasizes that the vineyard owner thought carefully about what he was going to do. Alternate translation: "Here is what I will do:"
"when the farmers saw the owner's son"
They were not asking permission. The said this to encourage each other to kill the heir.
"The vine growers forced the son out of the vineyard"
Jesus uses a question to get his listeners to pay attention to what the owner of the vineyard will do. Alternate translation: "So now, listen to what the lord of the vineyard will do to them."
Jesus finishes telling his parable to the crowd.
"May it never happen"
Jesus continues teaching the crowd.
"But Jesus stared at them" or "But he looked straight at them." He did this to hold them accountable to understand what he was saying.
Jesus uses a question to teach the crowd. Alternate translation: "You should be able to understand that which is written: 'The stone ... cornerstone.'"
"this scripture"
This is the first of three metaphors in a prophecy from the book of Psalms. This one refers to the Messiah as if he were a stone that builders chose not to use, but that God made the most important stone.
"The stone that the builders said was not good enough to use for building." In those days people used stones to build the walls of houses and other buildings.
This refers to the religious rulers who are rejecting Jesus as Messiah.
"the chief stone of the building" or "the most important stone of the building"
This second metaphor speaks of people who reject the Messiah as if they fall over a stone and are injured.
This is a result of falling onto the stone. It can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "will break up into pieces"
"the one that stone falls on." This third metaphor speaks about the Messiah judging those who reject him as if he were a large stone that would crush them.
In this verse, to "lay hands on" someone is to arrest that person. Alternate translation: "looked for a way to arrest Jesus"
"immediately"
This is the reason that they did not arrest Jesus right away. The people respected Jesus, and the religious leaders were afraid of what the people might do if they arrested him. Alternate translation: "they did not arrest him because they were afraid of the people"
"the scribes and chief priests sent spies to watch Jesus"
"because they wanted to accuse Jesus of saying something bad"
"Rule" and "authority" are two ways of saying that they wanted the governor to judge Jesus. It can be translated with one or both expressions. Alternate translation: "so that the governor would punish Jesus"
This is the beginning of the next event in the story. Some time has passed since Jesus was questioned in the temple by the chief priests. The spies are now questioning Jesus.
"The spies asked Jesus"
The spies were trying to deceive Jesus. They did not believe these things about Jesus.
"we" refers only to the spies.
Possible meanings are 1) "you tell the truth even if important people do not like it" or 2) "you do not favor one person over another"
This is part of what the spies were saying that they knew about Jesus.
They hoped that Jesus would say either "yes" or "no." If he said "yes," then the Jewish people would be angry with him for telling them to pay taxes to a foreign government. If he said "no," then the religious leaders could tell the Romans that Jesus was teaching the people to break the Roman laws.
They were asking about God's law, not about Caesar's law. Alternate translation: "Does our law permit us"
Because Caesar was the ruler of the Roman government, they could refer to the Roman government by Caesar's name.
"But Jesus understood how tricky they were" or "But Jesus saw that they were trying to trap him." The word "their" refers to the spies.
This is a Roman silver coin worth a day's wages.
Jesus uses a question to respond to those who were trying to trick him. Alternate translation: "Tell me, whose image and name do you see on it?"
"picture and name"
"Then Jesus said to them"
Here "Caesar" refers to the Roman government.
The word "give" is understood from the previous phrase. It can be repeated here. Alternate translation: "and give to God"
This is the end of this event about the spies and the part of the story which began in Luke 20:1.
"The spies could not find anything wrong with what he said"
"but they were amazed at his answer and did not say anything"
We do not know where this takes place, though it possibly takes place in the temple courtyard. Jesus is talking with some Sadducees.
This phrase identifies the Sadducees as being the group of Jews that say that no one would rise from the dead. It does not imply that some Sadducees believed that there is a resurrection and some did not.
"if a man's brother dies when he has a wife but does not have children"
"the man should marry his dead brother's widow"
The Jews considered the first son born to a woman who married her dead husband's brother as if he were the son of the woman's first husband. This son inherited the property of his mother's first husband and carried on his name.
The Sadducees tell Jesus a short story in verses 29-32. This is a story they made up as an example. In verse 33, they ask Jesus a question about the story they told.
This may have happened, but it is probably a story that they made up to test Jesus.
"brother number one" or "the oldest"
"died without having any children" or "died, but did not have any children"
The Sadducees kept the story short by not repeating many of the details. Alternate translation: "the second married her and the same thing happened" or "the second brother married her and died without having any children"
"brother number two" or "the oldest brother who was still alive"
"The third married her"
"Brother number three" or "The oldest brother who was still alive"
The speakers kept the story short by omitting details. Alternate translation: "in the same way the rest of the seven brothers married her and died without having any children"
"all seven of the brothers" or "each of the seven brothers"
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The Sadducees finish asking Jesus their question.
"When people are raised from the dead" or "When dead people become alive again." Some languages have a way of showing that the Sadducees did not believe that there would be a resurrection, such as "In the supposed resurrection" or "When dead people are supposedly raised from the dead."
Jesus begins to answer the Sadducees.
"The people of this world" or "The people of this time." This is in contrast with those in heaven or the people who live after the resurrection.
In that culture they spoke of men marrying women and women being given in marriage to their husband. This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "get married"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "the people in that age whom God will consider to be worthy"
"to be raised from the dead" or "to rise from death"
From among all those who have died. The expression "the dead" describes all dead people together in the underworld. To receive resurrection from among them speaks of becoming alive again.
In that culture they spoke of men marrying women and women being given in marriage to their husband. This can also be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "will not marry" or "will not get married." This is after the resurrection.
This is after the resurrection. Alternate translation: "They will not be able to die anymore"
"are children of God because he has brought them back from the dead"
Jesus finishes answering the Sadducees.
The word "even" is here because the Sadducees might not have been surprised that some scriptures say that the dead are raised, but they did not expect Moses to have written something like that. Alternate translation: "But even Moses showed that dead people rise from the dead"
This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God causes the dead to live again"
The implied information can be supplied. Alternate translation: "in the scripture about the burning bush, where he wrote about the Lord being"
"the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." They all worshiped the same God.
This word is used here to mark a break in the main teaching. Here Jesus explains how this story proves that people rise from the dead.
These two phrases have similar meaning. They are used together for emphasis. Some languages have different ways of showing emphasis. Alternate translation: "the Lord is the God of living people only"
"but the God of living people." Since these people died physically, they must still be alive spiritually. Alternate translation: "but the God of people whose spirits are alive, even though their bodies may have died"
"because in God's sight they all are still alive" or "because their spirits are alive in God's presence"
"Some of the scribes said to Jesus." There were scribes present when the Sadducees were questioning Jesus.
It is unclear if this refers to the scribes, or the Sadducees, or both. It is best to keep the statement general.
"they were afraid to ask him any more questions" or "they did not risk asking him any more questions." They understood that they did not know as much as Jesus did, but they did not want to say that. This can be made explicit. Alternate translation: "they did not ask him any more tricky questions because they feared that his wise answers would make them appear foolish again"
Jesus asks the scribes a question.
"Why do they say ... son?" Jesus uses a question to make the scribes think about who the Messiah is. Alternate translation: "Let's think about them saying ... son." or "I will talk about them saying ... son."
The prophets, the religious rulers, and the Jewish people in general knew that the Messiah was the son of David. Alternate translation: "everyone says" or "people say"
"King David's descendant." The word "son" is used here to refer to a descendant. In this case it refers to the one who would reign over God's kingdom.
This is a quotation from the book of Psalms which says "Yahweh said to my Lord." But the Jews stopped saying "Yahweh" and often said "Lord" instead. Alternate translation: "The Lord God said to my Lord" or "God said to my Lord"
David was referring to the Christ as "my Lord."
To sit at the "right hand of God" is a symbolic action of receiving great honor and authority from God. Alternate translation: "Sit in the place of honor beside me"
The Messiah's enemies are spoken of as if they were furniture on which he would rest his feet. This was an image of submission. Alternate translation: "until I make your enemies like a footstool for you" or "until I conquer your enemies for you"
In the culture of that time, a father was more respected than a son. David's us of the title 'Lord' for the Christ implies that he was greater than David.
"so how can the Christ be David's son?" This can be a statement. Alternate translation: "and this shows that the Christ is not merely David's descendant"
Jesus now directs his attention to his disciples and speaks mainly to them.
"Be on guard against"
Long robes would show that they were important. Alternate translation: "who like to walk around wearing their important robes"
"They also eat up widows' houses." The scribes are spoken of as if they were hungry animals that eat up the widows' houses. The word "houses" is a synecdoche for both where the widow lives and all the possessions she puts in her home. Alternate translation: "They also take away from widows all their possessions"
"they pretend to be righteous and make long prayers" or "they make long prayers so that people will see them"
"They will receive a more severe judgment." This can be stated in active form. Alternate translation: "God will certainly punish them very severely"
He asked, "Was the baptism of John from heaven or from men?"
The Jewish leaders thought that Jesus would say, "Then why did you not believe him?"
They thought that the people would stone them.
They beat the servants, treated them shamefully, and sent them away empty-handed.
They beat the servants, treated them shamefully, and sent them away empty-handed.
He sent his beloved son.
They threw him out of the vineyard and killed him.
He will destroy those vine dressers and give the vineyard to others.
He told this parable against the scribes and the chief priests.
He said to give to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's.
They did not believe in the resurrection of the dead.
In this world there is marriage, but there is not marriage in eternity.
In this world there is marriage, but there is not marriage in eternity.
He recalled the story of Moses and the bush, in which Moses calls the Lord the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.
He quoted, "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."
He quoted, "The Lord said to my Lord, sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool."
They were devouring widows' houses, and pretentiously making long prayers.
They will receive a greater condemnation.
1 Jesus looked up and saw the rich men who were putting their gifts into the treasury. 2 He saw a certain poor widow putting in two mites. 3 So he said, "Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all of them. 4 All of these gave gifts out of their abundance. But this widow, out of her poverty, put in all she had to live on."
5 As some spoke of the temple, how it was decorated with beautiful stones and offerings, he said, 6 "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left on another which will not be torn down." 7 So they asked him, saying, "Teacher, when will these things happen? What will be the sign when these things are about to happen?" 8 Jesus answered, "Be careful that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near.' Do not go after them. 9 When you hear of wars and riots, do not be terrified, for these things must happen first, but the end will not happen immediately."
10 Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11 There will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues. There will be terrifying events and great signs from heaven. 12 But before all of these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you over to the synagogues and prisons, bringing you before kings and governors because of my name. 13 It will lead to an opportunity for your testimony. 14 Therefore resolve in your hearts not to prepare your defense ahead of time, 15 for I will give you words and wisdom that all your adversaries will not be able to resist or contradict. 16 But you will be given over also by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death. 17 You will be hated by everyone because of my name. 18 But not a hair from your head will perish. 19 In your endurance you will gain your lives.
20 "When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then recognize that its desolation is near. 21 Then let those in Judea flee to the mountains, let those who are in the city leave it, and those who are out in the country must not enter the city. 22 For these are days of vengeance, so that all the things that are written will be fulfilled. 23 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing in those days! For there will be great distress upon the land, and wrath to this people. 24 They will fall by the edge of the sword, and they will be led captive into all the nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.
25 "There will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth. The nations will be in distress, anxious because of the roar of the sea and waves. 26 There will be men fainting from fear and from expectation of the things which are coming upon the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is coming near."
29 Jesus told them a parable, "Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they sprout buds, you see for yourselves and know that summer is already near. 31 So also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.
34 "But pay attention to yourselves, so that your hearts are not burdened with excessive drinking and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day does not close on you suddenly 35 like a trap. For it will come upon everyone living on the face of the whole earth. 36 But be alert at all times, praying that you may be strong enough to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of Man."
37 So during the days he was teaching in the temple, and at night he went out and stayed on the mountain that is called Olives. 38 All of the people came early in the morning to hear him in the temple.
1 Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread was approaching, which is called the Passover. 2 The chief priests and the scribes were seeking how they could put Jesus to death, for they were afraid of the people.
3 Then Satan entered into Judas, the one called Iscariot, who was one of the twelve. 4 Judas went to the chief priests and captains and discussed with them how he would betray Jesus to them. 5 They were glad and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented and looked for an opportunity to give him over to them away from the crowd.
7 Then came the day of unleavened bread, on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. 8 So Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, "Go and prepare for us the Passover meal, so that we may eat it."
9 They said to him, "Where do you want us to make preparations?"
10 He answered them, "Look, when you have entered the city, a man bearing a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him into the house that he goes into. 11 Then say to the master of the house, 'The Teacher says to you, "Where is the guest room, where I will eat the Passover with my disciples?"' 12 He will show you a large furnished upper room. Make the preparations there." 13 So they went, and found everything as he had said to them. Then they prepared the Passover meal.
14 When the hour came, he sat down with the apostles. 15 Then he said to them, "I have greatly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. 16 For I say to you, I will not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 Then Jesus took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, "Take this, and share it among yourselves. 18 For I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until the kingdom of God comes." 19 Then he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and gave to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 He took the cup in the same way after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. 21 But pay attention. The hand of the one who betrays me is with me at the table. 22 For the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined. But woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!" 23 They began to discuss among themselves which one of them it might be who would do this.
24 Then there arose also a quarrel among them about which of them was considered to be greatest. 25 He said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles are lords over them, and the ones who have authority over them are called doers of good deeds. 26 But it must not be like this with you. Instead, let the greatest among you become like the youngest and the one who leads like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who sits at the table, or the one who serves? Is it not the one who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as one who serves. 28 But you are the ones who have continued with me in my trials. 29 I set you over a kingdom, even as my Father has set me over a kingdom, 30 that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, be aware, Satan asked to have you, that he might sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail. After you have turned back again, strengthen your brothers."
33 Peter said to him, "Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death."
34 Jesus replied, "I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day before you deny three times that you know me."
35 Then Jesus said to them, "When I sent you out without a purse, a bag of provisions, or sandals, did you lack anything?"
They answered, "Nothing."
36 Then he said to them, "But now, the one who has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag of provisions. The one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. 37 For I say to you, what is written about me must be fulfilled, 'He was counted with the lawless ones.' For what is predicted about me is being fulfilled."
38 Then they said, "Lord, look! Here are two swords."
He said to them, "It is enough."
39 Jesus went, as he often did, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 When they arrived, he said to them, "Pray that you do not enter into temptation." 41 He went away from them about a stone's throw, and he knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless not my will, but yours be done." 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared to him, strengthening him. 44 Being in agony, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down upon the ground. 45 When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of their sorrow 46 and asked them, "Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray, that you may not enter into temptation."
47 While he was still speaking, behold, a crowd appeared, with Judas, one of the twelve, leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him, 48 but Jesus said to him, "Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?"
49 When those who were around Jesus saw what was happening, they said, "Lord, should we strike with the sword?" 50 Then one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 Jesus said, "That is enough!" He touched his ear, and healed him. 52 Jesus said to the chief priests, to the captains of the temple, and to elders who came against him, "Do you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs? 53 When I was daily with you in the temple, you did not lay your hands on me. But this is your hour, and the authority of darkness."
54 Seizing him, they led him away and brought him into the high priest's house. But Peter followed from a distance. 55 After they had kindled a fire in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together, Peter sat in the midst of them. 56 A certain female servant saw him as he sat in the light of the fire and looked straight at him and said, "This man also was with him."
57 But Peter denied it, saying, "Woman, I do not know him."
58 After a little while someone else saw him, and said, "You are also one of them."
But Peter said, "Man, I am not."
59 After about an hour another man insisted and said, "Truly this man also was with him, for he is a Galilean."
60 But Peter said, "Man, I do not know what you are saying." Immediately, while he was speaking, a rooster crowed. 61 Turning, the Lord looked at Peter, and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, when he said to him, "Before a rooster crows today you will deny me three times." 62 Peter went outside and wept bitterly.
63 Then the men holding Jesus in custody mocked and beat him. 64 They put a cover over him and asked him, saying, "Prophesy! Who is the one who hit you?" 65 They spoke many other things against Jesus, blaspheming him.
66 As soon as it was day, the elders of the people gathered together, both chief priests and scribes. They led him into the Council 67 and said, "If you are the Christ, tell us."
But he said to them, "If I tell you, you will not believe, 68 and if I ask you, you will not answer. 69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God."
70 They all said, "Then you are the Son of God?"
Jesus said to them, "You say that I am."
71 They said, "Why do we still need a witness? For we ourselves have heard from his own mouth."
1 The whole company of them rose up and brought Jesus before Pilate. 2 They began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation, forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king."
3 Pilate asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
Jesus answered him and said, "You say so."
4 Pilate said to the chief priests and the multitudes, "I find no guilt in this man."
5 But they were insisting, saying, "He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place." 6 So when Pilate heard this, he asked whether the man was a Galilean. 7 When he learned that he was under Herod's authority, he sent Jesus to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem in those days.
8 When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, because he had wanted to see him for a long time. He had heard about him and he hoped to see some sign done by him. 9 Herod questioned Jesus in many words, but Jesus answered him nothing. 10 The chief priests and the scribes stood, vigorously accusing him. 11 Herod with his soldiers showed Jesus contempt and they mocked him. Then they dressed him in splendid clothes and sent him back to Pilate. 12 For Herod and Pilate had become friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been enemies with each other.
13 Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the crowd of people 14 and said to them, "You brought to me this man like a man who is misleading the people. And see, I, having questioned him before you, find no guilt in this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. 15 No, nor does Herod, for he sent him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. 16 I will therefore punish him and release him." 17[1]18 But they cried out all together, saying, "Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!" 19 Barabbas was a man who had been put into prison for a certain rebellion in the city and for murder. 20 Pilate addressed them again, desiring to release Jesus. 21 But they shouted, saying, "Crucify him, crucify him." 22 He said to them a third time, "Why, what evil has this man done? I have found no guilt deserving death in him. Therefore after punishing him, I will release him." 23 But they were insistent with loud voices, demanding for him to be crucified. Their voices convinced Pilate. 24 So Pilate decided to grant their demand. 25 He released the one they asked for who had been put in prison for rebellion and murder. But he delivered up Jesus to their will.
26 As they led him away, they seized one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and they laid the cross on him to carry, following Jesus.
27 A great crowd of the people, and of women who grieved and mourned for him, were following him. 28 But turning to them, Jesus said, "Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. 29 For see, the days are coming in which they will say, 'Blessed are the barren and the wombs that did not bear, and the breasts that did not nurse.'
30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains,
'Fall on us,' and to the hills, 'Cover us.' 31 For if they do these things while the tree is green, what will happen when it is dry?"
32 Other men, two criminals, were led away with him to be put to death.
33 When they came to the place that is called "The Skull," there they crucified him and the criminals—one on his right and one on his left. 34 Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Then they cast lots, dividing up his garments.
35 The people stood watching while the rulers also were mocking him, saying, "He saved others. Let him save himself, if he is the Christ of God, the chosen one."
36 The soldiers also ridiculed him, approaching him, offering him vinegar, 37 and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself." 38 There was also a sign over him, "This is the King of the Jews."
39 One of the criminals who was hanging there insulted him by saying, "Are you not the Christ? Save yourself and us."
40 But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? 41 We indeed are here justly, for we are receiving what we deserve for our deeds. But this man did nothing wrong." 42 Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom."
43 Jesus said to him, "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise."
44 It was now about the sixth hour, and darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour 45 as the sun turned dark. Then the curtain of the temple was split in two. 46 Crying with a loud voice, Jesus said, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." Having said this, he died.
47 When the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, "Surely this was a righteous man." 48 When all the multitudes who came together to witness this sight saw the things that were done, they returned beating their breasts. 49 But all those who knew him, and the women who followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.
50 Behold, there was a man named Joseph, who was a member of the Council. He was a good and righteous man. 51 This man had not agreed with their plan and action. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, and he was looking for the kingdom of God. 52 This man, approaching Pilate, asked for the body of Jesus. 53 He took it down, wrapped it in fine linen, and placed it in a tomb that was cut in stone, where no one had ever been laid. 54 It was the Day of the Preparation, and the Sabbath was about to begin. 55 The women who had come with Jesus out of Galilee followed and saw the tomb and how his body was laid. 56 They returned and prepared spices and ointments.
Then on the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
1 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb, bringing the spices which they had prepared. 2 They found the stone rolled away from the tomb. 3 They entered in, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. 4 It happened that, while they were confused about this, suddenly, two men stood by them in bright shining garments. 5 As the women were terrified and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said to the women, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? 6 He is not here, but has been raised! Remember how he spoke to you when he was still in Galilee, 7 saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and on the third day rise again." 8 The women remembered his words 9 and returned from the tomb and told all these things to the eleven and all the rest. 10 Now Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them reported these things to the apostles. 11 But this message seemed like idle talk to the apostles, and they did not believe the women. 12 Yet Peter rose up and ran to the tomb, and, stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves. Peter then departed to his home, wondering what had happened.
13 Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. 14 They discussed with each other about all the things that had happened. 15 It happened that, while they discussed and questioned together, Jesus himself approached and went with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. 17 Jesus said to them, "What are these matters you two are discussing as you walk?" They stood there looking sad.
18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered him, "Are you the only person in Jerusalem who does not know the things which have happened there these days?"
19 Jesus said to them, "What things?"
They answered him, "The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet, mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death and crucified him. 21 But we hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. Yes, and what is more, it is now the third day since all these things happened. 22 But also, some women of our company amazed us, having been at the tomb early in the morning. 23 When they did not find his body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. 24 Some men who were with us went to the tomb, and found it just as the women had said. But they did not see him."
25 Jesus said to them, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things, and to enter into his glory?" 27 Then beginning from Moses and through all the prophets, Jesus interpreted to them the things concerning himself in all the scriptures.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus acted as though he were going further. 29 But they compelled him, saying, "Stay with us, for it is toward evening and the day is almost over." So Jesus went in to stay with them. 30 It happened that, when he had sat down with them to eat, he took the bread, blessed it, and breaking it, he gave it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened, and they knew him, and he vanished out of their sight. 32 They said one to another, "Was not our heart burning within us, while he spoke to us on the way, while he opened to us the scriptures?" 33 They rose up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem. They found the eleven gathered together and those who were with them, 34 saying, "The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon." 35 So they told the things that happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
36 As they spoke these things, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said to them, "Peace be to you." 37 But they were terrified and filled with fear and thought that they were seeing a spirit. 38 Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled? Why do questions arise in your heart? 39 See my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see. For a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see me having." 40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. 41 They still could not believe it because of joy, and they were amazed. Jesus said to them, "Do you have anything to eat?" 42 They gave him a piece of a broiled fish, 43 and he took it and ate it before them.
44 He said to them, "These are my words that I spoke to you when I was with you, that all that was written in the law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled." 45 Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the scriptures. 46 He said to them, "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead on the third day. 47 Repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. 48 You are witnesses of these things. 49 See, I am sending you what my Father promised. But remain in the city until you are clothed with power from on high."
50 Then Jesus led them out until they were near Bethany. He lifted up his hands and blessed them. 51 It happened that, while he was blessing them, he left them and was carried up into heaven. 52 So they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy. 53 They were continually in the temple, blessing God.