Luke 9

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve—Matthew 10:5–42; Mark 6:7–13

1 Jesus called the twelve apostles together and gave them power and authority over every demon and power and authority to cure diseases.

2 He sent them to spread the message about the kingdom of God and to cure the sick.
3 He told them, “Don’t take anything along on the trip. Don’t take a walking stick, traveling bag, any food, money, or a change of clothes.4 When you go into a home, stay there until you’re ready to leave.

5 If people don’t welcome you, leave that city, and shake its dust off your feet as a warning to them.”
6 The apostles went from village to village, told the Good News, and cured the sick everywhere.

Rumors About Jesus—Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–29

7 Herod the ruler heard about everything that was happening. He didn’t know what to make of it. Some people were saying that John had come back to life.

8 Others said that Elijah had appeared, and still others said that one of the prophets from long ago had come back to life.
9 Herod said, “I had John’s head cut off. Who is this person I’m hearing so much about?” So Herod wanted to see Jesus.

Jesus Feeds Five Thousand—Matthew 14:13–21; Mark 6:30–44; John 6:1–14

10 The apostles came back and told Jesus everything they had done. He took them with him to a city called Bethsaida so that they could be alone.

11 But the crowds found out about this and followed him. He welcomed them, talked to them about the kingdom of God, and cured those who were sick.
12 Toward the end of the day, the twelve apostles came to him. They said to him, “Send the crowd to the closest villages and farms so that they can find some food and a place to stay. No one lives around here.”13 Jesus replied, “You give them something to eat.”They said to him, “We have five loaves of bread and two fish. Unless we go to buy food for all these people, that’s all we have.”

14 (There were about five thousand men.)
Then he told his disciples, “Have them sit in groups of about fifty.”

15 So they did this.
16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, looked up to heaven, and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart and kept giving them to the disciples to give to the crowd.

17 All of them ate as much as they wanted. When they picked up the leftover pieces, they filled twelve baskets.

Peter Declares His Belief About Jesus—Matthew 16:13–20; Mark 8:27–30

18 Once when Jesus was praying privately and his disciples were with him, he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”19 They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptizer, others Elijah, and still others say that one of the prophets from long ago has come back to life.”20 He asked them, “But who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, whom God has sent.”21 He ordered them not to tell this to anyone.

Jesus Foretells That He Will Die and Come Back to Life—Matthew 16:21–23; Mark 8:31–33

22 Jesus said that the Son of Man would have to suffer a lot. He would be rejected by the leaders, the chief priests, and the scribes. He would be killed, but on the third day he would come back to life.

What It Means to Follow Jesus—Matthew 16:24–28; Mark 8:34–9:1

23 He said to all of them, “Those who want to come with me must say no to the things they want, pick up their crosses every day, and follow me.24 Those who want to save their lives will lose them. But those who lose their lives for me will save them.25 What good does it do for people to win the whole world but lose their lives by destroying them?

26 If people are ashamed of me and what I say, the Son of Man will be ashamed of those people when he comes in the glory that he shares with the Father and the holy angels.
27 “I can guarantee this truth: Some people who are standing here will not die until they see the kingdom of God.”

Moses and Elijah Appear With Jesus—Matthew 17:1–8; Mark 9:2–13

28 About eight days after he had said this, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up a mountain to pray.29 While Jesus was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white.30 Suddenly, both Moses and Elijah were talking with him.

31 They appeared in heavenly glory and were discussing Jesus’ approaching death and what he was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.
32 Peter and the men with him were sleeping soundly. When they woke up, they saw Jesus’ glory and the two men standing with him.

33 As Moses and Elijah were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, “Teacher, it’s good that we’re here. Let’s put up three tents—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” Peter didn’t know what he was saying.
34 While he was saying this, a cloud overshadowed them. They were frightened as they went into the cloud.

35 A voice came out of the cloud and said, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen. Listen to him!”
36 After the voice had spoken, they saw that Jesus was alone. The disciples said nothing, and for some time they told no one about what they had seen.

Jesus Cures a Demon–Possessed Boy—Matthew 17:14–20; Mark 9:14–29

37 The next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met Jesus.38 A man in the crowd shouted, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son. He’s my only child.39 Whenever a spirit takes control of him, he shrieks, goes into convulsions, and foams at the mouth. After a struggle, the spirit goes away, leaving the child worn out.

40 I begged your disciples to force the spirit out of him, but they couldn’t do it.”
41 Jesus answered, “You unbelieving and corrupt generation! How long must I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here!”42 While he was coming to Jesus, the demon knocked the boy to the ground and threw him into convulsions.Jesus ordered the evil spirit to leave. He cured the boy and gave him back to his father.

43 Everyone was amazed to see God’s wonderful power.
Everyone was amazed at all the things that Jesus was doing. So he said to his disciples,

The Son of Man Again Foretells His Betrayal—Matthew 17:22–23; Mark 9:30–32

44 “Listen carefully to what I say. The Son of Man will be betrayed and handed over to people.”
45 They didn’t know what he meant. The meaning was hidden from them so that they didn’t understand it. Besides, they were afraid to ask him about what he had said.

Greatness in the Kingdom—Matthew 18:1–5; Mark 9:33–37

46 A discussion started among them about who would be the greatest.47 Jesus knew what they were thinking. So he took a little child and had him stand beside him.

48 Then he said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me. Whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. The one who is least among all of you is the one who is greatest.”

Using the Name of Jesus—Mark 9:38–41

49 John replied, “Master, we saw someone forcing demons out of a person by using the power and authority of your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of us.”50 Jesus said to him, “Don’t stop him! Whoever isn’t against you is for you.”

People From a Samaritan Village Reject Jesus

51 The time was coming closer for Jesus to be taken to heaven. So he was determined to go to Jerusalem.52 He sent messengers ahead of him. They went into a Samaritan village to arrange a place for him to stay.53 But the people didn’t welcome him, because he was on his way to Jerusalem.

54 James and John, his disciples, saw this. They asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?”
55 But he turned and corrected them.t

56 So they went to another village.

What It Takes to Be a Disciple—Matthew 8:19–22

57 As they were walking along the road, a man said to Jesus, “I’ll follow you wherever you go.”58 Jesus told him, “Foxes have holes, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to sleep.”59 He told another man, “Follow me!”But the man said, “Sir, first let me go to bury my father.”60 But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You must go everywhere and tell about the kingdom of God.”61 Another said, “I’ll follow you, sir, but first let me tell my family goodbye.”62 Jesus said to him, “Whoever starts to plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9

1 And he called the twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.2 And he sent them forth to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.3 And he said unto them, Take nothing for your journey, neither staff, nor wallet, nor bread, nor money; neither have two coats.4 And into whatsoever house ye enter, there abide, and thence depart.5 And as many as receive you not, when ye depart from that city, shake off the dust from your feet for a testimony against them.6 And they departed, and went throughout the villages, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere.7 Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done: and he was much perplexed, because that it was said by some, that John was risen from the dead;8 and by some, that Elijah had appeared; and by others, that one of the old prophets was risen again.9 And Herod said, John I beheaded: but who is this, about whom I hear such things? And he sought to see him.10 And the apostles, when they were returned, declared unto him what things they had done. And he took them, and withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida.11 But the multitudes perceiving it followed him: and he welcomed them, and spake to them of the kingdom of God, and them that had need of healing he cured.12 And the day began to wear away; and the twelve came, and said unto him, Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages and country round about, and lodge, and get provisions: for we are here in a desert place.13 But he said unto them, Give ye them to eat. And they said, We have no more than five loaves and two fishes; except we should go and buy food for all this people.14 For they were about five thousand men. And he said unto his disciples, Make them sit down in companies, about fifty each.15 And they did so, and made them all sit down.16 And he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake; and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.17 And they ate, and were all filled: and there was taken up that which remained over to them of broken pieces, twelve baskets.18 And it came to pass, as he was praying apart, the disciples were with him: and he asked them, saying, Who do the multitudes say that I am?19 And they answering said, John the Baptist; but others say, Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets is risen again.20 And he said unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Peter answering said, The Christ of God.21 But he charged them, and commanded them to tell this to no man;22 saying, The Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.23 And he said unto all, If any man would come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.24 For whosoever would save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.25 For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose or forfeit his own self?26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in his own glory, and the glory of the Father, and of the holy angels.27 But I tell you of a truth, There are some of them that stand here, who shall in no wise taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God.28 And it came to pass about eight days after these sayings, that he took with him Peter and John and James, and went up into the mountain to pray.29 And as he was praying, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment became white and dazzling.30 And behold, there talked with him two men, who were Moses and Elijah;31 who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.32 Now Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.33 And it came to pass, as they were parting from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah: not knowing what he said.34 And while he said these things, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.35 And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my Son, my chosen: hear ye him.36 And when the voice came, Jesus was found alone. And they held their peace, and told no man in those days any of the things which they had seen.37 And it came to pass, on the next day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him.38 And behold, a man from the multitude cried, saying, Teacher, I beseech thee to look upon my son; for he is mine only child:39 and behold, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and it teareth him that he foameth, and it hardly departeth from him, bruising him sorely.40 And I besought thy disciples to cast it out; and they could not.41 And Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? bring hither thy son.42 And as he was yet a coming, the demon dashed him down, and tare him grievously. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.43 And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. But while all were marvelling at all the things which he did, he said unto his disciples,44 Let these words sink into your ears: for the Son of man shall be delivered up into the hands of men.45 But they understood not this saying, and it was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.46 And there arose a reasoning among them, which of them was the greatest.47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their heart, he took a little child, and set him by his side,48 and said unto them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me receiveth him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same is great.49 And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out demons in thy name; and we forbade him, because he followeth not with us.50 But Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not: for he that is not against you is for you.51 And it came to pass, when the days were well-nigh come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,52 and sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.53 And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he were going to Jerusalem.54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we bid fire to come down from heaven, and consume them?55 But he turned, and rebuked them.56 And they went to another village.57 And as they went on the way, a certain man said unto him, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest.58 And Jesus said unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father.60 But he said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but go thou and publish abroad the kingdom of God.61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord; but first suffer me to bid farewell to them that are at my house.62 But Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.