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
The Sending of the Twelve Apostles
1 Aftert Jesust calledt the twelves together, he gave them power and authority over all demons and to cures diseases,2 and he sents them out to proclaimt the kingdom of Gods and to heal the sick.s3 Het said to them, “Take nothing for yourt journey – no staff,s no bag,t no bread, no money, and do not take an extra tunic.t4 Whatevert house you enter, stay theres until you leave the area.t5 Wherevert they do not receive you,t as you leave that town,t shake the dust offs your feet as a testimony against them.”
6 Thent they departed and went throughoutt the villages, proclaiming the good newsts and healing people everywhere.
Herod’s Confusion about Jesus
7 Now Herods the tetrarchs heard about everything that was happening, and he was thoroughly perplexed,t because some people were saying that Johns had been raised from the dead,8 while others were saying that Elijahs had appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long ago had risen.s
9 Herod said, “I had Johnt beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.t
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
10 Whent the apostles returned,t they told Jesust everything they had done. Thent he took them with him and they withdrew privately to a townst called Bethsaida.s11 But when the crowds found out, they followed him. Het welcomed them, spoke to them about the kingdom of God,s and cured those who needed healing.s12 Now the day began to draw to a close,t sot the twelve came and said to Jesus,t “Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodgingt and food, because we are in an isolated place.”t13 But he said to them, “Yout give them something to eat.” Theyt replied,t “We have no more than five loaves and two fish – unlesst we got and buy foods for all these people.”14 (Now about five thousand ment were there.)s Thent he said to his disciples, “Havet them sit down in groups of about fifty each.”
15 So they did as Jesus directed,t and the peoplet all sat down.
16 Thent he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thankss and broke them. He gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
17 They all ate and were satisfied, and what was left overs was picked up – twelve baskets of broken pieces.
Peter’s Confession
18 Oncet when Jesust was prayings by himself, and his disciples were nearby, he asked them,t “Who do the crowds say that I am?”s19 Theyt answered,t “John the Baptist; others say Elijah;s and still others that one of the prophets of long ago has risen.”s20 Thent he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Petert answered,t “The Christts of God.”21 But he forcefully commandedt them not to tell this to anyone,s
22 saying, “The Son of Man must suffers many things and be rejected by the elders,s chief priests, and experts in the law,t and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”s
A Call to Discipleship
23 Thent he said to them all,s “If anyone wants to become my follower,t he must denyt himself, take up his cross daily,s and follow me.24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it,s but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.25 For what does it benefit a persont if he gains the whole world but loses or forfeits himself?26 For whoever is ashameds of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that persont when he comes in his glory and in the gloryt of the Father and of the holy angels.
27 But I tell you most certainly,t there are some standing here who will nott experiencet death before they see the kingdom of God.”s
The Transfiguration
28 Nowt about eight dayst after these sayings, Jesust took with him Peter, John, and James, and went up the mountain to pray.29 Ast he was praying,t the appearance of his face was transformed,ts and his clothes became very bright, a brilliant white.t30 Thent two men, Moses and Elijah,s began talking with him.t31 They appeared in glorious splendor and spoke about his departuret that he was about to carry outt at Jerusalem.s32 Now Peter and those with him were quite sleepy,t but as they became fully awake,t they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.33 Thent as the ment were starting to leave,t Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three shelters,ts one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah” – not knowing what he was saying.34 Ast he was saying this, a clouds camet and overshadowedt them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.35 Thent a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One.sts Listen to him!”s
36 Aftert the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. Sot they kept silent and told no ones at that timet anything of what they had seen.
Healing a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
37 Now ont the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.38 Thent a man from the crowd cried out,t “Teacher, I beg you to look att my son – he is my only child!39 At spirit seizes him, and he suddenly screams;t it throws him into convulsionss and causes him to foam at the mouth. It hardly ever leaves him alone, torturingt him severely.40 It beggeds your disciples to cast it out, butt they could not do so.”t41 Jesus answered,t “Yout unbelievingts and perverse generation! How much longert must I be with you and enduret you?s Bring your son here.”42 Ast the boyt was approaching, the demon threw him to the grounds and shook him with convulsions.t But Jesus rebukedt the uncleans spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
43 Thent they were all astonished at the mighty powers of God.
But while the entire crowdt was amazed at everything Jesusst was doing, he said to his disciples,
Another Prediction of Jesus’ Suffering
44 “Take these words to heart,t for the Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of men.”t
45 But they did not understand this statement; its meaningt had been concealeds from them, so that they could not grasp it. Yett they were afraid to ask him about this statement.
Concerning the Greatest
46 Now an argument started among the disciplest as to which of them might bet the greatest.47 But when Jesus discerned their innermost thoughts,t he took a child, had him stand byt his side,
48 and said to them, “Whoever welcomest this childs in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me, for the one who is least among you all is the one who is great.”t
On the Right Side
49 John answered,t “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stops him because he is not a disciplet along with us.”
50 But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”
Rejection in Samaria
51 Now whent the days drew neart for him to be taken up,s Jesust set out resolutelyt to go to Jerusalem.s52 Het sent messengers on ahead of him.t As they went along,t they entered a Samaritan village to make things ready in advancet for him,53 but the villagerst refused to welcomet him, because he was determined to go to Jerusalem.ts54 Now when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call fire to come down from heaven and consumetthem?”ss55 But Jesust turned and rebuked them,ss
56 and they went on to another village.
Challenging Professed Followers
57 Ast they were walkingt along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”ss58 Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and the birds in the skyt have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”s59 Jesust said to another, “Follow me.” But he replied,t “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”60 But Jesust said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead,s but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”s61 Yett another said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first let me say goodbye to my family.”t
62 Jesust said to him, “No one who puts hist hand to the plow and looks backs is fit for the kingdom of God.”s