Luke 9:1-17

Contemporary English Version

Instructions for the Twelve Apostles

(Matthew 10.5-15; Mark 6.7-13)

9 Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them complete power over all demons and diseases. ² Then he sent them to tell about God's kingdom and to heal the sick. ^3 (A) He told them, “Don't take anything with you! Don't take a walking stick or a traveling bag or food or money or even a change of clothes. ⁴ When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. ^5 (B) If people won't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet^[a] as a warning to them.”

⁶ The apostles left and went from village to village, telling the good news and healing people everywhere.

Herod Is Worried

(Matthew 14.1-12; Mark 6.14-29)

^7 (C) Herod^[b] the ruler heard about all that was happening, and he was worried. Some people were saying John the Baptist had come back to life. ⁸ Others were saying Elijah had come^[c] or one of the prophets from long ago had come back to life. ⁹ But Herod said, “I had John's head cut off! Who is this I hear so much about?” Herod was eager to meet 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 then took them with him to the village of Bethsaida, where they could be alone. ¹¹ But a lot of people found out about this and followed him. Jesus welcomed them. He spoke about God's kingdom and healed everyone who was sick.

¹² Late in the afternoon the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd to the villages and farms around here. They need to find a place to stay and something to eat. There is nothing in this place. It's like a desert!”

¹³ Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.”

But they replied, “We have only five small loaves of bread^[d] and two fish. If we are going to feed all these people, we will have to go and buy food.” ¹⁴ There were about 5,000 men in the crowd.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Tell the people to sit in groups of 50.” ¹⁵ They did this, and all the people sat down. ¹⁶ Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and fish and handed them to his disciples to give to the people.

¹⁷ Everyone ate all they wanted. What was left over filled twelve baskets.