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Matthew 10-18
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Twelve Apostles

10 Then Jesus[a] summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure every disease and every sickness.(A) 2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon, also known as Peter, and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus and Thaddaeus;[b] 4 Simon the Cananaean and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed him.(B)

The Mission of the Twelve

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not take a road leading to gentiles, and do not enter a Samaritan town,(C) 6 but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.(D) 7 As you go, proclaim the good news, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’[c](E) 8 Cure the sick; raise the dead; cleanse those with a skin disease; cast out demons. You received without payment; give without payment. 9 Take no gold, or silver, or copper in your belts, 10 no bag for your journey, or two tunics, or sandals, or a staff, for laborers deserve their food.(F) 11 Whatever town or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you leave. 12 As you enter the house, greet it. 13 If the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet as you leave that house or town.(G) 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town.(H)

Coming Persecutions

16 “I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves, so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves.(I) 17 Beware of them, for they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues, 18 and you will be dragged before governors and kings because of me, as a testimony to them and the gentiles.(J) 19 When they hand you over, do not worry about how you are to speak or what you are to say, for what you are to say will be given to you at that time, 20 for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.(K) 21 Sibling will betray sibling to death and a father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, 22 and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.(L) 23 When they persecute you in this town, flee to the next, for truly I tell you, you will not have finished going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

24 “A disciple is not above the teacher nor a slave above the master;(M) 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household!(N)

Whom to Fear

26 “So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered and nothing secret that will not become known.(O) 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear the one who can destroy both soul and body in hell.[d] 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted.(P) 31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows.

32 “Everyone, therefore, who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven,(Q) 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven.

Not Peace, but a Sword

34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.(R)

35 For I have come to set a man against his father,
and a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,(S)
36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household.(T)

37 “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me,(U) 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.(V) 39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.(W)

Rewards

40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(X) 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous, 42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple—truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”(Y)

11 Now when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim his message in their cities.

Messengers from John the Baptist

2 When John heard in prison what the Messiah[e] was doing, he sent word by his[f] disciples(Z) 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?”(AA) 4 Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, those with a skin disease are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.(AB) 6 And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”(AC)

Jesus Praises John the Baptist

7 As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind?(AD) 8 What, then, did you go out to see? Someone[g] dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. 9 What, then, did you go out to see? A prophet?[h] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet.(AE) 10 This is the one about whom it is written,

‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,
    who will prepare your way before you.’(AF)

11 “Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist, yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence,[i] and violent people take it by force.(AG) 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John came, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.(AH) 15 Let anyone with ears[j] listen!(AI)

16 “But to what will I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to one another,

17 ‘We played the flute for you, and you did not dance;
    we wailed, and you did not mourn.’

18 “For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’; 19 the Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is vindicated by her deeds.”[k](AJ)

Woes to Unrepentant Cities

20 Then he began to reproach the cities in which most of his deeds of power had been done because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(AK) 22 But I tell you, on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon than for you.(AL) 23 And you, Capernaum,

will you be exalted to heaven?
    No, you will be brought down to Hades.

“For if the deeds of power done in you had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day.(AM) 24 But I tell you that on the day of judgment it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom than for you.”(AN)

Jesus Thanks His Father

25 At that time Jesus said, “I thank[l] you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the intelligent and have revealed them to infants;(AO) 26 yes, Father, for such was your gracious will.[m] 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(AP)

28 “Come to me, all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.(AQ) 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(AR) 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Plucking Grain on the Sabbath

12 At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath; his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat.(AS) 2 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look, your disciples are doing what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath.”(AT) 3 He said to them, “Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?(AU) 4 How he entered the house of God, and they[n] ate the bread of the Presence, which it was not lawful for him or his companions to eat, but only for the priests?(AV) 5 Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are guiltless?(AW) 6 I tell you, something greater than the temple is here.(AX) 7 But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the guiltless.(AY) 8 For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

The Man with a Withered Hand

9 He left that place and entered their synagogue; 10 a man was there with a withered hand, and they asked him, “Is it lawful to cure on the Sabbath?” so that they might accuse him.(AZ) 11 He said to them, “Suppose one of you has only one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath; will you not lay hold of it and lift it out?(BA) 12 How much more valuable is a human being than a sheep! So it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”(BB) 13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and it was restored, as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.(BC)

God’s Chosen Servant

15 When Jesus became aware of this, he departed. Many[o] followed him, and he cured all of them,(BD) 16 and he ordered them not to make him known.(BE) 17 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant, whom I have chosen,
    my beloved, with whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit upon him,
    and he will proclaim justice to the gentiles.(BF)
19 He will not wrangle or cry aloud,
    nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
20 He will not break a bruised reed
    or quench a smoldering wick
until he brings justice to victory.
21     And in his name the gentiles will hope.”

Jesus and Beelzebul

22 Then they brought to him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and he cured him, so that the one who had been mute could speak and see.(BG) 23 All the crowds were amazed and were saying, “Can this be the Son of David?”(BH) 24 But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the ruler of the demons, that this man casts out the demons.”(BI) 25 He knew what they were thinking and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand.(BJ) 26 If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself; how, then, will his kingdom stand? 27 If I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your own exorcists[p] cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges.(BK) 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.(BL) 29 Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his property without first tying up the strong man? Then indeed the house can be plundered. 30 Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(BM) 31 Therefore I tell you, people will be forgiven for every sin and blasphemy, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.(BN) 32 Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.(BO)

A Tree and Its Fruit

33 “Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad, for the tree is known by its fruit.(BP) 34 You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.(BQ) 35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure. 36 I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter, 37 for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The Sign of Jonah

38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to him, “Teacher, we wish to see a sign from you.”(BR) 39 But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(BS) 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the sea monster, so for three days and three nights the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth.(BT) 41 The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and indeed something greater than Jonah is here!(BU) 42 The queen of the South will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and indeed something greater than Solomon is here!(BV)

The Return of the Unclean Spirit

43 “When the unclean spirit has gone out of a person, it wanders through waterless regions looking for a resting place, but it finds none. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to my house from which I came.’ When it returns, it finds it empty, swept, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings along seven other spirits more evil than itself, and they enter and live there, and the last state of that person is worse than the first. So will it be also with this evil generation.”(BW)

The True Kindred of Jesus

46 While he was still speaking to the crowds, his mother and his brothers were standing outside, wanting to speak to him.(BX) 47 Someone told him, “Look, your mother and your brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”[q] 48 But to the one who had told him this, Jesus[r] replied, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 And pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”(BY)

The Parable of the Sower

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea. 2 Such great crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there, while the whole crowd stood on the beach.(BZ) 3 And he told them many things in parables, saying: “Listen! A sower went out to sow. 4 And as he sowed, some seeds fell on a path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and they sprang up quickly, since they had no depth of soil. 6 But when the sun rose, they were scorched, and since they had no root, they withered away. 7 Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them. 8 Other seeds fell on good soil and brought forth grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.(CA) 9 If you have ears,[s] hear!”(CB)

The Purpose of the Parables

10 Then the disciples came and asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” 11 He answered, “To you it has been given to know the secrets[t] of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given.(CC) 12 For to those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance, but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away.(CD) 13 The reason I speak to them in parables is that ‘seeing they do not perceive, and hearing they do not listen, nor do they understand.’(CE) 14 With them indeed is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah that says:

‘You will indeed listen but never understand,
    and you will indeed look but never perceive.(CF)
15 For this people’s heart has grown dull,
    and their ears are hard of hearing,
        and they have shut their eyes,
        so that they might not look with their eyes,
    and hear with their ears
and understand with their heart and turn—
    and I would heal them.’(CG)

16 “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.(CH) 17 Truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.(CI)

The Parable of the Sower Explained

18 “Hear, then, the parable of the sower. 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what is sown in the heart; this is what was sown on the path.(CJ) 20 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, 21 yet such a person has no root but endures only for a while, and when trouble or persecution arises on account of the word, that person immediately falls away.[u](CK) 22 As for what was sown among thorns, this is the one who hears the word, but the cares of this[v] age and the lure of wealth choke the word, and it yields nothing.(CL) 23 But as for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and yields in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”(CM)

The Parable of Weeds among the Wheat

24 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field,(CN) 25 but while everybody was asleep an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and then went away. 26 So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. 27 And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ 28 He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ 29 But he replied, ‘No, for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. 30 Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’ ”(CO)

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

31 He put before them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that someone took and sowed in his field;(CP) 32 it is the smallest of all the seeds, but when it has grown it is the greatest of shrubs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”(CQ)

The Parable of the Yeast

33 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed in with[w] three measures of flour until all of it was leavened.”(CR)

The Use of Parables

34 Jesus told the crowds all these things in parables; without a parable he told them nothing.(CS) 35 This was to fulfill what had been spoken through the prophet:[x]

“I will open my mouth to speak in parables;
    I will proclaim what has been hidden since the foundation.”[y](CT)

Jesus Explains the Parable of the Weeds

36 Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” 37 He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one,(CU) 39 and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.(CV) 40 Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age.(CW) 41 The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin[z] and all evildoers,(CX) 42 and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(CY) 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears[aa] listen!(CZ)

Three Parables

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and reburied; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.(DA)

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls; 46 on finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

47 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and caught fish of every kind;(DB) 48 when it was full, they drew it ashore, sat down, and put the good into baskets but threw out the bad. 49 So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous(DC) 50 and throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(DD)

Treasures New and Old

51 “Have you understood all this?” They answered, “Yes.” 52 And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.” 53 When Jesus had finished these parables, he left that place.(DE)

The Rejection of Jesus at Nazareth

54 He came to his hometown and began to teach the people[ab] in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power?(DF) 55 Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas?(DG) 56 And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?” 57 And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “Prophets are not without honor except in their own hometown and in their own house.”(DH) 58 And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the ruler heard reports about Jesus,(DI) 2 and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist; he has been raised from the dead, and for this reason these powers are at work in him.” 3 For Herod had arrested John, bound him, and put him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(DJ) 4 because John had been telling him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(DK) 5 Though Herod[ac] wanted to put him to death, he feared the crowd, because they regarded him as a prophet.(DL) 6 But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company, and she pleased Herod 7 so much that he promised on oath to grant her whatever she might ask. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” 9 The king was grieved, yet out of regard for his oaths and for the guests, he commanded it to be given; 10 he sent and had John beheaded in the prison. 11 His head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, who brought it to her mother. 12 His disciples came and took the body and buried him; then they went and told Jesus.

Feeding the Five Thousand

13 Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place by himself. But when the crowds heard it, they followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When he went ashore, he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion for them and cured their sick.(DM) 15 When it was evening, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is now late; send the crowds away so that they may go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” 16 Jesus said to them, “They need not go away; you give them something to eat.” 17 They replied, “We have nothing here but five loaves and two fish.”(DN) 18 And he said, “Bring them here to me.” 19 Then he ordered the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.(DO) 20 And all ate and were filled, and they took up what was left over of the broken pieces, twelve baskets full. 21 And those who ate were about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water

22 Immediately he made the disciples get into a boat and go on ahead to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. 23 And after he had dismissed the crowds, he went up the mountain by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone,(DP) 24 but by this time the boat, battered by the waves, was far from the land,[ad] for the wind was against them. 25 And early in the morning he came walking toward them on the sea. 26 But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified, saying, “It is a ghost!” And they cried out in fear.(DQ) 27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them and said, “Take heart, it is I; do not be afraid.”(DR)

28 Peter answered him, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.” 29 He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat, started walking on the water, and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he noticed the strong wind,[ae] he became frightened, and, beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?”(DS) 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(DT)

Jesus Heals the Sick in Gennesaret

34 When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret. 35 After the people of that place recognized him, they sent word to that whole surrounding region, and people brought all who were sick to him 36 and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak, and all who touched it were healed.(DU)

The Tradition of the Elders

15 Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands before they eat.”(DV) 3 He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said,[af] ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever speaks evil of father or mother must surely die.’(DW) 5 But you say that whoever tells father or mother, ‘Whatever support you might have had from me is given to God,’[ag] then that person need not honor the father.[ah](DX) 6 So, for the sake of your tradition, you nullify the word[ai] of God. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied rightly about you when he said:

8 ‘This people honors me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me;(DY)
9 in vain do they worship me,
    teaching human precepts as doctrines.’ ”(DZ)

Things That Defile

10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.”(EA) 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 13 He answered, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted.(EB) 14 Let them alone; they are blind guides of the blind.[aj] And if one blind person guides another, both will fall into a pit.”(EC) 15 But Peter said to him, “Explain this parable to us.”(ED) 16 Then he said, “Are you also still without understanding?(EE) 17 Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth enters the stomach and goes out into the sewer? 18 But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles.(EF) 19 For out of the heart come evil intentions, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander.(EG) 20 These are what defile a person, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile.”

The Canaanite Woman’s Faith

21 Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.”(EH) 23 But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” 24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”(EI) 25 But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.”(EJ) 26 He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” 27 She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’[ak] table.” 28 Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed from that moment.(EK)

Jesus Cures Many People

29 After Jesus had left that place, he passed along the Sea of Galilee, and he went up the mountain, where he sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing with them the lame, the blind, the maimed, the mute, and many others. They put them at his feet, and he cured them,(EL) 31 so that the crowd was amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.(EM)

Feeding the Four Thousand

32 Then Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for the crowd because they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat, and I do not want to send them away hungry, for they might faint on the way.”(EN) 33 The disciples said to him, “Where are we to get enough bread in the desert to feed so great a crowd?” 34 Jesus asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” 35 Then ordering the crowd to sit down on the ground, 36 he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the crowds.(EO) 37 And all of them ate and were filled, and they took up the broken pieces left over, seven baskets full. 38 Those who had eaten were four thousand men, besides women and children. 39 After sending away the crowds, he got into the boat and went to the region of Magadan.[al]

The Demand for a Sign

16 The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and to test Jesus[am] they asked him to show them a sign from heaven.(EP) 2 He answered them, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ 3 And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.[an] 4 An evil and adulterous generation asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” Then he left them and went away.(EQ)

The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

5 When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. 6 Jesus said to them, “Watch out, and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”(ER) 7 They said to one another, “It is because we have brought no bread.” 8 And becoming aware of it, Jesus said, “You of little faith, why are you talking about having no bread?(ES) 9 Do you still not perceive? Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand and how many baskets you gathered?(ET) 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand and how many baskets you gathered?(EU) 11 How could you fail to perceive that I was not speaking about bread? Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees!” 12 Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the yeast of bread but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter’s Declaration about Jesus

13 Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist but others Elijah and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”(EV) 15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah,[ao] the Son of the living God.”(EW) 17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father in heaven.(EX) 18 And I tell you, you are Peter,[ap] and on this rock[aq] I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.(EY) 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”(EZ) 20 Then he sternly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was[ar] the Messiah.[as](FA)

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised.(FB) 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[at] to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

The Cross and Self-Denial

24 Then Jesus told his disciples, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.(FC) 25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?

27 “For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.(FD) 28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”(FE)

The Transfiguration

17 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves.(FF) 2 And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became bright as light. 3 Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I[au] will set up three tents here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5 While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[av] with him I am well pleased; listen to him!”(FG) 6 When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.”(FH) 8 And when they raised their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”(FI) 10 And the disciples asked him, “Why, then, do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”(FJ) 11 He replied, “Elijah is indeed coming and will restore all things,(FK) 12 but I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but they did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man is about to suffer at their hands.”(FL) 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

Jesus Cures a Boy with a Demon

14 When they came to the crowd, a man came to him, knelt before him, 15 and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has epilepsy and suffers terribly; he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they could not cure him.” 17 Jesus answered, “You faithless and perverse generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him here to me.” 18 And Jesus rebuked the demon,[aw] and it[ax] came out of him, and the boy was cured from that moment. 19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” 20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a[ay] mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”[az](FM)

Jesus Again Foretells His Death and Resurrection

22 As they were gathering[ba] in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into human hands,(FN) 23 and they will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised.” And they were greatly distressed.

Jesus and the Temple Tax

24 When they reached Capernaum, the collectors of the temple tax came to Peter and said, “Does your teacher not pay the temple tax?”(FO) 25 He said, “Yes, he does.” And when he came home, Jesus spoke of it first, asking, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do kings of the earth take toll or tribute? From their children or from others?”(FP) 26 When Peter[bb] said, “From others,” Jesus said to him, “Then the children are free. 27 However, so that we do not give offense to them, go to the sea and cast a hook; take the first fish that comes up, and when you open its mouth you will find a coin; take that and give it to them for you and me.”(FQ)

True Greatness

18 At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” 2 He called a child, whom he put among them, 3 and said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.(FR) 4 Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.(FS)

Temptations to Sin

6 “If any of you cause one of these little ones who believe in me to sin,[bc] it would be better for you if a great millstone were fastened around your neck and you were drowned in the depth of the sea.(FT) 7 Woe to the world because of things that cause sin![bd] Such things are bound to come, but woe to the one through whom they come!(FU)

8 “If your hand or your foot causes you to sin,[be] cut it off and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life maimed or lame than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the eternal fire.(FV) 9 And if your eye causes you to sin,[bf] tear it out and throw it away; it is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the hell[bg] of fire.(FW)

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

10 “Take care that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I tell you, in heaven their angels continually see the face of my Father in heaven.[bh](FX) 12 What do you think? If a shepherd has a hundred sheep and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. 14 So it is not the will of your[bi] Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost.

Reproving Another Who Sins

15 “If your brother or sister sins against you,[bj] go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If you are listened to, you have regained that one.(FY) 16 But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses.(FZ) 17 If that person refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church, and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a gentile and a tax collector.(GA) 18 Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.(GB) 19 Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven.(GC) 20 For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Forgiveness

21 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, if my brother or sister sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven[bk] times.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

23 “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24 When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him, 25 and, as he could not pay, the lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions and payment to be made. 26 So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him by the throat he said, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31 When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35 So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart.”

Footnotes

  1. 10.1 Gk he
  2. 10.3 Other ancient authorities read Lebbaeus or Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus
  3. 10.7 Or is at hand
  4. 10.28 Gk Gehenna
  5. 11.2 Or the Christ
  6. 11.2 Other ancient authorities read two of his
  7. 11.8 Or Why, then, did you go out? To see someone
  8. 11.9 Other ancient authorities read Why, then, did you go out? To see a prophet?
  9. 11.12 Or has been coming violently
  10. 11.15 Other ancient authorities add to hear
  11. 11.19 Other ancient authorities read children
  12. 11.25 Or praise
  13. 11.26 Or for so it was well-pleasing in your sight
  14. 12.4 Other ancient authorities read he ate
  15. 12.15 Other ancient authorities add crowds
  16. 12.27 Gk sons
  17. 12.47 Other ancient authorities lack 12.47
  18. 12.48 Gk he
  19. 13.9 Other ancient authorities add to hear
  20. 13.11 Or mysteries
  21. 13.21 Or stumbles
  22. 13.22 Some ancient authorities read the
  23. 13.33 Gk hid in
  24. 13.35 Other ancient authorities read the prophet Isaiah
  25. 13.35 Other ancient authorities add of the world
  26. 13.41 Or stumbling
  27. 13.43 Other ancient authorities add to hear
  28. 13.54 Gk them
  29. 14.5 Gk he
  30. 14.24 Other ancient authorities read was out on the sea
  31. 14.30 Other ancient authorities read the wind
  32. 15.4 Other ancient authorities read commanded, saying
  33. 15.5 Or is an offering
  34. 15.5 Other ancient authorities add or the mother
  35. 15.6 Other ancient authorities read law or commandment
  36. 15.14 Other ancient authorities lack of the blind
  37. 15.27 Gk lords’
  38. 15.39 Other ancient authorities read Magdala or Magdalan
  39. 16.1 Gk him
  40. 16.3 Other ancient authorities lack When it is . . . of the times
  41. 16.16 Or the Christ
  42. 16.18 Gk Petros
  43. 16.18 Gk petra
  44. 16.20 Other ancient authorities add Jesus
  45. 16.20 Or the Christ
  46. 16.23 Or stumbling block
  47. 17.4 Other ancient authorities read we
  48. 17.5 Or my beloved Son
  49. 17.18 Gk it or him
  50. 17.18 Gk the demon
  51. 17.20 Gk faith as a grain of
  52. 17.20 Other ancient authorities add 17.21, But this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting
  53. 17.22 Other ancient authorities read living
  54. 17.26 Gk he
  55. 18.6 Or stumble
  56. 18.7 Or stumbling blocks
  57. 18.8 Or stumble
  58. 18.9 Or stumble
  59. 18.9 Gk Gehenna
  60. 18.10 Other ancient authorities add 18.11, For the Son of Man came to save the lost
  61. 18.14 Other ancient authorities read my
  62. 18.15 Other ancient authorities lack against you
  63. 18.22 Or seventy times seven
Listen to Matthew 10-15
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Matthew 10-15
New International Version

Jesus Sends Out the Twelve(A)(B)(C)(D)(E)

10 Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits(F) and to heal every disease and sickness.(G)

2 These are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (who is called Peter) and his brother Andrew; James son of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.(H)

5 These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans.(I) 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel.(J) 7 As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven(K) has come near.’ 8 Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy,[a] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

9 “Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts(L)— 10 no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep.(M) 11 Whatever town or village you enter, search there for some worthy person and stay at their house until you leave. 12 As you enter the home, give it your greeting.(N) 13 If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. 14 If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.(O) 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah(P) on the day of judgment(Q) than for that town.(R)

16 “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves.(S) Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.(T) 17 Be on your guard; you will be handed over to the local councils(U) and be flogged in the synagogues.(V) 18 On my account you will be brought before governors and kings(W) as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it.(X) At that time you will be given what to say, 20 for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father(Y) speaking through you.

21 “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents(Z) and have them put to death.(AA) 22 You will be hated by everyone because of me,(AB) but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.(AC) 23 When you are persecuted in one place, flee to another. Truly I tell you, you will not finish going through the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.(AD)

24 “The student is not above the teacher, nor a servant above his master.(AE) 25 It is enough for students to be like their teachers, and servants like their masters. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,(AF) how much more the members of his household!

26 “So do not be afraid of them, for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.(AG) 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs. 28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One(AH) who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.[b] 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.(AI) 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.(AJ)

32 “Whoever acknowledges me before others,(AK) I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.(AL)

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

“‘a man against his father,
    a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law(AM)—
36     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’[c](AN)

37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.(AO) 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.(AP) 39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.(AQ)

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me,(AR) and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me.(AS) 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”(AT)

Jesus and John the Baptist(AU)

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples,(AV) he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.[d]

2 When John,(AW) who was in prison,(AX) heard about the deeds of the Messiah, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, “Are you the one who is to come,(AY) or should we expect someone else?”

4 Jesus replied, “Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy[e] are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor.(AZ) 6 Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.”(BA)

7 As John’s(BB) disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness(BC) to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 8 If not, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who wear fine clothes are in kings’ palaces. 9 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet?(BD) Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 This is the one about whom it is written:

“‘I will send my messenger ahead of you,(BE)
    who will prepare your way before you.’[f](BF)

11 Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet whoever is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence,[g] and violent people have been raiding it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John.(BG) 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.(BH) 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.(BI)

16 “To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:

17 “‘We played the pipe for you,
    and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
    and you did not mourn.’

18 For John came neither eating(BJ) nor drinking,(BK) and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.’(BL) But wisdom is proved right by her deeds.”

Woe on Unrepentant Towns(BM)

20 Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida!(BN) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon,(BO) they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes.(BP) 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.(BQ) 23 And you, Capernaum,(BR) will you be lifted to the heavens? No, you will go down to Hades.[h](BS) For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on the day of judgment than for you.”(BT)

The Father Revealed in the Son(BU)

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father,(BV) Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children.(BW) 26 Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

27 “All things have been committed to me(BX) by my Father.(BY) No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.(BZ)

28 “Come to me,(CA) all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.(CB) 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,(CC) for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.(CD) 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”(CE)

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath(CF)(CG)

12 At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain(CH) and eat them. 2 When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”(CI)

3 He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry?(CJ) 4 He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests.(CK) 5 Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath(CL) and yet are innocent? 6 I tell you that something greater than the temple is here.(CM) 7 If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[i](CN) you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man(CO) is Lord of the Sabbath.”

9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue, 10 and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Looking for a reason to bring charges against Jesus,(CP) they asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”(CQ)

11 He said to them, “If any of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will you not take hold of it and lift it out?(CR) 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep!(CS) Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

13 Then he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus.(CT)

God’s Chosen Servant

15 Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill.(CU) 16 He warned them not to tell others about him.(CV) 17 This was to fulfill(CW) what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:

18 “Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
    the one I love, in whom I delight;(CX)
I will put my Spirit on him,(CY)
    and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
    no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
    and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21     In his name the nations will put their hope.”[j](CZ)

Jesus and Beelzebul(DA)

22 Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see.(DB) 23 All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”(DC)

24 But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul,(DD) the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”(DE)

25 Jesus knew their thoughts(DF) and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand. 26 If Satan(DG) drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul,(DH) by whom do your people(DI) drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. 28 But if it is by the Spirit of God that I drive out demons, then the kingdom of God(DJ) has come upon you.

29 “Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man’s house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can plunder his house.

30 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.(DK) 31 And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.(DL) 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age(DM) or in the age to come.(DN)

33 “Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.(DO) 34 You brood of vipers,(DP) how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks(DQ) what the heart is full of. 35 A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him. 36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”(DR)

The Sign of Jonah(DS)(DT)

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign(DU) from you.”(DV)

39 He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.(DW) 40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish,(DX) so the Son of Man(DY) will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.(DZ) 41 The men of Nineveh(EA) will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah,(EB) and now something greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came(EC) from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.

43 “When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first.(ED) That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers(EE)

46 While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother(EF) and brothers(EG) stood outside, wanting to speak to him. 47 Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

48 He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” 49 Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven(EH) is my brother and sister and mother.”

The Parable of the Sower(EI)(EJ)(EK)

13 That same day Jesus went out of the house(EL) and sat by the lake. 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat(EM) and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred,(EN) sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”(EO)

10 The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven(EP) has been given to you,(EQ) but not to them. 12 Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.(ER) 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

“Though seeing, they do not see;
    though hearing, they do not hear or understand.(ES)

14 In them is fulfilled(ET) the prophecy of Isaiah:

“‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
15 For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.’[k](EU)

16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear.(EV) 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see(EW) but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom(EX) and does not understand it, the evil one(EY) comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away.(EZ) 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth(FA) choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”(FB)

The Parable of the Weeds

24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(FC) a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’

28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.

“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”(FD)

The Parables of the Mustard Seed and the Yeast(FE)(FF)

31 He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(FG) a mustard seed,(FH) which a man took and planted in his field. 32 Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.”(FI)

33 He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like(FJ) yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds[l] of flour(FK) until it worked all through the dough.”(FL)

34 Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable.(FM) 35 So was fulfilled(FN) what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,
    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”[m](FO)

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

36 Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, “Explain to us the parable(FP) of the weeds in the field.”

37 He answered, “The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man.(FQ) 38 The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the people of the kingdom. The weeds are the people of the evil one,(FR) 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest(FS) is the end of the age,(FT) and the harvesters are angels.(FU)

40 “As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. 41 The Son of Man(FV) will send out his angels,(FW) and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. 42 They will throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(FX) 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun(FY) in the kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears, let them hear.(FZ)

The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and the Pearl

44 “The kingdom of heaven is like(GA) treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.(GB)

45 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like(GC) a merchant looking for fine pearls. 46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

47 “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like(GD) a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds(GE) of fish. 48 When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets, but threw the bad away. 49 This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous(GF) 50 and throw them into the blazing furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.(GG)

51 “Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked.

“Yes,” they replied.

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

A Prophet Without Honor(GH)

53 When Jesus had finished these parables,(GI) he moved on from there. 54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue,(GJ) and they were amazed.(GK) “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the carpenter’s son?(GL) Isn’t his mother’s(GM) name Mary, and aren’t his brothers(GN) James, Joseph, Simon and Judas? 56 Aren’t all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” 57 And they took offense(GO) at him.

But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own town and in his own home.”(GP)

58 And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

John the Baptist Beheaded(GQ)

14 At that time Herod(GR) the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus,(GS) 2 and he said to his attendants, “This is John the Baptist;(GT) he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

3 Now Herod had arrested John and bound him and put him in prison(GU) because of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,(GV) 4 for John had been saying to him: “It is not lawful for you to have her.”(GW) 5 Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people, because they considered John a prophet.(GX)

6 On Herod’s birthday the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests and pleased Herod so much 7 that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. 8 Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” 9 The king was distressed, but because of his oaths and his dinner guests, he ordered that her request be granted 10 and had John beheaded(GY) in the prison. 11 His head was brought in on a platter and given to the girl, who carried it to her mother. 12 John’s disciples came and took his body and buried it.(GZ) Then they went and told Jesus.

Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand(HA)(HB)

13 When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them(HC) and healed their sick.(HD)

15 As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, “This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.”

16 Jesus replied, “They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.”

17 “We have here only five loaves(HE) of bread and two fish,” they answered.

18 “Bring them here to me,” he said. 19 And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves.(HF) Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. 20 They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on the Water(HG)(HH)

22 Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23 After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray.(HI) Later that night, he was there alone, 24 and the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

25 Shortly before dawn Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26 When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,”(HJ) they said, and cried out in fear.

27 But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage!(HK) It is I. Don’t be afraid.”(HL)

28 “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

29 “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

31 Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,”(HM) he said, “why did you doubt?”

32 And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”(HN)

34 When they had crossed over, they landed at Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized Jesus, they sent word to all the surrounding country. People brought all their sick to him 36 and begged him to let the sick just touch the edge of his cloak,(HO) and all who touched it were healed.

That Which Defiles(HP)

15 Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, 2 “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!”(HQ)

3 Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God said, ‘Honor your father and mother’[n](HR) and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’[o](HS) 5 But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is ‘devoted to God,’ 6 they are not to ‘honor their father or mother’ with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you:

8 “‘These people honor me with their lips,
    but their hearts are far from me.
9 They worship me in vain;
    their teachings are merely human rules.(HT)’[p](HU)”

10 Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. 11 What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them,(HV) but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”(HW)

12 Then the disciples came to him and asked, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this?”

13 He replied, “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted(HX) will be pulled up by the roots. 14 Leave them; they are blind guides.[q](HY) If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”(HZ)

15 Peter said, “Explain the parable to us.”(IA)

16 “Are you still so dull?”(IB) Jesus asked them. 17 “Don’t you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? 18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart,(IC) and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.(ID) 20 These are what defile a person;(IE) but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.”

The Faith of a Canaanite Woman(IF)

21 Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.(IG) 22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David,(IH) have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”(II)

23 Jesus did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him, “Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us.”

24 He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”(IJ)

25 The woman came and knelt before him.(IK) “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith!(IL) Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand(IM)(IN)(IO)

29 Jesus left there and went along the Sea of Galilee. Then he went up on a mountainside and sat down. 30 Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.(IP) 31 The people were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.(IQ)

32 Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people;(IR) they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.”

33 His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?”

34 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked.

“Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.”

Footnotes

  1. Matthew 10:8 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  2. Matthew 10:29 Or will; or knowledge
  3. Matthew 10:36 Micah 7:6
  4. Matthew 11:1 Greek in their towns
  5. Matthew 11:5 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
  6. Matthew 11:10 Mal. 3:1
  7. Matthew 11:12 Or been forcefully advancing
  8. Matthew 11:23 That is, the realm of the dead
  9. Matthew 12:7 Hosea 6:6
  10. Matthew 12:21 Isaiah 42:1-4
  11. Matthew 13:15 Isaiah 6:9,10 (see Septuagint)
  12. Matthew 13:33 Or about 27 kilograms
  13. Matthew 13:35 Psalm 78:2
  14. Matthew 15:4 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16
  15. Matthew 15:4 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9
  16. Matthew 15:9 Isaiah 29:13
  17. Matthew 15:14 Some manuscripts blind guides of the blind
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