Luke 9
1 And getting the twelve together, he gave them power and authority over all evil spirits and over diseases, to make them well.
[One day] Jesus summoned his twelve [apostles], and gave them power to expel all [kinds of] demons and to heal [people with] diseases. He gave them authority to do that.
2 And he sent them out to be preachers of the kingdom of God, and to make well those who were ill.
[Before] he sent them out to heal people and to tell people [what it meant to let] God (rule/have complete control [over]) [their lives],
3 And he said to them, Take nothing for your journey, no stick or bag or bread or money, and do not take two coats.
he said to them, “Do not take things for your journey. Do not take a walking stick or a [traveler’s] bag or food or money. Do not take (an extra shirt/extra clothes).
4 And if you go into a house, let that house be your resting-place till you go away.
Whenever you enter some house [to lodge there], stay in that house until you leave that town.
5 And if any people will not take you in, when you go away from that town, put off its dust from your feet for a witness against them.
[In towns] where the people do not welcome you, [you should not continue to stay there. Just] leave those towns. And as you leave, shake off the dust from your feet. [Do that to] warn them [that God will punish them for rejecting your message].”
6 And they went away, journeying through all the towns, preaching the good news and making people free from diseases in all places.
Then they left and traveled through many villages. Everywhere [they went], they told people God’s good message and healed sick people.
7 Now Herod the king had news of all these things: and he was in doubt, because it was said by some people that John had come back from the dead;
Herod [Antipas], the ruler of [that] district, heard about the things that [Jesus and his disciples] were doing. [He had previously commanded his soldiers to execute John the Baptizer, so now] he was perplexed, because some people were saying that John had become alive again [and was doing those miracles].
8 And by some, that Elijah had come; and by others, that one of the old prophets had come back to life.
Others were saying that [the prophet] Elijah had appeared [again as had been prophesied]. Others were saying that one of the [other] former prophets had become alive again [and was doing those miracles].
9 And Herod said, I put John to death: but who is this, of whom such stories are given to me? And he had a desire to see him.
But Herod said, “[It cannot be John who is doing these things], [because] I [commanded my soldiers to] cut off his head. So who is [this man] that I am hearing these things about?” And he kept wanting to see [Jesus].
10 And the twelve, when they came back, gave him an account of what they had done. And he took them with him and went away from the people to a town named Beth-saida.
When the apostles returned [from traveling to various towns], they told Jesus the things that they had done. Then he took them and they went by themselves [by boat] to a town called Bethsaida.
11 But the people, getting news of it, went after him: and he was pleased to see them, and gave them teaching about the kingdom of God, and made those well who were in need of it.
But when the crowds [of people who had been with Jesus] found out about that, they followed him [on land. When they got to where he was], he welcomed them. He taught them about how God is going to some day (rule as king/have complete control [over people’s lives]). He also healed the sick people.
12 And the day went on; and the twelve came to him and said, Send these people away so that they may go into the towns and the country round about and get resting-places and food for themselves, for we are in a waste place.
Late in the afternoon Jesus’ twelve [apostles] came to him and said, “This is a place where nobody lives, so dismiss the people so that they can go to the surrounding villages and other places where they can get some food and find places to stay!”
13 But he said, Give them food yourselves. And they said, We have only five cakes of bread and two fishes, if we do not go and get food for all these people.
But he said to them, “[No], you [yourselves] give them something to eat!” They replied, “We [(exc)] have only five small loaves and two [cooked] fish. Are you [(sg)] going to [give] us [the money] to go somewhere and buy food for all these people?”
14 For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, Make them be seated in groups, about fifty to a group.
There were about 5,000 men [there]. He replied to the disciples, “[No], [just] tell the people to sit down. Tell them to sit in groups, with about 50 people in each group.”
15 And they did so, and made them all be seated.
After they told the people that, they all sat down.
16 And he took the five cakes of bread and the two fishes and, looking up to heaven, he said words of blessing over them, and when they had been broken, he gave them to the disciples to give to the people.
Then he took the five small loaves and the two fish. He looked up towards heaven and thanked [God for them]. Then he broke them [into pieces] and gave them to the disciples so that they would distribute them to the crowd.
17 And they all took the food and had enough; and they took up of the broken bits which were over, twelve baskets full.
All [the people in the crowd] ate until they all had enough to eat. Then [the disciples] collected twelve baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over!
18 And it came about that when he was in prayer, by himself, and the disciples were with him, he put a question to them, saying, Who do the people say I am?
[One day] Jesus was praying in a place where only the disciples were with him. He asked them, “The crowds [of people], who do they say that I [really] am?”
19 And they, answering, said, John the Baptist; but others say Elijah; and others, that one of the old prophets has come back.
They replied, “[Some people say that you are] John the Baptizer, [who has come back to life again]. Others say that you are [the prophet] Elijah, [who has returned from heaven as God promised]. Others say that you are one of the [other] prophets who lived long ago, who has come back to life again.”
20 And he said, But who do you say that I am? And Peter, answering, said, The Christ of God.
He asked them, “What about you [(pl)]? Who do you say that I am?” Peter replied, “You [(sg)] are the Messiah, who [has come from] God.”
21 But he gave them special orders, not to say this to any man;
Then Jesus warned them strongly not to tell that to anyone [yet].
22 Saying, The Son of man will undergo much and be put on one side by the rulers and the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and be put to death, and on the third day he will come back to life.
Then he said, “[Even though I am] the one who came from heaven, it is necessary that I suffer very much. It is also necessary that I be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the men who teach the [Jewish] laws {that the [Jewish] elders and the chief priests and the men who teach the [Jewish] laws will reject me}. It is necessary that I be killed {that [people] will kill me}. Then on the third day [after that], I will become alive again.”
23 And he said to them all, If any man has a desire to come after me, let him give up all, and take up his cross every day, and come after me.
Then he said to all of them, “If any one [of you] wants to be my disciple, you must not do [only] what you yourself desire [to do]. [Specifically], you must be willing each day [MET] [to let others hurt you and disgrace you. That is like what is done to criminals who are forced] to carry [MET] crosses [to the place where they will be executed]. [That is what anyone who wants to] be my disciple [must do].
24 For whoever has a desire to keep his life will have it taken from him, but whoever gives up his life because of me, will keep it.
You must do that, because those who try to save their lives [by denying that they belong to me when people want to kill them for believing in me] will not live [eternally], but those who are killed because of being my [disciples] will live [forever with me].
25 For what profit will a man have if he gets all the world, but undergoes loss or destruction himself?
People might get everything that [they want] in this world, but (they are really gaining nothing if they do not get eternal life by [becoming my disciples]!/are they really gaining anything if they do not get eternal life by [becoming my disciples]?) [RHQ]
26 For if any man has a feeling of shame because of me or of my words, the Son of man will have shame because of him when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Those who reject my message [and] refuse to say that [they belong] to me, [I], the one who came from heaven, will also refuse to say that [they belong to me] when I come back with the holy angels, and have the glorious brightness that my Father has.
27 But truly I say to you, Some of those who are here now will have no taste of death till they see the kingdom of God.
But listen carefully! Some of you [(pl)] who are here now will see God ruling [MET] [in many powerful ways]. You will see it before you die!”
28 And about eight days after he had said these things, he took Peter and John and James with him and went up into the mountain for prayer.
About a week after [Jesus] said those things, he took Peter, James, and [James’ brother] John and led them up a mountain so that he could pray [there].
29 And while he was in prayer, his face was changed and his clothing became white and shining.
As he was praying, his face appeared very different to them. His clothes became as bright as lightning.
30 And two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him;
Suddenly, two men appeared who had the brightness [of heaven] surrounding them. They were [prophets who had lived long ago], Moses and Elijah. They started talking with Jesus about how he [would accomplish what God had planned when he died] [EUP] [very soon] in Jerusalem.
31 Who were seen in glory and were talking of his death which was about to take place in Jerusalem.
32 Now Peter and those who were with him were overcome with sleep: but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men who were with him.
Peter and the other [disciples] who were with him were sound asleep. When they woke up, they saw [Jesus’] brightness. They also saw the two men standing with him.
33 And when they were about to go away from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah: having no knowledge of what he was saying.
As [Moses and Elijah] were starting to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it is wonderful for us to be here! Allow us to make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah!” But he really did not realize what he was talking about.
34 And while he said these things, the shade of a cloud came over them, and they were full of fear when they went into the cloud.
As he was saying that, a [bright] cloud appeared and covered them all. The disciples were afraid as the cloud surrounded them.
35 And there was a voice from the cloud saying, This is my Son, the man of my selection; give ear to him.
[God] [MTY/EUP] spoke to them from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son. He is the one whom [I] have chosen [to do a great work for me]. [So] you must listen to him!”
36 And after the voice was gone they saw that Jesus was by himself. And they kept quiet, and said nothing at that time to anyone of the things which they had seen.
After [God] [MTY/EUP] finished saying that, [the three disciples] saw that only Jesus was there. They did not tell anyone what they had seen until much later.
37 And on the day after, when they came down from the mountain, a great band of people came to him.
The next day, after they had come down from the mountain, a large crowd [of people] met Jesus.
38 And a man from among them, crying out, said, Master, I make a request to you, give a thought to my son, for he is my only child:
Then a man from the crowd exclaimed, “Teacher, I plead with you, [do something to help] my son! He is my only child!
39 And see, a spirit takes him, and suddenly he gives a cry, twisted in pain and streaming at the lips, and when it goes away from him at last, he is marked as from blows.
At various times an evil spirit suddenly seizes him and [causes] him to scream. The evil spirit shakes him violently and causes him to foam at the mouth. It does not leave until my child is completely exhausted.
40 And I made a request to your disciples to send it out of him, but they were not able to do it.
I pleaded with your disciples [who were here] for them to expel [the evil spirit], but they were not able to do it!”
41 And Jesus said, O generation without faith and false in heart, how long will I have to be with you and put up with you? let your son come here.
Jesus replied [by saying to everyone who had gathered there], “[You who have seen how I help people] do not believe [that you can do anything]. What you [think] is perverted! How long must I be with you [before you are able to do what I do] [RHQ]? [How long must I] endure your [lack of faith]?” [Then he said to the boy’s father], “Bring your [(sg)] son here [to me]!”
42 And while he was coming, he was pushed violently down and twisted by the evil spirit. But Jesus gave sharp orders to the unclean spirit, and made the boy well, and gave him back to his father.
While they were bringing the boy to Jesus, the demon attacked the boy, threw him to the ground, and shook him severely. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he returned him to his father’s [care].
43 And they were full of wonder at the great power of God. But while they were all wondering at all the things which he did, he said to his disciples,
All the people [there] were amazed at the great [power] of God. Luke 9:43b-45 While they were all amazed at all the miracles [Jesus] was doing, he said to his disciples,
44 Let these words go deep into your ears, for the Son of man will be given up into the hands of men.
“Think carefully [MTY] about what I am about to tell you: [Even though I am] the one who came from heaven, [I will soon] be handed over to the authorities (OR, my enemies) {[someone] is about to enable [MTY] my enemies to seize me}.”
45 But this saying was not clear to them and its sense was kept secret from them so that they were not able to see it: and they had fear of questioning him about it.
But [the disciples] did not understand what he was saying; [God] prevented them from understanding it, so that they would not know [yet] what he meant. And they were afraid to ask him about [what he had said].
46 Now there was a discussion among them about which of them would be the greatest.
The disciples began to argue among themselves about which one of them would be the greatest [when Jesus became king].
47 But when Jesus saw the reasoning of their hearts, he took a small child and put him by his side,
But Jesus perceived what they were thinking. So he brought a young child to his side.
48 And said to them, Whoever gives honour to this child in my name, gives honour to me: and whoever gives honour to me, gives honour to him who sent me: for whoever is least among you all, that man is great.
He said to [the disciples], “Those who, because they [love] me, (OR, because they want to behave like me) welcome a little child ([like] this one/[as] I [would]) [MTY], [God considers that] [MET] they are welcoming me. And those who welcome me, [God considers] that [MET] they are welcoming him, the one who sent me. Remember that those among you who think of themselves as being very unimportant will be the ones [whom God considers] to be great.”
49 And John, answering, said, Master, we saw a man driving out evil spirits in your name, and we did not let him do it, because he was not one of us.
John replied to [Jesus], “Master, we [(exc)] saw a man who was expelling demons, [claiming] that [he had] authority from you [MTY] to do that. So we told him to stop doing it, because he is not one of us [disciples].”
50 But Jesus said to him, Let him do it, for he who is not against you is for you.
But Jesus said to him [and the other disciples], “Do not tell him not to [do that]! Remember that those who are not opposing you are trying to [achieve the same goals that] you are!”
51 And it came about that when the days were near for him to be taken up, his face was turned to go to Jerusalem,
When it was almost time for [God] to take Jesus up to heaven, he firmly resolved to go to Jerusalem.
52 And he sent men before: and they came to a small town of Samaria to make ready for him.
He sent some messengers to go ahead of him, and they entered a village in Samaria [district] to prepare for him [SYN] [to go there].
53 But they would not have him there, because he was clearly going to Jerusalem.
But [the Samaritans did not like the Jews because of their insisting that it was necessary to go to Jerusalem to worship God. So], because Jesus had firmly resolved to go to Jerusalem, they would not let him come [to their village].
54 And when his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, Lord, may we send fire from heaven and put an end to them?
When two of his disciples, James and John, heard about that, they said, “Lord, do you [(sg)] want us [(exc)] to pray that [God] will send fire down from heaven, [as the prophet Elijah did long ago], and destroy those people?”
55 But turning round he said sharp words to them.
But Jesus turned and rebuked them [for saying that].
56 And they went to another small town.
So they went to a different village.
57 And when they were on the way, a certain man said to him, I will come after you wherever you go.
As Jesus and the disciples were walking along the road, one man said to him, “I will go with you [(sg)] wherever you go!”
58 And Jesus said to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have resting-places, but the Son of man has nowhere to put his head.
[In order that the man might know what he could expect if he went with Jesus], Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes [in the ground in which to live], and birds have nests, but [even though I am] the one who came from heaven, I do not have a home where I can sleep!”
59 And he said to another, Come after me. But he said, Lord, let me first go and give the last honours to my father.
Jesus told another man, “Come with me!” But the man said, “Lord/Sir, let me go [home] first. [After] my father [dies] I will bury him, [and then I will come with you].”
60 But he said to him, Let the dead take care of their dead; it is for you to go and give news of the kingdom of God.
But Jesus said to him, “[God considers that those who do not have eternal life are] dead [MET]. Let those people [do the work of] burying people who die. As for you, go and tell people about how God wants (to rule/to have complete control [over]) [people’s lives]!”
61 And another man said, I will come with you, Lord, but first let me say a last good-day to those who are at my house.
Someone else said, “Lord, I will come with you and be your disciple, but first let me go home to say goodbye to my relatives.”
62 But Jesus said, No man, having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is good enough for the kingdom of God.
Jesus said to him, “Anyone who is plowing his field should not look back [to see what he has done. He must look forward to what is ahead. Similarly], [anyone who continues to be concerned about his family and other things he has left behind] is not fit [to serve me and tell others about how] God wants to rule [MTY] [people’s lives].”
