Instructions for the Twelve Apostles
(Matthew 10.5-15Mark 6.7-13)1 Jesus called together his twelve apostles and gave them complete power over all demons and diseases. 2 Then he sent them to tell about God's kingdom and to heal the sick. 3 He told them, “Don't take anything with you! Don't take a walking stick or a traveling bag or food or money or even a change of clothes. 4 When you are welcomed into a home, stay there until you leave that town. 5 If people won't welcome you, leave the town and shake the dust from your feet as a warning to them.”
6 The apostles left and went from village to village, telling the good news and healing people everywhere.
Herod Is Worried
(Matthew 14.1-12Mark 6.14-29)7 Herod the ruler heard about all that was happening, and he was worried. Some people were saying John the Baptist had come back to life. 8 Others were saying Elijah had come or one of the prophets from long ago had come back to life. 9 But Herod said, “I had John's head cut off! Who is this I hear so much about?” Herod was eager to meet Jesus.
Jesus Feeds Five Thousand
(Matthew 14.13-21Mark 6.30-44John 6.1-14)10 The apostles came back and told Jesus everything they had done. He then took them with him to the village of Bethsaida, where they could be alone. 11 But a lot of people found out about this and followed him. Jesus welcomed them. He spoke about God's kingdom and healed everyone who was sick.
12 Late in the afternoon the twelve apostles came to Jesus and said, “Send the crowd to the villages and farms around here. They need to find a place to stay and something to eat. There is nothing in this place. It's like a desert!”
13 Jesus answered, “You give them something to eat.”
But they replied, “We have only five small loaves of bread and two fish. If we are going to feed all these people, we will have to go and buy food.” 14 There were about 5,000 men in the crowd.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Tell the people to sit in groups of 50.” 15 They did this, and all the people sat down. 16 Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up toward heaven and blessed the food. Then he broke the bread and fish and handed them to his disciples to give to the people.
17 Everyone ate all they wanted. What was left over filled twelve baskets.
Who Is Jesus?
(Matthew 16.13-19Mark 8.27-29)18 When Jesus was alone praying, his disciples came to him, and he asked them, “What do people say about me?”
19 They answered, “Some say you are John the Baptist or Elijah or a prophet from long ago who has come back to life.”
20 Jesus then asked, “But who do you say I am?”
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah sent from God.”
21 Jesus strictly warned his disciples not to tell anyone about this.
Jesus Speaks about His Suffering and Death
(Matthew 16.20-28Mark 8.30—9.1)22 Jesus told his disciples, “The nation's leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. They will reject him and kill him, but three days later he will rise to life.”
23 Then Jesus said to all the people:
If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross every day and follow me. 24 If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will save it. 25 What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself or waste your life? 26 If you are ashamed of me and my message, the Son of Man will be ashamed of you when he comes in his glory and in the glory of his Father and the holy angels. 27 You can be sure some of the people standing here will not die before they see God's kingdom.
The True Glory of Jesus
(Matthew 17.1-8Mark 9.2-8)28 About eight days later Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him and went up on a mountain to pray. 29 While he was praying, his face changed, and his clothes became shining white. 30 Suddenly Moses and Elijah were there speaking with him. 31 They appeared in heavenly glory and talked about all that Jesus' death in Jerusalem would mean.
32 Peter and the other two disciples had been sound asleep. All at once they woke up and saw how glorious Jesus was. They also saw the two men who were with him.
33 Moses and Elijah were about to leave, when Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here! Let us make three shelters, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” But Peter did not know what he was talking about.
34 While Peter was still speaking, a shadow from a cloud passed over, and they were frightened as the cloud covered them. 35 From the cloud a voice spoke, “This is my chosen Son. Listen to what he says!”
36 After the voice had spoken, Peter, John, and James saw only Jesus. For some time they kept quiet and did not say anything about what they had seen.
Jesus Heals a Boy
(Matthew 17.14-18Mark 9.14-27)37 The next day Jesus and his three disciples came down from the mountain and were met by a large crowd. 38 Just then someone in the crowd shouted, “Teacher, please do something for my son! He is my only child! 39 A demon often attacks him and makes him scream. It shakes him until he foams at the mouth, and it won't leave him until it has completely worn the boy out. 40 I begged your disciples to force out the demon, but they couldn't do it.”
41 Jesus said to them, “You people are stubborn and don't have any faith! How much longer must I be with you? Why do I have to put up with you?”
Then Jesus said to the man, “Bring your son to me.” 42 While the boy was being brought, the demon attacked him and made him shake all over. Jesus ordered the demon to stop. Then he healed the boy and gave him back to his father. 43 Everyone was amazed at God's great power.
Jesus Again Speaks about His Death
(Matthew 17.22Matthew 23Mark 9.30-32)While everyone was still amazed at what Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples, 44 “Pay close attention to what I am telling you! The Son of Man will be handed over to his enemies.” 45 But the disciples did not know what he meant. The meaning was hidden from them. They could not understand it, and they were afraid to ask.
Who Is the Greatest?
(Matthew 18.1-5Mark 9.33-37)46 Jesus' disciples were arguing about which one of them was the greatest. 47 Jesus knew what they were thinking, and he had a child stand there beside him. 48 Then he said to his disciples, “When you welcome even a child because of me, you welcome me. And when you welcome me, you welcome the one who sent me. Whichever one of you is the most humble is the greatest.”
For or against Jesus
(Mark 9.38-40)49 John said, “Master, we saw a man using your name to force demons out of people. But we told him to stop, because he isn't one of us.”
50 “Don't stop him!” Jesus said. “Anyone who isn't against you is for you.”
A Samaritan Village Refuses To Receive Jesus
51 Not long before it was time for Jesus to be taken up to heaven, he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem. 52 He sent some messengers on ahead to a Samaritan village to get things ready for him. 53 But he was on his way to Jerusalem, so the people there refused to welcome him. 54 When the disciples James and John saw what was happening, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to destroy these people?”
55 But Jesus turned and corrected them for what they had said. 56 Then they all went on to another village.
Three People Who Wanted To Be Followers
(Matthew 8.19-22)57 Along the way someone said to Jesus, “I'll follow you anywhere!”
58 Jesus said, “Foxes have dens, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man doesn't have a place to call his own.”
59 Jesus told someone else to come with him. But the man said, “Lord, let me wait until I bury my father.”
60 Jesus answered, “Let the dead take care of the dead, while you go and tell about God's kingdom.”
61 Then someone said to Jesus, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first let me go back and take care of things at home.”
62 Jesus answered, “Anyone who starts plowing and keeps looking back isn't worth a thing to God's kingdom!”
1 Sasaucis Savus divpadsmit mācekļus, Viņš tiem deva spēku un varu pār visiem ļauniem gariem un dziedināt sērgas. 2 Un Viņš tos izsūtīja sludināt Dieva valstību un dziedināt, 3 tiem sacīdams: "Neņemiet neko līdzi ceļā, ne zizli, ne ceļasomu, ne maizi, ne naudu, ne arī divus svārkus! 4 Un, kur kādā mājā jūs ieejat, tur palieciet un no turienes ejiet tālāk. 5 Un, ja kāds jūs neuzņem, tad, iziedami no tās pilsētas, nokratait pīšļus no savām kājām par liecību pret tiem." 6 Un izgājuši viņi apstaigāja visus ciemus, sludinādami visur prieka vēsti un dziedinādami. 7 Bet tetrarhs Hērods, par visu, kas notika, dzirdējis, nezināja ko domāt, jo daži sacīja, ka Jānis esot uzcēlies no miroņiem, 8 bet citi, ka Ēlija esot parādījies, vēl citi, ka kāds no senajiem praviešiem esot augšāmcēlies. 9 Un Hērods sacīja: "Es esmu Jānim nocirtis galvu, bet kas šis tāds ir, par kuru es dzirdu tādas lietas?" Un viņš meklēja izdevību Viņu redzēt. 10 Apustuļi pārnākuši izstāstīja Jēzum, cik lielas lietas tie bija darījuši; un Viņš tos ņēma pie Sevis un aizgāja savrup uz kādu pilsētu, vārdā Betsaida. 11 Bet ļaudis, to izzinājuši, sekoja Viņam, un Viņš tos pieņēma, runāja uz viņiem par Dieva valstību un darīja veselus tos, kam vajadzēja dziedināšanas. 12 Bet diena sāka iet uz beigām, un tie divpadsmit piegāja pie Viņa un sacīja Viņam: "Atlaid ļaudis, lai tie izklīstu pa apkārtējiem ciemiem un mājām, uzmeklētu naktsmājas un pārtiku, jo mēs šeit esam tukšā vietā." 13 Bet Viņš tiem sacīja: "Dodiet jūs viņiem ēst." Bet tie sacīja: "Mums nav vairāk kā piecas maizes un divi zivis, vai lai mēs aizejam pirkt barību visam šim ļaužu pulkam?" 14 Jo tur bija ap pieci tūkstoši vīru. Bet Viņš teica Saviem mācekļiem: "Lieciet viņiem apsēsties pulciņos pa piecdesmit." 15 Un tie tā darīja un visus apsēdināja. 16 Bet Viņš, paņēmis tās piecas maizes un divas zivis, skatījās uz debesīm, svētīja tās un pārlauza un deva mācekļiem, lai tie tās celtu ļaudīm priekšā. 17 Un viņi ēda, un visi paēda; un viņi pielasīja ar pāri palikušām druskām divpadsmit grozus. 18 Un notika, ka Viņš viens pats lūdza Dievu un mācekļi pie Viņa piegāja, un Viņš tiem vaicāja: "Ko ļaudis saka Mani esam?" 19 Tie atbildēja, sacīdami: "Jāni Kristītāju, bet citi Ēliju un vēl citi, ka kāds no senajiem praviešiem esot uzcēlies." 20 Bet Viņš tiem sacīja: "Bet jūs, ko jūs sakāt Mani esam?" Tad Pēteris atbildēja: "Tu esi Dieva Kristus." 21 Bet Viņš stingri noliedza kādam to teikt, 22 sacīdams: "Cilvēka Dēlam ir daudz jācieš. Viņu atmetīs vecaji, augstie priesteri un rakstu mācītāji, un Viņu nonāvēs, un trešajā dienā Viņš celsies augšām." 23 Un Viņš sacīja uz visiem: "Ja kāds grib Man sekot, tad tāds lai aizliedz sevi, ik dienas ņem uz sevi savu krustu un staigā Man pakaļ. 24 Jo, kas savu dzīvību gribēs izglābt, tam tā zudīs, bet, kas savu dzīvību Manis dēļ zaudēs, tas to izglābs. 25 Jo ko tas cilvēkam līdz, ka viņš iemanto visu pasauli un pats sevi pazaudē un samaitā? 26 Jo, kas kaunas Manis un Manu vārdu dēļ, tā paša dēļ kaunēsies Cilvēka Dēls, kad Viņš nāks Savā un Sava Tēva un svēto eņģeļu godībā. 27 Bet tiešām Es jums saku: ir kādi starp tiem, kas še stāv, kas nāvi nebaudīs, tiekāms tie nebūs redzējuši Dieva valstību." 28 Un notika kādas astoņas dienas pēc šīm runām, ka Viņš ņēma pie Sevis Pēteri, Jāni un Jēkabu un uzkāpa uz kalna Dievu lūgt. 29 Un, Viņam lūdzot, Viņa vaigs dabūja citu izskatu un Viņa drēbes kļuva spoži baltas. 30 Un, lūk, divi vīri sarunājās ar Viņu, tie bija Mozus un Ēlija. 31 Tie parādījās debess spožumā un runāja par Viņa galu, kas to sagaidīja Jeruzālemē. 32 Bet Pēteris un viņa biedri bija miega pilni, un uzmodušies tie redzēja Viņa spožumu un divi vīrus pie Viņa stāvam. 33 Kad nu tie taisījās atstāt Viņu, tad Pēteris sacīja uz Jēzu: "Meistar, šeit mums ir labi, taisīsim trīs teltis, vienu Tev, vienu Mozum un vienu Ēlijam," - un viņš nezināja, ko viņš runāja. 34 Un, viņam vēl tā runājot, parādījās padebesis un viņus apēnoja. Bet viņi bijās, kad padebesis viņus apklāja. 35 Un no padebeša nāca balss, sacīdama: "Šis ir Mans Dēls, Mans izredzētais, to klausait!" 36 Un, kad balss atskanēja, tad Jēzus bija viens pats. Bet viņi klusēja un tanīs dienās nesacīja nevienam nekā par to, ko bija redzējuši. 37 Un notika, otrā dienā, viņiem no kalna noejot, nāca Viņam pretī liels ļaužu pulks. 38 Un redzi, kāds vīrs no ļaužu vidus sauca, sacīdams: "Mācītāj, es Tevi lūdzu, apskati manu dēlu, jo viņš man ir vienīgais bērns, 39 reizēm gars to satver, un viņš piepeši sāk kliegt, un tas viņu krata līdz putām un tikai grūti no tā šķiras, to galīgi novārdzinādams. 40 Es esmu Tavus mācekļus lūdzis, lai tie to izdzītu, bet tie to nevarēja." 41 Un Jēzus atbildēja un sacīja: "Ak, tu neticīgā un sagrozītā cilts, cik ilgi Es vēl pie jums būšu un jūs panesīšu? Ved šurp savu dēlu!" 42 Viņam vēl nākot, ļaunais gars to sāka raustīt un kratīt; bet Jēzus apsauca nešķīsto garu un dziedināja zēnu un atdeva to viņa tēvam. 43 Un visi iztrūkās par Dieva varenību. Bet, visiem vēl brīnoties par visu to, ko Viņš darīja, Viņš sacīja uz Saviem mācekļiem: 44 "Ievērojiet labi šos vārdus: Cilvēka Dēlam jātop nodotam cilvēku rokās." 45 Bet viņi nesaprata šos vārdus, tie viņiem bija apslēpti, un viņiem tos nebija saprast, un viņi baidījās Viņu jautāt par šo vārdu nozīmi. 46 Un viņos cēlās domas par to, kurš no viņiem ir pats lielākais. 47 Bet Jēzus, zinādams viņu sirds domas, paņēma bērnu un nostatīja to Sev blakus 48 un sacīja: "Kas šo bērnu uzņem Manā Vārdā, tas uzņem Mani, un, kas Mani uzņem, tas uzņem To, kas Mani sūtījis; jo, kas mazākais jūsu starpā, tas ir liels." 49 Bet Jānis ņēma vārdu un sacīja: "Meistar, mēs redzējām kādu cilvēku Tavā Vārdā izdzenam ļaunus garus, un mēs viņam to noliedzām, jo viņš neturas pie mums." 50 Bet Jēzus viņam atbildēja: "Neliedziet, jo, kas nav pret jums, tas ir ar jums." 51 Un, kad nu laiks bija pienācis, ka Viņam vajadzēja tapt paaugstinātam, tad Viņš grieza savu vaigu, lai ietu uz Jeruzālemi. 52 Un Viņš nosūtīja Sev priekšā vēstnešus. Un iedami tie nonāca kādā samariešu ciemā, lai Viņam apgādātu vietu, kur nomesties. 53 Un tie Viņu neuzņēma, tāpēc ka Viņš bija ceļā uz Jeruzālemi. 54 Kad Viņa mācekļi Jēkabs un Jānis to redzēja, tie sacīja: "Kungs, ja Tu gribi, mēs sacīsim, lai uguns nāk no debesīm un tos sadedzina." 55 Bet Viņš apgriezdamies tos aprāja un sacīja: "Vai jūs nezināt, kādam garam jūs piederat? 56 Jo Cilvēka Dēls nav nācis cilvēku dvēseles nomaitāt, bet pestīt." Un tie gāja uz citu ciemu. 57 Un, tiem aizejot, viens uz ceļa Viņam sacīja: "Es Tev iešu līdzi, lai kurp Tu ietu." 58 Bet Jēzus uz viņu sacīja: "Lapsām ir alas un putniem apakš debess ligzdas, bet Cilvēka Dēlam nav kur nolikt Savu galvu." 59 Un uz kādu citu Viņš sacīja: "Nāc Man līdzi!" Bet tas sacīja: "Atļauj man papriekš noiet un apglabāt savu tēvu." 60 Bet Jēzus uz to sacīja: "Ļauj miroņiem apglabāt savus miroņus, bet tu ej un sludini Dieva valstību!" 61 Un atkal kāds cits teica: "Kungs, es Tev iešu līdzi, bet atļauj man papriekš atvadīties no tiem, kas ir manā mājā." 62 Bet Jēzus uz to sacīja: "Neviens, kas savu roku liek pie arkla un skatās atpakaļ, neder Dieva valstībai."
