Walks and Words of Jesus: A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists
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Title: Walks and Words of Jesus: A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists
Compiler: M. N. Olmsted
Author of introduction, etc.: Randolph S. Foster
Release date: March 24, 2011 [eBook #35674]
Most recently updated: January 7, 2021
Language: English
Other information and formats: www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35674
Credits: Produced by Heiko Evermann, Fox in the Stars, (scanned by
Fox in the Stars from the collection of Brays Advent
Christian Church in Iberia, Missouri), Michael Zeug, Lisa
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WALKS AND WORDS OF JESUS: A PARAGRAPH HARMONY OF THE FOUR EVANGELISTS ***
Produced by Heiko Evermann, Fox in the Stars, (scanned by
Fox in the Stars from the collection of Brays Advent
Christian Church in Iberia, Missouri), Michael Zeug, Lisa
Reigel, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
https://www.pgdp.net
Transcriber's Notes: Variations in spelling and hyphenation have been
left as in the original. Words in italics in the original are surrounded
by _underscores_. Words in a Gothic font in the original are surrounded
by =equal signs=. In the original, the words spoken by Jesus are in a
larger font--in this text, the words of Jesus are indented from the
margins. A few typographical errors have been corrected. A complete list
follows the text.
The text mentions a "geographical and historical chart" that was
intended to accompany this book. It is not a part of this text and is
not included here.
[Illustration: The Adoring Shepherds.
"And they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying
in a manger."--Page 13.]
WALKS AND WORDS
of
JESUS;
=A Paragraph Harmony of the Four Evangelists=.
BY REV. M. N. OLMSTED,
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY REV. BISHOP FOSTER, D.D.
FIFTH EDITION.
NEW YORK:
NELSON & PHILLIPS.
CINCINNATI:
HITCHCOCK & WALDEN.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,
By M. N. OLMSTED,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the
Southern District of New York.
CONTENTS.
I. Jesus in Creation and Prophecy 11
II. The Childhood of Jesus 14
III. The Baptism and Temptation of Jesus 16
IV. Testimony of John--Call of the First Disciples 18
V. First Miracle--Temple cleansed--Visit of Nicodemus 22
VI. John Exalts Jesus--Woman at the Well--Visit to Samaria 27
VII. Nobleman of Capernaum--Preaches at Nazareth 32
VIII. Moves to Capernaum--Andrew and Peter Called 36
IX. Sermon on the Mount, near Capernaum 39
X. Sermon on the Mount Continued 46
XI. Sermon on the Mount Concluded 52
XII. Draught of Fishes--Heals a Leper--Matthew Called 56
XIII. Healing at the Pool--Resurrection Foretold 62
XIV. Disciples in the Cornfield--Withered Hand 68
XV. Apostles named--Woes and Blessings--Practical Lessons 72
XVI. Practical Lessons Continued--Heals Centurion's Servant 75
XVII. Widow of Nain--Messengers of John--Woes on Capernaum 80
XVIII. Woman Washes Jesus' feet--Two Debtors 85
XIX. Pharisees seek a Sign--Jesus Teaches by Parables 91
XX. Parables and Interpretations 99
XXI. The homeless Saviour--The Storm--The Demoniac 105
XXII. Child Healed--Touch of Faith--Two Blind Men--Eats with
Publicans and Sinners 109
XXIII. Revisits Nazareth--Sends the Twelve with Instructions 114
XXIV. John the Baptist Beheaded by Order of Herod 121
XXV. Jesus Feeds Five Thousand with Five Loaves and two
Fishes 123
XXVI. Walks on the Sea--Peter Sinking--Mountain Closet 126
XXVII. Jesus the Bread of Life for the World 129
XXVIII. Pharisees Murmur--Washings and Other Traditions 135
XXIX. Syrophenician Woman--Blind Men--Feeds Four Thousand 139
XXX. Pharisees ask a Sign--Reasons for Faith--Blind Men 142
XXXI. Jesus Foretells his Death and Resurrection 145
XXXII. Transfiguration--Cures a Demoniac 149
XXXIII. Death Foretold again--Pays Tribute--Caution Against
Giving Offence 153
XXXIV. Lessons of Humility and Forgiveness 157
XXXV. Jesus at the Feast--Return of the officers of the Chief
Priests 163
XXXVI. The Convicted Accusers--Jesus the Light of the World 168
XXXVII. A man born Blind, Healed, Examined and Excommunicated 175
XXXVIII. Parable of the Good Shepherd 179
XXXIX. Jesus Raises Lazarus--Jews Seek his Life 184
XL. Seventy Disciples sent out 190
XLI. Martha's Entertainment--Form of Prayer--Dumb Devil 196
XLII. Evil Generation seek a Sign--Practical Lessons 200
XLIII. Discourses on Various Topics--Ministerial Diligence 205
XLIV. Tokens of Coming Judgment--Eighteen Years Infirmity 214
XLV. Dropsy Cured--Parable of the Great Supper 219
XLVI. Parables of Lost Sheep, Lost Piece of Silver and
Prodigal Son 225
XLVII. The Unjust Steward--The Rich Man and Lazarus 230
XLVIII. Of Giving Offence--Ten Lepers--Second Coming of Jesus 235
XLIX. Importunate Widow--Marriage--Children brought to Jesus 240
L. Young Ruler--Warning to the Rich--Parable of Laborers 245
LI. Zebedee's Children--Heals two Blind Men near Jericho 251
LII. Nobleman & Servants--Mary Anoints Jesus 254
LIII. Triumphant Entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem 260
LIV. Greeks Wish to see Jesus--Barren Fig Tree 264
LV. Pharisees Question his Authority--Parable of Vineyard 269
LVI. The Marriage Feast--Tribute to Cesar--Jewish Infidelity 274
LVII. Jesus Answers Sadducees and Pharisees--Widows Offering 279
LVIII. Woes Against Scribes, Pharisees and Hypocrites 284
LIX. Destruction of the Temple and Coming of the Son of Man
Foretold 290
LX. Fearful Signs after the Great Tribulation 296
LXI. Parable of the Talents--Judgment of the Nations 303
LXII. Covenant with Judas--Passover--Jesus Washes his
Disciples' Feet 308
LXIII. The Lord's Supper Instituted--Peter Forewarned 313
LXIV. Jesus Comforts his Disciples--Teaches Love to each
Other 318
LXV. Jesus the True Vine--Hatred of the World 324
LXVI. Jesus Forewarns his Disciples 328
LXVII. Jesus Prays for his Disciples--Foretells Peter's Denial 333
LXVIII. The Agony of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane 338
LXIX. Betrayal of Jesus--Brought Before the High Priest 342
LXX. Jesus Examined by the Sanhedrim--Peter denies him 345
LXXI. Examination Continued--Judas Repents--Jesus Scourged 348
LXXII. Jesus Before Herod--Message to Pilate from his
Wife--Pilate Washes his Hands 352
LXXIII. Jesus Crucified--He Prays for his Enemies 356
LXXIV. The two Thieves--Jesus Thirsts--He gives up the Ghost 359
LXXV. Jesus Taken down from the Cross--Buried--Tomb Sealed 362
LXXVI. The Resurrection of Jesus--Scenes and Incidents 365
LXXVII. Mary Magdalene and Others Visit the Sepulchre 367
LXXVIII. Journey to Emmaus--Incredulity of Thomas 369
LXXIX. Jesus Appears to the Eleven; then to Five Hundred
Brethren at once 374
LXXX. The Ascension of Jesus--Incidents 379
LXXXI. Conclusion 383
INTRODUCTION
The happy thought of this volume was suggested by the incidental reading
of this fact, in the life of JOHN QUINCY ADAMS: He was one day engaged
in his usual study of the New Testament, (a practice he kept up daily
throughout life, even amid the most urgent State duties,) when being
particularly impressed by some words of Jesus, he conceived the idea of
abstracting all his words from the body of the sacred text, that he
might see them in their unity and wholeness. He immediately procured a
suitable blank book, and beginning with the first Gospel, wrote down
every word of Christ, as given by each of the Evangelists. This most
precious _excerpta_ he continued to read and devoutly study with great
profit and comfort.
If the publisher had done nothing else but carry out this idea, he would
have performed a good service, for many devout students of the Word of
God; but he has done much more and I doubt not, by a very simple method,
will become the instrument of good to thousands.
The several things aimed at and accomplished, in the plan of the book,
are these
FIRST. A complete harmony of the several Evangelistic narratives, in a
consecutive chronological order, thus presenting in one view a complete
and perfect picture of our Saviour's life and ministry. Every word of
each Gospel is given, (except that which is embraced in the two opening
chapters,) but in continued and unbroken flow, and not in the
fragmentary and disjointed order of chapter and verse, as found in the
ordinary form.
SECOND. The words spoken by Jesus himself are raised out of the page, in
relief, by means of larger type; so that if the reader is desirous, he
can peruse at a single sitting all the words of the Master left on
record, in the order of their utterance, and apart from the words of
others, without the labor of selecting.
THIRD. While the main intent is to present the Gospels in a harmonious
arrangement, and especially to give prominence to the divine speaker
himself, the author has furnished two preliminary and a concluding
chapter of real interest and value, in the first of which, by a
judicious collocation of passages from the Old and New Testaments, he
traces Christ as he appeared in Creation and Providence, as set forth by
the Prophets and Apostles. In the second he sketches a brief account of
his childhood with appropriate reflections, and in the concluding
chapter ending the volume, he gives his words uttered after the
ascension, as found in the Epistles and the book of Revelation.
FOURTH. Accompanying the volume, is a geographical and historical
chart, ingeniously contrived to illustrate the general idea of the book.
This chart is entitled "The Walks of Jesus; a Pictorial Chart of the
Antediluvian and Patriarchal Periods, and of the Holy Land; for Sunday
Schools and Families." It is published in neat and attractive form, and
of various sizes, and cannot fail to be a useful accompaniment of Bible
study.
I am so pleased with the general plan of this work, and with the manner
in which the publisher is executing his idea, that I take great pleasure
in commending it as a helpful and convenient companion to all Bible
lovers and students.
Among the many books which are appearing, concerning the Christ, this,
after all, is the truest and best. It may be WELL to read them--it is
INDISPENSABLE to read this. Whatever gives interest to the sacred page,
and especially, whatsoever shall give prominence to the simple word and
truth of Jesus, cannot fail to be fraught with blessings to the world.
The holy Evangelists were inspired men. All their words are the words of
God, and not one of them to be lightly esteemed, or to be held as of
questionable authority; and yet the precise sentences that fell from the
lips of the Only Begotten rise in importance and dignity, and come to us
with more direct authority and divinity. Let us remember the voice that
dropped from the open heaven: "This is my beloved Son: hear ye him."
R. S. FOSTER.
=Walks and Words of Jesus=
CHAPTER I.
JESUS IN CREATION AND PROPHECY.
When we open the HOLY BIBLE, the very first sentence unfolds to us the
creation of worlds by the Word and power of Jehovah: "In the beginning
God created the heaven and the earth."
In the NEW TESTAMENT Jesus is presented as the "Creator of all things."
The inspired writer opens the subject in these words: "In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same
was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without
him was not anything made that was made."
Paul, in one of his epistles, speaks of this same Jesus as the image of
the invisible God, the first born of every creature: "for by him were
all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether _they_ be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him;
and he is before all things, and by him all things consist."
Again, John, in his vision of the future glory of the Church, saw the
Eternal Throne, and Jesus the Mighty Conqueror seated upon it; and heard
voices chanting in angelic strains, "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come."
And four-and-twenty elders, clothed in white robes, with crowns of gold,
fell prostrate before him, and worshipped him that liveth for ever and
ever, saying, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honor, and
power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are
and were created."
When Adam had ruined himself and his posterity by eating the forbidden
fruit, Jehovah, in his infinite love, gave him the promise of a MESSIAH,
in the words addressed to the serpent: "I will put enmity between thee
and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy
head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
As we trace along the stream of time, we see this faint promise oft
renewed, brightening with every repetition.
When Jehovah had destroyed the world by a flood, on account of its
wickedness, preserving only the family of Noah to repeople it, and had
scattered the builders of Babel, confounding their language, he said to
faithful Abram: "Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and
from thy father's house, unto a land that I will show thee: and I will
make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name
great; and thou shalt be a blessing: and I will bless them that bless
thee, and curse him that curseth thee; and in thee shall all families of
the earth be blessed."
Jacob, on his way to Padan-Aram, slept, and saw in the night-visions, a
ladder, with its foot upon the earth, and its top reaching to heaven,
and lo! angels were ascending and descending upon it. And he heard the
voice of the Lord from the top of the ladder, saying unto him: "I _am_
the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land
whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; and thy
seed shall be as the dust of the earth; and thou shalt spread abroad to
the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south: and in
thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed."
[Illustration: Bethlehem--Birthplace of Jesus.]
Thus from time to time was the promise of a coming Saviour renewed,
until, on the plains of Bethlehem, a glorious light burst upon the
watching shepherds, and an angel appeared, saying; "Fear not: for,
behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all
people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord." And suddenly there was with the angel a
multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God
in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."
And when the angels had departed, the shepherds said one to another,
"Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to
pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste,
and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. And the
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that
they had heard and seen.
Eight days after, at the circumcision of the child, he was called Jesus,
which signifies Saviour, a name given before he was born: "for" said the
angel, "He shall save his people from their sins."
CHAPTER II.
THE CHILDHOOD OF JESUS.
The Incarnation of the Son of God, presents us with an example of
condescension and humiliation, only equalled by the exaltation of its
subjects. He came to earth, that he might exalt us to heaven. His
sufferings and death, clothe us, who are dead in sin, with immortality,
and secure to us the bliss of an eternal Paradise. To trace the
footsteps of Jesus, God Incarnate, and to present the words that dropped
fresh from his wise and holy lips, while on his mission of mercy to this
sin-stricken world, will be the object of these pages.
The child grew and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the
grace of God was upon him. But his first _word_, on record, was uttered
at the age of twelve years. A multitude had assembled at Jerusalem. The
eight days' worship being ended, the crowds disperse and scatter to
their homes in the distant countries round about. The parents, supposing
"the child Jesus" to be among their relatives and acquaintances in the
great throng, pass on a day's journey, when they seek him but find him
not.
They return, anxious and sorrow stricken, to Jerusalem, where they find
him still in the Temple, sitting with the Doctors of the law, and
astonishing the multitude with his understanding and answers. His
mother, though amazed at his wisdom, gently chides her son for his lack
of filial fidelity, saying, "Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us?
behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing." And he said unto
them,
How is it that ye sought me? Wist ye not that I must be about
my Father's business?
And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them. And he went
down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his
mother kept all these sayings in her heart.
Eighteen years now pass away without the record of another word. While
he honored his earthly parents, and was diligent in his daily toil, he
was doubtless ever busy in the work assigned him by his Father in
heaven. Multitudes may have been charmed by his youthful eloquence,
confounded by his wisdom, and melted under his sweet spirit of love. But
to us it is one great blank. This brief sentence among the doctors in
the temple, in answer to the question of the anxious mother, is like
some blazing comet, which for a brief space lights the starry vault with
its radiance, and then shoots off, in its eccentric course, to be seen
no more for years to come. During these silent years, multitudes had
passed to their reward. "Seed time and harvest, summer and winter, day
and night," had succeeded each other, in regular order; while the "bow
in the cloud" had constantly reminded the world of the gracious promise
of God to Noah. But not a word is preserved from the lips of this
wonderful child. Not a footprint marks his journeyings.
At the age of thirty he suddenly appears again on the page of history.
Let us now follow his footsteps, and listen to his words.
CHAPTER III.
THE BAPTISM AND TEMPTATION OF JESUS.
And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of
Galilee, to Jordan, unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbade
him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?
And Jesus answering said unto him,
Suffer _it to be_ so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill
all righteousness.
Then he suffered him. Now when all the people were baptized, it came to
pass, that Jesus also being baptized, went up straightway out of the
water; and praying, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and the Holy
Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and there came a
voice from heaven, _saying_, "Thou art my beloved son, in whom I am well
pleased."
And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from Jordan, and was
led by the Spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil. And
he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was
with the wild beasts. And in those days he did eat nothing. And when he
had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungered.
And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God,
command that these stones be made bread. But Jesus answered and said,
It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every
word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.
Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a
pinnacle of the temple. And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God,
cast thyself down from hence: for it is written, He shall give his
angels charge concerning thee, to keep thee: And in _their_ hands they
shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.
And Jesus answering said unto him,
It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and
sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them, in a
moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give
thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me: and to
whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt fall down and
worship me, all shall be thine. And Jesus answered and said unto him,
Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt
worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.
And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him
for a season. And, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.
CHAPTER IV.
TESTIMONY OF JOHN--CALL OF THE FIRST DISCIPLES.
This is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from
Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? He confessed, and denied not; but
confessed, I am not the Christ.
And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not.
Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. Then said they unto him, Who
art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us. What sayest
thou of thyself? He said, I _am_ the voice of one crying in the
wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet
Esaias.
And they which were sent were of the Pharisees. And they asked him, and
said unto him, Why baptizest thou then, if thou be not that Christ, nor
Elias, neither that prophet? John answered them, saying, I baptize with
water: but there standeth one among you, whom ye know not; He it is, who
coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not
worthy to unloose. These things were done in Bethabara beyond Jordan,
where John was baptizing.
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the
Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom
I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was
before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to
Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water.
And John bare record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven
like a dove, and it abode upon him. And I knew him not: but he that sent
me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt
see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which
baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. And I saw, and bare record that this is
the Son of God.
Again the next day after, John stood, and two of his disciples; And
looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God! And
the two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Then Jesus
turned, and saw them following, and saith unto them,
What seek ye?
They said unto him, Rabbi, (which is to say, being interpreted,
Master,) where dwellest thou? He saith unto them,
Come and see.
They came and saw where he dwelt, and abode with him that day: for it
was about the tenth hour. One of the two which heard John _speak_ and
followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. He first findeth his
own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which
is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when
Jesus beheld him, he said,
Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas,
which is, by interpretation, A stone.
The day following Jesus would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip,
and saith unto him,
Follow me.
Now Philip was of Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter.
Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found him, of whom
Moses in the law and the prophets did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son
of Joseph. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come
out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. Jesus saw
Nathanael coming to him, and saith unto him,
Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no guile!
Nathanael saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and
said unto him,
Before that Philip called thee, when thou wast under the fig
tree, I saw thee.
Nathanael answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God;
thou art the King of Israel. Jesus answered and said unto him,
Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree,
believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these.
And he saith unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven
open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the
Son of man.
CHAPTER V.
FIRST MIRACLE--TEMPLE CLEANSED--VISIT OF NICODEMUS.
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the
mother of Jesus was there. And both Jesus was called, and his disciples,
to the marriage. And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith
unto him, They have no wine. Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.
His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do
_it_. And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner
of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three firkins apiece.
Jesus saith unto them,
Fill the waterpots with water.
And they filled them up to the brim. And he saith unto them,
Draw out now and bear unto the governor of the feast.
And they bare _it_. When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water
that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which
drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,
and saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine;
and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse; _but_ thou hast
kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in
Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples
believed on him.
After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his
brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. And
the Jews' passover was at hand. And Jesus went up to Jerusalem, and
found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep, and doves, and the
changers of money sitting. And when he had made a scourge of small
cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen;
and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; and said
unto them that sold doves,
Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house
of merchandise.
And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine
house hath eaten me up. Then answered the Jews and said unto him: What
sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things? Jesus
answered and said unto them,
Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building,
and wilt thou rear it up in three days? But he spake of the temple of
his body. When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples
remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the
Scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast _day_, many
believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did. But Jesus
did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all _men_, and needed
not that any should testify of man, for he knew what was in man.
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that
thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that
thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said, unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he
enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus
answered,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and _of_the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto
thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it
listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not
tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one
that is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus
answered and said unto him,
Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and
testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If
I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall
ye believe, if I tell you _of_ heavenly things. And no man
hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven,
_even_ the Son of man which is in heaven.
And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so
must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved
the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever
believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world;
but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that
believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this
is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and
men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were
evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither
cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he
that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be
made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
CHAPTER VI.
JOHN EXALTS JESUS--WOMAN AT THE WELL--VISIT TO SAMARIA.
After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea;
and there he tarried with them, and baptized. And John also was
baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and
they came, and were baptized. For John was not yet cast into prison.
Then there arose a question between _some_ of John's disciples and the
Jews about purifying. And they came unto John, and said unto him, Rabbi,
he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness,
behold, the same baptizeth, and all _men_ come to him, John answered and
said, a man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. Ye
yourselves bear me witness, that I said, I am not the Christ, but that I
am sent before him. He that hath the bride is the bridegroom: but the
friend of the bridegroom, which standeth and heareth him, rejoiceth
greatly because of the bridegroom's voice: this my joy therefore is
fulfilled. He must increase, but I _must_ decrease. He that cometh from
above is above all: he that is of the earth is earthly, and speaketh of
the earth: he that cometh from heaven is above all.
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man
receiveth his testimony. He that hath received his testimony hath set to
his seal that God is true. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the words
of God: for God giveth not the Spirit by measure _unto him_. The Father
loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. He that
believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not
the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made
and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized
not, but his disciples,) He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee.
And he must needs go through Samaria.
Then cometh he to a city of Samaria, which is called Sychar, near to the
parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Now Jacob's well was
there. Jesus therefore, being wearied with _his_ journey, sat thus on
the well: _and_ it was about the sixth hour. There cometh a woman of
Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her,
Give me to drink.
(For his disciples were gone away into the city to buy meat.)
Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a
Jew, asketh drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have
no dealings with the Samaritans. Jesus answered and said unto her,
If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to
thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and
he would have given thee living water.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, thou hast nothing to draw with, and the
well is deep: from whence then hast thou that living water? Art thou
greater than our father Jacob, which gave us the well, and drank thereof
himself, and his children, and his cattle? Jesus answered and said unto
her,
Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But
whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall
never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in
him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
The woman saith unto him, Sir, give me this water, that I thirst not,
neither come hither to draw. Jesus saith unto her,
Go, call thy husband, and come hither.
The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her,
Thou hast well said, I have no husband: for thou hast had five
husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in
that saidst thou truly.
The woman said unto him, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our
fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is
the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her,
Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in
this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye
worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for
salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is,
when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God
_is_ a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship _him_ in
spirit and in truth.
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called
Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto
her,
I that speak unto thee am _he_.
And upon this came his disciples, and marvelled that he talked with the
woman: yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with
her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city,
and said to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever
I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came
unto him. In the meanwhile his disciples prayed him saying, Master, eat.
But he said unto them,
I have meat to eat that ye know not of.
Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him
_ought_ to eat? Jesus saith unto them,
My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish
his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and _then_
cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and
look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And
he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto
life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may
rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth,
and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye
bestowed no labor: other men labored, and ye are entered into
their labors.
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying
of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when
the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry
with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because
of his own word; and said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of
thy saying: for we have heard _him_ ourselves, and know that this is
indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
CHAPTER VII.
NOBLEMAN OF CAPERNAUM--PREACHES AT NAZARETH.
Now after two days he departed thence, and went into Galilee. For Jesus
himself testified that a prophet hath no honor in his own country. Then
when he was come into Galilee, the Galilaeans received him, having seen
all the things that he did at Jerusalem at the feast: for they also
went unto the feast.
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine.
And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum. When
he heard that Jesus was come out of Judea into Galilee, he went unto
him, and besought him that he would come down and heal his son: for he
was at the point of death. Then said Jesus unto him,
Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die. Jesus
saith unto him,
Go thy way: thy son liveth.
And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he
went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and
told _him_, saying, Thy son liveth. Then enquired he of them the hour
when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh
hour the fever left him. So the father knew that _it was_ at the same
hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself
believed, and his whole house. This _is_ again the second miracle _that_
Jesus did, when he was come out of Judea into Galilee. And Jesus
returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a
fame of him through all the region round about. And he taught in their
synagogues, being glorified of all.
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his
custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up
for to read. And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet
Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was
written, The Spirit of the Lord _is_ upon me, because he hath anointed
me to preach the Gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the
brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of
sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach
the acceptable year of the Lord.
And he closed the book, and he gave _it_ again to the minister, and sat
down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened
on him. And he began to say unto them,
This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.
And all bear him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which
proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son? And
he said unto them,
Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal
thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also
here in thy country.
And he said,
Verily, I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own
country. But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel
in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years
and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;
but unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, _a
city_ of Sidon, unto a woman _that was_ a widow. And many
lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and
none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman, the Syrian.
And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled
with wrath, and rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him
unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might
cast him down headlong. But he passing through the midst of them went
his way.
CHAPTER VIII.
MOVES TO CAPERNAUM--ANDREW AND PETER CALLED.
Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed
into Galilee; and leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, a
city of Galilee, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon
and Nephthalim: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias
the prophet, saying, The land of Zebulon, and the land of Nephthalim,
_by_ the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the
people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in
the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus
began to preach the gospel of the kingdom of God, and to say,
Repent: the time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at
hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called
Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea: for they were
fishers. And he saith unto them,
Follow me, and I will make you to become fishers of men.
And they straightway left _their_ nets, and followed him. And going on
a little farther thence, he saw other two brethren, James _the son_ of
Zebedee, and John his brother, in a ship with Zebedee their father,
mending their nets; and straightway he called them: and they immediately
left the ship and their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired
servants, and went after him.
And they went into Capernaum: and straightway on the sabbath day he
entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his
doctrine: for his word was with power: for he taught them as one that
had authority, and not as the scribes.
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean
devil, and cried out with a loud voice, saying, Let _us_ alone; what
have we to do with thee, _thou_ Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to
destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of God. And Jesus
rebuked him, saying,
Hold thy peace, and come out of him.
And when the devil had torn him, had thrown him in the midst, and cried
with a loud voice, he came out of him, and hurt him not.
And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among
themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine _is_ this?
What a word _is_ this! for with authority and power he commandeth even
the unclean spirits, and they do obey him, and they come out. And
immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region, into every
place of the country round about Galilee.
And forthwith, when they were come out of the synagogue, they entered
into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. And Simon's
wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and anon they tell him of
her; and they besought him for her. And he stood over her, and rebuked
the fever; and he came and took her by the hand, and lifted her up; and
immediately the fever left her, and she arose, and ministered unto them.
And at even, when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with
divers diseases brought them unto him; and them that were possessed with
devils: and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And
all the city was gathered together at the door.
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art
Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking _them_ suffered them not to
speak: for they knew that he was Christ. That it might be fulfilled
which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our
infirmities, and bare _our_ sicknesses. And in the morning, rising up a
great while before day, and when it was day, he went out, and departed
into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were
with him followed after him. And when they had found him, they said unto
him, All _men_ seek for thee. And he said unto them,
Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also:
for therefore came I forth.
And the people sought him, and came unto him, and stayed him, that he
should not depart from them. And he said unto them,
I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for
therefore am I sent.
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and
preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness
and all manner of disease among the people, and cast out devils. And his
fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick
people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those
which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatic, and
those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him
great multitudes of people from Galilee, and _from_ Decapolis, and from
Jerusalem, and _from_ Judea, and _from_ beyond Jordan.
CHAPTER IX.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT, NEAR CAPERNAUM.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was
set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught
them, saying,
Blessed _are_ the poor in spirit: for their's is the kingdom
of heaven. Blessed _are_ they that mourn: for they shall be
comforted. Blessed _are_ the meek: for they shall inherit the
earth. Blessed _are_ they which do hunger and thirst after
righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed _are_ the
merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in
heart: for they shall see God.
Blessed _are_ the peacemakers: for they shall be called the
children of God. Blessed _are_ they which are persecuted for
righteousness' sake: for their's is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are ye, when _men_ shall revile you, and persecute
_you_, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely,
for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great _is_
your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you.
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his
savor, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good
for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot
of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it
under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto
all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets: I
am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. For verily I say unto
you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one title shall in
no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least
commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the
least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and
teach _them_, the same shall be called great in the kingdom
of heaven. For I say unto you, That except your righteousness
shall exceed _the righteousness_ of the scribes and Pharisees,
ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the
judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his
brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment:
and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in
danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool,
shall be in danger of hell fire.
Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there
rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; leave
there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be
reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Agree with thine adversary quickly, whilst thou art in the way
with him; lest at any time the adversary deliver thee to the
judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be
cast into prison. Verily, I say unto thee, Thou shalt by no
means come out thence, till thou hast paid the uttermost
farthing.
Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt
not commit adultery: but I say unto you, That whosoever
looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery
with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend
thee, pluck it out, and cast _it_ from thee: for it is
profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not _that_ thy whole body should be cast into hell. And if thy
right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast _it_ from thee,
for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should
perish, and not _that_ thy whole body should be cast into
hell.
It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him
give her a writing of divorcement: But I say unto you, That
whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of
fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever
shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.
Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old
time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto
the Lord thine oaths: But I say unto you, Swear not at all;
neither by heaven; for it is God's throne: nor by the earth;
for it is his footstool: neither by Jerusalem; for it is the
city of the great King. Neither shalt thou swear by thy head,
because thou canst not make one hair white or black. But let
your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is
more than these cometh of evil.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a
tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not
evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn
to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the
law, and take away thy coat, let him have _thy_ cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him
twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would
borrow of thee turn not thou away.
Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy
neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love your
enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate
you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; that ye may be the children of your Father
which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil
and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the
unjust.
For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do
not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your
brethren only, what do ye more _than others_? do not even the
publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.
CHAPTER X.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONTINUED.
Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of
them; otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in
heaven. Therefore when thou doest _thine_ alms, do not sound a
trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues
and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I
say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest
alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:
that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth
in secret himself shall reward thee openly.
And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites
_are_: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues, and
in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when
thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut
thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy
Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.
But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen
_do_: for they think that they shall be heard for their much
speaking. Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father
knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. After
this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as _it is_ in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as
we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but
deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, for ever. Amen.
For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father
will also forgive you: but if ye forgive not men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad
countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may
appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have
their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head,
and wash thy face; that thou appear not unto men to fast, but
unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which
seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly.
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and
rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither
moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break
through nor steal. For where your treasure is, there will your
heart be also.
The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be
single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine
eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If
therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great
_is_ that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either
he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold
to the one, and despise the other, Ye cannot serve God and
mammon.
Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what
ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body,
what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the
body than raiment. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow
not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your
heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than
they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his
stature? And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the
lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do
they spin; and yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all
his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if
God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to
morrow is cast into the oven, _shall he_ not much more
_clothe_ you, O ye of little faith.
Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What
shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For
after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your
heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you. Take therefore
no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought
for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day _is_ the
evil thereof.
CHAPTER XI.
SERMON ON THE MOUNT, CONCLUDED.
Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye
judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it
shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the
mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the
beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy
brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and,
behold, a beam _is_ in thine own eye.
Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye;
and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of
thy brother's eye. Give not that which is holy unto the dogs,
neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample
them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find;
knock, and it shall be opened unto you: for every one that
asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that
knocketh it shall be opened.
Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will
he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a
serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts
unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is
in heaven give good things to them that ask him?
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to
you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the
prophets.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide _is_ the gate, and
broad _is_ the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many
there be which go in thereat: because strait _is_ the gate,
and narrow _is_ the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's
clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs
of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good
fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good
tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither _can_ a corrupt
tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not
forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into
the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father
which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord,
Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have
cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart
from me, ye that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house
upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and
the winds blew, and beat upon that house: and it fell not: for
it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth
them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his
house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it
fell: and great was the fall of it.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were
astonished at his doctrine: For he taught them as _one_ having
authority, and not as the Scribes. When he was come down from the
mountain, great multitudes followed him.
CHAPTER XII.
GREAT DRAUGHT OF FISHES--HEALS A LEPER--MATTHEW CALLED.
And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the
word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two ships
standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were
washing _their_ nets.
And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon's, and prayed him
that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and
taught the people out of the ship. Now when he had left speaking, he
said unto Simon,
Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a
draught.
And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night,
and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the
net. And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of
fishes: and their net brake. And they beckoned unto _their_ partners,
which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And
they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw _it_ he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, Depart
from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord. For he was astonished, and all
that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:
and so _was_ also James and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were
partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon,
Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.
And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and
followed him.
And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold, there came a
man full of leprosy to him, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him,
worshipped him, and fell on _his_ face, and besought him, saying, Lord,
if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And Jesus, moved with
compassion, put forth _his_ hand, and touched him, and saith unto him,
I will; be thou clean.
And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from him,
and he was cleansed. And he straightly charged him, and forthwith sent
him away; and saith unto him,
See thou say nothing to any man: but go thy way, shew thyself
to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing those things which
Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them.
But he went out, and began to publish _it_ much, and to blaze abroad
the matter. And great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed
by him of their infirmities, insomuch that Jesus could no more openly
enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and he withdrew
himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And they came to him from every
quarter. And again he entered into Capernaum after _some_ days; and it
was noised that he was in the house. And straightway many were gathered
together, insomuch that there was no room to receive _them_, no not so
much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.
And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there
were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of
every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the
Lord was _present_ to heal them.
And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was taken with a palsy;
which was borne of four. And they sought _means_ to bring him in, and to
lay _him_ before him. And when they could not find by what _way_ they
might bring him in, nigh unto him, because of the multitude, they went
upon the housetop, and uncovered the roof where he was: and when they
had broken _it_ up, they let him down through the tiling with _his_
couch wherein the sick of the palsy lay, into the midst before Jesus.
When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy,
Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.
And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, in their hearts, Why
doth this _man_ thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God
only? And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so
reasoned within themselves, he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them,
Why reason ye these things? Wherefore think ye evil in your
hearts? Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy,
_Thy_ sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy
bed and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath
power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the
palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go
thy way into thine house.
And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay,
and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
But when the multitudes saw _it_, they marvelled, and glorified God,
which had given such power unto men; and were filled with fear, saying,
We never saw it on this fashion. We have seen strange things to day.
And after these things he went forth again by the sea side; and all the
multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. And as Jesus passed
forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, (a publican named Levi)
the _son_ of Alpheus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and he said unto
him,
Follow me.
And he left all, rose up, and followed him.
And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: And it came to pass,
that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat
also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and
they followed him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with
publicans and sinners, they murmured against his disciples, saying, How
is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? When Jesus
heard _it_, he saith unto them,
They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they
that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners
to repentance.
And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast: and they
come and say unto him, Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees
fast, often, and make prayers, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus
said unto them,
Can ye make the children of the bridechamber fast, while the
bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom
with them, they cannot fast. But the days will come, when the
bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they
fast in those days.
And he spake also a parable unto them;
No man also seweth a piece of new cloth on an old garment:
else the new piece that filled it up taketh away from the old,
and the rent is made worse, and the piece that was _taken_ out
of the new agreeth not with the old.
And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new
wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles
shall perish. But new wine must be put into new bottles; and
both are preserved. No man also having drunk old _wine_
straightway desireth new: for he saith, The old is better.
CHAPTER XIII.
HEALING AT THE POOL--RESURRECTION FORETOLD.
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to
Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep _market_ a pool, which
is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these
lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered,
waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain
season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after
the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever
disease he had.
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight
years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time
_in that case_, he saith unto him,
Wilt thou be made whole?
The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him,
Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked:
and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It it the Sabbath day:
it is not lawful for thee to carry _thy_ bed. He answered them, He that
made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed and walk. Then
asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed,
and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had
conveyed himself away, a multitude being in _that_ place. Afterwards
Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him,
Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing
come unto thee.
The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made
him whole. And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to
slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus
answered them,
My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.
Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had
broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making
himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of
himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things
soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the
Father loveth the Son and sheweth him all things that himself
doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye
may marvel. For as the Father raises up the dead, and
quickeneth _them_; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will.
For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment
unto the Son; that all _men_ should honor the Son, even as
they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth
not the Father which hath sent him.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and
believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and
shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death
unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming,
and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of
God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father hath
life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in
himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment
also, because he is the Son of man.
Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all
that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come
forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of
life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of
damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I
judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own
will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. There is
another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the
witness which he witnesseth of me is true.
Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. But I
receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that
ye might be saved. He was a burning and a shining light: and
ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light.
But I have greater witness than _that_ of John: for the works
which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that
I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. And
the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of
me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his
shape. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he
hath sent, him ye believe not.
Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal
life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not
come to me, that ye might have life. I receive not honor from
men. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you.
I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if
another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. How
can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek
not the honor that _cometh_ from God only?
Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is
_one_ that accuseth you, _even_ Moses, in whom ye trust. For
had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote
of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye
believe my words?
CHAPTER XIV.
DISCIPLES IN THE CORN FIELD--WITHERED HAND.
And it came to pass on the second sabbath after the first, that Jesus
went through the corn fields; and his disciples were an hungered, and
began to pluck the ears of corn, and did eat, rubbing _them_ in _their_
hands. But when the Pharisees saw _it_, they said unto him, Behold, thy
disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day. But he
said unto them,
Have ye never read what David did, when he had need, and was
an hungered, he, and they that were with him? How he went into
the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest, and
did eat the shew bread, and gave also to them that were with
him, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for them
which were with him, but only for the priests.
Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days
the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are
blameless? But I say unto you, That in this place is _one_
greater than the temple. But if ye had known what _this_
meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice, ye would not
have condemned the guiltless.
And he said unto them,
The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:
therefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.
And it came to pass also on another sabbath, when he was departed
thence, that he entered into the synagogue and taught: and there was a
man there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and Pharisees
watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day.
And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days?
that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their
thoughts, and said to the man which had the withered hand,
Rise up and stand forth in the midst.
And he arose and stood forth. Then said Jesus unto them,
I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the sabbath days to
do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy _it_?
But they held their peace. And he said unto them,
What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep,
and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay
hold on it, and lift _it_ out? How much then is a man better
than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath
days.
And when he had looked round about on them with anger, being grieved for
the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man,
Stretch forth thine hand.
And he stretched _it_ forth; and his hand was restored whole as the
other. And they were filled with madness.
And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the
Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.
But when Jesus knew _it_, he withdrew himself from thence with his
disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him,
and from Judea, and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and _from_ beyond
Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had
heard what great things he did, came unto him.
And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him
because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed
many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as
had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before
him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged
them that they should not make him known:
That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet,
saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my
soul is well pleased: I will put my Spirit upon him, and he shall shew
judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not strive, nor cry; neither shall
any man hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed shall he not
break, and smoking flax shall he not quench, till he send forth judgment
unto victory. And in his name shall the Gentiles trust.
CHAPTER XV.
APOSTLES NAMED--WOES AND BLESSINGS--PRACTICAL LESSONS.
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to
pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
And when it was day, he called _unto him_ his disciples; whom he would:
and they came unto him. And of them he chose twelve, whom also he named
apostles; that they should be with him, and that he might send them
forth to preach, and to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out
devils.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, (whom
he also named Peter) and Andrew his brother; and James the _son_ of
Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and he surnamed them Boanerges,
which is, The sons of thunder: Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew the
publican; and Thomas, and James the _son_ of Alpheus, and Lebbeus, whose
surname was Thaddeus: (The same with Judas the brother of James,) and
Simon called Zelotes, (the Canaanite,) and Judas Iscariot, who also
betrayed him. And he came down with them, and stood in the plain, and
the company of his disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all
Judea and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, which
came to hear him, and to be healed of their diseases; and they that were
vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed. And the whole
multitude sought to touch him: for there went virtue out of him, and he
healed _them_ all. And he lifted up his eyes on his disciples, and said,
Blessed _be ye_ poor: for your's is the kingdom of God.
Blessed _are ye_ that hunger now: for ye shall be filled.
Blessed _are ye_ that weep now: for ye shall laugh. Blessed
are ye when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate
you _from their company_, and shall reproach _you_, and cast
out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. Rejoice ye
in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward _is_
great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto
the prophets.
But woe unto you that are rich! for ye have received your
consolation. Woe unto you that are full! for ye shall hunger.
Woe unto you that laugh now! for ye shall mourn and weep. Woe
unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did
their fathers to the false prophets.
But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to
them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for
them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth
thee on the _one_ cheek, offer also the other; and him that
taketh away thy cloak forbid not _to take thy_ coat also.
Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh
away thy goods ask _them_ not again. And as ye would that men
should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love
them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love
those that love them.
And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank
have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend _to
them_ of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for
sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again.
But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for
nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be
the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the
unthankful and _to_ the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as
your Father also is merciful.
CHAPTER XVI.
PRACTICAL LESSONS, CONTINUED--HEALS CENTURION'S SERVANT.
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye
shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:
give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed
down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give
into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete
withal it shall be measured to you again.
And he spake a parable unto them,
Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into
the ditch? The disciple is not above his master: but every one
that is perfect shall be as his master. And why beholdest thou
the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the
beam that is in thine own eye?
Either how canst thou say to thy brother, Brother, let me pull
out the mote that is in thine eye, when thou thyself beholdest
not the beam that is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast
out first the beam out of thine own eye, and then shalt thou
see clearly to pull out the mote that is in thy brother's eye.
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth
a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is
known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs,
nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of
the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is
good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the
heart his mouth speaketh.
And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I
say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth
them, I will shew you to whom he is like: he is like a man
which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation
on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat
vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was
founded upon a rock. But he that heareth, and doeth not, is
like a man that without a foundation built an house upon the
earth; against which the stream did beat vehemently, and
immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.
Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he
entered into Capernaum. And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear
unto him, was sick and ready to die.
And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews,
beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they
came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy
for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built
us a synagogue. And Jesus saith unto him,
I will come and heal him.
Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house,
the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not
thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:
wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but speak
the word only, and my servant shall be healed.
For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I
say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and
to my servant, Do this, and he doeth _it_. When Jesus heard these
things, he marveled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the
people that followed him,
Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no,
not in Israel. And I say unto you, That many shall come from
the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac,
and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the
kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be
weeping and gnashing of teeth.
And Jesus said unto the centurion,
Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, _so_ be it done unto
thee.
And his servant was healed in the self-same hour. And they that were
sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been
sick.
CHAPTER XVII.
WIDOW OF NAIN--MESSENGERS OF JOHN--WOES ON CAPERNAUM.
And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain:
and many of his disciples went with him, and much people. Now when he
came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried
out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of
the city was with her. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on
her, and said unto her,
Weep not.
And he came and touched the bier, and they that bare _him_ stood still.
And he said,
Young man, I say unto thee, Arise.
And he that was dead sat up, and began to speak. And he delivered him to
his mother. And there came a fear on all: and they glorified God,
saying, That a great prophet is risen up among us; and, That God hath
visited his people. And this rumor of him went forth throughout all
Judea, and throughout all the region round about. And the disciples of
John shewed him of all these things.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two
of his disciples to Jesus, saying, Art thou he that should come? or
look we for another? When the men were come unto him, they said, John
Baptist hath sent us unto thee, saying, Art thou he that should come? or
look we for another? And in that same hour he cured many of _their_
infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many _that were_
blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering said unto them,
Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard:
how that the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the
lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised
up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed
is _he_, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
And when the messengers of John were departed, Jesus began to say unto
the multitudes concerning John,
What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken
with the wind? But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed
in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft _clothing_--they
which are gorgeously apparelled, and live delicately, are in
king's courts. But what went ye out for to see? A prophet?
yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet. For this is _he_
of whom it is written, Behold I send my messenger before thy
face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.
Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women,
there hath not risen a greater prophet than John the Baptist:
notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is
greater than he. And from the days of John the Baptist until
now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent
take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied
until John. And if ye will receive _it_, this is Elias, which
was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And all the people that heard _him_, and the publicans, justified God,
being baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and lawyers
rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of
him. And the Lord said,
Whereunto then shall I liken the men of this generation? and
to what are they like? They are like unto children sitting in
the market place, and calling one to another, and saying, We
have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned
to you, and ye have not wept.
For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking
wine; and ye say, He hath a devil. The Son of man is come
eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and
a wine bibber, a friend of publicans and sinners! But wisdom
is justified of all her children.
Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works
were done, because they repented not:
Woe unto thee Chorasin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the
mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre
and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and
ashes. But I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for Tyre
and Sidon at the day of judgment, than for you.
And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shall be
brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been
done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained
until this day. But I say unto you, That it shall be more
tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than
for thee.
At that time Jesus answered and said,
I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou
hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast
revealed them unto babes. Even so Father: for so it seemed
good in thy sight. All things are delivered unto me of my
Father, and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither
knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and _he_ to
whomsoever the Son will reveal _him_.
Come unto me, all _ye_ that labor and are heavy laden, and I
will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto
your souls. For my yoke _is_ easy, and my burden is light.
CHAPTER XVIII.
WOMAN WASHES JESUS' FEET--BLIND AND DUMB DEVIL--BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE
HOLY GHOST.
And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he
went into the Pharisee's house, and sat down to meat. And, behold a
woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that _Jesus_ sat at
meat in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster box of ointment, and
stood at his feet behind _him_ weeping, and began to wash his feet with
tears, and did wipe _them_ with the hairs of her head, and kissed his
feet, and annointed _them_ with the ointment.
Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw _it_, he spake within
himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who
and what manner of woman _this is_ that toucheth him: for she is a
sinner. And Jesus answering said unto him,
Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee.
And he saith, Master, say on.
There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one
owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty. And when they
had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me
therefore, which of them will love him most?
Simon answered and said, I suppose that _he_, to whom he forgave most.
And he said unto him,
Thou hast rightly judged.
And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon,
Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest
me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with
tears, and wiped _them_ with the hairs of her head. Thou
gavest me no kiss; but this woman since the time I came in
hath not ceased to kiss my feet. My head with oil thou didst
not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with
ointment. Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many,
are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is
forgiven, _the same_ loveth little.
And he said unto her,
Thy sins are forgiven.
And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who
is this that forgiveth sins also? And he said to the woman,
Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and
village, preaching and showing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God:
and the twelve _were_ with him. And certain women, which had been healed
of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary called Magdalene, out of whom went
seven devils. And Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's steward, and
Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance.
And they went into an house.
And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much
as eat bread. And when his friends heard _of it_, they went out to lay
hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.
Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb;
and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw.
And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David?
But when the Pharisees and the scribes which came down from Jerusalem
heard _it_, they said, He hath Beelzebub. This _fellow_ doth not cast
out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew
their thoughts. And he called them _unto him_, and said unto them in
parables,
How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided
against itself, that kingdom cannot stand, and every city or
house divided against itself shall not stand: and if Satan
cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then
his kingdom stand? He cannot stand, but hath an end. And if I
by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast
_them_ out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I
cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God
is come unto you.
Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil
his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he
will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me;
and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore
I say unto you, All manner of sin shall be forgiven unto the
sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall
blaspheme: but the blasphemy _against_ the _Holy_ Ghost shall
not be forgiven unto men.
And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man it shall
be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy
Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world,
neither in the _world_ to come, but is in danger of eternal
damnation.
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make
the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known
by _his_ fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being
evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart
the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the
heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the
evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by
thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt
be condemned.
CHAPTER XIX.
PHARISEES SEEK A SIGN--JESUS TEACHES BY PARABLES.
Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying,
Master, we would see a sign from thee. But he answered and said unto
them,
An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and
there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the
prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in
the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and
three nights in the heart of the earth.
The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this
generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the
preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas _is_
here. The queen of the south shall rise up in the judgment
with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from
the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of
Solomon; and, behold, a greater than Solomon _is_ here.
When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh
through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. Then he
saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and
when he is come, he findeth _it_ empty, swept, and garnished.
Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits
more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
and the last _state_ of that man is worse than the first. Even
so shall it be also unto this wicked generation.
While he yet talked to the people, behold _his_ mother and his brethren
stood without, desiring to speak with him. And the multitude sat about
him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand
without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him
that told him,
Who is my mother? and who are my brethren?
And he looked round about on them which sat about him. And he stretched
forth his hand toward his disciples, and said,
Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the
will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother,
and sister, and mother.
The same day went Jesus out of the house. And he began again to teach by
the seaside: and great multitudes were gathered together, and were come
to him out of every city; so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the
sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. And he taught
them many things by parables, and said unto them in his doctrine,
Hearken; Behold, there went out a sower to sow his seed: and
it came to pass, as he sowed, some _seeds_ fell by the
way-side, and it was trodden down, and the fowls of the air
came and devoured them up.
Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth:
and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of
earth: and when the sun was up, they were scorched; and
because they had no root, they withered away; because it
lacked moisture.
And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up, and choked
it, and it yielded no fruit.
And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang
up, and increased; and brought forth, some thirty, some sixty,
and some an hundred.
And when he had said these things, he cried,
He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them
in parables? He answered and said unto them,
Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the
kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever
hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more
abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken
away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables:
because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not,
neither do they understand.
And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith,
By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing
ye shall see and shall not perceive: for this people's heart
is waxed gross and _their_ ears are dull of hearing, and their
eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with
_their_ eyes, and hear with _their_ ears, and should
understand with _their_ heart, and should be converted, and I
should heal them. But blessed _are_ your eyes, for they see:
and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That
many prophets and righteous _men_ have desired to see _those
things_ which ye see, and have not seen _them_; and to hear
_those things_ which ye hear, and have not heard _them_.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,
The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good
seed in his field: but while men slept, his enemy came and
sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the
blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared
the tares also.
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him,
Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence
then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done
this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go
and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up
the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow
together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will
say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and
bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into
my barn.
And he said,
So is the kingdom of God, as if a man should cast seed into
the ground; and should sleep, and rise night and day, and the
seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the
earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then
the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the
fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle,
because the harvest is come.
Another parable put he forth unto them, saying,
Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what
comparison shall we compare it? The kingdom of heaven is like
to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his
field: which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all
the seeds that be in the earth: but when it is sown, it
groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth
out great branches, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of
the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
Another parable spake he unto them,
The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took,
and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was
leavened.
And with many such parables spake he the word unto them, as they were
able to hear _it_. But without a parable spake he not unto them: that it
might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open
my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret
from the foundation of the world. And when they were alone, he expounded
all things to his disciples.
CHAPTER XX.
PARABLES AND INTERPRETATIONS.
Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and when he
was alone, they that were about him with the twelve disciples asked him,
saying, What might this parable be? And he said unto them,
Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of
God: but unto them that are without, all _these_ things are
done in parables; that seeing they may see, and not perceive;
and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any
time they should be converted, and _their_ sins should be
forgiven them.
And he said unto them,
Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all
parables. Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. Now the
parable is this: The seed is the word of God. The sower soweth
the word. Those by the way-side where the word is sown, are
they that hear the word of the kingdom; but when they have
heard, and understandeth _it_ not, then Satan cometh
immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their
hearts: lest they should believe and be saved. This is he
which received seed by the way-side.
And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground;
who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it
with gladness; and have no root in themselves, and so endure
but for a time: afterward, in time of temptation, when
affliction or persecution ariseth, for the word's sake,
immediately they are offended, and fall away.
And that which fell among thorns are they, which, when they
have heard the word, go forth, and the cares of this world,
and the deceitfulness of riches, and pleasures of _this_ life,
and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and
it becometh unfruitful.
And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as in
an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep _it_,
and bring forth fruit with patience; some thirty-fold, some
sixty, and some an hundred.
And he said unto them,
No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a
vessel, or putteth _it_ under a bushel, or under a bed: but
setteth _it_ on a candlestick, that they which enter in may
see the light. For there is nothing hid, which shall not be
manifested; neither was anything kept secret, that shall not
be known and come abroad. If any man have ears to hear, let
him hear.
And he said unto them,
Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be
measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given.
For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not,
from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
And his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of
the tares of the field. He answered and said unto them,
He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; the field is
the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but
the tares are the children of the wicked _one_; the enemy that
sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world;
and the reapers are the angels. As therefore the tares are
gathered and burned in the fire: so shall it be in the end of
this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and
they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend,
and them which do iniquity; and shall cast them into a furnace
of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then
shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of
their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a
field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy
thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that
field.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchantman,
seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of
great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast
into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was
full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good
into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end
of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the
wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the
furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
Jesus saith unto them,
Have ye understood all these things?
They say unto him, Yea, Lord. Then said he unto them,
Therefore every scribe _which is_ instructed unto the kingdom
of heaven is like unto a man _that is_ an householder, which
bringeth forth out of his treasure _things_ new and old.
Then came to him _his_ mother and his brethren, and could not come at
him for the press. And it was told him _by certain_ which said, Thy
mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. And he
answered and said unto them,
My mother and my brethren are those which hear the word of
God and do it.
CHAPTER XXI.
THE HOMELESS SAVIOUR--THE STORM--DEMONIAC.
And it came to pass, _that_ when Jesus had finished these parables, he
departed thence. And the same day, when the even was come, when Jesus
saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the
other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will
follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him,
The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air _have_ nests;
but the Son of man hath not where to lay _his_ head.
And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go
and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him,
Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
And when they had sent away the multitude, and when he was entered into
a ship, his disciples followed him. And he said unto them,
Let us go over unto the other side of the lake.
And there were also with him other little ships. And they launched
forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and, behold, there came down a
great storm of wind, on the lake: and the waves beat into the ship,
insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves; and they were filled
_with water_, and were in jeopardy. And he was in the hinder part of the
ship, asleep on a pillow: and his disciples came to _him_, and awoke
him, saying, Lord, save us: Master, master, carest thou not that we
perish? And he saith unto them,
Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith?
Then he arose and rebuked the winds, and the raging of the water: and
said unto the sea,
Peace, be still.
And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them,
Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?
But the men marvelled, and they feared exceedingly, and said one to
another, What manner of man is this? for he commandeth even the winds
and water, and they obey him. And they came over unto the other side of
the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes, which is over against
Galilee. And when he went forth to land, there met him out of the city a
certain man, which had devils long time, and ware no clothes, neither
abode in _any_ house, but in the tombs; exceeding fierce, so that no man
might pass by that way: and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:
because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the
chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in
pieces: neither could any _man_ tame him. And always, night and day, he
was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with
stones.
But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and fell down before him, and
worshipped him, and cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do
with thee, Jesus, _thou_ Son of the most high God? Art thou come hither
to torment us before the time? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment
me not. For he said unto him,
Come out of the man _thou_ unclean spirit.
(For oftentimes it had caught him: and he was kept bound with chains and
in fetters; and he brake the bands, and was driven of the devil into the
wilderness.) And Jesus asked him, saying,
What is thy name?
And he said Legion: because many devils were entered into him. And they
besought him that he would not command them to go out into the deep.
And there was a good way off from them, nigh unto the mountains a great
herd of swine feeding. And all the devils besought him, saying, If thou
cast us out, suffer us to go away into the herd of swine, that we may
enter into them. And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean
spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and, behold, the whole
herd of swine ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were
about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea. When they that fed
_them_ saw what was done, they fled, and went and told _it_ in the city
and in the country: and told everything, and what was befallen to the
possessed of the devils.
And, behold, the whole city came out to see what it was that was done.
And they come to Jesus, and found the man, out of whom the devils were
departed, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed, and in his right mind:
and they were afraid. They also which saw _it_ told them by what means
he that was possessed of the devils was healed; and _also_ concerning
the swine. Then the whole multitude of the country of the Gadarenes
round about, besought _him_ that he would depart out of their coast: for
they were taken with great fear: and he went up into the ship, and
returned back again.
And when he was come into the ship, the man out of whom the devils were
departed besought him that he might be with him: howbeit Jesus suffered
him not, but saith unto him,
Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the
Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
And he departed and began to publish throughout the whole city (in
Decapolis) how great things Jesus had done for him: and all _men_ did
marvel.
And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city.
And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned again by ship unto
the other side, much people _gladly_ received him: for they were all
waiting for him. And he was nigh unto the sea.
CHAPTER XXII.
CHILD HEALED--TOUCH OF FAITH--TWO BLIND MEN--EATS WITH PUBLICANS, ETC.
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many
publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And
when the Pharisees saw _it_, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth
your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard _that_, he
said unto them,
They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are
sick. But go ye and learn what _that_ meaneth, I will have
mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the
righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the
Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto
them,
Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the
bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the
bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.
No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for
that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment,
and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into
old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out,
and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new
bottles, and both are preserved.
While he spake these things unto them, behold, there cometh one of the
rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell
down at Jesus' feet, and besought him greatly, that he would come into
his house; saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: _I
pray thee_ come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and
she shall live. For he had one only daughter, about twelve years of age,
and she lay a dying. And Jesus arose, and followed him, and _so did_ his
disciples; and much people followed him, and thronged him.
And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve
years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent
all that she had, and was nothing bettered, neither could be healed of
any, but rather grew worse, when she had heard of Jesus, came in the
press behind, and touched the hem of his garment: for she said within
herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. And
straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in
_her_ body that she was healed of that plague. And Jesus immediately
knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in
the press, and said.
Who touched my clothes?
When all denied, Peter, and they that were with him, said, Master, Thou
seest the multitude throng thee and press _thee_, and sayest thou, Who
touched me? And Jesus said,
Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue hath gone
out of me.
And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. And when
the woman saw that she was not hid, she came fearing and trembling,
knowing what was done in her, and falling down before him, she declared
unto him all the truth, before all the people, for what cause she had
touched him, and how she was healed immediately. And when he saw her, he
said unto her,
Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole;
go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.
And the woman was made whole from that hour.
While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue's _house
certain_ which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master
any further? As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith
unto the ruler of the synagogue,
Be not afraid, only believe, and she shall be made whole.
And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John
the brother of James. And when Jesus came to the house of the ruler of
the synagogue, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise, and
them that wept and wailed greatly, he suffered no man to go in, save
Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
And all wept, and bewailed her. And when he was come in, he saith unto
them,
Why make ye this ado, and weep? Give place: for the maid is
not dead, but sleepeth.
And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. But when he
had put them all out, he taketh the Father and the mother of the damsel,
and them that were with him, and entered in where the damsel was lying.
And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her,
Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto
thee, Arise.
And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway, and walked: for
she was _of the age_ of twelve years. And her parents were astonished
with a great astonishment. And he charged them straitly that no man
should know it: and commanded that something should be given her to eat.
And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.
And when Jesus departed thence, two blind men followed him, crying and
saying, _Thou_ Son of David, have mercy on us. And when he was come into
the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus saith unto them,
Believe ye that I am able to do this?
They said unto him, Yea, Lord. Then touched he their eyes, saying,
According to your faith be it unto you.
And their eyes were opened: and Jesus straitly charged them, saying,
See _that_ no man know _it_.
But they, when they were departed, spread abroad his fame in all that
country.
As they went out, behold, they brought to him a dumb man possessed with
a devil. And when the devil was cast out, the dumb spake: and the
multitudes marvelled, saying, It was never so seen in Israel. But the
Pharisees said, He casteth out devils through the prince of the devils.
CHAPTER XXIII.
REVISITS NAZARETH--SENDS OUT THE TWELVE WITH INSTRUCTIONS.
And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his
disciples follow him. And when he was come into his own country, and
when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and
many hearing _him_ were astonished, saying, From whence hath this _man_
these things? And what wisdom _is_ this which is given unto him, that
even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the
carpenter? (the carpenter's son?) Is not his mother called Mary? and his
brethren, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? And his sisters, are
they not all with us? Whence then hath this _man_ all these things? And
they were offended in him. But Jesus said unto them,
A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country,
and among his own kin, and in his own house.
[Illustration: Nazareth--Residence of Jesus in Youth.]
And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief, save
that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed _them_. And he
marvelled because of their unbelief.
And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their
synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every
sickness and every disease among the people. But when he saw the
multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted,
and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. Then saith he
unto his disciples,
The harvest truly _is_ plenteous, but the laborers _are_ few;
pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send
forth laborers into his harvest.
And when he had called unto _him_ his twelve disciples, he gave them
power and authority over all devils, to cast them out, and to heal all
manner of sickness and all manner of disease. And he sent them forth by
two and two: to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. These
twelve, Jesus sent forth, and commanded them saying,
Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into _any_ city of
the Samaritans enter ye not: but go rather to the lost sheep
of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The
kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the
lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have
received, freely give.
And he said unto them,
Take nothing for _your_ journey, save a staff only; provide
neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, nor scrip
for _your_ journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, but _be_
shod with sandals; for the workman is worthy of his meat.
And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who
in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when
ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy,
let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your
peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor
hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city,
shake off the very dust from your feet for a testimony against
them. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for
the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than
for that city.
Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be
ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves. But
beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils,
and they will scourge you in their synagogues; and ye shall be
brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a
testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver
you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it
shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For
it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which
speaketh in you. And the brother shall deliver up the brother
to death, and the father the child: and the children shall
rise up against _their_ parents, and cause them to be put to
death. And ye shall be hated of all _men_ for my name's sake:
but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into
another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone
over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come.
The disciple is not above _his_ master, nor the servant above
his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his
master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the
master of the house Beelzebub, how much more _shall they call_
them of his household?
Fear them not therefore: for there is nothing covered that
shall not be revealed; and hid that shall not be known. What
I tell you in darkness _that_ speak ye in light: and what ye
hear in the ear, _that_ preach ye upon the house-tops.
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to
kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy
both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a
farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without
your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many
sparrows.
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But
whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny
before my Father which is in heaven.
Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to
send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at
variance against his father, and the daughter against her
mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And
a man's foes _shall be_ they of his own household. He that
loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and
he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of
me. And he that taketh not his cross and followeth after me,
is not worthy of me.
He that findeth his life shall lose it; and he that loseth his
life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you
receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent
me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall
receive a prophet's reward: and he that receiveth a righteous
man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous
man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of
these little ones a cup of cold _water_ only in the name of a
disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his
reward.
And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel,
that men should repent. And they cast out many devils, and anointed with
oil many that were sick, and healed _them_.
CHAPTER XXIV.
JOHN THE BAPTIST BEHEADED BY ORDER OF HEROD.
And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve
disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. At
that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, of all that was
done by him: (for his name was spread abroad:) and he was perplexed,
because that it was said of some, that John was risen from the dead: and
of some that Elias had appeared; and of others, that one of the old
prophets was risen again.
And Herod said, John have I beheaded: but who is this, of whom I hear
such things? And (he) said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist;
he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth
themselves in him: and he desired to see him. Others said, That it
is Elias. And others said, That it is a prophet, or as one of the
prophets. But when Herod heard _thereof_, he said, it is John, whom I
beheaded: he is risen from the dead.
For Herod himself had sent forth and laid hold upon John, and bound him
in prison for Herodias' sake, his brother Philip's wife: for he had
married her. For John had said unto Herod, It is not lawful for thee to
have thy brother's wife. Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him,
and would have killed him; but she could not: for Herod feared John,
knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when
he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.
And when a convenient day was come, that Herod on his birth day made a
supper to his lords, high captains, and chief _estates_ of Galilee; and
when the daughter of the said Herodias came in, and danced, and pleased
Herod and them that sat with him, the king said unto the damsel, Ask of
me whatsoever thou wilt, and I will give _it_ thee. Whereupon he
promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. And he sware
unto her, Whatsoever thou shalt ask of me, I will give _it_ thee, unto
the half of my kingdom. And she went forth, and said unto her mother,
What shall I ask? And she said, The head of John the Baptist.
And she, being before instructed of her mother, came in straightway with
haste unto the king, and asked saying, I will that thou give me by and
by in a charger the head of John the Baptist.
And the king was exceedingly sorry: _yet_ for his oath's sake, and for
their sakes which sat with him, he would not reject her. And immediately
the king sent an executioner, and commanded his head to be brought; and
he went and beheaded him in the prison. And brought his head in a
charger, and gave it to the damsel: and the damsel gave _it_ to her
mother. And when his disciples heard _of it_, they came and took up his
corpse, and laid it in a tomb, and went and told Jesus.
CHAPTER XXV.
JESUS FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND WITH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES.
And the apostles, when they were returned, gathered themselves together
unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what
they had taught. And he said unto them,
Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest awhile.
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as
to eat. After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is
_the sea_ of Tiberias, by ship privately, into a desert place belonging
to the city called Bethsaida. And the people saw them departing, and
many knew him, and ran afoot thither out of all cities, and outwent
them, and came together unto him, because they saw his miracles which he
did on them that were diseased.
And Jesus, when he came out, saw much people, and was moved with
compassion toward them, because they were as sheep not having a
shepherd: and he began to teach them many things; and spake unto them of
the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.
And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh. When Jesus then lifted
up _his_ eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto
Philip,
Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient
for them, that every one of them may take a little. And when it was
evening, his disciples, the twelve, came unto him, and said, This is a
desert place, and now the time _is_ far passed: send them away, that
they may go into the towns and country round about, and lodge, and buy
themselves bread: for they have nothing to eat: for we are here in a
desert place. But Jesus said unto them,
They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
And they say unto him, Shall we go and buy two hundred pennyworth of
bread, and give them to eat? He saith unto them,
How many loaves have ye? go and see.
And when they knew, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's
brother, saith unto him, There is a lad here, which hath five barley
loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? We have
no more but five loaves and two fishes: except we should go and buy meat
for all this people. For they were about five thousand men. He said,
Bring them hither to me.
And he said to his disciples,
Make them sit down by fifties in a company upon the green
grass.
Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in ranks, by
hundreds, and by fifties, in number about five thousand. And when Jesus
had taken the five loaves and the two fishes, and when he had given
thanks, looking up to heaven, he blessed them and brake the loaves, and
gave the loaves to _his_ disciples, and the disciples to the multitude
that were set down: and likewise the two fishes divided he among them
all; as much as they would. And they did all eat, and were filled. When
they were filled, he said unto his disciples,
Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.
Therefore they gathered _them_ together, and filled twelve baskets with
the fragments of the five barley loaves, and of the fishes, which
remained over and above unto them that had eaten. And they that had
eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
CHAPTER XXVI.
WALKS ON THE SEA--MOUNTAIN CLOSET--PETER SINKING.
Then those men when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This
is of a truth that prophet that should come into the world.
And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and
to go before him unto the other side, unto Bethsaida, while he sent away
the people.
When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by
force, to make him a king, and when he had sent the multitudes away, he
departed again into a mountain himself alone, to pray. And when even was
_now_ come, his disciples went down unto the sea, and entered into a
ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and
Jesus was not come to them. But the ship was now in the midst of the
sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary: and he alone on the
land.
And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew. And he saw them
toiling in rowing: for the wind was contrary unto them. So when they had
rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, and about the fourth
watch of the night, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh
unto the ship: and would have passed by them. And when the disciples
saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit;
and they cried out for fear: for they all saw him, and were troubled.
But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying,
Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto
thee on the water. And he said,
Come.
And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water to
go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and
beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately
Jesus stretched forth _his_ hand, and caught him, and said unto him,
O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
Then they willingly received him into the ship. And when they were come
into the ship the wind ceased: and immediately the ship was at the land
whither they went.
Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a
truth thou art the Son of God. And they were sore amazed in themselves
beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not _the miracle_ of
the loaves: for their heart was hardened.
And when they had passed over, they came into the land of Gennesaret,
and drew to the shore. And when they were come out of the ship, and when
the men of that place had knowledge of him, they sent out into all that
country; and ran through that whole region round about, and began to
carry about in beds those that were sick, where they heard he was. And
whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they
laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if
it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were
made whole. The day following when the people which stood on the other
side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one
whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his
disciples into the boat, but _that_ his disciples were gone away alone:
(howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place where
they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks;) when the
people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples,
they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.
CHAPTER XXVII.
JESUS THE BREAD OF LIFE FOR THE WORLD.
And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto
him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw
the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were
filled. Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that
meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of
man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works
of God? Jesus answered and said unto them,
This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath
sent.
They said therefore unto him, What sign showest thou then, that we may
see, and believe thee? what dost thou work? Our fathers did eat manna
in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Then said Jesus unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread
from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread from
heaven. For the bread of God is he that cometh down from
heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread. And Jesus
said unto them,
I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never
hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. But I
said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. All
that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that
cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. For I came down from
heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of
all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should
raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him
that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and
believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise
him up at the last day.
The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which
came down from heaven. And they said, Is not this Jesus the son of
Joseph, whose father and mother we know? how is it then that he saith, I
came down from heaven? Jesus therefore answered and said unto them,
Murmur not among yourselves. No man can come to me, except the
Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at
the last day. It is written in the prophets, And they shall be
all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and
hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me. Not that any man
hath seen the Father, save he which is of God, he hath seen
the Father. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth
on me hath everlasting life. I am that bread of life. Your
fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is
the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat
thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down
from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live
forever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I
will give for the life of the world.
The Jews therefore strove among themselves saying, How can this man give
us _his_ flesh to eat? Then said Jesus unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the
Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso
eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and
I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat
indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my
flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As
the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father, so
he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that
bread which came down from heaven; not as your fathers did eat
manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live
forever.
These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. Many
therefore of his disciples, when they had heard _this_, said, This is an
hard saying; who can hear it? When Jesus knew in himself that his
disciples murmured at it, he said unto them,
Doth this offend you? _What_ and if ye shall see the Son of
man ascend up where he was before? It is the Spirit that
quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I
speak unto you, _they_ are spirit, and _they_ are life. But
there are some of you that believe not.
For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and
who should betray him. And he said,
Therefore I said unto you, that no man can come unto me,
except it were given unto him of my Father.
From that _time_ many of his disciples went back, and walked no more
with him. Then said Jesus unto the twelve,
Will ye also go away?
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the
words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that
Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus answered them,
Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil.
He spake of Judas Iscariot, _the son_ of Simon; for he it was that
should betray him, being one of the twelve.
CHAPTER XXVIII.
PHARISEES MURMUR--WASHINGS AND OTHER TRADITIONS.
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes,
which came from Jerusalem. And when they saw some of his disciples eat
bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen hands, they found
fault. For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash _their_
hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. And _when they
come_ from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other
things there be, which they have received to hold, _as_ the washing of
cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables.
Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why do thy disciples
transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands
when they eat bread. But he answered and said unto them,
Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your
tradition? Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye
may keep your own tradition. For God commanded, saying, Honor
thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother,
let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to
_his_ father or _his_ mother, _It is_ Corban, that is to say,
a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; and
honor not his father or his mother, _he shall be free_. Thus
have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your
tradition. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his
father or his mother; making the word of God of none effect
through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such
like things do ye.
_Ye_ hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This
people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoreth me
with _their_ lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain
do they worship me, teaching _for_ doctrines the commandments
of men. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the
tradition of men, _as_ the washing of pots and cups: and many
other such things ye do.
And when he had called all the people _unto him_, he said unto them,
Hearken unto me every one _of you_, and understand: there is
nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile
him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that
defile the man. If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
And when he was entered into the house from the people, then came his
disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were
offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said,
Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall
be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the
blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into
the ditch.
Then answered Peter, and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.
And Jesus said,
Are ye also yet without understanding? Do not ye yet
understand, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into
the man, _it_ cannot defile him; because it entereth not into
his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught,
purging all meats? But those things which proceed out of the
mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. For
from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts,
adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness,
wickedness, false witness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil
eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: all these evil things come
from within, and defile the man: but to eat with unwashen
hands defileth not a man.
CHAPTER XXIX.
SYROPHENICIAN WOMAN--BLIND MEN--FEEDS FOUR THOUSAND.
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon.
And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried
unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord _thou_ Son of David: my
daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a
word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away,
for she crieth after us. But he answered and said,
I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
And (he) entered into an house, and would have no man know _it_: but he
could not be hid. For a _certain_ woman, whose young daughter had an
unclean spirit, heard of him, and came and fell at his feet, and
worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. The woman was a Greek, a
Syrophenician by nation: and she besought him that he would cast forth
the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said unto her,
Let the children first be filled; for it is not meet to take
the children's bread, and to cast _it_ unto the dogs.
And she answered and said unto him, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs under the
table, eat of the children's crumbs which fall from their masters'
table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her,
O woman, great _is_ thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou
wilt.
And he said unto her,
For this saying go thy way; the devil is gone out of thy
daughter.
And her daughter was made whole from that very hour. And when she was
come to her house, she found the devil gone out, and her daughter laid
upon the bed.
And again Jesus departed from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, and came
nigh unto the sea of Galilee: through the midst of the coasts of
Decapolis. And they bring unto him one that was deaf, and had an
impediment in his speech; and they beseech him to put his hand upon him.
And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his
ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue; and looking up to heaven, he
sighed, and saith unto him,
Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
And straightway his ears were opened, and the string of his tongue was
loosed, and he spake plain. And he charged them that they should tell no
man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they
published _it_; and were beyond measure astonished, saying, He hath
done all things well: he maketh both the deaf to hear, and the dumb to
speak.
And (Jesus) went up into a mountain, and sat down there. And great
multitudes came unto him, having with them _those that were_ lame,
blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus' feet;
and he healed them; insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw
the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the
blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat,
Jesus called his disciples _unto him_, and saith unto them,
I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been
with me three days, and have nothing to eat: and if I send
them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the
way.
For divers of them came from far. And his disciples say unto him, Whence
should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fill so great a
multitude? And Jesus saith unto them,
How many loaves have ye?
And they said, Seven, and a few little fishes. And he commanded the
multitude to sit down on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and
the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake _them_, and gave to his
disciples, to set before _them_; and they did set _them_ before the
people. And they had a few small fishes; and he blessed, and commanded
to set them also before _them_. And they did all eat, and were filled:
and they took up of the broken _meat_ that was left seven baskets full.
And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.
CHAPTER XXX.
PHARISEES ASK A SIGN--REASONS FOR FAITH--BLIND MEN.
And he sent away the multitude. And straightway he entered into a ship
with his disciples, and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees
also with the Sadducees came forth, and began to question with him, and
tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven. He
answered and said unto them,
When it is evening, ye say, _It will be_ fair weather: for the
sky is red. And in the morning, _It will be_ foul weather to
day: for the sky is red and lowering. O _ye_ hypocrites, ye
can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not _discern_ the
signs of the times? A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh
after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but
the sign of the prophet Jonas.
And he sighed deeply in his spirit, and saith,
Why doth this generation seek after a sign? verily I say unto
you, There shall no sign be given unto this generation.
And he left them, and entering into the ship again departed to the other
side. And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had
forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more
than one loaf. Then Jesus charged them, saying,
Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the
Sadducees, and _of_ the leaven of Herod.
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, _It is_ because we have
taken no bread. _Which_ when Jesus perceived, he said unto them,
O ye of little faith, Why reason ye among yourselves, because
ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand? Perceive
ye not yet, neither understand? Have ye your heart yet
hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye
not? and do ye not remember the five loaves of the five
thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven
loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many
baskets full of fragments took ye up?
They say unto him, Twelve.
And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full
of fragments took ye up?
And they said, Seven. And he said unto them,
How is it that ye do not understand that I spake _it_ not to
you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Then understood they how that he bade _them_ not beware of the leaven
of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and
besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and
led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his
hands upon him, he asked him if he saw aught. And he looked up, and
said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put _his_ hands again
upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every
man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying,
Neither go into the town, nor tell _it_ to any in the town.
CHAPTER XXXI.
JESUS FORETELLS HIS DEATH AND RESURRECTION.
And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Cesarea
Philippi: and it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples
were with him: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them,
Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
And they said, Some _say that thou art_ John the Baptist: some, Elias;
and others, Jeremias, or, that one of the old prophets is risen again.
He said unto them,
But whom say ye that I am?
And Simon Peter answered and said unto him, Thou art the Christ, the Son
of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him,
Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not
revealed _it_ unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. And
I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock,
I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the
kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth
shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on
earth shall be loosed in heaven.
Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was
Jesus the Christ.
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that
he, the Son of man, must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things and
be rejected of the elders, and _of_ the chief priests, and scribes and
be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying
openly.
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from
thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But when he had turned about
and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter saying,
Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for
thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be
of men.
And when he had called the people _unto him_ with his disciples also, he
said to them all,
Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take
up his cross, daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save
his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for
my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what
shall it profit a man, what is a man advantaged, if he shall
gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or be cast away?
or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the
Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his
angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his
works. Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my
words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also
shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own
glory, and _in his_ Father's, and of the holy angels.
And he said unto them,
Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand
here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the
kingdom of God come with power.
[Illustration: Mount Tabor.]
CHAPTER XXXII.
TRANSFIGURATION--CURES A DEMONIAC.
And after six days Jesus taketh _with him_ Peter, and James, and John
his brother, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by
themselves, to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance
was altered, and he was transfigured before them: and his face did shine
as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light, _and_ glistering,
exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.
And, behold, there appeared unto them two men, which were Moses and
Elias: who appeared in glory, and they were talking with Jesus, and
spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.
But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when
they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with
him. And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto
Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here. If thou wilt, let us make
here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for
Elias. For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid.
While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and they
feared as they entered into the cloud. And there came a voice out of the
cloud, which said, This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased:
hear ye him. And when the disciples heard _it_, they fell on their
face, and were sore afraid. And when the voice was past, Jesus came and
touched them and said,
Arise, and be not afraid.
And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any
more, save Jesus only with themselves. And they kept _it_ close, and
told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.
And it came to pass, that on the next day, as they came down from the
mountain, Jesus charged them, that they should tell no man what things
they had seen, till the son of man were risen from the dead. And they
kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the
rising from the dead should mean. And his disciples asked him, saying,
why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered
and said unto them,
Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things; and how
it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many
things, and be set at nought. But I say unto you, That Elias
is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him
whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him. Likewise
shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the
Baptist. When they were come down from the hill, much people met him.
And when he came to _his_ disciples, he saw a great multitude about
them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the
people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to _him_
saluted him. And he asked the scribes,
What question ye with them?
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a _certain_
man, kneeling down to him, and saying, Master, I have brought unto thee
my son: which hath a dumb spirit; I beseech thee, look upon my son: for
he is mine only child. Lord, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic,
and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the fire, and oft into the
water. And, lo, a spirit taketh him, and he suddenly crieth out; and
wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth
with his teeth, and pineth away: and bruising him hardly departeth from
him. And I brought him to thy disciples, that they should cast him out;
and they could not cure him. Then Jesus answered and said,
O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with
you? how long shall I suffer you? Bring thy son hither.
And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the
spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he
asked his father,
How long is it ago since this came unto him?
And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire,
and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have
compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him,
If thou canst believe, all things _are_ possible to him that
believeth.
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears,
Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people
came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him,
_Thou_ dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him,
and enter no more into him.
And _the spirit_ cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he
was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him
by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And the child was cured
from that very hour. And (Jesus) delivered him again to his father. And
when he was come into the house, then came the disciples to Jesus apart,
and asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said
unto them,
Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye
have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this
mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove;
and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind
can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
CHAPTER XXXIII.
DEATH FORETOLD AGAIN--PAYS TRIBUTE--CAUTION AGAINST GIVING OFFENCE.
After these things Jesus departed thence, and passed through Galilee;
for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him. And
he would not that any man should know _it_. And they were all amazed at
the mighty power of God. But while they wondered every one at all things
which Jesus did, he said unto his disciples,
Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man
shall be betrayed into the hands of men: and they shall kill
him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third
day.
But they understood not that saying, and it was hid from them, that they
perceived it not: and they feared to ask him of that saying. And they
were exceeding sorry.
Then there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be
greatest. And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received
tribute _money_ came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay
tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus
prevented him, saying,
What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth
take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of
strangers?
Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him,
Then are the children free. Notwithstanding, lest we should
offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up
the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his
mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money; that take, and give
unto them for me and thee.
And being in the house he asked them,
What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?
But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among
themselves, who _should be_ the greatest. And Jesus perceiving the
thought of their heart, sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto
them,
If any man desire to be first, _the same_ shall be last of
all, and servant of all.
And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had
taken him in his arms, he said unto them,
Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name,
receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not
me, but him that sent me, for he that is least among you all,
the same shall be great.
And John answered and said, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy
name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth
not with us. And Jesus said unto him,
Forbid _him_ not: for there is no man which shall do a
miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. For he
that is not against us is on our part. For whosoever shall
give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong
to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his
reward. And whosoever shall offend one of _these_ little ones
that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were
hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee
to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee
to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into
hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their
worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for
thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than
having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: where their worm
dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice
shall be salted with salt. Salt _is_ good: but if the salt
have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt
in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
CHAPTER XXXIV.
LESSONS OF HUMILITY AND FORGIVENESS
At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus, saying, Who is the
greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little child unto
him, and set him in the midst of them, and said,
Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as
little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of
heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this
little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name
receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones
which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone
were hanged about his neck, and _that_ he were drowned in the
depth of the sea.
Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be
that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence
cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut
them off, and cast _them_ from thee: it is better for thee to
enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands
or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire.
And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast _it_
from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one
eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire.
Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I
say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the
face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is
come to save that which was lost.
How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them
be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and
goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone
astray. And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you,
he rejoiceth more of that _sheep_, than of the ninety and nine
which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your
Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones
should perish.
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and
tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall
hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not
hear _thee, then_ take with thee one or two more, that in the
mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.
And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell _it_ unto the
church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto
thee as an heathen man and a publican.
Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall
be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth
shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two
of you shall agree on earth as touching anything that they
shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in
heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my
name, there am I in the midst of them.
Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin,
against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him,
I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy
times seven. Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a
certain king, which would take account of his servants. And
when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which
owed him ten thousand talents. But for as much as he had not
to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife and
children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The
servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord,
have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. Then the lord
of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and
forgave him the debt.
But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow
servants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands
on him, and took _him_ by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou
owest. And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and
besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay
thee all. And he would not: but went and cast him into prison,
till he should pay the debt.
So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very
sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.
Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O
thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because
thou desiredst me; shouldest not thou also have had compassion
on thy fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?
And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors,
till he should pay all that was due unto him. So likewise
shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your
hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
CHAPTER XXXV.
JESUS AT THE FEAST--RETURN OF THE OFFICERS OF THE CHIEF PRIESTS
Now the Jew's feast of tabernacles was at hand. His brethren therefore
said unto him, Depart hence, and go into Judea, that thy disciples also
may see the works that thou doest. For _there is_ no man _that_ doeth
anything in secret, and he himself seeketh to be known openly. If thou
do these things, shew thyself to the world. For neither did his brethren
believe in him. Then Jesus said unto them,
My time is not yet come: but your time is always ready. The
world cannot hate you; but me it hateth, because I testify of
it, that the works thereof are evil. Go ye up unto this feast:
I go not up yet unto this feast; for my time is not yet full
come.
When he had said these words unto them, he abode _still_ in Galilee.
But when his brethren were gone up, then went he also up unto the feast,
not openly, but as it were in secret.
Then the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, where is he? And there
was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is
a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people. Howbeit no
man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews.
Now about the midst of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and
taught. And the Jews marvelled, saying, How knoweth this man letters,
having never learned? Jesus answered them, and said,
My doctrine is not mine, but his that sent me. If any man will
do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of
God, or _whether_ I speak of myself. He that speaketh of
himself seeketh his own glory: but he that seeketh his glory
that sent him, the same is true, and no unrighteousness is in
him. Did not Moses give you the law, and _yet_ none of you
keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
The people answered and said, Thou hast a devil: who goeth about to kill
thee? Jesus answered and said unto them,
I have done one work, and ye all marvel. Moses therefore gave
unto you circumcision; (not because it is of Moses, but of the
fathers;) and ye on the sabbath day circumcise a man. If a man
on the sabbath day receive circumcision, that the law of Moses
should not be broken; are ye angry at me, because I have made
a man every whit whole on the sabbath day? Judge not according
to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Then said some of them of Jerusalem, Is not this he, whom they seek to
kill? But, lo, he speaketh boldly, and they say nothing unto him. Do the
rulers know indeed that this is the very Christ? Howbeit we know this
man whence he is, but when Christ cometh, no man knoweth whence he is.
Then cried Jesus in the temple as he taught, saying,
Ye both know me, and ye know whence I am: and I am not come of
myself, but he that sent me is true, whom ye know not. But I
know him: for I am from him, and he hath sent me.
Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his
hour was not yet come. And many of the people believed on him, and said,
When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this _man_
hath done? The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things
concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to
take him. Then said Jesus unto them,
Yet a little while am I with you, and _then_ I go unto him
that sent me. Ye shall seek me, and shall not find _me_: and
where I am, _thither_ ye cannot come.
Then said the Jews among themselves, Whither will he go, that we shall
not find him? will he go unto the dispersed among the Gentiles, and
teach the Gentiles? What _manner of_ saying is this that he said, Ye
shall seek me, and shall not find _me_: and where I am, _thither_ ye
cannot come? In the last day that great _day_ of the feast, Jesus stood
and cried, saying,
If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that
believeth on me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly
shall flow rivers of living water.
(But this spake he of the spirit, which they that believe on him should
receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet _given_; because that Jesus was
not yet glorified.)
Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a
truth this is the Prophet. Others said, This is the Christ. But some
said, Shall Christ come out of Galilee? Hath not the Scripture said,
That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of
Bethlehem, where David was? So there was a division among the people
because of him. And some of them would have taken him; but no man laid
hands on him.
Then came the officers to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said
unto them, Why have ye not brought him? The officers answered, Never man
spake like this man. Then answered them the Pharisees, Are ye also
deceived? Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
But this people who knoweth not the law are cursed.
Nicodemus saith unto them, (he that came to Jesus by night, being one of
them,) Doth our law judge _any_ man, before it hear him, and know what
he doeth? They answered and said unto him, Art thou also of Galilee?
Search, and look: for out of Galilee ariseth no prophet. And every man
went unto his own house. Jesus went unto the mount of Olives.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE CONVICTED ACCUSERS--JESUS THE LIGHT OF THE WORLD.
And early in the morning he came again into the temple, and all the
people came unto him; and he sat down, and taught them. And the scribes
and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they
had set her in the midst, they say unto him, Master, this woman was
taken in adultery, in the very act. Now Moses in the law commanded us,
that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? This they said,
tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped
down, and with _his_ finger wrote on the ground, _as though he heard
them not_. So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and
said unto them,
He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone
at her.
And again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. And they which heard
_it_, being convicted by _their own_ conscience, went out one by one,
beginning at the eldest, _even_ unto the last: and Jesus was left alone,
and the woman standing in the midst. When Jesus had lifted up himself,
and saw none but the woman, he said unto her,
Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned
thee?
She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her,
Neither do I condemn thee: go and sin no more.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying,
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not
walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself;
thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them,
Though I bear record of myself, _yet_ my record is true: for I
know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell
whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I
judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I
am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also
written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I
am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent
me, beareth witness of me.
Then said they unto him, Where is thy father? Jesus answered,
Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye
should have known my Father also.
These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple; and
no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus
again unto them,
I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins:
whither I go, ye cannot come.
Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I
go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them,
Ye are from beneath: I am from above: ye are of this world; I
am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye
shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am _he_,
ye shall die in your sins.
Then they said unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them,
Even _the same_ that I said unto you from the beginning. I
have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent
me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have
heard of him.
They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus
unto them,
When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that
I am _he_, and _that_ I do nothing of myself; but as my Father
hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is
with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always
those things that please him.
As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those
Jews which believed on him,
If ye continue in my word, _then_ are ye my disciples indeed;
and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you
free.
They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to
any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is
the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house
for ever: _but_ the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore
shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye
are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word
hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my
Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus said unto
them,
If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of
Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you
the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye
do the deeds of your Father.
Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one
Father, _even_ God. Jesus said unto them,
If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded
forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent
me. Why do ye not understand my speech? _even_ because ye
cannot hear my word. Ye are of _your_ father the devil, and
the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from
the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no
truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own:
for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell
_you_ the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me
of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He
that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear _them_
not, because ye are not of God.
Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art
a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered,
I have not a devil; but I honor my Father, and ye do dishonor
me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh
and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my
saying, he shall never see death.
Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham
is dead, and the prophets, and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he
shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham,
which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
Jesus answered,
If I honor myself, my honor is nothing: it is my Father that
honoreth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have
not known him: but I know him: and if I should say, I know
him not, I shall be a liar like unto you; but I know him, and
keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day;
and he saw _it_, and was glad.
Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast
thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went
out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.
CHAPTER XXXVII.
A MAN BORN BLIND, HEALED, EXAMINED AND EXCOMMUNICATED.
And as _Jesus_ passed by, he saw a man which was blind from _his_ birth.
And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or
his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered,
Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the
works of God should be made manifest in him. I must work the
works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh,
when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the
light of the world.
When he had thus spoken, he spat on the ground, and made clay of the
spittle, and he anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay, and
said to him,
Go, wash in the pool of Siloam, (which is by interpretation,
Sent.)
He went his way therefore, and washed, and came seeing.
The neighbors therefore, and they which before had seen him that he was
blind, said, Is not this he that sat and begged? Some said, This is he:
others _said_, He is like him: _but_ he said I am _he_. Therefore said
they unto him, How were thine eyes opened? He answered and said, A man
that is called Jesus made clay, and anointed mine eyes, and said unto
me, go to the pool of Siloam, and wash: and I went and washed, and I
received sight. Then said they unto him, Where is he? He said, I know
not.
They brought to the Pharisees him that aforetime was blind. And it was
the sabbath day when Jesus made the clay, and opened his eyes. Then
again the Pharisees also asked him how he had received his sight. He
said unto them, He put clay upon mine eyes, and I washed, and do see.
Therefore said some of the Pharisees, This man is not of God, because
he keepeth not the sabbath day. Others said, How can a man that is a
sinner do such miracles? And there was a division among them. They say
unto the blind man again, What sayest thou of him, that he hath opened
thine eyes? He said, He is a prophet.
But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and
received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had
received his sight. And they asked them, saying, Is this your son, who
ye say was born blind? how then doth he now see? His parents answered
them and said, We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind:
but by what means he now seeth, we know not; or who hath opened his
eyes, we know not: he is of age; ask him: he shall speak for himself.
These _words_ spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the
Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess, that he was
Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue. Therefore said his
parents, He is of age: ask him.
Then again called they the man that was blind, and said unto him, Give
God the praise: we know that this man is a sinner. He answered and said,
Whether he be a sinner _or no_, I know not: one thing I know, that,
whereas I was blind, now I see. Then said they to him again, What did he
to thee? how opened he thine eyes? He answered them, I have told you
already, and ye did not hear: wherefore would ye hear _it_ again? will
ye also be his disciples?
Then they reviled him, and said, Thou art his disciple; but we are
Moses' disciples. We know that God spake unto Moses: _as_ for this
_fellow_, we know not from whence he is. The man answered and said unto
them, Why herein is a marvellous thing, that ye know not from whence he
is, and _yet_ he hath opened mine eyes. Now we know that God heareth not
sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him
he heareth. Since the world began was it not heard that any man opened
the eyes of one that was born blind. If this man were not of God, he
could do nothing. They answered and said unto him, Thou wast altogether
born in sins, and dost thou teach us? And they cast him out.
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he
said unto him,
Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? And
Jesus said unto him,
Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe, And he worshipped him. And Jesus said,
For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see
not, might see; and that they which see, might be made blind.
And _some_ of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and
said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto them,
If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We
see; therefore your sin remaineth.
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
PARABLE OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the
door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the
same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the
door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth;
and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by
name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them,
and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a
stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for
they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things
they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again,
Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the
sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter
in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill,
and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that
they might have _it_ more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for
the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd,
whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and
leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catches them, and
scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an
hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good
shepherd, and know my _sheep_, and am known of mine. As the
Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down
my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also
I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be
one fold, _and_ one shepherd. Therefore doth my Father love
me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No
man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself, I have
power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This
commandment have I received of my Father.
There was a division therefore again among the Jews for these sayings.
And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?
Others said, these are not the words of him that hath a devil. Can a
devil open the eyes of the blind?
And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter.
And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon's porch. Then came the Jews
round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to
doubt? If thou be the Christ, tell us plainly. Jesus answered them,
I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my
Father's name, they bear witness of me. But ye believe not,
because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. My sheep
hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give
unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither
shall any _man_ pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which
gave _them_ me, is greater than all; and no _man_ is able to
pluck _them_ out of my Father's hand. I and _my_ Father are
one.
Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them,
Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of
those works do ye stone me?
The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but
for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.
Jesus answered them,
Is it not written in your law, I said, Ye are gods? If he
called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the
Scripture cannot be broken; Say ye of him, whom the Father
hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest;
because I said I am the Son of God? If I do not the works of
my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not
me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the
Father _is_ in me, and I in him.
Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their
hand, and went away again beyond Jordan into the place were John at
first baptized; and there he abode. And many resorted unto him, and
said, John did no miracle: but all things that John spake of this man
were true. And many believed on him there.
CHAPTER XXXIX.
JESUS RAISES LAZARUS--JEWS SEEK HIS LIFE.
Now a certain _man_ was sick, _named_ Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of
Mary and her sister Martha. (It was _that_ Mary which anointed the Lord
with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus
was sick.) Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he
whom thou lovest is sick. When Jesus heard _that_, he said,
This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God,
that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.
Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When he had heard
therefore that he was sick, he abode two days still in the same place
where he was. Then after that saith he to _his_ disciples,
Let us go into Judea again.
_His_ disciples say unto him, Master, the Jews of late sought to stone
thee; and goest thou thither again? Jesus answered,
Are there not twelve hours in the day? If any man walk in the
day, he stumbleth not, because he seeth the light of this
world. But if a man walk in the night, he stumbleth, because
there is no light in him.
These things said he: and after that he saith unto them,
Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him
out of sleep.
Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. Howbeit
Jesus spake of his death; but they thought that he had spoken of taking
of rest in sleep. Then said Jesus unto them plainly,
Lazarus is dead. And I am glad for your sakes that I was not
there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go
unto him.
Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples,
Let us also go, that we may die with him. Then when Jesus came, he found
that he had _lain_ in the grave four days already. Now Bethany was nigh
unto Jerusalem, about fifteen furlongs off: and many of the Jews came to
Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother. Then Martha,
as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met him; but Mary
sat _still_ in the house. Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord if thou
hadst been here, my brother had not died. But I know, that even now,
whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give _it_ thee. Jesus saith
unto her,
Thy brother shall rise again.
Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the
resurrection at the last day. Jesus saith unto her,
I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me,
though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth
and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the
son of God, which should come into the world. And when she had so said,
she went her way, and called Mary her sister, secretly, saying, The
Master is come, and calleth for thee. As soon as she heard _that_, she
arose quickly, and came unto him.
Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where
Martha met him. The Jews then which were with her in the house, and
comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went
out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there. Then
when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his
feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not
died. When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping
which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, and
said,
Where have ye laid him?
They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews,
Behold, how he loved him! And some of them said, Could not this man,
which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man
should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself, cometh
to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. Jesus said,
Take ye away the stone.
Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this
time he stinketh: for he hath been _dead_ four days. Jesus saith unto
her,
Said I not unto thee, that if thou wouldest believe, thou
shouldest see the glory of God?
Then they took away the stone _from the place_ where the dead was laid:
And Jesus lifted up _his_ eyes, and said,
Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that
thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand
by I said _it_, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice,
Lazarus, come forth.
And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with grave-clothes:
and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them,
Loose him, and let him go.
Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which
Jesus did, believed on him. But some of them went their ways to the
Pharisees, and told them what things Jesus had done. Then gathered the
chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for
this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all _men_ will
believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place
and nation.
And one of them, _named_ Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year,
said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, nor consider that it is
expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the
whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being
high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that
nation; and not for that nation only, but that also he should gather
together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. Then
from that day forth they took counsel together for to put him to death.
Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews; but went thence
unto a country near to the wilderness, into a city called Ephraim, and
there continued with his disciples.
And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received
up, he steadfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem, and sent messengers
before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the
Samaritans, to make ready for him. And they did not receive him, because
his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples
James and John saw _this_, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command
fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But
he turned, and rebuked them, and said,
Ye know not what manner of spirits ye are of. For the Son of
man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save _them_.
And they went to another village. And it came to pass, that, as they
went in the way, a certain _man_ said unto him, Lord I will follow thee
withersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him,
Foxes have holes, and birds of the air _have_ nests; but the
Son of man hath not where to lay _his_ head.
And he said unto another,
Follow me.
But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said
unto him,
Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the
kingdom of God.
And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid
them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him,
No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back,
is fit for the kingdom of God.
CHAPTER XL.
SEVENTY DISCIPLES SENT OUT.
After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them
two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he
himself would come. Therefore said he unto them,
The harvest truly _is_ great, but the laborers _are_ few: pray
ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth
laborers into his harvest. Go your ways: behold, I send you
forth as lambs among wolves. Carry neither purse nor scrip,
nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace _be_ to
this house. And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall
rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again. And in the
same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they
give: for the laborer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house
to house. And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive
you, eat such things as are set before you: and heal the sick
that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is
come nigh unto you.
But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not,
go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say, Even
the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe
off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the
kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. But I say unto you,
that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than
for that city.
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the
mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been
done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in
sackcloth and ashes. But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre
and Sidon at the judgment, than for you. And thou, Capernaum,
which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. He
that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you
despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth
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