The Mission of the Twelve

1. And calling together the twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.
2. And he sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.
3. And he said to them, “Take nothing for the journey, neither staff nor bag nor bread nor silver, nor have two tunics.”
4. “And into whatever house you enter, remain there and from there depart.”
5. “And as many as do not receive you, going out from that city shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.”
6. And departing, they went through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod’s Perplexity

7. Now Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things being done, and he was perplexed because it was being said by some that John had been raised from the dead.
8. And by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.
9. And Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was seeking to see him.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

10. And when the apostles returned, they related to him whatever they had done. And taking them, he withdrew privately to a city called Bethsaida.
11. But the crowds, knowing this, followed him; and welcoming them, he was speaking to them about the kingdom of God, and those having need of healing he healed.
12. And the day began to decline, and the twelve approached and said to him, “Send away the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside and lodge and find provisions, because we are here in a desolate place.”
13. But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we go and buy food for all this people.”
14. For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Make them recline in groups of about fifty each.”
15. And they did so and made all of them recline.
16. And taking the five loaves and the two fish, looking up to heaven, he blessed them and broke them and gave them to the disciples to set before the crowd.
17. And they ate and were all satisfied, and what was left over was taken up, twelve baskets of fragments.

Peter’s Confession of the Messiah

18. And it happened, while he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he questioned them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”
19. And they answered and said, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”
20. And he said to them, “But you, who do you say that I am?” And Peter answering said, “The Messiah of God.”
21. And strictly charging them, he commanded them to tell this to no one.
22. Saying, “It is necessary that the Son of Man suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

The Call to Discipleship

23. And he was saying to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”
24. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, this one will save it.”
25. “For what does it profit a person gaining the whole world but forfeiting himself?”
26. “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this one when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.”
27. “But I say to you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28. And it happened about eight days after these words, that taking Peter and John and James, he went up the mountain to pray.
29. And as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became dazzling white.
30. And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah.
31. Who, appearing in glory, were speaking of his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.
32. Now Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; but fully waking, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.
33. And it happened, as they were parting from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tents, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah,” not knowing what he was saying.
34. And as he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.
35. And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him.”
36. And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

The Healing of a Demon-Possessed Boy

37. And it happened on the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a great crowd met him.
38. And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you, look upon my son, for he is my only child.”
39. “And behold, a spirit seizes him, and suddenly he cries out, and it convulses him with foaming, and scarcely does it depart from him, bruising him.”
40. “And I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”
41. And Jesus answering said, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
42. And while he was coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the boy and gave him back to his father.
43. And all were astonished at the majesty of God.

A Second Prediction of the Passion

But while all were marvelling at all the things he was doing, he said to his disciples,
44. “Put these words into your ears: for the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”
45. But they did not understand this saying, and it was veiled from them so that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

True Greatness

46. And an argument arose among them as to which of them might be the greatest.
47. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their heart, took a child and set him by his side.
48. And he said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the One who sent me; for the least among you all, this one is great.”

Who Is Not Against You Is For You

49. And John answering said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we forbade him, because he does not follow with us.”
50. But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him; for whoever is not against you is for you.”

A Samaritan Village Rejects Jesus

51. And it happened, as the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.
52. And he sent messengers before his face; and going, they entered a village of Samaritans to make preparations for him.
53. And they did not receive him because his face was set toward Jerusalem.
54. And when the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you wish that we should command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”
55. But turning, he rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of.”
56. “The Son of Man came to save men’s lives, not to destroy them.” And they went on to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

57. And as they went along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”
58. And Jesus said to him, “The foxes have dens and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”
59. And he said to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Lord, permit me first to go and bury my father.”
60. But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but you, going, proclaim the kingdom of God.”
61. And another also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first permit me to bid farewell to those in my household.”
62. But Jesus said to him, “No one who has put his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”