Luke Chapter 1
Luke’s preface
- Insomuch as many put their hand to compose a complete narrative concerning the matters which have been accomplished among us,
- just as the men who were eyewitnesses and servants of the word from the beginning delivered them to us;
- it also seemed good to me – having carefully *investigated all things from the beginning – to write them to you in consecutive order, noblest Theophilus,
- so you might know the reliability of the matters about which you were orally instructed.
John the Baptizer’s birth foretold
- In the days of King Herod, there was a Judean priest named Zechariah from Abijah’s division of priests, and his wife was from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.
- And both were righteous in the sight of God, walking blameless in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord.
- And there was no child for them because Elizabeth was barren and both of them were *advanced in their years.
- Now, it happened when he was to serve as a priest in the presence of God in the order of his division of priests
- according to the custom of the priesthood, he obtained by lot to burn incense after having entered into the temple of the Lord.
- And all the multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
- And an angel of the Lord appeared to him, *standing to the right of the altar of incense.
- And having seen him, Zechariah was deeply shaken and fear fell upon him.
- And the angel told him: “Don’t fear Zechariah, because your prayer was heard and your wife Elizabeth will bear a son for you, and you shall call his name John.
- “And he will be a source of joy and ecstatic delight for you, and many will rejoice at his birth,
- “for he will be great in the Lord’s sight, and he definitely shouldn’t drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.
- “And he will return many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.
- “And he will go before Him in Elijah’s power and spirit to return the fathers’ hearts to the children,1quotation/allusion to Malachi4:5-6 and the disobedient to the prudence of the righteous, to make ready a people *prepared for the Lord.”
- And Zechariah said to the angel: “By what sign will I know this? For I’m an old man and my wife is *advanced in her years.
- And answering, the angel told him: “I am Gabriel who has stood before God, and I was sent to speak to you and to announce these glad tidings to you.
- “And behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until that day when these things happen, because you didn’t believe my words which will be fulfilled in their season.”
- And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and were marveling at the delay in his temple service.
- And having gone out, he wasn’t able to speak to them. And they recognized that he has seen a vision in the temple. And he was signing to them and was remaining mute.
- And it happened that when the days of his priestly service were fulfilled, he departed to his house.
- Now after these days, his wife Elizabeth conceived and was hiding herself for five months, saying:
- “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days in which He favorably regarded me, to cut off my disgrace among men.”
Jesus birth foretold
- Now, in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee which had the name Nazareth,
- to a virgin *betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, from the house of David, and the virgin’s name was Mary.
- And having come to her, he said: “Greetings, you have been given grace. The Lord is with you. [You have been blessed among women.]
- Yet she was perplexed and deeply shaken2“perplexed and deeply shaken” this is one word in Greek, which refers to inner agitation that produces confusion and troubles the person. by the statement, and was confusedly pondering what kind of greeting this may be.
- And the angel told her: “Don’t be frightened Mary, for you found grace with God.
- “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus.
- “He will be great, and will be called Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David.
- “And He will rule over the house of Jacob through the ages, and there won’t be an end to His kingdom.”
- And Mary said to the angel: “How will this be? Since I’m not knowing a man intimately.”
- And answering, the angel told her: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. And for this reason, the holy child born will be called the Son of God.
- “And behold your relative Elizabeth; she also has conceived a son in her old age. And this is the sixth month for the woman called ‘barren’,
- “because no word from God will be impossible.”
- And Mary said: “Behold, the Lord’s slave; may it happen to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.
Mary visits Elizabeth
- And having arisen in those days, Mary travelled into the hill country with enthusiastic haste, into a city of Judah.
- And she entered into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.
- And it happened that when Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby in her womb leapt. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit,
- and she called out with a loud outcry and said: “You are *blessed among women and *blessed is the fruit of your womb!
- “And from where was this honor bestowed on me, that the mother of my Lord might come to me?
- “For behold, when the voice of your greeting entered into my ears, the baby in my womb leapt in ecstatic delight.
- “And blessed is the woman who believed that there will be a fulfillment to the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord.”
- And Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord,
- “and my spirit jumped for joy in God my savior,
- “because He looked with favor on the humiliation of His slave. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
- “because the Mighty One did great things for me, and holy is His name.
- “And His mercy lasts for generations and generations to the men fearing Him.3quotation/allusion to Psalm 103:17
- “He did a mighty work by His arm, He scattered those who were haughty in the reasoning of their heart.
- “He tore down rulers from thrones and raised up the humble.
- “He filled hungry men with good things, and sent away rich men empty.
- “He helped His servant boy Israel in remembrance of His mercy,
- “just as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed through the age.”
- And Mary stayed with her for about three months and then returned to her home.
John is born
- Now for Elizabeth, the time for her to give birth was completed and she bore a son.
- And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord magnified His mercy with her, and they were rejoicing with4“rejoicing with” could also mean “congratulating”; either meaning or both could be intended. her.
- And it happened that on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they were calling him Zechariah after the name of his father.
- And answering, his mother said: “Absolutely not. Rather, he will be called John.”
- And they said to her: “There’s no one from your family who is called by this name.”
- And they were gesturing to his father to learn what he may want him to be called.
- And having requested a writing tablet, he wrote saying: “His name is John.” And they all marveled.
- And instantly his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he was speaking, blessing God.
- And fear came upon all the men neighboring them, and all these words were being discussed in the whole hill country of Judea.
- And all the men who heard it put it in their heart, saying: “So then, what will this child be?” For also, the Lord’s hand was with him.
Zechariah prophesies
- And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying:
- “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel because He looked after and made redemption5“redemption” this Greek word properly refers to paying the price needed to release someone from prison or debt, and especially the price paid to free a slave. for His people,
- “and He raised a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant boy David,
- “just as He spoke through the mouth of His holy prophets from of old:
- “salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all the men hating us6“quotation/allusion to Psalm 106:10
- “to accomplish mercy with our fathers and to remember His holy covenant,
- “to grant us the oath that He swore to our father Abraham,
- “that having been rescued from the hand of our enemies, we would be able to serve Him without fear
- “in holiness and righteousness before Him all our days.
- “And you child, you will be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His ways,7quotation/allusion to Malachi 3:1
- “to offer knowledge of salvation to His people by the forgiveness of their sins.
- “through the compassionate tender mercies of our God, by which He will look after us like a sunrise from on high,
- “to illuminate the men in darkness and those sitting in the shadow of death,8quotation/allusion to Isaiah 9:2 to make straight our feet in the way of peace.”
- Now, the child was growing and was strengthening in spirit, and he was in the wilderness places until the day of his proclamation to Israel.
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Luke Chapter 2
Jesus is born
- Now in those days, it happened that an edict went out from Caesar Augustus to register all of the inhabited world.1“inhabited world” is one word in Greek, and is more literally “the world inhabited by Romans”. This Greek word originally referred to those who lived in Greece, excluding all others. Later – after they were absorbed into the Roman Empire – it came to mean those who lived in the Roman Empire, excluding those outside it. However, it’s occasionally used in a broader context to mean the entire inhabited world.
- This was the first registration that happened during Quirinius’s governing Syria.
- And all were going to be registered, each man to his own city.
- And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth into Judea, into the city of David which is called Bethlehem because of him being from David’s house and lineage,
- to register with Mary, the woman who was *betrothed to him, her being pregnant.
- And when they are there, it happened that the days for her to give birth were completed.
- And she gave birth to her firstborn son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger because there wasn’t a place for them in the inn.
Shepherds and angels
- And some shepherds were in the same region, spending the night in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night.
- And an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the Lord’s glory shone around them, and they were frightened with great fear.
- And the angel told them: “Don’t fear, for behold; I am proclaiming good news to you of great joy which will be for all the people,
- “because a savior was born for you today in David’s city, who is the Anointed, the Lord.
- “And this will be the sign for you: you will find a baby *wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.”
- And suddenly, a multitude of the heavenly army was with the angel, praising God and saying:
- “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among the men who please Him.2“who please Him” is literally “of His good pleasure” or “of His delight”, and such good pleasure is caused by living lives that are pleasing to Him. It should be noted that grammatically in Greek, the peace is only wished on those “who please Him”, and not on all men generally.
- And it happened that when the angels departed from them into heaven, the shepherds were saying to one another: “We should definitely go as far as Bethlehem and see this thing which *happened, which the Lord made known to us!”
- And having hastened, they went and found both Mary and Joseph, and also the baby lying in the manger.
- And having seen this, they made it known about the matter which was spoken to them concerning this child.
- And all the men who heard marveled concerning the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds.
- But Mary was keeping all these matters to herself, pondering them in her heart.
- And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God on account of all the things which they heard and saw, just as it was told to them.
Jesus in the temple as an infant
- And when the eight days before His circumcision3quotation/allusion to Leviticus 12:3 were completed, then His name was called Jesus; the name He was called by the angel before His conception in the womb.
- And when the days of their purification were completed according to the law of Moses,4quotation/allusion to Leviticus 12:4-6 they brought Him up into Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord,
- (just as it’s *written in the Lord’s law that: “Every male opening a womb shall be called holy to the Lord“)5quotation/allusion to Numbers 3:13
- and to offer a sacrifice according to what was *spoken in the law of the Lord; a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.6quotation/allusion to Leviticus 12:8
- And behold, a man was in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. And this man was righteous and devout, awaiting the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him.
- And it was *revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he wasn’t to see death before he saw the Lord’s Anointed.
- And led by the Spirit, he came into the temple when the parents of the child also brought Jesus to do for Him according to what was *customary under the law.
- And he welcomed Him into his arms, and blessed God, and said:
- “Master, now you are dismissing your slave in peace according to your word,
- “because my eyes saw your salvation
- “which you prepared before the face of all peoples;
- “a light for the revelation to the gentiles and the glory of your people, Israel.”
- And His father and mother were marveling on account of the things said about Him.
- And Simeon blessed them and told His mother Mary: “Behold, this One is appointed for the ruin and resurrection of many in Israel, and for a sign to be hostilely disputed.
- “And also, a large sword will go through your own soul, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed.”
- And there was a prophetess; Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was greatly *advanced in years, having lived with her husband seven years after her virginity ended.
- And she was a widow until 84 years old, who wasn’t departing from the temple, serving night and day with fastings and prayers.
- And having been present at that hour, she was giving thanks to God and was speaking about Him to all the men expectantly waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem.
- And when they accomplished all things according to the Lord’s law, they returned to Galilee, into their city Nazareth.
Jesus in the temple as a boy
- Now, the child was growing and was becoming strong, being filled with wisdom, and God’s grace was upon Him.
- And His parents were traveling to Jerusalem every year for the feast of the Passover.
- And when He became twelve years old, they go up according to the custom of the feast.
- And having finished the days of the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem during their return, but His parents didn’t know.
- And having thought Him to be in their caravan, they went a day’s journey and were carefully seeking Him among their relatives and acquaintances.
- And having not found Him, they returned to Jerusalem, carefully seeking Him.
- And it happened that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and questioning them.
- And all the men listening to Him were marveling on account of His understanding and answers.
- And having seen Him, they were dumbfounded. And His mother said to Him: “Child, why did you do this to us? Behold, your father and I were being tormented while we were seeking you.”
- And He said to them: “Why7Literally “because why” were you seeking Me? Hadn’t you known that it’s necessary for Me to be in My Father’s house?”
- And they didn’t understand the statement that He spoke to them.
- And He went down with them and came into Nazareth, and He was submitting Himself to them. And His mother was carefully keeping all these matters in her heart.
- And Jesus was advancing in wisdom, and maturity, and grace with God and men.
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Luke Chapter 3
John the Baptizer’s message
- Now, in the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign – with Pontius Pilate governing Judea and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and Philip his brother being tetrarch over the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias being tetrarch of Abilene –
- during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, God’s word came to Zechariah’s son John in the wilderness.
- And he went into all the region neighboring the Jordan River, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,
- as it’s *written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet: “A voice crying in the wilderness: prepare the Lord’s way, make His paths straight.”
- “Every valley will be filled and every mountain and hill will be brought low; and the crooked will be straight, and the rough ways made into smooth ways.
- “And all flesh will see the salvation of God.”1quotation/allusion to Isaiah 40:3-5
- So he was telling the crowds traveling out to be baptized by him: “You offspring of vipers, who forewarned you to flee from the wrath about to come.
- “Therefore, produce fruit befitting repentance. And don’t begin to say in yourselves: ‘We have Abraham as a father’, for I tell you that God is able to raise up children for Abraham from these stones.
- “And also, the axe is already laid near the root of the trees. Therefore, every tree not producing good fruit is cut off and thrown into the fire.”
- And the crowds were questioning him, saying: “So what should we do?”
- And answering, he was telling them: “Let the man having two tunics share with the man not having one, and let the man having food do the same.”
- And also, some tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him: “Teacher, what should we do?”
- And he said to them: “Collect nothing more beyond the tax *prescribed for you to collect.”
- And also some men serving as soldiers were asking him, saying: “What should we also do?” And he told them: “You should extort or intimidate2“extort or intimidate” is one word in Greek which can mean either, thus both definitions were included. Further, “intimidate” would mean in the sense of using the threat of force to induce unlawful compliance. no man, nor should you falsely accuse or defraud3“falsely accuse or defraud” is one word in Greek which can mean either, thus both definitions were included. anyone. Also, be satisfied with your wages.”
- And the people are expectantly waiting, and all are reasoning in their hearts about John, whether or not he may be the Anointed.
- John answered, saying to all: “I indeed baptize you with water, but One mightier than I is coming; He whom I’m not worthy to untie the strap of His sandals. He will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire.
- “He whose winnowing fork4“winnowing fork” is a literal translation of the Greek word here. A “winnowing fork” is used for “winnowing”. Winnowing is the process of separating the useful/edible grain from the useless chaff. Chaff is the husks and stem fragments of a grain plant that are useless for anything. You “winnow” by using a winnowing fork to throw the mixture up into the air. The wind blows away the lighter chaff, while the heavier grain falls back down to be collected. This process was done on a “threshing floor”, which had to be cleaned prior to use because food was prepared (winnowed) there. is in His hand to thoroughly cleanse His threshing floor and to gather His wheat into His barn; but the chaff He will burn with unquenchable fire.”
- So exhorting them with many other things, he was proclaiming the good news to the people.
- But Herod the tetrarch, being convicted by him concerning Herodias (the wife of his brother) and concerning all the evils that Herod did,
- he also added this on top of all: he confined John in prison.
The baptism and genealogy of Jesus
- Now, it happened that among the baptisms of all the people, Jesus was also baptized. And while praying, heaven was opened
- and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him in bodily form like a dove, and a voice came from heaven: “You are My beloved Son. In you I am well-pleased.”
- And Jesus was about thirty years old when beginning His ministry, being – as it was supposed – a son of Joseph, son of Heli,
- son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,
- son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai,
- son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Joseph, son of Judah,
- son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,
- son of Melchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er,
- son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi,
- son of Simeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim,
- son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,
- son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Salmon, son of Nahshon,
- son of Amminadab, [son of Admin,] son of Ram,5“Ram” some of the manuscripts which “son of Admin” have “Arni” instead of Ram son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah.
- son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,
- son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Herber, son of Shelah.
- son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech,
- son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan,
- son of Enosh, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.
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Luke Chapter 4
The temptation of Jesus
- And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was being led by the Spirit into the wilderness
- for forty days, being tempted by the Accuser.1“Accuser” The Greek word used here is “διάβολος” (diabolos), and it’s the root of our English word “devil”. Much like “Christ” (see note on Matt 1:1) it isn’t a name but a descriptive title. And He ate nothing in those days, and having completed them, He hungered.
- And the Accuser said to Him: “If you are God’s Son, command this stone so it might become bread.”
- And Jesus answered to him: “It is *written that: Man shall not live on bread alone, [but on every word from God.]“2quotation/allusion to Deuteronomy 8:3
- And having led Him [up to a high mountain], [the Accuser] showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a single moment of time.
- And the Accuser said to Him: “I will give authority over all this to you, and its glory, because it has been handed over to me and I could give it to whomever I desire.
- “Therefore, all this will be yours if you worship before me.”
- And answering, Jesus told him: “It is *written: You shall worship the Lord your God and you shall serve Him only.”3quotation/allusion to Deuteronomy 10:20 and Deuteronomy 6:13[
- And he led Him to Jerusalem, and stood Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and told Him: “If you are God’s Son, throw yourself down from here.
- “For it is *written that: “He will give orders to His angels concerning you, to carefully guard you.”4quotation/allusion to Psalm 91:11
- Also, “They will raise you up on their hands, so you don’t ever strike your foot against a stone.”5quotation/allusion to Psalm 91:12
- And answering, Jesus told him: “It has been spoken: You shall not test the Lord your God.”6quotation/allusion to Deuteronomy 6:16
- And having finished every temptation, the Accuser departed from Him until an opportune time.
Jesus is rejected in His hometown
- And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee and a report about Him went out into the whole neighboring region.
- And He was teaching in their synagogues, being esteemed by all.
- And He came to Nazareth where He was *raised. And according to His *custom, He entered into the synagogue on a Sabbath day7“Sabbath day” is literally “day of the Sabbaths” and stood up to read.
- And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. And having unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was *written:
- “The Lord’s Spirit is upon Me, because of which He anointed Me to proclaim the good news to the poor. He has sent Me [to heal the *crushed in heart], to proclaim a pardon to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind; to release the *oppressed with a pardon,
- “to proclaim a year of the Lord’s favor.”8quotation/allusion to Isaiah 61:1-2
- And having rolled up the scroll, He handed it to the synagogue attendant. He sat down and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixing on Him.
- And He began to say to them: “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
- And all were testifying about Him and were marveling at the graceful words coming from His mouth. And they were saying: “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”9“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”. The negation in this phrase is emphatic.
- And He said to them: “Doubtless you will quote this proverb to Me: Physician, heal yourself. Whatever we heard of that’s happening in Capernaum, also do it here in your hometown.”
- But He said: “Amen I tell you that no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.
- “But in truth I tell you that there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when heaven was shut up for three years and six months,10quotation/allusion to 1 Kings 17:1 when a great famine happened on all the land.
- “And Elijah was sent to none of them, but only to Zarephath of the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. 11quotation/allusion to 1 Kings 17:9
- “And there were many lepers in Israel during the time of Elisha the prophet and not one of them was cleansed, but only Naaman the Syrian.” 12quotation/allusion to 2 Kings 5:1-14
- And hearing these things, all in the synagogue were filled with rage.
- And having risen, they threw Him out of the city and led Him away as far as the ridge of the hill on which their city had been built, in order to throw Him over the cliff.
- But having walked through their midst, He was departing.
Jesus casts out a demon
- And He went down into Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and He was teaching them on the Sabbaths.
- And they were stunned by His teaching because His message was with authority.
- And a man having the spirit of an unclean demon was in the synagogue, and he cried out in a loud voice:
- “Ah!13“Ah!” An expression of surprise, fear, and sometimes indignation. What’s between us and you Jesus of Nazareth? Did you come to destroy us? I *know who you are: the Holy One of God!”
- And Jesus rebuked him, saying: “Be silent and come out of him.” And the demon having thrown him into their midst, it came out of him; not having injured him at all.
- And astonishment came upon all of them, and they were discussing with one another, saying: “What a word this is, because He commands the unclean spirits in authority and power, and they come out!”
- And a report about Him was spreading abroad into every area of the neighboring region.
Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law and many others
- And having risen from the synagogue, He entered into the house of Simon. Now, Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a great fever, and they requested of Him concerning her.
- And having stood over her, He rebuked the fever and it left her. And having instantly arisen, she was serving them.
- And during the setting of the sun, all who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to Him. And putting His hands on each one of them, He was healing them.
- And demons were also going out from many, crying out and saying: “You are the Son of God.” And rebuking them, He wasn’t allowing them to speak because they had known Him to be the Anointed.
- And having gone out when it became day, He traveled into a solitary place and the crowds were seeking Him. And they came to Him and were holding Him back so He wouldn’t depart from them.
- But He said to them: “It’s necessary for Me to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to other cities too, because I was sent on account of this.
- And He was proclaiming in the synagogues of Judea.
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Luke Chapter 5
Jesus calls Simon Peter
- Now, it happened during the crowd’s pressing on Him to also hear the word of God, that He was *standing beside the lake of Gennesaret.
- And He saw two boats *standing beside the lake. And having disembarked from them, the fishermen were washing the nets.
- And having embarked into one of the boats – which was Simon’s – He asked him to put out to sea a short distance from the land. And having sat down, He was teaching the crowds from the boat.
- And when He ceased speaking, He said to Simon: “Put out into the deep water and lower your nets for a catch.”
- And answering, Simon said: “Master, we caught nothing despite having exhausted ourselves working through the whole night. But on account of your word, I will lower the nets.”
- And having done this, they enclosed an enormous multitude of fishes, and their nets were tearing.
- And they beckoned to their partners in the other boat to come assist them. And they came and filled both boats so they both almost began to sink.
- And having seen this, Simon Peter fell down before Jesus’s knees, saying: “Go away from me Lord, because I’m a sinful man.”
- For astonishment had gripped him and all the men with him on account of the catch of fish which they took,
- and James and John – the sons of Zebedee who were partners with Simon – were also likewise astonished. And Jesus said to Simon: “Don’t be frightened; from now on you will be catching men.”
- And having beached the boats on the land and left all of it behind, they followed Him.
Jesus heals a leper
- And it happened during His being in one of the cities that behold: there was a man full of leprosy. And having seen Jesus and fallen on his face, he begged Him saying: “Lord you are able to cleanse me if you want to.”
- And having extended His hand, He touched him, saying: “I want to; be cleansed.” And the leprosy immediately departed from him.
- And He instructed him to tell no one, but said: “Having departed, show yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifice concerning your cleansing, just as Moses commanded1quotation/allusion to Leviticus 14:1-32 for a testimony to them.
- But the report about Him was spreading more, and many crowds were coming together to hear Him and to be healed from their sicknesses.
- Yet He was withdrawing into the wilderness places and praying.
Jesus forgives sins and heals a paralyzed man
- And it happened during one of the days that He was teaching, that sitting nearby were some Pharisees and teachers of the law who were *coming from every village of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem. And the Lord’s power was there for Him to heal.
- And behold: there are men carrying a man on a bed-mat who was *paralyzed, and they were seeking to carry him in and to put him before Him.
- And not having found a way they might carry him in because of the crowd, having gone up onto the roof, they lowered him with the bed-mat through the roofing tiles into the crowd’s midst before Jesus.
- And having seen their faith, He said: “Man, your sins have been forgiven you.”
- And the scribes and Pharisees began to reason, saying: “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who is able to forgive sins except God alone?”
- And having known their reasonings, answering Jesus said to them: “Why do you reason in your hearts?
- “Which is easier to say: ‘Your sins have been forgiven you’, or to say: ‘Rise and walk’?
- “But so you might *know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins–” He said to the *paralyzed man: “–I tell you: rise; and having picked up your bed-mat, go to your house.”
- And having instantly risen before them and having picked up the bed-mat on which he was lying, he departed to his house, glorifying God.
- And astonishment seized all, and they were glorifying God and were filled with reverent fear, saying: “We saw wonderfully strange things today.”
Jesus calls Levi (Matthew)
- And after these things, He went out and saw a tax collector named Levi sitting at the tax collector’s booth and said to him: “Follow Me.”
- And having abandoned everything2“everything” is literally “all things“ and risen, he was following Him.
- And Levi made a great feast for Him in his house, and there was a large crowd of tax collectors and others who were reclining with them at the table.
- And the Pharisees and their scribes were grumbling at His disciples, saying: “Why are you eating and drinking with tax collectors and sinners?”
- And answering, Jesus said to them: “The healthy men have no need of a physician, but the sick men do.
- “I haven’t come to call righteous men, but sinful men to repentance.”
- And they said to Him: “John’s disciples are frequently fasting and doing prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees do likewise. But your disciples are eating and drinking.”
- And Jesus said to them: “You aren’t able to make the groomsmen3 “groomsmen” is literally “sons of the bridal chamber”. In that age, this referred to the men who helped the groom prepare whatever was needed for the wedding, especially the “bridal chamber” (honeymoon suite). The closest modern equivalent is groomsmen. fast while the bridegroom is with them, are you?
- “But the days will also come when the bridegroom was taken away from them; then they will fast in those days.”
- And He was also telling a parable to them: “Having torn a patch from a new garment, no one puts it on an old garment. And if he does otherwise, the new will also tear and the old garment won’t match the patch from the new.
- “And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. And if he does otherwise, the new wine will tear the wineskins and it will be spilled out, and the wineskins will be ruined.
- “But new wine must be put into new wineskins.
- “And having drunk the old wine, no one wants the new; for he says ‘The old is better’.”
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Luke Chapter 6
Lord of the Sabbath
- Now, it happened on a Sabbath that He went to pass through some grain fields and His disciples were picking and were eating the heads of grain, rubbing the kernels out of the husks in their hands.
- But some of the Pharisees said: “Why are you doing what isn’t lawful to do on the Sabbaths?”
- And answering them, Jesus said: “Did you not even read about this? About what David himself did when he hungered, he and the men with1“the men with” is literally: “the men being with” him?
- “How he entered into the house of God, and having taken the consecrated bread of the presence, he ate it and gave it to the men with him, bread which isn’t lawful to eat except for the priests only.”
- And He was telling them: “The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
- Now, it happened on another Sabbath that He entered into the synagogue to teach there, and a man was there and his right hand was withered.
- And the scribes and Pharisees were watching Him closely to see if He heals on the Sabbath so they might find a charge to accuse Him.
- Yet He had known their reasonings and He told the man having the withered hand: “Rise and stand in the middle of the room.” And having risen, he stood there.
- And Jesus said to them: “I ask you if it’s lawful to do good on the Sabbath or to do evil? To save a life or to destroy it?”
- And having looked around at all of them, He told him: “Extend your hand.” And the man did, and his hand was restored.
- And they were filled with irrational rage and were discussing to one another what they may do to Jesus.
Choosing the Apostles
- Now, it happened in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray and was spending the whole night in prayer to God.
- And when it became day, He summoned His disciples and chose twelve from among them whom He also named as apostles:
- Simon (whom He also named Peter) and Andrew his brother; and James and John; and Philip and Bartholomew;
- And Matthew and Thomas; and James son of Alphaeus; and Simon, the man called a Zealot;
- And Judas son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.
Blessings and cursings
- And having descended with them, He stood on a flat place. And there was a numerous crowd of His disciples and a numerous multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon
- who came to listen to Him and to be healed of their diseases, and the men troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.
- And everyone in the crowd was seeking to touch Him because power was coming out from Him and was healing all of them.
- And He, having lifted His eyes upon His disciples, He was saying: “Blessed are the poor because the kingdom of God is yours.
- “Blessed are the men hungering now because you will be filled. Blessed are the men weeping now because you will laugh
- “You are blessed when men hate you, and when they ostracize you, and disgrace and accuse2 “disgrace and accuse” is one word in Greek. It can mean either, but both definitions were included because they both fit the context and it seems likely that both were intended. you, and banish your name as evil on account of the Son of Man.
- “Rejoice in that day and jump for joy, for behold: your reward is numerous in heaven, for the forefathers were doing these things3“these things” is literally “them” to the prophets in the same manner.
- Moreover, woe to you rich men because you are receiving4“you are receiving” This Greek word contains the sense of receiving something because you are far away from something else. your comfort now.
- “Woe to you men who have satisfied yourselves now because you will hunger. Woe to men laughing now because you will mourn and you will weep.
- “Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for the forefathers were doing these things5“these things” is literally “them” to the false prophets in the same manner.
Love your enemies
- “But I say to you men hearing this: ^Love your enemies, do good to the men hating you,
- “bless the men cursing you, pray for the men slandering you.
- “To the man striking you on the cheek, also offer the other cheek. And the man taking your cloak away from you, also don’t withhold your tunic.
- “Give to every man asking of you and don’t demand back from the man taking what’s yours.
- “And exactly as you desire that men would do to you, do the same to them.
- “And if you ^love the men ^loving you, what grace6“grace” The Greek word here is “χάρις” (charis), most often translated “grace” or “gift”. It was a technical term in the 1st century, referring to the Patronage system in place. The Patron (from “pater” = “father”) would give gifts or do favors (both called a charis) for someone. A charis was always given/done freely to anyone who would be grateful for it, and this person then became a “client” of the patron. The clients were expected to reciprocate by telling everyone what the patron had done, and offering their services to the patron whenever the patron needed them. This reciprocal act was also called “charis”, and the ones who reciprocated were “being faithful”. Both were done out of gratitude, not legal obligation. A client who wasn’t faithful and grateful probably wouldn’t receive any more charis from his patron, or any other patrons. The patron was responsible for taking care of all his clients, and making sure their needs were met. Christian Grace and Faith is well picture by this system. The Heavenly Patron (God the Father) freely gave a gift (Jesus’ blood), and the clients who accept it (Christians) are expected to “be faithful” out of gratitude. is it to you? For even sinful men ^love the men ^loving them.
- “For also, if you do good to the men doing good to you, what grace is it to you? Even sinful men do the same.
- “And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what grace is it to you? Even sinful men lend to sinners so they might recover back identical amounts.
- “Moreover, ^love your enemies, and do good to them, and lend without expecting interest and your reward will be numerous and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is benevolent towards the ungrateful and wicked.
- “Be merciful just as your Father is also merciful.
Don’t Judge
- “And don’t judge and you definitely won’t be judged, and don’t condemn and you definitely won’t be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
- “Give and it will be given to you; they will give a good measure into your bosom, *pressed-down, *shaken to compact it, and overflowing. For by whichever measure you measure, it will be measured back to you.”
- And He also told a parable to them: “A blind man isn’t able to lead a blind man, is he? Won’t they both certainly fall into a pit?
- “A disciple isn’t above the teacher, yet everyone will be like his teacher when properly *prepared.
- “And why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye and not notice the log in your own eye?
- “How are you able to tell your brother: ‘Brother, allow me to cast out the splinter in your eye’ while you yourself aren’t seeing the log in your eye? You hypocrite; first cast out the log in your eye and then you will see clearly to take out the splinter in your brother’s eye.
Know them by their fruit
- “For there’s no lovely tree producing rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree producing lovely fruit,
- “for each tree is known by its own fruit. For they don’t collect figs from brambles nor gather grapes from a thorn bush, do they?
- “The good man produces what’s good from the good treasure of his heart, and the wicked man produces what’s wicked from his wicked heart, for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart.
- “And why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord’, and don’t do what I say?
- “Every man coming to Me, and hearing My words, and doing them, I will show7“show” could also be translated “warn” or “forewarn” you whom he is like.
- “He is like a man building a house who dug, and excavated, and laid a foundation on a rock. And a flood having happened, the floodwater burst against that house and wasn’t strong enough to shake it because it was well *built.
- “But the man who heard and didn’t do it, he is like a man who built a house on earth without a foundation, against which the floodwater burst and it immediately fell, and the fracturing of that house became great.
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Luke Chapter 7
The centurion’s faith
- When He completed all His words in the hearing of the people, He entered into Capernaum.
- Now, a centurion’s slave who was precious to him was about to die, having a sickness.
- And having heard about Jesus, he sent some elders of the Jews to Him, pleading Him so that having come, He might save his slave.
- And having come near to Jesus, they were insistently begging Him, saying that: “The man to whom you will bestow this favor is worthy,
- “for he ^loves our nation and he built the synagogue for us.”
- And Jesus was going with them. And when He was already not far away from the house, the centurion sent friends saying to Him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I’m not worthy that you might enter in under my roof.
- “Therefore, neither did I deem myself worthy to come to you, but merely speak a word and let my servant be healed.
- “For I’m also a man appointed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this soldier: ‘Go’, and he goes; and to another: ‘Come’, and he comes; and to my slave: ‘Do this’, and he does it.
- And having heard these things, Jesus marveled at him. And having turned to the crowd following Him, He said: “I tell you, not even in Israel did I find such great faith.”
- And having returned to the house, the men who were sent found the slave healthy.
Raising a widow’s son from the dead
- And it happened on the next day that He traveled into a town called Nain and His disciples were traveling with Him, and a numerous crowd as well.
- And as He approached the gate of the town, also behold: a *dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother and she was a widow. And a considerable crowd from the town was with her.
- And having seen her, the Lord was moved with compassion on her and He told her: “Don’t weep.”
- And having approached, He touched the open coffin1“open coffin” is more literally a “bier”, which is a type of litter used in a funeral to transport dead bodies, or coffins with dead bodies in them and the men carrying it stood still. And He said: “Young man, I tell you, wake up.”2“wake up” could also be translated “rise” or “arise” since the word means all three.
- And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and He gave him to his mother.
- And reverent fear gripped all of them and they were glorifying God, saying that: “A great prophet was raised among us!” and that: “God looked after His people.”
- And this report about Him went out in the whole of Judea and to all the neighboring region.
John the Baptizer’s question
- And to John, his disciples reported concerning all these things.
- And having summoned two of his disciples, John sent them to the Lord, saying: “Are you the coming One,3“The Coming One” There are several Old Testament passages that the Jews believed referred to the messiah, which talk of Him “coming”. (For example, Psalm 118:26, Psalm 40:7-8, and Malachi 3:1). John was probably referring to Zechariah 9:9, which talks about the “coming King”, and in verse 11 speaks of setting prisoners free. Therefore, John was probably asking if Jesus was the messiah, and if so, if he would be freed. or are we looking for another?”
- And having come near to Him, the men said: “John the Baptizer sent us to you, saying: ” Are you the coming One, or are we looking for another?”
- (In that hour, He cured many from chronic diseases and torturous diseases, and evil spirits, and He freely graced many blind men to see.)
- And answering, He said to them: “Go report to John what you saw and heard. The blind are recovering sight, the lame are walking, the lepers are being cleansed, and the deaf are hearing, the dead are being raised, and the poor are being told the good news. 4Verse note: Jesus answered John’s question using a Jewish Rabbinic method called “remez” (or hint). Jesus quotes portions of Isaiah 35:5-6, (blind, lame, deaf), Isaiah 42:6-7 (blind again) and Isaiah 61:1 (good news). All three passages refer to the coming messiah/king, so Jesus was confirming that He was indeed Him. However, in all three passages Jesus left off a part about setting prisoners free. This was likely Jesus telling John that He was indeed the messiah, but also that John wouldn’t be set free. This last part explains the following verse.
- “And blessed is he who doesn’t stumble at Me.”
- And John’s messengers having departed, He began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by wind?”
- “But what did you go out to see? A man *clothed in soft clothes? Behold, the men in glorious clothing and living in excessive luxury are in kingly houses.
- “But what did you go out to see? A prophet? I tell you, yes! And far more than a prophet.
- “This is he about whom it is *written: “Behold; I’m sending out My messenger before your face; he who will prepare your way before you.”
- “I tell you that among men born from women, no one is greater than John. Yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than him.”
- (And all the people baptized with the baptism of John who heard this, even the tax collectors, declared God to be righteous,
- but the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God in themselves, not having been baptized by him.)
- “Therefore, to what will I compare the men of this generation? And to what are they similar?
- “They are similar to small children sitting in the marketplace and calling to one another, who are saying: “We played the flute for you and you didn’t dance. We cried out in mourning and you didn’t lament”.
- “For John the Baptizer *came neither eating bread nor drinking wine and you say he has a demon.
- “The Son of Man *came eating and drinking and you say: “behold, this man is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.
- “And wisdom was declared righteous by all her children.”
The parable of two debtors
- Now, one of the Pharisees was asking Him so He might eat with him. And having entered into the house of that Pharisee, He reclined at the table.5“recline” is literal. In ancient times, they laid down on a low table to eat. Thus, “reclining” in those days is similar to “sitting down” to share a meal today.
- And behold: there was a sinful woman who was living in the city. And she heard that He is reclining in the house of the Pharisee, so having taken an alabaster bottle of scented oil,
- and having stood behind Him next to His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and was wiping them with the hair on her head, and was kissing His feet, and was anointing them with the scented oil.
- And having seen this, the Pharisee who invited Him spoke inside himself saying: “If this man was really a prophet, He would know who and what kind of person the woman who’s touching Him is, because she is a sinner.”
- And answering, Jesus said to him: “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he says: “Teacher, say it.”
- “There were two debtors to a moneylender. The one debtor owed five hundred denarii and the other fifty.
- “With them not having money to pay, he forgave both their debts. Therefore, which of them will ^love him more?”
- Answering, Simon said: “I suppose that it’s whoever he forgave more.” And He told him: “You judged rightly.”
- And having turned to the woman, He was saying to Simon: “You see this woman? I entered into your house and you didn’t offer Me water on My feet, but she wet My feet with tears and wiped them with her hair.
- “You didn’t give Me a kiss, but she didn’t cease kissing My feet since I entered.
- “You didn’t anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with scented oil.
- “I tell you that for this reason, her many sins have been forgiven because she ^loved much. But he to whom little is forgiven, he ^loves little.”
- And He told her: “Your sins have been forgiven.”
- And the men reclining at the table began to say inside themselves: “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”
- And He said to the woman: “Your faith has saved you, go in peace.”
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Luke Chapter 8
The women providing supplies
- And it happened in the time just after, that He also was traveling city-by-city and village-by-village, proclaiming and announcing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with Him;
- also some women who were *cured from evil spirits and infirmities, including Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out;
- and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; and Susanna; and many other women who were providing supplies1“were providing supplies” is one word in Greek, which normally has the connotation of: “to be a servant, attendant, domestic; to serve, wait upon;” (Thayer’s). When followed by the dative as it is here, it means: “to minister, i. e. supply food and the necessaries of life” (Thayer’s) to them from the things they owned.
The parable of the sower
- And with a numerous crowd gathering together and the men from the city traveling to Him, He spoke through a parable.
- “The man sowing seed went out to sow his seed. And in his sowing, some seed indeed fell beside the road, and it was trampled underfoot, and the birds of the air devoured it.
- And other seed fell on the rocky ground, and having sprouted, it was withered because of it not having moisture.
- And other seed fell in the midst of thorns, and having grown up with them, the thorns choked it.
- And other seed fell into the good ground, and having sprouted, it produced fruit a hundredfold.” After saying these things, He was calling out: “The man having ears to hear, let him hear.”
- And His disciples were asking Him: “What is the meaning of this parable?”
- And He said: “It was *given for you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God. But to the rest I speak in parables so that while seeing they don’t see, and while hearing they don’t understand.2Quotation/allusion to Isaiah 6:9 and Ezekiel 12:2
- “Now, this is the parable‘s meaning: The seed is the word of God.
- “And the seeds beside the road are the men who heard, then the Accuser comes and removes the word from their heart so that not having believed, they wouldn’t be saved.
- “And the seeds sown on the rock are men who welcome the word with joy when they hear it. And these men don’t have a root, men who believe for a season and fall away in a season of temptation or testing.3“temptation or testing” is one word in Greek that can mean either depending on the context, thus both were included because both are possible meanings in this context.
- “And what fell into the thorns, these are the men who heard, and while traveling through life are choked by anxieties, and wealth, and hedonistic pleasures of life, and they don’t come to maturity.
- “And what fell in the good ground, these are whoever heard the word in a noble and good heart, and they keep it, and they are bearing fruit in perseverance.
- “And no one who lit a lamp covers it with a vessel or puts it under a bed, but he puts it on a lampstand so the men entering might see the light.
- “For nothing is hidden which won’t become revealed, nor secret which won’t definitely be known and come into the light.
- “Therefore, watch out how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him. And whoever doesn’t have, even what he seems to have will be taken away from him.”
Jesus’s mother and brothers
- Now, His mother and His brothers came to Him and they weren’t able to get to Him because of the crowd.
- And it was reported to Him: “Your mother and your brothers have been standing outside wanting to see you.”
- But answering, He told them: “My mother and My brothers are those men hearing the word of God and doing it.”
Jesus calms a storm
- And it happened on one of the days that He and His disciples also embarked into a boat, and He told them: “We should travel to the other side of the lake.” And they put out to sea.
- And during their sailing, He fell asleep. And a tempestuous windstorm came down to the lake, and the boat was filling with water, and they were in peril.
- And having approached Him, they woke Him, saying: “Master! Master! We are perishing!” And having woken up, He rebuked the wind and the surging of the water, and they ceased, and it became calm.
- And He told them: “Where is your faith?” And fearing, they marveled, saying to one another: “Who then is this, that He even gives orders to the winds and the water and they obey Him?”
Casting out Legion
- And they sailed down to the region of the Gerasenes, which is on the opposite shore from Galilee.
- And Him having gone out of the boat onto the land, a man from the city having many demons met Him. And this man didn’t wear clothing for a considerable time, and he wasn’t living in a house, but in the tombs.
- And having seen Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and in a loud voice said: “What’s between me and you, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I’m begging you, don’t torment me!”
- For He commanded the unclean spirit to go out of the man. For many times it had seized him, and he was being bound with manacles and kept in shackles. And breaking the chains, he was being driven into the desolate places by the demon.
- And Jesus asked him: “What is your name?” And he said: “Legion”, because many demons had entered into him.
- And they were pleading Him so He wouldn’t command them to depart into the abyss.
- Now, a considerable herd of pigs was there feeding at the mountain, and they pleaded Him so He might permit them to enter into them, and He permitted them.
- And having departed from the man, the demons entered into the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake, and the herd was drowned.
- And having seen what *happened, the men feeding the pigs fled and reported it to the city and to the nearby lands.
- And they went out to see what *happened, and they went to Jesus and found the man from whom the demons had departed sitting *clothed and in his right mind beside the feet of Jesus, and they were frightened.
- And the men who saw it reported to them how the demon-possessed man was saved.
- And the whole multitude neighboring the Gerasenes asked Him to depart from them because they were being seized with great fear. And having embarked into a boat, He returned.
- But the man from whom the demons had departed was begging Him to be brought with Him, but He sent him away, saying:
- “Return to your house and describe how much God did for you.” And he departed and went through the whole city proclaiming how much Jesus did for him.
- And at the time Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, for they were all anticipating Him.
Raising Jairus’s daughter and healing the woman with a bloody flow
- And behold, a man whose name was Jairus came, and this man was a ruler of the synagogue. And having fallen beside the feet of Jesus, he was pleading Him to enter into his house
- because his only daughter was about twelve years old, and she was dying. And at the time He went to depart, the crowds were pressing in on Him.
- And there was a woman living with a bloody flow4 “bloody flow” is literal, almost certainly a reference to constant menstrual bleeding. This made her ceremonially unclean; see Leviticus 15:19-24. Additionally, what to do about menstrual bleeding that went on for an extended time was covered in Leviticus 15:25-30. for twelve years who spent her whole livelihood on physicians, but wasn’t able to be cured by anyone.
- Having approached from behind, she touched the tassel of His robe and her flow of blood instantly stopped.
- And Jesus said: “Which man touched Me?” But all were denying it. Peter said: “Master, the people are surrounding you and are pressing in, [and you say: “Which man touched Me?”.”]
- But Jesus said: “Someone touched Me, for I perceived that power *went out from Me.”
- And having seen that she didn’t escape notice, the woman came forward trembling. And having fallen down before Him, she explained in the sight of all the people the reason for which she touched Him, and how she was instantly healed.
- And He told her: “Daughter, your faith has healed you; depart in peace.”
- While He is still speaking, a man comes from the synagogue leader, saying that: “Your daughter has died; annoy the Teacher no longer.”
- But having heard, Jesus answered him: “Don’t fear, only believe and she will be saved.”
- And having gone into the house, He didn’t allow anyone to enter with Him except Peter, and John, and James, and the father of the child, and the mother.
- And all were weeping and were mourning for her, but He said: “Don’t weep, for she didn’t die, but is sleeping.”
- And they were ridiculing Him, *knowing that she died.
- And having gripped her hand, He called out, saying: “Child, arise.”
- And her spirit returned and she instantly stood up. And He instructed that something be given to her to eat.
- And her parents marveled, and He commanded them to tell no one what *happened.
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Luke Chapter 9
Sending out the Twelve
- And having called together the twelve, He gave them power and authority over all the demons and to cure diseases.
- And He sent them to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
- And He said to them: “Take nothing for the journey; not even a staff, nor a traveler’s bag, nor bread, nor silver, nor are you to have two tunics apiece.
- “And whatever house you enter into, remain there, and depart from that place when you leave the city.”
- “And however many don’t welcome you, then while departing from that city, shake off its dust from your feet for a testimony against them.”
- And departing, they were traveling through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.
Herod hears of these things
- Now, Herod the tetrarch heard of all the things happening and he was thoroughly perplexed because it was said by some that John was raised from the dead,
- and by some that Elijah appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets rose up.
- And Herod said: “I myself beheaded John, but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was seeking to see Him.
Feeding the Five Thousand
- And having returned, the apostles described to Him how much they did. And having taken them with Himself, He retreated in private into a town called Bethsaida.
- And having known this, the crowds followed Him. And having welcomed them, He was talking to them about the kingdom of God, and He was healing the men having a need of healing.
- And as the day began to approach its end, the twelve approached and said to Him: “Dismiss the crowd so that having traveled into the surrounding villages and fields, they might lodge somewhere and might find provisions, because we’re in a desolate place here.
- But He told them: “You give them something to eat.” But they said: “There aren’t more than five loaves and two fish for us. Even if we traveled, we couldn’t buy food for every one of the people,1“the people” is literally “this people.” could we?”
- (For there were about five thousand men.) And He said to His disciples: “Make them recline to eat in dining groups of about fifty.
- And they did so, and made all of them recline.
- And having taken the five loaves and the two fish, He looked up to heaven, blessed them, and broke them into pieces. And He was giving them to the disciples to set them before the crowd.
- And they ate and all were satisfied, and the excess pieces were picked up by them, twelve baskets.
Jesus is the Anointed, the Son of God
- And it happened at the time He planned to be praying alone, the disciples were with Him, and He questioned them, saying: “Who do the common people declare Me to be?”
- And answering, they said: “Some say John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, and others say that one of the ancient prophets rose up.”
- And He said to them: “But who do you declare Me to be?” And answering, Peter said: “The Anointed, the son of God.”
- And having severely warned them, He charged them to tell this to no one,
- having said that: “It’s necessary for the Son of Man2quotation/allusion to Daniel 7:13 to suffer many things, and to be rejected by the elders, and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised on the third day.
- And He was saying to all of them: “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take his cross every day, and follow Me.
- “For whoever wants to save his life will ruin it, but whoever ruins his life on account of Me, this man will save it.
- “For how3“How” is literally “what” does a man benefit if he gained the whole world, but ruined himself or suffered loss?
- “For whoever might be ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of this man when He comes in the glory of Himself, and the Father, and the holy angels.
- “And truly I tell you, some are *standing here who definitely won’t taste death until they see the kingdom of God.
The transfiguration
- Now, it happened after these sayings, about eight days later, that having taken Peter, and John, and James, He went up to the mountain to pray.
- And it happened during His praying that the appearance of His face became different and His clothing became a gleaming white.
- And behold, two men were talking with Him, (who were Moses and Elijah,
- who were seen in glory). They were speaking of His departure, which He was about to fulfill in Jerusalem.
- And Peter and the men with him were *burdened with sleep. But having fully awakened, they saw His glory and the two men *standing with Him.
- And it happened during their departure from Him, Peter said to Jesus: “Master, it’s good for us to be here. And let us make three tabernacles; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”, not *knowing what he’s saying.
- But while he’s saying these things, a cloud formed and it was overshadowing them. And they were frightened during their entering into the cloud.
- And a voice came from the cloud, saying: “This is My Son, the *chosen One; listen to Him.”
- And at the time the voice happened, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and reported nothing of what they *saw to anyone in those days.
Casting out a demon
- And it happened on the next day, with them having descended from the mountain, that a numerous crowd met Him.
- And behold, a man from the crowd shouted, saying: “Teacher, I’m begging you to look on my son with favor because he is my only son.
- “And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he unexpectedly cries out, and it makes him convulse with foaming, and it rarely departs from him, and only then with great difficulty,4“rarely departs… …and only then with great difficulty” is one word in Greek it indicates something that rarely happens because of the difficulty of it happening. while bruising him.”
- “And I begged your disciples so they might cast it out, and they weren’t able to.”
- And answering, Jesus said: “O, you unbelieving and *perverted generation; how long will I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.”
- And with him still approaching, the demon threw him down and made him convulse. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.
- And all were stunned on account of the majesty of God. And with all marveling on account of all the things that He did, He said to His disciples:
- “You disciples, let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be handed over5“handed over” could also be translated “betrayed” since the Greek word can mean either. into the hands of men.”
- But they weren’t knowing what this statement meant, and it was *veiled from them so that they wouldn’t understand it. And they were frightened to ask Him about this statement.
How to be a great disciple
- And an inward reasoning entered in among them about who may be greater among them.
- But *knowing the inward reasoning of their heart, Jesus took hold of a young child and set it beside Him.
- And He told them: “Whoever welcomes this child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me, welcomes the One who sent Me. For the man who is lesser among all of you, this man is great.”
- And answering, John said: “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we were hindering him because he doesn’t follow with us.”
- And Jesus said to him: “Don’t hinder that, for whoever isn’t against you is for you.”
The Samaritans reject Jesus
- And it happened during the time that the days to complete His ascension were near, He also set His face resolutely to travel into Jerusalem,
- and He sent messengers ahead of His face. And having traveled, they entered into a Samaritan village so as to prepare for Him.
- And the Samaritans didn’t welcome Him because His face was set on traveling into Jerusalem.
- And having seen this, the disciples James and John said: “Lord, is your desire that we should call fire to descend from heaven and to consume them?”
- And having turned around, He rebuked them [and said: “You don’t *know what kind of spirit you are,
- for the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy the lives of men, but to save.] And they traveled into another village.
The cost of following Jesus
- And during their traveling on the road, someone said to Him: “I will follow you wherever you go.”
- And Jesus told him: “The foxes have dens, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man doesn’t have a place where He could lay His head.
- And He said to another man: “Follow Me.” But he said: “Lord, first let me depart to bury my father.”
- But He told him: “Leave the dead to bury their own dead; but having departed, you publicly proclaim the kingdom of God.”
- And another also said: “I will follow you Lord. But first allow me to bid farewell to the men in my home.”
- But Jesus said to him: “No one who put his hand on the plow while also looking to the things behind him is fit for the kingdom of God.”
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Luke Chapter 10
Sending out the seventy-[two]
- And after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy-[two] other men and sent them up two-by-two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.
- And He was saying to them: “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the workmen are few, so plead that the Lord of the harvest would send workmen into His harvest.
- “Go; behold, I am sending you out like lambs in the midst of wolves.
- “Take neither money-purse, nor traveler’s bag, nor extra sandals, and greet no one on the way.
- “And whichever house you enter into, first say: “Peace to this house.”
- “And if there’s a son of peace, your peace will rest on him. And if otherwise, it will return to you.
- “And remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things provided by them, for the workman is worthy of his wages. Don’t move from house to house.
- “And whatever city you enter into and they welcome you, eat the things set before you.
- “And heal the sick in it and tell them: “The kingdom of God has drawn near to you.”
- “But whatever city you enter into and they don’t welcome you, then having gone out into its streets, say:
- “We’re wiping off even the dust from your city which clung to our feet as a testimony against you. Nevertheless, know this, that the kingdom of God has drawn near.”
- “I tell you that it will be more tolerable for Sodom in that day than for that city.
- “Woe to you Chorazin. Woe to you Bethsaida. For if the miracles which happened in you had happened in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth while also sitting in ashes.
- “Nevertheless, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgement than for you.
- “And you, Capernaum, you won’t be exalted as far as heaven; you will descend as far as Hades.
- “The man hearing you hears Me, and the man rejecting you rejects Me, and the man rejecting Me rejects the One who sent Me.”
The seventy-[two] return
- And the seventy-[two] returned with joy, saying: “Lord, even the demons are submitted to us in your name!”
- And He told them: “I was watching Satan fall like lightning from the sky.”
- “Behold, I *gave authority to you to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over every power of the enemy, and that nothing could possibly1“nothing could possibly injure you” is more literally “nothing could definitely not injure you”. The word “possibly was added to keep the emphatic sense of the Greek. injure you.
- “Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are submitted to you. But rejoice that your names are *written in the heavens.”
- At the same hour, He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit and said: “I profess to you Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you concealed these things from the wise and intelligent and revealed them to little children. Yes Father, because it happening this way was pleasing in your sight.
- “All things were handed over to Me by My Father. And no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son is resolved to reveal Him.
- And having turned to the disciples in private, He said: “Blessed are the eyes seeing what you’re seeing.”
- “For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you’re seeing, and didn’t see it; and they wanted to hear what you’re hearing, and didn’t hear it.
The Greatest commandment and Parable of the Good Samaritan
- And behold, an expert in the Mosaic Law stood up, intent on testing Him, saying: “Teacher, what thing — if I did it — will cause me to inherit the life of ages?”
- And He said to him: “What’s *written in the law? How do you read it?”
- And answering, he said: “You shall ^love the Lord your God from your whole heart, and in your whole soul, and in your whole strength, and in your whole mind; and you shall ^love your neighbor as yourself.”
- And He told him: “You answered rightly; do this and you will live.”
- But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus: “And who is my neighbor?”
- And having taken up the topic, Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the midst of bandits, who even stripped him of his clothes. And having inflicted wounds, they departed, having left him half dead.2“half dead”. According to the Mosaic Law, specifically Leviticus 21:1-3 priests were not allowed to touch dead bodies. Since the man was “half dead”, he likely would’ve appeared dead, which is likely why the priest and Levite both passed by without touching him. Since Jesus was talking to an expert in the Mosaic Law, the man would’ve known this.
- “And by coincidence, a priest was going down on that road. And having seen him, he passed by on the other side of the road.
- “And likewise also a Levite happened on the place. Having come and seen him, he passed by on the other side of the road.
- “And a traveling Samaritan came to him, and having seen him, was moved with compassion.
- “And having approached, he bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. And having put him on his own beast of burden, he brought him into an inn and took care of him.
- “And having brought out two denarii on the next day, he gave them to the innkeeper and said: ‘Take care of him, and whatever you might spend in addition, I will repay you at my return.’
- “Which of these three do you suppose *became a neighbor of the man who fell into the midst of robbers?”
- And he said: “The man who acted with compassion with him.” And Jesus told him: “Go and you do likewise.”
Martha and Mary
- And in their traveling, He entered into a village and a woman named Martha welcomed Him [into her home].
- And a woman called Mary was a sister to this woman, who also sat at the feet of the Lord and was listening to His word.
- But Martha was being distracted concerning numerous service things. And having stood by Him, she said: “Lord, doesn’t it concern you that my sister deserted me to serve alone? So speak to her so she might cooperate in helping me.”
- And answering, the Lord told her: “Martha, Martha, you’re over-anxious and making a commotion about many things.
- “But little is more necessary than this one, for Mary chose the good portion which won’t be taken away from her.”
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Luke Chapter 11
The Lord’s prayer and persistence in prayer
- And it happened while He is at a place praying,1“while He is at a place praying” is more literally “during the time of Him to be in a place praying” when He ceased praying, one of His disciples said to Him: “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”
- And He told them: “When you pray, say: ‘[Our] Father [in the heavens], let your name be sanctified, let your kingdom come, [let your will be done on earth, even as it is in heaven],
- “give us our daily bread each day,
- “and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive every man indebted to us, and don’t lead us into temptation, [but rescue us from the evil one].”2“the evil one” or simply “evil”; either sense could be intended. However, for simply “evil”, a neuter construction is more likely, whereas these are masculine words here. This implies that “the evil one” is intended, but that definitely isn’t certain.
- And He said to them: “Who from among you will have a friend and will go to him at midnight and say to him: “Friend, lend me three loaves of bread,
- “since my friend came to me from a journey and I don’t have any food whatsoever I will set before him.”
- “And that man answering from within might say: “Don’t cause trouble for me. The door is already *shut and my children are with me in bed. I can’t rise to give you food.”
- “I tell you, even if he won’t give him something after rising because he’s his friend, nevertheless, he will give him as much as he needs after rising because of his bold and shameless persistence.3“bold and shameless persistence” is a single word in Greek.
- “And I tell you, ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.
- “For every man asking receives, and the man seeking finds, and to the man knocking, it will be opened.
- “And which father of you – when his son will ask for a fish – will he also give him a serpent instead of a fish?
- “Or also, if he will ask for an egg, will he give him a scorpion?
- “Therefore, if you — though being wicked — *know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to the men asking Him?”
A divided house
- And He was casting out a demon, and it was mute. And it happened with the demon having departed, the mute man spoke and the crowds marveled.
- But some of them said: “He casts out demons by Beelzebul,4From the Hebrew phrase “Baal Zebub” that translates as “lord of the flies”. It’s likely a play on words for the pagan Canaanite god Baal. One of his names was “Ba’al Zevul”, which roughly translates as “Lord of the exalted house”. Since “Ba’al Zevul” sounds very similar to “Baal Zebub”, it was likely a derogatory Hebrew nickname for the Canaanite god. Apparently, the title was later applied to an actual demon. There is some debate on whether Beelzebub is a nickname for Satan, or for another high ranking demon (see following note). the ruler5 “ruler” The Greek word here could mean the one of greatest authority, but it doesn’t have to. It means any “ruler”, not necessarily the one of highest authority. The traditional interpretation of this word in this verse is “prince”. of the demons.”
- And testing Him, others were seeking a miraculous sign from heaven from Him.
- And *knowing their thoughts, He told them: “Every kingdom divided against itself lays waste to itself, and a house divided against its own house falls.
- “And also, if Satan was divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you’re saying of Me that I cast out demons by Beelzebul.
- “And if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons cast them out? Because of this, they will be your judges.
- “But if I cast out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God came upon you.
- “When an *armed strong man guards his own house, his possessions are in peace.
- “But when a man stronger than him comes and conquers him, he takes away his full armor upon which he had trusted and divides his spoils of war.
- “The one not being with Me is against Me, and the one not assembling with Me, scatters.
- “When the unclean spirit departs from the man, it passes through waterless places seeking rest. And not finding rest, [then] it says: “I’ll return to my house from where I departed.
- “And having come, it finds it [vacant], *swept, and beautifully *decorated.
- “Then it travels and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself. And having entered in, they settle down there and the final state of that man becomes worse than the first state.”
- Now, it happened during His speaking these things, a woman from the crowd raised her voice and told Him: “Blessed is the womb which bore you, and the breasts from which you nursed.”
- But He said: “On the contrary, blessed are the men listening to the word of God and keeping it.”
This wicked generation
- And with the crowds being assembled around Him, He began to say: “This generation is a wicked generation! It seeks a sign, and a sign won’t be given to it except the sign of Jonah.
- “For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, in this way also, the Son of Man will be a sign to this generation.
- “The Queen of the South will be raised in the judgement with the men of this generation and will condemn them because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and behold; someone greater than Solomon is here.
- “The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgement with this generation and will condemn it because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and behold; someone greater than Jonah is here.
- “No one who lit a lamp puts it in a cellar nor under a basket, but on a lampstand so that the men entering might see the light.
- “The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye isn’t warped,6“eye isn’t warped” According to some sources, this is an idiom which means “to be generous”, in the sense of giving to others/charity. This makes excellent sense when you consider the context. The phrase is literally “is not warped”, with “not warped” being a single Greek word that literally means “without folds” (Thayers). It carries a similar moral connotation of “upright”, in the sense of not being crooked, bent, evil, etc. While “isn’t folded” would be more literally correct, it would be confusing because we don’t associate “folding” with crooked morals. However, we do associate “warped” with them; hence the translation choice here. your whole body is also full of light. But when it’s evil,7 “it’s evil” according to some sources, and “evil eye” is an idiom which means “to be stingy”. i.e. hoarding your wealth in an unhealthy way. your body is also full of darkness.
- “Therefore watch out, lest the light in you is darkness.”
- “Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, not having any share in the dark, it will be entirely full of light, like when the shining lamp illuminates you.
What defiles a man
- And during the talk, a Pharisee asks Him if He would dine with him. And having entered into his house, He reclined at the table.
- And having seen that He didn’t wash first before dinner, the Pharisee marveled.
- And the Lord said to him: “Currently, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the platter, but inwardly you’re full of robbery and wickedness.
- “You fools! Didn’t the One who made the outside also make the inside?
- “Moreover, give to charity from the inside and behold, all things are clean to you.
- “But woe to you, the Pharisees, because you tithe mint, and rue,8“rue” is garden plant used to flavor or garnish food. and every garden herb, and yet you overlook the justice and the ^love of God. But it was necessary to do these things, and not to neglect those.
- “Woe to you, the Pharisees, because you ^love the chief seat in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
- “Woe to you because you’re like unseen tombs, and the men walking on top of them don’t *know it.”
- And answering, one of the Mosaic Law experts tells Him: “Teacher, by saying these things, you’re also spitefully insulting us.”
- And He said: “And woe to you law experts, because you are burdening men with oppressive burdens and you yourselves don’t touch the burdens with one of your fingers.
- “Woe to you because you build the tombs of the prophets, but your fathers killed them.
- “Consequently, you are witnesses and join in approvingly with the works of your fathers, because they indeed killed them and you build the tombs.
- “Because of this, even the wisdom of God said: I’ll send prophets and apostles to them, and they will kill and persecute some of them,
- “so that the blood of all the prophets *poured out from the world’s foundation might be sought from this generation.
- “From Abel’s blood to Zechariah’s blood — the man who perished between the altar and the Lord’s house — yes I tell you, it will be sought from this generation.
- “Woe to you law experts because you removed the key of knowledge. You yourselves didn’t enter, and you hindered the men who are entering.”
- With Him having departed from there, the scribes and the Pharisees began to vehemently hold a hostile grudge and to interrogate Him concerning many things to trap Him in His words,9“to interrogate… …to trap Him in His words” is one word in Greek, and it has the additional nuance of attempting to do this by catching someone off guard in an attempt to get a less-than-ideal off-hand answer.
- waiting to ambush Him and hunting to entrap Him in something from His mouth.
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Luke Chapter 12
Fear and worry
- Meanwhile, an innumerable multitude of the crowd were gathered together so as to trample on one another, and He began first to speak to His disciples: “Guard yourselves from the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.
- “And nothing is *covered up which won’t be uncovered, and nothing secret which won’t become known.
- “For this reason, as much as you said in the darkness will be heard in the light, and what you said into the ear in secret rooms will be proclaimed on the rooftops.
- “And I tell you that My friends shouldn’t be frightened by the men killing the body, and after this1“this” is literally “these” or “these things“ not having anything further to do.
- “But I will warn you of whom you should be frightened of: Fear the One having authority to cast someone into the Valley of Hinnom2“Valley of Hinnom” is literal; see note on Matthew 5:22. after the killing. Yes I tell you, be frightened of Him.
- “Aren’t five sparrows sold for only two brass coins?3“brass coins” refers to an “assarion”. It was worth one tenth of a drachma. Not even one of them is *forgotten in God’s sight.
- “Moreover, even the hairs on your head are all *numbered. Don’t be frightened; you surpass the value of many sparrows.
- “And I tell you that every man who confessed Me in the sight of men, the Son of Man will also confess him in the sight of the angels of God.
- “But the man denying Me in the sight of men, he will be denied in the sight of the angels of God.
- “And every man who will speak a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him. But the man who blasphemed against the Holy Spirit won’t be forgiven.
- “And when they bring you before the synagogues, and the rulers, and the authorities, you shouldn’t be anxious about how or what your verbal defense should be, or what you should say,
- “for the Holy Spirit will instruct you what is necessary to say in that same hour.
Warning against covetousness
- “And one man from the crowd said to Him: “Teacher, tell my brother to divide his inheritance with me.”
- And He told him: “Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?
- And He said to them: “Watch out and keep yourselves from all covetousness, because for anyone, his life isn’t in the overflow of his possessions.
- And He told a parable to them, saying: “A rich man had a bountiful harvest from the ground.
- And he was reasoning inside himself, saying: “What should I do? Because I don’t have a place where I will store my crops.”4“crops” is literally “fruits”
- And he said: “I’ll do this: I’ll demolish my storehouses and will construct greater ones, and will gather all my goods and grain there.
- “And I will say to my soul: soul, you have many goods laid up for many years; refresh yourself, eat, drink, and be merry.”5“be merry” could also be translated “celebrate”, or “rejoice”
- But God said to him: “You fool! Your life is demanded of you this night. And what you prepared, to whom will it be given?”
- “The man treasuring up things for himself and not being rich toward God is like this.”
Don’t worry
- And He said to His disciples: “Because of this, I tell you: don’t worry about your life, what you might eat; nor about your body, what you might wear.
- “For the life is more than food and the body more than clothing.
- “Consider the ravens, that they don’t sow or reap, and for whom there isn’t a storeroom nor barn, and yet God feeds them. How much more do you surpass the birds in value?
- “And which of you is able to add an hour onto his lifespan by being anxious?
- “Therefore, if you’re not even able to affect the smallest thing, why are you worrying about the rest?
- “Consider the lilies and how they grow; they don’t exhaust themselves with work nor do they spin,6 Spinning is an ancient process of turning animal fibers (hair) into thread, which was then woven into fabric, which was made into clothes. Spinning was a very labor intensive process before modern machinery. but I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory clothed himself like one of these.
- “And, if God clothes the grass in the field like this — despite it being here today and tomorrow being thrown into a furnace — how much more will God clothe you, O you of little faith.
- “And you, don’t seek what you might eat and what you might drink, and don’t worry yourselves.
- “For the nations of the world eagerly seek all these things, but your Father *knows that you need these things.
- “Moreover, seek His kingdom and these things will be added to you.
- “Don’t be frightened little flock, because your Father was delighted to give you the kingdom.
- “Sell your possessions and give to charity; make money-purses for yourselves, ones not becoming obsolete, an unfailing treasury in the heavens where a thief doesn’t approach nor a moth destroy.
- “For where your treasure is, your heart will also be there.
Keep watch
- “Let your loins be *girded7“loins be *girded”. This is a cultural reference, referring to the process of tying a belt or rope around the waist to gather the long robes and prevent them from getting in the way of work. It figuratively came to mean getting ready for action or work. and your lamps be lit.
- “And you, be like men awaiting their own lord when he returns from the wedding feast so that when he comes and knocks, they can open for him immediately.
- “Blessed are those slaves whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Amen I tell you that he will gird himself and will have them recline. And having arrived, he will serve them.
- “And if he comes in the second watch, and if he comes in the third watch and finds them watching this way, blessed are those men.
- “But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief comes, [he would’ve watched and] he wouldn’t have allowed his house to be broken into.
- “And you, become ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you aren’t supposing.”
- And Peter said: “Lord, are you telling this parable to us only, or also to all men?”
- And the Lord said: “Who then is the faithful and prudent steward whom the lord will appoint over his household, to give their ration of food at the appropriate time.
- “Blessed is that slave whom his lord will find acting in this manner when he comes.
- “Truly I tell you that he will appoint him over all his possessions.
- “But if that slave says in his heart: “My lord is delaying to come” and begins to beat the male servants and female servants, and both to eat and to drink, and to get drunk,
- “the lord of that slave will arrive on a day which he doesn’t anticipate, and at an hour which he doesn’t know, and he will cut him in two and will appoint his portion with the unbelievers.
- “And that slave — the man who knew the will of his lord and didn’t prepare or do according to his will — he will be flogged many times.
- But the man who didn’t know and did things deserving of floggings, he will be flogged only a few times. And every man to whom much was given, much will be sought from him. And someone to whom they entrusted much, they will demand abundantly more of him.
- “I came to cast fire upon the earth, and how I wish it was already kindled.
- “But I have a baptism to be baptized in, and how I’m constrained8“constrained’ could also be translated “afflicted” as the word can mean either. until it’s accomplished.
- “Do you suppose that I came to give peace in the land? I tell you: certainly not, but rather division.
- “For from now on, there will be five *divided in one house, three against two and two against three.
- “They will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
- And He was also telling the crowds: “When you see a cloud springing up in the west, you immediately say that a rain shower is coming, and it happens this way.
- “And when a south wind is blowing, you say that there will be heat, and it happens.
- “Hypocrites! You *know to examine the appearance of the earth and sky, but how don’t you *know to examine this season?
- “And why don’t you also judge for yourselves what’s right?
- “For as you’re departing with your legal opponent to go before a ruler, while on the way, give an earnest effort to be *delivered from him, lest at some time he drags you to the judge, and the judge will hand you to the bailiff, and the bailiff will throw you into prison.
- “I tell you, you definitely won’t come out from that place until you repay even the last cent.9“cent” is literally “leptos”, which means “little” or “small”, and refers to a coin that was worth 1/128th of a denarius, which was the going rate for a day of unskilled labor.
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Luke Chapter 13
Repent or perish
- And some men were nearby at the same time, reporting to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices.
- And answering, He told them: “Do you suppose that these Galileans were sinners more than all the Galileans because they *suffered these things?
- “I tell you, certainly not; but unless you repent, all of you will likewise perish.
- “Or those eighteen men on whom the tower of Siloam fell and killed them; do you suppose that they were debtors to sin1“debtors to sin” is one word in Greek, which primarily means “debtor”. However, it can also indicate someone who has a “debt to sin”; i.e., a sinner. This word is also used in Matthew 6:12, making the connection between debts and sin even more clear; see footnotes on that verse. more than all the men inhabiting Jerusalem?
- “I tell you, certainly not; but unless you repent, all of you will similarly perish.”
- And He was speaking this parable: “A man had a fig tree *planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and didn’t find any.
- “And he said to the gardener: Behold, from three years ago until now I come seeking fruit on this fig tree and don’t find any. Therefore cut it down, because why is it even wasting the ground?
- “And answering, he tells him: “Lord, leave it this year also until I dig around it and put manure around it.”
- “And if it indeed bears fruit in that time, it was merely delaying. But if otherwise, you will cut it down.”
Healing on the Sabbath
- And He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbaths.
- And behold, there was a woman having a spirit of weakness for 18 years. And she was bending over and not able to stand erect for the whole time.
- And having seen her, Jesus summoned her and told her: “Woman, you have been released from your weakness.”
- And He laid His hands on her, and she was instantly straightened, and she was glorifying God.
- And answering, the synagogue leader — being indignant because Jesus healed on the Sabbath — was telling the crowd: “There are six days in which it’s necessary to work. Therefore, be healed by coming on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”
- And the Lord answered him and said: “Hypocrites! On the Sabbath, doesn’t each of you release his ox or donkey from the feeding trough and lead it away to water it?
- “And this daughter of Abraham whom Satan bound — behold, for ten and eight years — wasn’t it necessary for her to be released from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
- And after Him saying these things, all the men opposing Him were shamed, and everyone in the crowd was rejoicing at all the glorious things being done by Him.
- Therefore, He was saying: “To what is the kingdom of God similar? And to what will I compare it?”
- “It is similar to a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his own garden. And it grew, and became a tree, and the birds of the air nested in its branches.”
- And again He said: “To what will I compare the kingdom of God?”
- “It’s similar to leaven, which having taken it, a woman hid in three measures of flour until the whole lump was leavened.”
Fight to enter the kingdom of God
- And He was passing through cities and villages, teaching and continuing His journey to Jerusalem.
- And one man said to Him: “Lord, are the men being saved few?” And He said to them:
- “Fight to enter in through the narrow door, because I tell you that many will seek to enter in and won’t be able,2“be able” could also be translated “be strong enough”. This is likely a parallel to the word “fight” at the beginning of the verse, which refers to military or athletic contest where strength and determination are key to success.
- “since the master of the house might be roused and might have shut the door, and you might begin to *stand outside and to knock at the door, saying: “Lord, open the door for us.” And answering, He will tell you: “I don’t *know you or where you’re from.”
- “Then you will begin to say: “We ate and drank in your presence and you taught in our streets.”
- “And He will speak, telling you: “I don’t *know you or where you’re from; depart from Me, all you workers without regard for God’s commands.”3 “without regard for God’s commands” is one word in Greek, and is more literally “ignorers of God’s law”. It’s a noun, and literally means “those who are without law”; i.e. those who – either by ignorance or by rebellion – don’t obey God’s (moral) law.
- “There will be wailing and grinding of teeth there when you see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you’re being thrown out.
- “And they will arrive from east and west, and from north and south, and they will recline at the table in the kingdom of God.
- “And behold: many are last who will be first, and many are first who will be last.”
- Some Pharisees approached in the same hour, telling Him: “Depart and travel away from here because Herod wants to kill you.”
- And He told them: “Depart and tell that fox: Behold, I cast out demons and accomplish healings today and tomorrow, and I’m perfected the third day.
- “Nevertheless, it’s necessary for Me to travel today, and tomorrow, and the following day, because it’s not permissible for a prophet to perish outside of Jerusalem.
- “Jerusalem, Jerusalem; the city slaying the prophets and stoning the men *sent to her. How often I wanted to gather your children the way that a hen gathers her own chicks under her wings, and you didn’t want that.
- “Behold, your house is abandoned to you alone. And I tell you: you definitely won’t see Me until the time will arrive when you say: *Blessed is the One coming in the Lord’s name.
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Luke Chapter 14
Luke Chapter 15
Luke Chapter 16
Luke Chapter 17
Luke Chapter 18
Luke Chapter 19
Luke Chapter 20
Luke Chapter 21
Luke Chapter 22
Luke Chapter 23
Luke Chapter 24