* The two F.O.G. Bibles and Commentary below are currently a work in progress.
The Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
1And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.
2And after six days Jesus taketh with him Peter, and James, and John, and leadeth them up into an high mountain apart by themselves: and he was transfigured before them. 3And his raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them. 4And there appeared unto them Elias with Moses: and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter answered and said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. 6For he wist not what to say; for they were sore afraid. 7And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8And suddenly, when they had looked round about, they saw no man any more, save Jesus only with themselves.
9And as they came down from the mountain, he charged them that they should tell no man what things they had seen, till the Son of man were risen from the dead. 10And they kept that saying with themselves, questioning one with another what the rising from the dead should mean. 11And they asked him, saying, Why say the scribes that Elias must first come? 12And he answered and told them, Elias verily cometh first, and restoreth all things; and how it is written of the Son of man, that he must suffer many things, and be set at nought. 13But I say unto you, That Elias is indeed come, and they have done unto him whatsoever they listed, as it is written of him.
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-42; Luke 17:5-10)
14And when he came to his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. 15And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. 16And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? 17And one of the multitude answered and said, Master, I have brought unto thee my son, which hath a dumb spirit; 18And wheresoever he taketh him, he teareth him: and he foameth, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away: and I spake to thy disciples that they should cast him out; and they could not. 19He answereth him, and saith, O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him unto me. 20And they brought him unto him: and when he saw him, straightway the spirit tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. 21And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. 22And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. 23Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. 24And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. 25When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. 27But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. 28And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? 29And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
(Matthew 17:22-23)
30And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it. 31For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day. 32But they understood not that saying, and were afraid to ask him.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
(Matthew 18:1-6; Luke 9:46-50)
33And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? 34But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest. 35And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. 36And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, 37Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.
Intolerance Rebuked
38And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. 39But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40For he that is not against us is on our part. 41For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:7-9; Luke 17:1-4)
42And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. 43And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
49For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
King James Bible
Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.
The Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Peter 1:16–21)
1 He said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste death until they see the Kingdom of God come with power.”
2 After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves, and he was changed into another form in front of them. 3 His clothing became glistening, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. 4 Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 Peter answered Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let’s make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid. 7 A cloud came, overshadowing them, and a voice came out of the cloud, “This is my beloved Son. Listen to him.” 8 Suddenly looking around, they saw no one with them any more, except Jesus only.
9 As they were coming down from the mountain, he commanded them that they should tell no one what things they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant. 11 They asked him, saying, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 12 He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and restores all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they have also done to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him.”
The Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Matthew 17:14–18; Luke 9:37–42)
14 Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. 15 Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him greeted him. 16 He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?” 17 One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; 18 and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth, and wastes away. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” 19 He answered him, “Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.” 20 They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth. 21 He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has come to him?” He said, “From childhood. 22 Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” 23 Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” 24 Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!” 26 Having cried out, and convulsed greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead; so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand, and raised him up; and he arose. 28 When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” 29 He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing, except by prayer and fasting.”
The Second Prediction of the Passion
(Matthew 17:22–23; Luke 9:43–45)
30 They went out from there, and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it. 31 For he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, “The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.” 32 But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
(Matthew 18:1–5; Luke 9:46–50)
33 He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for they had disputed one with another on the way about who was the greatest. 35 He sat down, and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” 36 He took a little child, and set him in their midst. Taking him in his arms, he said to them,
37 “Whoever receives one such little child in my name, receives me, and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”
38 John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” 39 But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. 40 For whoever is not against us is on our side. 41 For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.
Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:6–9; Luke 17:1–4)
42 Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck. 43 If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire, 44 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 45 If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched— 46 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ 47 If your eye causes you to stumble, cast it out. It is better for you to enter into the Kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, 48 ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’
Good Salt
(Matthew 5:13–16; Luke 14:34–35)
49 For everyone will be salted with fire, and every sacrifice will be seasoned with salt. 50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
The Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1–13; Luke 9:28–36; 2 Peter 1:16–21)
1 Then Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God arrive with power.”
2 After six days Jesus took with Him Peter, James, and John, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There He was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became radiantly white, brighter than any launderer on earth could bleach them. 4 And Elijah and Moses appeared before them, talking with Jesus.
5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters a—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 For they were all so terrified that Peter did not know what else to say.
7 Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they saw no one with them except Jesus.
9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus admonished them not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 So they kept this matter to themselves, discussing what it meant to rise from the dead. 11 And they asked Jesus, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
12 He replied, “Elijah does indeed come first, and he restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected? 13 But I tell you that Elijah has indeed come, and they have done to him whatever they wished, just as it is written about him.”
The Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Matthew 17:14–18; Luke 9:37–42)
14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and scribes arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were filled with awe and ran to greet Him.
16 “What are you disputing with them?” He asked.
17 Someone in the crowd replied, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. b I asked Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”
19 “O unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me.”
20 So they brought him, and seeing Jesus, the spirit immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has this been with him?”
“From childhood,” he said. 22 “It often throws him into the fire or into the water, trying to kill him. But if You can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
23 “If You can?” echoed Jesus. “All things are possible to him who believes!”
24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out, c “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd had come running, He rebuked the unclean spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you to come out and never enter him again.”
26 After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, “He is dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.
28 After Jesus had gone into the house, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
29 Jesus answered, “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.” d
The Second Prediction of the Passion
(Matthew 17:22–23; Luke 9:43–45)
30 Going on from there, they passed through Galilee. But Jesus did not want anyone to know, 31 because He was teaching His disciples. He told them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.” 32 But they did not understand this statement, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
(Matthew 18:1–5; Luke 9:46–50)
33 Then they came to Capernaum. While Jesus was in the house, He asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they were silent, for on the way they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
35 Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.”
36 Then He had a little child stand among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes not only Me, but the One who sent Me.”
38 John said to Him, “Teacher, we saw someone else driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”
39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied. “For no one who performs a miracle in My name can turn around and speak evil of Me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Indeed, if anyone gives you even a cup of water because you bear the name of Christ, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.
Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:6–9; Luke 17:1–4)
42 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.
43 If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, e into the unquenchable fire. f 45 If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. g 47 And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, 48 where ‘their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched.’ h
Good Salt
(Matthew 5:13–16; Luke 14:34–35)
49 For everyone will be salted with fire. i
50 Salt is good, but if the salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”
Footnotes:
5 a Or three tabernacles
18 b Or and is withering away
24 c BYZ and TR cried out with tears
29 d BYZ and TR prayer and fasting
43 e Greek Gehenna ; also in verses 45 and 47
43 f BYZ and TR include 44where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched ; see verse 48 and Isaiah 66:24.
45 g BYZ and TR include 46where their worm never dies, and the fire is never quenched ; see verse 48 and Isaiah 66:24.
48 h Isaiah 66:24
49 i BYZ and TR include and every sacrifice will be salted with salt .
The Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-13; Luke 9:28-36; 2 Peter 1:16-21)
1And he said to them, 'Verily I say to you, That there are certain of those standing here, who may not taste of death till they see the reign of God having come in power.'
2And after six days doth Jesus take Peter, and James, and John, and bringeth them up to a high mount by themselves, alone, and he was transfigured before them, 3and his garments became glittering, white exceedingly, as snow, so as a fuller upon the earth is not able to whiten them. 4And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5And Peter answering saith to Jesus, 'Rabbi, it is good to us to be here; and we may make three booths, for thee one, and for Moses one, and for Elijah one:' 6for he was not knowing what he might say, for they were greatly afraid. 7And there came a cloud overshadowing them, and there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, 'This is My Son -- the Beloved, hear ye him;' 8and suddenly, having looked around, they saw no one any more, but Jesus only with themselves.
9And as they are coming down from the mount, he charged them that they may declare to no one the things that they saw, except when the Son of Man may rise out of the dead; 10and the thing they kept to themselves, questioning together what the rising out of the dead is. 11And they were questioning him, saying, that the scribes say that Elijah it behoveth to come first. 12And he answering said to them, 'Elijah indeed, having come first, doth restore all things; and how hath it been written concerning the Son of Man, that many things he may suffer, and be set at nought? 13But I say to you, That also Elijah hath come, and they did to him what they willed, as it hath been written of him.'
Jesus Heals a Boy with an Evil Spirit
(Matthew 17:14-21; Luke 9:37-42; Luke 17:5-10)
14And having come unto the disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and scribes questioning with them, 15and immediately, all the multitude having seen him, were amazed, and running near, were saluting him. 16And he questioned the scribes, 'What dispute ye with them?' 17and one out of the multitude answering said, 'Teacher, I brought my son unto thee, having a dumb spirit; 18and wherever it doth seize him, it doth tear him, and he foameth, and gnasheth his teeth, and pineth away; and I spake to thy disciples that they may cast it out, and they were not able.' 19And he answering him, said, 'O generation unbelieving, till when shall I be with you? till when shall I suffer you? bring him unto me;' 20and they brought him unto him, and he having seen him, immediately the spirit tare him, and he, having fallen upon the earth, was wallowing -- foaming. 21And he questioned his father, 'How long time is it since this came to him?' and he said, 'From childhood, 22and many times also it cast him into fire, and into water, that it might destroy him; but if thou art able to do anything, help us, having compassion on us.' 23And Jesus said to him, 'If thou art able to believe! all things are possible to the one that is believing;' 24and immediately the father of the child, having cried out, with tears said, 'I believe, sir; be helping mine unbelief.' 25Jesus having seen that a multitude doth run together, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, 'Spirit -- dumb and deaf -- I charge thee, come forth out of him, and no more thou mayest enter into him;' 26and having cried, and rent him much, it came forth, and he became as dead, so that many said that he was dead, 27but Jesus, having taken him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose. 28And he having come into the house, his disciples were questioning him by himself -- 'Why were we not able to cast it forth?' 29And he said to them, 'This kind is able to come forth with nothing except with prayer and fasting.'
Jesus Again Foretells Death, Resurrection
(Matthew 17:22-23)
30And having gone forth thence, they were passing through Galilee, and he did not wish that any may know, 31for he was teaching his disciples, and he said to them, 'The Son of Man is being delivered to the hands of men, and they shall kill him, and having been killed the third day he shall rise,' 32but they were not understanding the saying, and they were afraid to question him.
The Greatest in the Kingdom
(Matthew 18:1-6; Luke 9:46-50)
33And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, he was questioning them, 'What were ye reasoning in the way among yourselves?' 34and they were silent, for with one another they did reason in the way who is greater; 35and having sat down he called the twelve, and he saith to them, 'If any doth will to be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all.' 36And having taken a child, he set him in the midst of them, and having taken him in his arms, said to them, 37'Whoever may receive one of such children in my name, doth receive me, and whoever may receive me, doth not receive me, but Him who sent me.'
Intolerance Rebuked
38And John did answer him, saying, 'Teacher, we saw a certain one in thy name casting out demons, who doth not follow us, and we forbade him, because he doth not follow us.' 39And Jesus said, 'Forbid him not, for there is no one who shall do a mighty work in my name, and shall be able readily to speak evil of me: 40for he who is not against us is for us; 41for whoever may give you to drink a cup of water in my name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say to you, he may not lose his reward;
Temptations and Trespasses
(Matthew 18:7-9; Luke 17:1-4)
42and whoever may cause to stumble one of the little ones believing in me, better is it for him if a millstone is hanged about his neck, and he hath been cast into the sea. 43'And if thy hand may cause thee to stumble, cut it off; it is better for thee maimed to enter into the life, than having the two hands, to go away to the gehenna, to the fire -- the unquenchable -- 44where their worm is not dying, and the fire is not being quenched. 45'And if thy foot may cause thee to stumble, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into the life lame, than having the two feet to be cast to the gehenna, to the fire -- the unquenchable -- 46where their worm is not dying, and the fire is not being quenched. 47And if thine eye may cause thee to stumble, cast it out; it is better for thee one-eyed to enter into the reign of God, than having two eyes, to be cast to the gehenna of the fire -- 48where their worm is not dying, and the fire is not being quenched;
49for every one with fire shall be salted, and every sacrifice with salt shall be salted. 50The salt is good, but if the salt may become saltless, in what will ye season it? Have in yourselves salt, and have peace in one another.'
The Favor of God Message paraphrase
The Transfiguration
¹ And Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God come with power.”
² After six days, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There He was transfigured before them.
³ His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them.
⁴ And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
⁵ Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”
⁶ (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)
⁷ Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is My Son, whom I love. Listen to Him!”
⁸ Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus.
⁹ As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead.
¹⁰ They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.
¹¹ And they asked Him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?”
¹² Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected?
¹³ But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.”*
Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by an Impure Spirit
¹⁴ When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them.
¹⁵ As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet Him.
¹⁶ “What are you arguing with them about?” He asked.
¹⁷ A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought You my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech.
¹⁸ Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked Your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.”
¹⁹ “You unbelieving generation!” Jesus replied. “How long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to Me!”
²⁰ So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.
²¹ Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered.
²² “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
²³ “‘If You can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
²⁴ Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, He rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” He said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again!”
²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently, and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.”
²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
²⁸ After Jesus had gone indoors, His disciples asked Him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
²⁹ He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time
³⁰ They left that place and passed through Galilee. Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were,
³¹ because He was teaching His disciples. He said to them, “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and after three days He will rise.”
³² But they did not understand what He meant and were afraid to ask Him about it.
Who Is the Greatest?
³³ They came to Capernaum. When He was in the house, He asked them, “What were you arguing about on the road?”
³⁴ But they kept quiet because on the way they had argued about who was the greatest.
³⁵ Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”
³⁶ He took a little child whom He placed among them. Taking the child in His arms, He said to them,
³⁷ “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in My name welcomes Me; and whoever welcomes Me does not welcome Me but the one who sent Me.”
Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
³⁸ “Teacher,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us.”
³⁹ “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no one who does a miracle in My name can in the next moment say anything bad about Me,
⁴⁰ for whoever is not against us is for us.
⁴¹ Truly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup of water in My name because you belong to the Messiah will certainly not lose their reward.
Causing to Stumble
⁴² “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in Me—to stumble, it would be better for them if a large millstone were hung around their neck and they were thrown into the sea.
⁴³ If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.*
⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off! It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell.
⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out! It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,
⁴⁸ where “‘the worms that eat them do not die, and the fire is not quenched.’
⁴⁹ Everyone will be salted with fire.
⁵⁰ Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other.”
Footnotes:
9:13: Jesus is referring to John the Baptist, who came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for the Messiah, yet was mistreated and eventually killed by Herod.
9:29: The need for prayer in this context emphasizes dependence on God for spiritual power, especially in dealing with deep-rooted spiritual opposition like this demon.
9:37: Jesus’ teaching on welcoming children highlights humility and care for the vulnerable, showing that greatness in God’s kingdom is measured by love and service.
9:40: Jesus underscores unity in His mission, pointing out that anyone acting in His name is part of His work, even if they’re not part of the inner circle of disciples.
9:42: The warning about causing believers to stumble emphasizes the seriousness of influencing others negatively, especially those young in faith.
9:43: The drastic imagery of cutting off a hand or foot is hyperbole, stressing the importance of dealing with sin radically and decisively.
9:48: The imagery of worms and fire refers to eternal punishment, drawn from Isaiah 66:24, portraying the consequences of rejecting God’s kingdom.
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