Luke 9

1 Then [at that time, afterwards] Jesus called [summoned, gathered] the Twelve [twelve apostles, his closest disciples] together and gave [bestowed, granted] them power [miraculous ability] and authority [the right to act] over all [every kind of] demons [evil spirits, unclean beings], and power [ability, strength] to cure [heal, restore to health] diseases [sicknesses, illnesses]. word study 2 And He sent [dispatched on a mission] them out to proclaim [preach, herald] the kingdom [royal power, dominion] of God [the one true deity] and to heal [cure, restore] the sick [weak, feeble, ailing]. word study 3 “Take [nothing at all, no provisions] nothing for the journey,” He told them, “no [walking] staff [or rod], no [traveler’s] bag [or wallet], no [loaf of] bread [or food], no [silver] money [or coins], no second tunic. word study 4 Whatever [any, every] house [a physical dwelling or family] you enter [to go into, come into], stay [remain, abide] there [in that place] until [as long as, during the time] you leave [go out, depart] that area [town, region, from there] [thence, from that place]. word study 5 If anyone [whoever, as many as] does not welcome [receive, accept] you, shake [shake off, remove] the dust [pulverized earth, insignificance] off your feet [as a symbol of separation] when you leave [go out, depart from] that town [city, community], as a testimony [witness, evidence] against them [in opposition to, as a warning to].” word study 6 So they set out [departed, went away] and went from village [rural area, small town] to village, preaching [announcing, proclaiming] the gospel [good news, message of salvation] and healing [serving, curing] people everywhere [in all places, throughout every region]. word study 7 When Herod [a ruler of a fourth part] the tetrarch heard [perceived and understood] about all [everything] that was happening [occurring], he was perplexed [completely baffled]. For some [certain people] were saying [speaking] that John [the Baptist] had risen [been raised] from the dead [the state of being lifeless], word study 8 others that Elijah [a prophet of God] had appeared [to shine forth, become visible], and still others that a prophet [one who speaks forth God’s will] of old [ancient, from the beginning] had arisen [to stand up, come to life again]. word study 9 “I [personally, of my own accord] beheaded [cut off the head of, executed] John,” Herod [the king, a ruler] said, “but who [what kind of person, which one] is this man [prophet, teacher] I hear [am hearing, am informed] such things [reports, rumors] about [concerning, regarding]?” And he [Herod, the king] kept trying [seeking, desiring] to see [behold, meet] Jesus [the Messiah, the Christ]. word study 10 Then the apostles [messengers of Jesus Christ] returned and reported to Jesus all that they had done [accomplished, fulfilled their mission]. Taking them away [withdrawing, stepping aside] privately [to a secluded place, alone], He withdrew [retreated, stepped back] to a town [city, urban area] called [named, known as] Bethsaida [a place of fishing, a city by the sea]. word study 11 But the crowds [multitudes, large groups of people] found out [perceiving, getting news of it] and followed [accompanied, went after] Him. He welcomed [received, accepted] them and spoke [talked, uttered words] to them about [concerning, regarding] the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the supreme Deity, Creator], and He healed [cured, restored to health] those who needed [had need of, required] healing [physical or spiritual restoration]. word study 12 As the day [late in the afternoon, nearing its end] neared its end, the Twelve [twelve apostles, Jesus’ closest followers] came to Jesus and said, “Dismiss [send away, release] the crowd [large group of people, multitude] so they can go to the surrounding [nearby, around] villages [small towns, rural areas] and countryside [fields, farms] for lodging [resting places, shelter] and provisions [food, supplies]. For we are in a desolate [deserted] place [location, area] here [in this spot].” word study 13 But Jesus told them, “You [give yourselves, provide for them] give them something to eat [food, nourishment, or sustenance].” “We have only [no more than, merely] five loaves of bread [food, provision] and two fish [a small amount of food],” they answered, “unless [if not, except] we go and buy [purchase, acquire] food [provisions, nourishment] for all [every single one, the entire crowd] these people [the multitude, the crowd].” word study 14 (There were about [approximately, nearly] five thousand [a large multitude of] men [adult males].) He told [spoke to, commanded] His disciples [learners, followers], “Have them sit down [recline] in groups [companies] of about [like, as] fifty [a specific number] each [individually].” word study 15 They did so [in this way, thus], and everyone [all, every one] was seated [made to recline, caused to sit down]. word study 16 Taking the five loaves [of bread] and the two fish [a sign of God’s provision] and looking up to heaven [toward the sky and God’s throne], Jesus spoke a blessing [praising and thanking God] and broke them [into pieces, distributing to all]. Then He gave them to the disciples [His followers, learners] to set before the people [the crowd, multitude, those in need]. word study 17 They all [every single one, the entire crowd] ate [to eat, whether literally or figuratively] and were satisfied [to feed or fill with food], and the disciples picked up [to lift up or take away] twelve [a dozen] basketfuls [small wicker baskets] of broken pieces [fragments] that were left over [remaining, to them]. word study 18 One day [at another time, as he was alone] as Jesus was praying [apart] in private and the disciples [his learners, pupils] were with Him, He questioned [asked, sought information from] them: “Who [which one, what person] do the crowds [multitudes, large groups of people] say I am [that I really am, who they think I am]?” word study 19 They replied, “Some say John [who baptizes with water] the Baptist; others say Elijah [the prophet who appeared with Jesus]; and still others, that a prophet [one who speaks forth God’s will] of old [from ancient times] has arisen [stood up, come back to life].” word study 20 “But what about you?” Jesus asked [inquiring about their personal conviction]. “Who do you say I am [what is your understanding of my identity]?” Peter answered, “The Christ [the anointed One, Messiah] of God [the supreme deity, Creator of all].” word study 21 Jesus [with strong warning] strictly warned [rebuked, commanded to stop] them not to tell [to say, to speak] this [this specific thing] to anyone [no one, nothing] [commanding them, giving orders]. word study 22 “The Son of Man [the Messiah, God’s appointed Savior] must suffer [experience pain, endure hardship] many things,” He said. “He must be rejected [disapproved, repudiated] by the elders [respected leaders, spiritual guides], chief priests [high-ranking Jewish officials], and scribes [experts in the law, teachers of Scripture], and He must be killed [put to death, slain] and on the third [third in a sequence, a significant time] day be raised [brought back to life, resurrected] to life [eternal life, spiritual existence].” word study 23 Then Jesus said to all [every single one] of them, “If anyone [any person, one who desires] wants to come [to follow, to go] after Me, he must [it is necessary for him to] deny [utterly refuse, disown] himself [his own desires, interests] and take up [lift up, bear] his cross [instrument of death] daily [every day, continually] and follow [accompany, obey] Me [as a disciple, in faith]. word study 24 For whoever [desires to] wants to save [preserve, protect] his life [soul, the breath of life or seat of emotions] will lose [destroy] it, but whoever loses [gives up, sacrifices] his life [soul, the essence of a person] for My sake [because of me] will save [rescue, deliver] it. word study 25 What [benefit or advantage] does it profit [to help or benefit] a man [a human being, person] to gain [acquire or obtain] the whole [entire, complete] world [the earth, human society], yet lose [suffer loss, be deprived of] or forfeit [give up, surrender] his very [own, true] self [identity, being]? word study 26 If anyone [whoever, whosoever] is ashamed [feeling regret or embarrassment] of Me [the Messiah, the Son of God] and My words [My teachings, My message], the Son of Man [the Messiah, the representative of humanity] will be ashamed [have shame or regret] of him when He comes [arrives, returns] in His glory [His majestic presence, honor] and in the glory [honor, praise] of the Father [God, the Creator] and of the holy [set apart, dedicated] angels [messengers of God]. word study 27 But I tell you truthfully [with certainty, surely], some [certain ones, a few] who are standing [present, in this place] here [in this location, now] will not taste [experience, partake of] death [physical or spiritual separation] before they see [perceive, behold] the kingdom [reign, dominion] of God [the one true deity, Creator].” word study 28 About [approximately, around] eight days [a period of time, a week] after Jesus had said these things [words, teachings], He took [received, accompanied] with Him Peter [the rock, a disciple], John [the beloved apostle], and James [the son of Zebedee], and went up [ascended, climbed] on a mountain [a high elevation, a place of prayer] to pray [to worship, communicate with God]. word study 29 And as He was praying [in communion with God, worshiping], the appearance [external look] of His face [countenance] changed [became altered, transformed], and His clothes [garments] became [were transformed into] radiantly [dazzlingly, flashing forth] white [pure and clean]. word study 30 Suddenly [to see, behold] two men [adult males, prophets], Moses [the Hebrew lawgiver] and Elijah [a prophet who appeared with Jesus], began talking with [to converse, commune] Jesus [the Messiah, Savior]. word study 31 They appeared [in majesty, with glory] in glory [honor, praise] and spoke about His departure [death, exit], which He was about [going to, intending to] to accomplish [fulfill, complete] at Jerusalem [the capital of Palestine, a holy city]. word study 32 Meanwhile Peter [and the other disciples, his companions] and his companions were overcome by sleep [deep slumber, spiritual lethargy], but when they awoke [fully awake, thoroughly alert], they saw Jesus’ [divine, heavenly] glory [honor, praise, magnificent splendor] and the two [exactly two, a pair of] men [adult males, messengers] standing with Him [in His presence, accompanying Him]. word study 33 As Moses and Elijah were leaving [departing from him], Peter said to Jesus, “Master [one in authority, commander], it is good [pleasant, beneficial] for us to be here [in this place, at this time]. Let us put up [make, construct] three shelters [tabernacles, tents] —one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah [the prophet, a man of God].” (He did not know [not knowing what he was saying, without understanding] what he was saying.) word study 34 While Peter was speaking [saying these things, thus spake], a cloud [visible mass of water vapor, bright cloud] appeared and enveloped [overshadowed, spread over] them, and they were afraid [feared, full of fear] as they entered [went into, entering] the cloud [divine presence]. word study 35 And a voice [sound, noise] came from the cloud [a visible mass of water vapor], saying, “This is My Son [beloved, chosen one], whom I have chosen [selected, appointed]. Listen [hear, obey] to Him [the Chosen One, the Beloved]!” word study 36 After the voice [sound, noise] had spoken, only Jesus [Joshua, God is salvation] was present [found, discovered] with them. The disciples kept [held, silent about] this to themselves, and in those days [that time, period] they did not tell [announce, declare] anyone [nobody, no one] what they had seen [perceived, experienced]. word study 37 The next day [following, after that], when they came down [descended, went down] from the mountain [a high elevation, hill], Jesus was met [encountered, came face to face] by a large [great, multitude] crowd [group of people, assembly]. word study 38 Suddenly [and behold, a man from the multitude] a man [an adult male, a father] in the crowd [a large group of people, a multitude] cried out [shouting, exclaiming], “Teacher [a Jewish instructor], I beg [I pray, I beseech] You to look at [to gaze upon, to consider] my son [my child, my only offspring], for he is [exists as] my only [unique, one-of-a-kind] child [son, boy]. word study 39 A spirit [an evil entity] keeps seizing him, and he screams [crieth out, suddenly and loudly] abruptly. It throws him into convulsions [intense seizures] so that he foams [froth or slaver] at the mouth. It keeps mauling [to break or crush] him and rarely [with difficulty] departs from him [leaves his presence]. word study 40 I begged [pleaded with, besought] Your disciples [learners, followers] to drive [expel, cast out] it [the evil spirit, this unclean entity] out, but they were [proved to be, showed themselves to be] unable [powerless, lacking the capability].” word study 41 “O unbelieving [faithless] and perverse [corrupt] generation [of people]!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain [be present, stay] with you and put [bear with] up with you? Bring your [child, son] son here [to this place, near me].” word study 42 Even while the boy [was yet coming, still approaching] was approaching, the demon [evil spirit, unclean being] slammed him to the ground [threw him down, rent him] in a convulsion [convulsed him violently, tore him]. But Jesus [the Savior, God’s salvation] rebuked [warned, admonished] the unclean [impure, morally corrupt] spirit, healed [cured, restored to health] the boy [child, young one], and gave him back [delivered, returned] to his father [male parent, guardian]. word study 43 And they were all astonished [amazed, filled with wonder] at the greatness [majesty, mighty power] of God [the one true deity]. While everyone was marveling [wondering, in awe] at all that Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] was doing, He said to His disciples [learners, followers], word study 44 “Let these words [sayings, messages] sink into your ears [listen carefully, pay attention]: The Son of Man [the Messiah, God’s representative] is about to be delivered [handed over, betrayed] into the hands [power, control] of men [human beings, people].” word study 45 But they did not understand [were ignorant of, lacked insight into] this statement [declaration, utterance]. It was veiled [hidden, concealed] from them so that they could not comprehend [perceive, grasp] it, and they were afraid [feared, reverenced] to ask Him about [concerning, regarding] it [this saying, declaration]. word study 46 Then [at that time, afterwards] an argument [reasoning, disputation] started [arose, entered] among [in the midst of] the disciples [followers of Jesus] as to [concerning, regarding] which [who, what] of them [themselves, among them] would be [should be, was to be] the greatest [most prominent, of high rank]. word study 47 But Jesus [perceiving, seeing], knowing [having insight into] the thoughts [reasoning, intentions] of their hearts [the seat of thoughts, feelings, and emotions], had [took, picked up] a little child [a young person, either a boy or girl] stand [be in an upright position, be placed] beside [next to, near] Him [Himself, Jesus]. word study 48 And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes [receives with open arms, gives a hearty reception to] this little child [a young, humble one] in My name [as a representative of Me, in My authority] welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me [the Father, the One who commissioned Me]. For whoever is the least [humble, small, insignificant] among all of you, he is the greatest [most important, highly esteemed].” word study 49 “Master [Lord, one in authority],” said John, “we saw someone [a certain man, an individual] driving out [expelling, casting away] demons [evil spirits, unclean beings] in Your name [Your authority, character], and we tried to stop him [prevent, forbid him], because he does not accompany [follow, walk with] us [as one of our group].” word study 50 “Do not [forbid, hinder] stop him,” Jesus [the Greek name for Joshua, meaning God is salvation] replied, “for [since, because] whoever [he who, anyone] is not [absolutely not, in no way] against [opposed to, against the will of] you [us, as disciples] is for [in support of, on the side of] you [us, as followers of Christ].” word study 51 As the day [the appointed time, the fulfillment of his mission] of His ascension [being taken up to heaven, exaltation] approached, Jesus [the Messiah, the Savior] resolutely [with determination, steadfastly] set out [fixed his face, journeyed] for [toward, into] Jerusalem [the holy city, the center of God’s people]. word study 52 He sent [messengers before his face] messengers on ahead [to prepare the way], who went into a village [a small town, rural area] of the Samaritans [people from the region of Samaria] to make arrangements [to prepare, get things ready] for Him [Jesus, the Messiah]. word study 53 But the people there refused [would not, did not want to] to welcome [receive, accept] Him, because [since, for the reason that] He was heading [traveling, journeying] for [toward, to] Jerusalem [the holy city, the capital of Palestine]. word study 54 When the disciples [learners, followers] James and John saw [perceived, understood] this, they asked, “Lord [Master, God], do You want [desire, will] us to call down [command, summon] fire [flames, divine judgment] from heaven [the sky, God’s dwelling place] to consume [use up, destroy] them [as Elijah did, in a similar manner]?” word study 55 But Jesus [having turned, changed direction] turned and [strongly, sharply] rebuked them [for their attitude, and said] [You do not understand, are not aware of]. word study 56 And He [the Son of Man] and His disciples went on [traveled, journeyed] to another [different, separate] village [town, rural area]. word study 57 As they were walking [traveling, journeying] along the road [path, way], someone [a certain man, one] said to Jesus, “I will follow [accompany, go with] You [as my Lord, Master] wherever [to whatever place, in every circumstance] You go [travel, journey].” word study 58 Jesus [the Son of God, having God’s nature] replied, “Foxes [sly and cunning creatures] have dens [hiding places, holes] and birds [created to fly and sing] of the air [the sky, heaven] have nests [dwelling places, resting spots], but the Son of Man [the Messiah, God’s representative] has no place [nowhere to rest, no home] to lay His head [to rest, to sleep].” word study 59 Then He said to another man [a different individual], “Follow [accompany, walk with] Me.” The man replied, “Lord [Master, God], first [before anything else, initially] let me go [depart, leave] and bury [perform funeral rites for, inter] my father [male parent, paternal ancestor].” word study 60 But Jesus [the Messiah, God’s salvation] told him, “Let the dead [those without spiritual life, physically or spiritually lifeless] bury their own dead [perform funeral rites for their physically deceased]. You, however, go [depart, follow] and proclaim [declare publicly, preach] the kingdom [God’s royal power, dominion] of God [the one true deity, Creator].” word study 61 Still another [different, someone else] said, “I will follow [accompany, walk with] You, Lord [Master, God]; but first [before anything else] let me bid farewell [say goodbye, take my leave] to my family [those at my house, relatives].” word study 62 Then Jesus [the Messiah, God’s anointed] declared, “No one [nobody, none] who puts his hand [his power, his instrument] to the plow [a farming tool] and then looks back [turns away, becomes distracted] is fit [suitable, worthy] for the kingdom [the royal power, the dominion] of God [the supreme Creator, the one true deity].” word study