圣经-新约（天主教思高圣经）

不认识圣经，就是不认识基督，不认识基督，就是不认识基督所建立的天主教会。

 

新约·路加福音

共24章:

 

 

第一章

序言　
1:1 德敖斐罗钧座：关于在我们中间所完成的事迹，已有许多人，
1:2 依照那些自始亲眼见过，并为真道服役的人所传给我们的，
1:3 着手编成了记述，我也从头仔细访查了一切，遂立意按着次第给你写出来，
1:4 为使你认清给你所讲授的道理，正确无误。

耶稣童年史

预报若翰诞生　
1:5 在犹太王黑落德的时候，阿彼雅班中有一位司祭名叫匝加利亚，他的妻子是出于亚郎的后代，名叫依撒伯尔
1:6 二人在天主前是义人，都照上主的一切诫命和礼规行事，无可指摘。
1:7 但是，他们没有孩子，因为依撒伯尔素不生育，两人又都上了年纪。
1:8 正逢匝加利亚轮着他的班次，在天主前尽司祭的职务时，
1:9 按着司祭的常例，他抽中了签，得进上主的圣所献香。
1:10 献香的时候，众百姓都在外面祈祷。
1:11 有一位上主的天使站在香坛右边显现给他。
1:12 匝加利亚一见，惊惶失措，害怕起来；
1:13 但天使向他说：「匝加利亚，不要害怕!因为你的祈祷已蒙应允，你的妻子依撒伯尔要给你生一个儿子，你要给他起名叫若翰。
1:14 你必要喜乐欢跃，许多人也要因他的诞生而喜乐，
1:15 因为他在上主面前将是伟大的，淡酒浓酒他都不喝，而且，他还在母胎中就要充满圣神；
1:16 他要使许多以色列子民转向上主，他们的天主；
1:17 他要以厄里亚的精神和能力，在他前面先行，使为父的心转向儿子，使悖逆者转向义人的心意，并为上主准备一个善良的百姓。」
1:18 匝加利亚遂向天使说：「我凭着什么能知道这事呢?因为我已经老了，我的妻子也上了年纪。」
1:19 天使回答说：「我是站在天主面前的加俾额尔，奉命来向你说话，报给你这个喜讯。
1:20 看，你必成为哑吧，不能说话，直到这些事成就的那一天，因为你没有相信我的话；但我的话届时必要应验。」
1:21 百姓等候匝加利亚，都奇怪他滞留在圣所内。
1:22 及至他出来后，竟不能与他们讲话，他们这才知道他在圣所中见了异象，他已成了哑吧，只给他们打手势。
1:23 他供职的日期一满，就回了家。
1:24 几天以后，他的妻子依撒伯尔受了孕，自己躲藏了五个月，说：
1:25 「上主在眷顾的日子这样待了我，除去了我在人间的耻辱。」

预报基督诞生　
1:26 到了第六个月，天使加俾额尔奉天主差遣，往加里肋亚一座名叫纳匝肋的城去，
1:27 到一位童贞女那里，她已与达味家族中的一个名叫若瑟的男子订了婚，童贞女的名字叫玛利亚。
1:28 天使进去向她说：「万福!充满恩宠者，上主与你同在!」【在女人中你是蒙祝福的。】
1:29 她却因这话惊惶不安，便思虑这样的请安有什么意思。
1:30 天使对她说：「玛利亚，不要害怕，因为你在天主前获得了宠幸。
1:31 看，你将怀孕生子，并要给他起名叫耶稣。
1:32 他将是伟大的，并被称为至高者的儿子，上主天主要把他祖先达味的御座赐给他。
1:33 他要为王统治雅各伯家，直到永远；他的王权没有终结。」
1:34 玛利亚便向天使说：「这事怎能成就?因为我不认识男人。」
1:35 天使答复她说：「圣神要临于你，至高者的能力要庇荫你，因此，那要诞生的圣者，将称为天主的儿子。
1:36 且看，你的亲戚依撒伯尔，她虽在老年，却怀了男胎，本月已六个月了，她原是素称不生育的
1:37 因为在天主前没有不能的事。」
1:38 玛利亚说：「看，上主的婢女，愿照你的话成就于我吧!」天使便离开她去了。

圣母往见表姐依撒伯尔　
1:39 玛利亚就在那几日起身，急速往山区去，到了犹大的一座城。
1:40 她进了匝加利亚的家，就给依撒伯尔请安。
1:41 依撒伯尔一听到玛利亚请安，胎儿就在她的腹中欢跃。依撒伯尔遂充满了圣神，
1:42 大声呼喊说：「在女人中你是蒙祝福的，你的胎儿也是蒙祝福的。
1:43 吾主的母亲驾临我这里，这是我那里得来的呢?
1:44 看，你请安的声音一入我耳，胎儿就在我腹中欢喜踊跃。
1:45 那信了由上主传于她的话必要完成的，是有福的。」
1:46 玛利亚遂说：「我的灵魂颂扬上主，
1:47 我的心神欢跃于天主，我的救主，
1:48 因为他垂顾了他婢女的卑微，今后万世万代都要称我有福；
1:49 因全能者在我身上行了大事，他的名字是圣的，
1:50 他的仁慈世世代代于无穷世，赐于敬畏他的人。
1:51 他伸出了手臂施展大能，驱散那些心高气傲的人。
1:52 他从高座上推下权势者，却举扬了卑微贫困的人。
1:53 他曾使饥饿者饱飨美物，反使那富有者空手而去。
1:54 他曾回忆起自己的仁慈，扶助了他的仆人以色列，
1:55 正如他向我们的祖先所说过的恩许，施恩于亚巴郎和他的子孙，直到永远。」
1:56 玛利亚同依撒伯尔住了三个月左右，就回本家去了。

若翰诞生与割损　
1:57 依撒伯尔满了产期，就生了一个儿子。
1:58 她的邻居和亲戚听说上主向她大施仁慈，都和她一同欢乐。
1:59 到了第八天，人们来给这孩子行割损礼，并愿意照他父亲的名字叫他匝加利亚。
1:60 他的母亲说：「不，要叫他若翰。」
1:61 他们就向她说：「在你亲族中没有叫这个名字的。」
1:62 他们便给他的父亲打手势，看他愿意叫他什么。
1:63 他要了一块小板，写道：「若翰是他的名字。」众人都惊讶起来。
1:64 匝加利亚的口和舌头立时开了，遂开口赞美天主。
1:65 于是，所有的邻居都满怀怕情；这一切事就传遍了全犹大山区，
1:66 凡听见的人都将这事存在心中，说：「这孩子将成为什么人物啊?」因为上主的手与他同在。
1:67 他的父亲匝加利亚充满了圣神，遂预言说：
1:68 「上主，以色列的天主应受赞美，因他眷顾救赎了自己的民族，
1:69 并在自己的仆人达味家中，为我们兴起了大能的救主，
1:70 正如他借历代诸圣先知的口所说过的，
1:71 拯救我们脱离敌人和仇恨我们者的手。
1:72 他向我们的祖先施行仁慈，记忆起他自己的神圣盟约，
1:73 就是他向我们的祖宗亚巴郎所宣述的誓词，
1:74 恩赐我们从敌人手中被救出以后，无恐无惧，
1:75 一生一世在他的面前，以圣善和正义事奉他。
1:76 至于你，小孩，你要称为至高者的先知，因你要走在上主前面，为他预备道路，
1:77 为使他的百姓认识救恩，以获得他们罪恶的宽宥：
1:78 这是出于我们天主的慈怀，使旭日由高天向我们照耀，
1:79 为光照那坐在黑暗和死影中的人，并引我们的脚步，走向和平的道路。」
1:80 这小孩渐渐长大，心神坚强。他住在荒野中，直到他在以色列人前出现的日期。

 

 

耶稣童年史

第二章(52)

耶稣诞生在白冷　
2:1 那时，凯撒奥古斯都出了一道上谕，叫天下的人都要登记：
2:2 这是在季黎诺作叙利亚总督时，初次行的登记。
2:3 于是，众人各去本城登记。
2:4 若瑟因为是达味家族的人，也从加里肋亚纳匝肋城，上犹大名叫白冷的达味城去，
2:5 好同自己已怀孕的聘妻玛利亚去登记。
2:6 他们在那里的时候，她分娩的日期满了，
2:7 便生了她的头胎男儿，用襁褓裹起，放在马槽里，因为在客栈中为他们没有地方。
2:8 在那地区有些牧人露宿，守夜看守羊群。
2:9 有上主的一个天使站在他们身边，上主的光耀环照着他们，他们便非常害怕。
2:10 天使向他们说：「不要害怕!看，我给你们报告一个为全民族的大喜讯：
2:11 今天在达味城中，为你们诞生了一位救世者，他是主默西亚。
2:12 这是给你们的记号：你们将要看见一个婴儿，裹着襁褓，躺在马槽里。」
2:13 忽有一大队天军，同那天使一起赞颂天主说：
2:14 「天主受享光荣于高天，主爱的人在世享平安。」
2:15 众天使离开他们往天上去了以后，牧人们就彼此说：「我们且往白冷去，看看上主报告给我们所发生的事。」
2:16 他们急忙去了，找到了玛利亚和若瑟，并那躺在马槽中的婴儿。
2:17 他们看见以后，就把天使对他们论这小孩所说的事，传扬开了，
2:18 凡听见的人都惊讶牧人向他们所说的事。
2:19 玛利亚却把这一切事默存在自己心中，反复思想。
2:20 牧人们为了他们所听见和看见的一切，正如天使向他们说的一样，就光荣赞美天主回去了。

受割损与献于圣殿　
2:21 满了八天，孩子应受割损，遂给他起名叫耶稣，这是他降孕母胎前，由天使所起的。
2:22 按梅瑟的法律，一满了他们取洁的日期，他们便带孩子上耶路撒冷去献给上主，
2:23 就如上主的法律上所记载的：『凡开胎首生的男性，应祝圣于上主。』
2:24 并该照上主法律上所吩咐的，献上祭物：一对斑鸠或两只雏鸽。
2:25 那时，在耶路撒冷有一个人，名叫西默盎。这人正义虔诚，期待着以色列的安慰，而且圣神也在他身上。
2:26 他曾蒙圣神启示：自己在未看见上主的受傅者以前，决见不到死亡。
2:27 他因圣神的感动，进了圣殿；那时，抱着婴孩耶稣的父母正进来，要按着法律的惯例为他行礼。
2:28 西默盎就双臂接过他来，赞美天主说：
2:29 「主啊!现在可照你的话，放你的仆人平安去了!
2:30 因为我亲眼看见了你的救援，
2:31 即你在万民之前早准备好的：
2:32 为作启示异邦的光明，你百姓以色列的荣耀。」
2:33 他的父亲和母亲就惊异他关于耶稣所说的这些话。
2:34 西默盎祝福了他们，又向他的母亲玛利亚说：「看，这孩子已被立定，为使以色列中许多人跌倒和复起，并成为反对的记号──
2:35 至于你，要有一把利剑刺透你的心灵──为叫许多人心中的思念显露出来。」
2:36 又有一位女先知亚纳，是阿协尔支派法奴耳的女儿，已上了年纪。她出阁后，与丈夫同居了七年，
2:37 以后就守寡，直到八十四岁。她斋戒祈祷，昼夜事奉天主，总不离开圣殿。
2:38 正在那时刻，她也前来称谢天主，并向一切希望耶路撒冷得救赎的人，讲论这孩子。

圣家回纳匝肋　
2:39 他们按着上主的法律，行完了一切，便返回了加里肋亚，他们的本城纳匝肋。
2:40 孩子渐渐长大而强壮，充满智慧，天主的恩宠常在他身上。

耶稣初次显示天主性　
2:41 他的父母每年逾越节往耶路撒冷去。
2:42 他到了十二岁时，他们又照节日的惯例上去了。
2:43 过完了节日，他们回去的时候，孩童耶稣却留在耶路撒冷，他的父母并未发觉。
2:44 他们只以为他在同行的人中间，遂走了一天的路程；以后就在亲戚和相识的人中寻找他。
2:45 既找不着，便折回耶路撒冷找他。
2:46 过了三天，才在圣殿里找到了他。他正坐在经师中，聆听他们，也询问他们。
2:47 凡听见他的人，对他的智慧和对答，都惊奇不止。
2:48 他们一看见他，便大为惊异，他的母亲就向他说：「孩子，为什么你这样对待我们?看，你的父亲和我，一直痛苦的找你。」
2:49 耶稣对他们说：「你们为什么找我?你们不知道我必须在我父亲那里吗?」
2:50 但是，他们不明白他对他们所说的话。
2:51 他就同他们下去，来到纳匝肋，属他们管辖。他的母亲把这一切默存在心中。
2:52 耶稣在智慧和身量上，并在天主和人前的恩爱上，渐渐地增长。

 

 

第三章(38)

若翰作证　
3:1 凯撒提庇留执政第十五年，般雀比拉多作犹太总督，黑落德作加里肋亚分封侯，他的兄弟斐理伯作依突勒雅和特辣曷尼地方的分封侯，吕撒尼雅作阿彼肋乃分封侯，
3:2 亚纳斯和盖法作大司祭时，在荒野中有天主的话，传给匝加利亚的儿子若翰。
3:3 他遂来走遍约旦河一带地方，宣讲悔改的洗礼，为得罪之赦。
3:4 正如依撒意亚先知预言书上记载的：『在荒野中有呼号者的声音：你们当预备上主的道路，修直他的途径！
3:5 一切深谷要填满，一切山岳丘陵要铲平，弯曲的要修直，崎岖的要开成坦途!
3:6 凡有血肉的，都要看见天主的救援。』
3:7 于是，他对那些前来要受他洗礼的群众说：「毒蛇的种类!谁指教你们逃避那就要来的忿怒?
3:8 那么，结与悔改相称的果实吧!你们心里不要以为：我们有亚巴郎为父。我给你们说：天主能从这些石头中给亚巴郎兴起子孙来。
3:9 斧子已放到树根上了；凡不结好果子的树，必被砍倒，投入火中。」
3:10 群众向他说：「那么，我们该作什么呢?
3:11 他答复他们说：「有两件内衣的，要分给那没有的；有食物的，也应照样做。」
3:12 税吏也来受洗，并问他说：「师傅，我们该作什么呢?」
3:13 他向他们说：「除给你们规定的外，不要多征收!」
3:14 军人也问说：「我们该作什么呢?」他向他们说：「不要勒索人，也不要敲诈；对你们的粮饷应该知足!」
3:15 那时，百姓都在期待(默西亚)，为此，人人心中推想：或许若翰就是默西亚。
3:16 若翰便向众人说道：「我固然以水洗你们，但是比我强的一位要来，就是解他的鞋带，我也不配。他要以圣神和火洗你们。
3:17 木锨已放在他手中，他要扬净自己的禾场，把麦粒收在仓内；至于糠秕，却要用不灭的火焚烧。」
3:18 他还讲了许多别的劝言，给百姓传报喜讯。
3:19 分封侯黑落德却为了自己兄弟的妻子黑落狄雅，并为了黑落德本人所作的一切恶事，受了若翰的指谪，
3:20 又在一切的恶事上加了这一件：即把若翰囚在监中。

基督受洗　
3:21 众百姓受洗后，耶稣也受了洗；当他祈祷时，天开了；
3:22 圣神借着一个形像，如同鸽子，降在他上边；并有声音从天上说：「你是我的爱子，我因你喜悦。」

基督的族谱　
3:23 耶稣开始传教的时候，大约三十岁，人都以他为若瑟的儿子：若瑟是赫里的儿子，赫里是玛塔特的儿子，
3:24 玛塔特是肋未的儿子，肋未是默尔希的儿子，默尔希是雅乃的儿子，雅乃是约色夫的儿子，
3:25 约色夫是玛塔提雅的儿子，玛塔提雅是阿摩斯的儿子，阿摩斯是纳洪的儿子，纳洪是厄斯里的儿子，厄斯里是纳革的儿子，
3:26 纳革是玛哈特的儿子，玛哈特是玛塔提雅的儿子，玛塔提雅是史米的儿子，史米是约色黑的儿子，约色黑是约达的儿子，
3:27 约达是约哈南的儿子，约哈南是肋撒的儿子，肋撒是则鲁巴贝耳的儿子，则鲁巴贝耳是沙耳提耳的儿子，沙耳提耳是乃黎的儿子，
3:28 乃黎是默耳希的儿子，默耳希是阿狄的儿子，阿狄是科散的儿子，科散是厄耳玛丹的儿子，厄耳玛丹是厄尔的儿子，
3:29 厄尔是耶苏的儿子，耶苏是厄里厄则尔的儿子，厄里厄则尔是约楞的儿子，约楞是玛塔特的儿子，玛塔特是肋未的儿子，
3:30 肋未是西默盎的儿子，西默盎是犹达的儿子，犹达是约色夫的儿子，约色夫是约南的儿子，约南是厄耳雅金的儿子，
3:31 厄耳雅金是默肋阿的儿子，默肋阿是门纳的儿子，门纳是玛塔塔的儿子，玛塔塔是纳堂的儿子，纳堂是达味的儿子，
3:32 达味是叶瑟的儿子，叶瑟是敖贝得的儿子，敖贝得是波阿次的儿子，波阿次是撒拉的儿子，撒拉是纳赫雄的儿子，
3:33 纳赫雄是阿米纳达布的儿子，阿米纳达布是阿得明的儿子，阿得明是阿尔乃的儿子，是阿尔乃是赫兹龙的儿子，赫兹龙是培勒兹的儿子，培勒兹是犹大的儿子，
3:34 犹大是雅各伯的儿子，雅各伯是依撒格的儿子，依撒格是亚巴郎的儿子，亚巴郎是特辣黑的儿子，特辣黑是纳曷尔的儿子，
3:35 纳曷尔是色鲁格的儿子，色鲁格是勒伍的儿子，勒伍是培勒格的儿子，培勒格是厄贝尔的儿子，厄贝尔是舍拉的儿子，
3:36 舍拉是刻南的儿子，刻南是阿帕革沙得的儿子，阿帕革沙得是闪的儿子，闪是诺厄的儿子，诺厄是拉默客的儿子，
3:37 拉默客是默突舍拉的儿子，默突舍拉是哈诺客的儿子，哈诺客是耶勒得的儿子，耶勒得是玛拉勒耳的儿子，玛拉勒耳是刻南的儿子，
3:38 刻南是厄诺士的儿子，厄诺士是舍特的儿子，舍特是亚当的儿子，亚当是天主的儿子。

 

 

第四章(44)

耶稣禁食三退魔诱　
4:1 耶稣充满圣神，由约旦河回来，就被圣神引到荒野里去了，
4:2 四十天的工夫受魔鬼试探；他在那日期内什么也没有吃，过了那日期就饿了。
4:3 魔鬼对他说：「你若是天主子，命这块石头变成饼吧!」
4:4 耶稣回答说：「经上记载：『人生活不只靠饼。』
4:5 魔鬼引他到高处，顷刻间把普世万国指给他看，
4:6 并对他说：这一切权势及其荣华，我都要给你，因为全交给我了；我愿意把它给谁，就给谁。
4:7 所以你若是朝拜我，这一切都是你的。」
4:8 耶稣回答说：「经上记载：『你要朝拜上主，你的天主；惟独事奉他。』」
4:9 魔鬼又引他到耶路撒冷，把他放在圣殿顶上，向他说：「你若是天主子，从这里跳下去吧!
4:10 因为经上记载：『他为你吩咐了自己的天使保护你，
4:11 他们要用手托着你，免得你的脚碰在石头上。』」
4:12 耶稣回答说：「经上说：『不可试探上主，你的天主。』」
4:13 魔鬼用尽了各种试探后，就离开了他，再等时机。

在加里肋亚传教

传教的开始

在纳匝肋讲道　
4:14 耶稣因圣神的德能，回到加里肋亚。他的名声传遍了临近各地。
4:15 他在他们的会堂内施教，受到众人的称扬。
4:16 他来到了纳匝肋，自己曾受教养的地方；按他的惯例，就在安息日那天进了会堂，并站起来要诵读。
4:17 有人把依撒意亚先知书递给他；他遂展开书卷，找到了一处，上边写说：
4:18 『上主的神临于我身上，因为他给我傅了油，派遣我向贫穷人传报喜讯，向俘虏宣告释放，向盲者宣告复明，使受压迫者获得自由，
4:19 宣布上主恩慈之年。』
4:20 他把书卷卷起来，交给侍役，就坐下了。会堂内众人的眼睛都注视着他。
4:21 他便开始对他们说：「你们刚才听过的这段圣经，今天应验了。」
4:22 众人都称赞他，惊奇他口中所说的动听的话；并且说：「这不是若瑟的儿子吗﹖」
4:23 他回答他们说：「你们必定要对我说这句俗语：医生，医治你自己吧!我们听说你在葛法翁所行的一切，也在你的家乡这里行吧!」
4:24 他又说：「我实在告诉你们：没有一个先知在本乡受悦纳的。
4:25 我据实告诉你们：在厄里亚时代，天闭塞了三年零六个月，遍地起了大饥荒，在以色列原有许多寡妇，
4:26 厄里亚并没有被派到她们中一个那里去，而只到了漆冬匝尔法特的一个寡妇那里。
4:27 在厄里叟先知时代，在以色列有许多癞病人，他们中没有一个得洁净的，只有叙利亚的纳阿曼。」
4:28 在会堂中听见这话的人，都忿怒填胸，
4:29 起来把他赶出城外，领他到了山崖上，──他们的城是建在山上的──要把他推下去。
4:30 他却由他们中间过去走了。

在葛法翁讲道显奇迹　
4:31 耶稣下到加里肋亚的葛法翁城，就在安息日教训人。
4:32 人都十分惊奇他的教训，因为他的话具有一种权威。
4:33 在会堂里有一个附着邪魔恶鬼的人，他大声喊叫说：
4:34 「啊!纳匝肋人耶稣，我们与你有什么相干?你来毁灭我们吗?我知道你是谁：是天主的圣者。」
4:35 耶稣叱责他说：「不要作声，从这人身上出去!」魔鬼把那人摔倒在人中间，便从他身上出去了，丝豪没有伤害他。
4:36 遂有一种惊骇笼罩了众人，他们彼此谈论说：「这是什么事?他用权柄和能力命令邪魔，而他们竟出去了!」
4:37 他的名声便传遍了附近各地。
4:38 他从会堂里出来，进了西满的家，西满的岳母正发高热，他们为她祈求耶稣。
4:39 耶稣就走到她身边，叱退热症，热症就离开了她；她立刻起来服事他们。
4:40 日落后，众人把所有患各种病症的，都领到他跟前，他就把手覆在每一个人身上，治好了他们。
4:41 又有些从许多人身上出来的魔鬼吶喊说：「你是天主子！」他便叱责他们，不许他们说话，因为他们知道他是默西亚。
4:42 天一亮，耶稣就出去到了荒野地方；群众就寻找他，一直来到他那里，挽留他不要离开他们。
4:43 他却向他们说：「我也必须向别的城传报天主国的喜讯，因为我被派遣，正是为了这事。」
4:44 他就常在犹太的各会堂中宣讲。

 

 

在加里肋亚传教

传教的开始

第五章(39)

召伯多禄和其它门徒　
5:1 有一次，耶稣站在革乃撒勒湖边，群众拥到他前要听天主的道理。
5:2 他看见两只船在湖边停着，渔夫下了船正在洗网。
5:3 他上了其中一只属于西满的船，请他把船稍为划开，离开陆地；耶稣就坐下，从船上教训群众。
5:4 一讲完了，就对西满说：「划到深处去，撒你们的网捕鱼吧!」
5:5 西满回答说：「老师，我们已整夜劳苦，毫无所获；但我要遵照你的话撒网。」
5:6 他们照样办了，网了许多鱼，网险些破裂了。
5:7 他们遂招呼别只船上的同伴来协助他们。他们来到，装满了两只船，以致船也几乎下沉。
5:8 西满伯多禄一见这事，就跪伏在耶稣膝前说：「主，请你离开我！因为我是个罪人。」
5:9 西满和同他一起的人，因了他们所捕的鱼，都惊骇起来。
5:10 他的伙伴，即载伯德的儿子雅各伯和若望，也一样惊骇。耶稣对西满说：「不要害怕!从今以后，你要做捕人的渔夫!」
5:11 他们把船划到岸边，就舍弃一切，跟随了他。

治好癞病人　
5:12 有一次，耶稣在一座城里，看，有一个遍体长癞的人，见了耶稣，就俯首至地求他说：「主，你若愿意，就能洁净我。」13 耶稣便伸手抚摸他说：「我愿意，你洁净了吧!」癞病就立刻从他身上退去。
5:14 耶稣切切嘱咐他不要告诉别人，并说：「但要叫司祭检验你，为你的洁净，献上梅瑟所规定的，给他们当作证据。」
5:15 他的名声更传扬开了，遂有许多人齐集来听教，并为自己治好病症。
5:16 耶稣却退入荒野中去祈祷。

耶稣与法利塞人的冲突

治好瘫子宽赦其罪　
5:17 有一天，耶稣正在施教，几个法利塞人和法学士也在座，他们是从加里肋亚和犹太各乡村及耶路撒冷来的；上主的德能催迫他治病。
5:18 看，有人用床抬来一个患瘫痪症的人，设法把他抬进去，放在耶稣跟前；
5:19 但因人众多，不得其门而入，遂上了房顶，从瓦中间，把他连那小床系到中间，正放在耶稣面前。
5:20 耶稣一见他们的信心，就说：「人啊!你的罪赦了。」
5:21 经师和法利塞人开始忖度说：「这人是谁?竟说亵渎话!除了天主一个外，谁能赦罪?」
5:22 耶稣看透了他们的心思，就向他们说：「你们心里忖度什么呢?
5:23 什么比较容易?是说：你的罪赦了，或是说：起来行走吧!
5:24 但为叫你们知道人子在地上有权赦罪──便对瘫子说：我给你说：起来，拿起你的小床，回家去吧!
5:25 那人立刻在他们在面前站了起来，拿着他躺过的小床，赞颂天主，回家去了。
5:26 众人十分惊奇，并光荣天主，满怀恐惧说：「今天我们看见了出奇的事。」

召肋未并与税吏同席　
5:27 此后，耶稣出去，看见一个税吏，名叫肋未，在税关那里坐着，便对他说：「跟随我吧!」
5:28 他便舍弃一切，起来跟随了他。
5:29 肋未在自己家中为他摆设了盛筵，有许多税吏和其它的人，与他们一同坐席。
5:30 法利塞人和他们的经师就愤愤不平，对他的门徒说：「你们为什么同罪人和税吏一起吃喝?」
5:31 耶稣回答他们说：「不是健康的人需要医生，而是有病的人。
5:32 我不是来召叫义人，而是召叫罪人悔改。」

禁食的争论　
5:33 他们又对他说：「若翰的门徒屡次禁食，行祈祷，法利塞人的门徒也是这样；而你的门徒却又吃又喝。」
5:34 耶稣回答说：「伴郎和新郎在一起的时候，你们岂能叫他们禁食?
5:35 但日子将要来到，当新郎从他们中被劫去时，在那些日子，他们就要禁食了。」
5:36 他又对他们讲比喻说：「没有人从新衣服上撕下一块作补钉，补在旧衣上的；不然，新的撕破了，而且从新衣上撕下的补钉，与旧的也不相称。
5:37 也没有人把新酒装入旧皮囊的，不然，新酒要涨破旧皮囊，酒要流出来，皮囊也破了。
5:38 但新酒应装入新囊。
5:39 也没有人喝着陈酒，愿意喝新酒的，因为他说：还是陈的好。」

 

 

耶稣与法利塞人的冲突

第六章(49)

安息日门徒掐麦穗吃　
6:1 有一个安息日，耶稣经过麦田时，他的门徒掐了麦穗，用手搓着吃。
6:2 有几个法利塞人说：「为什么你们做安息日不准做的呢?」
6:3 耶稣回答说：「你们没有读过：达味和同他在一起的人，在饥饿时所做的吗?
6:4 他怎样进了天主的殿，拿起供饼来吃了，又给了同他在一起的人吃。这供饼原不准他人吃，而只准司祭吃。」
6:5 耶稣又向他们说：「人子是安息日的主。」

安息日治好枯手的人　
6:6 另一个安息日，他进了会堂施教。在那里有一个人，他的右手干枯了。
6:7 经师和法利塞人窥察他是否在安息日治病，好寻隙好控告他。
6:8 他看透了他们的心思，就对那枯了手的人说：「起来！站在中间！」他遂站了起来。
6:9 耶稣对他们说：「我问你们：安息日是许行善呢?还是许作恶呢?是救命呢?还是丧命呢?」
6:10 他环视众人一周，就对那人说：「伸出你的手来!」那人照样一做，他的手便复了原。
6:11 他们竟狂怒填胸，彼此商议，要怎样来对付耶稣。

宣布天主的国

拣选宗徒　
6:12 在这几天，耶稣出去，上山祈祷；他彻夜向天主祈祷。
6:13 天一亮，他把门徒叫来，由他们中拣选了十二人，并称他们为宗徒：
6:14 即西满，耶稣又给他起名叫伯多禄，和他的兄弟安德肋、雅各伯、若望、斐理伯、巴尔多禄茂、
6:15 玛窦、多默、阿耳斐的儿子雅各伯、号称「热诚者」的西满、
6:16 雅各伯的兄弟犹达和犹达斯依斯加略，他成了负卖者。

山中圣训　真福与真祸　
6:17 耶稣同他们下山，站在一块平地上，有他的一大群门徒和很多从犹太、耶路撒冷及提洛和漆冬海边来的群众，
6:18 他们来是为听他讲道，并为治好自己的病症；那些被邪魔缠扰的人都被治好了。
6:19 群众都设法触摸他，因为有一种能力从他身上出来，治好众人。
6:20 耶稣举目望着自己的门徒说：「你们贫穷的是有福的，因为天主的国是你们的。
6:21 你们现今饥饿的是有福的，因为你们将得饱饫。你们现今哭泣的是有福的，因为你们将要欢笑。
6:22 几时，为了人子的原故，人恼恨你们，并弃绝你们，并且以你们的名字为可恶的，而加以辱骂诅咒，你们才是有福的。
6:23 在那一天，你们欢喜踊跃吧!看，你们的赏报在天上是丰厚的，因为他们的祖先也同样对待了先知。
6:24 但是，你们富有的是有祸的，因为你们已经获得了你们的安慰。
6:25 你们现今饱饫的是祸的，因为你们将要饥饿。你们现今欢笑的是有祸的，因为你们将要哀恸哭泣。
6:26 几时，众人都夸赞你们，你们是有祸的，因为他们的祖先也同样对待了假先知。

爱德的金科玉律　
6:27 但是我给你们这些听众说：「应爱你们的仇人，善待恼恨你们的人；
6:28 应祝福诅咒你们的人，为毁谤你们的人祈祷。
6:29 有人打你的面颊，也把另一面转给他；有人拿去你的外衣，也不要阻挡他拿你的内衣。
6:30 凡求你的，就给他；有人拿去你的东西，别再索回。
6:31 你们愿意人怎样待你们，也要怎样待人。
6:32 若你们爱那爱你们的，为你们还算什么功德?因为连罪人也爱那爱他们的人。
6:33 你们善待那善待你们的，为你们还算什么功德?因为连罪人也这样作。
6:34 你们若借给那些有希望偿还的，为你们还算什么功德？就是罪人也借给罪人，为能如数收回。
6:35 但是，你们当爱你们的仇人，善待他们；借出，不要再有所希望：如此，你们的赏报必定丰厚，且要成为至高者的子女，因为他对待忘恩的和恶人，是仁慈的。
6:36 你们应当慈悲，就像你们的父那样慈悲。
6:37 你们不要判断，你们也就不受判断；不要定罪，也就不被定罪；你们要赦免，也就蒙赦免。
6:38 你们给，也就给你们；并且还要用好的，连按带摇，以致外溢的升斗，倒在你们的怀里，因为你们用什么升斗量，也用什么升斗量给你们。

批评自己要谦逊老实　
6:39 他又向他们讲比喻说：「瞎子岂能给瞎子领路?不是两人都要跌在坑里吗?
6:40 没有徒弟胜过师父的：凡受过完备教育的，仅相似自己的师父而已。
6:41 怎么，你看见你兄弟眼中的木屑，而你眼中的大梁，倒不理会呢?
6:42 你怎能对你的兄弟说：兄弟，让我取出你眼中的木屑吧!而你竟看不见自己眼中的大梁呢？假善人啊！先取出你眼中的大梁，然后才看得清楚，以便取出你兄弟眼中的木屑。
6:43 没有好树结坏果子的，也没有坏树结好果子的。
6:44 每一棵树，凭它的果子就可认出来。人从荆棘上收不到无花果，从茨藤上也剪不到葡萄。
6:45 善人从自己心中的善库发出善来，恶人从恶库中发出恶来，因为心里充满什么，口里就说什么。
6:46 你们为什么称呼我：主啊!主啊!而不行我所吩咐的呢?」
6:山中圣训的结论
6:47 「凡到我跟前，听了我的道理，而实行的，我要给你们指出，他相似什么人：
6:48 他相似一个建筑房屋的人，掘地深挖，把基础立在盘石上，洪水瀑发时，大水冲击那座房屋，而不能动摇它，因为它建筑的好。
6:49 但那听了而不实行的，相似在平地上不打基础，而建筑房屋的人，洪水一冲击，那房屋立刻倾倒，且破坏的很惨。」

 

 

谦逊人的救主

第七章(50)

葛法翁的百夫长　
7:1 耶稣向民众讲完了这一切话以后，就进了葛法翁。
7:2 有一个百夫长，他所喜爱的仆人害病要死。
7:3 他听说过耶稣的事，就打发犹太人的几个长老往他那里去，求他来治好自己的仆人。
7:4 他们到了耶稣那里，恳切求他说：「他堪当你给他做这事，
7:5 因为他爱护我们的民族，又给我们建筑了会堂。」
7:6 耶稣就同他们去了。当他离那家已不远时，百夫长打发朋友向他说：「主啊!不必劳驾了!因为我当不起你到舍下来。
7:7 为此，我也认为我不堪当亲自到你跟前来，只请你说一句话，我的仆人就必好了。
7:8 因为我虽是受派在人权下的，但是，在我下也有士兵；我对这个说：你去!他就去；对那个说：你来!他就来；对我的奴仆说：你作这个!他就作。」
7:9 耶稣一听这些话，就佩服他，遂转身向跟随自己的群众说：「我告诉你们：连在以色列，我也没有见过这样大的信德。」
7:10 被派去的人回到家中，见那仆人已痊愈了。

复活纳因城寡妇的独子　
7:11 以后，耶稣往一座名叫纳因的城去，他的门徒和许多群众与他同行。
7:12 临近城门时，看，正抬出一个死人来，他是母亲的独生子，母亲又是寡妇；且有本城的一大伙人陪着她。
7:13 主一看见她，就对她动了怜悯的心，向她说：「不要哭了!」
7:14 遂上前按往棺材，抬棺材的人就站住了。他说：「青年人，我对你说：起来吧!」
7:15 那死者便坐起来，并开口说话；耶稣便把他交给了他的母亲。
7:16 众人都害怕起来，光荣天主说：「在我们中间兴起了一位大先知，天主眷顾了他自己的百姓。」
7:17 于是，称述耶稣的这番话，传遍了犹太和附近各地。

若翰派二徒访问耶稣　
7:18 若翰的门徒把这一切报告给若翰，若翰便叫了自己的两个门徒来，
7:19 打发他们到主那里去说：「你就是要来的那位，或者我们还要等候另一位?」
7:20 二人来到耶稣跟前说：「洗者若翰派我们来问你：你就是要来的那位，或者我们还要等候另一位?」
7:21 正在那时刻，他治好了许多患有病痛和疾苦的，并附有恶魔的人，又恩赐许多瞎子看见。
7:22 他便回答说：「你们去!把你们所见所闻的报告给若翰：瞎子看见，瘸子行走，癞病人洁净，聋子听见，死人复活，贫穷人听到喜讯。
7:23 凡不因我绊倒的，是有福的。」

耶稣称述若翰　
7:24 若翰的使者走了以后，耶稣就对群众论若翰说：「你们出去到荒野里是为看什么呢?为看一枝被风摇曳的芦苇吗?
7:25 你们出去到底是为看什么?为看一位穿细软衣服的人吗?啊!那衣着华丽和生活奢侈的人是在王宫里。
7:26 你们出去究竟是为看什么?为看一位先知吗?是的，我告诉你们：而且他比先知还大。
7:27 关于这人经上记载说：『看，我派遣我的使者在你面前，他要在你前面预备你的道路。』
7:28 我告诉你们：妇女所生的，没有一个比若翰更大的；但在天主的国内最小的，也比他大。
7:29 听教的众百姓和税吏，都顺从天主正义的要求而领受了若翰的洗礼。
7:30 但法利塞人和法学士却没有受他的洗，在自己身上使天主的计划作废。
7:31 我可把这一代的人比作什么呢?他们相似什么人呢?
7:32 他们相似坐在街上的儿童，彼此呼唤说：我们给你们吹笛，你们却不跳舞；我们唱哀歌，你们却不悲哭。
7:33 因为洗者若翰来了，他不吃饼，也不喝酒，你们便说：他附了魔。
7:34 人子来了，也吃也喝，你们又说：这是个贪吃嗜酒的人，是个税吏和罪人的朋友。
7:35 但一切智慧之子，必彰显智慧的正义。

悔改的罪妇　
7:36 有个法利塞人请耶稣同他吃饭，他便进了那法利塞人的家中坐席。
7:37 那时，有个妇人，是城中的罪人，她一听说耶稣在法利塞人家中坐席，就带着一玉瓶香液，
7:38 来站在他背后，靠近他的脚哭开了，用眼泪滴湿了他的脚，用自己的头发擦干，又热切地口亲他的脚，以后抹上香液。
7:39 那请耶稣的法利塞人见了，就心里想：「这人若是先知，必定知道这个摸他的是谁，是怎样的女人：是一个罪妇。」
7:40 耶稣发言对他说：「西满，我有一件事要向你说。」西满说：「师傅，请说吧!」
7:41 「一个债主有两个债户：一个欠五百德纳，另一个欠五十。
7:42 因为他们都无力偿还，债主就开恩，赦免了他们二人。那么，他们中谁更爱他呢?」
7:43 西满答说：「我想是那多得恩赦的。」耶稣对他说：「你判断的正对。」
7:44 他遂转身向着那妇人，对西满说：「你看见这个妇人吗?我进了你的家，你没有给我水洗脚，她却用眼泪滴湿了我的脚，并用头发擦干。
7:45 你没有给我行口亲礼，但她自从我进来，就不断地口亲我的脚
7:46 你没有用油抹我的头，她却用香液抹了我的脚。
7:47 故此，我告诉你：她的那许多罪得了赦免，因为她爱的多；但那少得赦免的，是爱的少。」
7:48 耶稣遂对妇人说：「你的罪得了赦免。」
7:49 同席的人心中想道：「这人是谁?他竟然赦免罪过!」
7:50 耶稣对妇人说：「你的信德救了你，平安回去吧!」

 

 

第八章(56)

服侍耶稣的热心妇女　
8:1 以后，耶稣走遍各城各村讲道，宣传天主国的喜讯，同他在一起的有那十二门徒，
8:2 还有几个曾附过恶魔或患病而得治好的妇女，有号称玛达肋纳的玛利亚，从她身上赶出了七个魔鬼；
8:3 还有约安纳，即黑落德的家宰雇撒的妻子，又有苏撒纳；还有别的许多妇女，她们都用自己的财产资助他们。

比喻与奇迹撒种的比喻　
8:4 那时，有大伙群众聚集了来，并有从各城来到耶稣跟前的，他就用比喻说：
8:5 「有一个撒种子的，出去撒种子；他撒的时候，有的落在路旁，就被践踏了，并有天上的飞鸟把它吃了。
8:6 有的落在石头上，一长起来，就干枯了，因为没有湿气。
8:7 有的落在荆棘中，荆棘同它一起长起来，把它窒息了。
8:8 又有的落在好地里，长起来，结了百倍的果实。」他说完这些话，就高呼说：「有耳听的，就听吧!」
8:9 他的门徒问他这比喻有什么意思。
8:10 他说：「天主国的奥秘，是给你们知道的；对其余的人，就用比喻，使那看的，却看不见，听的，却听不懂。
8:11 这比喻的意思是：种子是天主的话。
8:12 那些在路旁的，是指那些人听了，随后就有魔鬼来到，从他们心中把那话夺去，使他们不至信从而得救。
8:13 那些在石头上的，是指那些人，他们听的时候，高兴地接受那话，但这些人没有根，暂时相信，一到试探的时候，就退避了。
8:14 那落在荆棘中的，是指那些听了的人，还在中途就被挂虑、钱财及生活的逸乐所蒙蔽，没有结出成熟的果实。
8:15 那在好地里的，是指那些以善良和诚实的心倾听的人，他们把这话保存起来，以坚忍结出果实。

奥秘必要传扬出去　
8:16 没有人点上灯，用器皿遮盖住，或放在床底下的，而是放在灯台上，为叫进来的人看见光明。
8:17 因为没有隐藏的事，不成为显露的；没有秘密的事，不被知道而公开出来的。
8:18 所以，你们应当留心要怎样听；因为凡有的，还要给他；凡没有的，连他自以为有的，也要从他夺去。」

耶稣的真亲属　
8:19 耶稣的母亲和兄弟到他这里来了，因为人多，不能与他相会。
8:20 有人告诉他说：「你的母亲和你的兄弟站在外边，愿意见你。」
8:21 他却回答他们说：「听了天主的话而实行的，才是我的母亲和我的兄弟。」

平息风浪　
8:22 有一天，耶稣和门徒上了船，对他们说：「我们渡到湖那边去。」他们便开了船。
8:23 正在航行时，他睡着了。忽然有狂风降到湖上，进入船中的水，使他们处于危险中。
8:24 门徒们前来叫醒耶稣，说：「老师!老师!我们要丧亡了!」他醒起来，叱责了狂风和波浪，风浪就止息平静了。
8:25 遂对他们说：「你们的信德在那里?」他们又害怕又惊奇，彼此说：「这人到底是谁?因为他一出命，风和水也都服从他。」

治好附魔的人　
8:26 他们航行到革辣撒人的地方，就是加里肋亚的对面。
8:27 耶稣一上了岸，迎面来了一个那城中附魔的人，他很久不穿衣服，也不住在家里，而住在坟墓中。
8:28 他一看见耶稣，就喊叫起来，跪伏在他前大声说：「至高天主之子耶稣，我与你有什么相干?我求你不要磨难我!」
8:29 因为他曾命令邪魔从那人身上出去，原来邪魔已多次抓住他，他曾被铁链和脚镣捆縳起来，被看管着；他却挣断锁链，被魔鬼赶到荒野中。
8:30 耶稣问他说：「你叫什么名字?」他说：「军旅。」因为有许多魔鬼进入了他身内。
8:31 魔鬼求耶稣，不要命令他们到深渊中去。
8:32 在那里有一大群猪在山上牧放着，魔鬼就恳求耶稣许他们进入那些猪内；耶稣准许了他们。
8:33 于是，魔鬼从那人身上出去，进入猪内。那群猪就从山崖上直冲到湖里淹死了。
8:34 放猪的看见发生的事，就逃去，到城里和乡间传报开了。
8:35 人就出来看那发生的事，来到耶稣前，发现脱离魔鬼的那人，穿着衣服，神智清醒，坐在耶稣跟前；他们就害怕起来。
8:36 那些见过这事的人就对他们述说：那附魔的人怎样被治好了。
8:37 革辣撒四周所有的人民要求耶稣离开他们，因为他们十分恐惧。他便上船回去。
8:38 脱离魔鬼的那人祈求耶稣，要同耶稣在一起；但耶稣打发他回去，说：
8:39 「你回家去吧！传述天主为你做了何等大事！」他就去了，满城传扬耶稣为他作了何等大事。

治好患血漏的妇人复活雅依洛的女儿　
8:40 耶稣回来时，群众就迎接他，因为众人都在等候他。
8:41 看，来了一个人，名叫雅依洛，这人是一个会堂长，他跪伏在耶稣脚前，求他到自己家中去，
8:42 因为他有一个独生女，约十二岁，快要死了。当耶稣去的时候，众人都拥挤他。
8:43 有一个妇人，十二年来患血漏病，把全部家产都花在医生身上，却没有一个能治好她。
8:44 她来到耶稣后边，摸了摸他的衣服繸头，她的血漏立刻就止住了。
8:45 耶稣说：「谁摸了我?」众人都否认，伯多禄说：「老师，群众都在拥挤着你!」
8:46 耶稣却说：「有人摸了我，因为我觉得有能力从我身上出去了。」
8:47 那妇人看不能隐瞒，就战战兢兢地来跪伏在耶稣跟前，把自己摸他的原故和如何立刻病好的事，在众百姓面前都说了出来。
8:48 耶稣遂对她说：「女儿，你的信德救了你，平安去吧!」
8:49 他还在说话时，有人从会堂长家里来说：「你的女儿死了，不必烦劳师傅了。」
8:50 耶稣听了，就对他说：「不要害怕，只管信，她必得救。」
8:51 耶稣到了那家里，除了伯多禄、若望、雅各伯和女孩子的父母外，不让任何人同他进去。
8:52 众人都在痛哭哀吊女孩子。他却说：「不要哭泣！她并没有死，只是睡着了。」
8:53 那些明知她已死的人，就讥笑他。
8:54 耶稣拿起她的手来，喊说：「女孩，起来!」
8:55 她的灵魂回来了，她就立刻起来了。耶稣吩咐给她吃的。
8:56 她的父母惊讶的出神。耶稣却警告他们不要传扬这事。

 

 

耶稣训导门徒

第九章(62)

宗徒的使命　
9:1 耶稣召集了那十二人来，赐给他们制伏一切魔鬼，并治疗疾病的能力和权柄，
9:2 派遣他们去宣讲天主的国，并治好病人，
9:3 向他们说：「你们在路上什么也不要带：也不要带棍杖，也不要带口袋，也不要带食物，也不要带银钱，也不要带两件内衣。
9:4 你们无论进了那一家，就住在那里，直到从那里离去。
9:5 人若不接待你们，你们要离开那城，拂去你们脚上的尘土，作为反对他们的证据。」
9:6 他们就出发，周游各乡村，宣传喜讯，到处治病。

黑落德的不安　
9:7 分封侯黑落德听到发生的这一切事，犹豫不定，因为有些人说：「若翰从死者中复活了。」
9:8 但另有些人说：「是厄里亚出现了。」还有些人说：「是一位古先知复活了。」
9:9 黑落德且说：「若翰我已经斩首了；而这人到底是谁﹖关于他，我竟听到了这样的事!」便想法看看他。

宗徒复命与初次增饼　
9:10 宗徒们回来，把所行的一切，报告给耶稣，他遂带着他们私自退往一座名叫贝特赛达的城去了。
9:11 群众一知道，也跟随他去了；他就迎接他们，给他们讲论天主的国，并治好了那些急需治疗的人。
9:12 天将要黑的时候，那十二人前来对他说：「请遣散群众，叫他们往四周村庄田舍里去投宿寻食，因为我们这里，是在荒野地方。」
9:13 耶稣却向他们说：「你们给他们吃的吧!」他们答说：「我们不过只有五个饼和两条鱼，除非我们亲自去给这一切人购买食物。
9:14 原来男人大约有五千。他却对自己的门徒说：「叫他们分伙坐下，约五十人一伙。」
9:15 门徒就照样做了，叫众人坐下。
9:16 他遂拿起那五个饼和那两条鱼来，望着天祝福了，擘开递给门徒，叫他们摆在群众前。
9:17 众人吃了，也都饱了；把他们所剩的碎块，收集了十二筐。

伯多禄明认基督　
9:18 有一天，耶稣独自祈祷，门徒同他在一起，他问他们说：「众人说我是谁﹖」
9:19 他们回答说：「有人说是洗者若翰；有人却说是厄里亚；还有人说是古时的一位先知复活了。」
9:20 他问他们说：「但你们说我是谁呢﹖」伯多禄回答说：「天主的受傅者。」21 但耶稣严厉嘱咐他们，不要把这事告诉人，说：
9:22 「人子必须受许多苦，被长老、司祭长和经师们弃绝，并且要被杀；但第三天必要复活。」

门徒当跟随师傅　
9:23 他又对众人说：「谁若愿意跟随我，该弃绝自己，天天背着自己的十字架跟随我。
9:24 因为谁若愿意救自己性命，必要丧失性命；但谁若为我的原故丧失自己的性命，这人必能救得性命。
9:25 人纵然赚得了全世界，却丧失了自己，或赔上自己，为他有什益处呢﹖
9:26 谁若以我和我的话为耻，将来人子在自己的光荣，和父及众圣天使的光荣中降来时，也要以这人为耻。
9:27 我确实告诉你们：站在这里的人中，就有几个在未尝到死味以前，必要看见天主的国。」

耶稣显圣容　
9:28 讲了这些道理以后，大约过了八天，耶稣带着伯多禄、若望和雅各伯上山去祈祷。
9:29 正当他祈祷时，他的面容改变，他的衣服洁白发光。
9:30 忽然，有两个人，即梅瑟和厄里亚，同他谈话。
9:31 他们出显在光耀中，谈论耶稣的去世，即他在耶路撒冷必要完成的事。
9:32 伯多禄和同他在一起的，都昏昏欲睡。他们一醒，就看见他的光耀和在他旁待立的两个人。
9:33 那二人正要离开时，伯多禄对耶稣说：「老师，我们在这里真好!让我们搭三个帐棚：一个为你，一个为梅瑟，一个为厄里亚。」他原来不知道说什么了。
9:34 他说这话的时候，有一片云彩遮蔽了他们。他们进入云彩时，门徒们就害怕起来。
9:35 云中有声音说：「这是我的儿子，我所拣选的，你们要听从他!」
9:36 正有这声音时，只见耶稣独自一人。在那些日子，他们都守了秘密，把所见的事一点也没有告诉任何人。

治好附魔的儿童　
9:37 第二天，他们从山上下来，一大群人来迎接他。
9:38 看，从群众中有一个人喊叫说：「师傅，求你怜视我的儿子，因为他是我的独子；
9:39 魔鬼一抓住他，便使他突然狂叫，使他痉挛至于吐沫，叫他筋疲力尽了，还是不肯离开他。
9:40 我求了你的门徒把魔鬼逐出，他们却不能。」
9:41 耶稣回答说：「哎!无信而败坏的世代!我同你们在一起，并容忍你们直到几时呢﹖领你的儿子到我这里来吧!」
9:42 当他走过来时，魔鬼还把他摔倒，使他痉挛。耶稣一叱责邪魔，就治好了孩子，把他交给了他的父亲。
9:43 众人都惊讶天主的伟大。

谦逊与容忍　

当众人惊奇耶稣所作的一切时，他向自己的门徒说：
9:44 「你们应谨记这些话：人子将要被交于人手中。」
9:45 但他们不明了这话，这话为他们还是蒙蔽着，不叫他们了解；他们又怕问他这话的意思。
9:46 他们心中起了一个思想：谁是他们中最大的。
9:47 耶稣看透了他们的心思，就领来一个小孩子，叫他立在自己身边，
9:48 对他们说：「谁若为了我的名字收留这个小孩子，就是收留我；谁若收留我，就是收留那派遣我来的；因为在你们众人中最小的，这人才是最大的。」
9:49 若望说：「老师！我们曾看见一个人，因你的名字驱魔，就禁止了他，因为他不与我们同伙。」
9:50 耶稣却向他说：「不要禁止!因为谁不反对你们，就是倾向你们。」

赴圣城沿途施教

基督徒的精神

容忍　
9:51 耶稣被接升天的日期，就快要来到，他遂决意面朝耶路撒冷走去，
9:52 便打发使者在他在前面走；他们去了，进了撒马黎雅人的一个村庄，好为他准备住宿。
9:53 人们却不收留他，因为他是面朝耶路撒冷去的。
9:54 雅各伯及若望两个门徒见了，便说：「主，你愿意我们叫火自天降下，焚毁他们吗﹖」
9:55 耶稣转过身来斥责了他们。
9:56 他们遂又到别的村庄去了。

基督徒必须拋弃一切　
9:57 他们正走的时侯，在路上有一个人对耶稣说：「你不论往那里去，我要跟随你。」
9:58 耶稣给他说：「狐狸有穴，天上的飞鸟有巢；但是人子却没有枕头的地方。」
9:59 又对另一个人说：「你跟随我吧!」那人却说：「主，请许我先去埋葬我的父亲。」
9:60 耶稣给他说：「任凭死人去埋葬自己的死人吧!至于你，你要去宣扬天主的国。」
9:61 又有一个人说：「主！我要跟随你！但是请许我先告别我的家人。」
9:62 耶稣对他说：「手扶着犁而往后看的，不适于天主的国。」

 

 

第十章(42)

派遣七十二门徒传教　
10:1 此后，主另外选定了七十二人，派遣他们两个两个地在他前面，到他自己将要去的各城各地去。
10:2 他对他们说：「庄稼多而工人少，所以你们应当求庄稼的主人，派遣工人来，收割他的庄稼。
10:3 你们去吧!看，我派遣你们犹如羔羊往狼群中。
10:4 你们不要带钱囊，不要带口袋，也不要带鞋；路上也不要向人请安。
10:5 不论进了那一家，先说：愿这一家平安!
10:6 那里如有和平之子，你们的和平就要停留在他身上；否则，仍归于你们。
10:7 你们要住在那一家，吃喝他们所供给的，因为工人自当有他的工资；你们不可从这一家挪到那一家。
10:8 不论进了那座城，人若接纳你们，给你们摆上什么，你们就吃什么。
10:9 要医治城中的病人，并给他们说：天主的国已经临近你们了。
10:10 不论进了那座城，人如不接纳你们，你们就出来，到街市上说：
10:11 连你们城中粘在我们脚上的尘土，我们也要给你们拂下来；但是你们当知道：天主的国已经临近了。
10:12 我告诉你们：在那一日，索多玛所受的惩罚，要比这座城容易忍受。」

耶稣斥责诸城　
10:13 「苛辣匝因啊，你是有祸的了!贝特赛达啊，你是有祸的了!因为在你们那里所行的异能，如果行在提洛及漆冬，她们早已披上苦衣，坐在灰尘中，而改过自新了。
10:14 但是在审判时，提洛和漆冬所受的惩罚，要比你们容易忍受。
10:15 还有你，葛法翁啊!莫非你要被高举到天上吗﹖将来你必被推下阴府。
10:16 听你们的，就是听我；拒绝你们的，就是拒绝我；拒绝我的，就是拒绝那派遣我的。」

七十二门徒归来复命　
10:17 那七十二人欢喜地归来，说：「主！因着你的名号，连恶魔都屈服于我们。」
10:18 耶稣向他们说：「我看见撒殚如同闪电一般自天跌下。
10:19 看我已经授予你们权柄，使你们践踏在蛇蝎上，并能制伏仇敌的一切势力，没有什么能伤害你们。
10:20 但是，你们不要因为魔鬼屈服于你们的这件事而喜欢，你们应当喜欢的，乃是因为你们的名字，已经登记在天上了。」

耶稣称谢天父　
10:21 就在那时刻，耶稣因圣神而欢欣说：「父啊!天地的主宰，我称谢你，因为你将这些事瞒住了智慧及明达的人，而启示了给小孩子。是的，父啊!你原来喜欢这样做。
10:22 我父将一切都交给我，除了父，没有一个认识子是谁，除了子及子所愿启示的人外，也没有一个认识父是谁的。」
10:23 耶稣转过身来私下对门徒说：「见你们所见之事的眼睛是有福的。
10:24 我告诉你们：曾经有许多先知及君王希望看你们所见的，而没有看见；听你们所听的，而没有听到。

慈善的撒玛黎雅人　
10:25 有一个法学士起来，试探耶稣说：「师傅，我应当做什么，才能获得永生﹖」
10:26 耶稣对他说：「法律上记载了什么﹖你是怎样读的﹖」
10:27 他答说：「你应当全心、全灵、全力、全意爱上主，你的天主，并爱近人如你自己。」
10:28 耶稣向他说：「你答应得对。你这样做，必得生活。」
10:29 但是，他愿意显示自己理直，又对耶稣说：「毕竟谁是我的近人﹖」
10:30 耶稣答说：「有一个人从耶路撒冷下来，到耶里哥去，遭遇了强盗；他们剥去他的衣服，并加以击伤，将他半死半活的丢下走了。
10:31 正巧有一个司祭在那条路上下来，看了看他，便从旁边走过去。
10:32 又有一个肋未人，也是一样；他到了那里，看了看，也从旁边走过去。
10:33 但有一个撒马黎雅人，路过他那里，一看见就动了怜悯的心，
10:34 遂上前，在他的伤处注上油与酒，包扎好了，又扶他骑上自己的牲口，把他到带客店里，小心照料他。
10:35 第二天，取出两个银钱交给店主说：请你小心看护他!不论余外花费多少，等我回来时，必要补还你。
10:36 你以为这三个人中，谁是那遭遇那强盗者的近人呢﹖」
10:37 那人答说：「是怜悯他的那人。」耶稣遂给他说：「你去，也照样做吧!」

玛尔大和玛利亚　
10:38 他们走路的时候，耶稣进了一个村庄。有一个名叫玛尔大的女人，把耶稣接到家中。
10:39 她有一个妹妹，名叫玛利亚，坐在主的脚前听他讲话。
10:40 玛尔大为伺候耶稣，忙碌不已，便上前来说：「主!我的妹妹丢下我一个人伺候，你不介意吗﹖请叫她来帮助我吧!」
10:41 主回答她说：「玛尔大，玛尔大!你为了许多事操心忙碌，
10:42 其实需要的惟有一件。玛利亚选择了更好的一份，是不能从她夺去的。」

 

 

第十一章(54)

应当怎样祈祷　
11:1 有一次，耶稣在一个地方祈祷，停止以后，他的一个门徒对他说：「主，请教给我们祈祷，如同若翰教给了他的门徒一样。」
11:2 耶稣给他们说：「你们祈祷时要说：父啊!愿你的名被尊为圣，愿你的国来临！
11:3 我们的日用粮，求你天天赐给我们！
11:4 宽免我们的罪过，因为我们自己也宽免所有亏负我们的人；不要让我们陷入诱惑。」
11:5 耶稣对他们说：「你们中间谁有一个朋友，半夜去他那里，给他说：朋友，借给我三个饼罢!
11:6 因为我的朋友行路到了我这里，我没有什么可以款待他。
11:7 那人从里面回答说：不要烦扰我了!门已经关上，我的孩子们同我一起在床上，我不能起来给你。
11:8 我告诉你们：他纵然不为了他是朋友的原故，而起来给他，也要因他恬不知耻地切求而起来，给他所需要的一切。
11:9 所以，我告诉你们：你们求，必要给你们；你们找，必要找着；你们敲，必要给你们开。
11:10 因为凡求的，就必得到；找的，就必找到；敲的，就必给他开。
11:11 你们中间那有为父亲的，儿子向他求饼，反而给他石头呢﹖或是求鱼，反将蛇当鱼给他呢？
11:12 或者求鸡蛋，反将蝎子给他呢？
11:13 你们纵然不善，尚且知道把好东西给你们的儿女，何况在天之父，有不更将圣神赐与求他的人吗﹖」

法利塞人的恶意

耶稣驱魔的能力　
11:14 耶稣驱逐一个魔鬼──他是使人喑哑的魔鬼；他出去以后，哑吧便说出话来，群众都惊讶不止。
11:15 但是，其中有人说：「他是仗赖魔王贝耳则步驱魔。」
11:16 另一些人试探耶稣，向他要求一个自天而来的征兆。
11:17 耶稣知道了他们的心意，便给他们说：「凡是一国自相纷争，必成废墟，一家一家的败落。
11:18 如果撒殚自相纷争，他的国如何能存立呢﹖因为你们说我仗赖贝耳则步驱魔。
11:19 如果我仗赖贝耳则步驱魔，你们的子弟们是仗赖谁驱魔呢﹖为此，他们将是你们的裁判者。
11:20 如果我是仗赖天主的手指驱魔，那么，天主的国已来到你们中间了。
11:21 几时壮士佩带武器，看守自己的宅舍，他的财产，必能安全。
11:22 但是，如果有个比他强壮的来战胜他，必会把他所依仗的一切器械都夺去，而瓜分他的赃物。
11:23 不随同我的，就是反对我；不同我收集的，就是分散。」
11:5魔去复来的危险
11:24 「邪魔从人身上出去后，走遍干旱之地，寻找一个安息之所，却没有找着；他于是说：我要回到我出来的那屋里去。
11:25 他来到后，见里面已打扫清洁，装饰整齐，
11:26 就去，另外带了七个比自己更恶的魔鬼来，进去，住在那里；那人末后的处境，比先前就更坏了。」

福哉耶稣的母亲　
11:27 耶稣说这些话的时候，人群中，有一个妇人高声向他说：「怀过你的胎，及你所吮吸过的乳房，是有福的!」
11:28 耶稣却说：「可是那听天主的话而遵行的人，更是有福的!」

责斥要求征兆的人　
11:29 群众集合拢来的时候，耶稣开始说：「这一世代是一邪恶的世代：它要求征兆，除了约纳的征兆外，必不给它任何其它征兆。
11:30 因为，有如约纳为尼尼微人是个征兆，将来人子为这一世代也是这样。
11:31 南方的女王，在审判时，将同这一代人起来，定他们的罪，因为她从地极来，听撒罗满的智慧；看，这里有一位大于撒罗满的!
11:32 尼尼微人在审判时，将同这一代人起来，定他们的罪，因为尼尼微人因了约纳的宣讲而悔改了；看，这里有一位大于约纳的!」

心灵的光　
11:33 「没有人点灯放在窖中，或置于斗下的，而是放在灯台上，让进来的人看见光明。
11:34 你的眼睛就是身体的灯。几时你的眼睛纯洁，你全身就光明；但如果邪恶，你全身就黑暗。
11:35 为此，你要小心，不要叫你内里的光成了黑暗。
11:36 所以，如果你全身光明，丝毫没有黑暗之处，一切必要光明，有如灯光照耀你一样。」

痛责法利塞人和法学士　
11:37 耶稣正说话的时候，有一个法利塞人请他到自己家中用饭，耶稣进去便入了席。
11:38 那个法利塞人一看见，就怪异耶稣饭前不先洗手。
11:39 但主对他说：「你们法利塞人洗净杯盘的外面，而你们心中却满是劫夺与邪恶。
11:40 胡涂人哪!那造外面的，不是也造了里面吗﹖
11:41 只要把你们杯盘里面的施舍了，那么，一切对你们便都洁净了。
11:42 但是，祸哉，你们法利塞人!因为你们把薄荷、茴香及各种菜蔬捐献十分之一，反而将公义及爱天主的义务忽略过去：这些固然该作，那些也不可忽略。
11:43 祸哉，你们法利塞人!因为你们在会堂里爱坐上座，在街市上爱受人致敬。
11:44 祸哉，你们!因为你们就如同不显露的坟墓，人在上面行走，也不知道。」
11:45 有一个法学士回答耶稣说：「师傅，你说这些话，连我们也侮辱了。」
11:46 耶稣说：「祸哉，你们这些法学士!因为你们加给人不堪负荷的重担，而你们自己对重担连一个指头也不肯动一下。
11:47 祸哉，你们!你们修建先知的坟墓，而你们的祖先却杀害了他们，
11:48 可见你们证明，并且赞成你们祖先所行的事，因为他们杀害了先知，而你们却修建先知的坟墓。
11:49 为此，天主的智慧曾说过：我将要派遣先知及使者到他们那里，其中有的，他们要杀死；有的，他们要迫害，
11:50 为使从创造世界以来，所流众先知的血，都要向这一代追讨，
11:51 从亚伯尔的血，到丧亡在祭坛与圣所之间的则加黎雅的血，的确，我告诉你们：都要向这一代追讨。
11:52 祸哉，你们法学士!因为你们拿走了智识的钥匙，自己不进去，那愿意进去的，你们也加以阻止。」
11:53 耶稣从那里出来以后，经师们及法利塞人开始严厉追逼他，盘问他许多的事，
11:54 窥伺他，要从他口中抓到语病。

 

 

进天国的必然准备

第十二章(59)

诚实和依靠　
12:1 那时，有成千累万的群众集合拢来，竟至互相践踏。耶稣开始先对自己的门徒说：「你们要谨访法利塞人的酵母，即他们的虚伪。
12:2 但是，没有遮掩的事，将来不被揭露的；也没有隐藏的事，将来不被知道的。
12:3 因此，你们在暗处所说的，将来必要在明处被人听见；在内室附耳所说的，将来必要在屋顶上张扬出来。
12:4 我告诉你们做我朋友的人们：你们不要害怕那些杀害肉身，而后不能更有所为的人。
12:5 我要指给你们，谁是你们所应怕的：你们应当害怕杀了以后，有权柄把人投入地狱的那一位；的确，我告诉你们:应当害怕这一位!
12:6 五只麻雀不是卖两文铜钱吗﹖然而在天主前，他们中没有一只被遗忘的。
12:7 就是你们的头发，也一一被数过了；你们不要害怕!你们比许多麻雀尊贵多了。
12:8 我告诉你们:凡在人前承认我的，人子将来也要在天主的使者前承认他；
12:9 在人前否认我的，将来在天主的使者前也要被否认。
12:10 凡出言干犯人子的，尚可获得赦免；但是，亵渎圣神的人，决不能获得赦免。
12:11 当人押送你们到会堂，到官长及有权柄的人面前时，你们不要思虑怎样申辩，或说什么话，
12:12 因为在那个时刻，圣神必要教给你们应说的话。」

戒贪世物　
12:13 人群中有一个人向耶稣说:「师傅，请吩咐我的兄弟与我分家罢!」
12:14 耶稣对他说:「人哪，谁立了我做你们的判官及分家人呢﹖」
12:15 遂对他们说：「你们要谨慎，躲避一切贪婪，因为一个人纵然富裕，他的生命并不在于他的资产。」
12:16 耶稣对他们设了一个比喻说:「有一个富人，他的田地出产丰富。
12:17 他心里想道:我可怎么办呢﹖因为我已没有地方收藏我的物产。
12:18 他遂说:我要这样做:我要拆毁我的仓房，另建更大的，好在那里收藏我的一切谷类及财物。
12:19 以后，我要对我的灵魂说:灵魂哪!你存有大量的财物，足够多年之用，你休息罢!吃喝宴乐罢!
12:20 天主却给他说:胡涂人哪!今夜就要索回你的灵魂，你所备置的，将归谁呢﹖
12:21 那为自己厚积财产而不在天主前致富的，也是如此。」

戒挂念世俗　
12:22 耶稣对他的门徒说：「为此，我告诉你们:不要为生命思虑吃什么，也不要为身体思虑穿什么，
12:23 因为生命贵于食物，身体贵于衣服。
12:24 你们看看乌鸦，它们不播种，也不收割；它们没有库房，也没有仓廪，天主尚且养活它们，你们比起飞鸟更要尊贵多少呢﹖
12:25 你们中谁能运用思虑，使自己的寿数增加一肘呢﹖
12:26 如果你们连极小的事还做不来，为什么要思虑别的事呢﹖
12:27 你们看看百合花，是怎样生长的:它们不劳作，也不纺织；可是，我告诉你们：连撒罗满在他极盛的荣华时所披戴的，也不如这些花中的一朵。
12:28 田野间的野草，今天还在，明天就投入炉中，天主尚且这样装饰，何况你们呢!小信德的人啊!
12:29 你们不要谋求吃什么，喝什么，也不要忧愁挂心，
12:30 因为这一切都是世上的外邦人所寻求的，至于你们，你们的父知道你们需要这些。
12:31 你们只要寻求他的国，这些自会加给你们。」

真正的宝藏　
12:32 「你们小小的羊群，不要害怕!因为你们的父喜欢把天国赐给你们。
12:33 要变卖你们所有的来施舍，为你们自己备下经久不朽的钱囊，在天上备下取用不尽的宝藏；那里盗贼不能走近，蠹虫也不能损坏，
12:34 因为你们的宝藏在那里，你们的心也必在那里。」

醒寤的劝言　
12:35 「要把你们的腰束起，把灯点着；
12:36 应当如同那些等候自己的主人，由婚宴回来的人，为的是主人来到，一敲门，立刻就给他开门。
12:37 主人来到时，遇见醒寤着的那些仆人，是有福的。我实在告诉你们：主人要束上腰，请他们坐席，自己前来伺候他们。
12:38 他二更来也罢，三更来也罢，若遇见这样，那些人才是有福的。
12:39 你们应该明白这一点:如果家主知道盗贼何时要来，【他必要醒寤，】决不容自己的房屋被挖穿。
12:40 你们也应当准备，因为在你们不料想的时辰，人子就来了。」
12:41 伯多禄说：「主，你讲的这个比喻，是为我们呢，还是为众人﹖」
12:42 主说:「究竟谁是那忠信及精明的管家，主人派他管理自己的家仆，按时配给食粮﹖
12:43 主人来时，看见他如此行事，那仆人才是有福的。
12:44 我实话告诉你们:主人必要委派他，管理自己的一切财产。
12:45 如果那个仆人心里说:我的主人必然迟来；他便开始拷打仆婢，也吃也喝也醉酒。
12:46 在他不期待的日子，不知觉的时刻，那仆人的主人要来，必要铲除他，使他与不信者遭受同样的命运。
12:47 那知道主人的旨意，而偏不准备，或竟不奉行他旨意的仆人，必然要多受拷打；
12:48 那不知道而做了应受拷打之事的，要少受拷打。给谁的多，向谁要的也多；交托谁的多，向谁索取的也格外多。」

耶稣是人反对的标记　
12:49 「我来是为把火投在地上，我是多么切望它已经燃烧起来!
12:50 我有一种应受的洗礼，我是如何焦急，直到它得以完成!
12:51 你们以为我来是给地上送和平吗﹖不，我告诉你们:而是来送分裂。
12:52 因为从今以后，一家五口的，将要分裂:三个反对两个，两个反对三个。
12:53 他们将要分裂:父亲反对儿子，儿子反对父亲；母亲反对女儿，女儿反对母亲；婆母反对儿媳，儿媳反对婆母。」

与天主和好的时候到了　
12:54 耶稣又向群众说：「几时你们看见云彩由西方升起，立刻就说:要下大雨了；果然是这样。
12:55 几时南风吹来，就说：天要热了；果然是这样。
12:56 假善人哪!你们知道观察地上及天上的气象，怎么不能观察这个时机呢﹖
12:57 你们为什么不能由自己来辨别正义的事呢﹖
12:58 当你同你的对头去见官长时，尚在路上，你得设法与他了结，怕他拉你到法官前，法官把你交给刑役，而刑役把你押在狱中。
12:59 我告诉你：非等你还清最后的一分钱，断不能从那里出来。」

 

 

第十三章(35)

悔改的必要　
13:1 正在那时，来了几个人把有关加里肋亚人的事，即比拉多把他们的血，与他们的祭品搀和在一起的事，报告给耶稣。
13:2 他回答说：「你们以为这些加里肋亚人，比其他所有的加里肋亚人更有罪，才遭此祸害吗﹖
13:3 不是的。我告诉你们：如果你们不悔改，你们都要同样丧亡。
13:4 或如史罗亚塔倒下，而压死的那十八个人，你们以为他们比耶路撒冷的其他一切居民罪债更大吗﹖
13:5 不是的。我告诉你们：如果你们不悔改，你们都要同样丧亡。」
13:6 他讲了这个比喻说：「有一个人曾将一棵无花果树，栽在自己的葡萄园内。他来在树上找果子，但没有找到，
13:7 便对园丁说：你看，我三年来在这棵无花果树上找果子，但没有找到，你砍掉它罢，为什么让它荒废土地﹖
13:8 园丁回答说:主人，再容它这一年罢!待我在它周围掘土，加上粪；
13:9 将来若结果子便算了；不然的话，你就把它砍了。」

安息日治好伛偻病妇　
13:10 安息日，耶稣在一会堂里施教。
13:11 有一女人，病魔缠身已十八年了，伛偻着，完全不能直立。
13:12 耶稣见了她，便叫她过来，给她说：「女人，你的病已消除了。」
13:13 遂给她按手，她即刻就挺直起来，光荣天主。
13:14 会堂长因气恼耶稣在安息日治病，便给众人说道：「有六天应该工作，你们在这些日子里可来治病，但不可在安息日这一天。」
13:15 主回答他说：「假善人哪!你们每一个人在安息日，有不解下槽上的牛驴，牵去饮水的吗﹖
13:16 这个女人原是亚巴郎的女儿，她被撒殚缠住已经有十八年了，安息日这一天，就不该解开她的束缚吗﹖」
13:17 当耶稣讲这话时，所有敌对他的人，个个惭愧；一切民众因他所行的种种辉煌事迹，莫不欢喜。

芥子与酵母的比喻　
13:18 耶稣又说：「天主的国相似什么﹖我要把它比作什么呢﹖
13:19 它相似一粒芥子，人取来种在自己的园中，它遂生长起来，成了大树，天上的飞鸟都栖息在它的枝头上。」
13:20 他又说：「我要把天主的国比作什么呢﹖
13:21 它相似酵母，女人取来藏在三斗面中，直到全部发酵。」

得救之门　
13:22 耶稣经过城市乡村，随处施教，朝着耶路撒冷走去。
13:23 有一个人给他说：「主，得救的人果然不多吗﹖」耶稣对他们说：
13:24 「你们竭力由窄门而入罢!因为将来有许多人，我告诉你们:要想进去，而不得入。
13:25 及至家主起来把门关上，你们在外面站着，开始敲门说:主，请给我们开门罢!他要回答你们说：我不认识你们是那里的。
13:26 那时，你们会说：我们曾在你面前吃过喝过；你也曾在我们的街市上施教过。
13:27 他要说：我告诉你们：我不认识你们是那里的;你们这些作恶的人，都离开我去罢!
13:28 几时你们望见亚巴郎、依撒格、雅各伯及众先知在天主的国里，你们却被弃在外，那里要有哀号和切齿。
13:29 将有从东从西，从北从南而来的人，在天主的国里坐席。
13:30 看罢!有最后的将成为最先的，也有最先的将成为最后的。」

哀耶路撒冷的罪孽　
13:31 这时刻，有几个法利塞人前来给耶稣说:「你离开这里走罢!因为黑落德要杀你。」
13:32 耶稣给他们说:「你们去告诉这个狐狸罢!看，我今天明天驱魔治病，第三天就要完毕。
13:33 但是，今天明天以及后天，我必须前行，因为先知不宜死在耶路撒冷之外。
13:34 耶路撒冷，耶路撒冷，你屡次残杀先知，用石头击毙那些奉命到你这里来的人；我多少次愿意聚集你的子女，如母鸡聚集自己的雏鸡，在他翅翼下，可是你们偏不愿意。
13:35 看罢!你们的房屋必给你们撇下；但是，我告诉你们：你们断不能再看见我，直到你们说：因主名而来的，当受赞颂的时刻来到。」

 

 

第十四章(35)

耶稣在法利塞人家中坐席　
14:1 安息日，耶稣进了一个法利塞人首领的家中吃饭；他们就留心观察他。
14:2 在他面前有一个患水臌症的人。
14:3 耶稣对法学士及法利塞人说道：「安息日许不许治病﹖」
14:4 他们都默默不语。耶稣遂扶着那人，治好他，叫他走了。
14:5 然后向他们说：「你们中间，谁的儿子或牛掉在井里，在安息日这一天，不立刻拉他上来呢﹖」
14:6 他们对这话不能答辩。
14:7 耶稣注意到被邀请的人，如何争选首席，便对他们讲了一个比喻说：
14:8 「几时你被人请去赴婚筵，不要坐在首席上，怕有比你更尊贵的客也被他请来，
14:9 那请你而又请他的人要来向你说：请让座给这个人!那时，你就要含羞地去坐末席了。
14:10 你几时被请，应去坐末席，等那请你的人走来给你说:朋友，请上坐罢!那时，在你同席的众人面前，你才有光彩。
14:11 因为凡高举自己的，必被贬抑；凡贬抑自己的，必被高举。」
14:12 耶稣也向请他的人说：「几时你设午宴或晚宴，不要请你的朋友、兄弟、亲戚及富有的邻人，怕他们也要回请而还报你。
14:13 但你几时设宴，要请贫穷的、残废的、瘸腿的、瞎眼的人。
14:14 如此，你有福了，因为他们没有可报答你的；但在义人复活的时候，你必能得到赏报。」

宴席的比喻　
14:15 有一个同席的人听了这些话，就向耶稣说:「将来能在天主的国里吃饭的，才是有福的!」
14:16 耶稣给他说:「有一个人设了盛宴，邀请了许多人。
14:17 到了宴会的时刻，他便打发仆人去给被请的人说:请来罢!已经齐备了。
14:18 众人开始一致推辞。第一个给他说：我买了一块田地，必须前去看一看，请你原谅我。
14:19 另一个说：我买了五对牛，要去试试它们，请你原谅我。
14:20 别的一个说：我才娶了妻，所以不能去。
14:21 仆人回来把这事告诉了主人。家主就生了气，给仆人说：你快出去，到城中的大街小巷，把那些贫穷的、残废的、瞎眼的、瘸腿的，都领到这里来。
14:22 仆人说：主，已经照你的吩咐办了，可是还有空位子。
14:23 主人对仆人说：你出去，到大道以上及篱笆边，勉强人进来，好坐满我的屋子。
14:24 我告诉你们：先前被请的那些人，没有一个能尝我这宴席的。」

做耶稣门徒的条件　
14:25 有许多群众与耶稣同行，耶稣转身向他们说：
14:26 「如果谁来就我，而不恼恨自己的父亲、母亲、妻子、儿女、兄弟、姊妹，甚至自己的性命，不能做我的门徒。
14:27 不论谁，若不背着自己的十字架，在我后面走，不能做我的门徒。
14:28 你们中间谁愿意建造一座塔，而不先坐下筹算费用，是否有力完成呢﹖
14:29 免得他奠基以后，竟不能完工，所有看见的人都要讥诮他说：
14:30 这个人开始建造，而不能完工。
14:31 或者一个国王要去同别的国王交战，那有不先坐下运筹一下，能否以一万人，去抵抗那领着两万来攻打他的呢﹖
14:32 如果不能，就得趁那国王离得尚远的时候，派遣使节去求和平的条款。
14:33 同样，你们中不论是谁，如不舍弃他的一切所有，不能做我的门徒。
14:34 盐原是好的，但如果连盐也失了味道，要用什么来调和它呢﹖
14:35 既不利于土壤，又不适于粪料，惟有把它丢在外面。有耳听的，听罢!」

 

 

仁慈的国

第十五章(32)

亡羊的比喻　
15:1 众税吏及罪人们都来接近耶稣，为听他讲道。
15:2 法利塞人及经师们窃窃私议说：「这个人交接罪人，又同他们吃饭。」
15:3 耶稣遂对他们设了这个比喻说：
15:4 「你们中间有那个人有一百只羊，遗失了其中的一只，而不把这九十九只丢在荒野，去寻觅那遗失的一只，直到找着呢﹖
15:5 待找着了，就喜欢的把它放在自己的肩膀上，
15:6 来到家中，请他的友好及邻人来，给他们说：你们与我同乐罢!因为我那只遗失了的羊，又找到了。
15:7 我告诉你们：同样，对于一个罪人悔改，在天上所有的欢乐，甚于对那九十九个无须悔改的义人。」

失钱的比喻　
15:8 「或者那个妇女，有十个『达玛』，若遗失了一个『达玛』，而不点上灯，打扫房屋，细心寻找，直到找着呢﹖
15:9 待找着了，她就请女友及邻人来说：你们与我同乐罢!因为我失去的那一个『达玛』又找到了。
15:10 我告诉你们：对于一个罪人悔改，在天主的使者前，也是这样欢乐。」

荡子的比喻　
15:11 耶稣又说：「一个人有两个儿子，
15:12 那小的向父亲说:父亲，请把我应得的一份家产给我罢!父亲遂把产业给他们分开了。
15:13 过了不多几天，小儿子把所有的一切都收拾起来，就往远方去了。他在那里荒淫度日，耗费他的资财。
15:14 当他把所有的都挥霍尽了以后，那地方正遇着大荒年，他便开始穷困起来。
15:15 他去投靠一个当地的居民；那人打发他到自己的庄田上去放猪。
15:16 他恨不能拿猪吃的豆荚来果腹，可是没有人给他。
15:17 他反躬自问：我父亲有多少佣工，都口粮丰盛，我在这里反要饿死!
15:18 我要起身到我父亲那里去，并且要给他说：父亲!我得罪了天，也得罪了你。
15:19 我不配再称作你的儿子，把我当作你的一个佣工罢!
15:20 他便起身到他父亲那里去了。他离得还远的时候，他父亲就看见了他，动了怜悯的心，跑上前去，扑到他的脖子上，热情地亲吻他。
15:21 儿子向他说：父亲，我得罪了天，也得罪了你，我不配再称作你的儿子了!
15:22 父亲却吩咐自己的仆人说：你们快拿出上等的袍子来给他穿上，把戒指戴在他手上，给他脚上穿上鞋，
15:23 再把那只肥牛犊牵来宰了，我们应吃喝欢宴，
15:24 因为我这个儿子是死而复生，失而复得了；他们就欢宴起来，
15:25 那时，他的长子正在田地里，当他回来快到家的时候，听见有奏乐及歌舞的欢声，
15:26 遂叫一个仆人过来，问他这是什么事。
15:27 仆人向他说：你弟弟回来了，你父亲因为见他无恙归来，便为他宰了那只肥牛犊。
15:28 长子就生气不肯进去，他父亲遂出来劝解他。
15:29 他回答父亲说：你看，这些年来我服事你，从未违背过你的命令，而你从未给过我一只小山羊，让我同我的朋友们欢宴；
15:30 但你这个儿子同娼妓们耗尽了你的财产，他一回来，你倒为他宰了那只肥牛犊。
15:31 父亲给他说：孩子!你常同我在一起，凡我所有的，都是你的；
15:32 只因为你这个弟弟死而复生，失而复得，应当欢宴喜乐!」

 

 

各种劝言

第十六章(31)

不忠信的管家　
16:1 耶稣又对门徒们说：「曾有一个富翁，他有一个管家；有人在主人前告发这人挥霍了主人的财物。
16:2 主人便把他叫来，向他说：我怎么听说你有这样的事﹖把你管理家务的账目交出来，因为你不能再作管家了。
16:3 那管家自言自语道：主人要撤去我管家的职务，我可做什么呢﹖掘地罢，我没有气力；讨饭罢，我又害羞。
16:4 我知道我要做什么，好叫人们，在我被撤去管家职务之后，收留我在他们家中。
16:5 于是，他把主人的债户一一叫来，给第一个说：你欠我主人多少﹖
16:6 那人说：一百桶油。管家向他说：拿你的账单，坐下快写作五十。
16:7 随后，又给另一个说：你欠多少﹖那人说：一百石麦子。管家向他说：拿你的账单写作八十。
16:8 主人遂称赞这个不义的管家，办事精明：这些今世之子应付自己的世代，比光明之子更为精明。
16:9 我告诉你们：要用不义的钱财交结朋友，为在你们匮乏的时候，好叫他们收留你们到永远的帐幕里。
16:10 在小事上忠信的，在大事上也忠信；在小事上不义的，在大事上也不义。
16:11 那么，如果你们在不义的钱财上不忠信，谁还把真实的钱财委托给你们呢﹖
16:12 如果你们在别人的财物上不忠信，谁还把属于你们的交给你们呢﹖
16:13 没有一个家仆能事奉两个主人的：他或是要恨这一个而爱那一个，或是要依附这一个而轻忽那一个：你们不能事奉天主而又事奉钱财。」

法利塞人受责　
16:14 爱财的法利塞人，听了这一切话，便嗤笑耶稣。
16:15 耶稣向他们说：「你们在人前自充义人，但是，天主知道你们的心，因为在人前是崇高的事，在天主前却是可憎的。
16:16 法律及先知到若翰为止，从此天主国的喜讯便传扬开来，人人都应奋勉进入。
16:17 然而天地过去，比法律的一笔一画失落，还要容易。
16:18 凡休妻而另娶的，是犯奸淫；那娶人所休的妻子的，也是犯奸淫。」

富翁与拉匝禄的比喻　
16:19 「有一个富家人，身穿紫红袍及细麻衣，天天奢华地宴乐。
16:20 另有一个乞丐，名叫拉匝禄，满身疮痍，躺卧在他的大门前。
16:21 他指望藉富家人桌上掉下的碎屑充饥，但只有狗来舐他的疮痍。
16:22 那乞丐死了，天使把他送到亚巴郎的怀抱里。那个富家人也死了，被人埋葬了。
16:23 他在阴间，在痛苦中举目一望，远远看见亚巴郎及他怀抱中的拉匝禄，
16:24 便喊叫说：父亲亚巴郎!可怜我罢!请打发拉匝禄用他的指头尖，蘸点水来凉润我的舌头，因为我在这火焰中极甚惨苦。
16:25 亚巴郎说：孩子，你应记得你活着的时候，已享尽了你的福，而拉匝禄同样也受尽了苦。现在，他在这里受安慰，而你应受苦了。
16:26 除此之外，在我们与你们之间，隔着一个巨大的深渊，致使人即便愿意，从这边到你们那边去也不能，从那边到我们这边来也不能。
16:27 那人说:父亲!那么就请你打发拉匝禄到我父家去，
16:28 因为我有五个兄弟，叫他警告他们，免得他们也来到这痛苦的地方。
16:29 亚巴郎说：他们自有梅瑟及先知，听从他们好了。
16:30 他说:不，父亲亚巴郎!倘若有人从死者中到了他们那里，他们必会悔改。
16:31 亚巴郎给他说：如果他们不听从梅瑟及先知，纵使有人从死者中复活了，他们也必不信服。」

 

 

第十七章(36)

门徒应有的态度　
17:1 耶稣对门徒说：「引人跌倒的事是免不了的；但是，引人跌倒的人是有祸的。
17:2 把一块磨石套在他的颈上，投入海中，比让他引这些小子中的一个跌倒，为他更好。
17:3 你们要谨慎!如果你的兄弟犯了罪，你就得规劝他；他如果后悔了，你就得宽恕他。
17:4 如果他一天七次得罪了你，而又七次转向你说：我后悔了，你也得宽恕他。」
17:5 宗徒们向主说:「请增加我们的信德罢!」
17:6 主说：「如果你们有信德象芥子那样大，即使你们给这棵桑树说：你连根拔出，移植到海中去!它也会服从你们的。
17:7 你们中间谁有仆人耕田或放羊，从田地里回来，即给他说：你快过来坐下吃饭罢!
17:8 而不给他说：预备我吃饭，束上腰伺候我，等我吃喝完毕，以后你才吃喝﹖
17:9 仆人做了吩咐的事，主人岂要向他道谢﹖
17:10 你们也是这样，既做完吩咐你们的一切，仍然要说：我们是无用的仆人，我们不过做了我们应做的事。」

耶稣治好十个癞病人　
17:11 耶稣往耶路撒冷去的时候，经过撒玛黎雅及加里肋亚中间，
17:12 走进一个村庄的时候，有十个癞病人迎面而来，远远地站着。
17:13 他们提高声音说:「师傅，耶稣，可怜我们罢!」
17:14 耶稣定睛一看，向他们说:「你们去叫司祭们检验你们罢!」他们去的时候，便洁净了。
17:15 其中一个，看见自己痊愈了，就回来大声光荣天主，
17:16 并且跪伏在耶稣足前，感谢他；他是一个撒玛黎雅人。
17:17 耶稣便说道：「洁净了的不是十个人吗﹖那九个人在那里呢﹖
17:18 除了这个外邦人，就没有别人回来归光荣于天主吗﹖」
17:19 耶稣遂给那人说:「起来，去罢!你的信德救了你。」
天国的来临　
17:20 法利塞人问耶稣天主的国何时要来；耶稣回答说：「天主国的来临，并非是显然可见的；
17:21 人也不能说: 看呀，在这里；或：在那里。因为天主的国就在你们中间。」
17:22 耶稣对门徒说:「日子将到，那时，你们切望看见人子日子中的一天，而不得见。
17:23 人要向你们说：看呀，在那里；看呀，在这里。 你们不要去，也不要追随，
17:24 因为犹如闪电由天这边闪起，直照到天那边：人子在他的日子里，也要这样。
17:25 但他必须先受许多苦，且被这一代所摈弃。
17:26 在诺厄的日子里怎样，在人子的日子里也要怎样；
17:27 那时，人们吃喝婚嫁，直到诺厄进入方舟的那天，洪水来了，消灭了所有的人。
17:28 又如在罗特的日子里，人们吃喝买卖，种植建造，
17:29 但在罗特从索多玛出来的那天，火及硫磺自天降下，消灭了所有的人
17:30 在人子显现的日子里，也要这样。
17:31 在那一日，那在屋顶上，而他的器具在屋内的，不要下来取；那在田地里的，同样不要回来。
17:32 你们要记得罗特的妻子!
17:33 不论谁，若想保全自己的性命，必要丧失性命；凡丧失性命的，必要保存性命。
17:34 我告诉你们：在这一夜，两人同在一张床上，一个要被提去，而一个要被遗弃；
17:35 两个女人一起推磨，一个要被提去，而一个要被遗弃。」
17:36 他们问耶稣说：「主，在那里呢﹖」耶稣回答说：「在那里有尸体，老鹰就聚集在那里。」

 

 

第十八章(43)

不义判官和寡妇的比喻　
18:1 耶稣给他们设了一个比喻，论及人应当时常祈祷，不要灰心。
18:2 他说：「某城中曾有一个判官不敬畏天主，也不敬重人。
18:3 在那城中另有一个寡妇，常去见他说：请你制裁我的对头，给我伸冤罢!
18:4 他多时不肯；以后想到：我虽不敬畏天主，也不敬重人，
18:5 只因为这个寡妇常来烦扰我，我要给她伸冤，免得她不断地来纠缠我。
18:6 于是主说：你们听听这个不义的判官说的什么!
18:7 天主所召选的人，日夜呼吁他，他岂能不给他们伸冤，而迁延俯听他们吗﹖
18:8 我告诉你们：他必要快快为他们伸冤，但是，人子来临时，能在世上找到信德吗﹖」

法利塞人和税吏祈祷的比喻　
18:9 耶稣也向几个自充为义人，而轻视他人的人，设了这个比喻：
18:10 「有两个人上圣殿去祈祷：一个是法利塞人，另一个是税吏。
18:11 那个法利塞人立着，心里这样祈祷：天主，我感谢你，因为我不像其他的人，勒索、不义、奸淫，也不像这个税吏。
18:12 我每周两次禁食，凡我所得的，都捐献十分之一。
18:13 那个税吏却远远地站着，连举目望天都不敢，祇是捶着自己的胸膛说：天主，可怜我这个罪人罢!
18:14 我告诉你们:这人下去，到他家里，成了正义的，而那个人却不然。因为凡高举自己的，必被贬抑；凡贬抑自己的，必被高举。」

耶稣在犹太省

耶稣降福儿童　
18:15 有人也把婴孩带到耶稣跟前，要他抚摸他们；门徒们见了便斥责他们。
18:16 耶稣却召唤他们说:「你们让小孩子们到我跟前来，不要阻止他们!因为天主的国正属于这样的人。
18:17 我实在告诉你们：谁若不像小孩子一样接受天主的国，决不能进去。」

富少年　
18:18 有一个首领问耶稣说：「善师，我要做什么，才能承受永生﹖」
18:19 耶稣给他说：「你为什么称我善呢﹖除了天主一个外，没有谁是善的。
18:20 诫命你都知道:不可奸淫，不可杀人，不可偷盗，不可作假见证；应孝敬你的父母。」
18:21 那人说：「这一切我自幼就都遵守了。」
18:22 耶稣听后，便向他说:「你还缺少一样:把你一切所有的都变卖了，施舍给穷人，你必有宝藏在天上，然后来跟随我!」
18:23 那人听了这话，异常悲伤，因为他是个很富有的人。
18:24 耶稣见他如此，便说：「那些有钱财的人，进入天主的国是多么难啊!
18:25 骆驼穿过针孔，比富有的人进入天主的国还容易。」
18:26 听众遂说：「这样，谁还能得救呢﹖」
18:27 耶稣说：「在人所不能的，在天主是可能的。」

弃俗从主的报酬　
18:28 伯多禄说：「看，我们舍弃了我们的一切所有，跟随了你!」
18:29 耶稣向他们说：「我实在告诉你们：人为了天主的国舍弃了房屋、或妻子、或兄弟、或父母、或子女，
18:30 没有不在今世获得多倍，而在来世获得永生的。」

预言即将受难和复活　
18:31 耶稣把那十二人带到一边，对他们说：「看!我们上耶路撒冷去，凡藉先知所写的一切，都要成就在人子身上：
18:32 他要被交于外邦人，要受戏弄、侮辱及唾污。
18:33 人在鞭挞他之后，还要杀害他；但第三天他要复活。」
18:34 这些话他们一点也不懂，这话为他们是隐秘的；他所说的事，他们也不明白。

耶里哥的盲者复明　
18:35 耶稣将近耶里哥时，有一个瞎子坐在路旁讨饭，
18:36 听见群众路过，便查问是什么事。
18:37 有人告诉他：是纳匝肋人耶稣经过。
18:38 他便喊叫说：「耶稣，达味之子，可怜我罢！」
18:39 前面走的人就斥责他，叫他不要出声；但他越发喊叫说：「达味之子，可怜我罢！」
18:40 耶稣站住，叫人把他带到自己跟前来；当他来近时，耶稣问他说：
18:41 「你愿意我给你做什么﹖」他说：「主，叫我看见。」
18:42 耶稣给他说：「你看见罢！你的信德救了你。」
18:43 他立刻看见了，遂跟随着耶稣，光荣天主。所有的百姓见了，也都颂扬天主。

 

 

耶稣在犹太省

第十九章(48)

税吏匝凯　
19:1 耶稣进了耶里哥，正经过的时候，
19:2 有一个人，名叫匝凯，他原是税吏长，是个富有的人。
19:3 他想要看看耶稣是什么人；但由于人多，不能看见，因为他身材短小。
19:4 于是他往前奔跑，攀上了一棵野桑树，要看看耶稣，因为耶稣就要从那里经过。
19:5 耶稣来到那地方，抬头一看，对他说：「匝凯，你快下来！因为我今天必须住在你家中。」
19:6 他便赶快下来，喜悦地款留耶稣。
19:7 众人见了，都窃窃私议说：「他竟到有罪的人那里投宿。」
19:8 匝凯站起来对主说：「主，你看，我把我财物的一半施舍给穷人；我如果欺骗过谁，我就以四倍赔偿。」
19:9 耶稣对他说：「今天救恩临到了这一家，因为他也是亚巴郎之子。
19:10 因为人子来，是为寻找及拯救迷失了的人。」

「米纳」的比喻　
19:11 众人听这话的时候，耶稣因为已临近耶路撒冷，而且他们都以为天主的国快要出现，遂设了一个比喻说：
19:12 「有一个贵人起身到远方去，为取得了王位再回来。
19:13 他将自己的十个仆人叫来，交给他们十个「米纳」，并嘱咐说：你们拿去做生意，直到我回来。
19:14 他本国的人，一向怀恨他，遂在他后面派代表去说：我们不愿意这人为王统治我们。
19:15 他得了王位归来以后，便传令将那些领了他钱的仆人给他召来，想知道每个人做生意赚了多少。
19:16 第一个前来说：主，你的那个「米纳」赚了十个「米纳」。
19:17 主人给他说：好，善仆！你既然在小事上忠信，你要有权掌管十座城。
19:18 第二个前来说：主，你的那个「米纳」赚了五个「米纳」。
19:19 主人也给这人说：你也要掌管五座城。
19:20 另一个前来说：主，看，你那个「米纳」，我收存在手巾里。
19:21 我一向害怕你，因为你是一个严厉的人：你没有存放的，也要提取；没有下种的，也要收割。
19:22 主人向他说：恶仆！我就凭你的口供定你的罪。你不是知道我是个严厉的人，没有存放的，也要提取；没有下种的，也要收割的吗﹖
19:23 为什么你不把我的钱存于钱庄﹖迨我回来时，我可以连本带利取出来。
19:24 主人便向侍立左右的人说：你们把他那个「米纳」夺过来，给那有十个的。
19:25 他们向他说：主，他已有十个「米纳」了。
19:26 我告诉你们：凡是有的，还要给他；那没有的，连他所有的，也要从他夺去。
19:27 至于那些敌对我，不愿意我作他们君王的人，你们把他们押到这里，在我面前杀掉。」
19:28 耶稣说了这些话，就领头前行，上耶路撒冷去了。

耶稣在耶路撒冷

荣进耶路撒冷　
19:29 及至临近贝特法革和伯达尼，在一座名叫橄榄山那里，耶稣派遣两个门徒说：
19:30 「你们往对面的村庄里去，一进村，就会看见一匹拴着的驴驹，从来没有人骑过，把他解开，牵来。
19:31 如果有人问你们说：你们为什么解它﹖你们要这样说：主要用它。」
19:32 被派的人去了，所遇见的，正如对他们说过的一样。
19:33 他们正在解驴驹的时候，驴驹的主人对他们说：「你们为什么解这驴驹﹖」
19:34 他们说：「主要用它。」
19:35 他们遂把驴驹牵到耶稣跟前，把他们的外衣搭在驴驹上，扶耶稣骑上。
19:36 前行的时候，人们把自己的外衣铺在路上。
19:37 当他临近橄榄山的下坡时，众门徒为了所见过的一切奇能，都欢欣的大声颂扬天主说：
19:38 「因上主之名而来的君王，应受赞颂！和平在天上，光荣于高天！」
19:39 人群中有几个法利塞人对耶稣说：「师傅，责斥你的门徒罢！」
19:40 耶稣回答说：「我告诉你们：这些人若不作声，石头就要喊叫了！」

哀哭耶路撒冷　
19:41 耶稣临近的时候，望见京城，便哀哭她说：
19:42 「恨不能在这一天，你也知道有关你平安的事；但这事如今在你眼前是隐藏的。
19:43 的确，日子将临于你，你的仇敌要在你四周筑起壁垒，包围你，四面窘困你；
19:44 又要荡平你，及在你内的子民；在你内决不留一块石头在另一块石头上，因为你没有认识眷顾你的时期。」

驱商人出圣殿　
19:45 耶稣进了殿院，开始把买卖人赶出去。
19:46 对他们说：「经上记载：我的殿宇应是祈祷之所，而你们竟把它做了贼窝。」
19:47 耶稣每天在圣殿内施教。司祭长及经师并人民的首领，设法要除掉他，
19:48 但是寻不出什么办法，因为众百姓都倾心听他。

 

 

耶稣与犹太人的辩论

第二十章(47)

质问耶稣权柄的由来　
20:1 有一天，耶稣在圣殿里教训百姓，及宣讲喜讯的时候，司祭长、经师及长老前来，
20:2 对他说道：「请你告诉我们：你凭什么权柄作这些事﹖或者是谁给了你这权柄﹖」
20:3 耶稣回答他们说：「我也要问你们一句话，你们告诉我：
20:4 若翰的洗礼是从天上来的，还是从人来的呢﹖」
20:5 他们心里忖度说：「如果我们说：是从天上来的，他必要说：你们为什么不信他﹖
20:6 如果我们说：是从人来的，众百姓必要用石头砸死我们，因为他们都确信若翰是先知。」
20:7 于是他们回答说：「不知道是从哪里来的。」
20:8 耶稣也给他们说：「我也不告诉你们：我凭什么权柄作这些事。」

恶园户的比喻　
20:9 耶稣对百姓设了这个比喻：有一个人培植了一个葡萄园，把它租给园户，就往远方去，为时很久。
20:10 到了时节，他便打发一个仆人去园户那里，为叫他们把园中应纳的果实交给他。园户却打了他，放他空手回去。
20:11 园主又打发了另一个仆人去，他们把那人也打了，并加以侮辱，放他空手回去。
20:12 园主又打发第三个去，连这一个，他们也打伤，把他赶了出去。
20:13 葡萄园的主人说：我要怎样办呢﹖我要打发我的爱子去，或许他们会敬重他。
20:14 谁知园户一看见他，便彼此商议说：这是承继人，我们要杀掉他，好让产业归于我们。
20:15 于是他们把他推到葡萄园外杀了。那么，葡萄园的主人要怎样处置他们呢﹖
20:16 他必要来，除灭这些园户，把葡萄园租给别人。」众人一听这话，就说：「千万不要这样!」
20:17 耶稣注视他们说：「那么，经上所载：『匠人弃而不用的石头，反而成了屋角的基石，』这句话是什么意思﹖
20:18 凡跌在这石头上的，必被撞碎；这石头落在谁身上，必要把他压碎。」
20:19 经师及司祭长在那时刻就想下手逮捕耶稣，但是害怕百姓。他们明白这个比喻是暗指他们说的。

给凯撒纳税的问题　
20:20 于是他们窥察耶稣，派遣奸细，假装义人，要抓住他的语病，好把他交付于总督的司法权下。
20:21 他们就诘问他说：「师傅，我们知道你说话施教，都正直无私；又不看情面，但按真理教授天主的道路。
20:22 敢问：我们给凯撒纳丁税，可以不可以﹖」
20:23 耶稣觉察出他们的诡计，便对他们说：
20:24 「你们拿一个「德纳」来给我看!这「德纳」上有谁的肖像，有谁的字号﹖」他们说：「凯撒的。」
20:25 耶稣对他们说：「那么，凯撒的就应归还凯撒；天主的，就应归还天主。」
20:26 他们在民众在面前，不能抓到他的语病，且惊奇他的应对，遂噤口不言。

复活的问题　
20:27 否认复活的撒杜塞人中，有几个前来问耶稣说：
20:28 「师傅，梅瑟给我们写道：如果一个人的哥哥死了，撇下妻子而没有子嗣，他的弟弟就应娶他的妻子，给他哥哥立嗣
20:29 曾有兄弟七人，第一个娶了妻子，没有子嗣就死了。
20:30 第二个，
20:31 及第三个都娶过她为妻。七个人都是如此：没有留下子嗣就死了。
20:32 末后，连那妇人也死了。
20:33 那么，在复活的时候，这妇人是他们那一个的妻子﹖因为他们七个人都娶过她为妻。」
20:34 耶稣对他们说：「今世之子也娶也嫁；
20:35 但那堪得来世，及堪当由死者中复活的人，他们也不娶，也不嫁；
20:36 甚至他们也不能再死，因为他们相似天使，他们既是复活之子，也就是天主之子。
20:37 至论死者复活，梅瑟已在荆棘篇中指明了：他称上主为亚巴郎的天主，依撒格的天主及雅各伯的天主。
20:38 他不是死人的，而是活人的天主：所有的人为他都是生活的。」
20:39 有几个经师应声说：「师傅，你说的好。」
20:40 从此，他们再不敢质问他什么了。

默西亚为达味之子的问题　
20:41 耶稣问他们说：「人们怎么称默西亚是达味之子呢？
20:42 达味自己曾在圣咏集上说：『上主对吾主说：你坐在我右边，
20:43 等我使你的仇敌变作你脚下的踏板。』
20:44 达味既称他为主，他怎样又是达味之子呢﹖」

指摘经师　
20:45 众百姓正听的时候，耶稣对他的门徒说：
20:46 「你们应慎防经师!他们喜欢穿长袍游行，喜爱街市上的致敬，会堂里的高位，筵席上的首座。
20:47 他们吞没寡妇们的家产，而又以长久的祈祷作掩饰：这些人必要遭受更重的处罚。」

 

 

第二十一章(38)

称赞穷寡妇　
21:1 耶稣举目一望，看见富人把他们的献仪投入银库内。
21:2 又看见一个贫苦的寡妇，把两文钱投入里面，
21:3 遂说：「我实在告诉你们：这个穷寡妇比众人投入的都多，
21:4 因为众人都是拿他们多余的投入，作为给天主的献仪；而这个寡妇却是从她的不足中，把她所有的一切生活费都投上了。」

末世言论

未来的灾难　
21:5 有些人正谈论圣殿是用美丽的石头，和还愿的献品装饰的，耶稣说：
21:6 「你们所看见的这一切，待那时日一到，没有一块石头留在另一块石头上，而不被拆毁的。」
21:7 他们遂问说：「师傅，那么，什么时候要发生这些事﹖这些事要发生的时候，将有什么先兆﹖」
21:8 耶稣说：「你们要谨慎，不要受欺骗!因为将有许多人，假冒我的名字来说：我就是(默西亚)；又说：时期近了。你们切不可跟随他们。
21:9 你们几时听见战争及叛乱，不要惊惶！因为这些事必须先要发生，但还不即刻是结局。」
21:10 耶稣又给他们说：「民族要起来攻击民族，国家攻击国家；
21:11 将有大地震，到处有饥荒及瘟疫；将出现可怖的异象，天上要有巨大的凶兆。
21:12 但是，这一切事以前，为了我名字的原故，人们要下手把你们拘捕、迫害、解送到会堂，并囚在狱中；且押送到君王及总督之前，
21:13 为给你们一个作见证的机会。
21:14 所以，你们心中要镇定，不要事先考虑申辩，
21:15 因为我要给你们口才和明智，是你们的一切仇敌所不能抵抗及辩驳的。
21:16 你们要为父母、兄弟、亲戚及朋友所出卖；你们中有一些要被杀死。
21:17 你们要为了我的名字，受众人的憎恨；
21:18 但是，连你们的一根头发，也不会失落。
21:19 你们要凭着坚忍，保全你们的灵魂。」

圣城的毁灭　
21:20 几时你们看见耶路撒冷被军队围困，那时你们便知道：她的荒凉近了。
21:21 那时，在犹太的，要逃往山中；在京都中的，要离去；在乡间的，不要进京。
21:22 因为这是报复的日子，为要应验所记载的一切。
21:23 在那些日子内，怀孕的及哺乳的，是有祸的，因为要有大难降临这地方，要有义怒临于这百姓身上。
21:24 他们要倒在剑刃之下，要被掳往列国；耶路撒冷要受异民蹂躝，直到异民的时期满限。

世界穷尽　
21:25 在日月星辰上，将有异兆出现；在地上，万国要因海洋波涛的怒号而惊惶失措。
21:26 众人要因恐惧，等待即将临于天下的事而昏绝，因为诸天的万象将要动摇。
21:27 那时，他们要看见人子，带着威能及莫大光荣乘云降来。
21:28 这些事开始发生时，你们应当挺起身来，抬起你们的头，因为你们的救援近了。」

时时醒寤准备　
21:29 耶稣又给他们设了一个比喻：「你们看看无花果树及各种树木，
21:30 几时，你们看见它们已经发芽，就知道：夏天已经近了。
21:31 同样，几时你们看见这些事发生了，也应知道天主的国近了。
21:32 我实在告诉你们：非等一切事发生了，这一代绝不会过去。
21:33 天地要过去，但是，我的话决不会过去。
21:34 你们应当谨慎，免得你们的心为宴饮沉醉，及人生的挂虑所累时，那意想不到的日子临于你们，
21:35 因为那日子有如罗网，临于全地面的一切居民。
21:36 所以你们应当时时醒寤祈祷，为使你们能逃脱即将发生的这一切事，并能立于人子之前。」
21:37 耶稣白天在圣殿施教，黑夜便出去，到名叫橄榄的山上住宿。
21:38 众百姓清早起来，到他跟前，在圣殿里听他讲道。

 

 

苦难和圣死

第二十二章(71)

杀害耶稣的阴谋　
22:1 称为逾越节的无酵节近了。
22:2 司祭长及经师设法要怎样消除耶稣，因为他们害怕百姓。
22:3 那时，撒殚进入了那名叫依斯加略的犹达斯的心中，他本是十二人中之一。
22:4 他去同司祭长及圣殿警官商议，怎样把耶稣交给他们。
22:5 他们不胜欣喜，就约定给他银钱；
22:6 他应允了，遂寻找机会，当群众不在的时候，把耶稣交给他们。

最后晚餐的准备　
22:7 无酵节日到了，这一天，应宰杀逾越节羔羊。
22:8 耶稣打发伯多禄和若望说：「你们去为我们预备要吃的逾越节晚餐吧!
22:9 他问他们说：「你愿意我们在那里预备﹖」
22:10 他回答说：「注意!你们进城，必有一个拿水罐的人与你们相遇，你们就跟着他，到他所进的那一家，
22:11 对那家的主人说：「师傅问你：我同我的门徒吃逾越节晚餐的客房在哪里﹖
22:12 那人必指给你们一间铺设好了的宽大楼厅；你们就在那里准备。」
22:13 他们去了，所遇见的，正如耶稣对他们所说的一样；他们便预备了逾越节晚餐。

晚餐与建立圣体圣事　
22:14 到了时候，耶稣就入席，宗徒也同他一起。
22:15 耶稣对他们说：「我渴望而又渴望，在我受难以前，同你们吃这一次逾越节晚餐。
22:16 我告诉你们：非等到它在天主的国里成全了，我决不再吃它。」
22:17 耶稣接过杯来，祝谢了说：「你们把这杯拿去，彼此分着喝吧!
22:18 我告诉你们：从今以后，非等到天主的国来临了，我决不再喝这葡萄汁了。」
22:19 耶稣拿起饼来，祝谢了，擘开，递给他们说：「这是我的身体，为你们而舍弃的。你们应行此礼，为纪念我。」
22:20 晚餐以后，耶稣同样拿起杯来，说：「这杯是用我为你们流出的血而立的新约。

揭露负卖者　
22:21 但是，看，负卖我者的手同我一起在桌子上。
22:22 人子固然要依照所预定的离去，但那负卖人子的人是有祸的。」
22:23 他们便彼此相问，他们中那一个要做这事。

对宗徒最后的训言　
22:24 在他们中又起了争论：他们中数着谁最大﹖
22:25 耶稣给他们说：「外邦人有君王宰制他们，那有权管治他们的，称为恩主；
22:26 但你们却不要这样：你们中最大的，要成为最小的；为首领的，要成为服事人的。
22:27 是谁大呢﹖是坐席的，还是服事人的﹖不是坐席的吗﹖可是我在你们中间却像是服事人的。
22:28 在我的困难中，与我常常相偕的，就是你们
22:29 所以，我将王权给你们预备下，正如我父给我预备下了一样，
22:30 为使你们在我的国里，一同在我的筳席上吃喝，并坐在宝座上，审判以色列十二支派。
22:31 西满，西满，看，撒殚求得了许可，要筛你们像筛麦子一样。
22:32 但是我已为你祈求了，为叫你的信德不致丧失，待你回头以后，要坚固你的兄弟。」
22:33 伯多禄向他说：「主，我已经准备同你一起下狱，同去受死。」
22:34 耶稣说：「伯多禄，我告诉你：今天鸡还未叫以前，你要三次说不认识我。」
22:35 然后又给他们说：「我以前派遣你们的时候，没有带钱囊、口袋及鞋，你们缺少了什么没有﹖」他们说：「什么也没有缺。」
22:36 耶稣向他们说：「可是如今，有钱囊的，应当带着；有口袋的也一样；没有剑的，应当卖去自己的外衣，去买一把。
22:37 我告诉你们：经上所载：『他被列于叛逆之中』的这句话，必要应验在我身上，因为那有关我的事，快要终结。」
22:38 他们说：「主，看，这里有两把剑。」耶稣给他们说：「够了!」

山园祈祷　
22:39 耶稣出来，照常往橄榄山去，门徒也跟他去了。
22:40 到了那地方，耶稣便给他们说：「你们应该祈祷，免得陷于诱感。」
22:41 遂离开他们，约有投石那么远，屈膝祈祷，
22:42 说：「父啊!你如果愿意，请给我免去这杯吧!但不要随我的意愿，惟照你的意愿成就吧!」
22:43 有一位天使，从天上显现给他，加强他的力量。
22:44 他在极度恐慌中，祈祷越发恳切；他的汗如同血珠滴在地上。
22:45 他从祈祷中起来，来到门徒那里，看见他们都因忧闷睡着了，
22:46 就给他们说：「你们怎么睡觉呢﹖起来祈祷吧!免得陷于诱惑。」

耶稣被捕　
22:47 耶稣还说话的时候，来了一群人，那十二人之一，洺叫犹达斯的，走在他们前面；他走近了耶稣，要口亲他。
22:48 耶稣给他说：「犹达斯，你用口亲来负卖人子吗﹖」
22:49 耶稣左右的人一见要发生的事，就说：「主，我们可以用剑砍吗﹖」
22:50 他们中有一个人砍了大司祭的仆人，把他的右耳削了下来。
22:51 耶稣说道：「至此为止！」就摸了摸那人的耳朵，治好了他。
22:52 耶稣对那些来到他跟前的司祭长，和圣殿警官并长老说：「你们拿着刀剑棍棒出来，好象对付强盗吗﹖
22:53 我天天同你们在圣殿里的时候，你们没有下手拿我；但现在是你们的时候，是黑暗的权势!」

伯多禄三次背主　
22:54 他们既拿住耶稣，就带着解到大司祭的住宅。伯多禄远远地跟着。
22:55 他们在庭院中间生了火，一起环坐，伯多禄也坐在他们中间。
22:56 有一个使女看见他面对火光坐着，便定睛注视他说：「这个人也是同他一起的。」
22:57 伯多禄否认说：「女人，我不认识他。」
22:58 过了不久，另一个人看见他说：「你也是他们中的。」伯多禄说：「你这个人，我不是!」
22:59 约隔一个时辰，又有一个人肯定说：「这个人，确是同他一起的，因为他是加里肋亚人。」
22:60 伯多禄说：「你这个人!我不慬你说的。」他还说话的时候，鸡便叫了。
22:61 主转过身来，看了看伯多禄，伯多禄就想起主对他说的话来：「今天鸡叫以前，你要三次不认我。」
22:62 伯多禄一到外面，就凄惨地哭起来了。
22:63 那些羁押耶稣的人，戏弄他、打他；
22:64 又蒙起他来，问他说：「你猜一猜：是谁打你﹖」
22:65 他们还说了许多别的侮辱他的话。

公议会审判耶稣　
22:66 天一亮，民间长老及司祭长并经师集合起来，把耶稣带到他们的公议会里，说：
22:67 「如果你是默西亚，就告诉我们吧!」耶稣回答他们说：「即便我告诉你们，你们也不会相信。
22:68 如果我问，你们也决不回答。
22:69 从今以后，人子要坐在大能者天主的右边。」
22:70 众人于是说：「那么，你就是天主子了﹖」耶稣对他们说：「你们说了，我就是。」
22:71 他们说：「我们何必还需要见证呢﹖我们亲自从他的口中听见了。」

 

第二十三章(56)

 

比拉多初审耶稣　
23:1 于是，他们全体起来，把耶稣押送到比拉多面前，
23:2 开始控告他说：「我们查得这个人煽惑我们的民族，阻止给凯撒纳税，且自称为默西亚君王。」
23:3 比拉多遂问耶稣说：「你是犹太人的君王吗﹖」耶稣回答说：「你说的是。」
23:4 比拉多对司祭长及群众说：「我在这人身上查不出什么罪状来。」
23:5 他们越发坚持说：「他在犹太全境，从加里肋亚起，直到这里施教，煽动民众。」

解送黑落德前　
23:6 比拉多听了，就问耶稣是不是加里肋亚人。
23:7 既知道他属黑落德统治，就把他转送到黑落德那里。这几天，黑落德也在耶路撒冷。
23:8 黑落德见了耶稣，不胜欣喜，原来他早就愿意看看耶稣，因为他曾听说过关于耶稣的事，也指望他显个奇迹。
23:9 于是，问了耶稣许多事，但耶稣什么都不回答。
23:10 司祭长及经师站在那里，极力控告他。
23:11 黑落德及自己的待卫鄙视他，戏笑他，并给他穿上华丽的长袍，把他解回比拉多那里。
23:12 黑落德与比拉多就在那一天彼此成了朋友，因为他们原先彼此有仇。

耶稣被判死刑　
23:13 比拉多召集司祭长、官吏及人民来，
23:14 对他们说：「你们给我送这个人来，好象是一个煽惑民众的人。看，我在你们面前审问了他，而你们告他的罪状，我在这人身上并查不出一条来，
23:15 而且黑落德也没有查出，因而又把他解回到我们这里来，足见他没有做过应死的事。
23:16 所以，我惩治他以后，便释放他。」
23:17 每逢节日他必须照例给他们释放一个囚犯。
23:18 他们却齐声喊叫说：「除掉这个人，给我们释放巴拉巴。」
23:19 巴拉巴原是为了在城中作乱杀人而下狱的。
23:20 比拉多又向他们声明，愿意释放耶稣。
23:21 他们却不断地喊叫说：「钉在十字架上，钉他在十字架上!」
23:22 比拉多第三次对他们说：「这人到底作了什么恶事﹖我在他身上查不出什么应死的罪状来。所以我惩治他以后，便释放他。」
23:23 但是他们仍厉声逼迫，要求钉他在十字架上。他们的喊声，越来越厉害。
23:24 比拉多遂宣判：照他们所请求的执行，
23:25 便释放了他们所要求的那个因作乱杀人而下狱的犯人；至于耶稣，却交出来，让他们随意处理。

十字架苦路
23:26 他们把耶稣带走的时候，抓住一个从田间来的基勒乃人西满，把十字架放在他身上，叫他在耶稣后面背着。
23:27 有许多人民及妇女跟随着耶稣，妇女搥胸痛哭他。
23:28 耶稣转身向她们说：「耶路撒冷女子!你们不要哭我，但应哭你们自己及你们的子女，
23:29 因为日子将到，那时，人要说：那荒胎的，那没有生产过的胎，和没有哺养过的乳，是有福的。
23:30 那时，人要开始对高山说：倒在我们身上吧!对丘陵说：盖起我们来吧!
23:31 如果对于青绿的树木，他们还这样做，对于枯槁的树木，又将怎样呢﹖
23:32 另有二个凶犯，也被带去，同耶稣一同受死。

被钉在十字架上　
23:33 他们既到了那名叫髑髅的地方，就在那里把耶稣钉在十字架上；也钉了那两个凶犯：一个在右边，一个在左边。
23:34 耶稣说：「父啊，宽赦他们吧!因为他们不知道他们做的是什么。」他们拈阄分了他的衣服。
23:35 民众站着观望。首领们嗤笑说：「别人，他救了；如果这人是天主的受傅者，被选者，就救他自己吧!」
23:36 兵士也戏弄他，前来把醋给他递上去，说：
23:37 「如果你是犹太人的君王，就救你自己吧!」
23:38 在他上头还有一块用希腊文、拉丁及希伯来文字写的罪状牌：「这是犹太人的君王。」
23:39 悬挂着的凶犯中，有一个侮辱耶稣说：「你不是默西亚吗﹖救救你自己和我们吧!」
23:40 另一个凶犯应声责斥他说：「你既然受同样的刑罚，连天主你都不怕吗﹖
23:41 这对我们是理所当然的，因为我们所受的，正配我们所行的；但是，这个人从未做过什么不正当的事。」
23:42 随后说：「耶稣，当你来为王时，请你纪念我!」
23:43 耶稣给他说：「我实在告诉你：今天你就要与我一同在乐园里。」

耶稣断气　
23:44 这时，大约已是第六时辰，遍地都昏黑了，直到第九时辰。
23:45 太阳失去了光，圣所的帐幔从中间裂开，
23:46 耶稣大声呼喊说：「父啊!我把我的灵魂交托在你手中。」说完这话，便断了气。
23:47 百夫长看见所发生的事，遂光荣天主说：「这人，实在是一个义人。」
23:48 所有同来看这景象的群众，见了这些情形，都搥着胸膛，回去了。
23:49 所有与耶稣相识的人，和那些由加里肋亚随侍他的妇女们，远远地站着，观看这些事。

埋葬耶稣　
23:50 有一个人名叫若瑟，是一个议员，又是一个善良公正的人。
23:51 他原是犹太阿黎玛特雅城人，一向期待天主的国；他没有赞同其他人的计谋和作为。52 他去见比拉多，要求耶稣的遗体。
23:53 他把遗体卸下，用殓布裹好，安葬在由岩石凿成，而尚未葬过人的墓穴里。
23:54 那天是预备日，安息日快到了。
23:55 从加里肋亚同耶稣来的那些妇女，在后边跟着，观看那墓穴，并观看耶稣的遗体，是怎样安葬的。
23:56 她们回去，就预备下香料和香膏。安息日，她们依照诫命安息。

 

 

光荣复活

 

第二十四章(53)

耶稣复活　
24:1 一周的第一天，天还很早，妇女们便携带预备下的香料，来到坟墓那里，
24:2 见石头已由墓穴滚开了。
24:3 她们进去，不见了主耶稣的遗体。
24:4 她们正为此事疑虑的时候，忽然有两个人，穿著耀目的衣服，站在她们身边。
24:5 她们都害怕，遂把脸垂向地上，那两个人对她们说：「你们为什么在死人中找活人呢﹖
24:6 他不在这里了，他已复活了。你们应当记得：他还在加里肋亚时，怎样告诉过你们说：
24:7 人子必须被交付于罪人之手，被钉在十字架上，并在第三日复活。」
24:8 她们遂想起了他的话，
24:9 从坟墓那里回去，把这一切事报告给那十一门徒及其余的众人，
24:10 她们是玛利亚玛达肋纳及约安纳和雅各伯的母亲玛利亚；其余同她们一起的妇女，也把这些事报告给宗徒。
24:11 但妇女们的这些话，在他们看来，好象是无稽之谈，不敢相信。
24:12 伯多禄却起来，跑到坟墓那里，屈身向里窥看，只见有殓布，就走了，心里惊异所发生的事。

耶稣显现给二徒　
24:13 就在那一天，他们中，有两个人往一个村庄去，村名厄玛乌，离耶路撒冷约六十「斯塔狄。」
24:14 他们彼此谈论所发生的一切事。
24:15 正谈话讨论的时候，耶稣亲自走近他们，与他们同行。
24:16 他们的眼睛却被阻止往了，以致认不出他来
24:17 耶稣对他们说：「你们走路，彼此谈论的是些什么事﹖」他们就站住，面带愁容。
24:18 一个名叫克罗帕的，回答他说：「独有你在耶路撒冷作客，不知道在那里这几天所发生的事吗﹖」
24:19 耶稣问他们说：「什么事﹖」他们回答说：「就是有关纳匝肋人耶稣的事。他本是一位先知，在天主及众百姓前，行事说话都权力。
24:20 我们的司祭长及首领竟解送了他，判了他死罪，钉他在十字架上。
24:21 我们原指望他就是那要拯救以色列的。可是──此外还有：这些事发生到今天，已是第三天了。
24:22 我们中有几个妇女惊吓了我们；她们清早到了坟墓那里，
24:23 没有看见他的遗体，回来说她们见了天使显现，天使说他复活了。
24:24 我们中也有几个到过坟墓那里，所遇见的事，如同妇女们所说的一样，但是没有看见他。」
24:25 耶稣于是对他们说：「唉!无知的人哪!为信先知们所说的一切话，你们的心竟是这般迟钝!
24:26 默西亚不是必须受这些苦难，才进入他的光荣吗﹖」
24:27 他于是从梅瑟及众先知开始，把全部经书论及他的话，都给他们解释了。
24:28 当他们临近了他们要去的村庄时，耶稣装作还要前行。
24:29 他们强留他说：「请同我们一起住下吧!因为快到晚上，天已垂暮了。」耶稣就进去，同他们住下。
24:30 当耶稣与他们坐下吃饭的时候，就拿起饼来，祝福了，擘开，递给他们。
24:31 他们的眼睛开了，这才认出耶稣来；但他却由他们眼前隐没了。
24:32 他们就彼此说：「当他在路上与我们谈话，给我们讲解圣经的时候，我们的心不是火热的吗﹖
24:33 他们遂即动身，返回耶路撒冷，遇见那十一门徒及同他们一起的人，正聚在一起，
24:34 彼此谈论说：「主真复活了，并显现给西满了。」
24:35 二人就把在路上的事，及在分饼时，他们怎样认出了耶稣，述说了一遍。

耶稣显现给宗徒　
24:36 他们正谈论这些事的时候，耶稣立在他们中间，向他们说：「愿你们平安!」
24:37 众人害怕起来，想是见了鬼神。
24:38 耶稣向他们说：「你们为什么恐惶﹖为什么心里起了疑虑﹖
24:39 你们看看我的手，我的脚，分明是我自己。你们摸摸我，应该知道：鬼神是没有肉躯和骨头的，如同你们看我，却是有的。」
24:40 说了这话，就把手和脚伸给他们看。
24:41 他们由于欢喜，还是不敢信，只是惊讶；耶稣向他们说：「你们这里有什么吃的没有﹖」
24:42 他们便给了他一片烤鱼。
24:43 他便接过来，当他们面前吃了。

最后的显现　
24:44 耶稣对他们说：「我以前还同你们在一起的时候，就对你们说过这话：诸凡梅瑟法律、先知并圣咏上指着我所记载的话，都必须应验。」
24:45 耶稣遂开启他们的明悟，叫他们理解经书；
24:46 又向他们说：「经上曾这样记载：默西亚必须受苦，第三天要从死者中复活；
24:47 并且必须从耶路撒冷开始，因他的名向万邦宣讲悔改，以得罪之赦。
24:48 你们就是这些事的见证人。
24:49 看，我要把我父所恩许的，遣发到你们身上；至于你们，你们应当留在这城中，直到佩戴上自高天而来的能力。」

耶稣升天　
24:50 耶稣领他们出去，直到伯达尼附近，就举手降福了他们。
24:51 正降福他们的时候，就离开他们，被提升天去了。
24:52 他们叩拜了他，皆大欢喜地返回了耶路撒冷，
24:53 常在圣殿里称谢天主。

BOOK ENDS. Seraphim, April 2009.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 1

 

Prologue

1:1 Seeing that many others have undertaken to draw up accounts of the events that have taken place among us,

1:2 exactly as these were handed down to us by those who from the outset were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word,

1:3 I in my turn, after carefully going over the whole story from the beginning, have decided to write an ordered account for you, Theophilus,

1:4 so that your Excellency may learn how well founded the teaching is that you have received.

 

1. THE BIRTH AND HIDDEN LIFE OF JOHN THE BAPTIST AND OF JESUS

 

The birth of John the Baptist foretold

1:5 In the days of King Herod of Judaea there lived a priest called Zechariah who belonged to the Abijah section of the priesthood, and he had a wife, Elizabeth by name, who was a descendant of Aaron.

1:6 Both were worthy in the sight of God, and scrupulously observed all the commandments and observances of the Lord.

1:7 But they were childless: Elizabeth was barren and they were both getting on in years.

1:8 Now it was the turn of Zechariah’s section[*a] to serve, and he was exercising his priestly office before God

1:9 when it fell to him by lot, as the ritual custom was, to enter the Lord’s sanctuary and burn incense there.[*b]

1:10 And at the hour of incense the whole congregation was outside, praying.

1:11 Then there appeared to him the angel of the Lord, standing on the right of the altar of incense.

1:12 The sight disturbed Zechariah and he was overcome with fear.

1:13 But the angel said to him, ‘Zechariah, do not be afraid, your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth is to bear you a son and you must name him John.

1:14 He will be your joy and delight and many will rejoice at his birth,

1:15 for he will be great in the sight of the Lord; he must drink no wine, no strong drink.[*d] Even from his mother’s womb he will be filled with the Holy Spirit,

1:16 and he will bring back many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God.

1:17 With the spirit and power of Elijah, he will go before him to turn the hearts of fathers towards their children[*e] and the disobedient back to the wisdom that the virtuous have, preparing for the Lord a people fit for him.

1:18 Zechariah said to the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is getting on in years.’

1:19 The angel replied, ‘I am Gabriel who stand in God’s presence, and I have been sent to speak to you and bring you this good news.

1:20 Listen! Since you have not believed my words, which will come true at their appointed time, you will be silenced and have no power of speech until this has happened.’

1:21 Meanwhile the people were waiting for Zechariah and were surprised that he stayed in the sanctuary so long.

1:22 When he came out he could not speak to them, and they realised that he had received a vision in the sanctuary. But he could only make signs to them, and remained dumb.

1:23 When his time of service came to an end he returned home.

1:24 Some time later his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept to herself.

1:25 ‘The Lord has done this for me’ she said ‘now that it has pleased him to take away the humiliation I suffered among men.’

 

The annunciation

1:26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth,

1:27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the House of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary.

1:28 He went in and said to her, ‘Rejoice, so highly favoured! The Lord is with you.’

1:29 She was deeply disturbed by these words and asked herself what this greeting could mean,

1:30 but the angel said to her, ‘Mary, do not be afraid; you have won God’s favour.

1:31 Listen! You are to conceive and bear a son, and you must name him Jesus.

1:32 He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David;

1:33 he will rule over the House of Jacob for ever and his reign will have no end.’

1:34 Mary said to the angel, ‘But how can this come about, since I am a virgin?'[*g]

1:35 ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you’ the angel answered ‘and the power of the Most High will cover you with its shadow. And so the child will be holy and will be called Son of God.

1:36 Know this too: your kinswoman Elizabeth has, in her old age, herself conceived a son, and she whom people called barren is now in her sixth month,

1:37 for nothing is impossible to God'[*h]

1:38 ‘I am the handmaid of the Lord,’ said Mary ‘let what you have said be done to me.’ And the angel left her.

 

The visitation

1:39 Mary set out at that time and went as quickly as she could to a town in the hill country of Judah.

1:40 She went into Zechariah’s house and greeted Elizabeth.

1:41 Now as soon as Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leapt in her womb and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

1:42 She gave a loud cry and said, ‘Of all women you are the most blessed, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

1:43 Why should I be honoured with a visit from the mother of my Lord?

1:44 For the moment your greeting reached my ears, the child in my womb leapt for joy.

1:45 Yes, blessed is she who believed that the promise made her by the Lord would be fulfilled.’

 

The Magnificat

1:46 And Mary[*i] said: ‘My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord

1:47 and my spirit exults in God my saviour;

1:48 because he has looked upon his lowly handmaid. Yes, from this day forward all generations will call me blessed,

1:49 for the Almighty has done great things for me. Holy is his name,

1:50 and his mercy reaches from age to age for those who fear him.

1:51 He has shown the power of his arm, he has routed the proud of heart.

1:52 He has pulled down princes from their thrones and exalted the lowly.

1:53 The hungry he has filled with good things, the rich sent empty away.

1:54 He has come to the help of Israel his servant, mindful of his mercy

1:55 -according to the promise he made to our ancestors-of his mercy to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.’

1:56 Mary stayed with Elizabeth about three months and then went back home.

 

The birth of John the Baptist and visit of the neighbours

1:57 Meanwhile the time came for Elizabeth to have her child, and she gave birth to a son;

1:58 and when her neighbours and relations heard that the Lord had shown her so great a kindness, they shared her joy.

 

The circumcision of John the Baptist

1:59 Now on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child; they were going to call[*j] him Zechariah after his father,

1:60 but his mother spoke up. ‘No,’ she said ‘he is to be called John.’

1:61 They said to her, ‘But no one in your family has that name’,

1:62 and made signs to his father to find out what he wanted him called.

1:63 The father asked for a writing-tablet and wrote, ‘His name is John’. And they were all astonished.

1:64 At that instant his power of speech returned and he spoke and praised God.

1:65 All their neighbours were filled with awe and the whole affair was talked about throughout the hill country of Judaea.

1:66 All those who heard of it treasured it in their hearts. ‘What will this child turn out to be?’ they wondered. And indeed the hand of the Lord was with him.

 

The Benedictus

1:67 His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke this prophecy:

1:68 ‘Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel[*k] for he has visited his people, he has come to their rescue

1:69 and he has raised up for us a power for salvation in the House of his servant David,

1:70 even as he proclaimed, by the mouth of his holy prophets from ancient times,

1:71 that he would save us from our enemies and from the hands of all who hate us.

1:72 Thus he shows mercy to our ancestors, thus he remembers his holy covenant[*l]

1:73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham

1:74 that he would grant us, free from fear, to be delivered from the hands of our enemies,

1:75 to serve him in holiness and virtue in his presence, all our days.

1:76 And you, little child, you shall be called Prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare the way for him.

1:77 To give his people knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins;

1:78 this by the tender mercy of our God who from on high Will bring the rising Sun to visit us,

1:79 to give light to those who live in darkness and the shadow of death[*m] and to guide our feet into the way of peace.’

 

The hidden life of John the Baptist

1:80 Meanwhile the child grew up and his spirit matured. And he lived out in the wilderness until the day he appeared openly to Israel.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 2

 

The birth of Jesus and visit of the shepherds

2:1 Now at this time Caesar Augustus[*a] issued a decree for a census of the whole world to be taken.

2:2 This census – the first[*b] – took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria,

2:3 and everyone went to his own town to be registered.

2:4 So Joseph set out from the town of Nazareth in Galilee and travelled up to Judaea, to the town of David called Bethlehem, since he was of David’s House and line,

2:5 in order to be registered together with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.

2:6 While they were there the time came for her have her child,

2:7 and she birth to a son, her first born.[*c] She wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger because there was no room for them at the inn.

2:8 In the countryside close by there were shepherds who lived in the fields and took it in turns to watch their flocks during the night.

2:9 The angel of the Lord appeared to them and the glory of the Lord shone round them. They were terrified,

2:10 but the angel said, ‘Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to be shared by the whole people.

2:11 Today in the town of David a saviour has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord.

2:12 And here is a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger.’

2:13 And suddenly with the angel there was a great throng of the heavenly host, praising God and singing:

2:14 ‘Glory to God in the highest heaven, and peace to men who enjoy his favour’

2:15 Now when the angels had gone from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, ‘Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened which the Lord has made known to us’.

2:16 So they hurried away and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger.

2:17 When they saw the child they repeated what they had been told about him,

2:18 and everyone who heard it was astonished at what the shepherds had to say.

2:19 As for Mary, she treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.

2:20 And the shepherds went back glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; it was exactly as they had been told.

 

The circumcision of Jesus

2:21 When the eighth day came and the child was to be circumcised, they gave him the name Jesus, the name the angel had given him before his conception.

 

Jesus is presented in the Temple

2:22 And when the day came for them to be purified[*d] as laid down by the Law of Moses, they took him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord-

2:23 observing what stands written in the Law of the Lord: Every first-born male must be consecrated to the Lord[*e]-

2:24 and also to offer in sacrifice, in accordance with what is said in the Law of the Lord, a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons[*f]

2:25 Now in Jerusalem there was a man named Simeon. He was an upright and devout man; he looked forward to Israel’s comforting and the Holy Spirit rested on him.

2:26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death until he had set eyes on the Christ of the Lord[*g]

2:27 Prompted by the Spirit he came to the Temple and when the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the Law required,

2:28 he took him into his arms and blessed God; and he said:

 

The Nunc Dimittis

2:29 ‘Now, Master, you can let your servant go in peace, just as you promised;

2:30 because my eyes have seen the salvation

2:31 which you have prepared for all the nations to see,

2:32 a light to enlighten the pagans and the glory of your people Israel’.

 

The prophecy of Simeon

2:33 As the child’s father and mother stood there wondering at the things that were being said about him,

2:34 Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, ‘You see this child: he is destined for the fall and for the rising of many in Israel, destined to be a sign that is rejected-

2:35 and a sword will pierce your own soul too-so that the secret thoughts of many may be laid bare’.

 

The prophecy of Anna

2:36 There was a prophetess also, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was well on in years. Her days of girlhood over, she had been married for seven years

2:37 before becoming a widow. She was now eighty-four years old and never left the Temple, serving God night and day with fasting and prayer.

2:38 She came by just at that moment and began to praise God; and she spoke of the child to all who looked forward to the deliverance of Jerusalem[*h].

 

The hidden life of Jesus at Nazareth

2:39 When they had done everything the Law of the Lord required, they went back to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth.

2:40 Meanwhile the child grew to maturity, and he was filled with wisdom; and God’s favour was with him.

 

Jesus among the doctors of the Law

2:41 Every year his parents used to go to Jerusalem for the feast of the Passover.

2:42 When he was twelve years old, they went up for the feast as usual.

2:43 When they were on their way home after the feast, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem without his parents knowing it.

2:44 They assumed he was with the caravan, and it was only after a day’s journey that they went to look for him among their relations and acquaintances.

2:45 When they failed to find him they went back to Jerusalem looking for him everywhere.

2:46 Three days later, they found him in the Temple, sitting among the doctors, listening to them, and asking them questions;

2:47 and all those who heard him were astounded at his intelligence and his replies.

2:48 They were overcome when they saw him, and his mother said to him, ‘My child, why have, you done this to us? See how worried your father and I have been, looking for

you.’

2:49 ‘Why were you looking for me?’ he replied ‘Did you not know that I must be busy with my Father’s affairs?’

2:50 But they did not understand what he meant.

 

The hidden life at Nazareth resumed

2:51 He then went down with them and came to Nazareth and lived under their authority. His mother stored up all these things in her heart.

2:52 And Jesus increased in wisdom, in stature, and in favour with God and men.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 3

 

1. PRELUDE TO THE PUBLIC MINISTRY OF JESUS

 

The preaching of John the Baptist

3:1 In the fifteenth year of Tiberius Caesar’s reign[*a], when Pontius Pilate[*b] was governor of Judaea, Herod[*c] tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip[*d] tetrarch of the lands of Ituraea and Trachonitis, Lysanias tetrach of Abilene,

3:2 during the pontificate of Annas and Caiaphas[*e] the word of God came to John son of Zechariah, in the wilderness.

3:3 He went through the whole Jordan district proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,

3:4 as it is written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Isaiah: A voice cries in the wilderness: Prepare a way for the Lord, make his paths straight.

3:5 Every valley will be filled in, every mountain and hill be laid low, winding ways will be straightened and rough roads made smooth.

3:6 And all mankind shall see the salvation of God[*f].

3:7 He said, therefore, to the crowds who came to be baptised by him, ‘Brood of vipers, who warned you to fly from the retribution that is coming?

3:8 But if you are repentant, produce the appropriate fruits, and do not think of telling yourselves, “We have Abraham for our father” because, I tell you, God can raise children for Abraham from these stones.

3:9 Yes, even now the axe is laid to the roots of the trees, so that any tree which fails to produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown on the fire.’

3:10 When all the people asked him, ‘What must we do, then?’

3:11 he answered, ‘If anyone has two tunics he must share with the man who has none, and the one with something to eat must do the same’.

3:12 There were tax collectors too who came for baptism, and these said to him, ‘Master, what must we do?’

3:13 He said to them, ‘Exact no more than your rate’.

3:14 Some soldiers asked him in their turn, ‘What about us? What must we do?’ He said to them, ‘No intimidation! No extortion! Be content with your pay!’

3:15 A feeling of expectancy had grown among the people, who were beginning to think that John might be the Christ,

3:16 so John declared before them all, ‘I baptise you with water, but someone is coming, someone who is more powerful than I am, and I am not fit to undo the strap of his sandals; he will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and fire.

3:17 His winnowing-fan is in his hand to clear his threshing-floor and to gather the wheat into his barn; but the chaff he will burn in a fire that will never go out.’

3:18 As well as this, there were many other things he said to exhort the people and to announce the Good News to them.

 

John the Baptist imprisoned

3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, whom he criticised for his relations with his brother’s wife Herodias and for all the other crimes Herod had committed,

3:20 added a further crime to all the rest by shutting John up in prison.

 

Jesus is baptised

3:21 Now when all the people had been baptised and while Jesus after his own baptism was at prayer, heaven opened

3:22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily shape, like a dove. And a voice came from heaven, ‘You are my Son, the Beloved; my favour rests on you’.

 

The ancestry of Jesus

3:23 When he started to teach, Jesus was about thirty years old, being the son, as it was thought, of Joseph son of Heli,

3:24 son of Matthat, son of Levi, son of Melchi, son of Jannai, son of Joseph,

3:25 son of Mattathias, son of Amos, son of Nahum, son of Esli, son of Naggai,

3:26 son of Maath, son of Mattathias, son of Semein, son of Josech, son of Joda,

3:27 son of Joanan, son of Rhesa, son of Zerubbabel, son of Shealtiel, son of Neri,

3:28 son of MeIchi, son of Addi, son of Cosam, son of Elmadam, son of Er, son of Joshua,

3:29 son of Joshua, son of Eliezer, son of Jorim, son of Matthat, son of Levi

3:30 son of Symeon, son of Judah, son of Joseph, son of Jonam, son of Eliakim,

3:31 son of Melea, son of Menna, son of Mattatha, son of Nathan, son of David,

3:32 son of Jesse, son of Obed, son of Boaz, son of Sala, son of Nahshon,

3:33 son of Amminadab, son of Admin, son of Arni, son of Hezron, son of Perez, son of Judah,

3:34 son of Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham, son of Terah, son of Nahor,

3:35 son of Serug, son of Reu, son of Peleg, son of Eber, son of Shelah,

3:36 son of Cainan, son of Arphaxad, son of Shem, son of Noah, son of Lamech,

3:37 son of Methuselah, son of Enoch, son of Jared, son of Mahalaleel, son of Cainan,

3:38 son of Enos, son of Seth, son of Adam, son of God.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 4

 

Temptation in the wilderness

4:1 Filled with the Holy Spirit, Jesus left the Jordan and was led by the Spirit through the wilderness,

4:2 being tempted there by the devil for forty days. During that time he ate nothing and at the end he was hungry.

4:3 Then the devil said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into a loaf’.

4:4 But Jesus replied, ‘Scripture says: Man does not live on bread alone'[*a].

4:5 Then leading him to a height, the devil showed him in a moment of time all the kingdoms of the world

4:6 and said to him, ‘I will give you all this power and the glory of these kingdoms, for it has been committed to me and I give it to anyone I choose.

4:7 Worship me, then, and it shall all be yours.’

4:8 But Jesus answered him, ‘Scripture says: You must worship the Lord your God, and serve him alone'[*b].

4:9 Then he led him to Jerusalem and made him stand on the parapet of the Temple. ‘If you are the Son of God,’ he said to him ‘throw yourself down from here,

4:10 for scripture says: He will put his angels in charge of you to guard you, and again:

4:11 They will hold you up on their hands in case you hurt your foot against a stone.'[*c]

4:12 But Jesus answered him, ‘It has been said: You must not put the Lord your God to the test.'[*d]

4:13 Having exhausted all these ways of tempting him, the devil left him, to return at the appointed time.

 

III. THE GALILEAN MINISTRY

 

Jesus begins to preach

4:14 Jesus, with the power of the Spirit in him, returned to Galilee; and his reputation spread throughout the countryside.

4:15 He taught in their synagogues and everyone praised him.

 

Jesus at Nazareth

4:16 He came to Nazara, where he had been brought up, and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day as he usually did. He stood up to read[*e]

4:17 and they handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Unrolling the scroll he found the place where it is written:

4:18 The spirit of the Lord has been given to me, for he has anointed me. He has sent me to bring the good news to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and to the blind new sight, to set the downtrodden free,

4:19 to proclaim the Lord’s year of favour[*f].

4:20 He then rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the assistant and sat down. And all eyes in the synagogue were fixed on him.

4:21 Then he began to speak to them, ‘This text is being fulfilled today even as you listen’.

4:22 And he won the approval of all, and they were astonished by the gracious words that came from his lips They said, ‘This is Joseph’s son, surely?’

4:23 But he replied, ‘No doubt you will quote me the saying, “Physician, heal yourself” and tell me, “We have heard all that happened in Capernaum, do the same here in your own countryside”‘.

4:24 And he went on, ‘I tell you solemnly, no prophet is ever accepted in his own country.

4:25 ‘There were many widows in Israel, I can assure you, in Elijah’s day, when heaven remained shut for three years and six months and a great famine raged throughout the land,

4:26 but Elijah was not sent to any one of these: he was sent to a widow at Zarephath, a Sidonian town[*g].

4:27 And in the prophet Elisha’s time there were many lepers in Israel, but none of these was cured, except the Syrian, Naaman.’

4:28 When they heard this everyone in the synagogue was enraged.

4:29 They sprang to their feet and hustled him out of the town; and they took him up to the brow of the hill their town was built on, intending to throw him down the cliff,

4:30 but he slipped through the crowd and walked away.

 

Jesus teaches in Capernaum and cures a demoniac

4:31 He went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath.

4:32 And his teaching made a deep impression on them because he spoke with authority.

4:33 In the synagogue there was a man who was possessed by the spirit of an unclean devil, and it shouted at the top of its voice,

4:34 ‘Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God.’

4:35 But Jesus said sharply, ‘Be quiet! Come out of him!’ And the devil, throwing the man down in front of everyone, went out of him without hurting him at all.

4:36 Astonishment seized them and they were all saying to one another, ‘What teaching! He gives orders to unclean spirits with authority and power and they come out.’

4:37 And reports of him went all through the surrounding countryside.

 

Cure of Simon’s mother-in-law

4:38 Leaving the synagogue he went to Simon’s house. Now Simon’s mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever and they asked him to do something for her.

4:39 Leaning over her he rebuked the fever and it left her. And she immediately got up and began to wait on them.

 

A number of cures

4:40 At sunset all those who had friends suffering from diseases of one kind or another brought them to him, and laying his hands on each he cured them.

4:41 Devils too came out of many people, howling, ‘You are the Son of God’. But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.

 

Jesus quietly leaves Capernaum and travels through Judaea

4:42 When daylight came he left the house and made his way to a lonely place. The crowds went to look for him, and when they had caught up with him they wanted to prevent him leaving them,

4:43 but he answered, ‘I must proclaim the Good News of the kingdom of God to the other towns too, because that is what I was sent to do’.

4:44 And he continued his preaching in the synagogues of Judaea.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 5

 

The first four disciples are called

5:1 Now he was standing one day by the Lake of Gennesaret, with the crowd pressing round him listening to the word of God,

5:2 when he caught sight of two boats close to the bank. The fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets.-

5:3 He got into one of the boats-it was Simon’s-and asked him to put out a little from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the crowds from the boat.

5:4 When he had finished speaking he said to Simon, ‘Put out into deep water and pay out your nets for a catch’.

5:5 ‘Master,’ Simon replied ‘we worked hard all night long and caught nothing, but if you say so, I will pay out the nets.’

5:6 And when they had done this they netted such a huge number of fish that their nets began to tear,

5:7 so they signalled to their companions in the other boat to come and help them; when these came, they filled the two boats to sinking point.

5:8 When Simon Peter saw this he fell at the knees of Jesus saying, ‘Leave me, Lord; I am a sinful man’.

5:9 For he and all his companions were completely overcome by the catch they had made;

5:10 so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were Simon’s partners. But Jesus said to Simon, ‘Do not be afraid; from now on it is men you will catch’.

5:11 Then, bringing their boats back to land, they left everything and followed him.

 

Cure of a leper

5:12 Now Jesus was in one of the towns when a man appeared, covered with leprosy. Seeing Jesus he fell on his face and implored him. ‘Sir,’ he said ‘if you want to, you can cure me.’

5:13 Jesus stretched out his hand, touched him and said, ‘Of course I want to! Be cured!’ And the leprosy left him at once.

5:14 He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make the offering for your healing as Moses prescribed it, as evidence for them’.

5:15 His reputation continued to grow, and large crowds would gather to hear him and to have their sickness cured,

5:16 but he would always go off to some place where he could be alone and pray.

 

Cure of a paralytic

5:17 Now he was teaching one day, and among the audience there were Pharisees and doctors of the Law who had come from every village in Galilee, from Judaea and from Jerusalem. And the Power of the Lord was behind his works of healing.

5:18 Then some men appeared, carrying on a bed a paralysed man whom they were trying to bring in and lay down in front of him.

5:19 But as the crowd made it impossible to find a way of getting him in, they went up on to the flat roof and lowered him and his stretcher down through the tiles into the middle of the gathering, in front of Jesus.

5:20 Seeing their faith he said, ‘My friend, your sins are forgiven you’.

5:21 The scribes and the Pharisees began to think this over. ‘Who is this man talking blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?’

5:22 But Jesus, aware of their thoughts, made them this reply, ‘What are these thoughts you have in your hearts?

5:23 Which of these is easier: to say, “Your sins are forgiven you” or to say, “Get up and walk”?

5:24 But to prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins,’-he said to the paralysed man-‘I order you: get up, and pick up your stretcher and go home.’

5:25 And immediately before their very eyes he got up, picked up what he had been lying on and went home praising God.

5:26 They were all astounded and praised God, and were filled with awe, saying, ‘We have seen strange things today’.

 

The call of Levi

5:27 When he went out after this, he noticed a tax collector, Levi by name, sitting by the customs house, and said to him, ‘Follow me’.

5:28 And leaving everything he got up and followed him.

 

Eating with sinners in Levi’s house

5:29 In his honour Levi held a great reception in his house, and with them at table was a large gathering of tax collectors and others.

5:30 The Pharisees and their scribes complained to his disciples and said, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’

5:31 Jesus said to them in reply, ‘It is not those who are well who need the doctor, but the sick.

5:32 I have not come to call the virtuous, but sinners to repentance.’

 

Discussion on fasting

5:33 They then said to him, ‘John’s disciples are always fasting and saying prayers, and the disciples of the Pharisees too, but yours go on eating and drinking’.

5:34 Jesus replied, ‘Surely you cannot make the bridegroom’s attendants fast while the bridegroom is still with them?

5:35 But the time will come, the time for the bridegroom to be taken away from them; that will be the time when they will fast.’

5:36 He also told them this parable, ‘No one tears a piece from a new cloak to put it on an old cloak; if he does, not only will he have torn the new one, but the piece taken from the new will not match the old.

5:37 ‘And nobody puts new wine into old skins; if he does, the new wine will burst the skins and then run out, and the skins will be lost.

5:38 No; new wine must be put into fresh skins.

5:39 And nobody who has been drinking old wine wants new. “The old is good” he says.’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 6

 

Picking corn on the sabbath

6:1 Now one sabbath he happened to be taking a walk through the cornfields, and his disciples were picking ears of corn, rubbing them in their hands and eating them.

6:2 Some of the Pharisees said, ‘Why are you doing something that is forbidden on the sabbath day?’

6:3 Jesus answered them, ‘So you have not read what David did when he and his followers were hungry

6:4 how he went into the house of God, took the loaves of offering and ate them and gave them to his followers, loaves which only the priests are allowed to eat?’

6:5 And he said to them, ‘The Son of Man is master of the sabbath’.

 

Cure of the man with a withered hand

6:6 Now on another sabbath he went into the synagogue and began to teach, and a man was there whose right hand was withered.

6:7 The scribes and the Pharisees were watching him to see if he would cure a man on the sabbath, hoping to find something to use against him.

6:8 But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man with the withered hand, ‘Stand up! Come out into the middle.’ And he came out and stood there.

6:9 Then Jesus said to them, ‘I put it to you: is it against the law on the sabbath to do good, or to do evil; to save life, or to destroy it?’

6:10 Then he looked round at them all and said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand’. He did so, and his hand was better.

6:11 But they were furious, and began to discuss the best way of dealing with Jesus.

 

The choice of the Twelve

6:12 Now it was about this time that he went out into the hills to pray; and he spent the whole night in prayer to God.

6:13 When day came he summoned his disciples and picked out twelve of them; he called them ‘apostles’:

6:14 Simon whom he called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James, John, Philip, Bartholomew,

6:15 Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Simon called the Zealot,

6:16 Judas son of James[*a], and Judas Iscariot who became a traitor.

 

The crowds follow Jesus

6:17 He then came down with them and stopped at a piece of level ground where there was a large gathering of his disciples with a great crowd of people from all parts of Judaea and from Jerusalem and from the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon

6:18 who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases. People tormented by unclean spirits were also cured,

6:19 and everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him because power came out of him that cured them all.

 

The inaugural discourse. The Beatitudes

6:20 Then fixing his eyes on his disciples he said: ‘How happy are you who are poor: yours is the kingdom of God.

6:21 Happy you who are hungry now: you shall be satisfied. Happy you who weep now: you shall laugh.

6:22 Happy are you when people hate you, drive you out, abuse you, denounce your name as criminal, on account of the Son of Man.

6:23 Rejoice when that day comes and dance for joy, for then your reward will be great in heaven. This was the way their ancestors treated the prophets.

 

The curses

6:24 ‘But alas for you who are rich: you are having your consolation now.

6:25 Alas for you who have your fill now: you shall go hungry. Alas for you who laugh now: you shall mourn and weep.

6:26 Alas for you when the world speaks well of you! This was the way their ancestors treated the false prophets.’

 

Love of enemies

6:27 ‘But I say this to you who are listening: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,

6:28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who treat you badly.

6:29 To the man who slaps you on one cheek, present the other cheek too; to the man who takes your cloak from you, do not refuse your tunic.

6:30 Give to everyone who asks you, and do not ask for your property back from the man who robs you.

6:31 Treat others as you would like them to treat you.

6:32 If you love those who love you, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners love those who love them.

6:33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what thanks can you expect? For even sinners do that much.

6:34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what thanks can you expect? Even sinners lend to sinners to get back the same amount.

6:35 Instead, love your enemies and do good, and lend without any hope of return. You will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he himself is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked.

 

Compassion and generosity

6:36 ‘Be compassionate as your Father is compassionate.

6:37 Do not judge, and you will not be judged yourselves; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned yourselves; grant pardon, and you will be pardoned.

6:38 Give, and there will be gifts for you: a full measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap; because the amount you measure out is the amount you will be given back.’

Integrity

6:39 He also told a parable to them, ‘Can one blind man guide another? Surely both will fall into a pit?

6:40 The disciple is not superior to his teacher; the fully trained disciple will always be like his teacher.

6:41 Why do you observe the splinter in your brother’s eye and never notice the plank in your own?

6:42 How can you say to your brother, “Brother, let me take out the splinter that is in your eye”, when you cannot see the plank in your own? Hypocrite! Take the plank out of your own eye first, and then you will see clearly enough to take out the splinter that is in your brother’s eye.

6:43 ‘There is no sound tree that produces rotten fruit, nor again a rotten tree that produces sound fruit.

6:44 For every tree can be told by its own fruit: people do not pick figs from thorns, nor gather grapes from brambles.

6:45 A good man draws what is good from the store of goodness in his heart; a bad man draws what is bad from the store of badness. For a man’s words flow out of what fills his heart.

 

The true disciple

6:46 ‘Why do you call me, “Lord, Lord” and not do what I say?

6:47 ‘Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and acts on them-I will show you what he is like.

6:48 He is like the man who when he built his house dug, and dug deep, and laid the foundations on rock; when the river was in flood it bore down on that house but could not shake it, it was so well built.

6:49 But the one who listens and does nothing is like the man who built his house on soil, with no foundations: as soon as the river bore down on it, it collapsed; and what a ruin that house became!’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 7

 

Cure of the centurion’s servant

7:1 When he had come to the end of all he wanted the people to hear, he went into Capernaum.

7:2 A centurion there had a servant, a favourite of his, who was sick and near death.

7:3 Having heard about Jesus he sent some Jewish elders to him to ask him to come and heal his servant.

7:4 When they came to Jesus they pleaded earnestly with him. ‘He deserves this of you’ they said

7:5 ‘because he is friendly towards our people; in fact, he is the one who built the synagogue.’

7:6 So Jesus went with them, and was not very far from the house when the centurion sent word to him by some friends: ‘Sir,’ he said ‘do not put yourself to trouble; because I am not worthy to have you under my roof;

7:7 and for this same reason I did not presume to come to you myself; but give the word and let my servant be cured.

7:8 For I am under authority myself, and have soldiers under me; and I say to one man: Go, and he goes; to another: Come here, and he comes; to my servant: Do this, and he does it.’

7:9 When Jesus heard these words he was astonished at him and, turning round, said to the crowd following him, ‘I tell you, not even in Israel have I found faith like this’.

7:10 And when the messengers got back to the house they found the servant in perfect health.

 

The son of the widow of Nain restored to life

7:11 Now soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, accompanied by his disciples and a great number of people.

7:12 When he was near the gate of the town it happened that a dead man was being carried out for burial, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a considerable number of the townspeople were with her.

7:13 When the Lord[*a] saw her he felt sorry for her. ‘Do not cry’ he said.

7:14 Then he went up and put his hand on the bier and the bearers stood still, and he said, ‘Young man, I tell you to get up’.

7:15 And the dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him to his mother[*b]

7:16 Everyone was filled with awe and praised God saying, ‘A great prophet has appeared among us; God has visited his people’.

7:17 And this opinion of him spread throughout Judaea and all over the countryside.

 

The Baptist’s question. Jesus commends him

7:18 The disciples of John gave him all this news, and John, summoning two of his disciples,

7:19 sent them to the Lord to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or must we wait for someone else?’

7:20 When the men reached Jesus they said, ‘John the Baptist has sent us to you, to ask, “Are you the one who is to come or have we to wait for someone else?”‘

7:21 lt was just then that he cured many people of diseases and afflictions and of evil spirits, and gave the gift of sight to many who were blind.

7:22 Then he gave the messengers their answer, ‘Go back and tell John what you have seen and heard: the blind see again, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised to life, the Good News is proclaimed to the poor

7:23 and happy is the man who does not lose faith in me’.

7:24 When John’s messengers had gone he began to talk to the people about John,

7:25 ‘What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in the breeze? No? Then what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Oh no, those who go in for fine clothes and live luxuriously are to be found at court!

7:26 Then what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet:

7:27 he is the one of whom scripture says: See, I am going to send my messenger before you; he will prepare the way before you.[*c]

7:28 ‘I tell you, of all the children born of women, there is no one greater than John; yet the least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is’.

7:29 All the people who heard him, and the tax collectors too, acknowledged God’s plan by accepting baptism from John;

7:30 but by refusing baptism from him the Pharisees and the lawyers had thwarted what God had in mind for them.

 

Jesus condemns his contemporaries

7:31 ‘What description, then, can I find for the men of this generation? What are they like?

7:32 They are like children shouting to one another while they sit in the market place: “We played the pipes for you, and you wouldn’t dance; we sang dirges, and you wouldn’t cry”.

7:33 ‘For John the Baptist comes, not eating bread, not drinking wine, and you say, “He is possessed”.

7:34 The Son of Man comes, eating and drinking, and you say, “Look, a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners”.

7:35 Yet Wisdom has been proved right by all her children.’

 

The woman who was a sinner

7:36 One of the Pharisees invited him to a meal. When he arrived at the Pharisee’s house and took his place at table,

7:37 a woman came in, who had a bad name in the town. She had heard he was dining with the Pharisee and had brought with her an alabaster jar of ointment.

7:38 She waited behind him at his feet, weeping, and her tears fell on his feet, and she wiped them away with her hair; then she covered his feet with kisses and anointed them with the ointment.

7:39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would know who this woman is that is touching him and what a bad name she has’.

7:40 Then Jesus took him up and said, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you’. ‘Speak, Master’ was the reply.

7:41 ‘There was once a creditor who had two men in his debt; one owed him five hundred denarii, the other fifty.

7:42 They were unable to pay, so he pardoned them both. Which of them will love him more?’

7:43 ‘The one who was pardoned more, I suppose’ answered Simon. Jesus said, ‘You are right’.

7:44 Then he turned to the woman. ‘Simon,’ he said ‘you see this woman? I came into your house, and you poured no water over my feet, but she has poured out her tears over my feet and wiped them away with her hair.

7:45 You gave me no kiss, but she has been covering my feet with kisses ever since I came in.

7:46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.

7:47 For this reason I tell you that her sins, her many sins, must have been forgiven her, or she would not have shown such great love. It is the man who is forgiven little who shows little love.’

7:48 Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven’.

7:49 Those who were with him at table began to say to themselves, ‘Who is this man, that he even forgives sins?’

7:50 But he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace’.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 8

 

The women accompanying Jesus

8:1 Now after this he made his way through towns and villages preaching, and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve,

8:2 as well as certain women who had been cured of evil spirits and ailments: Mary surnamed the Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out,

8:3 Joanna the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, Susanna, and several others who provided for them out of their own resources.

 

Parable of the sower

8:4 With a large crowd gathering and people from every town finding their way to him, he used this parable:

8:5 ‘A sower went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell on the edge of the path and was trampled on; and the birds of the air ate it up.

8:6 Some seed fell on rock, and when it came up it withered away, having no moisture.

8:7 Some seed fell amongst thorns and the thorns grew with it and choked it.

8:8 And some seed fell into rich soil and grew and produced its crop a hundredfold.’ Saying this he cried, ‘Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’

 

Why Jesus speaks in parables

8:9 His disciples asked him what this parable might mean,

8:10 and he said, The mysteries of the kingdom of God are revealed to you; for the rest there are only parables, so that they may see but not perceive, listen but not understand[*a]

 

The parable of the sower explained

8:11 ‘This, then, is what the parable means: the seed is the word of God.

8:12 Those on the edge of the path are people who have heard it, and then the devil comes and carries away the word from their hearts in case they should believe and be saved.

8:13 Those on the rock are people who, when they first hear it, welcome the word with joy. But these have no root; they believe for a while, and in time of trial they give up.

8:14 As for the part that fell into thorns, this is people who have heard, but as they go on their way they are choked by the worries and riches and pleasures of life and do not reach maturity.

8:15 As for the part in the rich soil, this is people with a noble and generous heart who have heard the word and take it to themselves and yield a harvest through their perseverance.

 

Parable of the lamp

8:16 ‘No one lights a lamp to cover it with a bowl or to put it under a bed. No, he puts it on a lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.

8:17 For nothing is hidden but it will be made clear, nothing secret but it will be known and brought to light.

8:18 So take care how you hear; for anyone who has will be given more; from anyone who has not, even what he thinks he has will be taken away.’

 

The true kinsmen of Jesus

8:19 His mother and his brothers came looking for him, but they could not get to him because of the crowd.

8:20 He was told, ‘Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to see you’

8:21 But he said in answer, ‘My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word of God and put it into practice’.

 

The calming of the storm

8:22 One day, he got into a boat with his disciples and said to them, ‘Let us cross over to the other side of the lake’. So they put to sea,

8:23 and as they sailed he fell asleep. When a squall came down on the lake the boat started taking in water and they found themselves in danger.

8:24 So they went to rouse him saying, ‘Master! Master! We are going down!’ Then he woke up and rebuked the wind and the rough water; and they subsided and it was calm again.

8:25 He said to them, ‘Where is your faith?’ They were awestruck and astonished and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that gives orders even to winds and waves and they obey him?’

 

The Gerasene demoniac

8:26 They came to land in the country of the Gerasenes[*b] which is opposite Galilee.

8:27 He was stepping ashore when a man from the town who was possessed by devils came towards him; for a long time the man had worn no clothes, nor did he live in a house, but in the tombs.

8:28 Catching sight of Jesus he gave a shout, fell at his feet and cried out at the top of his voice, ‘What do you want with me, Jesus, son of the Most High God? I implore you, do not torture me.’ .

8:29 -For Jesus had been telling the unclean spirit to come out of the man. It was a devil that had seized on him a great many times, and then they used to secure him with chains and fetters to restrain him, but he would always break the fastenings, and the devil would drive him out into the wilds.

8:30 ‘What is your name?’ Jesus asked. ‘Legion’ he said-because many devils had gone into him.

8:31 And these pleaded with him not to order them to depart into the Abyss.[*c]

8:32 Now there was a large herd of pigs feeding there on the mountain, and the devils pleaded with him to let them go into these. So he gave them leave.

8:33 The devils came out of the man and went into the pigs, and the herd charged down the cliff into the lake and were drowned.

8:34 When the swineherds saw what had happened they ran off and told their story in the town and in the country round about;

8:35 and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus they found the man from whom the devils had gone out sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his full senses; and they were afraid.

8:36 Those who had witnessed it told them how the man who had been possessed came to be healed.

8:37 The entire population of the Gerasene territory was in a state of panic and asked Jesus to leave them. So he got into the boat and went back.

8:38 The man from whom the devils had gone out asked to be allowed to stay with him, but he sent him away.

8:39 ‘Go back home,’ he said ‘and report all that God has done for you.’ So the man went off and spread throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.

 

Cure of the woman with a haemorrhage. Jairus’ daughter raised to life

8:40 On his return Jesus was welcomed by the crowd, for they were all there waiting for him.

8:41 And now there came a man named Jairus, who was an official of the synagogue. He fell at Jesus` feet and pleaded with him to come to his house,

8:42 because he had an only daughter about twelve years old, who was dying. And the crowds were almost stifling Jesus as he went.

8:43 Now there was a woman suffering from a haemorrhage for twelve years, whom no one had been able to cure.

8:44 She came up behind him and touched the fringe of his cloak; and the haemorrhage stopped at that instant.

8:45 Jesus said, ‘Who touched me?’ When they all denied that they had, Peter and his companions said, ‘Master, it is the crowds round you, pushing’.

8:46 But Jesus said, ‘Somebody touched me. I felt that power had gone out from me.’

8:47 Seeing herself discovered, the woman came forward trembling, and falling at his feet explained in front of all the

8:48 people why she had touched him and how she had been cured at that very moment. ‘My daughter,’ he said ‘your faith has restored you to health; go in peace.’

8:49 While he was still speaking, someone arrived from the house of the synagogue official to say, ‘Your daughter has died. Do not trouble the Master any further.’

8:50 But Jesus had heard this, and he spoke to the man, ‘Do not be afraid, only have faith and she will be safe’.

8:51 When he came to the house he allowed no one to go in with him except Peter and John and James, and the child’s father and mother.

8:52 They were all weeping and mourning for her, but Jesus said, ‘Stop crying; she is not dead, but asleep’.

8:53 But they laughed at him, knowing she was dead.

8:54 But taking her by the hand he called to her, ‘Child, get up’.

8:55 And her spirit returned and she got up at once. Then he told them to give her something to eat.

8:56 Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 9

 

The mission of the Twelve

9:1 He called the Twelve together and gave them power and authority over all devils and to cure diseases,

9:2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal.

9:3 He said to them, ‘Take nothing for the journey: neither staff, nor haversack, nor bread, nor money; and let none of you take a spare tunic.

9:4 Whatever house you enter, stay there; and when you leave, let it be from there.

9:5 As for those who do not welcome you, when you leave their town shake the dust from your feet as a sign to them.’

9:6 So they set out and went from village to village proclaiming the Good News and healing everywhere.

 

Herod and Jesus

9:7 Meanwhile Herod the tetrarch had heard about all that was going on; and he was puzzled, because some people were saying that John had risen from the dead,

9:8 others that Elijah had reappeared, still others that one of the ancient prophets had come back to life.

9:9 But Herod said, ‘John? I beheaded him. So who is this I hear such reports about?’ And he was anxious to see him.

 

The return of the apostles. Miracle of the loaves

9:10 On their return the apostles gave him an account of all they had done. Then he took them with him and withdrew to a town called Bethsaida where they could be by themselves.

9:11 But the crowds got to know and they went after him. He made them welcome and talked to them about the kingdom of God; and he cured those who were in need of healing.

9:12 It was late afternoon when the Twelve came to him and said, ‘Send the people away, and they can go to the villages and farms round about to find lodging and food; for we are in a lonely place here’.

9:13 He replied, ‘Give them something to eat yourselves’. But they said, ‘We have no more than five loaves and two fish, unless we are to go ourselves and buy food for all these people’

9:14 For there were about five thousand men. But he said to his disciples, ‘Get them to sit down in parties of about fifty’.

9:15 They did so and made them all sit down.

9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, raised his eyes to heaven, and said the blessing over them; then he broke them and handed them to his disciples to distribute among the crowd.

9:17 They all ate as much as they wanted, and when the scraps remaining were collected they filled twelve baskets.

 

Peter’s profession of faith

9:18 Now one day when he was praying alone in the presence of his disciples he put this question to them, ‘Who do the crowds say I am?’

9:19 And they answered, ‘John the Baptist; others Elijah; and others say one of the ancient prophets come back to life’.

9:20 ‘But you,’ he said ‘who do you say I am?’ It was Peter who spoke up. ‘The Christ of God’ he said.

9:21 But he gave them strict orders not to tell anyone anything about this.

 

First prophecy of the Passion

9:22 ‘The Son of Man’ he said ‘is destined to suffer grievously, to be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death, and to be raised up on the third day.’

 

The condition of following Christ

9:23 Then to all he said, ‘If anyone wants to be a follower of mine, let him renounce himself and take up his cross every day and follow me.

9:24 For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it; but anyone who loses his life for my sake, that man will save it.

9:25 What gain, then, is it for a man to have won the whole world and to have lost or ruined his very self?

9:26 For if anyone is ashamed of me and of my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory and in the glory of the Father and the holy angels.

 

The kingdom will come soon

9:27 ‘I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.’

 

The transfiguration

9:28 Now about eight days after this had been said, he took with him Peter and John and James and went up the mountain to pray.

9:29 As he prayed, the aspect of his face was changed and his clothing became brilliant as lightning.

9:30 Suddenly there were two men there talking to him; they were Moses and Elijah

9:31 appearing in glory, and they were speaking of his passing which he was to accomplish in Jerusalem.

9:32 Peter and his companions were heavy with sleep, but they kept awake and saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

9:33 As these were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is wonderful for us to be here; so let us make three tents, one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah’. – He did not know what he was saying.

9:34 As he spoke, a cloud came and covered them with shadow; and when they went into the cloud the disciples were afraid.

9:35 And a voice came from the cloud saying, ‘This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him.’

9:36 And after the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. The disciples kept silence and, at that time, told no one what they had seen.

 

The epileptic demoniac

9:37 Now on the following day when they were coming down from the mountain a large crowd came to meet him.

9:38 Suddenly a man in the crowd cried out. ‘Master,’ he said ‘I implore you to look at my son: he is my only child.

9:39 All at once a spirit will take hold of him, and give a sudden cry and throw the boy into convulsions with foaming at the mouth; it is slow to leave him, but when it does it leaves the boy worn out.

9:40 I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they could not.’

9:41 ‘Faithless and perverse generation!’ Jesus said in reply ‘How much longer must I be among you and put up with you? Bring your son here.’

9:42 The boy was still moving towards Jesus when the devil threw him to the ground in convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit and cured the boy and gave him back to his father,

9:43 and everyone was awestruck by the greatness of God.

 

Second prophecy of the Passion

At a time when everyone was full of admiration for all he did, he said to his disciples,

9:44 ‘For your part, you must have these words constantly in your mind: The Son of Man is going to be handed over into the power of men’.

9:45 But they did not understand him when he said this; it was hidden from them so that they should not see the meaning of it, and they were afraid to ask him about what he had just said.

 

Who is the greatest?

9:46 An argument started between them about which of them was the greatest.

9:47 Jesus knew what thoughts were going through their minds, and he took a little child and set him by his side

9:48 and then said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For the least among you all, that is the one who is great.’

 

On using the name of Jesus

9:49 John spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘we saw a man casting out devils in your so name, and because he is not with us we tried to stop him.’

9:50 But Jesus said to him, ‘You must not stop him: anyone who is not against you is for you’.

 

1. THE JOURNEY TO JERUSALEM

 

A Samaritan village is inhospitable

9:51 Now as the time drew near for him to be taken up to heaven, he resolutely took the road for Jerusalem

9:52 and sent messengers ahead of him. These set out, and they went into a Samaritan village to make preparations for him,

9:53 but the people would not receive him because he was making for Jerusalem[*a].

9:54 Seeing this, the disciples James and John said, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’

9:55 But he turned and rebuked them,

9:56 and they went off to another village.

 

Hardships of the apostolic calling

9:57 As they travelled along they met a man on the road who said to him, ‘I will follow you wherever you go’.

9:58 Jesus answered, ‘Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head’.

9:59 Another to whom he said, ‘Follow me’, replied, ‘Let me go and bury my father first’.

9:60 But he answered, ‘Leave the dead to bury their dead; your duty is to go and spread the news of the kingdom of God’.

9:61 Another said, ‘I will follow you, sir, but first let me go and say good-bye to my people at home’.

9:62 Jesus said to him, ‘Once the hand is laid on the plough, no one who looks back is fit for the kingdom of God’.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 10

 

The mission of the seventy-two disciples

10:1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out ahead of him, in pairs, to all the towns and places he himself was to visit.

10:2 He said to them, ‘The harvest is rich but the labourers are few, so ask the Lord of the harvest to send labourers to his harvest.

10:3 Start off now, but remember, I am sending you out like lambs among wolves.

10:4 Carry no purse, no haversack, no sandals. Salute no one on the road.

10:5 Whatever house you go into, let your first words be, “Peace to this house!”

10:6 And if a man of peace lives there, your peace will go and rest on him; if not, it will come back to you.

10:7 Stay in the same house, taking what food and drink they have to offer, for the labourer deserves his wages; do not move from house to house.

10:8 Whenever you go into a town where they make you welcome, eat what is set before you.

10:9 Cure those in it who are sick, and say, “The kingdom of God is very near to you”.

10:10 But whenever you enter a town and they do not make you welcome, go out into its streets and say, .

10:11 “We wipe off the very dust of your town that clings to our feet, and leave it with you. Yet be sure of this: the kingdom of God is very near.”

10:12 I tell you, on that day it will not go as hard with Sodom as with that town.

10:13 ‘Alas for you, Chorazin! Alas for you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.

10:14 And still, it will not go as hard with Tyre and Sidon at the Judgement as with you.

10:15 And as for you, Capernaum, did you want to be exalted high as heaven? You shall be thrown down to hell[*a].

10:16 ‘Anyone who listens to you listens to me; anyone who rejects you rejects me, and those who reject me reject the one who sent me.’

 

True cause for the apostles to rejoice

10:17 The seventy-two came back rejoicing. ‘Lord,’ they said ‘even the devils submit to us when we use your name.’

10:18 He said to them, ‘I watched Satan fall like lightning from heaven.

10:19 Yes, I have given you power to tread underfoot serpents and scorpions and the whole strength of the enemy; nothing shall ever hurt you.

10:20 Yet do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you; rejoice rather that your names are written in heaven.’

 

The Good News revealed to the simple. The Father and the Son

10:21 It was then that, filled with joy by the Holy Spirit, he said, ‘I bless you, Father, Lord of heaven and of earth, for hiding these things from the learned and the clever and revealing them to mere children. Yes, Father, for that is what it pleased you to do.

10:22 Everything has been entrusted to me by my Father; and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.’

 

The privilege of the disciples

10:23 Then turning to his disciples he spoke to them in private, ‘Happy the eyes that see what you see,

10:24 for I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see, and never saw it; to hear what you hear, and never heard it’.

 

The great commandment

10:25 There was a lawyer who, to disconcert him, stood up and said to him, ‘Master, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’

10:26 He said to him, ‘What is written in the Law? What do you read there?’

10:27 He replied, ‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbour as yourself'[*b].

10:28 ‘You have answered right,’ said Jesus ‘do this and life is yours.’

 

Parable of the good Samaritan

10:29 But the man was anxious to justify himself and said to Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’

10:30 Jesus replied, ‘A man was once on his way down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of brigands; they took all he had, beat him and then made off, leaving him half dead.

10:31 Now a priest happened to be travelling down the same road, but when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.

10:32 In the same way a Levite who came to the place saw him, and passed by on the other side.

10:33 But a Samaritan traveller who came upon him was moved with compassion when he saw him.

10:34 He went up and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. He then lifted him on to his own mount, carried him to the inn and looked after him.

10:35 Next day, he took out two denarii and handed them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said “and on my way back I will make good any extra expense you have.”

10:36 Which of these three, do you think, proved himself a neighbour to the man who fell into the brigands` hands?’

10:37 ‘The one who took pity on him’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Go, and do the same yourself’.

 

Martha and Mary

10:38 In the course of their journey he came to a village, and a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house.

10:39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat down at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking.

10:40 Now Martha who was distracted with all the serving said, ‘Lord, do you not care that my sister is leaving me to do the serving all by myself? Please tell her to help me.’

10:41 But the Lord answered: ‘Martha, Martha,’ he said ‘you worry and fret about so many things,

10:42 and yet few are needed, indeed only one. It is Mary who has chosen the better part; it is not to be taken from her.’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 11

 

The Lord’s prayer

11:1 Now once he was in a certain place praying, and when he had finished one of his disciples said, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’.

11:2 He said to them, ‘Say this when you pray: “Father, may your name be held holy, your kingdom come;

11:3 give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins,

11:4 for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us. And do not put us to the test.”‘

 

The importunate friend

11:5 He also said to them, ‘Suppose one of you has a friend and goes to him in the middle of the night to say, “My friend, lend me three loaves,

11:6 because a friend of mine on his travels has just arrived at my house and I have nothing to offer him”;

11:7 and the man answers from inside the house, “Do not bother me. The door is bolted now, and my children and I are in bed; I cannot get up to give it you”.

11:8 I tell you, if the man does not get up and give it him for friendship’s sake, persistence will be enough to make him get up and give his friend all he wants.

 

Effective prayer

11:9 ‘So I say to you: Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.

11:10 For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him.

11:11 What father among you would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake instead of a fish?

11:12 Or hand him a scorpion if he asked for an egg?

11:13 If you then, who are evil, know how to give your children what is good, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’

 

Jesus and Beelzebul

11:14 He was casting out a devil and it was dumb; but when the devil had gone out the dumb man spoke, and the people were amazed.

11:15 But some of them said, ‘It is through Beelzebul, the prince of devils, that he casts out devils’.

11:16 Others asked him, as a test, for a sign from heaven;

11:17 but, knowing what they were thinking, he said to them, ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is heading for ruin, and a household divided against itself collapses.

11:18 So too with Satan: if he is divided against himself, how can his kingdom stand? – Since you assert that it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils.

11:19 Now if it is through Beelzebul that I cast out devils, through whom do your own experts cast them out? Let them be your judges then.

11:20 But if it is through the finger of God that I cast out devils, then know that the kingdom of God has overtaken you.

11:21 So long as a strong man fully armed guards his own palace, his goods are undisturbed;

11:22 but when someone stronger than he is attacks and defeats him, the stronger man takes away all the weapons he relied on and shares out his spoil.

 

No compromise

11:23 ‘He who is not with me is against me; and he who does not gather with me scatters.

 

Return of the unclean spirit

11:24 ‘When an unclean spirit goes out of a man it wanders through waterless country looking for a place to rest, and not finding one it says, “I will go back to the home I came from”.

11:25 But on arrival, finding it swept and tidied,

11:26 it then goes off and brings seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and set up house there, so that the man ends up by being worse than he was before.’

 

The truly happy

11:27 Now as he was speaking, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, ‘Happy the womb that bore you and the breasts you sucked!’

11:28 But he replied, ‘Still happier those who hear the word of God and keep it!’

 

The sign of Jonah

11:29 The crowds got even bigger and he addressed them, ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah.

11:30 For just as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so will the Son of Man be to this generation.

11:31 On Judgement day the Queen of the South will rise up with the men of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and there is something greater than Solomon here.

11:32 On Judgement day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation. and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented; and there is something greater than Jonah here.

 

The parable of the lamp repeated

11:33 ‘No one lights a lamp and puts it in some hidden place or under a tub, but on the lamp-stand so that people may see the light when they come in.

11:34 The lamp of your body is your eye. When your eye is sound, your whole body too is filled with light; but when it is diseased your body too will be all darkness.

11:35 See to it then that the light inside you is not darkness.

11:36 If, therefore, your whole body is filled with light, and no trace of darkness, it will be light entirely, as when the lamp shines on you with its rays.’

 

The Pharisees and the lawyers attacked

11:37 He had just finished speaking when a Pharisee invited him to dine at his house. He went in and sat down at the table.

11:38 The Pharisee saw this and was surprised that he had not first washed before the meal.

11:39 But the Lord said to him, ‘Oh, you Pharisees! You clean the outside of cup and plate, while inside yourselves you are filled with extortion and wickedness.

11:40 Fools! Did not he who made the outside make the inside too?

11:41 Instead, give alms from what you have and then indeed everything will be clean for you.

11:42 But alas for you Pharisees! You who pay your tithe of mint and rue and all sorts of garden herbs and overlook justice and the love of God! These you should have practised, without leaving the others undone.

11:43 Alas for you Pharisees who like taking the seats of honour in the synagogues and being greeted obsequiously in the market squares!

11:44 Alas for you, because you are like the unmarked tombs that men walk on without knowing it![*a]

11:45 A lawyer then spoke up. ‘Master,’ he said ‘when you speak like this you insult us too.’

11:46 ‘Alas for you lawyers also,’ he replied ‘because you load on men burdens that are unendurable, burdens that you yourselves do not move a finger to lift.

11:47 ‘Alas for you who build the tombs of the prophets, the men your ancestors killed!

11:48 In this way you both witness what your ancestors did and approve it; they did the killing, you do the building.

11:49 ‘And that is why the Wisdom of God said, “I will send them prophets and apostles; some they will slaughter and persecute,

11:50 so that this generation will have to answer for every prophet’s blood that has been shed since the foundation of the world,

11:51 from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was murdered between the altar and the sanctuary”. Yes, I tell you, this generation will have to answer for it all.

11:52 ‘Alas for you lawyers who have taken away the key of knowledge! You have not gone in yourselves, and have prevented others going in who wanted to.’

11:53 When he left the house, the scribes and the Pharisees began a furious attack on him and tried to force answers from him on innumerable questions,

11:54 setting traps to catch him out in something he might say.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 12

 

Open and fearless speech

12:1 Meanwhile the people had gathered in their thousands so that they were treading on one another. And he began to speak, first of all to his disciples. ‘Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees-that is, their hypocrisy.

12:2 Everything that is now covered will be uncovered, and everything now hidden will be made clear.

12:3 For this reason, whatever you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in hidden places will be proclaimed on the housetops.

12:4 ‘To you my friends I say: Do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no mere.

12:5 I will tell you whom to fear: fear him who, after he has killed, has the power to cast into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

12:6 Can you not buy five sparrows for two pennies? And yet not one is forgotten in God’s sight.

12:7 Why, every hair on your head has been counted. There is no need to be afraid: you are worth more than hundreds of sparrows.

12:8 ‘I tell you, if anyone openly declares himself for me in the presence of men, the Son of Man will declare himself for him in the presence of God’s angels.

12:9 But the man who disowns me in the presence of men will be disowned in the presence of God’s angels.

12:10 ‘Everyone who says a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but he who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

12:11 ‘When they take you before synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how to defend yourselves or what to say,

12:12 because when the time comes, the Holy Spirit will teach you what you must say.’

 

On hoarding possessions

12:13 A man in the crowd said to him, ‘Master, tell my brother to give me a share of our inheritance’.

12:14 ‘My friend,’ he replied-‘who appointed me your judge, or the arbitrator of your claims?’

12:15 Then he said to them, ‘Watch, and be on your guard against avarice of any kind, for a man’s life is not made secure by what he owns, even when he has more than he needs’.

12:16 Then he told them a parable: ‘There was once a rich man who, having had a good harvest from his land,

12:17 thought to himself, “What am I to do? I have not enough room to store my crops.”

12:18 Then he said, “This is what I will do: I will pull down my barns and build bigger ones, and store all my grain and my goods in them,

12:19 and I will say to my soul: My soul, you have plenty of good things laid by for many years to come; take things easy, eat, drink, have a good time”.

12:20 But God said to him, “Fool! This very night the demand will be made for your soul; and this hoard of yours, whose will it be then?”.

12:21 So it is when a man stores up treasure for himself in place of making himself rich in the sight of God.’

 

Trust in Providence

12:22 Then he said to his disciples, ‘That is why I am telling you not to worry about your life and what you are to eat, nor about your body and how you are to clothe it.

12:23 For life means more than food, and the body more than clothing.

12:24 Think of the ravens. They do not sow or reap; they have no storehouses and no barns; yet God feeds them. And how much more are you worth than the birds!

12:25 Can any of you, for all his worrying, add a single cubit to his span of life?

12:26 If the smallest things, therefore, are outside your control, why worry about the rest?

12:27 Think of the flowers; they never have to spin or weave; yet, I assure you, not even Solomon in all his regalia was robed like one of these.

12:28 Now if that is how God clothes the grass in the field which is there today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, how much more will he look after you, you men of little faith!

12:29 But you, you must not set your hearts on things to eat and things to drink; nor must you worry.

12:30 It is the pagans of this world who set their hearts on all these things. Your Father well knows you need them.

12:31 No; set your hearts on his kingdom, and these other things will be given you as well.

12:32 ‘There is no need to be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.

 

On almsgiving

12:33 ‘Sell your possessions and give alms. Get yourselves purses that do not wear out, treasure that will not fail you, in heaven where no thief can reach it and no moth destroy it.

12:34 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

 

On being ready for the Master’s return

12:35 ‘See that you are dressed for action and have your lamps lit.

12:36 Be like men waiting for their master to return from the wedding feast, ready to open the door as soon as he comes and knocks.

12:37 Happy those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. I tell you solemnly, he will put on an apron, sit them down at table and wait on them.

12:38 It may be in the second watch he comes, or in the third, but happy those servants if he finds them ready.

12:39 You may be quite sure of this, that if the householder had known at what hour the burglar would come, he would not have let anyone break through the wall of his house.

12:40 You too must stand ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.’

12:41 Peter said, ‘Lord, do you mean this parable for us, or for everyone?’

12:42 The Lord replied, ‘What sort of steward[*a], then, is faithful and wise enough for the master to place him over his household to give them their allowance of food at the proper time?

12:43 Happy that servant if his master’s arrival finds him at this employment.

12:44 I tell you truly, he will place him over everything he owns.

12:45 But as for the servant who says to himself, “My master is taking his time coming”, and sets about beating the menservants and the maids, and eating and drinking and getting drunk,

12:46 his master will come on a day he does not expect and at an hour he does not know. The master will cut him off and send him to the same fate as the unfaithful.

12:47 The servant who knows what his master wants, but has not even started to carry out those wishes, will receive very many strokes of the lash.

12:48 The one who did not know, but deserves to be beaten for what he has done, will receive fewer strokes. When a man has had a great deal given him, a great deal will be demanded of him; when a man has had a great deal given him on trust, even more will be expected of him.

 

Jesus and his Passion

12:49 ‘I have come to bring fire to the earth, and how I wish it were blazing already!

12:50 There is a baptism I must still receive, and how great is my distress till it is over!

 

Jesus the cause of dissension

12:51 ‘Do you suppose that I am here to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.

12:52 For from now on a household of five will be divided: three against two and two against three;

12:53 the father divided against the son, son against father, mother against daughter, daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law, daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’

 

On reading the signs of the times

12:54 He said again to the crowds, ‘When you see a cloud looming up in the west you say at once that rain is coming, and so it does.

12:55 And when the wind is from the south you say it will be hot, and it is.

12:56 Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the face of the earth and the sky. How is it you do not know how to interpret these times?

12:57 ‘Why not judge for yourselves what is right?

12:58 For example: when you go to court with your opponent, try to settle with him on the way, or he may drag you before the judge and the judge hand you over to the bailiff and the bailiff have you thrown into prison.

12:59 I tell you, you will not get out till you have paid the very last penny.’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 13

 

Examples inviting repentance

13:1 It was just about this time that some people arrived and told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with that of their sacrifices[*a].

13:2 At this he said to them, ‘Do you suppose these Galileans who suffered like that were greater sinners than any other Galileans?

13:3 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.

13:4 Or those eighteen on whom the tower at Siloam fell and killed them? Do you suppose that they were more guilty than all the other people living in Jerusalem?

13:5 They were not, I tell you. No; but unless you repent you will all perish as they did.’

 

Parable of the barren fig tree

13:6 He told this parable: ‘A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came looking for fruit on it but found none.

13:7 He said to the man who looked after the vineyard, “Look here, for three years now I have been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and finding none. Cut it down: why should it be taking up the ground?”

13:8 “Sir,” the man replied “leave it one more year and give me time to dig round it and manure it:

13:9 it may bear fruit next year; if not, then you can cut it down.”‘

 

Healing of the crippled woman on a sabbath

13:10 One sabbath day he was teaching in one of the synagogues,

13:11 and a woman was there who for eighteen years had been possessed by a spirit that left her enfeebled; she was bent double and quite unable to stand upright.

13:12 When Jesus saw her he called her over and said, ‘Woman, you are rid of your infirmity’

13:13 and he laid his hands on her. And at once she straightened up, and she glorified God.

13:14 But the synagogue official was indignant because Jesus had healed on the sabbath, and he addressed the people present. ‘There are six days’ he said ‘when work is to be done. Come and be healed on one of those days and not on the sabbath.’

13:15 But the Lord answered him. ‘Hypocrites!’ he said ‘Is there one of you who does not untie his ox or his donkey from the manger on the sabbath and take it out for watering?

13:16 And this woman, a daughter of Abraham whom Satan has held bound these eighteen years – was it not right to untie her bonds on the sabbath day?’

13:17 When he said this, all his adversaries were covered with confusion, and all the people were overjoyed at all the wonders he worked.

 

Parable of the mustard seed

13:18 He went on to say, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it with?

13:19 It is like a mustard seed which a man took and threw into his garden: it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the air sheltered in its branches.’

 

Parable of the yeast

13:20 Another thing he said, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God with?

13:21 It is like the yeast a woman took and mixed in with three measures of flour till it was leavened all through.’

 

The narrow door; rejection of the Jews, call of the gentiles

13:22 Through towns and villages he went teaching, making his way to Jerusalem.

13:23 Someone said to him, ‘Sir, will there be only a few saved?’ He said to them,

13:24 ‘Try your best to enter by the narrow door, because, I tell you, many will try to enter and will not succeed.

13:25 ‘Once the master of the house has got up and locked the door, you may find yourself knocking on the door, saying, “Lord, open to us” but he will answer, “I do not know where you come from”.

13:26 Then you will find yourself saying, “We once ate and drank in your company; you taught in our streets”

13:27 but he will reply, “I do not know where you come from. Away from me, all you wicked men !”[*b]

13:28 ‘Then there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, and yourselves turned outside.

13:29 And men from east and west, from north and south, will come to take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

13:30 ‘Yes, there are those now last who will be first, and those now first who will be last.’

 

Herod the fox

13:31 Just at this time some Pharisees came up. ‘Go away’ they said. ‘Leave this place, because Herod means to kill you.’

13:32 He replied, ‘You may go and give that fox this message: Learn that today and tomorrow I cast out devils and on the third day[*c] attain my end.

13:33 But for today and tomorrow and the next day I must go on, since it would not be right for a prophet to die outside Jerusalem.

 

Jerusalem admonished

13:34 ‘Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you that kill the prophets and stone those who are sent to you! How often have I longed to gather your children, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you refused!

13:35 So be it! Your house will be left to you. Yes, I promise you, you shall not see me till the time comes when you say: Blessings on him who comes in the name of the Lord!'[*d]

 

JB LUKE Chapter 14

 

Healing of a dropsical man on the sabbath

14:1 Now on a sabbath day he had gone for a meal to the house of one of the leading Pharisees; and they watched him closely.

14:2 ‘There in front of him was a man with dropsy,

14:3 and Jesus addressed the lawyers and Pharisees. ‘Is it against the law’ he asked ‘to cure a man on the sabbath, or not?’

14:4 But they remained silent, so he took the man and cured him and sent him away.

14:5 Then he said to them, ‘Which of you here, if his son falls into a well, or his ox, will not pull him out on a sabbath day without hesitation?’

14:6 And to this they could find no answer.

 

On choosing places at table

14:7 He then told the guests a parable, because he had noticed how they picked the places of honour. He said this,

14:8 ‘When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take your seat in the place of honour. A more distinguished person than you may have been invited,

14:9 and the person who invited you both may come and say, “Give up your place to this man”. And then, to your embarrassment, you would have to go and take the lowest place.

14:10 No; when you are a guest, make your way to the lowest place and sit there, so that, when your host comes, he may say, “My friend, move up higher”. In that way, everyone with you at the table will see you honoured.

14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

 

On choosing guests to be invited

14:12 Then he said to his host, ‘When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends, brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by inviting you in return.

14:13 No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind;

14:14 that they cannot pay you back means that you are fortunate, because repayment will be made to you when the virtuous rise again.’

 

The invited guests who made excuses

14:15 On hearing this, one of those gathered round the table said to him, ‘Happy the man who will be at the feast in the kingdom of God!’

14:16 But he said to him, ‘There was a man who gave a great banquet, and he invited a large number of people.

14:17 When the time for the banquet came, he sent his servant to say to those who had been invited, “Come along: everything is ready now”.

14:18 But all alike started to make excuses. The first said, “I have bought a piece of land and must go and see it. Please accept my apologies.”

14:19 Another said, “I have bought five yoke of oxen and am on my way to try them out. Please accept my apologies.”

14:20 Yet another said, “I have just got married and so am unable to come”.

14:21 ‘The servant returned and reported this to his master. Then the householder, in a rage, said to his servant, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in here the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame”.

14:22 “Sir” said the servant “your orders have been carried out and there is still room.”

14:23 Then the master said to his servant, “Go to the open roads and the hedgerows and force people to come in to make sure my house is full;

14:24 because, I tell you, not one of those who were invited shall have a taste of my banquet”.’

 

Renouncing all that one holds dear

14:25 Great crowds accompanied him on his way and he turned and spoke to them.

14:26 If any man comes to me without hating[*a] his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, yes and his own life too, he cannot be my disciple.

14:27 Anyone who does not carry his cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

 

Renouncing possessions

14:28 ‘And indeed, which of you here, intending to build a tower, would not first sit down and work out the cost to see if he had enough to complete it?

14:29 Otherwise, if he laid the foundation and then found himself unable to finish the work, the onlookers would all start making fun of him and saying, “‘

14:30 Here is a man who started to build and was unable to finish”.

14:31 Or again, what king marching to war against another king would not first sit down and consider whether with ten thousand men he could stand up to the other who advanced against him with twenty thousand?

14:32 If not, then while the other king was still a long way off, he would send envoys to sue for peace.

14:33 So in the same way, none of you can be my disciple unless he gives up all his possessions.

 

On loss of enthusiasm in a disciple

14:34 ‘Salt is a useful thing. But if the salt itself loses its taste, how can it be seasoned again?

14:35 It is good for neither soil nor manure heap. People throw it out. Listen, anyone who has ears to hear!’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 15

 

The three parables of God’s mercy

15:1 The tax collectors and the sinners, meanwhile, were all seeking his company to hear what he had to say,

15:2 and the Pharisees and the scribes complained. ‘This man’ they said ‘welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

15:3 So he spoke this parable to them:

 

The lost sheep

15:4 ‘What man among you with a hundred sheep, losing one, would not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the missing one till he found it?

15:5 And when he found it, would he not joyfully take it on his shoulders

15:6 and then, when he got home, call together his friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” he would say “I have found my sheep that was lost.”

15:7 In the same way, I tell you, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine virtuous men who have no need of repentance.

 

The lost drachma

15:8 ‘Or again, what woman with ten drachmas would not, if she lost one, light a lamp and sweep out the house and search thoroughly till she found it?

15:9 And then, when she had found it, call together her friends and neighbours? “Rejoice with me,” she would say “I have found the drachma I lost.”

15:10 In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing among the angels of God over one repentant sinner.’

 

The lost son (the ‘prodigal’) and the dutiful son

15:11 He also said, ‘A man had two sons.

15:12 The younger said to his father, “Father, let me have the share of the estate that would come to me”. So the father divided the property between them.

15:13 A few days later, the younger son got together everything he had and left for a distant country where he squandered his money on a life of debauchery.

15:14 ‘When he had spent it all, that country experienced a severe famine, and now he began to feel the pinch,

15:15 so he hired himself out to one of the local inhabitants who put him on his farm to feed the pigs.

15:16 And he would willingly have filled his belly with the husks the pigs were eating but no one offered him anything.

15:17 Then he came to his senses and said, “How many of my father’s paid servants have more food than they want, and here am I dying of hunger!

15:18 I will leave is this place and go to my father and say: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;

15:19 I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as one of your paid servants.”

15:20 So he left the place and went back to his father. ‘While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was moved with pity. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly.

15:21 Then his son said, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.”

15:22 But the father said to his servants, “Quick! Bring out the best robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.

15:23 Bring the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a celebration,

15:24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.

15:25 ‘Now the elder son was out in the fields, and on his way back, as he drew near the house, he could hear music and dancing.

15:26 Calling one of the servants he asked what it was all about.

15:27 “Your brother has come” replied the servant “and your father has killed the calf we had fattened because he has got him back safe and sound.”

15:28 He was angry then and refused to go in, and his father came out to plead with him;

15:29 but he answered his father, “Look, all these years I have slaved for you and never once disobeyed your orders, yet you never offered me so much as a kid for me to celebrate with my friends.

15:30 But, for this son of yours, when he comes back after swallowing up your property – he and his women – you kill the calf we had been fattening.”

15:31 The father said, “My son, you are with me always and all I have is yours.

15:32 But it was only right we should celebrate and rejoice, because your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”‘

 

JB LUKE Chapter 16

 

The crafty steward

16:1 He also said to his disciples, ‘There was a rich man and he had a steward denounced to him for being wasteful with his property.

16:2 He called for the man and said, “What is this I hear about you? Draw me up an account of your stewardship because you are not to be my steward any longer.”

16:3 Then the steward said to himself, “Now that my master is taking the stewardship from me, what am I to do? Dig? I am not strong enough. Go begging? I should be too ashamed.

16:4 Ah, I know what I will do to make sure that when I am dismissed from office there will be some to welcome me into their homes.”

16:5 Then he called his master’s debtors one by one. To the first he said, “How much do you owe my master?”

16:6 “One hundred measures of oil” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond; sit down straight away and write fifty”.

16:7 To another he said, “And you, sir, how much do you owe?” “One hundred measures of wheat” was the reply. The steward said, “Here, take your bond and write eighty”.

16:8 ‘The master praised the dishonest steward for his astuteness[*a]. For the children of this world are more astute in dealing with their own kind than are the children of light.’

 

The right use of money

16:9 ‘And so I tell you this: use money, tainted as it is, to win you friends, and thus make sure that when it fails you, they will welcome you into the tents of eternity.

16:10 The man who can be trusted in little things can be trusted in great; the man who is dishonest in little things will be dishonest in great.

16:11 If then you cannot be trusted with money, that tainted thing, who will trust you with genuine riches?

16:12 And if you cannot be trusted with what is not yours, who will give you what is your very own?

16:13 ‘No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn. You cannot be the slave both of God and of money.’

 

Against the Pharisees and their love of money

16:14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and laughed at him.

16:15 He said to them, ‘You are the very ones who pass yourselves off as virtuous in people’s sight, but God knows your hearts. For what is thought highly of by men is loathsome in the sight of God.

 

The kingdom stormed

16:16 ‘Up to the time of John it was the Law and the Prophets; since then, the kingdom of God has been preached, and by violence everyone is getting in.

 

The Law remains

16:17 ‘It is easier for heaven and earth to disappear than for one little stroke to drop out of the Law.

 

Marriage indissoluble

16:18 ‘Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another is guilty of adultery, and the man who marries a woman divorced by her husband commits adultery.

 

The rich man and Lazarus

16:19 ‘There was a rich man who used to dress in purple and fine linen and feast magnificently every day.

16:20 And at his gate there lay a poor man called Lazarus, covered with sores,

16:21 who longed to fill himself with the scraps that fell from the rich man’s table. Dogs even came and licked his sores.

16:22 Now the poor man died and was carried away by the angels to the bosom of Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried.

16:23 ‘In his torment in Hades he looked up and saw Abraham a long way off with Lazarus in his bosom.

16:24 So he cried out, “Father Abraham, pity me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, for I am in agony in these flames”.

16:25 “My son,” Abraham replied “remember that during your life good things came your way, just as bad things came the way of Lazarus. Now he is being comforted here while you are in agony.

16:26 But that is not all: between us and you a great gulf has been fixed, to stop anyone, if he wanted to, crossing from our side to yours, and to stop any crossing from your side to ours.”

16:27 ‘The rich man replied, “Father, I beg you then to send Lazarus to my father’s house,

16:28 since I have five brothers, to give them warning so that they do not come to this place of torment too”.

16:29 “They have Moses and the prophets,” said Abraham “let them listen to them.”.

16:30 “Ah no, father Abraham,” said the rich man “but if someone comes to them from the dead, they will repent.”

16:31 Then Abraham said to him, “If they will not listen either to Moses or to the prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone should rise from the dead”.’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 17

 

On leading others astray

17:1 He said to his disciples, ‘Obstacles are sure to come, but alas for the one who provides them!

17:2 It would be better for him to be thrown into the Sea with a millstone put round his neck than that he should lead astray a single one of these little ones.

17:3 Watch yourselves!

 

Brotherly correction

‘If your brother does something wrong, reprove him and, if he is sorry, forgive him.

17:4 And if he wrongs you seven times a day and seven times comes back to you and says, “I am sorry”, you must forgive him.’

 

The power of faith

17:5 The apostles said to the Lord, ‘Increase our faith’.

17:6 The Lord replied, ‘Were your faith the size of a mustard seed you could say to this mulberry tree, “Be uprooted and planted in the sea”, and it would obey you.

 

Humble service

17:7 ‘Which of you, with a servant ploughing or minding sheep, would say to him when he returned from the fields, “Come and have your meal immediately”?

17:8 Would he not be more likely to say, “Get my supper laid; make yourself tidy and wait on me while I eat and drink. You can eat and drink yourself afterwards”?

17:9 Must he be grateful to the servant for doing what he was told?

17:10 So with you: when you have done all you have been told to do, say, “We are merely servants: we have done no more than our duty”.’

 

The ten lepers

17:11 Now on the way to Jerusalem he travelled along the border between Samaria and GaliIee[*a].

17:12 As he entered one of the villages, ten lepers came to meet him. They stood some way off

17:13 and called to him, ‘Jesus! Master! Take pity on us.’

17:14 When he saw them he said, ‘Go and show yourselves to the priests’. Now as they were going away they were cleansed.

17:15 Finding himself cured, one of them turned back praising God at the top of his voice

17:16 and threw himself at the feet of Jesus and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan.

17:17 This made Jesus say, ‘Were not all ten made clean? The other nine, where are they?

17:18 It seems that no one has come back to give praise to God, except this foreigner.’

17:19 And he said to the man, ‘Stand up and go on your way. Your faith has saved you.’

 

The coming of the kingdom of God

17:20 Asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was to come, he gave them this answer, ‘The coming of the kingdom of God does not admit of observation

17:21 and there will be no one to say, “Look here! Look there!” For, you must know, the kingdom of God is among you.’

 

The day of the Son of Man

17:22 He said to the disciples, ‘A time will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man and will not see it.

17:23 They will say to you, “Look there!” or, “Look here!” Make no move; do not set off in pursuit;

17:24 for as the lightning flashing from one part of heaven lights up the other, so will be the Son of Man when his day comes.

17:25 But first he must suffer grievously and be rejected by this generation.

17:26 ‘As it was in Noah’s day, so will it also be in the days of the Son of Man.

17:27 People were eating and drinking, marrying wives and husbands, right up to the day Noah went into the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

17:28 It will be the same as it was in Lot’s day: people were eating and drinking, buying and selling, planting and building,

17:29 but the day Lot left Sodom, God rained fire and brimstone from heaven and it destroyed them all.

17:30 It will be the same when the day comes for the Son of Man to be revealed.

17:31 ‘When that day comes, anyone on the housetop, with his possessions in the house, must not come down to collect them, nor must anyone in the fields turn back either.

17:32 Remember Lot’s wife.

17:33 Anyone who tries to preserve his life will lose it; and anyone who loses it will keep it safe.

17:34 I tell you, on that night two will be in one bed: one will be taken, the other left;

17:35 two women will be grinding corn together: one will be taken, the other left.’

17:37 The disciples interrupted. ‘Where, Lord?’ they asked. He said, ‘Where the body is, there too will the vultures gather’.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 18

 

The unscrupulous Judge and the Inportunate widow

18:1 Then he told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart.

18:2 ‘There was a judge in a certain town’ he said ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for man.

18:3 In the same town there was a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!”

18:4 For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Maybe I have neither fear of God nor respect for man,

18:5 but since she keeps pestering me I must give this widow her just rights, or she will persist in coming and worry me to death”.’

18:6 And the Lord said ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say?

18:7 Now will not God see justice done to his chosen who cry to him day and night even when he delays to help them?

18:8 I promise you, he will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’

 

The Pharisee and the publican

18:9 He spoke the following parable to some people who prided themselves on being virtuous and despised everyone else,

18:10 ‘Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax collector.

18:11 The Pharisee stood there and said this prayer to himself, “I thank you, God, that I am not grasping, unjust, adulterous like the rest of mankind, and particularly that I am not like this tax collector here.

18:12 I fast twice a week; I pay tithes on all I get.”

18:13 The tax collector stood some distance away, not daring even to raise his eyes to heaven; but he beat his breast and said, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner”.

18:14 This man, I tell you, went home again at rights with God; the other did not. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the man who humbles himself will be exalted.’

 

Jesus and the children

18:15 People even brought little children to him, for him to touch them; but when the disciples saw this they turned them away.

18:16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

18:17 I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not welcome the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’

 

The rich aristocrat

18:18 A member of one of the leading families put this question to him, ‘Good Master, what have I to do to inherit eternal life?’

18:19 Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.

18:20 You know the commandments: You must not commit adultery; You must not kill; You must not steal; You must not bring false witness; Honour your father and mother.’

18:21 He replied, ‘I have kept all these from my earliest days till now’.

18:22 And when Jesus heard this he said, ‘There is still one thing you lack. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’

18:23 But when he heard this he was filled with sadness, for he was very rich.

 

The danger of riches

18:24 Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to make their way into the kingdom of God!

18:25 Yes, it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’

18:26 ‘In that case’ said the listeners ‘who can be saved?’

18:27 ‘Things that are impossible for men’ he replied ‘are possible for God.’

 

The reward of renunciation

18:28 Then Peter said, ‘What about us? We left all we had to follow you.’

18:29 He said to them, ‘I tell you solemnly, there is no one who has left house, wife, brothers, parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God

18:30 who will not be given repayment many times over in this present time and, in the world to come, eternal life’.

 

Third prophecy of the Passion

18:31 Then taking the Twelve aside he said to them, ‘Now we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man is to come true.

18:32 For he will be handed over to the pagans and will be mocked, maltreated and spat on,

18:33 and when they have scourged him they will put him to death; and on the third day he will rise again.’

18:34 But they could make nothing of this; what he said was quite obscure to them, they had no idea what it meant.

 

Entering Jericho: the blind man

18:35 Now as he drew near to Jericho there was a blind man sitting at the side of the road begging.

18:36 When he heard the crowd going past he asked what it was all about,

18:37 and they told him that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by.

18:38 So he called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have pity on me’.

18:39 The people in front scolded him and told him to keep quiet, but he shouted all the louder, ‘Son of David, have pity on me’.

18:40 Jesus stopped and ordered them to bring the man to him, and when he came up, asked him,

18:41 ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ ‘Sir,’ he replied ‘let me see again.’

18:42 Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight. Your faith has saved you.’

18:43 And instantly his sight returned and he followed him praising God, and all the people who saw it gave praise to God for what had happened.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 19

 

Zacchaeus

19:1 He entered Jericho and was going through the town

19:2 when a man whose name was Zacchaeus made his appearance; he was one of the senior tax collectors and a wealthy man.

19:3 He was anxious to see what kind of man Jesus was, but he was too short and could not see him for the crowd;

19:4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to catch a glimpse of Jesus who was to pass that way.

19:5 When Jesus reached the spot he looked up and spoke to him: ‘Zacchaeus, come down. Hurry, because I must stay at your house today.’

19:6 And he hurried down and welcomed him joyfully.

19:7 They all complained when they saw what was happening. ‘He has gone to stay at a sinner’s house’ they said.

19:8 But Zacchaeus stood his ground and said to the Lord, ‘Look, sir, I am going to give half my property to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody I will pay him back four times the amount'[*a]

19:9 And Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man too is a son of Abraham;[*b]

19:10 for the Son of Man has come to seek out and save what was lost’.

 

Parable of the pounds

19:11 While the people were listening to this he went on to tell a parable, because he was near Jerusalem and they imagined that the kingdom of God was going to show itself then and there.

19:12 Accordingly he said, ‘A man of noble birth went to a distant country to be appointed king and afterwards return[*c].

19:13 He summoned ten of his servants and gave them ten pounds. “Do business with these” he told them “until I get back.”

19:14 But his compatriots detested him and sent a delegation to follow him with this message, “We do not want this man to be our king”.

19:15 Now on his return, having received his appointment as king, he sent for those servants to whom he had given the money, to find out what profit each had made.

19:16 The first came in and said, “Sir, your one pound has brought in ten”.

19:17 “Well done, my good servant!” he replied “Since you have proved yourself faithful in a very small thing, you shall have the government of ten cities.”.

19:18 Then came the second and said, “Sir, your one pound has made five”.

19:19 To this one also he said, “And you shall be in charge of five cities”.

19:20 Next came the other and said, “Sir, here is your pound. I put it away safely in a piece of linen

19:21 because I was afraid of you; for you are an exacting man: you pick up what you have not put down and reap what you have not sown.”

19:22 “You wicked servant!” he said “Out of your own mouth I condemn you. So you knew I was an exacting man, picking up what I have not put down and reaping what I have not sown?

19:23 Then why did you not put my money in the bank? On my return I could have drawn it out with interest.”

19:24 And he said to those standing by, “Take the pound from him and give it to the man who has ten pounds”.

19:25 And they said to him, “But, sir, he has ten pounds . . .”

19:26 “I tell you, to everyone who has will be given more; but from the man who has not, even what he has will be taken away.

19:27 “But as for my enemies who did not want me for their king, bring them here and execute them in my presence.”‘

 

1. THE JERUSALEM MINISTRY

 

The Messiah enters Jerusalem

19:28 When he had said this he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.

19:29 Now when he was near Bethphage and Bethany, close by the Mount of Olives as it is called, he sent two of the disciples, telling them,

19:30 ‘Go off to the village opposite, and as you enter it you will find a tethered colt that no one has yet ridden. Untie it and bring it here.

19:31 If anyone asks you, “Why are you untying it?” you are to say this, “The Master needs it”.’

19:32 The messengers went off and found everything just as he had told them.

19:33 As they were untying the colt, its owner said, ‘Why are you untying that colt?’

19:34 and they answered, ‘The Master needs it’.

19:35 So they took the colt to Jesus, and throwing their garments over its back they helped Jesus on to it.

19:36 As he moved off, people spread their cloaks in the road,

19:37 and now, as he was approaching the downward slope of the Mount of Olives, the whole group of disciples joyfully began to praise God at the top of their voices for all the miracles they had seen.

19:38 They cried out: ‘Blessings on the King who comes, in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest heavens!’

 

Jesus defends his disciples for acclaiming him

19:39 Some Pharisees in the crowd said to him, ‘Master, check your disciples’,

19:40 but he answered, ‘I tell you, if these keep silence the stones will cry out’.

 

Lament for Jerusalem

19:41 As he drew near and came in sight of the city he shed tears over it

19:42 and said, ‘If you in your turn had only understood on this day the message of peace! But, alas, it is hidden from your eyes!

19:43 Yes, a time is coming when your enemies will raise fortifications all round you, when they will. encircle you and hem you in on every side;

19:44 they will dash you and the children inside your walls to the ground; they will leave not one stone standing on another within you-and all because you did not recognise your opportunity when God offered it!’

 

The expulsion of the dealers from the Temple

19:45 Then he went into the Temple and began driving out those who were selling.

19:46 ‘According to scripture,’ he said ‘my house will be a house of prayer.[*d] But you have turned it into a robbers’ den'[*e].

 

Jesus teaches in the Temple

19:47 He taught in the Temple every day. The chief priests and the scribes, with the support of the leading citizens, tried to do away with him,

19:48 but they did not see how they could carry this out because the people as a whole hung on his words.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 20

 

The Jews question the authority of Jesus

20:1 Now one day while he was teaching the people in the Temple and proclaiming the Good News, the chief priests and the scribes came up, together with the elders,

20:2 and spoke to him. ‘Tell us’ they said ‘what authority have you for acting like this? Or who is it that gave you this authority?’

20:3 ‘And I’ replied Jesus ‘will ask you a question. Tell me:

20:4 John’s baptism: did it come from heaven, or from man?’

20:5 And they argued it out this way among themselves,  ‘If we say from heaven, he will say, “Why did you refuse to believe him?”;

20:6 and if we say from man, the people will all stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet’.

20:7 So their reply was that they did not know where it came from.

20:8 And Jesus said to then, ‘Nor will I tell you my authority for acting like this’.

 

Parable of the wicked husbandmen

20:9 And he went on to tell the people this parable: ‘A man planted a vineyard and leased it to tenants, and went abroad for a long while.

20:10 When the time came, he sent a servant to the tenants to get his share of the produce of the vineyard from them. But the tenants thrashed him, and sent him away empty-handed.

20:11 But he persevered and sent a second servant; they thrashed him too and treated him shamefully and sent him away empty-handed.

20:12 He still persevered and sent a third; they wounded this one also, and threw him out.

20:13 Then the owner of the vineyard said, “What am I to do? I will send them my dear son. Perhaps they will respect him.”

20:14 But when the tenants saw him they put their heads together. “This is the heir,” they said “let us kill him so that the inheritance will be ours.”

20:15 So they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Now what will the owner of the vineyard do to them?

20:16 He will come and make an end of these tenants and give the vineyard to others.’ Hearing this they said, ‘God forbid!’

20:17 But he looked hard at them and said, ‘Then what does this text in the scriptures mean: It was the stone rejected by the builders that became the keystone?[*a]

20:18 Anyone who falls on that stone will be dashed to pieces; anyone it falls on will be crushed.’

20:19 But for their fear of the people, the scribes and the chief priests would have liked to lay hands on him that very moment, because they realised that this parable was aimed at them.

 

On tribute to Caesar

20:20 So they waited their opportunity and sent agents to pose as men devoted to the Law, and to fasten on something he might say and so enable them to hand him over to the jurisdiction and authority of the governor.

20:21 They put to him this question, ‘Master, we know that you say and teach what is right; you favour no one, but teach the way of God in all honesty.

20:22 Is it permissible for us to pay taxes to Caesar or not?’

20:23 But he was aware of their cunning and said,

20:24 ‘Show me a denarius. Whose head and name are on it?’ ‘Caesar’s’ they said.

20:25 ‘Well then,’ he said to them ‘give back to Caesar what belongs to Caesar-and to God what belongs to God.’

20:26 As a result, they were unable to find fault with anything he had to say in public; his answer took them by surprise and they were silenced.

 

The resurrection of the dead

20:27 Some Sadducees-those who say that there is no resurrection-approached him and they put this question to him,

20:28 ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, that if a man’s married brother dies childless, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother.

20:29 Well then, there were seven brothers. The first, having married a wife, died childless.

20:30 The second

20:31 and then the third married the widow. And the same with all seven, they died leaving no children.

20:32 Finally the woman herself died

20:33 Now, at the resurrection, to which of them will she be wife since she had been married to all seven?’

20:34 Jesus replied, ‘The children of this world take wives and husbands,

20:35 but those who are judged worthy of a place in the other world and if’ the resurrection from the dead do not marry

20:36 because they can no longer die, for they are the same as the angels, and being children of the resurrection they are sons of God.

20:37 And Moses himself implies that the dead rise again, in the passage about the bush where he calls the Lord the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob[*b].

20:38 Now he is God, not of the dead, but of the living; for to him all men are in fact alive.’

20:39 Some scribes[*c] then spoke up. ‘Well put, Master’ they said

20:40 – because they  would not dare to ask him any more questions.

 

Christ, not only son but also Lord of David

20:41 He then said to them, ‘How can people maintain that the Christ is son of David?

20:42 Why, David himself says in the Book of Psalms: The Lord said to my Lord: Sit at my right hand

20:43 and I will make your enemies a footstool for you[*d].

20:44 David here calls him Lord; how then can he be his son?’

 

The scribes condemned by Jesus

20:45 While all the people were listening he said to the disciples,

20:46 ‘Beware of the scribes who like to walk about in long robes and love to be greeted obsequiously in the market squares, to take the front seats in the synagogues and the places of honour at banquets,

20:47 who swallow the property of widows, while making a show of lengthy prayers. The more severe will be the sentence they receive.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 21

 

The widow’s mite

21:1 As he looked up he saw rich people putting their, offerings into the treasury;

21:2 then he happened to notice a poverty-stricken widow putting in two small coins,

21:3 and he said, ‘I tell you truly, this poor widow has put in more than any of them;

21:4 for these have all contributed money they had over, but she from the little she had has put in all she had to live on.

 

Discourse on the destruction of Jerusalem[*a]: Introduction

21:5 When some were talking about the Temple, remarking how it was adorned with fine stonework and votive offerings, he said,

21:6 ‘All these things you are staring at now-the time will come when not a single stone will be left on another: everything will be destroyed’.

21:7 And they put to him this question: ‘Master,’ they said ‘when will this happen, then, and what sign will there be that this is about to take place?’

 

The warning signs

21:8 ‘Take care not to be deceived,’ he said ‘because many will come using my name and saying, “I am he” and, “The time is near at hand”. Refuse to join them.

21:9 And when you hear of wars and revolutions, do not be frightened, for this is something that must happen but the end is not so soon.’

21:10 Then he said to them, ‘Nation will fight against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

21:11 There will be great earthquakes and plagues and famines here and there; there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven.

21:12 ‘But before all this happens, men will seize you and persecute you; they will hand you over to the synagogues and to imprisonment, and bring you before kings and governors because of my name

21:13 – and that will be your opportunity to bear witness.

21:14 Keep this carefully in mind: you are not to prepare your defence,

21:15 because I myself shall give you an eloquence and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to resist or contradict.

21:16 You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relations and friends; and some of you will be put to death.

21:17 You will be hated by all men on account of my name,

21:18 but not a hair of your head will be lost.

21:19 Your endurance will win you your lives.

 

The siege

21:20 ‘When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, you must realise that she will soon be laid desolate.

21:21 Then those in Judaea must escape to the mountains, those inside the city must leave it, and those in country districts must not take refuge in it.

21:22 For this is the time of vengeance when all that scripture says[*b] must be fulfilled.

21:23 Alas for those with child, or with babies at the breast, when those days come!

 

The disaster and the age of the pagans

‘For great misery will descend on the land and wrath on this people.

21:24 They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive to every pagan country; and Jerusalem will be trampled down by the pagans until the age of the pagans is completely over.

 

Cosmic disasters and the coming of the Son of Man

21:25 ‘There will be signs in the sun and moon and stars; on earth nations in agony, bewildered by the clamour of the ocean and its waves;

21:26 men dying of fear as they await what menaces the world, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

21:27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.

21:28 When these things begin to take place, stand erect, hold your heads high, because your liberation[*c] is near at hand.’

 

The time of this coming

21:29 And he told them a parable, ‘Think of the fig tree and indeed every tree.

21:30 As soon as you see them bud, you know that summer is now near.

21:31 So with you when you see these things happening: know that the kingdom of God is near.

21:32 I tell you solemnly, before this generation has passed away all will have taken place.

21:33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

 

Be on the alert

21:34 ‘Watch yourselves, or your hearts will be coarsened with debauchery and drunkenness and the cares of life, and that day will be sprung on you suddenly,

21:35 like a trap. For it will come down on every living man on the face of the earth.

21:36 Stay awake, praying at all times for the strength to survive all that is going to happen, and to stand with confidence before the Son of Man.’

 

The last days of Jesus

21:37 In the daytime he would be in the Temple teaching, but would spend the night on the hill called the Mount of Olives.

21:38 And from early morning the people would gather round him in the Temple to listen to him.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 22

 

1. THE PASSION

 

The conspiracy against Jesus: Judas betrays him

22:1 The feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was now drawing near,

22:2 and the chief priests and the scribes were looking for some way of doing away with him, because they mistrusted the people.

22:3 Then Satan entered into Judas, surnamed Iscariot, who was numbered among the Twelve.

22:4 He went to the chief priests and the officers of the guard[*a] to discuss a scheme for handing Jesus over to them.

22:5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money.

22:6 He accepted, and looked for an opportunity to betray him to them without the people knowing.

 

Preparation for the Passover supper

22:7 The day of Unleavened Bread came round, the day on which the passover had to be sacrificed,

22:8 and he sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make the preparations for us to eat the passover’.

22:9 ‘Where do you want us to prepare it?’ they asked.

22:10 ‘Listen,’ he said ‘as you go into the city you will meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. Follow him into the house he enters

22:11 and tell the owner of the house, “The Master has this to say to you: Where is the dining room in which I can eat the passover with my disciples?”

22:12 The man will show you a large upper room furnished with couches. Make the preparations there.’

22:13 They set off and found everything as he had told them, and prepared the Passover.

 

The supper

22:14 When the hour came he took his place at table, and the apostles with him.

22:15 And he said to them, ‘I have longed to eat this passover with you before I suffer;

22:16 because, I tell you, I shall not eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God’.

22:17 Then, taking a cup[*b], he gave thanks and said, ‘Take this and share it among you,

22:18 because from now on, I tell you, I shall not drink wine until the kingdom of God comes’.

 

The institution of the Eucharist

22:19 Then he took some bread, and when he had given thanks, broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body which will be given for you; do this as a memorial of me’.

22:20 He did the same with the cup after supper, and said, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood which will be poured out for you.

 

The treachery of Judas foretold

22:21 ‘And yet, here with me on the table is the hand of the man who betrays me.

22:22 The Son of Man does indeed go to his fate even as it has been decreed, but alas for that man by whom he is betrayed!’

22:23 And they began to ask one another which of them it could be who was to do this thing.

 

Who is the greatest?

22:24 A dispute arose also between them about which should be reckoned the greatest,

22:25 but he said to them, ‘Among pagans it is the kings who lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are given the title Benefactor.

22:26 This must not happen with you. No; the greatest among you must behave as if he were the youngest, the leader as if he were the one who serves.

22:27 For who is the greater: the one at table or the one who serves? The one at table, surely? Yet here am I among you as one who serves!

 

The reward promised to the apostles

22:28 ‘You are the men who have stood by me faithfully in my trials;

22:29 and now I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father conferred one on me:

22:30 you will eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones to judge the twelve tribes of Israel.

 

Peter’s denial and repentance foretold

22:31 ‘Simon, Simon! Satan, you must know, has got his wish to sift you all like wheat;

22:32 but I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail, and once you have recovered, you in your turn must strengthen your brothers.’

22:33 ‘Lord,’ he answered ‘I would be ready to go to prison with you, and to death.’

22:34 Jesus replied, ‘I tell you, Peter, by the time the cock crows today you will have denied three times that you know me

 

A time of crisis

22:35 He said to them, ‘When I sent you out without purse or haversack or sandals, were you short of anything?’

22:36 ‘No’ they said. He said to them, ‘But now if you have a purse, take it; if you have a haversack, do the same; if you have no sword, sell your cloak and buy one,

22:37 because I tell you these words of scripture have to be fulfilled in me: He let himself be taken for a criminal[*c] Yes, what scripture says about me is even now reaching its fulfilment.’

22:38 ‘Lord,’ they said ‘there are two swords here now.’ He said to them, ‘That is enough!’

 

The Mount of Olives

22:39 He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following.

22:40 When they reached the place he said to them, ‘Pray not to be put to the test’.

22:41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone’s throw away, and knelt down and prayed.

22:42 ‘Father,’ he said ‘if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.’

22:43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength.

22:44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

22:45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief.

22:46 ‘Why are you asleep?’ he said to them. ‘Get up and pray not to be put to the test.’

 

The arrest

22:47 He was still speaking when a number of men appeared, and at the head of them the man called Judas, one of the Twelve, who went up to Jesus to kiss him.

22:48 Jesus said, ‘Judas, are you betraying the son of Man with a kiss?’

22:49 His followers, seeing what was happening, said, ‘Lord, shall we use our swords?’

22:50 And one of them struck out at the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear.

22:51 But at this Jesus spoke. ‘Leave off!’ he said ‘That will do!’ And touching the man’s ear he healed him.

22:52 Then Jesus spoke to the chief priests and captains of the Temple guard and elders who had come for him. ‘Am I a brigand’ he said ‘that you had to set out with swords and clubs?

22:53 When I was among you in the Temple day after day you never moved to lay hands on me. But this is your hour; this is the reign of darkness.’

 

Peter’s denials

22:54 They seized him then and led him away, and they took him to the high priest’s house. Peter followed at a distance.

22:55 They had lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and Peter sat down among them,

22:56 and as he was sitting there by the blaze a servant-girl saw him, peered at him, and said, ‘This person was with him too’.

22:57 But he denied it. ‘Woman,’ he said ‘I do not know him.’

22:58 ‘Shortly afterwards someone else saw him and said, ‘You are another of them’. But Peter replied, ‘I am not, my friend’.

22:59 About an hour later another man insisted, saying, ‘This fellow was certainly with him. Why, he is a Galilean.’

22:60 ‘My friend,’ said Peter ‘I do not know what you are talking about.’ At that instant, while he was still speaking, the cock crew,

22:61 and the Lord turned and looked straight at Peter, and Peter remembered what the Lord had said to him, ‘Before the cock crows today, you will have disowned me three times’.

22:62 And he went outside and wept bitterly.

 

Jesus mocked by the guards

22:63 Meanwhile the men who guarded Jesus were mocking and beating him.

22:64 They blindfolded him and questioned him. ‘Play the prophet’ they said. ‘Who hit you then?’

22:65 And they continued heaping insults on him.

 

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

22:66 When day broke there was a meeting of the elders of the people, attended by the chief priests and scribes. He was brought before their council,

22:67 and they said to him, ‘If you are the Christ, tell us’. ‘If I tell you,’ he replied ‘you will not believe me,

22:68 and if I question you, you will not answer.

22:69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the Power of God[*d].

22:70 Then they all said, ‘So you are the Son of God then?’ He answered, ‘It is you who say I am’.

22:71 ‘What need of witnesses have we now?’ they said. ‘We have heard it for ourselves from his own lips.’

 

JB LUKE Chapter 23

 

23:1 The whole assembly then rose, and they brought him before Pilate.

 

Jesus before Pilate

23:2 They began their accusation by saying, ‘We found this man inciting our people to revolt, opposing payment of the tribute to Caesar, and claiming to be Christ, a king’.

23:3 Pilate put to him this question, ‘Are you the king of the Jews?’ ‘It is you who say it’ he replied.

23:4 Pilate then said to the chief priests and the crowd, ‘I find no case against this man’.

23:5 But they persisted, ‘He is inflaming the people with his teaching all over Judaea; it has come all the way from Galilee, where he started, down to here’.

23:6 When Pilate heard this, he asked if the man were a Galilean;

23:7 and finding that he came under Herod’s jurisdiction he passed him over to Herod who was also in Jerusalem at that time.

 

Jesus before Herod

23:8 Herod was delighted to see Jesus; he had heard about him and had been wanting for a long time to set eyes on him; moreover, he was hoping to see some miracle worked by him.

23:9 So he questioned him at some length; but without getting any reply.

23:10 Meanwhile the chief priests and the scribes were there, violently pressing their accusations.

23:11 Then Herod, together with his guards, treated him with contempt and made fun of him; he put a rich cloak[*a] on him and sent him back to Pilate.

23:12 And though Herod and Pilate had been enemies before, they were reconciled that same day.

 

Jesus before Pilate again

23:13 Pilate then summoned the chief priests and the leading men and the people.

23:14 ‘You brought this man before me’ he said ‘as a political agitator. Now I have gone into the matter myself in your presence and found no case against the man in respect of all the charges you bring against him.

23:15 Nor has Herod either, since is he has sent him back to us. As you can see, the man has done nothing that deserves death,

23:16 So I shall have him flogged and then let him go.’

23:18 But as one man they howled, ‘Away with him! Give us Barabbas!’

23:19 (This man had been thrown into prison for causing a riot in the city and for murder.)

23:20 Pilate was anxious to set Jesus free and addressed them again,

23:21 but they shouted back, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’

23:22 And for the third time he spoke to them, ‘Why? What harm has this man done? I have found no case against him that deserves death, so I shall have him punished and then let him go’

23:23 But they kept on shouting at the top of their voices, demanding that he should be crucified. And their shouts were growing louder.

23:24 Pilate then gave his verdict: their demand was to be granted.

23:25 He released the man they asked for, who had been imprisoned for rioting and murder, and handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they pleased.

 

The way to Calvary

23:26 As they were leading him away they seized on a man, Simon from Cyrene, who was coming in from the country, and made him shoulder the cross and carry it behind Jesus.

23:27 Large numbers of people followed him, and of women too[*b], who mourned and lamented for him.

23:28 But Jesus turned to them and said, ‘Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep rather for yourselves and for your children.

23:29 For the days will surely come when people will say, “Happy are those who are barren, the wombs that have never borne, the breasts that have never suckled!”

23:30 Then they will begin to say to the mountains, “Fall on us!”; to the hills, “Cover us”[*c].

23:31 For if men use the green wood like this, what will happen when it is dry?’

23:32 Now with him they were also leading out two other criminals to be executed.

 

The crucifixion

23:33 When they reached the place called The Skull, they crucified him there and the two criminals also, one on the right, the other on the left.

23:34 Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them; they do not know what they are doing’. Then they cast lots to share out his clothing.

 

The crucified Christ is mocked

23:35 The people stayed there watching him. As for the leaders, they jeered at him. ‘He saved others,’ they said ‘let him save himself if he is the Christ of God, the Chosen One.’

23:36 The soldiers mocked him too, and when they approached to offer vinegar

23:37 they said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself’.

23:38 Above him there was an inscription: ‘This is the King of the Jews’.

 

The good thief

23:39 One of the criminals hanging there abused him. ‘Are you not the Christ?’ he said. ‘Save yourself and us as well.’

23:40 But the other spoke up and rebuked him. ‘Have you no fear of God at all?’ he said. ‘You got the same sentence as he did,

23:41 but in our case we deserved it: we are paying for what we did. But this man has done nothing wrong.

23:42 Jesus,’ he said ‘remember me when you come into your kingdom.’

23:43 ‘Indeed, I promise you,’ he replied ‘today you will be with me in paradise.’

 

The death of Jesus

23:44 It was now about the sixth hour and, with the sun eclipsed, a darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour.

23:45 The veil of the Temple was torn right down the middle;

23:46 and when Jesus had cried out in a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into your hands I commit my spirit'[*d] With these words he breathed his last.

 

After the death

23:47 When the centurion saw what had taken place, he gave praise to God and said, ‘This was a great and good man’.

23:48 And when all the people who had gathered for the spectacle saw what had happened, they went home beating their breasts.

23:49 All his friends stood at a distance; so also did the women who had accompanied him from Galilee, and they saw all this happen.

 

The burial

23:50 Then a member of the council arrived, an upright and virtuous man named Joseph.

23:51 He had not consented to what the others had planned and carried out. He came from Arimathaea, a Jewish town, and he lived in the hope of seeing the kingdom of God.

23:52 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

23:53 He then took it down, wrapped it in a shroud and put him in a tomb which was hewn in stone in which no one had yet been laid.

23:54 It was Preparation Day and the sabbath was imminent.

23:55 Meanwhile the women who had come from Galilee with Jesus were following behind. They took note of the tomb and of the position of the body.

23:56 Then they returned and prepared spices and ointments. And on the sabbath day they rested, as the Law required.

 

JB LUKE Chapter 24

 

VII. AFTER THE RESURRECTION

 

The empty tomb. The angel’s message

24:1 On the first day of the week, at the first sign of dawn, they went to the tomb with the spices they had prepared.

24:2 They found that the stone had been rolled away from the tomb,

24:3 but on entering discovered that the body of the Lord Jesus was not there.

24:4 As they stood there not knowing what to think, two men in brilliant clothes suddenly appeared at their side.

24:5 Terrified, the women lowered their eyes. But the two men said to them, ‘Why look among the dead for someone who is alive?

24:6 He is not here; he has risen. Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee:

24:7 that the Son of Man had to be handed over into the power of sinful men and be crucified, and rise again on the third day?’

24:8 And they remembered his words.

 

The apostles refuse to believe the women

24:9 When the women returned from the tomb they told all this to the Eleven and to all the others.

24:10 The women were Mary of Magdala, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James. The other women with them also told the apostles,

24:11 but this story of theirs seemed pure nonsense, and they did not believe them.

 

Peter at the tomb

24:12 Peter, however, went running to the tomb. He bent down and saw the binding cloths but nothing else; he then went back home, amazed at what had happened.

 

The road to Emmaus

24:13 That very same day, two of them were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles[*a] from Jerusalem,

24:14 and they were talking together about all that had happened.

24:15 Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side;

24:16 but something prevented them from recognising him.

24:17 He said to them, ‘What matters are you discussing as you walk along?’ They stopped short, their faces downcast.

24:18 Then one of them, called Cleopas, answered him, ‘You must be the only is person staying in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have been happening there these last few days’.

24:19 ‘What things?’ he asked. ‘All about Jesus of Nazareth’ they answered ‘who proved he was a great prophet by the things he said and did in the sight of God and of the whole people;

24:20 and how our chief priests and our leaders handed him over to be sentenced to death, and had him crucified.

24:21 Our own hope had been that he would be the one to set Israel free. And this is not all: two whole days have gone by since it all happened;

24:22 and some women from our group have astounded us: they went to the tomb in the early morning,

24:23 and when they did not find the body, they came back to tell us they had seen a vision of angels who declared he was alive.

24:24 Some of our friends went to the tomb and found everything exactly as the women had reported, but of him they saw nothing.’

24:25 Then he said to them, ‘You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets!

24:26 Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter  into his glory?’

24:27 Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself.

24:28 When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on;

24:29 but they pressed him to stay with them. ‘It is nearly evening’ they said ‘and the day is almost over.’ So he went in to stay with them.

24:30 Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them.

24:31 And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight.

24:32 Then they said to each other, ‘Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?’

24:33 They set out that instant and returned to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven assembled together with their companions,

24:34 who said to them, ‘Yes, it is true. The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.’

24:35 Then they told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised him at the breaking of bread.

 

Jesus appears to the apostles

24:36 They were still talking about all this when he himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’

24:37 In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost.

24:38 But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts?

24:39 Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed. Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’

24:40 And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet.

24:41 Their joy was so great that they still could not believe it, and they stood there dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’

24:42 And they offered him a piece of grilled fish,

24:43 which he took and ate before their eyes.

 

Last instructions to the apostles

24:44 Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms has to be fulfilled’.

24:45 He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures,

24:46 and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead,

24:47 and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

24:48 You are witnesses to this.

24:49 ‘And now I am sending down to you what the Father has promised. Stay in the city then, until you are clothed with the power from on high.’

 

The ascension

24:50 Then he took them out as far as the outskirts of Bethany, and lifting up his hands he blessed them.

24:51 Now as he blessed them, he withdrew from them and was carried up to heaven.

24:52 They worshipped him and then went back to  Jerusalem full of joy;

24:53 and they were continually in the Temple praising God.

 

END OF JB LUKE [24 Chapters].