Luke 9

The AIT Bible

The Mission of the Twelve

1He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all the demons and to heal diseases.

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

3And he said to them, “Take nothing for the journey—neither a staff, nor a bag, nor bread, nor money, nor have two tunics each.”

4And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart.

5And whoever does not receive you, when you leave that town, shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.

6So they went out and were going through the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing everywhere.

Herod's Perplexity About Jesus

7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was happening, and he was perplexed, because it was being said by some that John had been raised from the dead,

8by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had risen.

9But Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he was seeking to see him.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

10When the apostles returned, they reported to him all that they had done. And taking them with him, he withdrew privately to a town called Bethsaida.

11But the crowds, finding out, followed him. And welcoming them, he was speaking to them about the kingdom of God and was healing those who had need of healing.

12Now the day began to draw to a close, so the twelve came to him and said, “Dismiss the crowd, so that they may go into the surrounding villages and countryside to find lodging and get provisions, because we are here in a desolate place.”

13But he said to them, “You give them something to eat.” But they said, “We have no more than five loaves and two fish—unless we are to go and buy food for all this people.”

14For there were about five thousand men. And he said to his disciples, “Have them recline in groups of about fifty each.”

15And they did so, and had them all recline.

16Then he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them and broke them, and was giving them to the disciples to set before the crowd.

17And they all ate and were satisfied. And what they had left over of the broken pieces was picked up—twelve baskets.

Peter's Confession of the Christ

18And it happened that while he was praying alone, the disciples were with him, and he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

19They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and others, that one of the ancient prophets has risen.”

20He said to them, “But you, who do you say that I am?” And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

21But he sternly warned them and commanded them to tell this to no one,

22saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

The Cost of Following Jesus

23And he was saying to all, “If anyone wishes to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

24For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake, this one will save it.

25For what is a person profited if he gains the whole world, but loses or forfeits himself?

26For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of this one the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

27But I tell you truly, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

The Transfiguration

28Now about eight days after these words, he took Peter and John and James with him and went up on the mountain to pray.

29And as he was praying, the appearance of his face became different, and his clothing became white and dazzling.

30And behold, two men were talking with him, who were Moses and Elijah,

31who appeared in glory and were speaking of his exodus, which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem.

32Now Peter and those with him were weighed down with sleep, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.

33And as they were departing from him, Peter said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tents: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—not knowing what he was saying.

34While he was saying these things, a cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.

35And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, the Chosen One; listen to him.”

36And when the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and told no one in those days anything of what they had seen.

A Boy with a Demon Healed

37On the next day, when they came down from the mountain, a large crowd met him.

38And behold, a man from the crowd cried out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look upon my son, for he is my one and only son.

39And behold, a spirit seizes him, and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him with foaming at the mouth, and it departs from him with difficulty, mauling him.

40I begged your disciples to cast it out, but they could not.”

41Jesus answered, “O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the child, and gave him back to his father.

Jesus Again Foretells His Death

43And they were all astonished at the majesty of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, he said to his disciples,

44“Let these words sink into your ears: the Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

45But they did not understand this saying, and it was concealed from them so that they would not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.

Who Is the Greatest?

46Then an argument arose among them as to which of them would be the greatest.

47But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a little child and stood him by his side.

48And he said to them, “Whoever receives this little child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. For the one who is least among all of you—this one is great.”

An Exorcist Not Following Them

49John answered, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not follow with us.”

50But Jesus said to him, “Do not stop him, for whoever is not against you is for you.”

The Village That Refused Him

51Now as the days for his ascension were drawing to a close, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

52And he sent messengers ahead of him. They went and entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for him.

53But they did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

54When the disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

55But he turned and rebuked them.

56And they went on to another village.

Three Would-Be Followers

57As they were going along the road, someone said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

58And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”

59And he said to another, “Follow me.” But he said, “Permit me first to go and bury my father.”

60But he said to him, “Leave the dead to bury their own dead. But as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61And another also said, “I will follow you, Lord, but first permit me to say farewell to those at my home.”

62But Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”

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