The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee

MARK

THE BEGINNING OF THE GOSPEL OF JESUS,
THE MESSIAH

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet; “Behold, I send my messenger ahead of you, who shall prepare the way before you. The voice of one crying in the desert, ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”

John baptized in the desert and preached the baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. All from the land of Judea went out to him, and those of Jerusalem. All were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. John was clothed with camel’s hair and with a leather belt about his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “There comes one mightier than I after me, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen. I have baptized you with water, but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. Immediately coming up out of the water he saw the heavens opened and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him. And there came a voice from heaven saying, “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

Immediately the Spirit drove him into the desert. He was there in the desert forty days, tempted by Satan. He was with wild beasts, and the angels ministered to him.

After John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, “The time is fulfilled and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.”

As he walked by the Sea of Galilee he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea, for they were

fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Come after me and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little further he saw James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, who were in a ship mending their nets. Immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the ship with the hired hands and went after him.

They went into Capernaum and right away on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. They were astonished at his doctrine, for he taught them as one that had authority and not as the scribes. There was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out saying, “Let us alone. What have we to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked him saying, “Hold your peace and come out of him.” When the unclean spirit had torn him and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. They were all amazed and they questioned among themselves saying, “What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority does he command even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Immediately his fame spread everywhere throughout the region of Galilee.

When they went out of the synagogue they entered into the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John. But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever and immediately they told him of her. He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Immediately the fever left her and she ministered to them.

At evening when the sun set they brought to him all that were diseased and those that were possessed with devils. All the city was gathered together at the door. He healed many that were sick of diverse diseases and cast out many devils, and did not allow the devils to speak because they knew him.

In the morning rising up a great while before day he went out and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. Simon and those that were with him followed after him. When

they had found him they said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” He said to them, “Let us go into the next towns so I may preach there also. For this I came.” He preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils.

There came a leper to him, begging him and kneeling down to him saying, “If you will, you can make me clean.” Jesus, moved with compassion, put forth his hand and touched him and said, “I will. Be clean.” As soon as he had spoken the leprosy departed from him and he was cleansed. Then he sternly warned him and sent him away, saying to him, “See you say nothing to any man, but go your way. Show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.” But he went out and began to publicize it much and spread everywhere the whole matter, so much that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city but was out in desert places. And they came to him from every quarter.

Again he entered into Capernaum after some days and it was heard that he was at home. Immediately many were gathered together such that there was no room to receive them, not even by the door. And he preached the word to them.

They came to him bringing one sick of the palsy carried by four men. When they could not come near him due to the crowd they uncovered the roof where he was, and when they had broken it up they let down the bed in which the one sick of the palsy lay. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the one sick of the palsy, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” But there were certain of the scribes sitting there reasoning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only?” Immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said to them, “Why reason these things in your hearts? Which is easier to say to the sick of the palsy, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or

to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins;” he said to the sick of the palsy, “I say to you arise, take up your bed and go your way to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed and went forth before them all. They were all amazed and glorified God saying, “We have never seen it in this fashion.”

He went forth again by the sea and all the multitude came to him and he taught them. As he passed by he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of customs and said to him, “Follow me.” And he arose and followed him.

It came to pass that as Jesus sat at table in his house many tax collectors and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many and they followed him. When the scribes and Pharisees saw him eat with tax collectors and sinners they said to his disciples, “How is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” When Jesus heard this he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of the physician, but those who are sick do. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

The disciples of John and of the Pharisees used to fast, and they came and said to him, “Why do the disciples of John and of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast? Jesus said to them, “Can the children of the bride chamber fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they cannot fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then they shall fast in those days. No man sews a patch of new, unshrunken cloth on an old garment. If so the new cloth will pull and tear away from the old and therefore the garment will be made worse. And no man puts new wine into old wineskins. If so the new wine will burst the skins, spilling the wine and marring the skins. New wine must be put into new skins.”

It came to pass that he went through the corn fields on the Sabbath day and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck

the ears of corn. The Pharisees said to him, “Look, why do they on the Sabbath day do what is not lawful?” He said to them, “Have you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry, he and those that were with him? How he went into the house of God in the days of Abiathar the high priest and ate the offering bread, which is not lawful to eat but for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?” And he said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is lord also of the Sabbath.”

He entered again into the synagogue and there was a man there with a withered hand. They watched him, whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, so that they might accuse him. He said to the man with the withered hand, “Stand before us.” And he said to them, “Is it lawful to do good on the Sabbath days or to do evil? To save life or to kill?” But they held their peace. When he had looked around at them with anger, grieving the hardness of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch forth your hand.” He stretched it out and his hand was restored as whole as the other. The Pharisees went out and immediately took counsel with the Herodians against him about how they might destroy him.

Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea and a great multitude from Galilee followed him. And from Judea and Jerusalem. And from Idumaea and beyond Jordan. And those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude. When they heard what great things he did, they came to him.

He spoke to his disciples and asked that a small ship should wait for him because of the multitude, in case they should rush upon him. For he had healed many, so many that they pressed upon him to touch him. As many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him fell down before him

and cried, saying, “You are the Son of God.” So he sternly warned them that they should not make him known.

He went up onto a mountain and called to who he wanted, and they came to him. He ordained twelve; that they should be with him and that he might send them out to preach, to have power to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils: Simon he named Peter; James the son of Zebedee and John the brother of James he named Boanerges, which is, the sons of thunder; Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot (who also betrayed him).

They went into a house and the multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread.

When his friends and family heard of this they went out to seize hold of him, for they said, “He is beside himself.” And the scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He is possessed by Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils he casts out devils.” He called them to him and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rises up against himself and is divided, he cannot stand but has to end. No man can enter into a strong man's house and spoil his goods, except if he first binds the strong man; then he will spoil his house. Amen I say to you: All sins shall be forgiven the sons of men, and blasphemies from those that blaspheme. But he that blasphemes against the Holy Spirit has no forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation; because they said, ‘He has an unclean spirit.’”

There came then his brothers and his mother; and standing outside they sent for him, calling him. The multitude sat around him and they said to him, “Look, your mother and your brothers outside seek you.” He answered them, saying, “Who is my mother or my brothers?” And he looked around at those seated about him and said, “Behold my mother and my

brothers. For whoever does the will of God is my brother and my sister and my mother.”

He began again to teach by the seaside and there was gathered to him a great multitude, so he entered into a ship and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land. He taught them many things by parables and said to them in his doctrine, “Listen. Look, there went out a sower to sow. And it came to pass as he sowed that some fell by the wayside, and the fowls of the air came and devoured it up. And some fell on stony ground, where it had not much earth, and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away. And some fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked it and it yielded no fruit. And other fell on good ground, and did yield fruit that sprang up and increased and brought forth some thirty and some sixty and some a hundred.” And he said to them, “He that has ears to hear, let him hear.”

When he was alone, those that were around him with the twelve asked him about the parable. He said to them, “To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but to those that are outside all these things are done in parables. That seeing they may see and not perceive, and hearing they may hear and not understand. But at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven.” And he said to them, “Know you not this parable? How then will you know all parables? The sower sows the word. Those that are by the wayside where the word is sown; when they have heard, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. And these are those likewise that are sown on stony ground; who when they have heard the word immediately receive it with gladness, but they have no root in themselves and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when

affliction or persecution arises for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. And these that are sown among thorns; they hear the word, but the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches and the lusts of other things entering in choke the word and it becomes unfruitful. And these are those that are sown on good ground; they hear the word and receive it and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold some sixty and some a hundred.”

And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a bushel or under a bed, and not to be set on a lampstand? For there is nothing hidden that should not be shown. Neither is anything kept secret that should not come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”

He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. And to you that hear, more shall be given. For he that has, to him shall be given. And he that has not, from him shall be taken even what he has.”

And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man cast seed onto the ground and then slept and rose night and day. The seed then springs and grows up, and he knows not how. For the earth brings forth fruit of herself, first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn on the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he puts in the sickle. Because the harvest has come.”

And he said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what shall we compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the ground is smaller than all the seeds on the Earth. But when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all plants and shoots out great branches so that the birds of the air may lodge under its shadow.”

With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to understand. But without a parable he never spoke to them. When they were alone, he explained all things to his disciples.

The same day when the evening came he said to them, “Let us pass over to the other side.” When they had sent away the multitude they took him, just as he was, in the ship. There were also other small ships with him. And there arose a great storm of wind and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. He was in the stern of the ship asleep on a pillow. They awoke him and said to him, “Master, do you not care that we are perishing?” He arose, rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace, be still.” The wind ceased and there was a great calm. He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” They feared exceedingly, and said one to another, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?”

They came over to the other side of the sea into the country of the Gadarenes. When he came out of the ship, immediately out of the tombs he was met by a man with an unclean spirit, who dwelled among the tombs and who no man could bind, not even with chains. Because he had been often bound with shackles and chains, and the chains had been plucked into pieces by him, and the shackles broken into pieces; no one could tame him. Always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs; crying and cutting himself with stones.

When he saw Jesus far off, he ran and worshipped him and cried with a loud voice and said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I appeal to you by God, that you not torment me.” For he had been saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit.” He asked him, “What is your name?” He answered saying, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” He begged him greatly not to send them away out of the country. Now nearby to the mountains a great herd of swine was feeding. All the devils begged him

saying, “Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.”

Without delay Jesus gave them leave and the unclean spirits went out and entered into the swine. The herd then ran violently down a steep area into the sea (there were about two thousand of them) and were choked in the sea.

Those that fed the swine fled and told of it in the city and in the country; and they went out to see what it was that was done. They came to Jesus and saw the man that had been possessed with the devil and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. Those that saw it told of how it happened to he that was possessed with the devil, and also about the swine. And they began to pray to him that he leave their coasts.

When he came into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed to him that he might take him with him. However Jesus allowed him not, but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them about the great things the Lord has done for you and how he had compassion on you.” He departed and began to proclaim in Decapolis about the great things Jesus had done for him, and all did marvel.

When Jesus was passed over again by ship to the other side, many people gathered to him near the sea. And there came one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, and when he saw him he fell at his feet and implored him greatly, saying, “My little daughter lies at the point of death. I pray to you come and lay your hands on her, that she may be healed and she shall live.” Jesus went with him and many people followed him and crowded him.

A woman that had an issue of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was none the better, but rather grew worse; when she heard of Jesus she came in from behind the crowd and touched his garment. For she said, “If I may touch only his clothes, I shall be whole.” Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned around in the crowd,

and said, “Who touched my clothes?” His disciples said to him, “You see the multitude crowding you and say ‘Who touched me?’” He looked around to see her that had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him and told him all the truth. He said to her, “Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace, and be whole of your plague.”

While he was speaking there came from the ruler of the synagogue's house someone that said, “Your daughter is dead. Why would you trouble the Master any further?” As soon as Jesus heard the words spoken he said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Be not afraid. Only believe.” He allowed no man to follow him; except for Peter, James and John the brother of James. He came to the house of the ruler of the synagogue and saw the commotion and those that were weeping and wailing greatly. When he came in he said to them, “Why do you make this commotion and weep? The girl is not dead, but sleeps.” They ridiculed and scorned him. But when he had put them all out, he took the father and the mother of the girl and those that were with him and entered where the girl was lying. He took the girl by the hand, and said to her, “Talitha cumi” which is being interpreted, “Girl, I say to you, arise.” Immediately the girl arose and walked (she was twelve years old). They were astonished and greatly amazed. He strictly instructed them that no man should know about it, and ordered that something should be given to her to eat.

He went out from there and came into his own country, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath day came he began to teach in the synagogue and many hearing him were astonished, saying, “From where has this man these things? What wisdom is this which is given to him that such mighty works are done by his hands? Is this not the carpenter; the son of Mary, the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon?

Are not his sisters here with us?” They were offended by him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor; except for in his own country, and among his own kin and in his own house.” He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands upon a few sick and healed them. He marveled at their unbelief.

He went around about the villages teaching. And he called to him the twelve and began to send them forth two by two and gave them power over unclean spirits. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey; only a staff, no satchel, no bread and no money in their purse. But be shod with sandals and to not put on two coats. He said to them, “In whatever house you enter, stay there until you depart from that place. And whoever shall not receive you nor hear you, when you depart, shake off the dust under your feet for a testimony against them.” They went out and preached that men should repent. They cast out many devils, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them.

King Herod heard of him, for his name was spread abroad, and he said, “John the Baptist has risen from the dead, and therefore mighty works show themselves in him.” Others said, “It is Elijah.” And others said, “It is a prophet or one of the prophets.” But when Herod heard this he said, “It is John, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead.” For Herod had sent for and held John and bound him in prison for his brother Philip’s wife Herodias' sake, because he had married her. John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife.” Therefore Herodias had a quarrel against him and would have killed him; but she could not for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and holy. So he monitored him. And when he heard him he had many different thoughts, but he heard him gladly.

A convenient day came when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his lords, high captains and leaders of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias came in and danced and pleased Herod and those that sat with him, the king said to

the girl, “Ask of me whatever you want and I will give it to you.” And he swore to her, “Whatever you shall ask of me I will give it to you, up to half of my kingdom.” She went forth and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?” She said, “The head of John the Baptist.” She went immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me immediately on a platter the head of John the Baptist.” The king was exceeding upset, yet for his oath's sake and for the sake of those that sat with him he would not reject her. Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head be brought. He went and beheaded him in the prison and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. When his disciples heard, they came and took his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

The apostles gathered themselves together with Jesus and told him everything, both what they had done and what they had taught. And he said to them, “Come away to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many people coming and going and they had no rest and not much to eat. So they departed to a deserted place privately by ship. The people saw them departing, and many knew him, and ran toward him out of all the cities; and they flowed out and came together to him. Jesus, when he came out saw many people, and was moved with compassion toward them; because they were as sheep not having a shepherd. He began to teach them many things.

When the day was almost over his disciples came to him and said, “This is a deserted place and now the time is far passed. Send them away that they may go into the country and into the villages and buy themselves bread, for they have nothing to eat.” He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” They said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” When they knew they said, “Five, and two fishes.” He commanded them to make everyone sit down in groups on the

green grass. They sat down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties. When he had taken the five loaves and the two fishes he looked up to heaven and blessed and broke the loaves, and gave them to his disciples to set before them. The two fishes he divided among them all. They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of the fragments and of the fishes. Those that ate of the loaves were about five thousand men.

Immediately he had his disciples get into the ship and go to the other side before him to Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. When he had sent them away he departed to a mountain to pray. When evening came the ship was in the middle of the sea and he alone on the land. He saw them toiling in rowing, for the wind was against them. About the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed by them; but when they saw him walking on the sea they thought it was a spirit and cried out. For they all saw him and were troubled. Immediately he talked with them and said to them, “Be of good cheer. It is I. Be not afraid.” He went up to them into the ship and the wind ceased. They were upset with themselves beyond measure and wondered; for they had not considered the miracle of the loaves, because their hearts were hardened.

When they had passed over they came into the land of Gennesaret and drew to the shore. When they came out of the ship immediately they knew him and ran throughout that whole region, and began to carry in beds those that were sick to where they heard he was. Wherever he entered into villages or cities or country they laid the sick in the streets and begged him that they might touch just the border of his garment. And as many as touched him were made whole.

Then to him came the Pharisees and some scribes from

Jerusalem. When they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed hands, they found fault.

For the Pharisees and all the Jews, unless they wash their hands often, do not eat, holding the tradition of the elders. And when they come from the market, unless they wash, they do not eat. And many other things there are that they have received to hold; such as the washing of cups, pots, brass vessels and of tables. Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, “Why do your disciples not live according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?” He answered and said to them, “Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. In vain do they worship me, teaching doctrines that are the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men.”

And he said to them, “Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’ and ‘Whoever curses your father or mother, let him die.’ But you say, ‘If a man shall say to his father or mother “It is Corban”’ that is to say, a gift ‘“everything that you might have benefited from me” he shall be free.’ And you allow him to no longer do what he ought to for his father or his mother, making the word of God have no effect through your tradition which you have delivered. Many such things like this you do.”

And when he had called all the people to him, he said to them, “Listen to me every one of you and understand. There is nothing from outside a man that, upon entering him, can defile him. But the things that come out of him, these are what defile the man.”

When he entered into a house from the people, his disciples asked him about the parable. He said to them, “Are you without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever is from the outside and enters into a man it cannot defile him; because it enters not into his heart but into the belly and goes out into the drain, purging all foods?” And he said, “That which comes out of the man is what defiles the man. For from within out of the hearts of men proceed evil thoughts,

adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”

From there he arose and went to the border of Tyre and Sidon and entered a house, wanting no one to know it. But he could not be hid. For a woman whose young daughter had an unclean spirit heard of him and came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation, and she begged him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter. But Jesus said to her, “Let the children first be filled, for it is not meant to take the children's bread and to cast it to the dogs.” She answered and said to him, “Yes, Lord, but the dogs under the table eat of the children's crumbs.” He said to her, “For this saying, go your way. The devil has gone out of your daughter.” And when she came to her house she found that the devil had gone out and her daughter lay upon the bed.

Again departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon he came to the Sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis. They brought to him one that was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged him to put his hand upon him. He took him aside from the multitude and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit and touched his tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” Immediately his ears were opened and the string on his tongue was loosened, and he spoke plainly. He ordered that they should tell no one, but the more he ordered them the more greatly they proclaimed it. They were beyond measure astonished, saying “He has done all things well. He makes both the deaf hear and the dumb speak.”

In those days, the multitude being very great and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to him and said to them, “I have compassion for the multitude, because they

have now been with me three days and have nothing to eat. If I send them away fasting to their own houses they will faint on the way, for many of them have come from afar.” His disciples answered him, “From where can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?” He asked them, “How many loaves have you?” They said, “Seven.” He commanded the people to sit down on the ground. He took the seven loaves, gave thanks, broke them, and gave them to his disciples to set before them. And they did set them before the people. They had a few small fishes and he blessed them and commanded to set them also before them, so they ate and were filled. They took up of the broken pieces which left seven baskets. Those that had eaten were about four thousand. And he sent them away.

Immediately he entered a ship with his disciples and came into the parts of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees came forth and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven and tempting him. He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek for a sign? Amen I say to you: There shall be no sign given to this generation.” He left them and entering the ship again departed to the other side.

Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread. In the ship with them they did not have more than one loaf. He ordered them, saying, “Take heed, beware the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” They argued among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.” Jesus knew and said to them, “Why reason that it is because you have no bread? You perceive not yet, neither understand? Have your hearts hardened? Having eyes, you do not see? And having ears, you do not hear? And you do not remember? When I broke the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?” They said, “Seven.” He said to them, “How is it that you do not understand?”

He came to Bethsaida and they brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the town. When he had spit on his eyes and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw as he ought to. He looked up and said, “I see men as trees, walking.” After that he put his hands again upon his eyes and made him look up. He was restored and saw every man clearly. He sent him away to his house, saying, “Neither go into the town, nor tell it to anyone in the town.”

Jesus went out with his disciples into the towns of Caesarea Philippi, and on the way he asked his disciples “Who do men say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist. But some say Elijah and others one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said to him, “You are the Messiah.” He instructed them that they should tell no one of him. And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and by the chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days, rise again. He spoke these things openly. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But he turned around, looked at his disciples and rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind me, Satan, for you do not value the things that are of God, but the things that are of men.”

When he had called the people to him with his disciples, he said to them, “Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever saves his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? Whoever therefore will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” And he said to them, “Amen I say to you: There are some of those that stand here that shall not taste of death until they have seen the kingdom of God come with power.”

After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John and led them up into a high mountain apart by themselves. And he was transfigured before them. His clothes became shining, exceeding white as snow so as no fuller on Earth can whiten them. There appeared to them Elijah, with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. Peter spoke and said to Jesus, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us make three tabernacles: one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” He did not know what to say, for they were very afraid. There was a cloud that overshadowed them and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son. Hear him.” Suddenly when they looked around they saw no one any more except Jesus only with themselves. As they came down from the mountain he instructed them that they should tell no man what things they had seen until the Son of Man has risen from the dead. They kept it to themselves, questioning one another what “rising from the dead” meant.

They asked him, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” He answered and told them, “Elijah rightly comes first and restores all things. And it is written how the Son of Man must suffer many things and be degraded. But I say to you that Elijah has indeed come and they have done to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

When he came to his disciples he saw a great multitude about them and the scribes questioning with them. Immediately all the people when they saw him were greatly amazed, and running to him gave him salutations. He asked the scribes, “What do you question with them?” One of the crowd answered and said, “Master, I have brought to you my son who has a mute spirit. Wherever he takes him he tears him, and he foams and gnashes with his teeth and wastes away. I asked your disciples if they could cast him out and they could not. He answered him and said, “O faithless generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I allow you? Bring him to me.”

They brought him to him, and when he saw him immediately the spirit tore him and he fell on the ground and wallowed foaming. He asked his father, “How long has it been that this came to him?” He said, “Since he was a child. Often it has cast him into the fire and into the waters to destroy him. If you can do anything have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus said to him, “’If you can?’ All things are possible to he that believes.” Immediately the father of the child cried out and said with tears, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” When Jesus saw that the people were coming running together, he rebuked the foul spirit, saying to him, “Mute and deaf spirit, I order you, come out of him and enter into him no more.” The spirit cried, tore at him and came out of him. He was as if dead and many said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose. When he came into the house his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast him out?” He said to them, “This kind can come forth by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

They departed there and passed through Galilee. And he did not want anyone to know it. He taught his disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man will be delivered into the hands of men and they shall kill him. And after he is killed he shall rise the third day.” But they did not understand what he said and were afraid to ask him.

He came to Capernaum and being in the house he asked them, “What was it that you disputed among yourselves on the way?” But they did not answer, for on the way they had disputed among themselves who should be the greatest. He sat down and called the twelve and said to them, “If any man desires to be first, the same shall be last of all and servant of all.” He took a child and set him in the midst of them. And when he had taken him in his arms he said to them, “Whoever receives one of such children in my name, receives me. And whoever receives me, receives not me but he that sent me.”

John said to him, “Master, we saw one casting out devils in your name and we forbad him, because he does not

follow us.” But Jesus said, “Forbid him not, for there is no man that will do a miracle in my name that can also speak evil of me. For he that is not against us is on our side. For whoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you belong to Christ, amen I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.

“And whoever causes one of these little ones to offend that believes in me, it would be better for him if a millstone was hung about his neck and he was cast into the sea. And if your hand causes you to offend, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than having two hands and go into hell; into the fire that never shall be quenched. And if your foot causes you to offend, cut it off. It is better for you to enter lame into life than having two feet and be cast into hell; into the fire that never shall be quenched. And if your eye causes you to offend, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye than having two eyes and be cast into hell fire ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’

“Everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good. But if salt loses its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace with one another.”

He arose from there and came to the coasts of Judea by the farther side of the Jordan, and the people went to him again. And, as he was accustomed, he taught them again.

The Pharisees came to him and, tempting him, asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” He answered and said to them, “What did Moses command you?” They said, “Moses allowed to write a bill of divorce and to divorce her.” Jesus answered and said to them, “For the hardness of your hearts he wrote you this precept. But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cling to his wife, and

they two shall be one flesh. So then they are no more two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man put apart.”

In the house his disciples asked him again of the same matter. He said to them, “Whoever shall divorce his wife and marry another, commits adultery against her. And if a woman shall divorce her husband and be married to another, she commits adultery.”

They brought young children to him, that he could touch them. And his disciples rebuked those that brought them. But when Jesus saw it he was much displeased and said to them, “Allow the little children to come to me and forbid them not, for of such is the kingdom of God. Amen I say to you: Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.” He took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them and blessed them.

When he had gone further along the way there came a man running, and kneeling to him asked him, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? There is nobody good but one; that is, God. You know the commandments. Do not commit adultery. Do not kill. Do not steal. Do not bear false witness. Defraud not. Honor your father and mother.” He answered and said to him, “Master, all these I have observed from my youth.” Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor. And you shall have treasure in heaven. Come, follow me.” He was sad at these words and went away grieving, for he had great possessions. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those that have riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” The disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard is it for those that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” They were astonished without

measure, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus, looking upon them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God. For with God all things are possible.”

Then Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left all and have followed you.” Jesus answered and said, “Amen I say to you. There is no man that has left home, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time: homes, and brothers, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last, and the last first.”

They were on the way going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus went before them. They were amazed, and as they followed they were afraid. He took again the twelve and began to tell them what things would happen to him, saying, “Behold, we go up to Jerusalem and the Son of Man shall be delivered to the chief priests and to the scribes. They shall condemn him to death and deliver him to the Gentiles; who shall mock him, and scourge him, and spit upon him and kill him. And the third day he shall rise again.”

James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to him saying, “Master, we would like you to do for us what we desire.” He said to them, “What would you like me to do for you?” They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit one on your right hand and the other on your left hand in your glory.” But Jesus said to them, “You know not what you ask. Can you drink of the cup that I drink and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized?” They said to him, “We can.” Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink of the cup that I drink and with the baptism that I am baptized you shall be baptized. But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; it shall be given to those for whom it is prepared.” When the ten heard it they became much displeased with James and John. But Jesus called them to him and said to them, “You know that they that are appointed to rule over the Gentiles exercise

lordship over them. And their great ones exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you. Whoever will be great among you shall be your servant, and whoever of you will be the chief shall be servant of all; for even the Son of Man came not to be ministered to but to minister and to give his life as ransom for many.”

They came to Jericho. And as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus the son of Timaeus sat by the highway side begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, the Son of David, have mercy on me.” Many ordered him to be quiet, but he cried all the more a great deal, “The Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. They called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good comfort. Rise. He calls you.” He, casting away his garment, rose and came to Jesus. Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want that I should do for you?” The blind man said to him, “Lord, that I might receive my sight.” Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your faith has made you whole.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way.

When they came near Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, he sent forth two of his disciples and said to them, “Go your way into the village across from you. As soon as you enter into it you shall find a colt tied on which a man never sat. Untie him and bring him. If any man says to you, ‘Why do you do this?’ say that the Lord needs him and immediately he will send him here.” They went their way and found the colt tied at a door outside by a road, and they loosened him. One of them that stood there said to them, “What do you do, loosing the colt?” They said to them what Jesus had commanded, and they let them go.

They brought the colt to Jesus and cast their garments on him and he sat upon him. Many spread their garments in the road and others cut down branches off the trees and spread them in the road. Those that went before and those that followed cried out saying, “Hosanna. Blessed is he that comes in the name of the Lord. Blessed be the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.” Jesus entered into Jerusalem and into the temple. And when he had looked around upon all things and when the evening was coming, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

On the next day when they were coming from Bethany he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree far off having leaves, he came if possibly he might find anything on it. When he came to it he found nothing but leaves, for it was not yet the time of figs. Jesus answered and said to it, “No man shall eat fruit of you from here on forever.” And his disciples heard it.

They came to Jerusalem and Jesus went into the temple and began to cast out those that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers and the seats of those that sold doves, and would not allow any man to carry any vessel through the temple. He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer?’ But you have made it a den of thieves.” The scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy him, for they feared him because all the people were astonished at his doctrine. When evening came he went out of the city.

In the morning as they passed by they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. Peter, remembering, said to him, “Master, look! The fig tree that you cursed is withered away.” Jesus answering said to them, “Have faith in God for amen I say to you: That whoever shall say to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea’ and shall not doubt in his heart but shall believe that those things which he said shall come to pass, he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you: what things ever you desire, when you pray, believe that you will receive them and you shall have them. And when you

stand praying, forgive, if you have something against anyone: that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

They came again to Jerusalem and as he was walking in the temple there came to him the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. They said to him, “By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority to do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “I will also ask you one question. Answer me and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, was it from heaven or of men? Answer me.” They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘Of men...’” They feared the people, for all men considered John to be a prophet indeed. They answered and said to Jesus, “We cannot tell.” Jesus answering said to them, “Neither do I tell you by what authority I do these things.”

He began to speak to them in parables. “A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a place for the winefat, built a tower, leased it all out to tenants and went to a far country. At the season he sent to the tenants a servant, so he might receive from the tenants some of the fruit of the vineyard. They caught him, beat him and sent him away empty. Again he sent to them another servant. At him they cast stones, wounded him in the head and sent him away shamefully handled. Again he sent another and him they killed. And many others: beating some and killing some. Having yet one son, his beloved, he sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will revere my son.’ But those tenants said among themselves, ‘This is the heir, come, let us kill him and the inheritance shall be ours.’ They took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard. What, therefore, shall the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the tenants and will give the vineyard to others. Have you not read this scripture, ‘The stone that the

builders rejected has become the cornerstone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

They sought to lay hold of him but feared the people, for they knew that he had spoken the parable against them. So they left him and went their way.

They sent to him some of the Pharisees and Herodians, to catch him in his words. When they came they said to him, “Master, we know that you are true and care for no man, for you regard not the person of men but teach the way of God in truth. Is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why do you tempt me? Bring me a coin, that I may see it.” They brought it and he said to them, “Whose is this image and superscription?” They said to him, “Caesar's.” Jesus answering said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God the things that are God's.” And they marveled at him.

Then came to him the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, and they asked him, saying, “Master, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man's brother dies and leaves his wife behind him and leaves no children, that his brother should take his wife and raise up children for his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers, and the first took a wife and dying left no children. The second took her and died, he neither left any children. And the third did likewise. The seven had her and left no children. Last of all the woman died also. In the resurrection therefore, when they shall rise, whose wife shall she be of them? For the seven had her as wife.” Jesus answering said to them, “Are you not mistaken, because you neither know the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they shall rise from the dead they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels that are in heaven. And as for the dead, that they rise, have you not read in the book of Moses how in the bush God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob?’ He is not the

God of the dead, but the God of the living. You therefore are greatly mistaken.”

One of the scribes came, and having heard them discussing together and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” The scribe said to him, “Master you have said the truth well, for there is one God and there is none other than he. To love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, with all the strength and to love his neighbor as himself is more than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices.” When Jesus saw that he answered wisely he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” No man after that dared ask him any question.

Jesus said while he taught in the temple, “How do the scribes say that the Messiah is the Son of David? For David himself said by the Holy Spirit, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, “Sit on my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ David therefore himself called him Lord, so how is he then his son?” The common people heard him gladly.

He said to them, “Beware of the scribes who love to go about in long clothing and love salutations in the marketplaces, the chief seats in the synagogues and the uppermost rooms at feasts; who consume widows' houses and for pretence make long prayers. These shall receive greater damnation.

Jesus sat across from the treasury and noticed how the people cast money into the treasury. Many that were rich cast in much. There came a poor widow and she threw in two small coins, which made a small amount. He called to him his disciples and said to them, “Amen I say to you: That this poor widow has cast more in than all those who have cast into the

treasury. For all they did was cast in from their abundance. But she from her needs cast in all that she had, even all her living.”

As he went out of the temple one of his disciples said to him, “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here!” Jesus answering said to him, “See these great buildings? There shall not be one stone left upon another that shall not be thrown down.” As he sat upon the Mount of Olives across from the temple; Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, “Tell us when these things shall be? What shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?” Jesus answering them said, “Take heed that any man may deceive you: for many shall come in my name saying, ‘I am the Messiah’ and shall deceive many. And when you shall hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled: for such things must be, but the end shall not be yet. For nation shall rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be earthquakes in many places and there shall be famines and troubles. These are the beginnings of the labors.

“But take heed for yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils, and in the synagogues you shall be beaten, and you shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake for a testimony against them, for the gospel must first be proclaimed among all nations. And when they shall lead you and deliver you up, have no thought beforehand what you shall speak. Whatever in that hour you are given, that you shall speak, for it is not you that speaks but the Holy Spirit. The brother shall betray the brother to death and the father the son, and children shall rise up against their parents and shall cause them to be put to death. And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake, but he that shall endure to the end shall be saved.

“But when you shall see the abomination of desolation standing where it should not (let he that reads understand), then let those in Judea flee to the mountains and let he that is

on the housetop not go down into the house nor enter to take anything out of his house. And let he that is in the field not turn back to take up his garment. But woe to those that are with child and to those that nurse in those days. And pray that your flight not be in the winter, for in those days shall be adversity such as there has not been from the beginning of the creation that God created to this time and never again shall be. And unless the Lord has shortened those days, no flesh shall be saved. But for the elect's sake that he has chosen, he has shortened the days. And then if any man shall say to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah’ or ‘Look, he is there,’ do not believe him: for false Messiahs and false prophets shall rise and shall show signs and wonders to seduce, if it is possible, even the elect.

“But take heed. See that I have told you all things. In those days, after that tribulation, the sun shall be darkened and the moon shall not give her light; and the stars of heaven shall fall and the powers that are in heaven shall be shaken. And then they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then he shall send his angels and shall gather together his elect from the four winds: from the outermost part of the earth to the outermost part of heaven.

“Now learn a parable of the fig tree. When her branch is tender and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. So in like manner, when you see these things come to pass, know that it is near at the doors. Amen I say to you: That this generation shall not pass until all these things are done. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

“But of that day and that hour no man knows; not the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Take heed: Watch and pray, for you do not know when the time is. For the Son of Man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch, therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house comes: at evening, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning.

Coming suddenly he may find you sleeping. What I say to you I say to all: Watch.”

After two days was the feast of the Passover and of unleavened bread. The chief priests and the scribes sought how they might shrewdly take him and put him to death. But they said, “Not on the feast day, or there will be an uproar of the people.”

Being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper; as he sat and relaxed at the table there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard, very precious, and she broke the box and poured it on his head. There were some there that had indignation within themselves, and said, “Why was this waste of the ointment made? For it might have been sold for more than three hundred and the money been given to the poor.” They murmured against her. Jesus said, “Let her alone. Why do you trouble her? She has done a good work for me. For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you want you may do them good. But me you have not always. She has done what she could. She has come beforehand to anoint my body for the burying. Amen I say to you: Wherever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she has done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.”

Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray him to them. When they heard it they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought how he might conveniently betray him.

The first day of unleavened bread, when they killed the Passover lamb, his disciples said to him, “Where should we go and prepare so you may eat the Passover?” He sent forth two of his disciples and said to them, “Go into the city and there a man shall meet you bearing a pitcher of water. Follow him. Wherever he shall go in, say to the owner of the house, ‘The Master said, “Where is the guestroom where I shall eat the

Passover with my disciples?”’ He will show you a large upper room furnished and prepared. There make ready for us.” His disciples went forth and came into the city and found as he had said to them. And they made ready the Passover.

In the evening he came with the twelve. As they sat and ate, Jesus said, “Amen I say to you: One of you eating with me shall betray me.” They began to be sorrowful and to say to him one by one, “Is it I?” He answered and said to them, “It is one of the twelve that dips with me in the dish. The Son of Man indeed goes as it is written of him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. Good would it be for that man if he had never been born.”

As they ate he took bread, blessed and broke it, gave it to them, and said, “Take. Eat. This is my body.” He took the cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them. They all drank of it. He said to them, “This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many. Amen I say to you: I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” When they had sung a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus said to them, “All of you shall be offended because of me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the shepherd and the sheep shall be scattered.’ But after I have risen, I will go before you into Galilee.” Peter said to him, “Although all shall be offended, I will not.” Jesus said to him, “Amen I say to you that this day, in this night, before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times. But he spoke all the more vehemently, “If I should die with you, I will not deny you in any way.” Likewise they also all said.

They came to a place named Gethsemane and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took with him Peter, James and John and began to be distressed and to be very heavy hearted, and said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful to death. Wait here and watch.” He went forward a little and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible the hour might pass from him. He said, “Abba, Father, all

things are possible to you. Take away this cup from me. Nevertheless; not what I will, but what you will.” He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, you sleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, or you will enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” Again he went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. When he returned he found them asleep again (for their eyes were heavy), and they did not know what to answer him.

He came the third time and said to them, “Sleep on now and take your rest. It is enough, the hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go. Look, he that betrays me is at hand.” Immediately while he spoke came Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. He that betrayed him had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I shall kiss, that same is he. Take him and lead him away securely.” As soon as he came he went immediately to him and said, “Master” and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him and took him. One of them that stood by drew a sword and struck a servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Jesus said to them, “You come out as against a thief, with swords and with clubs to take me? I was daily with you in the temple teaching and you did not take me. But the scriptures must be fulfilled.” They all abandoned him and fled. There followed him a young man having a linen cloth cast about his body. They laid hold of him and he left the linen cloth and fled from them naked.

They led Jesus away to the high priest, and with him were assembled all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. Peter followed him from afar and went into the palace of the high priest. He sat with the servants and warmed himself at the fire. The chief priests and all the council sought for witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, but found none: for many gave false witness against him, but their testimonies did not agree. There arose others that gave false witness against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that

is made with hands, and within three days I will build another made without hands.’” But neither did their testimony agree with one another. The high priest stood up in the middle and asked Jesus, saying, “Answer you nothing? What is it that these testify against you?” But he held his peace and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him and said to him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?” Jesus said, “I am. And you shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of power and coming in the clouds of heaven.” Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “What need do we have for any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned him as guilty and deserving of death. Some began to spit on him, cover his face and beat him, and say to him, “Prophesy.” And the servants struck him with the palms of their hands.

As Peter was beneath in the palace there came one of the maids of the high priest. When she saw Peter warming himself she looked upon him and said, “You also were with Jesus of Nazareth.” But he denied, saying, “I know not, neither understand what you say.” He went out into the porch and the cock crowed. A maid saw him again and began to say to those that stood by, “This is one of them.” And he denied it again. A little after, those that stood by said again to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean and your speech agrees.” But he began to curse and to swear, saying, “I do not know this man of whom you speak.” And the second time the cock crowed. Peter called to mind the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the cock crows twice, you shall deny me three times.” When he thought upon it he wept.

Immediately in the morning the chief priests held a consultation with the elders, scribes and the whole council. They bound Jesus, carried him away and delivered him to Pilate. Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He

answering said to him, “You say it.” The chief priests accused him of many things, but he answered nothing. Pilate asked him again, saying, “Answer you nothing? Look how many things they testify against you.” But Jesus still answered nothing, so Pilate marveled.

Now at that feast he released to them one prisoner, whomever they desired. There was one named Barabbas who lay bound with those that had made rebellion with him, who had committed murder in the rebellion. The crowd crying aloud began to desire that he do as he had done before for them. But Pilate answered them, saying, “Is it your will that I release to you the King of the Jews?” He knew that the chief priests had delivered him out of envy. But the chief priests moved the people, that he should rather release Barabbas to them. Pilate answered and said again to them, “What will you have me do then to he whom you call the King of the Jews?” They cried out again, “Crucify him.” Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” They cried out even more exceedingly, “Crucify him.” So Pilate, willing to satisfy the people, released Barabbas to them and delivered Jesus, after he had him scourged, to be crucified.

The soldiers led him away into the hall called the praetorium, and they called together the whole unit. They clothed him with purple, wove a crown of thorns and put it on his head, and began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!" They struck him on the head with a reed and spit on him, and bending their knees worshipped him. When they had mocked him, they took the purple off him, put his own clothes on him, and led him out to crucify him.

They compelled one named Simon, a Cyrenian, who was passing by coming out of the country, the father of Alexander and Rufus, to bear his cross. They brought him to the place Golgotha, which is being interpreted “the place of a skull.” They gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh, but he did not take it. Then they crucified him and they parted his garments, casting lots on them for what each man should take.

It was the third hour of daylight when they crucified him. The superscription of his accusation written over was, “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” With him they crucified two thieves, one on his right hand and the other on his left.

Those that passed by protested against him, shaking their heads and saying, “Ah, you that will destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself and come down from the cross.” Likewise the chief priests, mocking him, said among themselves with the scribes, “He saved others, himself he cannot save. Let the Messiah, the King of Israel, descend now from the cross so we may see and believe.” And those that were crucified with him insulted him.

When the sixth hour came there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Some of them that stood by, when they heard it, said, “Look, he calls Elijah.” One ran and filled a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a reed and gave it to him to drink, saying, “Let him alone. Let us see whether Elijah will come to take him down.” Jesus cried with a loud voice and breathed his last. The veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. When the centurion who stood by him saw that he so cried out and breathed his last, he said, “Truly this man was the Son of God.” There were also women looking on from afar. Among them were Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of the younger James and of Joses and Salome, who also when he was in Galilee followed him and ministered to him, and many other women that came up with him to Jerusalem.

Now when the evening came, because it was the preparation, that is, the day before the Sabbath, Joseph of Arimathaea, an honorable counselor, who also waited for the kingdom of God, came and went in boldly to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Pilate marveled that he could already be dead, and calling to him the centurion he asked him whether he had already died. When he knew from the centurion,

he gave the body to Joseph. He bought fine linen, took him down, wrapped him in the linen, laid him in a tomb that was hewn out of a rock, and rolled a stone to the door of the tomb. Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where he was laid.

When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought sweet spices so that they might come and anoint him. Very early in the morning the first day of the week they came to the tomb at the rising of the sun. They said among themselves, “Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb?” When they looked they saw that the stone was rolled away, for it was very large. Entering into the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a long white garment, and they were frightened. He said to them, “Be not afraid. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He is risen. He is not here. Behold the place where they laid him. But go your way. Tell his disciples and Peter that he goes before you into Galilee. There you shall see him as he said to you.” They went out quickly and fled from the tomb, for they trembled and were amazed. Neither of them said anything to anyone, for they were afraid.