The Master's Life
Rejected and Doubted Sections 97-114
97. Jesus rejected at Nazareth
Now Jesus left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. When the Sabbath came, he began to teach the people in their synagogue. Many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did he get these ideas? And what is this wisdom that has been given to him? What are these miracles that are done through his hands? Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers? Isn’t this the carpenter, the carpenter’s son, the son of Mary and brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon? And aren’t all his sisters here with us? Where did he get all this?” And so they took offense at him.
Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own house.” He was not able to do a miracle there because of their unbelief, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.
Then Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, and among his relatives, and in his own house.” He was not able to do a miracle there because of their unbelief, except to lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed because of their unbelief. Then he went around among the villages and taught.
98. Jesus sends out the Twelve Apostles
After, Jesus called his twelve disciples together and began to send them out two by two. He gave them power and authority over unclean spirits so they could cast them out. He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal every kind of disease and sickness.
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them as follows: “Do not go to Gentile regions and do not enter any Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near!’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. “Do not take gold, silver, or copper in your belts, no bread, no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions.
Whenever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy there and stay with them until you leave. Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. As you enter the house, give it greetings. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town as a testimony against them. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!
I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time. For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Whenever they persecute you in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household!
Do not be afraid of them, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the house tops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward.”
So they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. They preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
Now these are the names of the twelve apostles: first, Simon (called Peter), and Andrew his brother; James son of Zebedee and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Jesus sent out these twelve, instructing them as follows: “Do not go to Gentile regions and do not enter any Samaritan town. Go instead to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near!’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.”
He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a staff and to put on sandals but not to wear two tunics. “Do not take gold, silver, or copper in your belts, no bread, no bag for the journey, or an extra tunic, or sandals or staff, for the worker deserves his provisions.
Whenever you enter a town or village, find out who is worthy there and stay with them until you leave. Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the area. As you enter the house, give it greetings. And if the house is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And if anyone will not welcome you or listen to your message, shake the dust off your feet as you leave that house or that town as a testimony against them. I tell you the truth, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town!
I am sending you out like sheep surrounded by wolves so be wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of people, because they will hand you over to councils and flog you in their synagogues. And you will be brought before governors and kings because of me, as a witness to them and the Gentiles. Whenever they hand you over for trial, do not worry about how to speak or what to say, for what you should say will be given to you at that time. For it is not you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Brother will hand over brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise against parents and have them put to death. And you will be hated by everyone because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Whenever they persecute you in one place, flee to another. I tell you the truth, you will not finish going through all the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
A disciple is not greater than his teacher, nor a slave greater than his master. It is enough for the disciple to become like his teacher, and the slave like his master. If they have called the head of the house ‘Beelzebul,’ how much more will they defame the members of his household!
Do not be afraid of them, for nothing is hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing is secret that will not be made known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light, and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the house tops. Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the one who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Even all the hairs on your head are numbered. So do not be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
Whoever, then, acknowledges me before people, I will acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before people, I will deny him also before my Father in heaven.
Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law, and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life because of me will find it.
Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me. Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. And whoever gives only a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple, I tell you the truth, he will never lose his reward.”
So they departed and went throughout the villages, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere. They preached that all should repent. They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.
99. John the Baptist struggles with doubt
When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their towns. John’s disciples informed him about all the deeds Christ had done. So John called two of his disciples and sent them to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that very time Jesus cured many people of diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and granted sight to many who were blind. So he answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are in the homes and courts of kings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
“I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. The one who has ears had better listen!
(Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
“To what should I compare the people of this generation and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.’
For John came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children; by her deeds.”
When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” At that very time Jesus cured many people of diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and granted sight to many who were blind. So he answered them, “Go tell John what you hear and see: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news proclaimed to them. Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.”
While they were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowd about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are in the homes and courts of kings! What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written:
‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’
“I tell you the truth, among those born of women, no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he is.
From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and forceful people lay hold of it. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John appeared. And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who is to come. The one who has ears had better listen!
(Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
“To what should I compare the people of this generation and what are they like? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces who call out to one another, ‘We played the flute for you, yet you did not dance; we wailed in mourning, yet you did not weep.’
For John came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and they say, ‘He has a demon!’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him, a glutton and a drunk, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by all her children; by her deeds.”
100. Judgment of the unbelieving cities
Then Jesus began to criticize openly the cities in which he had done many of his miracles, because they did not repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! If the miracles done in you had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the Day of Judgment than for you! And you, Capernaum, will you be exalted to heaven? No, you will be thrown down to Hades! For if the miracles done among you had been done in Sodom, it would have continued to this day. But I tell you, it will be more bearable for the region of Sodom on the Day of Judgment than for you!”
101. Jesus' invitation to the weary
At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him.
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”
102. Jesus calms the storm
On that day, when evening came, Jesus got into a boat. As he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go across to the other side of the lake.” So after leaving the crowd, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat, and other boats were with him. So they set out, and as they sailed he fell asleep.
Now a great and violent windstorm developed on the sea. It came down the lake and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped and they were in danger. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
So they came, woke him up and said to him, “Master! Master! Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die? Lord, save us!”
So he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?
They were amazed and overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? What sort of person is this? He even commands the wind and sea and they obey him!”
Now a great and violent windstorm developed on the sea. It came down the lake and the waves were breaking into the boat, so that the boat was nearly swamped and they were in danger. But he was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion.
So they came, woke him up and said to him, “Master! Master! Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die? Lord, save us!”
So he got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. He said to the sea, “Be quiet! Calm down!” Then the wind stopped, and it was dead calm. And he said to them, “Why are you cowardly? Do you still not have faith?
They were amazed and overwhelmed by fear and said to one another, “Who then is this? What sort of person is this? He even commands the wind and sea and they obey him!”
103. Jesus heals a demon-possessed man
So they came to the other side of the lake, near Gadara in the region of the Gerasenes which is opposite Galilee. Just as Jesus was getting out of the boat, two demon-possessed men coming from the tombs met him. They were extremely violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way.
One of the men lived among the tombs, was seized often by demons and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, not even under guard! His hands and feet had often been bound with chains and shackles, but he had torn the chains apart and broken the shackles in pieces and was driven by the demon into deserted places. No one was strong enough to subdue him. For a long time this man had worn no clothes and had not lived in a house, but among the tombs. Each night and every day among the tombs and in the mountains, he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him. Then he cried out with a loud voice, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! I implore you by God – do not torment me! Have you come here to torment us before the time?” For Jesus had started commanding the evil spirit to come out of the man saying, “Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!”
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Many demons had entered him and they began to beg Jesus repeatedly not to order them to depart out of the region and into the abyss.
There on the hillside, a great herd of pigs was feeding. And the demonic spirits begged him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs. Let us enter them.”
Jesus gave them permission, saying “Go!” So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and about two thousand were drowned in the lake.
Now when the herdsmen saw what happened they ran off, went into the town, and spread the news in the town and countryside, telling everything that had happened to the demon-possessed and the people went out to see what had happened.
They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported how the man had been healed, and they also told about the pigs. Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized with great fear. They begged Jesus to leave their region.
As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.
One of the men lived among the tombs, was seized often by demons and no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, not even under guard! His hands and feet had often been bound with chains and shackles, but he had torn the chains apart and broken the shackles in pieces and was driven by the demon into deserted places. No one was strong enough to subdue him. For a long time this man had worn no clothes and had not lived in a house, but among the tombs. Each night and every day among the tombs and in the mountains, he would cry out and cut himself with stones.
When he saw Jesus from a distance, he ran and bowed down before him. Then he cried out with a loud voice, “Leave me alone, Jesus, Son of the Most High God! I implore you by God – do not torment me! Have you come here to torment us before the time?” For Jesus had started commanding the evil spirit to come out of the man saying, “Come out of that man, you unclean spirit!”
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” And he said, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” Many demons had entered him and they began to beg Jesus repeatedly not to order them to depart out of the region and into the abyss.
There on the hillside, a great herd of pigs was feeding. And the demonic spirits begged him, “If you drive us out, send us into the herd of pigs. Let us enter them.”
Jesus gave them permission, saying “Go!” So the unclean spirits came out and went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep slope into the lake, and about two thousand were drowned in the lake.
Now when the herdsmen saw what happened they ran off, went into the town, and spread the news in the town and countryside, telling everything that had happened to the demon-possessed and the people went out to see what had happened.
They came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man sitting there, clothed and in his right mind – the one who had the “Legion” – and they were afraid. Those who had seen what had happened to the demon-possessed man reported how the man had been healed, and they also told about the pigs. Then all the people of the Gerasenes and the surrounding region asked Jesus to leave them alone, for they were seized with great fear. They begged Jesus to leave their region.
As he was getting into the boat the man who had been demon-possessed asked if he could go with him. But Jesus did not permit him to do so. Instead, he said to him, “Go to your home and to your people and tell them what the Lord has done for you, that he had mercy on you.” So he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis what Jesus had done for him, and all were amazed.
104. Returns to Capernaum
So he got into the boat and left. When Jesus had crossed again in a boat and returned to the other side, a large crowd welcomed and gathered around him, because they were all waiting for him, and he was by the sea.
105. A discussion about fasting
Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. So John’s disciples came to Jesus and said, “Why do we, the disciples of John, and the disciples of the Pharisees fast and pray often, but your disciples don’t fast? Your disciples continue to eat and drink.”
Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast and mourn while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they do not fast. But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and at that time they will fast.
He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old garment. If he does, he will have torn the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And if one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse.
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, the wine will spill out and both the wine and the skins will be destroyed. Instead new wine is poured into new wineskins and both are preserved.”
No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’
Jesus said to them, “The wedding guests cannot fast and mourn while the bridegroom is with them, can they? As long as they have the bridegroom with them they do not fast. But the days are coming when the bridegroom will be taken from them, and at that time they will fast.
He also told them a parable: “No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old garment. If he does, he will have torn the new, and the piece from the new will not match the old. And if one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, the patch pulls away from it, the new from the old, and the tear becomes worse.
And no one pours new wine into old wineskins; otherwise, the wine will burst the skins, the wine will spill out and both the wine and the skins will be destroyed. Instead new wine is poured into new wineskins and both are preserved.”
No one after drinking old wine wants the new, for he says, ‘The old is good enough.’
106. Jesus heals in response to faith
As he was saying these things, one of the synagogue rulers, named Jairus, came up, and when he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. He asked him urgently, “My little daughter, my only daughter, is near death.[1]” He pleaded, “Come and lay your hands on her so that she may be healed and live.” She was about twelve years old. Jesus and his disciples got up and went with him, and a large crowd followed and pressed around him.
Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years but could not be healed by anyone. She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched the edge of his cloak, for she kept saying, “If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed.” At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Jesus knew at once that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes? Who was it that touched me?”
When they all denied it, Peter and his disciples said to him, “Master, you see the crowd surrounding and pressing against you and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
But Jesus looked around to see who had done it. He said, “Someone touched me, for I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, when she saw that she could not escape notice, with fear and trembling, yet knowing what had happened to her, came. Jesus turned and saw her. She fell down before him and in the presence of all the people she told him the whole truth. She explained why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed.
He said to her, “Have courage, daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” The woman was healed from that hour.
While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer?”
But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue ruler, “Do not be afraid; just believe and she will be healed.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue ruler where he saw noisy confusion and people weeping and wailing loudly, mourning for her.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, he said, “Why are you distressed and weeping? Go away. Stop your weeping, for the girl is not dead but asleep.” And they began making fun of him.
But he put them all outside and he took the child’s father and mother along with Peter, John and James and went into the room where the child was. Then, gently taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.” Her spirit returned, the girl got up at once and began to walk around (for she was twelve years old). Her parents were completely astonished at this. Then he told them to give her something to eat and strictly ordered that no one should know about this.
And the news of this spread throughout that region.
[1] See the meforshim “Had the synagogue leader’s daughter died or not?”
Now a woman was there who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years but could not be healed by anyone. She had endured a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all that she had. Yet instead of getting better, she grew worse.
When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched the edge of his cloak, for she kept saying, “If only I touch his cloak, I will be healed.” At once the bleeding stopped, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her disease.
Jesus knew at once that power had gone out from him. He turned around in the crowd and said, “Who touched my clothes? Who was it that touched me?”
When they all denied it, Peter and his disciples said to him, “Master, you see the crowd surrounding and pressing against you and you say, ‘Who touched me?’”
But Jesus looked around to see who had done it. He said, “Someone touched me, for I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, when she saw that she could not escape notice, with fear and trembling, yet knowing what had happened to her, came. Jesus turned and saw her. She fell down before him and in the presence of all the people she told him the whole truth. She explained why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed.
He said to her, “Have courage, daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be healed of your disease.” The woman was healed from that hour.
While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house saying, “Your daughter has died. Why trouble the teacher any longer?”
But Jesus, paying no attention to what was said, told the synagogue ruler, “Do not be afraid; just believe and she will be healed.” He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James, and John, the brother of James. They came to the house of the synagogue ruler where he saw noisy confusion and people weeping and wailing loudly, mourning for her.
When Jesus entered the ruler’s house and saw the flute players and the disorderly crowd, he said, “Why are you distressed and weeping? Go away. Stop your weeping, for the girl is not dead but asleep.” And they began making fun of him.
But he put them all outside and he took the child’s father and mother along with Peter, John and James and went into the room where the child was. Then, gently taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means, “Little girl, I say to you, get up.” Her spirit returned, the girl got up at once and began to walk around (for she was twelve years old). Her parents were completely astonished at this. Then he told them to give her something to eat and strictly ordered that no one should know about this.
And the news of this spread throughout that region.
[1] See the meforshim “Had the synagogue leader’s daughter died or not?”
107. Jesus heals the blind and mute
As Jesus went on from there, two blind men followed him, shouting, “Have mercy on us, Son of David!” When he went into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.
Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.
As they were going away, a man who could not talk and was demon-possessed was brought to him. After the demon was cast out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons.”
They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” Then he touched their eyes saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” And their eyes were opened.
Then Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread the news about him throughout that entire region.
As they were going away, a man who could not talk and was demon-possessed was brought to him. After the demon was cast out, the man who had been mute spoke. The crowds were amazed and said, “Never has anything like this been seen in Israel!” But the Pharisees said, “By the ruler of demons he casts out demons.”
108. The need for workers
Then Jesus went throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were bewildered and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest.”
109. The death of John the Baptist
Now King Herod the tetrarch heard about everything that was happening, for Jesus’ name had become known and he was thoroughly perplexed. Some people were saying, “John the baptizer has been raised from the dead, and because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” Others said, “He is Elijah. Elijah has appeared” Others said, “He is a prophet, like one of the prophets from the past risen again.”
But when Herod heard this, he said to his servants, “I had John beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things? John, whom I beheaded, has been raised! Because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.
For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had repeatedly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled yet he liked to listen to John. Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.
But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. She pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she hurried back to the king and, instructed by her mother, made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist here on a platter immediately.”
Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests. So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. The executioner brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
When John’s disciples heard this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb and told Jesus.
But when Herod heard this, he said to his servants, “I had John beheaded, but who is this about whom I hear such things? John, whom I beheaded, has been raised! Because of this, miraculous powers are at work in him.” So Herod wanted to learn about Jesus.
For Herod himself had sent men, arrested John, and bound him in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, because Herod had married her. For John had repeatedly told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.”
So Herodias nursed a grudge against him and wanted to kill him. But she could not because Herod stood in awe of John and protected him, since he knew that John was a righteous and holy man. When Herod heard him, he was thoroughly baffled yet he liked to listen to John. Although Herod wanted to kill John, he feared the crowd because they accepted John as a prophet.
But a suitable day came, when Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his court officials, military commanders, and leaders of Galilee. When his daughter Herodias came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his dinner guests. She pleased Herod, so much that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she asked. The king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”
So she went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the baptizer.” Immediately she hurried back to the king and, instructed by her mother, made her request: “I want the head of John the Baptist here on a platter immediately.”
Although it grieved the king deeply, he did not want to reject her request because of his oath and his guests. So the king sent an executioner at once to bring John’s head, and he went and beheaded John in prison. The executioner brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother.
When John’s disciples heard this, they came and took his body and placed it in a tomb and told Jesus.
110. Jesus feeds five thousand
Then the apostles gathered around Jesus and told him everything they had done and taught. When Jesus heard this, He said to them, “Come with me privately to an isolated place and rest a while” (for many were coming and going, and there was no time to eat).
So they went away from there by themselves in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias) to some remote, isolated place near a town called Bethsaida.
But when the crowd heard about it, many saw them leaving, recognized them they followed him on foot from the towns because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick. They hurried on foot and arrived there ahead of them. As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples (Now the Jewish feast of the Passover was near.) He welcomed the people, taught them many things about the kingdom of God and healed their sick.
Now the day began to draw to a close, it was already late and evening had arrived. His twelve disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy food and lodging for themselves.”
Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said “They don’t need to go. You give them something to eat.” He turned to Philip and said, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?” (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.)
Then Philip replied, “Two hundred silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.” The disciples asked, “Should we go and buy bread for all these people for two hundred silver coins and give it to them to eat?”
He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
When they found out, one of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?”
“Bring them here to me,” he replied.
Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So they reclined on the green grass in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke them. Then Jesus took the loaves, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke them. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
He then did the same with the fish. He divided the two fish among them all, as much as they wanted. When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.” So they gathered them up. They picked up the broken pieces from the five barley loaves and fish that were left over, twelve baskets full. Not counting women and children, there were about five thousand men who ate.
Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.
So they went away from there by themselves in a boat to the other side of the Sea of Galilee (also called the Sea of Tiberias) to some remote, isolated place near a town called Bethsaida.
But when the crowd heard about it, many saw them leaving, recognized them they followed him on foot from the towns because they were observing the miraculous signs he was performing on the sick. They hurried on foot and arrived there ahead of them. As Jesus came ashore he saw the large crowd and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So Jesus went on up the mountainside and sat down there with his disciples (Now the Jewish feast of the Passover was near.) He welcomed the people, taught them many things about the kingdom of God and healed their sick.
Now the day began to draw to a close, it was already late and evening had arrived. His twelve disciples came to him saying, “This is an isolated place and the hour is already late. Send the crowds away so that they can go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy food and lodging for themselves.”
Jesus, when he looked up and saw that a large crowd was coming to him, said “They don’t need to go. You give them something to eat.” He turned to Philip and said, “Where can we buy bread so that these people may eat?” (Now Jesus said this to test him, for he knew what he was going to do.)
Then Philip replied, “Two hundred silver coins worth of bread would not be enough for them, for each one to get a little.” The disciples asked, “Should we go and buy bread for all these people for two hundred silver coins and give it to them to eat?”
He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.”
When they found out, one of Jesus’ disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “Here is a boy who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what good are these for so many people?”
“Bring them here to me,” he replied.
Then he said to his disciples, “Have them sit down in groups of about fifty each.” Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So they reclined on the green grass in groups of hundreds and fifties. He took the five loaves and two fish, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke them. Then Jesus took the loaves, and looking up to heaven he gave thanks and broke them. He gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
He then did the same with the fish. He divided the two fish among them all, as much as they wanted. When they were all satisfied, Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over, so that nothing is wasted.” So they gathered them up. They picked up the broken pieces from the five barley loaves and fish that were left over, twelve baskets full. Not counting women and children, there were about five thousand men who ate.
Now when the people saw the miraculous sign that Jesus performed, they began to say to one another, “This is certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world.” Then Jesus, because he knew they were going to come and seize him by force to make him king, withdrew again up the mountainside alone.
