Chapter III: Preface (3)

(15)Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel together how they might lay a snare to entrap him in his discourse. (16)And they sent to him their disciples, with the Herodians, saying, Master, we know that thou art true, and teachest the way of God with veracity; and carest for no man, for thou regardest not the person of men: (17)tell us therefore, What thinkest thou? Is it lawful to pay tribute to Caesar, or not? (18)But Jesus knew their wicked design, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites? (19)Shew me the money for the tribute; and they brought him a denarius. (20)And he saith unto them, Whose figure is this and inscription? (21)They say unto him, Caesar's. Then saith he to them, Render therefore to Caesar, the things which are Caesar's; and to God, the things which are God's. (22)And when they heard him, they marvelled, and leaving him, went away.

(23)On the same day the Sadducees came to him, who say, that there is no resurrection, and they put a question to him, (24)saying, Master, Moses said, "If a man die having no children, his brother in right of affinity shall marry his wife, and raise up seed for his brother." (25)Now there were with us seven brothers; and the first marrying, died, and had no offspring, and left his wife to his brother; (26)likewise the second also; then the third; so on to the seven. (27)Last of all the woman died also. (28)In the resurrection therefore, whose wife shall she be of the seven? for they all had her. (29)Jesus then answering, said unto them, Ye are in an error, from not knowing the Scriptures, and the power of God. (30)For at the resurrection, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven. (31)But with respect to the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read what was spoken to you of God, saying, (32)"I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?" God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. (33)And when the multitude heard it, they were amazingly struck with his doctrine.

(34)But the Pharisees hearing that he had stopped the Sadducees' mouths, they assembled together: (35)and one of them, a teacher of the law, put a question to him, to make trial of him, and said, (36)Master, which is the great commandment in the law? (37)Then Jesus said to him, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (38)This is the first and great commandment. (39)And the second is like to it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (40)On these two commandments, the whole law and the prophets depend.

(41)The Pharisees being then assembled, Jesus put a question to them, (42)saying, What think ye of the Messiah, whose son is he? They say unto him, David's. (43)He saith unto them, How then doth David by the Spirit call him Lord? saying, (44)"The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit at my right hand, till I put thine enemies as a footstool for thy feet." (45)If then David calleth him Lord, how is he his son? (46)And no man could answer him a word, neither durst any man, from that day, interrogate him any more.

CHAP. XXIII.

THEN Jesus spake to the multitudes and to his disciples, (2)saying, The scribes and Pharisees are seated on the chair of Moses; (3)all things therefore which they prescribe for you to observe, observe and practise; but do not according to their works, for they say, yet do not practise. (4)For they bind burdens grievous, and difficultly borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they will not move them with a finger of their own. (5)And all their works they do to be seen of men: they make their phylacteries broad, and deepen the fringes of their garments, (6)and love the principal couch at suppers, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (7)and salutations in the places of public concourse, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8)But be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your leader, the Messiah; and ye all are brethren. (9)And call no man your father upon earth; for one is your father, who is in heaven. (10)And be not called leaders; for one is your leader, the Messiah. (11)But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12)For whosoever exalteth himself shall be abased; and whosoever abaseth himself shall be exalted.

(13)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye shut up the kingdom of heaven from men; for ye yourselves enter not in, and those who were coming in, ye suffer not to enter. (14)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayers: wherefore ye shall receive greater condemnation. (15)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he is gained, ye make him doubly more the child of hell than yourselves. (16)Wo unto you ye blind guides! who say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, it is binding. (17)Ye fools and blind! for which is the greater, the gold, or the temple which consecrates the gold? (18)And again, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gift that is upon it, it is binding. (19)Ye fools and blind! which is the greater, the gift, or the altar which consecrates the gift? (20)Whosoever therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things that are upon it. (21)And whosoever sweareth by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him also who dwelleth in it. (22)So he that sweareth by heaven, sweareth by the throne of God, and by him who is seated upon it.

(23)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithes of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier precepts of the law, judgment, and mercy, and fidelity: these thing ought ye to have done, and not to leave the others undone. (24)Ye blind guides! who strain out a gnat, but gulp down a camel. (25)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye cleanse the outside of the cup, and of the dish, but within they are full of rapacity and intemperance. (26)Thou blind Pharisee! cleanse first the inside of the cup and dish, that their outside may become clean also. (27)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye resemble tombs whitewashed, which outwardly indeed appear specious, but within are full of dead men's bones, and all manner of impurity. (28)And just so, ye without indeed appear to men righteous, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (29)Wo unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye build the tombs of the prophets, and adorn the sepulchres of the just, (30)and say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31)Wherefore ye bear a testimony to yourselves, that ye are the children of those who killed the prophets. (32)Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. (33)Ye serpents, ye broods of vipers! how can ye escape from the damnation of hell? (34)Therefore, behold, I am sending to you prophets, and wise men, and scribes; and some of them ye shall kill, and crucify; and some of them ye shall scourge in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city: (35)that upon you may come all the righteous blood which hath been poured out upon the earth, from the blood of the righteous Abel, to the blood of Zachariah, son of Barachiah, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (36)Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come on this generation.

(37)O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, that killest the prophets, and stonest those who were sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children to me, as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not? (38)Behold, your habitation is left unto you desolate. (39)For I tell you, Ye shall henceforth no more see me, until ye say, Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.

CHAP. XXIV.

AND Jesus departing was going his way from the temple: and his disciples came to him, to point out to his observation the buildings of the temple. (2)But Jesus said unto them, Do you not see all these things? I tell you of a certainty, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, which shall not be utterly thrown down.

(3)Then as he was sitting upon the mount of Olives, his disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall there things be? and what is the sign of thy coming, and of the consummation of the age? (4)And Jesus answering said unto them, Beware that no man deceive you. (5)For many will come in my name, saying, I am the Messiah; and shall deceive multitudes. (6)And ye shall hear of wars, and rumours of wars: see that ye be not terrified: for these things must first be, but the end is not yet. (7)For nation shall be roused up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in diverse places. (8)Now all these things are the beginning of the travailing pangs. (9)Then shall they deliver you up to affliction, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. (10)And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and hate one another. (11)And many false prophets shall arise, and shall deceive many. (12)And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many will grow cool. (13)But he that endureth to the end, that man will be saved. (14)And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached through the whole world for a testimony to all the nations: and then shall come the final close. (15)When therefore ye see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by the prophet Daniel, erected in the holy place, (let him that readeth, mark this,) (16)then let such as are in Judea flee into the mountains. (17)Let not him who is upon the roof go down to take any thing out of his house. (18)And he that is in the field, let him not turn back to take his garment. (19)But wo to those who are with child, and have an infant at their breasts in those days! (20)And pray that your flight be not in winter, nor on the sabbath. (21)For then the tribulation will be great, such as never was from the beginning of the world, and never more shall be. (22)And except those days were shortened, there would be no flesh saved: but for the elect's sake these days shall be shortened. (23)Then if any man say unto you, Lo! here is the Messiah, or there; believe it not: (24)for false Messiahs and false prophets shall arise, and give out great signs and wonders; so as to deceive, if it were possible, even the elect. (25)Behold, I have forewarned you. (26)Therefore if they say to you, He is in the wilderness; go not out: lo! he is in the secret closets; believe it not. (27)For as the lightning cometh out from the east, and flashes to the west; so shall be the coming of the Son of man. (28)For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together. (29)Then, immediately after the tribulation of those days, shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken. (30)And then shall the sign of the Son of man appear in the heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth lament bitterly, and they shall see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. (31)And he shall send forth his angels with a trumpet, and a great shout, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the extremities of the heavens to the extremities of the same.

(32)Learn then a parable from the fig-tree; when its branch is now tender, and the leaves shoot forth, ye know that summer is nigh: (33)just so ye, when ye behold these things, know that it is near, even at the gates. (34)Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass away until all these things shall be done. (35)Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall in no wise pass away. (36)But of that day and hour no man knoweth, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father alone. (37)But as the days of Noah were, so also shall the coming of the Son of man be. (38)For as they were in the days preceding the deluge, eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, (39)and they knew it not till the deluge came, and swept them all away; such also shall the coming of the Son of man be. (40)Then two shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other dismissed. (41)Two women grinding at the mill; the one taken, the other dismissed. (42)Watch therefore: for ye know not at what hour your Master cometh. (43)And this observe, that if the master of the family had known in which watch of the night the thief would have come, he would have watched, and not have suffered him to break into his house. (44)Therefore be ye also prepared: for in an hour that ye think not, the Son of man cometh.

(45)Who then is the faithful and provident servant, whom his Lord hath appointed over his household, to give them meat in the proper time? (46)Blessed is that servant whom his Lord when he cometh shall find thus occupied. (47)Verily I say unto you, that he will place him over all his substance. (48)But if that wicked servant say in his heart, My master will be a long while ere he comes; (49)and shall begin to beat his fellow-servants, and to eat and drink with the drunken; (50)the master of that servant will come in a day that he doth not expect him, and at an hour which he knoweth not. (51)And will cut him asunder, and give him his portion with the hypocrites: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

CHAP. XXV.

THEN shall the kingdom of heaven be like to ten virgins, who taking their lamps, went forth to meet the bridegroom. (2)But five of them were provident, and five foolish. (3)Those who were taking their lamps, took no oil with them: (4)but the provident took oil in their vessels with their lamps. (5)But as the bridegroom stayed long, they all slumbered and slept. (6)Then at midnight the cry came, Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go forth to meet him. (7)Then all these virgins arose, and set about trimming their lamps. (8)And the foolish said to the provident, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out. (9)But the provident replied, saying, No; lest there be not a sufficiency for us and you: but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. (10)But while they were gone away to buy, the bridegroom came; and they who were prepared went in with him to the marriage-feast: and the door was shut. (11)Then came afterwards the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. (12)But he answering said, Verily, I know you not. (13)Watch therefore, for ye know not the day nor the hour in which the Son of man cometh.

(14)For the case is like that of a man, who travelling abroad, called his own servants, and delivered to them his goods. (15)And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his several capacity; and immediately went abroad. (16)He then who had received the five talents, went and traded with them, and acquired five other talents. (17)In the same manner also he that had the two, gained also himself two others. (18)But he that had received the one talent, went and digged a hole in the ground, and hid the silver of his master. (19)Then after a long absence the master of these servants cometh, and maketh a reckoning with them. (20)And he who had received the five talents, coming to him, brought five other talents, saying, Sir, thou deliveredst to me five talents: I have gained to them five other talents. (21)His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter into the joy of thy master. (22)Then came also he that had received the two talents: and said, Sir, thou deliveredst to me two talents: lo! I have gained to them two other talents. (23)His master said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many: enter thou into thy master's joy. (24)Then came also he that had received the one talent, and said, Sir, knowing thee, that thou art a severe man, reaping where thou hast not sowed, and gathering from whence thou hast not scattered: (25)and being afraid, I went and hid thy talent in the ground: see here, thou hast thine own. (26)Then his master answering said to him, Thou wicked and idle slave, thou knewest that I reap whence I had not sown, and gather where I had not scattered: (27)thou oughtest then to have placed my money with the bankers, so when I came I should have received my own with interest. (28)Take therefore from him the talent, and give it to him that hath the ten talents. (29)For to every one that hath shall be given, and he shall abound: but from him that hath not, even that he hath shall be taken away from him. (30)And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

(31)But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory: (32)and before him shall all the nations be gathered together; and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats: (33)and he shall place the sheep at his right hand, but the goats at the left. (34)Then shall the King say to those on his right-hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; (35)for I was hungry, and ye gave me to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me to drink: I was a stranger, and ye received me hospitably: (36)naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye took care of me: I was in prison, and ye came to me. (37)Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? (38)When indeed saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? (39)When indeed saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? (40)And the king answering shall say to them, Verily I tell you, for as much as ye have done it to one of these my brethren, the very least of them, ye have done it unto me.

(41)Then shall he say also to those on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: (42)for I was hungry, and ye gave me nothing to eat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me nothing to drink: (43)I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye did not clothe me: sick, and in prison, and ye took no care of me. (44)Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? (45)Then shall he reply to them, saying, For as much as ye have not done it to one of the least of these, neither have ye done it to me. (46)And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

CHAP. XXVI.

AND it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples, (2)Ye know that after two days is the passover, and the Son of man is betrayed to be crucified. (3)Then were the chief priests and scribes, and the elders of the people gathered together in the palace of the high-priest, called Caiaphas. (4)And they consulted together, how they might seize Jesus by guile, and put him to death. (5)But they said, Not on the feast-day, lest there be a tumult among the people.

(6)Now when Jesus was at Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, (7)there came to him a woman having an alabaster-box of very precious aromatic ointment, and poured it upon his head as he sat at table. (8)But when the disciples saw it, they had indignation, saying, For what end is this waste? (9)For this ointment might have been sold for a considerable sum, and given to the poor. (10)Then Jesus knowing it, said unto them, Why trouble ye the woman? for she hath performed a good act upon me: (11)for the poor ye have always with you, but me ye have not always: (12)for in pouring this odoriferous ointment on my body, she hath done it for my burial. (13)Verily I say unto you, Wherever this Gospel is preached through the whole world, what she hath done shall be also spoken of for a memorial of her.

(14)Then went one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, to the chief priests, (15)and said, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? Then they placed before him thirty pieces of silver. (16)And from that time he sought an opportunity to deliver him up to them.

(17)Then on the first day of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eat the passover? (18)And he said, Go into the city, unto such a man, and say unto him, The Master saith, My time is at hand: I will keep the passover with my disciples at thy house. (19)And his disciples did as Jesus commanded them; and they made ready the passover. (20)And when the evening was come, he sat down at table with the twelve. (21)And as they were eating, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me. (22)And exceedingly grieved, they began to say to him every one of them, Lord, am I the person? (23)But he answering said, He that dippeth his hand with me into the dish, that man shall betray me. (24)The Son of man indeed is departing, as it is written of him: but wo to that man, by whom the Son of man is betrayed! well had it been for that man if he had never had a being. (25)Then Judas, who betrayed him, addressing him said, Master, is it I? He saith to him, Thou hast named the person.

(26)Then as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessing, brake, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat: this is my body. (27)And taking the cup, and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of this: (28)for this is my blood, that _blood_ of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins. (29)And I tell you, That I will no more henceforth drink of this produce of the vine, until that day when I drink it with you, new, in the kingdom of my Father. (30)And when they had sung an hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.

(31)Then saith Jesus unto them, Ye all will be offended at me this night: for it is written, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad." (32)But after I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee. (33)Then Peter, taking up the word, said to him, Though all should be offended at thee, yet will I never be offended. (34)Jesus saith to him, I tell thee of a certainty, that this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. (35)Peter said to him, Though I should die with thee, never will I deny thee. In like manner also said all the disciples. (36)Then cometh Jesus with them to a place called Gethsemane, and saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. (37)And taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be deeply sorrowful, and to be overwhelmed with dejection. (38)Then saith he to them. My soul is exceeding sorrowful even to death: abide here, and watch with me. (39)And going a little farther, he fell on his face, praying, and saying, My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt. (40)And he cometh to the disciples, and findeth them sleeping, and he saith to Peter, Is it so, that ye have not strength to watch with me one hour? (41)Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh weak. (42)Again the second time he went away, and prayed, saying, O my Father, If it be not possible, that this cup pass from me, but that I should drink it, thy will be done. (43)And coming, he found them asleep again, for their eyes were weighed down. (44)And leaving them, he went away again, and prayed the third time, repeating the same sentence. (45)Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Do ye still sleep on, and repose yourselves? lo! the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. (46)Arise, let us go: lo! he that betrayeth me approaches.

(47)And while he was yet speaking, behold, Judas one of the twelve came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. (48)Now he that betrayed him had given them a signal, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that is he: seize him. (49)And immediately approaching to Jesus, he said, Hail, master; and kissed him. (50)Then spake Jesus to him, Friend, for what purpose art thou here? Then approaching they laid hands on Jesus, and seized him.

(51)And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretching out his hand, drew his sword, and striking at a servant of the high-priest, cut off his ear. (52)Then saith Jesus unto him, Return thy sword into its sheath: for all who take the sword, shall perish by the sword. (53)Thinkest thou, that I cannot now entreat my Father, and he will give me more than twelve legions of angels? (54)But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be?

(55)In that hour said Jesus to the multitudes, Are ye come out as against a robber, with swords and staves to apprehend me? I sat daily with you teaching in the temple, and ye laid not hold upon me. (56)But all this is come to pass, that the scriptures of the prophets should be fulfilled. Then all the disciples forsook him, and fled.

(57)Then they who had apprehended Jesus, brought him to Caiaphas the high-priest, where the scribes and elders were assembled. (58)But Peter followed him at a great distance unto the palace of the high-priest, and entering in, sat down with the servants, to see the issue. (59)Now the chief priests and elders and the whole sanhedrim, sought false witness against Jesus, that they might put him to death; (60)and found none: and though many false witnesses came, they found it not _sufficient_. But at the last two false witnesses stepping forth, (61)said, This fellow said, I am able to pull down the temple of God, and to build it up in three days. (62)And the high-priest rising up, said to him, Answerest thou nothing? what do these men witness against thee? (63)But Jesus was silent. And the high-priest addressing him, said, I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us, if thou art the Messiah, the Son of God. (64)Jesus saith to him, Thou hast spoken _the fact_. Moreover I tell you, hereafter ye shall see the Son of man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven. (65)Then the high-priest rent his garments, saying, he hath blasphemed: what farther need have we of witnesses? lo! now ye have heard his blasphemy: (66)what think ye? They answered and said, He is deserving of death. (67)Then they spit in his face, and buffeted him about; and some slapt his face with their hands, (68)saying, Prophesy to us, you Messiah, who it is that struck thee!

(69)Now Peter sat without in the hall: and there came to him a single maid-servant, saying, Thou also wert with Jesus of Galilee. (70)But he denied it before them all, asserting, I know not what thou art saying. (71)Then as he was going out at the gate, another maid-servant saw him, and saith to those who were there, This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth. (72)Then again he denied with an oath, I know not the man. (73)But after a little while they who stood by, came up and said to Peter, Assuredly thou also art one of them: for even thy speech maketh thee manifest. (74)Then began he to utter the bitterest curses, and to swear, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. (75)And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, who had said unto him, Before the cock shall crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And going out, he wept bitterly.

CHAP. XXVII.

NOW when the morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus how they might put him to death. (2)And having bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor. (3)Then Judas who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, repenting, carried back the thirty silver pieces to the chief priests and the elders, (4)saying, I have sinned, in betraying innocent blood. But they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. (5)And throwing down the silver pieces in the temple, he departed; and going out, hanged himself. (6)Then the chief priests taking up the silver pieces, said, It is not lawful to put them to the treasure destined for sacred uses, because it is the price of blood. (7)So taking counsel, they bought with them a potter's field, as a burial-place for strangers. (8)Therefore is that field called, The field of blood unto this day. (9)Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty silver pieces, the price of him who had been estimated at that rate, whom they of the children of Israel did value: (10)and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord had ordered me.

(11)Then was Jesus placed before the governor, and the governor interrogated him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? Then Jesus replied to him, Thou sayest _true_. (12)And when he was accused of the chief priests and elders, he made no reply. (13)Then saith Pilate to him, Hearest thou not how many things they testify against thee? (14)And he made him no reply, no not to a single word: so that the governor marvelled exceedingly. (15)Now at the feast, the governor had been accustomed to release one prisoner to the people, whomsoever they chose. (16)And they had at that time a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. (17)Being therefore gathered around him, Pilate said to them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus called Messiah? (18)For he knew that out of envy they had delivered him up.

(19)Then, as he was sitting on the tribunal, his wife sent a message to him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that righteous person; for I have suffered much to-day in a dream on his account. (20)But the chief priests and elders persuaded the populace that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. (21)The governor repeating the question, said to them, Which of the two will ye that I release unto you? They said Barabbas. (22)Pilate saith unto them, What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah? They all say to him, Let him be crucified. (23)The governor replied, But what evil hath he done? They cried out with greater vehemence, saying, Let him be crucified. (24)When Pilate saw that it was of no use to contend, but that rather a tumult was rising, he took water, and washed his hands before the people, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this righteous man: ye must answer for it. (25)Then all the people answering said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

(26)Then he released unto them Barabbas: but having scourged Jesus, he delivered him up to be crucified. (27)Thereupon the soldiers of the governor taking Jesus away to the Praetorium, gathered around him the whole band: (28)and stripping him, put about him a scarlet cloak. (29)And platting a crown of thorns, they placed it on his head, and a cane in his right hand: and bowing the knee before him, mocked him, saying, Hail, king of the Jews! (30)And spitting upon him, they took the cane, and struck him upon his head. (31)And when they had insulted him, they took off from him the cloak, and put his own garments on him, and led him away to crucify him. (32)And as they were going out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name; him they compelled to carry his cross.

(33)And when they were come to a place called Golgotha (which is called the place of a skull), (34)they gave him vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and having tasted it, he refused to drink. (35)Then having crucified him, they parted his garments, casting the lot: that it might be fulfilled, what was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and for my vesture they threw the lot. (36)And sitting down, they guarded him there. (37)And they placed over his head his accusation in writing, THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS. (38)Then were crucified with him two robbers, one on his right hand, and the other on his left.

(39)And they who were passing by reviled him, shaking their heads, (40)and saying, Thou that canst pull down the temple, and build it in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, descend from the cross. (41)And with similar language also did the chief priests, insulting him, with the scribes and elders, and Pharisees, (42)say, He saved others, himself he is unable to save. If he be the King of Israel, let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe him. (43)He trusted in God; let him now deliver him, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. (44)And in the same manner also, did the robbers who were crucified with him, revile him.

(45)Now from the fifth hour darkness fell upon all the land, unto the ninth hour. (46)But about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with an exceeding loud cry, saying, Eli! Eli! lama, sabacthani? that is, My God! my God! why hast thou forsaken me? (47)Then some of those who stood there, hearing him, said, This man is calling out for Elias. (48)And immediately one of them, running, and taking a sponge, and filling it with vinegar, and fastening it to a pole, put it to him to drink. (49)The others said, Let him alone, let us see whether Elias will come to save him.

(50)Then Jesus crying again with a loud voice gave up the ghost. (51)And, lo! the vail of the temple was rent in two, from the upper part to the bottom; and the earth was shaken; and the rocks were rent; (52)and the sepulchres were opened; and many bodies of saints, who slept, arose; (53)and coming out of the sepulchres after his resurrection, entered into the holy city, and appeared unto many.

(54)Then the centurion, and they who were with him, guarding Jesus, when they saw the earthquake, and the things which were done, were exceedingly terrified, saying, Assuredly this was the Son of God.

(55)Now there were many women on the spot, looking on at a distance, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering unto him: (56)among whom was Mary Magdalen, and Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's children.

(57)But when the evening was come, there came a rich man of Arimathea, whose name was Joseph, who himself also was a disciple of Jesus: (58)he going in to Pilate, begged for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be given him. (59)And Joseph receiving the body, wrapped it in clean linen; (60)and laid it in his own new sepulchre, which he had hewn out in a rock: and rolling a vast stone against the door of the sepulchre, departed. (61)And Mary Magdalen, and the other Mary, were there sitting opposite the sepulchre.

(62)Now on the morrow, which is the day after the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came in a body to Pilate, (63)saying, Sir, we have reflected, that this deceiver, when yet alive, said, After three days I will rise again. (64)Command therefore that the sepulchre be made perfectly secure until the third day, lest his disciples coming by night, steal him, and say to the people, He is risen from the dead, so the last delusion would be worse than the first. (65)Then said Pilate unto them, Ye have a guard, go and make it as secure as ye think fit. (66)So they went and made the sepulchre secure, putting a seal upon the stone, after placing the guard.

CHAP. XXVIII.

NOW after the eve of the sabbath, as the light was dawning, towards the first day of the week, Mary Magdalen had come, and the other Mary, to view the sepulchre. (2)And, lo! there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (3)His aspect was as lightning, and his raiment white as snow. (4)And for fear of him the guards shook, and became as dead men. (5)Then the angel addressing them, said to the women, Fear not ye; for I know that ye are seeking Jesus who was crucified. (6)He is not here: he is risen, as he said. Come hither, behold the place where the Lord lay. (7)And go quickly, tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead: and, lo! he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him, as he said unto you. (8)And they went out quickly from the sepulchre with fear, and great joy; and ran to carry the tidings to his disciples. (9)And as they were going to tell the disciples, then behold Jesus met them saying, Hail! And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. (10)Then saith Jesus to them, Be not affrighted: go, tell my disciples that they go into Galilee, there shall they see me.

(11)And as they were going, some of the guards who were come into the city, had told the chief priests all things which had happened. (12)And being assembled with the elders, and having held a council, they gave a large sum of money to the soldiers, (13)saying, Report, that his disciples coming by night stole him away, while you were asleep. (14)And if this comes to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and preserve you harmless. (15)So they took the money, and did as they were instructed. And this account is circulated among the Jews to this day.

(16)Then the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain, where Jesus had ordered them. (17)And when they saw him, they worshipped him. Still some doubted. (18)Then Jesus approaching, spake to them, saying, All power is given me in heaven and upon earth. (19)Go therefore, make disciples among all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (20)teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo! I am with you at all times even to the end of the world. Amen.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MARK.

CHAP. I.

THE beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; (2)as it is written in the prophets[11]; "Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, he shall prepare thy way before thee. (3)The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths strait." (4)John was baptising in the wilderness, and preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. (5)And all the country of Judea went out to him, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptised by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.

(6)Now John was clothed with a camel's hair garment, and a girdle of leather about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. (7)And he preached, saying, One mightier than I is coming after me, the string of whose shoes I am not worthy, stooping down, to unloose. (8)I indeed baptise you with water; but he shall baptise you with the Holy Ghost.

(9)And it came to pass in those days, Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and was baptised of John in Jordan. (10)And immediately on going up from the water, he saw the heavens divided by a chasm, and the Spirit as a dove descending upon him: (11)and a voice came from heaven, Thou art my beloved Son, in thee I am well pleased. (12)And immediately the Spirit impelled him to go into the wilderness. (13)And he was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministred unto him.

(14)But after John was delivered up, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God: (15)and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God draweth nigh: repent, and believe the gospel.

(16)And as he walked near the sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew his brother casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. (17)And Jesus said to them, Come after me, and I will appoint you to be fishers of men: (18)and immediately leaving their nets, they followed him. (19)And going from thence a little farther, he saw James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, and others in the vessel mending the nets. (20)And immediately he called them: and leaving their father Zebedee in the vessel with the hirelings, they went after him.

(21)And they entered into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath going into the synagogue, he taught. (22)And they were struck with astonishment at his doctrine; for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (23)And there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, (24)saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. (25)And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Be silent, and come out of him. (26)And the unclean spirit threw him into convulsions, and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. (27)And they were all in astonishment, so that they questioned one another, saying, What is this? what is this new doctrine? that with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him? (28)And there went out a report of him immediately into all the region of Galilee round about.

(29)Then straitway going out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. (30)But Simon's wife's mother lay in a fever, and immediately they informed him of her. (31)And he came and raised her up, and the fever left her immediately, and she waited upon them.

(32)But when the evening was come, after the sun was set, they brought unto him all that had illnesses, and the demoniacs. (33)And the whole city was gathered together about the door; (34)and he healed many who were grievously afflicted with a variety of diseases; and he cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak for they knew him.

(35)And very early (the night being far advanced towards morning) rising up, he went forth, and retired into a desert place, and there prayed. (36)And Simon, and those who were with him, eagerly pursued him; (37)and when they had found him, they say unto him, All men are inquiring after thee. (38)And he said unto them, Let us go into the neighbouring towns, that I may preach there also; for unto this purpose came I forth. (39)And he was preaching in their synagogues, through all Galilee, and casting out devils.

(40)And there came to him a leper, beseeching him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. (41)Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretching out his hand, touched him, and said to him, I will; be thou cleansed. (42)And as he spake, the leprosy instantly departed from him, and he was cleansed. (43)And giving him a strict charge, he immediately sent him away; (44)and said to him, Take care, that thou speak not a word to any man: but go, shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy purification, what Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. (45)But he going out, began to proclaim it much, and to publish abroad an account of it, so that he could no more openly come into the city; but was without in desert places; and they came to him from all parts of the country.

CHAP. II.

AND again he entered into Capernaum after some days: and it was heard, that he was in the house; (2)and immediately many collected round him, so that there was no room, not even at the door; and he spake the word to them. (3)And they come to him, carrying a paralytic, borne of four: (4)and not being able to come nigh him because of the crowd, they stripped off the roofing of the house where he was; and having broken a way through, they let down with ropes the couch, on which the paralytic lay. (5)Then Jesus beholding their faith, saith to the paralytic, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee. (6)Now there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts, (7)Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but the one God? (8)And instantly Jesus knowing by his spirit, that they reasoned thus among each other, said to them, Why reason ye about these things in your hearts? (9)Which is the easier thing, to say to a paralytic, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or to say, Arise and take up thy couch, and walk away? (10)But that ye may know that the Son of man hath authority upon earth to forgive sins, he saith to the paralytic, (11)I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thy house. (12)And he arose instantly, and taking up his couch, went out before them all; so that they were all astonished, and glorified God, saying, We never before saw any thing like this.

(13)And he went forth again to the sea side; and all the people came unto him; and he taught them. (14)And passing by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the custom-house, and he saith to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him (15)And it came to pass, as he sat at table in his house, many publicans also, and sinners, sat down with Jesus and his disciples; for they were numerous, and they followed him. (16)And the scribes and the Pharisees seeing him eat with publicans and sinners, said to his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? (17)And when Jesus heard it, he said unto them, They who are in strong health have no need of a physician, but they who have illness: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

(18)And the disciples of John and of the Pharisees kept fasts; and they came and said to him, Wherefore do the disciples of John, and of the Pharisees, fast? but thy disciples keep no fast. (19)And Jesus said to them, Can the children of the bridechamber fast, while the bridegroom is with them? as long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. (20)But the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days. (21)And no man seweth on a patch of cloth undressed upon an old garment: but if otherwise, the new piece supplied taketh away from the old, and the rent is made worse. (22)And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; but if otherwise, the new wine will burst the bottles, and the wine will be spilt, and the bottles destroyed: but new wine must be put into new bottles.

(23)And he was walking through the cornfields on the sabbath; and his disciples as they went on the road plucked the ears of corn. (24)And the Pharisees said to him, See, why are they doing on the sabbath, what is not lawful? (25)And he said unto them, Have ye never read what David did, when he was under necessity, and was hungry, himself and they who were with him? (26)How he entered into the house of God to Abiathar the high-priest; and did eat the shewbread, which it was not lawful for any to eat except the priests, and he gave also to those who were with him? (27)And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. (28)Wherefore the Son of man is Lord also of the sabbath.

CHAP. III.

AND he entered again into the synagogue; and a man was there who had a withered hand. (2)And they watched him if he would cure him on the sabbath; that they might accuse him. (3)And he saith to the man who had the withered hand, Rise up in the midst. (4)And he saith to them, Is it lawful on the sabbath day to do good, or to do evil, to preserve life, or to kill? but they were silent. (5)Then looking round about on them with indignation, exceedingly grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith to the man, Stretch out thine hand; and he stretched it out: and his hand was restored sound as the other. (6)And the Pharisees instantly going out, held a council with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

(7)And Jesus retired with his disciples to the sea side; and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judea, (8)and from Jerusalem, and from Idumea, and from the farther side of Jordan; and they around Tyre and Sidon, a vast multitude, when they heard what wonders he did, came unto him. (9)And he spoke to his disciples that a little boat should be ready for him, because of the crowd, lest they should press upon him: (10)for he healed many; insomuch, that they thronged in upon him, that they might touch him, as many as had afflictive diseases. (11)And the unclean spirits, when they beheld him, fell down before him, and cried out saying, Thou art the Son of God. (12)And he repeatedly charged them, that they should not make him known.

(13)And he went up into a mountain, and called to him those whom he chose; and they came to him. (14)And he appointed twelve to be with him, and to send them out to preach: (15)and to have authority to cure diseases, and to cast out devils: (16)and Simon he surnamed Peter; (17)and James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James; and surnamed them Boanerges, that is, sons of thunder: (18)and Andrew and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alpheus, and Thaddeus, and Simon the Canaanite, (19)and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him: and they came into an house.

(20)And the multitude came together again, so that they were not able even to eat bread. (21)And when his relations heard it, they went out to restrain him, for they said, He is transported beyond all bounds.