They Say, "He Casts Out Demons by Beelzebub"
His Own People Say He is Out of His Mind
Around this time, He came into Peter's house, and the crowds gathered around Him again so that they couldn't even eat. Hearing this, people from His own house1 went out to take charge of Him. They were saying, "He is out of His mind" (3:72K 3:20-21).
Blind and Mute Man Healed
2 Meanwhile, while His family was on their way down to Capernaum from Nazareth, the people brought to Him a man who was demon possessed, blind, and mute, and He healed him. Once the deaf-demon had been cast out, the deaf man began to talk, and he could see. The whole crowd was displaced and marveled, saying, "Could it be that He is the Son of David?" (3:64M 12:22-23, 7:45L 11:14).
The Pharisees Say, "He Casts Out Demons by Beelzebub
3 When the scribes and the Pharisees who had come down from Jerusalem heard this, they said, "He has Beelzebub!2 He does not cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons." Others, however, were testing Him, wanting a sign out of heaven from Him (M 12:24, K 3:22, L 11:15-16).
4 Jesus, knowing their thoughts, got their attention and spoke to them in parables, saying:
(M 12:25a,3 K 3:23a, L 11:17a)A Kingdom Divided Cannot Stand
5 "Every kingdom divided against itself becomes desolate, and every house divided against itself will fall!" (M 12:25b, L 11:17b).
6 "How can the Enemy cast out the Enemy?4 If he does, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? If the Enemy has risen up against himself, he is divided and cannot stand. He has come to an end" (M 12:26, K 3:23b-26, L 11:18).
7 "Yet, you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub? Well, if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? And so it is, they will be your judges. But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God and by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you" (M 12:27-28, L 11:19-20).
8 "When a strong man, fully armed, guards his palace, even his quart-yard is in peace and free for him to use. But when someone stronger than he is comes and conquers him, he takes all the equipment in which the strong man had trusted and divides it among his men. For no one can enter a strong man's house and take away his gear unless he first ties up the strong man. Then he will plunder his house" (M 12:29, K 3:27, L 11:21-22).
9 "And so it is, whoever is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters" (M 12:30, L 11:23).
Blasphemy Against the Spirit Will Not Be Forgiven
10 "Therefore, I tell you, and this is something you can count on: All sin and any slander a man commits will be forgiven. But whoever slanders the Holy Spirit, he will not be forgiven. Because they have said 'He has an unclean spirit,' they will not be forgiven – in this age or in the age to come. For they are, because of this, bound by sin eternally"5 (M 12:31-32, K 3:28-30).
One Demon Leaves, Seven Return
11 "When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, he goes through waterless places seeking rest and does not find any. Not finding any, he then says to himself, 'Since I have not found somewhere to stay, I will return to my house, the one I have just come from.' Following which, he went and found it ready. It had been swept and put in order. Finding it this way, he then went out to bring back seven other spirits who were more wicked than he was. They also went in to live there. And so it is, the last condition of that man has become even worse than it was at first. This is how it is, also, with this wicked generation" (See 2 Peter 2:21-22 and Hebrews 6:4-6) (4:18M 12:43-454:19, L 11:24-26).
Woman Says, "Blessed is the Womb that Bore You"
12 As He said this, a woman raised her voice above the crowd and said to Him, "Blessed is the womb that carried You and the breasts that nursed You!" (L 11:27).
Out of the Heart the Mouth Speaks
13 He said, "More than that! Blessed are those who hear the word of God and guard it in their lives! Either make the tree good and its fruit good or else make the tree bad and its fruit rotten. For you will know what kind of tree it is by the fruit that grows on it" (M 12:33, L 11:28).
14 "You children of venomous snakes! How can you, being evil, say anything good? For from the overflow of your heart, the mouth speaks(See Proverbs 16:1). A good man, from the good treasures he has, brings out good. And an evil man, from his evil treasures, brings out evil. And I tell you, every idle word a man says will return upon him in the Day of Judgment. For from your own words you will be shown righteous, and by your own words you will be condemned" (M 12:34-37).
The Pharisees Seek a Sign
15 Then, as the crowds were thickly gathered together, some of the scribes and Pharisees responded, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from You" (M 12:38, L 11:29a).
Just Like Jonah Was in the Belly of a Whale
16 He began to tell them, "This is an evil and adulterous generation6 asking for a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet. For just as Jonah had become a sign to the Ninevites, so also will the Son of Man be to this generation. For just as Jonah had been three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth"7 (M 12:39-40, L 11:29b-30).
17 "And because of this, the men of Nineveh will rise up and go into judgment with this generation and condemn it. For they listened to Jonah's preaching and then turned from their evil ways. And now, behold, someone greater than Jonah is here." (M 12:41, L 11:32a).
18 "As well, the queen of the South (that is the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-6))will rise up in the judgment along with the men of this generation and condemn it. Because she came from the edge of the known world at that time to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and, behold, now someone greater than Solomon is here" (M 12:424:11, L 11:31 & 32b3:226).8
His Mother and Brothers Come to See Him
19 While He was still speaking to the crowd, His mother and brothers had, by this time, arrived. They were standing outside, trying to get in to talk with Him. However, they could not get past the crowd to meet with Him, so they sent word in for someone to get His attention. Once the word had been passed along, someone from the crowd seated around Him said, "Look, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside wanting to talk to You" (4:11M 12:46-47, K 3:31-32, 4:35L 8:19-20).
20 He said to him, "Who is My mother? And who are My brothers?" Then He looked around in a circle to those who were seated around Him, and as He motioned with His hand toward His disciples, He said, "Look, here are My mother and My brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven, they are My brother, My sister, and My mother. My mother and My brothers are these who hear the word of God and do what it says" (M 12:48-504:21, K 3:33-354:21, L 8:214:51).
Jesus Teaches the Crowds in Parables
Jesus Begins to Teach in Parables
21 On that same day, Jesus left the house and went out to sit by the sea, and an extremely large crowd gathered around Him. He stepped into a boat that was in the water and sat down, while the whole crowd stood there on the shore facing Him. They had come to Him from every city, and again, He began to teach. But this time He taught them in parables9 (4:20M 13:1-2, 4:20K 4:1, 3:166L 8:4a).
The Parable of the Sower
22 He spoke to them with a lot of parables, and started out saying:
"Listen to me, and picture this: a sower went out to sow his seed, and it happened as he was scattering the seeds that some of them fell along the path. But, they were trampled down by men, and the birds of the air came and devoured them."
"Some of them also fell on the rocky ground, where there was not very much dirt, and they immediately began to sprout. But with the dirt not being very deep, and with the sun now coming up, and because they had no roots and water, they dried up and died."
"Some seed also fallen among prickly weeds, but the prickly weeds came up together with the seed and choked them, keeping them from producing."
"Other seeds, however, fell on the good ground, and they yielded a crop that produced: some thirty, some sixty, and some even a hundred times as much!" (See Hebrews 6:7-8) (M 13:3-8, K 4:2-8, L 8:4b-8a).
23 After He had said these things, along with some other parables,10 He cried out, "Whoever has the ears to hear, let him hear!" (M 13:9, K 4:9, L 8:8b).
His Disciples Ask, "Why Do You Speak to Them in Parables?"
24 When He was alone, those who had been around Him (including the twelve)11 asked Him about the parables, saying, "Why did You speak to them in parables?" (See John 14:22) (M 13:10, K 4:10).
25 He answered, "Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to the rest, who are outside, all things are given in parables. For whoever has, he will be given more, on top of it, and in abundance. But to whoever does not have, even what he does have will be taken away from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: because though they have their sight, they do not see. And though they have hearing, they do not listen and understand" (M 13:11-13, K 4:11-12a, L 8:10).
26 And so it is, in them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says:
And though you see, you will not understand.
For the hearts of this people have grown waxed over.
Their ears are hard of hearing, and their eyes are shut.
Otherwise they would have seen with their eyes,
Heard with their ears, understood with their hearts,
Return to Me, and I would heal them.'"
(Isaiah 6:9-10)
27 "However, your eyes are blessed because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly, I tell you, many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it" (M 13:16-17).
Parable of the Sower Explained
28 Then the disciples asked Him, "What does this parable of the sower mean?" (L 8:9).
29
He said, "You do not understand this parable? How, then, will you understand any of the parables . . .? Anyway, listen, this is what the parable of the sower represents:
(M 13:18, K 4:13)
30 "The seeds that are sown are the word of God. When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, these are the ones that are sown along the road. Our enemy, the Accuser – who is the evil one – comes and snatches away what had been planted in his heart so that he does not believe and be saved. This is the one who received the seed along the road" (M 13:19, K 4:14-15, L 8:11-12).
31 "The one who received the seed on the rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy. But he has no root in himself, and his belief is only temporary. For when troubles or persecution comes because of the word, he immediately stumbles and falls away" (M 13:20-21, K 4:16-17, L 8:13).
32 "The other seeds that were sown and fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard the word. But the cares of the moment, the deceitfulness of wealth, and the desires for the pleasures in life comes in and chokes the word so that it becomes unfruitful" (M 13:22, K 4:18-19, L 8:14).
33 "But he who received the seeds that fell on the good soil, they are the ones who hear the word and understand it – having heard the word with a good and honorable heart, guarding it in their lives. Indeed, they will bear fruit. They will, with patience and endurance, produce some thirty, some sixty, and some even a hundred times as much" (M 13:234:37, K 4:20, L 8:15).
Everything Will Be Brought Out into the Light
"Does anyone ever hide a lamp?12 No! No one, after he has lit a lamp, goes and covers it with a bucket or puts it under a couch. Instead, he puts it on a stand so that those who come in can see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not become visible, and nothing done in secret except that which will become known and come into visibility. And so it is, anyone who has an ear, let him hear"13 (K 4:21-23, L 8:16-17).
With the Measure You Use, it Will Be Measured Back to You
"Be careful of what principles you hear and live by. For in the same measure you measure with, it will be measured back to you. Whoever has, more will be given. And to whoever does not have, even what he thinks he does have will be taken away from him" (K 4:24-25, L 8:184:19).
"The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground: While he sleeps at night and gets up each day, the seed eventually sprouts and grows from the earth on its own accord, though the sower does not know how. All the sower knows is, first, the blade appears, then it develops the grain, and, finally, it ripens. And as soon as it's ripe, he immediately goes to use the sickle. For then it is time for the harvest" (K 4:26-29).
The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
37 Other parable s He had set before them were:14
"The kingdom of heaven is like a man who planted good seed in his field, after which, while people were sleeping, someone who hated him came along and planted weeds that look just like the wheat, among the wheat, and then left." (4:33M 13:24-25).
38 "However, once the wheat had sprouted and produced grain, then the differences between some of the weeds and the wheat could be seen. To which the servants of the farmer went up and asked him, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? If so, where did these tares come from?' He said, 'A hateful man had done this.'" (M 13:26-28a).
39 "So then the servants said, 'What do you want us to do, go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, or else while you are gathering up the tares, you will also uproot some of the wheat. Leave both of them grow together until they are fully ripe. Then, at the time of harvest, I will tell the reapers, 'First, gather up the tares and tie them into bundles to be burned. And bring the wheat into my barn'"15 (M 13:28b-30).
40 And also,16
"What can we compare the kingdom of God with, or what word picture can we throw along side of it?17 The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took and planted in his garden. It was smaller than all the other seeds of the earth, but it grew and became a large tree, bigger than all the other plants in his garden. It even grew branches so big that the birds of the air came and made their nests in them in order to rest in its shade"18 (M 13:31-32, K 4:30-32).
The Kingdom of God is Like Leaven
41 And also,19
"The kingdom of heaven is like a little yeast that a woman took and hid into three measures of dough (about nine gallons) until the whole batch became filled with it20 (M 13:33).
Jesus Explains the Parables
42 Jesus said all these things to the people in parables, and with a lot of parables like this He spoke the word to them – but only as they were able to hear it. He did not say anything to them unless it was in a parable so that what had been foretold by the prophet would be achieved, when he said,
An utter things hidden
Since the foundation of the world."
(Psalms 78:2)
44 And when they were alone, He explained everything to His disciples (M 13:34-35, K 4:33-344:51).
45 Then it happened, once Jesus had completed these parables, He sent the crowds away, left there, and went back into Peter's house21 (M 13:36a & 53).
Jesus Explains the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares
46 While they were in the house, His disciples came to Him and said "Explain the parable with the tares of the field to us" (M 13:36b).
"He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, and the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. The tares are the sons of the wicked one, and the enemy who sowed them is the Accuser.22 The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are the angels" (M 13:37-39).
48 "Therefore, just as the tares are collected and burned in the fire, that, also, is how it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will take out from among His kingdom everything that offends, and those who practice lawlessness, and cast them into the fiery furnace, a place where there will be men weeping and clenching their teeth in pain23 The righteous, however, will shine forth like the sun in the kingdom of their Father (See Daniel 12:3). Whoever has an ear, let him hear!" (M 13:40-438:22).
The Kingdom is Like a Dragnet
49 "Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and had all kinds of fish gathered into it. Then, once it was full, those who had cast the net dragged it to the shore and sat down to collect the good into storage and threw out the bad." (8:23M 13:47-48).
50 "This is how it will also be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth and separate the wicked from among the righteous, and then cast them into the fiery furnace, a place where there will be men weeping and grinding their teeth in pain"24 (See Proverbs 2:21-22) (M 13:49-50).
The Disciples Understand the Parables
51 Then Jesus said, "Have you understood all these things?" (M 13:51a).
52 They said, "Yes" (M 13:51b).
53 So then He told them, "Through this, then, every scribe who is a student of the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a house who brings out of his treasure things that are new and things old" (M 13:52).
Jesus Seeks Rest from the Crowds
The Son of Man Has Nowhere to Lay His Head
54 On that same day,25 in the evening, when Jesus saw the crowds around Him, He and His disciples stepped into a boat. He gave orders to go to the other side, saying, "Let's go, we are going to the other side of the lake" (3:31-32M 8:18, 4:42K 4:35, 4:20L 8:22a).
55 Just then, a scribe came to Him, and said, "Teacher, I'll follow You wherever You go" (M 8:19).
56 Jesus told him, "Foxes have dens to live in, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay down"26 (M 8:207:6).
Jesus Calms the Storm
57 And so it was, leaving the crowds, the twelve disciples27 took Him along into the boat as He was, not having had much rest because of the crowds,28 and launched out. (Other boats had also gone with Him, because they were determined to stay near Him.) (7:8M 8:23, K 4:36, L 8:22b)
58 But as they were sailing, He fell asleep.
59 While He slept, a bad storm with high winds came down onto the Sea. The waves coming in over the sides of the boat, filling it with water. They were in danger of being destroyed, but He was in the stern, asleep with a pillow (M 8:24, K 4:37-38a, L 8:23).
60 In a panic, His disciples came to Him, woke Him up, and said "Master, Master,29 don't You care that we are being destroyed? Save us!" (M 8:25, K 4:38b, L 8:24a).
61 He got up and rebuked the raging waters, saying, "Be quiet and still!" The wind died down to where there was a great calm. Then He said to the disciples, "Why are you so cowardly? Where is your faith? Do you not have it yet?" (M 8:26, K 4:39-40, L 8:24b-25a).
62 The men manning the boat30 marveled, and were extremely afraid, saying to each other, "Who is this that commands even the water and the winds and they obey Him?" (M 8:27, K 4:414:60, L 8:25b).
Demons Cast into the Swine
63 Then they sailed to the country of the Gerasenes (near the country of the Gadarenes),31 which is on the opposite side of the sea from Galilee (M 8:28a, 4:59K 5:1, L 8:26). 64 But by the time He got to the other side of the lake, stepped out of the boat, and onto land, there immediately came up to Him from the tombs, two demon possessed men (M 8:28b but not a or c, K 5:2, L 8:27a).
65 More specifically:32 One of the men from that city who had been possessed by demons for a long time was extremely violent – so violent that no one was able to pass by on that road. He did not wear clothes, and he did not live in a house. He dwelt among the tombs (M 8:28c but not a or b, K 5:3a, L 8:27b).
66 No one could tie him up, not even with chains. Whenever he was kept under guard, bound in shackles and chains, he would pull the chains apart and break the shackles into two pieces. No one was able to subdue him (K 5:3b-4, L 8:29c).
67 Many times he was seized by the demons, and would break his bonds and be carried away into the desolate areas. Every day and all night long he was in the mountains and among the tombs, screaming and cutting himself with stones (K 5:5, L 8:29b, d, & e).
68 And so it was, when he saw Jesus, while He was still far away, the man cried out, ran, and fell down in front of Him. He fell down with his face to the ground and worshiped Him, and with a loud voice, cried out, "What do you and me have to do with each other,33 Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Did You come here before the time to torment us? I want You to swear, God, not to torment me."34 For Jesus had told him, "Unclean Spirit, come out of the man!" (M 8:29, K 5:6-8, L 8:28-29a).
69 Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" (K 5:9a, L 8:30a).
70 "My name is Legion," he answered.
71 This was because many demons had entered into the man. And they strongly encouraged Jesus, hoping that He would not send them out from that land and into the bottomless pit (K 5:9b-10, L 8:30b-31).
72 At the same time, on that mountain, a long way off from there, there was a large herd of pigs feeding. The demons encouraged Him, saying, "If You cast us out, let it be that You send us into that herd of pigs" (M 8:30-31, K 5:11-12, L 8:32a).
73 Jesus gave them permission and said, "Go!" (M 8:32a, K 5:13a, L 8:32b).
74 The demons went out of the man and into the pigs (about two thousand of them). Then the whole herd began to run down the steep bank into the lake and drowned in the water (M 8:32b-33, K 5:13b, L 8:33).
75 Seeing what had happened, those who were taking care of the pigs fled and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed man, throughout the city and into the country side (M 8:343:41, K 5:14a, L 8:34).
76 Then, behold, the whole city came out to see what had happened and to meet Jesus. When they did, they found the man who had been cleansed from the legion of demons sitting at Jesus' feet, clothed and in his right mind, and it frightened them. Then those who had witnessed it began to describe the whole incident, telling them everything that had happened with the demon-possessed men35 and the pigs (K 5:14b-16, L 8:35-36).
77 Hearing what had happened, all the many people from the surrounding region of the Gergesenes and the Gadarenes asked, encouraging Him to leave their region because great fear had taken hold of them (See Isaiah 65:2-5, Exodus 20:18-19) (K 5:17, L 8:37a).
78 As Jesus stepped back into the boat, the man from whom the demons had come out wanted to be with Him, and so he encouraged Jesus to let him. However, Jesus did not allow him to but sent him away, saying, "Go back to your own house, to your family and friends, and tell them how much the Lord God has done for you, and how He has had mercy on you"36 (K 5:18-19, L 8:37b-39a).
79 Therefore, he went and began to proclaim throughout the whole city, and throughout all Decapolis,37 the great things Jesus had done for him. And everyone marveled (Philippians 2:6) (K 5:20, L 8:39b).
80 After that, getting into the boat, Jesus returned to Capernaum38 And when He crossed over again by boat to the other side of the lake from the area of Gergesenes, a crowd of people received Him gladly since they had all been waiting for Him. And while He was still along the sea, large crowds of people gathered around Him (K 5:214:83, L 8:40).
Pharisees Ask, "Why Do John's Disciples Fast, but Yours Do Not?"
81 As this was happening, since the Pharisees and the disciples of John the Baptist were in the practice of fasting, they came and said to Jesus, "John's disciples, as well as those of the Pharisees, fast and pray often. Yours don't. Instead, Yours eat and drink freely. Why is that?" (3:52M 9:14, 3:52K 2:18, 3:52L 5:33).
82 He replied, "Can you make the friends of the bridegroom morn and fast while the bridegroom is still with them? As long as the bridegroom is with them, they can't fast. However, the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then, in those days, they will fast" (Consider John 3:29) (M 9:15, K 2:19-20, L 5:34-35).
New Cloth on Old Clothing, and New Wine in Old Wineskins39
83 "No one puts a patch from new unshrunk material onto old clothing. If he did, the new piece of cloth would eventually shrink and pull away from the old, making the tear even worse. More than that, even if the new patch is from the same material as the used garment, it will not match. The garment will have been faded"40 (M 9:16, K 2:21, L 5:36).
84 "As well, no one puts unfermented wine into wineskins that have already been stretched from wine that has fermented in them. Otherwise, as the new wine ferments, it will burst the wineskin, spilling the wine and ruining the wineskin. Unfermented wine must be put into wineskins that have not yet been used so that both the wine and the wineskin will expand together and be preserved" (M 9:17, K 2:223:53, L 5:37-38).
85 "Likewise, no one, having drunk fermented wine, immediately desires the unfermented. For he says, 'The old is good'" (L 5:393:53).
Jarius' Girl Restored to Life and a Woman with a Flow of Blood Healed
Jarius, a Ruler of the Synagogue Asks Jesus to Heal His Daughter
86 While He was still saying these things, behold, a man came to Him, a man named Jarius, who was one of the rulers of the congregation in Capernaum. When he saw Jesus, he fell down at His feet and worshipped Him. He encouraged Jesus to come to his house because he had an only daughter about twelve years old41 who was dying. He encouraged Him strongly, saying, "My little daughter is dying.42 But if You come and lay Your hands on her, she will be saved and live."Jarius having said this, Jesus went with him, and so did His disciples (M 9:18-19,43 4:77K 5:22-24a & 4:9742b but not a or c4:97, 4:77L 8:41-42a).
87 But as He went, a large crowd followed Him. The crowd was very thick (K 5:24b, L 8:42b).
A Woman with a Flow of Blood Healed
88 With the thick crowd walking with Him, and pressing about Him, there was a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years (See Leviticus 15:25-27). She had also suffered in many ways from a number of physicians. She spent all she owned on doctors and did not get any better but, rather, grew worse. For they could not heal her (M 9:20a, K 5:25-26, L 8:43).
89 And when she heard about Jesus, she came up from behind Him in the crowd and touched the tassel of His cloak.44 For she had said, "If I could only lay hold of His cloak, then I would be delivered from this illness."Then, once she touched Him, her flow of blood immediately stopped. She could feel it in her body that she was healed of this affliction (M 9:20b-21, K 5:27-29, L 8:44).
90 Instantly, knowing within Himself that power had gone out from Him, Jesus turned to the crowd and said, "Who touched My cloak?" (M 9:22a & c, K 5:30, L 8:45).
91 When everyone denied it, Peter said, "Master, the crowd is thick and packed very tightly together, and You say, 'Who touched Me?'" (K 5:31).
92 Jesus said it again: "Who touched Me? I felt power going out from Me. . . ." And so He looked around to see who it was that had done this (K 5:32, L 8:46).
93 When the woman saw that she could not go unnoticed, she came trembling with fear and fell down with her face to the ground in front of Him. She told Him, in the sight of everybody, the whole truth. That is, she told Him the reason she had touched Him and how she had been healed at that very moment (K 5:33, L 8:47).
94 Jesus looked at her and said, "Daughter, be of good cheer. Your faith has saved you. Go in peace. You are healed of your affliction" (M 9:22b but not a or c4:95, K 5:34, L 8:48).
Jarius' (the Ruler of the Synagogue) Daughter is Healed
95 While Jesus was still speaking, someone from the congregation-ruler's house came and said to Jarius, "Your daughter is dead; do not trouble the Teacher any further" (K 5:35, L 8:49).
96 When Jesus overheard this, He said to the ruler of the congregation, "Do not fear; just trust and she will be made well" (K 5:36, L 8:50).
97 And so, not allowing anyone to go with Him except Peter, Jacob,45 and John (Jacob's brother) – as well as the mother and father of the child – Jesus went to the ruler's house (K 5:37, L 8:51b).
98 Once He arrived, He saw the flute players and the crowd weeping and making loud cries. But as He entered the house, He said to them, "Out of the way; why all this noise? Do not weep. The child is not dead but only sleeping." However, they made fun of Him since they had seen for themselves that she was dead (4:87 & 91M 9:23-24, K 5:38-40a, L 8:51a & 52-53).
99 He threw them out, took the father and mother of the child, and those who were with Him, and went in to where the child was lying. He took the girl by the hand and said, "Talitha, kumi,"46 which is translated, "Little girl, I tell you, arise" (M 9:25a, K 5:40b-41, L 8:54).
100 At that moment, Her spirit returned. The girl immediately got up and walked. Jesus arranged for her to be given something to eat (M 9:25b, K 5:42a4:83 & c & 43b,47 L 8:55).
101 At this, her parents were set beside themselves and extremely excited. But Jesus firmly told them not to let anyone know about what had happened. However, in spite of that, the report of this still went out throughout that whole area (M 9:26, K 5:43a4:109, L 8:565:1).
Jesus Heals Two Blind and One Dumb Man
102 Leaving from there, as He was passing by, two blind men followed Him and cried out, "Son of David, have mercy on us!" (M 9:27).
103 Then as He went into the house,48 the two blind men49 came over to Him (M 9:28a but not b or c).104 Jesus said, "Do you believe I am able to do this?" (M 9:28b but not a or c).
105 "Yes, Lord!" they said (M 9:28c).
106 He touched their eyes and said, "Let it happen to you according to your faith." Then their eyes were opened (M 9:29-30a).
107 Jesus warned them, strongly, however, saying, "See to it that no one knows about this" (M 9:30b).
108 But that did not stop them because, as they left, they spread the news about Him throughout that whole land anyway (M 9:31).
109 As they were leaving, behold, the people brought to Jesus a man that could not speak – a man demon-possessed. After He had cast out the demon, the dumb man began to talk (M 9:32-33a).
110 The crowds marveled, saying, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel" (M 9:33b).
111 The Pharisees, however, said, "He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons" (M 9:344:112).
Again, Rejected by His Own
Jesus is Rejected by His Own
(number two)50
112 And so it was, after healing Jarius' daughter, Jesus left that area (the area of Capernaum) and went into His own hometown, Nazareth, and His disciples followed Him (4:43M 13:54a, 4:97K 6:1).
113 As it was, on the Sabbath, He began to teach in their congregation. And while He was there, many of them heard Him teaching. But they were shocked and said, "Where did He get this wisdom, and who gave Him the ability to do the miracles He is doing? Isn't He the craftsman? Isn't this the craftsman's son? Isn't His mother's name Miriam? And His brothers, aren't they Jacob, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? His sisters, aren't they all here with us? Where, then, did this Man get all these things?" And so it was, they stumbled because of Him (M 13:54b-56, K 6:2-3).
A Prophet is Not without Honor Except in His Own Country
114 Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not without honor except in His own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house." Therefore, He did not have the power to do many works there because of their unbelief. Except He did lay His hands on a few sick people, and they were healed; yet, He marveled because of their unbelief (M 13:57-58, K 6:4-6a).
Jesus Travels in a Circuit Teaching
115 After this, He went around in a circuit, throughout the villages of that area, teaching. He went into every city and village teaching in their congregations, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, healing every sickness and every weakness the people had among them. And when He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them because they were troubled and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest certainly is plentiful, but there are only a few workers. Therefore, ask the Lord of the harvest, earnestly. Ask Him to send workers out into His field to harvest the crop"51 (4:108M 9:35-385:1, K 6:6b5:1).
