Matthew

1   A scroll of the lineagea of Yeshua the Anointed, son of David, son of Abraham.

    Abraham fathered Yitshak.

    And Yitshak fathered Yaakov.

    And Yaakov fathered Yehuda and his brothers.

    And Yehuda fathered Perez and Zerah, (with Tamar).

    And Perez fathered Hezron.

    And Hezron fathered Aram.

    And Aram fathered Aminadab.

    And Aminadab fathered Nahshon.

    And Nahshon fathered Salmon.

    And Salmon fathered Boaz, (with Rahab).

    And Boaz fathered Obed, (with Ruth).

    And Obed fathered Yishay.

    And Yishay fathered David, the king.

    And David the king fathered Solomon, (with the one who’d been Uriah’s).

    And Solomon fathered Rehoboam.

    And Rehoboam fathered Abiyah.

    And Abiyah fathered Asa.

    And Asa fathered Jehoshaphat.

    And Jehoshaphat fathered Jehoram.

    And Jehoram fathered Uzziah.

    And Uzziah fathered Jotham.

    And Jotham fathered Ahaz.

    And Ahaz fathered Hezekiah.

    And Hezekiah fathered Manasseh.

    And Manasseh fathered Amon.

    And Amon fathered Josiah.

    And Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, during the exile of Babylon.

    And after the exile of Babylon, Jeconiah fathered Shealitiel.

    And Shealitiel fathered Zerubbabel.

    And Zerubbabel fathered Abiud.

    And Abiud fathered Eliakim.

    And Eliakim fathered Azor.

    And Azor fathered Zadok.

    And Zadok fathered Akim.

    And Akim fathered Eliud.

    And Eliud fathered Eleazar.

    And Eleazar fathered Matthan.

    And Matthan fathered Yaakov.

    And Yaakov fathered Yosef, the husband of Maria, from whom Yeshua was born, the one called the Anointed.

    All the generations then were fourteen generations from Abraham until David, and fourteen generations from David until the exile of Babylon, and fourteen generations from the exile of Babylon until the Anointed.

    And the birth of Yeshua the Anointed was like this:

    His mother Maria had been promised in marriage to Yosef, but before they’d come together she was found to be pregnantb from the holy spirit. And Yosef, her husband, being a righteous person, and not wanting her to be made an example of, intended to release her secretly. But while he was considering these things. Look! A messenger of the lordc [Yahweh] appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Yosef, son of David. Don’t be afraid to take Maria as your- wife. For the one being born is from the holy spirit. And she’ll give birth to a son, and you’ll- name him Yeshuad. For he himself will save his people from their sins.”

    And all this came to be so that what was declared by the lordc [Yahweh] through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, “Look! The virgin will be pregnantb, and she’ll give birth to a son, and they’ll name him Emmanuele, (which is translated as God among us).” And when he’d woken from the sleep, Yosef did as the messenger of the lordc [Yahweh] had commanded him, and he took his wife to himself. But he wasn’t intimate with her until she gave birth to her son, the firstborn. And he named him Yeshua.

a) “lineage” is the Greek word “genesis”

b) “pregnant” is literally “to have in the belly”

c) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

d) Yeshua is the Aramaic form of the Hebrew name meaning “Yahweh saves”

e) Emmanuel is a Hebrew name meaning “God is with us”

2   And Yeshua was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king. Look! Magiciansa from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where’s the one who has been born king of the Jews? For we’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to worship him.” And when he heard this, Herod the king was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. And gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired from them where the Anointed was to be born. And they said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea. For this is what’s been written through the prophet. ‘And you-, Bethlehem, land of Judea, you’re- by no means least among those governors of Judea, for out of you- will come the one who leads, who’ll shepherd my people, Yisrael.’”

    Then Herod called the magicians secretly, and determined accurately from them the time of the appearance of the star. And he sent them to Bethlehem, having said, “Go, and examine precisely concerning the child, and whatever you= find, come and report to me so I may also go and worship him.” And when they had heard the king they went off. And look! The star which they’d seen in the east went ahead of them until it came and stopped over where the child was. And when they saw the star, they rejoiced with extremely great joy. And when they came into the house, they saw the child with Maria, his mother. And they fell down and worshipped him. And opening up their treasures, they presented him offerings of gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

    But having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another road. And when they’d withdrawn. Look! A messenger of the lordb [Yahweh] appeared to Yosef in a dream, saying, “Wake up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you-. For Herod is about to seek the child to destroy him.” And when he woke up, he took the child and his mother, and withdrew to Egypt by night. And he was there until the death of Herod, so that what had been declared by the lordb[Yahweh] through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, “I’ve called my son out of Egypt.”

    When Herod saw that he’d been mocked by the magicians, he was very enraged. And he sent and killed all the childrenc in Bethlehem, and in all its borders, from two years old and under, according to the time which he’d determined from the magicians. Then what had been declared by the prophet Yermiyah was fulfilled, saying, “A voice is heard in Ramah, a funeral song, and weeping, and a great lamenting. Rachel weeping for her children, and not willing to be consoled, because they are no longer.”

    And when Herod had died. Look! A messenger of the lordb [Yahweh] appeared to Yosef in a dream in Egypt, saying, “Wake up, take the child and his mother, and go to the land of Yisrael. For those who sought the life of the child have died.” And when he woke up, he took the child and his mother, and went to the land of Yisrael. But, since he’d heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea instead of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the parts of Galilee. And he came and dwelt in a town called Nazareth, so that what had been declared through the prophets would be fulfilled, “He’ll be called a Nazarene.”

a) this could mean anything from astrologers to sorcerers. They were probably followers of Zoroaster

b) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

c) traditionally “children” has been translated “boys” but the Greek word is not gender specific

3   And in those days Yohannes the Immerser came proclaiming in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of the heavens has come near.” For this is the one who was declared by the prophet Yisheyah, saying, “A voice of one who shouts in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way of the lorda [Yahweh]. Make his track straight.’” And Yohannes himself had clothing of camel hair, and a leather belt around his loin. And his food was locusts and field honey.

    Then Jerusalem went out to him, and all Judea, and all the surrounding area of the Jordan. And confessing their sins, they were immersed in the Jordan by him. And when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming towards his immersion, he said to them, “Offspring of vipers. Who told to you= to flee from the impending wrath? Produce fruit then which is worthy of repentance. And don’t presume to say to yourselves ‘We have Abraham as a father.’ For I say to you= that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones.

    And already now the axe has been laid at the root of the trees. So every tree which doesn’t produce quality fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Indeed, I immerse you= in water into repentance, but the one who comes after me is stronger than me, of whom I’m not adequate to carry his sandals. He himself will immerse you= in the holy spirit. His winnowing shovel is in his hand, and he’ll thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and he’ll gather his grain into the storehouse, and he’ll burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

    Then Yeshua came along from Galilee to the Jordan, to Yohannes, to be immersed by him. And Yohannes forbade him saying, “I need to be immersed by you-. And you’re- coming to me?” But answering, Yeshua said to him, “Allow it like this for now, for in this way it’s fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Then he allowed it.

    And when he’d been immersed, Yeshua went up straightaway from the water. And look! The heavens were opened up, and he saw the spirit of God coming down like a dove, and coming upon him. And look! There was a voice from the heavens saying, “This is my son, who is beloved, in whom I’m delighted.”

a) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

4   Then Yeshua was led up to the wilderness by the spirit, to be tested by Diabolosa. And after he’d fasted for forty days and nights he was hungry. And the one who was testing him came up to him and said, “If you’re- the son of God, speak, so these stones become loaves of bread.” But answering he said, “It’s been written, ‘A person won’t live on bread alone, but on every declaration which comes out of the mouth of God.’”

    Then Diabolosa took him into the holy city, and stood him on the wing of the temple, and he said to him, “If you’re- the son of God, throw yourself down. For it’s been written, ‘His messengers will be commanded about you-, and they’ll lift you- on their hands, otherwise you- might strike your- foot against a stone.’” Yeshua declared to him again, “It’s been written, ‘You- shouldn’t test the lordb [Yahweh] your- god.’”

    Again Diabolosa took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory. And he said to him, “I’ll give all these to you- if you- fall down and worship me.” Then Yeshua said to him, “Go away, behind me Satanc. For it’s been written, ‘You’ll- worship the lordb [Yahweh] your- god, and you’ll- serve only him.’” Then Diabolos left him alone. And look! Messengers came near and served him.

    Now when Yeshua heard that Yohannes had been handed over, he withdrew into Galilee. And when he left Nazareth, he went and dwelt in Capernaum, which is beside the sea, in the borders of Zebulun and Naphtali, so that what was declared through the prophet Yisheyah would be fulfilled, saying, “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, on the other side of the Jordan, Galilee of the nations — the people sitting in darkness have seen a great light. And light has risen up to those sitting in the countryside, and in the shadow of death.”

    From then on Yeshua began proclaiming, and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of the heavens has come near.”

    And walking beside the sea of Galilee he saw two brothers, Shimon, the one called Petros, and Andreas, his brother, throwing their net into the sea, (for they were fishermen), and he said to them, “Come here after me, and I’ll make you= fishermen of people.” And straightaway, having left their nets behind, they followed him.

    And going on from there he saw two other brothers, Yaakov, of Zebedee, and Yohannes, his brother, repairing their nets in a boat with Zebedee their father. And he called them. And straightaway, having left the boat and their father behind, they followed him.

    Yeshua was going around the whole of Galilee teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness among the people. And news of him went out into the whole of Syria. And they brought to him all those who were sick, who had various diseases, and who were constrained by torments, and those who were possessed by demons, and lunaticsd, and paralytics. And he cured them. And many crowds followed him, from Galilee, and from the Decapolise, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and the other side of the Jordan.

a) Diabolos means “slanderer”

b) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

c) Satan is the Hebrew name for Diabolos and means “accuser”

d) “lunatics” is literally “moonstruck”

e) the Decapolis was a group of ten cities in Israel, Jordan and Syria

5   And when he saw the crowds, he went up into the mountain. And when he’d sat down his disciples approached him. And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying, “The poor in spirit are blessed, because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs. Those who mourn are blessed because they’ll be consoled. The meek are blessed because they’ll inherit the earth. Those who hunger and who thirst for righteousness are blessed because they’ll be satisfied. The compassionate are blessed because they’ll be shown mercy. The pure of heart are blessed because they’ll look upon God. The peacemakers are blessed because they’ll be called sons of God. Those who’ve been persecuted on account of righteousness are blessed because the kingdom of the heavens is theirs.

    You’re= blessed when they reproach you=, and persecute you=, and falsely say every wicked thing against you= on account of me. Rejoice, and rejoice exceedingly, because your= reward is great in the heavens. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you=.

    You’re= the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its flavour, how will it be made salty? It’s no longer useful for anything, except to be thrown outside and to be trampled by the people. You’re= the light of the world. A town which lies on a mountain isn’t able to be hidden. Neither do they burn a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it shines to all those who are in the house. Let your= light shine in this way in front of people, so they may see your= gooda works, and they’ll glorify your= father who’s in the heavens.

    You= shouldn’t presume that I came to demolish the law or the prophets, I didn’t come to demolish, but to fulfil. Amenb. For I say to you=, until the sky and the earth pass away, not one iotac, nor one hornd, will pass away from the law until all things come to pass. So whoever removes one of the least of these commands, and teaches people in this way, will be called least in the kingdom of the heavens. But whoever does and teaches, this one will be called great in the kingdom of the heavens. For I say to you=, that unless your= righteousness overabounds more than that of the scribes and the Pharisees, you= won’t enter into the kingdom of the heavens at all.

    You’ve= heard that it was declared to the ancients, ‘You- won’t murder. Whoever murders will be subject to judgement.’ But I say to you= that everyone who’s indignant with their brother for no reason will be subject to judgement. Whoever says to their brother, ‘Raka’e, will be subject to the Sanhedrin, and whoever says, ‘Foolish’, will be subject to the fire of Gehennaf.

    So if you’re- presenting your- offering on the altar, and there you’re- reminded that your- brother has something against you-. Leave your- offering there in front of the altar, and go off first to be reconciled with your- brother. And then come and present your- offering.

    Agree quickly with the plaintiff against you-, while you’re- on the way with him. Otherwise the plaintiff might hand you- over to the judge, and the judge might hand you- over to the attendant, and you- might be thrown into jail. Amenb, I say to you-, you- won’t come out from there at all until you’ve- paid the last quadransg.

    You’ve= heard that it was declared, ‘You- won’t commit adultery.’ But I say to you=, that everyone who looks at a woman to desire her, has already committed adultery with her in their heart. And if your- right eye makes you- stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you-. For it’s beneficial to you- that one of the parts of your- body should be lost, and not that your- whole body should be thrown into Gehennaf. And if your- right hand makes you- stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you-. For it’s beneficial to you- that one of the parts of your- body should be lost, and not that your- whole body should be thrown into Gehenna.

    And it was declared ‘Whoever releases his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce’. But I say to you= that whoever releases his wife outside of an account of fornication, makes her commit adultery. And whoever marries the one who has been released is committing adultery.

    Again, you’ve= heard that it was declared to the ancients, ‘You- won’t swear falsely, but you’ll- pay your- oaths to the lordh [Yahweh].’ But I say to you=, don’t swear at all. Not by heaven, because it’s the throne of God, nor by the earth, because it’s the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, because it’s the city of the great king. Nor should you- swear by your- own head, because you- aren’t able to make one hair white or black. But let your= message be ‘Yes. Yes.’ or ‘No. No.’ And whatever is more than these is from wickedness.

    You’ve= heard that it was declared, ‘And eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you=, don’t resist the one who’s wicked, but to anyone who slaps you- on your- right cheek, turn the other to them also. And to the one who wants you- to be judged, and to take your- tunic, leave him the cloak also. And anyone who pressesi you- for a mile, go off with them for two. Give to the one who requests from you-, and don’t turn away the one who wants to borrow from you-.

    You’ve= heard that it was declared, ‘You’ll- love your- neighbour, and you’ll- hate your- enemy.’ But I say to you=, love your= enemies, bless those who are cursing you=, do good to those who hate you=, and pray for those who threaten you= and persecute you=, so you= may become sons of your= father who’s in the heavens. Because his sun rises on the wicked and the good, and he rains on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you= love those who love you=, what reward do you= have? Don’t the tax collectors also do the same? And if you= greet only your= friends, what are you= doing extra? Don’t the tax collectors also behave in this way? Then you’ll= be perfect, just as your= father who’s in the heavens is perfect.

a) good in terms of quality, not morality

b) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

c) iota is the smallest letter of the Greek alphabet

d) the point of a letter was called a horn

e) raka was a Hebrew insult roughly meaning “empty”

f) Gehenna is the Hebrew name for hell

g) a quadrans (a quarter) was a bronze coin worth a quarter of an assarion which itself was worth about a tenth of a days pay for a labourer.

h) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

i) “presses” in the sense of forced service

6   Watch out that you= don’t do your= act of charity in front of people, to be gazed at by them. And if you= do, you’ll= surely have no reward from your= father who’s in the heavens. So whenever you- do an act of charity, you- shouldn’t trumpet in front of you- as the hypocrites do, in the synagogues, and in the streets, so they might be glorified by the people. Amena, I say to you=, they’re collecting their reward. But you-, when you- do an act of charity, don’t let your- left hand know what your- right hand is doing, so your- act of charity may be in secret. And your- father, who observes things done in secret, will repay you- himself, in the open.

    And whenever you- pray, don’t be like the hypocrites, because they’re fond of standing and praying in the synagogues, and in the corners of the squares, so they might be seen by the people. Amena, I say to you=, that they’re collecting their reward. But you-, whenever you- pray, enter into your- storeroom and shut your- door, and pray to your- father who’s in secret. And your- father, who observes things done in secret, will repay you- in the open.

    And when you= pray, you= shouldn’t utter useless repetitions like the nations do, for they assume that by speaking much they’ll be listened to. So don’t be like them, for your= father knows what you= need before you= request it from him. So pray in this way — ‘Our father who’s in the heavens. Let your- name be considered holy. Let your- kingdom come. Let your- will also come to be on the earth, as it is in heaven. Give us our bread, enough for a day, today. And pardon us what we owe, since we also pardon our debtors. And don’t bring us into a trial, but rescue us from the wicked one, because the kingdom, and the power, and the glory are yours- into the ages. Amena.’ For if you= pardon people their transgressions, your= heavenly father will also pardon you=. But if you= don’t pardon people their transgressions, neither will your= father pardon your= transgressions.

    And whenever you= fast, don’t become like the hypocrites, with a sad face. For they disguise their faces so they may appear to people to be fasting. Amena, I say to you= that they’re collecting their reward. But you-, when you- fast, anoint your- head and wash your- face, so you- won’t appear to people to be fasting, but to your- father who’s in secret, who observes things done in secret, who’ll repay you- in the open.

    Don’t hoard treasures on earth where moth and corrosion make them disappear, and where thieves dig through and steal. But hoard treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor corrosion make them disappear, and where thieves neither dig through nor steal. For where your= treasure is, there your= heart will be also.

    The eye is the lamp of the body. So if your- eye is simpleb, then your- whole body will be lit up. But if your- eye is wicked, your- whole body will be darkened. So if the light in you- is darkness, how great is that darkness!

    Nobody is able to be a slave to two masters. For they’ll either hate one and love the other, or they’ll hold close to one and despise the other. You= aren’t able to be a slave to God and to mammonc.

    Because of this I say to you=, don’t be anxious about your= life, what you= might eat, and what you= might drink, nor about your= body, what you= should wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the sky, because they neither sow, nor reap, nor gather into a storehouse, and your= heavenly father looks after them. Aren’t you= of even more consequence than them? And who among you= is able to add a cubitd to their height by being anxious?

    And why are you= anxious about clothing? Study the lilies of the field closely, how they grow. They don’t labour, nor do they spin [cloth], but I say to you= that not even Solomon in all his glory was clothed like one of these. And if God clothes the grass of the field in this way, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he even much more clothe you=, you= of little faith.

    So you= shouldn’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we be clothed with?’ For the nations seek after all these things, and because your= heavenly father knows that you= need all these. But first, seek the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you=. So don’t be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for its own things. The evil of today is sufficient.

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) simple as opposed to complex

c) mammon was a Hebrew word meaning “material wealth”

d) a cubit is the distance from a man’s elbow to the finger tips, about 45cm

7   Don’t judge, so you= won’t be judged. For you’ll= be judged with the judgement you= judge with. And it’ll be measured to you= with the measure you= measure with. And why do you- look at the twig in the eye of your- brother, but you- don’t examine the beama in your- own eye? Or how can you- say to your- brother, “Allow me to remove the twig from your- eye.” And look! There’s a beam in your- own eye. Hypocrite. First remove the beam from your- own eye, and then you’ll- see clearly to remove the twig from the eye of your- brother.

    Don’t give holy things to the dogs, or throw your= pearls in front of pigs. Otherwise they might trample them under their feet, and turn, and tear you= to pieces. Request and it’ll be given to you=. Seek and you’ll= find. Knock and it’ll be opened to you=. For everyone who requests receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it’ll be opened.

    And what person is among you= who, if their son requests bread, would present him a stone? Or if he requests a fish, will present him a serpent? So then, if you=, being wicked, know how to give good gifts to your= children, how much more then will your= father who’s in the heavens give good things to those who request from him.

    All things then, whatever you= want people to do to you=, do to them in the same way. For this is the law and the prophets.

    Enter in through the narrow gate. Because the gate is wide, and the path is broad which leads to destruction, and there are many who are going in through it. But the gate is narrow, and the path is constricted which leads to life, and those who find it are few.

    And watch out for false prophets, who come to you= in the clothing of sheep but on the inside they are plundering wolves. You’ll= recognise them from their fruit. They don’t gather grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles, do they? In this way, every goodb tree produces quality fruit, but a poorc tree produces bad fruit. A goodb tree isn’t able to produce bad fruit, neither does a poorc tree produce quality fruit. Every tree which doesn’t produce quality fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Surely then, you’ll= recognise them from their fruit.

    Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord. Lord.’ will enter into the kingdom of the heavens, but the one who does the will of my father who’s in the heavens. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord. Lord. Didn’t we prophesy in your- name, and by your- name cast out demons, and by your- name do many works of power?’ And then I’ll declare to them, ‘I never knew you=. Go away from me, you= who work lawlessness.’

    Everyone then who hears these messages of mine and does them, I’ll liken them to a sensible man, who built his house on the rock. And the rain came down, and the rivers came, and the winds blew, and they fell upon that house, but it didn’t fall down because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these messages of mine and doesn’t do them, will be likened to a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. And the rain came down, and the rivers came, and the winds blew, and they struck that house, and it fell down. And its fall was great.”

    And it came to be, when Yeshua had concluded these messages, that the crowds were astonished at his teaching. For he taught them like one who had authority, and not like the scribes.

a) a beam of timber

b) morally good

c) poor quality

8   When he came down from the mountain many crowds followed him. And look! A leper came and worshipped him saying, “Lord. If you’re- willing, you’re- able to cleanse me.” And stretching out his hand Yeshua touched him, saying, “I’m willing. Be cleansed.” And straightaway his leprosy was cleansed, and Yeshua said to him, “See that you- don’t speak to anybody, but go and show yourself to the priest, and present the offering which Moshe prescribed as a testimony to them.”

    And when he entered into Capernaum a centurion approached him, entreating him, and saying, “Lord. My childa has been laid lowb in the house, paralysed, dreadfully tortured.” And Yeshua said to him, “I’ll come and cure him.” But answering, the centurion declared, “Lord. I’m not important enough that you- should enter under my roof, but only say the message, and my childa will be healed. For I’m also a person under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go’, and he goes, and to another, ‘Come’, and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this’, and he does it.” And when he heard this, Yeshua marvelled and said to those who were following, “Amenc, I say to you=, I haven’t yet found so much faith in Yisrael. But I say to you=, that many from the east and the west will arrive, and they’ll recline with Abraham, and Yitshak, and Yaakov in the kingdom of the heavens. But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.” And Yeshua said to the centurion, “Go off and let it come to be for you- as you’ve- trusted.” And his childa was healed in that hour.

    And when he came into the house of Petros, Yeshua saw his mother-in-law — laid lowb and feverish. And he touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and served him. And when it had become evening, they presented many who were demon possessed to him, and he cast the spirits out with a statement, and he cured all those who were ill. So that what was declared through the prophet Yisheyah would be fulfilled, saying, “He himself took our illnesses, and he bore our diseases.”

    And when he saw the many crowds around him, Yeshua gave an order to go over to the other side. And a scribe approached and said to him, “Teacher. I’ll follow you- wherever you- go.” And Yeshua said to him, “The foxes have dens, and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man doesn’t have anywhere to recline his head.” And another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, first permit me to go off and to bury my father.” But Yeshua said to him, “Follow me, and allow the dead to bury their own dead.”

    And he stepped into the boat and his disciples followed him. And look! A great stormd came about in the sea, so that the boat was being covered by the waves. But he himself was lying down asleep. And his disciples came to him and woke him, saying, “Lord. Save us. We’re being destroyed.” And he said to them, “Why are you= cowardly, you= of little faith.” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there came a great calm. And the people marvelled, saying, “What kind of person is this, that the winds and the sea obey him?”

    And when he came to the other side, into the region of the Gadarenes, two demon possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, very savage, so that no one was strong enough to pass by through that road. And look! They cried out, saying, “What are we to you-, Yeshua, son of God? Did you- come here before time to torture us?” Now, far off from them, a herd of many pigs was being grazed. And the daemons entreated him, saying, “If you- cast us out, permit us to go into the herd of pigs.” And he said to them, “Go.” So they came out and went off into the herd of pigs. And look! The whole herd of pigs rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters. But those who were grazing them fled. And they went into the town and reported everything, including the matters of the demon possessed men. And look! The whole town came out to meet Yeshua, and when they saw him they entreated him to cross over from their borders.

a) “child” could also be “servant”

b) “laid low” is literally “thrown down”

c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

d) “storm” here is literally “shaking”, it is the same word translated “earthquake” elsewhere

9   And he stepped into the boat and crossed over and came to his own town. And look! They brought a paralytic to him who’d been laid on a mat. And when he saw their faith Yeshua said to the paralytic, “Have courage child, your- sins have been pardoned.” And look! Some of the scribes said among themselves, “This man is speaking evil.” And seeing their thoughts Yeshua said “Why are you= thinking wicked things in your= hearts? For which is easier, to say ‘Your- sins have been pardoned’, or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But, so that you= may see that the Son of Man has authority on the earth to pardon sins...” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, pick up your- mat, and go off to your- household.” And he got up and went off to his household. And when they saw this the crowds marvelled. And they glorified God who’d given such authority to people.

    And passing on from there Yeshua saw a person, called Matthaios, sitting at the tax booth. And he said to him, “Follow me.” And he got up and followed him. And it came to be that he [Yeshua] was reclining in his [Matthaios] house. And look! Many tax collectors and sinners came and reclined together with Yeshua and his disciples. And when they saw this, the Pharisees said to his disciples, “Why does your= teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard them, Yeshua said to them, “The strong have no need of a physician, but the sick do. Go and learn what ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice’ is. For I didn’t come to call the righteous, but sinners, into repentance.”

    Then the disciples of Yohannes came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your- disciples don’t fast?” And Yeshua said to them, “The sons of the wedding chamber can’t mourn while the bridegroom is with them, can they? But days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they’ll fast.

    And nobody patches an old cloak with a patch of unprocessed cloth. For as it shrinks it pulls away from the cloak, and a worse tear occurs. Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins. And if they do the wineskins will burst, and the wine will pour out, and the wineskins will be ruined. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

    While he was saying these things to them. Look! A ruler came and worshipped him, saying, “My daughter has just died. But come and place your- hand on her, and she’ll live.” And Yeshua got up and followed him, with his disciples. And look! There was a woman who’d had a discharge of blood for twelve years. She approached him from behind and touched the tassel of his cloak. For she’d said to herself, “If only I could touch his cloak I’ll be healed.” But Yeshua turned around, and when he saw her he said, “Have courage daughter, your- faith has healed you-.” And the woman was healed from that hour.

    And when he came to the house of the ruler, and he saw the flute players and the crowd making a commotion, Yeshua said to them, “Go away, for the girl hasn’t died — she’s sleeping.” And they ridiculed him. But when the crowd had been thrown out, he went in, and he held her hand, and the girl woke up. And the fame of this went out into that whole land.

    When Yeshua went on from there, two blind people followed him, crying out and saying, “Have mercy on us son of David.” And when he came into the house, the blind ones approached him, and Yeshua said to them, “Do you= believe that I’m able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes lord.” Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be to you= according to your= faith.” And their eyes were opened. And Yeshua strongly admonished them, saying, “See that you= don’t let anybody know this.” But when they’d gone off, they spread it through that whole land.

    And as they went out. Look! They presented a deaf person to him who was demon possessed. And when the demon had been cast out, the deaf person spoke. And the crowds marvelled saying, “Nothing like this has ever appeared in Yisrael.” But the Pharisees said, “He casts out demons by the ruler of the demons.”

    And Yeshua went around all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and curing all kinds of disease and all kinds of sickness among the people. 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, “Indeed the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. So plead with the lord of the harvest to put workers into his harvest.”

10   And calling the twelve disciples to him, he granted them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to cure all kinds of disease, and all kinds of sickness. And these are the names of the twelve ambassadors. First, Shimon, the one called Petros, and Andreas, his brother, Yaakov, of Zebedee, and Yohannes, his brother, Philippos and Bartholomaios, Thomas and Matthaios, the tax collector, Yaakov, of Alpheus, and Lebbaeus, the one usually called Thaddeus, Shimon the Canaanite, and Yehuda Iscarioth, the one who also handed him over.

    Yeshua sent off these twelve, instructing them, saying, “Don’t go off to the way of the nations, and don’t enter into a town of the Samaritans. But go instead to the sheep of the house of Yisrael who’ve been lost. And as you= go, proclaim, saying, ‘The kingdom of the heavens has come near.’ Cure the ill, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.

    You’ve= received without cost, give without cost. You= shouldn’t acquire gold, or silver, or copper in your= belts. No pouch for the way, or two tunics, or sandals, or staves. For the worker is worthy of his food. And into whichever town or village you= enter, inquire into who in it is worthy, and remain there [with them] until you= come out.

    And as you= enter into the house, greet it. And if indeed the house is worthy, let your= peace come over it. But if it isn’t worthy, then let your= peace return to you=. And whoever doesn’t welcome you=, or listen to your= messages, come out of that house or of that town, shaking the dust from your= feet. Amena, I say to you=, it’ll be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and of Gomorrah in the day of judgement than for that town.

    Look! I send you= off like sheep in the midst of wolves. So be as prudent as serpents, and as pure as doves. And watch out, for people will hand you= over to the Sanhedrinb, and they’ll flog you= in their synagogues. And you’ll= also be led before governors and kings on account of me, to give testimony to them and to the nations. But whenever they hand you= over, don’t be anxious about how or what you= should speak. For what you’ll= speak will be given to you= in that hour. For you= aren’t the ones who speak, but it’s the spirit of your= father who speaks among you=.

    And brother will hand brother over to death, and father, children. And children will rise up over parents, and they’ll have them put to death. And you’ll= be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And whenever they persecute you= in this town, flee into the other. Amena, I say to you=, you= won’t finish the towns of Yisrael before the Son of Man has come.

    A disciple isn’t above their teacher, nor is a slave above his master. It’s enough for the disciple that they may come to be like their teacher, and the slave like their master. If they call the homeowner Beelzebubc, how much more those of his household. So don’t be afraid of them, for nothing is covered which won’t be uncovered, or hidden which won’t be perceived. What I say to you= in the darkness, say in the light, and what you= hear [whispered] in the ear, proclaim on the rooftops. And don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but who aren’t able to kill the soul. But instead, be afraid of the one who’s able to destroy both the soul and the body in Gehennad.

    Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarione? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your= father. And you= too — the hairs on your= head have all been numbered. So don’t be afraid, you= are of more consequence than many sparrows. So everyone who acknowledges me in front of people, I’ll also acknowledge them in front of my father who’s in the heavens. But anyone who denies me in front of people, I’ll also deny them in front of my father who’s in the heavens.

    You= shouldn’t presume that I came to cast peace on the earth. I didn’t come to cast peace, but a sword. For I came to separate a person from his father, and a daughter from her mother, and a daughter-in-law from her mother-in-law. And the enemies of a person will be those of his own household. The one who’s more fond of their father and mother than of me, isn’t worthy of me. And the one who’s more fond of their son or daughter than of me, isn’t worthy of me. And whoever doesn’t take their stakef and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me.

    The one who finds their life will lose it, but the one who loses their life on account of me will find it. The one who welcomes you=, welcomes me. And the one who welcomes me, welcomes the one who sent me. The one who welcomes a prophet, in the name of a prophet, will receive the reward of a prophet. And the one who welcomes a righteous one, in the name of a righteous one, will receive the reward of a righteous one. And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cool water, in the name of a disciple, amena, I say to you=, won’t in any way lose his reward.

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) Sanhedrin here is plural

c) Beelzebub was a Philistine god, and one of the names of Satan, and it means “Lord of the flies”

d) Gehenna is the Hebrew name for hell

e) an assarion was a bronze coin worth a tenth of a denarius, about a tenth of a day’s pay for a labourer

f) the Greek word used here means a vertical stake or pole. Sometimes but not usually it could include a crossbar of some kind.

11   And it came to be, when Yeshua had finished instructing his twelve disciples, that he crossed over from there to teach, and to proclaim in their towns. But when Yohannes heard, in prison, of the works of the Anointed, he sent two of his disciples to say to him, “Are you- the one who’s coming, or should we expect another?” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Go and report what you= hear and observe to Yohannes. The blind receive sight, and the lame walk. Lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear. The dead are raised, and the poor are brought the good news. And whoever isn’t offendeda by me is blessed.”

    And as they were going off, Yeshua began to say to the crowds about Yohannes, “What did you= go out into the wilderness to gaze upon? A reed being swayed by the wind? So what did you= go out to see? A person dressed in soft clothes? Look! Those who always wear soft things are in palatial homes. So what did you= go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you=, and much more than a prophet.

    For this is the one about whom it’s been written, ‘Look! I send my messenger ahead of you-b, who’ll prepare your- way before you-.’ Amenc, I say to you=, among those born of women there hasn’t been one raised up greater than Yohannes the Immerser. But the least in the kingdom of the heavens is greater than him. And from the days of Yohannes the Immerser until now, the kingdom of the heavens has been overpowered by force, and forceful ones seize hold of her. For all the prophets, and the law, up until Yohannes, prophesied, and if you’re= willing to accept it, he’s Eliyah, the one who was about to come. Let the one who has ears, hear.

    And to what will I liken this generation? They’re like little children in the marketplaces, sitting and calling out to their companions, and saying. ‘We played flutes for you=, but you= didn’t dance. We wailed funeral songs, but you= didn’t beat your= breast.’ For Yohannes came neither eating nor drinking, and they say he has a demon. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look! He’s a glutton and a wine drinker, a friend of tax collectors and sinners’. And wisdom has been declared righteous through her children.”

    Then he began to reproach the towns in which most of his works of power had occurred, because they hadn’t repented. “Woe to you- Korazin. Woe to you- Bethsaida. Because if the works of power which occurred in you= had occurred in Tyre and Sidon, they would’ve repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. Except I say to you=, it’ll be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgement than for you=. And you-, Capernaum, who has been lifted up to heaven, will be taken down to Hadesd. Because if the works of power which occurred in you- had occurred in Sodom, it would’ve remained to this day. Except I say to you=, that it’ll be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgement than for you-.”

    Answering at that time Yeshua said, “I profess you- father, lord of heaven and earth, because you’ve- concealed these things from the wise and the intelligent, and you’ve- revealed them to infants. Yes father, because in this way it brought delight to you-. All things have been handed over to me by my father, and nobody recognises the son except the father. Neither does anyone recognise the father except the son, and those to whom the son intends to reveal him.

    Come here to me all you= who labour and are loaded down, and I’ll give you= rest. Take up my yoke onto yourselves and learn from me, because I’m meek and humble of heart, and you’ll= all find rest for your= souls. For my yoke is well fitted and my load is light.”

    

a) “offended” can also be translated “made to stumble”

b) literally, “your face”

c) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

d) Hades was the Greek god of the dead, but it also came to mean the place where the dead go

12   During that time Yeshua went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. And his disciples were hungry and began plucking grain and eating it. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to him, “Look! Your- disciples are doing what isn’t permitted to be done on a Sabbath.” But he said to them, “Haven’t you= read what David did when he was hungry? Himself and those with him? How he entered into the household of God and he ate the loaves of bread which had been placed there, which wasn’t permissible for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests.

    Or haven’t you= read in the law, that on the Sabbaths the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath, but they’re innocent? But I say to you=, that one who’s greater than the temple is here. And if you’d= perceived what ‘I want mercy and not sacrifice’ is, you’d= have never convicted the innocent. For the Son of Man is lord of the Sabbath.”

    And crossing over from there he went into their synagogue. And look! A person was there who had a withered hand. And they questioned him, saying, “Is it permitted to cure on the Sabbath?” (So they could accuse him). But he said to them, “Who from among you= will be someone who has a sheep, and if this sheep falls into a pit on the Sabbath, he won’t take hold of it and lift it out? Of how much more consequence then is a person than a sheep. So on the Sabbaths it’s permitted to do good.” Then he said to the person, “Stretch out your- hand.” And he stretched it out, and it was restored as sound as the other.

    But the Pharisees went out and consulted together about him, that they might destroy him. But when he perceived this, Yeshua withdrew from there. And many crowds followed him, and he cured them all. And he warned them not to make it apparent who he was, so that what was declared through the prophet Yisheyah would be fulfilled, saying, “Look! My servanta whom I’ve chosen, my beloved, in whom my soul is delighted. I’ll place my spirit on him and he’ll report judgement to the nations. He’ll neither strive nor clamour, nor will anyone hear his voice in the squares. He won’t snap a crushed reed, and he won’t extinguish a smouldering flax, until he brings judgment out into conquest. And nations will put their expectation in his name.”

    Then a demon possessed person, blind and deaf, was brought to him, and he cured him so that the blind and deaf person spoke and was able to see. And all the crowds were amazed, and they said, “This isn’t the son of David is it?” But when they heard this the Pharisees said, “He doesn’t cast out demons except by Beelzebubb, ruler of the demons.” And knowing their thoughts, Yeshua said to them, “Every kingdom which is divided among itself becomes desolate, and every town or household which is divided among itself won’t stand. And if Satanc casts out Satan, he’s divided among himself. So how will his kingdom stand? And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your= sons cast them out? Because of this, they themselves will be your= judges. But if I cast out demons by the spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has overtaken you=.

    Or how is anyone able to enter into the house of the strong person and to plunder his things, unless they first bind the strong person? And then they’ll plunder his house. The one who isn’t with me, is against me. And the one who doesn’t gather with me, scatters. Because of this I say to you=, all sin and speaking evil will be pardoned to people, but speaking evil of the spirit won’t be pardoned to people. And whoever speaks a message against the Son of Man, it’ll be pardoned to him, but whoever speaks against the holy spirit, it won’t be pardoned to him, neither in the present age, nor in the one which is about to come.

    Either make the tree quality and its fruit will be quality, or make the tree poord and its fruit will be poord. For the tree is perceived by its fruit. Offspring of vipers. How are you=, who are wicked, able to speak good? For the mouth speaks from the overabundance of the heart. The good person brings out goodness from the good things stored up. And the wicked person brings out wickedness from the wicked things stored up. And I say to you=, that people will give account for every idle declaration on the day of judgment. For you’ll- be declared righteous by the things you’ve- said, and you’ll- be convicted by the things you’ve- said.”

    Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered saying, “Teacher. We want to see a sign from you-.” But answering he said to them, “A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Yonah. For just as Yonah was in the belly of the huge fish for three days and three nights, in the same way the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights. Men of Nineveh will rise up in the judgment with this generation, and they’ll condemn it because they repented at the proclamation of Yonah. And look! More than Yonah is here. The queen of the south will be raised in the judgment with this generation, and she’ll condemn it because she came from the ends of the land to hear the wisdom of Solomon. And look! More than Solomon is here.

    And whenever an unclean spirit comes out from a person, it passes through waterless places seeking rest, but doesn’t find it. Then it says, “I’ll return to my household, where I came from.” And when it’s come, it finds it unoccupied, having been swept, and having been tidied. Then it goes and takes along with itself seven different spirits, more wicked than itself, and it enters in and dwells there. And the final state of that person is worse than it was at first. So it will be for this wicked generation.”

    And while he was still speaking to the crowds. Look! His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. And a certain person said to him, “Look! Your- mother and brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak to you-.” But answering, he said to the one who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? And who are my brothers?” And stretching out his hand over his disciples, he said, “Look! My mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my father who’s in the heavens, they are my brother, and sister, and mother.”

a) “servant” could also be “child”

b) Beelzebub was a Philistine god, and one of the names of Satan, and it means “Lord of the flies”

c) Satan is the Hebrew name for Diabolos and means “accuser”

d) poor quality

13   And that same day Yeshua came out from the house and sat beside the sea. And so many crowds were gathered around him that he stepped into the boat to sit, and all the crowd stood on the shore. And he spoke many things to them in analogies, saying, “Look! The one who sows went out to sow. And as he sowed, some indeed fell beside the path, and birds came and devoured them. And others fell on rocky places where there wasn’t much soil, and it sprang up straightaway because there was no depth of soil. But when the sun rose it was burned, and because it didn’t have a root, it withered. And others fell on the thornbushes, and they came up, but the thornbushes smothered them. And others fell on the quality soil, and yielded fruit, some indeed a hundred, and some sixty, and some thirty. Let the one who has ears, hear.”

    And coming to him, his disciples said to him, “Why do you- speak to them in analogies?” And answering he said to them, “Because it’s been granted to you= to perceive the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but it hasn’t been granted to them. For anyone who has, it’ll be given to them and they’ll have an overabundance, but anyone who doesn’t have, even what they have will be taken away from them.

    Because of this I speak to them in analogies, so that observing, they don’t observe, and hearing, they don’t hear, nor understand. And the prophecy of Yisheyah is fulfilled to them, saying, ‘You’ll= hear what was said but not understand at all, and observing, you’ll= observe but not see at all. For the heart of this people has grown fat, and they hear heavily with their ears, and they shut their eyes — otherwise they might see by those eyes, and might hear with their ears, and might understand with their heart, and they’d turn around and I’d heal them.’ But your= eyes are blessed because they observe, and your= ears because they hear. Amena. For I say to you= that many prophets and righteous ones desired to see what you= observe, but didn’t see it, and to hear what you= hear, but they didn’t hear it. You= then, hear the analogy of the one who sows.

    Everyone who hears the message of the kingdom but doesn’t understand — the wicked one comes and snatches away what’s been sown in their heart. This is the one which is sown beside the path. But the one which is sown on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the message and straightaway accepts it with joy. But not having a root in themselves, it’s temporary. And when duress or persecution comes because of the message, they stumble straightaway. And the one which is sown in the thornbushes, this is the one who hears the message but the anxiety of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, together, smother the message, and they become unfruitful. And the one which is sown on the quality soil, this is the one who hears the message and understands, who’s bound to bear fruit, and indeed produces a hundred, and one sixty, and one thirty.”

    He provided another analogy to them, saying, “The kingdom of the heavens is likened to a person who sows quality seed in his field. And while the people were lying down asleep, his enemy came and sowed darnelsb in among the wheat, and went away. But when the grass sprouted and grew seeds, then the darnels appeared too. And the slaves of the landowner came and said to him, “Lord. You- sowed quality seed in your- field, didn’t you-? So how does it have darnels?” But he declared to them, “An enemy did this.” And the slaves said to him, “Then do you- want us to go and gather them?” But he declared, “No. Otherwise, when you= collect the darnels you= might pull up the wheat at the same time. Let both of them grow together until the harvest, and at the time of the harvest I’ll tell the reapers to first collect together the darnels, and to bind them into bundles to burn them. And then to gather the wheat into my storeroom.”

    And he provided them another analogy, saying, “The kingdom of the heavens is like a kernel of mustard which a person takes and sows in his field, which is smaller indeed than all of the seeds. But when it’s grown, it’s greater than the vegetables, and it becomes a tree, so that the birds of the sky come and roost in its branches.”

    He spoke another analogy to them, “The kingdom of the heavens is like yeast, which a woman takes and blends into three satac of flour [about 40 litres] until it’s been completely leavened.”

    Yeshua spoke all these things to the crowds in analogies. And he didn’t speak to them apart from an analogy, so that what was declared through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, “I will open my mouth in analogies, I will utter what’s been hidden since the foundation of the world.”

    Then Yeshua sent the crowds away, and he went into the house. And his disciples approached him saying, “Explain the analogy of the darnels of the field to us.” And answering he said to them, “The one who sows the quality seed is the Son of Man. And the field is the world. And the quality seed are the sons of the kingdom, but the darnels are the sons of the wicked one. And the enemy who sowed them is Diabolosd. And the harvest is the end of the age. And the reapers are messengers. So just as the darnels are being gathered together and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send off his messengers, and they’ll gather together all the snares, and all those who do lawlessness, from out of his kingdom. And they’ll throw them into the furnace of the fire, where there’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine out like the sun in the kingdom of their father. Let the one who has ears, hear.

    Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a treasure which has been hidden in a field. Which, when he’s found it, a person hides again, and because of his joy he goes off and sells everything he has, and buys that field.

    Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a merchant, seeking quality pearls, who, when he’s found one highly valued pearl, goes off and sells everything, whatever he has, and buys it.

    Again the kingdom of the heavens is like a net which has been cast into the sea and gathers together some of every kind, which, when it was filled, was pulled up onto the shore. And sitting down, they gathered together the qualitye ones into vessels, but they threw the poorf ones out. It’ll be like this at the end of the age. The messengers will come out, and they’ll separate the wicked from the midst of the righteous. And they’ll throw them into the furnace of the fire, where there’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”

    Yeshua said to them, “Did you= understand all these things?” They said to him, “Yes lord.” And he said to them, “Because of this, every scribe who’s become a disciple in the kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a homeowner, who brings out from his treasure both new and old.”

    And it came to be, that when Yeshua had finished these analogies, he moved on from there. And when he came into his home towng he taught them in their synagogue. So they were astonished and said, “Where’d he get this wisdom and works of power from? Isn’t this the son of the craftsman? Isn’t his mother called Maria? And his brothers Yaakov, and Yoses, and Shimon, and Yehuda? And his sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where’d he get all these things?” And they took offence at him. But Yeshua said to them, “A prophet isn’t unvalued except in his home towng, and in his own house.” And he didn’t do many works of power there because of their unbelief.

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) darnel is a weed which looks like wheat when it’s young. It is commonly called “tares”

c) a saton was about 13 litres

d) Diabolos means “slanderer”

e) good in terms of quality, not morality

f) poor quality

g) “his home town” is literally “his fathers’”

14   During that time Herod the tetrarcha heard the news about Yeshua. And he said to his servantsb, “This is Yohannes the Immerser. He’s been raised from the dead. And that’s why the works of power are working in him.” For Herod had seized Yohannes and bound him, and put him in jail because of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philippos. For Yohannes had said to him, “It isn’t permitted for you- to have her.” And although he wanted to kill him, he was afraid of the crowd because they held him as a prophet.

    But when the birthdays of Herod were being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced in the middle. And she pleased Herod, and so he swore an oath to give her whatever she requested. And having been induced by her mother, “Give me”, she declared, “here on a platter, the head of Yohannes the Immerser.” And the king was saddened, but because of the oaths, and those who were reclining, he ordered it to be given to her. And he sent and beheaded Yohannes in the jail. And his head was carried on a platter, and it was given to the girl, and she carried it to her mother. And his disciples came and took the body away and buried it, and came and reported to Yeshua. And when he heard this, Yeshua withdrew from there in a boat into a desolate place on his own. And when they heard this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. And when he got out [of the boat] Yeshua saw a large crowd, and he was moved with compassion for them, and he cured their sick.

    And when evening came his disciples approached him, saying, “The place is desolate, and the hour has already passed. Dismiss the crowds so they can go into the villages and buy food for themselves.” And Yeshua said to them, “They don’t need to go away. You= give them something to eat.” But they said to him, “We don’t have anything here, except five loaves of bread and two fish.” And he said, “Bring them here to me.” And, when he’d ordered the crowds to recline on the grass, he took the five loaves of bread and the two fish, and looking up into the sky, he blessed them. And when he’d broken them he gave the loaves of bread to those disciples, and the disciples to the crowds. And they all ate and were satisfied. And they picked up twelve baskets full of leftover pieces. And those who ate were about five thousand men, apart from women and children.

    And straightaway Yeshua compelled the disciples to step into the boat and to go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowds. And when he’d dismissed the crowds, he went up into the mountain on his own to pray. And when evening came he was there on his own, but the boat was already in the middle of the sea, being battered by the waves, for the wind was against them. And during the fourth watch of the nightc Yeshua came towards them, walking on the sea. And when they saw him walking on the sea the disciples were disturbed, saying, “It’s an apparition”, and they cried out from being afraid. But straightaway Yeshua spoke to them, saying, “Have courage. It’s me. Don’t be afraid.” And answering him Petros said, “Lord. If it’s you-, order me to come to you- on the waters.” And he said, “Come.” And when he’d stepped down from the boat, Petros walked on the waters to go to Yeshua. But when he observed the strong wind he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out saying, “Lord. Save me.” And straightaway Yeshua stretched out his hand and took hold of him, and he said to him, “Little faith! Why did you- doubt?” And when they’d stepped into the boat, the wind died down. And those in the boat came and worshipped him saying, “Truly, you’re- the son of God.”

    And when they’d crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. And recognising him, the men of that place sent out into that whole surrounding area, and they presented to him all those who were sick, and they entreated him that they might just touch the tassel of his cloak. And all who touched it were healed.

a) a tetrarch was a Roman ruler in charge of a largish area, like a province. Literally it means “ruler of a quarter”

b) “servants” could also be “children”

c) between three and six in the morning

15   Then the scribes and Pharisees from Jerusalem came to Yeshua, saying, “Why do your- disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat bread.” But answering, he said to them, “Why do you= also transgress the command of God because of your= tradition? For God directed, saying, ‘Hold your- father and mother in honour.’ and ‘Let the one who speaks evil of their father or mother be put to deatha.’ But you= say that whoever says to their father or mother, ‘Whatever you- might have benefited from me is an offering [to God]’, shouldn’t hold his father or his mother in honour. And you= cancel the command of God because of your= tradition. Hypocrites. Yisheyah prophesied well about you=, saying, ‘This people comes near to me with their mouth, and honours me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me. And they futilely revere me, teaching the commands of people as teachings.’”

    And calling the crowd to him, he said to them, “Hear and understand. It isn’t what enters into the mouth which makes a person commonb. But what comes out of the mouth — that makes a person common.”

    Then coming to him his disciples said to him, “Do you- know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard the message?” But answering he said, “Every plant which my heavenly father didn’t plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone, they are blind guides of the blind. And if blind guides blind, they’ll both fall into a pit.” But answering, Petros said to him, “Explain this analogy to us.” And Yeshua said, “Are you= also still void of understanding? Don’t you= think that everything which goes into the mouth makes its way into the belly, and is cast out into the toilet? But the things which come out of the mouth, come out from the heart, and those make a person commonb. For coming out from the heart are wicked thinking, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, speaking evil. These are the things which make a person commonb, but eating with unwashed hands doesn’t make a person common.” And when he went out from there, Yeshua withdrew into the regions of Tyre and Sidon.

    And look! A woman of Canaan from those borders came out and cried out to him, saying, “Have mercy on me lord, son of David. My daughter is severely demon possessed.” But he didn’t answer her a word. And his disciples came to him and asked him, saying, “Dismiss her because she’s crying out behind us.” But answering he said, “I was only sent to the lost sheep of the house of Yisrael.” But she came up and worshipped him saying, “Lord, help me.” But answering he said, “It isn’t goodc to take the bread of the children and to throw it to the little dogs.” But she said, “Yes lord, but even little dogs eat the crumbs which fall from the table of their mastersd.” Then answering, Yeshua said to her, “Woman. Your- faith is great. Let it be to you- as you- want.” And her daughter was healed from that hour.

    And when he’d crossed over from there, Yeshua went alongside the Sea of Galilee. And when he’d gone up into the mountain, he sat down there. And many crowds approached him, having among them the lame, the blind, the deaf, the maimed, and many others. And they threw themselves at the feet of Yeshua, and he cured them, so that the crowds marvelled, observing the deaf talking, the maimed whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing, and they glorified the god of Yisrael.

    But Yeshua called his disciples to him and said, “I’m moved with compassion for the crowd, because they’ve already stayed with me three days, and they don’t have anything to eat. And I don’t want to dismiss them fasting in case they faint along the way.” And the disciples said to him, “In such a desolate place where can we get enough loaves of bread to satisfy such a crowd?” And Yeshua said to them, “How many loaves of bread do you= have?” And they said “Seven, and a few fish.” And he ordered the crowds to recline on the ground. And he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he’d given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples to the crowd. And they all ate and were satisfied, and they picked up seven hampers full of leftover pieces. And those who ate were four thousand men, apart from women and children. And when he’d dismissed the crowds, he stepped into the boat, and went to the borders of Magdala.

a) “be put to death” is literally “die death”

b) everything is either holy (for God’s use) or common (not holy)

c) good in terms of quality, not morality

d) the words “lord” and “master” in this sentence are the same word κυριος

16   And coming up to him and testing him, the Pharisees and Sadducees asked him to show them a sign from heaven. But answering, he said to them, “When evening comes you= say, ‘Fine weather because the sky is fiery red.’ And in the morning, ‘A storm today because the sky is fiery red and gloomy.’ Hypocrites. Indeed you= perceive how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you= aren’t able to discern the signs of the times. A wicked and adulterous generation seeks a sign, but no sign will be given to her except the sign of the prophet Yonah.” And he left them and went away.

    And when they came to the other side, his disciples had forgotten to take bread. And Yeshua said to them, “Observe, and watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” And they reasoned among themselves saying “It’s because we didn’t bring bread.” But when he perceived this, Yeshua said to them, “Why are you= reasoning among yourselves ‘Because you= didn’t bring bread’, ones of little faith? Don’t you= think? Don’t you= recall the five loaves of bread and the five thousand, and how many baskets you= took? Nor the seven loaves of bread and the four thousand, and how many hampers you= took? How do you= not think that it wasn’t about bread that I said to you=, ‘Watch out for the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees’?” Then they understood that he didn’t say to watch out for the yeast of bread, but for the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

    And when they came to the regions of Caesarea of Philippi, Yeshua asked his disciples, saying, “Who do people say I am? The Son of Man?” And they said, “Some indeed Yohannes the Immerser, and others Eliyah, and others Yermiyah, or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “And you=? Who do you= say I am?” And answering, Shimon Petros said, “You’re- the Anointed, the son of the living god.” And answering, Yeshua said to him, “You’re- blessed Shimon Bar-Yonaha. Because flesh and blood didn’t reveal this to you-, but my father, who’s in the heavens. And I also say to you-, that you- are Petros, and on this rockb I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hadesc won’t overpower it. I’ll give you- the keys of the kingdom of the heavens, and whatever you- bind on the earth, will have been bound in the heavens, and whatever you- release on the earth, will have been released in the heavens.”

    Then he gave his disciples express instructions that they may not tell anyone that he is Yeshua the Anointed. From that time on Yeshua began to show his disciples that he must go away to Jerusalem and suffer greatly, from the elders, and the chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and be raised on the third day. And Petros took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “[God be] mercifuld to you- lord. This won’t happen to you- at all.” But he turned and said to Petros, “Go away, behind me Satane. You’re- a snare to me because you- aren’t disposed to the things of God, but to the things of people.”

    Then Yeshua said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, let them renounce themselves, and let them pick up their stakef, and let them follow me. For whoever wants to save their lifeg will lose it. Yet whoever would lose their life on account of me, will find it. For what does a person benefit, if they gain the whole world, but at the cost of their soulg? Or what will a person give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is about to come with his messengers, through the glory of his father, and then he’ll repay each one according to their actions. Amenh, I say to you=, there are some who are standing here, who won’t taste death at all until they see the Son of Man coming into his kingdom.”

a) Bar-Yonah is a Hebrew name meaning “son of Yonah”

b) Petros and rock are almost the same word in Greek

c) Hades was the Greek god of the dead, but it also came to mean the place where the dead go

d) “merciful” here is a rare word used of God, meaning propitious, showing mercy or undeserved favour

e) Satan is the Hebrew name for Diabolos and means “accuser”

f) the Greek word used here means a vertical stake or pole. Sometimes but not usually it could include a crossbar of some kind.

g) “life” and “soul” are the same word in Greek

h) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

17   And six days later, Yeshua took Petros, and Yaakov, and Yohannes his brother, and brought them up a high mountain on their own. And he was transformed in front of them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white like light. And look! Moshe and Eliyah appeared to them, conversing with him. And answering, Petros said to Yeshua, “Lord. It’s gooda for us to be here. If you- want, we could make three shelters here, one for you-, and one for Moshe, and one for Eliyah.”

    While he was still speaking. Look! A shining cloud overshadowed them. And look! There was a voice from out of the cloud saying, “This is my son, the beloved, in whom I’m delighted. Listen to him.” And when the disciples heard this they fell on their face, and they were extremely afraid. And Yeshua approached, and touched them, and he said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” And when they lifted up their eyes, they didn’t see anybody except Yeshua.

    And as they came down from the mountain Yeshua directed them, saying, “Don’t tell anybody what you= saw until the Son of Man has risen up from the dead.” And the disciples inquired of him, saying, “So why do the scribes say that Eliyah has to come first?” But answering, Yeshua said to them, “Indeed Eliyah is coming first, and he’ll restore everything. But I say to you= that Eliyah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him, but they did whatever they wanted to him. And in the same way the Son of Man is about to suffer through them.” Then the disciples understood that he’d spoken to them about Yohannes the Immerser.

    And when they came to the crowd, a person approached him, falling on his knees in front of him, and saying, “Lord. Have mercy on my son, because he’s crazy and is suffering terribly. For he often falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I presented him to your- disciples but they weren’t able to cure him.” And answering Yeshua said, “What an untrusting and perverse generation! How long will I be among you=? How long will I tolerate you=? Bring him here to me.” And Yeshua rebuked it, and the demon came out of him, and the child was cured from that hour.

    Then the disciples came to Yeshua and said privately, “Why weren’t we able to cast it out?” And Yeshua said to them, “Because of your= unbelief. For amenb, I say to you=, if you= have faith like a kernel of mustard you’ll= say to this mountain, ‘Cross over there from here’, and it’ll go, and nothing will be impossible for you=. But this kind doesn’t come out except in prayer and fasting.”

    And while they were dwelling in Galilee, Yeshua said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be handed over into the hands of people. And they’ll kill him, and on the third day he’ll be raised.” And they were extremely saddened.

    And as they came into Capernaum, those who collect the two drachmasc approached Petros and said, “Doesn’t your= teacher pay the two drachma tax?” He said, “Yes.” And when he entered into the house, Yeshua anticipated him, saying, “What do you- suppose Shimon? The kings of the earth, from whom do they take tolls and taxes, from their sons, or from strangers?” Petros said to him, “From the strangers.” Yeshua declared to him, “Surely then the sons are exemptd. But so that we shouldn’t make them stumble, go to the sea and cast a fish hook. And pick up the first fish which comes up, and when you- open its mouth you’ll- find a statere. Take that and give it to them, for me and for you-.”

a) good in terms of quality, not morality

b) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

c) a drachma was a silver coin worth about a day’s pay for a labourer

d) “exempt” here is literally “free”

e) a stater was a gold coin worth 4 drachmas

18   In that hour the disciples approached Yeshua saying, “So who’s the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens?” And calling a child to him, Yeshua stood it in the middle of them, and he said, “Amena, I say to you=, unless you= turn and become like children, you= may not enter into the kingdom of the heavens at all. So anyone who humbles themselves like this child, is the greatest in the kingdom of the heavens. And whoever welcomes such a child in my name, is welcoming me. Yet whoever makes one of these little ones who trust in me stumble — it’d be beneficial for them that a millstone of a donkey were hung around their neck, and they were drowned in the depths of the sea.

    Woe to the world from the snares. For there is a necessity for the snares to come. Except woe to the person through whom the snare comes. And if your- hand, or your- foot, makes you- stumble, cut it off and throw it away from you-. It’s better for you- to enter into the life lame or maimed, than to have two hands or two feet and to be thrown into the everlasting fire. And if your- eye makes you- stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you-. It’s better for you- to enter into the life one eyed, than to have two eyes and to be thrown into the Gehennab of fire. See that you= don’t despise these little ones. For I say to you=, that their messengers in the heavens continually observe the face of my father who’s in the heavens. For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

    What do you= suppose? If it happens that a person has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, don’t they leave the ninety nine on the mountains, and go off and seek the one which has gone astray? And if they happen to find it — amena, I say to you=, that they rejoice more over it than over the ninety nine which didn’t go astray. In the same way, it isn’t the will of your= father who’s in the heavens that one of these little ones should be lost.

    And if your- brother sins against you-, go off and expose him, just between you- and him. If he listens to you- then you’ve- gained your- brother. But if he doesn’t listen then take one or two more with you-, so that every declaration may stand by the mouth of two or three witnesses. And if he refuses to listen them, then tell the assembly. And if he also refuses to listen to the assembly, then let him be to you- just like a non-Jew, or a tax collector.

    Amena, I say to you=, whatever you= bind on the earth, will have been bound in the heaven. And whatever you= release on the earth will have been released in the heaven. Again, amena, I say to you=, that if even two of you= agree on the earth about every circumstance, whatever they request, it will become so for them with my father who’s in the heavens. For where two or three have been gathered into my name, I’m there in the middle of them.

    Then approaching him, Petros said, “Lord, how many times should I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” Yeshua said to him, “I’m not saying to you- up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. Because of this the kingdom of the heavens was likened to a human king who wanted to settle accounts with his slaves. And when he’d begun to settle, one debtor of tens of thousands of talentsc [hundreds of millions of denarii] was presented to him. But, when he didn’t have anything to repay with, his master ordered him to be sold, and his wife, and the children, and everything, whatever he had, to make payment. Then the slave fell down and worshipped him, saying, “Master. Be patient with me, and I’ll repay everything to you-.” So, being moved with compassion, the master of the slave dismissed him and pardoned him the loan.

    But when he went out, that slave found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denariid, and he seized him, and choked him, saying, “Repay me what you- owe me.” Then, falling down at his feet, his fellow slave entreated him saying, “Be patient with me, and I’ll repay you-.” But he wasn’t willing. And he went off and threw him into the jail until he’d repaid what was owed.

    And when they saw the things which had happened, his fellow slaves were extremely saddened. And they went off and carefully explained to their master all the things which had happened. Then his master called him to him, and said to him, “Wicked slave! Since you- pleaded with me I pardoned you- all the debt that you- owed. Were you- not bound to have mercy on your- fellow slave just as I had mercy on you-?” And his master was indignant, and handed him over to the tormentors until he’d repaid everything which was owed to him. In this way also, my heavenly father will do to you=, unless each one of you= pardons their brother, from your= hearts, for their transgressions.

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) Gehenna is the Hebrew name for hell

c) a talent is about 30 kilograms (of silver), and one talent is equivalent to about 6,000 denarii

d) a denarius was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages for a labourer

19   And it came to be, when Yeshua had finished these messages, that he moved on from Galilee and went into the borders of Judea on the other side of the Jordan. And many crowds followed him, and he cured them there. And the Pharisees approached him, testing him, and saying to him, “Is it permitted for a person to release his wife for all kinds of reasons?” But answering, he said to them, “Haven’t you= read that from the beginning the maker made them male and female, and he said, ‘For this reason a person will leave his father and mother, and will be united with his wife, and the two will become one flesh’? So they’re no longer two, but one flesh. Don’t let a person separate what God has yoked together.”

    They said to him, “So why did Moshe direct us to give a scroll of divorce, and to release her?” He said to them, “Moshe permitted you= to release your= wives because of your= hardheartedness. But it wasn’t this way from the beginning. And I say to you=, that whoever releases his wife, except for fornication, and marries another, commits adultery. And the one who marries the one who has been released, commits adultery.” His disciples said to him, “If this is how it is for a person with a wife, it’s bettera not to marry.” And he said to them, “Not everyone makes room for this message, but only those to whom it’s been given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from the belly of their mother. And there are eunuchs who were castrated by people. And there are eunuchs who castrate themselves because of the kingdom of the heavens. Let the one who’s able to make room for it, make room for it.”

    Then they presented children to him so that he might place hands on them and he’d pray. But the disciples rebuked them. But Yeshua said, “Allow the children, and don’t forbid them from coming to me. For the kingdom of the heavens is of such as them.” And when he’d placed his hands on them, he went on from there.

    And look! One who’d approached said to him, “Good teacher, what good thing should I do so I might have everlasting life?” But he said to him, “Why are you- calling me good? Nobody is good except one — God. But if you- want to enter into the life, keep the commands.” He said to him, “Which?” And Yeshua said, “You- won’t murder. You- won’t commit adultery. You- won’t steal. You- won’t testify falsely. Hold your- father and mother in honour. And you’ll- love your- neighbour as you- do yourself.” The young man said to him, “I’ve kept all these things from my youth. What do I still lack?” Yeshua declared to him, “If you- want to be perfect, go off and sell your- belongings, and give to the poor. Then you’ll- have treasure in heaven. And come here and follow me.” But when he heard the message, the young man went away saddened, for he had many possessions.

    And Yeshua said to his disciples, “Amenb, I say to you=, that the rich will enter into the kingdom of the heavens with difficulty. And again I say to you=, it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.” And when they heard this, his disciples were extremely astonished, saying, “Then who’s able to be saved?” And Yeshua looked at them and said to them, “With people, this is impossible, but with God, everything’s possible.” Then answering, Petros said to him, “Look! We’ve left everything behind and followed you-. So what will there be for us?” And Yeshua said to them, “Amenb, I say to you=, that you= who follow me, in the regeneration, when they seat the Son of Man on his throne of glory, you’ll= also be seated on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Yisrael. And everyone who gave up houses, or brothers, or sisters, or a father, or a mother, or a woman, or children, or fields, on account of my name, will receive a hundred times as much, and will inherit everlasting life. And many who are first will be last, and last, first.”

a) literally “it is not beneficial to marry”

b) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

20   “For the kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a homeowner, who, as soon as it was morning, went out to hire workers for his vineyard. And when he’d agreed with the workers on a denariusa a day, he sent them off into his vineyard. And when he came out at about the third hourb he saw others standing in the marketplace, idle. And he said to them, ‘You= also go off into the vineyard, and I’ll give you= whatever is right.’ And they went off.

    When he came out again at about the sixth and ninth hoursc he did similarly. And when he came out at about the eleventh hourd he found others standing idle, and he said to them, ‘Why have you= stood here idle the whole day?’ They said to him, ‘Because nobody’s hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You= also go off into the vineyard, and you’ll= receive whatever is right.’

    And when evening came, the master of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the workers and pay them their reward, beginning from the last up to the first.’ And when those from about the eleventh hourd came, they received a denarius each. And when the first ones came, they presumed that they’d receive more, but they also received a denarius each. And when they received it they murmured against the homeowner, saying, ‘These last ones did one hour, and you’ve- made them equal to us who bore the burden of the day, and the heat.’ But answering, he said to them, ‘Companion, I’m not doing you- wrong. Didn’t you- agree on a denarius with me? Pick up yours- and go. But I’m willing to give this last one the same as I gave you-. Or isn’t it permitted for me to do what I want with my own things? Or is your- eye wicked because I’m good?’ In this way the last will be first, and the first, last. For many are called, but few are selected.”

    And as they were going up into Jerusalem, Yeshua took the twelve disciples aside on their own, (on the way), and he said to them, “Look! We’re going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they’ll condemn him to death. And they’ll hand him over to the nations to mock, and to flog, and to executee. And on the third day he’ll rise up.”

    Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee approached him with her sons, worshipping and requesting something from him. And he said to her, “What do you- want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine should be seated, one on your- right, and one on your- left, in your- kingdom.” But answering Yeshua said, “You= don’t know what you’re= requesting. Are you= able to drink the cup which I’m about to drink? Or to be immersed with the immersion which I’m about to be immersed with?” They said to him, “We’re able.” And he said to them, “Indeed you= will drink my cup, and you= will be immersed with the immersion which I’m being immersed with. But to be seated on my right and on my left isn’t mine to grant, but for whom it’s been prepared by my father.”

    And when they heard this the ten were indignant with the two brothers. But calling them to him, Yeshua said, “You= know that the rulers of the nations have dominion over them, and the great exercise lordship over them. But it won’t be this way among you=. And whoever would want to become great among you= will be your= servant. And let whoever would want to be first among you= be your= slave. Just as the Son of Man didn’t come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

    And as they went out from Jericho, a large crowd followed him. And look! Two blind people were sitting beside the way. When they heard that Yeshua was passing by, they cried out, saying, “Have mercy on us lord, son of David.” But the crowd rebuked them, that they should be silent. But they cried out even more, saying, “Have mercy on us lord, son of David.” And Yeshua stood still, and called them, and said, “What do you= want me to do for you=?” They said to him, “Lord, that our eyes might be opened.” And Yeshua was moved with compassion, and touched their eyes. And straightaway their eyes recovered their sight, and they followed him.

a) a denarius was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages for a labourer

b) nine in the morning

c) midday and three in the afternoon

d) five in the afternoon

e) the Greek word specifically means to execute by hanging on a stake

21   And as they approached Jerusalem they came into Bethphage on the Mount of Olives. Then Yeshua sent off two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you=, and straightaway you’ll= find a donkey which has been tied up, and a foal with it. Untie them, and lead them to me. And if anyone says anything to you=, you’ll= say that their master has need of them, and straightaway he’ll send them.” And all this came to pass so that what was declared through the prophet would be fulfilled, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion. Look! Your- king is coming to you-, meek and mounted on a donkey, and a foal, a son of a beast of burden.”

    And the disciples went off and did as Yeshua had commanded them. And they led the donkey and the foal, and they placed their cloaks on them, and set him on them. And a very great crowd spread their cloaks on the path, and others cut off branches from the trees and spread them on the path. And the crowds who went ahead, and those who followed cried out, saying, “Hoshanaa to the son of David. The one who comes in the name of the lordb [Yahweh] is blessed. Hoshana in the highest places.” And when he entered into Jerusalem, the whole city was shaken, saying, “Who is this!” And the crowds said, “This is Yeshua, the prophet, the one from Nazareth of Galilee.”

    And Yeshua entered into the temple of God, and he threw out all those who were buying and selling in the temple. And he overturned the tables of the money exchangers, and the seats of those who sell the doves. And he said to them, “It’s been written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer. But you’ve= made it a cave of robbers.’”

    And the lame and the blind approached him in the temple, and he cured them. But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the marvels which he did, and the children crying out in the temple, and saying, “Hoshana to the son of David”, they were indignant. And they said to him, “Do you- hear what they’re saying?” But Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Haven’t you= ever read ‘From the mouth of infants, and of the newbornc, you’ve- furnished praise.’”

    And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and he lodged there. And in the morning, as he was coming back up into the city, he was hungry. And when he saw a fig tree on the way he came up to it, but he didn’t find anything on it except leaves. And he said to it, “May fruit no longer come from you-, to the age.” And immediately the fig tree withered. And when they saw this, the disciples marvelled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither immediately?” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Amend, I say to you=, if you= have faith and you= don’t doubt, you= won’t only do [what was done to] the fig tree, but if you= ever say to this mountain, ‘Be picked up and be thrown into the sea’, it’ll come to pass. And if you= request anything at all all in prayer, trusting, then you’ll= receive it.”

    And when he’d come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people approached him while he was teaching, saying, “In what authority are you- doing these things? And who granted you- this authority?” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “I myself will also ask you= one question, which, if you= tell me, I’ll also tell you= in what authority I’m doing these things.

    Where did the immersion of Yohannes come from? From heaven, or from people?” But they reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven’ then he’ll say to us, ‘So why didn’t you= trust him then?’ But if we say ‘from people’, we’re afraid of the crowd, for they all hold Yohannes as a prophet.” And answering Yeshua they said, “We don’t know.” He himself also declared to them, “Neither will I tell you= in which authority I do these things.

    But what do you= suppose? A person had two children, and approaching the first he said, ‘Child, go off today and work in my vineyard.’ And answering he said, ‘I don’t want to.’ But later he regretted it and he went. And approaching the second he said similarly. And answering he said, ‘I will master.’ But he didn’t go.

    Which of the two did the will of the father?” They said to him, “The first.” Yeshua said to them, “Amend, I say to you=, that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are going ahead of you= into the kingdom of God. For Yohannes came to you= in the way of righteousness, and you= didn’t trust him. But the tax collectors and the prostitutes trusted him. But you=, when you= saw, didn’t later regret and trust him.

    Hear another analogy. There was a person, a homeowner, who planted a vineyard, and put a fence around it, and dug a trough in it, and built a tower. And he leased it to farmers and went travelling. And when the right season for fruit was near he sent his slaves to the farmers to receive his fruit. And the farmers took his slaves — one indeed they whipped, and one they killed, and one they stoned. Again he sent more slaves than the first time, and they did similarly to them. And later he sent his son to them, saying, ‘They’ll respect my son.’ But when the farmers saw the son they said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come here, let’s kill him, and we’d possess his inheritance.’ And they took him, and they threw him out of the vineyard, and they killed him.

    When the master of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?” They said to him, “He’ll destroy those evil ones terribly, and lease the vineyard to other farmers who’ll give him the fruits in their seasons.” Yeshua said to them, “Haven’t you= ever read in the writings, ‘A stone which the builders have rejected, this has become the head of the corner. This came to be through the lordb [Yahweh], and it’s marvellous in our eyes.’? Because of this I say to you=, that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you=, and it’ll be given to a nation which produces its [the kingdom’s] fruit. And the one who falls on the stone will be shattered, yet it’ll winnow the one on whomever it falls.”

    And when they heard his analogies, the chief priests and the Pharisees perceived that he was speaking about them. And although they sought to lay hold of him, they were afraid of the crowds, since they held him as a prophet.

a) hoshana is a Hebrew word meaning “save” or “rescue“

b) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

c) “newborn” is literally “suckling”

d) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

22   And answering, Yeshua spoke to them in analogies again, saying, “The kingdom of the heavens was likened to a person, a king, who prepared wedding feasts for his son. And he sent off his slaves to call those who’d been invited for the wedding feasts, but they didn’t want to come. Again he sent off other slaves saying, ‘Say to those who’ve been invited, “Look! I’ve prepared my breakfast. My bulls and fattened animals have been killed, and are all ready. Come here for the wedding feasts.”’ But they disregarded them and went off, one indeed to his own field, and one to his business. And the rest laid hold of his slaves, maltreated them, and killed them. And when he heard this, the king was indignant and sent his troops to destroy those murderers, and to set fire to their town.

    Then he said to his slaves, ‘The wedding feast is indeed ready, but those who’ve been called weren’t deserving. So go off to the outletsa of the paths, and call as many as you= find into the wedding feasts. And when they went out into the paths the slaves gathered together everyone, as many as they found, both wicked and good, and the wedding feast was filled with those who were reclining. And when he entered, the king gazed on those who were reclining, and he saw a person there who wasn’t dressed in wedding clothes. And he said to him, ‘Companion, how did you- enter here without wedding clothes?’ But he was unable to speakb. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind his feet and hands, and take him away. And throw him into the outer darkness where there’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are selected.”

    Then the Pharisees went off and consulted together, that they should trap him in what he said. And they sent their disciples to him with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher. We know that you’re- true. And that you- teach the way of God in truth. And you- don’t take heed of anyone, for you- see into the face of people. So tell us then what you- suppose. Is it permitted to give tax to Caesar or not?” But Yeshua perceived their wickedness and said, “Why are you= testing me? Hypocrites. Show me the coin used for the tax.” And they presented him a denariusc. And he said to them, “Whose is this image? And the inscription?” They said to him, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Then give the things of Caesar back to Caesar, and the things of God back to God.” And when they heard this, they marvelled. And they left him alone and went away.

    On that day the Sadducees, who say that there’s no resurrection, approached him and questioned him, saying, “Teacher. Moshe said, ‘If anyone dies without having children, then his brother will marryd his wife, and will raise up a seed to his brother.’ Now there were seven brothers among us, and the first, having married, died. And not having a seed, he left his wife to his brother. And likewise, the second, and the third, up to the seventh one. And after all of them, the woman also died.

    In the resurrection, of which of the seven will she be the wife, since all had her?” But answering Yeshua said to them, “You’re= led astray, and you= don’t know the writings, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are they given in marriage, but they’re like the messengers of God in heaven. But about the resurrection of the dead — haven’t you= read what was declared to you= by God, saying, ‘I’m the god of Abraham, and the god of Yitshak, and the god of Yaakov.’ God isn’t the god of the dead, but of the living.” And when they heard this, the crowds were astonished by his teaching.

    But when the Pharisees heard that he’d silencede the Sadducees, they gathered themselves together. And one of them, a lawyer, inquired, testing him, and said, “Teacher. Which is the great command in the law?” But Yeshua declared to him, “’You’ll- love the lordf [Yahweh] your- god in your- whole heart, and in your- whole soul, and in your- whole understanding.’ This is the first, and the great command. But the second is like it, ‘You’ll- love your- neighbour as you- do yourself.’ The whole law and the prophets hang on these two commands.”

    And while the Pharisees were gathered together, Yeshua questioned them, saying, “What do you= suppose about the Anointed? Whose son is he?” They said to him, “David’s.” He said to them, “So how does David, in the spirit, call him lord then, saying, ‘The lordf [Yahweh] said to my lord, “Sit on my right until I place your- enemies as a footstool of your- feet”’? If David calls him lord, then how is he his son?” And nobody was able to answer him a word, nor did anyone dare question him any longer from that day on.

a) the word for outlets here means the place from which the paths go out (from a town or city)

b) “unable to speak” is literally “muzzled”

c) a denarius was a silver coin worth about a day’s wages for a labourer

d) the Greek word here for “marry” is a special word for the specific act of marriage by a next of kin

e) “silenced” is literally “muzzled”

f) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

23   Then Yeshua spoke to the crowds, and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees are seated on the seat of Moshe. So all things, whatever they might tell you= to keep, keep. But don’t do their works, for they say but they don’t do. For they bind heavy and hard to carry burdens, and they place them on the shoulders of the people, but they themselves aren’t willing to lift their finger.

    And they do all their works to be gazed at by the people. And they widen their phylacteriesa, and enlarge the hems of their cloaks. At meals they’re fond of the most important place at the table, and of the front seats in the synagogues, and the greetings in the marketplaces, and being called by the people, ‘Rabbi. Rabbib.’ But you= may not be called ‘Rabbi’ for there’s one instructor for you=, the Anointed. And all of you= are brothers. And you= shouldn’t call any of you= who are on the earth ‘Father’, for there’s one father for you=, who is in the heavens. Nor may you= be called ‘Instructor’, for there’s one instructor for you=, the Anointed. But the greatest of you= will be your= servant. And anyone who exalts themselves will be humbled, and anyone who humbles themselves will be exalted.

    But woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= devour the homes of the widows, and you= pray long prayers for appearance. Because of this you’ll= receive a more severe condemnation. Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= shut the kingdom of the heavens in front of the people. For you= aren’t entering in, neither do you= allow those who are entering, to enter. Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= travel about the sea and the dry land to make one proselyte, and whenever they become one, you= make them twice the son of Gehennac that you= are.

    Woe to you= blind guides, those who say, ‘Whoever swears on the temple, it’s nothing. Yet whoever swears on the gold of the temple is obligated.’ Foolish and blind. For which is greater, the gold or the temple which makes the gold holy? And ‘Whoever swears on the altar, it’s nothing. Yet whoever swears on the offering which is on it, is obligated.’ Foolish and blind. For which is greater, the offering or the altar which makes the offering holy? So then, the one who swears on the altar, swears on it and on all the things which are on it. And the one who swears on the temple, swears on it and on the one who dwells in it. And the one who swears on heaven, swears on the throne of God, and on the one who sits on it.

    Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= pay a tenth of the mint, and the dill, and cumin, but neglect the heavier things of the law — the judgement, and the mercy, and the faith — these things had to be done without neglecting those. Blind guides, those who strain out the gnat but swallow the camel!

    Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but on the inside they’re filled with greed and unrighteousness. Blind Pharisee. First clean the inside of the cup and the dish so that the outside will also become clean. Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= resemble graves which have been whitewashed, which indeed, from the outside, appear beautiful, but on the inside are filled with the bones of the dead, and all uncleanness. In this way you= also, from the outside indeed appear to people to be righteous, but on the inside you’re= filled with hypocrisy and lawlessness.

    Woe to you= scribes and Pharisees. Hypocrites. Because you= build the graves of the prophets, and you= arrange the tombs of the righteous. And you= say, ‘If we’d been there in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partners with them at all in the blood of the prophets.’ So you= testify against yourselves that you’re= the sons of those who murdered the prophets. So then, fill up the measure of your= fathers. Serpents. Offspring of vipers. How will you= flee from the judgement of Gehenna?

    Because of this. Look! I send prophets to you=, and wise ones, and scribes. And some of them you’ll= kill and executed, and some of them you’ll= flog in your= synagogues, and you’ll= persecute them from town to town. So that on you= might come all the righteous blood which is poured out onto the earth, from the blood of Abel the righteous one, up to the blood of Zacharias, son of Berekiah, whom you= murdered between the temple and the altar.

    Amene, I say to you=, that all these things will come upon this generation. Jerusalem. Jerusalem. Who kills the prophets and stones those who’ve been sent to her. How many times I’ve wanted to gather your- children in the way in which a hen gathers her young under her wings, but you= were unwilling. Look! Your= household is being left to you= desolate. For I say to you=, from now on you’ll= no longer see me, until you= say, ‘The one who comes in the name of the lordf [Yahweh] is blessed.’”

a) phylacteries were strips of parchment with quotes from the law written on them, and worn like amulets around the neck

b) Rabbi was a Hebrew title meaning “Teacher”

c) Gehenna is the Hebrew name for hell

d) the Greek word specifically means to execute by hanging on a stake

e) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

f) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

24   And when Yeshua had come out, as he was going away from the temple, his disciples approached him to show him the buildings of the temple. But Yeshua said to them, “Don’t you= see all these things? Amena, I say to you=, there won’t be one stone left here on another stone which won’t be demolished.”

    And while he was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples approached him privately saying, “Tell us when these things will be, and what the sign will be of your- arrival, and of the conclusion of the age.” And answering, Yeshua said to them, “Watch out that nobody leads you= astray. For many will come in my name saying, ‘I’m the Anointed’, and they’ll lead many astray. But you= must hear battles, and news of battles. See that you= aren’t alarmed, for all these things must come. But it isn’t yet the end. For nation will be raised against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. But all these things are the beginning of labour.

    Then they’ll hand you= over to duress, and they’ll kill you=, and you’ll= be hated by all the nations because of my name. And then many will stumble, and they’ll hand one another over, and hate one another. And many false prophets will be raised up, and they’ll lead many astray. And because of the multiplication of lawlessness the love of many will grow cold, but the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this good news of the kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole inhabited world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will arrive.

    So when you= see the abomination of desolation, which was declared through the prophet Daniyel, standing in the holy place, (let the one who reads be thoughtful), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Don’t let the one who’s on the rooftop go down to pick up things from his house. And don’t let the one who’s in the field turn back to pick up his clothes. And woe to the one who’s pregnantc, and those who are nursingd in those days. And pray that your= flight won’t come in winter, nor on a Sabbath. For then there’ll be a great duress, such as hasn’t come from the beginning of the world until now, nor will ever come again. And unless those days were cut short no flesh would be saved at all. But because of the selected, those days will be cut short.

    Then if anyone says to you=, ‘Look! Here’s the Anointed.’ or ‘Here.’ Don’t trust them. For false anointeds, and false prophets will be raised up, and they’ll give great signs and miracles, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the selected. Look! I’ve declared it to you= beforehand. So if they say to you=, ‘Look! He’s in the wilderness.’ Don’t go out. ‘Look! He’s in the storerooms.’ Don’t trust them. For just as the lightning comes from the east and appears to the west — the arrival of the Son of Man will be in the same way. For wherever the corpse might be, there the eagles will be gathered together.

    And straightaway after the duress of those days, the sun will be darkened, and the moon won’t give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they’ll look upon the Son of Man coming above the clouds of the sky, with power and great glory. And he’ll send out his messengers with a loud sound of a trumpet, and they’ll gather together his selected from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. But learn from the analogy of the fig tree, whenever the branch has already become tender and the leaves sprout, you= perceive that the summer is near. In this way also, you=, whenever you= see all these things, you= perceive that it’s near — at the doors. Amena, I say to you=, that generation will definitely not pass away until all these things have come to be. The sky and the earth will pass away, but my messages won’t pass away at all.

    And nobody knows about that day and hour, not even the messengers of the heavens, except only my father. And just as the days of Noah were, the arrival of the Son of Man will happen in the same way. For just as in the days before the deluge, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up until the day Noah entered into the ark. And they didn’t perceive until the deluge came and carried everything away. The arrival of the Son of Man will happen in the same way. Then, two will be in the field, the one is taken and the one is left behind. Two women grinding in the mill, one is taken and one is left behind. Be alert then, because you= don’t know at which hour your= lord is coming. But perceive that if the homeowner had known at which watch the thief was coming, he would’ve been alert and wouldn’t have allowed his house to be broken into. Because of this, you= also get ready, because in the hour you= don’t expect, the Son of Man is coming.

    Who then is the trustworthy and prudent slave whom his master has installed over his service, to give them food at the right time? That slave, whom his master, when he comes, will find him acting in this way, is blessed. Amena, I say to you=, that he’ll install him over all his belongings. But if that evil slave says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying coming.’ And he begins striking his fellow slaves, and eating and drinking with drunkards. The master of that slave will arrive in a day which he isn’t expecting, and at an hour which he doesn’t perceive, and he’ll cut him in two, and set his share with the hypocrites, where there’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.”

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) the Greek word for offended literally means “made to stumble”

c) “pregnant” is literally “has in the belly”

d) “nursing” is literally “suckling”

25   “Then the kingdom of the heavens will be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. But five of them were sensible and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps but didn’t take oil for them. But the sensible ones took oil with them in vessels, along with their lamps. And when the bridegroom was delayed, they all nodded off and lay down to sleep. But in the middle of the night there was an uproar, ‘Look! The bridegroom is coming. Come out to meet him.’ Then all the virgins were woken up and they trimmed their lamps. But the foolish said to the sensible, ‘Give us some of your= oil because our lamps are going out.’ But the sensible answered, saying, ‘Otherwise there mightn’t be enough for both us and you= — go instead to those who sell it, and buy some for yourselves.’ But while they were gone off to buy it, the bridegroom came. And those who were ready entered in with him, into the wedding feasts, and the door was shut. But later the rest of the virgins came, saying, ‘Master. Master. Open up for us.’ But answering he said, ‘Amena, I say to you=, I don’t know you=.’ So be alert, because you= don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

    For it’s just like a person who went travelling. He called his own slaves and handed his belongings over to them. And indeed, he gave five talentsb to one, and to one, two, and to one, one, each according to their own ability. And straightaway he went travelling. And when he’d gone, the one who’d received five talents worked with them, and he made another five talents. Similarly also the one who’d received two, himself also gained another two. But the one who’d received one, went off and dug in the ground, and hid his master’s silver.

    And after a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. And the one who’d received five talents approached and presented the other five talents, saying, ‘Master. You- handed over five talents to me. Look! I’ve gained another five talents besides them.’ And his master declared to him, ‘Well done good and trustworthy slave. You- were trustworthy over a few things, I’ll install you- over many things. Enter into the joy of your- master.’

    And the one who’d received two talents also approached, and said, ‘Master. You- handed over two talents to me. Look! I’ve gained another two talents besides them.’ And his master declared to him, ‘Well done good and trustworthy slave. You- were trustworthy over a few things, I’ll install you- over many things. Enter into the joy of your- master.’

    And the one who’d received the one talent also approached, and said, ‘Master. I perceived that you’re- a hard person, reaping where you- didn’t sow, and gathering where you- haven’t scattered. And I was afraid and went off and hid your- talent in the ground. Look! You- have what’s yours-.’ But answering, his master said to him, ‘Wicked and timidc slave. You- were aware that I reap where I didn’t sow, and I gather from where I haven’t scattered? Then you- should’ve put my silver with the bankers, and when I came I would’ve carried off what’s mine together with interest. Take the talent away from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For it’ll be given to everyone who has, and they’ll have an overabundance. But from the one who doesn’t have, even what they have will be taken away from them. And throw the useless slave into the outer darkness. There’ll be weeping and the gnashing of teeth.’

    And whenever the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he’ll be seated on his throne of glory. And all the nations will be gathered together in front of him, and he’ll separate them from one another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And indeed the sheep will stand on his right, but the goats on the left.

    Then the king will say to those on his right, ‘Come here, those who are blessed of my father, inherit the kingdom which has been prepared for you= from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you= gave me something to eat. I was thirsty and you= gave me a drink. I was a foreigner and you= took me in. Naked and you= clothed me. I was ill and you= visited me. I was in jail and you= came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him saying, ‘Master. When did we see you- hungry, and we nurtured you-, or thirsty, and we gave you- a drink? And when did we see you- a foreigner, and we took you- in, or naked, and we clothed you-? And when did we see you- sick, or in jail, and we came to you-?’ And answering, the king will say to them, ‘Amena I say to you=, in as much as you= did it for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you= did it for me.’

    Then he’ll also say to those on the left, ‘Go away from me, you= who’ve been cursed, into the everlasting fire which has been prepared for Diabolosd and his messengers. For I was hungry and you= didn’t give me anything to eat. I was thirsty and you= didn’t give me a drink. I was a foreigner and you= didn’t take me in. Naked and you= didn’t clothe me. Sick and in jail, and you= didn’t visit me.’ Then they themselves will also answer, saying, ‘Master. When did we see you- hungry, or thirsty, or a foreigner, or naked, or sick, or in jail, and we didn’t serve you-?’ Then he’ll answer them, saying, ‘Amena, I say to you=, in as much as you= didn’t do it for one of the least of these, neither did you= do it for me.’

    And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into everlasting life.”

a) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

b) a talent is about 30 kilograms (of silver), and one talent is equivalent to about 6,000 denarii

c) the Greek word here for “timid” means “lacking in confidence”

d) Diabolos means “slanderer”

26   And it came to be, when Yeshua had finished all these messages, that he said to his disciples, “You= know that after two days it’ll be the Passovera, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be executedb.”

    Then the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered into the courtyard of the chief priest, (the one called Caiaphas), and they conspired together to lay hold of Yeshua by deceit, and to kill him. But they said, “Not during the festival, so there isn’t an uproar among the people.”

    And when Yeshua was in Bethany, in the house of Shimon the leper. A woman who had an alabaster jar of very precious perfume approached him, and poured it on his head while he was reclining. And when they saw it his disciples were indignant, saying, “To what end was this destruction? For this perfume could’ve been sold for a large amount and been given to the poor.” But when he perceived it, Yeshua said to them, “Why are you= giving trouble to this woman? For she’s performed a goodc work for me. For you’ll= always have the poor among you=, but you= won’t always have me. For by pouring this perfume on my body she has prepared me for burial. Amend, I say to you=, wherever this good news will be proclaimed in the whole world, what she’s done will also be spoken of in memorial of her.”

    Then one of the Twelve, the one called Yehuda Iscarioth, went off to the chief priests, saying, “What are you= willing to give me if I hand him over to you=?” And they settled on thirty silver coinse. And from then on he sought an opportunity to hand him over.

    And on the first day of the festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples approached Yeshua, saying to him, “Where do you- want us to prepare for you- to eat the Passovera?” And he said, “Go off into the town, to a certain one, and say to him, ‘The teacher says, “My time is near. I’ll keep the Passovera at your- housef with my disciples.”’” And the disciples did as Yeshua had instructed them, and they prepared the Passovera.

    And when evening came, he was reclining with the Twelve, and while they were eating he said, ‘Amend, I say to you= that one of you= will hand me over.” And being extremely saddened, each one of them began to say to him, “It isn’t me lord, is it?” But answering, he said, “The one who dips their hand with me in the dish, this one will hand me over. Indeed the Son of Man goes off just as it’s been written about him. But woe to the person through whom the Son of Man is handed over. It’d be better for that person if they hadn’t been born.” And answering, Yehuda, the one who handed him over, said to him, “It isn’t me Rabbig, is it?” He said to him, “You’ve- said it.”

    And while they were eating, Yeshua took the bread, and when he’d given thanks, he broke it and gave it to the disciples, and he said, “Take. Eat. This is my body.” And he took the cup, and when he’d given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “All of you= drink from it. For this is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many, for the pardoning of sins. And I say to you=, that from now on I won’t drink the produce of the grapevine at all until that day when I may drink it new with you= in the kingdom of my father.”

    And when they’d sung praises, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Yeshua said to them, “During this night all of you= will stumble because of me. For it’s been written, ‘I’ll strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the shepherd will be scattered.’ But after I’ve been raised up, I’ll go ahead of you= into Galilee.” But answering, Petros said to him, “Even if all stumble because of you-, I’ll never stumble.” Yeshua declared to him, “Amend, I say to you-, that during this night, before the rooster crows, you’ll- renounce me three times.” Petros said to him, “Even if I have to die with you-, I won’t renounce you- at all.” And all the disciples said likewise.

    Then Yeshua came with them into a property called Gethsemaneh, and said to those disciples, “Sit down here while I go off and pray over there.” And he took Petros and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and he began to be sad and heavy hearted. Then Yeshua said to them, “My soul is deeply saddened, to the point of death. Stay here and be alert with me.” And he went on a little further and he fell down on his face, praying, and saying, “My father, if it’s possible let this cup pass from me — except not as I want but as you- want.” And he came to the disciples and found them lying down asleep, and he said to Petros, “Aren’t you= able to stay alert with me like this for one hour? Be alert and pray that you= might not enter into a trial. Indeed the spirit is eager but the flesh is weak.” And he went off again a second time and prayed, saying, “My father, if this cup isn’t able to pass from me unless I drink it, then let your- will come to be.” And when he came, he found them lying down asleep again, for their eyes were heavy. And he left them alone and went on again, and he prayed a third time saying the same thing. Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “You’re= still sleeping and resting? Stop. Look! The hour has come near, and the Son of Man is handed over into the hands of sinners. Get up. Let’s go. Look! The one who’s handing me over has come near.”

    And while he was still talking. Look! Yehuda, one of the Twelve, came. And with him was a large crowd from the chief priests and elders of the people, with swords and sticks. And the one who was handing him over gave them a sign, saying, “Whomever I embrace is the one. Seize him.” And straightaway he approached Yeshua and said, “Rejoice Rabbi”, and kissed him. But Yeshua said to him, “Companion. Why are you- here?” Then they came to him and laid hands on Yeshua, and seized him.

    And look! One of those who was with Yeshua stretched out his hand, drew his sword, and struck the slave of the chief priest and cut off his ear. Then Yeshua said to him, “Return your- sword to its place. For all those who take the sword will die by the sword. Or do you- suppose that I’m not able, even now, to entreat my father and he’ll provide me more than twelve legionsi of messengers? But then how would the writings be fulfilled that must come to be in this way?”

    In that hour Yeshua said to the crowds, “Have you= come out as if against a robber — with swords and sticks to apprehend me? Each day I was sitting with you=, teaching in the temple, and you= didn’t seize me. But all this has come to be so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him behind and fled.

    And those who’d seized Yeshua led him away to Caiaphas the chief priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. And Petros followed him at a distance up to the courtyard of the chief priest. And when he’d entered inside, he sat with the attendants to see the finish.

    And the chief priests, and the elders, and the whole Sanhedrin sought false testimony against Yeshua, so they could put him to death. But they didn’t find any. And although many false witnesses had come, they still didn’t find any. But later two false witnesses came forward and said, “He declared, ‘I’m able to break down the temple of God and to build it in three days.’” And the chief priest rose up and said to him, “You- aren’t answering anything to what they testify against you-?” But Yeshua was silent. And answering, the chief priest said to him, “I command you- to swear an oathj to the god of the living, that you- tell us if you’re- the Anointed, the son of God.” Yeshua said to him, “You’ve- said it. Except that I say to you=, from now on you’ll= look upon the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming above the clouds of the sky.” Then the chief priest tore his clothes saying, “He speaks evil. What need do we still have of witnesses? Look, now you’ve= heard his evil speech. What do you= suppose?” And answering they said, “He’s subject to death.” Then they spat in his face, and buffeted him, and others slapped him saying, “Prophesy to us Anointed. Who hit you-?”

    And outside, Petros sat in the courtyard. And one of the slave girls approached him, saying, “You- were also with Yeshua of Galilee.” But he denied it in front of them all, saying, “I don’t know what you’re- saying.” And when she came out to the gate, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “He was also with Yeshua of Nazareth.” And again he denied it with an oath, “I don’t know the person.” And a little later those who were standing there came over and said to Petros, “Truly, you’re- also one of them, for your- speech also makes it evident.” Then he began to curse and swear, “I don’t know the person.” And straightaway a rooster crowed. And Petros was reminded of the declaration which Yeshua had made to him, “Before a rooster crows you’ll- renounce me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly.

a) Pesach is the Jewish festival celebrating their deliverance from Egypt. From the Hebrew word Pesah which means “to pass over”.

b) the Greek word specifically means to execute by hanging on a stake

c) good in terms of quality, not morality

d) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”

e) a silver coin was about a days wage for a labourer

f) “at your house” is literally “near you”

g) Rabbi was a Hebrew title meaning “Teacher”

h) Gethsemane derives from an Assyrian word meaning “oil press”

i) a legion was a troop of about six thousand soldiers and about seven hundred horsemen

j) “command someone to swear an oath” is all one word in Greek

27   And when it became morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people consulted together against Yeshua, to put him to death. And when they’d bound him, they led him away and handed him over to Pontius Pilate the governor.

    But when Yehuda, the one who’d handed him over, saw that he was condemned, he felt regret and returned the thirty silver coins to the chief priests and the elders, saying, “I’ve sinned, having handed over innocent blood.” But they said, “What’s that to us? You- see to that.” And he tossed the silver coins into the temple and withdrew. And he went off and strangled himself.

    But when they took the silver coins, the chief priests said, “It isn’t permitted to throw them into the korbana, since it’s the price of blood.” And when they’d taken consultation together, they bought the field of the potter with them, as a burial place for foreigners. That’s why that field has been called Field of Blood to this day. Then what was declared through the prophetb Yermiyah was fulfilled, saying, “And they took the thirty silver coins, the value of the one who’d been valued, whose value had been set by the sons of Yisrael. And they gave them to the field of the potter, as the lordc [Yahweh] instructed me.”

    And Yeshua stood in front of the governor, and the governor questioned him, saying, “You’re- the king of the Jews?” And Yeshua declared to him, “You’re- saying it.” And when he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he didn’t answer anything. Then Pilate said to him, “Don’t you- hear how much they testify about you-?” But he didn’t answer him with even one statement — so the governor marvelled greatly.

    Now during the festival the governor had been accustomed to releasing one prisoner to the crowd, whomever they wanted. And at that time they had a notorious prisoner called Barabbas. So when they’d been gathered together, Pilate said to them, “What do you= want? Should I release Barabbas to you=, or Yeshua, the one called the Anointed?” For he knew that they’d handed him over out of envy. And while he was sitting on the judgement platform his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing between you- and that just man. For I’ve suffered much today in a dream because of him.”

    But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowds that they should request Barabbas, and they should destroy Yeshua. And answering, the governor said to them, “Which of the two do you= want me to release to you=?” And they said, “Barabbas.” Pilate said to them, “Then what will I do with Yeshua who’s called the Anointed?” They all said to him, “Let him be executedd.” And the governor declared, “What for? What evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, saying, “Let him be executedd.” And Pilate, seeing that it didn’t benefit anything, but instead that an uproar was coming about — took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd, saying, “I’m innocent of the blood of this righteous man. You= see to it yourselves.” And answering, all the people said, “His blood is on us, and on our children.” Then he released Barabbas to them, and when he’d had Yeshua flogged, he handed him over to be executedd.

    Then the soldiers of the governor took Yeshua into the governor’s residence, and the whole regiment gathered around him. And they stripped him, and they placed a scarlet cloak around him. And when they’d plaited a wreath from thornbushes, they placed it on his head, and a reed in his right hand. And kneeling in front of him, they mocked him saying, “Rejoice. King of the Jews.” And they spat on him, and they took the reed and they beat his head. And when they’d mocked him, they took the cloak off him and clothed him in his own clothes, and they led him away to be executedd.

    And when they came out, they found a person, of Cyrene, named Shimon, and they pressede him to pick up his stakef. And coming to a place called Golgothag, (which means Place of the Skull), they gave him cheap wine to drink which had been mixed with bile. But when he tasted it, he didn’t want to drink it. And when they’d executedd him, they divided up his clothes, casting a lot. And they sat down and they watched over him there.

    And over his head they’d placed the charge which had been written against him, “This is Yeshua, the king of the Jews.” Then two robbers were executedd together with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who were going by spoke evil against him, shaking their heads at him, and saying, “The one who demolishes the temple and builds it in three days, save yourself. If you’re- the son of God then come down from the stakef.” And likewise also the chief priests, mocking him, with the scribes, and elders, and Pharisees, said, “He saves others. He isn’t able to save himself. If he’s the king of Yisrael then let him come down now from the stakef and we’ll trust in him. He relies on God — let him rescue him now if he wants. For he said ‘I’m God’s son.’” And even the robbers who were executedd with him also reproached him.

    And from the sixth hourh darkness came on all the land until the ninth houri. And about the ninth houri Yeshua shouted out in a loud voice, saying, “Eloi. Eloi. Lama sabachthani?”, (which is “My god. My god. Why have you- abandoned me?”) And when they heard this, some of those who were standing there said, “He’s calling Eliyah.” And straightaway one of them ran and took a sponge, filling it with cheap wine, and wrapped it around a reed and gave him a drink. But the rest said, “Leave him alone so we can see if Eliyah comes to save him.”

    And when Yeshua had cried out again in a loud voice, he discharged his spirit. And look! The curtain of the temple was tornj in two from top to bottom, and the earth shook, and the rocks split, and the tombs were opened, and many bodies of the holy which had been laid to rest were raised up. And when they came out of the tombs after his rising, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. And the centurion and those who were watching over Yeshua with him, when they saw the earthquake and the things which happened, were extremely afraid, saying, “Truly this was the son of a god.” And there were many women there, looking on from a distance, who’d followed Yeshua since Galilee, serving him. Among whom was Maria the Magdalenek, and Maria the mother of Yaakov and Yoses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee.

    And when evening came, a rich person from Arimathea came, named Yosef, who himself had also become a disciple of Yeshua. He approached Pilate and requested the body of Yeshua. Then Pilate ordered that the body be given to him. And Yosef took the body and wrapped it in clean fine linen, and he laid it in his new tomb, which he’d cut out of the rock. And he rolled a huge stone to the door of the tomb, and went away. And Maria the Magdalene was there, and the other Maria, sitting opposite the grave.

    And the next day, which is after the preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered before Pilate, saying, “Lord, we’re reminded that when he was still living that seducerl said, ‘After three days I’ll be raised up.’ Order therefore that the grave be secured until the third day, otherwise his disciples might come at night and steal him. And they might say to the people that he was raised from the dead, and the final deception will be worse than the first.” And Pilate declared to them, “You= have a custodiam. Go off and make it as secure as you= know how.” And they went off, and when they’d sealed the stone, they secured the grave with the custodia.

a) korban was a Hebrew word for an offering to God, and came to be used to refer to the temple treasury itself

b) actually this seems to be a quote from Zechariah the prophet

c) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

d) the Greek word specifically means to execute by hanging on a stake

e) “pressed” in the sense of forced service

f) the Greek word used here means a vertical stake or pole. Sometimes but not usually it could include a crossbar of some kind.

g) Golgotha is a Hebrew word meaning “skull”

h) midday

i) three in the afternoon

j) The Greek words for “torn” and “split” are the same.

k) Magdala was a town on the shore of the Sea of Galilee

l) “seduce” literally means “to lead astray”

m) a custodia was a Latin name for a guard detail

28   And after the Sabbatha, drawing towards dawn on the day after the Sabbathb, Maria the Magdalene and the other Maria came to look at the grave. And look! There was a great earthquake, because a messenger of the lordc [Yahweh] had come down from heaven. And when he approached, he rolled away the stone from the door and sat on it. And his form was like lightning, and his clothes were white like snow. And those who kept watch shook from the fear of him, and they became like dead men.

    And answering, the messenger said to the women, “Don’t be afraid. For I know that you= seek Yeshua who was executedd. He isn’t here. For he’s been raised just as he said. Come here, see the place where the lord was laid. And go off quickly and tell his disciples that he’s been raised from the dead. And look! He goes ahead of you= to Galilee. You’ll= see him there. Look! I’ve told you=.”

    And they came out quickly from the tomb, with fear and great joy, and they ran to report to his disciples. And as they were going to report to his disciples. Look! Yeshua met them saying, “Rejoice.” And they approached and took hold of his feet and they worshipped him. Then Yeshua said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go off and report to my brothers so they come to Galilee, and they’ll see me there.”

    And while they were going off. Look! Some of the custodia, who’d come into the city, reported to the chief priests all the things which had happened. And when they’d gathered with the elders, and had consulted together, they gave a considerable number of silver coins to those soldiers, saying, “Say ‘His disciples came in the night and stole him while we were lying down asleep.’ And if this is heard by the governor we’ll persuade him and make sure that you= don’t have anything to be anxious about.” And they took the silver coins and did as they were taught. And this message spread abroad among the Jews, even to this day.

    And the eleven disciples went to Galilee, into the mountain where Yeshua had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him. But some doubted. And Yeshua approached, and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on the earth. As you= go, disciple all the nations, immersing them into the name of the father, and of the son, and of the holy spirit, and teaching them to keep all things, whatever I’ve directed you=. And look! I’m among you= all the days until the conclusion of the age. Amene.”

a) Sabbath here is literally plural

b) “day after the Sabbath” here is literally “one of Sabbaths”

c) Jews used “Lord” in place of “Yahweh” to avoid any possibility of breaking the third commandment.

d) the Greek word specifically means to execute by hanging on a stake

e) amen is a Hebrew word meaning “truly”