Luke

Introduction
Who wrote this book?
Why was this
book written?
For whom was this
book written?
What happens
in this book?
Who is the key person
in this book?
Where did this happen?

What are some stories

found in this book?

Luke, a physician who often traveled with Paul, wrote this book.
The book of Luke tells what many people who knew Jesus remembered of his life and teaching.
Luke wrote for people who wanted to know the kind of person
Jesus was.
Jesus meets, teaches, and helps many different kinds of people.

Jesus is the most important person in this book.

Most of the events in this book happened in Galilee and Judea.
(See the map at the back of this Bible to find these places.)
Luke 1:5780
Luke 2:820
Luke 7:1117
Luke 10:2537
Luke 12:1321
Luke 15:1132
Luke 16:1931
Luke 17:1119
Luke 18:914
Luke 19:110

The birth of John the Baptist

The shepherds and the angels
Jesus raises a widows son
The good Samaritan
The rich fool
The lost son
The rich man and Lazarus
Jesus heals ten lepers
The Pharisee and the tax collector
Zacchaeus

When did these things happen?

40 bc 30

20

10 ad 1 10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Herod the Greats reign (c. 374 BC) _ _______________________________________________________________

Jesus birth (c. 6/5 BC) ___________________________________________________________________________________
Jesus flight to Egypt (c. 5/4 BC) _ ____________________________________________________________________
Jesus visit to the temple (c. AD 7/8) _ _______________________________________________________________
Beginning of John the Baptists ministry (c. AD 26) _____________________________________________
Beginning of J esus ministry (c. AD 26) ______________________________________________________________
Jesus death, resurrection and ascension (c. AD 30) ___________________________________________
Pauls conversion (c. AD 35) ____________________________________________________________________________
Book of Luke written (c. AD 5963) _ _________________________________________________________________

1452

Luke 1:1

Introduction

Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the

things that have been fulfilleda among us, 2just as they
were handed down to us by those who from the first were
eyewitnesses and servants of the word. 3With this in mind,
since I myself have carefully investigated everything from
the beginning, I too decided to write an orderly account for
you, most excellent Theophilus, 4so that you may know the
certainty of the things you have been taught.
T h e B i r t h o f J o h n t h e B a p t i st F o r e to l d
Who was Herod? (1:5)

Herod the Great ruled Judea

from 37 to 4 b.c. His reputation
was one of a vicious and cruel
ruler who e ven killed some of his
own family members.
Were Elizabeth and
Zechariah sinless? (1:6)

They were not sinless,

but they were faithful and
sincere in keeping the Lords
commandments.
What responsibility did the
priest have for the incense?
(1:9)

The priest was responsible for

keeping the incense burning on
the altar in front of the Most Holy
Place. He added fresh incense
before the morning sacrifice and
after the evening sacrifice.

5In

the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest

amed Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of
n
Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.
6Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing
all the Lords commands and decrees blamelessly. 7But they
were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive,
and they were both very old.
8Once when Zechariahs division was on duty and he was
serving as priest before God, 9he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple
of the Lord and burn incense. 10And when the time for the
burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were
praying outside.
11Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at
the right side of the altar of incense. 12When Zechariah saw
him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. 13But the
angel said to him: Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer
has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and
you are to call him John. 14He will be a joy and delight to
you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15for he will
be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or
other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy
Spirit even before he is born. 16He will bring back many of
the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17And he will go
on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn
the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteousto make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.
18Zechariah asked the angel, How can I be sure of this? I
am an old man and my wife is well along in years.
19The angel said to him, I am Gabriel. I stand in the
presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and
to tell you this good news. 20And now you will be silent and
not able to speak until the day this happens, because you
did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.
21Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and
wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. 22When he
came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had
seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them
but remained unable to speak.
23When his time of service was completed, he returned
a1 Orbeen

surely believed

Luke 1:49

home. 24After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and

for five months remained in seclusion. 25The Lord has done
this for me, she said. In these days he has shown his favor
and taken away my disgrace among the people.
T h e B i r t h o f J e s u s F o r e to l d
26In

the sixth month of Elizabeths pregnancy, God sent

the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin
pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant
of David. The virgins name was Mary. 28The angel went to
her and said, Greetings, you who are highly favored! The
Lord is with you.
29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered
what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said
to her, Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with
God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you
are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called
the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the
throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacobs
descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.
34How will this be, Mary asked the angel, since I am
a virgin?
35The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come on you,
and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the
holy one to be born will be calleda the Son of God. 36Even
Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age,
and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth
month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.
38I am the L ords servant, Mary answered. May your
word to me be fulfilled. Then the angel left her.

1453

How did God remove

Elizabeths disgrace? (1:25)

Not having children meant that

a family had no heirs who could
inherit the familys possessions.
It also was seen as a sign of
Gods disfavor.
What did it mean to be
pledged to be married? (1:26)

A man and woman could not

have sex during their betrothal,
but it was a much more binding
arrangement than a modern
engagement. It could only be
broken by divorce. Jesus did not
have a biological father, but he
had an earthly mother. He was
both fully God and fully human.

M a ry V i s i t s Eli z a b e t h
39At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the
hill country of Judea, 40where she entered Zechariahs home
and greeted Elizabeth. 41When Elizabeth heard Marys
greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was
filled with the Holy Spirit. 42In a loud voice she exclaimed:
Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you
will bear! 43But why am I so favored, that the mother of my
Lord should come to me? 44As soon as the sound of your
greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for
joy. 45Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would
fulfill his promises to her!

M a ry s S o n g
46And

Mary said:

My soul glorifies the Lord

47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has been mindful
of the humble state of his servant.
From now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 for the Mighty One has done great things for me
holy is his name.
a35 OrSo

the child to be born will be called holy,

Why is Marys song known

as the Magnificat? (1:4655)

In the Latin translation of the

Bible, the first word of her song
is magnificat, which means
glorifies. This song is like a psalm
and can be compared to the song
of Hannah (see 1Samuel 2:110).

1454

Luke 1:50

50 His mercy extends to those who fear him,

from generation to generation.
51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm;
he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost
thoughts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
but has lifted up the humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
but has sent the rich away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
remembering to be merciful
55 to Abraham and his descendants forever,
just as he promised our ancestors.
56Mary

stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and

then returned home.

T h e B i r t h o f J o h n t h e B a p t i st
57When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she
gave birth to a son. 58Her neighbors and relatives heard that
the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy.
59On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child,
and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, 60but his mother spoke up and said, No! He is to be
called John.
61They said to her, There is no one among your relatives
who has that name.
62Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he
would like to name the child. 63He asked for a writing tablet,
and to everyones astonishment he wrote, His name is John.
64Immediatel y his mouth was opened and his tongue set
free, and he began to speak, praising God. 65All the neighbors were filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of
Judea people were talking about all these things. 66Everyone
who heard this wondered about it, asking, What then is this
child going to be? For the Lords hand was with him.

Zechariahs Song
67His father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and
prophesied:

What was the horn of

salvation? (1:69)

A horn, such as the horn of an

animal, was a symbol of strength.
Jesus, the Messiah, would have
the strength or power to save his
people.

68 Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel,

because he has come to his people and redeemed
them.
69 He has raised up a horna of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David
70 (as he said through his holy prophets of long ago),
71 salvation from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us
72 to show mercy to our ancestors
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
74 to rescue us from the hand of our enemies,
and to enable us to serve him without fear
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
a69 Horn

here symbolizes a strong king.

L u k e 2 : 1 3

1455

76 And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the

Most High;
for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the
way for him,
77 to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
79 to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.

Jesus Is Born (2:4)

The Birth of Jesus

a80 Orin

AL
G
Nazareth

ILEE

Sea of
Galilee

SAMARIA

ed

ite

rra

nea

Sea

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that

a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.
2(This was the first census that took place whileb Quirinius
was governor of Syria.) 3And everyone went to their own
town to register.
4So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in
Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because
he belonged to the house and line of David. 5He went there
to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him
and was expecting a child. 6While they were there, the time
came for the baby to be born, 7and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a
manger, because there was no guest room available for them.
8And there were shepherds living out in the f ields nearby,
keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the
Lord appeared to them, and the glor y of the Lord shone
around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said
to them, Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will
cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of
David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah,
the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby
wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.
13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared
with the angel, praising God and saying,

Jerusalem
Bethlehem
J U D E A

Jo rd a n R .

80And the child grew and became strong in spirita; and he

lived in the wilderness until he appeared publicly to Israel.

Dead Sea
(Salt Sea)

0 20 km.
0

20 miles

What is a manger? (2:7)

This was a feeding trough for

animals. This is the only clue that
Jesus was born in a stable; early
tradition suggests that it was a
cave used as a stable.

What was the town of

David? (2:11)

This was Bethlehem.

the Spirit b2 OrThis census took place before

Did Jesus really live on the earth? 

Luke2

Yes. Even though Jesus is God, he took on human form and became a living human being. He was born
in Bethlehem to a young woman named Mary, who was a virgin. Jesus family tree shows that he was a
descendant of King David. Like all Jewish boys, Jesus was taken to the temple to be circumcised when
he was eight days old. When Jesus was about two, Mary and Joseph fled to Egypt because Herod was
about to kill young boys since he did not want any rivals to his throne. A few years later, the family
moved back to Nazareth in Galilee. The only story that the Bible tells about J
esus childhood is when he
went with his family to the temple (verses 4152).
The Bible begins telling the story of Jesus again when he was about 30 years old as he began his
ministry. Jesus was a living human being in every way, except for the fact that he was without sin. Jesus
was, and is, completely God. Because Jesus lived on earth as a human being, he understands our human situation, our pains, and our hurts.

1456

Luke 2:14

14 Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.

15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven,
the shepherds said to one another, Lets go to Bethlehem
and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has
told us about.
16So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the
baby, who was lying in the manger. 17When they had seen
him, they spread the word concerning what had been told
them about this child, 18and all who heard it were amazed
at what the shepherds said to them. 19But Mary treasured
up all these things and pondered them in her heart. 20The
shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the
things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had
been told.
21On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise the
child, he was named Jesus, the name the angel had given him
before he was conceived.

Jesus Presented in the Temple

What was the time for the
purification rights? (2:22)

After the birth of a son, a mother

had to wait 40 days before going
to the temple to offer sacrifices
for her purification. If she could
not afford a lamb and a pigeon
as a sacrifice, then two pigeons
(or doves) would be acceptable.
Bethlehem was only about 6
miles (9.7 kilometers) from
Jerusalem.

22When

the time came for the purification rites required

by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord 23(as it is written in the Law
of the Lord, Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to
the Lorda), 24and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what
is said in the Law of the Lord: a pair of doves or two young
pigeons.b
25Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who
was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26It had
been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not
die before he had seen the Lords Messiah. 27Moved by the
Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents
brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom
of the Law required, 28Simeon took him in his arms and
praised God, saying:
29 Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismissc your servant in peace.
30 For my eyes have seen your salvation,
31 which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
32 a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.

Did Anna live in the temple?

(2:37)

Herods temple was quite large

and included rooms for various
uses, so Anna may have been
allowed to live in one of them. But
the statement probably means
that she spent all of her daytime
hours worshiping in the temple.

33The childs father and mother marveled at what was said

a bout him. 34Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary,
his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and
rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken
against, 35so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.
36There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel,
of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with
her husband seven years after her marriage, 37and then was a
widow until she was eighty-four.d She never left the temple
a23 Exodus13:2,12 b24 Lev.12:8 c29 Orpromised, /
d37 Orthen

had been a widow for eighty-four years.

now dismiss

L u k e 3 : 7

1457

but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. 38Coming

up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and
spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the
redemption of Jerusalem.
39When Joseph and Mary had done everything required
by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own
town of Nazareth. 40And the child grew and became strong;
he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him.
T h e B oy J e s u s at t h e T e m p l e
41Every year Jesus parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover. 42When he was twelve years old, they
went up to the festival, according to the custom. 43After the
festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the
boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware
of it. 44Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for
a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives
and friends. 45When they did not find him, they went back to
Jerusalem to look for him. 46After three days they found him
in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to
them and asking them questions. 47Everyone who heard him
was amazed at his understanding and his answers. 48When
his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said
to him, Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father
and I have been anxiously searching for you.
49Why were you searching for me? he asked. Didnt you
know I had to be in my Fathers house?a 50But they did not
understand what he was saying to them.
51Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was
obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things
in her heart. 52And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in
favor with God and man.

What did Jewish boys begin

to do at age 12? (2:42)

At age 12, boys began preparing

to take their places in the religious
community the next year.

J o h n t h e B a p t i st P r e pa r e s t h e Way

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar

when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and
Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene 2during the
high-priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God
came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. 3He went
into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism
of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 4As it is written in
the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet:
A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.
5 Every valley shall be filled in,
every mountain and hill made low.
The crooked roads shall become straight,
the rough ways smooth.
6 And all people will see Gods salvation.b

7John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by

him, You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the
a49 Orbe

about my Fathers business b6 Isaiah40:3-5

What types of preparations

would be made for a king?
(3:4)

Before a king made a journey to

a distant country, the roads he
would travel on were improved.
John the Baptist prepared
the way for Jesus ministry by
focusing on repentance and the
need for a Savior.
What did it mean that
all people will see Gods
salvation? (3:6)

A major theme of Lukes gospel

is that Gods salvation would be
made available to both Jews and
Gentiles.

1458

What were these shirts like?

(3:11)

This shirt was like a long

undershirt. Since a person did
not need two of these, John said
the second one should be given
to a person who needs one.

When did God speak from

heaven during Jesus
lifetime? (3:22)

The Gospel writers record two

other times when God spoke
from heaven: on the Mount of
Transfiguration (Luke 9:35) and
in the temple area during Jesus
final week (John 12:28).
Was this genealogy identical
to the one in the Gospel of
Matthew? (3:2338)

There are several differences.

Matthews begins with Abraham,
while Luke goes in reverse order
back to Adam, showing Jesus
connection to the whole human
race. Matthew follows the line of
Joseph, but Luke follows the line
of Mary. Even though tracing a
genealogy through the mothers
side of a family was unusual, the
virgin birth made it necessary.

L u k e 3 : 8

coming wrath? 8Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.

And do not begin to say to yourselves, We have Abraham
as our father. For I tell you that out of these stones God can
raise up children for Abraham. 9The ax is already at the root
of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
10What should we do then? the crowd asked.
11John answered, Anyone who has two shirts should share
with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should
do the same.
12Even tax collectors came to be baptized. Teacher, they
asked, what should wedo?
13Dont collect any more than you are required to, he
told them.
14Then some soldiers asked him, And what should
wedo?
He replied, Dont extort money and dont accuse people
falselybe content with your pay.
15The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah.
16John answered them all, I baptize you witha water. But
one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of
whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you
witha the Holy Spirit and fire. 17His winnowing fork is in
his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat
into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. 18And with many other words John exhorted the
people and proclaimed the good news to them.
19But when John rebuked Herod the tetrarch because of
his marriage to Herodias, his brothers wife, and all the other
evil things he had done, 20Herod added this to them all: He
locked John up in prison.
T h e B a p t i s m a n d G e n e a lo gy o f J e s u s
21When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22and
the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove.
And a voice came from heaven: You are my Son, whom I
love; with you I am well pleased.
23Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he
began his ministry. He was the son, so it was thought, of
Joseph,

the son of Heli, 24the son of Matthat,

the son of Levi, the son of Melki,
the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph,
25 the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos,
the son of Nahum, the son of Esli,
the son of Naggai, 26the son of Maath,
the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein,
the son of Josek, the son of Joda,
27 the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa,
the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel,
the son of Neri, 28the son of Melki,
a16 Orin

L u k e 4 : 6

the son of Addi, the son of Cosam,

the son of Elmadam, the son ofEr,
29 the son of Joshua, the son of Eliezer,
the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat,
the son of Levi, 30the son of Simeon,
the son of Judah, the son of Joseph,
the son of Jonam, the son of Eliakim,
31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna,
the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan,
the son of David, 32the son of Jesse,
the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,
the son of Salmon,a the son of Nahshon,
33 the son of Amminadab, the son of Ram,b
the son of Hezron, the son of Perez,
the son of Judah, 34the son of Jacob,
the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham,
the son of Terah, the son of Nahor,
35 the son of Serug, the son of Reu,
the son of Peleg, the son of Eber,
the son of Shelah, 36the son of Cainan,
the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem,
the son of Noah, the son of Lamech,
37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch,
the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel,
the son of Kenan, 38the son of Enosh,
the son of Seth, the son of Adam,
the son of God.
J e s u s I s T e st e d i n t h e W il d e r n e s s

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan and was led
by the Spirit into the wilderness, 2where for forty days
he was temptedc by the devil. He ate nothing during those
days, and at the end of them he was hungry.
3The devil said to him, If you are the Son of God, tell this
stone to become bread.
4Jesus answered, It is written: Man shall not live on bread
alone.d
5The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in
an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6And he said to
a32 Some early manuscripts Sala b33 Some manuscripts Amminadab, the
son of Admin, the son of Arni; other manuscripts vary widely. c2 The Greek
for tempted can also mean tested. d4 Deut.8:3

1459

Where did Jesus

temptations take place?
(4:112)

They took place in a wilderness

region in the lower Jordan
Valley, on a high mountain
(possibly one of the tall cliffs
near Jericho), and on the highest
point of the temple, where the
priests sounded the trumpet to
announce important events.
How did Jesus answer
Satan? (4:4, 8, 12)

In each case, Jesus quoted

Scripture to Satan (Deuteronomy
8:3; 6:13; and 6:16).

What should we do when we are tempted to sin? 

Luke4

Everyone is tempted to sin. We might read something, see something on television, hear some words in
a song, or have a friend suggest something that makes us want to do something that we know is wrong.
Being tempted is not badeven Jesus was temptedbut giving in to temptation is wrong.
When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he had gone without food for 40 days, so he was in a
weakened condition. The devil tempted him with food, with the possibility of gaining power and avoiding
death, and with the idea of testing God. In each case, Jesus resisted the temptation and quoted a Bible
passage to the devil. Jesus gave us this model to follow when we are tempted. We should think about
what we might be tempted to do, and we should ask whether it is what God would want us to do. We
should also pray to ask God for the strength to resist the temptation. But if we give in and do something
that is wrong, we should ask God to forgive us and help us not do it again.

1460

What was Satan tempting

Jesus to do? (4:7)

Satan promised Jesus that he

could rule the entire world and
avoid the sufferings of the cross
if he worshiped him.

L u k e 4 : 7

him, I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has
been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7If
you worship me, it will all be yours.
8Jesus answered, It is written: Worship the Lord your
God and serve him only.a
9The devil led him to Jerusalem and had him stand on
the highest point of the temple. If you are the Son of God,
he said, throw yourself down from here. 10For it is written:
He will command his angels concerning you
to guard you carefully;
11 they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a
stone.b

12Jesus answered, It is said: Do not put the Lord your

God to the test.c
13When the devil had finished all this tempting, he left
him until an opportune time.

J e s u s R e j e c t e d at N a z a r e t h

What was the scroll of

Isaiah? (4:17)

The books of the Old Testament

were written on scrolls which
were kept in a special place in
the synagogue and handed to
the reader by an attendant. The
passage Jesus read about the
Messiah (Isaiah 61:12) may have
been the assigned passage for the
day or a passage he chose to read.

14Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and

news about him spread through the whole countryside. 15He
was teaching in their synagogues, and everyone praised him.
16He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up,
and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was
his custom. He stood up to read, 17and the scroll of the
prophet Isaiah was handed to him. Unrolling it, he found
the place where it is written:

18 The Spirit of the Lord is on me,

because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners
and recovery of sight for the blind,
to set the oppressed free,
19 to proclaim the year of the Lords favor.d

20Then he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue
were fastened on him. 21He began by saying to them, Today
this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
22All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious
words that came from his lips. Isnt this Josephs son? they
asked.
23Jesus said to them, Surely you will quote this proverb
to me: Physician, heal yourself! And you will tell me, Do
here in your hometown what we have heard that you did in
Capernaum.
24Truly I tell you, he continued, no prophet is accepted
in his hometown. 25I assure you that there were many widows in Israel in Elijahs time, when the sky was shut for three
and a half years and there was a severe famine throughout
the land. 26Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them, but to a
widow in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. 27And there
a8 Deut.6:13 b11 Psalm91:11,12 c12 Deut.6:16
d19 Isaiah61:1,2

(see Septuagint); Isaiah58:6

L u k e 5 : 3

1461

were many in Israel with leprosya in the time of Elisha the

prophet, yet not one of them was cleansedonly Naaman
the Syrian.
28All the people in the synagogue were furious when they
heard this. 29They got up, drove him out of the town, and
took him to the brow of the hill on which the town was built,
in order to throw him off the cliff. 30But he walked right
through the crowd and went on his way.
J e s u s D r iv e s O u t a n I m p u r e S p i r i t
31Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. 32They were
amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
33In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon,
an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, 34Go
away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have
you come to destroy us? I know who you arethe Holy
One of God!
35Be quiet! Jesus said sternly. Come out of him! Then
the demon threw the man down before them all and came
out without injuring him.
36All the people were amazed and said to each other,
What words these are! With authority and power he gives
orders to impure spirits and they come out! 37And the news
about him spread throughout the surrounding area.

Jesus Heals Many

38Jesus left the synagogue and went to the home of Simon.
Now Simons mother-in-law was suffering from a high fever,
and they asked Jesus to help her. 39So he bent over her and
rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up at once and began to wait on them.
40At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he
healed them. 41Moreover, demons came out of many people,
shouting, You are the Son of God! But he rebuked them
and would not allow them to speak, because they knew he
was the Messiah.
42At daybreak, Jesus went out to a solitary place. The people were looking for him and when they came to where he
was, they tried to keep him from leaving them. 43But he said,
I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to
the other towns also, because that is why I was sent. 44And
he kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.

J e s u s Ca lls Hi s Fi r st Di s c i p l e s

One day as Jesus was standing by the Lake of Gennesaret,b the people were crowding around him and listening
to the word of God. 2He saw at the waters edge two boats,
left there by the fishermen, who were washing their nets.
3He got into one of the boats, the one belonging to Simon,
and asked him to put out a little from shore. Then he sat
down and taught the people from the boat.
a27 TheGreek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various
diseases affecting the skin. b1 That is, the Sea of Galilee

Why did people bring their

sick friends to Jesus at
sunset? (4:40)

The Sabbath was over at sunset.

Until then, Jews could not
travel more than two-thirds of a
mile (one kilometer) or carry a
burden. Only after sunset could
they carry these sick people to
Jesus to be healed.
Why were the fishermen
washing their nets? (5:2)

After each time they fished,

fishermen washed, stretched,
and repaired their nets in
preparation for the next day.
Why did Jesus sit in the
boat? (5:3)

Rabbis usually taught from

a sitting position rather than
standing up. The boat was far
enough away so that the crowd
would not press in on Jesus, but
it was close enough that he could
be seen and heard.

1462

L u k e 5 : 4
4When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, Put
out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.
5Simon answered, Master, weve worked hard all night
and havent caught anything. But because you say so, I will
let down the nets.
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number
of fish that their nets began to break. 7So they signaled their
partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they
came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
8When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus knees and
said, Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man! 9For he
and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish
they had taken, 10and so were James and John, the sons of
Zebedee, Simons partners.
Then Jesus said to Simon, Dont be afraid; from now on
you will fish for people. 11So they pulled their boats up on
shore, left everything and followed him.

J e s u s H e a ls a M a n W i t h L e p r o sy
12While Jesus was in one of the towns, a man came along
who was covered with leprosy.a When he saw Jesus, he fell
with his face to the ground and begged him, Lord, if you are
willing, you can make me clean.
13Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. I am
willing, he said. Be clean! And immediately the leprosy
left him.
14Then Jesus ordered him, Dont tell anyone, but go, show
yourself to the priest and offer the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a testimony to them.
15Yet the news about him spread all the more, so that
crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their
sicknesses. 16But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and
prayed.

J e s u s F o r g iv e s a n d H e a ls
a Pa r a ly z e d M a n
Who were the Pharisees and
teachers of the law? (5:17)

The Pharisees were a legalistic

and separatist group who strictly
obeyed the laws of Moses and
the other traditional laws of the
elders that had been passed
down. They were not a large
group, but they enjoyed the
support of the people. The
teachers of the law were scribes
who studied, interpreted, and
taught the law.

17One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers

of the law were sitting there. They had come from every
village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the
power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. 18Some
men came carr ying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to
take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they
could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they
went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through
the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.
20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, Friend, your sins
are forgiven.
21The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?
22Jesus knew what they were thinking and asked, Why
are you thinking these things in your hearts? 23Which is
easier: to say, Your sins are forgiven, or to say, Get up and
a12 TheGreek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various
diseases affecting the skin.

L u k e 6 : 7

1463

walk? 24But I want you to know that the Son of Man has
authority on earth to forgive sins. So he said to the paralyzed man, I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.
25Immediately he stood up in front of them, took what he
had been lying on and went home praising God. 26Everyone
was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with
awe and said, We have seen remarkable things today.
J e s u s Ca lls L e vi a n d E at s W i t h Si n n e r s
27After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the
name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. Follow me, Jesus said
to him, 28and Levi got up, left everything and followed him.
29Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house,
and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating
with them. 30But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law
who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, Why
do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?
31Jesus answered them, It is not the healthy who need a
doctor, but the sick. 32I have not come to call the righteous,
but sinners to repentance.

What did the Jews think

about tax collectors? (5:27)

Because Jewish tax collectors

collected tolls for Rome, they
were considered traitors. They
also were considered extremely
dishonest. They could not
serve as witnesses or judges,
and they were expelled from
the synagogue. Their disgrace
extended to members of their
families.

J e s u s Q u e st i o n e d Ab o u t Fast i n g
33They said to him, Johns disciples often fast and pray,
and so do the disciples of the Pharisees, but yours go on
eating and drinking.
34Jesus answered, Can you make the friends of the bridegroom fast while he is with them? 35But the time will come
when the bridegroom will be taken from them; in those days
they will fast.
36He told them this parable: No one tears a piece out
of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise, they will
have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will
not match the old. 37And no one pours new wine into old
wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the
wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. 38No,
new wine must be poured into new wineskins. 39And no one
after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, The old
is better.

J e s u s I s Lo r d o f t h e Sa bb at h

One Sabbath Jesus was going through the grainfields,

and his disciples began to pick some heads of grain, rub
them in their hands and eat the kernels. 2Some of the Pharisees asked, Why are you doing what is unlawful on the
Sabbath?
3Jesus answered them, Have you never read what David
did when he and his companions were hungry? 4He entered
the house of God, and taking the consecrated bread, he ate
what is lawful only for priests to eat. And he also gave some
to his companions. 5Then Jesus said to them, The Son of
Man is Lord of the Sabbath.
6On another Sabbath he went into the synagogue and was
teaching, and a man was there whose right hand was shriveled. 7The Pharisees and the teachers of the law were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely

What were wineskins?

(5:3738)

In ancient times, goatskins were

used to hold wine. As the fresh
grape juice fermented, the wine
would expand and stretch a new
wineskin. But old wineskins that
were already stretched would
burst. Jesus compared the
Jewish system to old wineskins
that could not accommodate the
new wine of the kingdom of God.
What did they do that was
unlawful on the Sabbath?
(6:2)

According to Jewish tradition,

harvesting was unlawful on the
Sabbath, and that is what the
disciples technically were doing.
How did Jesus justify their
actions? (6:35)

esus described a time when

J
the Sabbath rules had been
broken to accomplish a greater
good. The rules for the Sabbath
had become so detailed and
burdensome that people had
lost sight of the original purpose
of the Sabbath, which was for
humans to experience physical,
mental, and spiritual restoration.

1464

L u k e 6 : 8

to see if he would heal on the Sabbath. 8But Jesus knew what

they were thinking and said to the man with the shriveled
hand, Get up and stand in front of everyone. So he got up
and stood there.
9Then Jesus said to them, I ask you, which is lawful on the
Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroyit?
10He looked around at them all, and then said to the man,
Stretch out your hand. He did so, and his hand was completely restored. 11But the Pharisees and the teachers of the
law were furious and began to discuss with one another what
they might do to Jesus.
T h e Tw e lv e A p o st l e s
12One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to
pray, and spent the night praying to God. 13When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve of
them, whom he also designated apostles: 14Simon (whom
he named Peter), his brother Andrew, James, John, Philip,
Bartholomew, 15Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,
Simon who was called the Zealot, 16Judas son of James, and
Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

Blessings and Woes

How is this sermon similar

to the Sermon on the Mount
in Matthew 57? (6:2049)

This sermon is shorter, but like

the sermon in Matthew it begins
with the Beatitudes and ends
with the lesson of the builders.

17He went down with them and stood on a level place. A

large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of
people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the
coastal region around Tyre and Sidon, 18who had come to
hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled
by impure spirits were cured, 19and the people all tried to
touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.
20Looking at his disciples, he said:

Blessed are you who are poor,

for yours is the kingdom of God.
21 Blessed are you who hunger now,
for you will be satisfied.
Blessed are you who weep now,
for you will laugh.
22 Blessed are you when people hate you,
when they exclude you and insult you
and reject your name as evil,

because of the Son of Man.

23Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is

your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.

24 But woe to you who are rich,

for you have already received your comfort.
25 Woe to you who are well fed now,
for you will go hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
26 Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you,
for that is how their ancestors treated the false
prophets.

L u k e 6 : 4 8

1465

to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies,

do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone slaps you on
one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes
your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30Give to
everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to
you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would
have them do to you.
32If you love those who love you, what credit is that to
you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33And if you
do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that
to you? Even sinners do that. 34And if you lend to those
from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you?
Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full.
35But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them
without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward
will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36Be merciful,
just as your Father is merciful.

What was the heart of Jesus

teaching? (6:27)

Lov e f o r E n e mi e s
27But

The heart of Jesus teaching

was love, even love for ones
enemies.

J u d g i n g Ot h e r s
37Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will
be forgiven. 38Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will
be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will
be measured to you.
39He also told them this parable: Can the blind lead the
blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? 40The student is
not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will
be like their teacher.
41Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brothers eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
42How can you say to your brother, Brother, let me take the
speck out of your eye, when you yourself fail to see the plank
in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of
your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck
from your brothers eye.

A Tree and Its Fruit

43No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear
good fruit. 44Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People
do not pick figs from thornbushes, or grapes from briers.
45A good man brings good things out of the good stored
up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the
evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the
heart is fullof.

T h e W i s e a n d F o o li s h B u il d e r s
46Why

do you call me, Lord, Lord, and do not do what

I say? 47As for everyone who comes to me and hears my
words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they
are like. 48They are like a man building a house, who dug
down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood

What did it mean for grain

to be poured into ones lap?
(6:38)

This probably referred to the way

an outer garment was worn so
that it could be folded over the
belt and used as a large pocket
to hold a measure of wheat.

1466

L u k e 6 : 4 9

came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it,
because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words
and does not put them into practice is like a man who built
a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment
the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction
was complete.
T h e Fa i t h o f t h e C e n t u r i o n

Who were the elders of the

Jews? (7:3)

These were respected leaders

in the community. In Matthews
account of this story (8:513),
the centurion spoke to Jesus
himself, but in Lukes account
he asked friends to present his
request.

When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people

who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2There a
centurions servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick
and about to die. 3The centurion heard of Jesus and sent
some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and
heal his servant. 4When they came to Jesus, they pleaded
earnestly with him, This man deserves to have you do this,
5because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.
6So Jesus went with them.
He was not far from the house when the centurion sent
friends to say to him: Lord, dont trouble yourself, for I do
not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7That is why I
did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say
the word, and my servant will be healed. 8For I myself am a
man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one,
Go, and he goes; and that one, Come, and he comes. I say
to my servant, Do this, and he doesit.
9When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, I tell you, I have
not found such great faith even in Israel. 10Then the men
who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well.
Jesus Raises a Widow s Son

Jesus Visits Nain (7:11)

dit

Me

Jerusalem
J U D E A

ILEE
Capernaum
Sea of Galilee

Jo rd a n R .

Nain

erra

nean

Sea

AL
G
Nazareth

Dead Sea
(Salt Sea)
0 20 km.
0

20 miles

What is a bier? (7:14)

This was probably an open coffin,

which was in keeping with Jewish
custom and the fact that he sat
up when Jesus commanded
him to.

11Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and

his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. 12As he
approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried
outthe only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And
a large crowd from the town was with her. 13When the Lord
saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, Dont cry.
14Then he went up and touched the bier they were carr ying him on, and the bearers stood still. He said, Young man,
I say to you, get up! 15The dead man sat up and began to
talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
16They were all filled with awe and praised God. A great
prophet has appeared among us, they said. God has come
to help his people. 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.

J e s u s a n d J o h n t h e B a p t i st
18Johns

disciples told him about all these things. Calling

two of them, 19he sent them to the Lord to ask, Are you
the one who is to come, or should we expect someone else?
20When the men came to Jesus, they said, John the Baptist sent us to you to ask, Are you the one who is to come, or
should we expect someone else?
21At that very time Jesus cured many who had diseases,

L u k e 7 : 3 9

1467

sicknesses and evil spirits, and gave sight to many who were
lind. 22So he replied to the messengers, Go back and reb
port to John what you have seen and heard: The blind receive
sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosya are cleansed,
the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is proclaimed to the poor. 23Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account ofme.
24After Johns messengers left, Jesus began to speak to the
crowd about John: What did you go out into the wilderness
to see? A reed swayed by the wind? 25If not, what did you
go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? No, those who
wear expensive clothes and indulge in luxur y are in palaces.
26But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you,
and more than a prophet. 27This is the one about whom it
is written:
I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way before you.b
28I tell you, among those born of women there is no one
greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of
God is greater thanhe.
29(All the people, even the tax collectors, when they heard
Jesus words, acknowledged that Gods way was right, because they had been baptized by John. 30But the Pharisees
and the experts in the law rejected Gods purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)
31Jesus went on to say, To what, then, can I compare the
people of this generation? What are they like? 32They are
like children sitting in the marketplace and calling out to
each other:

We played the pipe for you,

and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not cry.
33For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, He has a demon. 34The Son of Man
came eating and drinking, and you say, Here is a glutton
and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners. 35But
wisdom is proved right by all her children.

J e s u s A n o i n t e d by a Si n f u l W o m a n
36When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner
with him, he went to the Pharisees house and reclined at the
table. 37A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned
that Jesus was eating at the Pharisees house, so she came
there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38As she stood behind
him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her
tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and
poured perfume on them.
39When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he
said to himself, If this man were a prophet, he would know
a22 TheGreek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various
diseases affecting the skin. b27 Mal.3:1

What did Jesus mean by comparing the people to children

in the marketplace? (7:32)

eople rejected both John

P
the Baptist and Jesus but for
different reasonsalmost like
children who refused to play
either a mournful game or a
joyful one. They thought John
was too strict and Jesus was
too free.

1468

L u k e 7 : 4 0

Why did Jesus point out that

the host had not given Jesus
water for his feet? (7:44)

who is touching him and what kind of woman she isthat

she is a sinner.
40Jesus answered him, Simon, I have something to tell you.
Tell me, teacher, he said.
41Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One
owed him five hundred denarii,a and the other fifty. 42Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave
the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?
43Simon replied, I suppose the one who had the bigger
debt forgiven.
You have judged correctly, Jesus said.
44Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon,
Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did
not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with
her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45You did not give
me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not
stopped kissing my feet. 46You did not put oil on my head,
but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47Therefore, I tell
you, her many sins have been forgivenas her great love
has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.
48Then Jesus said to her, Your sins are forgiven.
49The other guests began to say among themselves, Who
is this who even forgives sins?
50Jesus said to the woman, Your faith has saved you; go
in peace.

Providing water to wash ones

feet was considered a gesture of
hospitality.

T h e Pa r a bl e o f t h e S o w e r

How was seed typically

sown? (8:5)

The practice was to sow (scatter)

the seed and then plow the field
afterward. Roads and pathways
often went through fields, and
the traffic made much of the
surface too hard for seed to
take root.
What were the secrets of
the kingdom of God? (8:10)

These were truths that could

only be known if God revealed
them. The quotation from Isaiah
6:9 states that those who were
unwilling to receive Jesus
message would find the truth
hidden from them.

After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, 2and also some
women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary
(called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come
out; 3Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herods
household; Susanna; and many others. These women were
helping to support them out of their own means.
4While a large crowd was gathering and people were coming to Jesus from town after town, he told this parable: 5A
farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the
seed, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the
birds ate it up. 6Some fell on rocky ground, and when it came
up, the plants withered because they had no moisture. 7Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up with it and choked
the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up and
yielded a crop, a hundred times more than was sown.
When he said this, he called out, Whoever has ears to
hear, let them hear.
9His disciples asked him what this parable meant. 10He
said, The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of God
has been given to you, but to others I speak in parables, so
that,
though seeing, they may not see;
though hearing, they may not understand.b
a41 Adenarius

was the usual daily wage of a day laborer (see Matt.20:2).

b10 Isaiah6:9

1469

Miracles of Jesus
Healing Miracles

M at t h e w

Mark

Luke

Man with leprosy

8:24

1:4042

5:1213

Roman centurions servant

8:513

7:110

Peters mother-in-law

8:1415

1:3031

4:3839

Two demon-possessed men

8:2834

5:115

8:2735

Paralyzed man

9:27

2:312

5:1825

Woman with bleeding

9:2022

5:2529

8:4348

Two blind men

9:2731

3:15

6:610

Mute, demon-possessed man

9:3233

Man with a shriveled hand

12:1013

Blind, mute, demon-possessed man

12:22

Canaanite womans daughter

15:2128

Demon-possessed boy

17:1418

9:1729

9:3843

Two blind men (including Bartimaeus)

20:2934

10:4652

18:3543

Deaf and mute man

John

11:14
7:2430

7:3137

Possessed man in synagogue

1:2326

Blind man at Bethsaida

8:2226

4:3335

Crippled woman

13:1113

Man with abnormal swelling

14:14

Ten men with leprosy

17:1119

The high priests servant

22:5051

Officials son at Capernaum

4:4654

Sick man at pool of Bethesda

5:19

Man born blind

9:17

M i r a c l e s Sh o w i n g P o w e r O v e r N at u r e

Calming the storm

8:2327

Walking on water

14:25

6:4851

Feeding of the 5,000

14:1521

6:3544

Feeding of the 4,000

15:3238

8:19

Coin in fishs mouth

17:2427

Fig tree withered

21:1822

4:3741

8:2225
6:1921
9:1217

6:613

11:1214, 2025

Large catch of fish

5:411

Water turned into wine

2:111

Another large catch of fish

21:111

Miracles of Raising the Dead

Jairuss daughter
Widows son at Nain
Lazarus

9:1819, 2325

5:2224, 3842

8:4142, 4956
7:1115
11:144

1470

L u k e 8 : 1 1
11This is the meaning of the parable: The seed is the
word of God. 12Those along the path are the ones who hear,
and then the devil comes and takes away the word from their
hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved. 13Those
on the rocky ground are the ones who receive the word with
joy when they hear it, but they have no root. They believe for
a while, but in the time of testing they fall away. 14The seed
that fell among thorns stands for those who hear, but as they
go on their way they are choked by lifes worries, riches and
pleasures, and they do not mature. 15But the seed on good
soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear
the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.

A L a m p o n a Sta n d
Why would a lamp be put on
a stand? (8:16)

In Jesus day, people used small

clay lamps that burned olive oil
drawn up by a wick. Because they
gave off only a small amount of
light, they were often placed on a
stand to given maximum light.

16No one lights a lamp and hides it in a clay jar or puts it

under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand, so that those who
come in can see the light. 17For there is nothing hidden that
will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be
known or brought out into the open. 18Therefore consider
carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more;
whoever does not have, even what they think they have will
be taken from them.

J e s u s M ot h e r a n d B r ot h e r s
19Now Jesus mother and brothers came to see him, but
they were not able to get near him because of the crowd.
20Someone told him, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to see you.
21He replied, My mother and brothers are those who hear
Gods word and put it into practice.

J e s u s Ca lm s t h e Sto r m
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, Let us go over to
the other side of the lake. So they got into a boat and set
out. 23As they sailed, he fell asleep. A squall came down on
the lake, so that the boat was being swamped, and they were
in great danger.
24The disciples went and woke him, saying, Master, Master, were going to drown!
He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters;
the storm subsided, and all was calm. 25Where is your
faith? he asked his disciples.
In fear and amazement they asked one another, Who is
this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they
obey him.

J e s u s R e sto r e s a D e m o n - P o s s e s s e d M a n
Why would someone live in
a tomb? (8:27)

In that day, caves served as

tombs. It was not unusual for the
same cave to be a burial spot for
the dead and to provide shelter
for the living. Very poor people
often lived in such caves.

26They sailed to the region of the Gerasenes,a which is

a cross the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped ashore,
he was met by a demon-possessed man from the town. For a
long time this man had not worn clothes or lived in a house,
but had lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried
out and fell at his feet, shouting at the top of his voice, What
a26 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes; also in
verse37

L u k e 8 : 4 8

do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I
beg you, dont torture me! 29For Jesus had commanded the
impure spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had
seized him, and though he was chained hand and foot and
kept under guard, he had broken his chains and had been
driven by the demon into solitary places.
30Jesus asked him, What is your name?
Legion, he replied, because many demons had gone into
him. 31And they begged Jesus repeatedly not to order them
to go into the Abyss.
32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside.
The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs, and
he gave them permission. 33When the demons came out of
the man, they went into the pigs, and the herd rushed down
the steep bank into the lake and was drowned.
34When those tending the pigs saw what had happened,
they ran off and reported this in the town and countryside,
35and the people went out to see what had happened. When
they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus feet, dressed and in his
right mind; and they were afraid. 36Those who had seen it
told the people how the demon-possessed man had been
cured. 37Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes
asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with
fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38The man from whom the demons had gone out b
egged
to go with him, but Jesus sent him away, saying, 39Return
home and tell how much God has done for you. So the
man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had
done for him.

1471

What did the name Legion

mean? (8:30)

A Roman legion was made up

of 6,000 soldiers. Here the
term suggests that the man was
possessed by numerous demons.

J e s u s R a i s e s a D e a d Gi r l a n d H e a ls
a Si c k W o m a n
40Now

when Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him, for

they were all expecting him. 41Then a man named Jairus, a
synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus feet, pleading with
him to come to his house 42because his only daughter, a girl
of about twelve, was dying.
As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
43And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding
for twelve years,a but no one could heal her. 44She came up
behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped.
45Who touched me? Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter said, Master, the people are
crowding and pressing against you.
46But Jesus said, Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out fromme.
47Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence
of all the people, she told why she had touched him and
how she had been instantly healed. 48Then he said to her,
Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.
a43 Many

manuscripts years, and she had spent all she had on doctors

What type of illness did the

woman have? (8:43)

The exact nature of her problem

is unknown. Her life would have
been miserable because she
was shunned. Any contact with
her would have made someone
ceremonially unclean.

1472

Why did Jesus tell people

not to spread the word about
his miracles? (8:56)

In Galilee, Jesus often told

people not to tell about the
healings he performed. His
popularity along with the
opposition from the religious
leaders could have caused an
early end to his ministry.
Why were the disciples not
supposed to take anything
with them? (9:3)

They were supposed to depend

on the hospitality of the towns
people. They also were to rely on
God to provide them with what
they needed.
What did it mean to shake
the dust from their feet? (9:5)

If the people of a town rejected

Gods message, the disciples did
this to show separation from
everything associated with the
place. It was also a warning of
judgment.

L u k e 8 : 4 9
49While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from
the house of Jairus, the synagogue leader. Your daughter is
dead, he said. Dont bother the teacher anymore.
50Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, Dont be afraid; just
believe, and she will be healed.
51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let
anyone go in with him except Peter, John and James, and the
childs father and mother. 52Meanwhile, all the people were
wailing and mourning for her. Stop wailing, Jesus said. She
is not dead but asleep.
53They laughed at him, knowing that she was dead. 54But
he took her by the hand and said, My child, get up! 55Her
spirit returned, and at once she stood up. Then Jesus told
them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were astonished, but he ordered them not to tell anyone what had
happened.

J e s u s S e n d s O u t t h e Tw e lv e

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave

them power and authority to drive out all demons and
to cure diseases, 2and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. 3He told them: Take nothing for the journeyno staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no
extra shirt. 4Whatever house you enter, stay there until you
leave that town. 5If people do not welcome you, leave their
town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against
them. 6So they set out and went from village to village, proclaiming the good news and healing people everywhere.
7Now Herod the tetrarch heard about all that was going
on. And he was perplexed because some were saying that
John had been raised from the dead, 8others that Elijah had
appeared, and still others that one of the prophets of long
ago had come back to life. 9But Herod said, I beheaded
John. Who, then, is this I hear such things about? And he
tried to see him.
J e s u s F e e d s t h e Fiv e T h o u sa n d
10When the apostles returned, they reported to Jesus what
they had done. Then he took them with him and they withdrew by themselves to a town called Bethsaida, 11but the
crowds learned about it and followed him. He welcomed
them and spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and
healed those who needed healing.
12Late in the afternoon the Twelve came to him and said,
Send the crowd away so they can go to the surrounding villages and countryside and find food and lodging, because we
are in a remote place here.
13He replied, You give them something to eat.
They answered, We have only five loaves of bread and
two fishunless we go and buy food for all this crowd.
14(About five thousand men were there.)
But he said to his disciples, Have them sit down in groups
of about fifty each. 15The disciples did so, and everyone sat
down. 16Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking
up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them. Then he gave