Jesus

9Jesus walked on from there. He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth. Jesus said to him, "Follow me." Matthew got up and followed him.

And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.

NoteA tax booth was where people paid money to the rulers. Tax collectors worked for Rome, the country in charge. Many of them kept extra money for themselves. So most people did not like them.

10Later Jesus was eating a meal in the house. Many tax collectors and sinners came too. They sat and ate with Jesus and his followers.

And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.

NoteSharing a meal meant you were friends with someone. "Sinners" meant people everyone knew broke God's rules.

11The Pharisees saw this. They asked his followers, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?

NoteThe Pharisees were teachers who loved God's rules. They tried to keep every small rule exactly right. They thought good people should stay away from bad people.

12Jesus heard them and said, "Healthy people do not need a doctor. Sick people do.

But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.

13Go and learn what these words mean: 'I want mercy, not gifts on an altar.' I did not come to call people who are already good. I came to call sinners to turn back to God."

But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

NoteJesus is quoting an old line from the Bible: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice." A sacrifice was an animal given to God at the temple. Mercy means being kind to someone who needs help.

18While Jesus was saying this, a leader came to him. The man knelt down and said, "My daughter has just died. But please come and put your hand on her. Then she will live."

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live.

NoteThis leader was in charge of the meeting place where people prayed. Kneeling down was a way of showing great respect.

19So Jesus got up and went with him. His followers went too.

And Jesus arose, and followed him, and so did his disciples.

20A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She came up behind Jesus. She touched the edge of his coat.

And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:

NoteThe woman had been losing blood for twelve years. The rules said people should not touch her. So she had been left out for a very long time. The edge of the coat had tassels on it. Men wore them to help them remember God's rules.

21She said to herself, "If I only touch his coat, I will be well."

For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.

22Jesus turned around and saw her. He said, "Cheer up, daughter. You trusted me, and now you are well." From that moment the woman was well.

But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.

23Jesus came into the leader's house. He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd.

And when Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the minstrels and the people making a noise,

NoteWhen someone died, families hired people to play sad music on flutes. Crying out loud was a way of honoring the person who died.

24He said to them, "Go away. The girl is not dead. She is asleep." And they laughed at him.

He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

25The crowd was sent outside. Then Jesus went in and took the girl by the hand. She got up.

But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.

26The news about this spread all over that part of the country.

And the fame hereof went abroad into all that land.

1Around that time, Herod heard people talking about Jesus. Herod was a ruler over part of the land.

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus,

NoteHerod ruled one part of the country for the Romans. The Romans were in charge of the whole land then. Herod was not king of everything.

2He said to his servants, "This is John the Baptist. He has come back to life. That is why he can do such powerful things."

And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him.

NoteJohn the Baptist was a preacher who spoke for God. He told people to get ready for Jesus. He dipped people in a river to show they were sorry.

3Earlier, Herod had arrested John. He tied him up and put him in prison. He did this because of Herodias, who had been the wife of his brother Philip.

For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife.

NoteHerodias had been married to Herod's brother Philip. Then she left him and married Herod. Many people said this was wrong.

4John kept telling Herod, "It is against God's law for you to have her as your wife."

For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her.

NoteGod's rules said a man must not take his brother's wife. John said this out loud, right to the ruler's face.

5Herod wanted to kill John, but he was afraid of the people. They believed John was a prophet, someone who told people what God said.

And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.

NoteA prophet was someone who told people messages from God. People listened to prophets carefully. Hurting one would make the crowd very angry.

6On Herod's birthday, the daughter of Herodias danced for the guests. Herod was very pleased with her.

But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod.

NoteRich people threw big parties on their birthdays. Dancing was part of the entertainment for the guests.

7So he made a strong promise. He said he would give her anything she asked for.

Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask.

NoteAn oath was a very strong promise. You said God's name when you made one. People believed you could never take it back.

8Her mother had already told her what to say. She said, "Bring me John the Baptist's head here on a plate."

And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger.

NoteThe old word here is "charger." It means a big flat dish for serving food at a meal.

9The king was sad. But he had made his promise in front of his dinner guests. So he gave the order.

And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her.

NoteThe guests were lying on couches around a low table. That is how people ate at fancy dinners then. Everyone had heard Herod make his promise.

10He sent men to the prison, and they cut off John's head.

And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison.

11His head was carried in on a plate and given to the girl. She took it to her mother.

And his head was brought in a charger, and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother.

NoteThe old word for her is "damsel." It simply means a young girl.

12John's followers came and took his body away and buried it. Then they went and told Jesus.

And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

NoteJohn had his own group of followers before he was arrested. They learned from him and helped him with his work.

13When Jesus heard this, he got into a boat and went away to a quiet, empty place. But the people found out. They walked there from their towns to find him.

When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

NoteA "desert place" does not mean hot sand here. It means an empty place where nobody lived. The boat was a small wooden fishing boat on a big lake.

14Jesus stepped out of the boat and saw a huge crowd. He felt sorry for them, and he healed the people who were sick.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

15That evening his followers came to him. They said, "Nobody lives out here, and it is late. Send the people away to buy food in the villages."

And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

NoteThe old word for food here is "victuals." There were no shops out in an empty place. The nearest villages were a long walk away.

16But Jesus said, "They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat."

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

17They said to him, "All we have here is five loaves of bread and two fish."

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

NoteBread then was flat and round, a bit like a pancake. One loaf fed about one person. The fish were small ones, probably salted.

18Jesus said, "Bring them here to me."

He said, Bring them hither to me.

19He told the crowd to sit down on the grass. He took the five loaves and the two fish. He looked up to the sky and thanked God. Then he broke the bread and gave it to his followers, and they gave it to the people.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

NotePeople always thanked God out loud before eating. Jesus was doing what every family did at meals.

20Everyone ate all they wanted. They picked up the leftover pieces. They filled twelve baskets.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

NoteThese were baskets people carried food in when they traveled. Each one held about as much as a backpack.

21About five thousand men ate that day. Women and children ate too.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

NoteOnly the men were counted in that number. With women and children, the crowd was much bigger.

22Right away Jesus made his followers get into the boat. They were to go ahead of him to the other side. He stayed to send the crowd home.

And straightway Jesus constrained his disciples to get into a ship, and to go before him unto the other side, while he sent the multitudes away.

23After the people left, he went up a mountain by himself to pray. Evening came, and he was still there alone.

And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

NoteHills rise up all around this lake. Climbing one was a good way to be alone and quiet.

24By now the boat was far out on the water. Waves tossed it around, because the wind was blowing against it.

But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary.

NoteThis lake sits low with hills all around it. Strong winds rush down and make big waves fast. Fishermen knew this could be dangerous.

25Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus came to them. He was walking on the water.

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea.

NotePeople split the night into four parts called watches. The fourth watch was about three to six in the morning.

26When his followers saw him walking on the water, they were frightened. They said, "It is a ghost!" and they cried out in fear.

And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.

NotePeople then believed spirits could appear in the dark. Seeing one would be very frightening.

27Jesus spoke to them right away. He said, "Be brave. It is me. Do not be afraid."

But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.

28Peter answered, "Lord, if it is really you, tell me to come to you on the water."

And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.

NotePeter was one of Jesus's closest friends. He was a fisherman before he followed Jesus. He often spoke up first.

29Jesus said, "Come." So Peter climbed out of the boat. He walked on the water toward Jesus.

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.

30Then he saw how strong the wind was, and he was afraid. He started to sink and cried out, "Lord, save me!"

But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

31At once Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. He said, "You have so little faith. Why did you doubt?"

And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

NoteFaith means trusting someone. Jesus was saying that Peter had stopped trusting him.

32They climbed into the boat, and the wind stopped blowing.

And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.

33The men in the boat worshiped Jesus. They said, "You really are the Son of God."

Then they that were in the ship came and worshipped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.

NoteTo worship means to bow down and show great honor. People did this only for God.

13Jesus came to the land around the town of Caesarea Philippi. He asked his followers, "Who do people say that I am? I call myself the Son of Man."

When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?

NoteCaesarea Philippi was a town far to the north, away from home. "Son of Man" was Jesus' favorite name for himself. It came from an old promise in the Bible about a king God would send.

14They said, "Some say you are John the Baptist. Some say you are Elijah. Others say you are Jeremiah or one of the prophets."

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.

NoteJohn the Baptist told people to get ready for Jesus. He had been killed a short time before this. Elijah and Jeremiah were prophets who lived hundreds of years earlier. So the people were saying Jesus seemed like a great man from long ago come back. Prophets were people who told others what God said.

15Then he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?"

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

16Simon Peter answered him. He said, "You are the Christ, God's chosen one. You are the Son of the living God."

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Note"Christ" is not a last name. It is a title, like "king" or "captain." It means the special helper God promised to send.

17Jesus said to him, "God has blessed you, Simon son of Jonah. No person told you this. My Father in heaven showed it to you."

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

Note"Barjona" means "son of Jonah" in the language Jesus spoke. Simon's father was named Jonah. This is a different Jonah from the prophet.

18"And I tell you this. You are Peter, and your name means rock. On this rock I will build my church, my own people. The gates of the place of the dead will not win against it."

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

NoteIn Jesus' language, the name Peter sounded just like the word for rock. It was a kind of word play. "Church" here does not mean a building. It means the group of people who belong to Jesus. City gates were huge doors that kept enemies out. Saying gates cannot win means death cannot break in.

19"I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. What you tie up on earth will be tied up in heaven. What you set free on earth will be set free in heaven."

And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

NoteIn big houses one trusted servant carried the keys. He decided who came in and what doors opened. Teachers back then said "bind" for what is not allowed and "loose" for what is allowed. So Jesus is giving Peter a job of trust.

20Then Jesus told his followers something firmly. They must not tell anyone that he was the Christ.

Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ.

21From that time Jesus began to tell his followers what would happen. He had to go to Jerusalem. The older leaders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law would hurt him. He would be killed. On the third day he would be raised to life again.

From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

NoteJerusalem was the biggest city, where the temple stood. The elders, chief priests, and scribes were the leaders there. Scribes were teachers who studied God's law and copied it by hand.

22Then Peter took Jesus aside. He began to tell Jesus he was wrong. He said, "Never, Lord! This will not happen to you!"

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23But Jesus turned around. He said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are standing in my way. You are thinking the way people think, not the way God thinks."

But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

NoteSatan is a name for God's enemy. The King James says Peter is "an offence" to Jesus. That word meant a stone in the path that trips someone up.

24Then Jesus said to his followers, "Someone may want to come with me. He must say no to what he wants. He must pick up his cross and follow me."

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

NoteA cross was made of heavy wooden beams. Roman soldiers used it to kill people. The person had to carry his own beam through the streets first. Everyone listening knew exactly what Jesus meant.

25"Whoever tries to keep his own life will lose it. Whoever gives up his life for me will find it."

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.

26"Suppose a man gets the whole world but loses his soul. What good is that to him? What could a man trade to get his soul back?"

For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

NoteYour soul means the real you inside. It is the part that is still you when your body wears out. To "trade" it means to give it away for something else.

27"The Son of Man will come with the bright glory of his Father. His angels will come with him. Then he will pay back each person for what that person did."

For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

NoteGlory means brightness and greatness that everyone can see. Angels are God's messengers, who carry out what he says.

28"I tell you the truth. Some people standing here will not die first. They will see the Son of Man coming as king."

Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

Note"Shall not taste of death" was an old way of saying "will not die." People said it the way we say someone "passed away."

1Six days later, Jesus took Peter, James, and John with him. John was James's brother. Jesus led them up a high mountain, away from other people.

And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

NotePeter, James, and John were three of Jesus's closest friends. They traveled with him and learned from him every day.

2There Jesus changed right in front of them. His face shone like the sun. His clothes turned as white as light.

And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

NoteThe King James says Jesus was "transfigured." That means his whole look changed. It also says "raiment," which is an old word for clothes.

3All at once, Moses and Elijah were there. They were talking with Jesus.

And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

NoteMoses and Elijah lived long, long before Jesus. Moses led God's people out of Egypt. Elijah was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. The King James spells his name "Elias."

4Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good that we are here. If you want, I will build three shelters. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

NoteShelters were little huts made of branches and leaves. People built them to stay in when they slept outside. The King James calls them "tabernacles."

5While Peter was still talking, a bright cloud covered them. A voice came out of the cloud. It said, "This is my Son, and I love him. He makes me very glad. Listen to him!"

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.

NoteFor the people back then, a bright cloud meant God was very near. In their old stories, God spoke from a cloud like this one.

6When his followers, called disciples, heard the voice, they fell with their faces to the ground. They were very afraid.

And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

NoteLying face down on the ground was a way to show great respect. People did it in front of a king.

7Jesus came over and touched them. He said, "Get up. Do not be afraid."

And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

8They looked up. They saw no one there but Jesus.

And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

9As they walked down the mountain, Jesus told them not to tell anyone what they had seen. They should wait until the Son of Man rose from the dead. Jesus called himself the Son of Man.

And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

NoteThe King James calls what they saw a "vision," something shown to them. "Son of man" was a name from an old book of the Bible. Jesus used it about himself.

10His followers asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" Scribes were teachers who studied and copied God's laws.

And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?

NoteScribes copied the Bible by hand, one letter at a time. There were no printing machines then. They also taught people the laws. Many people believed Elijah would come back before God sent his special king.

11Jesus answered, "It is true. Elijah does come first, and he puts everything right again."

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

12"But I tell you, Elijah has already come. People did not know who he was. They did to him whatever they wanted. They will hurt the Son of Man in the same way."

But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.

13Then his followers understood. Jesus was talking about John the Baptist.

Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.

NoteJohn the Baptist told people to get ready, because Jesus was coming. A king put John in prison, and John was killed there.

1Jesus and his followers came near the city of Jerusalem. They reached a town called Bethphage, on the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus sent two of his followers ahead.

And when they drew nigh unto Jerusalem, and were come to Bethphage, unto the mount of Olives, then sent Jesus two disciples,

NoteThe Mount of Olives is a big hill right next to Jerusalem. Olive trees grew all over it. Jerusalem was the most important city for God's people.

2He told them, "Go into the village up ahead. Right away you will find a donkey tied there. Her young colt is with her. Untie them and bring them to me."

Saying unto them, Go into the village over against you, and straightway ye shall find an ass tied, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them unto me.

NoteA donkey is a small animal a bit like a horse. People rode donkeys and used them to carry heavy loads. A colt is a young donkey.

3"If anyone asks you about it, say, 'The Lord needs them.' Then he will let them go right away."

And if any man say ought unto you, ye shall say, The Lord hath need of them; and straightway he will send them.

4This happened so the words of a prophet would come true.

All this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying,

NoteProphets lived long before Jesus was born. Their words were written down in books people still read. A prophet was someone who told people what God said.

5The prophet wrote: "Tell the people of Zion, 'Look! Your King is coming to you. He is gentle. He rides on a donkey, on the young colt of a donkey.'"

Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.

NoteKings rode tall horses when they went to war. A king on a donkey was coming in peace instead. Zion is another name for Jerusalem.

6The two followers went and did just what Jesus told them.

And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them,

7They brought the donkey and her colt. They laid their coats on them. Jesus sat on them.

And brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon.

NoteCoats back then were long and thick, almost like blankets. Laying them on the donkey made a soft seat.

8A huge crowd spread their coats on the road. Others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road.

And a very great multitude spread their garments in the way; others cut down branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

NoteSpreading coats and branches on the road was a way to honor someone. It was like rolling out a special carpet for a king.

9The crowds walked in front of Jesus and behind him. They shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David! God bless the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!"

And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.

NoteHosanna is an old word that means "please save us." People shouted it to welcome someone special. "Son of David" meant the king God had promised long ago. David was a famous king who lived long before.

10When Jesus came into Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred up. People asked, "Who is this?"

And when he was come into Jerusalem, all the city was moved, saying, Who is this?

11The crowds said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from the town of Nazareth in Galilee."

And the multitude said, This is Jesus the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee.

NoteGalilee is the part of the country where Jesus grew up. It was far north of Jerusalem, several days of walking.