Jesus

1A few days later, Jesus came back to the town of Capernaum. People heard that he was home.

And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

NoteCapernaum was a small town beside a big lake. Jesus stayed there often.

2So many people came that there was no room left. Even the doorway was packed. Jesus told them God's message.

And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

3Some men brought him a man whose body could not move. Four men carried him.

And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four.

4The crowd was too thick to get near Jesus. So they opened up the roof right above him. Then they lowered the man down on his mat.

And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay.

NoteRoofs then were flat and made of mud, sticks and branches. Stairs went up the outside wall. People could dig a hole right through a roof. The mat was a thin bed you could roll up and carry.

5Jesus saw that they trusted him. He said to the man, "Son, your sins are forgiven."

When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.

NoteA sin is a wrong thing a person does. To forgive means you stop holding it against them.

6Some scribes were sitting there. Scribes were teachers who studied God's law. They were thinking inside themselves,

But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,

NoteScribes copied God's laws by hand, word by word. People asked them what the laws meant.

7"Why does this man talk like that? He is speaking against God. Only God can forgive sins."

Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

NoteSaying something insulting or false about God was called blasphemy. That was a very serious thing to accuse someone of.

8Right away Jesus knew what they were thinking. He asked them, "Why are you thinking these things?"

And immediately when Jesus perceived in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, he said unto them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts?

9"Which is easier to say to this man? 'Your sins are forgiven'? Or 'Get up, pick up your mat, and walk'?"

Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?

10"I will show you something. The Son of Man has the power to forgive sins here on earth." Son of Man was Jesus's name for himself. Then he spoke to the man who could not move.

But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)

Note"Son of man" comes from an old book in the Bible. Jesus used it as a name for himself.

11"I tell you, get up. Pick up your mat and go home."

I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

12Right away the man got up. He picked up his mat and walked out in front of them all. Everyone was amazed. They praised God and said, "We have never seen anything like this!"

And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.

1They crossed the lake to the other side. They came to the land of the Gadarenes.

And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.

NoteThe Gadarenes were the people who lived in that land. It was across the lake from Jesus's home. Most people there were not Jewish.

2Jesus got out of the boat. Right away a man came out of the graves to meet him. An evil spirit was inside that man.

And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,

NoteIn the King James, "ship" means a small fishing boat. Graves then were caves cut into rock. A person could go inside one and live there. An "unclean spirit" is a bad spirit that no one can see.

3The man lived among the graves. No one could tie him up, not even with chains.

Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:

4People had often chained his hands and feet. He broke the chains and smashed the cuffs. No one was strong enough to hold him.

Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.

Note"Fetters" are metal cuffs locked around a person's ankles.

5Night and day he stayed in the hills and the graves. He shouted, and he cut himself with stones.

And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

6He saw Jesus far away. He ran to him and knelt down in front of him.

But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,

Note"Worshipped" here means he knelt down low in front of Jesus.

7He shouted loudly, "What do you want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? Please, before God, do not hurt me!"

And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

Note"The most high God" means the God who is over everything. "I adjure thee by God" means: I beg you, with God listening.

8Jesus had already said to him, "Come out of this man, you evil spirit!"

For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.

9Jesus asked him, "What is your name?" He answered, "My name is Legion, because there are many of us."

And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.

NoteA legion was a big group of soldiers in the Roman army. One legion could be thousands of men. The name meant that very many spirits were inside the man.

10He begged Jesus again and again not to send them away from that land.

And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.

Note"Besought" is an old word for begged.

11Nearby, on the hillside, a big herd of pigs was eating.

Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.

Note"Swine" means pigs. Jewish people did not eat pigs or keep them. So other people lived in this land too.

12All the evil spirits begged Jesus, "Send us into the pigs. Let us go inside them."

And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.

13Jesus let them. The spirits came out of the man and went into the pigs. About two thousand pigs ran down the steep hill into the lake and drowned.

And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.

Note"Forthwith" means right away. "Gave them leave" means let them do it. "Choked in the sea" means the pigs drowned in the water.

14The men who cared for the pigs ran away. They told people in the town and the countryside. The people came out to see what had happened.

And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.

15They came to Jesus. They saw the man who had been full of evil spirits. He was sitting there, dressed, and thinking clearly. They were afraid.

And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.

Note"Possessed with the devil" means a bad spirit lived inside him. "In his right mind" means he could think clearly again.

16The people who had watched told them what happened to the man and to the pigs.

And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.

Note"Befell" is an old word for happened to.

17Then the people began to beg Jesus to leave their part of the country.

And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.

Note"Coasts" here means the whole land around them, not the edge of the water.

18Jesus was getting into the boat. The man who had been full of evil spirits begged to come with him.

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.

19Jesus would not let him. He said, "Go home to your own people. Tell them the great things the Lord did for you, and how kind he was."

Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

Note"Howbeit" means but. "Suffered him not" means did not let him. "Compassion" means kindness to someone who is hurting.

20So the man went through Decapolis, a group of ten towns, telling what Jesus did for him. Everyone was amazed.

And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.

NoteDecapolis is a Greek name. It means "ten towns." "Publish" here means to tell the news to everybody. "Did marvel" means they were amazed.

21Jesus crossed the lake again by boat. A big crowd gathered around him by the water.

And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

22A man named Jairus came to him. He was a leader of the synagogue, the place where people met to worship. When he saw Jesus, he fell at his feet.

And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

NoteA synagogue is a building where Jewish people meet to pray. A ruler of the synagogue helped take care of it. He picked who would read and speak there. Falling at someone's feet showed great respect.

23He begged him hard, "My little girl is almost dead. Please come and put your hands on her, so she will get well and live."

And besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live.

NotePutting your hands on a sick person was a way of asking God to help them.

24So Jesus went with him. A big crowd followed and pressed close around him.

And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

Note"Thronged him" means the crowd pushed in close all around him.

25A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years.

And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years,

Note"An issue of blood" means bleeding that would not stop. Jewish rules said no one should touch a woman who was bleeding. So for twelve years she had to stay away from other people.

26Many doctors had treated her, and she suffered a lot. She spent all her money, but she only got worse.

And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse,

Note"Physicians" are doctors. Doctors back then did not have medicine like ours.

27She heard about Jesus. She came up behind him in the crowd and touched his coat.

When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment.

Note"The press" means the thick, pushing crowd. His "garment" was the big cloak he wore over his other clothes.

28She kept saying to herself, "If I only touch his clothes, I will get well."

For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole.

Note"Whole" is an old word for well and healthy.

29Right away the bleeding stopped. She felt in her body that her sickness was gone.

And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague.

Note"Straightway" means right away. "The fountain of her blood" means the bleeding. "Plague" here just means a sickness.

30Jesus knew at once that power had gone out of him. He turned around in the crowd and asked, "Who touched my clothes?"

And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

Note"Virtue" here means power. It does not mean being good.

31His followers said, "The crowd is pushing all around you. How can you ask who touched you?"

And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

Note"The multitude" means the big crowd of people.

32But Jesus kept looking around to see who had done it.

And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing.

33The woman knew what had happened to her. Shaking and afraid, she knelt in front of him and told him the whole truth.

But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth.

34Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your trust has made you well. Go in peace. Be free from your sickness."

And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Note"Thy faith hath made thee whole" means your trust has made you well.

35While he was still talking, people came from Jairus's house. They said, "Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?"

While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Note"The Master" here means the Teacher. "Why troublest thou" means why keep bothering him.

36Jesus heard what they said. He told Jairus, "Do not be afraid. Just believe."

As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

37He let no one come with him except Peter, James, and John, who was James's brother.

And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

Note"Suffered no man to follow" means he let no one else come along. Peter, James, and John were three of his closest friends.

38They came to the synagogue leader's house. Jesus saw all the noise and people crying loudly.

And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

Note"Tumult" means a lot of loud noise. When someone died, neighbors came and cried out loud together. Some people were even paid to come and cry.

39He went inside and said, "Why all this noise and crying? The child is not dead. She is asleep."

And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth.

Note"Ado" means fuss and noise. "Damsel" is an old word for a young girl.

40They laughed at him. He sent them all outside. Then he took the girl's father and mother and his three friends into the room where she lay.

And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

Note"Laughed him to scorn" means they laughed at him in a mean way.

41He took the girl by the hand and said, "Talitha cumi." That means, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!"

And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

Note"Talitha cumi" is Aramaic. That was the everyday language Jesus and his friends spoke. Mark kept the real words, then told us what they mean.

42Right away the girl got up and walked around. She was twelve years old. Everyone there was amazed.

And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

Note"Astonished with a great astonishment" means they were very, very surprised. Mark tells us her age so we know she was a big girl, not a baby.

43Jesus told them firmly not to tell anyone about it. Then he said to give her something to eat.

And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Note"Charged them straitly" means told them firmly not to do it.

1Jesus left that place and went to his hometown. His disciples, his close followers, went with him.

And he went out from thence, and came into his own country; and his disciples follow him.

Note"His own country" means the town where Jesus grew up. That town was Nazareth. The people there had known him since he was small.

2On the Sabbath, the day of rest, Jesus taught in the synagogue, the place where people met to worship. Many who heard him were very surprised. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What kind of wisdom has he been given? How can he do such powerful things?"

And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands?

NoteThe Sabbath was the seventh day of every week. God's law said people should rest and not work that day. A synagogue was a building in town. Jews met there to pray and hear God's words read out loud.

3"Isn't this the carpenter, the man who builds things from wood? Isn't he Mary's son? Isn't he the brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? Don't his sisters live right here with us?" So they would not accept him.

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.

NoteA carpenter made doors, roofs and farm tools out of wood. It was ordinary, hard work. Being "offended at him" does not mean their feelings were hurt. It means they would not believe he was anyone special.

4Jesus said to them, "A prophet, someone who tells people what God says, is honored everywhere. But he is not honored in his own town, or by his own family, or in his own house."

But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.

NoteThe old spelling "honour" is our word honor. To honor someone means to treat them as important.

5So he could not do any powerful miracles there. He only put his hands on a few sick people and healed them.

And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Note"Mighty work" is the old way of saying miracle. A miracle is something only God's power can do.

6He was amazed that they would not believe. Then he went from village to village, teaching the people.

And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.

13People were bringing little children to Jesus so he could put his hands on them. The disciples told them to stop.

And they brought young children to him, that he should touch them: and his disciples rebuked those that brought them.

NotePutting hands on someone's head was a kind thing to do. It was a way of asking God to be good to them.

14Jesus saw this and was upset. He said, "Let the little children come to me. Do not stop them. God's kingdom belongs to people like them.

But when Jesus saw it, he was much displeased, and said unto them, Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.

Note"Suffer the little children" is old English for let the children come. "Much displeased" means Jesus was upset. God's kingdom means everywhere God is king, and everyone who belongs to him.

15I tell you the truth. Anyone who does not welcome God's kingdom the way a small child does will never go in."

Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.

Note"Verily" is an old word. It means truly, or I really mean this.

16Then he picked the children up in his arms. He put his hands on them and blessed them.

And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

NoteTo bless someone means to ask God to be kind and good to them.

17As Jesus started down the road, a man ran up and knelt in front of him. He asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to have life forever?"

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

NoteKneeling down in front of someone showed respect. The King James says "inherit eternal life." Eternal life means life with God that never ends.

18Jesus said, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19You know the rules God gave. Do not kill. Do not break your marriage promise. Do not steal. Do not tell lies about people. Do not cheat anyone. Treat your father and mother well."

Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

NoteThese rules are some of the Ten Commandments God gave Moses. "Bear false witness" meant telling lies about someone, especially to a judge. "Honour thy father and mother" meant treating your parents well and listening to them.

20The man answered, "Teacher, I have kept all of these since I was a boy."

And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21Jesus looked at him and loved him. He said, "You are missing one thing. Go and sell everything you own. Give the money to poor people. Then you will have riches with God. Then come and follow me."

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

Note"Treasure in heaven" means good things kept safe with God. The King James also says "take up the cross." A cross was a heavy wooden beam. Soldiers made a prisoner carry one to the place he would die. So this meant being ready to give up everything.

22The man's face fell when he heard this. He walked away feeling sad, because he owned a great deal.

And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

NoteThe King James says he had "great possessions." That means he owned a lot of things and was rich.

23Jesus looked around at his disciples. He said, "It is so hard for rich people to enter God's kingdom!"

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

NoteThe King James says "how hardly." That did not mean barely. It meant how very hard it is.

24The disciples were surprised by his words. But Jesus spoke to them again. "Children, it is very hard for people who trust in riches to enter God's kingdom!

And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

25It is easier for a camel to go through the hole in a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom."

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

NoteA camel is a very large animal, taller than a person. The hole in a sewing needle is tiny. Jesus picked the biggest animal and the smallest hole on purpose.

26They were more amazed than ever. They said to each other, "Then who can be saved?"

And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

Note"Saved" means rescued by God and kept safe with him.

27Jesus looked at them and said, "People cannot do this on their own. But God can. God can do anything."

And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

NotePeter and the others called Jesus their teacher and followed him everywhere.

46Next they came to the town of Jericho. Jesus and his disciples were leaving town with a big crowd. A blind beggar named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road.

And they came to Jericho: and as he went out of Jericho with his disciples and a great number of people, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the highway side begging.

NoteJericho was an old town near the Jordan River. A beggar was someone who sat and asked people passing by for money or food. Blind people often had no other way to eat. The King James says "highway side." That just means beside the road.

47He heard that Jesus of Nazareth was going by. He began to shout, "Jesus, Son of David, please help me!"

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out, and say, Jesus, thou son of David, have mercy on me.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. David was Israel's great king long ago. God had promised a special king from David's family. Calling Jesus "son of David" meant, you are that promised king. "Have mercy on me" means please be kind and help me.

48Many people told him to be quiet. But he shouted even louder, "Son of David, please help me!"

And many charged him that he should hold his peace: but he cried the more a great deal, Thou son of David, have mercy on me.

Note"Hold his peace" is old English for be quiet and stop shouting.

49Jesus stopped and said, "Call him over." So they called the blind man. They told him, "Cheer up! Get up! He is calling you."

And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.

50The man threw off his coat, jumped up, and came to Jesus.

And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

NoteHis "garment" was a big outer coat, like a blanket he wore. A beggar spread it out to catch coins. Throwing it off shows how fast he jumped up.

51Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?" The blind man said, "Teacher, I want to see again."

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

NoteIn the older Greek writing he calls Jesus "Rabboni." That word means my teacher.

52Jesus said to him, "You may go. Your faith has healed you." Right away the man could see. He followed Jesus down the road.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.

Note"Made thee whole" is old English for healed you, or made you well. "In the way" means along the road.

3Jesus was in the town of Bethany, eating at the table in Simon the leper's house. A woman came in with a stone jar of costly perfume made from a plant called nard. She broke the jar open and poured the perfume on his head.

And being in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper, as he sat at meat, there came a woman having an alabaster box of ointment of spikenard very precious; and she brake the box, and poured it on his head.

NoteA leper had a skin sickness that kept him away from other people. In those days people lay on low couches around the table to eat. The jar was made of a soft white stone called alabaster. Nard was a sweet-smelling oil from a plant that grew far away. Pouring oil on someone's head was a way to honor them.

4Some people there were upset. They said to each other, "Why waste this perfume?

And there were some that had indignation within themselves, and said, Why was this waste of the ointment made?

5It could have been sold for a whole year's pay. The money could have gone to poor people." And they scolded her.

For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

NoteThe King James says the perfume was worth "three hundred pence." One pence was one day's pay for a worker. So the jar cost almost a whole year of work.

6Jesus said, "Leave her alone. Why are you bothering her? She has done a good thing for me.

And Jesus said, Let her alone; why trouble ye her? she hath wrought a good work on me.

7Poor people will always be near you. You can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me.

For ye have the poor with you always, and whensoever ye will ye may do them good: but me ye have not always.

8She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body early, to get it ready for burial.

She hath done what she could: she is come aforehand to anoint my body to the burying.

NoteBefore a burial, people rubbed sweet-smelling oil on the body. It was a kind way to say goodbye to someone.

9I tell you the truth. Wherever the good news is told in the whole world, people will also tell what she did. She will be remembered."

Verily I say unto you, Wheresoever this gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world, this also that she hath done shall be spoken of for a memorial of her.

NoteThe good news is the story about Jesus that his followers told everywhere they went.