Jesus

39Joseph and Mary did everything the Lord's law said. Then they went home to Nazareth in Galilee.

And when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned into Galilee, to their own city Nazareth.

40The child grew and became strong. He was full of wisdom. God's kindness was on him.

And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.

Note"The grace of God" means God's kindness given as a gift. God was kind to Jesus and looked after him.

41Every year his parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover feast. That feast helped people remember how God saved them long ago.

Now his parents went to Jerusalem every year at the feast of the passover.

NotePassover was a big feast every spring. Families ate a special meal together. It helped them remember how God rescued them long ago from Egypt.

42When Jesus was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem for the feast as always.

And when he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem after the custom of the feast.

NoteTwelve was an important age for a Jewish boy. He was starting to learn God's law like a grown-up.

43When the feast days were over, they started home. But Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother did not know it.

And when they had fulfilled the days, as they returned, the child Jesus tarried behind in Jerusalem; and Joseph and his mother knew not of it.

44They thought he was somewhere in the group of travelers. They walked a whole day. Then they looked for him among their family and friends.

But they, supposing him to have been in the company, went a day’s journey; and they sought him among their kinsfolk and acquaintance.

NoteFamilies traveled in big groups so the road was safer. It was easy to think a child was walking with cousins. "Kinsfolk" is an old word for relatives.

45They could not find him. So they went back to Jerusalem to keep looking.

And when they found him not, they turned back again to Jerusalem, seeking him.

46After three days they found him in the temple. He was sitting with the teachers, listening to them and asking questions.

And it came to pass, that after three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the doctors, both hearing them, and asking them questions.

NoteThe King James calls them "doctors." These were not doctors who help sick people. They were teachers who studied God's law.

47Everyone who heard him was surprised. He understood so much, and his answers were wise.

And all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.

48His parents were amazed to see him there. His mother said, "Son, why did you do this to us? Your father and I have been sad and worried, looking for you."

And when they saw him, they were amazed: and his mother said unto him, Son, why hast thou thus dealt with us? behold, thy father and I have sought thee sorrowing.

NoteMary is asking why he stayed without telling them. She had been very worried for three days.

49He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Did you not know I had to be in my Father's house?"

And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father’s business?

Note"Wist ye not" is old English for "did you not know." Jesus means the temple is his Father's house. He is calling God his Father.

50But they did not understand what he was telling them.

And they understood not the saying which he spake unto them.

51He went home to Nazareth with them and obeyed them. His mother kept all these things in her heart.

And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them: but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart.

NoteThe King James says he "was subject unto them." That means he obeyed his parents and did what they said.

52Jesus grew wiser and taller. God was pleased with him, and people were too.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man.

Note"Stature" means how tall you are. "Favour" means people liked him and were pleased with him.

21All the people were being baptized, and Jesus was baptized too. While Jesus was praying, heaven opened.

Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened,

22The Holy Spirit came down on him. The Spirit looked like a dove coming down. A voice spoke from heaven and said, "You are my Son, and I love you. I am very pleased with you."

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

NoteA dove is a soft gray bird, a lot like a pigeon. It is gentle and quiet.

23Jesus was about thirty years old when he started his work. People thought he was the son of Joseph. Joseph's father was Heli.

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli,

NoteNow comes a long list of fathers and sons. It goes backward in time, one father at a time. Lists like this showed which family a person came from.

1Jesus was full of the Holy Spirit. He came back from the Jordan River. The Spirit led him out into the desert.

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God's own Spirit, who helps and leads people. The Jordan is a river where Jesus had just been baptized. The King James word "wilderness" means wild, empty land with no towns.

2For forty days the devil tried to get him to do wrong. Jesus ate nothing all those days. When the days were over, he was hungry.

Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.

NoteThe devil is God's enemy. He wants people to do wrong things. The King James says Jesus was "tempted." That means the devil kept trying to get him to do wrong.

3The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to turn into bread."

And the devil said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, command this stone that it be made bread.

Note"Son of God" was a way of saying Jesus came from God himself. The devil says "if," as a way of daring Jesus to prove it.

4Jesus answered, "God's book says people do not live on bread alone. They live by every word God says."

And Jesus answered him, saying, It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.

Note"It is written" means Jesus is quoting older writings from God's book, the Bible. People long ago had those words copied by hand on scrolls.

5The devil took him up to a high place. In one quick moment he showed him all the kingdoms of the world.

And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.

NoteA kingdom is a land with a king who rules it. The devil showed Jesus every land in the world at once.

6The devil said, "I will give you power over all of them, and all their greatness. It was handed over to me. I give it to anyone I want."

And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it.

NoteThe King James word "glory" means all the shine and greatness that kings have. Think of crowns, gold, and big palaces.

7"So if you will bow down and worship me, all of it will be yours."

If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

NoteTo "worship" someone is to bow down and treat them like God. The devil wanted Jesus to treat him that way.

8Jesus answered, "Get away from me, Satan. God's book says, worship the Lord your God. Serve only him."

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

NoteSatan is another name for the devil. "Get thee behind me" was a strong way of saying go away from me.

9Then the devil took him to Jerusalem. He set him on the highest point of the temple, God's house. He said, "If you are the Son of God, jump down from here."

And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and said unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down from hence:

NoteJerusalem was the most important city for God's people. The temple there was the big beautiful building where people came to worship God. A "pinnacle" is the very highest edge of a roof.

10"God's book says he will tell his angels to watch over you and keep you safe."

For it is written, He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee:

NoteAngels are God's helpers, who come from heaven to do what he says.

11"It says they will hold you up in their hands. You will not even bump your foot on a stone."

And in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12Jesus answered, "It also says, do not test the Lord your God."

And Jesus answering said unto him, It is said, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.

NoteIn 1611 the word "tempt" also meant to test someone. Jesus means you should not dare God to prove himself.

13The devil finished every test he had. Then he left Jesus alone for a while.

And when the devil had ended all the temptation, he departed from him for a season.

Note"For a season" is old English for a while. The devil went away, but not forever.

14Jesus went back to Galilee with the Spirit's power in him. News about him spread all over that whole area.

And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee: and there went out a fame of him through all the region round about.

NoteGalilee was the part of the country where Jesus grew up. It had lakes, hills, and many small towns.

15He taught in their synagogues, the places where people met to learn about God. Everyone said good things about him.

And he taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.

NoteA synagogue was a building where people met to pray and to hear God's book read out loud. Every town had one. The King James says Jesus was "glorified," which here just means everyone spoke well of him.

16He came to Nazareth, the town where he grew up. As he always did, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath, the day of rest. He stood up to read.

And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. The Sabbath was the seventh day of the week. God told his people to rest that day and to think about him.

17Someone handed him the scroll of the prophet Isaiah. Jesus unrolled it and found this place:

And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written,

NoteBooks back then were long rolls of paper called scrolls. You unrolled them to read. "Esaias" is the old spelling of Isaiah. He was a prophet, someone who told people what God said. Isaiah lived hundreds of years before Jesus.

18"The Spirit of the Lord is on me. He chose me to bring good news to poor people. He sent me to heal broken hearts. I tell people who are locked up that they are free. I tell blind people they will see again. I set hurting people free."

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,

Note"Anointed" means poured oil on someone's head. People did that to show God had picked that person for a special job. "Gospel" is an old word that means good news. "Captives" are people shut up in prison. The King James word "bruised" means people who have been hurt or crushed by hard things.

19"I tell everyone that this is the year the Lord helps his people."

To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.

NoteThe "acceptable year of the Lord" was a special year God set up long ago. In it, people who owed money were let off and slaves were set free.

20He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the helper. Then he sat down. Everyone in the synagogue kept their eyes on him.

And he closed the book, and he gave it again to the minister, and sat down. And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

NoteThe King James calls him "the minister," but that means the helper who took care of the scrolls. Teachers sat down to teach, so sitting meant Jesus was about to speak.

21He began to say to them, "Today these words came true while you were listening."

And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.

Note"This scripture" means these words from God's book. Jesus is saying the words Isaiah wrote are about him.

22Everyone spoke well of him. They were surprised at the kind words he said. They asked, "Isn't this Joseph's son?"

And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?

NoteJoseph was the man who raised Jesus in Nazareth. Everyone in town knew him as the local carpenter's boy.

23He said to them, "You will surely say this old saying to me: 'Doctor, heal yourself.' You will say, do here what we heard you did in Capernaum."

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

NoteA proverb is a short saying people repeat. "Physician" is an old word for doctor. The saying means: fix your own problems before you help ours. Capernaum was a town by the lake where Jesus had already helped people.

24He said, "I tell you the truth. No prophet is welcomed in his own hometown."

And he said, Verily I say unto you, No prophet is accepted in his own country.

Note"Verily" is old English for truly. Jesus used it to say: listen closely, this is true.

25"Here is the truth. Many widows lived in Israel back when Elijah lived. For three and a half years no rain fell. People all over the land were very hungry."

But I tell you of a truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;

NoteA widow is a woman whose husband has died. Back then she often had no money and no one to care for her. "Elias" is the old spelling of Elijah, a prophet who lived long before Jesus. The King James says "the heaven was shut up," which means no rain fell from the sky. A famine is when crops do not grow and people have no food.

26"But Elijah was not sent to any of those widows. He was sent to a widow in Zarephath, a town near Sidon."

But unto none of them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta, a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was a widow.

Note"Sarepta" is the old spelling of Zarephath. It was a town near the city of Sidon, by the sea. Those people were not part of Israel, so helping them there was surprising.

27"Many people in Israel had a bad skin sickness when Elisha the prophet lived. Not one of them was made well. Only Naaman, a man from Syria, was made well."

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.

Note"Eliseus" is the old spelling of Elisha. He was a prophet too, and he came after Elijah. The King James says "lepers." That means people with a bad skin sickness. Others stayed away from them. "Cleansed" means made well again. Naaman came from Syria, a country next door, not from Israel.

28When the people in the synagogue heard this, they all became very angry.

And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath,

NoteThe King James word "wrath" means very strong anger.

29They jumped up and pushed him out of the town. They took him to the edge of the hill their town was built on. They wanted to throw him off it.

And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong.

NoteThe "brow of the hill" is the steep edge at the top. "Headlong" means head first, straight down.

30But Jesus walked right through the middle of them and went on his way.

But he passing through the midst of them went his way,

1One day Jesus stood by a lake called Gennesaret. A crowd pushed close to hear God's message.

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon him to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret,

NoteThis lake is also called the Sea of Galilee. It is big, and many families caught fish there for a living.

2He saw two boats resting at the edge of the lake. The fishermen had gotten out and were washing their nets.

And saw two ships standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets.

3Jesus got into Simon's boat. He asked Simon to push out a little way from the shore. Then he sat down and taught the people from the boat.

And he entered into one of the ships, which was Simon’s, and prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And he sat down, and taught the people out of the ship.

NoteSimon is the same man who is later called Peter. He was a fisherman with his own boat.

4When Jesus finished talking, he said to Simon, "Go out where the water is deep. Let your nets down to catch fish."

Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.

5Simon said, "Teacher, we worked hard all night and caught nothing. But because You say so, I will let the nets down."

And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net.

NoteFishermen there worked at night, when fish came near the top. Catching nothing all night meant no food and no money.

6They did it, and they caught so many fish that their nets started to rip.

And when they had this done, they inclosed a great multitude of fishes: and their net brake.

7They waved to their friends in the other boat to come help. The friends came, and both boats got so full they began to sink.

And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.

8When Simon Peter saw this, he knelt down in front of Jesus. He said, "Go away from me, Lord. I am a man who does wrong."

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord.

NoteSimon calls himself sinful. Sin means doing wrong things that hurt God and other people.

9He was amazed at how many fish they caught. So were all the men with him.

For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the draught of the fishes which they had taken:

10James and John, the sons of Zebedee, worked with Simon, and they were amazed too. Jesus said to Simon, "Do not be afraid. From now on you will gather people instead of fish."

And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Simon. And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not; from henceforth thou shalt catch men.

NoteJesus meant Simon would help bring people to God. He used to gather fish; now he would gather people.

11They brought their boats to shore. Then they left everything behind and went with Jesus.

And when they had brought their ships to land, they forsook all, and followed him.

NoteLeaving everything meant leaving their boats, their nets, and their job. That was how they fed their families.

1Jesus finished saying all these things to the people. Then he went into the town of Capernaum.

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum.

NoteCapernaum was a busy fishing town beside a big lake in Israel.

2An army officer lived there. He was a centurion, a leader of about a hundred soldiers. His servant, whom he cared for very much, was sick and about to die.

And a certain centurion’s servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die.

NoteA servant was a worker who belonged to his master. He was not paid like a hired worker.

3The officer heard about Jesus. He sent some Jewish leaders to ask Jesus to come and heal his servant.

And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant.

NoteThese leaders were older men the town trusted. People listened to them.

4They came to Jesus and begged him hard. They said, "This man should have your help."

And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this:

5They said, "He loves our people. He even paid to build our meeting place for worship."

For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue.

NoteA meeting place for worship was called a synagogue. Jewish people gathered there to pray and hear God's words.

6So Jesus went with them. When he was near the house, the officer sent friends to him. They said, "Sir, do not go to any trouble. I am not good enough to have you come inside my house."

Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof:

NoteThe officer was a Roman soldier, not a Jew. Many Jewish teachers did not go inside a Roman's house.

7The message went on, "That is why I did not come to you myself. Just say the word, and my servant will be well."

Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed.

8"I am a man with leaders over me, and soldiers under me. I tell one, 'Go,' and he goes. I tell another, 'Come,' and he comes. I tell my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it."

For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it.

9Jesus was amazed when he heard this. He turned to the crowd walking behind him. He said, "I have not found trust this strong, not even in Israel."

When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.

NoteIsrael was the land where God's people lived. It was also their name as a people.

10The men who had been sent went back to the house. They found the servant well again.

And they that were sent, returning to the house, found the servant whole that had been sick.

36One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him. Jesus went into his house and lay down at the table.

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisee’s house, and sat down to meat.

NoteAt a special meal people lay on low couches around the table. They leaned on one elbow, with their feet pointing away. That is why the woman could reach his feet.

37A woman in that town had lived a sinful life. She heard that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house. She brought a stone jar of sweet-smelling oil.

And, behold, a woman in the city, which was a sinner, when she knew that Jesus sat at meat in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster box of ointment,

NoteThe jar was made of alabaster, a smooth white stone. Jars like it held costly sweet-smelling oil.

38She stood behind Jesus at his feet, crying. Her tears fell on his feet, and she dried them with her hair. She kissed his feet and poured the oil on them.

And stood at his feet behind him weeping, and began to wash his feet with tears, and did wipe them with the hairs of her head, and kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment.

NotePouring sweet oil on someone was a way to show them honor. A woman letting her hair down in front of others was unusual.

39The Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this. He thought to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him. He would know she is a sinner."

Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner.

40Jesus said to him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." Simon said, "Teacher, go ahead."

And Jesus answering said unto him, Simon, I have somewhat to say unto thee. And he saith, Master, say on.

41Jesus said, "Two men owed money to a lender. One owed five hundred silver coins. The other owed fifty."

There was a certain creditor which had two debtors: the one owed five hundred pence, and the other fifty.

NoteOne silver coin was a day's pay for a worker. Five hundred coins was more than a year of work.

42"Neither man could pay him back. So the lender said they did not have to pay. Which man will love him more?"

And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both. Tell me therefore, which of them will love him most?

43Simon answered, "I think the one who owed more." Jesus said to him, "You are right."

Simon answered and said, I suppose that he, to whom he forgave most. And he said unto him, Thou hast rightly judged.

44Jesus turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house, you gave me no water for my feet. She washed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair."

And he turned to the woman, and said unto Simon, Seest thou this woman? I entered into thine house, thou gavest me no water for my feet: but she hath washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hairs of her head.

NoteRoads were dusty and people wore sandals. A good host gave a guest water to wash his feet.

45"You gave me no kiss to welcome me. But she has kissed my feet ever since I came in."

Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.

NoteA kiss on the cheek was the normal way to say hello to a guest.

46"You did not pour oil on my head. But she poured sweet-smelling oil on my feet."

My head with oil thou didst not anoint: but this woman hath anointed my feet with ointment.

NotePouring a little oil on a guest's head was another polite welcome.

47"So I tell you, her many sins are forgiven. That is why she loved so much. But a person who is forgiven only a little loves only a little."

Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.

48Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."

And he said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven.

49The other people at the table said to themselves, "Who is this man? He even forgives sins."

And they that sat at meat with him began to say within themselves, Who is this that forgiveth sins also?

50Jesus said to the woman, "Your trust has saved you. Go in peace."

And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.

Note"Go in peace" was a kind goodbye. It wished a person safety and rest.

28About eight days after he said this, Jesus took Peter, John, and James with him. They went up a mountain to pray.

And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray.

29While he was praying, his face changed and looked different. His clothes turned bright, shining white.

And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.

30Then two men were there, talking with him. They were Moses and Elijah.

And, behold, there talked with him two men, which were Moses and Elias:

NoteMoses lived long before Jesus. He led God's people out of Egypt, where they had been slaves. God gave him the laws his people lived by.

31They were shining with glory. They talked about how Jesus would soon leave this life. It would happen in Jerusalem.

Who appeared in glory, and spake of his decease which he should accomplish at Jerusalem.

NoteJerusalem was the most important city for God's people. The temple, God's house, was there.

32Peter and the men with him were very sleepy. When they woke up, they saw Jesus shining. They saw the two men standing with him.

But Peter and they that were with him were heavy with sleep: and when they were awake, they saw his glory, and the two men that stood with him.

33As the two men were leaving, Peter spoke up. He said, "Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us build three shelters. One for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." Peter did not know what he was saying.

And it came to pass, as they departed from him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here: and let us make three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

NotePeter meant little huts made of branches. People built huts like that every year for a special holiday, and slept in them for a week.

34While Peter was still talking, a cloud came and covered them. They were afraid as the cloud closed around them.

While he thus spake, there came a cloud, and overshadowed them: and they feared as they entered into the cloud.

NoteIn the old stories, a thick cloud came when God came close. The three men would have known those stories.

35A voice came out of the cloud. It said, "This is my Son, the one I love. Listen to him!"

And there came a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him.

36When the voice stopped, Jesus was there alone. The three men kept this to themselves. In those days they told no one what they had seen.

And when the voice was past, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it close, and told no man in those days any of those things which they had seen.