John

3Later Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives, across from the temple. Peter, James, John, and Andrew came to ask him something in private.

And as he sat upon the mount of Olives over against the temple, Peter and James and John and Andrew asked him privately,

NoteThe Mount of Olives is a hill covered with olive trees. It stands just outside Jerusalem. From the top you can look right at the temple.

4They said, "Tell us, when will these things happen? What sign will show us it is all about to come true?"

Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled?

NoteA sign is something you see that tells you what is coming. Dark clouds are a sign of rain.

5Jesus began to answer them. He said, "Be careful. Do not let anyone fool you.

And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any man deceive you:

Note"Take heed" is an old way of saying be careful.

6Many people will come using my name. They will say, 'I am the one.' They will fool many people.

For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

NoteChrist means God's chosen king, the one God promised to send. Some people would pretend to be him.

7You will hear about wars, and about news of more wars. Do not be upset. These things have to happen. But the end has not come yet.

And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet.

Note"Rumours of wars" means stories people pass along about fighting far away.

8Country will fight country, and kingdom will fight kingdom. The ground will shake in many places. People will go hungry, and there will be hard times. These things are like the first pains a mother feels before a baby is born.

For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be earthquakes in divers places, and there shall be famines and troubles: these are the beginnings of sorrows.

Note"Divers places" means many different places. It has nothing to do with diving. "Sorrows" here means the pains a mother feels before her baby is born.

9Watch out for yourselves. People will hand you over to courts. You will be beaten in synagogues. You will be taken to rulers and kings because you belong to me. There you will tell them about me.

But take heed to yourselves: for they shall deliver you up to councils; and in the synagogues ye shall be beaten: and ye shall be brought before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them.

NoteCouncils were groups of leaders who decided if someone had done wrong, like a court. A synagogue was a building where Jewish people met to pray and hear God's words. "Testimony" means telling people what you know is true. A synagogue was a building where Jews met to worship.

10First, the good news about me must be told to every nation.

And the gospel must first be published among all nations.

NoteThe gospel means the good news about Jesus. In 1611 "published" meant told out loud to everyone. It did not mean printed in a book.

11They will arrest you and hand you over. Do not worry ahead of time about what to say. Do not plan out your words ahead of time either. Say whatever you are given to say right then. You will not be the one speaking. The Holy Spirit will speak through you.

But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought beforehand what ye shall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost.

Note"Holy Ghost" means the Holy Spirit. Long ago "ghost" was a normal word for spirit.

12Brothers will hand over their brothers to be killed. Fathers will do this to their children. Children will turn against their parents and have them killed.

Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death.

NoteTo betray someone is to hand them over to people who will hurt them.

13Everyone will hate you because you belong to me. But whoever keeps holding on to the end will be saved.

And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Note"For my name's sake" means because you belong to Jesus.

32They came to a place called Gethsemane. Jesus said to his followers, "Sit here while I pray."

And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.

NoteGethsemane was a quiet garden of olive trees just outside the city.

33He took Peter, James, and John with him. He began to feel deeply troubled and full of sorrow.

And he taketh with him Peter and James and John, and began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;

NotePeter, James, and John were three of his twelve close followers.

34He said to them, "My heart is so sad I feel like I could die. Stay here and keep watch."

And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch.

35He walked ahead a little way and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it could be, this hard time would pass by him.

And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him.

36He said, "Abba, Father, you can do anything. Take this cup away from me. But do what you want, not what I want."

And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.

NoteAbba was the word children used for their father, a lot like "Daddy." A "cup" here means the hard, sad thing that was coming.

37He came back and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not stay awake for one hour?

And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour?

38Stay awake and pray, so you are not pulled into doing wrong. Your spirit wants to do right, but your body is weak."

Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.

39He went away again and prayed. He said the same words as before.

And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words.

40He came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were very heavy. They did not know what to say to him.

And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.

41He came back a third time. He said, "Are you still sleeping and resting? That is enough. The time has come. Look, the Son of Man is being handed over to sinful men.

And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

42Get up. Let's go. Look, the man who is handing me over is here."

Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

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.

51The time was coming for Jesus to be taken up to heaven. So he made up his mind to go to Jerusalem.

And it came to pass, when the time was come that he should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,

52He sent messengers ahead of him. They went into a village in Samaria to get things ready for him.

And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.

NoteSamaritans lived in Samaria, the land between Galilee and Jerusalem. Jews and Samaritans did not get along. They each said God should be worshiped in a different place.

53But the people there would not welcome him. This was because he was heading for Jerusalem.

And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.

54His followers James and John saw this. They said, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to burn them up, as Elijah did?"

And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?

NoteIn an old story, Elijah once called fire down from the sky. James and John were remembering that story.

55Jesus turned and told them they were wrong. He said, "You do not know what kind of spirit you have."

But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.

56"The Son of Man did not come to destroy people's lives. He came to save them." Then they went on to another village.

For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.

7Then came the day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. On that day the Passover lamb was killed.

Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed.

NoteAt Passover, each family cooked a young sheep called a lamb. The meal helped them remember the night God saved their people in Egypt.

8Jesus sent Peter and John. He said, "Go and get the Passover meal ready for us to eat."

And he sent Peter and John, saying, Go and prepare us the passover, that we may eat.

9They asked him, "Where do you want us to get it ready?"

And they said unto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare?

10He said, "When you go into the city, a man will meet you. He will be carrying a jar of water. Follow him into the house he enters."

And he said unto them, Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in.

NoteCarrying water jars was usually a woman's job back then. So a man with a water jar was easy to spot in a crowd.

11"Say to the owner of that house, 'The Teacher asks, where is the guest room? He wants to eat the Passover meal there with his followers.'"

And ye shall say unto the goodman of the house, The Master saith unto thee, Where is the guestchamber, where I shall eat the passover with my disciples?

NotePeople called Jesus "the Teacher." It was a name of honor for someone who taught about God.

12"He will show you a big room upstairs, already set up. Get the meal ready there."

And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready.

NoteHouses there often had flat roofs with a room built on top. Guests were welcomed in that upstairs room.

13They went and found everything just as Jesus had said. So they got the Passover meal ready.

And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.

12Then they walked back to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives. It was close to the city, only a short walk away.

Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day’s journey.

NoteThe Mount of Olives is a hill next to Jerusalem. Olive trees grew all over it. The King James calls the walk "a sabbath day's journey." The Sabbath was the day for resting. People were allowed to walk only a short way that day, about half a mile.

13They came into the city and went up to the room upstairs where they were staying. These men were there: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, and Thomas. Also Bartholomew, Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James.

And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.

NoteThe room upstairs was on the top floor of a house. People used such rooms for guests and for meals. Simon was called a Zealot. Zealots were people who wanted the Roman soldiers out of their land.

14They all kept praying together, with one heart. The women were with them, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers.

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

NoteThe King James says "his brethren." Brethren is an old word for brothers.

1Peter and John went up to the temple to pray. It was three in the afternoon.

Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

NoteThe temple was God's special house in Jerusalem. People went there to pray to God. Each day there were set times when everyone prayed together. Three in the afternoon was one of those times.

2A man there had never been able to walk. He was born that way. Every day people carried him to a temple gate called Beautiful. There he asked people for money.

And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

NoteThis man could not walk, so he could not work for money. People who could not work had to ask others to give them some. Friends carried him to the same gate every day. It was called Beautiful because it was so lovely to look at.

3He saw Peter and John about to go in. He asked them for money.

Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4Peter looked right at him, and John did too. Peter said, "Look at us!"

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5So the man looked at them. He thought they were going to give him something.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6Peter said, "I have no silver or gold. But I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. Doing something "in the name of Jesus" means doing it with his power. Peter was not making the man well by himself.

7Peter took him by the right hand and helped him up. Right away his feet and ankles grew strong.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

8He jumped up and stood on his feet. Then he walked into the temple with them. He walked and jumped and thanked God out loud.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9All the people saw him walking and thanking God.

And all the people saw him walking and praising God:

10They knew he was the man who used to beg at the Beautiful Gate. They were full of wonder at what had happened to him.

And they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him.

11The healed man stayed close to Peter and John. All the people were amazed. They ran to them in the covered walkway called Solomon's Porch.

And as the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon’s, greatly wondering.

NoteSolomon's Porch was a long covered walkway along the edge of the temple. People stood there to talk and to listen to teachers. Solomon was a king long ago who built the first temple.

1Peter and John were still talking to the people. Then the priests came up to them. The captain of the temple guards came too. So did the Sadducees.

And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,

NoteThe temple was the big special building in Jerusalem. People went there to worship God. Priests were the men who worked there and helped people worship. The temple had its own guards, and the captain was their leader. The Sadducees were one group of Jewish leaders.

2These leaders were very upset. Peter and John were teaching the people. They said that because of Jesus, dead people come back to life.

Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

NoteThe Sadducees did not believe that dead people ever come back to life. So this news about Jesus made them angry.

3So they grabbed Peter and John. It was already evening. They locked them up until the next day.

And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.

NoteThere were no clocks or lights like ours. When evening came, work and meetings stopped until morning.

4But many people who heard the message believed it. The number of men grew to about five thousand.

Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

5The next day the leaders met together in Jerusalem. The older leaders came. So did the scribes.

And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

NoteJerusalem was the biggest city for the Jewish people. The temple was there, so the leaders met there too. The scribes were men who copied and taught God's laws.

6Annas the high priest was there. Caiaphas, John, and Alexander were there too. So were many others from the high priest's family.

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

NoteThe high priest was the top leader at the temple.

7They made Peter and John stand in the middle. Then they asked them a question. "Whose power did you use? Whose name did you use to do this?"

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

NoteUsing someone's name meant acting with that person's power. The leaders wanted to know who had sent Peter and John.

8Then Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit. He said, "Rulers and older leaders of the people,

Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

NoteThe Holy Spirit is God with people, helping them. Here he helped Peter know what to say.

9you are asking us about a kind thing we did. A sick man was made well. You want to know how it happened.

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

10Here is what all of you should know. All the people of Israel should know it too. This man is standing here well again. It happened by the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. You put Jesus on a cross to die. But God raised him back to life.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

NoteNazareth was the small town where Jesus grew up. A cross was a wooden beam. Soldiers nailed people to it to kill them. Israel was the name for the whole Jewish family of people.

11Jesus is the stone that was thrown away. You leaders are the builders who threw it away. Now that stone holds up the whole building.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

NotePeter is saying words from an old song in the Bible. Builders used a big corner stone to hold a building up straight. It was the most important stone of all.

12No one else can save us. God has given people no other name that saves us."

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

NoteSaved here means rescued by God from sin and death.

13The leaders saw how brave Peter and John were. They knew these were plain men without special schooling. That surprised them. They also realized these men had been with Jesus.

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

NoteThe old words say Peter and John were "unlearned and ignorant men." That did not mean they were silly. It meant they had not gone to special schools.

14The healed man was standing right there with them. So the leaders had nothing to say.

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15They told Peter and John to step outside the meeting room. Then the leaders talked it over.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

NoteThis meeting was like a court. The leaders sat together and decided if someone had done wrong.

16They said, "What should we do with these men? Everyone in Jerusalem knows about the amazing thing they did. We cannot say it did not happen.

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

NoteA miracle is something amazing that only God can do.

17But we must stop this news from spreading. Let us warn them strongly. They must not speak to anyone in this name again."

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

18So they called them back in. They ordered them never to speak or teach in Jesus' name.

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19But Peter and John answered them. "You decide what is right in God's eyes. Should we obey you instead of God?

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

20We saw these things and heard them. We simply cannot stop talking about them."

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

21The leaders warned them some more and then let them go. They could not find a way to punish them. All the people were thanking God for what had happened.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

22The man who was healed was more than forty years old.

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

NoteThis is the same man from chapter 3. He had never been able to walk in all those years.