1 Then Jesus entered a boat and crossed [back] over [Lake Galilee] and came to His own city [i.e., Capernaum].
2 [Upon His arrival] they brought to Him a man afflicted with a paralytic disease, [being carried on his cot. See Mark 2:3]. When Jesus saw [the evidence of] their faith [i.e., the man's four friends breaking open the roof and lowering him through it. See Mark 2:4-5], He said to the paralytic, "Son, cheer up, your sins are forgiven."
3 Seeing this, certain experts in the law of Moses said to themselves, "This man is speaking against God."
4 Knowing what they were thinking, Jesus said, "Why are you having such evil thoughts in your minds?
5 For which is easier, to say 'Your sins are forgiven,' or [to say] 'Get up and walk?'
6 But in order that you may know that the Son of man has authority to forgive people's sins on earth, (then He said to the man afflicted with paralysis), 'Get up, pick up your cot and go home.'"
7 So, the man got up and went home.
8 But when the large crowds saw [what had happened], they were filled with deep reverence and gave honor to God for giving such authority to men.
9 As Jesus moved on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the toll booth [i.e., collecting taxes]. He said to him, "Become my follower." And he got up and followed Him.
10 And so it happened, as Jesus was having a meal at Matthew's house, a number of [other] tax collectors and worldly people came to sit down with Him and His disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?"
12 When Jesus heard this, He said, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor; but [only] sick people do.
13 Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.' For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners."
14 Some of John's disciples came to Jesus saying, "Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast frequently [i.e., going without food and/or drink for religious reasons], but your disciples do not fast [at all]?"
15 Jesus said to them, "Can the groomsmen act sadly while the groom is still with them? But the time will come when the groom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast.
16 No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth onto an old garment; for what was intended to cover up [the hole] actually tears away [part of] the garment [i.e., when it shrinks], causing a bigger hole.
17 Also, people do not put freshly squeezed grape juice into bottles made of previously used animal skins. If they did, the [old dried-out] animal skins would break open and the grape juice would [all] leak out, and the animal skins would become useless. But people put freshly squeezed grape juice into newly prepared animal skin bottles. That way both of them will survive."
18 While Jesus spoke these things, a leader [of the Jewish synagogue, named Jairus. See Mark 5:22-43] came and worshiped Him, saying, "My daughter has just died, but if you come and place your hand on her, she will live [again]."
19 So, Jesus got up and, along with His disciples, followed the man.
20 But just then a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years came up behind Him and touched the edge of His robe.
21 For she had said to herself, "If I can just touch His robe, I will be healed."
22 When Jesus turned and saw her, He said, "Take courage, daughter, your faith has made you well." And the woman was healed that [very] moment.
23 When Jesus went into the leader [of the synagogue's] house, He saw musicians [playing a funeral dirge] and the crowd carrying on [in mournful wails].
24 He said, "Stand back, for the young lady is not [permanently] dead, but [rather] is sleeping." And the people laughed at Him scornfully.
25 But after the crowd was sent outside, Jesus entered [her room, along with her parents and three of His disciples. See Mark 5:37-40] and took her by the hand, and the young lady rose up [from the dead].
26 And the report of this incident spread all over the district.
27 Now as Jesus moved on from there, two blind men followed Him [i.e., probably being led by sighted persons]. They were shouting, "Have pity on us, son of David!"
28 And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend's house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?" They replied, "Yes, Lord."
29 Then He touched their eyes and said, "Let what you expect be done for you."
30 And [immediately] they were able to see. Jesus then strongly urged them, saying, "Make sure that no one knows [what I have done for you]."
31 But [instead], they went all over the district telling people about Him.
32 As they went on their way a deaf-mute, dominated by an evil spirit, was brought to Jesus.
33 When the evil spirit was driven out [by Jesus] the [former] deaf-mute began to speak, and the crowds marveled, saying, "No one in Israel has ever seen this done before."
34 But the Pharisees said, "He is driving out evil spirits by [the power of] the chief of evil spirits."
35 Jesus traveled throughout all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the [coming] kingdom and healing all kinds of diseases and illnesses.
36 But when He saw the large crowds He felt compassion for them because they were distressed and disoriented like sheep without a shepherd.
37 Then He said to His disciples, "Certainly there is plenty to harvest but there are [too] few people to do the work."
38 "You should pray to the Lord of the harvest to send [more] workers out into the field to gather His crop."