When John's messengers had left, Jesus, speaking to the crowds, began to say with reference to John:

"To what then," Jesus continued, "shall I compare the people of the present generation? What are they like?

One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to dine with him, so Jesus went to his house and took his place at table.

And, behold, a certain woman in the city, who was a notorious offender, when she knew that Jesus was sitting at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster vessel of odoriferous balm,

And placed herself behind Jesus, near his feet, weeping. Then she began to make his feet wet with her tears, and she dried them with the hair of her head, repeatedly kissing his feet and anointing them with the perfume.

When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself: "Had this man been 'The Prophet,' he would have known who, and what sort of woman, this is who is touching him, and that she is an outcast."

And Jesus said unto him, Simon, I have something to say to thee: (and he replied, Master, say on.)

"There were once to men," said Jesus, "in debt to one money-lender. One owed him fifty pounds; the other five.

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

"You have rightly judged." answered Jesus, and turning to the woman, he said to Simon. "Do you see this woman? When I came into your house you gave me no water for my feet; but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.

For this reason, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven, for she has loved much. [Note: This suggests that her forgiveness was the result of her loving, but the point Jesus makes better fits the idea that her forgiveness produced love]. But the person who is forgiven of little [i.e., of only a few sins], loves [only] a little bit."

Then Jesus told her, "Your sins are forgiven!"

But Jesus said to the woman: "Your faith has delivered you; go, and peace be with you."

Shortly afterwards, Jesus went on a journey through the towns and villages, proclaiming the Good News of the Kingdom of God. With him went the Twelve,

And Joanna (the wife of Herod's steward, Chuza), and Susannah, and many others--all of whom ministered to Jesus and his Apostles out of their means.

Once, when a great crowd was collecting, and, when the people of town after town were flocking to Jesus, he spoke to them in the form of a parable:

Other seed fell into rich soil, and grew, and gave a hundred-fold return." After saying this, Jesus cried aloud: "Let him who has ears to hear with hear."

His disciples asked Jesus the meaning of this parable.

Presently Jesus' mother and brothers came where he was, but they were not able to join him on account of the crowd.

Jesus was told, "Your mother and your brothers are standing outside and want to see you."

One day about that time, Jesus got into a boat with his disciples and said to them: "Let us go across the lake."

So they put off. While they were sailing, Jesus fell asleep. A squall swept down upon the lake, and their boat was filling and they were in danger.

So the disciples came and roused him. "Sir, Sir," they cried, "we are lost!" Jesus rose and rebuked the wind and the rushing waves, and they fell, and a calm followed.

And, on getting ashore, Jesus met a man, who had demons in him, coming out of the town. For a long time this man had worn no clothing, and he had not lived in a house, but in the tombs.

But when he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell down to Him, and said with a loud voice, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I beseech thee, do not torment me.

For Jesus was commanding the foul spirit to come out from the man. On many occasions it had seized him, and, even when secured with chains and fetters, and watched, he would break through anything that bound him, and be driven by the demon into the Wilds.

And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he said, Legion: because many demons were entred into him.

And the demons begged Jesus not to order them away into the bottomless pit.

There was a drove of many pigs close by feeding upon the hill- side; and the demons begged Jesus to give them leave to enter into them. Jesus gave them leave.

and the people went out to see what was done, and came to Jesus; and found the man, from whom the demons were gone out, sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind:

Upon which all the people in the neighborhood of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, for they were terrified. Jesus got into a boat and returned.

Now the man from whom the demons were gone out, prayed Him to let him be with Him: but Jesus sent him away,

saying, Return home, and relate what God hath done for thee. So he went away publishing through the whole city what great things Jesus had done to him.

And when Jesus returned, a great multitude of people received Him; for they were all waiting for Him.

And behold there came a man whose name was Jairus, a ruler of the synagogue, and he fell at the feet of Jesus, and intreated Him to come into his house:

Because his only daughter, who was about twelve years old, was dying. As Jesus was going, the people were pressing closely round him.

She came up behind Jesus and touched the tassel of his garment, and her bleeding stopped at once.

And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied it, Peter, and those that were with him, said, Sir, the multitudes throng and press thee, and dost thou ask, Who was it that touched me?

And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive a peculiar virtue is gone out of me.

When the woman saw that she couldn't hide, she came forward trembling. Bowing down in front of him, she explained in the presence of all the people why she had touched Jesus and how she had been instantly healed.

Then Jesus said to her, "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace."

But Jesus hearing it, answered saying, Fear not, only believe, and she shall be recovered.

Now when he came to the house, Jesus did not let anyone go in with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child's father and mother.

And every one was weeping and mourning for her. "Do not weep," Jesus said, "she is not dead; she is asleep."

But, taking her by the hand, Jesus said in a loud voice: "Child, rise!"

The child's spirit returned to her, and she instantly stood up; and Jesus ordered them to give her something to eat.

Her parents were amazed, but Jesus impressed on them that they were not to tell any one what had happened.

Jesus called the Twelve together, and gave them power and authority over all demons, as well as to cure diseases.

He said to them, "Do not take anything with you during your travels; not [even] a walking stick [Note: By comparing this and the restriction in Matt. 10:10, with the permission given in Mark 6:8, the harmony seems to be "if you do not already have a walking stick, do not get one"], or a traveling bag [for personal belongings], or food, or money, or [even] two coats [Note: Mark 6:9 says, "take only one coat" confirming the idea that Jesus was saying, in effect, "do not take anything extra, go just as you are"].

Now Herod [Antipas] the tetrarch [who governed a portion of Palestine including Galilee and Perea] heard about all that was being done [by Jesus], and he was thoroughly perplexed, because it was said by some that John [the Baptist whom he had ordered beheaded] had been raised from the dead,

Herod said, "I beheaded John. But who is this man I'm hearing so much about?" So Herod kept trying to see Jesus.

When the Apostles returned, they related to Jesus all that they had done. Then Jesus retired privately to a town called Bethsaida, taking the Apostles with him.

But the people recognized him and followed him in crowds; and Jesus welcomed them and spoke to them about the Kingdom of God, while he cured those who were in need of help.

Now the day began to draw to a close, so the twelve came and said to Jesus, "Send the crowd away, so they can go into the surrounding villages and countryside and find lodging and food, because we are in an isolated place."

But Jesus said: "It is for you to give them something to eat." "We have not more than five loaves and two fishes," they answered; "unless indeed we are to go and buy food for all these people."

for they were about five thousand. but Jesus said to his disciples, make them sit down by fifties in a company.

So they did as Jesus directed, and the people all sat down.

Taking the five loaves and the two fishes, Jesus looked up to Heaven and said the blessing over them. Then he broke them in pieces, and gave them to his disciples to set before the people.

Afterwards, when Jesus was alone, praying, his disciples joined him, and he asked them this question-- "Who do the people say that I am?"

Then Jesus said to them, "But who do you men say that I am?" And Peter answered, " [You are] the Christ of God [i.e., God's specially chosen one]."

Jesus, however, strictly charged them not to say this to any one;

About eight days after speaking these words, Jesus went up the mountain to pray, taking with him Peter, John, and James.

And all at once two men were talking with Jesus; they were Moses and Elijah,

They had a glorified appearance, and were discussing Jesus' departure that he would shortly bring about in Jerusalem.

Peter and his companions had been overpowered by sleep but, suddenly becoming wide awake, they saw Jesus glorified and the two men who were standing beside him.

And as they were departing from Him, Peter said unto Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here, let us make three tabernacles, one for Thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said.

And there was a voice from the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear ye Him. And while the voice is heard, Jesus is found alone.

And when the voice was uttered, Jesus was found alone. And they kept it to themselves, and told no one at that time any of the things which they had seen.

The next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great crowd met Jesus.

Then Jesus answered and said, O unbelieving and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, and bear with you? Bring thy son hither.

And as he was coming along, the devil bruised and convulsed him: but Jesus rebuked the impure spirit, and healed the child, and delivered him to his father.

And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God: but while they were all wondering at the things which Jesus did, He said to his disciples,

Then a dispute developed among Jesus' disciples as to which one of them was the greatest.

And Jesus knowing the thought of their heart, took a child and set him by Him, and said unto them,

Then said John to Jesus, master, we saw one casting out demons in your name, and we oppos'd it, because he does not follow you with us.

And Jesus said unto him, Forbid him not; for he, that is not against us, is for us.

As the days before his being taken up to Heaven were growing few, Jesus set his face resolutely in the direction of Jerusalem; and he sent on messengers in advance.

Jesus turned about, and rebuked them saying, "Ye know not what manner spirit ye are of.

And, while they were on their way, a man said to Jesus: "I will follow you wherever you go."

and Jesus answered him, The foxes have holes, and the fowls of heaven their nests, but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head.

To another man Jesus said: "Follow me." "Let me first go and bury my father," said the man.

but Jesus said unto him, Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go thou and preach the kingdom of God.

Then another person said [to Jesus], "Lord, I will become your follower, but first let me say goodbye to my family." [Note: There was the likelihood that family members might try to dissuade him from his commitment to follow the Lord].

But Jesus said unto him, No one, that hath put his hand to the plough and looketh back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

And Jesus replied: "I have had visions of Satan, fallen, like lightning from the heavens.

At this time Jesus was transported with joy in his spirit and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and knowing, and hast revealed them to babes: even so, Father, for such was thy good pleasure.

Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said to them alone: "Blessed are the eyes that see what you are seeing;

Just then a Student of the Law came forward to test Jesus further. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do if I am to 'gain Immortal Life'?"

"What is said in the Law?" answered Jesus. "What do you read there?"

"You have answered right," said Jesus; "do that, and you shall live."

But he willing to justify himself said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor?

And Jesus replying said, There was a certain man going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among thieves, who after they had stripped and beaten him, went away, leaving him half dead.

Now which, do you think, of these three men," asked Jesus, "proved himself a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers' hands?"

And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

As they continued their journey, Jesus came to a village, where a woman named Martha welcomed him to her house.

And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus' feet, and heard his word.

But Martha was distracted by the many preparations that she was making. So she went up to Jesus and said: "Master, do you approve of my sister's leaving me to make preparations alone? Tell her to help me."

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

One day Jesus was at a certain place praying, and, when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him: "Master, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples."

"When you pray," Jesus answered, "say--'Father, May thy named be held holy, thy Kingdom come.