Now after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant, and for five months she secluded herself completely, saying,

The child continued to grow and to become strong in spirit, and he lived in the deserts until the day of his public appearance to Israel [as John the Baptist, the forerunner of the Messiah].

And the Child continued to grow and become strong [in spirit], filled with wisdom; and the grace (favor, spiritual blessing) of God was upon Him.

Judas [also called Thaddaeus] the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor [to the Lord].

As He was praying, the appearance of His face became different [actually transformed], and His clothing became white and flashing with the brilliance of lightning.

For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man also be [a sign] to this generation.

It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his own garden; and it grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky found shelter and nested in its branches.”

But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich.

And being in agony [deeply distressed and anguished; almost to the point of death], He prayed more intently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down on the ground.

Now that very day Herod and Pilate became friends with each other—before this they had been enemies.