¹ Within that season Herod, the tetrarch (the district ruler; regional or tribal governor), heard the rumor (news; fame) concerning Jesus,"

² and said to his court servants and attendants, "This person is John, the immerser (the one baptizing) – he was raised from the dead ones, and through this the powerful works (exhibitions and deeds of power) are constantly operating within him!""

³ You see, on arresting John and keeping him in custody, Herod bound and put [him] away in prison (or: jail) because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife,"

⁴ for John kept on saying to him, "It is not allowed by the Law or our custom for you to continue possessing (having and holding) her!""

⁵ However, although constantly wanting and intending to at once kill him, he was made afraid by the crowd, because they continued holding (= regarding) him as a prophet."

⁶ Now during the occurring of Herod's birthday celebration, the daughter of Herodias danced within the midst – and thus, she captivated and gave pleasure to Herod,"

⁷ because of which, with an oath, he made a binding statement – to at once give to her whatever she would request (ask; demand)!"

⁸ So she, under her mother's prompting (or: by the pushing and inciting of her mother), is then saying, "Give to me here, upon a platter (or: a pine board), the head of John the immerser (baptist)!""

⁹ And though being sorry and grieved (or: distressed), the king – because of the oaths and the people continuing in reclining at table with [him] – commanded (ordered) [it] to be given."

¹⁰ And thus sending [the directive], he beheaded John within the prison (or: jail)."

¹¹ Then his head was brought (or: carried) upon a platter (or: pine board) and was given to the girl, and she brought (or: carried) [it] to her mother."

¹² And upon approaching, his disciples removed his corpse and buried (or: entombed) it (or: him), and then coming, they reported to Jesus what had happened."

¹³ Now upon hearing [this], Jesus withdrew back from that place, in a small boat, into an isolated (or: uninhabited; wilderness; lonely) place – in accord with what was His own (or: corresponding to His own [thoughts and feelings]; or: privately). And yet, upon hearing [of His departure], the crowds followed Him on foot, away from the cities."

¹⁴ And then, upon going out from [His secluded location], He saw [the] large crowd – and He felt compassion upon (was moved in His gut over) them – so He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed the folks among them who were sick, ailing or without strength."

¹⁵ Now with evening approaching, the disciples approached Him, saying in turn, "The place (= This area) is desolate and uninhabited (or: is a wilderness), and the hour is already advanced (= it is already late in the day). Release (or: Dismiss) the crowds so that, after going away into the villages, they can buy food for themselves in the market places.""

¹⁶ However, Jesus said to them, "They are not having any need to go away. You men, yourselves, give them [something] to eat!""

¹⁷ Yet they, in turn, were saying to Him, "At present we have nothing here! – except five loaves of bread, and two fishes.""

¹⁸ So He said, "Proceed in bringing them here, to Me.""

¹⁹ And then, after directing the crowds to lie back (or: recline) upon the grass and vegetation, upon taking (or: receiving) the five loaves of bread and the two fishes, while looking up into heaven (or: the atmosphere; the sky) He spoke words of wellness and blessing. And then, braking [them] in pieces, He gave the loaves (or: cakes) of bread to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the crowds."

²⁰ So they all ate, and were satisfied (like cattle or sheep being fed in a pasture until full). Then they took up the surplus (the excess; the leftovers) of the broken pieces: twelve wicker hand-baskets full! [note: the disciples now had provisions for themselves – for meals the following days? – beyond the original five loaves, where before they considered themselves to "have nothing"]"

²¹ Now those eating were about five thousand adult males – apart from women and little children."

²² And then, without delay, He compelled His disciples to board (step into) the little boat and to be progressively preceding (going ahead of) Him unto the other side – while He would be dismissing and dispersing the crowds."

²³ And so, upon dismissing and dispersing the crowds, He went back up into the mountain (or: hill country) – in accord with what was His own (or: corresponding to His own [thoughts and feelings]; or: privately) – to be praying. So then, it coming to be late in the evening, He was there alone."

²⁴ Now the little boat, already many hundreds of yards (i.e., many stadia) away from land, was continuing distant in the midst of the lake (or: sea), continuously being tried – as with a touchstone to test its metal (and thus, its mettle) – [thus, pounded] by and under the waves, for the wind was continuing against [them] (i.e., it was adverse and contrary)."

²⁵ Yet during the fourth watch period of the night (about three o'clock in the morning), He came toward (or: to) them – continuing in walking upon the lake (or: sea)."

²⁶ But the disciples, upon seeing Him progressively walking about – upon the lake (sea), were at once shaken and troubled, one after another saying, "It's a ghost (or: a phantom; or: an apparition; or: the effect of something being made visible)!" – then they cried out from fear."

²⁷ Yet Jesus at once spoke to them, proceeding in saying, "Continue in confidence and courage: I AM (or: I am Being; I am continuous Existence; or: = Take heart and continue courageous – It's ME)! Do not continue being afraid.""

²⁸ Now in a considered and discerning response, Peter said to Him, "Lord (or: O Master), since You are (or: if You are You; = if it's really You), direct (or: order) me to at once come toward You upon (= on the surface of) the waters!""

²⁹ So He said, "Come at once!" (or: "Go [for it]!") Then, upon stepping down from the little boat, Peter at once walked about upon the waters and came toward Jesus."

³⁰ Yet while continuing in looking at [the effects of] the strong wind, he was made to fear (or: became afraid). And then beginning to progressively sink down, he cried out, saying, "O Lord (Master), save me now (rescue me quickly)!""

³¹ So immediately Jesus, stretching out [His] hand, got a hold upon him, then is saying to him, "O man of little trust (or: confidence) and small faith! Into what two places do you mentally stand (= Why do you waver and hesitate)?""

³² Then, at their stepping down into the little boat, the wind grew weary and died down."

³³ Now the men within the little boat paid Him homage by kneeling down and with obeisance kissing toward Him – some reverently kissing His feet – while one after another was saying, "Truly, You are God's Son (or: In reality You exist being a son of God; You really are [the] Son, whose origin, quality and character is God)!""

³⁴ Later, upon cutting right through [the waters] and traversing across [the lake], they came upon land, [entering] into Gennesaret."

³⁵ Then, upon recognizing Him, the adult males of that place (or: location) sent off into that whole surrounding country (or: area), and were bringing to Him all the folks continually having it badly (= everyone who was ill or needed help in some way)."

³⁶ And they began calling Him to their side, and kept on begging and entreating Him – with the purpose that they themselves might only touch the ritual fringe (or: tassel) of His cloak – and as many as touched [it] were thoroughly healed, restored to health, and made whole, through and through (or: were completely rescued; or: were brought safely through [their illness])!"

15

¹ At that time, Pharisees and scribes (scholars and theologians of the Law) from Jerusalem progressively made an approach to Jesus, [and as a group] were saying,"

² "Why (= Through what reason or situation) are your disciples habitually side-stepping (thus, deviating from) the tradition of the Elders? For example, they are not regularly washing [their] hands [to make them ritually clean] whenever they may be periodically eating bread (= a meal).""

³ So He, giving a decided reply, said to them, "Why (or: Through what situation or reasoning) are you people habitually side-stepping and deviating from God's implanted goals (impartation of the finished product within; inward directives) through your tradition?"

⁴ "For God said, 'Be habitually honoring and expressing value for the father and the mother,' [Ex. 20:12] and, 'The person habitually saying a bad, ugly or worthless word or message to or concerning (= verbally abusing) father or mother, let him progressively come to fruition (or: reach his end; be finished) in (or: by) death.' [Ex. 21:17]"

⁵ "Yet you, yourselves, are habitually maintaining, 'Whoever may at some point say to the father or the mother, "Whatever from me should have benefited or helped you [is now] a 'gift' [cf "Corban," Mark 7:11; meaning: a gift to God; i.e., it is consecrated for God's use, and can at any time be claimed for Temple use, and is thus unusable for any other purpose],"

⁶ "'he shall by no means honor [a request for help from] his father (= he will be rid of the duty to honor his father; or: he will not [in this] be not honoring his father).' And thus you people at once invalidate (make void of authority; cancel and make of no effect) God's idea, word and message through you tradition!"

⁷ " [You] perverse scholars who in micro-scrutinizing make decisions from a low position [see ch. 6:2]! Isaiah beautifully and aptly prophesies about (or: concerning) you folks, continually saying,"

⁸ -720 'This people habitually honor Me with [their] lips, yet it constantly holds their heart far away from Me (or: yet their heart continuously holds [itself] off, distant from Me)."

⁹ 'So they habitually revere Me and commit acts of devotion to Me in vain (to no profit; fruitlessly), repeatedly giving instruction concerning teachings [that are] directions coming from mankind (or: constantly teaching for " [the] teachings" [the] results of inner goals and commands of humans {or: man made rules}).'" [Isa. 29:13]"

¹⁰ With that, upon calling the crowd to Himself, He said to them, "Be constantly listening, so as to hear. And let things flow together, so as to understand:"

¹¹ "The things normally and habitually entering into the mouth do not repeatedly make the person unclean (common; contaminated; defiled; polluted). To the contrary, [it is] the things habitually emerging and flowing forth from out of the mouth – this is constantly making the person contaminated (unclean; common)!""

¹² At that point, after approaching, the disciples proceed saying to Him, "Did You see, or are You aware, that the Pharisees were caused to trip the bait stick and stumble into [their own] trap (or: were snared and offended; perhaps: were horrified) at hearing [that] thought and idea (or: the word; the message; = that remark)?""

¹³ Yet He, giving a decided reply, said, "Every plant, which My Father – the heavenly One (or: the One Who inhabits, and can be compared to, the atmosphere) – did not plant, will be pulled out by the roots."

¹⁴ "Abandon them at once! (other choices: Divorce them; Let them flow away; Leave them; Leave them [alone]; Send them away; Let them go!) They exist being blind guides of the Path (or: blind leaders of the Way). Now if a blind person should ever lead or guide [another] blind person, both people will proceed to be falling into a pit!""

¹⁵ Now Peter, after trying to separate the elements of the discourse and to discern the meaning of what He had spoken, said to Him, "Expound the parable in distinct terms and explain the meaning to (or: for) us (or: Tell us plainly the interpretation of the illustration).""

¹⁶ So Jesus said, "At this point in time, do you folks, as well, continue being unable to let things flow together, and are you without comprehension?"

¹⁷ "Are you not habitually using your minds and your intelligence to carefully think, that everything normally and habitually flowing into the mouth is progressively moving on into the stomach and then the intestines, and later is periodically discharged (or: thrust out) into a toilet or a sewer?"

¹⁸ "Yet the things constantly emerging and flowing forth out of the mouth are continually coming forth from out of the midst of the heart (the core of the individual; the self as a whole, at its deepest level, which is the individual's animating and driving force [note: I owe these last phrases to Marcus Borg, The Heart of Christianity]) – and those things continually make the person contaminated, defiled, ceremonially unclean and common."

¹⁹ "For example, from out of the heart (the core of our being) habitually come forth worthless reasonings (wicked designs; considerations having a bad quality; miserable and laborious dialogues and arguments), murders, adulteries, fornications and prostitutions, sexual immoralities (fornications; prostitutions), thefts, false testimonies (or: false presentations of evidence), blasphemies (malicious slanders; abusive misrepresentations)."

²⁰ "These continue being the things that are making the person contaminated (unclean; defiled; common) – yet to eat a meal with unwashed hands does not make the person common, contaminated or unclean!""

²¹ So next, upon going out from that place, Jesus withdrew back into the parts (= districts) of Tyre and Sidon."

²² And then – look and consider! – a Canaanite (= Phoenician) woman from the boundaries of those regions, upon coming out [to Him], cried out, repeatedly saying, "O Lord (Master) – Son of David – mercy me right now (or: extend the effects of compassion to me quickly)! My daughter is being repeatedly affected in an ugly way by demons (or: is incessantly badly-demonized [Hellenistic term, concept and belief: = affected by animism])!""

²³ But He did not give a word of decision or reply to her. Then His disciples, upon approaching, began making a request to Him, saying, "Set her free, and then dismiss her, because she keeps on crying out behind us.""

²⁴ Yet He, making a discerning reply, said, "I was not commissioned and sent off as an emissary (representative) – except into the midst of those sheep having been destroyed, the ones that belong to the house of Israel (or: unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel).""

²⁵ Yet she, upon coming, continued paying Him homage by kneeling down and with obeisance kissing toward Him, even reverently kissing His feet, repeatedly saying, "O Lord (or: Master; Sir), be now running to my aid and continue to give help to me!""

²⁶ Now He, responding from discernment, said, "It is not proper or ideal (thus, it is not an act of beauty) to take the children's bread and to throw it to the little pet dogs!""

²⁷ So the [woman] said, "Yes, sir. And yet... you see... the little pet dogs and puppies habitually eat from the crumbs which are constantly falling from their owner's (or: master's) table!""

²⁸ At that point Jesus, in making a decided reply, said to her, "O woman (or: O dear lady), your trust, faith and confidence [are] great! Let it at once come to be and happen just as you continue intending and desiring." And so, from that hour, her daughter was cured and healed."

²⁹ Next, re-directing His steps from out of that place, Jesus went along the lake (or: sea) of Galilee. Then, after walking up into the mountain (or: hill country), He sat down and was continuing sitting there."

³⁰ Then many crowds came toward Him, [they] having with them, or continuing in holding, lame and crippled folks, blind people, maimed and deformed ones or those with crooked [bodies], mute folks, as well as many [people with] different [maladies], and they deposited (as it were, tossed) them near His feet – and He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed them,"

³¹ so that the crowd marveled with rapture and amazement – consecutively seeing mute ones speaking and lame ones walking around, then blind folks now seeing – and they gave credit to the God of Israel, enhancing His reputation."

³² Now Jesus, upon calling His disciples to Himself, said, "I am being progressively moved with compassion (in my gut) upon the crowd, because they are yet continuing in staying with Me and keeping their focus toward Me three days already, and they are still not having something that they can be eating – and I am not intending (or: wanting) to release them and send them off fasting (= being without food and hungry), lest at some point they are caused to faint (be loosed from out of their midst) in the path (or: on the road).""

³³ And so the disciples are as a group saying to Him, "From where [are there] so many loaves of bread in an uninhabited region so as to feed and satisfy a crowd of this size?""

³⁴ Then Jesus proceeds saying to them, "How many loaves of bread do you men still have?" And they replied, "Seven, and a few little fishes.""

³⁵ So, after directing the crowd to recline back upon the ground,"

³⁶ He took the seven loaves of bread and the fishes and, expressing the goodness of grace and offering thanks for the favor of the wellness in the gift, He broke [them] and began distributing to the disciples, and then the disciples [gave them] to the crowds."

³⁷ And so everyone ate and all were fed until satisfied. Then folks picked up the surplus of the broken pieces [of food] – seven large provision baskets (or: woven hampers) filled full [of leftovers]!"

³⁸ Now those participating in the eating were four thousand adult males – apart from [counting] women and young children."

³⁹ At last, after dismissing and releasing away the crowds, He stepped on into the little boat, and they went into the boundary regions of Magadan [other MSS: Magdala]."

16

¹ Here, upon approaching, the Pharisees and Sadducees – after repeatedly examining and testing [Him] – laid a request upon Him to exhibit to them or demonstrate for them a sign from the midst of heaven (or: from the atmosphere; out of the sky)."

² So, giving a decided response, He said to them," [note: from here through vs. 3 is omitted by Aleph, B and others] Upon the coming of evening, you folks are customarily saying,' [It will be] fair weather (or: good weather; a fine day), you see, the sky continues being fiery-red;'"

³ "and early in the morning, [you say], 'Today [it will be] stormy (or: rainy; or: wintry weather), for the sky continues being fiery-red [and] is progressively being gloomy-looking.' On the one hand you, by experience and familiarity, habitually know how to read and discern (thoroughly discern, judge and decide about) the face and appearance of the sky, yet on the other hand, you continue unable and without power [to discern and interpret] the signs of the appointed seasons and fitting situations (or: fertile moments)!"

⁴ "A worthless, wicked and adulterous (or: immoral; [note: an OT word and figure for Israel's idolatry, e.g. Ezk. 16:32]) generation is habitually searching for and thoroughly seeking a sign, and yet a sign will not proceed in being given to it, except the sign of Jonah!" Then He went away, leaving them down behind (or: it may = Then turning His back on them, He walked away)."

⁵ At another time, when the disciples were coming into the other side (= other shore), [the state of their provisions] went unnoticed, and thus, they completely forgot to take loaves of bread."

⁶ Now on this occasion, Jesus said to them, "You men be constantly seeing, and be then attentive in holding [yourselves] away from the leaven (yeast) which comes from, characterizes, [and puffs up or permeates] the Pharisees and Sadducees.""

⁷ So they began dialoguing and kept on reasoning among themselves, "We did not get or take loaves of bread.""

⁸ Now Jesus, being aware [of their conversations] and knowing [what they were saying], said, "Why do you folks keep on discussing and reasoning among yourselves, O men of little trust and small faith? [Is it] because you are not presently having loaves of bread?"

⁹ "Are you still not making it a habit to use your minds and intellects (think carefully, conceive and consider, so as to apprehend, and get the point)? Are you folks neither remembering the five loaves of bread pertaining to the five thousand people – and how many wicker hand-baskets you got (or: took [up])?"

¹⁰ "Nor the seven loaves of the [situation with the] four thousand – and how many large provision baskets you received?"

¹¹ "How [is it that] you men are not using your heads to understand that I did not speak to you about (or: concerning) loaves of bread? Now continue holding your focus and be attentive to keep away from the leaven (yeast) which belongs to, comes from and characterizes the Pharisees and Sadducees!""

¹² At that time they made things flow together and comprehended that He did not say to hold their focus and be attentive to keep away from the leaven of the loaves of bread, but rather, from the teaching which belongs to, comes from and characterizes the Pharisees and Sadducees."

¹³ Now later, upon coming into the parts (= districts) of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus began putting a question to His disciples, proceeding in saying, "Whom are people (the humans; mankind) customarily saying the Son of the Man (the son of mankind; = the son of Adam [a symbolic reference to the anticipated messiah]) is to be?""

¹⁴ So they said, "Well some, on the one hand, [say] John the Immerser (Baptist), yet other folks [say] Elijah. But then, different people [are saying] Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.""

¹⁵ He is then saying to them, "But [how about] you men, who are you folks continually saying [that] I am to be (or: what do you now make reference [of] Me being)?""

¹⁶ Now Simon Peter, making a discerning and decided reply, said, "You, Yourself, continue being the Anointed One (the Christ; = the Messiah), the living God's Son!""

¹⁷ So Jesus, making a considered response, said to him, "You continue being a happy and blessed person, Simon, son of Jonah, because 'flesh and blood' (= the human nature or intellect; or: = people; or: = the old covenant system) did not uncover [this] for you, nor disclose [this] so as to reveal [it] to you (or: = you did not come up with this revelation yourself, nor uncover it in yourself, nor disclose it by or for yourself). To the contrary, [it was] My Father – the One within the heavens (or: in the atmospheres)!"

¹⁸ "And now I Myself am saying to you that you are Peter (or: that you continue being an isolated stone). And you see, [it is] upon this: the rock mass (or: bedrock) [that] I will progressively be constructing and building up My house – the called-out community. And even gates of [the] unseen (or: gates of an unseen place; [= boulders on the entrances of graves; = {the prison} gates of the 'house of death'; or: the bars enclosing the realm of the dead]) will not continue bringing strength down against it (or: will not proceed to be coming to their full strength in relation to it; or: will not continue overpowering it or prevail in resisting it)."

¹⁹ "I will continue giving to you the keys [note: = means of locking or unlocking] which have their origin and source in the reign and activities of the heavens (or: which pertain to and have the characteristics of the kingdom of the heavens; or: which belong to the sovereignty from the atmospheres; or, as a genitive of apposition: the keys which are the sovereign reign of the heavens). And so, whatever you can (or: may; should) bind upon the earth will continue being [something] having been bound, and still remaining bound, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres). Also, whatever you can (or: may; should) loose upon the earth will continue being [something] having been loosed (unbound; untied), and remaining free of bonds, within the midst of the heavens (or: in the atmospheres).""

²⁰ At that point He gave respectful caution and admonition to the disciples, to the end that they would say to no one that He, Himself, exists being (or: is) the Anointed One (the Christ; = the Messiah)."

²¹ From that time on, Jesus [other MSS: Jesus Christ] began to progressively point out, exhibit and demonstrate to and for His disciples that it is necessary [for] Him – even continues being binding [on] Him – to go away into Jerusalem, and to experience and suffer many things from the elders and chief (or: ranking) priests, as well as the scribes (scholars and theologians of the Law), and then to be killed off – but also to be aroused and raised up on (or: during) the third day."

²² And so Peter, taking Him to himself, began to then be respectfully admonishing Him, expressing increased value of Him, repeatedly saying, "Merciful covering on You (or: [Be] kind and merciful to Yourself; [There is] favorable shelter for You; or: = [Heaven be] propitiously merciful to You; = May God spare You), O Lord (Master)! By no means will this be for You!""

²³ Now, being turned, He said to Peter, "Proceed leading the way (or: bringing things under control) behind Me, O adversary. You are My bait-stick, ensnaring and leading Me into a trap, because you are not in the habit of setting your mind on or having the attitude pertaining to the things of God, but instead, [you continually have opinions which align with] the things of humans (or: mankind).""

²⁴ At that point Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone continues intending (purposing; willing; wanting) to come on behind Me, let him at once deny, reject and disown himself, and then in one move lift up his execution state (cross), and after that proceed to be by habit continuously following after Me!"

²⁵ "You see, whoever may intend (or: should purpose; might set his will; happens to want) to keep his soul-life safe (to rescue himself; to preserve the interior life that he is living) will continue loosing-it-away and destroying it. Yet whoever can loose-away and even destroy his soul-life (the interior self) on My account, he will continue finding it!"

²⁶ "For what will a person (or: mankind) proceed being benefited, or in what will he (or: they) continue helped or augmented, if he can or would advantageously procure [for himself (or: themselves)] and gain the whole ordered system of society: government, economy, culture, religion – even the whole universe, yet would be undergoing the loss of, receive damage to, or be made to forfeit, his soul-life (his interior self [in its reality])? Or what will a person (or: mankind) continue giving, as a price paid to change his (or: its) soul back (or: to effect the interior transformation of himself/itself, back again to make himself/itself other than he/it is)?"

²⁷ You see, the Son of the Man (or: mankind's son; or: = the Son of Adam; or: [the eschatological Messianic figure]; or: the Human Being) is presently about to continue progressively coming within the glory (the manifestation which calls forth praise) of His Father, with His agents (messengers). And at that time, He will proceed giving back (or: repaying; recompensing) to each one in corresponding accord with his practice, behavior and operation of business."

²⁸ It is so (or: Truly; Amen), I am now telling you men, that there are some (or: certain ones) of the folks presently standing here who under no circumstances can (or: may) taste (= partake of, or, experience) death, until they can (or: should) perceive and see the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = the eschatological Messianic figure; = Adam's Son) progressively coming in His reign (or: within His kingdom; joined to His sovereign activities).""

17

¹ Then after six days, Jesus proceeds to take along (or: at His side) Peter, Jacob (James) and John, his brother, and progressively leads them up into a high mountain, privately, and to be in accord with what was His own."

² And then, all of a sudden, He was transformed (changed in external form and appearance) and His face radiated light, like a lamp, and shone like the sun. His outer garments also turned white – bright as the light!"

³ Next – consider this! – Moses and Elijah, continuing in a discussion and conferring together with Him, were seen by them [i.e., the disciples]."

⁴ Now Peter, making a considered response, said to Jesus, "O Lord (Master), it is beautiful, fine and ideal [for] us to continue being (or: existing) here in this place. If You continue intending [to] (or: If You now will [it to be so]; If You desire [me to]), I will proceed erecting three tents (or: will progressively make three tabernacles; will be constructing three temporary shelters) here: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.""

⁵ Now consider this! While he was still speaking, a cloud composed of light (or: a cloud full of light; a cloud radiating light; a luminous cloud; an illuminated cloud) suddenly brought shade upon them (or: cast a shadow over them; overshadowed, or enveloped them). And think of this! A Voice – from out of the midst of the cloud – progressively saying, "This Man continues existing being My Son! The Beloved One (or: The One exemplifying and expressing My love) within Whom I think good thoughts (or: in Whom I imagine thoughts of wellness and ease; in Whom I appear well; in Whom I approve and of Whom I have a good opinion). Make it a habit to listen, to continue paying attention, and then to [really] hear Him (implies: obey Him)!""

⁶ At once, upon hearing [this], the disciples fell (= flung themselves) upon their faces and then were made extremely afraid (or: became terrified)."

⁷ So Jesus approached and, upon touching – and as it were kindling – them, said, "Be aroused, get up and stop being made afraid!""

⁸ Now, upon lifting up their eyes, they saw no one (or: not even one person) except Him – only Jesus."

⁹ Later, during their progressively walking down out of the mountain, Jesus gave an implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive), while saying, "You men should speak of the results of what was seen (or: tell the vision; speak of the sight) to no one until [the situation] where the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = Adam's Son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure) could (or: should; would) be aroused and raised up out from among dead folks.""

¹⁰ At this, the disciples questioned Him, in saying, "Why, in light of this (or: therefore), are the scribes (the scholars; the experts in the sacred Scriptures) constantly saying that it is binding (necessary) for Elijah to come first?""

¹¹ So He, giving a decided answer, said, "Elijah is indeed progressively coming, and he will move all men (or: things) away from where they have been placed (or: put) down, and from what has been firmly established."

¹² "Yet, I am continuing in telling you men that Elijah already comes and they do not recognize (or: fully know) Him. But even more, they perform on Him as many things as they wish and intend. (or: ... Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but rather, they did in him as much as they wanted.) In this way, even the Son of the Man (mankind's son; = Adam's Son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; or: the Human Being) is progressively about to continue experiencing [things] by them, even suffering under them.""

¹³ At that point, the disciples put it together that He spoke to them about John the Immerser (or: baptist)."

¹⁴ Then, upon coming toward the crowd, a man came toward Him, proceeding to fall to his knees [before] Him, and then saying,"

¹⁵ "O Lord (Master), mercy (perform mercy on, or express mercy in) my son, because he continues being moon-struck (= a lunatic; perhaps = an epileptic) and habitually has it badly (= has an ugly time being ill). You see, many times he has the habit of falling into the fire, and often into the water."

¹⁶ "So I brought him to Your disciples, and yet they had no power (were unable) to cure or heal him.""

¹⁷ Now Jesus, giving a discerning reply, said, "O faithless generation that is void of trust, as well as being one that has been thoroughly twisted and distorted! Until what time (Till when; = How long) will I continue being with you folks? Until what time will I, Myself, continue holding you people up? You folks proceed to bring him here, to Me.""

¹⁸ Then Jesus dispensed further value and honor to him [i.e., the boy; or: Jesus spoke respectful admonition to it {i.e., the demon}], and "the demon" (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influence) went out and away from him. And so the boy was cured and healed from that hour."

¹⁹ At that point the disciples, coming to Jesus privately, down in His own spot, said, "Why and through what situation were we without power and unable to cast it out (or: expel it)?""

²⁰ So Jesus proceeds saying to them, "Because of your little trust and small faith-confidence. For truly (amen) I am now saying to you men, if you can progressively hold trust, and habitually have faith – as a mustard seed (grain of mustard), you folks will say to this mountain, 'Move at once, from this place [to over] there! (= Change locations!),' and it will be transferring (moving). And so, nothing will continue being impossible for (or: to; in; with) you men.""

²¹ [the earlier MSS omit this verse: "Yet this kind does not normally go out, except within prayer and fasting."]"

²² Now during their being progressively twisted together [as strands of a single rope] (or: being habitually turned together [as, toward one another; = experiencing increasing solidarity]; perhaps = coming together in a gathering; [with other MSS: turning back again together; may = going about together, wandering about]) within the Galilee [district], Jesus said to them, "The Son of the Man (= the son of Adam; = the eschatological messianic figure; or: the human son) is progressively about to be turned over into [the] hands of humanity (into mankind's hands),"

²³ "and then they will kill Him off, and later, on (or: in; during) the third day, He will be aroused and raised up." Consequently, they were extremely pained, distressed and saddened with grief."

²⁴ Now upon their coming into Capernaum, the men normally taking (receiving; = collecting) the two-drachma coin [a yearly tax levied on individuals for the upkeep of the Temple] approached Peter and said, "Is not your teacher in the habit of settling [the account; = paying] the two-drachma [dues]?""

²⁵ He then says, "Yes." However, upon coming into the house, Jesus anticipates and gets ahead of him by saying, "What do you normally think or suppose (or: What is your usual opinion), Simon? From which people are the kings of the land (or: earth) normally taking (or: receiving; = collecting) payment of duties (taxes; customs; tributes) or a census tax (or: poll tax) – from their sons (= family; perhaps = their own tribe or people; perhaps idiomatically = their own citizens), or from the aliens (strangers; those belonging to another, perhaps a conquered country)?""

²⁶ Now at [his] saying, "From the aliens (strangers; those not belonging to their families, tribes or people)," Jesus affirms, "Consequently then, the sons (their own family and people) exist being (are) freemen (thus, tax-free and exempt)."

²⁷ "Yet, so that we would not be, as it were, bait on a trap-spring and thus snare them or cause them to stumble in regard to us, after going on your way unto the lake (or: sea), cast a fishhook [into the lake/sea], and pick up the first fish coming up. Then, upon opening up its mouth, you will find a stater (a silver coin worth four drachmas). Taking [it], give that to them on behalf of Me, as well as you.""

18

¹ Now within that hour the disciples approached Jesus, [as a group] saying, "Who, consequently, exists being greater (= most important) within the heavens' reign (or: the kingdom of the atmospheres)?""

² Then, after calling a little child to Himself, He placed (set; stood) it [Greek is neuter: = a boy or a girl] within their midst,"

³ and said, "Truly (or: Depend on it; Amen) I am now saying to you men, If you folks are not turned around [from going in this direction, or reverse your present trend of thinking] and may birth yourselves (or: become) like little children, you can (or: may; would) by no means enter into the heavens' reign (or: the kingdom of the atmospheres; or: heaven’s sovereignty)."

⁴ "Therefore, whoever will be progressively bringing himself low in attitude, situation and condition, so as to be humble, insignificant and unimportant in his own eyes, like this young child – this person is the greatest (= most important) with the heaven's reign (or: the kingdom emanating from the atmospheres)."

⁵ "And whoever would take in his arms and welcomingly receive one such little child – on [the basis and premises involved in] My Name (signifies: character, authority; identity) – proceeds to take Me in his arms and continues welcomingly receiving Me."

⁶ "Yet, whoever may be the bait on the stick which springs the trap and ensnares one of these little folks that are habitually trusting Me and placing their faith into Me, it continues bringing [situations; things] together to (or: for; in) him, to the end that a millstone – such as an ass may be used to turn – could (or: may; should) be hung around his neck, and then he could (or: may; should) be sunk down within the midst of the open sea!"

⁷ "What tragedy [exists] in the System (controlling world of culture, religion, economics and government) [which comes] from bait-laden traps and snares. You see, it continues being a compulsory necessity for the traps with their bait and snares to come, nevertheless, [it is] a tragedy for (or: to; in) the person through whom the traps and snares continue coming [i.e., the person constantly setting the traps]."

⁸ "So if your hand or your foot keeps on snaring you through hitting the trap-stick or going for the bait, cut it off at once, and throw [it] away from you! Is it [more] ideal for you to enter into the Life [being] maimed or lame, or, continuing having two hands or two feet, to be thrown into the fire that lasts for an indefinite period of time (or: the eonian fire; or: the fire that comes with the Age [of the Messiah])?"

⁹ "Likewise if your eye keeps on snaring you through hitting the trap-stick or going for the bait, tear it out at once, and throw [it] away from you! Is it [more] ideal for you to enter into the Life [being] one-eyed, or, continuing having two eyes, to be thrown into the Valley of Hinnom (Greek: Gehenna – the city dump where refuse is incinerated), which is characterized by and is a source of that fire?"

¹⁰ "You men be constantly seeing [to it] (= be perceptive so as to take care) [that] you should not even once think down on (have a condescending attitude toward; think of low importance; despise; disdain; or: bring attitudes or ways of thinking down on) one of these little folks, for you see, I am now saying to you people that their agents within [the] heavens (or: messengers in [the] atmospheres) are throughout every situation continually observing the face (= expressed feeling and attitude) of the Father – the One within [the] heavens (or: in the midst of [the] atmospheres)."

¹¹ [this verse omitted by the earlier MSS, Origen and Eusebius, but is found in D, L's margin, W, qc and TR: "You see, the Son of the Man comes to rescue and make whole (to save and deliver) the person having been destroyed and lost."]"

¹² "What do you men normally think or suppose (or: How does [it] usually seem to you)? If it should come to be with any person [having] one hundred sheep, [that] even one of them should be led astray and caused to wander (thus: be deceived), will he not leave the ninety-nine sheep on the hill country (or: mountain) and, going from place to place, continue trying to find the one continuing in being led astray?"

¹³ "And if he should happen to find it, certainly (amen; it is so; depend on it) – I am now telling you – he continues expressing joy upon it, rather than upon those ninety-nine that have not been being led astray and have not been caused to wander."

¹⁴ "In the same way it continues not being the will (the effect of the desire, intent or purpose) of My Father – the One within [the] heavens and within the midst of the atmospheres – that one of these little folks would destroy himself or should become lost."

¹⁵ "Now if your brother should make a mistake (or: = your fellow believer may fail to hit the target for which he is aiming; or: your group member should be erring or sinning) [later MSS add: unto you; (= do you wrong)], humbly go [to him and] test it (or: bring convincing proof about it, laying the matter bare) between you and him alone. If he can listen and should be hearing you, you made gain and profit for your brother."

¹⁶ "Yet should he not listen [to you], take still one or two [others] along with you, so that 'upon [the] mouth of two or three witnesses (folks providing evidence) every thing that is said (every gush-effect; each result of the flow [of conversation or outbreak]) can be established and made to stand.' [Deut. 19:15]"

¹⁷ "Now if he should put his hearing aside from (= disregard and refuse to hear) them, speak to the called-out community. Yet, if he should also put his hearing aside from (or: disregard) the called-out community, let him continue being with you (or: among you folks), just as (in the same manner as) the person of the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; pagans) and the tax collector [continue with you]. [comment: consider the behavior of Jesus with "sinners" and tax collectors; recall that these get into the kingdom before the religious; consider the place of the ethnic multitudes in relation to the good news]"

¹⁸ "It is true (or: Truly; or: Make it so; or: Now listen), I now say to you folks, Whatsoever things you can at some point bind or should tie upon the earth will continue being things having already been tied or bound within heaven (or: in [your] atmosphere). Also, as many things [as] you would loose or untie upon the earth will continue being things having already been loosed and untied within heaven (or: in [your] atmosphere)."

¹⁹ "Again, truly, I continue saying to you men that, if ever two from your group can utter sounds together that are harmonious and in symphony (or: should voice together in agreement) upon the earth concerning every effect of what is practiced (or: every transaction of business; every result of the execution of operations or other matters) – regarding which they may be requesting – it will progressively come to be (be birthed into existence; happen) for them (in them; to them) at the side (or: from the side [= presence]) of My Father – the One within [the] heavens and in [the] atmospheres."

²⁰ "You see, where there are two or three people that have been led and gathered together into My Name, I am there (in that place) within the midst of and among them.""

²¹ Then, approaching, Peter said to Him, "Master (or: Lord), how many times shall my brother be habitually wronging me (or: failing to do or perform unto me as he rightfully should; committing a sin [which penetrates] into me [like being hit with an arrow]), and I shall continue to let it pass away for him (or: forgive him)? Until seven times?""

²² Jesus is then saying to him, "I don't normally say 'Till seven times,' but rather, 'Until seventy times seven!'"

²³ "Because of this [situation and reason], the heavens' reign (or: the kingdom of the heavens and the sovereignty emanating from the atmospheres) is likened to a man – a king – who willed and intended to settle [the] account [s] with his slaves."

²⁴ "Now at his beginning to proceed settling, one person was led toward him: a debtor [owing] ten thousand talents (probably = millions of dollars; [ten thousand was the highest number used in calculating; a talent was the largest denomination of currency, = sixty million denarii; therefore this was a staggering amount of debt – Jesus is obviously using hyperbole, as no slave could owe that much])."

²⁵ "So, at his not having [the means] to pay [it] back, the owner gave orders for him to be immediately sold, as well as the wife, the children and everything – as many things as he is presently having – and then for payment to be made."

²⁶ "Therefore, upon falling down, the slave was repeatedly doing obeisance to him, repeatedly saying, 'Be long-enduring in you strong emotions so as to be patient with me, and I will progressively pay back everything to you!'"

²⁷ "So, being moved with compassion in the pit of his stomach, the owner of that slave released him and canceled the debt for him."

²⁸ "Yet, upon going out, that slave found one of his fellow slaves who was owing (or: who continued being indebted to) him one hundred denarii, and, grabbing him, he began to choke [him], saying, 'Pay back the debt, since you continue owing me something!'"

²⁹ "Therefore, upon falling down, his fellow slave kept on calling upon him for help, even entreating and continuing to beg him, repeatedly saying, 'Be long-enduring in you strong emotions so as to be patient with me, and I will progressively pay [it] back to you!'"

³⁰ "However, he continued being unwilling, and furthermore, upon going off, he had him thrown into prison (or: jail), until he could (or: should; would) pay back what was continuing to be owed."

³¹ "Then, upon seeing the things that were happening, his fellow slaves experienced tremendous pain and were filled with extreme grief, and so after coming, they made it thoroughly clear and gave a distinct picture to their owner about all the things that were happening."

³² "At that point, after calling him [i.e., the first slave] to himself, the owner proceeds saying to him, 'O worthless and wicked slave! I cancelled that entire debt for you, since you begged and entreated me."

³³ "'Was it not of necessity binding [on; for] you, also, to dispense mercy to your fellow slave, just as I myself also dispensed mercy to you?'"

³⁴ "So, internally swelling with indignation and anger, his owner handed him over to 'the men who to test folks' (those who apply the touchstone to determine the grade and to show the quality of fine metals) until where [the occasion or situation develops that] he could (or: would) pay back all that continued being owed."

³⁵ "My heavenly Father (or: My Father, Who inhabits, and can be compared to, the atmosphere) will be progressively dealing with you folks in this same way (or: will continue doing to you men in like manner), too, if each person does not release and forgive his brother (and let things flow away for him), from your hearts.""

19

¹ And then it occurred, when Jesus finished these words (or: sayings; discourses), [that] He picked up and changed locations away from the Galilee [district] and went into the frontiers (or: boundary areas) of the Judean [district] on the other side of the Jordan [River]."

² Crowds of many people also followed Him, so He tended, attentively served, gave treatment to, began therapy with, prescribed ongoing treatment for, or cured and healed them there."

³ Later, Pharisees came to Him, examining, testing and trying to put Him to the proof, as well as proceeding to ask if [a man] is normally allowed by Law and custom to loose-away (dismiss; divorce) his wife in correspondence to every cause (= for any sort of grounds or reason). [note: "every cause" was a technical term from current Jewish law that had been introduced by Rabbi Hillel; it allowed a man to divorce his wife if she did anything he disliked – even, e.g., for burning his food while cooking it]"

⁴ So He, giving a discerning reply, said, "Do (or: Did) you men not read that the Creator (the Framer and Founder; [other MSS: the Maker]) 'makes (or: made) them male and female,' from [the] beginning? [Gen. 1:27; 5:2]"

⁵ "Further on it said, For this reason a man (person; human) will completely leave behind the father and the mother, and he will be glued to and joined in his wife, and so the two will be existing progressively into one flesh'? [Gen. 2:24]"

⁶ "Consequently, they no longer exist being two, but rather [are] one flesh. Therefore, what God yokes together (or: coupled together with a yoke), let no human proceed to be splitting apart or separating.""

⁷ They proceeded saying to Him, "Why, then, did Moses impart the directive whose end in view was to give a little scroll of divorce (a standing-away; apostasy; defection) and to release her (or: loose her away)?" [Deut. 24:1, 3]"

⁸ Jesus then answers them, "Moses, facing (or: with a view toward) your hardheartedness, completely turned directions and made concession to you people, allowing you to divorce your wives. Yet from [the] beginning it had not happened in this way."

⁹ "Now I am saying to you that whoever may loose-away or divorce his wife (or: woman) – [when it is] not upon [the case of] infidelity (fornication; sexual misconduct) – and then should marry another woman, he is continuing in committing adultery. Also, the man involved in marrying a woman having been divorced proceeds in committing adultery." [comment: Jesus here sides with Rabbi Shammai who held the earlier interpretation of Deut. 24:1-4 that marital unfaithfulness was the only cause for divorce]"

¹⁰ The disciples are, one after another, saying to Him, "Since (or: If) the situation (or: predicament; case; or: cause for accusation) of the person (human) with the wife continues being thus, [then] to marry does not continue to bring things together for advantage or profit!" [comment: the disciples are apparently shocked that Jesus rejects the "every cause" form of divorce from the Hillel school]"

¹¹ Yet He said to them, "Not all people are proceeding to give way and spread themselves to make room for this message (word; idea; saying; = This does not apply to everyone), but only those in and to whom it has been given."

¹² "You see, there are eunuchs (men in charge of a bedroom, usually having been castrated) who were born thus out of [their] mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs (were emasculated) by people, and then there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs (emasculated themselves) because of the reign of the heavens (or: the kingdom of the atmospheres). Let the person continuing having power and ability to give way, spread themselves and make room, continue to be making room." [comment: Jesus is here rejecting the custom that all Jewish males are required to marry – a foreshadow of the impending new age – and then indicated that this is for those able to accept it]"

¹³ At that point, young children were brought toward Him so that He would lay (or: could place) [His] hands upon them and would (or: might) pray [for them]. Yet the disciples gave to them a respectful but discouraging admonition."

¹⁴ However, Jesus said, "Let this event flow on! Stop preventing them and allow the young children to come toward Me, for you see, the reign and kingdom of the heavens (or: = the sovereignty of this atmosphere) belongs to and is comprised of such folks as these!""

¹⁵ So then, after placing [His] hands on them, He journeyed on His way from that place."

¹⁶ And now, consider this: One person, after approaching Him, said, "Teacher, what good shall I proceed doing (or, as a subjunctive: what virtuous act or excellent and worthwhile deed can I perform) to the end that I can hold and possess eonian life (life having the character and qualities of the Age and whose source is the Age; life for the ages)?""

¹⁷ So He said to him, "Why are you now proceeding in asking Me about the Good? One continuously exists being (or: is) the Good. (or: What do you now inquire of Me concerning 'goodness and virtue'? Excellence {Intrinsic value; Quality; Good; Virtue} is one {or: unity; oneness}.) Yet, if you continue desiring and intending to enter into the Life, continue habitually observing, guarding and keeping the implanted goals (impartation of the finished product within; inward directives).""

¹⁸ He then responds to Him, "Which (or: Which sort; Which ones)?" So Jesus affirms, "These: 'You will not continue committing murder. 'You will not continue committing adultery, 'You will not continue stealing. 'You will not continue bearing a false witness or giving a false testimony.' [Ex. 20:13]"

¹⁹ -720'You will continue honoring and expressing value to the father and the mother.' [Ex. 20:12] 'You will continue loving the one near you (your neighbor and associate) as he were yourself,'" [Lev. 19:18]"

²⁰ The young man then replies to Him, "I keep watch over and maintain all these. What yet am I habitually lacking; where am I still deficient and falling behind?""

²¹ Jesus affirmed to him, "Since (of: If) you continue desiring and intending to be mature and perfect (= if you are serious about reaching the goal), humbly proceed going your way, at once sell the things of your subsistence (those things supporting you from your beginning and giving you authority; or: your possessions and belongings; or: the things currently at your disposal), and give [the proceeds] to the poor and destitute folks. Then you will continue holding and possessing treasure within the midst of heaven (or: in [your] atmosphere). After that, come here and be habitually following Me.""

²² Now upon listening and hearing this message (word; idea; saying), the young man went away, progressively grieving and experiencing pain, for you see, he had been existing constantly having many acquisitions of possessions and properties (the results of many acquisitions)."

²³ So Jesus said to His disciples, "It is so (or: Truly; Count on it), I am now saying to you men, it is with things that are disagreeable and difficult for those who are hard to please that a rich and wealthy person will progressively enter into the reign of the heavens (or: the heavens' kingdom; or: the sovereign rule pertaining to the atmospheres)."

²⁴ "Now again (or: Furthermore), I continue saying to you folks, it is easier for a camel to squeeze through a needle's eye (hole) than for a rich, wealthy person to enter into God's reign (or: kingdom influence and sovereign activities).""

²⁵ Now upon listening and hearing [this], the disciples continued for a while being exceedingly struck out of themselves (= surprised and astonished so as to be knocked out of their normal perceptions and assessments of life), one after another saying, "Who, consequently, is normally able to be kept safe or rescued (delivered or saved)?""

²⁶ So Jesus, gazing at and seeing within [the group], says to them, "With humans (Alongside people) this continues being impossible. But with God (or: at God's side) all things [are] possible.""

²⁷ At that time Peter, making a considered response, said to Him, "Look at our [situation]. We, ourselves, abandoned all, letting everything flow away, and we follow You. What will there consequently (or: actually) continue being for us?""

²⁸ So Jesus said to them, "It is true (or: Truly; Amen), I now am saying to you men, In the rebirth – when the Son of the Man (mankind's Son; = Adam's son; [or: the eschatological messianic figure]; or: the human) can sit upon the throne of His glory (or: the throne of his good reputation and manifestation which calls forth praise) – you yourselves, the ones following Me, will continue sitting down – even you, upon twelve thrones – continuously separating [issues], making decisions and administering justice for the twelve tribes of Israel."

²⁹ "And further, everyone – whoever, on account of My Name, abandons or lets flow away houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields – will continually receive many times more [other MSS: a hundred times as much], and he will be progressively inheriting, and enjoying an allotment of, eonian life (life from and with the character and quality of the Age [of the Messiah]; or: life of and for the ages)."

³⁰ "Now many folks [being] first ones will proceed being last ones – and [many] last ones [will be] first ones."

20

¹ "So you see, the reign of the heavens (the heavens' kingdom; or: the sovereign rule and activities pertaining to the atmospheres) exists being like a person (human) – a householder – who went out at the usual time, early in the morning (or: at daybreak), to hire for himself workers [to send] into his vineyard."

² "Now upon voicing together [and coming] out with an agreement with the workers – a denarius [for] the day [note: a normal day's wage] – he sent them off into his vineyard."

³ "Then, upon going out about [the] third hour [of the day; = about nine in the morning], he saw other folks having taken their place standing idle and unemployed, within the market place."

⁴ "And so he says to those folks, 'You people, also, lead the way under [my word and direction] into the vineyard, and whatever may be fair and equitable (just and in accord with the way pointed out; or: = the going rate) I will proceed in giving to you.'"

⁵ "So they went off. Now again, upon going out about [the] sixth hour (= around noon), and later [at the] ninth hour (= about three in the afternoon), he did similarly (or: in just the same way)."

⁶ "Now about the eleventh hour (= around five o'clock), after going out, he found other folks having taken their place standing, and he is proceeding to say to them, 'Why have you taken your place and are still standing here idle and unemployed the whole day?'"

⁷ "They are, as a group, responding to him, 'Because nobody hired us.' He then replies to them, 'You people, also, lead the way under [my word and direction] into the vineyard.'"

⁸ "Now when it was becoming evening, the owner of the vineyard proceeds saying to his foreman (or: manager; supervisor), 'Call the workers and pay the wages, starting from the last ones, [and proceeding] until the first ones.'"

⁹ "So those coming about the eleventh hour received a denarius apiece."

¹⁰ "And then, when the first ones were coming, they concluded from inference to custom that they will receive more, and yet they, themselves, also received a denarius apiece."

¹¹ "Now, upon receiving [the pay], they began muttering complaints and in low voices uttering discontent against the householder,"

¹² "one after another saying, 'These last folks do one hour, and you make them equal to us – the ones who were bearing the burden and intense heat of the day!'"

¹³ "So, giving a decisive reply to one of them, he said, 'My friend, I am not doing wrong or acting unjustly to you. Did you not voice agreement with me for a denarius?"

¹⁴ "'Take up what is yours and humbly go away. However, I, myself, continue wanting, and intending, to give to this last person just as [I] also [gave] to you."

¹⁵ "'Is it not allowed by law and custom for me to do that which I continue wanting and intending, in [regard] to my own things? Or does your eye continue being worthless (= is your way of viewing things knavish, base, unsound and in a poor condition, or even malicious and degenerate) because I, myself, continue being good (virtuous; = having generous and benevolent qualities)?'"

¹⁶ "It is in this way that the last folks will be first and the first folks [will be] last." [comment: this parable shows the equity of kingdom life: all receive the same; first and last have no significance – it is an illustration of additional folks being added into the sovereign activities of the heavens, and being equal to regular workers; it further shows the care of the Householder for the needs of the "unemployed," i.e., those not at that time being a part of His sovereign reign, and how He repeatedly goes, even in the heat of the day, to search for those in need, pointing to outreach beyond the House]"

¹⁷ Now Jesus, being progressively about to be walking up in Jerusalem, took aside the twelve disciples down to a spot which corresponded to what is His own, privately, and in the midst of the path (or: on the way) said to them,"

¹⁸ "Look at this, and consider. We are progressively walking up into Jerusalem, and later, the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the human; or: = the eschatological messiah figure) will proceed being turned over to the chief (or: ranking) priests and scribes (scholars and experts in the Law), then they will according to pattern proceed judging (condemning) Him to (for) death."

¹⁹ "Next, they will proceed turning Him over to the ethnic multitudes (the nations; = foreigners) – into [a situation] to ridicule, make fun of and mock, and then scourge [Him] with a whip, and finally to execute [Him] on a torture stake (or: to crucify [Him]). Later, on (or: in; during) the third day, He will proceed being aroused and raised up.""

²⁰ Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee – with her sons – came up to Him, repeatedly bowing down in obeisance and homage, while making a request of something from Him."

²¹ So He said to her, "What are you continuing in wanting (or: = What's you purpose)?" She then replies to Him, "Say that these – my two sons – can (or: should) sit, one at Your right (the place of power and authority) and one on Your left (the place of honor with a good name), within the reign of Your kingdom.""

²² But Jesus, giving a discerning reply, said, "You have not seen, so you are not aware of what you are now requesting for yourselves. Are you folks now able and do you continue having power to drink at once the cup which I, Myself, am continuing about to be progressively drinking?" They are presently insisting to Him, "We are now able and continue having the power.""

²³ He is then saying to them, "You will indeed be progressively drinking My cup. Yet to sit at My right and on [My] left is not Mine to give, but rather [it belongs] to those for whom it has been prepared and made ready by My Father.""

²⁴ And then, upon hearing [of it], the ten became indignant, annoyed and resentful concerning the two brothers."

²⁵ So Jesus, after calling them to His side, said, "The rulers and chiefs of the ethnic multitudes (the nations or people groups; the pagans) habitually lord it over them, bringing their ownership to bear down on them, while the 'great ones' are constantly wielding authority upon them, even tyrannizing them."

²⁶ "It is not this way among you folks; but to the contrary, whoever may be now wanting or should continue intending to become great (or: = to make himself to be important) among you, he will continue (or: proceed in) being your attending servant."

²⁷ "And whoever may now be wanting or should continue intending to be first (or: foremost; = prominent) among you folks, he will continue (or: proceed in) being your slave."

²⁸ "Just as the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the eschatological human) did not come to be taken care of by attending service, but to the contrary, to give attending service – even to give His soul-life (= Himself): a ransom, a price paid (or: a loosener) in the place of many to effect their release.""

²⁹ And now, as they are proceeding on their way out from [the town of] Jericho, a large crowd followed Him."

³⁰ Then – look, and consider! – two blind men sitting beside the road, upon hearing that Jesus is presently passing by, cried out, repeatedly saying, "Lord, Master, Son of David, mercy us (extend mercy into us at once)!""

³¹ Now the crowd expressed respectful admonition to them, so that they would be silent (keep quiet). Yet they cried out even louder, continuing in saying, "O Lord, Master, mercy us at once, Son of David!""

³² Then standing, Jesus voiced a response to them and said, "What are you men wanting Me to do for you?""

³³ They went on saying to Him, "O Lord (Master), [something] so that our eyes can be opened up!""

³⁴ So Jesus, feeling compassion, touches and thus kindles outer portion of their eyes, and immediately they regained their sight (or: saw again), and then followed Him."

21

¹ Later, when they got close to [the] Jerusalem [area], after they went into Bethphage, [then on] into the Mount of Olives, Jesus at that time sent off two disciples on a mission,"

² while saying to them, "Be proceeding on you way into the village – the one opposite [us], down within your [view] – and immediately you will be finding an ass: one having been tied, as well as a colt with her. Upon loosing [them], lead [them] to Me."

³ "And if anyone may say anything to you, you will say that the Lord (Master; owner [?]; = Yahweh [?]) is presently having a need of them, so he will at once proceed to be sending them off (or: ... and He will proceed sending them off [= back] right away).""

⁴ Now this whole event has happened (or: come to be) to the end that the [prophecy; oracle] spoken through the prophet would (could; should; may) be fulfilled – the one continuing in saying,"

⁵ "Say to (or: Tell) the daughter of Zion, 'Look and consider – your King is progressively coming to you folks with a mild, gentle and friendly disposition, and [He is] mounted upon an ass, even upon a colt, the male offspring of a yoked beast of burden." [Zech. 9:9]"

⁶ So, upon going their way and doing according as Jesus had arranged and placed in order together with, and for, them, the [two] disciples"

⁷ led the ass and the colt, and then put (or: placed) [their] cloaks upon them. Then He sat on top of them."

⁸ Now most of the crowd spread out their cloaks and scattered their outer garments on (= carpeted) the path (way; road), yet others began cutting branches from trees and continued spreading and scattering [them] on (i.e., carpeting) the road. [cf Lev. 23:40; 2 Kings 9:13]"

⁹ By now the crowds who were proceeding – progressively leading ahead of Him – as well as those who were continuing in following, kept on crying out, repeatedly saying, "O save us now by (or: Hosanna to) the Son of David! The One progressively coming in [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] Name is One having been blessed with words of ease and wellness. O save us, among the highest ones (or: Hosanna within the midst of the highest places)!" [Ps. 118:25-26]"

¹⁰ And then, after His entering into Jerusalem, all the city was shaken (set in commotion [as in an earthquake]; caused to tremble), one after another saying, "Who (or: What) is this?""

¹¹ So the crowds kept on saying, "This is the prophet Jesus, the one from Nazareth of the Galilee [district].""

¹² Next, Jesus entered into the Temple courts and threw out all the folks habitually selling [things], as well as those continuing in buying – as in a marketplace – within the Temple courts (or: = and chased out all the vendors and shoppers from inside the Temple grounds), and then He turned upside down the tables of the money-exchangers, along with the chairs and benches of the people continually selling the doves and pigeons."

¹³ And He proceeds saying to them, "It has been written, 'My house will continue being called a house of prayer (speaking, thinking or acting, with a view toward goodness and well-being).' [Isa. 56:7; cf Targum Zech. 14:21] yet you folks habitually make it a den of bandits (or: a highwaymen's cave)!" [Jer. 7:11-15] [note: here he implicitly invokes Jeremiah's prophecy of destruction]"

¹⁴ Later, blind folks and lame people came to Him within the Temple grounds (or: courts), and He cured them."

¹⁵ Now the ranking priests and the scribes (scholars; theologians of the Law), at seeing and perceiving the remarkable and wonderful marvels which He performed (or: did), and the young children repeatedly exclaiming (perhaps: shouting-out approval; cheering) within the Temple courts, and continually saying, "O save us now, by the son of David (or: Hosanna to the Son of David)," [Ps. 118:25] they grew displeased, indignant and resentful."

¹⁶ And so they said to Him, "Are you listening and hearing what these people are repeatedly saying?" So Jesus is then saying to them, "Yes! Did you men never read that, 'From out of the mouth of babes, and infants still nursing at the breast, You completely harmonize – by thoroughly adjusting and knitting together – praise for Yourself'?" [Ps. 8:3]"

¹⁷ And then, leaving them behind, He went out – outside of the city – into Bethany, and lodged there, spending the night in a court yard (or: camped there in a sheepfold)."

¹⁸ Now, while leading [them] back in return into the city early in the morning, He got hungry."

¹⁹ And then, upon seeing one [specific] fig tree upon the way (or: on the path; = by the road), He came up on it and found nothing within it except leaves (or: foliage). So He is then saying to it, "Fruit can under no condition any longer come into existence (= be produced) from out of you, on into the Age." And without delay, the fig tree was caused to dry up and wither."

²⁰ At seeing [this], the disciples kept on expressing astonishment: "How was the fig tree instantly caused to dry up and wither?""

²¹ So Jesus, giving a decided reply, said to them, "Truly (It is so; Depend on it; Amen), I am now saying and laying it out for you, if you can continuously hold trust (or: if you folks should constantly have faith) and would not be affected by some separating factor passing through your act of discerning or judging, leading you to hesitate, doubt, or completely question your decision, [then] not only will you men do [what I did] to the fig tree, but further, you can also say to this mountain range (or: hill country; mountain), 'Be uplifted, and then be flung (cast) into the midst of the lake (or: sea)!' It will progressively come to pass (It will proceed in birthing itself and happening). [comment: in prophetic language a mountain was a figure for a kingdom, and the sea represented the masses of humanity]"

²² "And so, you will progressively take to yourselves and receive everything (or: all things) – as much or as many as you folks ever could (or: may) request in thoughts or words toward things going well (or: in union with prayer), while continuously trusting and 'faithing' (= expressing, living in, and being joined to faith and belief)!""

²³ Later, after His coming into the Temple courts and grounds, the chief and ranking priests – as well as the elders (or: older men) of the people – came up to Him while [He was] in the process of teaching. They, one after another, proceeded saying, "In what kind of authority (or: In association with sort of customary law) are you continuing to do these things?" And then, "Who gave this authority (right; privilege) to you?""

²⁴ So Jesus, making a discerning response, says to them, "I, Myself, will proceed also asking you one question (thought; word), which, if you folks can (or: should; would) tell Me, then I also will continue in telling you in what kind of authority (or: in association with what sort of customary law) I am constantly doing these things:"

²⁵ "The immersion (baptism; = ceremonial washing) which pertained to and was done by John – from what source or origin was it being; from out of heaven (or: from [the] Atmosphere), or from out of the midst of humans (mankind; people)?" Now they began reasoning and discussing among themselves, one after another saying, "If we should say, 'From out of heaven,' he will say to us, 'Why (Through what cause or situation) did you not trust or put faith in him?'"

²⁶ "Yet if we should say, 'From out of humans,' we continue fearing about the crowd (= are afraid of how the crowd might react), for they all are in the habit of holding John as a prophet.""

²⁷ And so, giving a determined reply to Jesus, they said, "We have not seen and so we do not know (or: We are not aware)." He also affirms to them, "Neither am I, Myself, laying it out or saying to you folks within what kind of authority (right; privilege; customary law) I continue to do these things."

²⁸ "But how is it normally seeming to you men (= What are you now thinking of this situation; What is your opinion)? A man had two children. Upon coming to the first one, he said, 'Child, be going (or: lead the way) under [my directive] today, and continue working in the vineyard."

²⁹ "Now he, giving a determined reply, said, 'I am neither wanting nor intending [to] (or: I will not)!' – yet afterward, changing his thoughts and interests (or: regretting his behavior), he went off."

³⁰ "So, upon going to the different one, he said similarly. Now, giving a considered reply, he said, 'I [go], sir,' – and yet, he did not go off."

³¹ "Which of the two did the will of the father?" They [as a group] are saying, "The first one." [other MSS read vs. 29-31 thus: "Now he, giving a considered reply, said,' I {go}, sir,' and yet he did not go off. So, upon approaching the second one, he said likewise. Yet he, giving a determined reply, said, 'I will not! 'Subsequently, he thought better of it {and} went forth. Which of {these} two fulfilled the desire of {his} father?" They are saying, "The latter one."] Jesus said, "That's right (You got it; Amen)! I am now saying and laying it out for you that the tax (or: tribute; toll) collectors (or: tax farmers; businessmen who bought the contract to collect taxes for the government) and the prostitutes are constantly preceding you men into God's reign (or: the kingdom of God; the sovereign activity of God)!"

³² "You see, John came toward you men within the path (or: on the road) of fairness and equity, in accord with the way pointed out, and in the right relationship which pertains to justice – and you men did not trust him or put your faith in him (or: you did not believe him). However, the tax collectors and the prostitutes trusted him (put their faith in him; believed him), yet you men – upon seeing [this] – still did not change your thoughts or interests (or: regret your behavior and think better of it) [so as] to trust in him (put faith in and believe him)."

³³ "Listen, and hear another illustration (parable): There was a man (human), a householder, who planted a vineyard. Then he put a fence (or: wall; hedge) around it and excavated a trough-shaped receptacle as a winepress. Next he erected a viewing tower, then he leased [the vineyard] out to farmer who would cultivate and dress the vines. With that, he left his home country and traveled abroad."

³⁴ "Now when the season of the fruits drew near, he sent off his slaves to the farmers (= tenant-cultivators) for the purpose of receiving and taking his [share of] the fruits."

³⁵ "And then the farmers (vinedressers), upon taking hold of his slaves, thrashed one, killed another, and stoned another."

³⁶ "So again, he sent off other slaves – more than the first ones – and they did the same to them!"

³⁷ "Lastly, he dispatched his son to them, saying, 'They will proceed being turned back on themselves in shame, and thus show respect for and reverence my son.'"

³⁸ "Yet the vinedressers (farmers; cultivators) – upon seeing the son – said among themselves, 'This one is the heir! Come now! We should (or: can) kill him and then we can have his inheritance!'"

³⁹ "And so, upon taking hold of him, they threw him out – outside of the vineyard –and they killed [him]."

⁴⁰ "Therefore, whenever the owner of the vineyard may come, what will he proceed to be doing to those farmers (vinedressers)?""

⁴¹ They, as a group, say to Him, "Worthless men (Evil, bad, ugly and malicious fellows)! He will proceed to destroy them in an ugly and vicious way! And then, he will proceed to lease out the vineyard to other vinedressers (farmers; cultivators), who will be habitually giving away (rendering) to him his due share of the fruits, in their proper seasons.""

⁴² Jesus is then saying to them, "Did you never read in the Scriptures, 'A stone which the builders rejected as the result of a test – this one is birthed into (or: comes to be for) a head of a corner (= a keystone; a capstone; a cornerstone). This [head] was birthed (came into existence) from [the] Lord's [=Yahweh's] side (or: presence), and it is wonderful and marvelous in our eyes'? [Ps. 118:22-23]"

⁴³ "Because of this, I am now saying to you men that God's reign (or: the kingdom of God; the influence and activity of God's sovereignty) will be progressively lifted up away from you folks, and it (or: she) will proceed being given to an ethnic multitude (or: nation; people group) consistently producing its (or: her) fruit!"

⁴⁴ "Further, the person falling upon this Stone will progressively be shattered together. Yet upon whom it may likely fall, It will be progressively winnowing him and scattering the chaff.""

⁴⁵ And so, upon hearing His illustrations (parables), the chief and ranking priests – as well as the Pharisees – knew by this experience that He had been speaking about them."

⁴⁶ And although still seeking to seize Him, they were fearful about the crowd (= were afraid of how the crowd might react), since they had been holding Him into [the position of] (or: for; [other MSS: as]) a prophet.""

22

¹ And further, giving decided response, Jesus again spoke in illustrations (parables) to them, continuing in laying it out by saying,"

² "The reign of the heavens (or: The heavens' kingdom and sovereign rule in the atmospheres) is compared to and considered like a human, a king, who made arrangements and prepared wedding festivities (things associated with a feast or banquet) for his son."

³ "And then he sent off his slaves with the mission to call the folks having been invited unto the marriage festivities – and yet, they continued unwilling to go (or: kept on, one after another, not intending or desiring to come; = not wanting to attend)."

⁴ "So again he sent off other slaves, now saying, 'Tell the folks having been invited, "Consider, please! I have made my meal ready (or: finished the preparations for my dinner) – my bulls and grain-fattened animals having been slaughtered, and everything [is] set and ready! Come unto the wedding festivities."'"

⁵ "But they, being unconcerned, lacking interest and not caring about it, went away – one, indeed, into his own field, yet another upon his commercial business (or: his trade),"

⁶ "and the rest [of them], forcibly taking hold of his slaves, insolently violated their human rights and then killed [them]."

⁷ "So the king inwardly swelled with fury and was made to teem with anger. And then, sending his soldiers (troops), he destroyed those murderers and set their city in flames."

⁸ "Thereupon, he is saying to his slaves, 'The wedding feast indeed continues being ready, yet those having been invited were not worthy folks (folks of corresponding value; or: worthy of the honor)."

⁹ "'Therefore, be progressively journeying on your way – on the thoroughfares, both the main roads exiting the city as well as the side roads passing through, and the intersections – and call as many people as you might happen to find unto the wedding festivities (or: marriage feast).'"

¹⁰ "And so, upon going out into the streets and alleys, the paths and roads, those slaves gathered and led together all whom they found – both worthless (or: wicked; bad; of poor character) folks and good (virtuous) ones – and so the wedding hall was filled with folks presently reclining [at the tables]."

¹¹ "Now, upon entering to view and watch those engaged in reclining [at the tables], the king noticed a person there who had not put on wedding apparel (= not dressed appropriate for a wedding feast),"

¹² "And so he then says to him, 'My good sir (or: Friend; Comrade; Dear fellow), how are you entered here having no wedding apparel (= how is it that you came into this place without dressing appropriately for a marriage feast)?' But the man was muzzled (= silent, speechless; [note: this word was also used to mean "silenced by a spell"])."

¹³ "At that point, the king said to the servants, 'Upon binding his feet and hands, you men throw him out into the darkness (dim obscurity) which is farther outside. In that place there will continue being the weeping (or: lamenting) and the grinding of the teeth.' [comment: compare the binding of feet in Hos. 11:1-4, LXX:
1. Because Israel [is] a young child, I Myself also love him, and I once called his children together from out of Egypt.
2. The more I called them [to Me], the more they distanced themselves and kept away from My face (or: immediate presence). They sacrificed to the Baals, and then burned incense to the carved and chiseled images (= idols).
3. And so I, Myself tied the feet of Ephraim together (i.e., restrained him; = hobbled him to keep him from wandering) [then] I took him up upon My arm – and yet they did not realize (or: know) that I had healed them.
4. In the thorough ruin and destruction of humans I stretch out to them and lay [My hand] on them in binding ties (or: bonds) of My love. And so I will be to them as a person slapping (or: striking) [someone] on his cheek, then I will look upon him (= either: keep an eye on him; or: give respect to him). I will prevail with him and then give ability and power to him.]"

¹⁴ "Now you see, many folks continue existing being called and invited ones, yet a few people [are also] chosen ones (selected and picked out folks)!" [comment: notice the ironic inversion of this closing statement of the parable: here there were two sorts of people that were invited, the first group, then the second – which actually came to the feast; in this story, the one that was picked out (chosen and focused on) was also kicked out]"

¹⁵ At that time the Pharisees, after going their way, took counsel together so that they could lay a snare in a verbal expression (thought; idea; word) and would trap Him."

¹⁶ And so, they sent off their disciples with the Herodians (supporters and members of the political associates of Herod) on a mission to Him, as a group, saying, "Teacher, we have seen and now know that you are genuine and honest (truthful; trustworthy; dependable; true), and further, you habitually teach God's way (path; road) in truth and reality. Furthermore, it is not normally a concern or worry to you about anyone, for you are not constantly looking into peoples' faces [to see their reaction] or observing their outward appearance [to take into account their social position]."

¹⁷ "Tell us, then, how it normally seeming to you (= what are you now thinking of this situation; What is your opinion): Is it normally allowed by [our] custom and Law to give (= pay) a poll (or: census) tax to Caesar (the Roman emperor), or not?""

¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing by intimate experience their worthlessness (their poor character and wicked intent), says, "Why are you men constantly examining and testing Me, you people who make close inspection of the writings so as to be opinionated and hyper-critical, having all the answers (see 6:2, above)?"

¹⁹ "Show (Exhibit) to Me the coin used for the poll tax." So they brought a denarius (silver coin) to Him,"

²⁰ and He is then saying to them, "Whose [is] this image, and the inscription?""

²¹ They are then answering, "Caesar's." At that point He proceeds in response to them, "Give back, then, Caesar's things (or: that which belongs to Caesar) to Caesar – and God's things (or: that which belongs to God) to God.""

²² Well, upon hearing [that], [some] felt admiration [while others] were simply amazed, [then some] were dumbfounded. And so, letting Him alone to continue on (or: rejecting and abandoning Him), they went off."

²³ During that day, [some] Sadducees – folks normally saying [that] there is to be no resurrection – came to Him and inquired of Him, proceeding to lay out this proposition:"

²⁴ "Teacher, Moses says, 'If anyone should die off while still not having children, his brother shall in addition marry his [i.e., the brother's] wife, and shall make seed (= offspring) to stand up for his brother.' [Deut. 25:5-6]"

²⁵ "Now there were seven brothers among us. And the first one, having married, came to [his] end (or: finished [his] life) and so – not having seed (= offspring) – leaves behind his wife to (or: for) his brother."

²⁶ "In the same way, also, the second one, and then the third one – on until [all] seven."

²⁷ "Now subsequently to all of them, the woman died."

²⁸ "Therefore, within the resurrection, of which one of the seven will she proceed in being a wife – for you see, they all had her?""

²⁹ Now Jesus, giving a discerning response, says to them, "You men are repeatedly being deceived and are continually caused to wander astray (or: off track) [from] not having seen the Scriptures with perception, nor yet knowing or being acquainted with God's power and ability."

³⁰ "You see, within the resurrection folks are neither repeatedly marrying, nor are they constantly being given in marriage. To the contrary, they constantly exist as agents (or: messengers) – within the atmosphere (or: heaven)."

³¹ "Yet concerning the resurrection of the dead ones, did you not read the thing spoken to, and for, you folks by God, continually saying,"

³² "'I, Myself, am (continuously exist being) the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? [Ex. 3:6] He is not the God of dead folks, but rather of continuously living people.""

³³ Then the crowds began being struck out of themselves from amazement (were being driven out of their composure with astonishment) upon hearing His teaching."

³⁴ Now, after hearing that He had muzzled (put to silence) the Sadducees, the Pharisees were gathered together on the same [issue/place/purpose]."

³⁵ Then one of them – a legal expert (or: one versed in the Mosaic Law; proficient in the Torah) – asked a question, testing Him,"

³⁶ "Teacher, what kind of implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive) [is] great (or: which [is the] most important precept) within the Law (= Torah)?"

³⁷ So He affirms to him, "' You will continue loving [the] Lord [= Yahweh], your God, in union with your whole heart – and within the midst of the core of your being, and in union with your whole soul – and within the midst of your entire soul-life, and in union with your whole intellectual capacity – and within the midst of your whole thinking process and comprehension.' [Deut. 6:5]"

³⁸ "This continuously exists being the great and foremost (or: first) implanted goal (impartation of the finished product within; inward directive)."

³⁹ "Yet [the] second one [is] like it: 'You will continue loving your associate (or: overcoming existential separation from your neighbor; participating with the one close to you) as he were yourself.' [Lev. 19:18]"

⁴⁰ "In the midst of (or: In union with; Within) these two imparted, goal-oriented directives the whole Law – as well as the prophets – is continuously being hung!""

⁴¹ Now during the Pharisees' having been gathered together, Jesus inquired of them, laying out the question,"

⁴² "How does it normally seem to you (or: What do you folks now think and what is your view) concerning the Anointed One (the Christ; = the Messiah): Whose Son (or: Descendant) is He?" They, as a group, are replying to Him, "David's.""

⁴³ He then says to them, "How, then, is David – within and in union with [the] Spirit (or: in spirit; in the effect of [His] Breath; in attitude) – normally calling Him 'Lord' (Master)?, saying,"

⁴⁴ "' [The] Lord [= Yahweh] said to my Lord (Master), "Be continuously sitting from out of (or: = at) My right-hand [parts] until I should place (or: put) Your alienated ones (or: folks filled with hate and hostility; enemies) down under Your feet"'? [Ps. 110:1]"

⁴⁵ "Since (or: If), therefore, David is normally calling Him, 'Lord (Master), 'how does He exist being His 'Son'?""

⁴⁶ No one had power or ability to give a word or thought in considered response to Him, neither did anyone – from that day – dare (or: have courage) to any longer put a question to Him."

23

¹ At that time, Jesus speaks to the crowds – as well as to His disciples – then saying,"

² "The scribes (scholars; theologians; experts in the Law [Torah]) sit upon Moses' seat."

³ "Therefore, you people be constantly doing and keeping (observing; maintaining) everything – as many things as they should tell you. But do not continue doing or performing according to their works or actions, for you see, they are habitually 'saying,' and yet they are not doing or performing (= they are 'all talk and no action')."

⁴ "So they habitually tie up and bind heavy loads (or: burdensome cargos), and then constantly place [these] as an addition upon the shoulders of people (or: mankind) – yet they, themselves, are not willing to budge or put them in motion with their finger (or: = to 'lift a finger' to help carry them)!"

⁵ "Still, they are habitually doing all their works (or: performing all their acts) for the purpose of being viewed and gazed at by people (= their conduct is to attract public attention). You see, they habitually make their phylacteries (protective amulets: small boxes worn on themselves which encase certain Scripture verses; used to safeguard themselves) broad, and are normally enlarging the hems and borders [of their garments], as well as lengthening the fringe or corner tassels [as a reminder to keep the commandments]."

⁶ "Now they like the most prominent places of reclining during the evening meals (or: = the places of honor at banquets) and the front seats in the synagogues,"

⁷ "as well as the formal salutations within the marketplaces, and [just love] to be called 'Rabbi' (Heb. = my master, or, great one; used for teachers; equivalent to our 'Dr.') by people."

⁸ "But you folks should not be called 'Rabbi,' because One is your Teacher! Now you people all exist being brothers,"

⁹ "and you folks should not call [anyone] on the earth your father, because you see, One is your Father: the heavenly One (the One having the character and qualities of the atmosphere and heaven)!"

¹⁰ "Neither should you people be called leaders or guides, because One exists being your Leader and Guide: the Anointed One (the Christ; = the Messiah)!"

¹¹ "Now the greatest (= most prominent or highest ranking) among you will continue being your attending servant,"

¹² "So, whoever shall exalt (= promote) himself will be progressively humbled and brought low, and whoever shall humble himself (bring or make himself low; = demote and make himself of little significance) will continue being lifted up and exalted (= promoted)."

¹³ "And so, tragic will be the fate for you, scribes (scholars; theologians; Law experts) and Pharisees – [you] overly critical and perverse folks who make decisions from a low point of view [see: 6:2, above]! – because you consistently shut and lock up the reign of the heavens in front of mankind (or: the sovereign rule of the atmospheres, which is in the presence of people; or: the activity and influence of the realm of the sky and heaven which is resident within, and moves toward, humans; or: the kingdom moving from within the midst and face to face with people). For you, yourselves habitually do not enter, nor yet are you by practice allowing (or: letting flow on) those repeatedly coming into [your realm of influence] to continue to go in."

¹⁴ [This vs. is omitted by Nestle-Aland, W&H, Tasker, and Panin; Griesbach makes it vs. 13, and brackets, as 14, vs. 13, above; it is absent in the early codices; it is included in the Byzantine/Majority text (TR), based only upon later MSS: "It will be a tragic fate for you, scribes and Pharisees – hupokrites (see 6:2, above)! For you constantly consume (eat down; devour; swallow up) the houses belonging to widows (or: the households of widows), and then continue praying a long [time], for a disguise (as a pretext). Because of this you will receive a more abundant effect of judgment.]"

¹⁵ "It will be a tragic fate for you, scribes and Pharisees – perverse scholars who live by separation and have all the answers [see 6:2, above]! Because you habitually go around the sea and dry [land] to make one convert (proselyte), and whenever he may become (should be birthed) [one], you proceed making him a son of the valley of Hinnom (= a person having the character and qualities of a city dump, or a part of a refuse depository [Greek: Gehenna]) twice as much as yourselves."

¹⁶ "It will be a tragic fate for you, blind guides of the way and leaders on the path, folks who are constantly saying, 'Whoever should lay hold of a sacred object in the Temple (or: swear within, or in union with, the Temple), it is nothing (= it does not matter). Yet whoever should lay hold of the gold of the Temple, as a sacred object (or: swear an oath pertaining to a connection with the gold of the Temple), he continues indebted and is owing [it].'"

¹⁷ "[You are] senseless morons (stupid folks), as well as blind ones! For which is greater: the gold, or the Temple which is setting apart and consecrating the gold?"

¹⁸ "Further, [you say], 'Whoever grabs hold of the altar as a sacred object (or: Whoever may swear an oath in connection with the altar), it means nothing. Yet, whoever should lay hold of the gift (or: may swear an oath in connection with the offering) which is on top of it, he continues indebted and is owing [it].'"

¹⁹ "Senseless morons and blind ones! You see, which one [is] more important (greater): the gift (offering), or the altar which is constantly setting the gift (the offering) apart and consecrating [it]?"

²⁰ "Therefore, the person laying hold of the altar for a religious purpose (or: swearing an oath in conjunction with the altar), continues holding onto it (or: swearing in relation to it) as well as in union with all the things which are on top of it."

²¹ "Also, the person holding onto something in the Temple, or swearing in union with it, continues to hold onto it – or swearing in its midst – and also to, and in union with, the one making His home down in (dwelling in; inhabiting) it."

²² "Further, the one taking hold of something within heaven (or: in union with the atmosphere, sky or outer space), or swearing in its midst, continues to hold onto, and is swearing in the presence of, God's throne, as well as the One constantly sitting on top of it. [comment: the term heaven refers figuratively to the Temple; the ark was "God's throne"]"

²³ "O the tragic fate by (or: for; with) you folks – scholars, theologians and experts in the Scriptures and [the] Pharisees – [you] under-discerning folks who live by close inspection of minor details [see 6:3, above]: [it is] that you habitually give away a tenth (or: tithe back) from the mint and the dill and the cummin, and yet you abandon and let flow away the weightier (= more important) matters of the Law [= Torah]: the justice (equity; fairly evaluated decisions), the mercy, and the trust (the faith; the faithfulness and the fidelity; the reliance and the reliability; the confidence). Now these things it continued being binding and necessary [for you] to do and perform – and not to abandon (send away; set aside) those things!"

²⁴ "Blind 'guides and leaders' of the way: constantly filtering and straining [out] the gnat, yet habitually gulping (drinking; swallowing) down a camel!"

²⁵ "How tragic is the fate in you people – scribes (scholars, etc.) and Pharisees: overly-critical interpreters [see 6:2, above]! For you folks are habitually cleansing the outside of the cup and of the fine side dish – yet inside they continuously contain a full load from snatching (plunder; pillage; = the fruits of forceful greed) and lack of strength (or: self-indulgence)."

²⁶ "Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and of the fine side dish – so that its outside can also come to be (be birthed) clean!"

²⁷ "Tragic will be the fate of you Law scholars and Pharisees – you who recite a front of your own opinions and answers (or: overly-critical folks; [see 6:2, above])! [It will be] because you continue closely resembling whitewashed (i.e., smeared or plastered with lime) tombs (sepulchers; grave sites), which indeed, from outside, continue being made to appear in the prime of beauty, for a time – yet inside they contain a full load of bones of dead folks, as well as every uncleanness."

²⁸ "In this way you, yourselves, also on the one hand are continually made to outwardly appear to people [to be] just (fair, righteous, in right relationships, and in accord with the way pointed out) – yet inside you continuously exist being men glutted and distended, full of opinionated answers (or: perverse detail-oriented scholarship; hyper-criticism and judgmentalism; well-sifted wicked interpretations) and lawlessness (= practice which is contrary to the Law [Torah])."

²⁹ "It will be a tragic fate for you, theologians (scholars of the Law) and Pharisees [who are also] overly judging and critical [see 6:2, above]. Because, [you see], you are repeatedly building the tombs (sepulchers) of the prophets, and are constantly adorning and decorating the memorial grave monuments of just and rightwised folks,"

³⁰ "and you are habitually saying, 'If we had been existing in the days of our fathers (= ancestors), we would not have been participants (partners; ones who shared in common and took part) in [spilling] the blood of the prophets.'"

³¹ "As a result, you are continually giving evidence in yourselves (testifying to and for yourselves) that you exist being sons of those that were murdering the prophets,"

³² "And so, you, yourselves... Fill full the measure of your fathers!"

³³ "[You] snakes! [You] offspring (brood) of vipers (poisonous serpents)! How can you flee and escape from the judging which has the qualities, character and significance of the valley of Hinnom (= the sentence to the city dump [Greek: Gehenna]; the deciding which pertains to the waste depository of the city)?"

³⁴ "Because of this – look and consider! – I, Myself, am continuing in commissioning and sending off to you people prophets, wise people and scholars (scribes; theologians of the Law). Of them, [some] you folks will proceed to be killing, and [some] you will proceed to crucify (put to death on stakes). Further, of them [some] you people will continue severely whipping (scourge; lash) within your synagogues, and then you, yourselves, will continue pursuing and persecuting [them] from city to city (or: town to town),"

³⁵ "so that upon you, yourselves, can (or: should) come all [the] just (equitable; rightwised) blood being continuously poured out (or: spilled) upon the Land – from the blood of rightwised (just; fair; in-right-relationship) Abel, until the blood of Zechariah, the son of Barachiah (or: Baruch), whom you people murdered between the Temple and the altar."

³⁶ "Assuredly, I am now saying to you people, it will progressively move toward this point, and then arrive – all these things! – upon this generation!"

³⁷ "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem! The one repeatedly killing the prophets, and habitually stoning the people sent off with a mission to her. How many times (or: How often) I wanted (intended; purposed; longed) to progressively gather your children together upon [Myself] in the manner in which a hen normally gathers her chicks together under [her] wings – and you did not want [it] (or: you do not intend [it])."

³⁸ "Look, and think about this! ‘Your House is progressively left [to be] a wilderness (desert; desolate place) for you people (or: is now abandoned to you).’ [Jer. 22:5]"

³⁹ "You see, I now say to you, you should by no means perceive (or: see) Me from this time on, until you folks should at some point say, 'The One periodically coming in [the] Lord's [= Yahweh's] Name is One having been given – and still having – words of ease and wellness (or: having been given the Blessing)!'" [Ps. 118:26]"

24

¹ Later, upon going out from the Temple courts, Jesus was proceeding on His way, and then His disciples approached to additionally point out and show to Him the buildings of the Temple complex."

² Yet He, giving a decided response, says to them, "You are not looking at all these things, are you (or: Do you not observe all this)? Truly (or: Count on it; or: Assuredly), I am now saying to you folks, there can under no circumstances be a stone left or allowed to be upon [another] stone which will not be progressively loosed down to bring utter destruction.""

³ Now later, during His continued sitting on the Mount of Olives, His disciples approached Him, privately (in accord with His being in His own space and place), saying in turn, "Tell us, when will these things proceed in being, and what [is] the sign pertaining to Your presence, as well as (or: even) the combination of parts to one end (or: the bringing to one end together; the combined consummation; the joint, final act) of the age?""

⁴ Then making a discerning reply, Jesus says to them, "You men be constantly looking, seeing, and staying alert, [so that] nothing and no one can mislead or should deceive you folks."

⁵ "You see, many people will be coming, upon [association with; the basis of, or, the supposed authority of; on the reference to] My name, one after another saying, 'I, myself, am the anointed one (or: the Christ;),' and they will be leading astray and deceiving many people."

⁶ "Now, you men [= the disciples who had come to Him privately] will be at the point to be repeatedly hearing [the noise of] battles and wars, as well as news of battles and reports or rumors of wars – each time see to it that you men are not disturbed, thrown into disorder, or terrified by the commotion, outcries or uproar. You see, it remains necessary for such to be birthed and to occur. However, it is not yet the destined end – the closing act of the goal (the consummation; the final fruition, completion and perfection [of the plan])."

⁷ "For you see, [one] ethnic group (or: a nation) will be caused to progressively rise up upon [another] ethnic group (or: a nation) – even [one] kingdom upon [another] kingdom (or: a reign upon a reign) – and there will continue being famines [later MSS add: plagues (or: troublesome times)] and earthquakes down in [various] places (or: districts)."

⁸ "Yet all these things [are but] a beginning of birth pangs [note: = travail to birth something {new}; also: = a time of distress]."

⁹ "At that time people will be repeatedly handing you men over into pressure (squeezing; tribulation; affliction), and then, they will, one after another, kill you. Further, you will continue being men that are repeatedly treated with ill-will, and constantly hated by all the ethnic multitudes (or: the nations) – because of My Name."

¹⁰ "Also at that time, many people will be repeatedly trapped by taking the bait of the snare, or tripping over the trap-stick, and so, they will proceed in turning one another over [to the authorities or enemies] and betray each other, as well as hating one another or treating each other with ill-will."

¹¹ "Also, many false prophets will proceed in being raised up and they will be progressively leading many folks astray, deceiving them and causing them to wander."

¹² "Then further, because the lawlessness is to be multiplied and increased, the majority of the people's love (or: the love of many folks; = acceptance from the masses) will be progressively caused to blow cold (or: will continue cooling off from the Breath blowing on it)."

¹³ "Now [as to] the person remaining under [all this] and enduring unto [the] purposed goal (or: into a final, destined act), this one will be repeatedly rescued and delivered (or: continuously kept safe)."

¹⁴ "Furthermore, this good news which pertains to the reign (or: this message of goodness, ease and wellness which belongs to and comes sovereign action and influence of the kingdom) will be progressively publicly proclaimed within the whole inhabited area (or: the Hellenistic world, as opposed to barbarian lands; or: = the Roman Empire) – [leading] into a witness and evidence for all the ethnic multitudes (or: unto a testimony among all the nations), and at that point the purposed goal will proceed having arrived and continue here (or: and at that time the final act will have progressively come, and its product will continue being here; or: and so then the destined end will be progressively arriving)."

¹⁵ "Therefore, whenever you men can see (or: may perceive) ‘the effect of the loathing and nauseating [event; condition; thing; situation] from the desolation (or: the result from the abhorring abomination associated with, or which causes, the devastation and abandonment; or: the resulting effect of the desecration, which is an act of ruining, forsaking and leaving uninhabited like a desert),’ that was being spoken through Daniel the prophet, standing ‘within the midst of a set-apart place (or: [the] holy place) ’ [Dan. 9:27; 11:31; 12:11] – let the person presently reading continue to use his mind and intellect for the comprehension [of this] (= figure out what this means!) –"

¹⁶ "at that time, let the people within the midst of Judea progressively escape (flee; take flight) into the hills and mountains."

¹⁷ "Let the person upon the housetop (roof) not descend (= go downstairs) to pick up or carry away the things (= his possessions) from out of his house,"

¹⁸ "and let not the one in the midst of the field turn back behind to pick up his cloak (= to get a coat or outer garment)."

¹⁹ "Now it will progressively be a difficult or tragic time for the pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days!"

²⁰ "So you folks be progressively taking thought toward having ease, speaking for well-being and take action to have goodness (or: be praying) – to the end that your escape (flight) may not happen (occur) in a winter or rainy season, nor yet on a sabbath."

²¹ "You see, ‘at that time there will be great pressure (squeezing; compression; affliction; tribulation) of the sort that has not happened (occurred; been birthed; come to be) from [the] beginning of [this] ordered arrangement (system; adorned order; systematic disposition; world) until now – neither under any circumstances could it have occurred (happened; come to be).’ [Joel 2:2; Dan. 12:1]"

²² "Furthermore, if those days were not curtailed (or: except those days be cut short), no flesh (= people) [at] all would likely be rescued (delivered; kept safe). Yet, because of the picked out and chosen folks, those days will proceed being curtailed (cut short)."

²³ "At that time, if anyone should say to you folks, 'Look! Here [is] the Anointed One (or: the anointing; or: the Christ; or: = the Messiah)!' Or, 'There [He/it is]!' – you folks should not trust or believe [it]."

²⁴ "For you see, false christs (or: false anointings; phony anointed ones; = counterfeit messiahs) will one after another be raised up, and they will continue giving (presenting; = performing) great signs and miracles (amazing things; wonders) so as to continuously mislead (deceive; cause to wander; lead astray) – if able (if in [their] power; or: since [it is] possible) – even the picked out and chosen folks."

²⁵ "Look and remember – I have already said [this] before to you folks (or: Look, and consider – I have told you beforehand and have forewarned you people)."

²⁶ "Therefore, if they should say to you folks, 'Look! He is within the desert (wilderness; desolate place),' you should not go out, [or], 'Look! [He is] within the inner chambers (interior rooms; storehouses; barns; closets),' you should not put your trust in [it] or believe [them]."

²⁷ "You see, just as the brightness (the brilliant beam; the bright shining) is habitually and progressively coming forth from [the] rising in the eastern parts [= a figure of the sunrise] and then is progressively and habitually shining and giving light as far as [the] western parts (or: until the [recurring] settings), in this way will proceed being the presence of the Son of the Man (the Son from humanity; = Adam's son; or: = the eschatological Messianic figure; the Human Being)."

²⁸ "Wherever the carcass (corpse) may be, the vultures (or: eagles) will be progressively led together and gathered."

²⁹ "Now immediately after the pressure (constriction; tribulation) of those [particular] days, ‘the sun will be progressively made dark and the moon will not continue giving its (or: her) diffused radiance,’ [Isa. 13:10; Ezk. 32:7; Joel 2:10] and then the stars will, one after another, be falling from the sky (or: heaven) – ‘and so, the powers and abilities of the heavens will be progressively shaken (agitated; stirred up; made to rock so as to be ready to fall).’ [Isa. 34:4; Hag. 2:6, 21]"

³⁰ "And at that time, the 'sign' which is the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the son who has the [true] character and qualities of humanity; or: = the expected Messianic figure; the Human Being) will be made progressively visible (be brought to light and made to shine), in union with heaven (or: within the midst of [the] atmosphere), and at that point ‘all the tribes of the land (or: earth) will continue beating themselves (= a figure of striking one's breast in grief and remorse; or: as when grain is being threshed; or: give themselves to wearisome toil; or: cut themselves off, as when harvesting grain),’ [Zech. 12:10, 14] and they will proceed in seeing for themselves ‘the Son of the Man progressively coming upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky),’ [Dan. 7:13-14] with power and ability, as well as much glory (= many manifestations which call forth praise; an extensive good reputation)."

³¹ "And then He will continue sending His agents (messengers; folks with the message) off on a mission ‘with a great trumpet (perhaps: = a large shofar; or: = a loud trumpet blast; [note: a figure of a publicly proclaimed message or instruction]),’ [Isa. 27:13] and they will progressively be fully (or: additionally) gathering together His picked out and chosen folks from out of the four winds – from [the] heavens' (or: atmospheres') extremities: until their farthest points (= from the four quarters of the land, from one end of the sky to the other)!"

³² "Now learn the [point of the] illustration (parable) from the fig tree: Whenever its branch may already come to be tender (= in bud), and the leaves can progressively produce and sprout out, you normally know by experience that the summer [is] near."

³³ "You folks, yourselves, in this way – whenever you men may see and can perceive all these [aforementioned] things – be also then knowing that it is near (at hand, close enough to touch), [come] upon the gates (or: doors)!"

³⁴ "It is true (Amen; Truly; Count on it), I now say to you folks, that this generation can by no means pass by until all these things can happen (should occur; may be come to be)."

³⁵ "The heaven and the earth (or: The atmosphere and sky, as well as the land,) will pass on by, yet My thoughts and words (or: ideas and messages) can by no means pass on by."

³⁶ "Now concerning that day and hour, no one has seen or known – neither the folks with the message from the heavens (or: agents of the atmospheres; messengers who pertain to, or which are, the heavens), nor even the Son – only the Father [being] the exception."

³⁷ "For you see, even as [it was in] the days of Noah, thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the son who is human; = the eschatological Messianic figure)."

³⁸ "For as people kept on being (or: habitually were) within those days – the ones before the down-wash (the deluge; the flood; the cataclysm) – habitually eating and drinking; by custom marrying and by habit giving (or: taking) in marriage, up to the day in which Noah entered into the ark;"

³⁹ "and they did not know (were not aware; took no note of the situation) until the down-wash (deluge; flood; cataclysm) came and washed [the] whole population away (or: picked up all [the] people to sweep [them] away) – thus (in this same way) will progressively be the presence of the Son of the Man!"

⁴⁰ "At that time two folks will continue being within the midst of the field: one man is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one man is repeatedly left alone to flow on his way (or: continues on pardoned [with his debts] forgiven; or: is being sent away, allowed to continue relaxing while permitted to depart)."

⁴¹ "Two women are continuing to grind grain into meal and flour, within the mill (or: in the midst [of working] the millstone): one woman is being taken in hand (seized) and drawn to the side, and yet one woman is repeatedly left alone to continue [in her work] (or: pardoned; sent away; forgiven; etc., as in vs. 40)."

⁴² "Therefore, you folks stay constantly awake, be ever alert, and continue watchful, because you have not seen, nor do you thus know, in what sort of day your Owner (Lord) is in the habit of coming (or: for what kind of day your Master repeatedly comes)."

⁴³ "Yet you are progressively coming to know that by experience (or, as an imperative: Now be personally knowing that, through normal experience), because if the householder had seen and known in what sort of watch (= which of the watches) [of the night] the thief is normally coming, he would have kept awake, remained alert and kept watchful, and then he would not let (permit) his house to be dug (or: tunneled) through."

⁴⁴ "Because of this, you yourselves progressively come to be ready and prepared as well, because at an hour for (= about) which you are not normally thinking (imagining; supposing; = expecting), the Son of the Man (= the eschatological Messiah figure; humanity's son) is normally (or: repeatedly) coming."

⁴⁵ "Who, consequently (or: really), is the faithful (trustworthy; loyal) and thoughtful (prudent; sensible; discreet; considerate) slave whom the owner (lord; master) set down upon (or: = places in full control over) his household servants (domestics) [with the directive] to give to them nourishment within a fitting situation (or: sustenance at the appointed time; food in season)?"

⁴⁶ "That slave is happy and blessed whom his owner (lord; master), upon at some point coming, will proceed in finding [him or her] habitually doing thus."

⁴⁷ "Truly (Amen; It is so), I am now saying to you folks, that he will proceed in setting him down upon (or: = place him in full control over) all his possessions and things by which he normally subsists."

⁴⁸ "But if that worthless (ugly; bad quality) slave should say within his heart, 'My owner (master; lord) continually delays and fails [to come] for a long time,'"

⁴⁹ "and then should start to repeatedly beat his fellow slaves, and may be eating and drinking with the people regularly getting drunk,"

⁵⁰ "the owner (lord; master) of that slave will be arriving on a day in which he is not normally anticipating, and within an hour which he is not usually knowing,"

⁵¹ "and so he will proceed to be cutting him in two [hyperbole for: severely punish; or, metaphor: cut him off from employment] and then he will proceed putting (placing; setting) his part with the perverse, opinionated scholars who have all the answers and are hyper-critical and overly judgmental [hupokrites; see 6:2, above]. The weeping, moaning and the grinding of the teeth will continue being in that place and situation."

25

¹ "At that time, the reign of the heavens (or: the heavens' kingdom; the sovereign rule and influence from the atmospheres) will continue being considered like (or: caused to resemble; or: compared to) ten virgins (unmarried girls) who, upon taking (getting) their lamps (or: torches), went out into the bridegroom's [D and other MSS add: and the bride's] meeting."

² "Now five of them were foolish (stupid; mentally dull), and five [were] thoughtful and prudent."

³ "You see, the foolish and stupid maidens, in taking their lamps (or: torches), did not take oil with them,"

⁴ "whereas the thoughtful and prudent ladies (or: girls) did take oil within the flasks (or: crocks; receptacles) with their personal lamps (or: torches)."

⁵ "Now with the continued passing of time during [the; a] delaying of the bridegroom, they all became drowsy, nodded off, and then continued fast asleep."

⁶ "So, in the middle of [the] night, a shout had occurred, 'Look! The bridegroom! Be proceeding to now go forth into [the] meeting [other MSS: his meeting]!'"

⁷ "At that point all those virgins (girls) were awakened and then at once put their lamps in order (or: trimmed and adjusted their torches)."

⁸ "Now the foolish maidens said to the prudent ladies, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps (torches) are being progressively run dry and extinguished (put out)!'"

⁹ "But the thoughtful and prudent ladies gave a discerning and decided reply, [each] saying, 'Not at this time. There would in no way be enough for [both] us and you folks as well. Instead, be going now on your way to the merchants (the folks normally selling [oil]) and at once buy for yourselves [at the market].'"

¹⁰ "So, during their going off to make a purchase (to buy), the bridegroom came, and the ladies who were prepared and ready entered in with him into the wedding festivities (or: marriage feast), and then the gate was shut and barred (or: the door was closed and locked)."

¹¹ "Now subsequently the rest (remainder) of the virgins are finally coming as well, [as a group] saying, 'O sir! Sir! (or: Master! Master!) Open up at once to (or: for) us!'"

¹² "But the person [answering the door], making a discerning reply, said, 'I now say in truth to you folks, I have not seen you nor am I presently acquainted with you people.'"

¹³ "Therefore, stay awake and be constantly alert and watchful, because you people have not seen or known [either] the day, nor yet the hour!"

¹⁴ "You know, [it is] just as a person [who is] periodically (or: presently about to be) traveling abroad calls (or: summoned) his own slaves and turns over to them his possessions (or: and then gave over to them [control of] the goods and property normally being his subsistence)."

¹⁵ "He also, on the one hand, gave to one five talents [= thirty thousand silver coins (denarii); = one hundred years' wages], yet to another, two [talents], and then to another, one [talent; = six thousand denarii] – to each one according to his own ability. And then he traveled abroad."

¹⁶ "Now the one receiving the five talents, immediately proceeding on his way, puts them to work in trading and gains (or: made a profit of) another five talents (= doubled his investments)."

¹⁷ "And similarly, the person [being given] the two, further gains (or: made a profit of) another two."

¹⁸ "Yet the one receiving the one [talent], upon going off (or: coming away), digs a hole in the ground and hides his owner's silver [coins]."

¹⁹ "Now after much time [had passed], the owner (master; lord) of those slaves proceeds in coming, and then takes up a joint discussion with them, proceeding to settle the accounting."

²⁰ "And thus, upon approaching, the person receiving the five talents brought to [him] five other talents, then saying, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me five talents. Look! I gained five other talents by them!'"

²¹ "The owner affirms to him, 'Well [done] (or: Excellent)! [You are] a good and trustworthy (loyal; faithful) slave. You were faithful and trustworthy (or: full of faith and trust) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= with responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's (master's) joy (or: into the state of the joy of your lord; = Come to my celebration)!'"

²² "Now also coming forward, the person receiving the two talents said, 'Master, you turned over (committed) to me two talents. Look! I gained two other talents by them!'"

²³ "The owner affirms to him, 'Excellent (Well [done])! [You are] a good and trusting (or: loyal; faithful) slave. You were full of faith and trust (or: faithful and trustworthy) upon [the matter of] a few things; I will proceed to place you (set you down; appoint you) upon (= give you responsibility for) many things. Enter at once into your owner's joy!'"

²⁴ "Now also approaching, the one having received the one talent said, 'O master, I knew by experience that you are a hard (rough; = tough and stern) man, constantly harvesting (habitually reaping) where you do (or: did) not sow seed, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where you do (or: did) not fully scatter and disperse [the chaff] (= winnow)."

²⁵ "'And so, being fearful (or: made afraid), upon going off I hid your talent (= silver) within the ground (earth; or: the Land). Look! You continue having what is yours!'"

²⁶ "Yet, giving a decisive reply, his owner said to him, '[You] worthless (incompetent) and hesitating (slothful; sluggish) slave! Had you seen, so as to be aware, that I am constantly harvesting where I do not sow, and repeatedly collecting and gathering together from places where I do not fully scatter (= winnow)?"

²⁷ "'It was therefore binding (necessary) for you to at once deposit my silver (= money) with the bankers (or: money-changers!) – and then upon coming I, myself, could likely recover that which is my own together with offspring (a birthed yield; = interest)."

²⁸ "'Therefore, you men at once take the talent away from him, and then give [it] to the one now holding (presently having) the ten talents.'"

²⁹ "– You see, to everyone habitually possessing (having and holding), it will continue being given, and, he will continue being made to superabound (be surrounded with excess); yet from the person not habitually possessing (having or holding), even that which he is currently holding will proceed in being taken away from him –"

³⁰ "'And now, you men at once throw the useless slave out into the darkness (dim obscurity and gloominess) which is farther outside. In that place there will continue being the weeping (or: lamenting) and the grinding of the teeth.'"

³¹ "Now whenever the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the eschatological messianic figure; = the representative human) may come within His manifestation which calls forth praise (His glory; His good reputation) – as well as all the [other MSS add: set-apart (holy)] agents (folks with the message; messengers) with Him – at that time He will proceed sitting down upon a throne which has the quality and character of His praise-inducing manifestation (or: which has His glory as its source; or: which is His glory; or: which pertains to His good reputation)."

³² "And next, all the ethnic multitudes (or: nations; people groups) will be progressively collected and gathered together in front of Him, and then He will continue marking off boundaries and separating them from one another, just as the shepherd is habitually separating [as in separate pens or groups] the sheep away from the kids (the immature goats). [note: this is something habitually done; both groups are clean animals, were used in sacrifices, and are a part of the shepherd's herd]"

³³ "And so, He will continue making the sheep, on the one hand, to stand at [places to] His right [note: the place of power and receiving], yet on the other hand, the kids (immature goats) at [places to His] left."

³⁴ "At that time (or: point), the King (or: Reigning One) will proceed saying to the folks at [the places to] His right, 'Come here, you folks having received words of ease and wellness from (or: spoken well of by; or: having received the blessing of; or: bearing thoughts, ideas, expressions and the Word of goodness from) My Father! At once come into possession of the inheritance of, and enjoy the allotment of, [the period of, place of, or realm of] the reign (or: kingdom; influence and activity of sovereignty) having been prepared and made ready from a founding (a casting down [as of a foundation; or: of seed]) of a system (or: of [the] adorned arrangement; of an arranged order; of [the] world)."

³⁵ "You see, I was hungry (or: I hunger) and you folks gave (or: give) to Me [something] to eat; I was thirsty (or: I thirst), and you folks gave [something for] (or: cause) Me to drink; I was existing being a foreigner (or: stranger), and you people gathered Me together [with you] (= showed Me hospitality and oneness with your group);"

³⁶ " [I was/am] naked, and you people clothed (or: clothe) Me; I fell sick (or: become weak), and you folks carefully looked upon (or: = visit and look out for; took oversight of) Me; [I was/am] in prison (or: jail), and you came to Me (or: come and set your face on Me)."

³⁷ "At that point, the fair, just and rightwised folks who live in right relationship within the Way pointed out will proceed giving a considered response to Him, [together] saying, 'O Lord (Master), when did we see You continuing hungry, and we nourished [You], or continuing thirsty, and we gave [something for] (or: caused) [You] to drink?"

³⁸ "'And when did we see You a foreigner (or: stranger) and we gathered [You] and showed [You] hospitality, or naked and we clothed [You]?"

³⁹ "'Now when did we see You continuing sick and weak or in prison (or: jail), and we came to You?'"

⁴⁰ "And then, giving a decided reply, the King will proceed saying to them, 'I am truly now saying to (or: It is true, I now tell) you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) and perform(ed) [it] to (or: for) one of these belonging to the least of My brothers (used collectively: = the members of My family; or: = those of My group or brotherhood), you did and perform [it] to and for Me!'"

⁴¹ "At that point, He will also proceed saying to those at the places on [His] left, ' [You] folks having been brought under the curse, continue proceeding on your way, away from Me, into the eonian fire (or: fire for an undetermined period of time; the fire which comes with the Age [of Messiah]; the fire pertaining to and having its source in the Age; the age-lasting fire; the fire having the quality and characteristics of the Age) – the one having been prepared and made ready in (or: by; with; for) the person who thrusts [something] through [folks] (the adversary; one who casts [something] through the midst and causes division; the 'devil') as well as in (or: by; with; for) his agents (messengers)."

⁴² "'You see, I was hungry (or: I hunger) and you folks did (or: do) not give to Me [something] to eat; I was thirsty (or: I thirst), and you folks did not give [something for] (or: do not cause) Me to drink."

⁴³ "'I was existing being a foreigner (or: stranger), and you people did (or: do) not gather Me together [with you] (= showed Me hospitality and oneness with your group); [I was/am] naked, and you did (or: do) not clothe Me; [I was/am] sick, weak and in prison (or: jail), and you folks did (or: do) not carefully look upon (or: = visit and look out for or take oversight of) Me.'"

⁴⁴ "At that point they will also proceed giving a considered response, one after another saying, 'O Lord (Master), when did we see you continuing hungry or thirsty, or a foreigner (a stranger) or naked, or weak and sick, or in prison (or: jail), and did not give You attending service (= perform as a deacon for You)?'"

⁴⁵ "At that time, He will continue making a decisive reply, continuing in saying to them, 'Truly (or: It is True; Amen), I now say to you folks, Upon such an amount (or: = To the extent) that you did (or: do) [it] not to (or: for) one of these least folks, neither did (or: do) you do [it] to (or: for) Me.'"

⁴⁶ "And so, these folks will continue going off (or: coming away) into an eonian pruning (a lopping-off which lasts for an undetermined length of time; an age-lasting correction and rehabilitation; a pruning which brings betterment and which has its source and character in the Age; a cutting off during the ages), yet the fair, just and rightwised folks who are in right relationship with people and are in accord with the Way pointed out [continue going off or coming away] into eonian life (life which has its source and character in the Age [of the Messiah]; life pertaining to the Age; or: the life of and for the ages)."

26

¹ And so, when Jesus finished (concluded) all these sayings (expressed thoughts; words; messages; discourses), it occurred [that] He said to His disciples,"

² "You folks have observed and so know that after two days (= two days from now) the Passover is happening (or: is progressing in occurrence), and so the Son of the Man (= Adam's Son; = the eschatological messianic figure; the representative human) is presently going through the process of being turned over [leading] into the [situation for Him] to be put to death upon an execution stake (or: crucified).""

³ About that time the chief (or: ranking) priests and the elders (or: the older [Jewish] men [at least some being council members of the Sanhedrin, in Jerusalem]) of the people [of Israel, the Jews] had been gathered together into the courtyard of the high (chief; ranking) priest – the one being usually called Caiaphas."

⁴ And so they consulted together (jointly deliberated with a view to a consensus) to the end that with bait (or: by a contrivance for entrapping) they could at once forcibly lay hold of and arrest Jesus, and then kill Him off."

⁵ However, one after another, they kept on saying, "Not during the festival (Feast), so that no riot (or: uproar; outcry) may happen among the people!""

⁶ Now when Jesus was happening to be in Bethany, within [the] house of Simon the leper,"

⁷ there came to Him a woman holding an alabaster jar (or: vase; flask) of very expensive perfumed oil (aromatic juices distilled from trees), and she suddenly poured it down upon His head while [He] continued reclining [at a meal]."

⁸ Now on seeing [this], the disciples became annoyed (or: resentful; indignant; angry), [various ones] saying, in turn, "Why (or: Unto what [purpose is]) this waste (or: loss; destruction; ruin)?"

⁹ "For this was able to be sold for a lot [of money] and then given to the destitute folks and beggars!""

¹⁰ So Jesus, coming to know [their feelings and point of view], says to them, "Why are you men continuing to present this woman with a [verbal and emotional] beating (or: make wearisome trouble for the woman)? You see, she performed a beautiful act unto Me (or: she worked an ideal deed into Me)."

¹¹ "For you folks continue always having the poor with yourselves, yet you are not always continuing to have Me."

¹² "After all, by spilling this perfumed oil upon My body, she, herself, did [it] with a view toward the preparation of Me for burial (or: she of herself performs the preparation [leading] towards My burial)."

¹³ "Truly, I now am saying to you folks, wherever this good news (this message of ease, goodness and well-being) may be publicly proclaimed within the whole ordered System (world; arranged order of both the religious and the secular), that which she (or: this woman) did will also be repeatedly spoken into a memorial relating to her (or: will also continue being told in memory of her).""

¹⁴ At about that time, one of the twelve – the person normally called Judah (or: Judas) of Iscariot – was going on his way to the chief (or: ranking) priests."

¹⁵ He said, "What are you presently willing to give to me? – and I, myself, will proceed in turning Him over to you men!" “So they stacked up for him thirty silver coins [= the going price for a slave; some MSS read instead: thirty staters (an Attic silver coin, equal in value to the Jewish shekel, or four denarii's)].” [Zech. 11:12]"

¹⁶ And so, from that point on, he kept on seeking a good opportunity for the purpose of turning Him in (or: a suitable situation so that he could hand Him over)."

¹⁷ Now on the first [day] of the [Feast; festival] of The Unleavened (unfermented) Bread (or: flat cakes; matzah), the disciples came to Jesus, [as a group] asking, "Where (or: What place) are you presently desiring and intending [that] we should be preparing and making ready for You to eat 'the Passover'?""

¹⁸ So He said, "Under [these instructions] lead the way and go into the city to so-and-so [note: this may have been a person whose name He did not want to mention], and say to him, 'The Teacher is now saying, "My season (My fitting situation; My appointed encounter; My fertile moment; My 'fullness of time') is near (= close enough to touch). I, with My disciples, am in the process of doing (= celebrating; observing) The Passover with My face toward you (= at your place)."'""

¹⁹ And so, the disciples did as Jesus had co-arranged and placed together in order, and they prepared and made ready The Passover."

²⁰ So late in the day with it coming to be evening, He was reclining [at a meal] with the twelve disciples (students; learners)."

²¹ And during the process of their eating [the meal], He said, "Truly (Count on it; Amen), I am now saying to you folks, that one from among you will proceed turning Me in (hand Me over).""

²² And then, continuing being tremendously pained, caused to be distressed and filled with sorrow, each one commenced to be saying to Him, in turn [or, with p45, D, the Magdalen fragments, and others: each of them, joining in and speaking at once, were saying], "I, myself, am not the one who You mean, am I, Master (Lord)?""

²³ So, giving a decided reply, He said, "The person dipping [his] hand with Me in the bowl – THIS MAN will proceed turning Me in (hand Me over)."

²⁴ "On the one hand, the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; = the representative human; = the eschatological messianic figure) is progressively leading the way under (or: is now going away) – just as (correspondingly as) it has been written about and concerning Him. Yet tragic will be the fate for THAT MAN through whom the Son of the Man is in the process of being turned over. It was continuing being beautiful for Him [i.e., for the Son of the Man] (or: It was being ideal to Him; It was existing fine for Him) – if THAT MAN was not brought to birth (or: had [just] not been born)!""

²⁵ So Judah (or: Judas) – the one in process of turning Him in (handing Him over) – making a discerning response, said , "I, myself, am not the one who You mean, am I, Rabbi (= Teacher)?" He then says to him, "You, yourself, are saying [it].""

²⁶ Now during the progression of their eating [the meal], upon taking the loaf of [unleavened] bread and saying words of ease and wellness (or: speaking blessing [to them]), Jesus broke [it in pieces]. And then at giving [them] to the disciples, He said, "You folks take [it] (or: receive [this]). Eat [it] at once. This is My body (or: This is the body which is Me).""

²⁷ Next, upon taking a [other MSS: the] cup and speaking words about grace and expressing gratitude, He gave [it] to them, while saying, "All you men drink from out of it,"

²⁸ "for you see, this is My blood (or: the blood which is Me), which pertains to the covenant [with other MSS: this is My blood – which is the new arrangement] – the [blood] around (or: encompassing and pertaining to) many [people; peoples], [the blood] continuously (or: presently) being poured out and progressively diffused into a divorce from failures, a forgiveness for mistakes, a dismissal of errors, a release from deviations, and a flowing away of sins!"

²⁹ Yet, I am now saying to you folks that from the present moment I can by no means (or: under no circumstances) drink from out of this product (yield; offspring) of the grapevine, until that day I can habitually drink with you folks in union with My Father's reign (or: within the kingdom of My Father) – whenever it [will be] new in kind, quality and character!" [note: the word "it," being neuter, would refer back to the "product" of the grapevine]"

³⁰ Later, after singing a hymn [= the Hallel: a psalm, or, psalms of praise and thanksgiving], they went out into the Mount of Olives."

³¹ At that time, Jesus went on saying to them, "All you folks will proceed being caught in the snare in union with Me, and will continue being caused to stumble, within this night. You see, it has been written, 'I will proceed smiting (or: striking down) the shepherd and the sheep of the flock will proceed being thoroughly scattered and dispersed.' [Zech. 13;7]"

³² "Yet after the [situation or occasion for] Me to be aroused and raised up (= My resurrection), I will proceed leading the way before you (or: be preceding you folks) into the Galilee [district].""

³³ Now Peter, making a determined response, says to Him, "Even if everyone [else] will proceed being caught in the snare in union with You, and will continue being caused to stumble, I myself will never (not even once) proceed being ensnared or cause to stumble!""

³⁴ And so Jesus affirmed to him, "Of a truth (or: Really; Count on it; Amen), I now am saying to you that within this night – before a rooster crows (or: is to crow; other MSS: the crowing of the cock), you will proceed to disown (renounce) Me three times.""

³⁵ Peter is then saying to Him, "Even if it should continue necessary for me to die together with You, under no circumstances could (or: would; as a future: will) I disown or renounce You." And all the disciples spoke similarly (or: said likewise)."

³⁶ At that time Jesus continues going with them into a spot (or: place; estate; literally: a freehold – piece of ground not subject to allotment, which could be bought and sold) normally being called Gethsemane, and He then is saying to His disciples, "Sit down here, while upon going off there in that place, I can pray.""

³⁷ And then, taking Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along, He began to be progressively pained, distressed and filled with grief – and to continue deeply troubled, depressed and dejected."

³⁸ At that point He lays it out for them, saying, "My soul continues being surrounded by pain and exists encompassed by sorrow and grief – unto the point of death. You men remain here and continue being awake and watchful (alert) with Me."

³⁹ And so, after going forward a little way [other MSS: in approaching (or: moving toward) {a certain spot}], He fell upon His face, continuously praying (thinking and/or speaking concerning [His] well-being) and (or: even) repeatedly saying, "My Father, if it is possible (or: since there is power; if it be able), let this cup pass away (or: go to the side, away) from Me! Nevertheless, more than this, [let it be; it is] not as I continue willing (wanting; intending), but to the contrary, as You [will and intend].""

⁴⁰ Then He proceeds coming toward the disciples, and He is presently finding them continuing fast asleep. So He then says to Peter, "So (or: Thus [is the case]), you folks have no strength to stay awake and watch with Me [for] one hour."

⁴¹ "You folks continue awake and keep on watching. And continue praying to the end that you folks may not enter into a test (a trial; a putting to the proof). On the one hand the spirit [is] eager (the attitude [can be] the first to rush forward with passion); on the other hand the flesh (= the estranged human nature; the alienated self; the person who has been molded and dominated by the System) [is] without strength (weak and infirm).""

⁴² Again, a second time, going off He prayed, repeatedly saying, "My Father, if this continues impossible (unable) to pass on from Me if I should not (or: unless I should) drink it, let Your will and purpose be birthed and come to be!""

⁴³ Then, going again, He found them continuing fast asleep, for their eyes were ones having been made heavy and continuing weighed down as with a burden."

⁴⁴ And so, leaving them [and] again going away, He prayed a third time saying the same word (or: thought; idea)."

⁴⁵ At that point, He proceeds again coming to the disciples and is then saying to them, "Are you folks continuing sleeping and resting the remaining time? Look! The hour has drawn near and is now close enough to touch – and the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the representative human) is in the process of being turned in (or: handed over) into the hands of folks now making a mistake (or: continuing in falling short of the goal; repeatedly failing to hit the target; being in error; or: of sinners)."

⁴⁶ "Be roused and awakened – get up – let us be going! Look! The person turning Me in (handing Me over) has drawn near and is close enough to touch.""

⁴⁷ And while He was yet speaking – look and consider – Judah (or: Judas), one of the twelve, came, and with him a large crowd wielding swords and wooden implements (clubs; staffs; etc.), [sent] from the chief (ranking) priests and elders (old men) of the people."

⁴⁸ Now the person in process of giving Him over gave a sign to them in saying, "Whomsoever I should kiss – it is He; you men immediately seize and arrest Him.""

⁴⁹ And so, upon immediately coming to Jesus, he says, "Continue rejoicing (= Greetings; Hello), Rabbi," and then he gave Him an intense (or: prolonged, exaggerated) kiss."

⁵⁰ So Jesus said to him, "My good fellow (or: O comrade!; Dear friend), upon what [purpose; errand] are you now being present here beside [Me] (= why do you cause this parousia)?" At that point, upon approaching, they laid [their] hands upon Jesus and seized Him."

⁵¹ And then – look and consider! – one of the men with Jesus, in stretching forth [his] hand, drew away his large knife (or: short sword) and, striking the slave of the high (chief; ranking) priest, took off his ear."

⁵² At that point Jesus is saying to him, "Turn away (= Return) your knife (or: sword) into its place. You see, all those taking [up] a knife (or: sword) will proceed in destroying themselves in union with a knife (or: sword)."

⁵³ "Or, are you continually imagining or supposing that I am not constantly able (or: that I do not habitually have power) to at once call My Father to My side for assistance, and He will right now place by Me (or: furnish for Me; put at My disposal) more than twelve legions [= regiments; a legion was 6000 foot soldiers plus 120 on horse, plus auxiliaries] of agents?"

⁵⁴ "How then could (or: would) the Scriptures be fulfilled that in this way it continues binding and necessary to happen (take place; come to be; occur)?""

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowds, "You folks come out as upon a robber (highwayman) or an insurrectionist – with knives, swords, staffs and clubs – to jointly seize (or: apprehend) Me. Daily I used to habitually sit facing you men within the Temple grounds, constantly teaching, and you did not take hold of Me (= lift a hand against Me or attempt to arrest Me)."

⁵⁶ "Yet this whole [affair] has come to be (has happened) so that the Scriptures of the prophets would (or: could) be fulfilled." At this point His disciples – everyone abandoning Him – took flight (or: fled; made escape)."

⁵⁷ Now those having a strong grip on Jesus led Him away to Caiaphas, the high (chief) priest, where the scribes (theologians and scholars of the Law) and the elders had been gathered together in assembly."

⁵⁸ Yet Peter kept on following Him from a far distance, until [coming to] the courtyard of the high (ruling; ranking) priest. Then upon entering within, he continued sitting with the subordinates (Temple guards, attendants and servants – folks under orders of others) to see the outcome (or: the end of the matter; [His] destiny)."

⁵⁹ Now the chief (ranking) priests and the whole Sanhedrin (the ruling council of the Jewish nation) had been seeking false evidence (testimony from false witnesses) [to bring] down against Jesus so that they could put Him to death."

⁶⁰ However, they found nothing – although many false witnesses were coming forward (or: And yet they could not find many false witnesses [that were] coming forward). Yet, subsequently, two false witnesses, upon approaching, said,"

⁶¹ "This man affirmed, 'I am able to demolish (loose-down) God's inner sanctuary of the Temple (= the holy place and the holy of holies; God's divine habitation), and – through (or: during [the period of]; or: by means of) three days – to build the house.""

⁶² And then, standing up, the high (ruling) priest said to Him, "Are you continuing answering nothing (or: Do you continue making no decided response of even one thing) to what are these men presently testifying against you?""

⁶³ Yet Jesus continued silent. And so the high (ruling; ranking) priest said to Him, "I now bind you to speak out an oath in accord with the living God (or: Down from the living God, I am now exorcising you; or: I now bind you by oath in correspondence with the living God) that you should say to us if you, yourself, are the Christ (the Anointed one; = the Messiah) – God's son (= the one having the same relationship to God and to the people as did Israel as a nation, or Israel's king)?""

⁶⁴ Jesus is then saying to him, "You yourself are saying [it] (or: are [so] saying)! Moreover, I am now saying to you people, from now (this present moment) on you folks will proceed to be seeing ‘the Son of the Man (= Adam's son; the eschatological Messiah figure; the representative human) continuously sitting at the right [hand] ’ of the Power, and ‘progressively coming (or: repeatedly coming and going) upon the clouds of the atmosphere (or: sky; heaven).’" [Dan. 7:13; Ps. 110:1]"

⁶⁵ At that point the high (ruling) priest tore and ripped his outer garments (= his vestments?), saying, "He blasphemes! What need are we still having of witnesses? See! You now (at this moment) heard his blasphemy (villainous, defaming speech; harm-averment)!"

⁶⁶ "What does [this] now seem to you men – what is your opinion?" So they, giving a decided response, said, "He now is held within and under the control of death.""

⁶⁷ At that point they spit into His face and hit (or: punched) Him with their fists. Yet some men slapped Him, one after another saying,"

⁶⁸ "Prophesy to us, O Christ (or: O 'anointed one') – who is the person striking you?""

⁶⁹ Now Peter was sitting outside within the courtyard. And one servant girl came toward him, then is saying, "You, too, were with Jesus the Galilean.""

⁷⁰ But he denied and disowned [it] in front of them all, by saying, "I am not aware of what you are now saying (or: I don't know what you are talking about)!""

⁷¹ Now upon going out into the entry by the gate, another girl saw him and then proceeds saying to the folks in that place, "This fellow was with Jesus the Nazarene.""

⁷² And again he denied and disowned [it] with an oath: "I have not seen nor do I know the man!""

⁷³ Now after a little while, upon approaching, the men standing [around] said to Peter, "Truly you also belong to them (= are one of them), for even your speech (= dialect, or, the way you talk) continues making you plainly evident.""

⁷⁴ At that point Peter started to repeatedly lay down curses and confirm them with oaths (or: continue swearing), that, "I have not seen nor do I know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed."

⁷⁵ Then Peter remembered the saying (effect of the flow [of the discourse]) of Jesus – He having said, "Before a rooster is to crow, you will proceed in denying and renouncing Me three times." And so, after going outside, he wept and lamented bitterly."

27

¹ Now with the coming of morning (or: at morning birthing itself), the chief (or: ranking) priests and the elders of the people took counsel together, deliberating plans against Jesus to bring Him down, even so as to put Him to death."

² And thus, upon binding Him, they led [Him] off and then handed [Him] over to Pilate, the governor."

³ At that time, upon seeing that He was correspondingly judged against (or: condemned), Judah (or: Judas) – the person turning Him in – after changing his judgment and concern on the matter so as to be regretting and caring differently, returned the thirty silver [coins] (or: pieces of silver) to the chief (ranking) priests and elders,"

⁴ while saying, "I made a mistake (erred; failed to hit the target; sinned; fail to attain the goal) in giving over just and innocent (rightwised and equitable) blood." But those men said, "What [does this mean] to us? You, yourself, will proceed seeing!""

⁵ And so, upon hurling the silver [coins; pieces] into the inner Temple (shrine; = the holy place) he withdrew, and then going off, he strangled himself (or: choked himself off; or: hugged and compressed himself away [as in grief]; perhaps: hanged himself)."

⁶ Now the chief (ranking) priests, upon taking in hand the silver [coins], said, "It is not allowed by custom or Law to throw them into the temple treasury (the gift receptacle; the corban), since it is the price of blood.""

⁷ After consulting together, they bought with them the Field of the Potter to serve as a burial ground for the strangers and foreigners (= non-local folks)."

⁸ For this reason that field has been called " [The] Field of Blood" until today."

⁹ At that point the [oracle; prophesy] spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, continuing in saying, "And so they took the thirty silver [coins; pieces] – the value and price of the Honored (Valued; Respected) One – Whom they valued from [the] sons of Israel (or: the worth of a person being evaluated – for whom they set a value {or: price} from among [the people] of Israel),"

¹⁰ And then they gave them for the Field of the Potter, just as the Lord [= Yahweh] jointly arranged with (or: by; for; to) me." [Zech. 11:12-13]"

¹¹ So now Jesus was positioned and stood in front of the [Roman] governor. Then the governor put a question to Him, by saying, "Are you, yourself, 'the king of the Judeans'?" So then Jesus affirms, "You, yourself, are now saying [so; it].""

¹² And then, during the [situation] for Him to be repeatedly accused by the chief (ranking) priests and elders, in public assembly, He gave back no reply of judgment on even one thing (or: He answered nothing; = He made no comment on the charges and gave no rebuttal)."

¹³ At that point, Pilate speaks up, saying, "Are you not hearing or listening to how many [charges] they continue testifying against, and bringing evidence down on, you?""

¹⁴ And yet He gave no decided reply to him – not even to one, single saying (= charge; or: with not even one declaration), so that the governor continues very astonished (or: baffled) and progressively fills with wonder (or: amazement)."

¹⁵ Now corresponding to [the] Feast (or: festival), the governor had normally been accustomed to release one prisoner to the crowd – whomever they had been wanting (desiring);"

¹⁶ and they had been holding at that time a notorious (or: well-known) prisoner normally called Jesus [other MSS omit: Jesus] Barabbas (or: Bar-Abbas; = son of [the] father)."

¹⁷ Therefore, after their having been gathered together, Pilate said to them [i.e., the crowd], "Whom (or: Which one) are you people now wanting (desiring) that I should release to (or: for) you: Jesus [other MSS omit: Jesus] Barabbas, or Jesus, the one now being call 'Christ (Anointed; = Messiah) '?""

¹⁸ You see, he had seen as was now aware that they turned Him in (or: handed Him over) because of envy."

¹⁹ Now during his continued sitting upon the public elevated place (a step, platform or place ascended by steps to speak in public assembly; dais; = an official bench of a judge or public official), his wife sent off [a message] to him [which was] saying, " [Let there be] nothing [between, or, pertaining to] you and that just (innocent; righteous; rightwised) man, for I experienced many things today down from a dream (or: in association with a trance) because of him!""

²⁰ But the chief (ranking) priests and elders persuaded the crowds, to the end that they, themselves, would ask for Barabbas – and so they would destroy Jesus."

²¹ Now in giving a calculated response, the governor said to them, "Whom are you people now wanting, from the two, [that] I should release to (or: for) you?" So they, themselves, said, "Barabbas!""

²² Pilate continues saying to them, "What, then, shall I proceed doing [with] Jesus – the being repeatedly termed, or called, 'Christ (or: Anointed; = Messiah) '?" They are all saying, "Let him be at once put to death on a stake (or: crucified)!""

²³ So the governor affirms, "For what? Did he do something bad, worthless or ugly?" But they kept on crying out (or: shouted) all the more, and louder, repeatedly saying, "Let him be at once put to death on a stake (or: crucified)!""

²⁴ Now, seeing that it continues benefiting nothing, but to the contrary, an uproar was progressively developing into a riot, Pilate, taking water, washes off his hands down in the presence of and facing the crowd, while saying, I am (or: continue being) without penalty (guiltless; immune; not liable to punishment or responsible) from this man's blood. You people will proceed seeing (or: You folks see [to it])!""

²⁵ Then, giving a decided reply, all the people said, "His blood [is] upon us (or: [be splattered] on us; = the responsibility for his death falls on us), and upon our children!""

²⁶ At that point he released Barabbas to them, yet, upon scourging (severely whipping and beating) Jesus, he gave Him over with the purpose that He would be put to death on a stake (crucified)."

²⁷ So at that time the governor's soldiers, upon taking Jesus along into the praetorium (the governor's residence and headquarters), gathered together upon Him the whole company of troops (a tenth part of a legion, normally 600 troops)."

²⁸ Then after disrobing (stripping; [with other MSS: upon clothing]) Him, they put a scarlet (or: crimson; red) cloak around Him."

²⁹ Next, after weaving (or: braiding) a wreath out of thorns (or: a thorn bush), they put [it] upon His head, as well as a reed in His right [hand]. Then, while falling on [their] knees in front of Him, they mocked and ridiculed Him, repeatedly saying, "Be constantly filled with joy (or: Rejoice continuously; = a common greeting which is a wish for well-being; = Greetings, Welcome, Hello, Hail; probably equivalent to the soldier's salute, 'Ave Caesar'), O king of the Judeans!""

³⁰ And then after spitting in [His face], and into (= on) Him, they took the reed [from Him] and kept on striking blows into His head."

³¹ Next – when they had finished making fun of Him – they stripped the cloak off Him and clothed Him with His own outer garments, then they led Him off into the [place and situation] to put [Him] to death on a stake (to crucify [Him])."

³² Now while proceeding out, they came across a Cyrenian man – named Simon – [and] they pressed (conscripted; = forced) this person into service to the end that he would lift up and carry His execution stake (cross)."

³³ And so, upon coming into [the] place normally being called "Golgotha," which is [also] often called a (or: [the]) "Place of a Skull" [note: = a mound shaped like a skull; = "Skull Mound"],"

³⁴ they gave to Him wine (other MSS: vinegar, or, sharp wine vinegar) having been blended with bile (fluid of the gall bladder) to drink. And yet, upon tasting [it], He was not willing to drink [it]."

³⁵ Now, after attaching Him to the execution stake, they divided His outer garments among themselves by repeatedly casting a lot (= throwing dice)."

³⁶ And while continuing sitting, they continued guarding and keeping watch over Him there."

³⁷ They also posted above His head the written legal charge against (or: pertaining to) Him: THIS IS JESUS – THE KING OF THE JUDEANS"

³⁸ At that time two rebels (or: robbers; bandits; highwaymen; insurrectionists) were in the process of being put to death on a stake (were being progressively crucified) together with Him – one on [His] right and one on [His] left."

³⁹ Now as people are continuing passing by, they kept on speaking abusively, hurling insults at Him, “while repeatedly shaking (or: wagging) their heads,” [Ps. 22:8]"

⁴⁰ and one after another saying, "The person in process of dismantling (demolishing; loosing-down) the inner sanctuary of the Temple (the holy place and the holy of holies) and then proceeding in building the House within three days! Save yourself now! – since (or: if) you are God's son (or: a son of God), descend from the stake (or: climb down off the cross)!""

⁴¹ In like manner also, the chief (or: ranking) priests with the scribes (scholars; theologians) and elders – repeatedly ridiculing and making fun – kept on saying,"

⁴² "He saved (rescued; delivered; kept safe) other folks – he continues unable (he has no power) to save himself! He is a king (or: [the] king) of Israel! – let him climb down (descend) now from the execution stake (or: off the cross), and then we will proceed putting our trust upon him (or: shall be believing on him)."

⁴³ "'He has put his trust upon God! Let Him now guard him and drag (pull) him out of danger – if He wants him!’ [Ps. 22:9] You know he said, 'I am God's son.'""

⁴⁴ So in the same way and about the same thing, the rebels (insurrectionists; or: robbers) – those being crucified on execution stakes together with Him – also began and kept on bringing verbal abuse and unjustifiable reproach."

⁴⁵ Now from [the] sixth hour (noon) until the ninth hour (three in the afternoon) darkness (shadowy gloom; dimness) came to be (birthed itself) upon the entire land."

⁴⁶ But about the ninth hour Jesus loudly called out (exclaimed; shouted) at the top of [His] voice (or: in a great voice), saying, "Eli! Eli! (other MSS: Eloi, Eloi!) Lema sabachthani! [note: George Lamsa translates the Peshitta (Aramaic Version) of these two words as: for this was I spared; or: this was my destiny] – This is it! O My God, My God, for this certain purpose You have left Me as a remnant, down within the midst!" [Ps. 22:1, LXX] (or: "My God – O God – this exists being for a specific end and destiny that You leave Me fully in union with!" or: "My God. O God, do You leave from down within the midst of Me so that this certain end exists?" or: that is, "O My God, My God, to what end and for what purpose do You at once completely abandon Me in [this situation]?") [note: Scholars consider this a quote of Ps. 22:1, where the last phrase is the identical Greek in the LXX. However, in the Hebrew, the word often translated forsake" (azab) has these three meanings:
(1) to loose bands; to let go {a beast} from its bonds;
(2) to leave {a person; a place}; to leave {anyone; or: a place}; to desert;
(3) to leave off; to cease from {anything}]"

⁴⁷ Now certain (or: some) folks standing there, upon hearing [this], began saying, "This fellow is now summoning Elijah!""

⁴⁸ So immediately one of them, upon running and getting a sponge – and after filling it with “vinegar (or: sour wine) ” and attaching [it] around a reed – “offered” Him “a drink.” [Ps. 69:22]"

⁴⁹ But the rest of them said, "Hold off! We should see if Elijah is presently coming [and] will proceed to be saving (rescuing) him!" – Now later, another person, at one point taking a spear head, stabbed His side, so then water and blood came out – [note: this last sentence is included in Aleph, B, C & others MSS, but omitted by A & other MSS, along with the Majority Text, Nestle-Aland, Tasker, Panin, Griesbach, & bracketed by WH]"

⁵⁰ Now Jesus, again at one point loudly crying out with a loud (or: great) voice (or: sound), dismissed the Spirit (or: lets the breath-effect flow away; divorced [His] spirit; lets [His] breath go; abandoned the Spirit; or: set aside and rejected this attitude)."

⁵¹ And then – look and consider! – the curtain of the inner sanctuary of the Temple [which veiled the holy of holies] was torn and split from above unto below (= from top to bottom): into two – and the ground was caused to shake (or: the earth quaked) and rock masses were split."

⁵² Later, the memorial tombs were opened up, and many of the bodies of the set-apart (holy; sacred) people – of the folks who had fallen asleep and continued sleeping – were aroused and raised up!"

⁵³ Then, upon going forth out of the memorial tombs – after His arousal and resurrection – they entered into the set-apart (holy) city and they were made visible in the midst of many people (or: were made to inwardly shine to many folks; or: were made to appear in association with many)."

⁵⁴ Now the centurion (a Roman commander who normally is in charge of one hundred soldiers) and those with him [who were] guarding and watching over Jesus, upon seeing the shaking (= earthquake) and the things occurring (happening; being birthed), were made extremely afraid, one to another saying, "Truly (or: Really; Certainly) this man was God's son.""

⁵⁵ But in addition, many women were there, continuing in viewing and watching from a distance – those who followed Jesus from the Galilee [district], constantly giving attending service to, and materially providing for, Him –"

⁵⁶ among whom was Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of Jacob (or: James) and Joseph [other MSS: Joses] – as well as the mother of the sons of Zebedee."

⁵⁷ Now with evening coming on, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who himself also was discipled (trained and instructed) by Jesus."

⁵⁸ This man, upon coming to Pilate, made a request for the body of Jesus. At that point Pilate gives orders for the body to be given over [to him]."

⁵⁹ And so, after taking the body, Joseph rolled and enwrapped it in clean fine linen,"

⁶⁰ then placed it within his new memorial tomb which he had cut and quarried in the rock-mass. Next, after rolling a large stone to the door (entry) of the memorial tomb, he went away."

⁶¹ Now Mary Magdalene – as well as the other Mary – was there, continuing in sitting off in an opposite position which faced the grave."

⁶² So on the arrival of the next day, which is after the preparation [note: the preparation is from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the day before a sabbath], the chief (ranking) priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate,"

⁶³ as a group then saying, "Lord (or: Sir; Excellency), we are reminded that that straying (or: wandering; vagabond) deceiver said – while yet living, 'After three days I proceed being progressively aroused and raised up.'"

⁶⁴ "Therefore, command at once to have the grave made secure until the third day, lest at some time his disciples, upon coming, might steal him and then could (or: might) say to the people, 'He was aroused and raised up away from the dead ones,' and the last deception will be worse than the first.""

⁶⁵ So Pilate affirmed to them, "You men continue having (holding) a detachment of soldiers as a guard. Go and proceed bringing things under control. At once make things secure – just as you see and know [to do].""

⁶⁶ Now they, after going their way with the detachment of guards, made the grave secure, sealing the stone. Now [it was] a late hour (or: an evening) of the sabbaths."

28

¹ During the progressive commencing of the light (= at the approaching of the dawn) [leading] into one of the sabbaths, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came (or: went) to view and watch the grave."

² And – notice, and consider! – a great (= strong) earthquake suddenly occurred, for you see, an Agent of [the] Lord (= Yahweh's messenger) – upon stepping down (or: descending) from out of the midst of [the] atmosphere (or: heaven; [the] sky) and approaching – rolled away the stone from the door and was then sitting on top of it."

³ Now his outward appearance was, and continued being, as lightning (or: a bright beam radiating from a lamp) – and his clothing bright-white, as snow."

⁴ And so – from the fear of him – the men guarding and keeping watch over [the situation] were made to tremble, and came to be as dead men."

⁵ Yet the Agent, giving a decisive response, said to the women, "As for you, yourselves, do not continue being made afraid (= stop being fearful), for I have seen and thus know that you continue seeking (looking for) Jesus – the One having been put to death on the execution stake (or: the One having been and still continuing being crucified)."

⁶ "He is not here, for you see, He was aroused and raised up – just as He said. Come here, see the place where He [other MSS: the Lord] was lying."

⁷ "And so, upon quickly going your way, at once say to His disciples that He was aroused and raised up away from the dead folks. Further – consider and take note! – He progressively leads the way before you folks into the Galilee [district]. You folks will repeatedly see Him there. Now look and consider, I tell you (or: Take note, I told you)!""

⁸ So, quickly going away from the memorial tomb while experiencing apprehension mingled with overwhelming (or: great) joy, they ran to report back to His disciples."

⁹ And then – look and consider! – Jesus came suddenly and met them [i.e., the women] face to face, at that time saying, "Be constantly rejoicing!” [note: also used as a greeting, can = Continuous joy to you; Shalom; Hi; Hello; Greetings] Now they, upon approaching, took hold of His feet and, being prostrate, immediately gave homage and worship to Him."

¹⁰ At that point Jesus continues to say to them, "Stop fearing (or: Do not continue being made to fear). Continue leading the way and bring things under control as you go. Immediately report back to My brothers so that they would go off unto the Galilee [district] – and there (in that area) they will repeatedly see Me.""

¹¹ Now – take note and consider! – some of the detachment of guards, proceeding on their way, after coming into the city reported back to the chief (or: ranking) priests all the events that were happening."

¹² Then, being gathered together and taking joint counsel, they gave enough (sufficient; adequate) silver [coins] to the soldiers,"

¹³ laying out [the situation] and saying, "Say that his disciples, upon coming by night, stole him during our continued sleeping."

¹⁴ "And then, if this [tale] should be brought to a hearing (or: be heard) on the governor's [agenda; or: ears], we ourselves will be progressively persuasive – and we will continue making you men free from care or worry."

¹⁵ So they, after taking the silver [coins], did as they were instructed. And thus, this idea (saying; message) was rumored throughout and spread abroad among and by the Jewish culture and religion until this very day."

¹⁶ Now the eleven disciples went on their way into the Galilee [district] – unto the mountain where Jesus had arranged for them."

¹⁷ And then, upon seeing Him, they prostrated themselves, giving homage (and perhaps: worship) – even though they [perhaps: = some] had divided thoughts (or: wavered; hesitated; had doubts)."

¹⁸ And so, after approaching, Jesus, [breaking the silence], suddenly spoke to them, by saying, "All authority (or: Every right and privilege from out of Being) is (or: was at once) given to Me within heaven and upon the earth (or: in sky and atmosphere, as well as on land)!"

¹⁹ "Therefore, while going on your way, instruct and make disciples (at some point enlist students and apprentices) of all the ethnic multitudes (the pagans; the Gentiles; the nations; the non-Israelites), habitually immersing them [i.e., the people (masculine pronoun)] (or: one-after-another [B & D read: at some point] baptizing them to the point of infusion and saturation) into the Name which has reference to, belongs to, has its origin and character in, and which represents, the Father and the Son, as well as the Set-apart Breath-effect (or: the Name from the Father, as well as from the Son, and even which is the Holy Spirit; or: the Name of the Father and of the Son – even of the Holy Spirit; or: the Father's Name, even the Son's, and which pertains to the Sacred Breath; or: the Name belonging to the Father and the Son, and which is the Sacred Attitude; or: the Name of the Father, and then of the Son, and which comes from the se-apart Spirit; or: the Name which represents the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; or: the Name which comes from the Father, belongs to the Son, and corresponds to the Holy result of the Breath), [note: Eusebius gives this as "Go and make disciples of all the nations in my name." – Eusebius: The History of the Church from Christ to Constantine, translated by G. A. Williamson, Barnes & Noble Books, 1995, p 111. Williamson footnotes: "Matt. 28:19, in a simpler, perhaps a more primitive form." comment: this may have been a paraphrase; it may come from a lost MS tradition; it may represent an interpretation of this verse in the early AD 300's; cf Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5]"

²⁰ "constantly teaching and progressively training them to habitually watch over, guard, keep and maintain everything (or: all things) – as many things as I Myself implanted as goals (imparted as the finished product within; gave as interior, destiny-laden directives) in and for you folks. And now – look and consider this! – I Myself continuously am (exist being) with you folks all the days, on until the joint-goal (or: the conjunction; the end [of all] brought together; the conclusion, consummation and fruition; the combined finished product and actualization) of the age (or: which is that Age [= the Age of the Messiah]; or: as far as the attending and associated end of this age; or: until the consummation brought by the Age [of Messiah])." [written circa A. D. 40-60 – Based on the critical analysis of John A.T. Robinson]"