Bible in 90 Days

^20 [a]They watched him closely and sent agents pretending to be righteous who were to trap him in speech,^(A) in order to hand him over to the authority and power of the governor. ²¹ They posed this question to him, “Teacher, we know that what you say and teach is correct, and you show no partiality, but teach the way of God in accordance with the truth.^{(B) 22} Is it lawful for us to pay tribute to Caesar or not?”^{[b] 23} Recognizing their craftiness he said to them, ²⁴ “Show me a denarius;^[c] whose image and name does it bear?” They replied, “Caesar’s.” ²⁵ So he said to them, “Then repay to Caesar what belongs to Caesar and to God what belongs to God.”^{(C) 26} They were unable to trap him by something he might say before the people, and so amazed were they at his reply that they fell silent.

The Question About the Resurrection.^{(D) 27} Some Sadducees,^[d] those who deny that there is a resurrection, came forward and put this question to him,^{(E) 28 [e]}saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote for us, ‘If someone’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, his brother must take the wife and raise up descendants for his brother.’^{(F) 29} Now there were seven brothers; the first married a woman but died childless. ³⁰ Then the second ³¹ and the third married her, and likewise all the seven died childless. ³² Finally the woman also died. ³³ Now at the resurrection whose wife will that woman be? For all seven had been married to her.” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “The children of this age marry and are given in marriage; ³⁵ but those who are deemed worthy to attain to the coming age and to the resurrection of the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. ³⁶ They can no longer die, for they are like angels; and they are the children of God because they are the ones who will rise.^{[f] 37} That the dead will rise even Moses made known in the passage about the bush, when he called ‘Lord’ the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob;^{(G) 38} and he is not God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.”^{(H) 39} Some of the scribes said in reply, “Teacher, you have answered well.” ⁴⁰ And they no longer dared to ask him anything.^(I)

The Question About David’s Son.^{[g] 41 (J)}Then he said to them, “How do they claim that the Messiah is the Son of David? ⁴² For David himself in the Book of Psalms says:^(K)

⁴⁴ Now if David calls him ‘lord,’ how can he be his son?”

Denunciation of the Scribes.^{(L) 45} Then, within the hearing of all the people, he said to [his] disciples, ⁴⁶ “Be on guard against the scribes, who like to go around in long robes and love greetings in marketplaces, seats of honor in synagogues, and places of honor at banquets.^{(M) 47} They devour the houses of widows and, as a pretext, recite lengthy prayers. They will receive a very severe condemnation.”

Chapter 21

The Poor Widow’s Contribution.^{[h] 1 (N)}When he looked up he saw some wealthy people putting their offerings into the treasury ² and he noticed a poor widow putting in two small coins. ³ He said, “I tell you truly, this poor widow put in more than all the rest; ⁴ for those others have all made offerings from their surplus wealth, but she, from her poverty, has offered her whole livelihood.”

The Destruction of the Temple Foretold.^{(O) 5 [i]}While some people were speaking about how the temple was adorned with costly stones and votive offerings, he said, ⁶ “All that you see here—the days will come when there will not be left a stone upon another stone that will not be thrown down.”^(P)

The Signs of the End. ^7 (Q)Then they asked him, “Teacher, when will this happen? And what sign will there be when all these things are about to happen?” ⁸ He answered, “See that you not be deceived, for many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am he,’ and ‘The time has come.’^[j] Do not follow them!^{(R) 9} When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for such things must happen first, but it will not immediately be the end.” ¹⁰ Then he said to them, “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.^{(S) 11} There will be powerful earthquakes, famines, and plagues from place to place; and awesome sights and mighty signs will come from the sky.

The Coming Persecution. ^12 (T)“Before all this happens,^[k] however, they will seize and persecute you, they will hand you over to the synagogues and to prisons, and they will have you led before kings and governors because of my name.^{(U) 13} It will lead to your giving testimony. ¹⁴ Remember, you are not to prepare your defense beforehand, ^15 (V)for I myself shall give you a wisdom in speaking^[l] that all your adversaries will be powerless to resist or refute. ^16 (W)You will even be handed over by parents, brothers, relatives, and friends, and they will put some of you to death.^{(X) 17} You will be hated by all because of my name, ¹⁸ but not a hair on your head will be destroyed.^{(Y) 19} By your perseverance you will secure your lives.^(Z)

The Great Tribulation.^{[m] 20 (AA)}“When you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, know that its desolation is at hand.^{(AB) 21} Then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. Let those within the city escape from it, and let those in the countryside not enter the city,^{(AC) 22} for these days are the time of punishment when all the scriptures are fulfilled. ²³ Woe to pregnant women and nursing mothers in those days, for a terrible calamity will come upon the earth and a wrathful judgment upon this people.^{(AD) 24} They will fall by the edge of the sword and be taken as captives to all the Gentiles; and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles^[n] are fulfilled.^(AE)

The Coming of the Son of Man.^{(AF) 25} “There will be signs in the sun, the moon, and the stars, and on earth nations will be in dismay, perplexed by the roaring of the sea and the waves.^{(AG) 26} People will die of fright in anticipation of what is coming upon the world, for the powers of the heavens^[o] will be shaken.^{(AH) 27} And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.^{(AI) 28} But when these signs begin to happen, stand erect and raise your heads because your redemption is at hand.”^(AJ)

The Lesson of the Fig Tree.^{(AK) 29} He taught them a lesson. “Consider the fig tree and all the other trees. ³⁰ When their buds burst open, you see for yourselves and know that summer is now near; ³¹ in the same way, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. ³² Amen, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place.^{(AL) 33} Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.^(AM)

Exhortation to Be Vigilant. ³⁴ “Beware that your hearts do not become drowsy from carousing and drunkenness and the anxieties of daily life, and that day catch you by surprise^{(AN) 35} like a trap. For that day will assault everyone who lives on the face of the earth. ³⁶ Be vigilant at all times and pray that you have the strength to escape the tribulations that are imminent and to stand before the Son of Man.”^(AO)

Ministry in Jerusalem. ³⁷ During the day, Jesus was teaching in the temple area, but at night he would leave and stay at the place called the Mount of Olives.^{(AP) 38} And all the people would get up early each morning to listen to him in the temple area.

VII. The Passion Narrative^[p]

Chapter 22

The Conspiracy Against Jesus. ^1 (AQ)Now the feast of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover,^[q] was drawing near, ^2 (AR)and the chief priests and the scribes were seeking a way to put him to death, for they were afraid of the people. ^3 (AS)Then Satan entered into Judas,^[r] the one surnamed Iscariot, who was counted among the Twelve,^{(AT) 4} and he went to the chief priests and temple guards to discuss a plan for handing him over to them. ⁵ They were pleased and agreed to pay him money. ⁶ He accepted their offer and sought a favorable opportunity to hand him over to them in the absence of a crowd.

Preparations for the Passover.^{(AU) 7} When the day of the feast of Unleavened Bread arrived, the day for sacrificing the Passover lamb,^{(AV) 8} he sent out Peter and John, instructing them, “Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.” ⁹ They asked him, “Where do you want us to make the preparations?” ¹⁰ And he answered them, “When you go into the city, a man will meet you carrying a jar of water.^[s] Follow him into the house that he enters ¹¹ and say to the master of the house, ‘The teacher says to you, “Where is the guest room where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’ ¹² He will show you a large upper room that is furnished. Make the preparations there.” ¹³ Then they went off and found everything exactly as he had told them, and there they prepared the Passover.^(AW)

The Last Supper.^{(AX) 14} When the hour came, he took his place at table with the apostles. ¹⁵ He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover^[t] with you before I suffer, ¹⁶ for, I tell you, I shall not eat it [again] until there is fulfillment in the kingdom of God.”^{(AY) 17} Then he took a cup,^[u] gave thanks, and said, “Take this and share it among yourselves; ¹⁸ for I tell you [that] from this time on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” ^19 [v](AZ)Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.” ²⁰ And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.^(BA)

The Betrayal Foretold. ²¹ “And yet behold, the hand of the one who is to betray me is with me on the table; ²² for the Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom he is betrayed.” ²³ And they began to debate among themselves who among them would do such a deed.

The Role of the Disciples.^{(BB) 24 [w]}Then an argument broke out among them^(BC) about which of them should be regarded as the greatest. ^25 [x](BD)He said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them and those in authority over them are addressed as ‘Benefactors’; ²⁶ but among you it shall not be so. Rather, let the greatest among you be as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.^{(BE) 27} For who is greater: the one seated at table or the one who serves? Is it not the one seated at table? I am among you as the one who serves. ²⁸ It is you who have stood by me in my trials; ²⁹ and I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me,^{(BF) 30} that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.^(BG)

Peter’s Denial Foretold.^{(BH) 31 [y]}“Simon, Simon, behold Satan has demanded to sift all of you^[z] like wheat,^{(BI) 32} but I have prayed that your own faith may not fail; and once you have turned back, you must strengthen your brothers.” ³³ He said to him, “Lord, I am prepared to go to prison and to die with you.”^{(BJ) 34} But he replied, “I tell you, Peter, before the cock crows this day, you will deny three times that you know me.”^(BK)

Instructions for the Time of Crisis. ^35 (BL)He said to them, “When I sent you forth without a money bag or a sack or sandals, were you in need of anything?” “No, nothing,” they replied. ^36 (BM)He said to them,^[aa] “But now one who has a money bag should take it, and likewise a sack, and one who does not have a sword should sell his cloak and buy one. ³⁷ For I tell you that this scripture must be fulfilled in me, namely, ‘He was counted among the wicked’; and indeed what is written about me is coming to fulfillment.”^{(BN) 38} Then they said, “Lord, look, there are two swords here.” But he replied, “It is enough!”^[ab]

The Agony in the Garden.^{(BO) 39} Then going out he went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he arrived at the place he said to them, “Pray that you may not undergo the test.”^{(BP) 41} After withdrawing about a stone’s throw from them and kneeling, he prayed,^{(BQ) 42} saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”^{(BR) [ac]} [⁴³ And to strengthen him an angel from heaven appeared to him. ⁴⁴ He was in such agony and he prayed so fervently that his sweat became like drops of blood falling on the ground.] ⁴⁵ When he rose from prayer and returned to his disciples, he found them sleeping from grief. ⁴⁶ He said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not undergo the test.”^(BS)

The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus.^{(BT) 47} While he was still speaking, a crowd approached and in front was one of the Twelve, a man named Judas. He went up to Jesus to kiss him. ⁴⁸ Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?” ⁴⁹ His disciples realized what was about to happen, and they asked, “Lord, shall we strike with a sword?”^{(BU) 50} And one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.^{(BV) 51 [ad]}But Jesus said in reply, “Stop, no more of this!” Then he touched the servant’s ear and healed him. ⁵² And Jesus said to the chief priests and temple guards and elders who had come for him, “Have you come out as against a robber, with swords and clubs?^{(BW) 53} Day after day I was with you in the temple area, and you did not seize me; but this is your hour, the time for the power of darkness.”^(BX)

Peter’s Denial of Jesus. ^54 (BY)After arresting him they led him away and took him into the house of the high priest; Peter was following at a distance.^{(BZ) 55} They lit a fire in the middle of the courtyard and sat around it, and Peter sat down with them. ⁵⁶ When a maid saw him seated in the light, she looked intently at him and said, “This man too was with him.” ⁵⁷ But he denied it saying, “Woman, I do not know him.” ⁵⁸ A short while later someone else saw him and said, “You too are one of them”; but Peter answered, “My friend, I am not.” ⁵⁹ About an hour later, still another insisted, “Assuredly, this man too was with him, for he also is a Galilean.” ⁶⁰ But Peter said, “My friend, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just as he was saying this, the cock crowed, ⁶¹ and the Lord turned and looked at Peter;^[ae] and Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said to him, “Before the cock crows today, you will deny me three times.”^{(CA) 62} He went out and began to weep bitterly. ^63 (CB)The men who held Jesus in custody were ridiculing and beating him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded him and questioned him, saying, “Prophesy! Who is it that struck you?” ⁶⁵ And they reviled him in saying many other things against him.

Jesus Before the Sanhedrin.^{[af] 66 (CC)}When day came the council of elders of the people met, both chief priests and scribes,^(CD) and they brought him before their Sanhedrin.^{[ag] 67} They said, “If you are the Messiah, tell us,” but he replied to them, “If I tell you, you will not believe,^{(CE) 68} and if I question, you will not respond. ⁶⁹ But from this time on the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”^{(CF) 70} They all asked, “Are you then the Son of God?” He replied to them, “You say that I am.” ⁷¹ Then they said, “What further need have we for testimony? We have heard it from his own mouth.”

Chapter 23

Jesus Before Pilate.^{(CG) 1 [ah]}Then the whole assembly of them arose and brought him before Pilate. ² They brought charges against him, saying, “We found this man misleading our people; he opposes the payment of taxes to Caesar and maintains that he is the Messiah, a king.”^{(CH) 3} Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” He said to him in reply, “You say so.”^{(CI) 4} Pilate then addressed the chief priests and the crowds, “I find this man not guilty.” ⁵ But they were adamant and said, “He is inciting the people with his teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee where he began even to here.”^(CJ)

Jesus Before Herod. ^6 [ai]On hearing this Pilate asked if the man was a Galilean; ⁷ and upon learning that he was under Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod who was in Jerusalem at that time.^{(CK) 8} Herod was very glad to see Jesus; he had been wanting to see him for a long time, for he had heard about him and had been hoping to see him perform some sign.^{(CL) 9} He questioned him at length, but he gave him no answer.^{(CM) 10} The chief priests and scribes, meanwhile, stood by accusing him harshly.^{(CN) 11} [Even] Herod and his soldiers treated him contemptuously and mocked him, and after clothing him in resplendent garb, he sent him back to Pilate.^{(CO) 12} Herod and Pilate became friends that very day, even though they had been enemies formerly. ¹³ Pilate then summoned the chief priests, the rulers, and the people ¹⁴ and said to them, “You brought this man to me and accused him of inciting the people to revolt. I have conducted my investigation in your presence and have not found this man guilty of the charges you have brought against him,^{(CP) 15} nor did Herod, for he sent him back to us. So no capital crime has been committed by him. ^16 (CQ)Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” [¹⁷ ]^[aj]

The Sentence of Death.^{(CR) 18} But all together they shouted out, “Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us.” ¹⁹ (Now Barabbas had been imprisoned for a rebellion that had taken place in the city and for murder.) ²⁰ Again Pilate addressed them, still wishing to release Jesus, ²¹ but they continued their shouting, “Crucify him! Crucify him!” ²² Pilate addressed them a third time, “What evil has this man done? I found him guilty of no capital crime. Therefore I shall have him flogged and then release him.” ²³ With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed. ²⁴ The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. ²⁵ So he released the man who had been imprisoned for rebellion and murder, for whom they asked, and he handed Jesus over to them to deal with as they wished.

The Way of the Cross.^{[ak] 26 (CS)}As they led him away they took hold of a certain Simon, a Cyrenian, who was coming in from the country; and after laying the cross on him, they made him carry it behind Jesus. ²⁷ A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including many women who mourned and lamented him. ^28 (CT)Jesus turned to them and said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep instead for yourselves and for your children, ²⁹ for indeed, the days are coming when people will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed.’ ³⁰ At that time people will say to the mountains, ‘Fall upon us!’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us!’^{(CU) 31} for if these things are done when the wood is green what will happen when it is dry?” ³² Now two others, both criminals, were led away with him to be executed.

The Crucifixion.^{(CV) 33} When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him and the criminals there, one on his right, the other on his left.^{(CW) 34} [Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, they know not what they do.”]^[al] They divided his garments by casting lots.^{(CX) 35} The people stood by and watched; the rulers, meanwhile, sneered at him and said,^(CY) “He saved others, let him save himself if he is the chosen one, the Messiah of God.”^{(CZ) 36} Even the soldiers jeered at him. As they approached to offer him wine^{(DA) 37} they called out, “If you are King of the Jews, save yourself.” ³⁸ Above him there was an inscription that read, “This is the King of the Jews.”

^39 [am]Now one of the criminals hanging there reviled Jesus, saying, “Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us.” ⁴⁰ The other, however, rebuking him, said in reply, “Have you no fear of God, for you are subject to the same condemnation? ⁴¹ And indeed, we have been condemned justly, for the sentence we received corresponds to our crimes, but this man has done nothing criminal.”^{(DB) 42} Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”^{(DC) 43} He replied to him, “Amen, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”^(DD)

The Death of Jesus.^{(DE) 44 [an]}It was now about noon^(DF) and darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon ⁴⁵ because of an eclipse of the sun. Then the veil of the temple was torn down the middle.^{(DG) 46} Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Father, into your hands I commend my spirit”; and when he had said this he breathed his last.^{(DH) 47} The centurion who witnessed what had happened glorified God and said, “This man was innocent^[ao] beyond doubt.” ⁴⁸ When all the people who had gathered for this spectacle saw what had happened, they returned home beating their breasts;^{(DI) 49} but all his acquaintances stood at a distance, including the women who had followed him from Galilee and saw these events.^(DJ)

The Burial of Jesus.^{(DK) 50} Now there was a virtuous and righteous man named Joseph who, though he was a member of the council, ⁵¹ had not consented to their plan of action. He came from the Jewish town of Arimathea and was awaiting the kingdom of God.^{(DL) 52} He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. ⁵³ After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried.^{(DM) 54} It was the day of preparation, and the sabbath was about to begin. ⁵⁵ The women who had come from Galilee with him followed behind, and when they had seen the tomb and the way in which his body was laid in it,^{(DN) 56} they returned and prepared spices and perfumed oils. Then they rested on the sabbath according to the commandment.^(DO)

VIII. The Resurrection Narrative^[ap]

Chapter 24

The Resurrection of Jesus. ^1 (DP)But at daybreak on the first day of the week they took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb; ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were puzzling over this, behold, two men in dazzling garments appeared to them.^{(DQ) 5} They were terrified and bowed their faces to the ground. They said to them, “Why do you seek the living one among the dead?^{(DR) 6} He is not here, but he has been raised.^[aq] Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, ⁷ that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day.”^{(DS) 8} And they remembered his words.^{(DT) 9 [ar](DU)}Then they returned from the tomb and announced all these things to the eleven and to all the others. ¹⁰ The women were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James; the others who accompanied them also told this to the apostles,^{(DV) 11} but their story seemed like nonsense and they did not believe them. ^12 [as](DW)But Peter got up and ran to the tomb, bent down, and saw the burial cloths alone; then he went home amazed at what had happened.

The Appearance on the Road to Emmaus.^{[at] 13} Now that very day two of them were going to a village seven miles^[au] from Jerusalem called Emmaus,^{(DX) 14} and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred. ¹⁵ And it happened that while they were conversing and debating, Jesus himself drew near and walked with them, ^16 [av](DY)but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him. ¹⁷ He asked them, “What are you discussing as you walk along?” They stopped, looking downcast. ¹⁸ One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply, “Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem who does not know of the things that have taken place there in these days?” ¹⁹ And he replied to them, “What sort of things?” They said to him, “The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people,^{(DZ) 20} how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over to a sentence of death and crucified him. ^21 (EA)But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel; and besides all this, it is now the third day since this took place. ^22 (EB)Some women from our group, however, have astounded us: they were at the tomb early in the morning ²³ and did not find his body; they came back and reported that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who announced that he was alive. ^24 (EC)Then some of those with us went to the tomb and found things just as the women had described, but him they did not see.” ^25 (ED)And he said to them, “Oh, how foolish you are! How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke! ²⁶ Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer^[aw] these things and enter into his glory?” ²⁷ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them what referred to him in all the scriptures.^{(EE) 28} As they approached the village to which they were going, he gave the impression that he was going on farther. ²⁹ But they urged him, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them. ³⁰ And it happened that, while he was with them at table, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them. ³¹ With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him, but he vanished from their sight. ³² Then they said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning [within us] while he spoke to us on the way and opened the scriptures to us?” ³³ So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem where they found gathered together the eleven and those with them ³⁴ who were saying, “The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!”^{(EF) 35} Then the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

The Appearance to the Disciples in Jerusalem. ^36 [ax]While they were still speaking about this,^(EG) he stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.”^{(EH) 37} But they were startled and terrified and thought that they were seeing a ghost.^{(EI) 38} Then he said to them, “Why are you troubled? And why do questions arise in your hearts? ^39 [ay]Look at my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. Touch me and see, because a ghost does not have flesh and bones as you can see I have.” ^40 (EJ)And as he said this, he showed them his hands and his feet. ⁴¹ While they were still incredulous for joy and were amazed, he asked them, “Have you anything here to eat?” ⁴² They gave him a piece of baked fish;^{(EK) 43} he took it and ate it in front of them.

⁴⁴ He said to them, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the law of Moses and in the prophets and psalms must be fulfilled.”^{(EL) 45} Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures.^{(EM) 46 [az]}And he said to them,^(EN) “Thus it is written that the Messiah would suffer and rise from the dead on the third day ⁴⁷ and that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins, would be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.^{(EO) 48} You are witnesses of these things.^{(EP) 49} And [behold] I am sending the promise of my Father^[ba] upon you; but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”^(EQ)

The Ascension.^{[bb] 50 (ER)}Then he led them [out] as far as Bethany, raised his hands, and blessed them. ⁵¹ As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven. ⁵² They did him homage and then returned to Jerusalem with great joy,^{(ES) 53} and they were continually in the temple praising God.^[bc]

I. Prologue^[bd]

Chapter 1

^6 [bh]A man named John was sent from God.^{(EX) 7} He came for testimony,^[bi] to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him.^{(EY) 8} He was not the light, but came to testify to the light.^{(EZ) 9} The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.^(FA)

^12 (FB)But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, ^13 [bk](FC)who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

^15 [bm]John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said,^(FE) ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” ¹⁶ From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace,^{[bn] 17} because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.^{(FF) 18} No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God,^[bo] who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.^(FG)

II. The Book of Signs

John the Baptist’s Testimony to Himself. ^19 [bp]And this is the testimony of John. When the Jews^[bq] from Jerusalem sent priests and Levites [to him] to ask him, “Who are you?” ^20 [br]he admitted and did not deny it, but admitted,^(FH) “I am not the Messiah.” ²¹ So they asked him, “What are you then? Are you Elijah?”^[bs] And he said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”^{(FI) 22} So they said to him, “Who are you, so we can give an answer to those who sent us? What do you have to say for yourself?” ²³ He said:

as Isaiah the prophet said.” ²⁴ Some Pharisees^[bu] were also sent. ²⁵ They asked him, “Why then do you baptize if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the Prophet?”^{(FK) 26} John answered them, “I baptize with water;^[bv] but there is one among you whom you do not recognize,^{(FL) 27} the one who is coming after me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to untie.” ²⁸ This happened in Bethany across the Jordan,^[bw] where John was baptizing.

John the Baptist’s Testimony to Jesus. ²⁹ The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God,^[bx] who takes away the sin of the world.^{(FM) 30 [by]}He is the one of whom I said,^(FN) ‘A man is coming after me who ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’ ³¹ I did not know him,^[bz] but the reason why I came baptizing with water was that he might be made known to Israel.” ³² John testified further, saying, “I saw the Spirit come down like a dove^[ca] from the sky and remain upon him. ³³ I did not know him,^(FO) but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the holy Spirit.’^{(FP) 34 [cb](FQ)}Now I have seen and testified that he is the Son of God.”

The First Disciples.^{(FR) 35} The next day John was there again with two of his disciples, ³⁶ and as he watched Jesus walk by, he said, “Behold, the Lamb of God.”^{[cc] 37} The two disciples^[cd] heard what he said and followed Jesus. ³⁸ Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, “What are you looking for?” They said to him, “Rabbi” (which translated means Teacher), “where are you staying?” ³⁹ He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So they went and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about four in the afternoon.^{[ce] 40} Andrew, the brother of Simon Peter, was one of the two who heard John and followed Jesus. ⁴¹ He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah”^[cf] (which is translated Anointed).^{(FS) 42} Then he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John;^[cg] you will be called Cephas” (which is translated Peter).^(FT)

⁴³ The next day he^[ch] decided to go to Galilee, and he found Philip. And Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” ⁴⁴ Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the town of Andrew and Peter. ⁴⁵ Philip found Nathanael and told him, “We have found the one about whom Moses wrote in the law, and also the prophets, Jesus son of Joseph, from Nazareth.”^{(FU) 46} But Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come from Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” ⁴⁷ Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Here is a true Israelite.^[ci] There is no duplicity in him.” ^48 [cj](FV)Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered and said to him, “Before Philip called you, I saw you under the fig tree.” ⁴⁹ Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God;^[ck] you are the King of Israel.”^{(FW) 50} Jesus answered and said to him, “Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?^[cl] You will see greater things than this.” ⁵¹ And he said to him, “Amen, amen,^[cm] I say to you, you will see the sky opened and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”^(FX)

Chapter 2

The Wedding at Cana. ^1 [cn]On the third day there was a wedding^[co] in Cana^[cp] in Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there.^{(FY) 2} Jesus and his disciples were also invited to the wedding. ³ When the wine ran short, the mother of Jesus said to him, “They have no wine.” ^4 [cq][And] Jesus said to her, “Woman, how does your concern affect me? My hour has not yet come.”^{(FZ) 5} His mother said to the servers, “Do whatever he tells you.”^{(GA) 6 [cr]}Now there were six stone water jars there for Jewish ceremonial washings,^(GB) each holding twenty to thirty gallons. ⁷ Jesus told them, “Fill the jars with water.” So they filled them to the brim. ⁸ Then he told them, “Draw some out now and take it to the headwaiter.”^[cs] So they took it. ⁹ And when the headwaiter tasted the water that had become wine, without knowing where it came from (although the servers who had drawn the water knew), the headwaiter called the bridegroom ¹⁰ and said to him, “Everyone serves good wine first, and then when people have drunk freely, an inferior one; but you have kept the good wine until now.” ¹¹ Jesus did this as the beginning of his signs^[ct] in Cana in Galilee and so revealed his glory, and his disciples began to believe in him.^(GC)

^12 [cu]After this, he and his mother, [his] brothers, and his disciples went down to Capernaum and stayed there only a few days.^[cv]

Cleansing of the Temple. ^13 [cw]Since the Passover^[cx] of the Jews was near,^(GD) Jesus went up to Jerusalem. ^14 [cy]He found in the temple area those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves,^[cz] as well as the money-changers seated there.^{(GE) 15} He made a whip out of cords and drove them all out of the temple area, with the sheep and oxen, and spilled the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables, ¹⁶ and to those who sold doves he said, “Take these out of here, and stop making my Father’s house a marketplace.”^{(GF) 17 [da]}His disciples recalled the words of scripture,^(GG) “Zeal for your house will consume me.” ¹⁸ At this the Jews answered and said to him, “What sign can you show us for doing this?”^{(GH) 19} Jesus answered and said to them,^[db](GI) “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up.” ²⁰ The Jews said, “This temple has been under construction for forty-six years,^[dc] and you will raise it up in three days?” ²¹ But he was speaking about the temple of his body. ²² Therefore, when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they came to believe the scripture and the word Jesus had spoken.^(GJ)

²³ While he was in Jerusalem for the feast of Passover, many began to believe in his name when they saw the signs he was doing.^{(GK) 24} But Jesus would not trust himself to them because he knew them all, ²⁵ and did not need anyone to testify about human nature. He himself understood it well.^(GL)

Chapter 3

Nicodemus.^{[dd] 1 (GM)}Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.^{[de] 2} He came to Jesus at night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God, for no one can do these signs that you are doing unless God is with him.”^{(GN) 3} Jesus answered and said to him, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born^[df] from above.” ⁴ Nicodemus said to him, “How can a person once grown old be born again? Surely he cannot reenter his mother’s womb and be born again, can he?”^{(GO) 5} Jesus answered, “Amen, amen, I say to you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit.^{(GP) 6} What is born of flesh is flesh and what is born of spirit is spirit.^{(GQ) 7} Do not be amazed that I told you, ‘You must be born from above.’ ⁸ The wind^[dg] blows where it wills, and you can hear the sound it makes, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.”^{(GR) 9} Nicodemus answered and said to him, “How can this happen?” ¹⁰ Jesus answered and said to him, “You are the teacher of Israel and you do not understand this? ¹¹ Amen, amen, I say to you, we speak of what we know and we testify to what we have seen, but you people do not accept our testimony.^{(GS) 12} If I tell you about earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?^{(GT) 13} No one has gone up to heaven except the one who has come down from heaven, the Son of Man.^{(GU) 14} And just as Moses lifted up^[dh] the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,^{(GV) 15 [di]}so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave^[dj] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.^{(GW) 17} For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn^[dk] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.^{(GX) 18} Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.^{(GY) 19 [dl]}And this is the verdict,^(GZ) that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light, because their works were evil. ²⁰ For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come toward the light, so that his works might not be exposed.^{(HA) 21} But whoever lives the truth comes to the light, so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.^(HB)

Final Witness of the Baptist. ^22 [dm]After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the region of Judea, where he spent some time with them baptizing.^{(HC) 23} John was also baptizing in Aenon near Salim,^[dn] because there was an abundance of water there, and people came to be baptized, ^24 [do](HD)for John had not yet been imprisoned. ²⁵ Now a dispute arose between the disciples of John and a Jew^[dp] about ceremonial washings. ²⁶ So they came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing and everyone is coming to him.”^{(HE) 27} John answered and said, “No one can receive anything except what has been given him from heaven.^{(HF) 28} You yourselves can testify that I said [that] I am not the Messiah, but that I was sent before him.^{(HG) 29} The one who has the bride is the bridegroom; the best man,^[dq] who stands and listens to him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made complete.^{(HH) 30} He must increase; I must decrease.”^(HI)

The One from Heaven.^{[dr] 31} The one who comes from above is above all. The one who is of the earth is earthly and speaks of earthly things. But the one who comes from heaven [is above all].^{(HJ) 32} He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony.^{(HK) 33} Whoever does accept his testimony certifies that God is trustworthy.^{(HL) 34} For the one whom God sent speaks the words of God. He does not ration his gift^[ds] of the Spirit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has given everything over to him.^{(HM) 36} Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains upon him.^(HN)

Chapter 4

^1 [dt]Now when Jesus learned that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John ² (although Jesus himself was not baptizing, just his disciples),^{[du] 3} he left Judea and returned to Galilee.

The Samaritan Woman. ⁴ He had to^[dv] pass through Samaria. ⁵ So he came to a town of Samaria called Sychar,^[dw] near the plot of land that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.^{(HO) 6} Jacob’s well was there. Jesus, tired from his journey, sat down there at the well. It was about noon.

⁷ A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” ⁸ His disciples had gone into the town to buy food. ^9 [dx]The Samaritan woman said to him, “How can you, a Jew, ask me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?”^(HP) (For Jews use nothing in common with Samaritans.) ^10 [dy]Jesus answered and said to her,^(HQ) “If you knew the gift of God and who is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” ¹¹ [The woman] said to him, “Sir,^[dz] you do not even have a bucket and the well is deep; where then can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us this well and drank from it himself with his children and his flocks?”^{(HR) 13} Jesus answered and said to her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again; ¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I shall give will never thirst; the water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”^{(HS) 15} The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I may not be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water.”

¹⁶ Jesus said to her, “Go call your husband and come back.” ¹⁷ The woman answered and said to him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus answered her, “You are right in saying, ‘I do not have a husband.’ ¹⁸ For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.”^{(HT) 19} The woman said to him, “Sir, I can see that you are a prophet.^{(HU) 20} Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain;^[ea] but you people say that the place to worship is in Jerusalem.”^{(HV) 21} Jesus said to her, “Believe me, woman, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. ²² You people worship what you do not understand; we worship what we understand, because salvation is from the Jews.^{(HW) 23} But the hour is coming, and is now here, when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth;^[eb] and indeed the Father seeks such people to worship him. ²⁴ God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.”^{(HX) 25 [ec]}The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming,^(HY) the one called the Anointed; when he comes, he will tell us everything.” ²⁶ Jesus said to her, “I am he,^[ed] the one who is speaking with you.”^(HZ)

²⁷ At that moment his disciples returned, and were amazed that he was talking with a woman,^[ee] but still no one said, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking with her?” ²⁸ The woman left her water jar and went into the town and said to the people, ²⁹ “Come see a man who told me everything I have done. Could he possibly be the Messiah?” ³⁰ They went out of the town and came to him. ³¹ Meanwhile, the disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat.” ³² But he said to them, “I have food to eat of which you do not know.” ³³ So the disciples said to one another, “Could someone have brought him something to eat?” ³⁴ Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of the one who sent me and to finish his work.^{(IA) 35} Do you not say, ‘In four months^[ef] the harvest will be here’? I tell you, look up and see the fields ripe for the harvest.^{(IB) 36} The reaper is already^[eg] receiving his payment and gathering crops for eternal life, so that the sower and reaper can rejoice together.^{(IC) 37} For here the saying is verified that ‘One sows and another reaps.’^{(ID) 38} I sent you to reap what you have not worked for; others have done the work, and you are sharing the fruits of their work.”

³⁹ Many of the Samaritans of that town began to believe in him because of the word of the woman^[eh] who testified, “He told me everything I have done.” ⁴⁰ When the Samaritans came to him, they invited him to stay with them; and he stayed there two days. ⁴¹ Many more began to believe in him because of his word, ⁴² and they said to the woman, “We no longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world.”^(IE)

Return to Galilee. ^43 [ei]After the two days, he left there for Galilee. ^44 [ej](IF)For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his native place. ⁴⁵ When he came into Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, since they had seen all he had done in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves had gone to the feast.

Second Sign at Cana.^{[ek] 46 (IG)}Then he returned to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When he heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and asked him to come down and heal his son, who was near death. ⁴⁸ Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.”^{(IH) 49} The royal official said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.” ⁵⁰ Jesus said to him, “You may go; your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and left.^{(II) 51} While he was on his way back, his slaves met him and told him that his boy would live. ⁵² He asked them when he began to recover. They told him, “The fever left him yesterday, about one in the afternoon.” ⁵³ The father realized that just at that time Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live,” and he and his whole household came to believe. ⁵⁴ [Now] this was the second sign Jesus did when he came to Galilee from Judea.^(IJ)

Chapter 5^[el]

Cure on a Sabbath. ¹ After this, there was a feast^[em] of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.^{(IK) 2} Now there is in Jerusalem at the Sheep [Gate]^[en] a pool called in Hebrew Bethesda, with five porticoes.^{(IL) 3} In these lay a large number of ill, blind, lame, and crippled.^[eo] [⁴ ]^{[ep] 5} One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” ⁷ The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.” ⁸ Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.”^{(IM) 9} Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.^(IN)

Now that day was a sabbath. ¹⁰ So the Jews said to the man who was cured, “It is the sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to carry your mat.”^{(IO) 11} He answered them, “The man who made me well told me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’” ¹² They asked him, “Who is the man who told you, ‘Take it up and walk’?” ¹³ The man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away, since there was a crowd there.^{(IP) 14 [eq]}After this Jesus found him in the temple area and said to him,^(IQ) “Look, you are well; do not sin any more, so that nothing worse may happen to you.” ¹⁵ The man went and told the Jews that Jesus was the one who had made him well. ¹⁶ Therefore, the Jews began to persecute Jesus because he did this on a sabbath.^{(IR) 17 [er]}But Jesus answered them,^(IS) “My Father is at work until now, so I am at work.” ¹⁸ For this reason the Jews tried all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the sabbath but he also called God his own father, making himself equal to God.^(IT)

The Work of the Son. ^19 [es]Jesus answered and said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, a son cannot do anything on his own, but only what he sees his father doing;^(IU) for what he does, his son will do also. ²⁰ For the Father loves his Son and shows him everything that he himself does, and he will show him greater works than these, so that you may be amazed.^{(IV) 21} For just as the Father raises the dead and gives life,^[et] so also does the Son give life to whomever he wishes.^{(IW) 22} Nor does the Father judge anyone, but he has given all judgment^[eu] to his Son,^{(IX) 23} so that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. ²⁴ Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life and will not come to condemnation, but has passed from death to life.^{(IY) 25} Amen, amen, I say to you, the hour is coming and is now here when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.^{(IZ) 26} For just as the Father has life in himself, so also he gave to his Son the possession of life in himself.^{(JA) 27} And he gave him power to exercise judgment, because he is the Son of Man.^{(JB) 28 [ev]}Do not be amazed at this, because the hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice^{(JC) 29} and will come out, those who have done good deeds to the resurrection of life, but those who have done wicked deeds to the resurrection of condemnation.^(JD)

³⁰ “I cannot do anything on my own; I judge as I hear, and my judgment is just, because I do not seek my own will but the will of the one who sent me.^(JE)

Witnesses to Jesus. ^31 (JF)“If I testify on my own behalf, my testimony cannot be verified. ³² But there is another^[ew] who testifies on my behalf, and I know that the testimony he gives on my behalf is true. ³³ You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth.^{(JG) 34} I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved.^{(JH) 35} He was a burning and shining lamp,^[ex] and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light.^{(JI) 36} But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.^{(JJ) 37} Moreover, the Father who sent me has testified on my behalf. But you have never heard his voice nor seen his form,^{(JK) 38} and you do not have his word remaining in you, because you do not believe in the one whom he has sent.^{(JL) 39} You search^[ey] the scriptures, because you think you have eternal life through them; even they testify on my behalf.^{(JM) 40} But you do not want to come to me to have life.

Unbelief of Jesus’ Hearers. ⁴¹ “I do not accept human praise;^{[ez] 42} moreover, I know that you do not have the love of God in you.^{(JN) 43} I came in the name of my Father, but you do not accept me; yet if another comes in his own name, you will accept him.^{(JO) 44} How can you believe, when you accept praise from one another and do not seek the praise that comes from the only God?^{(JP) 45} Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father: the one who will accuse you is Moses, in whom you have placed your hope.^{(JQ) 46} For if you had believed Moses, you would have believed me, because he wrote about me.^{(JR) 47} But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”