Matthew 12:4-19:2 "how he entered into God's house (home) and they ate the loaves (= the consecrated bread) of the presentation (the placing-before God's presence) – which was not normally being allowed by Law or custom for him to be eating, nor for those with him, except by the priests only?

JMNT⁽ⁱ⁾ ⁴ "how he entered into God's house (home) and they ate the loaves (= the consecrated bread) of the presentation (the placing-before [God's presence]) – which was not normally being allowed by Law or custom for him to be eating, nor for those with him, except [by] the priests only? ⁵ "Or, do (or: did) you folks not read within the Law [= the Torah] that on the sabbaths the priest in the Temple courts (grounds) habitually profane (= violate the sacredness of) the sabbath, and continue being guiltless (blameless; faultless; innocent)? ⁶ "Now I am saying to you folks that there is now here (in this place) something greater (or: = more important) than the Temple courts and grounds! ⁷ "But, if you had come to personally (or: by intimate experience or insight) know what [this] is (or: = means), 'I am habitually wanting (desiring), repeatedly intending and continuously purposing mercy, and not sacrifice,' [Hos. 6:6] you folks would not ever oppose fairness, equity and justice, while you degrade the way pointed out in condemning the guiltless ones (the blameless and innocent folks) [cf vs. 5, above: = the priests of the new order]. ⁸ "You see, the Son of the Man (the son of the human; = the son of Adam; = a human being) continues being a lord (master; or: [the] Lord and Owner) of the sabbath." ⁹ And so, re-directing His steps from out of that place, He went into their synagogue, ¹⁰ and – Look, and consider! – a man having a withered (dried-up) hand [was there]. So they put a question to Him – to the end that they could accuse (bring charges against and discredit) Him – by asking if it is allowed by Law and custom to habitually serve, heal, cure or give medical treatment on the sabbaths. ¹¹ So He now said to them, "Who from you folks will proceed to be a person (or: What man of you people will there continue being) who will continue having one sheep, and if this one should fall into a pit (a hole in the ground; a well; a cistern) on [one] of the sabbaths, will not proceed to be firmly grabbing hold of it and raising [it] up? ¹² "Of how much more does a human habitually carry through to be of greater consequence or worth – than a sheep? It is always allowed by Law and custom to habitually do ideally (finely; beautifully) on the sabbaths." ¹³ At that time, He is then speaking to the man, "At once stretch out (or: forth) your hand!" So he at once stretched [it] out, and it was at once restored to be sound and healthy, just as the other one [or: hand]. ¹⁴ Now upon going out, the Pharisees took deliberation together and resolved a joint considered purpose down against Him, so that they could loose Him away (or: destroy Him; make Him to be lost-away from [them]; = to get rid of Him). ¹⁵ Yet Jesus, aware [of this], withdrew from that place, and many people followed Him, and He served, attentively cared for, treated, prescribed therapies for, instigated ongoing procedures for, cured and, or, healed them all. ¹⁶ Following this, He respectfully gave them admonition, apprising them of the situation and His wishes, to the end that they would not draw attention to Him, making Him a visible public figure, nor disclose His identity. ¹⁷ [This was] so that the [prophecy; oracle] declared through Isaiah the prophet would (or: could) be fulfilled, [that] continues saying, ¹⁸ "Look, and consider! My Boy (or: My Servant; My personal attendant; My servant-boy) Whom I select (or: chose) – My Beloved, [of] Whom My soul assumes ease and wellness (or: [in] Whom My soul takes pleasure; Whom My soul considers good and thinks well of)! I will proceed putting (placing) My Spirit (the effect of My breath; My Attitude) upon Him, and He will continue sending-off a message regarding separation and a decision for the ethnic multitudes (or: will repeatedly announce a judging and bring a report of justice in the nations; will continue plainly declaring what justice and discrimination is to non-Jews; will continuously announce judgment for the Gentiles [= foreigners]). ¹⁹ He will neither proceed to quarrel (strive; debate; be contentious) nor will He continue shouting (screaming or making outcry; causing clamoring; behaving loud-mouthed), nor yet will anyone continue hearing His voice [above the ambient noises] in the town squares or broad streets. ²⁰ He will not proceed to break down a reed that has been bruised (or: break in pieces a reed that has been crushed), and He will not proceed to extinguish a flax lamp-wick that is continuing in being wrapped in smoke and made to smolder – until He can thrust-forth [the] separation-derived decision into a victory (or: cast-out judging – unto victory)! ²¹ And then, the ethnic multitudes (nations; pagans; foreigners; Gentiles) will proceed to be continuously placing [their] expectations in His Name (= on His character, reputation and authority)!" [Isa. 42:1-4; comment: this passage describes a Person who is gentle and non-violent in character] ²² At that time people brought to Him a man continuously affected and controlled by a demon (a Hellenistic concept and term; = an animistic influence) – blind and mute (incapable of speaking). And so He treated and cured him, so that the mute man [began] to be repeatedly speaking and continuously seeing. ²³ Well, all the crowds began being set out of place (or: being made to stand out of themselves) in amazement, and began saying, "Is not this one perhaps the son of David?" ²⁴ Now upon hearing, the Pharisees said, "This person is not casting (or: throwing) out the demons except in union with Beelzebub [other MSS: Beelzebul; Beezeboul], the ruler (or: chief; originator) of the demons (Hellenistic concept and term: = animistic influences)." [comment: Beelzebub, is the NT spelling for Baal-zebub, a Philistine deity (2 King 1:2). So here we have the Pharisees validating the existence of a pagan god! And yet, we are told in Ps. 95:5 that “all the gods of the peoples (= people groups) are mere idols (nobodies; things of naught).” The LXX (Greek OT) renders this: “all the gods of the ethnic multitudes (nations; non-Israelites) {are} demons.” But Isaiah says in 65:3 (LXX), “This is a people that '85 offer{s} sacrifices in gardens, and burn{s} incense on bricks to the demons – which things DO NOT EXIST!”] ²⁵ So, having seen and now knowing (perceiving) their inner impulses, emotions, sentiments and reflections, He said to them, "Every reign of a king (kingdom; = government) being parted (divided and separated into parts) down against itself is being progressively turned into a desert (made desolate, waste and depopulated), and every city or household being parted down against itself will not continue standing (= be surviving). ²⁶ "So if 'Satan' continues casting (or: driving) out 'Satan,' he is parted (divided and separated into parts) upon himself. How, then, will his reign (kingdom; government) continue standing (= be surviving)? ²⁷ "And if I, Myself, 'in union with Beelzebub' continue casting (or: driving) out the demons, in union with whom are your sons habitually casting and driving [them] out? Through this (or: Therefore; For this reason), they, themselves, will continue being your judges (or: decision makers pertaining to you folks). ²⁸ "Yet if I, Myself, in union with God's Spirit ([being] within the midst of the effect of God's breath; in an attitude which is God) am constantly driving (or: casting) out the demons, God's reign (the kingdom from God, the sovereign rule which is God, and the government of God) has consequently preceded and come beforehand upon you people (or: has really overtaken you folks and is now arrived and settled upon you). ²⁹ "Or, how does anyone have power or ability to enter into the house belonging to a strong person and to seize (snatch up and plunder) his movable goods (equipment; utensils; gear; belongings; possessions), unless he can (or: should) first bind (tie up) the strong person? After that he will proceed in completely plundering (thoroughly looting) his house. ³⁰ "The person not continually being with Me (= on My side) continues being against Me, and the person not habitually gathering (or: leading together) with Me is constantly scattering. ³¹ "For this reason, I continue saying to you folks, Every failure (mistake; error; failure to attain the goal or hit the target; sin) and blasphemy (vilifying, abusive and slanderous speech; light-hindrance) will be caused to flow away from (will be divorced and sent off for; will be pardoned and forgiven) humanity (mankind). Yet, the blasphemy pertaining to (vilifying, abusive, slanderous speech about) the Spirit (the Breath-effect; the Attitude) will not be caused to flow away (not be divorced and sent off; not be pardoned or forgiven) in mankind. ³² "And further, whoever may say a word (should speak a thought or message) [directed] down against the Son of the Man (the son of humanity; = Adam's son), it will continue caused to flow away for him (will be progressively divorced and sent off in him; or: he will continue pardoned and forgiven by Him). Yet [for] whoever may speak down against the Set-apart Spirit (the Breath-effect of the Holy One; the Sacred Attitude), it will not proceed to be caused to flow away from him (or: he will not continue pardoned and forgiven by Him; it will not progress to be released and sent off in him) – neither within this age, nor within the one being about to be (the impending one). ³³ "You folks either make the tree ideal (fine and beautiful), and thus its fruit ideal (fine and beautiful), or make the tree rotten, and its fruit [will be] rotten (decayed). You see, the tree is habitually being known and experienced from out of the [or: its] fruit. ³⁴ "Offspring ([You] effects of the births) of poisonous snakes (vipers; serpents; [comment: perhaps equating them to satan])! How are you able to habitually say good and virtuous things, being inherently good-for-nothing and useless folks (being worthless and knavish; being folks in a sorry plight and oppressed by grievous toils; existing being base and wicked; continuously being ones characterized by evil)? You see, from out of the midst of the effect of the excess from the heart's surrounding abundance, the mouth is continually speaking. ³⁵ "The good and virtuous person is habitually extracting and spurting out good and virtuous things from out of the midst of the Good and Virtuous Treasure-house. And yet the good-for-nothing and useless person is continuously extracting and spurting out worthless, oppressive, knavish, base, wicked and evil things from out of the mist of the worthless treasure-house. ³⁶ "Now I continue saying to you folks that [for] every ineffective and unproductive (idle and unemployed; thus: unprofitable) effect of a gush or result of some flow (or: thing spoken; saying; declaration) which people will be speaking, they will continue giving back (rendering) an account (a word; a thought; an idea) concerning it, within a day of separating and deciding (or: judging). ³⁷ "For you see, from out of your words (or: verbal expressions; ideas and thoughts) you [individually] will be progressively brought into right relationship (rightwised and made fair) within the Way pointed out; and from out of your words (expressed thoughts and ideas) you [individually] will continue having actions brought down on you from out of the Way pointed out (or: be opposed by fairness, equity and right relationships; or: be convicted)." ³⁸ At that point some of the scribes (scholars; theologians; experts of the Law) and the Pharisees gave a calculated response to Him, one after another, saying, "Teacher, we continue wanting to see a sign from you!" ³⁹ So He, making a decided reply, said to them, "A good-for-nothing, worthless, base, knavish, grievously oppressive and wicked – even adulterous (unfaithful and immoral) – generation repeatedly seeks intently for a sign! And yet a sign will not proceed to be given to it – except the sign of Jonah the prophet. ⁴⁰ "You see, just as Jonah was within the midst of the belly of the huge fish (or: sea monster) [for] three days and three nights [Jonah. 1:17], thus in this way will the Son of the Man (humanity's son; = Adam's son) continue being within the heart of the earth [for] three days and three nights. ⁴¹ "Adult males – Ninevites – will stand back up again with this generation, in the separating and deciding (the judging), and they will progressively make a corresponding decision about (or: condemn) it, because they changed their way of thinking into the message publicly proclaimed by Jonah – and take note of this, something more than Jonah [is] here! ⁴² " [The] queen of [the] south will proceed to be aroused and raised up in the separating and deciding (the judging) with this generation, and she will progressively make a corresponding decision about (or: condemn) it, because she came from out of the extremities of the land to hear the wisdom of Solomon – and take note of this, something more than Solomon [is] here! ⁴³ "Now whenever the unclean spirit (or: unpruned attitude; unpurged breath-effect; foul wind) should come forth (or: go out) away from the person (or: human), it normally passes through waterless places, continuously seeking a resting place (or: rest; a ceasing from activity) – and it continues finding none. ⁴⁴ "At that point, it proceeds to say, 'I will proceed turning back into my house from where I came (or: moved) out.' And, upon coming, it is then finding [it] continuing being unoccupied (being unemployed, and thus, at leisure) and having been swept clean with a broom – even having been put in orderly arrangement and decorated! ⁴⁵ "At that time it continues journeying on its way, and then proceeds taking along with itself seven different spirits (attitudes; breath-effects; winds) more good-for-nothing and useless (base, wicked, knavish, grievously oppressive and evil) than itself, and upon entering, it settles down and continues dwelling there in the house. So the last [circumstances] of that person becomes progressively worse than the first ones. Thus in this way will it also proceed being with (or: for; in; to) this good-for-nothing and wicked generation." ⁴⁶ While He was yet speaking to the crowds – look, and take note! – His mother and brothers (= siblings) had taken a position and now stood outside, persistently seeking to speak to Him. ⁴⁷ Now someone said to Him, "Look – Your mother and Your brothers have taken a stand, and continue standing outside, persistently seeking to speak to You." ⁴⁸ Yet He, making a considered response, said to the person then speaking to Him, "Who is My mother, and which ones are My brothers?" ⁴⁹ Then, stretching out His hand upon [the assembly of] His disciples, He said, "Look at, and consider – My mother and My brothers! ⁵⁰ "You see, whoever may be doing the will, intent, purpose and desire of My Father – the One within and in union with [the] heavens (or: in the midst of [the] atmospheres) – that very person is My brother and sister and mother!" ¹³ ¹ On that day (= That same day), after coming out of the house, Jesus had spent some time sitting on the shore, beside the lake (or: sea). ² And so great was the concourse of people that were gathered together toward Him, that He was stepping into a small boat to continue sitting down – and the entire crowd stood on the beach. ³ And so he spoke many things to them, continuing in gathering thoughts and laying them in order, in parables (things cast down at the side for comparison; illustrations; [note: used for Hebrew masal in the LXX, so = a variety of figures of speech: riddle; proverb; ethical maxim; by-word; allegory; fable; enigmatic saying that is meant to stimulate intense thinking): ⁴ "Look and consider! The sower comes out (or: went out) to be progressively sowing (scattering seed [in a field]). Now in the midst of his continued sowing, some [seeds] on the one hand fell alongside the path – and with the birds coming, they ate them down (devoured them). ⁵ On the other hand, other [seeds] fell upon the rocky places (or: shallow soil where layers of rock lie near the surface), where it continues having not much soil, and immediately it shoots forth again, back up – because of the [situation of] not having a depth of soil. ⁶ Yet upon a rising back up again of [the] sun, it was scorched – and thus, because of the [situation of] not having [sufficient] root, it was dried up and withered. ⁷ Now others fell upon the thornbushes (or: prickly weeds), and the thornbushes came up and choked them off (smothered them). ⁸ But others fell upon the ideal soil, and it began and kept on yielding fruit – this one, on the one hand, a hundred; that one, on the other hand, sixty; yet some, thirty. ⁹ Let the person possessing ears continue listening, hearing and paying attention." ¹⁰ Then, approaching, the disciples said to Him, "Why (Through what [purpose; motive]) are you continuing to speak to them in parables (here: = illustrative riddles; = Hebrew masal)?" ¹¹ So giving a decided response, He said to them, "To (or: For; With) you folks it has been given to intimately experience and insightfully know the secrets (mysteries) of the reign of the heavens (or: the kingdom which is the heavens; the royal rule which pertains to and has its origin in the heavens, and which emanates from the atmospheres), yet it has not been given to those people. ¹² "You see, whoever continues possessing (presently and habitually holds [understanding]; repeatedly has [something]), to him it (or: something; or: [understanding]) will continue being given and he will habitually be made to superabound (or: have more than enough); yet whoever does not continue possessing (habitually holding; repeatedly having), even what he does have will be progressively taken away from him. ¹³ "Therefore I continue speaking in parables (with illustrations) to them, because while seeing (or: observing) they continue not seeing, and during listening (or: hearing) they are not hearing (or: listening) – neither are they comprehending or understanding (having things flow together so as to get the picture or see the relationships). ¹⁴ "And so the prophecy of Isaiah is progressively being filled up in (or: for; by) them – the one continuing in saying, 'In listening you folks will keep on hearing, and yet you can by no means have things flow together so as to get the picture or see the relationships (or: comprehend or understand), and while constantly looking, you will continue observing, and yet you can by no means see so as to perceive. ¹⁵ 'For the heart of this people was made thick and fat, and thus has become impervious, dull and insensitive, and with the ears they hear heavily, and are thus hard of hearing, and they shut (or: closed) their eyes (or: they squint their eyes), lest at some time they might see with [their] eyes and should then be listening and hearing with [their] ears, and with the heart they could make things flow together so as to comprehend – and they might turn about! And so, I will progressively cure and heal them!' [Isa. 6:9-10] (or: ... and they squint their eyes! At some point should they not see with [their] eyes, and continue listening so as to hear with [their] ears, and thus understand in the heart? And then they can turn around, and I will continue healing them!') ¹⁶ "However, your eyes [are] happy (blessed and prosperous, and thus, privileged), because they continue seeing – as well as your ears, for they are presently and habitually hearing. ¹⁷ "You see I am now telling you frankly and truly that many prophets and rightwised folks (fair and just people) passionately desired to see [the] things which you folks are now habitually seeing (or: looking at) – and yet they did not see; and to hear things which you are continuously hearing – and yet they did not hear. ¹⁸ "Therefore, you folks listen to, and be hearing, the parable (illustration cast by your side) of the sower (or: the scattering of seed). ¹⁹ "Concerning everyone constantly listening to and hearing the Word of the sovereign reign and activities (or: the thought, idea and message of the kingdom) and yet continuing in not understanding (being unable to have things flow together unto comprehension): the worthless person or the disadvantageous circumstance (or: the one who brings pain and misery through hard labor; the malevolent and wicked man; the evil one; or: the difficult and wearisome situation) is repeatedly coming and is habitually snatching up what has been sown (scattered as seed) within his heart – this is the one sown alongside the path or road. ²⁰ "Now [as to] the one being sown (scattered) upon the rocky places, this one is the person continuing in hearing the Word (thought; idea; message), and at once progressively receiving it with joy! ²¹ "However, he is not continuing to have a root within himself, but is instead existing for [only] a season (is temporary, or lasts only for that particular situation or occasion), so with an occurring (happening; birthing) of pressure (tribulation; distress) or pursuit and persecution – because of the message (the Word; the idea) – he is at once caught in a trap, as though these circumstances were a trap-stick, and so he is made to stumble, being offended. ²² "Now [as to] the one being sown (scattered) into the midst of the thorns, this one is the person continuing in hearing the Word (message; thought; idea), and yet the anxiety (care; worry; concern; distraction) of the age [other MSS: this age], and the seductiveness and deception of the riches and wealth [involved], together progressively choke the Word (or: message) and it (or: he) progresses to become unfruitful. ²³ "As for the one sown (scattered) upon the ideal soil (earth), this is the person continuing in hearing the Word (or: message; idea) and progressively allowing things to flow together unto comprehension and understanding – who in reality does progressively bear fruit, and is continuing producing: this one, on the one hand, a hundred, that one, on the other hand, sixty, yet another one thirty [times what was sown]." ²⁴ He placed (or: put; set) another parable (illustration) beside [the previous one] for them, proceeding in saying, "The reign and sovereignty activities of the heavens (or: kingdom of the atmospheres) is likened and compared to a person (human) sowing (scattering) fine, ideal seed within his field. ²⁵ "Now during the continued sleeping of the people, his enemy (the one hostile to him) came and oversowed weed seeds (scattered-on darnel [= a wild grass, or, bastard wheat]; i.e., plants that would compete with the main crop, and that would cause extra work at harvest time) again, through the midst of the wheat (or: grain), and then went away. ²⁶ "So when the blade sprouted and put forth leaves, and then produced fruit (a crop), at that time the weeds (darnel: indistinguishable from wheat stalks until close to harvest time) also became apparent (visible and evident). ²⁷ "And so the slaves, upon approaching the householder, said to him, 'Master (Lord; Sir), did you not sow fine, ideal seed within your field? From where, then, is it now having weeds (darnel)?' ²⁸ "So the man affirmed to them, 'A human – an enemy – did this!' Now they continue in saying to him, 'Are you now, therefore, desiring [that] we, upon going off, should gather them [i.e., the weeds] together (= cull them out)?' ²⁹ "But he affirms, 'No, otherwise (or: lest at some point) during collecting together the weeds you men might at the same time uproot the wheat (or: grain) along with them. ³⁰ 'Allow (or: Leave) both to continue growing side by side until the harvest, and within the season of the harvest I will proceed to be telling the reapers, First gather the weeds together and bind them into bundles for the purpose of burning them down. But progressively gather the wheat (or: grain) into my barn (storehouse).'" ³¹ He placed (or: put; set) another parable (illustration) beside [the previous one] for them, proceeding in saying, "The reign and sovereignty of the heavens (or: kingdom of the sky and atmosphere) exists being (or: is) like seed of a mustard plant – which, upon taking, a man (a person) sowed within his field – ³² "which on the one hand is smaller than all the seeds, yet on the other hand, whenever it might grow, is greater than the vegetables (= is the largest of the garden plants and herbs) and progressively comes to be a [veritable] tree [in size and form], so that the birds of the sky (or: atmosphere) come and periodically roost within its branches." ³³ He spoke another parable (illustration) to them: "The reign (kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (is) like leaven (or: yeast) which a woman, upon getting (taking; receiving) [it], hides within (= mixes in) three large measures (1.5 pecks, or 12 quarts, per measure) of wheat flour, or meal, until [the] whole [batch] is leavened to thus be fermented, risen [and teeming with life]!" ³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things in parables to the crowds, and apart from parables He was, and continued, speaking nothing to them, ³⁵ so that the [prophecy; oracle] being declared through the prophet would (or: could) be fulfilled, [which] continues saying, "I will repeatedly open My mouth in parables (illustrations); I will constantly disgorge and spew out things having been hidden from [the; a] casting-down (a laying of a foundation; or, metaphorically: a conception [as used in Heb. 11:11, "a casting-down of seed"]) [other MSS add: of {the} organized System (or: world; cosmos; universe; or: the world of culture and religion)]." [Ps. 78:2] ³⁶ At that time, after leaving the crowds, He went into the house. And then His disciples approached Him, one after another saying, "Make the parable (illustration) of the weeds (darnel) of the field thoroughly clear and distinct for (or: to) us (= explain it so that we can plainly understand it)." ³⁷ So He, setting forth a reply giving discernment, said, "The person habitually sowing the fine, ideal seed is the Son of the Man (or: mankind's son; = the son of Adam; = the human). ³⁸ "Now the field is the organized System (the ordered arrangement; the world; the world of religion as well as of economy, culture and government in the secular; = the realm of society). As for the fine, ideal seed, these are the sons of the reign (= the produce and resulting situation which have the kingdom as their source and origin; the offspring who are the reign; = those things having the character and quality of the kingdom and are associated with its reign). Yet the weeds (darnel) are the sons of the worthless person or the disadvantageous circumstance (or: the sons whose source and origin is the one who brings pain and misery through hard labor; the produce whose character and quality are malevolent and wicked; the sons of the evil one; or: offspring of the difficult and wearisome situation [the predicament of mankind?]; the bad environment; may = the result of the work of a worthless person [perhaps: the words of a religious person]). ³⁹ "And now the enemy (the hostile person) – the person sowing them – is the adversary (the person who will thrust something through you; or: the "devil"). And then [the] harvest is [the] bringing of the parts together to one destined end (or: a combined final act; a purposed consummation; a putting together of the final product; a joining of all aspects into the fruition of the goal) of an age, but the harvesters (reapers) are agents (messengers; folks with the message). ⁴⁰ "Therefore, just as the weeds (darnel) are periodically collected together and are normally burned down (or: up) in a fire, thus will it be within the conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one end and goal) of the age [other MSS: this age]. ⁴¹ "The Son of the Man will progressively send off His agents (messengers; folks with the message) as emissaries, and they will continue gathering together out of His kingdom (collect and cull out of His reign) all the snares and things which entrap, as well as the folks habitually producing (or: doing; constructing; practicing; creating) the lawlessness. ⁴² "Next they will continue throwing them into the furnace (oven; kiln) of The Fire [note: a figure of being dealt with in, and by, God]: 'the weeping (crying and lamentation) and the grinding of teeth' will continue being in that situation (or: place). ⁴³ "At that time, the fair and equitable folks – who live in the pointed-out Way of right relationships, rightwised behavior and justice – will be progressively giving out light, as from lamps (or: will shine forth from out of the midst), in the same way as the sun, in union with the reign, and within the kingdom, of their Father. Let the person having ears to hear continue listening and be constantly hearing! ⁴⁴ "The reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a treasure – having been hidden (or: being concealed) within the midst of a field – which, upon finding, a person hid (concealed) [again] and then, from the joy he has, he proceeds leaving [it] and one after another sells as many things as he is then possessing and is proceeding in purchasing that field. ⁴⁵ "Again, the reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a human being – a traveling business man (or: merchant), constantly trying to find beautiful, ideal pearls. ⁴⁶ "Now upon finding one very valuable pearl, after at once going away, he has exported for sale and disposed of everything – as much as he was holding (possessing) – and he buys it at the market place. ⁴⁷ "Again, the reign (or: kingdom; sovereignty) of the heavens and atmospheres exists being (or: is) like a dragnet (a seine) being cast into the lake (or: sea) and gathering together [some] of every species [of marine life, into the net], ⁴⁸ "from which – when it was filled up, after hauling it up upon the beach and sitting down – they gathered together the ideal ones into containers (buckets, crocks or baskets). Yet the decayed and rotten ones they threw outside. ⁴⁹ "It will be the same way within the destined conclusion (the combined final act; the joining of all parts and aspects to one purposed end and goal) of the (or: = this) age: the agents (messengers) will be constantly going forth and will be progressively marking off boundaries for (limiting off, thus separating) the worthless and disadvantageous folks or circumstances (those people or situations who/which bring pain and misery through hard works; the wicked people or evil conditions) from out of the midst of the fair and equitable folks or situations (those having been placed within the Way of right relationships, rightwised behavior and justice) ⁵⁰ "and then will continue casting them into the furnace (oven; kiln) of The Fire [= God's dealings]: the weeping (crying and lamentation) and the grinding of teeth' will continue being in that situation or place. ⁵¹ "Do you folks understand all these things? Were you able to make them all flow together?" They were then saying to Him, "Yes." ⁵² So He said to them, "Therefore (or: That being the situation; For this reason), every scribe (well-trained writer, translator or scholar; or: theologian; expert and instructor in the Law), being one taught, schooled and made a disciple by the reign from the atmospheres (or: in the kingdom of the heavens) exists being (or: is) like a person (a human) – a householder (an owner of a home) – who is habitually extracting and spurting out from the midst of his store of treasures things fresh and new in character and quality, as well as old, well-worn and even obsolete." ⁵³ And then it happened (occurred), when Jesus finished these parables (illustrations), [that] He went across country (transferred Himself) from that place. ⁵⁴ So later, upon coming into His fatherland (= His native land and home territory), He began, and continued, teaching them within their synagogue, with the result for them to be constantly moved from out of their positions and be overwhelmed with astonishment, even to be periodically saying, "From where [comes] this wisdom and the expressions (demonstrations; effects; works) of power and ability by (or: in; to; for) this person? ⁵⁵ "Is this man not the builder's (carpenter's; skilled craftsman's; journeyman's) son? Is not his mother the one normally being called Mary (or: Miriam) – and his brothers Jacob (James), Joseph, Simon and Judah (or: Judas)? ⁵⁶ "And are not his sisters with us? From where, then, [come] all these things to (or: in; by) this person?" ⁵⁷ And thus, they continued being stumbled and entrapped by this trap-stick (snare) in Him. So Jesus said to them, "A prophet is not un-honored or without value, except in the midst of his own fatherland (home territory) and within his own household." ⁵⁸ And therefore He did not do (or: perform) many demonstrations (exhibitions; works; effects) of power in that place – through their lack of trust and absence of faith and confidence. ¹⁴ 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.