Many Women Support Christ’s Work
1Soon afterward He was traveling from one town and village to another, Mk 6:6 preaching and telling the good news of the kingdom of God. Mt 4:23; Lk 4:43 The Twelve were with Him,
2and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses: Mt 27:55; Mk 15:40-41; Lk 23:49,55; Ac 1:14 Mary, called Magdalene (seven demons had come out Mt 27:56,61; 28:1; Mk 16:9; Lk 24:10; Jn 19:25; 20:1,18 of her);
3Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who were supporting them from their possessions.
The Parable of the Sower
4As a large crowd was gathering, and people were flocking to Him from every town, He said in a parable: Mt 13:3-9; Mk 4:3-9
5“A sower went out to sow his seed. As he was sowing, some fell along the path; it was trampled on, and the birds of the sky ate it up.
6Other seed fell on the rock; when it sprang up, it withered, since it lacked moisture.
7Other seed fell among thorns; the thorns sprang up with it and choked it.
8Still other seed fell on good ground; when it sprang up, it produced a crop: 100 times what was sown.” Gn 26:12 As He said this, He called out, “Anyone who has ears to hear should listen! ” Mt 11:15; Lk 13:34
Why Jesus Used Parables
9Then His disciples asked Him, “What does this parable mean? ” Mt 13:10-11; Mk 4:10-11
10So He said, “The secrets of the kingdom of God have been given for you Mt 19:11 to know, but to the rest it is in parables, so that
Looking they may not see,
and hearing they may not understand. Is 6:9 Is 6:9
The Parable of the Sower Explained
11“This is the meaning of the parable: Lit But this is the parable: Mt 13:18-23; Mk 4:13-20 The seed is the word of God. Lk 8:21; 11:28; Ac 18:11; Jms 1:21; 1Pt 1:23
12The seed along the path are those who have heard and then the Devil comes and takes away the word from their hearts, so that they may not believe and be saved.
13And the seed on the rock are those who, when they hear, welcome the word with joy. Having no root, these believe for a while and depart in a time of testing. Ezk 33:31-32; Gl 1:6
14As for the seed that fell among thorns, these are the ones who, when they have heard, go on their way and are choked with worries, riches, and pleasures of life, Mt 6:25 and produce no mature fruit.
15But the seed in the good ground — these are the ones who, Or these are the kind who having heard the word with an honest and good heart, hold on to it and by enduring, Heb 10:36; Jms 5:7 bear fruit.
Using Your Light
16“No one, after lighting a lamp, Mt 5:15-16; Lk 11:33 covers it with a basket or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a lampstand so that those who come in may see its light. Mk 4:21-25
17For nothing is concealed that won’t be revealed, and nothing hidden that won’t be made known and come to light. Mt 10:26; Lk 12:2; 1Tm 5:25
18Therefore take care how you listen. For whoever has, more will be given to him; Mt 13:12 and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
True Relationships
19Then His mother and brothers Mt 13:55; Mk 6:3; Jn 2:12; 7:3,5,10; Ac 1:14; 1Co 9:5; Gl 1:19 came to Him, Mt 12:46-50; Mk 3:31-35 but they could not meet with Him because of the crowd.
20He was told, “Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, wanting to see You.”
21But He replied to them, “My mother and My brothers are those who hear and do the word of God.” Lk 11:28; Jms 1:22
Wind and Wave Obey the Master
22One day He and His disciples got into a boat, Mt 8:23-27; Mk 4:36-41; Jn 6:16-21 and He told them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” Lk 5:1 So they set out,
23and as they were sailing He fell asleep. Then a fierce windstorm came down on the lake; they were being swamped and were in danger.
24They came and woke Him up, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to die! ” Then He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waves. So they ceased, and there was a calm. Ps 65:7; 104:7; Mt 14:32; Mk 6:51; Lk 4:39
25He said to them, “Where is your faith? ”
They were fearful and amazed, asking one another, “Who can this be? Lit Who then is this? Mt 21:10; Lk 1:66; 5:21; 7:49; 9:9 He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey Him! ”
Demons Driven Out by the Master
26Then they sailed to the region of the Gerasenes, Other mss read the Gadarenes Mt 8:28-34; Mk 5:1-20 which is opposite Galilee.
27When He got out on land, a demon-possessed man from the town met Him. For a long time he had worn no clothes and did not stay in a house but in the tombs.
28When he saw Jesus, he cried out, Lk 4:33-34; Ac 8:7 fell down before Him, and said in a loud voice, “What do You have to do with me, Lit What to me and to You Jn 2:4 Jesus, You Son of the Most High God? Gn 14:18; Ps 57:2; Dn 3:26; Lk 1:32; Ac 16:17 I beg You, don’t torment me! ”
29For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. Many times it had seized him, and though he was guarded, bound by chains and shackles, he would snap the restraints and be driven by the demon into deserted places.
30“What is your name? ” Jesus asked him.
“Legion,” Mt 26:53 he said — because many demons had entered him.
31And they begged Him not to banish them to the abyss. Ps 140:10; Rm 10:7; Rv 9:1-2,11; 11:7; 17:8; 20:1,3
32A large herd of pigs was there, feeding on the hillside. The demons begged Him to permit them to enter the pigs, and He gave them permission.
33The demons came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the herd rushed down the steep bank into the lake and drowned.
34When the men who tended them saw what had happened, they ran off and reported it in the town and in the countryside.
35Then people went out to see what had happened. They came to Jesus and found the man the demons had departed from, sitting at Jesus’ feet, Lk 8:41; 10:39 dressed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.
36Meanwhile, the eyewitnesses reported to them how the demon-possessed man was delivered. Mt 4:24
37Then all the people of the Gerasene region Other mss read the Gadarenes asked Him to leave them, 1Kg 17:18; Lk 5:8; Ac 16:39 because they were gripped by great fear. So getting into the boat, He returned.
38The man from whom the demons had departed kept begging Him to be with Him. But He sent him away and said,
39“Go back to your home, and tell all that God has done for you.” And off he went, proclaiming throughout the town all that Jesus had done for him.
A Girl Restored and a Woman Healed
40When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed Him, Lk 9:11 for they were all expecting Him. Mt 9:18-19; Mk 5:21-24
41Just then, a man named Jairus came. He was a leader of the synagogue. Lk 13:14; Ac 13:15; 18:8,17 He fell down at Jesus’ feet and pleaded with Him to come to his house,
42because he had an only daughter Lk 7:12 about 12 years old, and she was at death’s door. Lit she was dying
While He was going, the crowds were nearly crushing Him. Mk 3:9
43A woman suffering from bleeding Lv 15:25 for 12 years, Mt 9:20-22; Mk 5:25-34 who had spent all she had on doctors Other mss omit who had spent all she had on doctors yet could not be healed by any,
44approached from behind and touched the tassel of His robe. Nm 15:38-39; Dt 22:12; Mt 14:36; 23:5 Instantly her bleeding stopped.
45“Who touched Me? ” Jesus asked.
When they all denied it, Peter Other mss add and those with him said, “Master, Lk 5:5 the crowds are hemming You in and pressing against You.” Other mss add and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’
46“Someone did touch Me,” said Jesus. “I know that power has gone out from Me.” Lk 5:17; 6:19; Ac 10:38
47When the woman saw that she was discovered, Lit she had not escaped notice she came trembling and fell down before Him. In the presence of all the people, she declared the reason she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured.
49While He was still speaking, Mt 9:23-26; Mk 5:35-43 someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Don’t bother Lk 7:6 the Teacher Jn 11:28 anymore.”
50When Jesus heard it, He answered him, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be made well.”
51After He came to the house, He let no one enter with Him except Peter, John, James, Mk 3:17; 14:33; Lk 9:28 and the child’s father and mother.
52Everyone was crying Lk 7:13 and mourning for her. Mt 11:17; Lk 23:27 But He said, “Stop crying, for she is not dead but asleep.” Jn 11:4,11; Ac 20:10
53They started laughing at Him, because they knew she was dead.
54So He Other mss add having put them all outside took her by the hand Mk 1:31 and called out, “Child, get up! ” Mt 11:5; Lk 7:14,22; Jn 11:43
55Her spirit returned, Jdg 15:19; 1Sm 30:12 and she got up at once. Then He gave orders that she be given something to eat.
56Her parents were astounded, but He instructed them to tell no one what had happened. Mt 8:4
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