Chapter 5
When the Son of man comes with His holy angels, He shall sit upon the throne of His glory. Before Him shall be gathered all nations. He shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divides his sheep from his goats. He shall set the sheep on His right hand, and the goats on the left.
Then the King shall say to those on His right, Come, ye blessed of my Father. Inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. For I was hungry and ye gave me food. I was thirsty and ye gave me a drink. I was a stranger and ye took me in. I was naked and ye clothed me. I was sick and ye visited me. I was in prison and ye came to me.
Then the righteous shall ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry and feed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink? When did we see thee a stranger and take thee in? Or naked and clothe thee? When did we see thee sick, or in prison and come to thee? The King shall answer, Verily, I say unto you, inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of my brethren, ye have done it to me.
Then He shall say to those on the left, Depart from me into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels. I was hungry and ye gave me no food. I was thirsty and ye gave me no drink. I was a stranger and ye did not take me in. I was naked and ye did not clothe me. I was sick and in prison and ye did not visit me.
Then they shall also ask Him, Lord, when did we see thee hungry or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and not minister unto thee? He shall answer them, Inasmuch as ye did not do these things to one of the least of my brethren, ye did not do it to me. These shall go to everlasting punishment. And the righteous shall have life eternal.
26 It came to pass, when Jesus finished instructing His disciples, He said, The feast of the passover is in two days. The Son of man will be betrayed and crucified.
The chief priests, scribes, and elders of the people held a meeting in the palace of the high priest, Caiaphas. They discussed how they might take Jesus by stealth and kill Him. But they said, It cannot happen on the feast day lest there be an uproar among the people.
Jesus was now in Bethany at the house of Simon the leper. There He was approached by a woman carrying an alabaster box containing very precious ointment. She annointed His head as He sat at dinner. When His disciples saw it they were indignant and said, To what purpose is this waste? This ointment could have been sold for much and the money given to the poor.
When Jesus overheard them He said, Why bother this woman? She has wrought a good work upon me. The poor you have always to care for; but you will not always have me. In annointing me, she prepared me for my burial. Anywhere in the world this gospel is preached it will also be told what this woman has done.
Then, one of the twelve, Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests. He asked, What will you give me if I will deliver Jesus to you? They agreed on thirty pieces of silver and, from that time, Judas looked for an opportunity to betray Him.
On the first day of the feast of unleavened bread the disciples came to Jesus and asked, Where shall we prepare for thee to eat the passover? Jesus told them to go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Master says His time is at hand and that He will keep the passover there with His disciples. Then the disciples did as Jesus told them and they prepared the passover.
When it was evening, Jesus sat down with the twelve. While they ate, He said, Verily, I say unto you, one of you will betray me. The disciples heard this with great sorrow. They uttered, Lord, is it me? Jesus only said, He who dips his hand in the dish with me will betray me.
It is written: Woe unto the one by whom the Son of man is betrayed! It had been better for him if he had not been born. Then Judas, who betrayed Him, asked, Master, is it me? Jesus turned to him and quietly said, Thou has said right.
While they ate, Jesus took up the bread and blessed it. He then broke it and gave it to the disciples saying, Take this and eat for this is my body. Then He took the cup and gave thanks. He passed it to them saying, Drink ye all from this for this is my blood of the new testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins. I say unto you, I will not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it with you in my Father's kingdom. Following the meal, they sang hymns and went out into the mount of Olives.
Jesus said to the disciples, Ye shall all be offended this night because of me for it is written: I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. But, after I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee.
Peter said to Him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, I will never be offended. Jesus answered Peter, This night, before the cock crows, thou shalt deny me thrice. Peter replied, Though I should die with thee, I will not deny thee. Then all the disciples said the same.
Jesus took them into a place called Gethsemane and said, Sit here while I go yonder to pray. He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with Him. He said to these three, My soul is exceedingly sorrowful and heavy unto death. Stay here and watch with me.
He went off a little farther and fell on His face. Jesus prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me. Nevertheless, be it not as I will, but as Thou wilt.
Then He went to the three disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, Could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray so ye do not give in to this temptation again because, while the spirit may be willing, the flesh is weak.
He went away a second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me unless I drink it, then Thy will be done. Returning to the three, He, again, found that they had been asleep for their eyes were heavy. He left them and went to pray a third time, saying the same words.
When Jesus went back to all the disciples He said, Behold, the hour is at hand. The Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. The one who betrays me is at hand.
While He spoke, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came with a great multitude. They were armed with swords and staves from the chief priests and elders of the people. Judas had agreed on a sign saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is He. Hold Him fast. Judas approached Jesus, greeted Him; then kissed Him. Jesus said to him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then they came and took hold of Jesus.
Behold, one who was with Jesus drew his sword, and, striking out at one of the high priest's servants, smote off his ear. Jesus said to him, Put thy sword back into its place. All who take to the sword shall perish by the sword. Think thou that I cannot pray to my Father and He shall give me more than twelve legions of angels? But, then, how shall the scriptures be fulfilled that this is the way it must be?
Jesus said to this multitude, Do ye come at me as against a thief with swords and staves to take me? Daily I sat with you teaching in the temple and ye did not lay hold of me. This was done so the scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.
When they took hold of Jesus, all the disciples left Him and fled. They led Him away to Caiaphas the high priest where the scribes and elders were assembled. But Peter followed far behind to the high priest's palace. He went in and sat with the servants.
The chief priests, elders, and all the council sought false witness against Jesus in order to put Him to death. At last, two false witnesses came and said, This one said He was able to destroy the temple of God and build it up again in three days.
The high priest arose and said to Jesus, Answerest thou nothing? What is it that they witness against thee? But Jesus said nothing. Then the high priest said to Him, I adjure thee, by the living God, tell us whether thou are the Christ, the Son of God. Jesus replied, Thou has said so. I say unto you, hereafter, ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power and appearing in the clouds of heaven.
Then the high priest cried, He has spoken blasphemy. What further need have we of witnesses? Behold, now ye have heard His blasphemy. What think ye? They answered, He is guilty of death. Then they spit in His face. Others struck Him with the palms of their hands and said, Prophesy unto us, thou Christ, Who is he that struck thee?
During this, Peter sat outside the palace. A damsel came up to him and said, Thou also was with Jesus of Galilee. But Peter denied this and he went out on the porch. Another maid saw him and said to the others standing there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. Peter denied this with an oath and said, I do not know the man.
Later, one of the bystanders came up to Peter and said, Surely, by thy voice I know thou art one of them. Peter began to curse and swear and said, I know not the man. Then the cock crowed. Peter remembered the words of Jesus to him: Before the cock crows, thou shall deny me thrice. He went out and wept bitterly.
27 The next morning all the chief priests and elders met concerning Jesus. They agreed to put Him to death. They bound Him, led Him away, and delivered Him to Pontius Pilate, the governor.
When Judas realized that Jesus was condemned, he repented. He took the thirty pieces of silver back to the chief priests and elders. He said, I have sinned. I have betrayed the innocent. They retorted, What is that to us? So Judas cast down the pieces of silver in the temple. Immediately he went out and hung himself.
At the same time, the chief priests took up the silver pieces and said, It is not lawful to put this into the treasury because it is blood money. After they took counsel, they bought the potter's field for the burial of strangers, which became known as The Field of Blood. The prophecy of Jeremy was fulfilled: They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price for Him that was valued of the children of Israel, and gave them for the potter's field, as the Lord appointed.
Jesus now stood before Pilate, the governor. Pilate asked Him, Art thou the King of the Jews? Jesus replied, Thou sayest so. When Jesus was accused by the chief priests and elders, He answered nothing. Then Pilate asked Him, Hearest thou the things they witness against thee? Jesus said never a word. At this the governor marvelled greatly.
The custom at the passover feast was for the governor to release a prisoner of the people's choosing. A notable prisoner named Barabbas was in the prison. Therefore, when the people were gathered together, Pilate said, Whom will ye that I release, Barabbas or Jesus, who is called Christ?
While he was seated on the judgment seat, Pilate's wife sent a message to him that said, Have nothing to do with that just man. Today I have suffered many things in a dream because of Him. But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude to choose Barabbas and destroy Jesus.
When Pilate, the governor, asked which of the two they chose they said, Barabbas. Pilate asked, What shall I do then with Jesus who is called Christ? They all said, Let Him be crucified.
The governor asked, Why, what evil has He done? But they cried out the more and shouted, Let Him be crucified. Pilate realized he could not prevail without making a tumult among the people. So he took water, washed his hands before the multitude, and said, I am innocent of the blood of this just person. See ye to it. The people said, His blood be on us, and on our children. Then Pilate released Barabbas. He had Jesus scourged and delivered Him to be crucified.
Pilate's soldiers took Jesus into the common hall where the whole band of soldiers gathered around Him. They stripped Him and put a scarlet robe on Him. They platted a crown of thorns and put it on His head. Then they put a reed in His right hand. Bowing down, they mocked Him saying, Hail, King of the Jews! They spit on Him, took the reed, and struck Him on the head. As they were leading Him away to be crucified, they found a man from Cyrene, Simon by name, and compelled him to carry the cross for Jesus.
They took Him to a place called Golgotha, or the place of a skull. There they gave Him vinegar to drink mixed with gall. When Jesus tasted it, He would not drink it. They crucified Him and parted out His garments by casting lots. Thus the prophecy was fulfilled: They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. Then the soldiers placed a written accusation over His head. It read: This Is Jesus, The King Of The Jews.
Two thieves were crucified alongside Jesus, one on His right hand and the other on His left. As people passed by they reviled Him and called out: Thou that destroys the temple and builds it again in three days, save thyself. If thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.
The chief priests, along with the scribes and elders, mocked Him. They said, He saved others but He cannot save Himself. If He is the King of Israel, let Him come down from the cross and we will believe Him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver Him now, if God will have Him, for He said, I am the Son of God.
From the sixth until the ninth hour there was darkness over all the land. At about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?
When some of those standing by heard this, they said, This man calls for Elias. Presently, one of them ran to get a sponge. He filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, Leave it alone. Let us see whether Elias will come to save Him. Then Jesus cried again in a loud voice and yielded Himself up.
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook and the rocks split apart. Graves were opened. The bodies of many saints who slept rose up and, after His resurrection, went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurions who were watching Jesus saw the earthquake and the things that were done, they became afraid and said, Truly this was the Son of God.
Many of the women who followed Jesus of Galilee and ministered to Him were there looking on. Among them was Mary Magdalene; another Mary; and the mother of Zebedee's children. When evening came, a rich man of Arimathaea, named Joseph, who was also Jesus' disciple arrived. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.
When Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb which was hewn out of rock. He rolled a great stone across the door of the sepulchre and departed. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary sat alongside the sepulchre.
The next day following the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees went to Pilate and said, Sir, that deceiver, while he was yet alive, said that, in three days, He would rise up again. Command that the sepulchre be made secure until the third day lest His disciples come by night, steal Him away, and tell the people that He is risen from the dead. Then the last error will be worse than the first.
Pilate said to them, Ye have a watch. Go your way. Make it as secure as ye can. The chief priests and the Pharisees went and made the sepulchre secure by sealing the stone and setting guards to watch.
28 After the sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to the sepulchre. Behold, there was a great earthquake. An angel of the Lord descended from heaven, came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning with raiment white as snow. The guards shook with fear of Him and became as dead men.
The angel said to the women, Fear not for I know that ye seek Jesus who was crucified. He is not here for, as He said, He is risen. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Then go quickly and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead. Behold, He goes before you into Galilee. There ye shall see Him. Lo, I have told you.
The women quickly left the sepulchre filled with both fear and great joy. They ran to bring word to Jesus' disciples. As they went along Jesus met them and greeted them. They went to Him, held Him by the feet, and worshipped Him. Then Jesus said to them, Be not afraid. Go and tell my brethren to go into Galilee and there they shall see me.
Some of the guards on watch went into the city and told the chief priests the things that were done. After an assembly of the elders the soldiers were offered a large amount of money to say that Jesus' disciples came by night and stole Him away while they slept. The soldiers were assured they would be protected if this came to the governor's ears. They took the money and did as they were told. This report is common among the Jews until this day.
The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain appointed by Jesus. When they saw Him, they worshipped Him. Jesus came to them and said, All power is given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and teach all nations. Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Teach them to observe all the things I have commanded you.
I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Amen.
The Gospel of Mark
1. The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; As it is written in the prophets, Behold, I send my messenger who shall prepare the way before thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare the way of the Lord, make His paths straight. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. After confessing their sins many from the land of Judaea and from Jerusalem were baptized by him in the river of Jordan.
John was clothed with camel's hair and wore animal hides around his loins and he ate locusts and wild honey. He preached, saying, There comes one mightier than I, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to stoop down and unloose. I have baptized you with water but He shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.
And it came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the river of Jordan. Immediately, upon His coming up out of the water, John saw the heavens open and the Spirit, like a dove, descend upon Him. And there came a voice from heaven saying, Thou art my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.
The spirit drove Him into the wilderness. There, among wild beasts, He was tempted by Satan for forty days. Then the angels ministered to Him. Now, after that, John was put in prison and Jesus came into Galilee. He began preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God and saying, The time is fulfilled. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the gospel.
He walked by the sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, Come ye after me and I will make you fishers of men. Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
When He had gone on a little farther, He saw James, the son of Zebedee, and John, his brother, in a boat mending their nets. Jesus called them. They immediately left their father, Zebedee, in the boat with the hired servants and went after Him.
They went into Capernaum. On the sabbath day He entered the synagogue and taught. And they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught them as one with authority and not as the scribes. And in their synagogue there was a man with an unclean spirit. He cried out and said, Let us alone. What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him and said, Hold thy peace and come out of him. And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him.
The people were amazed, so much so that they questioned among themselves, saying, What is this? What new doctrine is this? He even commands with authority the unclean spirits and they obey Him. Immediately His fame spread throughout the region around Galilee.
After they left the synagogue, they went to the house of Simon and Andrew. Simon's wife's mother lay sick with a fever, and presently they told Jesus about her. He came and took her by the hand. Then He lifted her up and, immediately, the fever left her. And she, then, ministered to them.
That evening around sunset, many people were brought to Him who were diseased and some who were possessed with devils. And all the city gathered together at the door. Jesus healed many that were sick of divers diseases. He cast out many devils and did not allow the devils to speak because they knew Him.
The next morning, rising before dawn, He went to a solitary place to pray. Simon and those who were with him followed. When they found Him, they said, All men seek for thee. And Jesus said to them, Let us go on to the next towns that I may preach there also: for therefore came I forth.
And Jesus preached in the synagogues throughout Galilee, and cast out devils. There came to Him a leper. Kneeling down and beseeching Him, the leper said, If thou wilt, thou can make me clean. Jesus was moved with compassion. He put out His hand, touched him, and said, I will. Be thou clean.
And, as soon as He had spoken, the leprosy departed and the man was cleansed. Jesus directly charged him to say nothing to any man. Jesus said, Go thy way. Show thyself to the priest and offer for thy cleansing those things which Moses commanded for a testimony to them.
But he went out and began to broadcast the matter. He said so much that Jesus could no more openly enter the city but had to stay out in desert places. And they came to Him from every quarter.
2 After some days Jesus entered Capernaum again and His arrival was widely announced. The people knew that He returned to the house. And, immediately, many gathered, so much that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as outside the door. Jesus preached the word to them.
There came to Him one sick with palsy who was carried by four others. When they could not get near Jesus because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof above where Jesus stood. Having broken through, they lowered down the bed wherein the sick man lay. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the sick man, Son, thy sins are forgiven thee.
There were certain of the scribes sitting there. They wondered, Why does this man speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God only? When Jesus realized that they so reasoned, He said to them, Why reason ye these things in your hearts? Whether it is easier to say to the sick man, Thy sins are forgiven thee; or, Arise. Take up thy bed and walk?
So that ye may know that the Son of man has power on earth to forgive sins, (Jesus turned to the sick man and said,) I say to thee, Arise. Take up thy bed and go thy way to thine own house. At that moment, he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all. They were amazed. They glorified God, saying, We never saw anything like this.
Jesus went to the seaside again and the multitude gathered around Him, and He taught them. Later, He saw Levi, the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the receipt of custom, and said to him, Follow me. And he arose and followed Him.
And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at supper in Levi's house, many publicans and sinners also joined together with Jesus and His disciples. There now were many who followed Him. And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with publicans and sinners, they asked His disciples, How is it that He eats and drinks with publicans and sinners? When Jesus heard this, He said to them, Those who are whole have no need of a physician, only those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but to call sinners to repentance.