171 And after six days Jesus takes with [him] Peter, and James, and John his brother, and brings them up into a high mountain apart. 2 And he was transfigured before them. And his face shone as the sun, and his garments became white as the light; 3 and lo, Moses and Elias appeared to them talking with him. 4 And Peter answering said to Jesus, Lord, it is good we should be here. If thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles: for thee one, and for Moses one, and one for Elias. 5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and lo, a voice out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I have found my delight: hear him. 6 And the disciples hearing [it] fell upon their faces, and were greatly terrified. 7 And Jesus coming to [them] touched them, and said, Rise up, and be not terrified. 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus alone. 9 And as they descended from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no one, until the Son of man be risen up from among [the] dead. 10 And [his] disciples demanded of him saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first have come? 11 And he answering said to them, Elias indeed comes first and will restore all things. 12 But I say unto you that Elias has already come, and they have not known him, but have done unto him whatever they would. Thus also the Son of man is about to suffer from them. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the baptist.
14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came to him, falling on his knees before him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is lunatic, and suffers sorely; for often he falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they were not able to heal him. 17 And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? Bring him here to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked him, and the demon went out from him, and the boy was healed from that hour. 19 Then the disciples, coming to Jesus apart, said [to him], Why were not we able to cast him out? 20 And he says to them, Because of your unbelief; for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard [seed], ye shall say to this mountain, Be transported hence there, and it shall transport itself; and nothing shall be impossible to you. 21 But this kind does not go out but by prayer and fasting.
22 And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said to them, The Son of man is about to be delivered up into [the] hands of men, 23 and they shall kill him; and the third day he shall be raised up. And they were greatly grieved.
24 And when they came to Capernaum, those who received the didrachmas came to Peter and said, Does your teacher not pay the didrachmas? 25 He says, Yes. And when he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, What dost thou think, Simon? the kings of the earth, from whom do they receive custom or tribute? from their own sons or from strangers? 26 Peter says to him, From strangers. Jesus said to him, Then are the sons free. 27 But that we may not be an offence to them, go to the sea and cast a hook, and take the first fish that comes up, and when thou hast opened its mouth thou wilt find a stater; take that and give it to them for me and thee.
91 And he said to them, Verily I say unto you, There are some of those standing here that shall not taste death until they shall have seen the kingdom of God come in power.
2 And after six days Jesus takes with [him] Peter and James and John, and takes them up on a high mountain by themselves apart. And he was transfigured before them: 3 and his garments became shining, exceeding white [as snow], such as fuller on earth could not whiten [them]. 4 And there appeared to them Elias with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. 5 And Peter answering says to Jesus, Rabbi, it is good that we should be here; and let us make three tabernacles, for thee one, and for Moses one, and for Elias one. 6 For he knew not what he should say, for they were filled with fear. 7 And there came a cloud overshadowing them, and there came a voice out of the cloud, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 8 And suddenly having looked around, they no longer saw any one, but Jesus alone with themselves. 9 And as they descended from the mountain, he charged them that they should relate to no one what they had seen, unless when the Son of man should be risen from among [the] dead. 10 And they kept that saying, questioning among themselves, what rising from among [the] dead was. 11 And they asked him saying, Why do the scribes say that Elias must first have come? 12 And he answering said to them, Elias indeed, having first come, restores all things; and how is it written of the Son of man that he must suffer much, and be set at nought: 13 but I say unto you that Elias also is come, and they have done to him whatever they would, as it is written of him.
14 And when he came to the disciples he saw a great crowd around them, and scribes disputing against them. 15 And immediately all the crowd seeing him were amazed, and running to [him], saluted him. 16 And he asked them, What do ye question with them about? 17 And one out of the crowd answered him, Teacher, I brought to thee my son, who has a dumb spirit; 18 and wheresoever it seizes him it tears him, and he foams and gnashes his teeth, and he is withering away. And I spoke to thy disciples, that they might cast him out, and they could not. 19 But he answering them says, O unbelieving generation! how long shall I be with you? how long shall I bear with you? bring him to me. 20 And they brought him to him. And seeing him the spirit immediately tore him; and falling upon the earth he rolled foaming. 21 And he asked his father, How long a time is it that it has been like this with him? And he said, From childhood; 22 and often it has cast him both into fire and into waters that it might destroy him: but if thou couldst [do] anything, be moved with pity on us, and help us. 23 And Jesus said to him, The 'if thou couldst' is [if thou couldst] believe: all things are possible to him that believes. 24 And immediately the father of the young child crying out said [with tears], I believe, help mine unbelief. 25 But Jesus, seeing that [the] crowd was running up together, rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I command thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. 26 And having cried out and torn [him] much, he came out; and he became as if dead, so that the most said, He is dead. 27 But Jesus, having taken hold of him by the hand, lifted him up, and he arose. 28 And when he was entered into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Wherefore could not we cast him out? 29 And he said to them, This kind can go out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.
30 And going forth from thence they went through Galilee; and he would not that any one knew it; 31 for he taught his disciples and said to them, The Son of man is delivered into men's hands, and they shall kill him; and having been killed, after three days he shall rise again. 32 But they understood not the saying, and feared to ask him.
33 And he came to Capernaum, and being in the house, he asked them, Of what were ye reasoning by the way? 34 And they remained silent, for by the way they had been reasoning with one another who [was] greatest. 35 And sitting down he called the twelve; and he says to them, If any one would be first, he shall be last of all, and minister of all. 36 And taking a little child he set it in their midst, and having taken it in his arms he said to them, 37 Whosoever shall receive one of such little children in my name, receives me; and whosoever shall receive me, does not receive me, but him who sent me.
38 And John answered him saying, Teacher, we saw some one casting out demons in thy name, who does not follow us, and we forbad him, because he does not follow us. 39 But Jesus said, Forbid him not; for there is no one who shall do a miracle in my name, and be able soon [after] to speak ill of me; 40 for he who is not against us is for us.
41 For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in [my] name, because ye are Christ's, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.
42 And whosoever shall be a snare to one of the little ones who believe [in me], it were better for him if a millstone were hung about his neck, and he cast into the sea. 43 And if thy hand serve as a snare to thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having thy two hands to go away into hell, into the fire unquenchable; 44 [where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched]. 45 And if thy foot serve as a snare to thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life lame, than having thy two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire unquenchable; 46 [where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched]. 47 And if thine eye serve as a snare to thee, cast it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the hell of fire, 48 where their worm dies not, and the fire is not quenched. 49 For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50 Salt [is] good, but if the salt is become saltless, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.
28 And it came to pass after these words, about eight days, that taking Peter and John and James he went up into a mountain to pray. 29 And as he prayed the fashion of his countenance became different and his raiment white [and] effulgent. 30 And lo, two men talked with him, who were Moses and Elias, 31 who, appearing in glory, spoke of his departure which he was about to accomplish in Jerusalem. 32 But Peter and those with him were oppressed with sleep: but having fully awoke up they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. 33 And it came to pass as they departed from him, Peter said to Jesus, Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias: not knowing what he said. 34 But as he was saying these things, there came a cloud and overshadowed them, and they feared as they entered into the cloud: 35 and there was a voice out of the cloud saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him. 36 And as the voice was [heard] Jesus was found alone: and they kept silence, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.
37 And it came to pass on the following day, when they came down from the mountain, a great crowd met him. 38 And lo, a man from the crowd cried out saying, Teacher, I beseech thee look upon my son, for he is mine only child: 39 and behold, a spirit takes him, and suddenly he cries out, and it tears him with foaming, and with difficulty departs from him after crushing him. 40 And I besought thy disciples that they might cast him out, and they could not. 41 And Jesus answering said, O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long shall I be with you and suffer you? Bring hither thy son. 42 But as he was yet coming, the demon tore him and dragged him all together. And Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the child and gave him back to his father.
43 And all were astonished at the glorious greatness of God. And as all wondered at all the things which [Jesus] did, he said to his disciples,
44 Do ye let these words sink into your ears. For the Son of man is about to be delivered into men's hands. 45 But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them that they should not perceive it. And they feared to ask him concerning this saying.
46 And a reasoning came in amongst them, who should be [the] greatest of them. 47 And Jesus, seeing the reasoning of their heart, having taken a little child set it by him, 48 and said to them, Whosoever shall receive this little child in my name receives me, and whosoever shall receive me receives him that sent me. For he who is the least among you all, he is great.
49 And John answering said, Master, we saw some one casting out demons in thy name, and we forbad him, because he follows not with us. 50 And Jesus said to him, Forbid [him] not, for he that is not against you is for you.
51 And it came to pass when the days of his receiving up were fulfilled, that he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem. 52 And he sent messengers before his face. And having gone they entered into a village of the Samaritans that they might make ready for him. 53 And they did not receive him, because his face was [turned as] going to Jerusalem. 54 And his disciples James and John seeing [it] said, Lord, wilt thou that we speak [that] fire come down from heaven and consume them, as also Elias did? 55 But turning he rebuked them [and said, Ye know not of what spirit ye are]. 56 And they went to another village.
57 And it came to pass as they went in the way, one said to him, I will follow thee wheresoever thou goest, Lord. 58 And Jesus said to him, The foxes have holes and the birds of the heaven roosting-places, but the Son of man has not where he may lay his head. 59 And he said to another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, allow me to go first and bury my father. 60 But Jesus said to him, Suffer the dead to bury their own dead, but do thou go and announce the kingdom of God. 61 And another also said, I will follow thee, Lord, but first allow me to bid adieu to those at my house. 62 But Jesus said to him, No one having laid his hand on [the] plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God.
(Read Luke 9:28-36)
Christ's transfiguration was a specimen of that glory in which he will come to judge the world; and was an encouragement to his disciples to suffer for him. Prayer is a transfiguring, transforming duty, which makes the face to shine. Our Lord Jesus, even in his transfiguration, was willing to speak concerning his death and sufferings. In our greatest glories on earth, let us remember that in this world we have no continuing city. What need we have to pray to God for quickening grace, to make us lively! Yet that the disciples might be witnesses of this sign from heaven, after awhile they became awake, so that they were able to give a full account of what passed. But those know not what they say, that talk of making tabernacles on earth for glorified saints in heaven.
(Read Luke 9:37-42)
How deplorable the case of this child! He was under the power of an evil spirit. Disease of that nature are more frightful than such as arise merely from natural causes. What mischief Satan does where he gets possession! But happy those that have access to Christ! He can do that for us which his disciples cannot. A word from Christ healed the child; and when our children recover from sickness, it is comfortable to receive them as healed by the hand of Christ.
(Read Luke 9:43-50)
This prediction of Christ's sufferings was plain enough, but the disciples would not understand it, because it agreed not with their notions. A little child is the emblem by which Christ teaches us simplicity and humility. What greater honour can any man attain to in this world, than to be received by men as a messenger of God and Christ; and to have God and Christ own themselves received and welcomed in him! If ever any society of Christians in this world, had reason to silence those not of their own communion, the twelve disciples at this time had; yet Christ warned them not to do the like again. Those may be found faithful followers of Christ, and may be accepted of him, who do not follow with us.
(Read Luke 9:51-56)
The disciples did not consider that the conduct of the Samaritans was rather the effect of national prejudices and bigotry, than of enmity to the word and worship of God; and through they refused to receive Christ and his disciples, they did not ill use or injure them, so that the case was widely different from that of Ahaziah and Elijah. Nor were they aware that the gospel dispensation was to be marked by miracles of mercy. But above all, they were ignorant of the prevailing motives of their own hearts, which were pride and carnal ambition. Of this our Lord warned them. It is easy for us to say, Come, see our zeal for the Lord! and to think we are very faithful in his cause, when we are seeking our own objects, and even doing harm instead of good to others.
(Read Luke 9:57-62)
Here is one that is forward to follow Christ, but seems to have been hasty and rash, and not to have counted the cost. If we mean to follow Christ, we must lay aside the thoughts of great things in the world. Let us not try to join the profession of Christianity, with seeking after worldly advantages. Here is another that seems resolved to follow Christ, but he begs a short delay. To this man Christ first gave the call; he said to him, Follow me. Religion teaches us to be kind and good, to show piety at home, and to requite our parents; but we must not make these an excuse for neglecting our duty to God. Here is another that is willing to follow Christ, but he must have a little time to talk with his friends about it, and to set in order his household affairs, and give directions concerning them. He seemed to have worldly concerns more upon his heart than he ought to have, and he was willing to enter into a temptation leading him from his purpose of following Christ. No one can do any business in a proper manner, if he is attending to other things. Those who begin with the work of God, must resolve to go on, or they will make nothing of it. Looking back, leads to drawing back, and drawing back is to perdition. He only that endures to the end shall be saved.
