# verses

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then why did you not deposit my money in the bank? <n>[Then]</n> when I returned I could have withdrawn <n>[the original sum of money]</n> plus interest.’


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Then he said to those who were standing around, ‘Take the sum of money away from him and give it to the one who made ten times as much <n>[with the original sum]</n>.’


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But the people said to him, ‘Master, he <n>[already]</n> has ten times as much money <n>[as you gave him]</n>.’


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<n>[So the gentleman concluded]</n>, ‘I tell you, to every person who <n>[already]</n> has something, <n>[more]</n> will be given, but from that person who has <n>[almost]</n> nothing, even what <n>[little]</n> he has will be taken away from him.


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But bring those enemies of mine here <n>[i.e., the citizens. See verse 14]</n>, who did not want me to rule over them, and kill them in front of me.’'


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And when Jesus had said this, He went on ahead <n>[of His disciples. See Matt. 21:1]</n> up to Jerusalem.


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And it happened when Jesus got close to Bethphage and Bethany <n>[Note: These were two small towns about two miles east of Jerusalem]</n>, at a hill called Olivet, that He sent two of His disciples,


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saying <n>[to them]</n>, “Go into the village just ahead of you, and upon entering <n>[it]</n>, you will find tied up <n>[there]</n> a colt that no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it <n>[here]</n>.


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So, those who were sent <n>[i.e., Jesus’ disciples]</n>, went away and found <n>[things]</n> just as Jesus had told them.


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So, they brought the colt to Jesus and spread their clothing on it, <n>[then]</n> placed Jesus on it <n>[i.e., held the animal still as Jesus mounted it, since it had never been ridden before. See verse 30]</n>.


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Then, as He descended the Mount of Olives and got close to the city <n>[i.e., Jerusalem]</n>, the entire crowd of disciples began joyfully praising God in loud voices because of all the powerful miracles they had seen <n>[Him perform]</n>.


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They were saying, “May the King who comes in the name <n>[i.e., by the authority]</n> of the Lord, be blessed. May there be peace in heaven and praise <n>[to God]</n> in the highest <n>[i.e., may this praise reach to the highest heaven]</n>.”


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But some of the Pharisees from the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, speak sternly to your disciples <n>[i.e., to prevent them from honoring Jesus]</n>.”


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But He answered them, “I tell you, if these people remain quiet <n>[about me]</n>, <n>[then]</n> the stones will shout <n>[about it]</n>.”


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saying, “If <n>[only]</n> you people realized today those things which <n>[could]</n> lead <n>[you]</n> to peace! But now they are <n>[being]</n> hidden from your sight.


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For the days will come upon you when your enemies will build a dirt wall around you, surrounding you, and hemming you in on every side.


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They will throw you and your children, <n>[who are]</n> within your walls, to the ground and they will not allow one stone to remain on top of another in your city because you did not recognize that <n>[God was]</n> visiting you.” <n>[Note: This “visitation” refers either to the redemption which they had rejected or to the punishment of the siege and destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70]</n>.


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saying to them, “It is written <n>[Isa. 56:7]</n>, ‘And my house <n>[i.e., the Temple]</n> will be a house for prayer, but <n>[Jer. 7:11]</n> ‘You have made it a hideout for thieves.’”


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And Jesus was teaching in the Temple every day. But the leading priests and the experts in the Law of Moses and the leading men of the people were looking <n>[for a way]</n> to kill Him,


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And it happened on one of the days that Jesus was teaching people in the Temple and preaching the good news, that the leading priests and the experts in the Law of Moses, <n>[along]</n> with the <n>[Jewish]</n> elders, came to Him.


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They said to Him, “Tell us, by what authority are you doing these things <n>[i.e., miracles and teaching]</n>? Or, who is the one who gave you this authority?”


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And they discussed this among themselves, saying, “If we say ‘from heaven,’ He will say ‘Why <n>[then]</n> did you not believe him <n>[i.e., believe his message]</n>?’


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But if we say ‘from men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are convinced that John was a prophet.”


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So, Jesus said to them, “<n>[Then]</n> neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”


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Then Jesus began speaking to the people. <n>[Note: And perhaps to the religious leaders as well. See Mark 11:18 with 12:1]</n>. He told them this parable: “A man planted a vineyard, then leased it out to tenant farmers and went to another country for a long time.


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And when the <n>[grape harvest]</n> season came, the owner of the farm sent a slave to the tenant farmers, asking them for the grape harvest <n>[to be delivered to him]</n>. But the tenant farmers beat the slave and sent him away empty handed.


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Then he sent out another slave <n>[i.e., to arrange for receiving the crop]</n>, but the tenant farmers beat him also, shamefully abused him and sent him away empty handed <n>[as well]</n>.


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So, he sent a third <n>[slave]</n> and they wounded him also and threw him out <n>[of the vineyard]</n>.


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Then the owner of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do <n>[about this]</n>? I will send my dearly loved son. Hopefully, they will treat him with respect.’


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But when the tenant farmers saw him, they began reasoning with one another, saying, ‘This is the heir <n>[to the vineyard]</n>; let us kill him so the inheritance will be ours.’


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So, they threw him out of the vineyard and killed him. Therefore, what will the owner of the vineyard do to them? <n>[Jesus asked]</n>.


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He will come and kill those tenant farmers and will give the vineyard to other people.” And when the people heard <n>[Him say]</n> this, they said, “May that never happen.”


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But Jesus looked at them and said, “Then what does it mean that is written <n>[Psa. 118:22]</n>, ‘The building block rejected by the builders <n>[is]</n> the same <n>[one]</n> that was made the principal stone by which the entire building was aligned?’


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Every person who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces, but whoever it falls on will be scattered like dust.”


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Then the experts in the Law of Moses and the leading priests attempted to arrest Jesus right away, <n>[but hesitated]</n> because they feared <n>[what]</n> the people <n>[might do]</n>, since they perceived that He had spoken this parable against them.


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And they kept watching Him, <n>[even]</n> sending informants who pretended to be good <n>[men]</n>, in order to get hold of something He said so they could turn Him over to the ruling authority of the governor.


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And they asked Him, “Teacher, we know that you speak and teach correctly and that you do not show partiality to anyone, but <n>[rather]</n> teach the truth about God’s way.


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“Show me the coin <n>[used for paying the taxes]</n>. <n>[Note: This coin was equivalent to one twelve-hour day of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $108 in 2005]</n>. Whose image and inscription are on this coin?” And they answered Him, “Caesar’s.”


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He replied, “Then pay to Caesar the things that belong to Caesar and pay to God the things that belong to God.”


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And they were not able to get hold of anything Jesus said in front of the people. And they marveled at His answer and did not say anything <n>[further]</n>.


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<n>[Then]</n> certain Sadducees came to Jesus (they are the ones who say there is no resurrection <n>[of the dead]</n>).


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They said to Him, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us <n>[Deut 25:5]</n> that if a man’s brother dies, leaving his widow <n>[behind]</n> without having had any children, his brother should marry his widow and father children <n>[by her]</n>. These children would then be considered his <n>[dead]</n> brother’s.


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<n>[Now]</n> there were these seven brothers; the first one got married, but when he died he did not leave any children behind.


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Then the third one married the <n>[surviving]</n> widow <n>[of the first two brothers]</n>. And in the same way, all seven <n>[brothers]</n> married her, but left no children <n>[behind when they died]</n>.


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And Jesus said to them, “The people of this age <n>[i.e., who live on earth]</n> marry and are given away in marriage,


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but those who are considered worthy of gaining that age <n>[i.e., the future, never ending state]</n> and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry nor are given away in marriage.


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For they cannot die anymore either, because they are equal to the angels and are children of God, as well as children of the resurrection <n>[i.e., people who are assured of being resurrected]</n>.


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But even Moses showed that dead people would be raised in the incident about the bush <n>[Ex. 3:6]</n>, where he called the Lord, ‘Abraham’s God, and Isaac’s God, and Jacob’s God.’


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So, He is not God to those who are dead, but <n>[He is]</n> God to those who are alive, for to God, all people are alive.”


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And Jesus said to them <n>[i.e., the Pharisees. See Matt. 22:41]</n>, “How is it that they <n>[i.e., the experts in the Law of Moses. See Mark 12:35]</n> can say that the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n> is the son of David?


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For David himself said in the book of Psalms <n>[Psa. 110:1]</n>, ‘The Lord <n>[i.e., God]</n> said to my <n>[i.e., David’s]</n> Lord <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, sit at my right side


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“Look out for the experts in the Law of Moses, who like to walk <n>[around]</n> in long <n>[flowing]</n> robes and love the special greetings they receive at the open shopping markets, and the principal seats in the synagogues, and the head places at dinner tables.


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They consume widows’ houses <n>[i.e., by foreclosing on them]</n> and <n>[then]</n> cover it up by offering lengthy prayers. These people will receive a heavier judgment.”


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Then Jesus looked up <n>[i.e., from his seated position at the entrance to the Temple]</n>, and saw people throwing their gifts <n>[of money]</n> into the treasury <n>[Note: This was a large open­mouthed container used for receiving offerings for meeting expenses of Temple upkeep]</n>.


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And He saw a certain poor widow throwing two small copper coins into it <n>[Note: These two coins amounted to about ten minutes of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $1.50 in 2005]</n>.


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So, He said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has thrown in more than all the rest <n>[i.e., referring to the many rich people who were also throwing in money]</n>.


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For all of them threw in from their abundance, but she threw in from her poverty all she had to live on.”


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Then, as someone <n>[i.e., of His disciples. See Mark 13:1]</n>, spoke of how the Temple was decorated with beautiful stones and objects dedicated as gifts, Jesus said,


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“As for these things you are looking at, the time will come when there will not be one stone left on another here that will not be thrown down.”


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So, they asked Him, saying, “Teacher, when will these things <n>[you just spoke of]</n> happen? And what will be the sign <n>[that indicates]</n> when these things are about to be fulfilled?”


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And He replied, “Pay attention, so that you are not led astray <n>[from the truth]</n>. For many <n>[false teachers]</n> will come, claiming to be me, and saying, ‘I am <n>[the Christ]</n>,’ and ‘The time is near.’ <n>[But]</n> do not go after them.


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And when you hear of wars and uprisings <n>[going on]</n>, do not be afraid, for such things must necessarily happen first. But the end will not come right away.” <n>[Note: By “the end” here Jesus probably alludes to the downfall of Jerusalem, in AD 70, with its attending destruction of the Temple buildings]</n>.


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Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Nations will wage war against one another and kingdoms will attack one another.


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And great earthquakes will happen, and at various places there will be famines and disease epidemics. And there will be fearful events and great <n>[supernatural]</n> signs from heaven.


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But before all these things happen, the authorities will grab hold of you, and persecute you, and turn you over to the synagogues and prisons <n>[i.e., for punishment and confinement]</n>. They will take you in front of kings and governors for being loyal to me.


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Determine in your hearts, therefore, not to plan ahead how you will answer them <n>[when interrogated]</n>,


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for I will give you a mouth <n>[i.e., the ability to speak properly]</n> and wisdom <n>[i.e., the knowledge of what to say]</n>, which none of your opponents will be able to resist or speak against.


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But you will be turned over <n>[i.e., to the authorities for punishment]</n> even by <n>[your own]</n> parents and brothers and relatives and friends. And they will <n>[even]</n> put some of you to death.


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<n>[But]</n>, by holding out steadfastly, you will gain your life. <n>[Note: This means either “preserve your earthly life,” or “attain never ending life”]</n>.


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“So, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by <n>[Roman]</n> armies, then you will know that her total destruction is near.


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Then those <n>[of you]</n> in Judea are to run away into the <n>[nearby]</n> mountains. And those who are inside of the city are to leave it <n>[immediately]</n>. And those who are in the countryside should not enter the city.


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For these are times for punishment <n>[i.e., to be inflicted on Jerusalem]</n>, so that everything written <n>[i.e., by the prophets]</n> may be fulfilled <n>[i.e., about Jerusalem’s destruction. See Dan. 9:26-27]</n>.


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It will be too bad for pregnant women and those who are nursing <n>[babies]</n> in those days! For there will be great distress in this land <n>[i.e., Judea, and especially Jerusalem]</n>, and raging anger <n>[will be shown]</n> against these people <n>[i.e., by the Roman armies]</n>.


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And people will die by the sword and be led captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled on by the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles <n>[i.e., by the Romans and later by others]</n> until the times of <n>[domination by]</n> the Gentiles are fulfilled.


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“Then <n>[Note: This event answers to the “immediately” of Matt. 24:29, and suggests the next major event on God’s calendar]</n> there will be <n>[supernatural]</n> signs <n>[evident]</n> in the sun and moon and stars. And on earth <n>[there will be]</n> distress among nations; they will be perplexed by the roaring of the ocean’s churning waves. <n>[Note: Probably this is figurative language for highly agitated conditions on earth]</n>.


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Men will become despondent from fear, and from dreading the <n>[terrible]</n> things which will come upon the earth, for the forces of the heavens will be shaken.


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And then they will see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great splendor <n>[Note: This no doubt refers to the second coming of Christ. See II Pet. 3:9-10; Matt. 24:30-31; Rev. 1:7]</n>.


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But when these things begin to happen, stand up and lift up your heads <n>[i.e., in anticipation]</n>, for your redemption <n>[i.e., deliverance, either from destruction or condemnation]</n> is getting closer.”


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When they begin to sprout their leaves you know when you look at them, without being told, that summer is near.


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In the same way also, when you see these things happening <n>[i.e., the above mentioned “signs”]</n>, you can know that the kingdom of God <n>[i.e., either its heavenly phase or the destruction of Jerusalem]</n> is near.


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“But pay attention to yourselves so that your hearts do not become overburdened by carousing, and drunkenness, and the worries of life. <n>[If you do]</n>, that ‘day’ <n>[i.e., Jesus’ second coming and judgment]</n> will arrive suddenly, like a trap <n>[i.e., which catches an animal by surprise]</n>.


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But you should be alert at all times, offering earnest prayers, so that you will be strong enough to escape all these things that will happen, and to appear <n>[acceptable]</n> in front of the Son of man <n>[on that day]</n>.”


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Now Jesus was teaching in the Temple every day, and He went out and lodged on the hill called Olivet every night <n>[Note: Possibly this meant He lodged in a house in Bethany, which was situated on the side of this hill]</n>.


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Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, was approaching. <n>[Note: This was the annual Jewish festival commemorating Israel’s deliverance from Egyptian bondage under Moses’ leadership]</n>.


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And the leading priests and experts in the Law of Moses were looking for a way to kill Jesus because they were afraid of the people <n>[i.e., that people would riot if it were done during the Festival. See Matt. 26:5]</n>.


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So, he left <n>[probably the house of Simon, the man healed of an infectious skindisease. See Matt. 26:6-13]</n> and went and discussed with the leading priests and captains <n>[i.e., of the Temple guard]</n> how he could turn Jesus over to them.


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So Judas consented <n>[to their offer]</n> and looked for a <n>[good]</n> opportunity to turn Jesus over to them <n>[i.e., the Jewish leaders]</n> when the crowd was not present.


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Then the day came for the Festival of Unleavened Bread <n>[to be held]</n>, on which the Passover <n>[lamb]</n> was to be sacrificed.


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So, Jesus sent Peter and John <n>[to Jerusalem]</n>, saying, “Go and prepare for us to eat the Passover <n>[meal]</n>.”


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And He replied to them, “Look, when you have entered the city, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you; follow him into whatever house he goes.


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Then you should say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, where is the guest room where I can eat the Passover meal with my disciples?’


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And he will show you a large, completely furnished upstairs room. Make preparations <n>[for us]</n> there <n>[i.e., to observe the Passover Festival]</n>.”


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So, they went and found <n>[everything]</n> just as Jesus told them <n>[it would be]</n>, and they prepared for the Passover meal.


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And when the time came <n>[for the Passover meal]</n>, Jesus reclined with His apostles <n>[at the table]</n>. <n>[Note: See Matt. 23:6]</n>.


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And He said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover meal with you <n>[men]</n> before I suffer <n>[i.e., torture and death]</n>.


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For I tell you, I will not eat it again until <n>[I do so when]</n> it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God <n>[See Matt. 26:29]</n>.”


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Then Jesus took a cup <n>[Note: This was one of the cups partaken of during the Passover meal]</n>, and after giving thanks to God <n>[for it]</n>, He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves,


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for I tell you, I will not drink this fruit of the vine <n>[i.e., grape juice]</n> from now on until <n>[I do, figuratively, when]</n> the kingdom of God has come.”


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Then He took a <n>[small]</n> loaf of bread, and after He had given thanks to God, He broke it and gave <n>[pieces]</n> to His apostles, and said, “This is <n>[i.e., represents]</n> my <n>[physical]</n> body which is <n>[to be]</n> given for you; continue to do this <n>[i.e., eat it regularly]</n> to remember me by.”


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And in the same way He took <n>[another]</n> cup, after the <n>[Passover]</n> meal, and said, “This cup is <n>[i.e., represents]</n> the New Agreement <n>[i.e., between God and mankind]</n> made by my blood, which is <n>[to be]</n> poured out for you.


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But look, the hand of the one who is turning me over <n>[i.e., to the Jewish leaders]</n> is with me on the table <n>[i.e., dipping his hand in the sauce bowl. See Matt. 26:23]</n>.


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For the Son of man is certainly going <n>[to die]</n>, just as it has been <n>[pre-]</n> determined, but it is too bad for that person through whom He is <n>[to be]</n> betrayed!”


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And Jesus said to them, “The kings of the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles lord it over their own people, and those who domineer over them are called ‘Benefactors’ <n>[Note: This was a title used by Greek kings in Egypt and Syria]</n>.


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But it will not be that way among you, for the person who is the most important among you should become <n>[like]</n> the youngest <n>[i.e., least important]</n>. And the person who is the leader should become like the servant.


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For who is most important, the person who reclines at the dinner table or the person who serves <n>[him]</n>? Is it not the person who reclines at the dinner table? But I am among you as the person who serves.


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so you can eat and drink at my table in my <n>[coming]</n> kingdom. <n>[Also]</n> you will sit on <n>[twelve]</n> thrones <n>[See Matt. 19:28]</n>, judging the twelve tribes of Israel <n>[i.e., judging God’s people through their writings]</n>.


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“Simon, Simon <n>[i.e., Peter]</n>, Satan has earnestly requested the right to sift you like wheat. <n>[Note: Grain was sifted by using a sieve-like device in which grain and particles of dirt and straw were shaken together, allowing the grain to fall through while the dirt and straw remained. This was an allusion to the agitating trials Peter was soon to endure, and survive]</n>.


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But I prayed earnestly for you, that your faith would not fail <n>[to be strong]</n>. And when you have turned back <n>[i.e., from going astray briefly]</n>, provide <n>[spiritual]</n> support to your brothers.”


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And Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, you will deny <n>[even]</n> knowing me three times before the rooster crows today.”


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Then Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a money belt, or traveling bag <n>[i.e., for personal belongings]</n>, or sandals, did you lack anything?” And the apostles answered, “<n>[No]</n>, nothing.”


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Then He said to them, “But this time the person who has a money belt should take it, and also <n>[he should take]</n> a traveling bag. And if he does not have a sword, he should sell his coat and buy one.


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For I tell you that this <n>[passage of Scripture]</n>, which was written about me, must be fulfilled <n>[Isa. 53:12]</n>: ‘And He <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> was counted with <n>[i.e., as though He were one of]</n> the criminals.’ For the part <n>[of that passage]</n> that refers to me is being fulfilled.”


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And the apostles said, “Look, Lord, we have two swords <n>[here]</n>.” And Jesus replied, “That is enough.” <n>[Note: Possibly Jesus means, “enough talk about weapons”]</n>.


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Then Jesus went out to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed to doing <n>[each evening during His final week]</n>, and His disciples followed Him.


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And when He got there He said to them, “Pray that you do not give in <n>[i.e., to the devil]</n> under trials.”


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saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup <n>[i.e., of suffering]</n> away from me; nevertheless, let it not be what I want, but what you want <n>[for me]</n>.”


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And He became anguished as He prayed more fervently; even His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.


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And when He got up from praying He went to His disciples and found them asleep, exhausted from grief.


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So, He said to them, “Why were you sleeping? Get up and pray so you do not give in <n>[to the devil]</n> under trials.”


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While He was still speaking suddenly one of the twelve apostles, named Judas, <n>[who was]</n> leading a crowd, came near Jesus to kiss Him.


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And when <n>[the rest of]</n> the disciples, who were gathered around Jesus, saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, do you want us to strike them with a sword?”


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Then a certain one of them struck the head priest’s slave and sheared off his right ear. <n>[Note: It was Peter who struck this man, whose name was Malchus. See John 18:10]</n>.


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But Jesus replied, “Stop it; <n>[that is]</n> enough!” Then He touched the man’s <n>[partially severed]</n> ear and healed him.


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And Jesus said to the leading priests and captains of the Temple <n>[guard]</n> and the <n>[Jewish]</n> elders that came to take Him, “Have you come out <n>[to arrest me]</n> with swords and clubs as you would <n>[apprehend]</n> a thief?


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When I was with you every day in the Temple you did not raise a hand against me. But this is your hour <n>[i.e., the time for you to act against me]</n> and the power of darkness <n>[has now taken over]</n>.”


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Then they arrested Jesus and led Him away to the head priest’s house <n>[i.e., Caiaphas. See Matt. 26:57]</n>. But Peter followed Him from a distance <n>[i.e., as they went to the head priest’s courtyard]</n>.


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And when they <n>[i.e., the priest’s servants]</n> had built a fire in the middle of the courtyard, they sat down together <n>[i.e., to warm themselves. See Mark 14:67]</n>, with Peter <n>[sitting]</n> among the group.


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Then a certain <n>[servant]</n> girl saw Peter sitting there in the light of the fire. As she stared at him she said, “This man was with Jesus, too.”


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Then a little while later, someone else saw Peter and said, “You are one of them also <n>[i.e., one of Jesus’ disciples]</n>.” But Peter replied, “Man, I am not.”


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And about an hour later someone else stated emphatically, “I know for sure that this man was also with him <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, for he is from Galilee <n>[too]</n>.” <n>[Note: Peter’s accent gave him away. See Matt. 26:73]</n>.


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But then Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Just then, as he was speaking, the rooster crowed.


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Then the Lord turned and gave Peter a <n>[penetrating]</n> glance. And Peter remembered the words of the Lord, how He had said to him, “You will deny <n>[knowing]</n> me three times before the rooster crows today.”


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And when it became daylight, the body of <n>[Jewish]</n> elders of the people, <n>[consisting of]</n> both leading priests and experts in the Law of Moses, was gathered together. Then they led Jesus away to their Council <n>[called the “Sanhedrin”]</n>, and asked Him,


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“Tell us if you are the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n>.” But He replied, “You would not believe me if I <n>[did]</n> tell you <n>[who I am]</n>.


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So, they all asked <n>[Him]</n>, “Then are you the Son of God?” And He answered them, “You <n>[are right to]</n> say that I am <n>[the Christ]</n>.”


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And they replied, “Why do we need any more evidence? For we have heard <n>[enough]</n> from his own mouth, ourselves.”


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Then the entire group of them <n>[i.e., of the Jewish elders, priests and law experts]</n> got up <n>[from their Council meeting]</n> and took Jesus to <n>[governor]</n> Pilate.


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They began bringing accusations against Him, saying, “We discovered this man misleading the people of our nation and telling them not to pay taxes to Caesar, and claiming that he himself was the Messiah, a king!”


text:
Then Pilate said to the leading priests and to the crowds <n>[that had gathered]</n>, “I do not find anything wrong with this man.”


text:
But the group became more insistent, saying, “He is stirring up the people and teaching <n>[these things]</n> throughout all Judea. He began <n>[doing this]</n> in Galilee and <n>[has continued it]</n> even to this place <n>[i.e., Jerusalem]</n>.”


text:
And when he realized that Jesus was under Herod’s <n>[political]</n> jurisdiction, he sent Him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem at that time.


text:
Now Herod was very pleased when he saw Jesus for he had wanted to see Him for a long time. He had heard <n>[things]</n> about Jesus and <n>[now]</n> hoped to see Him perform a miracle.


text:
Then the leading priests and experts in the Law of Moses stood up and viciously charged Him <n>[i.e., with false accusations]</n>.


text:
Then Herod and his soldiers treated Jesus with contempt and mocked Him. They dressed Him in a luxurious robe and then sent Him back to Pilate.


text:
and said to them, “You brought this man to me, claiming he was inciting people to disloyalty <n>[i.e., to the government]</n>. And look, I questioned him in front of you people but did not find him guilty of the charges you


text:
or Herod have brought <n>[against him]</n>. For Herod sent him back to us and now I find that he has not done anything deserving of death.


text:
Some ancient manuscripts include this verse “For Pilate was required to release one prisoner to the people at the <n>[Passover]</n> Festival”.


text:
But the people all joined together shouting, “Take this man <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> and release Barabbas to us <n>[instead]</n>.”


text:
<n>[Now]</n> Barabbas was a person who had been thrown into prison for <n>[inciting]</n> a rebellion in the city <n>[of Jerusalem]</n> and for committing murder.


text:
So, Pilate called out to them a third time, “Why <n>[should he be crucified]</n>; what wrong has this man done? I have not found any reason for putting him to death, so I will punish him and <n>[then]</n> release him.”


text:
and released the man they had asked for <n>[i.e., Barabbas]</n>, who had been thrown into prison for <n>[inciting]</n> a rebellion and committing murder. But he turned Jesus over to the people do with Him whatever they wanted.


text:
Then, as they were leading Jesus away, the soldiers <n>[See Mark 15:16-21]</n> grabbed hold of a man named Simon, from Cyrene <n>[Note: This was a city in the northern African country of Libya]</n>, who was coming in from the countryside, and placed the cross <n>[i.e., probably only the cross-beam portion]</n> on him, so he could carry it while following Jesus.


text:
A large crowd of people followed Jesus, including some women who wailed <n>[in grief]</n> and mourned over His plight.


text:
But Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem <n>[i.e., women citizens]</n>, do not cry over me, but cry over yourselves and your children.


text:
For look, the time will come when people will be saying, ‘Those <n>[women]</n> who are without children and who have never given birth or nursed babies are <n>[truly]</n> happy!’


text:
Then they will begin to say to the mountains <n>[Hosea 10:8]</n>, ‘Fall on us,’ and to the hills, ‘Cover us <n>[up]</n>.’


text:
For if people are doing these things <n>[to me]</n> while the <n>[leaves of the]</n> tree are green <n>[i.e., to someone innocent of wrongdoing]</n>, what will they do when <n>[the leaves]</n> are dried up <n>[i.e., to the sinful Jews of Jerusalem]</n>?”


text:
And when they came to the place called “The Skull” <n>[Note: The Latin word for this place is “Calvary”]</n>, they crucified Him there, along with the criminals, one at His right side and one at His left.


text:
Then Jesus called out, “Father, forgive these people <n>[i.e., the ones responsible for crucifying Him]</n>, for they do not know <n>[i.e., realize]</n> what they are doing.” Then the soldiers <n>[See John 19:23]</n> divided Jesus’ clothing among them by gambling for them.


text:
People stood <n>[around]</n> watching <n>[all this]</n>, while the leaders even sneered at Him, saying, “He saved other people; <n>[now]</n> let him save himself <n>[i.e., from dying]</n> if he <n>[really]</n> is the Christ, God’s specially chosen one.”


text:
There was an inscription above Him <n>[i.e., on the upright portion of the cross]</n>, stating, “This is the king of the Jews.”


text:
Then one of the criminals, who was hanging <n>[on a cross also]</n> spoke abusively to Him, saying, “Are you not the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n>? <n>[If you are]</n>, then save yourself and us.”


text:
But the other criminal spoke harshly to the first one, saying, “Do you not even have any fear of God <n>[left]</n>, since you <n>[too]</n> are experiencing the same sentence of condemnation?


text:
And for us it is truly a just sentence, for we are getting back what we deserve for our actions, but this man has not done anything wrong.”


text:
Then Jesus said to him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise <n>[Note: This is a place in God’s presence, referred to as “the third heaven” (II Cor. 12:2-4), and where overcomers will be able to eat from “the tree of life” (Rev. 2:7)]</n>. ”


text:
Now when it was about twelve o’clock noon, darkness came over all the land until three o’clock in the afternoon, for


text:
Jesus called out in a loud voice, “Father, I commit my spirit into your hands.” And after He said this, He gave up His spirit <n>[i.e., to God in death]</n>.


text:
And when the military officer in charge of one hundred men saw what had happened, he honored God <n>[by]</n> saying, “Certainly this man had <n>[always]</n> done what was right.”


text:
And after the crowds that had gathered to witness this sight saw what had happened they left, beating their chests <n>[i.e., as an expression of anguish over witnessing Jesus’ death]</n>.


text:
And all of those who knew Him, as well as the women who had followed Him from Galilee <n>[See Matt. 27:55- 56]</n>, watched all this from a distance.


text:
And just then <n>[there appeared]</n> a member of the <n>[Jewish]</n> Council named Joseph from the city of Arimathea. He was a good man who tried to do what was right,


text:
(and who had not agreed with the decision and action of the <n>[Jewish]</n> Council). He was expecting the kingdom of God <n>[to appear soon]</n>.


text:
<n>[Upon receiving permission]</n> he took it down <n>[from the cross]</n> and wrapped it in a linen cloth, and placed it in a grave site, cut out of <n>[a ledge of]</n> rock, where no one had ever been buried.


text:
This happened on the Day of Preparation <n>[for the Passover Festival]</n>, as the Sabbath day was about to begin <n>[i.e., shortly before 6 PM on Friday]</n>.


text:
The women who had accompanied Jesus from Galilee followed behind <n>[those carrying the body]</n> and saw where the grave site was and how His body was placed in it.


text:
So, they returned <n>[home]</n> and prepared spices and <n>[aromatic]</n> oils <n>[i.e., for embalming Jesus’ body]</n>. Then they rested on the Sabbath day according to the <n>[fourth]</n> commandment. <n>[See Ex. 20:10]</n>.


text:
Now at early dawn on the first day of the week <n>[i.e., early Sunday morning]</n>, the women <n>[See Mark 16:1]</n> went to Jesus’ grave site, taking the spices which they had prepared <n>[for His burial]</n>.


text:
But they found the stone <n>[had already been]</n> rolled away from the <n>[opening of the]</n> grave site.


text:
So, they went in <n>[i.e., into the cave-like tomb]</n>, but did not find the body of the Lord Jesus.


text:
And it happened, while they wondered about the situation, suddenly two men in brilliant clothing <n>[were seen]</n> standing beside them.


text:
As the women became terrified and bowed down with their faces toward the ground <n>[i.e., in reverence and awe]</n>, the two men said to them, “Why are you looking for the living <n>[One]</n> where they bury dead people?


text:
He is not here; for He has risen <n>[from the dead]</n>. <n>[Do you not]</n> remember what He told you when He was still in Galilee, saying,


text:
‘The Son of man must be turned over into the hands of sinful men to be crucified, but the third day <n>[He will]</n> rise again <n>[from the dead]</n>?’”


text:
When they returned from the grave site, they told all this to the eleven apostles and to all the rest <n>[of the disciples]</n>.


text:
Now the women who told these things to the apostles were Mary from Magdala; Joanna <n>[Note: This was the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s property manager. See Luke 8:3]</n>, Mary <n>[the mother]</n> of James and other women who were with them.


text:
Some ancient authorities do not include this verse “But Peter got up and ran to the grave site. He stooped down <n>[i.e., because of the low opening in the cave-like tomb]</n>, looked in and saw the linen cloths <n>[lying there]</n> by themselves. Then he went home, puzzled over what had happened.”


text:
Then, on that same day, two disciples <n>[See Mark 16:12]</n> were <n>[walking along]</n>, going to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles <n>[northwest]</n> of Jerusalem.


text:
And it happened, as they were talking and discussing together, that Jesus came near <n>[them]</n> and began walking along with them.


text:
Then Jesus said to them, ‘What have you been talking about while <n>[you were]</n> walking along together?” And they stopped <n>[suddenly]</n>, looking dejected.


text:
Then one of them, named Cleopas, answered Jesus, “Are you the only visitor in Jerusalem who does not know what all happened there the past few days?”


text:
And He replied, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things concerning Jesus, from Nazareth, who was a prophet speaking powerful words and performing powerful deeds in front of God and all the people.


text:
And the leading priests and our leaders turned him over to be sentenced to death and had him crucified.


text:
But we had hoped that he was the one who would purchase the Israelites back <n>[from their bondage]</n>. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened.


text:
However, certain women of our group, who went to the grave site early <n>[Sunday morning]</n>, amazed us.


text:
When they did not find Jesus’ body, they came and told us that they had also seen a vision of angels who said Jesus was alive.


text:
Then some of our companions <n>[i.e., Peter and John. See John 20:2-9]</n> went to the grave site and found things just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus <n>[either]</n>.’


text:
Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish men! How slow your minds are to believe everything the prophets have spoken <n>[in their writings]</n>!


text:
Was it not necessary for the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n> to suffer these things, and <n>[then]</n> to enter His glorious state <n>[with the Father]</n>?”


text:
Then, beginning from <n>[the writings of]</n> Moses and all the prophets, Jesus explained to the two men about the things referring to Himself <n>[contained]</n> in all these Scripture passages.


text:
And as they got close to the village <n>[i.e., of Emmaus]</n>, where the men were going, Jesus appeared as though He were planning to continue on.


text:
So, the men urged Him to remain with them, saying, “Stay with us <n>[i.e., overnight]</n>, because it is getting late and the day is almost over.” So, He went <n>[to their house]</n> to stay with them.


text:
And it happened when Jesus had reclined at the dinner table with them <n>[Note: See Matt. 23:6]</n>, that He took a <n>[small]</n> loaf of bread, asked God’s blessing on it, then broke it and gave <n>[pieces]</n> to the two men.


text:
<n>[Immediately]</n> their eyes were opened <n>[i.e., they were given insight]</n> so they could recognize Him. And <n>[just then]</n> He disappeared from their view <n>[Note: The Greek says, “became invisible,” suggesting that He vanished miraculously]</n>.


text:
Then the two men said to each other, “Were not our hearts stirred up within us <n>[i.e., our emotions thrilled]</n> when Jesus spoke to us along the road and opened up the Scriptures <n>[to our understanding]</n>?”


text:
So, they got up at once and returned to Jerusalem and found the eleven apostles gathered together with some other disciples.


text:
The apostles <n>[or, some think the two men]</n> were saying, “The Lord truly has risen and has appeared to Simon <n>[i.e., Peter]</n>.”


text:
Then the two men recounted what happened along the road and how Jesus was recognized by them when He broke the loaf of bread.


text:
And as the apostles were talking about these things, Jesus Himself <n>[reappeared]</n>, standing among them, and said to them, “May there be peace in your lives.”


text:
Then Jesus said to them, “Why are you <n>[so]</n> upset? And why are you having doubts <n>[about me]</n> in your minds?


text:
Look at my hands and my feet and realize that it is I, myself. Feel me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.”


text:
Some ancient authorities omit this verse “And when He had said this, He showed them His hands and His feet.”


text:
And while they still could not believe <n>[i.e., or, could hardly believe]</n>, out of joy and wonderment, Jesus said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”


text:
Then Jesus said to the apostles, “These are the words that I told you while I was still with you, <n>[when I said]</n> that everything written in the Law of Moses, and the prophets, and the psalms about me needed to be fulfilled.”


text:
And He said to them, “This is what was written: The Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n> will suffer, and <n>[then]</n> rise again from the dead on the third day.


text:
And <n>[the need for]</n> a change of heart and life in order to receive the forgiveness of sins <n>[from God]</n> will be preached in Jesus’ name <n>[i.e., by His authority]</n> to people of all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.


text:
You apostles are <n>[to be]</n> witnesses of these things <n>[i.e., they were to give their testimony of these truths. See Acts 1:8]</n>.


text:
And look, I <n>[am going to]</n> send upon you apostles what my Father promised <n>[i.e., the Holy Spirit. See John 14:26]</n>; but you should wait in the city <n>[of Jerusalem]</n> until you are clothed with power from above.” <n>[Note: This promise was fulfilled when the apostles were immersed in the Holy Spirit. See Acts 1:4 - 2:4]</n>.


text:
Then Jesus led His apostles out <n>[of Jerusalem]</n> until they came near to Bethany <n>[Note: This was a village fewer than two miles east of Jerusalem]</n>. <n>[There]</n> He raised His hands and asked God’s blessing on them.


text:
And they were there in the Temple <n>[area]</n> continually praising God <n>[i.e., for the next ten days. See Acts 2]</n>.


text:
The Word <n>[already]</n> existed in the beginning <n>[of time]</n>. <n>[Note: This is a reference to the preexistence of Jesus. See verse 14]</n>. And the Word was with God and the Word was <n>[what]</n> God <n>[was]</n>.


text:
Everything came into being through this Word, and apart from Him not a single thing came into being.


text:
And <n>[His]</n> light continued to shine, <n>[even]</n> in the darkness <n>[of the world]</n>, and that darkness did not overcome Him <n>[or, did not fully understand Him]</n>.


text:
He came to be a witness, so that he might testify concerning that Light, so that all people would believe <n>[in Jesus]</n> through him <n>[i.e., through his testimony. See Acts 19:4]</n>.


text:
<n>[Now]</n> the true Light, who enlightens all mankind, was <n>[indeed]</n> coming into the world <n>[i.e., to earth]</n>.


text:
<n>[Actually]</n> He was in the world <n>[already]</n>, for the world came into being through Him, but the world did not acknowledge Him.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> He came to His own <n>[world, while on earth]</n>, but His own <n>[people, the Israelites]</n> did not welcome Him.


text:
But He gave all those who did welcome Him the opportunity of becoming children of God by believing in His name <n>[i.e., as the Messiah]</n>.


text:
<n>[Such people]</n> were born of God, not of blood ties <n>[i.e., from physical descendants]</n>, nor of the will of the flesh <n>[i.e., merely from a sexual desire]</n>, nor of the will of man <n>[i.e., from a husband’s desire for offspring]</n>.


text:
<n>[Eventually]</n> this Word became a human being and lived among us <n>[Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]</n>. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.


text:
John gave testimony about Jesus, shouting out, ”This person is the one about whom I said, ‘He who will come after me ranks above me because He existed before me.’”


text:
No one has ever seen God <n>[i.e., His full splendor]</n>, but God, the only conceived <n>[and eventually born Son]</n>, who is at the Father’s side, has shown us who He is.


text:
And this is the testimony John <n>[the Immerser]</n> gave when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” <n>[Note: Levites were men who assisted the priests in the Temple service]</n>.


text:
Then he declared openly, without denying it, “I am not the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n>.”


text:
So, they asked him, “Who then <n>[are you]</n>? Are you Elijah <n>[i.e., returned from the dead]</n>?” But he answered, “<n>[No]</n>, I am not.” “<n>[Then]</n>, are you the prophet <n>[i.e., Moses. See Deut. 18:15-19]</n>?” they asked. And he answered, “No.”


text:
So, they asked him <n>[again]</n>, “<n>[Then]</n>, who are you? We need to take back an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”


text:
He replied, “I am the voice of a man who is calling out in the desert, <n>[urging people to]</n> ‘Make the road for the Lord straight,’ as Isaiah the prophet said, <n>[Isa. 40:3]</n>.”


text:
Now those who were sent <n>[i.e., to question John]</n> were Pharisees <n>[i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]</n>.


text:
They asked him, “Why do you immerse people then, if you are not the Christ, or Elijah, or the prophet <n>[Moses]</n>?”


text:
So, John answered them, saying, “I am immersing people in water, but there is Someone among you whom you do not recognize.


text:
These things happened in Bethany on the east side of the Jordan River where John was immersing people. <n>[Note: This was a different Bethany from the one just outside of Jerusalem]</n>.


text:
On the next day John <n>[the Immerser]</n> saw Jesus approaching him and said, “Look, <n>[there is]</n> the Lamb of God; He <n>[will]</n> take away the sin of the people of the world.


text:
He is the One about whom I said, ‘A man will come after me who ranks above me, for He existed before me.’


text:
And I would not have recognized Him, but I came immersing people in water so that He would become known to the Israelites.”


text:
So, John gave his testimony, saying, “I have seen the Holy Spirit descending as a dove out of heaven, and it remained on Him.


text:
And I did not recognize Him, but He <n>[i.e., God]</n>, who sent me to immerse in water, said to me, ‘The one on whom you see the Holy Spirit descending and remaining is the same One who <n>[will]</n> immerse people in the Holy Spirit.’


text:
Then Jesus turned and saw them following <n>[Him]</n> and said to them, “What are you looking for?” And they answered Him, “Rabbi (which means Teacher), where are you staying?”


text:
Then He said to them, “Come, and you will see.” So, they went and saw where He was staying and they stayed with Him that day. It was about ten o’clock in the morning. <n>[Note: Hour designations in this book are being calculated by Roman time, but this would have been 4 PM if Jewish time were meant]</n>.


text:
One of the two men who had listened to John and had become a follower of Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother.


text:
The first thing Andrew did was to find his own brother Simon and say to him, “We have found the Messiah (which means Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n>).”


text:
So, Andrew brought Simon Peter to Jesus. <n>[And when]</n> Jesus saw him, He said <n>[to him]</n>, “You are Simon, the son of John <n>[Note: Peter’s father is called Jonah in Matt. 16:17]</n>; you will be called Cephas (which means Peter <n>[i.e., “a stone.” See Matt. 16:18]</n>).”


text:
<n>[Then]</n> on the next day He <n>[i.e., Jesus, but some think it refers to Peter or Andrew]</n> decided to travel into Galilee, <n>[and there]</n> He found Philip. Jesus said to Philip, “Become my follower.”


text:
Now Philip was from Bethsaida, Andrew’s and Peter’s home town. <n>[Note: This town was on the northwest shore of Lake Galilee, a few miles from Capernaum]</n>.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> Philip found Nathaniel <n>[i.e., the same as Bartholomew. See Matt. 10:3]</n> and said to him, “We have found Him, the one Moses wrote about in the Law; and the prophets <n>[also wrote about Him]</n>. <n>[He is]</n> Jesus from Nazareth, the <n>[step-]</n> son of Joseph.”


text:
Nathaniel replied to him, “Can anything worthwhile come from Nazareth?” <n>[Note: Nazareth had a bad reputation and Jewish writings made no prediction of a prophet coming from that area. See John 7:52]</n>. Philip answered him, “Come and see.”


text:
<n>[As]</n> Jesus saw Nathaniel coming toward Him, He said <n>[this]</n> about him, “Look, <n>[there is]</n> a true Israelite, a completely honest man!”


text:
Nathaniel asked Jesus, “How did you know me?” Jesus answered him, “I saw you when you were under that fig tree, <n>[even]</n> before Philip called you.”


text:
Nathaniel replied to Him, “Rabbi <n>[i.e., Teacher]</n>, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel.”


text:
Jesus said to him, “Do you believe <n>[in me just]</n> because I told you, ‘I saw you under that fig tree’? You will see <n>[even]</n> greater things than these <n>[happen]</n>.”


text:
Then Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened up and the angels of God going up <n>[from]</n> and coming down on the Son of man” <n>[i.e., probably a reference to angels ministering to Jesus’ needs. See Matt. 4:6, 11; Luke 22:43]</n>.


text:
Then on the third day <n>[i.e., since Jesus’ conversation with Nathaniel. See 1:47]</n>, a wedding took place in Cana in Galilee. <n>[Note: This was a small town near Nazareth]</n>. Jesus’ mother was there


text:
Now when they had run out of wine, Jesus’ mother said to Him, “They do not have any more wine <n>[left]</n>.”


text:
So, Jesus said to her, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, what do you want me to do <n>[about it]</n>? My time <n>[i.e., to be revealed to people as the Messiah]</n> has not yet come.”


text:
Now there were six clay water jars there, used by the Jews for ceremonial washings <n>[i.e., for hands, utensils, etc.]</n>. Each one held from 17 to 26 gallons.


text:
Then He said to them, “Now pour <n>[some of it]</n> out and take it to the banquet host.” So, they took some to him,


text:
and when the banquet host tasted the water, which had <n>[now]</n> been turned into wine, he did not know where it had come from. (But the servants who had poured out the water knew <n>[full well]</n>). So, the banquet host called the groom


text:
and said to him, “Everyone sets out the best wine first, and when people have had plenty to drink, he then sets out the poor quality <n>[wine]</n>. But you have kept the best wine until now.” <n>[Note: See Barnes Notes (pp. 193-195) and The Gospel of John by Butler (pp. 68-70) for evidence suggesting that this was not intoxicating wine]</n>.


text:
This was the beginning of Jesus’ <n>[miraculous]</n> signs, which He performed in Cana in Galilee. <n>[In doing this]</n> He demonstrated His glorious power and His disciples believed in Him.


text:
After this incident, Jesus, His mother, His <n>[half-]</n> brothers and His disciples went down to Capernaum <n>[i.e., located on the north shore of Lake Galilee]</n> and stayed there a few days.


text:
Now the Jewish Passover Festival was soon <n>[to be held]</n>, so Jesus went up to Jerusalem <n>[to attend it]</n>.


text:
There in the Temple <n>[area]</n> He found people selling oxen, sheep and pigeons <n>[i.e., for use as sacrifices]</n>. Also cashiers were sitting there. <n>[Note: These people exchanged foreign coins so visitors to Jerusalem could make purchases and pay taxes]</n>.


text:
Then Jesus made a whip out of strands of rope and drove all of the sheep and oxen out of the Temple <n>[area]</n>, dumped out the cashiers’ money and overturned their tables.


text:
He said to those who were selling the pigeons, “Take these things out of here, and quit making my Father’s house <n>[i.e., the Temple]</n> a merchandise mart.”


text:
Then Jesus’ disciples remembered that it was written <n>[Psa. 69:9]</n>, “Enthusiasm for Your <n>[i.e., God’s]</n> house <n>[i.e., the Temple]</n> will consume me.”


text:
So, the Jews asked Him, “What <n>[miraculous]</n> sign will you show us, since you are doing these things <n>[i.e., disrupting their merchandising activities]</n>?”


text:
But the Jews said, “It took forty-six years to build this Temple, and are you going to rebuild it in three days?”


text:
Therefore, when He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered what He had said and they believed the Scriptures and the words Jesus had spoken.


text:
Now when Jesus was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people believed in His name <n>[i.e., in Jesus Himself]</n> when they saw the <n>[miraculous]</n> signs He was doing.


text:
But Jesus would not trust Himself to them <n>[i.e., to the care of these Jewish leaders]</n> because He knew all men,


text:
and He did not need anyone to tell Him about mankind, for He Himself knew what was in the hearts of mankind.


text:
This man went to Jesus one night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we <n>[i.e., speaking of himself and other Jewish leaders]</n> know that you are a Teacher sent from God, for no one could perform these <n>[miraculous]</n> signs that you are doing unless God were with Him.”


text:
Jesus said to him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot see the kingdom of God <n>[i.e., enter it. See verse 5]</n>, unless he is born from above.” <n>[Note: The words “from above” are also used in verse 31, but in this place they could also mean “again,” or “anew” and refer to the source of a person’s second birth]</n>.


text:
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born <n>[again]</n> after he is <n>[already]</n> old? He cannot enter his mother’s womb a second time and be born, can he?”


text:
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I tell you, a person cannot enter the kingdom of God unless he is born out of water and the Holy Spirit.


text:
Whoever is born from human parents is a human being; and whoever is born from the Holy Spirit is a spiritual being.


text:
So, do not be surprised that I have said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ <n>[See note on verse 3]</n>.


text:
The wind blows wherever it wants to, and you can hear the sound of it, without knowing where it came from or where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born from the Holy Spirit.”


text:
Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of the Israelites and <n>[yet]</n> you do not understand these things?


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, we <n>[i.e., Jesus and His disciples]</n> speak about what we know, and testify about what we have seen, but you do not accept our testimony.


text:
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe <n>[it]</n>, how will you believe <n>[it]</n> if I tell you about heavenly things?


text:
And no one has gone up to heaven except the One who has come down from heaven, <n>[even]</n> the Son of man. Most translations do not contain the following words “who is in heaven”.


text:
And <n>[just]</n> like Moses lifted up the snake <n>[on the pole]</n> in the wilderness <n>[Num. 21:9]</n>, so the Son of man must be lifted up <n>[on the cross]</n>


text:
so that whoever believes in Him would have never ending life.” <n>[Note: Some translations extend Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus through verse 21]</n>.


text:
For God loved the world <n>[of sinners]</n> so much that He gave His one and only Son, so that every person who believes in Him would not <n>[have to]</n> be destroyed, but have never ending life.


text:
For God did not send His Son into the world to be its judge <n>[i.e., to condemn it]</n>, but <n>[rather]</n> so that the people of the world could be saved <n>[from condemnation]</n> though Him.


text:
The person who believes in Him will not be condemned, but the one who does not believe in Him has already been condemned, because he did not believe in the name of God’s one and only Son.


text:
Now this is <n>[how God’s]</n> judgment <n>[works]</n>: The Light <n>[See 1:5-9]</n> has come into the world, but people loved darkness <n>[i.e., sin]</n> rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil.


text:
For every person who practices evil things hates the light <n>[of truth]</n> and does not come to it, for fear of having his deeds exposed <n>[as sinful]</n>.


text:
But the person who does what is <n>[according to the]</n> truth <n>[i.e., good things]</n> comes to the light so that his deeds may be shown to have been produced by God.


text:
After this Jesus and His disciples went to the country-<n>[side]</n> of Judea and there they remained and immersed people.


text:
John <n>[the Immerser]</n> was also immersing people in Aenon, near Salem <n>[Note: These locations are thought to have been in northeastern Judea, near the Jordan River]</n>, because there was a lot of water there; so people were coming to be immersed.


text:
These disciples went to John and said to him, “Rabbi, look, that man who was with you on the east side of the Jordan River <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, whom you testified about, is immersing people and everyone is going to him.” <n>[Note: Actually, it was Jesus’ disciples who did the immersing. See 4:2]</n>.


text:
John replied to them, “A person cannot receive anything, unless it has been given to him from <n>[God in]</n> heaven.


text:
You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n> but <n>[rather]</n> that I was sent <n>[by God]</n> ahead of Him.’


text:
The one who has the bride is the groom; but the best man, who stands up with him and listens to him <n>[take his vows]</n>, is very happy when he hears him speak. So, <n>[now]</n> my joy is complete <n>[i.e. over hearing about Jesus’ ministry]</n>.


text:
The One who comes from above <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> ranks over all <n>[others]</n>; but the one who is out of the earth <n>[i.e., of human origin]</n> is <n>[merely]</n> an earthly <n>[being]</n> and he speaks in earthly <n>[ways]</n>. <n>[But]</n> the One who comes from heaven <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> ranks over all <n>[others]</n>.


text:
The person who has accepted Jesus’ testimony has confirmed this <n>[fact]</n>, that God is truthful.


text:
For the One whom God has sent <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> speaks the words of God, for He <n>[i.e., God]</n> does not give the Holy Spirit in a limited quantity <n>[i.e., to Jesus. See next verse]</n>.


text:
The person who believes in the Son has never ending life, but the person who disobeys the Son will not see life <n>[i.e., will not experience never ending life]</n>, but <n>[instead]</n>, God’s wrath remains on him.


text:
Therefore, when the Lord <n>[Jesus]</n> knew that the Pharisees were aware of Him making and immersing more disciples than John,


text:
He left Judea and returned to Galilee. (Although it was actually His disciples who did the immersing and not Jesus Himself).


text:
<n>[Now to get to Galilee]</n> it required that Jesus travel through Samaria <n>[Note: Samaria was the next country north of Judea]</n>.


text:
So, He arrived at the Samaritan town called Sychar, which was near the piece of property that Jacob had given to his son Joseph.


text:
Jacob’s <n>[spring-fed]</n> well was there so Jesus, tired from His <n>[long]</n> journey, sat down beside the well just as He was <n>[i.e., before doing anything else]</n>. It was about six o’clock in the morning <n>[Note: This would have been 12 o’clock noon if Jewish time were meant]</n>.


text:
<n>[About then]</n> a Samaritan woman came <n>[to the well]</n> to draw water. Jesus said to her, “<n>[Please]</n> give me a drink.”


text:
Therefore, the Samaritan woman asked Him, “Why is it that you, being a Jew, would ask a Samaritan woman <n>[like me]</n> for a drink?” (For Jews do not have any fellowship with Samaritans). <n>[Note: The reason for this stemmed from longstanding religious, cultural and ethnic prejudices]</n>.


text:
Jesus answered her, “If you <n>[only]</n> knew the <n>[real]</n> gift of God, and who it is that said to you, ‘<n>[Please]</n>, give me a drink,’ you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.”


text:
The woman <n>[then]</n> said to Him, “Sir, you do not have anything to draw <n>[water]</n> with, and the well is deep. Where will you get that living water?


text:
Are you greater than our forefather Jacob, who gave us this well? He himself and his sons and cattle <n>[all]</n> drank from it.”


text:
but whoever drinks the water I give him will never get thirsty <n>[again]</n>. For the water I will give him will become in him <n>[i.e., in his spirit]</n> a spring of water, bubbling up and producing never ending life.” <n>[See John 7:38]</n>.


text:
The woman <n>[then]</n> said to Him, “Sir, <n>[please]</n> give me <n>[some of]</n> that water, so that I do not get thirsty <n>[again]</n>, or have to come all the way here to draw <n>[water]</n>.”


text:
The woman said to Him, “I do not have a husband.” Jesus said to her, “You were right when you said, ‘I do not have a husband,’


text:
because you have had five husbands, and the man you are now living with is not <n>[really]</n> your husband. So, you have told the truth.”


text:
Our forefathers worshiped on this mountain <n>[i.e., Mt. Gerizim, which was visible from where they were sitting]</n>; but you say that Jerusalem is the place where people should worship <n>[God]</n>.”


text:
Jesus replied to her, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, believe me <n>[when I tell you]</n>, the time will come when you people will not worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.


text:
You <n>[Samaritans]</n> do not <n>[really]</n> know what you worship; we <n>[Jews]</n> know what we worship because salvation is from the Jews <n>[i.e., through Jewish prophets, Jewish Scriptures and a Jewish Messiah]</n>.


text:
But the time will come, and is now <n>[actually]</n> here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit <n>[i.e., from the heart]</n> and truth <n>[i.e., according to God’s revealed will]</n>, for these are the people whom the Father seeks to be His worshipers.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> the woman said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming (<n>[He is]</n> the One who is called Christ). And when He does come, He will tell us everything.”


text:
Just about then Jesus’ disciples returned <n>[from town]</n>, and were surprised to find Him talking with a woman. <n>[Note: It was not customary for a Jewish male to engage a woman in extended conversation in that day, much less a stranger, and certainly not a Samaritan]</n>, yet no one said <n>[to Him]</n>, “What are you looking for?” or “Why are you talking to her?”


text:
Jesus answered them; “My food is doing what God, who sent me, wants me to, and accomplishing His work.


text:
Are you not <n>[always]</n> saying, ‘There are still four months before harvest time comes’? Look, I am telling you <n>[disciples]</n>, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white and ripe for harvest <n>[i.e., people are ready to make a spiritual response]</n>.


text:
Already the person who is harvesting <n>[the crop]</n> is being paid for his work, and is gathering a crop for never ending life, so that the one planting and the one harvesting <n>[the crop]</n> may rejoice together.


text:
I sent you <n>[disciples]</n> to harvest <n>[a crop]</n> that you did not work on; other people have done the work and you have reaped the results of their work.” <n>[Note: This is probably an allusion to the preliminary work of preaching done by John, the Immerser, with results occurring under the preaching of the apostles]</n>.


text:
Then many Samaritans from Sychar believed in Jesus because of the testimony of the woman, who said, “He told me everything that I ever did.”


text:
When the Samaritans came to Him, they urged Jesus to stay with them, so He remained there for two days.


text:
and they said to the woman, “Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard <n>[it]</n> for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world.”


text:
For Jesus Himself testified that a prophet does not receive honor in his own country. <n>[Note: Jesus’ reference here to his “own country” means Judea, while in Matt., Mark and Luke it refers to Nazareth]</n>.


text:
So, when He got to Galilee, the people there welcomed Him, for they had also gone to the <n>[Passover]</n> Festival in Jerusalem and had seen everything He had done there during the festival.


text:
Then Jesus returned again to Cana, in Galilee, where He had turned water into wine. There was a government official there whose son was sick at Capernaum <n>[Note: Capernaum was about 20 miles away from Cana]</n>.


text:
When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went to Him and begged Him to come down <n>[to Capernaum]</n> and heal his son who was about to die.


text:
So, Jesus said to him, “None of you people will believe <n>[in me]</n> unless you see <n>[miraculous]</n> signs and wonders, <n>[will you?]</n>.”


text:
The government official replied, “Sir, <n>[please]</n> come down <n>[to Capernaum]</n> before my child dies.”


text:
Jesus said to him, “Go on <n>[home]</n>; your son will live.” And the man believed what Jesus said to him and went <n>[home]</n>.


text:
Then he asked them what the <n>[exact]</n> time was when his son began to get better. They said to him, “<n>[It was]</n> yesterday at seven o’clock in the morning that the fever left him.” <n>[Note: This would have been 1 PM, if Jewish time were meant]</n>.


text:
So <n>[then]</n>, the father realized that it was at that <n>[exact]</n> hour that Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So, he and his entire family believed <n>[in Jesus]</n>.


text:
<n>[Now]</n> this was the second <n>[miraculous]</n> sign that Jesus performed after going from Judea to Galilee.


text:
Now in Jerusalem there was a pool of water near the Sheep Gate <n>[Note: This was a city gate in the north wall]</n>. It had five porticos <n>[i.e., covered open areas along the outside of the Temple]</n>. In the Hebrew language it was called Bethesda.


text:
Under these porticos a large number of sick, blind, crippled and deformed people were placed A few ancient authorities add the rest of this verse and verse 4“to wait for the water <n>[of the pool]</n> to become choppy.


text:
For an angel of the Lord came down to the pool <n>[from heaven]</n> at certain times and stirred up the water. Then the first person to enter the pool after the water became choppy was healed from whatever disease he had.”


text:
And a certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years <n>[Note: He was probably a crippled person]</n>.


text:
When Jesus saw him lying <n>[there by the pool]</n>, and knew that he had been <n>[in that condition]</n> a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?”


text:
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I do not have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but <n>[just]</n> when I am about to enter <n>[it]</n> someone else goes down <n>[into the water]</n> before me.”


text:
And immediately the man was made well and picked up his cot and walked. Now this happened on the Sabbath day.


text:
So, the Jews said to the man who was healed, “It is not permissible for you to pick up your cot because it is the Sabbath day.”


text:
But the man who was healed did not know who it was, because Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.


text:
Later on Jesus found the man in the Temple, and said to him, “Look, you have been made well; stop sinning or else something worse <n>[i.e., than the handicap you had]</n> will happen to you.”


text:
So, for this reason the Jews began persecuting Jesus, because He did these <n>[kinds of]</n> things on the Sabbath day.


text:
So, for this reason the Jews looked for more <n>[opportunities]</n> to kill Him, because He not only broke Sabbath day <n>[restrictions]</n>, but also He had called God His own Father, <n>[thereby]</n> making Himself equal with God.


text:
So, Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son <n>[of God]</n> cannot do anything on His own <n>[i.e., independently of the Father]</n>; but <n>[He does]</n> what He sees His Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does as well.


text:
For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him everything that He Himself does; and He will show Him <n>[even]</n> greater deeds <n>[i.e., more extensive in scope]</n> than these <n>[i.e., than merely healing a crippled man]</n>, so that you people will be amazed.


text:
For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them <n>[renewed]</n> life <n>[for their bodies (?)]</n>, even so the Son also gives <n>[renewed]</n> life to <n>[the spirits (?)]</n> of whoever He wants to.


text:
For the Father does not judge anyone, but He has given <n>[full responsibility for]</n> judging people to His Son,


text:
so that everyone will honor the Son just as they honor the Father. The person who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.


text:
“Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who listens to my message and believes <n>[in]</n> the One who sent me <n>[i.e., God]</n> has never ending life <n>[i.e., as a hope. See Titus 1:2; 3:7]</n>. He will not be judged <n>[and condemned]</n>, but has <n>[already]</n> passed from being <n>[spiritually]</n> dead to being <n>[spiritually]</n> alive.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now <n>[actually]</n> here, when those who are <n>[spiritually]</n> dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear <n>[i.e., and heed His message]</n> will have <n>[spiritual]</n> life.


text:
For <n>[just]</n> as the Father is Himself <n>[the source of]</n> life, in the same way He gave to His Son also <n>[the power]</n> to be <n>[the source of]</n> life.


text:
And He gave His Son authority to carry out judgment <n>[upon mankind]</n> because He is the Son of man <n>[Note: The Greek actually says “a son of man”]</n>.


text:
“Do not be surprised at this: The time is coming when all those who are in their graves will hear His voice


text:
and they will come out <n>[i.e., in the general resurrection on the last day]</n>. Those who had done what was good will be raised <n>[from the dead]</n> to <n>[never ending]</n> life; and those who had done what was evil will be raised <n>[from the dead]</n> to judgment <n>[i.e., to be condemned]</n>.


text:
“I cannot do anything by my own <n>[authority]</n>. I judge <n>[people]</n> based on what I hear <n>[i.e., from the Father]</n> and my judgment <n>[of them]</n> is just, because I do not look for what I want <n>[to do]</n>, but for what He who sent me <n>[i.e., God]</n> wants.


text:
<n>[But]</n> there is Someone else <n>[i.e., God]</n> who testifies about me, and I know that the testimony He gives about me is true.


text:
“You people have sent to John <n>[the Immerser, for information. See 1:19]</n> and he has given true testimony <n>[about me]</n>.


text:
But I do not rely on the testimony of men about me; therefore I tell you these things so you will be saved <n>[i.e., from condemning judgment. See verse 29]</n>.


text:
John was the lamp that was burning and glowing and you people were willing to enjoy the light that he projected for awhile.


text:
But my testimony is greater than John’s. For the deeds the Father has given me to complete, the very deeds I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me.


text:
And the Father who sent me testifies concerning me. You people have never heard His voice nor seen His form.


text:
And you do not keep His message living in your <n>[hearts]</n>, for you do not believe <n>[in]</n> the One whom God sent <n>[i.e., in Jesus]</n>.


text:
You search through the Scriptures <n>[i.e., the Old Testament]</n>, because you think that you will <n>[learn how to]</n> have never ending life by <n>[reading]</n> them. And these Scriptures are what testify concerning me.


text:
But you do not want to come to me <n>[i.e., to believe in me. See verse 38]</n> so that you will have <n>[never ending]</n> life.


text:
I have come in my Father’s name <n>[i.e., by His authority]</n> and you do not accept me. If someone else comes in his own name <n>[i.e., by his own authority]</n>, you will accept him.


text:
How can you believe <n>[in me]</n> when you <n>[offer and]</n> accept honors from one another, but do not try to obtain the honor that comes from the only God?


text:
“Do not think that I will accuse you <n>[of wrongdoing]</n> before the Father; Moses, on whom you have set your hope <n>[i.e., you base your acceptance with God on the promises found in Moses’ writings]</n>, he is the one who accuses you <n>[i.e., in his writings]</n>.


text:
For if you believed Moses’ <n>[writings]</n>, you would <n>[also]</n> believe in me, for he wrote about me. <n>[See Deut. 18:15- 19]</n>.


text:
After these things happened Jesus went across to the east side of Lake Galilee, also called Lake Tiberias. <n>[Note: This lake also bore a name honoring the Roman Emperor Tiberias]</n>.


text:
And a large crowd followed Him because they had seen the <n>[miraculous]</n> signs He had performed on sick people.


text:
Then Jesus went up to a high plateau <n>[Note: This place, northeast of Lake Galilee, is called “The Golan Heights,” today]</n> and sat down there with His disciples.


text:
So Jesus, looking up and seeing a large crowd coming to Him, said to Philip <n>[Note: He was one of the apostles, whose home town was at nearby Bethsaida. See 1:44]</n>, “Where are we going to buy <n>[enough]</n> bread, so that this crowd can eat?”


text:
Philip answered Him, “Not even two hundred coins’ worth of bread would be enough to feed them if everyone ate only a little bit.” <n>[Note: The amount here indicated was two hundred twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or about $21,600 in 2005]</n>.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> one of His disciples, named Andrew, <n>[who was]</n> Simon Peter’s brother, said to Him,


text:
“There is a little boy here who has five <n>[small]</n> loaves of barley bread and two <n>[probably smoked]</n> fish. But what is this amount for <n>[feeding]</n> so many people?”


text:
Jesus answered, “Have these people recline <n>[on the ground]</n>.” Now there was a lot of grass in that place. So, the men, numbering about five thousand, reclined <n>[on the grass]</n>.


text:
Then Jesus took the loaves of bread, and <n>[after]</n> giving thanks <n>[to God]</n>, He distributed <n>[pieces]</n> to those who were reclining. He did the same thing with the fish, <n>[giving them]</n> as much as they wanted.


text:
And when the people were <n>[all]</n> full, Jesus said to His disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces that are left over so that nothing is wasted.”


text:
So, they gathered them up and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces left over from the five loaves of barley bread which they had eaten.


text:
So, when the people saw the <n>[miraculous]</n> sign that Jesus had performed <n>[i.e., the feeding of the large crowd with such a small amount of food]</n>, they said, “Truly, this is the prophet who was to come into the world.” <n>[Note: This was probably a reference to the promise made in Deut. 18:15-19]</n>.


text:
So, <n>[when]</n> Jesus knew that the people were about to come and forcibly take Him and make Him <n>[their]</n> king, He left there again and went to the high plateau <n>[to be]</n> alone <n>[i.e., to pray. See Mark 6:46]</n>.


text:
and got into their boat, and were crossing over <n>[i.e., to the west side of]</n> the lake toward Capernaum. It was dark by now and Jesus had not yet come to them.


text:
And when the disciples had rowed about three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the <n>[surface of the]</n> water. They became afraid as Jesus got closer to their boat.


text:
So, they eagerly took Him into their boat, and immediately the boat reached the shore where they were heading <n>[i.e., to Capernaum, on the northwest side of the lake]</n>.


text:
On the next day the crowd that had stayed on the other <n>[i.e., east]</n> side of the lake realized that there had been only one boat there. They <n>[also]</n> knew that Jesus was not aboard the boat when it left with the disciples in it, but that they had left without Him.


text:
(However, meanwhile, some other <n>[small]</n> boats had come from Tiberias <n>[i.e., a small town on the west side of the lake]</n> near where they had eaten bread after the Lord had given thanks).


text:
So, when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor His disciples were there <n>[i.e., on the east side]</n> they got into the <n>[small]</n> boats and sailed <n>[west]</n> to Capernaum, looking for Jesus.


text:
And when they found Him on the other <n>[i.e., west]</n> side, they said to Him, “Rabbi, how did you get here?”


text:
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, you people are looking for me because you got to eat the loaves of bread and were satisfied and not because you saw <n>[miraculous]</n> signs <n>[See verse 14]</n>.


text:
Do not work for the <n>[kind of]</n> food that spoils, but for the kind that lasts until never ending life. The Son of man will give you this <n>[kind of food]</n>, for God the Father has placed His seal <n>[of approval]</n> on Him.”


text:
Jesus answered them, “This is the deed that God requires: You should believe in Him whom God has sent <n>[i.e., in Jesus]</n>.”


text:
And they said to Him, “What kind of a <n>[miraculous]</n> sign will you perform so that we can see it and <n>[then]</n> believe <n>[in]</n> you? What <n>[kind of]</n> deed will you perform?


text:
Our forefathers ate the <n>[supernatural]</n> ‘manna’ in the desert, as it is written <n>[Neh. 9:15]</n>, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”


text:
So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, it was not <n>[really]</n> Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who is <n>[now]</n> giving you the real bread from heaven.


text:
For the bread God gives is the One <n>[see verse 35]</n> who comes down from heaven, and <n>[He]</n> gives <n>[spiritual]</n> life to the world.”


text:
Jesus replied, “I am the bread who gives <n>[spiritual]</n> life; the person who comes to me will never get hungry <n>[again]</n>, and the one who believes in me will never get thirsty <n>[again]</n>.


text:
Every person <n>[Note: The Greek says, “every thing”]</n> whom the Father gives me will <n>[eventually]</n> come to me <n>[i.e., for salvation]</n>; and I will never turn away that person who comes to me.


text:
For I have come down from heaven to do what God, who sent me, wants me to do, not what I want to do.


text:
And this is what God, who sent me, wants: That I should not lose any of those persons whom He has given me, but should raise them up <n>[from the dead]</n> on the last day <n>[i.e., the judgment day]</n>.


text:
And this is what <n>[else]</n> my Father wants: That every person who sees the Son <n>[i.e., with the eye of faith]</n> and believes in Him should have never ending life, and I will raise him up <n>[from the dead]</n> on the last day.”


text:
So the Jews, <n>[who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59]</n> began complaining about Jesus because He had said; “I am the bread that came down from heaven.”


text:
And they said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph? Do we not know his father and mother? Then how can he say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”


text:
No one can come to me unless the Father, who sent me, attracts him to me. <n>[See verse 65]</n>. And I will raise him up <n>[from the dead]</n> on the last day.


text:
It is written in the prophets <n>[Isa. 54:13]</n>, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ <n>[So]</n>, every person who has heard the Father and learned <n>[from Him]</n> will come to me.


text:
<n>[I am]</n> not <n>[saying]</n> that anyone has <n>[ever]</n> seen the Father, except the One who is from God <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> has seen Him.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes <n>[in me]</n> has never ending life <n>[See note on 5:24]</n>.


text:
<n>[But]</n> this is the bread that has come down from heaven <n>[i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]</n>, so that a person who eats of it <n>[i.e., believes in Jesus]</n> will not die <n>[spiritually]</n>.


text:
I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give <n>[him]</n> is my physical body, <n>[so]</n> that the world can have <n>[never ending]</n> life.”


text:
Then the Jews <n>[who were assembled in the synagogue. See verse 59]</n> began arguing bitterly with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his physical body to eat?”


text:
So, Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have <n>[spiritual]</n> life in yourselves <n>[Note: The references to “body” and “blood” throughout this section probably allude to taking Jesus’ life and teaching into one’s heart. See verse 56]</n>.


text:
The person who eats my physical body and drinks my blood has never ending life <n>[See note on 5:24]</n>, and I will raise him up <n>[from the dead]</n> on the last day <n>[i.e., the judgment day]</n>.


text:
Just as the living Father has sent me, and I have <n>[physical and spiritual]</n> life because of the Father, so the person who eats me will also have <n>[physical (?) and spiritual]</n> life because of me.


text:
This is the bread that came down from heaven <n>[i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]</n>. <n>[It is]</n> not like <n>[the bread]</n> our forefathers ate and <n>[then]</n> died. The person who eats this bread will live forever.”


text:
So, when they heard <n>[these things]</n>, many of Jesus’ disciples said, “This is difficult teaching. Who can listen to it <n>[i.e., and accept it]</n>?”


text:
But Jesus, knowing within Himself that His disciples were complaining about His teaching, said to them, “Does this <n>[teaching]</n> bother you?


text:
It is the Holy Spirit who <n>[Note: The Greek word here is “that” instead of “who”]</n> gives life <n>[i.e., understanding the spiritual nature of Jesus’ teaching can produce spiritual life]</n>; the flesh is of no value <n>[i.e., understanding Jesus’ teaching only in a physical sense makes it worthless]</n>. The words I have spoken to you are <n>[from the]</n> Holy Spirit and <n>[they give]</n> life.


text:
But there are some of you who do not believe <n>[in me]</n>.” For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones would not believe <n>[in Him]</n> and which one would turn Him over <n>[i.e., to the Jewish authorities]</n>.


text:
Then He said, “This is the reason I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father gives him <n>[the opportunity. See verse 44]</n>. ”


text:
Upon <n>[hearing]</n> this, many of Jesus’ disciples turned back and refused to accompany Him anymore. <n>[Note: They deserted Jesus physically as well as spiritually]</n>.


text:
Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, who <n>[else]</n> could we go to? You have the message about never ending life.


text:
Jesus answered them, “Did I not choose <n>[all]</n> twelve of you, and one of you is a devil?” <n>[Note: The word “devil” means “adversary” or “opponent”]</n>.


text:
Now He was speaking about Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for he was the one, out of the twelve, who was <n>[soon]</n> going to turn Jesus over <n>[to the Jewish authorities]</n>.


text:
Then after these things happened, Jesus traveled in Galilee <n>[only]</n>, for He did not want to move around in Judea because the Jews <n>[there]</n> were trying to kill Him.


text:
Now it was almost time for the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles <n>[Note: This was also called “Festival of Shelters,” and was one of three principal, annual Jewish festivals and commemorated the occasion of the Israelites living in tents or shelters during their forty year wandering in the desert]</n>.


text:
Then Jesus’ <n>[half-]</n> brothers said to Him, “You should leave here and go to Judea so your disciples <n>[there]</n> can see the <n>[supernatural]</n> deeds you are performing.


text:
For no one does things secretly if he wants to become known publicly. Since you are doing such things, show yourself to the world.”


text:
So, Jesus said to them, “My time has not yet come <n>[i.e., to be revealed to the world as its Savior]</n>, but it is always your time <n>[i.e., they could go to the festival anytime without rousing opposition]</n>.


text:
You men go <n>[on]</n> up to the Festival, but I am not going up yet <n>[Note: Although “yet” appears in only a few manuscripts, it seems to be the proper idea here]</n>, because my time has not yet come.” <n>[See verse 6]</n>.


text:
Then after saying these things, Jesus remained in Galilee <n>[i.e., for awhile longer. See next verse]</n>.


text:
But after His <n>[half-]</n> brothers had gone up to the Festival, Jesus also went up, but secretly instead of openly.


text:
So, the Jews <n>[i.e., their authorities]</n> began searching for Him at the Festival, and were saying, “Where is he?”


text:
And there was much whispering about Him among the crowds. Some were saying, “He is a good man,” <n>[but]</n> others said, “No <n>[he is not]</n>, he is <n>[just]</n> deceiving the crowd.”


text:
Now the Jewish authorities were amazed, saying, “How can this man know so much, since he has never been educated?”


text:
So, Jesus answered them, “What I am teaching is not mine, but <n>[it belongs]</n> to Him who sent me <n>[i.e., to God]</n>.


text:
If anyone <n>[really]</n> desires to do what God wants, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority <n>[only]</n>.


text:
The person who speaks on his own authority is <n>[just]</n> trying to gain honor for himself. But the One who tries to gain honor from God, who sent Him, is <n>[committed to]</n> truth, and there is nothing false in His heart.


text:
Did not Moses give you the Law, and yet not one of you is obeying it? Why are you trying to kill me?”


text:
<n>[Someone from]</n> the crowd answered, “You have an evil spirit <n>[in you]</n>; who is trying to kill you?”


text:
Jesus answered them, “I performed one <n>[miraculous]</n> deed and you were all amazed by it <n>[i.e., the healing of the crippled man on the Sabbath day. See 5:1-9]</n>.


text:
<n>[Now]</n> Moses gave you <n>[the ordinance of]</n> circumcision and you circumcise a man on the Sabbath day. (Although it was <n>[first]</n> required by <n>[your]</n> forefathers and not Moses).


text:
If a person is circumcised on a Sabbath day so that the Law of Moses can be observed <n>[properly, then why]</n> are you upset with me for restoring a person to complete health on a Sabbath day?


text:
Do not make judgments based <n>[merely]</n> on how things look, but make judgments on how they really are.”


text:
Some of the people of Jerusalem said <n>[about Jesus]</n>, “Is not this person the one they are trying to kill?


text:
And look, he is speaking openly and they are not saying anything to him <n>[about it]</n>. Can it be that the <n>[Jewish]</n> authorities know that he really is the Messiah <n>[i.e., the Christ, God’s specially chosen one]</n>?


text:
However, we know where this man comes from, but when the Messiah comes, no one will know where he is from.”


text:
As Jesus was teaching in the Temple, He spoke out, and said, “You people <n>[think you]</n> know who I am and where I come from. I have not come on my own authority, but God, who sent me, is true and you do not know Him.


text:
Then they <n>[i.e., the authorities]</n> tried to arrest Jesus, but no one laid a hand on Him because His time had not yet come.


text:
But many people in the crowd believed in Him, saying, “When the Messiah does come, will he perform more <n>[miraculous]</n> signs than this man has done?”


text:
The Pharisees <n>[i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]</n> heard the crowd whispering these things about Him, so the leading priests and Pharisees sent some Temple guards to arrest Him.


text:
Therefore, Jesus said, “I will be with you for a little while longer, then I will go to the Father who sent me.


text:
You people will be looking for me, but you will not find me; and you will not be able to go where I will be.”


text:
The Jews <n>[i.e., the authorities]</n> were saying among themselves, “Where will this man go that we will not be able to find him? Will he go where the Jewish people are scattered among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?


text:
What did he mean by saying, ‘You people will be looking for me, but will not find me; and you will not be able to go where I will be?’”


text:
Now on the last and greatest day of the Festival <n>[of Tabernacles]</n>, Jesus stood up and spoke out, “If anyone is thirsty he should come to me for a drink.


text:
As the Scripture has recorded <n>[Note: The following is not an exact quotation from the OT, but echoes Isa. 58:11 and Zech. 14:8]</n>, ‘Streams of life-giving water will flow from the person’s heart who believes in me.’”


text:
Now He said this about the Holy Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive <n>[See Acts 2:38]</n>. For <n>[at that time]</n> the Holy Spirit had not yet been given, since Jesus had not yet received splendor <n>[in heaven]</n>.


text:
When they heard these words some people in the crowd said, “Truly, this man is the prophet.” <n>[See note on 1:21]</n>


text:
Others said, “He is the Christ.” But <n>[still]</n> others said, “What <n>[do you mean]</n>? The Christ will not come from Galilee, <n>[will he?]</n>.


text:
Does not Scripture say <n>[Micah 5:2]</n> that the Christ will come as the descendant of King David, and from Bethlehem, the town where David lived?”


text:
So, <n>[when]</n> the Temple guards <n>[See verse 32]</n> returned to the leading priests and Pharisees, they were asked, “Why did you not bring Jesus here?”


text:
But this crowd, which does not know the Law of Moses, <n>[and especially its oral traditions]</n>, is cursed <n>[by God]</n>.”


text:
<n>[Now]</n> Nicodemus (being a leading Pharisee, and the one who went to talk to Jesus one night), said to them,


text:
They answered him, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search <n>[the Scriptures]</n>, and you will see that no prophet will come from Galilee.” <n>[Note: They were probably referring to “the prophet” predicted to come by Moses. Deut. 18:15]</n>.


text:
Most ancient manuscripts do not contain the section from 7:53 through 8:11, or else place it elsewhere in the book. Then everyone went home,


text:
but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. <n>[Note: This was located on a slope just east of Jerusalem]</n>.


text:
Then early <n>[the next]</n> morning Jesus went into the Temple again. All the people gathered around Him and He sat down and began teaching them.


text:
Some experts in the Law of Moses and Pharisees brought <n>[to Him]</n> a woman who had been caught committing an immoral sexual act and stood her in the middle of the group.


text:
Now in the Law, Moses required us to stone such people <n>[to death]</n>, so what do you say <n>[should be done with her]</n>?”


text:
They said this to test Him, in order to have a charge to bring against Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote <n>[something]</n> on the ground <n>[i.e., in the dirt]</n> with His finger.


text:
But when they continued asking Him <n>[about the woman]</n>, He stood up and said to them, “That person among you who has never sinned should be the first one to throw a stone at her.”


text:
And when they heard <n>[what He had said]</n>, they <n>[all]</n> left, one at a time, beginning with the oldest men. So, Jesus was left alone with the woman <n>[still standing]</n> there where she was.


text:
So, Jesus stood up <n>[again]</n> and said to her, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, where are the men? Did not any of them <n>[stay to]</n> condemn you?”


text:
She replied, “No sir, no one did.” Then Jesus said, “<n>[Well]</n>, I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on, do not sin anymore.”


text:
So, Jesus spoke to them again <n>[i.e., to the Jewish authorities. See 7:45]</n>, saying, “I am the light of the world. The person who becomes my follower will never live in <n>[spiritual]</n> darkness, but have the light of <n>[i.e., for his]</n> life <n>[i.e., followers of Jesus will not live in error and sin but in truth and righteousness]</n>.”


text:
The Pharisees then said to Him, “<n>[Since]</n> you are giving testimony about yourself; your testimony is not true.”


text:
Jesus replied to them, “Even if I do give testimony about myself, it is <n>[still]</n> true, because I know where I came from and where I am going. But you people do not know where I came from or where I am going.


text:
You pass judgment according to human standards; I do not judge anyone <n>[i.e., the way you do it]</n>.


text:
And even if I do pass judgment, my judgment is true because I am not alone, for the Father who sent me is with me.


text:
I am one who gives testimony about myself, and the Father who sent me <n>[is the second witness who]</n> testifies about me.”


text:
So, the Jewish authorities said to Him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered; “You people do not know me or my Father. If you <n>[did]</n> know me, you would know my Father also.”


text:
Jesus spoke these words in the treasury <n>[area of the Temple]</n>. And no one arrested Him because His time had not yet come <n>[i.e., to be turned over to the authorities and killed]</n>.


text:
Jesus again said to them, “I am going away and you will look for me, but you will die <n>[condemned]</n> in your sins. You cannot go where I am going.”


text:
So, the Jews asked <n>[one another]</n>, “Will he kill himself, because he said, ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”


text:
Jesus replied, “You people are from below <n>[i.e., from the earthly realm]</n>; I am from above <n>[i.e., from the heavenly realm]</n>. You belong to this world; I do not belong to this world.


text:
Therefore I said to you that you will die <n>[condemned]</n> in your sins. For unless you believe that I am <n>[the Messiah, who came from above. See verse 23]</n>, you will die <n>[condemned]</n> in your sins.”


text:
So, they said to Him, “Who are you?” Jesus answered, “Why am I even speaking to you at all? <n>[Note: The Greek words of this difficult passage are not real clear]</n>.


text:
I have many things to say about you and <n>[many]</n> judgments to pass on you. However, God, who sent me, is truthful and I am telling the world <n>[only]</n> the things I have heard from Him.”


text:
The people <n>[who heard this]</n> did not understand that Jesus was speaking to them about the Father.


text:
So, Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of man <n>[i.e., to crucify Him]</n>, then you will know that I am <n>[the Messiah]</n> and that I do not do anything on my own authority, but I speak <n>[only]</n> those things that the Father has taught me.


text:
And God, who sent me, is with me; He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to Him.”


text:
Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed <n>[in Him]</n>, “If you people continue <n>[obeying]</n> my message, then you are truly my disciples.


text:
And you will know what the truth is and the truth will set you free <n>[i.e. from bondage to sin]</n>.”


text:
They replied to Him, “We are descendants of Abraham and have never been slaves to anyone. How can you say, ‘You will be set free’?”


text:
I know that you people are <n>[all]</n> descendants of Abraham; yet you are trying to kill me because you will not allow my message to affect you.


text:
I am telling <n>[you]</n> about what I have seen in my Father’s presence; but you <n>[should]</n> do what you have heard from your father.”


text:
They answered Him, “Our forefather was Abraham.” Jesus replied to them, “If you were Abraham’s descendants, you would do the <n>[kinds of]</n> deeds that Abraham did.


text:
But instead, you are trying to kill me, a man who has <n>[only]</n> told you the truth, which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this <n>[kind of thing]</n>.


text:
You people are doing what your father does.” They said to Him, “We were not born illegitimately; the only Father we have is God.”


text:
Jesus replied, “If God were <n>[truly]</n> your Father you would love me, because I came from God to be here. For I did not come on my own authority, but God sent me.


text:
Why do you people not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot <n>[bear to]</n> listen to my message.


text:
You belong to your father the devil, and you are <n>[always]</n> wanting to do what your father desires. He was a murderer from the <n>[very]</n> beginning <n>[Note: This is probably a reference to Satan’s influence on Adam, Eve and Cain in the Garden of Eden]</n> and does not stand for the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he only speaks what is part of his nature, because he is a liar and the father of <n>[all]</n> liars.


text:
Which one of you can prove me guilty of sinning? If I tell you the truth, why do you not believe me?


text:
The person who belongs to God listens to the message from God. The reason you will not listen to it is because you do not belong to God.”


text:
The Jews answered and said to Jesus, “Were we not right in saying that you are a Samaritan <n>[See note on 4:9]</n>, and are dominated by an evil spirit?”


text:
Jesus answered; “I am not dominated by an evil spirit. But I give honor to my Father and you people dishonor me.


text:
I am not looking for personal honor; but there is One who is looking for it <n>[i.e., God]</n>, and He judges people <n>[fairly]</n>.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, if a person obeys my message, he will never die <n>[i.e., spiritually]</n>.”


text:
The Jews <n>[i.e., the authorities]</n> replied, “Now we know that you are dominated by an evil spirit. Abraham and the prophets <n>[all]</n> died and <n>[yet]</n> you are saying, ‘If a person obeys my message, he will never experience death.’


text:
Are you greater <n>[i.e., more important]</n> than our forefather Abraham and the prophets, who <n>[all]</n> died? Who do you think you are?”


text:
Jesus answered them, “If I were to honor myself, that honor would be worthless. <n>[But]</n> it is my Father who honors me <n>[and]</n> you say He is your God.


text:
Now you people have not known Him <n>[i.e., to be your Lord]</n>, but I know Him. And if I should say, ‘I do not know Him’ I would be a liar like you. But I <n>[do]</n> know Him, and I obey His message.


text:
Your forefather Abraham was glad that he could look forward to my day <n>[i.e., by faith he anticipated the coming of the Messiah. See Heb. 11:13ff]</n>. And he saw it <n>[by faith]</n> and was glad.”


text:
So, the Jews said to Him, “You are not even fifty years old <n>[yet]</n> and have you seen Abraham?”


text:
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I tell you, before Abraham was born, I am.” <n>[Note: The words “I am” were probably construed as a reference to being Deity. See Ex. 3:14]</n>.


text:
So, they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself <n>[or “was hidden,” suggesting a miraculous departure]</n> and left the Temple <n>[area]</n>.


text:
His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, did this man sin or was it his parents’ <n>[sin]</n> that caused him to be born blind?”


text:
Jesus answered, “<n>[It was]</n> neither his sin nor his parents’ <n>[sin]</n>, but <n>[it happened]</n> so that the deeds of God could be seen in his life.


text:
While it is still daytime we must perform the acts of God, who sent me. Nighttime is coming, when no one can act.


text:
After He had said this, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He put the mud on the man’s eyes


text:
and said to him, “<n>[Now]</n> go and wash in the pool of Siloam (which means “sent”). So, the man left and washed <n>[in the pool]</n>, and <n>[when he]</n> returned, <n>[he was]</n> able to see.


text:
Then the neighbors, who had previously seen the man begging, said, “Is not this the man who <n>[used to]</n> sit there and beg?”


text:
Other people said, “<n>[Yes]</n>, that is him,” while <n>[still]</n> others said, “No, <n>[it is not]</n>; he <n>[just]</n> looks like him.” The man said, “I am the one, <n>[all right]</n>.”


text:
He answered, “That man called Jesus made some mud and put it on my eyes; then He said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash <n>[yourself]</n>.’ So, I went and washed and my sight was <n>[miraculously]</n> restored.”


text:
So, the Pharisees also asked him again how his sight was restored. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes; I washed <n>[myself]</n>, and <n>[now]</n> I can see.”


text:
Some of the Pharisees then said, “The man who did this is not from God, because he does not observe the Sabbath day.” But other people said, “How could a man who is a sinner do such <n>[miraculous]</n> signs?” And the people were divided among themselves <n>[over the issue]</n>.


text:
So, they said to the <n>[former]</n> blind man again, “What do you have to say about the man, since <n>[you say]</n> he restored your sight?” The man replied “He is a prophet.”


text:
But these Jews <n>[i.e., Pharisees]</n> did not believe that the man had been blind and had received his sight back until they called his parents


text:
and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How <n>[is it]</n> then, that he can now see?”


text:
But as to how it is that he can now see, we do not know; and we do not know who restored his sight <n>[either]</n>. Ask him, for he is old enough and can answer for himself.”


text:
His parents said these things because they were afraid of the Jewish authorities who had already decided that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be expelled from the synagogue.


text:
So, they called the <n>[former]</n> blind man a second time, and said to him, “Give honor to God <n>[Note: In Jewish idiom this phrase meant “tell the truth.” See Josh. 7:19]</n>; we know this man is a sinner.”


text:
So, he answered, “I do not know if he is a sinner or not. But one thing I do know; I used to be blind, but now I can see.”


text:
He answered them, “I just told you, but you would not listen. Why should I tell you again? Do you men want to become his disciples, too?”


text:
We know that God spoke to Moses, but as for this man, we do not <n>[even]</n> know where he came from.”


text:
The man replied, “Is not that strange! You do not know where he came from and yet he restored my sight! <n>[Note: The next sentence may be the beggar stating the Pharisees’ argument. See verse 24]</n>.


text:
We know that God does not listen to sinners <n>[i.e., when they pray]</n>; but God does listen to the person who reveres Him and does what He wants.


text:
It has never been heard of, since the world was created, that anyone has restored sight to a man born blind.


text:
They replied to the beggar, “You were born entirely in sins <n>[i.e., you have been a sinner all your life]</n>, and you are <n>[trying]</n> to teach us?” Then they threw him out <n>[of the synagogue. See verse 22]</n>.


text:
<n>[When]</n> Jesus heard that they had thrown the beggar out, He found him and asked him, “Do you believe in the Son of man?”


text:
And Jesus said, “I came to this world to judge <n>[it]</n>, so that people who can not see <n>[spiritually]</n> will <n>[be able to]</n> see; and those who <n>[think they can]</n> see <n>[spiritually]</n> will become blind.”


text:
Some Pharisees, who were with Jesus, heard <n>[Him say]</n> these things, and replied, “Are we blind, too?”


text:
Jesus said to them, “If you were <n>[really]</n> blind <n>[i.e., unable to see spiritually]</n>, you would not be guilty of sin. But since you claim, ‘We can see <n>[fine]</n>,’ you remain guilty of sin.”


text:
“Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who does not enter the sheep corral through the gate, but climbs over another way <n>[i.e., over the fence]</n>, is a thief and a robber. <n>[Note: “Thief” suggests quiet subtlety, while “robber” suggests open aggression]</n>.


text:
But the One <n>[i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself]</n> who enters <n>[it]</n> through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep <n>[Note: “Sheep” in this section refers to Jesus’ followers]</n>.


text:
The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out <n>[of the corral]</n>.


text:
After he has let his own <n>[sheep]</n> out, he walks on ahead of them, and they follow him because they recognize his voice.


text:
They will not follow a stranger, but will run from him, for they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”


text:
Jesus told them this parable <n>[i.e., a brief story to illustrate his teaching]</n> but they did not understand what it meant.


text:
So, Jesus said to them again, “Truly, truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep <n>[i.e., to enter the corral]</n>.


text:
I am the gate; if anyone enters <n>[the corral]</n> through me, he will be saved <n>[i.e., from condemnation]</n>, and will find pasture <n>[i.e., will receive spiritual nurturing]</n>.


text:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that people could have life to its fullest.


text:
The person who is <n>[only]</n> a hired hand, and not the shepherd, <n>[and]</n> who does not own the sheep <n>[himself]</n>, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away. So, the wolf attacks the flock and scatters <n>[the sheep]</n>.


text:
<n>[The reason]</n> he runs away is because he is a hired hand and does not <n>[really]</n> care about the sheep.


text:
just like the Father knows me <n>[intimately]</n> and I know the Father <n>[that way]</n>. And I <n>[am about to]</n> give up my life for the sheep.


text:
I have other sheep <n>[also]</n> which are not <n>[presently]</n> in this corral; I must lead them, too. They will hear my voice and become one flock <n>[i.e., with the others]</n>, having one shepherd. <n>[Note: This probably refers to believing Gentiles becoming God’s people, along with the Jews]</n>.


text:
The Father loves me because I <n>[am about to]</n> give up my life, so that I can take it back again.


text:
No one is taking it away from me, but I am giving it up voluntarily. I have the right to give it up and I have the right to take it back again. I received the commandment to do this from my Father.”


text:
Others said, “These are not the words of someone dominated by an evil spirit. Can an evil spirit restore sight to a blind person?”


text:
During the winter, when the Festival of Dedication was being held in Jerusalem <n>[Note: This was the Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple in 164 BC, after its pagan desecration by Greeks. It is still observed today by Jews as “Hanukkah”]</n>,


text:
Jesus was walking in the Temple <n>[area]</n> in “Solomon’s Portico” <n>[Note: This was a large covered area, with rows of columns, on the outside of the Temple enclosure]</n>.


text:
Some Jewish <n>[authorities]</n> gathered around Him and asked, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you <n>[really]</n> are the Christ, tell us plainly.”


text:
Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you would not believe me. The <n>[miraculous]</n> deeds that I am doing in my Father’s name <n>[i.e., by the Father’s authority]</n> testify about me.


text:
I give them never ending life and they will never be destroyed, and no one will <n>[be able to]</n> steal them out of my hand.


text:
What my Father has given me <n>[i.e., my sheep]</n> are greater than everything <n>[else]</n>, and no one is able to steal them from the Father’s hand.


text:
Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many good deeds <n>[i.e., miracles]</n>, performed through the Father. Which one of them are you stoning me for?”


text:
The Jews answered Him, “We are not stoning you for a good deed, but for your abusive speech <n>[i.e., about God]</n>, and because you are claiming to be God, even though you are <n>[only]</n> a man.”


text:
Jesus replied to them, “Is it not written in your Law <n>[Psa. 82:6]</n>, ‘I said, you people are gods’?


text:
how can you people say to Him, whom the Father set apart and sent into the world, ‘You are speaking abusively <n>[i.e., about God]</n>,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? He is the One whom the Father set apart <n>[i.e., for His service]</n> and sent into the world.


text:
But if I am doing them, even though you do not believe me, believe the deeds. Then you will know and continue to know that the Father is in me, and that I am in the Father.”


text:
Then Jesus again went across <n>[to the east side of]</n> the Jordan River, to the place where John had first immersed people, and stayed there.


text:
Many people came to Him and were saying, “It is true that John did not perform any <n>[miraculous]</n> signs, but everything he said about this man was true.”


text:
Now a certain man named Lazarus, from Bethany, became sick. Bethany was the town where Mary and her sister Martha lived. <n>[See 11:18]</n>.


text:
This was the Mary who had poured the perfume on the Lord and wiped His feet with her hair <n>[See Matt. 26:6-13]</n>, whose brother Lazarus was sick.


text:
So, the sisters sent <n>[someone]</n> to Him, saying, “Look, Lord, the person you love <n>[i.e., your dear friend, Lazarus]</n> is sick.”


text:
But when Jesus heard this, He said, “This illness will not result in <n>[his]</n> death, but was intended to bring honor to God, so that the Son of God would be honored by it.”


text:
So, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was <n>[i.e., on the east side of the Jordan River. See 10:40]</n> for two <n>[more]</n> days.


text:
The disciples replied to Him, “The Jews <n>[there]</n> have just been trying to stone you, and you are going back again?”


text:
Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours in a day? <n>[i.e., hours of daylight]</n>. If a person walks during daylight, he will not stumble because he can see <n>[by]</n> the sun’s light.


text:
But if he walks at night he <n>[might]</n> stumble, because there is no light <n>[to see by]</n>. <n>[Note: These words have a figurative meaning as Jesus is speaking about His mission in life]</n>.


text:
After saying these things He said to His disciples, “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep, but I am going to wake him up.”


text:
Now Jesus had been talking about Lazarus’ death, but the disciples thought He was referring to normal sleep.


text:
And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there <n>[when he died]</n>, so that <n>[now]</n> you will believe <n>[i.e., when you see him miraculously raised up]</n>. But let us go to him <n>[now]</n>.”


text:
Then Thomas, which means, “The Twin,” said to his fellow disciples, “Let us go too, so we can die with Him.” <n>[i.e., by being stoned to death with Jesus. See 11:8]</n>.


text:
So, when Jesus arrived, He found out that Lazarus had already been in his grave <n>[i.e., a cave-like tomb]</n> for four days.


text:
and many of Martha and Mary’s Jewish friends had come to comfort them over <n>[the loss of]</n> their brother.


text:
So, when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went <n>[out to the edge of town. See verse 30]</n> to meet Him, but Mary <n>[just]</n> sat at home <n>[i.e., probably grief-stricken]</n>.


text:
Then Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if <n>[only]</n> you had been here, my brother would not have died.


text:
Martha replied to Him, “I know that he will rise again at the resurrection on the last day <n>[i.e., the judgment day]</n>.”


text:
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the person who believes in me will live on, even though he dies <n>[physically]</n>.


text:
And whoever goes on living and believing in me, will never die <n>[spiritually]</n>. Do you believe this?”


text:
Martha answered Him, “Yes, Lord, I have <n>[already]</n> believed that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world.”


text:
After saying this, she left and called her sister Mary and said to her privately, “The Teacher is here and is asking for you.”


text:
(Now Jesus had not yet arrived in town, but was still at the place where Martha had met Him <n>[i.e., probably on the road near the edge of town]</n>).


text:
When Martha’s Jewish friends, who had been comforting her at her house, saw Mary getting up quickly and leaving, they followed her, thinking she was going to the grave site to mourn.


text:
So, when Mary arrived at where Jesus was and saw Him, she fell down at His feet and said, “Lord, if <n>[only]</n> you had been here, my brother would not have died.”


text:
When Jesus saw her and her Jewish friends, who had come with her, crying, He felt distressed in His spirit and <n>[visibly]</n> troubled <n>[Note: This last word means to shake with emotion, and seems to have been caused by His deep sympathy for these grieving people]</n>,


text:
<n>[Some of]</n> the Jewish friends then said, “Look how <n>[much]</n> he loved him!” <n>[See verse 3]</n>.


text:
But others of them said, “Could not this man, who restored sight to a blind person, have kept Lazarus from dying?”


text:
So, Jesus again felt distressed within Himself <n>[as He]</n> went to the grave site, which was a cave with a stone <n>[slab]</n> across its entrance.


text:
Jesus said, “You people, take the stone away.” <n>[But]</n> Martha, the dead man’s sister, said to Jesus, “Lord, his body is decomposing by now, for he has been dead four days.”


text:
Jesus replied to her, “Did I not tell you that you would see God’s glory <n>[i.e., a miraculous resurrection. See verses 22-27]</n> if you believed?”


text:
So, they removed the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. <n>[Note: Jesus had already prayed for and been assured of Lazarus’ resurrection]</n>.


text:
I know that you always hear me, but I said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so they would believe that you sent me.”


text:
<n>[Immediately]</n> the man who had died came out <n>[of the cave]</n> with his hands and feet <n>[still]</n> wrapped in bandages, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to his Jewish friends, “Unwrap him and let him go.”


text:
When many of Mary’s Jewish friends, who had come to console her, saw what Jesus had done, they believed in Him.


text:
So, the leading priests and the Pharisees assembled the Council <n>[Note: This was the Jewish governing body called “the Sanhedrin”]</n> and said, “What should we do, for this man is performing many <n>[miraculous]</n> signs?


text:
If we allow him to go on <n>[doing this]</n>, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and destroy our Temple and our nation <n>[i.e., its people]</n>.”


text:
But a certain member of the Sanhedrin, <n>[named]</n> Caiaphas, who was head priest that year, said to <n>[the rest of]</n> them, “You do not know what you are talking about.


text:
And you are not taking into consideration that it would be profitable to you for one man to die for the people, so that the entire nation would not be destroyed.”


text:
Now he did not say this on his own <n>[i.e., he was not aware of the significance of his words]</n>, but since he was head priest that year, he was prophesying <n>[i.e., predicting]</n> that Jesus should die for the nation.


text:
And not just <n>[die]</n> for the <n>[Jewish]</n> nation, but also that He would assemble together into one body the children of God who were scattered <n>[throughout the world]</n>.


text:
So, Jesus stopped traveling publicly among the Jews <n>[in Judea]</n>, but left there and went to a district near the desert, to a town called Ephraim, where He remained with His disciples. <n>[Note: Ephraim was a small town about 14 miles northeast of Jerusalem, near Samaria]</n>.


text:
Now the Jewish Passover Festival was to be held soon and many people went up to Jerusalem from the countryside before the <n>[actual]</n> Festival in order to perform the ceremonial purification rituals.


text:
So, they began looking for Jesus and saying among themselves, as they gathered in the Temple, “What do you think? He will not attend the Festival, will he?”


text:
Now the leading priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where Jesus was, he was to report it, so they could arrest Him.


text:
So, six days before the Passover Festival <n>[began]</n>, Jesus went to Bethany, where Lazarus lived. He was the man Jesus <n>[had]</n> raised from the dead.


text:
There Mary and Martha prepared a meal for Jesus. Martha served it while Lazarus was among those who reclined at the table with Him. <n>[Note: See Matt. 23:6]</n>.


text:
Then Mary took about a pint of expensive, aromatic perfume; <n>[it was]</n> genuine nard, <n>[Note: This was a sweet-smelling herb]</n> and she poured <n>[some of]</n> it on Jesus’ feet and wiped them with her hair. The <n>[whole]</n> house was filled with the fragrant scent of the perfume.


text:
But one of Jesus’ disciples, named Judas Iscariot, who later turned Him over <n>[i.e., to the Jewish authorities]</n>, said


text:
“Why was this perfume not sold for a large sum of money <n>[Note: The amount here was equivalent to three hundred twelve-hour days of a farm laborer’s pay, or over $32,000 in 2005]</n> and <n>[then]</n> the money given to poor people?”


text:
Now he did not say this because he cared about poor people, but because he was in charge of the money bag, and being a thief, he used to steal from it.


text:
So, Jesus said, “Leave her alone. Let her keep <n>[the rest of]</n> it for <n>[use on]</n> the day of my burial.


text:
When a large crowd of Jews learned that Jesus was there <n>[in Bethany]</n>, they came not only because of Him, but also to see Lazarus whom He had raised from the dead.


text:
for because of him <n>[i.e., his miraculous resurrection]</n>, many of the Jews rejected the priests’ leadership and believed in Jesus.


text:
On the next day a large crowd that had come <n>[to Jerusalem]</n> for the Passover Festival heard that Jesus <n>[also]</n> was coming to Jerusalem.


text:
<n>[So]</n>, they took branches from palm trees and went out to meet Him, shouting, “Hosanna <n>[Note: See Matt. 21:9 for the meaning of this word]</n>, may He, the King of Israel, be praised, for He comes in the name <n>[i.e., by the authority]</n> of the Lord!”


text:
“Do not be afraid, daughter of Zion <n>[i.e., people of Jerusalem]</n>. Look, the King is coming <n>[to you]</n>; He <n>[will be]</n> riding on a donkey’s colt.”


text:
His disciples did not understand these things at first, but after Jesus received splendor <n>[in heaven]</n>, then they remembered that these things had been written about Him <n>[in Scripture]</n> and that people had done such things to Him.


text:
The crowd of people that was with Jesus <n>[and saw Him]</n> when He called Lazarus out of the grave and raised him from the dead, gave testimony <n>[about all this]</n>.


text:
But the crowd that went out to meet Jesus <n>[i.e., as He entered Jerusalem]</n> did so because they had heard about Him performing this <n>[miraculous]</n> sign <n>[i.e., of raising Lazarus]</n>.


text:
So, the Pharisees were saying among themselves, “Look, you men are getting nowhere <n>[in this situation]</n>. See, the <n>[whole]</n> world has gone after him.”


text:
Now there were certain Greeks among those going up to Jerusalem to worship <n>[God]</n> at the <n>[Passover]</n> Festival <n>[Note: These people were God-fearing Gentiles like Cornelius. See Acts 10]</n>.


text:
So, these people approached <n>[the apostle]</n> Philip, who was from Bethsaida, in Galilee with the request, ‘Sir, we would like to see Jesus.”


text:
Philip went and told <n>[this to]</n> Andrew <n>[his brother]</n>; <n>[then]</n> Andrew and Philip told <n>[it to]</n> Jesus.


text:
Then Jesus said to <n>[all of]</n> them, “The time has come for the Son of man to be glorified <n>[i.e., by His crucifixion, resurrection and ascension]</n>.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, unless a grain of wheat drops into the soil and dies, it remains a single grain, but if it dies, <n>[then]</n> it will produce many grains.


text:
The person who loves his <n>[earthly]</n> life will <n>[eventually]</n> lose it <n>[forever]</n>, but the person who hates his life in this world will retain never ending life.


text:
If any person wants to serve me, he should become my follower; and wherever I am, my servant will be there also. If any person serves me, the Father will honor him.


text:
“Now my heart is distressed; and what shall I say <n>[i.e., to God]</n>? ‘Father, bring me safely through this time.’ But, this is the reason I came <n>[to earth]</n>; to <n>[go through]</n> such a time.


text:
‘Father, honor your name <n>[in all this]</n>.’” Then a voice came out of heaven, saying, “I have honored it, and I will honor it again.”


text:
The crowd that was standing around heard this <n>[i.e., the sound of the Father’s voice]</n>, but said it was thunder. Others said, “An angel spoke to Him <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>.”


text:
Judgment is now coming to this world; the prince of this world <n>[i.e., Satan]</n> will now be driven out.


text:
And if I am lifted up from the earth <n>[i.e., on the cross]</n>, I will draw <n>[i.e., attract]</n> all people to me.”


text:
Now He said this to indicate the kind of death He was about to experience <n>[i.e., of being lifted up on a cross]</n>.


text:
Then the crowd replied to Him, “We have heard from <n>[the writings of]</n> the Law of Moses that the Christ will live forever; so how can you say, ‘The son of man must be lifted up <n>[i.e., to die]</n>?’ Who is this son of man?”


text:
So, Jesus said to them, “The Light will be among you for only a little while <n>[longer]</n>. Walk around while you <n>[still]</n> have the Light <n>[with you]</n>, before darkness surrounds you. For the person who walks around in darkness does not know where he is going.


text:
<n>[So]</n>, believe in the Light <n>[i.e., Jesus is speaking of Himself]</n> while you <n>[still]</n> have the Light <n>[with you]</n>, so that you can become enlightened people.” After Jesus said these things, He left there and hid Himself from them.


text:
But <n>[even]</n> though Jesus had performed so many <n>[miraculous]</n> signs in front of the people, still they did not believe in Him.


text:
This was so that these words, which Isaiah the prophet had spoken, would be fulfilled <n>[Isa. 53:1]</n>, “Lord, who has believed our message? And who has the Lord’s power been shown to?”


text:
“God has blinded their eyes <n>[of understanding]</n> and closed their minds. If He had not done so, they would <n>[be able to]</n> see with their eyes and understand with their minds and turn <n>[to God]</n> so He could heal them <n>[spiritually]</n>.”


text:
Isaiah had said these things because he saw the <n>[coming]</n> glory of Jesus, and <n>[so]</n> was speaking about Him.


text:
However, even many <n>[Jewish]</n> leaders believed in Him, but did not admit it, for fear of being expelled from the synagogue.


text:
For they loved the honor they received from people more than the honor they <n>[could]</n> receive from God.


text:
Then Jesus spoke out in a loud voice, “The person who believes in me, does not <n>[only]</n> believe in me, but <n>[also]</n> in Him who sent me <n>[i.e., God]</n>.


text:
I have come into the world to be a light <n>[to it]</n>, so that whoever believes in me would not have to remain in <n>[spiritual]</n> darkness.


text:
And if any person hears my message and does not obey it, I will not judge him <n>[now]</n>, for I did not come into the world to judge it, but to save it.


text:
The person who rejects me and does not accept my message has One who <n>[will]</n> judge him. The message that I have spoken will judge him on the last day <n>[i.e., the judgment day]</n>.


text:
For I did not speak from myself <n>[i.e., on my own authority]</n>, but the Father Himself, who sent me, has ordered me what to say and speak.


text:
And I know that <n>[obeying]</n> His commandments <n>[leads to]</n> never ending life. So, the things which I say are what the Father has told me <n>[to say]</n>.”


text:
Now it was before the Passover Festival <n>[was to begin]</n> and Jesus knew that the time had come for Him to leave this world and return to the Father. Those <n>[living]</n> in the world, whom He had loved, and who were His own <n>[disciples]</n>, He continued to love <n>[dearly]</n> to the very end <n>[i.e., of His life on earth]</n>.


text:
The devil had already filled the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, with the desire to turn Jesus over <n>[i.e., to the Jewish authorities]</n>. During the <n>[Passover]</n> meal,


text:
Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, <n>[also]</n> knew that He had come from God and was <n>[about]</n> to return to God.


text:
So, He got up from the dinner table, laid aside His <n>[outer]</n> clothing and took a towel and wrapped it around Himself.


text:
Then He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples’ feet and drying them with the towel around His waist.


text:
Peter said to Him, “<n>[No]</n>, you will never wash my feet.” Jesus replied to him, “If I do not wash you, you will not be able to participate with me <n>[i.e., as a disciple]</n>.”


text:
Simon Peter <n>[then]</n> said to Him, “Lord, do not <n>[just]</n> wash my feet only, but my hands and head, too.”


text:
Jesus replied to him, “The person who has already had a bath is completely clean and does not need to wash anything but his feet. And you disciples are <n>[already]</n> clean <n>[i.e., spiritually]</n>, but not every one of you.”


text:
For Jesus knew who would betray Him; that is why He said, “Not every one of you is <n>[spiritually]</n> clean.”


text:
So, after Jesus had washed His disciples’ feet and put His <n>[outer]</n> clothing back on, He reclined again <n>[at the dinner table]</n> and said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you?


text:
So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another’s feet also.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, a slave is not greater <n>[in importance]</n> than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the person who sent him.


text:
“I am not talking about all of you; for I know the ones I have chosen <n>[i.e., which of the twelve apostles would be faithful]</n>. But let the Scripture <n>[Psa. 41:9]</n> be fulfilled <n>[that says]</n>, ‘The person who eats with me has <n>[viciously]</n> turned against me.’


text:
I am telling you this now, <n>[even]</n> before it happens, so that when it does happen, you will believe that I am <n>[the Messiah]</n>.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who welcomes whoever I send welcomes me; and the one who welcomes me, welcomes God, who sent me.”


text:
After Jesus said this, He felt disturbed in His spirit and declared, “Truly, truly, I tell you, one of you will turn me over <n>[to the Jewish authorities]</n>.”


text:
One of Jesus’ disciples, <n>[the one]</n> He loved <n>[Note: Probably this was the apostle John]</n> was reclining at the dinner table close to Jesus.


text:
So, Simon Peter motioned <n>[to John]</n> and said, “Ask Jesus which one <n>[of us]</n> He is talking about.”


text:
Jesus answered; “It is the person to whom I give a piece of bread after dipping it <n>[in the sauce bowl]</n>.” So, when He had dipped the piece of bread, He took it <n>[out]</n> and gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.


text:
Then after <n>[he ate]</n> the piece of bread, Satan entered Judas’ heart. So, Jesus said to him, “Do what you are going to do, and do it quickly.”


text:
For some of them thought, since Judas was in charge of the <n>[money]</n> bag, that Jesus was telling him, “Buy whatever we need for the <n>[Passover]</n> meal,” or that he was <n>[being told]</n> to give <n>[money]</n> to poor people <n>[from it]</n>.


text:
Then after Judas left, Jesus said, “Now the Son of man is <n>[being]</n> glorified <n>[Note: Being “glorified” involved Jesus’ crucifixion, resurrection and ascension. The first step of this had now begun]</n>. And God is <n>[being]</n> glorified through the Son’s life.


text:
And if God is <n>[so]</n> glorified through Him <n>[now]</n>, God will <n>[also]</n> glorify the Son in Himself very soon. <n>[Note: Possibly this was a reference to Jesus returning to the Father’s presence]</n>.


text:
“I will be with you, <n>[my dear]</n> children, for only a little while <n>[longer]</n>. You people will look for me, but I am now telling you what I told the Jewish authorities, ‘You will not be able to go where I will be.’


text:
I am giving you a new commandment: love one another. Also you should love one another in the same way that I have loved you.


text:
If you love one another, then everyone will know by <n>[observing]</n> this that you are my disciples.”


text:
Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, “You cannot follow me where I am going now, but you will <n>[be able to]</n> follow later.”


text:
Peter <n>[then]</n> said to Him, “Lord, why can I not follow you <n>[there]</n> even now? I am willing to die for you.”


text:
Jesus answered him; “Will you <n>[really]</n> die for me? Truly, truly, I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will deny <n>[knowing]</n> me three times.”


text:
<n>[Jesus continued]</n>, “Do not allow your hearts to be upset. You should believe in God, and believe in me also.


text:
There are many rooms in my Father’s house, and I am going to prepare a place for each one you <n>[in them]</n>. I would not have told you this if it were not so.


text:
And if I go to prepare a place for each of you, I will return to take all you to <n>[be with]</n> me, so that you also will be where I am.


text:
Thomas said to Jesus, “Lord, we do not know where you are going; how could we <n>[possibly]</n> know the way <n>[to get there]</n>?”


text:
Jesus answered him, “I am the way <n>[to God]</n>, and the truth <n>[to believe]</n>, and the life <n>[to live]</n>. No one can go to the Father, except through <n>[believing in]</n> me.


text:
If you have come to know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know Him, and have seen Him.”


text:
Jesus replied to him, “Have I been with you men all this time, and <n>[still]</n> you do not know me, Philip? The person who has seen me, has <n>[also]</n> seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?


text:
Do you not believe that I am in <n>[fellowship with]</n> the Father, and the Father is in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me? The words which I say to you do not originate with me, but it is the Father, who lives in me, who does His work <n>[in me]</n>.


text:
You should believe me <n>[when I say]</n> that I am in <n>[fellowship with]</n> the Father, and the Father is in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me. Or else believe me for the sake of the deeds themselves that I perform.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who believes in me will perform the deeds that I do also; and he will perform even greater deeds than these, because I am going to the Father. <n>[Note: The “greater deeds” are probably evangelizing the world]</n>.


text:
And I will do <n>[for you]</n> whatever you ask in my name <n>[i.e., by my authority]</n>, so that the Father may be honored through the Son.


text:
“And I will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper <n>[i.e., besides me]</n>, who will be with you forever.


text:
He is the Holy Spirit of truth <n>[i.e., who reveals truth]</n>, whom the world cannot receive, for it does not see Him or know Him. <n>[But]</n> you know Him, for He lives with you, and will be within you.


text:
I will not abandon you <n>[Note: The Greek says, “leave you orphans”]</n>; I will come <n>[back]</n> to you.


text:
After a little while <n>[longer]</n> the world will not see me anymore, but you men will see me. Because I <n>[will continue to]</n> live, you will live also.


text:
When that day comes <n>[i.e., after His ascension (?)]</n>, you will know that I am in <n>[fellowship with]</n> the Father, and that you are in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me, and that I am in you <n>[i.e., through the Holy Spirit]</n>.


text:
The person who knows <n>[what]</n> my commandments <n>[are]</n> and obeys them is the one who <n>[truly]</n> loves me. And the person who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”


text:
<n>[Then]</n> Judas (not the betrayer) <n>[Note: This was the son of James, See Luke 6:16. He is also called Thaddaeus, See Matt. 10:3]</n>, said to Jesus, “Lord, what has happened <n>[i.e., to your original plans to be seen by everyone when you came. See Luke 21:27]</n>, that you will reveal yourself to us apostles <n>[only]</n> and not to the <n>[whole]</n> world?”


text:
Jesus answered him, “If a person loves me, he will obey my teaching, and my Father will love him and we will come to him and make our home with him <n>[i.e., in the person of the indwelling Holy Spirit]</n>.


text:
The person who does not love me will not obey my teaching. And the message you are hearing is not mine, but belongs to the Father, who sent me.


text:
But the Helper, that is, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name <n>[i.e., by my authority]</n> will teach you everything. And He will remind you of everything that I <n>[have]</n> said to you.


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I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid.


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You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away and I am returning to you.’ If you <n>[really]</n> loved me, you would have been happy that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I am.


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Now I have told you this, even before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe <n>[in me]</n>.


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I will not speak with you very much anymore because the ruler of the world <n>[i.e., Satan]</n> is coming, and he has no control over me.


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But, in order for the world to know that I love the Father, I am <n>[always]</n> doing what the Father commands me to. Let us get up, and leave here.” <n>[i.e., leave the room where they had eaten the Passover meal. See 13:1 with 18:1]</n>.


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He will cut off <n>[See verse 6]</n> every branch <n>[i.e., follower of Christ]</n> who is in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me that does not bear fruit. And He will prune every branch that does bear fruit, so it will bear more fruit.


text:
You people are already ‘clean’ <n>[i.e., have been pruned of undesirable traits]</n> because of <n>[obedience to]</n> the teaching I have given you.


text:
Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains united to the vine, so neither can you people <n>[bear fruit]</n> unless you remain united to me.


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“I am the vine; you people are the branches. The person who remains united to me, and I to him, will bear much fruit. For you cannot do anything if <n>[you are]</n> separated from me.


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If a person does not remain united to me, he will be thrown out as a <n>[fruitless]</n> branch and dried up. People gather up such branches and throw them into the fire to be burned <n>[as fuel (?)]</n>.


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If you remain in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me and my teaching remains in your hearts, <n>[you can]</n> ask for whatever you want, and it will be done for you.


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My Father is honored by your bearing much fruit and <n>[thus]</n> showing that you are my disciples.


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“Just as the Father has loved me, <n>[so]</n> I have also loved you. You should continue to receive <n>[or, respond to]</n> my love. <n>[Note: The next verse tells how this can be done]</n>.


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If you obey my commandments, <n>[then]</n> you will continue receiving my love; just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and <n>[so]</n> continue receiving His love.


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I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete.


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No one has <n>[any]</n> greater love than to give up his life for his friends.John 15:14 You people are my friends if you do what I command you to.


text:
I do not call you slaves anymore, for a slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, because I have told you everything that I heard from myFather.


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You <n>[apostles]</n> did not choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you to go and bear much fruit <n>[i.e., through their evangelizing]</n>, and that your fruit should last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask Him for in my name <n>[i.e. by my authority]</n>.


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I command you to do these things so that you will <n>[demonstrate your]</n> love for one another. <n>[Note: Or this may mean that His command was to love one another, as in verse 12]</n>.


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“If the world hates you, then know that it has <n>[already]</n> hated me, <n>[even]</n> before it hated you.


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If you belonged to the world, the world would love <n>[you as]</n> its own people. But since you do not belong to the world, for I chose you out of it, this is why the world hates you.


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Remember what I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater <n>[in importance]</n> than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will <n>[also]</n> persecute you, too; if they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.


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But they <n>[i.e., the world]</n> will do all these things to you for my name’s sake <n>[i.e., because you are my disciples]</n>, for they do not know Him <n>[i.e., God]</n>, who sent me.


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They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now <n>[that I have]</n>, they have no excuse for their sin.


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If I had not performed the <n>[miraculous]</n> deeds among them which no one else had done, they would not be guilty of sinning. But now they have both seen and hated both me and my Father.


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This all happened so the Scripture, written in their Law <n>[Psa. 35:19]</n>, would be fulfilled, ‘They hated me for no reason.’


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“But the Helper will come, that is, the Holy Spirit of truth <n>[i.e., who reveals truth]</n>. He comes from the Father and I will send Him to you from the Father. <n>[When He comes]</n> He will give testimony about me.


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And you will give testimony about me <n>[also]</n>, because you men have been with me from the beginning <n>[of my ministry]</n>.”


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<n>[Jesus continued]</n>, “I have told you these things so that you men would not fall away <n>[i.e., from the faith]</n>.


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The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God.


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But I have told you these things so that, when the time comes <n>[for people to do such things]</n>, you will remember that I had warned you. I did not tell you them at the beginning <n>[of my ministry]</n> because I was with you <n>[i.e., to protect you from persecution]</n>.


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Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper <n>[i.e., the Holy Spirit]</n> will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you.


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And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin <n>[i.e., exposing it and producing guilt]</n>, regarding what is right <n>[i.e., upholding godly standards]</n>, and regarding judgment <n>[i.e., showing that sin condemns]</n>.


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<n>[It will be shown]</n> what is right because I am going <n>[back]</n> to the Father and you will not see me anymore.


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<n>[And it will be shown]</n> judgment, because the ruler of this world <n>[i.e., Satan. See 12:31]</n> has been condemned <n>[i.e., by Jesus’ death and resurrection]</n>.


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However, when the Holy Spirit of truth comes, He will lead you <n>[apostles]</n> into all the truth. For He will not speak on His own authority, but will speak <n>[only]</n> what He hears <n>[from the Father]</n>. And He will tell you about the things that are to come.


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Everything the Father has belongs to me. Therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you.


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“After a little while <n>[longer]</n> you will not see me anymore. Then a little while <n>[later]</n> you will see me again.”


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Then some of Jesus’ disciples said to one another, “What is this He is telling us: ‘After a little while <n>[longer]</n> you will not see me. Then, a little while <n>[later]</n> you will see me again,’ and ‘Because I am going <n>[back]</n> to the Father’?” <n>[See verse 10]</n>.


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So, they <n>[again]</n> said, “What does He mean by saying, ‘A little while’? We do not know what He is talking about.”


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Jesus sensed that the disciples wanted to ask Him a question, so He said to them, “Are you discussing among yourselves my saying ‘After a little while <n>[longer]</n> you will not see me. Then, a little while <n>[later]</n> you will see me again’?


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Truly, truly, I tell you, you will cry and mourn <n>[i.e., over my suffering and death]</n>, but the world will be glad <n>[about it]</n>. You will be sad, but your sadness will turn to joy <n>[i.e., when learning of my resurrection]</n>.


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A woman has pain when giving birth because her time has come. But when the child is born, she does not remember the intense suffering because she is so happy over the child being born into the world.


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So, you men also will experience grief <n>[i.e., over my suffering and death]</n>, but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy.


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At that time <n>[i.e., after my resurrection]</n>, you will not be asking me <n>[for]</n> anything. Truly, truly, I tell you, if you will ask the Father for anything <n>[then]</n>, in my name <n>[i.e., by my authority]</n>, He will give it to you.


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Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. <n>[So now]</n> ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.


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“I have spoken these things to you in figurative language. <n>[However]</n>, the time will come when I will not speak to you in figurative language, but will tell you plainly about the Father.


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At that time you will ask Him <n>[i.e., for things in prayer]</n>, in my name; I do not say that I will ask the Father for you,


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for the Father Himself loves you <n>[i.e., and will grant your requests without my persuasion]</n>, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.


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<n>[Then]</n> Jesus’ disciples said <n>[to Him]</n>, “Look, you are speaking plainly now, and not in figurative language.


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Now we realize that you know everything and do not need anyone to ask you <n>[questions]</n>. This makes us believe that you came from God.”


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Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me <n>[all]</n> alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me.


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I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world.”


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After saying these things, Jesus looked up to heaven and said, “Father, the time has come; honor your Son so that your Son may honor you.


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Just as you gave Him authority over all mankind, He will give never ending life to all those people <n>[Note: The Greek word here is neuter gender, “all those things”]</n> you have given Him.


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And this is never ending life; that people may know you <n>[as]</n> the only true God, and Jesus Christ, the One whom you have sent.


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And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was <n>[created]</n>.


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I have revealed your name <n>[i.e., your power and character]</n> to the men you gave me out of the world <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n>. They belonged to you, but you gave them to me, and they have obeyed your word.


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because I have given them the message you gave me, and they accepted it. They <n>[also]</n> knew for certain that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.


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I am praying for them <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n>; I am not praying for the world, but for those whom you gave me, who belong to you.


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And everything I have belongs to you, and what you have belongs to me; and I am honored through these men.


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And <n>[now]</n> I am coming to you, for I will not be in the world any longer, yet these men are <n>[still]</n> in the world. Holy Father, protect them by <n>[the power of]</n> your name which you have given me. May these men be one, as we are <n>[one]</n>.


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I protected them while I was with them by <n>[the power of]</n> your name which you gave me. <n>[See verse 11]</n>. I guarded them so that not one of them was lost except the “son of destruction” <n>[i.e., Judas]</n>. <n>[This was]</n> so that the Scripture would be fulfilled <n>[Psa. 41:9 (?)]</n>.


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But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things <n>[while still]</n> in the world, so that they <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n> may have my joy within them in all its fullness.


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I have given them your word, and the world hated them because they do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world.


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I am not praying that you should take them out of the world, but that you should protect them from the evil one <n>[i.e., the devil]</n>.


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Just as you have sent me into the world, so I have sent <n>[i.e., will send]</n> them into the world.


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And for their sakes I dedicate myself <n>[to you]</n> so that they themselves also may be truly dedicated <n>[to you]</n>.


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“I am not praying for these <n>[apostles]</n> only, but also for <n>[all of]</n> those who believe in me through their message.


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<n>[I pray]</n> that all of them may be one, just as you, Father, are <n>[one]</n> in <n>[fellowship with]</n> me, and I <n>[am one]</n> in <n>[fellowship with]</n> you, so that they also may be <n>[one]</n> in <n>[fellowship with]</n> us in order that the world may <n>[see it and]</n> believe that you sent me.


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And I have given them <n>[i.e., all believers]</n> the honor which you gave me, so that they may be one, just as we are one:


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I in them, and you in me, so that they may be completely one. <n>[This is]</n> so the world will know that you sent me and that you love them just as you love me.


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“Father, I want those you gave me <n>[i.e., the apostles, see verse 6]</n> to be with me where I am <n>[going]</n>, so they will see my splendor <n>[i.e., in heaven]</n>, which you have given me, for you loved me before the creation of the world.


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And I declared your name to them and I will continue to declare it, so that the love you have for me will be in them <n>[also]</n>, and that I <n>[will be]</n> in them.”


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After Jesus had said these things He went out with His disciples across the Kidron valley. <n>[Note: This was a “wadi,” or dry creek bed which carried a torrent of water during the rainy season. It ran parallel with the east wall of Jerusalem, between the city and the Mount of Olives]</n>. There was an <n>[olive]</n> orchard there and Jesus and His disciples went into it.


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Now Judas, who <n>[was soon to]</n> turn Jesus over <n>[to the Jewish authorities]</n> also knew where this place was, for Jesus had frequently met there with His disciples.


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So, Judas took a detachment of <n>[Roman]</n> soldiers and some <n>[Temple]</n> guards sent from the leading priests and Pharisees, and carrying lanterns, torches and weapons, they went to the orchard.


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Since Jesus knew everything that was going to happen to Him, He went out and said to them, “Who are you men looking for?”


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They answered Him, “Jesus, from Nazareth.” Jesus replied to them, “I am <n>[He]</n>.” Judas, who was turning Him over <n>[to the Jewish authorities]</n> was standing there with them also.


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Now when Jesus had said to them, “I am <n>[He]</n>,” they <n>[all]</n> moved backward and fell to the ground. <n>[Note: This appears to have been done by some miraculous power]</n>.


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Jesus said to them, “I <n>[already]</n> told you that I am <n>[He]</n>; so if you are looking for me, let these men <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n> go.”


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<n>[He said this]</n> so the words He had spoken <n>[previously]</n> would be fulfilled <n>[See 17:12]</n>, “I did not lose any of those men you <n>[i.e., God]</n> gave me.”


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So, Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it out and struck the head priest’s slave, cutting off his right ear. Now the slave’s name was Malchus.


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Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back in its sheath. Should I not drink the cup <n>[i.e., of suffering]</n> the Father has given me?”


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So, the detachment of <n>[Roman]</n> soldiers, their commanding officer and the Jewish <n>[Temple]</n> guards arrested Jesus and tied Him up.


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They led Him to Annas first <n>[Note: This man was a former head priest. See Luke 3:2]</n>, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas, who was head priest that year.


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Now Caiaphas was the one who had advised the Jews that it was profitable for one man to die for the people <n>[See 11:50]</n>.


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Simon Peter followed along with another disciple. <n>[Note: Some think this refers to the apostle John himself, but there is no strong evidence in favor of that conclusion]</n>. Now that disciple was <n>[well-]</n> known to the head priest, so was able to enter his courtyard with Jesus


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while Peter stood outside at the gate. So, the other disciple, who was <n>[well-]</n> known to the head priest, went outside and spoke to the girl gatekeeper, <n>[who]</n> then brought Peter inside <n>[too]</n>.


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So, the slave-girl gatekeeper asked Peter, “Are you not one of this man’s disciples, too?” “<n>[No]</n>, I am not,” Peter replied.


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Now the <n>[head priest’s]</n> slaves and the <n>[Temple]</n> guards were standing around a charcoal fire they had made to warm themselves by, because it was cold. And Peter was also warming himself with them.


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Meanwhile, the head priest asked Jesus about His disciples and His teaching. <n>[Note: This was probably Annas, the former “head priest” who later sent Jesus to the current head priest, Caiaphas. See verse 24]</n>.


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Jesus answered him, “I have spoken publicly to the world; I always taught in the synagogues and in the Temple, where all the Jews assemble. I have never said anything in secret.


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Why are you asking me? Ask the people who have heard me about what I said to them. Look, these people know what I said.”


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When Jesus said this, one of the guards standing there struck Him <n>[in the face]</n>, saying, “Is that any way to talk to the head priest?”


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Jesus answered him, “If I have said anything wrong, tell me what it was. But if <n>[I spoke]</n> properly, why did you hit me?”


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Now Simon Peter had been standing and warming himself <n>[by the outdoor charcoal fire]</n>. So, someone asked him, “Are you not one of His disciples, too?” Peter denied it, saying, “<n>[No]</n>, I am not.”


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One of the head priest’s slaves, who was a relative of the man whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the orchard with him?”


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Then, early in the morning they led Jesus from Caiaphas to <n>[Governor Pilate’s]</n> headquarters. But the Jewish authorities would not enter it, because <n>[if they had]</n> they would have become ceremonially unclean, and could not eat the Passover meal. <n>[Note: This was because they regarded a Gentile house as defiling]</n>.


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The Jewish authorities answered Pilate, “If this man were not guilty of wrongdoing, we would not have turned him over to you.”


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So, Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and judge him according to your <n>[own]</n> law.” <n>[But]</n> the Jews replied to him, “It is not permissible for us to put anyone to death.”


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<n>[They said this]</n> so that the words Jesus had spoken would be fulfilled, regarding the kind of death He would die. <n>[Note: Jesus had predicted he would be “lifted up,” indicating a Roman crucifixion. See 12:32-33]</n>.


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So, Pilate went back into his headquarters and called for Jesus. He said to Him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”


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Pilate answered, “Am I a Jew? Your own people and the leading priests turned you over to me. What have you done?”


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Jesus answered him; “My kingdom does not belong to this world. If it did, then my servants <n>[i.e., disciples]</n> would fight to keep me from being turned over to the Jews. But now my kingdom does not belong here.” <n>[i.e., Jesus’ kingdom was not based on physical, but spiritual principles]</n>.


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So, Pilate said to Him, “Are you a king, then?” Jesus answered, “You are <n>[correct in]</n> calling me a ‘king.’ This was the <n>[very]</n> purpose for which I was born and came into the world, that I should testify about the truth. Every person who wants <n>[to know and obey]</n> the truth listens to me.”


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Pilate replied to Him, “What is truth?” After saying this, Pilate again went outside to the Jews and said to them, “I do not find him guilty of any crime.


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But since you <n>[Jews]</n> have a custom that I should release to you one <n>[prisoner]</n> during the Passover Festival, do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”


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They shouted out again, “<n>[No]</n>, not this man. <n>[We want]</n> Barabbas!” <n>[Note: Ironically, Barabbas’ name means “son of the father”]</n>. Now Barabbas was a robber.


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The soldiers wove thorny twigs into a crown and placed it on His head and dressed Him in a purple robe.


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Then they went <n>[up]</n> to Him and said, “Hey! King of the Jews!” and struck Him <n>[in the face with their hands]</n>.


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Now Pilate went outside again and said to the Jewish authorities, “Look, I am bringing him out here to you, so you can know that I do not find him guilty of any crime.”


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So, Jesus came outside wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe. Then Pilate said to the <n>[assembled]</n> Jewish authorities, “Look, <n>[here is]</n> the man!”


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Then, when the leading priests and the <n>[Temple]</n> guards saw Him, they shouted out, “Crucify him, crucify him!” Pilate responded by saying, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, because I do not find him guilty of any crime.”


text:
The Jews replied, “We have a law which requires that he ought to die because he claimed to be the Son of God.”


text:
and went back into the headquarters again and said to Jesus, “Where did you come from?” But Jesus did not answer him.


text:
Then Pilate said to Him, “Are you not going to speak to me? Do you not know that I have the authority to release you or to crucify you?”


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Jesus answered him, “You would not have any authority over me unless it were given to you from above <n>[i.e., from God]</n>. So, the person who turned me over to you is guilty of a worse sin.”


text:
After <n>[hearing]</n> this, Pilate tried to release Jesus, but the Jews shouted out, “If you release this man, you are no friend of Caesar’s. Everyone who claims to be a king <n>[i.e., as they had accused Jesus of doing. See 18:37]</n> is in opposition to Caesar.”


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Then when Pilate heard <n>[them say]</n> this, he brought Jesus outside <n>[again]</n> and sat down on the judge’s bench at a place called The Stone Pavement, but in the Hebrew language is called Gabbatha.


text:
Now it was about six o’clock in the morning <n>[Note: This was according to Roman time, but if Jewish time were meant, it would have been 12 noon]</n> on the Day of Preparation for the Passover Festival. <n>[Note: This would be the day before the Passover Festival]</n>. And Pilate said to the Jews, “Look, <n>[here is]</n> your king!”


text:
Then they shouted out, “Take him away; take him away and crucify him!” Pilate replied to them, “Do you want me to crucify your king?” The leading priests answered, “We do not have any <n>[other]</n> king, except Caesar.”


text:
So, they took Jesus <n>[away]</n> and He went out <n>[of the city]</n> carrying the cross by Himself to a place called The Place of the Skull, <n>[also]</n> called Golgotha in the Hebrew language <n>[and Calvary in Latin]</n>.


text:
Then Pilate had an inscription written and placed on the cross <n>[i.e., on the upright portion, above His head]</n>. It read, “Jesus from Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”


text:
Many of the Jews read this notice, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city <n>[of Jerusalem]</n>. It was written in the Hebrew, Latin and Greek languages.


text:
But the Jewish leading priests said to Pilate, “Do not write ‘The King of the Jews,’ but ‘He said, I am the King of the Jews.’”


text:
So, when the <n>[Roman]</n> soldiers had crucified Jesus, they took His clothing and divided them into four parts, one for each soldier. They also took His seamless coat <n>[i.e., which was left over]</n>, woven from top <n>[to bottom]</n> in one piece,


text:
and said to one another, “Let us not tear it <n>[i.e., because of its great value]</n>, but gamble to see who gets it.” <n>[This was]</n> so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, which said <n>[Psa. 22:18]</n>, “They divided my clothing between themselves, and they gambled for my clothing.” So, this is what the soldiers did.


text:
Now standing near Jesus’ cross were His mother; His mother’s sister <n>[i.e., Salome, the mother of James and John, the sons of Zebedee. See Matt. 27:55; Mark 15:40]</n>; Mary the wife of Clopas <n>[i.e., the mother of James and Joseph. See Matt. 27:55]</n>; and Mary, from Magdala.


text:
So, when Jesus saw His mother standing beside the disciple He loved <n>[i.e., probably the apostle John]</n>, He said to her, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, look, <n>[here is]</n> your son!”


text:
Then He said to the disciple, “Look, <n>[here is]</n> your mother!” And from that time onward, this disciple took Jesus’ mother to <n>[live in]</n> his own home.


text:
Now Jesus knew that everything had been completed <n>[i.e., relating to His crucifixion]</n>, so then He said, in order to fulfill Scripture <n>[Psa. 69:21]</n>, “I am thirsty.”


text:
A bottle full of sour wine was sitting nearby so someone put a sponge full of the wine on a hyssop plant stalk and lifted it up to Jesus’ mouth.


text:
After drinking some of the sour wine, Jesus said, “It is completed,” <n>[i.e., His work of dying for the sins of mankind]</n> and gave up His spirit <n>[i.e., to God. See Luke 23:46]</n>.


text:
Now it was the Day of Preparation <n>[Note: This was the day before the Passover Festival began, and fell on a Friday that year]</n>, and the Jews did not permit bodies to remain on a cross over the Sabbath day. (Besides, that Sabbath day was a special day <n>[i.e., since it was both the Passover and the regular weekly Sabbath, as well]</n>). So, they asked Pilate to have Jesus’ and the criminals’ legs broken <n>[i.e., to speed up their deaths]</n> and then have their bodies taken away.


text:
So, the soldiers went and broke the legs of the first <n>[criminal]</n> and then of the other man crucified with Jesus.


text:
However, one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side with a spear, and immediately blood and water flowed out.


text:
And the person who saw this happen is giving a true testimony about it. He knows it is true <n>[and is giving it]</n> so that you will believe <n>[it, also]</n>.


text:
For these things happened so that the Scripture would be fulfilled <n>[Ex. 12:46]</n>, “Not a <n>[single]</n> bone of his will be broken.”


text:
And another Scripture says <n>[Zech. 12:10]</n>, “People will look at him whom they <n>[had]</n> pierced.”


text:
After this happened, one of Jesus’ disciples, named Joseph from Arimathaea, asked Pilate (but secretly, for fear of the Jews) if he could remove Jesus’ body <n>[from the cross]</n>. Pilate granted him permission, so he went and removed the body from the cross.


text:
Nicodemus, the man who first came to Jesus one night, also went with him <n>[i.e., to claim Jesus’ body]</n>. He brought about a seventy-five pound mixture of myrrh and aloes <n>[i.e., aromatic spices used for embalming]</n>.


text:
So, they took Jesus’ body and wrapped it in linen cloths, with spices, according to customary Jewish burial practices.


text:
Now there was an <n>[olive]</n> orchard at the place where Jesus was crucified. And in the orchard there was a new grave site <n>[i.e., a cave-like tomb]</n> where no one had ever been buried.


text:
So, they placed Jesus’ body there, for it was the Day of Preparation and that was the closest grave site. <n>[Note: Since this was the day before the Passover Festival, and the next day was also the regular weekly Sabbath, they had to bury the body before sundown to comply with Jewish restrictions against working on a Sabbath day]</n>.


text:
Now early <n>[in the morning]</n>, while it was still dark on the first day of the week <n>[i.e., Sunday]</n>, Mary from Magdala went to the <n>[cave-like]</n> tomb and saw the stone <n>[had been]</n> removed from <n>[the entrance of]</n> the tomb.


text:
So, she ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved <n>[i.e., probably the apostle John]</n>, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we do not know where they have put Him.”


text:
The two of them ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter and arrived at the grave site first.


text:
He stooped down and looked inside <n>[the cave-like tomb]</n> and saw the linen cloths lying there <n>[i.e., these were wrappings used to hold embalming spices against the body]</n>, but he did not go in.


text:
Then Simon Peter, who had been following him, also arrived and went <n>[straight]</n> into the cave-like tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there.


text:
Now the cloth that had been around Jesus’ head was not lying with the <n>[other]</n> linen cloths, but was rolled up by itself.


text:
Finally, the other disciple, who had arrived at the cave-like tomb first, went on into it. And <n>[when]</n> he saw <n>[the grave clothes, but no body]</n>, he believed <n>[in Jesus’ resurrection]</n>.


text:
But these disciples still did not understand the Scripture that <n>[predicted]</n> Jesus must rise again from the dead.


text:
but Mary <n>[from Magdala]</n> was standing outside of the cave-like tomb crying. While she was <n>[still]</n> crying she stooped down to look in the tomb,


text:
and there she saw two angels <n>[dressed]</n> in white <n>[clothing]</n> sitting where Jesus’ body had lain, one at His head and one at His feet.


text:
They said to Mary, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, why are you crying?” She answered, “They have taken my Lord away, and I do not know where they have put Him.”


text:
<n>[Then]</n> Jesus said to her, “<n>[My dear]</n> woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Assuming He was the grounds keeper, she said to Him, “Sir, if you have carried Him away from here, tell me where you laid Him, and I will go and get Him.”


text:
<n>[Then]</n> Jesus said to her, “Mary!” She turned toward Him and replied in the Hebrew language, “Rabboni” which means “Teacher.”


text:
Jesus said to her, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not ascended to the Father yet <n>[Note: Apparently Jesus was discouraging Mary from embracing Him in worship as was done in Matt. 28:9, and thereby causing a delay of when the rest of the disciples would learn of His resurrection]</n>, but go to my brothers and tell them <n>[I said]</n> ‘I am <n>[about]</n> to ascend to my Father and to your Father, and to my God and your God.’”


text:
So, Mary from Magdala went and told the disciples, “I have seen the Lord,” and that He had said these things to her. <n>[See Matt. 28:7-10]</n>.


text:
So, when it was evening on that day, <n>[which was]</n> the first day of the week <n>[i.e., Sunday]</n> and the doors <n>[of someone’s house]</n>, where the disciples were gathered, were closed <n>[i.e., probably locked]</n> for fear of the Jewish authorities, Jesus came and stood among them. <n>[Note: Probably Jesus passed through the closed door miraculously]</n>. He said to them, “May there be peace in your hearts.”


text:
After saying this, Jesus showed them His hands and His side, so they rejoiced when they saw the Lord <n>[i.e., now convinced that He had indeed risen from the dead]</n>.


text:
Jesus said to them again, “May there be peace in your hearts. Just as the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.”


text:
Upon saying this, Jesus breathed on the disciples and said to them, “<n>[Be willing to]</n> receive the Holy Spirit.” <n>[Note: This “breathing” served as a pledge of the Holy Spirit which actually came on these apostles a few weeks later. See Acts 1:5-8; 2:4]</n>.


text:
Whosever sins you forgive, they will be forgiven <n>[by God]</n>. And whosever sins you do not forgive, they will not be forgiven <n>[by God]</n>.” <n>[Note: Actual forgiveness would result only when people personally responded, by faith, to the Gospel message. See Acts 2:37-38]</n>.


text:
But one of the twelve apostles, named Thomas, <n>[and also]</n> called “The Twin,” was not with them when Jesus came.


text:
So, the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he replied to them, “I will not believe <n>[it]</n> unless I see the scars of the nails in His hands, and put my finger on the nail scars, and put my hand in His side.”


text:
Eight days later <n>[i.e., the following Sunday]</n>, Jesus’ disciples were inside <n>[the house]</n> again, <n>[but this time]</n> Thomas was with them. The doors were <n>[still]</n> closed when Jesus <n>[suddenly]</n> stood among them <n>[See note on verse 19]</n> and said, “May there be peace in your hearts.”


text:
Then He said to Thomas, “Put your finger here <n>[i.e., to touch the nail scars]</n> and look at my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side <n>[i.e., where the spear had pierced Him]</n>. Stop doubting and believe <n>[that it is really I]</n>.”


text:
Jesus said to him, “Have you believed <n>[that I am alive]</n> because you have seen me? Those who have not seen me and yet believe are <n>[even more]</n> blessed.”


text:
Jesus performed many other <n>[miraculous]</n> signs in front of His disciples which are not recorded in this book <n>[i.e., in the Gospel of John]</n>.


text:
But these <n>[signs]</n> are written down so that you will believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that when you believe <n>[this]</n>, you will have <n>[never ending]</n> life in His name <n>[i.e., through His person and work]</n>.


text:
After these things happened Jesus showed Himself to His disciples again at Lake Tiberias. <n>[Note: This was another name for Lake Galilee]</n>. Here is the way He did it.


text:
Simon Peter; Thomas, called “The Twin;” Nathaniel from Cana in Galilee; the sons of Zebedee <n>[i.e., James and John]</n> and two other disciples of Jesus were <n>[all]</n> together <n>[at the lake]</n>.


text:
Simon Peter said to <n>[the rest of]</n> them, “I am going fishing.” The others replied to him, “We will go with you, too.” <n>[So]</n>, they went out and got into their boat but did not catch anything that night.


text:
Now as the day was dawning Jesus was <n>[seen]</n> standing on the shore, but the disciples did not know it was Jesus. <n>[Note: Probably because it was not light enough yet]</n>.


text:
So, Jesus said to them, “Young fellows, you have not <n>[caught]</n> any fish yet, have you?” They answered Him, “No, <n>[we have not]</n>.”


text:
Then He said to them, “Throw your net over the right side of the boat and you will catch some <n>[fish]</n>.” So, they threw <n>[the net out]</n> but they were not able to pull it in because of so many fish.


text:
So, that disciple whom Jesus loved <n>[i.e., probably the apostle John]</n> said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his outer robe around him, (for he <n>[had taken it off and]</n> was wearing only his underclothing) and jumped into the lake.


text:
But the other disciples came <n>[to shore]</n> in their little boat, dragging their net full of fish (for they were only about a hundred yards from land).


text:
So, when they got to shore, they saw a charcoal fire burning there with fish <n>[cooking]</n> on it and <n>[some]</n> bread.


text:
Then Simon Peter boarded <n>[the boat]</n> and dragged the net full of large fish to shore. And even though there were one hundred fifty-three <n>[fish]</n>, the net did not tear from such a large number.


text:
Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” <n>[But]</n> none of the disciples dared to ask Him, “Who are you?” because they <n>[already]</n> knew it was the Lord.


text:
This was then the third time that Jesus was made known to His disciples after He arose from the dead.


text:
So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these <n>[other disciples do]</n>?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” <n>[Note: Since two different Greek words for “love” are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]</n>. Jesus replied to him, “<n>[Then]</n> feed my lambs.”


text:
Jesus asked him a second time, “Simon, son of John; do you <n>[really]</n> love me?” Peter answered Him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “<n>[Then]</n> take care of my sheep.”


text:
Then Jesus asked him a third time, “Simon, son of John, do you <n>[truly]</n> love me?” Peter was sad because Jesus had asked him a third time, “Do you <n>[even]</n> love me?” So, he said to Jesus, “Lord, you know all things. You <n>[surely]</n> know that I love you.” Jesus replied to him, “<n>[Then]</n> feed my sheep.


text:
Truly, truly, I tell you <n>[Peter]</n>, when you were young you used to fasten your belt around you <n>[i.e., to get ready]</n> and travel wherever you wanted to go. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up and take you <n>[away]</n> to where you do not want to go.”


text:
Now Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death Peter would experience in honoring God. <n>[Note: Some see the “stretching out your hands,” verse 18, as a reference to crucifixion]</n>. And after saying this, Jesus said to him, “Be my follower.”


text:
Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved <n>[i.e., probably the apostle John]</n> following <n>[along behind him]</n>. This was the same disciple who had leaned over close to Jesus at the <n>[Passover]</n> meal and asked Him, “Lord, who is it that will turn you over <n>[to the Jewish authorities]</n>?”


text:
Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain <n>[alive]</n> until I return, what <n>[business]</n> is that of yours? You be my follower.”


text:
So, a rumor began circulating among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not tell him he would not die, but <n>[He said]</n>, “If I want him to remain <n>[alive]</n> until I return, what <n>[business]</n> is that of yours?”


text:
This is the disciple who is giving testimony about these things and has written them down, and we know his testimony is true.


text:
And Jesus did many other things; if every one of them were written down, I do not think the world would hold <n>[all]</n> the books that would be written.


text:
<n>[Dear]</n> Theophilus, in my former letter <n>[i.e., the Gospel of Luke]</n> I wrote to you concerning what all Jesus did and taught since the beginning <n>[of His ministry]</n>,


text:
up until the day He returned to heaven. <n>[Just before that time]</n> He had given <n>[certain]</n> instructions to His <n>[specially]</n> selected apostles through <n>[the direction of]</n> the Holy Spirit.


text:
Now, following His death on the cross <n>[and His resurrection]</n>, Jesus appeared alive <n>[to His apostles]</n> for forty days, and demonstrated by many convincing proofs <n>[that He had been raised bodily from the dead]</n>. <n>[During that time]</n> He also spoke to them about the <n>[coming]</n> kingdom of God.


text:
<n>[One day, as He was]</n> gathered with these apostles, He urged them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there until they received what the Father had promised them. (Jesus had previously discussed this with them). <n>[See Luke 24:49]</n>.


text:
<n>[Jesus then said,]</n> “For John immersed you <n>[men]</n> in water but <n>[this time]</n> you will be immersed in the Holy Spirit, and <n>[it will happen]</n> in just a few more days.” <n>[See Matt. 3:11]</n>.


text:
When the apostles had come together, they asked <n>[Jesus]</n>, “Lord, are you ready to restore the kingdom <n>[of God]</n> to <n>[the nation of]</n> Israel <n>[at this time]</n>?”


text:
Jesus replied, “You are not permitted to know the <n>[specific]</n> time or date <n>[when this will happen]</n>. For the Father has appointed it <n>[to happen]</n> when He determines <n>[the right time]</n>.


text:
But, you apostles will receive power when the Holy Spirit descends on you and <n>[then]</n> you will become My witnesses <n>[i.e., to tell what you know]</n> in Jerusalem, in <n>[the countries of]</n> Judea and Samaria, and <n>[even]</n> to the distant regions of the earth.”


text:
And when Jesus had said these things, just as the apostles were watching <n>[Him]</n>, He was taken up by a cloud <n>[and disappeared]</n> out of their sight.


text:
And while they gazed up into the sky as He ascended, suddenly two men wearing white clothing appeared beside them


text:
and said, “You men from Galilee, why are you standing there looking up at the sky? This Jesus who was received up from your presence into the sky will return in the same way you saw Him go there.”


text:
Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the place called “Mount of Olives,” which was about three-fourths of a mile from Jerusalem.


text:
Upon arriving at the house where they were staying, they went upstairs. <n>[Those present were]</n>: Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James, the son of Alpheus, Simon the Zealous <n>[one]</n> and Judas, the son of James. <n>[Note: Judas Iscariot, the twelfth apostle, had already committed suicide]</n>.


text:
These men continued in united prayer <n>[for the kingdom to come (?); See 1:6; Matt. 6:10]</n> along with <n>[certain]</n> women, Mary the mother of Jesus and His <n>[half-]</n> brothers.


text:
<n>[He said]</n>, “Brothers, it was necessary that the Scriptures be fulfilled which the Holy Spirit spoke through King David about Judas, who guided the soldiers who came to arrest Jesus.


text:
(Now this man <n>[Judas]</n> paid for <n>[in a sense]</n> a <n>[burial]</n> field with the reward money he had received for his sinful act <n>[of betraying Jesus, See Matt. 27:3-10]</n>. <n>[Then, some time after Judas hanged himself, See Matt. 27:5]</n> he fell down headlong, <n>[his swollen body]</n> bursting so that his intestines gushed out.


text:
This incident became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem so that the <n>[burial]</n> field purchased with the reward money became known, in their own <n>[i.e., the Jewish]</n> language, as “Akeldama” <n>[an Aramaic word]</n>, which means “Field of Blood.”)


text:
“For it was written <n>[about Judas]</n> in the book of Psalms <n>[69:25]</n>: ‘Let the place where he lives become deserted, with no one living there’ and <n>[Psa. 109:8]</n> ‘Let someone else fill his ministry.’


text:
The person <n>[to replace Judas]</n> would have to be one of those who accompanied us <n>[disciples]</n> during the time the Lord traveled around with us,


text:
from His immersion by John <n>[the Immerser]</n> until He was received up from us <n>[in a cloud]</n>. Of these people <n>[we must choose]</n> someone to become a witness with us <n>[i.e., to tell people]</n> of Jesus' resurrection <n>[from the dead]</n>.”


text:
And so they presented two men <n>[for consideration]</n>: Joseph, called Barsabbas (and also called Justus) and Matthias.


text:
Then they prayed, “Lord, you know the inner thoughts of all men, so show us which one of these two men should be selected


text:
to replace Judas in this ministry and this group of apostles, from which he fell away to go to where he belonged” <n>[i.e., to the place of punishment for unrepentant sinners]</n>.


text:
So, they drew lots <n>[i.e., devices used for making random choices]</n> and the lot <n>[i.e., the choice]</n> favored Matthias, so he was added to the other eleven apostles.


text:
And when the day of Pentecost came <n>[Note: This was a Jewish festival held fifty days following the Passover Festival. Lev. 23:15-21]</n>, they <n>[i.e., the twelve apostles]</n> were all gathered together in one place <n>[i.e., probably the Temple area]</n>.


text:
Suddenly a rushing sound, like a fierce wind blowing, came from the sky above them, and <n>[its noise]</n> filled the entire house where they were sitting.


text:
And they <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n> were all filled with <n>[the power of]</n> the Holy Spirit and began to speak <n>[“the mighty accomplishments of God,” See verse 11]</n> in different languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them the ability.


text:
Now some devoted Jews from every nation of the world were visiting Jerusalem <n>[for the Pentecost festival]</n>.


text:
And when they heard the noise <n>[of the blowing wind]</n> a large number of them assembled <n>[around the apostles]</n> and were puzzled over how they could hear them speaking in their native languages.


text:
Being so amazed and astounded <n>[at some­thing so unusual happening]</n>, they exclaimed, “Look! are not all these men who are speaking from <n>[the country of]</n> Galilee?


text:
Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt and areas of Libya around Cyrene, Jewish and proselyte travelers from Rome,


text:
Cretans and Arabians. How can it be that we hear <n>[these apostles]</n> speaking about the mighty accomplishments of God in the language of our national origin?”


text:
And they were amazed and perplexed <n>[over this]</n> and began saying to one another, “What does all this mean?”


text:
But Peter <n>[responded by]</n> standing up with the eleven <n>[other]</n> apostles and, lifting up his voice, began to speak. He said, “People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, listen to what I am saying so you will understand this situation.


text:
For these men <n>[i.e., the twelve apostles]</n> are not drunk as you suppose, since it is only nine o'clock in the morning. <n>[Note: The use of Jewish time calculations are employed in this verse]</n>.


text:
But what you see happening is simply <n>[the fulfillment of]</n> what was predicted by the prophet Joel <n>[2:28ff]</n>,


text:
God said that ‘in the last days <n>[of the Jewish nation (?)]</n> I will pour out My Holy Spirit upon all people <n>[i.e., both Jews and Gentiles]</n>, and your sons and daughters will speak out <n>[in prophecies]</n> and your young men will see <n>[supernatural]</n> visions, and your old men will have <n>[supernatural]</n> dreams.


text:
Yes, and I will pour out my Holy Spirit on my male and female <n>[spiritual]</n> slaves in those days so that they will speak out in prophecies.


text:
And I will display miracles in the sky above and <n>[supernatural]</n> signs on the earth below <n>[consisting of]</n> blood, fire and smoky vapor.


text:
<n>[In that day]</n> the sun will become dark and the moon will <n>[appear]</n> as blood. <n>[This will all happen]</n> before the great and wonderful day when the Lord comes. <n>[Note: Some view these last two verses as a reference to events occurring at the end of time. See Matt. 24:29-30]</n>.


text:
And the time will come when every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’ <n>[i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]</n>.


text:
“You people of Israel, listen to this message: Jesus from Nazareth was a man whom God <n>[demonstrated]</n> His approval of by powerful deeds, miracles and <n>[supernatural]</n> signs which He accomplished through Jesus in your very presence --- and you all know this!


text:
Yet, He was handed over to you so that, by lawless men <n>[i.e., the Romans]</n>, He was put to death by crucifixion. Now this was all done in harmony with God's full pre-knowledge and <n>[divine]</n> purpose.


text:
But God raised Him up, having released Him from the sharp pains <n>[He experienced when dying]</n>, because it was not possible that He could be held in death’s grip.


text:
King David said this about Jesus <n>[Psa. 16:8ff]</n>, ‘I always see the Lord in front of me, He is at my right side for protection;


text:
therefore, I was glad in my heart, and my mouth expressed this <n>[joy]</n>. In addition, my body will live in hope <n>[of being raised]</n>


text:
because you <n>[i.e., God]</n> will not allow my soul <n>[i.e., this is a reference to Jesus]</n> to remain in Hades <n>[i.e., the unseen place of the departed spirits]</n>, neither will you allow <n>[the body of]</n> your Holy One to decay.


text:
You have made known to me what life is all about. You will make me completely happy by your very presence.’


text:
Brothers, I would like to speak very plainly about the patriarch David <n>[Note: A patriarch was the ruling father of the family]</n>. He died and was buried and his grave can be seen today.


text:
Since he was a prophet and knew that God had pledged His word that one of his <n>[i.e., David’s]</n> descendants would sit on his throne <n>[as king]</n>,


text:
David, foreseeing this, spoke of Christ being raised from the dead. <n>[He said Jesus’ spirit]</n> would not be left in the unseen place of departed spirits, nor would His body decay.


text:
So, God raised this Jesus up <n>[from the dead]</n> and we <n>[apostles]</n> are all witnesses <n>[of it]</n>.


text:
Jesus is <n>[now]</n> exalted at the right side of God, and having received the promised Holy Spirit from His Father, He has poured out what you have seen and heard <n>[here this day]</n>.


text:
Now David is not the one who ascended into heaven for he <n>[spoke of Jesus when he]</n> said <n>[Psa. 110:1]</n>, 'The Lord <n>[i.e., God]</n> said to my <n>[i.e., David’s]</n> Lord <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, sit at my right side


text:
Therefore, let all those who make up the household of Israel <n>[i.e., God’s people]</n> know with certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”


text:
Now when the people heard this message <n>[of Peter and the other apostles, See verse 14]</n>, they were convicted <n>[of its truth]</n> in their hearts and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do <n>[about our condemned condition]</n>?”


text:
And Peter replied, “Every one of you must repent <n>[i.e., change your hearts and lives]</n> and be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ <n>[i.e., by His authority]</n> so that your sins will be forgiven <n>[by God]</n> and then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit <n>[to live in your hearts]</n>.


text:
For the promise <n>[of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit]</n> is being given to you <n>[Jews]</n> and to your descendants and <n>[also]</n> to all those who are far away <n>[i.e., Gentiles. See Eph. 2:17]</n>. <n>[This promise is]</n> to as many as <n>[respond to]</n> the Lord, our God’s call <n>[through the Gospel, See II Thess. 2:14]</n>.”


text:
So, Peter testified and urged the crowd with many additional words, saying, “Save yourselves from <n>[the condemnation coming on]</n> this sinful generation <n>[by responding to this message]</n>.”


text:
Then those who responded <n>[by faith]</n> to the words <n>[spoken by Peter and the apostles]</n> were immersed, and about three thousand persons were added to them <n>[i.e., the apostles]</n> on that day.


text:
And these <n>[new converts]</n> continued regularly <n>[to listen]</n> to the teaching of the apostles and to share with them; they broke bread <n>[in memory of Jesus]</n> and continued praying.


text:
Everyone <n>[who saw this happen]</n> was filled with awe at the many miracles and <n>[supernatural]</n> signs performed by the apostles.


text:
They sold their belongings and property and divided <n>[the money]</n> among all <n>[the believers]</n> according to each one’s need.


text:
And every day they continued to meet together in the Temple <n>[i.e., for teaching and worship]</n>. They were enjoying their meals and the close fellowship they shared in the various homes, and were


text:
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people <n>[of the area]</n>. And every day the Lord added to their number <n>[i.e., to the church]</n> those who were being saved <n>[i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel]</n>.


text:
Now Peter and John were going to the Temple at three o’clock one afternoon <n>[Note: Jewish time calculations are employed here]</n>, during the regular <n>[Jewish]</n> prayer hour.


text:
<n>[On their way]</n> they met a certain man who had been crippled from birth. Every day he had been carried <n>[by friends]</n> and placed at the “Beautiful Gate” <n>[as it was called]</n> of the Temple <n>[enclosure]</n> where he begged for money from those entering the Temple.


text:
Peter looked directly at the man and, together with John, said <n>[to him]</n>, “Look <n>[at me]</n>.”


text:
But instead, Peter said, “I do not have any money <n>[i.e., silver or gold]</n>, but I will give you what I do have. In the name of Jesus from Nazareth <n>[i.e., by His authority]</n>, get up and walk.”


text:
And Peter took him by his right hand and lifted him up. Immediately the man's feet and ankles became strong <n>[enough to walk on]</n>.


text:
He <n>[then]</n> jumped up, stood on his feet and began to walk. And <n>[as]</n> he entered the Temple with Peter and John he was able to walk and <n>[even]</n> jump, while praising God <n>[for his complete healing]</n>.


text:
And all the people <n>[there in the Temple area]</n> saw him walking and <n>[heard him]</n> praising God.


text:
And they recognized him as the same person who had sat at the “Beautiful Gate” of the Temple begging for money, and they were filled with wonder and amazement over what had happened to him.


text:
And as this <n>[former]</n> crippled man stayed close beside Peter and John, all the people rushed toward them at “Solomon’s Portico” <n>[Note: This was a large covered area, with rows of columns, on the side of the Temple enclosure]</n>, completely astonished <n>[at what had happened]</n>.


text:
And when Peter saw <n>[the crowd assembling]</n> he gave this explanation: “Men of Israel, why are you so shocked at <n>[what happened to]</n> this man? And why are you gazing at us, as though it were by our power or godly qualities that we caused him to walk?


text:
The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob --- the God of our forefathers --- has highly honored His servant Jesus, whom you people turned over <n>[to the Roman authorities]</n> and denied <n>[Him freedom]</n> in the presence of <n>[governor]</n> Pilate, who had already decided to release Him.


text:
But you denied the Holy and Righteous One <n>[His rightful freedom]</n> and asked for a murderer to be released to you <n>[instead]</n>.


text:
<n>[Then, at the hands of the Roman authorities]</n> you killed the Prince of <n>[never ending]</n> life, but God raised Him from the dead, and we <n>[apostles]</n> were <n>[reliable]</n> witnesses of it.


text:
And by <n>[means of]</n> the name <n>[of Jesus]</n>, that is, by faith in the <n>[power of His]</n> name, this <n>[crippled]</n> man, whom you now see and know, was healed. Yes, it is the faith that comes through Jesus that is responsible for this man’s perfect health, as you now all see.


text:
“And now brothers, I know that <n>[both]</n> you and your <n>[Jewish]</n> rulers acted in ignorance <n>[of what you were really doing]</n>.


text:
But this is the way God fulfilled the things which He had predicted through the prophets about the suffering of Christ.


text:
Therefore, you people <n>[must]</n> repent <n>[i.e., change your hearts and lives]</n> and turn <n>[back]</n> again <n>[to God]</n> so that your sins will be blotted out and so that you may enjoy times of <n>[spiritual]</n> refreshment from the presence of the Lord <n>[i.e., through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit]</n>.


text:
And <n>[also]</n> that God may send Christ <n>[to you]</n>, the One whom He has appointed for you <n>[i.e., for your benefit]</n>. This <n>[is]</n> Jesus,


text:
who must be received into heaven until <n>[God’s appointed]</n> times when everything will be restored <n>[to its intended purpose]</n>. God had spoken about this through the proclamations of His holy prophets of long ago.


text:
Moses <n>[expressed it when he]</n> said <n>[Deut. 18:15]</n>, ‘The Lord God will raise up a prophet for you from among your brothers; He will be like me <n>[in some ways]</n> and you must all pay attention to Him in everything He says to you.’


text:
<n>[Deut. 18:19 says]</n>, ‘And it will be <n>[at that time]</n> that every person who does not listen to that prophet will be completely destroyed <n>[spiritually]</n> from among <n>[God’s]</n> people.’


text:
You people are descendants of these prophets and <n>[recipients]</n> of the Agreement God made with your forefathers when He said to Abraham <n>[Gen. 12:3]</n>, ‘And through your seed <n>[i.e., your descendant Jesus]</n> all the people of the earth will receive the blessings <n>[of God]</n>.’


text:
You <n>[Jews]</n> were the first ones to receive this blessing when God raised up <n>[i.e., selected]</n> His Servant <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> and sent Him to turn all of you <n>[away]</n> from your sins.”


text:
As they were speaking to the <n>[crowd of]</n> people, the <n>[Jewish]</n> priests, the captain of the Temple <n>[guard]</n> and the Sadducees <n>[i.e., a sect of the Jewish religion]</n> approached them


text:
and were greatly disturbed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming that Jesus had been raised from the dead.


text:
So, these <n>[Jewish]</n> leaders arrested Peter and John and put them in jail until the next day because it was <n>[already]</n> evening.


text:
But many of the people who heard the message <n>[of God]</n> believed <n>[in Jesus]</n> and the number of men <n>[alone]</n> came to be about five thousand.


text:
And the next day the <n>[Jewish]</n> rulers, elders and teachers of the Law of Moses gathered together in Jerusalem.


text:
<n>[They were]</n>: Annas, the head priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and all the head priest’s family <n>[members]</n>.


text:
And when these men had Peter and John brought before them, they asked, “By whose authority or in what name have you done this thing <n>[i.e., healed the crippled man]</n>?”


text:
if we are being questioned today concerning how this man with a serious handicap was made completely well,


text:
we want you men and all the people of Israel to know that this man was made completely well through the name of Jesus Christ from Nazareth. <n>[He is the One]</n> whom you people put to death on the cross, but God raised from the dead.


text:
He is that <n>[Psa. 118:22]</n>, ‘stone that was rejected by you builders but was made the principal stone by which the entire building is aligned.’


text:
And there is salvation in no other One <n>[than Jesus]</n> for there is no other Name in the whole world, proclaimed by men, by which <n>[a person]</n> can be saved.”


text:
Now when these men saw how boldly Peter and John spoke, and perceived that they were uneducated and <n>[even]</n> ignorant men, they were quite surprised; then they recognized that they had been with Jesus.


text:
And when they saw the healed man standing there with Peter and John, there was nothing they could say <n>[to refute the obvious miracle]</n>.


text:
But when the Council <n>[of Jewish leaders]</n> made Peter and John leave <n>[the meeting]</n>, they discussed the matter among themselves,


text:
saying, “What should we do to these men? For we cannot deny that a significant miracle was performed by them, and everybody living in Jerusalem knows it.


text:
But we do not want this <n>[teaching]</n> to spread any further so let us threaten them <n>[and demand]</n> that they do not speak to anyone about Jesus anymore.”


text:
And so they called Peter and John in and warned them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus <n>[anymore]</n>.


text:
But Peter and John replied, “You decide whether it is right before God to listen to you men or to Him;


text:
And when the Council had threatened them some more, they <n>[finally]</n> released them because they could not find any reason to punish them. <n>[Actually]</n> they were worried about how the people felt <n>[about the matter]</n>, since everybody was giving honor to God for the miracle that had been performed.


text:
So, after Peter and John were released, they went <n>[back to the other disciples]</n> and reported everything the leading priests and elders <n>[of the Jews]</n> had said to them.


text:
And when the disciples heard this report they united their voices to God in prayer <n>[saying]</n>: “O, Lord, You made the heaven, the earth, the sea and everything in them.


text:
<n>[You]</n> said, through the Holy Spirit and by means of <n>[the inspired writings of]</n> our forefather David, your servant, <n>[Psa. 2:1-2]</n>, ‘Why did the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles rage <n>[at the Messiah]</n>, and the people <n>[of Israel]</n> devise useless plans <n>[for opposing Christ]</n>?


text:
The kings of the earth <n>[i.e., Herod and Pilate]</n> took their stand <n>[against Jesus]</n>, and the rulers <n>[of the Jews]</n> gathered against the Lord and against His Anointed One <n>[i.e., Christ]</n>.’


text:
For <n>[truly]</n> it was both Herod and Pontius Pilate, together with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, who gathered together in this city <n>[of Jerusalem]</n> against your Holy Servant Jesus


text:
So, now Lord, take account of the threats <n>[of these Jewish leaders]</n> and give your servants all the boldness <n>[we need]</n> to speak your message,


text:
while you perform <n>[miraculous]</n> healings and signs and wonders through the name <n>[i.e., by the authority]</n> of your Holy Servant Jesus.”


text:
And after they had prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and these disciples were all filled with <n>[the power of]</n> the Holy Spirit and they were able to speak the message of God with boldness.


text:
So, the large number of believers was united in heart and soul <n>[i.e., mind and spirit]</n> and not one of them said that anything he owned <n>[really]</n> belonged to him, but they shared all things in common.


text:
And the apostles testified concerning the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with great power, and the favor <n>[of God]</n> was upon all of them.


text:
And no one lacked anything, for all who owned property or houses sold <n>[some of]</n> them and brought the money


text:
And Joseph, who was called by the apostles, Barnabas (which means “son of encouragement”), was a descendant of the Jewish tribe of Levi, whose family originated from <n>[the island of]</n> Cyprus.


text:
He owned a field, but <n>[due to the great need]</n> sold it and brought the money and gave it to the apostles <n>[for distribution]</n>.


text:
and brought <n>[only]</n> a part of the selling price and gave it to the apostles; but the man and his wife had kept this a secret.


text:
But Peter said to Ananias, “Why has Satan filled your heart <n>[causing you]</n> to deceive the Holy Spirit by keeping back part of the selling price of the land <n>[while representing it as the full price]</n>?


text:
While you owned it, was it not yours? Then after you sold it, did you not <n>[still]</n> have control over <n>[what you did with]</n> the money? Why did you decide in your heart to do such a thing? You <n>[really]</n> have not lied to men, but to God <n>[about this matter]</n>.”


text:
When Ananias heard these words he fell dead <n>[instantly]</n> and his spirit left his body, <n>[causing]</n> everyone who heard <n>[about it]</n> to be gripped with fear.


text:
And Peter said to her, “Tell me, did you sell the land for such and such a price?” She answered, “Yes, we did.”


text:
Then Peter said to her, “Why did you agree together <n>[with your husband]</n> to put the Holy Spirit of the Lord to the test? Look, the ones who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out <n>[to bury you, too]</n>.”


text:
And instantly she fell dead right in front of him, and her spirit left her body. <n>[Just then the]</n> young men came in and found her dead. They carried her out and buried her with her husband.


text:
And many <n>[miraculous]</n> signs and wonders were performed through the apostles’ hands in front of the people. And all <n>[the disciples]</n> were united together in “Solomon's Portico” <n>[See 3:11]</n>.


text:
But none <n>[of the outsiders]</n> dared to associate with the disciples, yet the <n>[majority of the]</n> people commended them.


text:
And more and more believers in the Lord, both men and women, were <n>[being]</n> added to the <n>[people of the]</n> Lord.


text:
<n>[One of the miracles performed was that]</n> sick people were even carried into the streets on beds and couches so that, as he passed them, Peter’s shadow would fall on someone <n>[in hope of it producing a miraculous healing]</n>.


text:
Large crowds also came from the towns surrounding Jerusalem, bringing people who were sick and those troubled by evil spirits, and all of them were <n>[miraculously]</n> healed.


text:
But an angel from the Lord one night <n>[miraculously]</n> opened the jail doors and released them, saying,


text:
“You men, go and stand in the Temple and speak to all the people words about this Life <n>[i.e., about Jesus]</n>.” <n>[See John 14:6]</n>.


text:
And when the apostles heard this, they entered the Temple about dawn and began teaching <n>[about Jesus]</n>. <n>[A little later]</n> the head priest and the Sadducees <n>[see verse 17]</n> called the Council <n>[i.e., the Sanhedrin]</n> and all of the ruling body of Jewish leaders together and sent to the jail to have the apostles brought in to them <n>[for further questioning]</n>.


text:
But when the officers arrived at the jail the apostles were gone, so they returned to the Council and reported,


text:
“We found the jail securely locked, with guards on duty at the doors, but when we went inside there was no one there!”


text:
Now when the captain of the Temple <n>[guard]</n> and the leading priests heard about this, they became frustrated over how far this <n>[teaching]</n> would <n>[eventually]</n> spread.


text:
<n>[Just then]</n> someone came in and said, “Look, the men you put in jail are <n>[now]</n> standing in the Temple teaching people.”


text:
<n>[Immediately]</n> the captain, with his officers, went <n>[to the Temple]</n> and brought the apostles back again, but did not use any violence because they feared that the people might stone them.


text:
And so they brought them in <n>[to their headquarters]</n> to appear before the Council <n>[for questioning]</n>. The head priest spoke to them, <n>[saying]</n>,


text:
“We strictly commanded you not to teach in this name <n>[i.e., the name of Jesus]</n> and look <n>[what you have done]</n>; you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and you intend to hold us responsible for this man’s <n>[i.e., Jesus']</n> death.”


text:
But Peter and the apostles answered them, “We must obey God instead of <n>[you]</n> men <n>[in this situation]</n>.


text:
The God of our forefathers raised up Jesus <n>[from the dead]</n>, whom you put to death by hanging Him on a tree <n>[i.e., the cross]</n>.


text:
But God exalted Him at His right side to be a Prince and Savior and to give the people of Israel <n>[an opportunity]</n> to repent <n>[i.e., change their hearts and lives]</n> and <n>[receive]</n> forgiveness of <n>[their]</n> sins <n>[through Him]</n>.


text:
We apostles are witnesses of these things and so is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to every person who obeys Him.”


text:
But when the Jewish officials heard this, they were deeply convicted in their hearts and determined to kill the apostles.


text:
But <n>[then]</n> Gamaliel, a Council member, who was a Pharisee <n>[i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]</n>, and an expert in the Law of Moses and highly regarded by all the people, stood up and ordered the apostles to step outside <n>[of the Council meeting]</n> briefly.


text:
And he said <n>[to the Council members]</n>, “Men of Israel, be careful how you deal with these men.


text:
For <n>[remember that]</n> some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be someone <n>[important]</n>, and that about four hundred people rallied <n>[to his cause]</n>, but he was killed and all his men left him and nothing ever came of it.


text:
Later on another man, named Judas of Galilee, appeared during the census <n>[Note: The time and circumstances of this census were probably known to the original readers]</n>, and led <n>[a group of]</n> people away after him, but he also was killed and all of his followers were scattered.


text:
And so now I say, hold off your accusations and let these men alone, for if their planning and effort is <n>[merely]</n> of human origin, it will be defeated,


text:
but if <n>[it happens to be]</n> of God, you will not be able to defeat them. And <n>[if you try to]</n>, you may <n>[actually]</n> be fighting against <n>[the work of]</n> God.”


text:
And so the Council agreed <n>[with Gamaliel's advice]</n> and when they called the apostles back in, they had them beaten and ordered them never to speak in the name of Jesus <n>[again]</n>; then they released them.


text:
When the apostles left the Council meeting, they were rejoicing over being considered worthy to suffer <n>[such]</n> shame for the name <n>[of Jesus]</n>.


text:
So, every day, they never stopped teaching and preaching that Jesus was the Christ <n>[i.e., God’s specially chosen one]</n>, in the Temple and in private homes.


text:
Now during the days when the disciples were multiplying in number <n>[in Jerusalem. See verse 7]</n>, some Greek-<n>[speaking]</n> Jews began to complain to the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution <n>[of food]</n>.


text:
So, the twelve apostles called the whole group of disciples together and said to them, “It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to serve meals <n>[to people]</n>.


text:
Brothers, select from among you seven men with good reputations, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to take care of this matter.


text:
This arrangement pleased the whole group, so they selected Stephen, a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas and Nicolaus, a proselyte <n>[i.e., convert to the Jewish religion]</n> from Antioch.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> they presented these men to the apostles, who prayed for them while placing their hands on them <n>[to signify their appointment]</n>.


text:
So, the message of God increased <n>[in its influence]</n> and the disciples multiplied in number greatly in Jerusalem, <n>[so that even]</n> a large number of <n>[Jewish]</n> priests became obedient to <n>[the message of]</n> the faith.


text:
And Stephen <n>[i.e., one of the seven men chosen to minister to widows, verse 5]</n>, who was full of <n>[God’s]</n> favor and power, performed great wonders and <n>[miraculous]</n> signs in front of the <n>[Jewish]</n> people.


text:
But several men from the synagogue, made up of freed slaves from Cyrene, Alexandria, Cilicia and Asia, began arguing with Stephen.


text:
But they could not stand up to the wisdom and <n>[power of]</n> the Holy Spirit by which Stephen spoke.


text:
Then they enlisted men to say <n>[i.e., to testify falsely against Stephen, verse 13]</n>, “We heard him criticizing Moses and <n>[even]</n> God.”


text:
And they stirred up the people, the elders and the teachers of the Law of Moses and searched for him, seized him and brought him before the Council.


text:
They had arranged for the false witnesses to say, “This man will not stop speaking against the Temple and the Law of Moses,


text:
for we <n>[ourselves]</n> heard him saying that this Jesus from Nazareth would destroy the Temple and change the customs handed down to us by Moses.”


text:
And he answered, “Brothers and fathers, listen to me: Our glorious God appeared to our forefather Abraham when he was in Mesopotamia, <n>[even]</n> before he lived in Haran


text:
“So, he left Chaldea <n>[i.e., Mesopotamia]</n>, and lived in Haran, and after his father died he was sent <n>[by God]</n> to this country where you people now live.


text:
But God gave him no inheritance <n>[here at that time]</n>, no, not even a place <n>[of his own]</n> to stand on. Yet God promised that He would <n>[someday]</n> give it to him and to his descendants after him <n>[i.e., the Israelites]</n>, as a <n>[permanent]</n> possession, even though <n>[at that time]</n> he had no child yet.


text:
And God had spoken about this <n>[beforehand]</n> by saying that Abraham’s descendants would live in a foreign country and that they would <n>[eventually]</n> be ill-treated as slaves for four hundred years.


text:
And God said, ‘I will judge the nation <n>[i.e., Egypt]</n> that enslaves them and <n>[then]</n> after my people are liberated, they will serve me in this place <n>[i.e., Pales-tine]</n>.’


text:
And God gave Abraham the Agreement which required circumcision <n>[as an identifying mark]</n> so when Abraham fathered Isaac he circumcised him when he was eight days old. Then Isaac had a son, Jacob; and Jacob had <n>[as sons]</n> the twelve patriarchs <n>[i.e., ruling fathers of families]</n>.


text:
“<n>[And when]</n> these patriarchs, <n>[still living in Canaan as young men]</n>, became jealous of <n>[their brother]</n> Joseph, they sold him <n>[as a slave to traveling merchants who took him]</n> to Egypt. But God was with him <n>[during all that time]</n>,


text:
and rescued him from all his troubles and granted him favor and wisdom in the sight of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, who made him a governor over Egypt and his <n>[i.e., the king’s]</n> household.


text:
“Now a great famine occurred all over Egypt and Canaan, causing extreme hardships, and our forefathers did not have enough to live on.


text:
But when Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent his sons <n>[down there]</n> on their first trip.


text:
On their second trip Joseph identified himself to his brothers, and Pharaoh was made aware of his origins.


text:
Their bodies were carried back <n>[from Egypt]</n> to Shechem and buried in the tomb that Abraham had purchased in Shechem from the sons of Hamor for a sum of silver. <n>[Note: "Shechem" was a town in Israel, the country which in New Testament times was known as Samaria]</n>.


text:
“But as the time when <n>[the fulfillment of]</n> the promise <n>[God had made]</n> to Abraham approached, the number of people <n>[i.e., Hebrews]</n> in Egypt grew


text:
This king exploited the Hebrews and mistreated our forefathers, even requiring that they abandon their <n>[small]</n> babies, leaving them to die <n>[See Exodus 1:22]</n>.


text:
“It was at that time that Moses was born, and he was a very handsome child. He was cared for in his father’s home for three months


text:
and then, when he was abandoned <n>[as the Egyptians required]</n>, the daughter of Pharaoh took him in and cared for him as her own son.


text:
Now Moses was educated according to all the wisdom of the Egyptians and became an accomplished speaker and an effective leader.


text:
But when he was about forty years old he felt led to visit his relatives, the Israelites <n>[i.e., called Hebrews at that time]</n>.


text:
And when Moses observed one <n>[of his relatives]</n> being mistreat­ed, he came to his defense by hitting the Egyptian,


text:
assuming his relatives would understand that God was using him to rescue them <n>[from such abuse]</n>, but they did not <n>[seem to]</n> understand.


text:
The next day Moses came across a couple of his relatives who were fighting and tried to settle their dispute by saying, ‘Brothers, since you are fellow-countrymen, why are you hurting each other?’


text:
But the one who was trying to harm his neighbor pushed Moses away saying, ‘Who gave you the right to act as a ruler and judge over us?


text:
When Moses heard this, he ran away and traveled to the country of Midian where he settled down and had two sons.


text:
“Then after <n>[another]</n> forty years passed, an angel appeared to him <n>[one day]</n> out of a flaming bush in the wilderness near Mt. Sinai.


text:
Moses marveled at the sight <n>[of the burning bush]</n> and, as he went to look at it more closely, the voice of the Lord spoke out,


text:
‘I am the God of your forefathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.’ Moses shook with fear, not <n>[even]</n> wanting to look <n>[at the bush]</n>.


text:
And the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your shoes, <n>[Moses]</n>, for the place you are standing on is holy ground.


text:
I have surely seen the mistreatment of my people there in Egypt and I have heard their groaning and I have determined to rescue them. Now <n>[get ready]</n>, I will send you to Egypt <n>[to lead out in their rescue]</n>.’


text:
But the Hebrews refused <n>[to acknowledge Moses as their leader]</n>, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and judge <n>[over us]</n>?’ <n>[Nevertheless]</n>, God sent him <n>[to Egypt]</n> to be both a ruler and liberator <n>[of the people]</n> through the direction of <n>[His]</n> angel who appeared <n>[to Moses]</n> from the bush.


text:
This man led them out <n>[of Egypt]</n>, performing wonders and <n>[miraculous]</n> signs in Egypt, at the Red Sea and in the wilderness for forty years.


text:
“This is the Moses who had said to the Israelites <n>[Deut. 18:15]</n>, ‘God will raise up a prophet from among your countrymen who will be like me <n>[in some ways]</n>.’


text:
This is the man who was with our forefathers and with the assembly <n>[of Hebrews]</n> in the wilderness <n>[after]</n> the angel had spoken to him at Mt. Sinai. He <n>[is the one]</n> who received the living messages <n>[from God at Mt. Sinai]</n> and gave them to us.


text:
<n>[And yet]</n> our forefathers refused to obey him, but rejected <n>[his leadership]</n> and turned back to Egypt in their hearts.


text:
They said to Aaron <n>[i.e., Moses' brother]</n>, ‘Make gods to lead us, because we do not know what happened to this Moses who led us when we first left the country of Egypt.’


text:
And so the people fashioned a calf <n>[out of gold]</n> and offered <n>[an animal]</n> sacrifice to this idol and <n>[then]</n> celebrated joyously over what they had done <n>[See Exodus 32:4-6; 17-19]</n>.


text:
But God turned <n>[away from them]</n> and allowed them to worship heavenly bodies <n>[i.e., stars]</n>, just as it was written in the prophet <n>[Amos 5:25ff]</n>, ‘Did you offer me slain animals as sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, you Israelites?


text:
<n>[No]</n>, you set up a tent for Moloch <n>[i.e., a heathen idol worshiped by the Ammonites]</n> and <n>[another one for]</n> the star <n>[representing the false god]</n> Rephan and images used in worshiping them. I will allow you to be transported beyond <n>[the country of]</n> Babylon.’


text:
“Our forefathers had the Tabernacle of the Testimony in the wilderness <n>[i.e., the tent containing the Ten Commandments]</n>, which God instructed Moses to make according to the model he was shown.


text:
Our forefathers also brought this Tabernacle with them under Joshua’s leadership when they entered <n>[Canaan]</n> to occupy the land of these Gentile nations. God removed these nations as our forefathers advanced through the land, up until the reign of King David,


text:
who found favor in God’s sight and asked for permission to build a <n>[special]</n> house for the God of Jacob’s <n>[descendants]</n> to live in.


text:
However, the Highest <n>[i.e., God]</n> does not live in a house made by human beings, as the prophet said <n>[Isaiah 66:1ff]</n>,


text:
‘Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footrest. What kind of a house do you plan to build for me? the Lord asked. Or what sort of a place is suitable for me to rest in?


text:
“You people are unbending and unrepentant in your hearts and <n>[unwilling to listen with]</n> your ears. You are always resisting <n>[the desires of]</n> the Holy Spirit just like your forefathers did.


text:
Which one of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? They <n>[even]</n> killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, whom you people betrayed and murdered.


text:
You received the law that was ordained through <n>[the medium of]</n> angels <n>[See Gal. 3:19]</n> and yet have not obeyed its requirements.”


text:
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw God’s splendor and Jesus standing at His right side.


text:
They threw him out of the city and stoned him <n>[to death]</n>. Those who witnessed <n>[the incident]</n> placed their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.


text:
So, they stoned Stephen <n>[to death]</n> as he called out to the Lord, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit <n>[as I die]</n>.”


text:
Then he kneeled down and called out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold them responsible for this sin <n>[of killing me]</n>.” And when he said this he fell asleep <n>[in death]</n>.


text:
And Saul was in full agreement with Stephen being put to death. And a great persecution broke out against the Jerusalem church, and all the disciples, except the apostles, were scattered throughout the districts of Judea and Samaria.


text:
But Saul brought devastation to the church by entering everyone’s house and dragging men and women off to jail.


text:
Now the disciples, who had become scattered all over, went everywhere preaching the message <n>[of God]</n>.


text:
Great crowds of people joined together in accepting Philip’s message when they heard and saw the <n>[miraculous]</n> signs he was able to perform.


text:
Evil spirits came out, with loud shrieks, from many persons and large numbers of people were healed of their paralysis and crippled conditions.


text:
But a certain man named Simon, from there in Samaria, who had been amazing the people with his magical powers, was claiming to be someone great.


text:
Everyone, from the least to the greatest <n>[in importance]</n>, was being impressed by him. They were saying, “This man is being called Great <n>[and has]</n> power from God.”


text:
And people were paying attention to him because he had been amazing them with his magic for a long time.


text:
When people believed the good news about God’s kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, which Philip was preaching, both men and women were immersed <n>[in water]</n>.


text:
And <n>[this]</n> Simon also believed <n>[Philip’s message]</n> and was immersed. <n>[After that]</n> he continued <n>[to travel]</n> with Philip and was amazed by the <n>[supernatural]</n> signs and great miracles he saw <n>[him perform]</n>.


text:
Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that the people of Samaria had responded to the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them.


text:
When these two apostles had come <n>[to Samaria]</n> they prayed for some <n>[of the disciples]</n> to receive <n>[miraculous power from]</n> the Holy Spirit,


text:
for as yet <n>[such power]</n> had not fallen on any of them; they had only been immersed into the name of the Lord Jesus <n>[i.e., with no accompanying miraculous powers]</n>.


text:
Then the apostles placed their hands on <n>[some of]</n> them <n>[and prayed, see verse 15]</n> and they received <n>[miraculous power from]</n> the Holy Spirit.


text:
Now when Simon saw that through the placing of the apostles’ hands <n>[on people]</n> the Holy Spirit was given <n>[Note: The fact that Simon “saw” something happen suggests it was supernatural and therefore highly desirable by Simon]</n>, he offered to pay them money <n>[for this power]</n>,


text:
saying, “Give me also the ability to place my hands on people <n>[and pray]</n> so that they will receive <n>[the miraculous power of]</n> the Holy Spirit.”


text:
But Peter said to him, “You and your money will both be destroyed for thinking you could buy this gift from God with money.


text:
So, repent <n>[i.e., change your heart and life]</n> of such a terrible thing and pray for the Lord to forgive you for even thinking of such a thing. Perhaps He will <n>[if you are really sincere]</n>.


text:
For I can see that your life is as bitter gall <n>[i.e., very evil]</n> and you are enslaved by <n>[your]</n> sins.”


text:
And Simon answered, “<n>[Please]</n> pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said about me will <n>[really]</n> happen.”


text:
When Peter and John had testified <n>[regarding the truth]</n> and had proclaimed the message of God <n>[to the people]</n> they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the good news <n>[about Jesus]</n> in many Samaritan villages <n>[on their way back]</n>.


text:
<n>[Meanwhile]</n> an angel <n>[sent]</n> from the Lord spoke to Philip and said, “Get up and travel south on the road from Jerusalem to Gaza; that is a deserted region.”


text:
So, he went and <n>[eventually]</n> came across a man who was the Ethiopian Queen Candace’s treasurer. He was a high official and was also a eunuch <n>[Note: This was a man without normal sexual activity]</n>, who had been to Jerusalem to worship <n>[i.e., probably as a Jewish proselyte]</n>.


text:
He was returning <n>[to his home in Ethiopia]</n> and was sitting in his chariot <n>[Note: Chariots were stopped on long journeys occasionally for resting, eating, reading, etc.]</n> reading <n>[a scroll of]</n> the prophet Isaiah.


text:
So, Philip ran over to it and <n>[when he got near enough]</n> he heard the Ethiopian eunuch reading from Isaiah the prophet and asked him, “Do you understand what you are reading?”


text:
And the man replied, “How can I, except with someone’s guidance?” Then he urged Philip to come and sit with him <n>[in the chariot]</n>.


text:
Now the passage of Scripture he was reading said <n>[Isa. 53:7ff]</n>, “He was led out to be slaughtered as a sheep; He made no sound, just like a lamb when it was being sheared.


text:
He was subjected to <n>[terrible]</n> humiliation and deprived of justice. Who will <n>[there be to]</n> trace His descendants, since His life was taken from Him, <n>[leaving no posterity]</n>.”


text:
The <n>[Ethiopian]</n> eunuch then asked Philip “Please tell me, is the prophet <n>[Isaiah]</n> writing about himself or about someone else?”


text:
So, Philip opened his mouth, and beginning <n>[his message]</n> from this Scripture <n>[passage]</n>, he preached to him <n>[about]</n> Jesus.


text:
As they <n>[i.e., Philip, the Ethiopian eunuch and his attendants]</n> traveled along they came to a certain <n>[body of]</n> water. The <n>[Ethiopian]</n> eunuch said, “Look, here is <n>[a body of]</n> water, why can’t I be immersed <n>[right now]</n>?”


text:
So, the eunuch ordered the chariot to be stopped; then both Philip and the <n>[Ethiopian]</n> eunuch went down into the water and Philip immersed the eunuch <n>[into Christ]</n>.


text:
And when they came up out of the water, the Holy Spirit of the Lord <n>[supernaturally (?)]</n> directed Philip to go elsewhere and the eunuch did not see him anymore, as he continued on his journey rejoicing.


text:
But <n>[later on]</n> Philip appeared at Azotus and after leaving there he preached the good news <n>[of Jesus]</n> to all the towns along the way until he reached Caesarea. <n>[Note: Caesarea was a town on the west coast of Palestine, named after the emperor Caesar]</n>.


text:
With every breath <n>[it seemed]</n>, Saul <n>[expressed his desire to]</n> threaten and murder the Lord’s disciples and <n>[even]</n> went to the head priest


text:
to ask for letters <n>[authorizing him to go]</n> to Damascus and to enter <n>[Jewish]</n> synagogues looking for people of “the Way” <n>[Note: This was a designation for Christians at that time]</n>. And if he found any, whether men or women, he would tie them up and take them to Jerusalem.


text:
And when he got close to Damascus, suddenly a <n>[bright, See 22:6]</n> light from the sky shone all around him.


text:
but get up, and enter the city <n>[of Damascus]</n> and <n>[there]</n> you will be told what you must do.”


text:
And the men who were traveling with Saul were speechless, having heard the sound, but not seeing anyone.


text:
Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes but could not see anything, so had to be led by the hand into Damascus.


text:
Now <n>[in the meantime]</n> the Lord spoke in a vision to a certain disciple named Ananias <n>[who lived]</n> in Damascus. He called to him by name, “Ananias.” “Yes, Lord, here I am” Ananias replied.


text:
The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to Straight Street and ask for a person named Saul, from Tarsus, at the home of Judas; you will find him <n>[there]</n> praying.”


text:
(Now Saul had seen <n>[in a vision]</n> a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him, restoring his sight).


text:
But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about how much harm this man has done to your holy people at Jerusalem.


text:
And <n>[now]</n> he is here with authority from the leading priests to tie up <n>[and imprison]</n> everyone who calls on your name.”


text:
But the Lord replied to him, “Go on your way, for Saul is someone I have especially chosen to carry my name to the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles, kings and the Israelites.


text:
So, Ananias left and went to Judas’ house and placed his hands on Saul saying, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you as you were traveling on the road <n>[to Damascus]</n> sent me so you could receive your sight <n>[back]</n> and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”


text:
And suddenly, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and his sight was <n>[immediately]</n> restored. So, he got up and was immersed <n>[See 22:16]</n>;


text:
then ate a meal and received strength. And he stayed on for a number of days with the disciples at Damascus.


text:
And so Saul began proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God in the synagogues <n>[of the Damascus area]</n>.


text:
And everyone who heard him was amazed and exclaimed, “Is this not the man who tried to destroy all the people who called on <n>[Jesus’]</n> name in Jerusalem and has now come here <n>[to Damascus]</n> for the purpose of arresting them and bringing them before the leading priests?”


text:
But Saul was strengthened <n>[spiritually]</n> and proceeded to confound the Jews living <n>[there]</n> in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.


text:
but he found out about their plan. And so they watched the gates <n>[of the city]</n> day and night <n>[looking for their chance]</n> to kill him.


text:
<n>[However]</n>, his disciples lowered him in a basket over the <n>[city]</n> wall at night <n>[and so he escaped]</n>.


text:
And when he came <n>[back]</n> to Jerusalem, Saul attempted to associate himself with the disciples but they were afraid of him <n>[because of his past]</n>, and could not believe that he was a <n>[true]</n> disciple.


text:
So, Barnabas brought him to the <n>[other]</n> apostles and explained to them how he had seen the Lord <n>[while]</n> traveling on the road <n>[to Damascus]</n> and how he had boldly preached in the name of Jesus in that city.


text:
preaching boldly in the name of the Lord <n>[and]</n> speaking and arguing with the Greek-<n>[speaking]</n> Jews, but they were out to kill him.


text:
And when the brothers <n>[in the Jerusalem church]</n> learned about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and then sent him on to Tarsus, <n>[his home town]</n>.


text:
So, the church throughout all of Judea, Galilee and Samaria was multiplied in number, enjoyed peace, was built up <n>[spiritually]</n> and lived in awe of the Lord and was comforted by the Holy Spirit.


text:
Then after that, Peter traveled throughout the entire region until he came down to visit God's holy people who lived in Lydda. <n>[Note: This was a town on the west coast of Palestine]</n>.


text:
And there he found a certain man named Aeneas who had been <n>[confined to his]</n> bed, paralyzed for eight years.


text:
Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ is healing you, so get up and make your bed.” And immediately he got up <n>[out of his bed, completely healed]</n>.


text:
When everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him <n>[i.e., that the man was healed]</n>, they turned <n>[their lives over]</n> to the Lord.


text:
Now at Joppa <n>[Note: This was also a town on the west coast of Palestine, today called “Jaffa,” and is now a part of Tel Aviv]</n> there was a certain disciple named Tabitha (she was also called Dorcas, which means “Gazelle”). She practiced many good deeds and always gave money to poor people.


text:
But as time went on, she became <n>[very]</n> sick and <n>[eventually]</n> died. Her body was washed <n>[by the women attendants]</n> and placed in an upstairs room <n>[during the mourning process]</n>.


text:
And since Lydda was very close to Joppa, the disciples <n>[at Joppa]</n>, hearing that Peter was at Lydda <n>[See verse 32]</n>, sent two men there to urge him, “Do not delay your coming <n>[here]</n> to us.”


text:
So, Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived they took him to the upstairs room <n>[where Dorcas’ body lay]</n>. All the widows <n>[i.e., her friends]</n> stood near Peter, crying and showing <n>[him]</n> the coats and <n>[other]</n> clothing which Dorcas had made when she was alive.


text:
Then Peter asked them all to leave <n>[the room]</n>; he knelt down and prayed over her body, saying, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.


text:
Peter then reached out his hand and raised her up; he called the saints <n>[i.e., God’s holy people]</n> and the widows <n>[back into the room]</n> and presented her <n>[to them]</n> alive.


text:
And this <n>[miracle]</n> became known throughout all of Joppa and many people believed in <n>[Jesus as]</n> the Lord.


text:
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea named Cornelius. He was <n>[a military man]</n> in charge of one hundred soldiers and belonged to the “battalion of Italy.”


text:
He was very devoted <n>[to his religious principles]</n> and had great respect for God, along with the members of his household. He gave <n>[money]</n> liberally to poor people and prayed to God regularly.


text:
About three o’clock one afternoon <n>[Note: This is based on Jewish time calculations; if Roman time were employed, it would have been 9 AM]</n>, while he was wide awake, he had a vision in which an angel of God came to him <n>[and spoke his name]</n> “Cornelius.”


text:
As he stared at <n>[the angel]</n> in fright, he asked, “What is it, Lord?” <n>[Note: The word “Lord” here could also be translated “Sir,” and its correct rendering depends on whether or not Cornelius understood the angel to be from God]</n>. And the angel replied, “Your <n>[continual]</n> prayers and <n>[generous]</n> gifts to poor people have not gone unnoticed before God.


text:
he is staying with Simon, a tanner <n>[of animal hides]</n>, whose house is close to the <n>[Mediterranean]</n> sea.”


text:
When the angel who spoke with him had left, Cornelius called two of his house servants and a soldier who was devoted <n>[to God]</n>, men who worked for him regularly,


text:
As they were traveling the next day, and were coming close to the city <n>[of Joppa]</n>, Peter went up about noontime <n>[Note: Or 6 AM if calculating by Roman time]</n>, to the top of the house to pray <n>[Note: The roofs of houses were flat areas, often used for resting, meals, prayer, etc.]</n>.


text:
He became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while lunch was being prepared he was overcome by a “trance” <n>[i.e., a semi­conscious, vision-like state]</n>


text:
and could see the sky open up and a huge sheet-like container being lowered to the ground by its four corners.


text:
But Peter answered, “No, Lord, I cannot. I have never eaten any such ordinary or <n>[ceremonially]</n> unfit creatures.”


text:
So, the voice spoke again, saying, “What God has made <n>[ceremonially]</n> acceptable, you must not consider ordinary <n>[and therefore defiled]</n>.”


text:
Now while Peter was much perplexed over the meaning of this vision, the men sent by Cornelius, having learned where Simon <n>[the tanner]</n> lived, arrived at the gate <n>[of his house]</n>,


text:
While Peter was thinking about <n>[the meaning of]</n> the vision, the Holy Spirit said to him, “Look, there are three men <n>[here]</n> looking for you.


text:
Go downstairs and <n>[then]</n> leave with them. Do not worry about anything because I have sent them <n>[to you]</n>.”


text:
So, Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. Why have you come here?”


text:
They said, “Cornelius, a <n>[military]</n> man in charge of one hundred soldiers, <n>[and]</n> a man who does what is right, <n>[and]</n> who respects God and who has a good reputation among all the Jews <n>[who know him]</n>, was urged by God through a holy angel to have you come to his house so he could hear you speak <n>[about salvation, See 11:14]</n>.”


text:
So, Peter invited them to stay <n>[for the night]</n>. The next day Peter got up and went with the men, <n>[who were]</n> accompanied by certain <n>[Christian]</n> brothers from Joppa.


text:
The following day they arrived at Caesarea where they found Cornelius, gathered with his relatives and close friends, waiting for them.


text:
When Peter entered <n>[the house]</n> Cornel­ius met him and fell down at his feet <n>[and attempted]</n> to worship him.


text:
And he said to them, “You people know how unlawful it is for a Jew to associate with, or even go near a person from another <n>[i.e., non-Jewish]</n> country, and yet God showed me that I should not consider any person ordinary or <n>[ceremonially]</n> unacceptable.


text:
So, I came <n>[here]</n> when I was sent for, without objecting. <n>[Now]</n>, why have you sent for me?”


text:
Cornelius <n>[then]</n> said, “Four days ago, when I was at home, praying at the appointed hour (i.e., three o’clock in the afternoon) <n>[See verse 3]</n>, suddenly a man in bright clothing appeared in front of me.


text:
He said to me, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard and God has taken account of your giving money to poor people.


text:
Therefore, send <n>[men]</n> to Joppa and ask for Simon Peter to come to you. He is staying at the house of Simon, a tanner <n>[of animal hides]</n> who lives close to the <n>[Mediterranean]</n> sea.’


text:
So, I proceeded to send <n>[my men]</n> for you and you have done the right thing in coming <n>[here]</n>. Now, therefore, we are all assembled here before God, to hear everything you were commanded by the Lord <n>[to tell us]</n>.”


text:
Then Peter began to speak. He said, “I perceive that God truly does not show favoritism toward anyone,


text:
but that whoever respects Him and does what is right, whatever country he may be from, is acceptable to Him.


text:
He sent His message <n>[first]</n> to the Israelites; <n>[it involved]</n> preaching the good news through Jesus Christ (who is Lord of all).


text:
You yourselves know <n>[all this, and]</n> how this message was proclaimed throughout Judea, having begun from Galilee after the preaching of the immersion <n>[taught and practiced]</n> by John.


text:
This message was about Jesus from Nazareth and how God specially chose Him <n>[and signified it]</n> by giving Him the Holy Spirit and power. He traveled all over doing good <n>[for people]</n> and healing everyone who was <n>[being]</n> oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.


text:
And we <n>[apostles]</n> are witnesses of all that He did, both in the region where Jews lived and in Jerusalem <n>[as well]</n>. But they killed Him by hanging Him on a tree <n>[i.e., the cross]</n>.


text:
However, God raised Him up the third day and made it possible for Him to appear <n>[following His resurrection]</n>,


text:
not to everyone, but to us <n>[apostles]</n> who were specially chosen by God to be witnesses <n>[of His resurrected body]</n>, and to eat and drink with Him after He arose from the dead.


text:
And He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that He <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> is the One whom God ordained to be the Judge of people who are <n>[now]</n> alive and those who have <n>[already]</n> died.


text:
All the prophets have testified <n>[in their writings]</n>, that it is through the name of Jesus that every person who believes in Him will receive the forgiveness of sins.”


text:
While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit descended upon all those who were listening to this message <n>[i.e., Cornelius and his household]</n>.


text:
And the believers of Jewish descent, who had come with Peter, were amazed <n>[when they saw]</n> that the gift of the Holy Spirit had <n>[now]</n> been poured out on the Gentiles also.


text:
For <n>[as evidence of it]</n> they heard them speaking in <n>[other]</n> languages <n>[supernaturally]</n> and lifting up God <n>[in praise]</n>. Peter then said,


text:
“Who can keep these people <n>[i.e., Cornelius’ household]</n> from being immersed in water now that they have received the Holy Spirit just like we <n>[apostles]</n> have?” <n>[See 2:4]</n>.


text:
So, Peter commanded them to be immersed in the name of Jesus Christ. Then Cornelius and his household asked Peter to stay on for a number of days.


text:
Now the apostles and the <n>[other]</n> brothers in Judea heard that the Gentiles had responded to the message of God.


text:
And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those <n>[believers]</n> of Jewish descent began to argue with him,


text:
“I was in the city of Joppa and <n>[one day]</n>, while praying, I fell into a trance <n>[i.e., a semi­conscious, vision-like state]</n> and saw a huge sheet-like container being lowered down from the sky by its four corners. As it came into view


text:
I gazed at it and wondered <n>[about it]</n>, as I saw <n>[it full of]</n> four-legged <n>[domestic]</n> animals, wild animals, crawling <n>[reptiles]</n> and birds of the sky.


text:
But I said, ‘O no, Lord, for I have never even tasted anything ordinary or <n>[ceremonially]</n> unfit <n>[for Jews to eat]</n>.’


text:
Then the voice spoke from the sky again, saying, ‘Do not consider something <n>[to be]</n> ordinary that God has made acceptable.’


text:
“Then, just about that time, three men sent from Caesarea to get me, walked up to the house where we were <n>[staying]</n>.


text:
The Holy Spirit directed me to go with them, without showing any discrimination. With these six brothers accompanying me, we went into Cornelius’ house


text:
and he told us about seeing an angel standing in his house and saying <n>[to him]</n> ‘Send to Joppa for Simon Peter and bring him <n>[here]</n>


text:
“And while I was speaking, <n>[the power of]</n> the Holy Spirit descended on them <n>[i.e., Cornelius’ Gentile household]</n> just like <n>[it fell]</n> on us <n>[Jewish apostles]</n> at the beginning <n>[i.e., the day of Pentecost, See chapter 2]</n>.


text:
Then I remembered what the Lord had said <n>[See 1:4-5]</n>: ‘John immersed you <n>[people]</n> in water but you <n>[apostles]</n> will be immersed in the Holy Spirit.’


text:
<n>[Therefore]</n>, if God gave to them <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> the same gift as He gave to us <n>[Jews]</n> when we <n>[apostles, See chapter 1-2]</n> believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, how could I stand against <n>[the will of]</n> God <n>[by refusing to immerse them]</n>?’”


text:
So, when the apostles and the brothers from Judea heard these things, they stopped arguing <n>[See verse 2]</n> and gave honor to God, saying, “<n>[This means]</n> that God has permitted the Gentiles also <n>[as well as the Jews]</n> to repent <n>[i.e., change their hearts and lives]</n> so they, too, could have <n>[the promise of never ending]</n> life.”


text:
Those who were scattered everywhere as a result of the persecution <n>[being waged against the church]</n> because of Stephen’s <n>[death]</n>, traveled as far away as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, declaring the message to Jews only.


text:
But when some men from Cyprus and Cyrene came to Antioch, they preached <n>[about]</n> the Lord Jesus to the Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> also.


text:
The power of the Lord was upon their efforts so that a large number of people who believed <n>[the message]</n> turned to the Lord <n>[in faithful obedience]</n>.


text:
And the news about <n>[what was being done by]</n> these people reached the church in Jerusalem, so that they sent Barnabas to Antioch <n>[in Syria]</n>.


text:
When he got there and saw how God was favoring the people <n>[with salvation]</n> he was very happy and <n>[stayed on and]</n> encouraged everyone to remain close to the Lord with a heartfelt purpose.


text:
<n>[Now]</n> Barnabas was a good man who was full of the Holy Spirit and of faith <n>[in the Lord]</n>, and many people were added to the <n>[church of the]</n> Lord.


text:
Then he went on to Tarsus to look for Saul <n>[Note: Tarsus was the home town of Saul, who was later called Paul]</n>,


text:
and when he found him, he brought him <n>[back]</n> to Antioch. So, for an entire year Saul and Barnabas gathered the church together and taught many people. <n>[It was]</n> here in Antioch that the disciples were first <n>[divinely]</n> called Christians.


text:
One of them, a man named Agabus, stood up and indicated by <n>[the direction of]</n> the Holy Spirit that there was going to be a severe worldwide famine, which <n>[actually]</n> took place during the time that Claudius ruled.


text:
<n>[In response to this prediction]</n>, the disciples decided to send as much relief as they could to help the brothers living in Judea.


text:
So, they sent <n>[what was donated]</n> to the elders <n>[of the Judean churches]</n> by Barnabas and Saul.


text:
Now about that time King Herod began a persecution of certain people in the <n>[Jerusalem]</n> church. <n>[Note: This man was the grandson of Herod the Great. See Matt. 2:1]</n>.


text:
When he realized that this act pleased the Jews, he proceeded to have Peter arrested also. <n>[This happened]</n> during the Festival of Unleavened Bread <n>[See Exodus 12:15ff]</n>.


text:
So, Peter was arrested and put in jail with four groups of four soldiers each guarding him. Herod planned to have him brought before the people after the Passover Festival was over.


text:
So, Peter was kept in jail, but the church continued to pray earnestly to God for him. <n>[See verse 12]</n>.


text:
Then on the night that Herod was planning to have him brought <n>[before the court]</n>, Peter was asleep, chained between two soldiers, with guards stationed at the jail doors.


text:
<n>[Then it happened]</n>: <n>[Suddenly]</n> an angel from the Lord stood beside Peter as a light shone into his cell. <n>[The angel]</n> gently struck his side, waking him up, saying, “Get up quickly.” His chains fell from his hands.


text:
The angel <n>[then]</n> said to him, “Put on your belt and sandals,” so he did. Then the angel said, “Throw your <n>[outer]</n> robe around you and follow me.”


text:
So, he followed the angel out <n>[of the jail]</n>, not fully realizing what had happened, thinking <n>[perhaps]</n> he had seen <n>[all this in]</n> a vision.


text:
And when they passed the first two guards, they came to the iron gate leading out into the city, which opened by itself. So, they went out and, as they walked down the street, the angel <n>[suddenly]</n> left him.


text:
Then when Peter realized what had actually happened, he said, “Now I know for certain that <n>[it was]</n> the Lord who sent His angel to rescue me from Herod’s custody and from all that the Jewish people had planned <n>[to do to me]</n>.”


text:
After thinking about the matter <n>[for awhile]</n>, he decided to go to the house of Mary, mother of John Mark, where a large gathering <n>[of Christians]</n> was praying.


text:
And when she recognized Peter’s voice <n>[speaking to her from outside]</n>, she ran back in <n>[to where the prayer group was assembled]</n> without even opening the door, and joyously told them that it was Peter <n>[knocking]</n>.


text:
And they said to her, “You are crazy.” But she insisted that <n>[what she reported]</n> was true. They replied, “It is <n>[only]</n> his angel.”


text:
But Peter continued to knock and when they <n>[finally]</n> opened <n>[the door]</n> they saw that it <n>[really]</n> was Peter and were amazed.


text:
<n>[Upon entering the house]</n> he held up his hand to quiet them, and then went on to explain how the Lord had rescued him from jail. He said to them, “<n>[Go]</n> tell all this to James <n>[the Lord’s half-brother]</n> and to <n>[the rest of]</n> the brothers.” Then he left <n>[them]</n> and went elsewhere.


text:
Now as soon as it got daylight there was a lot of commotion among the soldiers over what had become of Peter.


text:
When Herod’s search for him turned up nothing, he questioned the guards, and then ordered them to be led away and executed. He then left Judea and went to Caesarea, where he stayed for awhile.


text:
Now Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon <n>[Note: These were seaport cities not under his jurisdiction]</n>. They came to him as a group, having befriended Blastus, an officer of the king <n>[Herod]</n>, and tried to arrange a peaceful relationship <n>[with him]</n> because their country <n>[i.e., the cities of Tyre and Sidon]</n> was dependant on him for their food supply.


text:
And then, on a particular day, Herod, dressed in his royal robes, delivered a speech <n>[to the people]</n> from his throne.


text:
Suddenly, an angel from God struck him <n>[with a terrible condition]</n> because he refused to honor God <n>[by what he said in his speech]</n>, so he was consumed by worms and died.


text:
But the <n>[influence of the]</n> message of God grew and <n>[the number of disciples]</n> multiplied.


text:
Barnabas and Saul returned <n>[to Antioch]</n> from Jerusalem after they had fulfilled their mission <n>[i.e., of taking the contribution for the famine-stricken people of Judea. See 11:27-30]</n>. They took John Mark <n>[back to Antioch with them]</n>.


text:
Now in the church at Antioch there were <n>[these]</n> prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Symeon, called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen, the foster-brother of Herod the Tetrarch <n>[i.e., governor of Galilee]</n>, and Saul.


text:
As these men were ministering to the Lord <n>[i.e., this probably means worshiping]</n> and fasting, the Holy Spirit said <n>[to one of them by way of inspiration]</n>: “Set Barnabas and Saul apart for Me, <n>[commissioning them]</n> to do the work for which I have called them.”


text:
Then, as these prophets and teachers fasted and prayed <n>[for the two men]</n>, they placed their hands on them <n>[signifying their appointment for this ministry]</n> and sent them away.


text:
So, as they were sent out by <n>[the direction of]</n> the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia <n>[a seaport]</n>, and from there they sailed on to <n>[the island of]</n> Cyprus.


text:
After arriving at Salamis <n>[a town on the island]</n>, they proclaimed the message of God in the Jewish synagogues <n>[there]</n>, with John <n>[Mark]</n> attending <n>[to various details of their ministry]</n>.


text:
When they had traveled across the whole island they came to Paphos <n>[a town on the island of Cyprus]</n>; <n>[there]</n> they met a certain magician named Bar-Jesus, who was a Jewish false prophet.


text:
He was with an intelligent governor, <n>[a Roman official named]</n> Sergius Paulus. This man called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the message of God.


text:
But the magician, <n>[also]</n> named Elymas <n>[an Arabic-Semitic word]</n> (which means “the magician”) opposed them, trying to discourage the governor from hearing about the faith.


text:
But Saul, <n>[now]</n> also called Paul, being filled with <n>[the power of]</n> the Holy Spirit, looked at him intently


text:
and said, “You child of the devil; you enemy of all that is right; you are full of deceit and every kind of evil <n>[thing]</n>. When will you stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?


text:
Now look, the power of the Lord is coming on you to cause <n>[such]</n> blindness that you will not <n>[even]</n> be able to see the sun for awhile.” And immediately a misty darkness fell on him and he kept trying to find people to lead him <n>[around]</n> by the hand.


text:
When the governor saw this miracle performed, he became a believer <n>[in Christ]</n> and was <n>[continually]</n> amazed at the teaching about the Lord.


text:
Now Paul and his companions sailed from Paphos and arrived at Perga <n>[a town in the province]</n> of Pamphylia. <n>[It was here that]</n> John Mark left the party <n>[of evangelists and attendants]</n> and returned to <n>[his home in]</n> Jerusalem. <n>[See 12:12]</n>.


text:
Then they traveled on past Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia where they entered the <n>[Jewish]</n> synagogue on the Sabbath day and sat down.


text:
And after the reading of the Law of Moses and <n>[the writings of]</n> the prophets, the rulers of the synagogue sent <n>[word]</n> to Paul and Barnabas, saying, “Brothers, if you <n>[men]</n> have any message that will exhort <n>[or encourage]</n> the people, you may speak.”


text:
So, Paul stood up, and motioning with his hand <n>[to get their attention]</n>, he said, “You Israelites and those who have great respect for God, listen <n>[to me]</n>.


text:
The God of Israel chose our forefathers <n>[to be His people]</n> and made them a great people when they lived in Egypt, and with His mighty power He led them out of it.


text:
And then He destroyed seven nations in the country of Canaan and gave the Israelites the land as an inheritance for about four hundred and fifty years.


text:
“After that He gave the people judges <n>[i.e., local military rulers]</n> until the time of Samuel the <n>[first]</n> prophet. <n>[See 3:24]</n>.


text:
And after that the people asked for a king <n>[to rule their nation]</n> so God gave them Saul, the son of Kish, from the <n>[Israelite]</n> tribe of Benjamin, who ruled as king for forty years.


text:
And when God removed him <n>[from the throne of Israel]</n> He raised up David to be their king. God said about him, ‘I have found David, the son of Jesse, to be a man close to my heart <n>[i.e., whom I loved very much]</n> and he will do all that I want him to.’


text:
<n>[Now]</n> it was this David’s descendant Jesus who was sent to Israel as their Savior, just as God had promised.


text:
His coming occurred after John <n>[the Immerser]</n> had preached to Israel that those who repented should be immersed <n>[as evidence that they had done so]</n>.


text:
As John was completing his ministry he said <n>[to the great crowds]</n>, ‘Who do you people think I am? <n>[No]</n>, I am not the Messiah. But look, Someone is coming <n>[to Israel]</n> after <n>[I complete]</n> my mission whose sandal straps I am not even worthy to unfasten.’


text:
“You brothers, descendants of Abraham’s family and those of you who respect God very much, this message of salvation was intended for us.


text:
For the people living in Jerusalem, together with their ruling officials, did not understand <n>[that Jesus was the Messiah]</n> or what the message of the prophets, which is read every Sabbath day, really meant. So, <n>[because of this]</n> they <n>[actually]</n> made these Scripture predictions come true by condemning Jesus.


text:
They asked Pilate to have Him put to death, even though they could not find any <n>[legitimate]</n> reason to execute Him.


text:
And when they had done everything that was predicted about Him, they took Jesus down from the tree <n>[i.e., the cross]</n> and placed Him in a tomb.


text:
so that He was seen for many days by those <n>[apostles]</n> who came with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem. These men are now His witnesses before the people.


text:
and has now fulfilled to <n>[us]</n>, their children, in raising up Jesus <n>[to be the Messiah]</n>, just as it was written in the second Psalm <n>[2:7]</n>: ‘You <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> are my Son; this day I have become Your Father.’


text:
<n>[Now]</n> in regard to God raising Him up from the dead, never to decay, He said this about it <n>[Isa. 55:3]</n>, ‘I will give you the sacred and certain blessings promised to David.’


text:
For David died and was buried with his forefathers and <n>[his body]</n> decayed after he had served his generation according to the purpose of God.


text:
“Brothers, you should know, therefore, that forgiveness of sins is being proclaimed <n>[to people]</n> through this man <n>[Jesus]</n>,


text:
and <n>[it is]</n> by Him that every believer is made right with God in every way that he could not have been made right by <n>[observing the requirements of]</n> the Law of Moses.


text:
<n>[Hab. 1:5 says]</n>, ‘Look, you people who despise <n>[God]</n>, and be amazed <n>[at what He can do]</n> and be destroyed <n>[for rejecting Him]</n>; for I <n>[i.e., God]</n> will accomplish such a work during your days that you will not believe <n>[it could happen, even]</n> if someone told you about it.’”


text:
As Paul and Barnabas left <n>[the synagogue]</n>, the people urged them to speak <n>[more]</n> about this message the next Sabbath day.


text:
Now when the synagogue service was over, many of the Jews and devoted proselytes <n>[i.e., converts to the Jewish religion]</n> followed Paul and Barnabas, who urged them to continue accepting the unearned favor of God.


text:
On the following Sabbath day almost everyone in the town <n>[of Antioch in Pisidia]</n> gathered to listen to the message of God.


text:
But when the Jews saw the large crowds <n>[gathered to hear the Gospel]</n> they became very jealous and took sharp issue with the things Paul said, and <n>[even]</n> spoke against them.


text:
But Paul and Barnabas <n>[continued to]</n> speak out boldly, saying, “It was necessary that the message of God be delivered to you <n>[Jews]</n> first. But since you have rejected it and <n>[thereby]</n> consider yourselves to be unworthy of <n>[receiving]</n> never ending life, we <n>[i.e., Paul and Barnabas]</n> will now begin proclaiming it to the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles.


text:
For the Lord commanded us to do this by saying, 'I have appointed you to be a light to the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles, so that you should be <n>[the occasion]</n> for <n>[bringing]</n> salvation to the farthest corner of the earth.'


text:
And when the Gentiles heard this they were glad and gave honor to the message of God <n>[i.e., they accepted it as true]</n>. And all those who were appointed <n>[by God]</n> to receive never ending life <n>[through faith and obedience]</n> became believers.


text:
But the Jews incited the devoted <n>[non-Jewish]</n> women who held respected positions, and the principal men of the city, by stirring up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and <n>[succeeded]</n> in running them out of the region.


text:
But they shook the dust off of their feet against them <n>[i.e., as an expression of contempt for the people’s attitude]</n> and went on to Iconium.


text:
But the <n>[newly won]</n> disciples <n>[of the Lord]</n> were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.


text:
It happened in Iconium that Paul and Barnabas <n>[again]</n> entered the Jewish synagogue and presented the message <n>[so powerfully]</n> that a large number of both Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> became believers.


text:
But the Jews who did not obey <n>[the Gospel message]</n> incited the spirits of the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers.


text:
Paul and Barnabas remained there a long time and spoke <n>[the message]</n> boldly for <n>[or, in the power of]</n> the Lord who gave His approval to the message of unearned favor by allowing <n>[miraculous]</n> signs and wonders to be performed by them.


text:
But the large crowd in the city <n>[who heard them]</n> became divided <n>[over how to respond to it]</n>; some sided with the <n>[unbelieving]</n> Jews and some with the apostles.


text:
And when the Jews, along with their rulers and <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles, all mounted an attack, intending to stone them,


text:
Paul and Barnabas found out about it and escaped to the towns of Lystra and Derbe, in the province of Lycaonia, and elsewhere in the vicinity.


text:
At Lystra they met a certain man sitting <n>[on the street]</n> who had a crippling handicap in his feet which he had suffered since birth. <n>[It was so severe]</n> he was never able to walk.


text:
As he listened to Paul, <n>[the apostle]</n> looked at him intently, perceiving that he had <n>[enough]</n> faith to be fully healed <n>[of his lame condition]</n>,


text:
And when the crowd saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the dialect of Lycaonia, “The gods have come down to us in human form.”


text:
Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance of the city, brought bulls and wreaths of flowers to the gates <n>[of the heathen temple]</n>, wanting to offer <n>[animal]</n> sacrifices on behalf of the crowds.


text:
But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard about what they were trying to do <n>[to them]</n>, they tore their clothes <n>[i.e., as an expression of frustration]</n> and rushed over to the crowd and shouted,


text:
“Gentlemen, why are you doing these things? <n>[Do you not know that]</n> we are also human beings with the same kind of feelings that you have? And we are just bringing you the good news that you should turn away from these useless things <n>[i.e., idol worship]</n> and <n>[turn]</n> to the living God, who created the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them.


text:
and yet He did not leave them without evidence about Himself. He gave you good <n>[things]</n>, brought rain from the sky, <n>[provided]</n> fruitful harvests and filled <n>[your bodies]</n> with food and your hearts with joy.”


text:
And <n>[even though]</n> they said these things, it was difficult to restrain the crowds from offering <n>[animal]</n> sacrifices to them.


text:
But Jews came to <n>[Lystra]</n> from Antioch <n>[in Pisidia]</n> and Iconium. When they persuaded the crowds <n>[to reject Paul’s message]</n> they stoned him and dragged him out of town, assuming he was dead.


text:
But as the disciples stood around <n>[Paul’s apparently lifeless body]</n>, he <n>[surprisingly]</n> stood up <n>[fully restored to health]</n> and entered the town. On the following day he went with Barnabas to Derbe.


text:
When they had preached the good news to that town, and had led many to become disciples, they returned to Lystra, <n>[then]</n> to Derbe, and <n>[then on]</n> to Antioch <n>[in Pisidia]</n>.


text:
<n>[Along the way]</n> they strengthened the hearts of the disciples, urging them to continue <n>[to believe and practice]</n> the faith and <n>[explaining]</n> that entering God's <n>[heavenly]</n> kingdom <n>[See II Tim. 4:18]</n> requires enduring many trials.


text:
And when Paul and Barnabas had appointed elders <n>[for the churches]</n> in every congregation and had prayed and fasted <n>[over these elders]</n>, they committed them to <n>[the care of]</n> the Lord, in whom they had come to trust.


text:
Then they traveled through <n>[the rest of]</n> Pisidia until they came to <n>[the province of]</n> Pamphylia.


text:
After they had proclaimed the message in <n>[the town of]</n> Perga <n>[in the province of Pamphylia]</n>, they went down to Attalia <n>[a seaport of Pamphylia]</n>.


text:
And from there they sailed to Antioch <n>[in Syria]</n>, from where they had <n>[originally]</n> been committed to God’s favor for <n>[carrying out]</n> the work which they had just completed.


text:
And when they arrived <n>[in Antioch of Syria]</n>, they gathered the church together and reported everything that God had done through them and how He had opened a door <n>[of opportunity]</n> for the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles to <n>[enter]</n> the faith.


text:
Certain men <n>[i.e., believers, see verse 5]</n> came down from Judea <n>[to Antioch of Syria]</n> and began teaching the brothers this: You cannot be saved unless you are circumcised according to the custom <n>[required]</n> by Moses.


text:
After Paul and Barnabas had a heated debate and argued with these men <n>[over this issue]</n>, the brothers <n>[of the Antioch church]</n> decided that Paul and Barnabas, along with certain others, should go up to Jerusalem and discuss the question with the apostles and elders there.


text:
So, they were sent on their way with the backing of the <n>[Antioch]</n> church and traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them about the conversion of the Gentiles. This brought great rejoicing to all the brothers <n>[who heard about it]</n>.


text:
When they arrived in Jerusalem they were welcomed by the church, together with the apostles and elders, and then reported everything that God had done through their ministry.


text:
But certain believers, <n>[who had been]</n> members of the sect called Pharisees <n>[i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion]</n>, began saying, “It is necessary to circumcise people <n>[see verse 1]</n> and require them to keep <n>[the ordinances of]</n> the Law of Moses.”


text:
And after many questions were asked <n>[about it]</n> Peter stood up and addressed the assembly <n>[including the former Pharisees who were now brothers]</n>: “Brothers, you are aware that some time ago God decided that it would be through my ministry that some Gentiles from among your number would hear and believe the Gospel message.


text:
And God, who knows <n>[all people’s]</n> hearts, gave His testimony <n>[to their acceptance]</n> by giving them the Holy Spirit just as He did to us <n>[See 11:15-17]</n>.


text:
And He did not discriminate between us <n>[i.e., Jews]</n> and them <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n>, cleansing their hearts <n>[also]</n> by faith <n>[in Jesus]</n>.


text:
Why are you putting God on trial by trying to harness the disciples with a burden <n>[i.e., compliance with the Law of Moses]</n>, which neither our forefathers nor we could possibly bear?


text:
For we believe that <n>[both]</n> we <n>[Jews]</n> and they <n>[Gentiles]</n> will be saved in the same way, through the unearned favor of the Lord Jesus.”


text:
The whole crowd remained quiet as they listened to Barnabas and Paul reporting on the <n>[miraculous]</n> signs and wonders God had performed among the Gentiles through them.


text:
Then, after they finished speaking, James <n>[the Lord’s half-brother, See 12:17]</n> spoke up and said, “Brothers, listen to me.


text:
Symeon <n>[i.e., Peter]</n> reported how God first sent <n>[someone to preach]</n> to the Gentiles in order to reach a group of them <n>[with the Gospel message]</n> for His name.


text:
‘After these things <n>[have transpired]</n>, I will return <n>[to my people]</n> and will rebuild the Tabernacle <n>[i.e., the Temple]</n> of David, which has been destroyed. I will rebuild it from its ruins and reestablish it,


text:
so that the rest of mankind, including all the Gentiles <n>[or nations]</n>, may seek after the Lord and be called by my name.


text:
but to write <n>[urging]</n> them to avoid <n>[eating]</n> what is contaminated by <n>[its association with]</n> idol worship, from sexual immorality, from <n>[eating]</n> strangled animals and from <n>[drinking]</n> blood.


text:
<n>[For]</n> every city has had for many generations people who proclaim <n>[the teaching of]</n> Moses, reading <n>[his writings]</n> in the synagogues every Sabbath day.”


text:
Then it seemed wise to the apostles and the elders, <n>[along]</n> with the entire church, to select men from their number and send them with Paul and Barnabas to Antioch. So, they chose Judas, who was <n>[also]</n> called Barsabbas, and Silas, <n>[who were]</n> principal men among the brothers.


text:
This is what they wrote <n>[in the letter]</n>: “<n>[This is]</n> from your brothers, the apostles and elders <n>[of the Jerusalem church]</n>: Greetings to <n>[our]</n> Gentile brothers in Antioch, Syria and Cilicia.


text:
We have heard that certain <n>[men]</n> who left here have been upsetting you people and <n>[even]</n> undermining <n>[some people’s]</n> spiritual lives by what they have been teaching. This was done without our authorization <n>[or approval]</n>.


text:
So, after we came to full agreement, it seemed wise to us to choose <n>[two]</n> men <n>[See verse 22]</n> to accompany our dear Barnabas and Paul,


text:
Therefore, we are sending Judas and Silas <n>[with them]</n> to tell you <n>[these same]</n> things in person.


text:
For it was the judgment of the Holy Spirit, and we agreed, that no greater burden be placed on you people than the following necessary things:


text:
Avoid <n>[eating]</n> things sacrificed to idols; avoid <n>[drinking]</n> blood; avoid <n>[eating]</n> things <n>[that were]</n> strangled <n>[to death]</n> and avoid sexual immorality. If you avoid <n>[all]</n> these things, you will be doing well. Goodbye.”


text:
So, when Paul, Barnabas, Judas and Silas left <n>[the meeting]</n> they went down to Antioch and, after gathering a large group <n>[of the church]</n> together, they presented the letter to them.


text:
And when they had read it, the people <n>[of the Antioch church]</n> rejoiced over the encouragement it gave them.


text:
And Judas and Silas, who also were prophets, exhorted and strengthened the brothers with many <n>[other]</n> words.


text:
After they <n>[Judas and Silas]</n> had spent some time <n>[there at Antioch]</n>, the brothers <n>[in Antioch]</n> sent them away <n>[back to Jerusalem]</n>. A peaceful spirit prevailed <n>[among all of them]</n>.


text:
But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch and, along with a number of other <n>[brothers]</n>, taught and proclaimed the message of the Lord <n>[there]</n>.


text:
Then after some days Paul suggested to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we proclaimed the message of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”


text:
Barnabas <n>[agreed, and]</n> wanted to take John Mark <n>[his cousin, See Col. 4:10]</n> with them.


text:
But Paul was not at all in favor of taking someone who had left them and refused to continue on in the work <n>[of preaching the Gospel]</n> when they were in Pamphylia. <n>[See 13:13]</n>.


text:
A heated discussion developed <n>[over this matter]</n> so that Paul and Barnabas went their separate ways <n>[over it]</n>, with Barnabas sailing for Cyprus and taking <n>[John]</n> Mark with him.


text:
But Paul chose Silas and, after being commended to the <n>[care and]</n> favor of the Lord by the brothers, he left,


text:
When Paul came to Derbe and <n>[then]</n> to Lystra, he met a certain disciple named Timothy, whose mother was a Jewish believer, but his father was a Greek <n>[i.e., Gentile]</n>.


text:
Paul wanted him to travel with him <n>[on a preaching mission]</n> so he had him circumcised in order to avoid prejudice by the Jews in that area, for everyone knew that his father was a Greek.


text:
And as they traveled through the towns <n>[of Asia Minor]</n> they presented <n>[to each church]</n> the requirements they were to observe that had been decided on by the apostles and elders of the Jerusalem church.


text:
So, the churches <n>[of the region]</n> were being <n>[spiritually]</n> strengthened in the faith and grew in number daily.


text:
And then Paul, Silas, Timothy <n>[and perhaps others by now]</n> traveled through the districts of Phrygia and Galatia <n>[i.e., provinces of central Asia Minor]</n> because <n>[an inspired message from]</n> the Holy Spirit would not permit them to proclaim the message in Asia <n>[i.e., the westernmost province of Asia Minor]</n>.


text:
When they came near Mysia <n>[i.e., a northwestern province of Asia Minor]</n> they attempted to travel into Bythinia <n>[i.e., a northern province of Asia Minor]</n> but <n>[an inspired message from]</n> the Holy Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to,


text:
so they went on through Mysia and came down to Troas, <n>[i.e., a seaport on the Aegean Sea, from which they sailed over to Europe]</n>.


text:
Then one night <n>[while asleep]</n> Paul had a vision <n>[i.e., an inspired dream]</n> in which a man from Macedonia <n>[i.e., northern Greece]</n> stood in front of him begging, “Come over to Macedonia to help us.”


text:
After seeing <n>[the man in]</n> the vision, we immediately made every effort to go to Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to proclaim the good news <n>[about Jesus]</n> to the people there. <n>[Note: This is first use of “we” and “us” in the book of Acts and indicates that Luke, the writer of Acts, joined the party at this point. See 1:1 with Luke 1:1-3]</n>.


text:
After setting sail from Troas we headed straight for Samothrace <n>[i.e., an island in the Aegean Sea]</n> and the next day we went on to Neapolis <n>[i.e., a seaport in Macedonia]</n>,


text:
and from there to Philippi, a city of the principal district of Macedonia, <n>[which was]</n> a Roman colony. We stayed in this city for a number of days.


text:
On a <n>[particular]</n> Sabbath day we went outside the city gate to a place beside a river where we thought people gathered for prayer. We sat down and began speaking <n>[about the Lord]</n> to some women who had gathered there.


text:
A certain woman named Lydia, from the town of Thyatira, who sold purple cloth <n>[for a living]</n>, was there. She was a worshiper of God and when she heard us <n>[telling about salvation through Christ]</n>, the Lord opened her heart to respond to the message being spoken by Paul.


text:
And when she was immersed <n>[into Christ]</n>, along with her household <n>[i.e., possibly relatives and/or employees]</n> she urged us, saying, “If you consider me to be a faithful disciple of the Lord, come and stay at my house.” And she insisted that we go <n>[to her house]</n>.


text:
At a later time, when we were going to that <n>[same]</n> place of prayer, we met a certain young woman who was dominated by an <n>[evil]</n> spirit, <n>[claiming to be]</n> able to tell people’s fortunes. This <n>[claimed]</n> power was the source of considerable income for the girl’s slave-owner.


text:
She followed Paul and us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Supreme God and they are proclaiming to you the way to be saved.”


text:
And she kept this up for a number of days. But Paul was very disturbed <n>[over what she was doing]</n> and <n>[finally]</n> turned <n>[to her]</n> and said to the spirit <n>[in the girl]</n>, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And the evil spirit did come out <n>[of her]</n> immediately.


text:
But when the girl’s slave-owners saw that their prospects for income <n>[from her activities]</n> were <n>[now]</n> gone, they grabbed Paul and Silas and dragged them to the open shopping market, in front of the authorities.


text:
And when they brought them before the city officials, they made this charge <n>[against them]</n>: “These Jewish men are causing too much trouble in our city,


text:
and they are teaching people to observe customs which we Romans are not permitted to accept or practice.”


text:
Then the large crowd began attacking them and the city officials had their clothes ripped off and ordered them to be beaten.


text:
After beating them severely, they threw them in jail and ordered the jailor to have them securely guarded.


text:
After receiving these orders, the jailor threw them into the maximum security cell and had their feet securely fastened in wooden restraints.


text:
But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God while the <n>[other]</n> prisoners listened.


text:
Suddenly there was a terrible earthquake which violently shook the foundation of the jail. Immediately all the <n>[cell]</n> doors swung open and everyone’s chains fell off.


text:
The jailor, who was awakened from sleep <n>[by the commotion]</n> saw the jail doors open so drew his <n>[short]</n> sword and prepared to kill himself, assuming that all the prisoners had escaped. <n>[Note: He would have faced a humiliating execution himself if he had allowed capital offense criminals to escape. With that prospect in view, it was considered honorable by the Romans for a person to commit suicide]</n>.


text:
The jailor called for torches <n>[to be brought]</n>, then rushed in <n>[to the cell block]</n>, shaking with fear, and fell down <n>[on his knees]</n> before Paul and Silas.


text:
After bringing them out <n>[of the jail area]</n> he said, “Sirs, what do I have to do to be saved?”


text:
Paul and Silas said, “You and your family can be saved if you <n>[all]</n> believe in the Lord Jesus.”


text:
Then they <n>[continued to]</n> speak the message of the Lord to him and everyone <n>[else]</n> in his household.


text:
The jailor immediately took Paul and Silas, and cleansed <n>[and soothed]</n> their wounded <n>[backs]</n> and then he and his <n>[believing]</n> household were immersed <n>[into Christ]</n>.


text:
Then he brought them up into his house and prepared a meal for them. So, he and everyone in his household, who had believed in God <n>[and were immersed]</n>, rejoiced greatly.


text:
The next morning the city officials sent their officers <n>[to the jailor]</n> with the message “Release those men.”


text:
The jailor then informed Paul <n>[of the officials’ decision]</n>, saying, “The city officials have decided to release you so you may leave the jail <n>[if]</n> you go peacefully.”


text:
But Paul responded to the officials, “These city officials had us innocent Roman citizens publicly beaten and thrown in jail. Are they now trying to release us privately? No indeed! Let the officials themselves come and <n>[publicly]</n> release us.”


text:
So, the officers reported what Paul had said and the city officials became fearful when they learned that Paul and Silas were Roman citizens.


text:
So, they came and appealed to them <n>[to leave peacefully]</n>. Then the authorities themselves accompanied them out <n>[of the jail]</n> and asked them to leave the city.


text:
When Paul and Silas left the jail they went to Lydia’s house and, after seeing the brothers <n>[and sisters gathered there]</n> and encouraging them, they went on their way.


text:
Now when they <n>[Note: A change from the use of “we” to “they” suggests that the writer Luke remained behind in Philippi at this point]</n> had traveled through the <n>[Macedonian]</n> towns of Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to <n>[the city of]</n> Thessalonica where there was a Jewish synagogue.


text:
As his custom was, Paul went into the synagogue, <n>[and]</n> for three Sabbath days <n>[in a row]</n> he taught them from the Scriptures,


text:
explaining and declaring that it was necessary for Christ to suffer and <n>[then]</n> rise again from the dead. Paul was saying, “This Jesus, whom I am proclaiming to you, is the Christ.”


text:
Some of the Jews were convinced <n>[that Jesus was the Messiah]</n> and so joined with Paul and Silas. Also, a large number of devoted Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> and leading women <n>[joined their group]</n>.


text:
But <n>[other]</n> Jews became jealous and, recruiting certain ungodly riffraff, they gathered a mob and brought the city to near-riot conditions. They <n>[even]</n> attacked Jason's house and attempted to bring Paul and Silas before the <n>[assembly of]</n> people.


text:
When they could not find them, they dragged Jason and some other brothers before the city officials and shouted, “These men have turned the world upside down <n>[i.e., disrupted society by their preaching]</n> and have <n>[now]</n> come here also <n>[i.e., to do the same thing in our community]</n>.


text:
Jason has welcomed them and <n>[now]</n> all of them <n>[i.e., Paul, Silas, Jason and the others]</n> are going against the <n>[Roman]</n> laws of Caesar by saying that someone else is <n>[our]</n> king; that Jesus is <n>[king]</n>!”


text:
When they heard <n>[these charges]</n>, the crowds and <n>[even]</n> the city officials became very disturbed <n>[by the situation stirred up by the Jews]</n>.


text:
The brothers <n>[then]</n> immediately sent Paul and Silas away at night to Berea <n>[i.e., a town in Macedonia]</n>. When they got there they went into the Jewish synagogue.


text:
Now these people <n>[in Berea]</n> had more character than those in Thessalonica because they <n>[not only]</n> received the message with an open mind but <n>[also]</n> examined the <n>[Old Testament]</n> Scriptures every day to see if what they had heard was really true.


text:
Many people therefore became believers <n>[in Christ]</n>, including a number of leading Greek women and also a number of men.


text:
But when the Jews of Thessalonica learned that Paul was proclaiming the message of God at Berea also, they went there too, and incited and upset the crowds.


text:
So, immediately the brothers sent Paul clear over to the coast, while Silas and Timothy remained there <n>[at Berea]</n>.


text:
But those who escorted Paul took him to Athens <n>[i.e., in Greece]</n> and, after being directed to have Silas and Timothy join him there as soon as possible, they left.


text:
Now while Paul was waiting for them <n>[to arrive]</n> in Athens, he was deeply stirred in his spirit when he saw the city so full of idols.


text:
So, he debated in the synagogue with the Jews and the God-fearing people <n>[i.e., Gentile proselytes]</n>, as well as in the open shopping market with others who met with him there.


text:
Also certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers approached him for discussion. Some asked, “What will this know-it-all have to say?” Others said, “He seems to be advocating <n>[a belief in]</n> some different gods.” <n>[They said this]</n> because he was proclaiming Jesus and the resurrection <n>[of the dead]</n>.


text:
So, they led him to the Areopagus <n>[i.e., an elevated assembly place called “the Hill of Mars”]</n> and asked him, “Could we learn <n>[more]</n> about this new teaching you are speaking of?


text:
(Now the local people of Athens, along with foreigners who lived there, spent <n>[about]</n> all their time telling about or listening to some new idea.)


text:
Then Paul stood up in the Areopagus and said, “You men of Athens, I noticed that you are an extremely religious people in all your ways. <n>[See verse 16]</n>


text:
For as I traveled along <n>[your streets]</n> and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: <n>[DEDICATED]</n> TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about.


text:
The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in hand-made temples.


text:
Neither is He waited on by men’s hands as though He needed anything, since it is He who gives to all people their life and breath and everything <n>[they need]</n>.


text:
He made every race of people living throughout the earth from one <n>[family]</n> and determined when <n>[they would rise in history]</n> and where they would live.


text:
He wanted these people to search for God in hope that, by groping for Him, they might <n>[eventually]</n> find Him, even though He is not <n>[really]</n> very far from <n>[any of]</n> us.


text:
For in <n>[the strength of]</n> God we <n>[all]</n> live, move around and have our <n>[personal]</n> identity, just as a certain one of your <n>[Athenian]</n> poets <n>[once]</n> said, ‘For we too are His children.’


text:
Since therefore we are God’s children, we should not think that the Deity is like gold, silver or stone, to be carved <n>[into an idol]</n> by the design and skill of men.


text:
Now God made allowance for the times when people were still uninformed <n>[about His complete will]</n>, but now <n>[in the Gospel age]</n> He requires all people everywhere to repent <n>[i.e., change their hearts and lives]</n>.


text:
For He has appointed a <n>[certain]</n> day when He will judge the people of the world according to <n>[a standard of]</n> true justice by the man <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n> whom He has appointed <n>[as Judge, See II Tim. 4:8]</n>. <n>[And]</n> He has given assurance to all people <n>[that He will do this]</n> by raising Jesus from the dead.”


text:
Now when the people heard about the resurrection from the dead, some of them made fun of it, but others said, “We would like to hear <n>[more]</n> from you about this again.”


text:
But certain men continued to listen to him and became believers <n>[in Jesus]</n>. Among them was Dionysius, <n>[an official]</n> of the Areopagus, a woman named Damaris and others with them.


text:
There he met a certain Jewish man named Aquila, a native of Pontus, <n>[in northern Asia Minor]</n> who, with his wife Priscilla, had recently come from Rome, because Claudius <n>[the Roman Emperor]</n> had ordered all Jews out of that city. Paul met this couple


text:
and, because they followed the same trade of tent making, he stayed with them and went to work <n>[for them]</n>.


text:
Every Sabbath day Paul held discussions in the synagogues, trying to convince <n>[both]</n> Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles, that Jesus was the Messiah]</n>.


text:
But when Silas and Timothy arrived from Macedonia <n>[i.e., from the town of Berea]</n>, Paul began devoting his full time to declaring the message to Jews that Jesus was the Christ.


text:
When the Jews resisted <n>[Paul’s efforts]</n> and spoke against him and his message, he shook out his clothing <n>[i.e., an expression of rejection and contempt]</n> and said to them “Let your blood be on your own heads <n>[i.e., you are responsible for whatever harm comes from your action]</n>; I am not responsible. From now on I will go <n>[and preach]</n> to the Gentiles <n>[only]</n>.”


text:
So, he left <n>[this assembly of Jews]</n> and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was right next door to the synagogue.


text:
Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, and all of his family became believers in the Lord. <n>[And]</n> many of the Corinthians who heard <n>[Paul’s message]</n> believed <n>[in the Lord]</n> and were immersed <n>[into Christ]</n>.


text:
Then the Lord spoke to Paul in a night vision <n>[i.e., a divinely given dream]</n>: “Do not be afraid, but speak up and do not hold <n>[anything]</n> back,


text:
for I will be with you <n>[See Matt. 28:20]</n> and no one will attack you or hurt you, for I have many people in this city <n>[i.e., who will be converted]</n>.”


text:
So, Paul lived there <n>[in Corinth]</n> for eighteen months, teaching God’s message among the inhabitants <n>[of the city]</n>.


text:
But when Gallio was magistrate of Achaia <n>[i.e., the southern province of Greece]</n> the Jews joined forces to attack Paul and brought him before the court of justice,


text:
and said <n>[about him]</n>, “This man is persuading people to worship God contrary to the Law <n>[of Moses]</n>.”


text:
When Paul was about to respond <n>[to this charge]</n>, Gallio said to the Jews, “<n>[My]</n> Jewish <n>[constituents]</n>, if it were a simple case of wrongdoing or some serious crime, there would be good reason for me to consider your charge <n>[against this man]</n>.


text:
But if it is only a dispute over words, titles and your <n>[religious]</n> law, tend to it yourselves; I refuse to pass judgment on such <n>[trivial]</n> matters.”


text:
Then, all of them <n>[Note: This “all” could refer to the Greeks, the Jews or the Roman officers. Since the text does not specify, it seems most reasonable to suggest it was the Romans]</n> grabbed Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the court of justice. But Gallio showed no interest in the whole affair.


text:
After this <n>[incident]</n> Paul remained <n>[in Corinth]</n> for some time before leaving the brothers and sailing for Syria with Priscilla and Aquila. Paul shaved his head while in Cenchrea as part of a vow he had taken.


text:
When they arrived at Ephesus, Paul left Priscilla and Aquila there. He then went into the <n>[Jewish]</n> synagogue and held discussions with the Jews.


text:
So, he left them, saying, “I will come back to you if it is God’s will.” Then He sailed from Ephesus.


text:
And when he landed at Ceasarea, he went up <n>[Note: This would mean either up to Ceasarea or up to Jerusalem]</n> and greeted the church <n>[there]</n>, then went down to Antioch <n>[in Syria]</n>.


text:
After spending some time there, he left and traveled through the district of Galatia, <n>[and]</n> then through Phrygia, strengthening <n>[spiritually]</n> all the disciples <n>[along the way]</n>.


text:
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria <n>[Egypt]</n> and an effective speaker, who was well-grounded in the <n>[Old Testament]</n> Scriptures, came to Ephesus.


text:
He was a man who had learned the way of the Lord, and with spiritual fervor, taught accurately <n>[what he knew]</n> about Jesus, although he knew <n>[and had received]</n> only the immersion <n>[taught and practiced]</n> by John.


text:
He began speaking boldly in the synagogue and when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and proceeded to explain to him God's way more accurately <n>[than he had known]</n>.


text:
And when he desired to travel over into Achaia, he was encouraged <n>[to do so]</n> by the brothers, who wrote to the disciples <n>[in Achaia and urged them]</n> to welcome him. When he arrived <n>[in Achaia]</n> he was a great help to those who had become believers through the unearned favor of God. <n>[Note: An alternate meaning is, “he was a great help, through God’s unearned favor upon him, to those who had become believers”]</n>.


text:
For Apollos effectively refuted <n>[the position of]</n> the Jews, publicly proving, by using the <n>[Old Testament]</n> Scriptures, that Jesus was the Christ.


text:
Then, while Apollos was <n>[still]</n> at Corinth, Paul traveled through the <n>[western]</n> districts and came to Ephesus where he found some disciples.


text:
He asked them, “Did <n>[any of]</n> you receive the <n>[indwelling]</n> Holy Spirit when you became believers <n>[in Jesus]</n>?” They answered him, “No, we have never <n>[even]</n> heard that there was a Holy Spirit.”


text:
Paul <n>[again]</n> asked, “Into what were you immersed then?” They answered him, “Into John’s immersion.”


text:
Paul <n>[then]</n> said, “John immersed people who <n>[demonstrated their]</n> repentance, telling them they must believe in Jesus, the One who would come after him.”


text:
Then Paul placed his hands on them and <n>[the supernatural power of]</n> the Holy Spirit came on them and they <n>[began to]</n> speak in <n>[other]</n> languages and prophesy <n>[i.e., speak God's message]</n>.


text:
Paul went into the Jewish synagogue and spoke boldly for three months, discussing and convincing people about matters regarding the kingdom of God.


text:
But some became stubborn and refused to obey <n>[the message]</n>, saying false things about “the Way” <n>[Note: This was a term used to designate the early church]</n> in front of the large crowds. So, Paul left <n>[the synagogue]</n> and took the disciples and began holding discussions every day at Tyrannus’ school <n>[house]</n>.


text:
This continued for two years so that all the Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> who lived in <n>[the province of]</n> Asia heard the message of the Lord.


text:
such as sick people, who were given hand towels or <n>[leather]</n> aprons that had touched Paul’s body, being healed from diseases and delivered from evil spirits.


text:
But certain traveling Jews, who practiced exorcism, decided that they too would attempt to speak the name of the Lord over people dominated of evil spirits while saying, “I command you <n>[evil spirits to come out]</n> by <n>[the authority of]</n> Jesus whom Paul preaches.”


text:
The man with the evil spirit then jumped on all of them, took control, then overpowered them so that they ran out of the house with their clothes torn off and badly beaten.


text:
When this incident became known to all of the Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> who lived in Ephesus, they became fearful and the name of the Lord Jesus was regarded with honor.


text:
Many of the believers also came confessing their sins and describing what they had <n>[previously]</n> done.


text:
And a large number of them, who had been involved in occultic practices, brought their books <n>[on the occult]</n> and began burning them publicly. When they calculated the cost <n>[of the books]</n> it came to fifty thousand pieces of silver. <n>[Note: The actual amount was approximately 150 years of a farm laborer’s pay, or more than 5 million dollars in 2005]</n>.


text:
After these things happened Paul decided to travel through Macedonia and Achaia on his way to Jerusalem. He said, “Then, after I have been there I want to visit Rome also.”


text:
After sending his two associates Timothy and Erastus on to Macedonia <n>[Note: These were men who cared for various needs of his ministry]</n>, Paul remained in <n>[the province of]</n> Asia for a while.


text:
<n>[Here is what happened]</n>: A certain manufacturer of silver objects named Demetrius, who made silver replicas of the temple of Artemis <n>[i.e., a Greek goddess]</n>, brought much business to his workmen.


text:
He called a meeting of his men and others involved in the same work and said to them, “Fellows, you know that we have made a good living from this work <n>[of making temple replicas]</n>.


text:
And now you have seen and heard, not only here in Ephesus, but throughout almost the entire <n>[province of]</n> Asia, that this Paul has been convincing people, <n>[even]</n> to the point of turning many away <n>[from idol worship]</n>. <n>[He is]</n> saying that hand-made gods <n>[like we make]</n> are not real <n>[gods at all]</n>.


text:
And not only is there a <n>[real]</n> danger that our trade will be discredited but also that the temple of our great goddess Artemis will be considered worthless and that even she <n>[herself]</n> will be dethroned from her magnificent place of being adored by all <n>[in the province of]</n> Asia and the world.”


text:
When they heard this they became extremely angry and shouted out, “Great is <n>[the goddess]</n> Artemis, of the Ephesians.”


text:
The city became full of confusion; they grabbed Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s Macedonian traveling companions, and everyone together rushed into the amphitheater.


text:
And when Paul decided to go before the crowd <n>[to talk with them]</n>, the disciples would not allow him.


text:
Some of his friends, who were officers in the province of Asia, sent word urging him not to take a chance by entering the amphitheater.


text:
Some <n>[in the crowd]</n> were shouting one thing and some another; there was mass confusion, with most of the people not <n>[even]</n> knowing why they had assembled.


text:
<n>[It appears that]</n> Alexander was appointed out of the crowd by the Jews <n>[i.e., to be their spokesman in defending them from the charges being made against Paul]</n>. He motioned with his hand <n>[to get attention]</n> and attempted to speak to the assembly in defense <n>[of the Jewish viewpoint]</n>.


text:
But when the crowd realized that he was a Jew, they all joined together for about two hours shouting, “Great is <n>[the goddess]</n> Artemis, of the Ephesians.”


text:
When the town clerk had quieted down the crowd, he said, “You people of Ephesus, who among you does not know that the city of Ephesus is caretaker of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell down from the sky?


text:
Since no one can <n>[really]</n> say anything against these things, just calm down and do not do anything foolish.


text:
For you have brought these men here --- <n>[men]</n> who have neither desecrated our temple nor defamed our goddess.


text:
If therefore Demetrius, and the workmen associated with him, have a charge against anyone, the courts are open and there are magistrates <n>[to judge such cases]</n>; let them file their charges against each other.


text:
For we are truly in danger of being accused of inciting a riot here today when there is <n>[really]</n> no reason for it to happen. Then concerning this problem, we will not be able to explain how it all came about.”


text:
After the commotion died down, Paul sent for the <n>[Ephesian]</n> disciples and encouraged them before he left, <n>[heading west]</n> for Macedonia.


text:
And when he had traveled through those districts and had delivered many messages of encouragement, he went on <n>[south]</n> into Greece,


text:
where he spent three months. Then, just as he was about to set sail for Syria, Paul discovered that a plot was being laid against him by the Jews, so he decided to return through Macedonia.


text:
The following men accompanied Paul as far as <n>[the province of]</n> Asia <n>[where Troas was located]</n>: Sopater, the son of Pyrrhus, of Berea; Aristarchus and Secundus, of Thessalonica; Gaius, of Derbe; Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus from <n>[the province of]</n> Asia; <n>[seven in all]</n>.


text:
These <n>[men]</n> had gone ahead and were waiting for us <n>[when we arrived]</n> in Troas <n>[i.e., a seaport town across the Aegean Sea from Philippi]</n>. <n>[Note: The use of “us” begins here again, suggesting that the writer Luke rejoins the party at Philippi. See next verse]</n>.


text:
And we <n>[ourselves]</n> sailed away from Philippi after the Festival of Unleavened Bread <n>[Note: This was the Jewish feast commemorating deliverance from Egyptian bondage]</n>, and five days later <n>[we]</n> joined them at Troas <n>[i.e., the seven men mentioned in verses 4 and 5]</n>, where we remained for seven days.


text:
And on the first day of the week <n>[i.e., Sunday]</n>, when we <n>[disciples]</n> had gathered together to break bread <n>[i.e., the Lord’s Supper. See I Cor. 11:20-24]</n>, Paul delivered a message that lasted until midnight, <n>[since]</n> he was planning to leave <n>[Troas]</n> the next day.


text:
A certain young man, named Eutychus, fell sound asleep while sitting on an <n>[open]</n> window ledge <n>[during the message]</n>. Since Paul’s message continued <n>[until nearly midnight]</n> Eutychus was overcome by sleep and fell from the third floor to his death.


text:
Paul hurried downstairs and placed himself on the young man and held him closely, saying <n>[to the people gathered around]</n>, “Do not be upset, he is alive.”


text:
After that Paul went upstairs, broke bread and ate <n>[a common meal]</n>. <n>[Following the meal]</n> Paul talked with them for a long time, even until it got daylight, and then he left.


text:
<n>[In the meantime]</n> they brought the young fellow <n>[back upstairs]</n> alive, and were greatly comforted.


text:
But we went on ahead to the ship and sailed for Assos <n>[i.e., a seaport town near Troas]</n>, where we expected to take Paul on board. This is how Paul had planned it, intending to go there himself by land.


text:
When he met us at Assos, we took him on board, then <n>[together]</n> we went to Mitylene <n>[i.e., a town on a nearby island]</n>.


text:
And after leaving there, the next day we sailed past Chios <n>[i.e., another small island on the way]</n>, and the next day past Samos <n>[i.e., another small island]</n>, until <n>[finally]</n> on the following day we arrived at Miletus <n>[i.e., another seaport town near Ephesus]</n>.


text:
For Paul had decided to sail on past Ephesus so he would not have to spend any time in <n>[the province of]</n> Asia, because he was hurrying to get to Jerusalem in time for the Day of Pentecost, if at all possible.


text:
And from Miletus Paul sent to Ephesus, requesting that the elders of the church <n>[there]</n> come to him.


text:
And when they arrived, he said to them, “You <n>[men]</n> know the kind of life I lived when I was with you, from the <n>[very]</n> first day I set foot in <n>[the province of]</n> Asia.


text:
<n>[You know that]</n> I served the Lord with humility, with tears and with trials that I experienced as the result of plots by the Jews.


text:
<n>[You know]</n> how I held back nothing in declaring to you whatever was profitable, and taught you in public <n>[meetings]</n> and in your homes.


text:
<n>[You know how]</n> I testified to both Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n>, that they must repent <n>[i.e., change their attitudes and behavior]</n> toward God, and have faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
“And now, look, I am going to Jerusalem, impelled by the Holy Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me <n>[when I get]</n> there,


text:
except that the Holy Spirit reveals to me in every city <n>[I visit]</n> that chains and persecutions await me there.


text:
But I do not consider my life to be of value, as precious to me, <n>[when compared to the importance of]</n> accomplishing my task and the mission I received from the Lord Jesus to declare the good news of God’s unearned favor <n>[through Christ]</n>.


text:
Now look, I know that none of you, among whom I traveled on preaching missions, will ever see my face again.


text:
Therefore, I <n>[must]</n> declare to you today that I am not responsible for what happens to any of you.


text:
So, pay close attention to your <n>[own]</n> lives, and to all <n>[members]</n> of the flock <n>[i.e., the congregation]</n> of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers <n>[i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]</n>. Provide <n>[spiritual]</n> food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by <n>[shedding]</n> His own blood.


text:
<n>[Because]</n> I know that after I am gone <n>[from here]</n> there will be vicious wolves <n>[i.e., ravaging false teachers]</n> who will come in among you, and they will not spare the flock <n>[i.e., the congregation]</n>.


text:
<n>[Indeed, even]</n> from among your own selves <n>[i.e., the body of elders there in Ephesus]</n> some men will arise and, by speaking false things, they will lead away the disciples, <n>[influencing them]</n> to follow them.


text:
So, be very watchful, and remember that for three years I never stopped warning every one of you <n>[about such matters]</n> both night and day with tears <n>[in my eyes]</n>.


text:
“Now I commit you <n>[elders]</n> to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up <n>[spiritually]</n> and provide you with the inheritance <n>[of never ending life]</n>, along with others who are <n>[specially]</n> set apart <n>[for God]</n>.


text:
You <n>[also]</n> know that I worked with my own hands to provide not only my own needs, but the needs of those who were with me.


text:
I have demonstrated before you a <n>[good]</n> example in all <n>[these]</n> things, so that you <n>[too]</n> will work hard to help those who are <n>[physically]</n> weak. <n>[Also]</n> remember the words of the Lord Jesus who Himself said, ‘It is a greater blessing <n>[for you]</n> to give <n>[to people's needs]</n> than to receive <n>[help yourselves]</n>.’”


text:
What saddened them most of all was when Paul said that they would never see his face again. Then they accompanied him to his ship.


text:
After we had <n>[reluctantly]</n> left <n>[the Ephesian elders]</n> and set sail, we traveled straight <n>[south]</n> to Cos <n>[i.e., a small island]</n> and the next day to Rhodes <n>[i.e., another island]</n>, and from there on to Patara <n>[i.e., a seaport town on the southern coast of the province of Asia Minor]</n>.


text:
Here we found a ship heading across <n>[the open sea]</n> for Phoenicia, boarded it and sailed away.


text:
When we sighted Cyprus <n>[i.e., a large island]</n>, we sailed past it on our port side and arrived at Tyre <n>[i.e., a major seaport]</n> in Syria <n>[i.e., on the west coast of Palestine]</n>, where the ship was to unload its cargo.


text:
When we located the disciples <n>[there]</n> we stayed <n>[with them]</n> for seven days. They advised Paul, through <n>[inspired revelations from]</n> the Holy Spirit, not <n>[even]</n> to set foot in Jerusalem.


text:
When we had completed preparations for the next day’s voyage we left, and headed out <n>[to sea]</n> on our journey. All the disciples, together with their wives and children, escorted us out of the city and knelt down and prayed with us as we said goodbye to each other.


text:
When we completed our voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais and greeted the brothers there, then stayed with them for a day.


text:
The next day we left and came to Caesarea, where we went to the house of Philip, the evangelist, who had been one of the seven <n>[“deacons” chosen by the Jerusalem church to minister to widows, See Acts 6]</n>. We stayed with him <n>[while there]</n>.


text:
This man had four virgin <n>[i.e., unmarried]</n> daughters, who were female prophets <n>[i.e., they spoke by inspiration]</n>.


text:
When he met with us, he took Paul's belt, tied his own hands and feet <n>[with it]</n>, and said, “The Holy Spirit has revealed <n>[to me]</n> that the man who owns this belt will be tied up like this by the Jews in Jerusalem and will be turned over to the Gentiles.”


text:
When we heard these things, both we and those who lived there <n>[i.e., Philip, his daughters and local disciples]</n> urged Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.


text:
<n>[But]</n> Paul answered, “What are you trying to do <n>[by your]</n> crying and breaking my heart <n>[like this]</n>? <n>[Do you not know that]</n> I am ready, not only to be chained up, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus?”


text:
And when he could not be dissuaded <n>[from going to Jerusalem]</n> we stopped <n>[trying to convince him]</n>, saying, “Let the Lord's will be done in the matter.”


text:
Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us also, bringing with them Mnason from Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to live <n>[while in Jerusalem]</n>.


text:
The next day Paul went with us to visit James <n>[the Lord’s half-brother and a leader in the Jerusalem church]</n>, with all of the elders <n>[of the Jerusalem church]</n> being present.


text:
And after greeting them Paul reported one by one the things that God had brought about among the Gentiles through his ministry.


text:
And when they heard <n>[all]</n> this, they gave honor to God, then said to Paul, “Brother, you can see how many thousands of Jewish believers <n>[in Christ]</n> there are <n>[everywhere]</n> and all of them are eager to observe the <n>[requirements of the]</n> Law of Moses.


text:
Now these <n>[Jewish Christians]</n> have been informed that you are teaching all the Jews living among the Gentiles to give up <n>[following the teaching of]</n> Moses, <n>[even]</n> telling them not to circumcise their children and not to practice the <n>[other]</n> customs <n>[of the Jewish religion]</n>.


text:
So, here is what we would like you to do: We have four men who have made a vow <n>[i.e., a special promise to God]</n>.


text:
Take these men and observe the ceremony of purification with them, pay their expenses so they can shave their heads <n>[i.e., to signify that they are making a vow]</n> and <n>[then]</n> everyone will know that there is no truth in what people have been told about you, but that you, too, are living properly and observing the Law of Moses.


text:
But concerning Gentile believers, we wrote <n>[to them]</n> our decision, that they should avoid <n>[eating]</n> things sacrificed to idols, from <n>[drinking]</n> blood, from <n>[eating]</n> what is strangled and from sexual immorality.”


text:
Then Paul took the men and the next day he observed the ceremony of purification with them. Then he went into the Temple, declaring <n>[to the priest]</n> when he would fulfill the <n>[required]</n> days of the purification <n>[ceremony]</n> and <n>[be ready]</n> for the sacrifices to be offered for each of them.


text:
When the seven days <n>[required by the vow]</n> were almost completed, the Jews from Asia saw Paul in the Temple. They incited the whole crowd and took hold of him,


text:
shouting, “<n>[You]</n> Israelites, help <n>[us]</n>! This man is teaching people everywhere <n>[to be]</n> against our people <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n>, the Law of Moses and this place <n>[i.e., the Temple]</n>; and in addition to that he has also brought Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> into the Temple and has <n>[thereby]</n> contaminated this holy place.”


text:
(For the Jews had previously seen him on a city street with Trophimus, the Ephesian, whom they assumed Paul had taken into the Temple <n>[with him]</n>).


text:
<n>[So]</n>, the entire city was stirred up, and the mob rushed together and attacked Paul, dragging him out of the Temple. Immediately the <n>[Temple]</n> doors were closed <n>[i.e., to secure it from further intrusion]</n>.


text:
And as they were attempting to kill Paul, the commander of the military unit was informed that the entire city of Jerusalem was rioting.


text:
So, immediately he rushed down on the people with his soldiers and officers, and when the mob saw the commander and his soldiers <n>[coming]</n>, they stopped beating Paul.


text:
Then the commanding officer approached Paul, took hold of him and ordered him to be secured with two chains. He then questioned him as to who he was and what he had done.


text:
From the crowd, some shouted one thing and some another. When the commander could not hear what was being said because of the noise, he ordered Paul to be taken into the battalion headquarters.


text:
When they got to the stairway <n>[of the headquarters building]</n> the soldiers had to carry Paul because of the <n>[unrestrained]</n> violence of the mob,


text:
As Paul was being brought into the headquarters building, he said to the commander, “Can I speak with you?” The commander replied <n>[with surprise]</n>, “You know the Greek language?


text:
Are you not the Egyptian who, awhile back, stirred up a revolt and led four thousand of the ‘Dagger Men’ out into the wilderness?”


text:
Paul answered, “<n>[No]</n>, I am a Jew from Tarsus, in Cilicia, a citizen of an important city, and I beg you to allow me to speak to these people.”


text:
And when the commander gave him permission, Paul stood on the stairway and motioned to the people with his hand <n>[for attention]</n>. When they completely quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew <n>[i.e., Aramaic]</n> language, saying,


text:
And when they heard him speaking in the Hebrew language, they listened all the more quietly. So, he continued,


text:
“I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, in Cilicia, but raised <n>[here]</n> in this city <n>[i.e., Jerusalem]</n>. <n>[I was]</n> instructed by Gamaliel <n>[i.e., a renowned Jewish rabbi of the time]</n> according to the strictest methods of observing the law of our forefathers. <n>[I was very]</n> eager to serve God, just as all of you are here today.


text:
And I persecuted this ‘Way’ <n>[even to the point of]</n> putting people to death. <n>[I had]</n> both men and women bound <n>[in chains]</n> and locked up in prisons.


text:
The head priest can also verify all this, and so can the body of <n>[Jewish]</n> elders. They furnished me with letters to our fellow-Jews in Damascus, to which I also traveled to bring people back here to Jerusalem, bound in chains to be punished.


text:
“And then it suddenly happened, about noon, as I was traveling and got close to Damascus, that this brilliant light from the sky flashed all around me.


text:
I answered, ‘Who are you, sir?’ And the voice answered me, ‘I am Jesus from Nazareth, the One you are persecuting.’


text:
Those who accompanied me saw the light clearly, but did not hear <n>[i.e., understand]</n> the voice of the one speaking to me.


text:
Then I asked, ‘What am I to do, Lord?’ And the Lord replied to me, ‘Get up, go into Damascus and there you will be told everything <n>[I have]</n> appointed for you to do.’


text:
And since I could not see <n>[anything]</n> because of the brilliance of the light, I had to be led by the hand of those with me into Damascus.


text:
“<n>[Then]</n> Ananias, a man who was devoted to <n>[observing]</n> the Law of Moses and who had a good reputation among all the Jews who lived there,


text:
came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And at that very moment I looked at him <n>[fully able to see again]</n>.


text:
And he said <n>[to me]</n>, ‘The God of our forefathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One <n>[i.e., Jesus]</n>, and to hear His voice <n>[speaking to you]</n>.


text:
So now, what are you waiting for? Get up and be immersed <n>[into Christ]</n>, and have your sins washed away as you appeal to His name <n>[i.e., to Christ's authority]</n>.’


text:
“And it happened that when I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance <n>[i.e., a semi-conscious vision-like state]</n>.


text:
And I saw <n>[and heard]</n> the Lord saying to me, ‘Hurry up, get out of Jerusalem quickly, because the people <n>[here]</n> will reject your testimony about me.’


text:
And I replied, ‘Lord, they know very well that I am <n>[the one]</n> who imprisoned and beat the believers <n>[who assembled]</n> in every synagogue,


text:
and when your witness Stephen was killed, I stood there, approving <n>[of it]</n> and <n>[even]</n> guarding the clothing of those who stoned him to death.’


text:
The people had listened to Paul speaking up to this point <n>[i.e., until he said the word “Gentiles”]</n>, then they raised their voices and shouted, “Do away with such a person from the earth; it is not right for him to live.”


text:
the commander ordered Paul to be brought to headquarters and requested that he be interrogated by means of a flogging, in order to learn the reason why people were shouting against him.


text:
Just as they were tying him up <n>[in preparation]</n> for the flogging, Paul said to the officer nearby, “Is it lawful for you to whip a Roman <n>[citizen]</n> before he has been <n>[legally]</n> condemned?”


text:
When the officer heard this, he <n>[immediately]</n> went and told the commander, saying, “What are you going to do? For this man is a Roman citizen.”


text:
Then the commander came and said to him, “Tell me, are you <n>[really]</n> a Roman citizen?” Paul said, “Yes.”


text:
The commander answered, “It cost me a large sum of money to obtain this <n>[right of]</n> citizenship.” Paul replied, “But I am a Roman citizen by birth.”


text:
Then those who were ready to interrogate Paul <n>[with whips]</n> immediately left him, and the commander also became fearful when he realized that he had chained a Roman citizen <n>[illegally]</n>.


text:
But the next day the commander released Paul <n>[from the chains]</n> because he wanted to know what specific charges the Jews had against him. So, he ordered the leading priests and the entire <n>[Jewish]</n> Council to assemble, then brought Paul down and placed him in front of them.


text:
Paul <n>[then]</n> looked intently at the Council <n>[i.e., the Jewish Supreme Court called the “Sanhedrin”]</n> and spoke <n>[in his defense]</n>: “Brothers, I have lived before God with a good conscience all my life.”


text:
<n>[Upon hearing this]</n>, the head priest Ananias ordered that those standing closest to Paul hit him on the mouth.


text:
Then Paul said to the head priest, “God will hit you, you white-washed wall <n>[i.e., you hypocrite]</n>. Are you sitting in judgment over me according to the Law of Moses and <n>[yet]</n> do you order me to be hit contrary to that law?”


text:
Paul said, “Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written <n>[Ex. 22:28]</n>, ‘You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.’”


text:
When Paul realized that part <n>[of the Sanhedrin]</n> were Sadducees and the other part were Pharisees, he lifted up his voice before the Council and said, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee and the son of a Pharisee. And it is concerning our hope that the dead will be raised that I have been brought to trial.”


text:
When he said this it stirred up a dispute between the Pharisees and Sadducees and the assembly became divided.


text:
For the Sadducees believe there is no resurrection, angels or spirits, but the Pharisees accept all of them <n>[to be true]</n>.


text:
A loud commotion developed <n>[in the Council meeting]</n>. Some of the teachers of the Law of Moses who belonged to the Pharisee party stood up and argued, saying, “We can find nothing wrong with this man. What if an angel or spirit did speak to him?”


text:
And when a serious debate broke out, the commander was afraid that Paul might <n>[virtually]</n> be torn apart by the mob, so he ordered his soldiers to go down <n>[to the Council meeting]</n> and forcibly remove Paul and take him to the battalion headquarters.


text:
The next night the Lord stood beside Paul <n>[in a supernatural dream]</n> and said, “Take courage, for just as you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also be my witness in Rome.”


text:
When daylight came, <n>[a group of]</n> Jews conspired together, agreeing under oath that they would neither eat nor drink until they had killed Paul.


text:
They went to the leading priests and <n>[Jewish]</n> elders and told them, “We have bound ourselves under an oath <n>[with serious consequences]</n> to eat nothing until we have killed Paul.


text:
Therefore, <n>[all of]</n> you, together with the Jewish Council, should notify the commander so that he will bring Paul <n>[back]</n> down to you, as though you wanted to consider his case further. Then we will be ready to kill him, <n>[even]</n> before he comes near <n>[you]</n>.”


text:
But Paul’s nephew learned of their plot and went to the headquarters and told Paul <n>[all about it]</n>.


text:
So, Paul called for one of the officers and said <n>[to him]</n>, “Take this young man to the commander; he has something <n>[important]</n> to tell him.”


text:
So, the officer took Paul’s nephew to the commander and said, “Paul, the prisoner, called for me and asked me to bring this young man to you. He has something to tell you.”


text:
The commander took him by the hand, and walking along together, asked him privately, “What is it that you have to tell me?”


text:
And the lad said, “The Jews have plotted to ask you to take Paul down to the Council <n>[meeting]</n> tomorrow, as though you were going to question him further.


text:
But, do not listen to them, because over forty men have laid a plot and bound themselves under an oath <n>[with serious consequences]</n> neither to eat nor drink <n>[anything]</n> until they have killed him. They are now ready <n>[to carry out the plot]</n> and are just waiting for you to agree <n>[to their arrangement]</n>.”


text:
So, the commander let the young man go, urging him, “Do not tell anyone that you have reported this to me.”


text:
Then he called two of his officers and said, “Get two hundred soldiers ready to go to Caesarea, along with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen, by nine o’clock tonight.” <n>[Note: This was calculated according to Jewish time]</n>.


text:
And he <n>[also]</n> requested that they furnish animals for Paul to ride so he could be brought safely to Felix, the governor.


text:
“Claudius Lysias, <n>[commander of the battalion, is writing]</n> to His Excellency, Governor Felix. Greetings:


text:
This man <n>[i.e., Paul]</n> was grabbed by the Jews and almost killed by them when I discovered what they were doing and rescued him, after learning that he was a Roman citizen.


text:
So, I brought him before the Council because I wanted to know the reasons for the charges <n>[they were]</n> bringing against him.


text:
I found out that he was being accused over questions regarding their law, but that they had no charges against him deserving of the death penalty, or <n>[even]</n> of being kept in prison.


text:
And when I was told that there was a plot against the man, I sent him to you immediately, also ordering his accusers to present their case against him in front of you.”


text:
So, the soldiers took charge of Paul and took him at night to Antipatris <n>[Note: This was a town on the road between Jerusalem and Caesarea]</n> as they were ordered.


text:
The next day the soldiers allowed the horsemen to go on with Paul, while they <n>[themselves]</n> returned to headquarters.


text:
When they came to Caesarea and delivered the letter to the governor, they presented Paul before him.


text:
And when the governor read the letter, he asked what province Paul was from. When he learned that he was from Cilicia,


text:
he said, “I will hear your case fully when your accusers also get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept <n>[under guard]</n> in Herod's palace.


text:
Five days later the head priest, Ananias, came down <n>[to Caesarea]</n> with certain <n>[Jewish]</n> elders and an attorney <n>[named]</n> Tertullus, who brought their case against Paul before the governor.


text:
When Paul was called <n>[to appear before the court]</n> Tertullus began the prosecution by saying, “Your Excellency Felix: Since through you we are able to enjoy peace <n>[in this province]</n> and under your jurisdiction the problems in our society are being <n>[properly]</n> dealt with,


text:
But, not wanting to prolong matters for you, I urge you to give consideration to this brief account <n>[of the problem we face]</n>.


text:
We have found this man <n>[i.e., Paul]</n> to be extremely bothersome, and an instigator of strife among the Jews throughout the world and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.


text:
Some ancient manuscripts add this verse and we would have judged him according to our law but commander Lysias came and forcibly took him out of our hands


text:
<n>[and]</n> you will be able to determine the nature of our accusations against him by questioning him yourself.”


text:
Then the Jews also joined in <n>[making]</n> the charge, and confirmed all the facts that were being presented.


text:
And when the governor had motioned for him to speak, Paul answered <n>[the charges, by saying]</n>, “I know <n>[Your Excellency]</n> that you have administered justice for this nation for many years, so I am glad to make my defense <n>[before you]</n>.


text:
<n>[I know]</n> you can verify that it has not been over twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship.


text:
<n>[While there]</n> I was not observed arguing with anyone or trying to stir up a crowd <n>[to riot]</n> in the Temple or in the synagogues or <n>[anywhere else]</n> in the city.


text:
But, I declare to you, I am serving the God of our forefathers according to the ‘Way,’ called <n>[by my detractors]</n> a sect, and I believe everything that is in harmony with the Law of Moses and what is written in <n>[the writings of]</n> the prophets.


text:
I have a hope in God that there will be a resurrection both for those who have done right and those who have done wrong, just as the Jews themselves also expect.


text:
“Now after several years I came <n>[to Jerusalem]</n> to bring relief for the poor people of my nation and to present my offerings.


text:
While doing this, they <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n> found out that I had undergone the rites of purification in the Temple. There was no crowd and no commotion. But certain Jews from <n>[the province of]</n> Asia


text:
should have been here before you, <n>[Your Excellency]</n> to make their accusations, if they <n>[really]</n> had a valid charge against me.


text:
Or let these men themselves <n>[i.e., members of the Sanhedrin]</n> testify what they found wrong with me when I stood before their Council <n>[meeting]</n>.


text:
However, this one point, which I made when I stood among them <n>[could have been objectionable]</n>: I shouted, ‘The reason I am being charged before you today is <n>[my preaching of]</n> the resurrection of the dead.’”


text:
But because Felix <n>[felt he]</n> had more accurate knowledge of the “Way” <n>[than was being presented by Paul’s accusers]</n>, he dismissed them, saying, “When commander Lysias comes down <n>[to Caesarea]</n> I will make a decision on your case.”


text:
So, he ordered his officer to keep Paul in custody, yet with some freedom, and not to prevent any of his friends from ministering to his needs.


text:
After a number of days, Felix and Drusilla, his wife, who was a Jewess, came <n>[back to the palace]</n> and sent for Paul to <n>[come and]</n> tell them about <n>[the]</n> faith in Christ Jesus.


text:
And as he discussed the matters of doing right, and <n>[maintaining]</n> self control and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified and answered, “Go on away for now; I will call you back when it is convenient for me.”


text:
He had hoped, along with everything else, that he would receive money from Paul, so he sent for him more frequently and had discussions with him.


text:
So, Felix allowed Paul to remain in chains, because he wanted to gain favor with the Jews <n>[during that period of time]</n>. Two years passed and Felix was succeeded by Portius Festus.


text:
The leading priests and the leading Jewish men <n>[there]</n> informed Festus of the charges against Paul. Then they begged him


text:
to do them a favor by having Paul brought <n>[from Caesarea]</n> to Jerusalem, for they were plotting to kill him on the way.


text:
Festus answered that <n>[since]</n> Paul was being held in custody in Caesarea, and <n>[since]</n> he himself was soon going there <n>[i.e., he could see Paul at Caesarea at that time]</n>.


text:
So, he said, “Let your leaders go down with me and if there is anything <n>[found]</n> wrong with the man, let them bring their charges against him <n>[at that time]</n>.”


text:
After staying not more than eight or ten <n>[more]</n> days <n>[there in Jerusalem]</n>, Festus went down to Caesarea and the following day he ordered Paul to appear before him as he sat in his court of justice.


text:
When Paul appeared, the <n>[Jewish]</n> leaders who had accompanied Festus down from Jerusalem gathered around him and brought many serious charges against him, which they were not able to prove.


text:
Paul replied in his defense, “I have not committed any sin against the law of the Jews, nor against the Temple, nor against Caesar.”


text:
But Festus, wanting to gain favor with the Jews <n>[See 24:27]</n>, answered Paul, “Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and stand trial before me there?”


text:
Paul replied, “I am <n>[already]</n> standing before a court of Caesar's authority, where I deserve to be tried. I have done nothing wrong to the Jews, as you very well know.


text:
If then I am a criminal and have committed any crime that deserves the death penalty, I will not try to avoid being put to death. But if none of the charges I have been accused of are true, <n>[then]</n> no one has the right to turn me over <n>[to the authorities]</n>. I make my appeal to Caesar.”


text:
After conferring with his advisors, Festus answered Paul, “<n>[Since]</n> you have appealed to Caesar, then you will go to Caesar.”


text:
After a number of days King Agrippa <n>[Note: This man was the great grandson of Herod the Great. See Matt. 2:1]</n> and <n>[his wife]</n> Bernice arrived at Caesarea and came to greet Festus.


text:
While they stayed there <n>[with him]</n> for many days, Festus discussed Paul's case with the king, saying, “There is this man <n>[named Paul]</n> who was left in custody by Felix.


text:
When I was at Jerusalem, the leading priests and the Jewish elders presented his case before me to make a judgment against him.


text:
I answered them that it is not the custom of the Romans to turn over any person <n>[for sentencing]</n> before he is faced by his accusers and has had the opportunity to defend himself against the charges made against him.


text:
When therefore his accusers had assembled here I did not delay <n>[in dealing with the matter; in fact]</n> the very next day I sat in court and summoned the man to be brought <n>[before me]</n>.


text:
When his accusers stood up, they brought no charge of wrongdoing as I had expected <n>[they would]</n>.


text:
All they had was a controversy with him over their own religion and about someone named Jesus, who had died <n>[but]</n> whom Paul alleges is <n>[now]</n> alive.


text:
And I was perplexed as to how to proceed with the investigation, so I <n>[finally]</n> asked him if he would go to Jerusalem to have his case judged there.


text:
But when Paul requested that his case be reviewed for a decision by Caesar, I ordered him to remain in custody until I could send him to Caesar.”


text:
Agrippa said to Festus, “I had been wanting to hear this man's testimony myself.” <n>[Festus replied]</n>, “Tomorrow you will <n>[have the opportunity to]</n> hear him.”


text:
So, the next day, when Agrippa and <n>[his wife]</n> Bernice, arrived in an elaborate procession, they entered the hearing chamber, along with the commanders and leading men of the city.


text:
Then Festus spoke, “King Agrippa, and all you gentlemen assembled with us, you see this man whose case a large number of Jews, <n>[first]</n> at Jerusalem and <n>[then]</n> here <n>[in Caesarea]</n> have petitioned me <n>[to resolve]</n>. They have been clamoring for him to be put to death,


text:
but I found that he had committed nothing which deserved the death <n>[penalty]</n>. And since he himself appealed <n>[his case]</n> to the Emperor, I decided to send him <n>[to Rome]</n>.


text:
But I do not have anything specific to write to His Majesty. This is the reason I have brought him before this assembly, and especially before you, King Agrippa, so that after you have questioned him, I would <n>[then]</n> have something <n>[substantial]</n> to write.


text:
For it does not seem reasonable for me to send a prisoner <n>[to Rome]</n> without indicating what the <n>[formal]</n> charges are against him.”


text:
Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” So, Paul motioned <n>[to the assembly]</n> with his hand <n>[for attention]</n> and began speaking in his defense:


text:
“King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate that I am able to defend myself before you concerning all the charges being brought against me by the Jews,


text:
especially since you are an expert on all the customs and issues discussed among the Jews. So, for this reason I request that you hear <n>[my response to them]</n> patiently.


text:
All the Jews know how I lived during my youth and my early days among <n>[the people of]</n> my nation, and <n>[especially here]</n> in Jerusalem.


text:
They know of my early background; if they were willing to, they could testify that I lived as a <n>[faithful]</n> Pharisee, <n>[which is]</n> the strictest sect of our religion.


text:
And now I am standing <n>[here]</n>, being judged because <n>[I believe that]</n> God will fulfill the hope He promised to our forefathers.


text:
This is the promise our twelve tribes <n>[i.e., family groups]</n>, who earnestly serve God night and day, hope to see fulfilled. It is because <n>[I advocate]</n> this hope, O King, that I am being charged <n>[with wrongdoing]</n> by the Jews.


text:
I truly thought within myself <n>[that it was right]</n> to do many things which were opposed to the name of Jesus from Nazareth.


text:
So, I was doing this in Jerusalem, having received <n>[my]</n> authority from the leading priests. I both imprisoned many of the saints <n>[i.e., God’s holy people]</n> and <n>[even]</n> voiced my approval when they were put to death <n>[See 8:1]</n>.


text:
I often persecuted them in the synagogues, <n>[even]</n> trying to get them to blaspheme <n>[i.e., speak against God]</n>. I had extreme anger toward them and <n>[even]</n> traveled to foreign cities <n>[in my effort]</n> to persecute them.


text:
“While on a journey to Damascus for this purpose, I was acting under the authority and directive of the leading priests.


text:
<n>[Then]</n> along the road, about noon, O King, I saw a light from the sky, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those traveling with me.


text:
When we all fell to the ground I heard a voice speaking in the Hebrew <n>[i.e., Aramaic]</n> language. <n>[It said]</n>, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? You are only hurting yourself by kicking against the spurs <n>[i.e., opposing the work of God]</n>.’


text:
But, get up onto your feet, for the reason I have appeared to you is to appoint you a minister and witness of both the things you have <n>[already]</n> seen of me and the things I will <n>[reveal when]</n> appearing to you.


text:
to open their eyes <n>[to the truth]</n> so they will turn from darkness to light and from the power <n>[i.e., the influence]</n> of Satan to God. <n>[Then]</n> they can receive the forgiveness of sins and the inheritance <n>[of never ending life]</n>, along with <n>[all]</n> those who are set apart <n>[for God]</n> by trusting in Me.’


text:
but, <n>[instead]</n> declared to the people of Damascus first, <n>[then]</n> to the people of Jerusalem, and <n>[finally to those]</n> throughout all of the district of Judea, as well as to the Gentiles <n>[everywhere]</n> that they should repent <n>[i.e., change their hearts and lives]</n> and turn to God, doing deeds which demonstrate their repentance.


text:
But I obtained help from God and so <n>[I am able to]</n> stand here to this day, testifying to both the common people and to those in prominence. <n>[I am]</n> saying only what the prophets and Moses said would happen,


text:
namely, that the Christ must suffer and be the first to rise from the dead <n>[i.e., never to die again]</n> and then proclaim the light <n>[of the Gospel]</n> to the <n>[Jewish]</n> people and to the Gentiles.”


text:
As Paul made his defense in this way, Festus said to him loudly, “Paul, you are crazy. All your education is driving you insane.”


text:
But Paul replied, “I am not crazy, Your Excellency Festus; I am <n>[just]</n> speaking a message of truth and sound reason.


text:
I can speak boldly of these things because the King knows <n>[they are true]</n>. And I am convinced that none of these things are hidden from you, for none of them have been done in a corner <n>[i.e., secretly]</n>.


text:
Agrippa said to Paul, “You expect to persuade me to be a Christian with such little effort <n>[or, in such a short time]</n>?”


text:
Paul replied, “I wish to God that, whether it would take a little or a lot, not only you, but all those who hear me today, might become <n>[Christians]</n> like me, except <n>[not]</n> with these chains.”


text:
Then King Agrippa, <n>[his wife]</n> Bernice, Governor <n>[Festus]</n> and <n>[the commanders and leading men of the city, 25:23]</n> all rose up,


text:
and when they left <n>[the room]</n> they conferred with one another, saying, “This man is not doing anything deserving of the death penalty or <n>[even]</n> imprisonment.”


text:
Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been released if he had not appealed <n>[his case]</n> to Caesar.”


text:
And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they transferred Paul and certain other prisoners to the custody of a military officer named Julius, of the Augustan battalion.


text:
We boarded a ship <n>[originating]</n> from Adramyttium which was ready to sail <n>[from here in Caesarea]</n>, heading out to sea for parts of the coast of <n>[the province of]</n> Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica, went with us.


text:
The next day we stopped at Sidon <n>[i.e., a seaport on the northwest coast of Palestine]</n>. Julius treated Paul with kindness, <n>[even]</n> giving him the opportunity to meet his friends <n>[there]</n> and receive help <n>[from them]</n>.


text:
We headed out to sea from there and sailed along the sheltered side of Cyprus because the wind was against us.


text:
When we had sailed across the sea, off <n>[the coast of]</n> Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, <n>[a town]</n> of Lycia.


text:
There Julius, the military officer, arranged <n>[passage]</n> for us on a ship, <n>[originating]</n> from Alexandria, <n>[and]</n> bound for Italy, and put us on board.


text:
When we had sailed slowly for many days <n>[and]</n> had trouble passing Cnidus because of an unfavorable wind, we sailed on the sheltered side of Crete and on past Salmone.


text:
After making our way along the coast <n>[of Crete]</n> with difficulty, we arrived at a place called Fair Harbors <n>[i.e., the principal seaport of the island]</n>, which was near the town of Lasea.


text:
After much time had passed, the voyage became more dangerous because it was <n>[now]</n> past the Day of Atonement <n>[Note: This would have been around September or October, when a sea voyage involved rough sailing]</n>. So, Paul began warning the people <n>[aboard ship]</n>,


text:
saying, “Sirs, I can see that this voyage will result in suffering and much loss, not only to the ship and its cargo, but also to our <n>[very]</n> lives.”


text:
But the military officer paid more attention to the captain and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul was saying.


text:
And, because the harbor was not suitable for staying in all winter, most of those on board were in favor of putting out to sea from there. They were hoping to reach Phoenix, <n>[another]</n> harbor on <n>[the island of]</n> Crete, which faced northwest and southwest, and <n>[then]</n> to spend the winter there.


text:
When the south wind began to blow gently, they raised anchor, thinking this was the opportunity they had hoped for, <n>[then]</n> sailed close to the coastline of <n>[southern]</n> Crete.


text:
and when the ship was caught <n>[by it]</n>, we were not able to face the wind, so had to give in and allow the ship to drift.


text:
Then, sailing on the sheltered side of a small island named Cauda, we experienced difficulty in trying to secure the ship’s life-boat.


text:
And when they <n>[finally]</n> got the boat hoisted up, they slung <n>[rope]</n> cables underneath <n>[and around]</n> the hull <n>[of the ship to reinforce it]</n>. Then, fearing the ship would run aground on the <n>[shifting]</n>, shallow sandbar <n>[called]</n> Syrtis, they lowered their <n>[navigation]</n> gear <n>[Note: This may have been sails, rigging, etc.]</n> and so were driven <n>[as a derelict by the wind]</n>.


text:
As we were being severely battered by the storm, they began the next day to throw the cargo overboard <n>[i.e., to lighten the ship]</n>.


text:
On the third day, they handed <n>[the rest of]</n> the ship’s gear to each other, and threw it overboard <n>[Note: This was perhaps furniture, rigging, sails, baggage, etc.]</n>.


text:
When they could see neither the sun nor the stars for many days <n>[due to the storm]</n>, and with the wind blowing furiously on them, they gave up all hope of <n>[ever]</n> being saved.


text:
When they had gone without food for a long time, Paul stood in the middle of the crew and spoke, “Men, you should have listened to me and not sailed from Crete and thereby have to experience such suffering and loss.


text:
But, now I want to encourage you to cheer up, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only the ship <n>[will be lost]</n>.


text:
saying, ‘Do not be afraid Paul, for you must appear before Caesar, and look, God will grant you <n>[the safety of]</n> all these men aboard ship <n>[along]</n> with yourself.’


text:
When the fourteenth night came, and while we were being tossed around <n>[helplessly]</n> in the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the crew suspected they were nearing land.


text:
So, they tested for depth and found <n>[they were in]</n> 120 feet <n>[of water]</n>. Then a little later they tested again and found it to be 90 feet.


text:
So, fearing the possibility of being run aground on a rocky shore, they dropped four anchors from the stern and longed for daylight <n>[to come]</n>.


text:
The crew had <n>[by now]</n> lowered the life-boat into the water, pretending to be dropping anchors from the bow, <n>[but were in reality]</n> attempting to abandon ship.


text:
Paul said to the military officer <n>[Julius]</n> and to his soldiers, “Unless these men stay aboard the ship, none of you will be saved.”


text:
As it was dawning, Paul urged them <n>[i.e., the crew, soldiers and probably the passengers]</n> to eat something, saying, “You have been waiting for fourteen days <n>[for the weather to break]</n> and you have continued to fast <n>[all that time]</n>, eating nothing <n>[at all]</n>.


text:
I urge you to eat some food; it will be for your own good, for not one hair from anyone's head will be lost.”


text:
And when he had said this he took bread, gave thanks to God for it in front of everyone, then broke it and began to eat.


text:
And when they had eaten sufficiently, they began lightening the ship <n>[so it would float higher]</n> by throwing their wheat overboard.


text:
When it got daylight they saw an island they did not recognize, but noticed <n>[it had]</n> a particular bay with a <n>[suitable]</n> beach. So, they discussed whether it would be possible to run the ship aground on the beach.


text:
<n>[Finally]</n> they cut the ropes, dropping the anchors into the water and at the same time they released the oars used for steering. Then they hoisted the bow-sail to the wind and headed <n>[straight]</n> for the beach.


text:
Landing where two <n>[strong]</n> currents met, the ship ran aground, its bow lodging <n>[in the sand]</n> while its stern began to break up from the driving surf.


text:
<n>[Meanwhile]</n> the soldiers had decided to kill the prisoners so that none of them would swim away and escape.


text:
But the military officer, wanting to save Paul <n>[from being killed]</n>, prevented them from doing this. <n>[Instead]</n> he ordered those who could swim to jump overboard and be the first to reach land.


text:
The rest <n>[he reasoned]</n> could reach shore by floating on planks or other debris from the ship. And so it happened that all of them escaped safely to land.


text:
After we escaped <n>[from the sinking ship]</n> we became aware that the island <n>[on which we had landed]</n> was Melita <n>[i.e., present-day Malta]</n>.


text:
The natives <n>[there]</n> showed us uncommon kindness. It had begun to rain and was <n>[getting]</n> cold, so they built a fire and made us feel welcome.


text:
But as Paul gathered a bundle of sticks, and was placing them on the fire, a snake crawled out because of the heat and clung to his hand.


text:
And when the natives saw the poisonous creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “This man must be a murderer because, even though he escaped from the sea, <n>[divine]</n> justice is not going to allow him to live.”


text:
But the natives expected him to swell up <n>[from snake bite]</n> or fall dead suddenly, but after expecting this for a long time and not seeing any harm come to him, they changed their minds and said he was a god.


text:
Now in that general vicinity there was property belonging to the chief of the island, a man named Publius, who welcomed us courteously and entertained us for three days.


text:
And it happened that Publius’ father lay sick with a fever and dysentery. Paul went <n>[to his house]</n> and, after praying and placing hands on him, healed him.


text:
When he had done this, the rest of those on the island who had diseases, <n>[also]</n> came and were healed.


text:
These people also showered many honors on us and when we sailed <n>[away]</n>, they brought the provisions we needed and put them aboard <n>[the ship]</n>.


text:
After three months we set sail on a ship that had spent the winter on the island <n>[of Melita]</n>. This ship had originated from Alexandria and was designated as “Twin Brothers” <n>[Note: The ship may have been named this because of its prow containing the figures of the mythical twin gods of sailors, Castor and Pollux]</n>.


text:
And docking at Syracuse <n>[i.e., a town on the eastern shore of Sicily]</n>, we stayed there three days.


text:
From there we sailed around <n>[and then north]</n> until we arrived at Rhegium <n>[i.e., a town on the “toe” of Italy]</n>. The next day a south wind began blowing, and on the second day we arrived at Puteoli <n>[i.e., a town about half-way to Rome]</n>,


text:
where we found <n>[some Christian]</n> brothers. They urged us to stay with them for seven days. So, <n>[that is how]</n> we finally got to Rome.


text:
<n>[So]</n>, hearing that we were coming, the brothers <n>[from Rome]</n> traveled from there as far <n>[south]</n> as “The Market of Appius” and “The Three Inns” to meet us. When Paul saw them he thanked God and was <n>[very]</n> encouraged.


text:
When we entered Rome <n>[itself]</n> Paul was permitted to live alone except for a soldier who guarded him.


text:
And it happened after three days that Paul called together those who were the leading Jews, and when they assembled he said to them, “Brothers, although I had done nothing against the <n>[Jewish]</n> people or the customs of our forefathers, yet I was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, being placed in the custody of the Romans <n>[while there]</n>.


text:
After questioning me, they wanted to release me because they could not find any grounds for sentencing me to death.


text:
But when the Jews objected to this, I was compelled to appeal <n>[my case]</n> to Caesar, even though I had no <n>[legitimate]</n> charge <n>[to bring]</n> against my country.


text:
It was for this reason that I requested to see you and talk with you, for I am wearing this chain because of the hope held by the Israelites.”


text:
Then they said to him, “We did not receive any letters from Judea about you, nor did any of the brothers come here to report anything bad about you.


text:
But we would like to hear what you think, for according to our knowledge, this sect <n>[you belong to]</n> is being spoken against everywhere.”


text:
And when they had arranged a day, large numbers of people came to Paul's house. He explained <n>[everything to them]</n>, testifying from morning until evening concerning the kingdom of God and concerning <n>[the Messiahship of]</n> Jesus, both from the Law of Moses and from <n>[the writings of]</n> the prophets.


text:
And when they could not agree among themselves they left, after hearing Paul make this one <n>[important]</n> statement: “The Holy Spirit has spoken truthfully to your forefathers through Isaiah the prophet,


text:
saying, <n>[Isa. 6:9-10]</n>, ‘Go to these people and say, you will hear all right, but you will not understand <n>[what you hear]</n>. You will see all right, but you will not perceive <n>[what you see]</n>.


text:
For these people’s minds are dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes. For, if this were not the case, they would perceive what they see with their eyes, and understand what they hear with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and would turn <n>[back to God]</n> again and I <n>[God]</n> would heal them <n>[from their sins]</n>.’


text:
Then let it be known to you that salvation from God is <n>[now]</n> being announced to the Gentiles. They will listen <n>[to it]</n>.”


text:
Some ancient manuscripts contain this verse And when he had said these words, the Jews left, disputing about the matter among themselves.


text:
He preached to them about the kingdom of God and taught things about the Lord Jesus Christ, with no one preventing him.


text:
<n>[This letter is from]</n> Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, <n>[who was]</n> called to be an apostle, <n>[and]</n> set apart for <n>[preaching]</n> the Gospel of God.


text:
God had promised this good news a long time ago through His prophets <n>[and had it written]</n> in the holy Scriptures <n>[i.e., the Old Testament]</n>.


text:
He was appointed to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of holiness <n>[Note: This could refer to the Holy Spirit]</n> when He was raised from the dead.


text:
It was through Jesus, and for His name’s sake, that we <n>[i.e., I]</n> received God’s favor to become an apostle, in order to bring about obedience based on faith from among people of all nations.


text:
All of you there in Rome <n>[i.e., the church there]</n> are also among such obedient believers. You are called Jesus Christ’s <n>[people]</n>, loved by God and called to be His holy people. May you have unearned favor and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.


text:
First of all, I want to thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being told about throughout the whole world.


text:
For God, whom I serve wholeheartedly in <n>[preaching]</n> the Gospel of His Son, is my witness <n>[to the truth]</n> of how continually I mention you in my prayers.


text:
For I long to see you so that I can provide you with some spiritual gift <n>[See I Cor. 12:1-11]</n>, for the purpose of strengthening you <n>[in the faith]</n>.


text:
And I want you to be aware, brothers, of how frequently I <n>[had]</n> planned to visit you (but was prevented from doing so until now). I wanted to come in order to bear some fruit <n>[i.e., make additional converts]</n> among you, just as I have done among the other Gentiles <n>[i.e., unconverted people]</n>.


text:
I have a debt to pay <n>[i.e., an obligation to preach]</n> to Greeks and heathens; to the educated and to the ignorant.


text:
I am not ashamed of the good news <n>[i.e., the Gospel]</n>, because it is God’s power for <n>[bringing]</n> salvation to every person who believes <n>[in Jesus]</n>; first to Jews and then to Greeks <n>[i.e., unconverted Gentiles]</n>.


text:
For the Gospel reveals how a person can be made right with God. It is through faith <n>[in Jesus]</n>, from beginning to end, just as it is written <n>[Hab. 2:4]</n>, “The righteous person will <n>[obtain]</n> life by <n>[his]</n> faith <n>[in God]</n>.”


text:
For God’s extreme anger is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people who restrain the truth <n>[from being known and obeyed]</n> by their wickedness.


text:
For what is known about God is plain to these people <n>[i.e., to the Gentiles]</n>, because God has made it clear to them.


text:
For since the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities of eternal power and divine nature have been clearly seen, <n>[capable of]</n> being perceived through the things that He has made. So, these people have no excuse <n>[i.e., for not believing in Him]</n>.


text:
Now they knew who God was, but they did not honor Him as God or thank Him <n>[for their blessings]</n>. Instead they engaged in their useless speculations and their foolish minds were filled with <n>[spiritual]</n> darkness.


text:
and exchanged the honor belonging to the immortal God for the statues of mortal men, and birds, and animals and reptiles.


text:
So, God allowed <n>[or, abandoned]</n> them to have the impure desires of their hearts, and to <n>[practice]</n> degrading behavior with their bodies among themselves.


text:
For they exchanged God’s truth for the <n>[devil’s]</n> lie, and worshiped and served what was created instead of the Creator, who is to be praised forever. May it be so.


text:
For this reason God allowed <n>[or, abandoned]</n> them to <n>[practice]</n> degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function <n>[i.e., of sex]</n> for what is against nature <n>[i.e., lesbianism]</n>.


text:
And men did the same thing, leaving the natural function <n>[i.e., of sex]</n> with women, and burning in their desire for each other. Men committed indecent <n>[sexual]</n> acts with other men <n>[i.e., homosexuality]</n>, and <n>[so]</n> brought on themselves the penalty they deserved for this perversion.


text:
And since these people refused to acknowledge God, He has allowed <n>[or, abandoned]</n> them to have degraded minds and to practice those things which they should not do.


text:
They are full of all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and maliciousness. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips,


text:
slanderers, hateful toward God, arrogant, proud and boastful. They think up evil things to do; they disobey their parents;


text:
they do not have any sense; they do not keep their promises; they fail to show natural affection; and they are merciless.


text:
These people know that God’s decrees require that those who practice such things deserve to die <n>[i.e., either spiritual or temporal punishment]</n>, yet they not only do the same things <n>[themselves]</n>, but even approve of other people who practice them.


text:
So, whoever you are, you people do not have any excuse for judging people <n>[Note: At this point Paul begins addressing the Jews. See verse 17]</n>. For in a matter where you judge someone else <n>[to be wrong]</n> you <n>[actually]</n> condemn yourselves, because you are practicing the same things <n>[you condemn them for doing]</n>.


text:
Now we <n>[Jews]</n> know that God’s judgment against people who practice such things <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> is according to truth. <n>[Note: Some use “You say,” at the beginning of the sentence, making it an assertion of the Jews which Paul sets about to answer]</n>.


text:
But consider this, you people who judge others for practicing the same things you <n>[yourselves]</n> practice; do you think you will escape God’s judgment <n>[for this]</n>?


text:
Or, do you despise the abundance of God’s kindness and tolerance and patience <n>[toward you]</n>, not realizing that His kindness is intended to cause you to repent? <n>[i.e., to change your hearts and lives]</n>.


text:
But your stubbornness and refusal to repent are storing up wrath <n>[i.e., punishment]</n> for yourselves, <n>[to be experienced]</n> on the Day of Wrath <n>[i.e., the Day of Judgment]</n> when God’s just judgment will be revealed.


text:
To the ones who continue doing what is good and who look for glory, honor and immortal life <n>[God will give]</n> never ending life.


text:
But to the ones who have selfish ambition <n>[Note: Some translate these words “are contentious”]</n> and refuse to obey the truth, but <n>[instead]</n> obey what is wrong, <n>[God will bring]</n> wrath, fury,


text:
anguish and distress. He will bring these upon every human being who does wrong, upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n>.


text:
But <n>[He will bring]</n> glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks,


text:
For all those people <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> who have sinned without <n>[knowing]</n> the Law of Moses will also be lost without <n>[knowing]</n> that law. And all those people <n>[i.e., Jews]</n> who have sinned under <n>[the authority]</n> of the Law of Moses will be judged by <n>[the requirements of]</n> that law.


text:
For <n>[it is]</n> not those who hear the Law of Moses who are right with God, but <n>[it is]</n> those who obey <n>[the requirements of]</n> that law <n>[perfectly]</n> who will be considered right with God.


text:
(For when the <n>[unconverted]</n> Gentiles, who do not have the Law of Moses, instinctively practice <n>[some of]</n> its requirements, they become their own lawmakers, even though they do not have the Law of Moses.


text:
In doing this <n>[i.e., practicing some of the requirements of the Law of Moses]</n>, they demonstrate that these requirements are written in their hearts. Their conscience tells them this, and their thoughts alternately accuse them <n>[of wrongdoing]</n>, or else endorse them <n>[for doing right]</n>).


text:
This will be done on the day when God judges the secrets of men’s <n>[hearts]</n> through Christ Jesus, according to <n>[the teaching of]</n> my Gospel.


text:
But if you call yourselves “Jews,” and <n>[claim to]</n> rely on the Law of Moses, and brag about <n>[belonging to]</n> God;


text:
if you know His will and have been taught by the Law of Moses to <n>[evaluate and]</n> give approval to what is best;


text:
if you are confident that you can give <n>[spiritual]</n> guidance to blind people and enlightenment to those who are in <n>[spiritual]</n> darkness;


text:
if you are instructors of the ignorant, and teachers of babies <n>[i.e., immature people]</n> and possess in the Law of Moses the <n>[correct]</n> form of knowledge and truth ---


text:
since you teach other people <n>[all of this]</n>, why do you not teach yourselves <n>[these things]</n>? You preach that a person should not steal, <n>[but]</n> do you steal?


text:
You say that a person should not commit adultery <n>[i.e., sexual unfaithfulness to their mate]</n>, <n>[but]</n> do you commit adultery? You <n>[claim to]</n> hate idols, <n>[but]</n> do you rob <n>[their]</n> temples? <n>[Note: It is difficult to determine how the Jews were doing this. Perhaps they were guilty of the “spirit” of idolatry by devoting their efforts and affections to material things instead of to God]</n>.


text:
For God’s name is being spoken against among the Gentiles because of your behavior, just as it is written. <n>[See Isa. 52:5]</n>.


text:
Now the practice of circumcision <n>[i.e., the Jewish rite of identity, signifying the responsibility to observe the Law of Moses]</n> is worthwhile, providing you obey <n>[the rest of]</n> the Law of Moses. But if you disobey the law, you might as well have never been circumcised.


text:
So, if an uncircumcised person <n>[i.e., a Gentile]</n> obeys <n>[the rest of]</n> the requirements of the law, will not the fact that he is not circumcised be considered <n>[by God]</n> as though he were?


text:
So, will not those physically uncircumcised people <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n>, who obey the law, condemn you <n>[Jews]</n> for breaking the law, even though you have the written code and <n>[practice]</n> circumcision?


text:
For that person is not a Jew who is one <n>[merely]</n> on the outside. And circumcision is not <n>[merely]</n> an outward physical ordinance.


text:
But the <n>[true]</n> Jew is the person who is one on the inside, and <n>[his]</n> circumcision is a heart condition, <n>[produced]</n> by the Holy Spirit and not by the written Law of Moses. <n>[Note: Some translate “Spirit” here as “spirit” and make it simply an amplification of “heart”]</n>. This person receives his praise from God and not <n>[merely]</n> from people.


text:
What advantage then does the Jew have <n>[i.e., over the Gentile]</n>? Or what value is there in circumcision?


text:
Much in every way! First of all, the Jews were entrusted with the messages of God <n>[i.e., their prophets received divine revelations]</n>.


text:
But what if some <n>[of the Jews]</n> were unfaithful? Does their lack of faith nullify the faithfulness of God? Certainly not!


text:
But let God be truthful, <n>[even if]</n> everyone <n>[else]</n> is a liar. For it is written <n>[Psa. 51:4]</n>, “<n>[God]</n>, you should be proven right when you speak, and win <n>[your case]</n> when put on trial.”


text:
Now if our wrongdoing serves to emphasize more clearly that God does what is right, what should we say about that? Is God being unjust for sending <n>[His]</n> wrath <n>[on the world]</n>? (I am raising a human objection).


text:
But if my “lie” <n>[i.e., as you Jews call it]</n> would result in God’s truthfulness <n>[about you Jews]</n> increasing the honor He receives, why am I also still judged to be a sinner <n>[by you]</n>?


text:
And why should we not say, “Let us do what is wrong so something good will come from it,” as some people slanderously claim that we are saying? These people deserve to be condemned.


text:
What then? Are we <n>[Jews]</n> any better off <n>[than those Gentiles]</n>? No, not at all, for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n> alike are under <n>[the power of]</n> sin,


text:
as it is written <n>[Psa. 14:1ff; 53:1ff]</n>, “No one <n>[always]</n> does what is right; not even one person.


text:
Everyone has turned away <n>[from God]</n>. All of them have become worthless. No one is <n>[always]</n> kind; no, not even one person.”


text:
<n>[Psa. 5:9 says]</n>, “Their throats are like open graves <n>[i.e., they are foul-mouthed]</n>. They have spoken deceitfully.” <n>[Psa. 90:3 says]</n>, “There is snake venom under their lips <n>[i.e., their words are deadly]</n>.”


text:
Now we <n>[all]</n> know that everything the law says applies to those who are under <n>[obligation to obey]</n> that law, <n>[Note: Here “the law” appears to refer to the Old Testament Scriptures generally, since Psalms and Isaiah are quoted. See verses 10-18]</n>. This is so that the mouth of every objector may be stopped <n>[i.e., from making excuses for his sin]</n>, and thereby bring the entire world under God’s judgment <n>[i.e., both Jews and Gentiles]</n>.


text:
This is because no human being can be considered right with God by <n>[obeying]</n> the requirements of a law. <n>[Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which “law” is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the Law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]</n>. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the Law of Moses.


text:
But now <n>[i.e., under the Gospel age]</n>, a way of being considered right with God apart from <n>[any]</n> law has been made known. <n>[The writings of]</n> the law <n>[i.e., the Pentateuch]</n> and the prophets bear witness to this.


text:
Being considered right with God is <n>[obtained]</n> through faith in Jesus Christ by every person who believes <n>[in Him]</n>, for there is no favoritism <n>[with God]</n>,


text:
for everyone has sinned and falls short of God’s glory <n>[i.e., His approval, or His perfect character]</n>.


text:
But people are made right with Him as a free gift by His unearned favor, through being bought back <n>[from Satan]</n> by Christ Jesus.


text:
God presented Jesus as the atoning sacrifice <n>[i.e., a “covering over” or forgiveness of our sins]</n> through <n>[our]</n> faith in His blood <n>[i.e., His death on the cross]</n>. This was in order to demonstrate His justice when, by using forbearance, He passed over people’s sins in previous generations.


text:
<n>[In doing this]</n> God <n>[also]</n> demonstrated His justice <n>[to people]</n> of this present time that He Himself is just and the One who makes the people right with Him who have faith in Jesus.


text:
Where then is the <n>[basis for]</n> boasting <n>[i.e., over being right with God]</n>? There is not any. Is it by <n>[obedience to]</n> a law? Is it by doing certain deeds? Not at all, but by a law of faith.


text:
For we conclude that a person is made right with God by faith <n>[in Christ]</n>, apart from <n>[obedience to]</n> the requirements of a law <n>[or, the Law of Moses, See verse 20]</n>.


text:
Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is He not the God of the Gentiles also? Yes, <n>[indeed]</n>, of the Gentiles also,


text:
since there is <n>[only]</n> one God, who makes the circumcised ones <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n> right with Him by faith <n>[in Christ]</n> and the uncircumcised ones <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> through faith <n>[in Christ]</n>.


text:
Do we then <n>[intend to]</n> destroy law <n>[observance]</n> because faith <n>[in Christ is now required]</n>? Certainly not! But <n>[instead]</n>, we uphold <n>[the validity of]</n> law.


text:
For if Abraham had been made right with God by doing good deeds he would have had something to boast about, but not in God’s presence.


text:
For what does the Scripture say? <n>[Gen. 15:6 says]</n>, “And Abraham believed God, so God considered him righteous.”


text:
Now wages are not considered a gift if the person has to work for them, but <n>[rather]</n> an obligation <n>[of his employer]</n>.


text:
But to the person who believes in God, who makes ungodly people right with Himself apart from doing good deeds, that person’s faith is considered by God <n>[as the basis]</n> for being righteous.


text:
Even King David also spoke of the blessing experienced by the person who was considered righteous by God apart from doing good deeds.


text:
He said <n>[Psa. 32:1ff]</n>, “Those people whose ungodly deeds are forgiven <n>[by God]</n> and whose sins are covered over, are <n>[truly]</n> blessed.


text:
Is this blessing experienced by the circumcised ones <n>[i.e., the Jews only]</n> or by the uncircumcised ones <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> also? We are saying, “Abraham’s faith was credited to him for righteousness.”


text:
<n>[But]</n> when was he given credit <n>[i.e., for being righteous]</n>? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was before he was circumcised, not afterward.


text:
He received the sign of circumcision as a seal <n>[confirming]</n> that he had been <n>[considered]</n> righteous because of the faith he had before being circumcised. Thus, he became the <n>[spiritual]</n> father of all people who believe <n>[in God]</n>, even though they have not been circumcised, so that they could be considered righteous <n>[by their faith]</n>.


text:
And he also became the father of circumcised people <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n>, who are not only circumcised, but who also follow the <n>[same]</n> example of faith <n>[in God]</n> which our forefather Abraham had before he was circumcised.


text:
For it was not through <n>[obedience to]</n> law <n>[See 3:31]</n> that the promise to Abraham or his descendants of inheriting <n>[the best of]</n> the world <n>[was made]</n>, but through their being considered righteous because of faith <n>[in God]</n>.


text:
For if <n>[only]</n> those who are obedient to the law deserve an inheritance, <n>[then their]</n> faith <n>[in God]</n> is for nothing, and God’s promise is nullified.


text:
For the law brings <n>[God’s]</n> wrath <n>[i.e., because of man’s failure to obey it perfectly]</n>, but where there is no law, there is no <n>[responsibility for]</n> sin.


text:
For this reason, the promise <n>[i.e., of being made right with God]</n> comes through faith <n>[in God]</n>, according to His unearned favor, so that it may be <n>[given]</n> with certainty to all of Abraham’s descendants. The promise is given not only to those <n>[who live]</n> under the law <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n>, but also to <n>[all]</n> those <n>[who live]</n> by faith, like Abraham. Abraham is the <n>[spiritual]</n> father of all of us <n>[believers]</n>,


text:
just as it is written <n>[Gen. 17:5]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> have made you <n>[i.e., Abraham]</n> forefather of many nations.” He received this promise in the presence of God, in whom he believed, and who gives life <n>[back]</n> to dead people and who refers to things <n>[promised]</n> as though they were <n>[already]</n> fulfilled.


text:
Abraham hoped for what he believed <n>[God had promised]</n>, even when there seemed little hope <n>[of it happening]</n>, so this made him forefather of many nations, according to the words spoken to him <n>[Gen. 15:5]</n>, “Your descendants will be many.”


text:
Abraham’s faith did not become weak <n>[even though]</n> he was about one hundred years old and considered his body almost dead and Sarah’s womb incapable of conceiving a child.


text:
Yet he looked for the promise of God <n>[to be fulfilled]</n> and did not waver, doubting <n>[that it would happen]</n>, but his faith strengthened him. He honored God


text:
but they were written for our sake also, who will be considered righteous by God for believing in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.


text:
<n>[This]</n> Jesus was delivered up <n>[to die]</n> for our sins and was raised <n>[from the dead]</n> to make us right with God.


text:
So, since we are made right with God by <n>[our]</n> faith, we have peace with Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.Romans 5:2 Through Jesus we have also gained access by <n>[our]</n> faith to this unearned favor <n>[of God]</n>. We stand firm in it, and are glad that we have the hope of being honored by God.


text:
And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that <n>[experiencing]</n> troubles produces endurance;


text:
And <n>[having such]</n> hope keeps us from being disappointed, because God’s love <n>[for us]</n> has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit, who was given to us <n>[by God]</n>.


text:
Someone would not likely die to rescue a righteous person, though possibly someone would dare to die in order to rescue a good person.


text:
But God demonstrates His own love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.


text:
Since we are now made right with God by the blood of Christ <n>[i.e., by His dying on the cross]</n>, how much more certain it is that we will be saved from God’s wrath <n>[in the future]</n> by Him!


text:
For if while we were <n>[God’s]</n> enemies, we were restored to fellowship with Him through the death of His Son, now that we have been restored, how much more <n>[certainly]</n> will we be saved <n>[from condemnation]</n> by His life!


text:
And not only is this true, but we also rejoice in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have been restored to fellowship with God.


text:
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through <n>[the action of]</n> one man <n>[i.e., Adam]</n> and <n>[physical]</n> death through that sin, so <n>[physical]</n> death has spread to all people, because all people have sinned. <n>[Note: This difficult passage (verses 12-21) seems to be saying that the entire human race must experience physical death because of Adam’s sin (I Cor. 5:22), which is somehow considered to be everyone’s sin. See Murray, pp. 180-187, for a thorough discussion]</n>.


text:
For even before the Law of Moses, sin was <n>[being committed]</n> in the world. But man is not responsible for <n>[his]</n> sin when there is no law.


text:
Yet <n>[physical]</n> death ruled <n>[over mankind]</n> from the time of Adam to Moses, even over those people who had not sinned the way Adam did. <n>[Now]</n> Adam prefigured the coming of Jesus.


text:
But the free gift <n>[of salvation through Christ]</n> is not <n>[exactly]</n> like the sin <n>[of Adam]</n>. For if many people died <n>[physically]</n> because of the sin of the one man <n>[i.e., Adam]</n>, how much more did God’s favor abound by <n>[providing]</n> His gracious gift <n>[of salvation]</n> to many people because of the one man, Jesus Christ.


text:
And the gift <n>[of salvation]</n> is not like <n>[the effect of]</n> one man’s sin <n>[i.e., Adam’s]</n>, for <n>[God’s]</n> judgment of condemnation came <n>[upon mankind]</n> through one man <n>[i.e., Adam]</n>, but the free gift <n>[of salvation]</n> came as the result of <n>[the]</n> many sins <n>[of mankind]</n> and <n>[it]</n> made people right with God.


text:
For if <n>[physical]</n> death ruled <n>[over mankind]</n> because of the sin of the one man <n>[i.e., Adam]</n>, how much more will those who receive the abundance of God’s unearned favor, and the gift of being right with Him, rule in <n>[never ending]</n> life through the one man, Jesus Christ.


text:
So then, just as <n>[God’s]</n> judgment came, condemning all people <n>[to physical death]</n> because of one sin <n>[i.e., Adam’s]</n>; even so the free gift of being made right with God and <n>[resulting in]</n> life may be received by all people because of one man’s <n>[i.e., Christ’s]</n> act of righteousness. <n>[Note: This “life” may refer to spiritual life now, or to being made alive in the resurrection, which would reverse the curse of physical death caused by Adam’s sin]</n>.


text:
For just as many people <n>[i.e., all mankind]</n> were considered <n>[by God]</n> to be sinners <n>[and thus to suffer physical death]</n> through the disobedience of the one man <n>[i.e., Adam]</n>; even so, many people <n>[i.e., all believing mankind]</n> will be considered right with God <n>[and thus live again]</n> through the obedience of the one man <n>[i.e., Christ]</n>.


text:
Now the Law of Moses was introduced <n>[into the world]</n> in order to cause sin to increase <n>[i.e., it defined many things to be wrong that were previously not regarded as sin]</n>. But with the increase of sin, God’s unearned favor increased all the more.


text:
This was so that just as sin ruled <n>[over mankind]</n>, causing <n>[physical]</n> death, even so God’s unearned favor would rule <n>[over mankind]</n>, providing <n>[them with]</n> righteousness, and leading to never ending life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


text:
What shall we say, then? Should we continue sinning so that more of God’s unearned favor will <n>[have to]</n> be shown?


text:
Certainly not! How can we, who died to sin <n>[i.e., stopped living under its power]</n>, go on living in it <n>[i.e., practicing it]</n> any longer?


text:
Or, do you not know that all of us who were immersed into Christ Jesus were immersed into His death?


text:
Therefore, we were buried with Him through <n>[our]</n> immersion <n>[in water]</n> into <n>[a relationship with]</n> His death, so that, just like Christ was raised up from the dead through the glorious power of the Father, so we also can <n>[be raised up from the water to]</n> live a new life.


text:
For, if we have become united with Christ in an act similar to His death <n>[i.e., by being buried in water]</n>, we will also be <n>[united with Him]</n> in an act similar to His resurrection from the dead <n>[i.e., our rising from the water to live a new life]</n>.


text:
We know that our old self was <n>[figuratively]</n> crucified with Christ, in order that the body of sin <n>[i.e., our whole life of sin]</n> might be destroyed <n>[i.e., become powerless to control our actions and thoughts]</n>, so that we should not be enslaved to the practice of sin any longer.


text:
Now if we have died with Christ <n>[i.e., to the practice of sin]</n>, we believe we will also live with Him. <n>[Note: This “living” probably refers to our spiritual relationship with Him during our Christian life]</n>.


text:
We know that Christ was raised from the dead, never to die again, because death does not have control over Him any longer.


text:
For <n>[in]</n> the death He experienced, He died to sin <n>[i.e., to remove sin]</n> once for all. But the life that He <n>[now]</n> lives, He lives <n>[fully]</n> for God.


text:
So, you <n>[too]</n> should consider yourselves dead to sin <n>[i.e., no longer under its power]</n>, but <n>[spiritually]</n> alive to God, in <n>[fellowship with]</n> Christ.


text:
So, do not allow <n>[the practice of]</n> sin to rule your mortal bodies, so that you obey its desires.


text:
And do not offer the parts of your bodies <n>[i.e., hands, eyes, etc. See Matt. 5:29-30]</n> as tools for <n>[accomplishing]</n> evil purposes; but <n>[instead]</n> offer yourselves to God, as <n>[people who are]</n> alive from the dead <n>[i.e., no longer under the power of sin]</n> and the parts of your bodies as tools for <n>[accomplishing]</n> righteous purposes for God.


text:
For sin must not be your master <n>[i.e., it must not have power over you]</n>, for you are not governed by law, but by God’s unearned favor.


text:
<n>[So]</n>, what then? Should we sin because we are not governed by law but by God’s unearned favor? Certainly not!


text:
Do you not know that you are the slaves of whoever you offer your obedience to? If you obey <n>[the desire to]</n> sin, it leads to <n>[spiritual]</n> death; or if you obey <n>[God]</n> it leads to righteousness.


text:
Thank God that you people, who were once slaves to <n>[the practice of]</n> sin, became obedient from <n>[your]</n> heart to the pattern of teaching <n>[i.e., the Gospel message]</n> you committed yourself to.


text:
And when you were freed from <n>[the practice of]</n> sin, you became slaves to doing what is right.


text:
I am using human reasoning because of your human weakness. For just as you once offered the parts of your bodies as slaves to impurity and to wickedness, which led to further wickedness; so now <n>[you should]</n> offer the parts of your body as slaves to do what is right, which leads to holy living.


text:
For when you were <n>[once]</n> slaves to <n>[the practice of]</n> sin, you were free from <n>[being controlled by]</n> righteousness.


text:
What benefit did you receive at that time from doing the things you are now ashamed of? For the end of such behavior is <n>[spiritual]</n> death.


text:
But now, since you have been freed from <n>[the practice of]</n> sin and have become slaves to God, the benefits you receive are a holy life <n>[here]</n> and never ending life in the future.


text:
For the wages for sinning is <n>[spiritual]</n> death, but God’s free gift is never ending life in <n>[fellowship with]</n> Christ Jesus our Lord.


text:
Or, do you not know, brothers, (I am talking to people who know how law works) that the law has authority over a person only as long as he lives? <n>[Note: It is not clear whether this refers to Roman law or the Law of Moses]</n>.


text:
For a married woman is legally bound to her husband for as long as he lives. But, when he dies, she is released from the marriage contract.


text:
So, if she lives with another man while her husband is still alive, she will be called an adulteress <n>[i.e., a person who is sexually unfaithful to their mate]</n>. But if her husband dies, she is legally free to marry another man without committing adultery.


text:
Therefore, my brothers, you also died to the law <n>[i.e., were released from its binding requirements]</n> through the body of Christ <n>[Note: This seems to refer to Christ’s death on the cross, but some think it refers to becoming a part of the church]</n>, so that you could belong to someone else, <n>[namely]</n> to Christ, who was raised from the dead in order that we might live spiritually productive lives for God.


text:
For when we were in the flesh <n>[i.e., before conversion]</n>, our sinful desires, aroused by <n>[the restrictions of]</n> the Law of Moses, worked in our bodies to produce activity that led to <n>[spiritual]</n> death.


text:
But now that we have died to what controlled us and have been released from <n>[the requirements of]</n> the Law of Moses <n>[i.e., under the Gospel age]</n>, we serve <n>[God]</n> in a new way <n>[directed]</n> by the Holy Spirit <n>[Note: Some take “Spirit” here to be “spirit” and see it as describing the inner person]</n>, and not in the old way <n>[directed]</n> by the written Law of Moses.


text:
What shall we say then? Is the Law of Moses sinful? Certainly not! For I would not have known what sin was if it had not been for the law. For <n>[example]</n>; I would not have known <n>[what it meant]</n> to covet <n>[i.e., have a strong desire for what belongs to someone else]</n> except that the law said <n>[Ex. 20:17]</n>, “You must not covet.”


text:
So, through that commandment, sin found an opportunity to produce in my heart all kinds of improper desires for what belonged to others. For until there was the law, sin was dead <n>[i.e., it did not stimulate excitement and activity as much]</n>.


text:
And I was <n>[once]</n> alive before being aware of the law <n>[i.e., complacent and without a sense of guilt]</n>; but when <n>[awareness of]</n> the commandment <n>[not to sin]</n> came, sin sprang to life,


text:
and I died <n>[i.e., came under its power]</n>. And <n>[so]</n> the commandment, which was <n>[intended]</n> to bring <n>[spiritual]</n> life, actually brought <n>[spiritual]</n> death.


text:
For by means of God’s commandment <n>[against sinning]</n>, sin found an opportunity to deceive me and <n>[even]</n> kill me <n>[spiritually]</n>.


text:
So, the Law of Moses itself is holy and the commandment <n>[against sinning]</n> is holy and just and good.


text:
Was this <n>[commandment]</n> then, which was intended for my good, <n>[actually]</n> responsible for my <n>[spiritual]</n> death? Certainly not! But so that sin could be seen as <n>[truly]</n> sinful, it produced <n>[spiritual]</n> death in me through something that was good <n>[i.e., the commandment against sinning]</n>. This was so that, by means of the commandment <n>[against sinning]</n>, sin could be seen as extremely sinful.


text:
For we know that the Law of Moses is spiritual <n>[i.e., from the Holy Spirit in origin and character]</n>, but I am fleshly, sold as a slave to sin. <n>[Note: “Flesh” throughout this section refers to a person’s natural inclinations to sin]</n>.


text:
For I do not <n>[really]</n> understand what I am doing; I practice what I do not want to and I hate what I do. <n>[Note: This highly controversial section (verses 14b-25) is here viewed as the struggles of the apostle Paul after his conversion, and by extension, of all Christians. See Bruce, pages 150ff; Murray, pages 255ff; Lard, pages 236ff]</n>.


text:
But if I do what I do not want to, I agree with the law <n>[which condemns such conduct]</n> that it is good.


text:
For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh, for the desire to do good is present in my heart, but the ability to carry it out <n>[consistently]</n> is not.


text:
For I do not do the good <n>[things]</n> I want to, but I practice the evil <n>[things]</n> I do not want to.


text:
But if I do what I do not want to, <n>[then]</n> I am no longer the one doing it, but <n>[instead]</n>, it is sin which lives in me <n>[i.e., that motivates such conduct]</n>.


text:
So, I find this principle <n>[at work]</n>: <n>[Although]</n> I want to do what is good, evil is <n>[always]</n> present <n>[and often wins out]</n>.


text:
but I see a different law <n>[at work]</n> in my body, waging <n>[spiritual]</n> warfare against the law in my mind. It brings me into captivity to the law of sin in my body.


text:
Thank God <n>[that I can be rescued]</n> through <n>[the power of]</n> Jesus Christ our Lord. So then, I personally <n>[try to]</n> serve God’s law with my mind, but <n>[all too often]</n> I serve the law of sin with my flesh <n>[i.e., submitting in weakness to my human desires]</n>.


text:
For the Holy Spirit’s law which provides <n>[never ending]</n> life for those in <n>[fellowship with]</n> Christ Jesus has freed me from the law that requires <n>[spiritual]</n> death for sinning.


text:
For what the law was not able to do <n>[for mankind]</n>, since it was <n>[too]</n> weak <n>[to deliver them from condemnation]</n> because fleshly people <n>[were unable to obey it perfectly]</n>, God condemned sin in the flesh <n>[i.e., sin was declared evil and its power over man broken]</n>. God did this by sending His own Son in a body like sinful man’s, and to destroy sin,


text:
so that the requirements of the law could be <n>[considered]</n> fulfilled in us, who do not live according to <n>[the dictates of]</n> the flesh, but according to <n>[the promptings of]</n> the Holy Spirit.


text:
For those people who are <n>[controlled]</n> by the flesh think about <n>[i.e., desire]</n> what the flesh wants; but those who are <n>[controlled]</n> by the Holy Spirit <n>[desire]</n> what the Holy Spirit wants.


text:
For the one whose mind is <n>[controlled]</n> by the flesh will suffer <n>[spiritual]</n> death; but the one whose mind is <n>[controlled]</n> by the Holy Spirit will enjoy <n>[never ending]</n> life and peace.


text:
This is because the one whose mind is <n>[controlled]</n> by the flesh is an enemy of God; for he is not obedient to God’s law, and in fact, cannot obey it.


text:
But if the Spirit of God <n>[truly]</n> lives in your heart, you are not <n>[being controlled]</n> by the flesh, but by the Holy Spirit. But if any person does not have the Spirit of Christ <n>[living in him]</n>, he does not belong to Christ.


text:
And if Christ lives in your hearts, even though the body is <n>[doomed to]</n> death because of <n>[Adam’s (?)]</n> sin; yet the spirit is <n>[destined to]</n> live <n>[forever]</n> because of being <n>[made]</n> right with God. <n>[Note: Some take “spirit” here to be “Spirit” and make it “the Holy Spirit gives you life.” See next verse]</n>.


text:
But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, <n>[then]</n> that One <n>[i.e., God]</n> who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through <n>[the power of]</n> God’s Spirit who lives in your hearts.


text:
So then, brothers, we are under obligation, but not to live under <n>[the control of]</n> the flesh,


text:
for if you people live under <n>[the control of]</n> the flesh, you must die <n>[spiritually]</n>; but if you put to death <n>[i.e., stop practicing]</n> the <n>[sinful]</n> habits of the body by <n>[the power of]</n> the Holy Spirit, you will live <n>[spiritually]</n>.


text:
For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, <n>[Note: Some translators take “Holy Spirit” here to be “spirit,” making the verse say “you did not receive the spirit of slavery”]</n>, but you received the Holy Spirit <n>[or, a spirit]</n> by adoption <n>[who produces]</n> sonship, so we can call out, “Abba” <n>[which means]</n> “Father.”


text:
The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony <n>[along]</n> with our <n>[human]</n> spirit that we are the children of God.


text:
And if we are <n>[His]</n> children, then we have an inheritance from God <n>[i.e., blessings here and hereafter]</n> and are fellow-sharers with Christ <n>[of such blessings]</n>, providing we <n>[are willing to]</n> suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him <n>[i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25]</n>.


text:
For I consider that our present sufferings do not deserve to be compared with the glory that will be revealed to us <n>[i.e., in the future life]</n>.


text:
For <n>[all]</n> creation <n>[Note: “Creation” here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23]</n> is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed <n>[i.e., in their glorious state]</n>.


text:
But God subjected the created world to aimless frustration <n>[i.e., after the fall. See Gen. 3:17-18]</n> --- it did not happen by its own choice. Yet there was hope


text:
that the created world itself would be freed from its slavery to corrupting influences <n>[i.e., produced by the fall]</n> and receive the glorious freedom which belongs to God’s children.


text:
For we know that the entire created world moans in painful anguish <n>[i.e., as a woman in childbirth]</n> until this present moment.


text:
And not just the world, but even we <n>[Christians]</n> ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Holy Spirit <n>[i.e., the first installment of our inheritance from God]</n> also groan within us, eagerly waiting to be adopted as <n>[God’s]</n> children, and receive back our bodies <n>[i.e., in the resurrection]</n>.


text:
For in <n>[this]</n> hope we were saved <n>[i.e., we received the hope of future blessings]</n>; but if we <n>[already]</n> see what we hope for, it is not <n>[really]</n> hope. For who hopes for what he <n>[already]</n> sees?


text:
But if we hope for what we cannot see, then we <n>[must]</n> patiently wait for it <n>[to be received]</n>.


text:
And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps <n>[us in]</n> our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for <n>[Note: Some translators understand this as “how to pray”]</n>. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings <n>[in our hearts]</n> that are not expressed <n>[in words]</n>.


text:
And God, who searches our hearts, knows what the Holy Spirit <n>[has]</n> in mind, because He <n>[i.e., the Holy Spirit]</n> goes to God on behalf of the saints <n>[i.e., God’s holy people]</n> in harmony with God’s will.


text:
And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called <n>[to serve Him]</n> in harmony with His purpose <n>[for them]</n>.


text:
For <n>[that class of]</n> persons whom God knew beforehand He also predetermined to become conformed to the <n>[spiritual]</n> likeness of His Son, so that He could be the firstborn One among <n>[His]</n> many brothers <n>[i.e., so He could be the preeminent example to all His followers. See Heb. 2:11]</n>.


text:
And <n>[that class of]</n> persons whom God <n>[so]</n> predetermined, He also called <n>[through the Gospel. See II Thess. 2:14]</n>. And those He called, He also made right with Himself. And those He made right with Himself, He also <n>[determined to be]</n> honored <n>[i.e., in the future life]</n>.


text:
What then should we conclude from this? <n>[Just this]</n>: If God is on our side, who can <n>[successfully]</n> oppose us?


text:
God did not withhold His own Son <n>[from dying]</n>, but offered Him up for all of us. <n>[Since He did that]</n>, will He not, along with Jesus, freely give us everything <n>[else]</n> also?


text:
Who will bring an accusation against God’s chosen people? <n>[Certainly not God, for]</n> He makes people right with Himself.


text:
Who condemns <n>[us]</n>? Certainly not Jesus, for He is the One who died <n>[i.e., to save us]</n>, and what is more, He was raised from the dead and is <n>[now]</n> at the right side of God. He also goes <n>[to God]</n> on our behalf <n>[i.e., as we pray]</n>.


text:
Who <n>[i.e., what]</n> can separate us from Christ’s love <n>[for us]</n>? <n>[i.e., what unfortunate circumstance of life might suggest that Christ does not love us?]</n> Would <n>[it be]</n> trouble? Or distress? Or persecution? Or inadequate food? Or inadequate clothing? Or danger? Or <n>[even]</n> death?


text:
Just as it is written <n>[Psa. 44:22]</n>, “We are <n>[in danger of being]</n> killed all the time. We were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”


text:
No, <n>[suffering any one of these things is not proof that Christ does not love us]</n>, for in spite of all these things we have a decisive victory <n>[over life’s difficulties]</n> through <n>[the care shown us by]</n> Christ who loved us.


text:
For I am convinced that neither death, nor <n>[the trials of]</n> life, nor <n>[evil]</n> angels, nor <n>[evil]</n> rulers, nor present or future <n>[circumstances]</n>, nor <n>[evil]</n> powers,


text:
nor <n>[things]</n> above, nor <n>[things]</n> below, nor any <n>[other]</n> created thing will be able to separate us from God’s love <n>[for us]</n>, revealed through Christ Jesus our Lord <n>[Note: The idea of this passage is “Regardless of what happens to us, God still loves us”]</n>.


text:
I am telling <n>[you]</n> the truth in Christ <n>[i.e., since I am a Christian]</n>; I am not lying. My conscience, <n>[confirmed]</n> by the Holy Spirit, supports my statements <n>[as true]</n>,


text:
For I could wish that I, personally, were cut off from Christ <n>[and lost]</n> for the sake of my brothers, who are my physical relatives,


text:
the Israelites. These people are God’s adopted children; they have <n>[experienced]</n> His glorious presence; they have <n>[received]</n> His Agreements; they have been given the Law of Moses; they possess the <n>[Temple]</n> service and the promises <n>[of God]</n>.


text:
They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything <n>[Note: Or this may be “God is over everything”]</n> and should be praised forever! May it be so.


text:
But it is not as if the word of God <n>[i.e., His promise to Israel]</n> has failed <n>[in its fulfillment]</n>. For not all those descended from the Israelites are <n>[truly]</n> Israelites <n>[i.e., God’s people]</n>.


text:
Neither are all <n>[Jewish]</n> people children <n>[of God]</n>, <n>[simply]</n> because they are Abraham’s descendants. But <n>[Gen. 21:12 says]</n>, “It is through Isaac that you <n>[i.e., Abraham]</n> will have descendants.”


text:
This means that it is not the physical descendants <n>[of Abraham]</n> who are God’s children, but it is the children <n>[born]</n> according to <n>[God’s]</n> promise who are <n>[Abraham’s true]</n> descendants.


text:
For these are the words of the promise <n>[Gen. 18:10]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> will come at the appointed time and Sarah will have a son.”


text:
For even before the twins were born, and therefore had not done anything good or bad, Rebecca was told <n>[Gen. 25:23]</n>, “The older one <n>[i.e., Esau]</n> will serve the younger one <n>[i.e., Jacob]</n>.” This was so that God’s purpose of choosing and calling <n>[whomever He wanted to]</n> might prevail, instead of <n>[it depending on]</n> what a person did.


text:
For He said to Moses <n>[Ex. 33:19]</n>, “I will show pity to whomever I want, and I will show mercy to whomever I want.”


text:
So then, it does not depend on what a person wants or does, but on God, who shows pity <n>[i.e., to whomever He wants]</n>.


text:
For the Scripture said to Pharaoh <n>[Ex. 9:16]</n>, “I raised you up <n>[to be a ruler]</n> for the very purpose of demonstrating my power in your life and that my name might be made known throughout the entire world.”


text:
But you <n>[i.e., probably an objecting Jew]</n> will say to me, “Why does God still find fault <n>[with people]</n>? For who can <n>[successfully]</n> resist what God wants to do?”


text:
But who <n>[do you think]</n> you are, <n>[you mere]</n> man, to <n>[attempt a]</n> reply to God? Will the object formed <n>[i.e., a clay pot]</n> say to the one who molded it, “Why did you make me this way?”


text:
Or, does not the potter have the right to make what he wants to out of the clay? Can he not make both a beautiful vase and a common pot out of the same lump <n>[of clay]</n>?


text:
What if God <n>[did]</n> patiently put up with people who deserved His wrath and <n>[who were]</n> ready for destruction, even though He was willing to demonstrate His wrath and power?


text:
<n>[What if He did this]</n> in order to demonstrate His wealth of glory toward people who deserved His mercy, whom He had previously determined should receive <n>[such special]</n> honor?


text:
God said this also, in Hosea <n>[2:23]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> will call those people mine who were not <n>[previously]</n> my people. And <n>[I will call]</n> her ‘dearly loved’ who was not <n>[previously]</n> loved.”


text:
<n>[Hosea 1:10 says]</n>, “And it will happen that in the very place where people were told, ‘You people do not belong to me <n>[i.e., God]</n>,’ they will be called children of the living God.”


text:
And Isaiah declares about <n>[the nation of]</n> Israel <n>[Isa. 10:22-23]</n>, “<n>[Even]</n> if the number of Israelites were <n>[as many]</n> as the grains of sand in the ocean, <n>[still only]</n> a small minority will be saved.


text:
For the Lord will carry out His word in the world <n>[i.e., He will require an accounting from the people]</n> quickly and decisively.”


text:
And, as Isaiah had said in a previous passage <n>[1:9]</n>, “If the Lord of the <n>[heavenly]</n> armies <n>[i.e., Almighty God]</n> had not left us some descendants <n>[i.e., a small minority]</n>, we would have become like Sodom; He would have made us like Gomorrah <n>[i.e., destroyed]</n>.”


text:
What shall we say then? <n>[Simply this]</n>: That the Gentiles, who did not attempt to become right with God <n>[by how they lived]</n> were made right with God, and this was the result of their faith <n>[in Christ]</n>.


text:
But the Israelites, who were attempting to become right with God by <n>[conformity to]</n> the Law of Moses, never achieved <n>[this righteousness]</n> by that law.


text:
Why? Because they did not <n>[attempt to do it]</n> by faith <n>[in Him]</n>, but by trying to fulfill all the requirements <n>[of the law]</n>. So, they stumbled over “the stumbling stone,” <n>[i.e., the Jews refused to become obedient to Christ. See I Pet. 2:6-8]</n>.


text:
Even as it is written <n>[Ex. 28:16]</n>, “Look, I am placing a stone in the city of Zion that people will stumble over and a rock on which they will trip and fall. But the person who believes in Him will not be put to shame <n>[i.e., he will never have unforgiven sin brought up against him]</n>.”


text:
Brothers, my heart’s desire and <n>[fervent]</n> request to God is for the salvation of my fellow-Jews. <n>[See 9:3-4]</n>.


text:
For they did not know about God’s way of making people right with Himself, so they attempted to establish their own way. In doing this they did not submit to God’s way for being made right with Him.


text:
So, Christ has brought an end to the law <n>[as a means]</n> of being made right with God for every person who believes <n>[in Him]</n>.


text:
For Moses wrote <n>[Lev. 18:5]</n> about a person being made right with God by obeying the requirements of the Law of Moses, that he would gain <n>[never ending]</n> life for doing this.


text:
But the <n>[means of]</n> being made right with God by faith <n>[in Christ]</n> is described in the Scripture this way <n>[Deut. 30:12-13]</n>, “Do not ask yourself, ‘Who will go up into heaven?’” (in order to bring Christ down <n>[to earth]</n>).


text:
“And <n>[do not ask yourself]</n>, ‘Who will go down into the deep hole?’” (in order to bring Christ up from the dead). <n>[Note: This “deep hole” probably refers to the unseen place of departed spirits, or possibly the grave. Being made right with God does not require something as difficult as bringing Christ down from heaven or up from the dead (which God had already done), but is within easy reach of everyone]</n>.


text:
But what does the Scripture say <n>[about being made right with God]</n>? <n>[Deut. 30:14 says]</n>, “The message of God is near you <n>[i.e., it is not difficult to comprehend]</n>. It is on your lips and in your heart.” This is the message of faith <n>[in Christ]</n> which we <n>[apostles]</n> preach.


text:
So, if you profess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.


text:
For a person believes <n>[in Christ]</n> with his heart in order to be made right with God, and he makes a profession with his lips in order to be saved.


text:
For the Scripture says <n>[Isa. 28:16]</n>, “Whoever believes in Him <n>[i.e., Christ]</n> will not be put to shame.” <n>[i.e., he will never have unforgiven sin brought up against him]</n>


text:
For there is no distinction <n>[with God]</n> between Jews and Greeks <n>[i.e., Gentiles]</n>, for all have the same Lord, who is generous to all who appeal to Him <n>[for help]</n>.


text:
For <n>[Joel 2:32 says]</n>, “Every person who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” <n>[i.e., whoever appeals to God through obedient faith in Christ]</n>


text:
<n>[But]</n> how can they appeal to Him if they have not <n>[first]</n> believed in Him? And how can they believe in Him if they have not <n>[first]</n> heard <n>[about Him]</n>? And how can they hear <n>[about Him]</n> if there is no preacher?


text:
And how can people preach <n>[anywhere]</n> unless they are sent out? Even as it is written <n>[Isa. 52:7]</n>, “How welcome is the coming of those who preach the good news <n>[of salvation through Christ]</n>?”


text:
But not everyone <n>[of the Israelites]</n> obeyed <n>[that]</n> good news. For Isaiah said <n>[Isa. 53:1]</n>, “Lord, who has believed our message?”


text:
So, faith results from <n>[people]</n> hearing, and <n>[their]</n> hearing results from <n>[the preaching of]</n> the message about Christ.


text:
But I ask, “Did not they <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n> hear <n>[the message]</n>?” Certainly they did! <n>[Psa. 19:4 says]</n>, “The sound <n>[of their preaching]</n> went out into all the world, and their message reached to the ends of the earth.”


text:
But I ask <n>[again]</n>, “Did not the Israelites understand <n>[the message]</n>?” In the first place, Moses said <n>[Deut. 32:21]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> will stir up you <n>[Jews]</n> to become jealous, by <n>[favoring]</n> a nation <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> that is unworthy <n>[of your approval]</n>. <n>[I will do it]</n> by using a nation of fools to make you people angry.”


text:
Then Isaiah boldly said <n>[Isa. 45:1]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> was found by a people <n>[i.e., the Gentiles]</n> who were not looking for me. I became known to people who were not asking for me.”


text:
But Isaiah said about the Israelites <n>[Isa. 65:2]</n>, “I reached out all day long to <n>[help]</n> people who disobeyed and spoke against <n>[me]</n>. ”


text:
Then I ask, “Did God reject His <n>[own]</n> people <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n>?” Certainly not! For I am an Israelite too, a descendant of Abraham and a member of the tribe of Benjamin.


text:
God did not reject His people whom He knew previously. Or, do you not know what the Scriptures say in the passage where Elijah pleads with God against Israel?


text:
<n>[I Kings 19:10]</n>, “Lord, they <n>[i.e., the Israelites]</n> have killed your prophets and have destroyed your altars; I am the only one left and they are trying to kill me, too.”


text:
But how did God answer him? <n>[I Kings 19:18 says]</n>, “I <n>[i.e., God]</n> have kept for myself seven thousand men who have not bowed their knee <n>[in worship]</n> to Baal.” <n>[Note: “Baal” was a term used for one of the idols worshiped in Elijah’s day by Canaanites and others in Palestine]</n>.


text:
So, now also, there is a small minority which has been selected by God’s unearned favor <n>[i.e., to be saved]</n>.


text:
And if <n>[they were selected]</n> by God’s unearned favor, <n>[then]</n> the choice is not based on the good that people may do. Otherwise, God’s favor would not be <n>[really]</n> unearned.


text:
What then? <n>[Just this]</n>: The very thing that the Israelites are looking for <n>[i.e., a right relationship with God]</n>, they have not found. But God’s selected ones obtained <n>[this right relationship with Him]</n> and the rest <n>[of the Israelites]</n> were made insensitive to God’s call,


text:
as it has been written <n>[Isa. 19:10]</n>, “God gave them a spirit of numbness <n>[i.e., they developed a spiritual insensitivity to God and His word]</n>. <n>[He gave them]</n> eyes to see with <n>[but they would not look]</n>, and ears to hear with <n>[but they did not listen]</n>. And they still have this spirit.”


text:
And King David said <n>[Psa. 69:22-23]</n>, “Let their table ensnare and trap them <n>[i.e., let the Jews’ devotion to such things as lavish feasts become the occasion for leading them astray]</n>, and become an occasion for their falling <n>[away from God]</n>. And let them be repaid <n>[for such conduct with punishment]</n>.


text:
Let their eyes become <n>[spiritually]</n> dim so they cannot see, and may their backs always bend <n>[i.e., under heavy burdens]</n>.”


text:
I say then, did the Jews trip <n>[over Jesus]</n> just so they could fall <n>[away from God]</n>? Certainly not! <n>[There was another reason]</n>: Instead, it was by means of their sin that salvation was made available to the Gentiles, so that the Jews might become jealous of them <n>[i.e., causing them to want what the Gentiles now had]</n>.


text:
Now if the Jews sinning meant blessings for <n>[the rest of]</n> the world, and their <n>[spiritual]</n> defection meant blessings for the Gentiles, how much more will their fullness <n>[also produce blessings]</n>! <n>[Note: “Fullness” here may mean either a large or the complete number of Jews who will be saved, or become completely obedient to God]</n>.


text:
Now I am talking to you Gentiles, <n>[and]</n> since I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I will make the most of my ministry <n>[to you]</n>,


text:
For if their rejection <n>[by God]</n> meant that <n>[the rest of]</n> the world could be restored to favor <n>[with God]</n>, what would <n>[God’s]</n> receiving the Jews back into fellowship be, except like dead people coming back to life?


text:
And if the first part of the dough is dedicated to God, the entire batch of dough will be also. And if the roots <n>[of a tree]</n> are dedicated to God, the branches will be also.


text:
But some of the branches <n>[of a cultivated olive tree]</n> were broken off <n>[i.e., God’s rejection of the Jews]</n> and you <n>[Gentiles]</n>, representing a wild olive tree <n>[branch]</n>, were grafted into it. So then, you <n>[Gentiles]</n> were able to benefit from the roots and sap of the olive tree, along with the Jews.


text:
Therefore, you should not brag <n>[about your superiority]</n> over the <n>[natural]</n> branches <n>[i.e., the rejected Jews]</n>. But, if you must brag, it should not be over you <n>[Gentiles]</n> nourishing the roots <n>[i.e., the Jews]</n>, but over the roots nourishing you.


