4 John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance and forgiveness of sins. 5 Everyone in Judea went out to hear him, even people from Jerusalem. They confessed their sins and he baptized them in the Jordan River. 6 John wore clothing made of camel's hair and a leather belt. His diet was locusts and wild honey. 7 He preached, saying, "After me One is coming who is mightier that I, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie." 8 "I baptize you with water, but He will baptize with the Holy Spirit."

9 In those days Jesus came from Nazareth and was baptized by John in the Jordan. 10 As soon as He came up out of the water, He saw the heavens open and the Spirit descend on Him like a dove. 11 A voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son. I am well pleased with You." 12 Immediately the Spirit sent Him into the wilderness. 13 And He was there for forty days tempted by Satan. It was a wild place and the angels ministered to Him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry
14 After John was put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee, and preached the gospel of the kingdom of God. 15 Jesus was saying, "The time is fulfilled. God's kingdom is at hand. Repent and believe in the gospel."

16 As He walked by the Sea of Galilee He saw Simon and Andrew, two brothers, casting a net in the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 Jesus said to them, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." 18 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 19 A little farther on He saw James, and his brother John, sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat mending nets. 20 He called them, and they left their father in the boat with the hired men, and followed Jesus.

21 They went to Capernaum and on the Sabbath and Jesus taught in the synagogue. 22 He taught with authority and this amazed everyone. It was different from the way the scribes taught. 23 There was a man in the synagogue who had an unclean spirit and was crying out. 24 He was saying, "Jesus of Nazareth, what have we to do with you. Are you here to destroy us? I know You are the Holy One of God!" 25 Jesus rebuked the spirit telling him, "Be quiet, and come out of the man!" 26 The spirit threw the man into convulsions. Then crying out with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 Everyone was amazed, questioning among themselves, "Is this a new teaching? He has such authority? Even the unclean spirits obey Him." 28 As a result, the news about Him spread all over the region of Galilee.

29 After coming out of the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew, James and John. 30 Simon's mother-in-law was lying in bed with a fever. They told Jesus about her. 31 Taking her hand, Jesus raised her up. Her fever left her, and she waited on them.

32 That evening when the sun had set people began bringing their sick and those possessed by demons. 33 The whole city gathered at the door. 34 Jesus healed many that were sick and cast out many demons. He would not allow the demons to speak because they knew who He was.

35 Early the next morning, while it was still dark, Jesus left the house and went away to a secluded place to pray. 36 Simon and the others searched for Him. 37 When they found Him they said, "Everyone is looking for You." 38 He said, "Let's go to some other towns around here. I came to preach to them as well." 39 So He went to synagogues throughout Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

40 There was a leper who came on his knees begging Jesus, saying, "If You are willing, You can make me clean." 41 Moved with compassion, Jesus touched the man and said, "I am willing. Be clean." 42 The leprosy left him immediately and he was clean. 43 Jesus then sternly warned him and sent him away. 44 He told the man to say nothing to anyone. He was to go straight to the priest with the prescribed offering for his cleansing, just as Moses had directed. 45 Instead, the man went out loudly proclaiming what Jesus had done for him. The result was that Jesus could no longer publicly enter a city. So He stayed out in unpopulated areas. And the people came to Him from everywhere.

Mark 2 - RWB Paraphrase (28 V)
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1 Jesus came back to Capernaum a few days later, and people learned that He was at home. 2 So many gathered to hear Him speak so that it was impossible for any more to get into the room. 3 Four men were bringing a paralytic to Jesus. 4 They could not get to Jesus because of the crowd, so they went up on the roof, removed the tiles and let the man down to Jesus on his pallet. 5 When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven." 6 Some scribes who were sitting there condemned Him in their hearts. 7 They were thinking to themselves, why does this man speak this blasphemy? No one but God can forgive sins. 8 Jesus knew what they were thinking and said to them, "Why are you finding fault with Me?" 9 "Which is easier. To say to him, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say 'Get up. Take your pallet and walk?' Anyone can claim to forgive sin, but healing a person is proof in deed that Someone truly great is present." 10 "So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins," He then said to the paralytic, 11 "I say to you, get up. Pick up your pallet and go home." 12 The man immediately got up, picked up his pallet and went out as everyone watched. They were amazed and glorified God, saying, "We have never seen anything like this."

13 Jesus went out by the sea shore. As the people came to Him, He taught them. 14 Later as Jesus passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting in the tax booth. He said to him, "Follow me." And Levi got up and followed him. 15 Later He was reclining at the table in Levi's house. Many tax collectors and sinners had been invited to dine with Jesus and His disciples. There were many of them, and they were following Him. 16 The scribes and the Pharisees saw Jesus eating with the sinners and tax collectors, and said to His disciples, "Why does He eat and drink with tax collecters and sinners?" 17 Hearing of this Jesus said to them, "Healthy people do not need a physician. I came to help the sick."

18 John's disciples and those of the Pharisees used to fast. Some of them came to Jesus and asked, "Why don't your disciples fast?" 19 Jesus answered, "The attendants of the bridegroom cannot fast while He is with them, can they?" 20 "The day will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them. Then it will be time for them to fast." 21 "No one sews a patch of new cloth on an old garment. This results in the patch pulling away from the old cloth. Result will be an even worse tear." 22 "And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For new wine makes old wineskins burst. Then the wine is lost and the skins are ruined. New wine must be put in new wineskins."

23 As Jesus passed through the grain fields on the Sabbath, His disciples picked some of the heads of grain. 24 Seeing this the Pharisees said to Him, "Why do Your disciples do what is unlawful on the Sabbath?" 25 Jesus replied, "Do you remember what David did when he and his companions were hungry?" 26 "He went into the house of God in the time of Abiathar the high priest and ate the consecrated bread. Only the priests were to eat this bread. David gave some of it to those with him." 27 Then Jesus said, "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath." 28 "And the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath."

Mark 3 - RWB Paraphrase (35 V)
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1 Jesus went into a synagogue where there was a man with a withered hand. 2 Jesus was being watched to see if He would heal the man on the Sabbath so that they could accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath. 3 Jesus called the man forward. 4 Then He said to those looking for a reason to accuse Him, "Is it lawful to good or harm on the Sabbath? Is it better to save life or destroy it?" No one said anything. 5 After looking at them with anger, because He was grieved by their hard hearts, He then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out and his hand was restored. 6 The Pharisees immediately went out to conspire with the Herodians to find a way to destroy Him.

7 Jesus withdrew to the sea with His disciples and a great multitude from Galilee and Judea followed Him. 8 Many came from Jerusalem, Idumea and beyond the Jordan. Others came from the vicinity of Tyre and Sidon. All came because of what they had heard He was doing.

9 He asked His disciples to make a boat ready for Him because the crowd was pressing around Him. 10 All who were afflicted were pressing close, hoping to touch Him, because He had healed so many. 11 Whenever the unclean spirits were in His presence, they caused the person they possessed to fall down before Him and shout, "You are the Son of God!" 12 So He always strictly charged them not to make Him known.

13 He went up into the mountain and took those He wanted to be with Him. 14 While there He appointed twelve to be with Him. He intended to send them out to preach, 15 and have power to heal and cast out devils. 16 On the mountain He appointed the twelve: Simon, whom He called Peter, 17 James, the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James. He named them Boanerges, or Sons of Thunder. 18 He also appointed Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, Thadaeus, Simon the Zealot, 19 and Judas Iscariot, who would eventually betrayed Him.

20 He came home and a crowd gathered to such an extent that He did not have time to eat. 21 His friends learned of this and came to take Him under their care, for they thought He wasn't thinking clearly.

22 The scribes from Jerusalem were saying, "He is possessed by Beelzebub and He casts out demons by the prince of devils." 23 Jesus said to them, "How can Satan cast out Satan?" He then began to speak in parables.

24 "If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand." 25 "If a house is divided against itself, it will fall." 26 "If Satan rises up against himself, he is finished!" 27 "No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his property unless he first restrains the strong man. Then his property may be plundered." 28 "I tell you the truth, every sin may be forgiven the sons of men, including blasphemies," 29 "except the blasphemies against the Holy Spirit. This will not be forgiven, for it is an eternal sin." 30 He said this because they were saying that He had an unclean spirit.

31 His mother and His brothers arrived and were calling for Him. 32 Those sitting around Him said to Him, "Your mother and Your brothers are outside looking for You." 33 Jesus answered them, saying, "Who are My mother and My brothers?" 34 Then looking around Him, He said, "Behold My mother and My brothers!" 35 "For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My mother."

Mark 4 - RWB Paraphrase (41 V)
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1 Jesus began to teach again by the sea. The crowd was very large so He decided to get into a boat and teach the people while He sat in the boat. 2 He used parables to teach them many things.

3 "Listen," He said."A sower went out to sow." 4 "As he planted the seed, some fell on the path and birds ate it." 5 "Other seed fell on rocky ground where there wasn't much soil. It grew quickly but its roots did not go deep." 6 "These plants had hardly any roots and were scorched when the sun got hot." 7 "Some seed fell among the thorns and these were soon choked out by them and yielded nothing." 8 "But the seed that fell on good soil grew and increased, yielding a crop of thirty, sixty and a hundredfold." 9 "He who has ears, let him hear what I have said."

10 When the crowd had left, and He was alone with the twelve and His close followers, they asked Him about the parable. 11 Jesus said to them, "It has been given to you to know the mystery of the kingdom of God, but those who are outside hear only the parables." 12 This way they see without perceiving, and hear but do not understand, lest they be converted and their sins forgiven. 13 He then said, "If you do not understand this parable, how will you understand all the other parables?"

14 "The sower sows the word of God." 15 "The ones that fall on the path are those who hear the word but Satan immediately comes and takes it away." 16 "The seed that falls on rocky soil represents those who hear the word and receive it with joy." 17 "But because they do not have strong roots, they fall away after a short time." 18 "The seed that falls among thorns represent those who hear the word," 19 "but the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches and the lust of other things, choke out the word, so that it becomes unfruitful." 20 "But those represented by the good soil, accept the word of God, and bear thirty, sixty and a hundredfold."

21 He said to them, "Is a lamp placed under a basket, or in an out of the way place? No, it is placed on a lampstand." 22 Nothing is hidden that will not be revealed. Everything kept secret will come to light. 23 "Those with ears need to be listening."

24 He continued by saying, "Take care what you listen to. You will be measured by your own measure. As you listen, you will be given more to hear." 25 "For whoever has understanding, more shall be given him. He that does not have understanding, even what he has will be taken from him."

26 He spoke another parable, saying, "The kingdom of God is like a man who puts seed into the ground." 27 "He goes to bed and gets up each day. The seed sprouts, but he doesn't know how this happens." 28 "The soil produced the crop. First the blade and then the head and finally the fully matured grain." 29 "When the crop is ready he harvests it."

30 He then said, "How shall we picture the kingdom of God? What parable will represent it?" 31 "It is like a tiny mustard seed, which, is smaller than all other seeds planted in the garden." 32 "But it grows larger than all the other herbs in the garden. It grows large enough for birds to nest in its shade."

33 With many such parables He spoke to them, so that they understood what they were ready to understand. 34 And He always used parables except when he explained these things privately to His disciples.

35 Later that day as the evening came on, He said, "Let's go over to the other side of the sea." 36 Leaving the crowd they took Him in the boat. Other boats followed them. 37 A gale came up so that fierce waves broke over the sides of their boat. 38 Jesus was in the back, sleeping on a pillow. They woke Him up, saying, "Master, don't You care that we are perishing?" 39 Jesus got up and rebuked the wind, saying to the sea, "Peace, be still." And the wind ceased and the sea became calm. 40 Then He asked them, "Why were you afraid? How is it that you still lack faith?" 41 This made them afraid and they said to each other, "Who is this that even the wind and the sea obey Him?"

Mark 5 - RWB Paraphrase (43 V)
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1 They came to the other side of the sea into the region of Gadarenes. 2 As Jesus got out of the boat He was met by a man from the tombs with an unclean spirit. 3 This man lived among the tombs and no one could restrain him, even with chains. 4 He had often been bound with chains and had been able to tear them apart. No one had been able to subdue him. 5 He screamed day and night among the tombs and in the mountains, cutting himself with stones. 6 Seeing Jesus from a distance, he ran up to Him and bowed down before Him. 7 He shouted in a loud voice, "Son of the Most High, why are You here? I implore You by God, do not torment me!" 8 All the while Jesus had been saying to the unclean spirit, "Come out of the man." 9 Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?" The spirit answered, "My name is legion, for we are many." 10 He earnestly begged Jesus not to send him out of the country. 11 There was a large herd of swine nearby on the mountain. 12 The demons implored Him to send them into the swine. 13 Jesus gave His permission and the unclean spirits then entered the swine. The entire herd of about two thousand pigs rushed down the steep bank and drowned in the sea. 14 The herdsmen fled to the city to report what had happened. And the people of the city came out to see for themselves. 15 They saw Jesus and the man who had been demon possessed. He was now clothed and in his right mind sitting with Jesus. Seeing this they were frightened. 16 Those who had witnessed it described everything that had happened. 17 They began to beg Jesus to leave their region. 18 As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to be allowed to go with Him. 19 Jesus did not let him enter the boat, but instead said to him, "Go home and tell everyone what great things the LORD had done for you." 20 So the man went away and began proclaiming in Decapolis the great things Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

21 When Jesus had crossed to the other side in the boat, a large crowd gathered around Him. So He stayed by the sea shore. 22 There was a synagogue official named Jairus, who came to Him and fell at His feet. 23 He implored Jesus earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is about to die. Please come and lay Your hands on her, that she may be well again." 24 So Jesus left with the man and a large crowd followed after, pressing in from every side.

25 There was a woman following along in the crowd who had had an issue of blood for the previous twelve years. 26 She had endured much at the hands of many physicians, and had spent everything she had, without getting any better. 27 When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind Him and touched His cloak. 28 She had decided that if she could just touch His garment, she would be made well. 29 When she touched it, the blood flow stopped immediately. She felt that she had been healed. 30 Perceiving that power had gone out of Him, Jesus turned around and said, "Who touched My clothing?" 31 His disciples said, "The crowd has been pressing around You."Why would you say, 'Who touched Me?'. 32 As He looked around, He saw the woman who had touched Him. 33 But she was afraid and trembled as she realized what had happened to her. She fell at His feet and told Him what she had done. 34 Jesus then said, "Daughter, your faith has made you whole. Go in peace and be healed of your affliction."

35 While He was speaking with the woman, news arrived from the synagogue official's house. The little girl had died. They said, "Why bother the Teacher anymore?" 36 Jesus overheard the conversation and said to the synagogue official, "Do not be afraid. Only believe." 37 He allowed no one to go with Him except Peter, James and his brother John. 38 Coming to the synagogue official's house, they heard a great commotion. People were loudly weeping and wailing. 39 Entering into the house, Jesus said, "The child has not died. She is asleep." 40 Those who had come to mourn laughed with scorn when He said this. Jesus then insisted that they all leave the house. He took only the child's parents and His own companions into the room where the child lay. 41 Taking the child's hand, He said to her, "Little girl, I say to you, get up!" 42 Immediately the girl got up and began to walk, for she was twelve years old. Those watching were astonished. 43 Jesus said to them, "Give her something to eat." He then gave strict orders to tell no one about this.

Mark 6 - RWB Paraphrase (56 V)
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1 Jesus left that place and went to His home town with His disciples. 2 When the Sabbath came He began to teach in the synagogue. Everyone listened with astonishment. They said, "Where did this man get His understanding? Where did such wisdom come from? How does He do these miracles?" 3 "Isn't He the carpenter, Mary's son and the brother of James, Joses, Judas and Simon? Aren't His sisters here with us? His presence offended them." 4 Jesus said to them, "A prophet has honor except in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own household." 5 And He could do no miracle there except to lay His hands on a few sick people and heal them. 6 He marveled at their unbelief. So instead spending more time with them, He taught instead in the surrounding villages.

7 Calling together the twelve, He sent them out by twos, giving them authority over unclean spirits. 8 He said, "Take nothing for your journey except a staff. Take no bag, no bread, or money." 9 "Wear sandals and do not take an extra tunic." 10 He said, "Wherever you entered a house, stay there until you leave that town." 11 "Any place that does not receive you and listen to what you have say, as you leave that place, shake the dust from your feet as a witness against them."

12 They went out preaching repentance, 13 casting out demons and anointing the sick with oil and healing them. 14 King Herod heard of this, for Jesus had become well known. Some people were saying that John the Baptist had risen from the dead and was performing these mighty works. 15 Still others were saying that Elijah had come. And yet others said He was a prophet like one of the prophets of old. 16 When Herod heard these things, he thought to himself, "I beheaded John and he has risen!" 17 For he had arrested John and placed him in prison because of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife whom he had married. 18 John had told him it was not lawful for him to have his brother's wife. 19 So Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted him to be put to death but could not do this herself. 20 Herod was afraid of John. He knew that he was a righteous man. So he would not kill him. And He liked to listen to John, though what John said perplexed him.

21 Herod gave a banquet on his birthday for his lords, his military commanders and leading men of Galilee. 22 The Herodias' daughter came in and danced for them. She so pleased Herod and his guests, that he told her she could have whatever she wanted. 23 He swore that she could ask for up to half of his kingdom. 24 Going to her mother she said, "What shall I ask for?" Her mother said, "Ask for the head of John the Baptist." 25 Hurrying to the king she said, "I want the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26 Although the king was very sorry for the oath he had made, because of his dinner guests, he granted her request. 27 And he immediately sent an executioner to the prison to behead John the Baptist. 28 When it had been brought to Herod, he gave it to the girl who then gave it to her mother. 29 When John's disciples heard about this, they came and took John's body away and laid it in a tomb.

30 The apostles gathered together with Jesus to report to Him everything that had happened since He had sent them out. 31 Jesus said, "Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest." For there were so many people coming and going, and they didn't even have time to eat.

32 They went away in a boat to a secluded place by themselves. 33 However, the people saw them go and ran ahead on foot from the surrounding cities and got there ahead of them. 34 When Jesus went ashore, He saw the large crowd and felt compassion for them. They were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began to teach them many things.

35 When it was quite late His disciples came to Him and said, "This is a desolate place and it is late." 36 "Send the people away into the surrounding communities so they can buy something to eat." 37 But Jesus answered them, "You feed them." They said, "Shall we spend two hundred days wages to buy enough bread?" 38 Jesus said, "Go see how many loaves you have." They reported that they had five loaves and two fish. 39 Jesus commanded that everyone sit down by groups on the green grass. 40 They sat in groups of fifties and hundreds. 41 He took the five loaves and two fish and looking up into heaven, blessed it and began breaking it into pieces. He kept giving the food to the disciples who then set it before the people. 42 And everyone ate and was satisfied. 43 Afterwards they gathered what was left over, filling twelve baskets with bread and fish. 44 Five thousand men had eaten that day.

45 Immediately Jesus made His disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to Bethsaida on the other side while He stayed behind to dismiss the crowd. 46 Then He went up into the mountain to pray. 47 That evening the boat was in the middle of the sea while Jesus was alone on land. 48 He saw them straining at the oars against the wind. Sometime after three o'clock in the morning He came to them walking on the water. It appeared to the disciples that He was going to go past them. 49 Seeing Him walking on the water, they cried out in fear, for they though it was a spirit. 50 He immediately spoke to them, saying, "Take courage. It is I. Do not be afraid." 51 Then He got into the boat with them and the wind stopped. They were utterly astonished. 52 They still had not understood the miracle of the loaves because their hearts were hard.

53 When they had crossed over to Gennesaret, they went ashore. 54 The people immediately recognized Jesus, 55 and ran about the whole region to bring their sick back to be healed. 56 Wherever Jesus entered a village, or city, even where He walked in the countryside, they would lay the sick where He would walk and begged that they might touch the fringes of His cloak. As many as touched it were healed.

Mark 7 - RWB Paraphrase (37 V)
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1 When Jesus came to Jerusalem some scribes and Pharisees gathered around Jesus. 2 They had noticed some of His disciples eating without first washing their hands. 3 The Pharisees followed the tradition of the elders by never eating without washing their hands. 4 When they would come from the market, they never ate without first cleansing themselves. This was one of the many things they did, like the washing of cups, pitchers and copper pots.

5 They asked Jesus, "Why don't Your disciples follow the traditions of the elders. They eat without first washing their hands." 6 Jesus answered them, saying, "Isaiah was correct when he prophesied of you hypocrites, saying, 'This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.'." 7 "They worship in vain because they teach as doctrine what men have commanded." 8 "And you neglect the commandment of God while holding to the tradition of men." 9 "You are experts at setting aside God's commands in order to keep your traditions." 10 "For Moses said, 'Honor your father and mother,' and 'He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.'" 11 "You also say, 'If a man says to his father or mother, "Whatever I might have helped you with is Corban, or promised to God."'." 12 "In this way you sanction his not providing for his parents." 13 "You use your traditions to invalidate the word of God. You do many other things like this."

14 Calling the crowd to Him, He said, "Pay attention to what I am about to say, that you may understand." 15 "There is nothing outside a man which will defile him when it goes into him. Instead, it is those things that proceed from him that defile him." 16 "If you have ears, you should be hearing what I just said."

17 After this he left the crowd and entered a house. His disciples question Him about the parable. 18 He said, "Are you also so lacking in understanding? Don't you see that a person is not defiled by eating with unwashed hands." 19 "What enters his body does not go into his heart, but into his stomach and is then eliminated." 20 "That which proceeds out of a man's mouth is what defiles him." 21 "For out a man's heart comes evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries," 22 "coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness." 23 "All these evil things proceed from within a man and defile him."

The Syrophoenician Woman
24 Jesus left that place for the region of Tyre. He didn't want anyone to know which house He had entered. But He could not escaped notice. 25 A woman of the region had a daughter with an unclean spirit and she had heard that Jesus was there. She came and fell at His feet. 26 She was a Gentile, a Syrophoenician. She begged Jesus to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 Jesus said to her, "Let the children eat first. It is not good to take their food and give it to the dogs." 28 She answered Him, "But even the dogs under the table eat the crumbs dropped by the children." 29 Then He said to her, "Because of your answer, go. The demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 When the woman got home she found her child lying in bed, and the demon had departed.

Jesus Heals A Deaf And Mute Man
31 Jesus left the region of Tyre and came through Sidon to the Sea of Galilee to the region of Decapolis. 32 A deaf man was brought to Him who also talked with difficulty. They implored Him to lay His hands on the man. 33 Taking the man aside, Jesus put his fingers in the man's ears. Then He put some of His saliva on the man's tongue. 34 Looking up to heaven He sighed and said, "Be opened." 35 The mans ears were opened and he could speak plainly. 36 Then Jesus told him to tell no one. But the more Jesus asked this of those He healed, the more widely they proclaimed what He had done. 37 Those watching were utterly astonished, saying, "He does all things well. He even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak."

Mark 8 - RWB Paraphrase (38 V)
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1 On another occasion there was a large crowd with nothing to eat. Jesus called His disciples to Him and said, 2 "I feel compassion for these people because they have been here three days and have had nothing to eat." 3 "If I send them away to their homes when they are this hungry, they may faint on the way. Some have come a long way." 4 His disciples said, "Where can this crowd find enough bread in this desolate place?" 5 Jesus said, "How many loaves do you have?" They answered, "Seven." 6 Directing the people to sit down on the ground, He took the seven loaves, gave thanks and broke the bread. He began giving the pieces to His disciples to serve to the people. 7 There were also a few small fish. Having blessed these, he ordered them to be served as well. 8 Everyone ate and was satisfied. After picking up the leftovers they had seven full baskets of broken pieces. 9 There were about four thousand that ate that day. After they had eaten He sent them on their way.

10 Then Jesus and His disciples got into the boat and went to the district of Dalmanutha. 11 Pharisees came and began to argue with Him. They wanted a sign from heaven as a test of who He was. 12 Sighing deeply He said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? The truth is, no sign will be given."

13 Leaving them, He went to the other side of the lake. 14 They had only one loaf of bread with them and it would not be enough. 15 Jesus was saying to them, "Watch out for the leaven of the Pharisees and of Herod." 16 They decided among themselves that Jesus was speaking of the bread they had forgotten to purchase. 17 Jesus knew their thoughts and asked them, "Why are you talking about not having enough bread? Are your hearts so hardened that you cannot understand?" 18 "Do you have eyes that cannot see and ears that cannot hear? Don't you remember?" 19 "When I broke the five loaves and fed five thousand, how many baskets were left over?" They said, "Twelve." 20 And He continued, "When I broke the seven loaves for the four thousand, how many baskets were left over?" They answered, "Seven." 21 Then He asked them, "Do you not yet understand?"

22 They came to Bethsaida and the people brought a blind man to Jesus begging Him to touch him. 23 Taking the blind man by the hand, Jesus brought him outside the village. Putting spittle on his eyes Jesus laid His hands on the man. Then He asked him, "Do you see anything?" 24 The man looked about and said, "I see men who look like trees walking." 25 Again Jesus laid His hands on the man's eyes. Then he could see clearly. 26 Jesus sent him straight home and told him not to enter the village.

27 Jesus went with His disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. As they traveled, He asked them, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 They said, "John the Baptist. Others say Elijah and some say that You are one of the prophets." 29 Jesus then asked, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ." 30 Jesus then warned them not to tell anyone what Peter has said. 31 He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. He must be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the scribes. And He must be killed but after three days He would rise again. 32 He was being so clear, that Peter took Him aside to take Him to task. 33 Jesus turned and looked at His disciples. He then rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind Me Satan. For you are seeing through man's eyes when you should be seeing as God sees."

34 Speaking to the crowd, as well as His disciples, He said, "Anyone wanting to follow Me must deny himself, pick up his cross and follow in My footsteps." 35 "For anyone who wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's, will save it." 36 "What profit is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?" 37 "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?" 38 "Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, will result in the Son of Man being ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

Mark 9 - RWB Paraphrase (50 V)
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1 Jesus said to them, "Some of you will see the kingdom of God come with power before you taste death." 2 Six days later He took Peter, James and John, up on a high mountain where He was transfigured while they watched. 3 His garments became whiter than anything they had ever seen. 4 Elijah and Moses were there and talked with Jesus. 5 Peter said to Jesus, "Master, we should build three tabernacles, one for You, and one each for Moses and Elijah." 6 He didn't really know what he was saying. The disciples were very afraid. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and a voice came from the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him!" 8 Then it was quiet and as they looked around, they saw no one but Jesus.

9 As they came down the mountain Jesus told them to tell no one what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They couldn't understand what He meant when He spoke of rising from the dead. 11 So they asked Him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" 12 Jesus said, "Elijah does come to restore all things. Why is it written that the Son of Man will suffer many things and be treated with contempt?" 13 "Yes, Elijah has already come and they did with him as they wished, fulfilling what is written."

14 When they had come back to the other disciples, they found a large crowd, and some scribes arguing with the disciples. 15 Seeing Jesus, the crowd was amazed as they ran to meet Him. 16 He asked them, "What are you discussing?" 17 One in the crowd said, "Teacher, we brought You my son possessed by a demon that has made him mute." 18 "Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. Your disciples were unable to cast out the evil spirit." 19 Jesus said, "O unbelieving generation, how long shall I put up with you? Bring him to Me." 20 They brought the boy and when he saw Jesus the spirit threw him into a convulsion so that he fell to the ground and began to roll around and foam at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the father, "How long has he been this way?" The man answered, "From childhood." 22 "He has been thrown into the fire many times, and sometimes into the water. The spirit is trying to destroy him. If You can help us take pity on us." 23 Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible." 24 Immediately the boy's father cried out, "I believe. Help my unbelief." 25 Seeing that the crowd was rapidly getting bigger, Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, telling it to come out of the boy and not to enter him again. 26 It came out of him after crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions. The boy was so quiet some thought he was dead. 27 But Jesus took him by the hand raised him up. 28 Later, in the house, His disciples asked Him why they could not cast the spirit out of the boy? 29 He said, "This kind cannot come out except by prayer and fasting."

30 From there they began to pass through Galilee. He didn't want anyone to know about this. 31 He spent the time telling His disciples that the Son of Man must be delivered up to be killed and that He would then rise on the third day. 32 They did not understand what He was saying and were afraid to ask Him what He meant.

33 When they came to Capernaum and were by themselves in a house, He asked them what they had been discussing on the way? 34 But the disciples kept silent for they had been discussing which of them was the greatest. 35 Sitting down He called the twelve and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, then he must be last of all and a servant to everyone." 36 Taking a child on His knee, He said to them, 37 "whoever receives a child like this in My name receives Me. And whoever receives Me actually receives Him who sent Me." 38 John said, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out devils in Your name. We tried to stop him because he was not one of Your followers." 39 Jesus replied, "Do not try to prevent him from doing this, for no one doing anything in My name will afterwards speak evil of Me." 40 "He who is not against us is for us." 41 "For whoever gives you a cup of water because you are Mine will not lose his reward." 42 "And whoever causes one of these little ones to stumble would be better off with a millstone tied around his neck and to be cast into the sea."

43 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. Better to have only one hand crippled in this life than to enter hell with two hands." 44 "In that place the worm will not die or the fire be quenched." 45 "If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. Better to be lame in this life than to enter hell with two feet." 46 "In that place the worm will not die or the fire be quenched." 47 "If your eye causes you to stumble pluck it out. Better to live life with only one eye than to be cast into hell with two eyes." 48 "There the worm will not die or the fire be quenched." 49 "Everyone will be salted with fire." 50 "Salt is good unless it loses its saltiness. Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with each other."

Mark 10 - RWB Paraphrase (52 V)
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1 Jesus went from that place to the region of Judea beyond the Jordon. Crowds came to Him, and as usual, He began to teach them. 2 Some Pharisees came to test Him with a question. They asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" 3 Jesus answered, "What did Moses say?" 4 They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce and send her away." 5 Jesus said to them, "Moses wrote this because of your hard of hearts." 6 "But from creation God made them male and female." 7 "This is why a man is to leave his father and mother." 8 "And the two are to become one flesh. They are no longer two, but one." 9 "What God has joined together no man should separate."

10 Later, when He was in the house with the disciples, they questioned Him about what He had said. 11 And He explained, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her." 12 "And if she divorces her husband marries another man, she is committing adultery."

13 Some people were bringing children to Jesus so that He might touch them, but the disciples rebuked those bringing them. 14 When Jesus saw this it displeased Him. He said, "Let the children come to Me. Do not stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." 15 "The truth is, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter in." 16 Taking the children in His arms, He laid His hands on them, and blessed them.

17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran after Him and kneeling down, said, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one but God is good." 19 "You know the commandments. Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother." 20 And the man replied, "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth." 21 As Jesus looked at the man, He felt love for him. He said, "You lack one thing. Go and sell all you possess and give it to the poor so that you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow Me." 22 After hearing these words, the man went away sad, because he owned a lot of property. 23 Looking around, Jesus said, "It will be very difficult for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of God." 24 This statement amazed the disciples. So Jesus said it another way."Children, how hard it is for those who trust riches to enter God's kingdom!" 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter God's kingdom. 26 They were astonished to hear this and wondered among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but with God all things are possible." 28 Peter began to say to Him, "Behold, we have left everything to follow you." 29 Jesus said, "The truth is, the one who leaves brothers, sisters, father, mother, wife or children, or farms, for My sake, and the gospels," 30 "will receive a hundred times as much in this age, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands, along with persecutions. And in the world to come he will have eternal life." 31 "But many who are first will be last and the last will be first."

32 On the road to Jerusalem, Jesus walked on ahead. His disciples followed with amazement and fear. Taking the twelve aside, Jesus told them what was going to happen to Him. 33 He said, "We are going to Jerusalem where the Son of Man will be delivered to the scribes and chief priests. They will condemn Him to death and hand Him over to the Gentiles." 34 "They will mock Him and spit on Him. He will be scourged and killed, and after three days He will rise again."

35 James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Jesus with a request."Teacher," they said, "We want You to do something for us." 36 He said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" 37 They said, "Grant that we may sit on either side of You in Your glory." 38 But Jesus said to them, "You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup I am drinking? Will you be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?" 39 They said, "We are able." Then Jesus said, "You shall drink the cup I drink and you will be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with." 40 "But to sit on My right or left is not mine to give. It will be assigned to those for who it has been prepared." 41 The other disciples were indignant when they heard what James and John had asked for. 42 Jesus called them all to Himself and said, "You know that the Gentile rulers exercise their authority over their people." 43 "But it is not to be this way among you. Whoever wishes to become great will be servant to the rest of you." 44 "Whoever wishes to be first among you must serve everyone else." 45 "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many."

46 As they passed through Jericho, a large crowd followed after them. A blind beggar by the name of Bartimaeus was sitting by the road. 47 Hearing that Jesus the Nazarene was passing by, he began calling out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" 48 Many sternly admonished him to be quiet. But he only called out louder, "Son of David, have mercy on me!" 49 Jesus stopped and asked them to bring the blind man to Him. So they went and got him, saying, "Get up! Jesus is calling for you." 50 Throwing aside his cloak he got up and went to Jesus. 51 Jesus asked him, "What do you want Me to do for you?" And the blind man said, "Lord, I want to receive my sight." 52 And Jesus said, "Go. Your faith has made you well." And immediately, the man could see. And he followed Jesus on the road.

Mark 11 - RWB Paraphrase (33 V)
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1 As they approached Jerusalem, while they were at Bethphage and Bethany near the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of His disciples ahead. 2 He told them, "Go into the village opposite you. When you enter the village, you will find a colt tied that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here." 3 "If anyone questions what you are doing, tell them that the LORD needs it, and they will let you bring it here." 4 The two disciples went and found the colt tied out on the edge of the street. As they untied it, 5 some bystanders asked them, "What are you doing?" 6 They answered just as Jesus had instructed them and were given permission to take the colt. 7 Bringing the colt to Jesus they placed their garments over it and Jesus sat on it. 8 Many others spread their garments on the road ahead of Him while still others cut leafy branches to also place on the road. 9 People all around Him were shouting, "Hosanna! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD." 10 "Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that comes in the name of the LORD. Hosanna in the highest!"

11 Entering Jerusalem, Jesus went into the temple. After looking around, He left for Bethany with the twelve because it was already late in the day. 12 On the next day, as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 Some distance from them was a fig tree in leaf. He went over to it hoping for some fruit. He found no fruit on it, because it was not the season for figs. 14 His disciples heard Him say, "From now on fruit will not grow on you."

15 When Jesus came to Jerusalem He went into the temple and began driving out those who were buying and selling. He turned over the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 16 He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. 17 Then He began to teach, saying, "It is written, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations? But you have made it a den of thieves." 18 The chief priests and the scribes heard of what He had done and wanted to destroy Him. But they were afraid of Him because the people were captivated by His teaching. 19 When evening came he went out of the city.

20 The next morning as they passed the fig tree, the disciples saw that it was withered all the way down to the roots. 21 Peter said, "Lord, look, the fig tree that You cursed has died." 22 Jesus answered, "Have faith in God." 23 "I tell you the truth, whoever says to this mountain, be moved into the sea, and does not doubt, it will be granted to him."

24 "When you pray for something, believe that you have received it. Then it will be granted to you." 25 "When you are praying, if you have something against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven will also forgive your sins." 26 "If you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you."

27 They came to Jerusalem. As Jesus walked into the temple, the chief priests, the scribes and the elders came to Him. 28 They asked Him, "By what authority are you doing the things You do?" 29 Jesus said to them, "I will ask you a question and when you give me your answer, I will tell you by what authority I do what I do." 30 "Tell Me, was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men?" 31 They reasoned among themselves that if they said from heaven, He would then ask why they hadn't believed him. 32 But if they said from men, the people would surely make trouble, for they believed John to have been a prophet. 33 So they said to Jesus, "We do not know." And Jesus said to them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things."

Mark 12 - RWB Paraphrase (44 V)
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1 Jesus began to speak in parables."A man planted a vineyard and put a wall around it. He dug a vat under the wine press and build a tower, and rented it out to vine growers. He then went on a journey into a far country." 2 "When it was time for the harvest, he sent a servant to collect his portion of the produce." 3 "The vine growers beat the man and sent him away empty handed." 4 "So the owner sent another servant. This one they wounded in his head before sending him away." 5 "The owner sent yet another servant and they killed him. They did this with others as well, beating some and killing some." 6 "Last of all, the owner sent his son, thinking that they would surely respect him." 7 "When the vine growers saw the son, they said to one another, 'This is the heir. Let us kill him. Then the inheritance will be ours.'" 8 "So they killed the son and threw him out of the vineyard." 9 "What will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vine growers. Then he will give the vineyard to others."

10 "Haven't you read the scripture where it says that the stone which was rejected has become the chief corner stone?" 11 "The LORD caused this and it is marvelous in our eyes."

12 The leaders were looking for a reason to be able to seize Jesus, but feared the people. They knew that Jesus had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

13 Then they sent some of the Pharisees and Herodians to catch Him in His words. 14 These came and asked Him, "Teacher, we know that You are truthful and show no partiality one way or the other. You teach God's truth. So is it lawful to give tribute to Caesar?" 15 "Shall we pay this tax to Rome, or not?" Jesus understood their hypocrisy, and said to them, "Bring Me a denarius to look at." 16 They brought one. He then said to them, "Whose likeness and inscription is on this coin?" They said, "Caesar's." 17 At this Jesus said, "Render to Caesar what is his and to God those things that are God's." His answer amazed them.

18 Some of the Sadducees, who do not believe in the resurrection, came to Jesus with the following scenario. 19 "Teacher, Moses told us that if a man's brother dies and leaves a wife with no children, he must marry his brother's wife to raise up children for his brother." 20 "There were seven brothers. The first took a wife and died leaving his wife with no children." 21 "The second brother took her as his wife and he also died without children. The same thing happened to the third." 22 "Eventually all seven had her as wife, but she had no children. Eventually the woman died." 23 "In the resurrection, which of the seven will be her husband? They were all married to her." 24 Jesus said to them, "You are mistaken in your ideas because you do not know scripture or the power of God." 25 "When they rise from the dead, they neither marry, or are given in marriage. Rather they will be like the angels in heaven."

26 "And regarding the idea that the dead will rise again, when Moses stood by the burning bush, and God spoke to him, He said, 'I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.'" 27 "He is not the God of the dead, but of those who will live again. You are greatly mistaken."

28 One of the scribes came to Jesus after hearing the Sadducees argue with Him. Recognizing that Jesus had answered them well, he asked Him, "Which is the most important commandment?" 29 Jesus answered, "The foremost is, 'Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God is one Lord.'." 30 "And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.'." 31 "The second is, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these." 32 The scribe said to Him, "Teacher, You have correctly stated that He is one and there is no else besides Him." 33 "And we must love Him with all our heart, understanding and strength. And we are to love our neighbor as ourself. These are much more important than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices." 34 When Jesus heard his reply, He said to him, "You are not far from the kingdom of God." After that no one asked Him any questions.

35 As Jesus taught in the temple, He said, "How is it that the scribes say that the Christ is the Son of David?" 36 "David himself said by the Holy Spirit, 'The LORD said to my Lord, sit at My right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.'." 37 David himself calls Him Lord. So in what sense is He David's son? The large crowd enjoyed listening to Him. 38 While teaching He said, "Beware of the scribes who like to be seen in long robes, and to hear respectful greetings in the market places." 39 "They want the chief seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets." 40 "They devour widows' houses, and make long prayers for appearance sake. They will receive greater condemnation."

41 He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched those bringing their gifts. Many were rich and placed large sums in the box. 42 A poor widow came and put in two small coins worth about a cent. 43 Calling His disciples, He said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow put more in the treasury than all the others put together." 44 "For they gave out of their surplus, but she put in all she had to live on."

Mark 13 - RWB Paraphrase (37 V)
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1 As Jesus was leaving the temple, one of His disciples spoke to Him, pointing out the beauty of the stones in the magnificent buildings! 2 Jesus said, "You see these great buildings? Not one stone will be left on another. All of it will be torn down." 3 Later as He sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew questioned Him privately. 4 "Tell us," they said, "When these things happen and what will be the sign when this is about to be fulfilled?" 5 Jesus said, "See that you are not mislead by anyone." 6 "Many will come in My name and mislead many." 7 "When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be worried. Such things must happen. This will not be the end." 8 "For nations will rise up against each other. There will be earthquakes in various places as well as famines. These are merely the beginning of sorrows." 9 "Be on your guard, for you will be deliver to the courts and flogged in the synagogues. And you will stand before governors and kings as a testimony for My sake." 10 "The gospel must first be preached among all the nations." 11 "When they arrest you and turn you over for judgment, do not worry about what you are to say. You will be given the right words in that hour. It will not be you who is speaking but the Holy Spirit in you." 12 "A brother will betray his own brother to death, and a father his son. Children will rise up against their parents causing them to be put to death." 13 "You will be hated by all men for My name's sake, but those who endure to the end shall be saved." 14 "Daniel spoke of the abomination of desolation standing where it should not be. When you see this, you will know to flee to the mountains." 15 "Anyone on the housetop must not take time to go down to gather things from his house." 16 "And the one working in the field must not go back to the house to get his coat." 17 "Woe to those who are pregnant or nursing babies during that time!" 18 "Pray that it does not happen in winter." 19 "It will be a time of tribulation such as never was since the beginning of time." 20 "The LORD will shorten those days for the sake of His elect. Otherwise no one would remain alive." 21 "If anyone says to you, 'Behold, the Christ is here,' or, 'The Christ is over there,' do not believe it." 22 "There will be false Christs and false prophets showing signs and wonders, trying to lead astray, if possible, even the elect." 23 "Take heed, for I have told you everything in advance."

24 "After that tribulation the sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light." 25 "The stars will fall from heaven and the powers of heaven will be shaken." 26 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory." 27 "Then He will send forth His angels to gather His elect from the four corners of the earth."

28 "Learn from the parable of the fig tree. When its branches are tender and put forth leaves, you know that summer is near." 29 "Even so, when you see these things happening, know that His coming is very near, even at the door." 30 "And I tell you the truth, this generation will not pass away before all these things take place." 31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away." 32 "No one knows the day or the hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son. Only the Father knows." 33 "Watch and pray, for you do not know when it will happen." 34 "For the Son of Man is as a man taking a long journey. As he left his house, he gave authority to his servants to care for everything. Each one had his assigned duty." 35 "So stay awake, for you do not know when the master of the house will come back. It could be at any hour of the day or night." 36 "And you do not want to be caught sleeping at your post." 37 "What I am saying to you I say to everyone. Watch."

Mark 14 - RWB Paraphrase (72 V)
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1 The Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread was two days away. The chief priests and scribes were looking for a way to seize Jesus and put Him to death. 2 They had agreed to not do this during the festival, lest it cause a riot.

3 Jesus had gone to eat at the home of Simon the leper. As He was reclining at the table, a woman came with an alabaster container of costly perfume. It was pure nard and very costly. She broke the seal and poured it on His head. 4 Some of those present were indignant and asked why this costly perfume had been wasted? 5 Murmuring against her, they said, "This expensive perfume could have served a greater purpose by selling it and giving the proceeds to the poor." 6 But Jesus took her part, saying, "Why do you bother her? She has done a beautiful thing for Me." 7 "You will always have the poor and you can help them whenever you wish. But you will not always have Me." 8 "She has done what she could, and has anointed My body before My burial." 9 "The truth is, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the whole world, she will be remembered for this act."

10 It was at this time that Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests and offered to betray Jesus to them. 11 They were glad to hear this and promised to give him money. So Judas began to look for an opportunity to betray Jesus to them.

12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when the Passover lamb was being sacrificed, Jesus disciples asked Him, "Where do you want us to prepare for the Passover?" 13 He told two of them to go into the city where they would meet a man carrying a pitcher of water. They were to follow him. 14 Where he entered a house, they were to say to the owner, "The Teacher says, 'Where is the guest room in which I and my disciples may eat the Passover?'" 15 "He will take you to a large furnished upper room. There make everything ready."

16 The disciples went into the city found the man with the pitcher of water, followed him to a house and there prepared for the Passover.

17 When it was evening Jesus came with the twelve. 18 As they reclined at the table and ate, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray Me." 19 This grieved them and they each wondered if they were that one. 20 And He said, "It is one of the twelve who dips with Me in the bowl." 21 "For the Son of Man will go just as it is written of Him, but woe to the man who betrays Him! It would have been better if he had never been born."

22 As they were eating, He took some bread, blessed it and broke it. Then He gave it to them, saying, "Take and eat. This is My body." 23 And He took the cup and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them and they all drank from it. 24 He said, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many." 25 "I tell you the truth, I will not drink the fruit of the vine any more until the day I drink it new in the kingdom of God.

." 26 After singing a hymn they went out to the Mount of Olives. 27 As they walked, Jesus said to them, "Tonight you will all be offended because of Me, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.'." 28 "But after I have been raised, I will meet you in Galilee."

29 Peter said to him, "Even if everyone else leaves You, I will not." 30 Then Jesus said to him, "The truth is, tonight you will deny Me three times before the rooster crows two times." 31 But Peter continued to insist, "I will not deny You even if it means my death." They all said the same thing.

32 They came to a place called Gethsemane. He asked His disciples to sit in that place while He prayed. 33 Taking Peter, James and John a little farther, He became very troubled. 34 He said to them, "I am so grieved I feel as though I will die. Remain here and keep watch." 35 Going a little farther, He fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, what was soon to take place might pass from Him. 36 He prayed, "Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup from Me. Nevertheless, whatever You say, I will do."

37 Coming back to His disciples, He found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you stay awake for one hour?" 38 "Watch and pray, lest you come under temptation. Your spirit is willing but your flesh is weak." 39 Once more Jesus withdrew and prayed the same prayer. 40 And again He came back to them and found them sleeping, for they were very tired. They did not know how to reply to Him.

41 When He came back the third time, He said, "Are you still sleeping? Ah well, the hour has come for the Son of Man to be betrayed into the hands of sinners." 42 "Get up. We need to be going. My betrayer is here!"

43 While He was speaking, Judas, who was one of the twelve, came with a crowd carrying swords and clubs. They had been sent by the chief priests, and the scribes and elders. 44 Judas had told the crowd that the one he kissed was the one they were to lead away under guard. 45 When they arrived, Judas went immediately to Jesus and said, "Master! And kissed Him." 46 The crowd took a hold of Him and lead Him away.

47 As they did this, one of those standing by drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear. 48 Jesus said to them, "Why have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as though I were a thief?" 49 "I taught in the temple every day and you did not seize Me. But this is taking place to fulfill the scriptures." 50 And His disciples fled. 51 A young man had been following Him wearing only a linen sheet. They tried to grab him. 52 But he pulled free, leaving his linen wrap with them and escaped naked.

53 Jesus was led away to the high priest. All the chief priests, the elders and the scribes had gathered there. 54 And Peter followed at a distance. He went right into the courtyard of the high priest and sat with the officers warming himself by the fire.

55 Now the chief priests and the whole Council tried to obtain something to use against Jesus so they could put Him to death. But they couldn't find anything. 56 There were plenty of false testimonies, but no two agreed. 57 Some gave this false testimony: 58 "we heard Him say, 'I will destroy this temple made with hands and in three days I will build another not made with hands.'" 59 The witnesses could not agree on this testimony.

60 The high priest stood up. Coming forward he questioned Jesus, saying, "Don't You have an answer to these accusations?" 61 But Jesus kept silent. Then the high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" 62 Jesus replied, "I Am. And you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, coming in the clouds of heaven." 63 Tearing his clothes, the high priest said, "Why do we need any other witnesses?" 64 "You heard Him speak blasphemy. What do you say?" And they all condemned Him as deserving death. 65 Some began to spit on Him. Others put a blindfold on Him and beat Him with their fists, saying, "Prophesy. Who hit you?" And others were slapping Him.

66 Peter was still sitting down below in the courtyard. One of the high priest's servant girls came over to where he was. 67 Seeing Peter she said, "You were with Jesus of Nazareth." 68 But Peter denied any connection to Jesus, saying, "I have no idea what you are talking about." He went out on the porch just as a rooster crowed. 69 A servant girl out there saw him and said to those around her, "This man is one of them!" 70 Again Peter denied it. A short time later someone else said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them. Your speech shows you are from Galilee." 71 Peter began to curse and swear, and then said, "I do not know the man you are talking about!" 72 At that moment the rooster crowed a second time. Peter then remembered what Jesus had said earlier, that he, Peter, would deny his Master three times before a rooster crowed twice. And Peter began to weep.

Mark 15 - RWB Paraphrase (47 V)
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1 Early in the morning the chief priests with the elders, the scribes and the whole Council had met together. Having bound Jesus they took Him to Pilate. 2 Pilate questioned Jesus, "Are You the King of the Jews?" Jesus answered, "It is as you say." 3 The chief priests were harshly accusing Him of many things. 4 Pilate asked Jesus, "Have You no answer to what they are saying against You?" 5 Pilate was amazed when Jesus made no reply.

6 Now at this feast it was Pilate's habit to release one prisoner the people asked for. 7 A man named Barabbas had been imprisoned for being part of an insurrection in which he had committed murder. 8 And the crowd began to ask Pilate to release someone as he had done in the past. 9 He said to them, "Shall I release to you the King of the Jews?" 10 He knew the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him out of envy. 11 But the chief priests had incited the crowd to ask for Barabbas. 12 So Pilate then asked, "What shall I do with the One you call the King of the Jews?" 13 They shouted, "Crucify Him!" 14 Pilate asked, "Why? What evil has He done?" But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!"

15 Wishing to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them and scourged Jesus before handing Him over to be crucified. 16 The soldiers took Him into the hall called the Praetorium and called for the whole Roman cohort. 17 They dressed Him in purple and placed a crown of thorns on His head. 18 And they began to hail Him as the King of the Jews. 19 They beat His head with a reed and spit on Him. Some of them knelt before Him as in worship. 20 After they had mocked Him, they removed the purple robe and put His own garments on Him. They then led Him out to be crucified.

21 They found Simon of Cyrene, a man from the country side, the father of Alexander and Rufus, and had him carry the cross for Jesus. 22 They took Him to Golgotha, known as the place of a skull. 23 They offered Him wine mixed with myrrh but He would not drink it. 24 Then they crucified Jesus and cast lots to divide His garments between them.

25 It was the third hour when they crucified Him (nine o'clock). 26 They had an inscription that described His offense. It read, "The King of the Jews." 27 They also crucified two robbers, one on each side of Him. 28 This fulfilled the scripture that says, "He was numbered with transgressors."

29 Those passing by hurled abuse at Him, wagging their heads and saying, "So You were going to destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days." 30 "Save Yourself and come down from the cross!" 31 The chief priests and scribes mocked Him in the same way, saying, "He saved others but He cannot save Himself." 32 "Let this Christ, the King of Israel, come down from the cross, so that we may see and believe!" And those crucified on either side insulted Him, as well.

33 Darkness covered the whole land from the sixth 34 At the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?" This translates to say, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?" 35 Some of the bystanders thought He was calling for Elijah. 36 Someone ran and filled a sponge with vinegar and held it up to him on a reed. They said among themselves, "Let's see if Elijah will come and take Him down."

37 Then Jesus uttered a loud cry and breathed His last breath. 38 And at that moment the veil of temple was torn in two, starting at the top and ripping all the way to the bottom. 39 The centurion standing by the cross watched as Jesus breathed His last. He said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

40 Some women looked on from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women used to follow Him and minister to Him. And there were many other women who came to Jerusalem with him.

42 It was the preparation day, the day before the Sabbath. When evening had come, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was waiting for the kingdom of God, gathered his courage and asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. 44 Pilate wondered if Jesus was dead. He summoned the centurion to ask if Jesus had already died. 45 When the centurion had confirmed Jesus was dead, Pilate released the body to Joseph. 46 Joseph brought a linen cloth to wrap the body in and then laid Him in a tomb hewn out of rock. A stone was then rolled over the entrance. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He had been laid.

Mark 16 - RWB Paraphrase (20 V)
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1 After the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome brought spices to anoint Jesus' body. 2 Very early on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb. 3 They asked each other how they would remove the stone from the entrance of the tomb. 4 Approaching the tomb, they saw that the large stone had been rolled away. 5 Entering the tomb they were amazed and frightened to see a young man wearing a white robe sitting at the right side. 6 He said, "Do not be afraid. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth who was crucified. He has risen. See where they laid Him. He is no longer here." 7 "Go tell His disciples, including Peter, that He is going ahead of them to Galilee. They will see Him there, just as He told them." 8 They fled from the tomb in astonishment, and were afraid to tell anyone.

9 After rising early on the first day of the week, Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene, from whom He had cast seven demons. 10 She then found those who had been with Him. They were mourning and weeping. She told them that she had seen Jesus. 11 But they refused to believe her.

12 After this Jesus appeared to two of them as they walked in the countryside. But He hid His true identity. 13 These two reported it to the others, but they were not believed either. 14 Afterward He appeared to the eleven as they were eating. He took them to task for their unbelief and hard hearts because they had been unwilling to believe those who had seen Him.

15 Jesus said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone." 16 "Those who believe and are baptized shall be saved. And those who do not believe will be condemned." 17 "Signs will accompany those who believe. In My name they will cast out demons, and speak with new tongues." 18 "They shall pick up serpents without harm. And if they drink a deadly poison, it shall not hurt them. They shall lay hands on the sick who will recover." 19 After speaking to them, the LORD was received up into heaven where He sat at the right hand of God. 20 And the disciples went forth and preached everywhere. And the LORD worked with them, confirming the word with the signs He had promised. Amen.

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