The Story of the Farmer
1After this, Jesus traveled around from one town and village to another. He announced the good news of God’s kingdom. His 12 disciples were with him. 2So were some women who had been healed of evil spirits and sicknesses. One was Mary Magdalene. Seven demons had come out of her. 3Another was Joanna, the wife of Chuza. He was the manager of Herod’s household. Susanna and many others were there also. These women were helping to support Jesus and the 12 disciples with their own money.
4A large crowd gathered together. People came to Jesus from town after town. As they did, he told a story. He said, 5“A farmer went out to plant his seed. He scattered the seed on the ground. Some fell on a path. People walked on it, and the birds ate it up. 6Some seed fell on rocky ground. When it grew, the plants dried up because they had no water. 7Other seed fell among thorns. The thorns grew up with it and crowded out the plants. 8Still other seed fell on good soil. It grew up and produced a crop 100 times more than the farmer planted.”
When Jesus said this, he called out, “Whoever has ears should listen.”
9His disciples asked him what the story meant. 10He said, “You have been given the chance to understand the secrets of God’s kingdom. But to outsiders I speak by using stories. In that way,
“ ‘They see, but they will not know what they are seeing.
They hear, but they will not understand what they are hearing.’ (Isaiah 6:9)
11“Here is what the story means. The seed is God’s message. 12The seed on the path stands for God’s message in the hearts of those who hear. But then the devil comes. He takes away the message from their hearts. He does it so they won’t believe. Then they can’t be saved. 13The seed on rocky ground stands for those who hear the message and receive it with joy. But they have no roots. They believe for a while. But when they are tested, they fall away from the faith. 14The seed that fell among thorns stands for those who hear the message. But as they go on their way, they are choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures. So they do not reach full growth. 15But the seed on good soil stands for those with an honest and good heart. Those people hear the message. They keep it in their hearts. They remain faithful and produce a good crop.
A Lamp on a Stand
16“No one lights a lamp and then hides it in a clay jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, they put it on a stand. Then those who come in can see its light. 17What is hidden will be seen. And what is out of sight will be brought into the open and made known. 18So be careful how you listen. Whoever has something will be given more. Whoever has nothing, even what they think they have will be taken away from them.”
Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
19Jesus’ mother and brothers came to see him. But they could not get near him because of the crowd. 20Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside. They want to see you.”
21He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and do what it says.”
Jesus Calms the Storm
22One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” So they got into a boat and left. 23As they sailed, Jesus fell asleep. A storm came down on the lake. It was so bad that the boat was about to sink. They were in great danger.
24The disciples went and woke Jesus up. They said, “Master! Master! We’re going to drown!”
He got up and ordered the wind and the huge waves to stop. The storm quieted down. It was completely calm. 25“Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.
They were amazed and full of fear. They asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the waves, and they obey him.”
Jesus Heals a Man Controlled by Demons
26Jesus and his disciples sailed to the area of the Gerasenes across the lake from Galilee. 27When Jesus stepped on shore, he was met by a man from the town. The man was controlled by demons. For a long time he had not worn clothes or lived in a house. He lived in the tombs. 28When he saw Jesus, he cried out and fell at his feet. He shouted at the top of his voice, “Jesus, Son of the Most High God, what do you want with me? I beg you, don’t hurt me!” 29This was because Jesus had commanded the evil spirit to come out of the man. Many times the spirit had taken hold of him. The man’s hands and feet were chained, and he was kept under guard. But he had broken his chains. And then the demon had forced him to go out into lonely places in the countryside.
30Jesus asked him, “What is your name?”
“Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. 31And they begged Jesus again and again not to order them to go into the Abyss.
32A large herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside. The demons begged Jesus to let them go into the pigs. And he allowed it. 33When the demons came out of the man, they went into the pigs. Then the herd rushed down the steep bank. They ran into the lake and drowned.
34Those who were tending the pigs saw what had happened. They ran off and reported it in the town and countryside. 35The people went out to see what had happened. Then they came to Jesus. They found the man who was now free of the demons. He was sitting at Jesus’ feet. He was dressed and thinking clearly. All this made the people afraid. 36Those who had seen it told the others how the man who had been controlled by demons was now healed. 37Then all the people who lived in the area of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them. They were filled with fear. So he got into the boat and left.
38The man who was now free of the demons begged to go with him. But Jesus sent him away. He said to him, 39“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away. He told people all over town how much Jesus had done for him.
Jesus Heals a Dead Girl and a Suffering Woman
40When Jesus returned, a crowd welcomed him. They were all expecting him. 41Then a man named Jairus came. He was a synagogue leader. He fell at Jesus’ feet and begged Jesus to come to his house. 42His only daughter was dying. She was about 12 years old. As Jesus was on his way, the crowds almost crushed him.
43A woman was there who had a sickness that made her bleed. Her sickness had lasted for 12 years. No one could heal her. 44She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his clothes. Right away her bleeding stopped.
45“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.
Everyone said they didn’t do it. Then Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pushing against you.”
46But Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me.”
47The woman realized that people would notice her. Shaking with fear, she came and fell at his feet. In front of everyone, she told why she had touched him. She also told how she had been healed in an instant. 48Then he said to her, “Dear woman, your faith has healed you. Go in peace.”
49While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the house of Jairus. Jairus was the synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” the messenger said. “Don’t bother the teacher anymore.”
50Hearing this, Jesus said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just believe. She will be healed.”
51When he arrived at the house of Jairus, he did not let everyone go in with him. He took only Peter, John and James, and the child’s father and mother. 52During this time, all the people were crying and sobbing loudly over the child. “Stop crying!” Jesus said. “She is not dead. She is sleeping.”
53They laughed at him. They knew she was dead. 54But he took her by the hand and said, “My child, get up!” 55Her spirit returned, and right away she stood up. Then Jesus told them to give her something to eat. 56Her parents were amazed. But Jesus ordered them not to tell anyone what had happened.
A Parábola do Semeador
(Mt 13.1-23; Mc 4.1-20)
1Depois disso Jesus ia passando pelas cidades e povoados proclamando as boas-novas do Reino de Deus. Os Doze estavam com ele, 2e também algumas mulheres que haviam sido curadas de espíritos malignos e doenças: Maria, chamada Madalena, de quem haviam saído sete demônios; 3Joana, mulher de Cuza, administrador da casa de Herodes; Susana e muitas outras. Essas mulheres ajudavam a sustentá-los com os seus bens.
4Reunindo-se uma grande multidão e vindo a Jesus gente de várias cidades, ele contou esta parábola: 5“O semeador saiu a semear. Enquanto lançava a semente, parte dela caiu à beira do caminho; foi pisada, e as aves do céu a comeram. 6Parte dela caiu sobre pedras e, quando germinou, as plantas secaram, porque não havia umidade. 7Outra parte caiu entre espinhos, que cresceram com ela e sufocaram as plantas. 8Outra ainda caiu em boa terra. Cresceu e deu boa colheita, a cem por um”.
Tendo dito isso, exclamou: “Aquele que tem ouvidos para ouvir, ouça!”
9Seus discípulos perguntaram-lhe o que significava aquela parábola. 10Ele disse: “A vocês foi dado o conhecimento dos mistérios do Reino de Deus, mas aos outros falo por parábolas, para que
“ ‘vendo, não vejam;
e ouvindo, não entendam’8.10 Is 6.9.
11“Este é o significado da parábola: A semente é a palavra de Deus. 12As que caíram à beira do caminho são os que ouvem, e então vem o Diabo e tira a palavra do seu coração, para que não creiam e não sejam salvos. 13As que caíram sobre as pedras são os que recebem a palavra com alegria quando a ouvem, mas não têm raiz. Creem durante algum tempo, mas desistem na hora da provação. 14As que caíram entre espinhos são os que ouvem, mas, ao seguirem seu caminho, são sufocados pelas preocupações, pelas riquezas e pelos prazeres desta vida, e não amadurecem. 15Mas as que caíram em boa terra são os que, com coração bom e generoso, ouvem a palavra, a retêm e dão fruto, com perseverança.
A Candeia
(Mc 4.21-25)
16“Ninguém acende uma candeia e a esconde num jarro ou a coloca debaixo de uma cama. Ao contrário, coloca-a num lugar apropriado, de modo que os que entram possam ver a luz. 17Porque não há nada oculto que não venha a ser revelado e nada escondido que não venha a ser conhecido e trazido à luz. 18Portanto, considerem atentamente como vocês estão ouvindo. A quem tiver, mais lhe será dado; de quem não tiver, até o que pensa que tem lhe será tirado”.
A Mãe e os Irmãos de Jesus
(Mt 12.46-50; Mc 3.31-35)
19A mãe e os irmãos de Jesus foram vê-lo, mas não conseguiam aproximar-se dele, por causa da multidão. 20Alguém lhe disse: “Tua mãe e teus irmãos estão lá fora e querem ver-te”.
21Ele lhe respondeu: “Minha mãe e meus irmãos são aqueles que ouvem a palavra de Deus e a praticam”.
Jesus Acalma a Tempestade
(Mt 8.23-27; Mc 4.35-41)
22Certo dia Jesus disse aos seus discípulos: “Vamos para o outro lado do lago”. Eles entraram num barco e partiram. 23Enquanto navegavam, ele adormeceu. Abateu-se sobre o lago um forte vendaval, de modo que o barco estava sendo inundado, e eles corriam grande perigo. 24Os discípulos foram acordá-lo, clamando: “Mestre, Mestre, vamos morrer!”
Ele se levantou e repreendeu o vento e a violência das águas; tudo se acalmou e ficou tranquilo. 25“Onde está a sua fé?”, perguntou ele aos seus discípulos.
Amedrontados e admirados, eles perguntaram uns aos outros: “Quem é este que até aos ventos e às águas dá ordens, e eles lhe obedecem?”
A Cura de um Endemoninhado
(Mt 8.28-34; Mc 5.1-20)
26Navegaram para a região dos gerasenos8.26 Alguns manuscritos trazem gadarenos; outros manuscritos dizem gergesenos; também no versículo 37., que fica do outro lado do lago, frente à Galileia. 27Quando Jesus pisou em terra, foi ao encontro dele um endemoninhado daquela cidade. Fazia muito tempo que aquele homem não usava roupas, nem vivia em casa alguma, mas nos sepulcros. 28Quando viu Jesus, gritou, prostrou-se aos seus pés e disse em alta voz: “Que queres comigo, Jesus, Filho do Deus Altíssimo? Rogo-te que não me atormentes!” 29Pois Jesus havia ordenado que o espírito imundo saísse daquele homem. Muitas vezes ele tinha se apoderado dele. Mesmo com os pés e as mãos acorrentados e entregue aos cuidados de guardas, quebrava as correntes e era levado pelo demônio a lugares solitários.
30Jesus lhe perguntou: “Qual é o seu nome?”
“Legião”, respondeu ele; porque muitos demônios haviam entrado nele. 31E imploravam-lhe que não os mandasse para o Abismo.
32Uma grande manada de porcos estava pastando naquela colina. Os demônios imploraram a Jesus que lhes permitisse entrar neles, e Jesus lhes deu permissão. 33Saindo do homem, os demônios entraram nos porcos, e toda a manada atirou-se precipício abaixo em direção ao lago e se afogou.
34Vendo o que acontecera, os que cuidavam dos porcos fugiram e contaram esses fatos na cidade e nos campos, 35e o povo foi ver o que havia acontecido. Quando se aproximaram de Jesus, viram que o homem de quem haviam saído os demônios estava assentado aos pés de Jesus, vestido e em perfeito juízo, e ficaram com medo. 36Os que o tinham visto contaram ao povo como o endemoninhado fora curado. 37Então, todo o povo da região dos gerasenos suplicou a Jesus que se retirasse, porque estavam dominados pelo medo. Ele entrou no barco e regressou.
38O homem de quem haviam saído os demônios suplicava-lhe que o deixasse ir com ele; mas Jesus o mandou embora, dizendo: 39“Volte para casa e conte o quanto Deus fez a você”. Assim, o homem se foi e anunciou na cidade inteira o quanto Jesus tinha feito por ele.
O Poder de Jesus sobre a Doença e a Morte
(Mt 9.18-26; Mc 5.21-43)
40Quando Jesus voltou, uma multidão o recebeu com alegria, pois todos o esperavam. 41Então um homem chamado Jairo, dirigente da sinagoga, veio e prostrou-se aos pés de Jesus, implorando-lhe que fosse à sua casa 42porque sua única filha, de cerca de doze anos, estava à morte.
Estando Jesus a caminho, a multidão o comprimia. 43E estava ali certa mulher que havia doze anos vinha sofrendo de hemorragia e gastara tudo o que tinha com os médicos8.43 Alguns manuscritos não trazem gastara tudo o que tinha com os médicos.; mas ninguém pudera curá-la. 44Ela chegou por trás dele, tocou na borda de seu manto, e imediatamente cessou sua hemorragia.
45“Quem tocou em mim?”, perguntou Jesus.
Como todos negassem, Pedro disse: “Mestre, a multidão se aglomera e te comprime”.
46Mas Jesus disse: “Alguém tocou em mim; eu sei que de mim saiu poder”.
47Então a mulher, vendo que não conseguiria passar despercebida, veio tremendo e prostrou-se aos seus pés. Na presença de todo o povo contou por que tinha tocado nele e como fora instantaneamente curada. 48Então ele lhe disse: “Filha, a sua fé a curou8.48 Ou a salvou! Vá em paz”.
49Enquanto Jesus ainda estava falando, chegou alguém da casa de Jairo, o dirigente da sinagoga, e disse: “Sua filha morreu. Não incomode mais o Mestre”.
50Ouvindo isso, Jesus disse a Jairo: “Não tenha medo; tão somente creia, e ela será curada”.
51Quando chegou à casa de Jairo, não deixou ninguém entrar com ele, exceto Pedro, João, Tiago e o pai e a mãe da criança. 52Enquanto isso, todo o povo estava se lamentando e chorando por ela. “Não chorem”, disse Jesus. “Ela não está morta, mas dorme.”
53Todos começaram a rir dele, pois sabiam que ela estava morta. 54Mas ele a tomou pela mão e disse: “Menina, levante-se!” 55O espírito dela voltou, e ela se levantou imediatamente. Então Jesus lhes ordenou que dessem de comer a ela. 56Os pais dela ficaram maravilhados, mas ele lhes ordenou que não contassem a ninguém o que tinha acontecido.
