The Gospel of Mark (NIV)

The Gospel of Mark
New International Version
The Gospel of Mark provides readers with a

compact and accessible illustration of the
kinds of changes that the Committee on Bible
Translation have made in the update of the
NIV.
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The Holy Bible, New International Version. Gospel of Mark
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NIV Sampler, Gospel of Mark
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Pr e fac e
The goal of the New International Version (NIV) is to enable

English-speaking people from around the world to read and hear God’s
eternal Word in their own language. Our work as translators is moti-
vated by our conviction that the Bible is God’s Word in written form.
We believe that the Bible contains the divine answer to the deepest
needs of humanity, sheds unique light on our path in a dark world and
sets forth the way to our eternal well-being. Out of these deep convic-
tions, we have sought to recreate as far as possible the experience of
the original audience—blending transparency to the original text with
accessibility for the millions of English speakers around the world. We
have prioritized accuracy, clarity and literary quality with the goal of
creating a translation suitable for public and private reading, evange-
lism, teaching, preaching, memorizing and liturgical use. We have also
sought to preserve a measure of continuity with the long tradition of
translating the Scriptures into English.
The complete NIV Bible was first published in 1978. It was a
completely new translation made by over a hundred scholars working
directly from the best available Hebrew, Aramaic and Greek texts. The
translators came from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, Australia
and New Zealand, giving the translation an international scope. They
were from many denominations and churches—including Anglican,
Assemblies of God, Baptist, Brethren, Christian Reformed, Church of
Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Evangelical Free, Lutheran, Mennonite,
Methodist, Nazarene, Presbyterian, Wesleyan and others. This breadth
of denominational and theological perspective helped to safeguard the
translation from sectarian bias. For these reasons, and by the grace of

6 | PREFACE
God, the NIV has gained a wide readership in all parts of the English-
speaking world.
The work of translating the Bible is never finished. As good as
they are, English translations must be regularly updated so that they
will continue to communicate accurately the meaning of God’s Word.
Updates are needed in order to reflect the latest developments in our
understanding of the biblical world and its languages and to keep pace
with changes in English usage. Recognizing, then, that the NIV would
retain its ability to communicate God’s Word accurately only if it were
regularly updated, the original translators established The Committee
on Bible Translation (CBT). The committee is a self-perpetuating group
of biblical scholars charged with keeping abreast of advances in biblical
scholarship and changes in English and issuing periodic updates to the
NIV. CBT is an independent, self-governing body and has sole respon-
sibility for the NIV text. The committee mirrors the original group of
translators in its diverse international and denominational makeup and
in its unifying commitment to the Bible as God’s inspired Word.
In obedience to its mandate, the committee has issued periodic
updates to the NIV. An initial revision was released in 1984. A more
thorough revision process was completed in 2005, resulting in the sepa-
rately published TNIV. The updated NIV you now have in your hands
builds on both the original NIV and the TNIV and represents the latest
effort of the committee to articulate God’s unchanging Word in the way
the original authors might have said it had they been speaking in English
to the global English-speaking audience today.
The first concern of the translators has continued to be the ac-
curacy of the translation and its faithfulness to the intended meaning
of the biblical writers. This has moved the translators to go beyond a
formal word-for-word rendering of the original texts. Because thought
patterns and syntax differ from language to language, accurate com-
munication of the meaning of the biblical authors demands constant
regard for varied contextual uses of words and idioms and for frequent
modifications in sentence structures.

PREFACE | 7
As an aid to the reader, sectional headings have been inserted.

They are not to be regarded as part of the biblical text and are not
intended for oral reading. It is the committee’s hope that these headings
may prove more helpful to the reader than the traditional chapter divi-
sions, which were introduced long after the Bible was written.
For the Old Testament the standard Hebrew text, the Masoretic
Text as published in the latest edition of Biblia Hebraica, has been used
throughout. The Masoretic Text tradition contains marginal notations
that offer variant readings. These have sometimes been followed instead
of the text itself. Because such instances involve variants within the
Masoretic tradition, they have not been indicated in the textual notes.
In a few cases, words in the basic consonantal text have been divided
differently than in the Masoretic Text. Such cases are usually indicated
in the textual footnotes. The Dead Sea Scrolls contain biblical texts
that represent an earlier stage of the transmission of the Hebrew text.
They have been consulted, as have been the Samaritan Pentateuch and
the ancient scribal traditions concerning deliberate textual changes.
The translators also consulted the more important early versions—
the Greek Septuagint, Aquila, Symmachus and Theodotion, the Latin
Vulgate, the Syriac Peshitta, the Aramaic Targums, and for the Psalms,
the Juxta Hebraica of Jerome. Readings from these versions, the Dead
Sea Scrolls and the scribal traditions were occasionally followed where
the Masoretic Text seemed doubtful and where accepted principles of
textual criticism showed that one or more of these textual witnesses ap-
peared to provide the correct reading. In rare cases, the committee has
emended the Hebrew text where it appears to have become corrupted
at an even earlier stage of its transmission. These departures from the
Masoretic Text are also indicated in the textual footnotes. Sometimes
the vowel indicators (which are later additions to the basic consonantal
text) found in the Masoretic Text did not, in the judgment of the com-
mittee, represent the correct vowels for the original text. Accordingly,
some words have been read with a different set of vowels. These
instances are usually not indicated in the footnotes.

8 | PREFACE
The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic

one, based on the latest editions of the Nestle-Aland/United Bible
Societies’ Greek New Testament. The committee has made its choices
among the variant readings in accordance with widely accepted prin-
ciples of New Testament textual criticism. Footnotes call attention to
places where uncertainty remains.
The New Testament authors, writing in Greek, often quote the
Old Testament from its ancient Greek version, the Septuagint. This is
one reason why some of the Old Testament quotations in the NIV New
Testament are not identical to the corresponding passages in the NIV
Old Testament. Such quotations in the New Testament are indicated
with the footnote “(see Septuagint).”
Other footnotes in this version are of several kinds, most of which
need no explanation. Those giving alternative translations begin with
“Or” and generally introduce the alternative with the last word preced-
ing it in the text, except when it is a single-word alternative. When
poetry is quoted in a footnote, a slash mark indicates a line division.
It should be noted that references to diseases, minerals, flora and
fauna, architectural details, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments and
other articles cannot always be identified with precision. Also, linear
measurements and measures of capacity can only be approximated
(see Table of Weights and Measures). Although Selah, used mainly in
the Psalms, is probably a musical term, its meaning is uncertain. Since
it may interrupt reading and distract the reader, this word has not been
kept in the English text, but every occurrence has been signaled by a
footnote.
One of the main reasons the task of Bible translation is never fin-
ished is the change in our own language, English. Although a basic core
of the language remains relatively stable, many diverse and complex
linguistic factors continue to bring about subtle shifts in the meanings
and/or connotations of even old, well-established words and phrases.
One of the shifts that creates particular challenges to writers and transla-
tors alike is the manner in which gender is presented. The original
NIV (1978) was published in a time when “a man” would naturally

PREFACE | 9
be understood, in many contexts, to be referring to a person, whether

male or female. But most English speakers today tend to hear a distinctly
male connotation in this word. In recognition of this change in English,
this edition of the NIV, along with almost all other recent English
translations, substitutes other expressions when the original text intends
to refer generically to men and women equally. Thus, for instance, the
NIV (1984) rendering of 1 Corinthians 8:3, “But the man who loves God
is known by God” becomes in this edition “But whoever loves God is
known by God.” On the other hand, “man” and “mankind,” as ways of
denoting the human race, are still widely used. This edition of the NIV
therefore continues to use these words, along with other expressions,
in this way.
A related shift in English creates a greater challenge for modern
translations: the move away from using the third-person masculine
singular pronouns—“he/him/his”—to refer to men and women equally.
This usage does persist at a low level in some forms of English, and this
revision therefore occasionally uses these pronouns in a generic sense.
But the tendency, recognized in day-to-day usage and confirmed by
extensive research, is away from the generic use of “he,” “him,” and
“his.” In recognition of this shift in language and in an effort to translate
into the “common” English that people are actually using, this revi-
sion of the NIV generally uses other constructions when the biblical
text is plainly addressed to men and women equally. The reader will
frequently encounter a “they,” “their,” or “them” to express a generic
singular idea. Thus, for instance, Mark 8:36 reads: “What good is it for
someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” This generic
use of the “indefinite” or “singular” “they/them/their” has a venerable
place in English idiom and has quickly become established as standard
English, spoken and written, all over the world. Where an individual
emphasis is deemed to be present, “anyone” or “everyone” or some
other equivalent is generally used as the antecedent of such pronouns.
Sometimes the chapter and/or verse numbering in English transla-
tions of the Old Testament differs from that found in published Hebrew
texts. This is particularly the case in the Psalms, where the traditional

10 | PREFACE
titles are often included in the Hebrew verse numbering. Such differ-
ences are indicated in the footnotes at the bottom of the page. In the
New Testament, verse numbers that marked off portions of the tradi-
tional English text not supported by the best Greek manuscripts now
appear in brackets, with a footnote indicating the text that has been
omitted (see, for example, Matthew 17:[21]).
Mark 16:9-20 and John 7:53-8:11, although long accorded virtually
equal status with the rest of the Gospels in which they stand, have a
very questionable—and confused—standing in the textual history of the
New Testament, as noted in the bracketed annotations with which they
are set off. A different typeface has been chosen for these passages to
indicate even more clearly their uncertain status.
Basic formatting of the text, such as lining the poetry, paragraphing
(both prose and poetry), setting up of (administrative-like) lists, indent-
ing letters and lengthy prayers within narratives and the insertion of
sectional headings, has been the work of the committee. However, the
choice between single-column and double-column formats has been
left to the publishers. Also the issuing of “red-letter” editions is a pub-
lisher’s choice—one the committee does not endorse.
The committee has again been reminded that every human effort
is flawed—including this revision of the NIV. We trust, however, that
many will find in it an improved representation of the Word of God,
through which they hear his call to faith in our Lord Jesus Christ and
to service in his kingdom. We offer this version of the Bible to him in
whose name and for whose glory it has been made.
T h e Co mm i tt ee o n Bi b l e T rans l at i o n
September 2010

THE GOSPEL OF
MARK
The Gospel of Mark has been selected for this sampler

because it provides readers with a compact and accessible illustration
of the kinds of changes that the Committee on Bible Translation
have made in this update of the NIV.

Mark
John the Baptist Prepares the Way God. 15 “The time has come,” he said. “The
1 The begin ning of the good news about kingdom of God has come near. Repent and
Jesus the Messiah, a the Son of God, b 2 as believe the good news!”
it is writ ten in Isa iah the prophet: Jesus Calls His First Disciples
“I will send my messenger ahead of you, 16 As Jesus walked be side the Sea of Gal
who will prepare your way” c — i lee, he saw Si mon and his brother Andrew
3 “a voice of one calling in the wilderness,
cast ing a net into the lake, for they were fish
‘Prepare the way for the Lord, er men. 17 “Come, fol low me,” Jesus said, “and
make straight paths for him.’ ” d I will send you out to fish for people.” 18 At
4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wil once they left their nets and fol lowed him.
19 When he had gone a lit tle far ther, he saw
der ness, preach ing a baptism of repentance
James son of Zebedee and his brother John
for the forgiveness of sins. 5 The whole Jude
in a boat, prepar ing their nets. 20 Without de
an countryside and all the people of Jerusa
lay he called them, and they left their father
lem went out to him. Con fessing their sins,
Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and
they were baptized by him in the Jordan Riv
fol lowed him.
er. 6 John wore cloth ing made of camel’s hair,
with a leather belt around his waist, and he Jesus Drives Out an Impure Spirit
ate locusts and wild honey. 7 And this was 21 They went to Ca per naum, and when
his message: “Af ter me comes the one more the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the syn
power ful than I, the straps of whose sandals agogue and began to teach. 22 The people
I am not wor thy to stoop down and untie. 8 I were amazed at his teach ing, be cause he
baptize you with e water, but he will baptize taught them as one who had author ity, not
you with e the Holy Spir it.” as the teachers of the law. 23 Just then a man
in their synagogue who was possessed by an
The Baptism and Testing of Jesus impure spir it cried out, 24 “What do you want
9 At that time Jesus came from Naza reth in
with us, Jesus of Naz a reth? Have you come
Gali lee and was baptized by John in the Jor to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy
dan. 10 Just as Jesus was coming up out of the One of God!”
water, he saw heaven being torn open and the 25 “Be quiet!” said Jesus stern ly. “Come out
Spir it descending on him like a dove. 11 And of him!” 26 The impure spir it shook the man
a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, violent ly and came out of him with a shriek.
whom I love; with you I am well pleased.” 27 The people were all so amazed that they
12 At once the Spir it sent him out into the
asked each other, “What is this? A new teach
wilder ness, 13 and he was in the wilder ness ing — and with author ity! He even gives or
for ty days, being tempted f by Satan. He was ders to impure spir its and they obey him.”
with the wild an i mals, and angels at tended 28 News about him spread quick ly over the
him. whole region of Gal i lee.
Jesus Announces the Good News Jesus Heals Many

14 Af ter
John was put in prison, Jesus went 29 As soon as they left the synagogue, they
into Gal i lee, proclaim ing the good news of went with James and John to the home of
a 1 Or Jesus Christ. Messiah (Hebrew) and Christ (Greek) both mean Anointed One. b 1 Some manuscripts do
not have the Son of God. c 2 Mal. 3:1 d 3 Isaiah 40:3 e 8 Or in f 13 The Greek for tempted can also
mean tested.

910 | Mark 1:30
Si mon and Andrew. 30 Si mon’s motherin not even out side the door, and he preached
law was in bed with a fever, and they im me the word to them. 3 Some men came, bring
diately told Jesus about her. 31 So he went to ing to him a para lyzed man, carried by four of
her, took her hand and helped her up. The them. 4 Since they could not get him to Jesus
fever left her and she began to wait on them. because of the crowd, they made an open ing
32 That evening af ter sun set the people
in the roof above Jesus by digging through it
brought to Jesus all the sick and demon and then lowered the mat the man was ly ing
pos sessed. 33 The whole town gathered at on. 5 When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the
the door, 34 and Jesus healed many who had para lyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”
var ious diseases. He also drove out many de 6 Now some teachers of the law were sit ting
mons, but he would not let the demons speak there, think ing to them selves, 7 “Why does
because they knew who he was. this fel low talk like that? He’s blasphem ing!
Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus Prays in a Solitary Place 8 Im me di ate ly Jesus knew in his spir
35 Very early in the morn ing, while it was it that this was what they were think ing in
still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and their hearts, and he said to them, “Why are
went off to a sol itary place, where he prayed. you think ing these things? 9 Which is easier:
36 Si mon and his compan ions went to look for to say to this para lyzed man, ‘Your sins are
him, 37 and when they found him, they ex forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat
claimed: “Everyone is look ing for you!” and walk’? 10 But I want you to know that the
38 Jesus re plied, “Let us go some where Son of Man has author ity on earth to forgive
else — to the nearby villages — so I can preach sins.” So he said to the man, 11 “I tell you, get
there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he up, take your mat and go home.” 12 He got up,
traveled throughout Gal i lee, preach ing in took his mat and walked out in full view of
their synagogues and driv ing out demons. them all. This amazed everyone and they
praised God, say ing, “We have never seen
Jesus Heals a Man With Leprosy any thing like this!”
40 A man with leprosy a came to him and
begged him on his knees, “If you are will ing, Jesus Calls Levi and Eats With Sinners
you can make me clean.” 13 Once again Jesus went out be side the
41 Jesus was indig nant. b He reached out lake. A large crowd came to him, and he be
his hand and touched the man. “I am will gan to teach them. 14 As he walked along, he
ing,” he said. “Be clean!” 42 Im mediately the saw Levi son of Alphaeus sit ting at the tax
leprosy left him and he was cleansed. col lec tor’s booth. “Fol low me,” Jesus told
43 Jesus sent him away at once with a him, and Levi got up and fol lowed him.
strong warn ing: 44 “See that you don’t tell this 15 While Jesus was hav ing din ner at Levi’s
to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest house, many tax col lectors and sin ners were
and of fer the sac ri fic es that Moses com eat ing with him and his disciples, for there
manded for your cleansing, as a testi mony were many who fol lowed him. 16 When the
to them.” 45 Instead he went out and began teachers of the law who were Phar isees saw
to talk freely, spread ing the news. As a result, him eat ing with the sin ners and tax col lec
Jesus could no longer enter a town open ly tors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he
but stayed out side in lonely places. Yet the eat with tax col lectors and sin ners?”
people still came to him from every where. 17 On hear ing this, Jesus said to them, “It
is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the

Jesus Forgives and Heals a Paralyzed sick. I have not come to call the righteous,
Man but sin ners.”
2 A few days later, when Jesus again en

tered Capernaum, the people heard that
he had come home. 2 They gathered in such
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
18 Now John’s disciples and the Phar i sees
large numbers that there was no room left, were fast ing. Some people came and asked
a 40 The Greek word traditionally translated leprosy was used for various diseases affecting the skin.
b 41 Many manuscripts Jesus was filled with compassion

Mark 3:24 | 911
Jesus, “How is it that John’s disciples and the restored. 6 Then the Phar isees went out and
disciples of the Phar i sees are fast ing, but began to plot with the Herodians how they
yours are not?” might kill Jesus.
19 Jesus an swered, “How can the guests of
the bridegroom fast while he is with them? Crowds Follow Jesus

They can not, so long as they have him with 7 Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the
them. 20 But the time will come when the lake, and a large crowd from Gal i lee fol
bridegroom will be taken from them, and on lowed. 8 When they heard about all he was
that day they will fast. doing, many people came to him from Ju
21 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth
dea, Jeru sa lem, Idu mea, and the re gions
on an old gar ment. Other wise, the new piece across the Jordan and around Tyre and Si
will pull away from the old, mak ing the tear don. 9 Because of the crowd he told his dis
worse. 22 And no one pours new wine into old ciples to have a small boat ready for him, to
wineskins. Other wise, the wine will burst keep the people from crowd ing him. 10 For
the skins, and both the wine and the wine he had healed many, so that those with dis
skins will be ru ined. No, they pour new wine eases were push ing for ward to touch him.
into new wineskins.” 11 Whenever the impure spir its saw him, they
fell down before him and cried out, “You are

Jesus Is Lord of the Sabbath the Son of God.” 12 But he gave them strict or
23 One Sabbath Jesus was going through ders not to tell others about him.
the grain fields, and as his disciples walked
along, they be gan to pick some heads of Jesus Appoints the Twelve
grain. 24 The Phar isees said to him, “Look, 13 Jesus went up on a mountain side and
why are they doing what is un law ful on the called to him those he wanted, and they
Sabbath?” came to him. 14 He appointed twelve a that
25 He an swered, “Have you nev er read
they might be with him and that he might
what David did when he and his compan send them out to preach 15 and to have au
ions were hungry and in need? 26 In the days thor ity to drive out demons. 16 These are the
of Abiathar the high priest, he entered the twelve he appointed: Si mon (to whom he
house of God and ate the consecrated bread, gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebe
which is law ful only for priests to eat. And he dee and his brother John (to them he gave
also gave some to his compan ions.” the name Boa nerges, which means “sons of
27 Then he said to them, “The Sabbath was thunder”), 18 Andrew, Phil ip, Bar tholomew,
made for man, not man for the Sabbath. 28 So Mat thew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,
the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” Thaddaeus, Si mon the Zealot 19 and Judas Is
car iot, who betrayed him.
Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
3 Another time Jesus went into the syna Jesus Accused by His Family and by
gogue, and a man with a shriveled hand Teachers of the Law
was there. 2 Some of them were look ing for 20 Then Jesus entered a house, and again a
a rea son to ac cuse Jesus, so they watched crowd gathered, so that he and his disciples
him closely to see if he would heal him on were not even able to eat. 21 When his fam i ly b
the Sabbath. 3 Jesus said to the man with the heard about this, they went to take charge of
shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of every him, for they said, “He is out of his mind.”
one.” 22 And the teachers of the law who came
4 Then Jesus asked them, “Which is law ful
down from Jerusa lem said, “He is possessed
on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to by Beel zebul! By the prince of demons he is
save life or to kill?” But they remained si lent. driv ing out demons.”
5 He looked around at them in anger and, 23 So Jesus called them over to him and
deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, began to speak to them in parables: “How
said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He can Satan drive out Satan? 24 If a kingdom is
stretched it out, and his hand was completely divided against it self, that kingdom can not
a 14 Some manuscripts twelve — designating them apostles — b 21 Or his associates

912 | Mark 3:25
stand. 25 If a house is divided against it self, to those on the outside every thing is said in
that house can not stand. 26 And if Satan op parables 12 so that,
pos es him self and is di vided, he can not
“ ‘they may be ever seeing but never
stand; his end has come. 27 In fact, no one can
perceiving,
enter a strong man’s house without first ty
and ever hearing but never
ing him up. Then he can plunder the strong
understanding;
man’s house. 28 Tru ly I tell you, people can be
otherwise they might turn and be
forgiven all their sins and every slander they
forgiven!’ a ”
ut ter, 29 but whoever blasphemes against the
Holy Spir it will never be forgiven; they are 13 Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t you un
guilty of an eter nal sin.” der stand this par able? How then will you
30 He said this be cause they were say ing,
understand any parable? 14 The farmer sows
“He has an impure spir it.” the word. 15 Some people are like seed along
31 Then Jesus’ mother and brothers ar the path, where the word is sown. As soon as
rived. Stand ing out side, they sent someone they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the
in to call him. 32 A crowd was sit ting around word that was sown in them. 16 Others, like
him, and they told him, “Your mother and seed sown on rocky places, hear the word
brothers are outside look ing for you.” and at once receive it with joy. 17 But since
33 “Who are my mother and my brothers?” they have no root, they last only a short time.
he asked. When trouble or persecution comes because
34 Then he looked at those seated in a cir of the word, they quick ly fall away. 18 Still
cle around him and said, “Here are my moth others, like seed sown among thorns, hear
er and my brothers! 35 Whoever does God’s the word; 19 but the wor ries of this life, the de
will is my brother and sister and mother.” ceit ful ness of wealth and the desires for oth
er things come in and choke the word, mak
The Parable of the Sower ing it un fruit ful. 20 Others, like seed sown on
4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.

The crowd that gathered around him
was so large that he got into a boat and sat
good soil, hear the word, accept it, and pro
duce a crop — some thir ty, some six ty, some
a hundred times what was sown.”
in it out on the lake, while all the people
were along the shore at the water’s edge. 2 He A Lamp on a Stand
21 He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp
taught them many things by parables, and
in his teach ing said: 3 “Listen! A farmer went to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t
out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scat ter ing the you put it on its stand? 22 For whatever is hid
seed, some fell along the path, and the birds den is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is
came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky plac concealed is meant to be brought out into the
es, where it did not have much soil. It sprang open. 23 If anyone has ears to hear, let them
up quick ly, because the soil was shal low. hear.”
6 But when the sun came up, the plants were 24 “Con sider careful ly what you hear,” he
scorched, and they withered because they continued. “With the mea sure you use, it
had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, will be measured to you — and even more.
25 Whoever has will be given more; whoever
which grew up and choked the plants, so that
they did not bear grain. 8 Still other seed fell does not have, even what they have will be
on good soil. It came up, grew and produced taken from them.”
a crop, some multiply ing thir ty, some six ty,
some a hundred times.” The Parable of the Growing Seed
9 Then Jesus said, “Who ev er has ears to 26 He also said, “This is what the king
hear, let them hear.” dom of God is like. A man scat ters seed on
10 When he was alone, the Twelve and the ground. 27 Night and day, whether he
the others around him asked him about the sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows,
parables. 11 He told them, “The secret of the though he does not know how. 28 All by itself
kingdom of God has been given to you. But the soil produces grain — first the stalk, then
a 12 Isaiah 6:9,10

Mark 5:23 | 913
the head, then the full ker nel in the head. in the hills he would cry out and cut himself
29 As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the with stones.
sick le to it, because the har vest has come.” 6 When he saw Jesus from a dis tance, he
ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He

The Parable of the Mustard Seed shouted at the top of his voice, “What do you
30 Again he said, “What shall we say the want with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High
kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall God? In God’s name don’t tor ture me!” 8 For
we use to describe it? 31 It is like a mustard Jesus had said to him, “Come out of this man,
seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on you impure spir it!”
9 Then Jesus asked him, “What is your
earth. 32 Yet when planted, it grows and be
comes the largest of all garden plants, with name?”
such big branches that the birds can perch in “My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we
its shade.” are many.” 10 And he begged Jesus again and
33 With many sim i lar parables Jesus spoke again not to send them out of the area.
11 A large herd of pigs was feed ing on the
the word to them, as much as they could un
derstand. 34 He did not say any thing to them nearby hillside. 12 The demons begged Jesus,
without using a parable. But when he was “Send us among the pigs; al low us to go into
alone with his own disciples, he ex plained them.” 13 He gave them per mission, and the
every thing. impure spir its came out and went into the
pigs. The herd, about two thousand in num
Jesus Calms the Storm ber, rushed down the steep bank into the
35 That day when evening came, he said lake and were drowned.
14 Those tend ing the pigs ran off and re
to his disciples, “Let us go over to the oth
er side.” 36 Leav ing the crowd behind, they ported this in the town and countryside, and
took him along, just as he was, in the boat. the people went out to see what had hap
There were also other boats with him. 37 A pened. 15 When they came to Jesus, they saw
fu rious squall came up, and the waves broke the man who had been possessed by the le
over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. gion of demons, sit ting there, dressed and in
38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cush his right mind; and they were afraid. 16 Those
ion. The disciples woke him and said to him, who had seen it told the people what had
“Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” happened to the demonpossessed man —
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to and told about the pigs as well. 17 Then the
the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind people began to plead with Jesus to leave
died down and it was completely calm. their region.
40 He said to his disciples, “Why are you so 18 As Jesus was get ting into the boat,
afraid? Do you still have no faith?” the man who had been demonpossessed
41 They were ter ri fied and asked each begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let
other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the him, but said, “Go home to your own people
waves obey him!” and tell them how much the Lord has done
for you, and how he has had mercy on you.”
Jesus Restores a Demon-Possessed 20 So the man went away and began to tell in
Man the Decapolis b how much Jesus had done for
5 They went across the lake to the region

of the Gerasenes. a 2 When Jesus got out
of the boat, a man with an impure spir it came
him. And all the people were amazed.
Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals

from the tombs to meet him. 3 This man lived a Sick Woman
21 When Jesus had again crossed over
in the tombs, and no one could bind him
any more, not even with a chain. 4 For he had by boat to the other side of the lake, a large
of ten been chained hand and foot, but he crowd gathered around him while he was
tore the chains apart and broke the irons on by the lake. 22 Then one of the synagogue
his feet. No one was strong enough to subdue leaders, named Ja i rus, came, and when he
him. 5 Night and day among the tombs and saw Jesus, he fell at his feet. 23 He pleaded
a 1 Some manuscripts Gadarenes; other manuscripts Gergesenes b 20 That is, the Ten Cities

914 | Mark 5:24
ear nest ly with him, “My lit tle daughter is girl stood up and began to walk around (she
dy ing. Please come and put your hands on was twelve years old). At this they were com
her so that she will be healed and live.” 24 So pletely aston ished. 43 He gave strict orders
Jesus went with him. not to let anyone know about this, and told
A large crowd fol lowed and pressed them to give her something to eat.
around him. 25 And a wom an was there
who had been subject to bleed ing for twelve A Prophet Without Honor
years. 26 She had suf fered a great deal un
der the care of many doc tors and had spent
all she had, yet instead of get ting bet ter she
6 Jesus left there and went to his home
town, ac compa nied by his dis ciples.
2 When the Sabbath came, he began to teach
grew worse. 27 When she heard about Jesus, in the synagogue, and many who heard him
she came up behind him in the crowd and were amazed.
touched his cloak, 28 because she thought, “Where did this man get these things?”
“If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.” they asked. “What’s this wisdom that has
29 Im mediately her bleed ing stopped and she
been given him? What are these remark
felt in her body that she was freed from her able miracles he is per form ing? 3 Isn’t this
suf fer ing. the car penter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the
30 At once Jesus re al ized that pow er had brother of James, Joseph, b Judas and Si mon?
gone out from him. He turned around in Aren’t his sisters here with us?” And they
the crowd and asked, “Who touched my took of fense at him.
4 Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not with
clothes?”
31 “You see the people crowd ing against out honor except in his own town, among his
you,” his disciples an swered, “and yet you relatives and in his own home.” 5 He could
can ask, ‘Who touched me?’ ” not do any mir acles there, ex cept lay his
32 But Jesus kept look ing around to see hands on a few sick people and heal them.
6 He was amazed at their lack of faith.
who had done it. 33 Then the woman, know
ing what had happened to her, came and fell
at his feet and, trembling with fear, told him Jesus Sends Out the Twelve
the whole truth. 34 He said to her, “Daughter, Then Jesus went around teach ing from
your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be vil lage to vil lage. 7 Call ing the Twelve to him,
freed from your suf fer ing.” he began to send them out two by two and
35 While Jesus was still speak ing, some
gave them author ity over impure spir its.
people came from the house of Ja i rus, the 8 These were his instruc tions: “Take noth
synagogue leader. “Your daughter is dead,” ing for the jour ney except a staff — no bread,
they said. “Why bother the teacher any no bag, no money in your belts. 9 Wear san
more?” dals but not an ex tra shirt. 10 Whenever you
36 Overhear ing a what they said, Jesus told enter a house, stay there until you leave that
him, “Don’t be afraid; just believe.” town. 11 And if any place will not welcome
37 He did not let anyone fol low him except you or listen to you, leave that place and
Peter, James and John the brother of James. shake the dust off your feet as a testi mony
38 When they came to the home of the syn a against them.”
12 They went out and preached that people
gogue leader, Jesus saw a com motion, with
people cry ing and wail ing loud ly. 39 He went should repent. 13 They drove out many de
in and said to them, “Why all this com mo mons and anointed many sick people with
tion and wail ing? The child is not dead but oil and healed them.
asleep.” 40 But they laughed at him.
Af ter he put them all out, he took the John the Baptist Beheaded
child’s father and mother and the disciples 14 King Herod heard about this, for Jesus’
who were with him, and went in where the name had become well known. Some were
child was. 41 He took her by the hand and said say ing, c “John the Baptist has been raised
to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Lit tle from the dead, and that is why mi rac u lous
girl, I say to you, get up!”). 42 Im mediately the powers are at work in him.”
a 36 Or Ignoring b 3 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph c 14 Some early manuscripts He was saying

Mark 6:47 | 915
15 Others said, “He is Elijah.” taught. 31 Then, be cause so many people
And still others claimed, “He is a prophet, were com ing and going that they did not
like one of the prophets of long ago.” even have a chance to eat, he said to them,
16 But when Her od heard this, he said, “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place
“John, whom I beheaded, has been raised and get some rest.”
from the dead!” 32 So they went away by them selves in a
17 For Herod him self had given orders to boat to a sol itary place. 33 But many who saw
have John ar rested, and he had him bound them leav ing recog nized them and ran on
and put in prison. He did this because of foot from all the towns and got there ahead of
Herodias, his brother Phil ip’s wife, whom them. 34 When Jesus landed and saw a large
he had mar ried. 18 For John had been say crowd, he had compassion on them, because
ing to Herod, “It is not law ful for you to have they were like sheep without a shepherd. So
your brother’s wife.” 19 So Herodias nursed he began teach ing them many things.
a grudge against John and wanted to kill 35 By this time it was late in the day, so
him. But she was not able to, 20 because Her his disciples came to him. “This is a remote
od feared John and protected him, know ing place,” they said, “and it’s al ready very late.
him to be a righteous and holy man. When 36 Send the people away so that they can go
Herod heard John, he was great ly puz zled a; to the sur round ing countryside and vil lages
yet he liked to listen to him. and buy themselves something to eat.”
21 Fi nal ly the oppor tune time came. On 37 But he an swered, “You give them some
his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his thing to eat.”

high of ficials and mil itary com manders They said to him, “That would take more
and the lead ing men of Gal i lee. 22 When the than half a year’s wages c ! Are we to go and
daughter of b Herodias came in and danced, spend that much on bread and give it to them
she pleased Herod and his din ner guests. to eat?”
The king said to the girl, “Ask me for any 38 “How many loaves do you have?” he
thing you want, and I’ll give it to you.” 23 And asked. “Go and see.”
he prom ised her with an oath, “Whatever you When they found out, they said, “Five —
ask I will give you, up to half my kingdom.” and two fish.”
24 She went out and said to her mother, 39 Then Jesus di rect ed them to have all
“What shall I ask for?” the people sit down in groups on the green
“The head of John the Baptist,” she an grass. 40 So they sat down in groups of hun
swered. dreds and fif ties. 41 Tak ing the five loaves
25 At once the girl hur ried in to the king and the two fish and look ing up to heaven,
with the request: “I want you to give me right he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he
now the head of John the Baptist on a plat gave them to his disciples to distribute to the
ter.” people. He also divided the two fish among
26 The king was great ly distressed, but be them all. 42 They all ate and were sat isfied,
cause of his oaths and his din ner guests, he 43 and the disciples picked up twelve basket
did not want to refuse her. 27 So he im medi fuls of broken pieces of bread and fish. 44 The
ately sent an executioner with orders to bring number of the men who had eaten was five
John’s head. The man went, beheaded John thousand.
in the prison, 28 and brought back his head
on a plat ter. He presented it to the girl, and Jesus Walks on the Water
she gave it to her mother. 29 On hear ing of 45 Im me di ately Jesus made his dis ciples
this, John’s disciples came and took his body get into the boat and go on ahead of him to
and laid it in a tomb. Beth sa ida, while he dismissed the crowd.
46 Af ter leav ing them, he went up on a moun
Jesus Feeds the Five Thousand tainside to pray.
30 The apos tles gath ered around Jesus 47 Later that night, the boat was in the
and reported to him all they had done and middle of the lake, and he was alone on land.
a 20 Some early manuscripts he did many things b 22 Some early manuscripts When his daughter
c 37 Greek take two hundred denarii

916 | Mark 6:48
48 He saw the disciples strain ing at the oars, 8 You have let go of the com mands of God and
because the wind was against them. Short ly are hold ing on to hu man traditions.”
before dawn he went out to them, walk ing on 9 And he continued, “You have a fine way
the lake. He was about to pass by them, 49 but of set ting aside the com mands of God in or
when they saw him walk ing on the lake, they der to observe c your own traditions! 10 For
thought he was a ghost. They cried out, 50 be Moses said, ‘Honor your father and moth
cause they all saw him and were ter ri fied. er,’ d and, ‘Anyone who curses their father or
Im mediately he spoke to them and said, mother is to be put to death.’ e 11 But you say
“Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 51 Then that if anyone declares that what might have
he climbed into the boat with them, and been used to help their father or mother is
the wind died down. They were completely Corban (that is, devoted to God) — 12 then
amazed, 52 for they had not understood about you no longer let them do any thing for their
the loaves; their hearts were hardened. father or mother. 13 Thus you nul li fy the word
53 When they had crossed over, they land
of God by your tradition that you have hand
ed at Gen nesa ret and anchored there. 54 As ed down. And you do many things like that.”
soon as they got out of the boat, people 14 Again Jesus called the crowd to him
rec og nized Jesus. 55 They ran throughout and said, “Listen to me, everyone, and un
that whole region and car ried the sick on der stand this. 15 Noth ing out side a per son
mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 And can defile them by going into them. Rather,
wherever he went — into vil lages, towns or it is what comes out of a person that defiles
country side — they placed the sick in the them.” [16] f
market places. They begged him to let them 17 Af ter he had left the crowd and entered
touch even the edge of his cloak, and all who the house, his dis ciples asked him about
touched it were healed. this parable. 18 “Are you so dull?” he asked.
“Don’t you see that noth ing that enters a per
That Which Defiles son from the out side can defile them? 19 For
7 The Phar isees and some of the teachers

of the law who had come from Jerusa lem
gathered around Jesus 2 and saw some of his
it doesn’t go into their heart but into their
stomach, and then out of the body.” (In say
ing this, Jesus declared all foods clean.)
disciples eat ing food with hands that were 20 He went on: “What comes out of a per
defiled, that is, unwashed. 3 (The Phar isees son is what defiles them. 21 For it is from
and all the Jews do not eat un less they give with in, out of a per son’s heart, that evil
their hands a ceremonial wash ing, hold ing thoughts come — sex ual im moral ity, theft,
to the tradition of the elders. 4 When they murder, 22 adultery, greed, mal ice, deceit,
come from the market place they do not eat lewd ness, envy, slander, ar rogance and fol ly.
un less they wash. And they observe many 23 All these evils come from inside and defile
other traditions, such as the wash ing of cups, a person.”
pitchers and ket tles. a )
5 So the Phar isees and teachers of the law
Jesus Honors a Syrophoenician
asked Jesus, “Why don’t your disciples live ac Woman’s Faith
cording to the tradition of the elders instead 24 Jesus left that place and went to the vi
of eat ing their food with defiled hands?”
6 He re plied, “Isa iah was right when he cin ity of Tyre. g He entered a house and did
not want anyone to know it; yet he could not
prophe sied about you hypocrites; as it is
keep his presence secret. 25 In fact, as soon as
writ ten:
she heard about him, a woman whose lit tle
“ ‘These people honor me with their lips, daughter was possessed by an impure spir it
but their hearts are far from me. came and fell at his feet. 26 The woman was a
7 They worship me in vain; Greek, born in Syr ian Phoenicia. She begged
their teachings are merely human Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter.
rules.’ b 27 “First let the children eat all they want,”
a 4 Some early manuscripts pitchers, kettles and dining couches b 6,7 Isaiah 29:13 c 9 Some manuscripts
set up d 10 Exodus 20:12; Deut. 5:16 e 10 Exodus 21:17; Lev. 20:9 f 16 Some manuscripts include here
the words of 4:23. g 24 Many early manuscripts Tyre and Sidon

Mark 8:25 | 917
he told her, “for it is not right to take the chil told the disciples to distribute them. 8 The
dren’s bread and toss it to the dogs.” people ate and were sat isfied. Af ter ward the
28 “Lord,” she replied, “even the dogs un disciples picked up seven basket fuls of bro
der the table eat the children’s crumbs.” ken pieces that were left over. 9 About four
29 Then he told her, “For such a reply, you thou sand were present. After he had sent
may go; the demon has left your daughter.” them away, 10 he got into the boat with his
30 She went home and found her child ly disciples and went to the region of Dal ma
ing on the bed, and the demon gone. nutha.
11 The Phar isees came and began to ques
Jesus Heals a Deaf and Mute Man tion Jesus. To test him, they asked him for a
31 Then Jesus left the vicin ity of Tyre and sign from heaven. 12 He sighed deeply and
went through Sidon, down to the Sea of Gal said, “Why does this gener ation ask for a
i lee and into the region of the Decapolis. a sign? Tru ly I tell you, no sign will be given to
32 There some people brought to him a man it.” 13 Then he left them, got back into the boat
who was deaf and could hard ly talk, and they and crossed to the other side.
begged Jesus to place his hand on him.
33 Af ter he took him aside, away from the The Yeast of the Pharisees and Herod
crowd, Jesus put his fingers into the man’s 14 The dis ci ples had for got ten to bring
ears. Then he spit and touched the man’s bread, except for one loaf they had with them
tongue. 34 He looked up to heaven and with a in the boat. 15 “Be careful,” Jesus warned
deep sigh said to him, “Ephphatha!” (which them. “Watch out for the yeast of the Phar i
means “Be opened!”). 35 At this, the man’s sees and that of Herod.”
ears were opened, his tongue was loosened 16 They dis cussed this with one another
and he began to speak plain ly. and said, “It is because we have no bread.”
36 Jesus com manded them not to tell any 17 Aware of their dis cus sion, Jesus asked
one. But the more he did so, the more they them: “Why are you talk ing about hav ing no
kept talk ing about it. 37 People were over bread? Do you still not see or understand?
whelmed with amazement. “He has done Are your hearts hardened? 18 Do you have
every thing well,” they said. “He even makes eyes but fail to see, and ears but fail to hear?
the deaf hear and the mute speak.” And don’t you remember? 19 When I broke
the five loaves for the five thou sand, how
Jesus Feeds the Four Thousand many basket fuls of pieces did you pick up?”
8 Dur ing those days another large crowd

gathered. Since they had noth ing to eat,
Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 2 “I
“Twelve,” they replied.
20 “And when I broke the seven loaves for
the four thousand, how many basket fuls of

have compassion for these people; they have pieces did you pick up?”
al ready been with me three days and have They answered, “Seven.”
21 He said to them, “Do you still not under
noth ing to eat. 3 If I send them home hungry,
they will col lapse on the way, because some stand?”
of them have come a long distance.”
4 His dis ciples an swered, “But where in Jesus Heals a Blind Man at Bethsaida
this remote place can anyone get enough 22 They came to Beth sa ida, and some peo
bread to feed them?” ple brought a blind man and begged Jesus to
5 “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus touch him. 23 He took the blind man by the
asked. hand and led him outside the vil lage. When
“Seven,” they replied. he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his
6 He told the crowd to sit down on the hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see any
ground. When he had taken the seven loaves thing?”
and given thanks, he broke them and gave 24 He looked up and said, “I see people;
them to his disciples to distribute to the peo they look like trees walk ing around.”
ple, and they did so. 7 They had a few small 25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the
fish as well; he gave thanks for them also and man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his
a 31 That is, the Ten Cities

918 | Mark 8:26
sight was restored, and he saw every thing The Transfiguration

clear ly. 26 Jesus sent him home, say ing, 2 Af ter six days Jesus took Peter, James and
“Don’t even go into a the vil lage.” John with him and led them up a high moun
tain, where they were all alone. There he was
Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah transfig ured before them. 3 His clothes be
27 Jesus and his dis ciples went on to the
came dazzling white, whiter than anyone in
vil lages around Caesa rea Phi lippi. On the the world could bleach them. 4 And there ap
way he asked them, “Who do people say peared before them Elijah and Moses, who
I am?” were talk ing with Jesus.
28 They replied, “Some say John the Bap 5 Pe ter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good
tist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of for us to be here. Let us put up three shel
the prophets.” ters — one for you, one for Moses and one for
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who
Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they
do you say I am?” were so frightened.)
Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 7 Then a cloud ap peared and cov ered
30 Jesus warned them not to tell any one
them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This
about him. is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”
8 Sud den ly, when they looked around,
Jesus Predicts His Death they no longer saw anyone with them except
31 He then be gan to teach them that the
Jesus.
Son of Man must suf fer many things and be 9 As they were com ing down the moun
rejected by the elders, the chief priests and tain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell any
the teachers of the law, and that he must be one what they had seen until the Son of Man
killed and af ter three days rise again. 32 He had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the
spoke plain ly about this, and Peter took him mat ter to themselves, discussing what “ris
aside and began to rebuke him. ing from the dead” meant.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teach
disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, ers of the law say that Elijah must come
Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the first?”
concerns of God, but merely hu man con 12 Jesus re plied, “To be sure, Elijah does
cerns.” come first, and restores all things. Why then

is it writ ten that the Son of Man must suf fer
The Way of the Cross much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah
34 Then he called the crowd to him along has come, and they have done to him every
with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants thing they wished, just as it is writ ten about
to be my disciple must deny themselves and him.”
take up their cross and fol low me. 35 For who
ever wants to save their life b will lose it, but Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by
whoever loses their life for me and for the an Impure Spirit
gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for some 14 When they came to the other dis ciples,
one to gain the whole world, yet for feit their they saw a large crowd around them and the
soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange teachers of the law argu ing with them. 15 As
for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were
and my words in this adulterous and sin ful over whelmed with wonder and ran to greet
generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed him.
of them when he comes in his Father’s glory 16 “What are you ar gu ing with them
with the holy angels.” about?” he asked.
9 And he said to them, “Tru ly I tell you, 17 A man in the crowd an swered, “Teach
some who are stand ing here will not er, I brought you my son, who is possessed
taste death before they see that the kingdom by a spir it that has robbed him of speech.
of God has come with power.” 18 Whenever it seiz es him, it throws him to
a 26Some manuscripts go and tell anyone in b 35 The Greek word means either life or soul ; also in verses 36
and 37.

Mark 9:50 | 919
the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnash quiet because on the way they had ar gued
es his teeth and becomes rig id. I asked your about who was the greatest.
dis ciples to drive out the spir it, but they 35 Sit ting down, Jesus called the Twelve
could not.” and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must

19 “You unbeliev ing generation,” Jesus re be the very last, and the ser vant of all.”
36 He took a lit tle child whom he placed
plied, “how long shall I stay with you? How
long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy among them. Tak ing the child in his arms,
to me.” he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes one
20 So they brought him. When the spir it of these lit tle children in my name welcomes
saw Jesus, it im mediately threw the boy into me; and whoever welcomes me does not wel
a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled come me but the one who sent me.”
around, foam ing at the mouth.
21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us
has he been like this?” 38 “Teacher,” said John, “we saw some
“From child hood,” he answered. 22 “It has one driv ing out demons in your name and
of ten thrown him into fire or water to kill we told him to stop, because he was not one
him. But if you can do any thing, take pity on of us.”
us and help us.” 39 “Do not stop him,” Jesus said. “For no
23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Every thing is
one who does a miracle in my name can in
possible for one who believes.” the next moment say any thing bad about
24 Im mediately the boy’s father exclaimed,
me, 40 for whoever is not against us is for us.
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 41 Tru ly I tell you, anyone who gives you a cup
25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was run
of water in my name because you belong to
ning to the scene, he rebuked the impure the Messiah will cer tain ly not lose their re
spir it. “You deaf and mute spir it,” he said, “I ward.
com mand you, come out of him and never
enter him again.” Causing to Stumble
26 The spir it shrieked, convulsed him vio 42 “If any one caus es one of these lit tle
lent ly and came out. The boy looked so much ones — those who believe in me — to stum
like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” ble, it would be bet ter for them if a large
27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted
millstone were hung around their neck and
him to his feet, and he stood up. they were thrown into the sea. 43 If your hand
28 Af ter Jesus had gone indoors, his disci
causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is bet ter
ples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we for you to enter life maimed than with two
drive it out?” hands to go into hell, where the fire never
29 He re plied, “This kind can come out
goes out. [44] b 45 And if your foot causes you
only by prayer. a ” to stumble, cut it off. It is bet ter for you to en
ter life crippled than to have two feet and be
Jesus Predicts His Death a Second Time thrown into hell. [46] b 47 And if your eye caus
30 They left that place and passed through es you to stumble, pluck it out. It is bet ter for
Gal i lee. Jesus did not want anyone to know you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye
where they were, 31 because he was teach ing than to have two eyes and be thrown into
his disciples. He said to them, “The Son of hell, 48 where
Man is going to be delivered into the hands
“ ‘the worms that eat them do not die,
of men. They will kill him, and af ter three
and the fire is not quenched.’ c
days he will rise.” 32 But they did not under
stand what he meant and were afraid to ask 49 Everyone will be salted with fire.
him about it. 50 “Salt is good, but if it los es its salt i ness,

33 They came to Caper naum. When he was how can you make it salty again? Have salt
in the house, he asked them, “What were you among yourselves, and be at peace with each
argu ing about on the road?” 34 But they kept other.”
a 29 Some manuscripts prayer and fasting b 44,46 Some manuscripts include here the words of verse 48.
c 48 Isaiah 66:24

920 | Mark 10:1
Divorce not murder, you shall not com mit adultery,
10 Jesus then left that place and went you shall not steal, you shall not give false
into the region of Judea and across testi mony, you shall not defraud, honor your
the Jordan. Again crowds of people came to father and mother.’ d ”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have
him, and as was his custom, he taught them.
2 Some Phar isees came and tested him by kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One
ask ing, “Is it law ful for a man to divorce his
wife?” thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell every thing
3 “What did Moses com mand you?” he re you have and give to the poor, and you will
plied. have trea sure in heaven. Then come, fol
4 They said, “Mo ses per mit ted a man to low me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away
write a cer tif icate of divorce and send her
away.” sad, because he had great wealth.
5 “It was be cause your hearts were hard 23 Jesus looked around and said to his dis
that Moses wrote you this law,” Jesus replied. ciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the
6 “But at the begin ning of creation God ‘made kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words.
them male and female.’ a 7 ‘For this reason a
man will leave his father and mother and be But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it
united to his wife, b 8 and the two will become is e to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easi
one flesh.’ c So they are no longer two, but er for a camel to go through the eye of a nee
one flesh. 9 Therefore what God has joined dle than for someone who is rich to enter the
together, let no one sepa rate.” kingdom of God.”
10 When they were in the house again, the 26 The dis ciples were even more amazed,
disciples asked Jesus about this. 11 He an and said to each other, “Who then can be
swered, “Anyone who divorces his wife and saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With
mar ries another woman com mits adultery
against her. 12 And if she divorces her hus man this is impossible, but not with God; all
band and mar ries another man, she com things are possible with God.”
28 Then Peter spoke up, “We have left ev
mits adultery.”
ery thing to fol low you!”
The Little Children and Jesus 29 “Tru ly I tell you,” Jesus re plied, “no
13 People were bring ing lit tle children to one who has left home or brothers or sis
Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but ters or mother or father or children or fields
the disciples rebuked them. 14 When Jesus for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a
saw this, he was indig nant. He said to them, hundred times as much in this present age:
“Let the lit tle children come to me, and do homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children
not hinder them, for the kingdom of God be and fields — along with persecutions — and
longs to such as these. 15 Tru ly I tell you, any in the age to come eter nal life. 31 But many
one who will not receive the kingdom of God who are first will be last, and the last first.”
like a lit tle child will never enter it.” 16 And
he took the children in his arms, placed his Jesus Predicts His Death a Third Time
hands on them and blessed them. 32 They were on their way up to Jeru sa lem,
with Jesus lead ing the way, and the disciples

The Rich and the Kingdom of God were aston ished, while those who fol lowed
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside
up to him and fell on his knees before him. and told them what was going to happen to
“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to him. 33 “We are going up to Jeru sa lem,” he
in her it eter nal life?” said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus an over to the chief priests and the teachers of
swered. “No one is good — except God alone. the law. They will condemn him to death and
19 You know the com mand ments: ‘You shall will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who
a 6 Gen. 1:27 b 7 Some early manuscripts do not have and be united to his wife. c 8 Gen. 2:24
d 19 Exodus 20:1216; Deut. 5:1620 e 24 Some manuscripts is for those who trust in riches

Mark 11:14 | 921
will mock him and spit on him, flog him and 51 “What do you want me to do for you?”
kill him. Three days later he will rise.” Jesus asked him.
The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
The Request of James and John 52 “Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed
35 Then James and John, the sons of Zebe you.” Im mediately he received his sight and
dee, came to him. “Teacher,” they said, “we fol lowed Jesus along the road.
want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
36 “What do you want me to do for you?” he Jesus Comes to Jerusalem as King
asked.
37 They replied, “Let one of us sit at your
right and the other at your left in your glory.”

11 As they approached Jeru sa lem and
came to Bethphage and Betha ny at
the Mount of Ol ives, Jesus sent two of his
38 “You don’t know what you are ask ing,”
disciples, 2 say ing to them, “Go to the vil lage
Jesus said. “Can you drink the cup I drink or ahead of you, and just as you enter it, you will
be baptized with the baptism I am baptized find a colt tied there, which no one has ever
with?” ridden. Untie it and bring it here. 3 If any
39 “We can,” they an swered.
one asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say,
Jesus said to them, “You will drink the cup ‘The Lord needs it and will send it back here
I drink and be baptized with the baptism I short ly.’ ”
am baptized with, 40 but to sit at my right or 4 They went and found a colt out side in the
left is not for me to grant. These places belong street, tied at a door way. As they untied it,
to those for whom they have been prepared.” 5 some people stand ing there asked, “What
41 When the ten heard about this, they
are you doing, unty ing that colt?” 6 They an
be came indig nant with James and John. swered as Jesus had told them to, and the
42 Jesus called them together and said, “You
people let them go. 7 When they brought the
know that those who are regarded as rulers colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks over it, he
of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks
high of ficials exercise author ity over them. on the road, while others spread branches
43 Not so with you. In stead, whoever wants to
they had cut in the fields. 9 Those who went
become great among you must be your ser ahead and those who fol lowed shouted,
vant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be
slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not “Hosanna! a ”
come to be served, but to serve, and to give “Blessed is he who comes in the name of
his life as a ransom for many.” the Lord!” b
10 “Blessed is the coming kingdom of our
Blind Bartimaeus Receives His Sight
46 Then they came to Jer icho. As Jesus and father David!”
his disciples, together with a large crowd, “Hosanna in the highest heaven!”
were leav ing the city, a blind man, Bar ti
11 Jesus entered Jeru sa lem and went into
maeus (which means “son of Ti maeus”), was
sit ting by the roadside beg ging. 47 When he the temple courts. He looked around at ev
heard that it was Jesus of Naza reth, he began ery thing, but since it was al ready late, he
to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy went out to Betha ny with the Twelve.
on me!”
48 Many rebuked him and told him to be Jesus Curses a Fig Tree and Clears
quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of the Temple Courts
12 The next day as they were leav ing Beth
David, have mercy on me!”
49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” a ny, Jesus was hungry. 13 Seeing in the dis
So they called to the blind man, “Cheer tance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it
up! On your feet! He’s call ing you.” 50 Throw had any fruit. When he reached it, he found
ing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and noth ing but leaves, because it was not the
came to Jesus. sea son for figs. 14 Then he said to the tree,
a 9 A Hebrew expression meaning “Save!” which became an exclamation of praise; also in verse 10
b 9 Psalm 118:25,26

922 | Mark 11:15
“May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” 31 They dis cussed it among them selves
And his disciples heard him say it. and said, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will
15 On reach ing Jeru sa lem, Jesus entered ask, ‘Then why didn’t you believe him?’ 32 But
the temple courts and be gan driv ing out if we say, ‘Of hu man or igin’ . . .” (They feared
those who were buy ing and sell ing there. He the people, for everyone held that John real ly
over turned the tables of the money chang was a prophet.)
ers and the benches of those sell ing doves, 33 So they an swered Jesus, “We don’t
16 and would not al low anyone to car ry mer know.”
chandise through the temple courts. 17 And Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what
as he taught them, he said, “Is it not writ ten: author ity I am doing these things.”
‘My house will be called a house of prayer for
all nations’ a ? But you have made it ‘a den of The Parable of the Tenants
robbers.’ b ”
18 The chief priests and the teachers of the
law heard this and began look ing for a way

12 Jesus then began to speak to them
in parables: “A man planted a vine
yard. He put a wall around it, dug a pit for
to kill him, for they feared him, because the the winepress and built a watchtower. Then
whole crowd was amazed at his teach ing. he rented the vineyard to some farmers and
19 When evening came, Jesus and his dis
moved to another place. 2 At har vest time he
ciples c went out of the city. sent a ser vant to the tenants to col lect from
20 In the morn ing, as they went along,
them some of the fruit of the vineyard. 3 But
they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. they seized him, beat him and sent him away
21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rab
emptyhanded. 4 Then he sent another ser
bi, look! The fig tree you cursed has with vant to them; they struck this man on the
ered!” head and treated him shameful ly. 5 He sent
22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus an swered.
still another, and that one they killed. He
23 “Tru ly d I tell you, if any one says to this
sent many others; some of them they beat,
mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ others they killed.
and does not doubt in their heart but be 6 “He had one left to send, a son, whom he
lieves that what they say will happen, it will loved. He sent him last of all, say ing, ‘They
be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, will respect my son.’
whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that 7 “But the ten ants said to one another,
you have received it, and it will be yours. ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and
25 And when you stand pray ing, if you hold
the in her itance will be ours.’ 8 So they took
any thing against anyone, forgive them, so him and killed him, and threw him out of the
that your Father in heaven may forgive you vineyard.
your sins.” [26] e 9 “What then will the owner of the vine
yard do? He will come and kill those tenants

The Authority of Jesus Questioned and give the vine yard to others. 10 Haven’t
27 They ar rived again in Jeru sa lem, and you read this passage of Scripture:
while Jesus was walk ing in the tem ple
“ ‘The stone the builders rejected
courts, the chief priests, the teachers of the
has become the cornerstone;
law and the elders came to him. 28 “By what 11 the Lord has done this,
author ity are you doing these things?” they
and it is marvelous in our eyes’ f ?”
asked. “And who gave you author ity to do
this?” 12 Then the chief priests, the teachers of
29 Jesus replied, “I will ask you one ques the law and the elders looked for a way to
tion. Answer me, and I will tell you by what ar rest him because they knew he had spo
author ity I am doing these things. 30 John’s ken the parable against them. But they were
baptism — was it from heaven, or of hu man afraid of the crowd; so they left him and went
or igin? Tell me!” away.
a 17 Isaiah 56:7 b 17 Jer. 7:11 c 19 Some early manuscripts came, Jesus d 22,23 Some early
manuscripts “If you have faith in God,” Jesus answered, 23“truly e 26 Some manuscripts include here words
similar to Matt. 6:15. f 11 Psalm 118:22,23

Mark 12:40 | 923
Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar The Greatest Commandment

13 Lat er they sent some of the Phar i sees 28 One of the teachers of the law came and
and Herodians to Jesus to catch him in his heard them debat ing. Notic ing that Jesus
words. 14 They came to him and said, “Teach had given them a good an swer, he asked
er, we know that you are a man of integ rity. him, “Of all the com mand ments, which is
You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay the most impor tant?”
29 “The most im por tant one,” an swered
no at tention to who they are; but you teach
the way of God in accordance with the truth. Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our
Is it right to pay the imperial tax a to Caesar or God, the Lord is one. d 30 Love the Lord your
not? 15 Should we pay or shouldn’t we?” God with all your heart and with all your
But Jesus knew their hy poc ri sy. “Why soul and with all your mind and with all
are you try ing to trap me?” he asked. “Bring your strength.’ e 31 The second is this: ‘Love
me a denar ius and let me look at it.” 16 They your neighbor as yourself.’ f There is no com
brought the coin, and he asked them, mand ment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man re plied.
“Whose image is this? And whose in scrip
tion?” “You are right in say ing that God is one and
“Caesar’s,” they replied. there is no other but him. 33 To love him with
17 Then Jesus said to them, “Give back to all your heart, with all your understand ing
Caesar what is Caesar’s and to God what is and with all your strength, and to love your
God’s.” neighbor as yourself is more impor tant than
And they were amazed at him. all burnt of fer ings and sacri fices.”
34 When Jesus saw that he had an swered
Marriage at the Resurrection wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from
18 Then the Sadducees, who say there is no the kingdom of God.” And from then on no
resur rec tion, came to him with a question. one dared ask him any more questions.
19 “Teacher,” they said, “Moses wrote for us
that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife Whose Son Is the Messiah?
35 While Jesus was teach ing in the temple
but no children, the man must mar ry the
widow and raise up offspring for his brother. courts, he asked, “Why do the teachers of the
20 Now there were seven brothers. The first law say that the Messiah is the son of David?
36 David him self, speak ing by the Holy Spir it,
one mar ried and died without leav ing any
children. 21 The second one mar ried the wid declared:
ow, but he also died, leav ing no child. It was
“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord:
the same with the third. 22 In fact, none of the
“Sit at my right hand
seven left any children. Last of all, the wom
until I put your enemies
an died too. 23 At the resur rec tion b whose
under your feet.” ’ g
wife will she be, since the seven were mar
37 David himself calls him ‘Lord.’ How then
ried to her?”
24 Jesus replied, “Are you not in er ror be can he be his son?”
cause you do not know the Scriptures or The large crowd listened to him with de
the power of God? 25 When the dead rise, light.
they will neither mar ry nor be given in mar
riage; they will be like the angels in heaven. Warning Against the Teachers of the Law
26 Now about the dead rising — have you not 38 As he taught, Jesus said, “Watch out for
read in the Book of Moses, in the account of the teachers of the law. They like to walk
the burn ing bush, how God said to him, ‘I around in flow ing robes and be greeted with
am the God of Abra ham, the God of Isaac, respect in the market places, 39 and have the
and the God of Jacob’ c ? 27 He is not the God most impor tant seats in the synagogues and
of the dead, but of the liv ing. You are bad ly the places of honor at banquets. 40 They de
mistaken!” vour widows’ houses and for a show make
a 14 A special tax levied on subject peoples, not on Roman citizens b 23 Some manuscripts resurrection,
when people rise from the dead, c 26 Exodus 3:6 d 29 Or The Lord our God is one Lord e 30 Deut. 6:4,5
f 31 Lev. 19:18 g 36 Psalm 110:1

924 | Mark 12:41
lengthy prayers. These men will be pun ished 12 “Brother will be tray brother to death,
most severely.” and a father his child. Children will rebel

against their parents and have them put to
The Widow’s Offering death. 13 Everyone will hate you because of
41 Jesus sat down opposite the place where me, but the one who stands firm to the end
the of fer ings were put and watched the will be saved.
14 “When you see ‘the abom i nation that
crowd put ting their money into the temple
trea sury. Many rich people threw in large causes desolation’ a stand ing where it b does
amounts. 42 But a poor widow came and put not belong — let the reader under stand —
in two very small copper coins, worth only a then let those who are in Judea flee to the
few cents. mountains. 15 Let no one on the housetop
43 Call ing his dis ciples to him, Jesus said, go down or enter the house to take any thing
“Tru ly I tell you, this poor widow has put out. 16 Let no one in the field go back to get
more into the trea sury than all the others. their cloak. 17 How dread ful it will be in those
44 They all gave out of their wealth; but she, days for preg nant women and nursing moth
out of her pover ty, put in every thing — all ers! 18 Pray that this will not take place in
she had to live on.” winter, 19 because those will be days of dis
tress unequaled from the begin ning, when
The Destruction of the Temple and God created the world, until now — and nev
Signs of the End Times er to be equaled again.
13
20 “If the Lord had not cut short those days,
As Jesus was leav ing the temple, one
of his disciples said to him, “Look, no one would sur vive. But for the sake of the
Teacher! What massive stones! What mag elect, whom he has chosen, he has shortened
nif icent build ings!” them. 21 At that time if anyone says to you,
2 “Do you see all these great build ings?” ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there
replied Jesus. “Not one stone here will be left he is!’ do not believe it. 22 For false messiahs
on another; every one will be thrown down.” and false prophets will appear and per form
3 As Jesus was sit ting on the Mount of Olives signs and wonders to deceive, if possible,
opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and even the elect. 23 So be on your guard; I have
Andrew asked him privately, 4 “Tell us, when told you every thing ahead of time.
24 “But in those days, fol low ing that dis
will these things happen? And what will be
the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?” tress,
5 Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no
“ ‘the sun will be darkened,
one deceives you. 6 Many will come in my and the moon will not give its light;
name, claim ing, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive 25 the stars will fall from the sky,
many. 7 When you hear of wars and ru mors
and the heavenly bodies will be
of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must
shaken.’ c
happen, but the end is still to come. 8 Na
26 “At that time people will see the Son
tion will rise against nation, and kingdom
against kingdom. There will be earthquakes of Man com ing in clouds with great power
in var ious places, and fam ines. These are the and glory. 27 And he will send his angels and
begin ning of birth pains. gather his elect from the four winds, from the
9 “You must be on your guard. You will ends of the earth to the ends of the heavens.
28 “Now learn this lesson from the fig tree:
be handed over to the local councils and
flogged in the synagogues. On account of me As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves
you will stand before gover nors and kings come out, you know that sum mer is near.
29 Even so, when you see these things hap
as wit nesses to them. 10 And the gospel must
first be preached to all nations. 11 Whenever pening, you know that itb is near, right at the
you are ar rested and brought to trial, do not door. 30 Tru ly I tell you, this generation will
wor ry beforehand about what to say. Just say cer tainly not pass away until all these things
whatever is given you at the time, for it is not have happened. 31 Heaven and earth will pass
you speak ing, but the Holy Spir it. away, but my words will never pass away.
a 14 Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11 b 14,29 Or he c 25 Isaiah 13:10; 34:4

Mark 14:27 | 925
The Day and Hour Unknown The Last Supper

32 “But 12 On the first day of the Festival of Un leav
about that day or hour no one
knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor ened Bread, when it was customary to sacri
the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard! fice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked
Be alert a ! You do not know when that time him, “Where do you want us to go and make
will come. 34 It’s like a man going away: He prepa rations for you to eat the Passover?”
13 So he sent two of his dis ciples, tell ing
leaves his house and puts his ser vants in
charge, each with their assigned task, and them, “Go into the city, and a man car ry
tells the one at the door to keep watch. ing a jar of water will meet you. Fol low him.
35 “Therefore keep watch be cause you do 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters,
not know when the owner of the house will ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room,
come back — whether in the evening, or at where I may eat the Passover with my disci
mid night, or when the rooster crows, or at ples?’ 15 He will show you a large room up
dawn. 36 If he comes sudden ly, do not let him stairs, fur nished and ready. Make prepa ra
find you sleeping. 37 What I say to you, I say to tions for us there.”
16 The disciples left, went into the city and
everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”
found things just as Jesus had told them. So
Jesus Anointed at Bethany they prepared the Passover.
14
17 When evening came, Jesus ar rived with
Now the Passover and the Festival
of Un leavened Bread were only two the Twelve. 18 While they were reclin ing at
days away, and the chief priests and the the table eat ing, he said, “Tru ly I tell you,
teachers of the law were schem ing to ar rest one of you will betray me — one who is eat
Jesus secret ly and kill him. 2 “But not dur ing ing with me.”
19 They were saddened, and one by one they
the festival,” they said, “or the people may
riot.” said to him, “Surely you don’t mean me?”
3 While he was in Betha ny, reclin ing at the 20 “It is one of the Twelve,” he replied, “one
table in the home of Si mon the Leper, a wom who dips bread into the bowl with me. 21 The
an came with an alabaster jar of very ex pen Son of Man will go just as it is writ ten about
sive per fume, made of pure nard. She broke him. But woe to that man who betrays the
the jar and poured the per fume on his head. Son of Man! It would be bet ter for him if he
4 Some of those pres ent were say ing in had not been born.”
22 While they were eat ing, Jesus took
dig nant ly to one another, “Why this waste of
per fume? 5 It could have been sold for more bread, and when he had given thanks, he
than a year’s wages b and the money given to broke it and gave it to his disciples, say ing,
the poor.” And they rebuked her harsh ly. “Take it; this is my body.”
23 Then he took a cup, and when he had
6 “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are
you bother ing her? She has done a beauti ful given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all
thing to me. 7 The poor you will always have drank from it.
24 “This is my blood of the d cov enant,
with you, c and you can help them any time
you want. But you will not always have me. which is poured out for many,” he said to
8 She did what she could. She poured per them. 25 “Tru ly I tell you, I will not drink
fume on my body beforehand to prepare for again from the fruit of the vine until that day
when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
my burial. 9 Tru ly I tell you, wherever the gos 26 When they had sung a hymn, they went
pel is preached throughout the world, what
out to the Mount of Ol ives.
she has done will also be told, in memory of
her.” Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
10 Then Judas Is car iot, one of the Twelve,
27 “You will all fall away,” Jesus told them,
went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to
“for it is writ ten:
them. 11 They were delighted to hear this and
prom ised to give him money. So he watched “ ‘I will strike the shepherd,
for an oppor tu nity to hand him over. and the sheep will be scattered.’ e
a 33 Some manuscripts alert and pray b 5 Greek than three hundred denarii c 7 See Deut. 15:11.
d 24 Some manuscripts the new e 27 Zech. 13:7

926 | Mark 14:28
28 But af ter I have risen, I will go ahead of you him and lead him away under guard.” 45 Go
into Gal i lee.” ing at once to Jesus, Judas said, “Rabbi!” and
29 Peter de clared, “Even if all fall away, I kissed him. 46 The men seized Jesus and ar
will not.” rested him. 47 Then one of those stand ing
30 “Tru ly I tell you,” Jesus an swered, “to near drew his sword and struck the ser vant
day — yes, tonight — before the rooster crows of the high priest, cut ting off his ear.
twice a you your self will dis own me three 48 “Am I lead ing a rebel lion,” said Jesus,
times.” “that you have come out with swords and

31 But Peter in sisted emphat ical ly, “Even
clubs to capture me? 49 Every day I was with
if I have to die with you, I will never disown you, teach ing in the temple courts, and you
you.” And all the others said the same. did not ar rest me. But the Scriptures must
be ful filled.” 50 Then everyone deserted him
Gethsemane and fled.
32 They went to a place called Geth sem a 51 A young man, wear ing noth ing but a lin
ne, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here en gar ment, was fol low ing Jesus. When they
while I pray.” 33 He took Peter, James and seized him, 52 he fled na ked, leav ing his gar
John along with him, and he began to be ment behind.
deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My soul
is over whelmed with sor row to the point of Jesus Before the Sanhedrin
death,” he said to them. “Stay here and keep 53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and
watch.” all the chief priests, the elders and the teach
35 Going a lit tle far ther, he fell to the
ers of the law came together. 54 Peter fol lowed
ground and prayed that if possible the hour him at a distance, right into the court yard of
might pass from him. 36 “Abba, b Father,” he the high priest. There he sat with the guards
said, “every thing is possible for you. Take and warmed himself at the fire.
this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but 55 The chief priests and the whole San
what you will.” hedrin were look ing for ev idence against
37 Then he re turned to his dis ciples and
Jesus so that they could put him to death, but
found them sleeping. “Si mon,” he said to Pe they did not find any. 56 Many testi fied false
ter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch ly against him, but their statements did not
for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you agree.
will not fall into temptation. The spir it is 57 Then some stood up and gave this false
will ing, but the flesh is weak.” testi mony against him: 58 “We heard him say,
39 Once more he went away and prayed the
‘I will destroy this temple made with hu man
same thing. 40 When he came back, he again hands and in three days will build another,
found them sleeping, be cause their eyes not made with hands.’ ” 59 Yet even then their
were heavy. They did not know what to say testi mony did not agree.
to him. 60 Then the high priest stood up be fore
41 Re turn ing the third time, he said to
them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to
them, “Are you still sleeping and rest ing? an swer? What is this testi mony that these
Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son men are bring ing against you?” 61 But Jesus
of Man is delivered into the hands of sin ners. remained si lent and gave no answer.
42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
Again the high priest asked him, “Are you
the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?”
Jesus Arrested 62 “I am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the
43 Justas he was speak ing, Judas, one of Son of Man sit ting at the right hand of the
the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd Mighty One and com ing on the clouds of
armed with swords and clubs, sent from the heaven.”
chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why
elders. do we need any more wit nesses?” he asked.

44 Now the betrayer had ar ranged a sig nal 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do
with them: “The one I kiss is the man; ar rest you think?”
a 30 Some early manuscripts do not have twice. b 36 Aramaic for father

Mark 15:26 | 927
They all condemned him as wor thy of ted murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came
death. 65 Then some began to spit at him; up and asked Pi late to do for them what he
they blind folded him, struck him with their usual ly did.
fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards 9 “Do you want me to re lease to you the
took him and beat him. king of the Jews?” asked Pi late, 10 know ing it
was out of selfinterest that the chief priests
Peter Disowns Jesus had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief
66 While Peter was below in the court yard, priests stirred up the crowd to have Pi late re
one of the ser vant girls of the high priest lease Barabbas instead.
12 “What shall I do, then, with the one you
came by. 67 When she saw Peter warm ing
himself, she looked closely at him. call the king of the Jews?” Pi late asked them.
13 “Cruci fy him!” they shouted.
“You also were with that Naza rene, Jesus,”
14 “Why? What crime has he com mit ted?”
she said.
68 But he denied it. “I don’t know or under asked Pi late.
stand what you’re talk ing about,” he said, But they shouted all the louder, “Cruci fy
and went out into the entry way. a him!”
69 When the ser vant girl saw him there, 15 Want ing to sat is fy the crowd, Pi late
she said again to those stand ing around, released Bar abbas to them. He had Jesus
“This fel low is one of them.” 70 Again he de flogged, and handed him over to be cruci
nied it. fied.
Af ter a lit tle while, those stand ing near
said to Peter, “Surely you are one of them, for The Soldiers Mock Jesus
you are a Gal i lean.” 16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the
71 He be gan to call down curs es, and he palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called
swore to them, “I don’t know this man you’re together the whole compa ny of soldiers.
talk ing about.” 17 They put a pur ple robe on him, then twist
72 Im mediately the rooster crowed the sec ed together a crown of thorns and set it on
ond time. b Then Peter remembered the word him. 18 And they began to call out to him,
Jesus had spoken to him: “Before the roost “Hail, king of the Jews!” 19 Again and again
er crows twice c you will disown me three they struck him on the head with a staff
times.” And he broke down and wept. and spit on him. Fall ing on their knees, they
paid homage to him. 20 And when they had
Jesus Before Pilate mocked him, they took off the pur ple robe
15 Very early in the morn ing, the chief

priests, with the elders, the teachers
of the law and the whole San hedrin, made
and put his own clothes on him. Then they
led him out to cruci fy him.
their plans. So they bound Jesus, led him The Crucifixion of Jesus
away and handed him over to Pi late. 21 A cer tain man from Cy rene, Si mon, the
2 “Are you the king of the Jews?” asked Pi father of Alex ander and Ru fus, was passing
late. by on his way in from the country, and they
“You have said so,” Jesus replied. forced him to car ry the cross. 22 They brought
3 The chief priests ac cused him of many Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which
things. 4 So again Pi late asked him, “Aren’t means “the place of the skull”). 23 Then they
you going to answer? See how many things of fered him wine mixed with myrrh, but he
they are accusing you of.” did not take it. 24 And they cruci fied him.
5 But Jesus still made no reply, and Pi late Divid ing up his clothes, they cast lots to see
was amazed. what each would get.
6 Now it was the cus tom at the fes ti val to 25 It was nine in the morn ing when they
release a prisoner whom the people request cruci fied him. 26 The writ ten notice of the
ed. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison charge against him read: the king of the
with the insur rec tion ists who had com mit jews.
a 68Some early manuscripts entryway and the rooster crowed b 72 Some early manuscripts do not have the
second time. c 72 Some early manuscripts do not have twice.

928 | Mark 15:27
27 They cruci fied two rebels with him, one self wait ing for the kingdom of God, went
on his right and one on his left. [28] a 29 Those bold ly to Pi late and asked for Jesus’ body.
who passed by hurled insults at him, shak 44 Pi late was sur prised to hear that he was
ing their heads and say ing, “So! You who are al ready dead. Sum mon ing the centu ri
going to destroy the temple and build it in on, he asked him if Jesus had al ready died.
three days, 30 come down from the cross and 45 When he learned from the centu rion that
save yourself !” 31 In the same way the chief it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Jo
priests and the teachers of the law mocked seph bought some linen cloth, took down the
him among themselves. “He saved others,” body, wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in
they said, “but he can’t save him self ! 32 Let a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone
this Messiah, this king of Israel, come down against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary
now from the cross, that we may see and be Magda lene and Mary the mother of Joseph
lieve.” Those cruci fied with him also heaped saw where he was laid.
insults on him.
Jesus Has Risen
The Death of Jesus
33 At noon, dark ness came over the whole
land until three in the af ter noon. 34 And at
16 When the Sabbath was over, Mary
Mag da lene, Mary the mother of
James, and Sa lome bought spic es so that
three in the af ter noon Jesus cried out in a they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. 2 Very
loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani? ” early on the first day of the week, just af ter
(which means “My God, my God, why have sun rise, they were on their way to the tomb
you forsaken me?”). b 3 and they asked each other, “Who will roll
35 When some of those stand ing near heard
the stone away from the entrance of the
this, they said, “Listen, he’s calling Elijah.” tomb?”
36 Someone ran, filled a sponge with wine
4 But when they looked up, they saw that
vinegar, put it on a staff, and of fered it to the stone, which was very large, had been
Jesus to drink. “Now leave him alone. Let’s rolled away. 5 As they entered the tomb, they
see if Elijah comes to take him down,” he
saw a young man dressed in a white robe sit
said.
37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. ting on the right side, and they were alarmed.
6 “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are
38 The cur tain of the temple was torn in
look ing for Jesus the Naza rene, who was cru
two from top to bot tom. 39 And when the cen
ci fied. He has risen! He is not here. See the
tu rion, who stood there in front of Jesus, saw
place where they laid him. 7 But go, tell his
how he died, c he said, “Surely this man was
disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you
the Son of God!”
40 Some women were watch ing from a dis into Gal i lee. There you will see him, just as
tance. Among them were Mary Magda lene, he told you.’ ”
8 Trem bling and be wildered, the wom
Mary the mother of James the younger and
of Joseph, d and Sa lome. 41 In Gal i lee these en went out and fled from the tomb. They
women had fol lowed him and cared for his said noth ing to anyone, because they were
needs. Many other women who had come up afraid. e
with him to Jerusa lem were also there.
The Burial of Jesus [The earliest manuscripts and some other

42 It
was Prepa ration Day (that is, the ancient witnesses do not have verses 9 – 20.]
day before the Sabbath). So as evening ap
proached, 43 Joseph of Ar i mathea, a prom i 9 When Jesus rose early on the first day of the
nent member of the Council, who was him week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out
a 28 Some manuscripts include here words similar to Luke 22:37. b 34 Psalm 22:1 c 39 Some
manuscripts saw that he died with such a cry d 40 Greek Joses, a variant of Joseph; also in verse 47
e 8 Some manuscripts have the following ending between verses 8 and 9, and one manuscript has it after
verse 8 (omitting verses 920): Then they quickly reported all these instructions to those around Peter. After this,
Jesus himself also sent out through them from east to west the sacred and imperishable proclamation of eternal
salvation. Amen.

Mark 16:20 | 929
of whom he had driven seven demons. 10 She lieves and is baptized will be saved, but whoev
went and told those who had been with him and er does not believe will be condemned. 17 And
who were mourning and weeping. 11 When they these signs will accompany those who believe:
heard that Jesus was alive and that she had seen In my name they will drive out demons; they
him, they did not believe it. will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up
12 Af ter ward Jesus ap peared in a dif ferent snakes with their hands; and when they drink
form to two of them while they were walking in deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they
the country. 13 These returned and reported it to will place their hands on sick people, and they
the rest; but they did not believe them either. will get well.”
14 Later Jesus appeared to the Eleven as they 19 Af ter the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he
were eat ing; he rebuked them for their lack of was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right
faith and their stubborn refusal to believe those hand of God. 20 Then the disciples went out and
who had seen him af ter he had risen. preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with
15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and them and confirmed his word by the signs that
preach the gospel to all creation. 16 Whoever be accompanied it.

U P D ATI N G
THE NE W
INTER NATIONAL
V ERSION
OF THE BIBLE
Notes from the Com mit te e

on Bible Tr ansl ation
When the original Bible documents first emerged, they captured exactly
what God wanted to say in the language and idiom of ordinary people.
There was no friction between hearing God’s Word the way it was writ-
ten and understanding it the way it was meant. The original audience
experienced a unique fusion of these two ingredients.
Readers of the Bible today, however, can no longer experience this
fusion. The passage of two thousand years has turned the Greek and
Hebrew of Bible times from living languages into historical artifacts. If
we had the original documents in our hands today, they would still rep-
resent exactly what God wanted to say. But the vast majority of people
would no longer be able to understand them.
In 1611, the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible sought to bring
English readers back as close to that original fusion as possible. As with
all translations, the transition from the original languages to Elizabethan
English involved some loss of transparency to the original documents.
And yet that small loss in transparency was more than made up for by
a tremendous gain in comprehensibility: People could hear God’s Word
in their own language! The result propelled the body of Christ into a
new era of personal transformation and global reformation.

36 | U PDATING THE NIV
But, just like the original documents, the KJV was unable to escape
the effects of time. The English language changed. The “thys” and
“thous” and “whosoevers” of the KJV became less and less the lan-
guage of everyday people and more and more the language of a bygone
age. The KJV’s ability to present God’s Word the way it was written,
while at the same time allowing readers to understand it the way it was
meant, began to decline.
In the last century, a number of excellent new English Bible transla-
tions have emerged to fill this void.
Some translations place a particularly high priority on hearing
God’s Word the way it was written — giving the modern English reader
the opportunity to see much of the form and structure of the original
documents. Ease of understanding varies from verse to verse and from
book to book according to the complexity of the source material. But
all verses and all books adhere to a high standard of transparency to the
original languages.
Other translations place a particularly high priority on understand-
ing God’s Word the way it was meant — helping the modern English
reader to grasp the content of the Bible in their own words and their
own idioms. Transparency to the form and structure of the original
documents varies from verse to verse and from book to book. But all
verses and all books adhere to a high standard of comprehensibility.
Since its first emergence as a complete text in 1978, the New
International Version (NIV) has stood as the modern pioneer of a differ-
ent approach — an approach that mirrors the balance of priorities held
by the KJV translators four hundred years ago. The NIV tries to bring its
readers as close as possible to the experience of the original audience:
providing the best possible blend of transparency to the original docu-
ments and comprehension of the original meaning in every verse. The
NIV is founded on the belief that if hearing God’s Word the way it was
written and understanding it the way it was meant were the hallmarks

UPDATING THE NIV | 37
of the original reading experience, then accuracy in translation de-

mands that neither one of these two criteria be prioritized above the
other.
Built upon this philosophy, the NIV has experienced much the
same reaction in the church and beyond as its beloved predecessor
whose values it seeks to emulate. Thirty years after its first publication
there are more than four hundred million NIV Bibles in print.
But, unlike its predecessor, the NIV was designed from the very
start with a built-in mechanism to defy the attritional effects of time.
Since 1978, the NIV translation team has continued to meet, year after
year, reviewing developments in biblical scholarship and changes in
English usage — revising the translation to ensure that it continues to
offer its readers an experience that mirrors that of the original audience,
and periodically releasing those revisions in updated editions of the
text. The 2011 update to the NIV is the latest fruit of this process.

T h e ROLE
OF t h e
committee
on Bible
T r a n s l at i o n
(CBT)
Since the Committee on Bible Translation first started work on the

New International Version of the Bible more than four decades ago,
they have been burdened by a passion—not just to give the world a
Bible that offers the optimum combination of transparency to the origi-
nal documents and comprehensibility for a broad audience, but also to
maintain and enhance the quality of this combination by studying and
then integrating developments in Biblical scholarship and English usage.
From the very beginning, it was envisioned that this process of
maintenance would result in regular updates to the text of the NIV, giv-
ing it something of the character of a dictionary—a landmark of schol-
arship regularly revised to maintain its original priorities in a changing
environment.
The CBT sets the benchmark for modern Bible translation practice
using the oldest available manuscripts and the most recent archaeologi-
cal and biblical scholarship to maximize transparency to the original
documents. For the 2011 update they commissioned cutting-edge
computational linguistic tools to assist them in their effort to maximize
comprehensibility across the range of audiences the translation serves.
This committee consists of fifteen of the world’s leading evangelical
Bible and language scholars from a variety of seminaries and evangeli-
cal denominations. All members of CBT wholeheartedly affirm the
orthodox, evangelical view of Scripture as God’s Word written.
The CBT meets annually to review any queries and concerns
regarding the translation. All questions regarding the translation are
sent to the Executive Committee of the CBT for review.

THE COMMITTEE
ON BIBLE TRANSLATION
Dr. Douglas Moo, Chair
Douglas J. Moo is Blanchard Professor of New

Testament at Wheaton College, where he teaches and
mentors students in the masters and doctoral programs.
He is a graduate of the University of St. Andrews (PhD)
and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (MDiv). He
was previously a faculty member at Trinity Evangelical
Divinity School (1977-2000). He has written com-
mentaries on several New Testament books (Romans,
James, Colossians, and 2 Peter-Jude) and co-written a
New Testament Introduction (with D. A. Carson). Dr.
Moo has been a member of CBT since 1996.
Dr. Mark L. Strauss, Vice Chair
Mark L. Strauss has a PhD in New Testament from the

University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and a ThM and MDiv
from Talbot School of Theology. He is professor of
New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego, where
he has served for 15 years. He is the author of many
books and articles including, Four Portraits, One Jesus:
An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels (Zondervan,
2007); How to Choose a Translation for All It’s Worth
(with Gordon D. Fee); The Essential Bible Companion
(with John Walton; 2006). Dr. Stauss is a frequent
speaker in churches and conferences and has served
on the Committee for Bible Translation since 2005.

40 | THE COMMITTEE
Dr. Karen H. Jobes, Secretary
Dr. Karen H. Jobes is the Gerald F. Hawthorne Professor

of New Testament Greek and Exegesis at Wheaton
College and Graduate School. She holds a PhD in
Biblical Hermeneutics from Westminster Theological
Seminary (Philadelphia). She has written commentar-
ies on 1 Peter and Esther and an introduction to the
Septuagint (with Moisés Silva). She has been a member
of the CBT since 1995.
Dr. Kenneth Barker
Dr. Kenneth Barker is an author and speaker living in

Lewisville, Texas. He holds a PhD from the Dropsie
College for Hebrew and Cognate Learning and a ThM
from Dallas Theological Seminary and. Until his retire-
ment from Biblica in 1996, he was Executive Director
of Biblica’s NIV Translation Center. He is one of the
original translators of the NIV and a regular spokesper-
son for the CBT. He has served as Academic Dean of
Capital Bible Seminary, Professor of Old Testament at
three theological seminaries, and Visiting Professor
at two others. He also is an author of commentaries
on the books of Micah and Zechariah, general editor
of the NIV Study Bible, and also was involved with the
New International Reader’s Version. He was appointed
to CBT in 1974 and for many years served as secretary
of the Committee.
Dr. Craig Blomberg
Dr. Craig Blomberg is Distinguished Professor of

New Testament at Denver Seminary in Littleton,
Colorado. He holds his PhD in New Testament from
the University of Aberdeen, Scotland, and his MA from
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Craig is the author
of twelve books and has co-authored or co-edited
seven more, along with dozens of journal articles and
chapters in multi-author works. His books include

THE COMMITTEE | 41
three on the historical reliability and interpretation

of the gospels (one on John), two on interpreting and
preaching the parables, and three commentaries (on
Matthew, 1 Corinthians and James). Dr. Blomberg has
been a member of CBT since 2008.
Dr. Jeannine K. Brown
Dr. Jeannine Brown is Professor of New Testament at

Bethel Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, where she also
completed her MDiv in 1991. She has a PhD in New
Testament from Luther Seminary. Dr. Brown has con-
sulted to two major Bible translation projects (Common
English Bible and New Century Version) and has
published a large number of scholarly articles. In 2007
she published a major introduction to Biblical herme-
neutics. She has also made contributions to three other
published books including a section on Matthew’s
gospel in The Evangelical One-Volume Commentary
on the Bible (rev.). Dr. Brown joined CBT in 2009.
Dr. Gordon Fee
Dr. Gordon Fee is one of the experts in pneumatology

and also the textual criticism of the New Testament
of the Bible. He received a PhD in New Testament
studies from the University of Southern California and
MA degrees from Seattle Pacific University. Fee is
Professor Emeritus of New Testament Studies at Regent
College in Vancouver, British Columbia. He has taught
at Wheaton College and Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary. He has written books on Biblical exege-
sis, including the popular introductory work How to
Read the Bible for All Its Worth (co-authored with
Douglas Stuart), the “sequel,” How to Read the Bible,
Book by Book, How to Choose a Translation for all its
Worth (co-authored with Mark L. Strauss) and a major
commentary on 1 Corinthians as well as numerous
other commentaries on various books in the New
Testament. He joined CBT in 1991.

42 | THE COMMITTEE
Dr. Richard T. France
Dr. Richard T. France is a New Testament scholar

and Anglican cleric. He was educated at Bradford
Grammar School and Balliol College, Oxford (MA). He
earned his BD at the University of London and his PhD
at the University of Bristol. He worked in the 1970s as
a lecturer in religious studies at the University of Ife in
Nigeria. From 1981 to 1988 he taught at London Bible
College in New Testament studies, and from 1989
to 1995 he was Principal of Wycliffe Hall at Oxford
University. He was a parish minister in England and
Wales from 1995 until his retirement in 1999. He has
served for two periods on the CBT, from 1990 to 1995
and from 1999 to the present. Currently, he leads the
UK delegation and is involved in Anglicizing the text
to make it appropriate for readers in the UK and the
British Commonwealth.
Dr. David Instone-Brewer
Rev. Dr. David Instone-Brewer, a United Kingdom

Baptist minister, was educated in Cambridge (PhD)
and Cardiff (BD). After a decade as a pastor in Wales,
he now holds an academic post at Tyndale House,
Cambridge. His two research specialties are the Jewish
background of the New Testament and software for
Biblical studies. He has written books on divorce and
other New Testament teachings which are illuminated
by ancient Jewish documents. Dr. Instone-Brewer has
been on the CBT since 2005.
Dr. William Mounce
Bill Mounce specializes in the Greek language and

has written a number of Greek language textbooks,
including bestselling Basics of Biblical Greek, and many
other resources. He is a graduate of the University of
Aberdeen (PhD) and Fuller Theological Seminary (MA).
He is the Vice President of Educational Development at

THE COMMITTEE | 43
BibleGateway and the president of BiblicalTraining.org,

a non-profit organization offering world-class educa-
tional resources for discipleship in the local church.
Formerly he was a full-time Preaching Pastor, a
professor of New Testament and Director of the Greek
Language Program at Gordon-Conwell Theological
Seminary, and a professor of New Testament at Azusa
Pacific University. He was the New Testament chair
of the English Standard Version translation of the Bible.
Dr. Mounce joined the CBT in 2009.
Dr. Paul Swarup
The Rev. Dr. Paul Swarup is a minister with the Church

of North India in the Diocese of Delhi, presently
pastoring at Christ Church, Noida. He holds a PhD in
OT Theology/Dead Sea Scrolls from the University of
Cambridge, UK. He is a visiting faculty at the Jesuit
Seminary, Vidyajyoti College of Theology, Delhi, and
the Marthoma Seminary, Dharamjyoti Vidya Peet,
Faridabad, Haryana. He was appointed to the CBT
in 2008.
Dr. Larry L. Walker
Dr. Larry L. Walker holds a PhD from Dropsie College

for Hebrew and Cognate Learning. He is Professor of
Old Testament and Semitic Languages at Mid-America
Baptist Theological Seminary in Memphis. He has
taught Hebrew and other ancient languages (such
as Aramaic, Akkadian, and Ugaritic) at the seminary
level for 30 years. Dr. Walker also served on the
International Council of Biblical Inerrancy that drafted
the now-famous “Chicago Statement on Inerrancy.”
He joined the CBT in 1968.

44 | THE COMMITTEE
Dr. Michael Williams
Dr. Michael Williams has been on the faculty at

Calvin Theological Seminary since 1995, where
he teaches classes in Hebrew, Old Testament, and
the ancient Near East. He holds his PhD in Biblical
Studies from the University of Pennsylvania (1999)
and his MA in Religion from Westminster Theological
Seminary. He was ordained in 2000 in the Christian
Reformed Church. Dr. Williams has taught courses
at Westminster Theological Seminary, the University
of Pennsylvania, and in Kenya, Ukraine, and Poland.
Michael is gifted in his capacity for languages. He is
proficient in seven Ancient and Medieval Languages
(Biblical Hebrew and Aramaic, Akkadian, Ugaritic,
Sumerian, Arabic and Greek), and reads French,
German and Modern Hebrew. He is the author of sev-
eral books and articles and joined the CBT in 2005.
Dr. Ronald Youngblood
Dr. Ronald Youngblood became an NIV translator

in 1970 and a member of the CBT 10 years later. He
received his PhD from Dropsie College for Hebrew
and Cognate Learning and is a graduate of Fuller
Theological Seminary (BD). He has served as profes-
sor of Old Testament at Bethel Seminary in St. Paul,
Wheaton Graduate School, Trinity Evangelical Divinity
School, and Bethel Seminary in San Diego. His transla-
tion experience during the past 30 years has included
extensive work on all parts of the NIV as well as more
limited tasks related to the recently launched Spanish
and Portuguese NVI translations. He is also the execu-
tive editor of the NIrV, the simplified Bible so popular
with children as well as with people for whom English
is a second language. As an associate editor of the
NIV Study Bible, Youngblood has been contacted by
countless readers who have been helped and blessed
by its text and notes. After teaching full-time for 40
years, he is now retired from his position as professor
of Old Testament and Hebrew at Bethel Theological
Seminary in San Diego, California.

THE COMMITTEE | 45
Active Honorary Member:

Dr. Bruce Waltke
Dr. Bruce Waltke is a reformed evangelical profes-

sor for Old Testament and Hebrew. He received a
PhD from Harvard University and a ThD and ThM
from Dallas Theological Seminary. He is Emeritus
Professor of Old Testament Studies at Regent College,
Vancouver, and also taught for many years at Reformed
Theological Seminary in Orlando, Florida. Waltke
has travelled widely as a Bible expositor, as an Area
Supervisor for excavations at Gezer, Israel, and as
Director of field study trips to the Middle East and
the Classical World. He is the author of many books
and commentaries. He has served as president of the
Evangelical Theological Society, was on the translation
committee of the New American Standard Bible and
the New International Version, joining the CBT in 1980.
It has been a profound privilege

for us as translators to return, once again, to the vision that
first inspired the team who began this great work. When God spoke
through the text of the Bible, he said exactly what he wanted to say
in the language of everyday people. Two thousand years later,
we have sought to give the world a Bible translation that reflects those
same priorities: Hear God’s Word the way it was written and under-
stand it the way it was meant. Take it, read it, listen to it,
pray over it, enjoy it and use it to grow in Christian maturity!
T h e Co mm i tt ee o n Bi b l e T rans l at i o n
August 2010

T h e ROLE s
OF
z o nd e r v a n
a nd
Biblica
The Role o f Zondervan

Zondervan is the licensed commercial publisher of the New Interna
tional Version (NIV) in North America and contributes a royalty from
every Bible it sells to support Biblica’s worldwide Bible translation and
distribution ministry. No employee of Zondervan holds a seat on the
Committee on Bible Translation (CBT); nor does Zondervan have any in-
fluence over the CBT and their translation decisions. CBT solely controls
the outcome of the translation.
Zondervan’s passion is to see more people reading the Bible more.
The Role o f Biblica

Biblica (formerly The International Bible Society) exists to fund trans-
lation, publishing, and distribution of the Bible in many languages
throughout the world. To this end, it works closely with Wycliffe Bible
Translators.
Biblica holds the copyright of the NIV and publishes and distributes
their own noncommercial editions for church and mission use. The roy-
alties Zondervan pays for the right to publish the NIV help fund Biblica’s
efforts. Biblica also supports the Committee on Bible Translation (CBT),
however, no employee of Biblica holds a position on the CBT or has
influence on the translation decisions made by the translators.

Future produc ts
The CBT delivered the updated NIV text to Biblica and
Zondervan in October 2010. Proofreaders, typesetters, and printers
the world over have been engaged to print the first copies in late
fall 2010. Complete updated NIV Bibles from Zondervan will be
available for purchase beginning in March 2011.
Spring releases 2011

NIV Thinline Bible: Regular, Compact, Large Print
NIV Thinline Reference Bible: Regular, Compact, Large Print
NIV Trimline Bible
NIV Reference Bible: Large Print, Giant Print
NIV Church Bible: Regular, Large Print
NIV Gift and Award Bible
NIV Witness Bible
NIV Textbook Bible
The Story, various editions
NIV/KJV Side-by-Side Bible, Large Print
NIV Adventure Bible
Fall releases 2011

NIV Study Bible, Regular, Large Print
NIV Student Bible
NIV Quest Study Bibles
NIV Teen Study Bible
NIV Compact Bible, Giant Print
NIV/KJV Side-by-Side Bible
NIV/Message Side-by-Side, Regular, Large Print
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The Greek text used in translating the New Testament is an eclectic

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be understood, in many contexts, to be referring to a person, whether

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The Gospel of Mark has been selected for this sampler

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Jesus Announces the Good News Jesus Heals Many

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is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the

2 A few days later, when Jesus again en­

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the bridegroom fast while he is with them? Crowds Follow Jesus

fell down before him and cried out, “You are

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4 Again Jesus began to teach by the lake.

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ran and fell on his knees in front of him. 7 He

Man the Decapolis b how much Jesus had done for

5 They went across the lake to the region

Jesus Raises a Dead Girl and Heals

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his birthday Herod gave a banquet for his thing to eat.”

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7 The Phar isees and some of the teachers

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8 Dur ing those days another large crowd

the four thousand, how many basket fuls of

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sight was restored, and he saw every thing The Transfiguration

cerns.” come first, and restores all things. Why then

with the holy angels.” about?” he asked.

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could not.” and said, “Anyone who wants to be first must

him about it. 50 “Salt is good, but if it los es its salt i ness,

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Divorce not murder, you shall not com mit adultery,

with Jesus lead ing the way, and the disciples

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right and the other at your left in your glory.”

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law heard this and began look ing for a way

yard do? He will come and kill those tenants

similar to Matt. 6:15. f 11 Psalm 118:22,23

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Paying the Imperial Tax to Caesar The Greatest Commandment

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2 A few days later, when Jesus again en