But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by John for Herodias his brother Philip's wife, and for all the evils which Herod had done, added yet this above all, that he shut up John in prison.

Now when Jesus had heard that John was thrown into prison, he departed into Galilee; And leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Naphtali: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Elijah the prophet, saying, "The land of Zabulon, and the land of Naphtali, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

And it came to pass, that, as the people pressed upon Jesus to hear the word of God, he stood by the lake of Gennesaret, and saw two boats standing by the lake: but the fishermen were gone out of them, and were washing their nets. And he entered into one of the boats, which was Peter's, and asked him that he would thrust out a little from the land. And Jesus sat down, and taught the people out of the boat.

Now when he had left speaking, Jesus said unto Peter, "Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a catch.

And Peter answering said unto him, "Master, we have worked all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at your word I will let down the net." And when they had this done, they enclosed a great number of fish: and their net broke. And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other boat, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.

When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus' knees, saying, "Depart from me; for I am a sinful man, O Lord." For he was astonished, and all that were with him, at the catch of the fish, which they had taken: And so was also James, and John, the sons of Zebedee, which were partners with Peter.

And Jesus said unto Peter, "Fear not; from now on you shall catch men." And when they had brought their boats to land, they left all, and followed him.

And they went into Capernaum; and immediately on the sabbath day Jesus entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for Jesus taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

And there was in their synagogue a man with an evil spirit; and the spirit cried out, saying, "Let us alone; what have we to do with you, you Jesus of Nazareth? Are you come to destroy us? I know you who you are, the Holy One of God."

And Jesus rebuked the spirit, saying, "Hold your peace, and come out of him." And when the evil spirit had convulsed the man, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? For with authority commanded he even the evil spirits, and they do obey him. And immediately his fame spread abroad throughout all the region round about Galilee.

And Jesus arose out of the synagogue, and entered into Peter's house. And Peter's wife's mother was taken with a great fever; and they implored him for her. And Jesus stood over her, and rebuked the fever; and it left her: and immediately she arose and ministered unto them.

Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with various diseases brought them unto Jesus; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, "You are Christ the Son of God." And he rebuking them permitted them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, Jesus went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Peter and they that were with him followed after Jesus. And when they had found him, they said unto him, "All men seek for you."

And Jesus said unto them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent." And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with various diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatics, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them. And there followed him great crowds of people from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judea, and from beyond Jordan.

And there came a leper to Jesus, begging him, and kneeling down to him, and saying unto him, "If you will, you can make me clean."

And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out his hand, and touched him, and said unto him, "I will; be…clean." And as soon as he had spoken, immediately the leprosy departed from the man, and he was cleansed.

And Jesus strictly charged him, and immediately sent him away; And said unto him, "See you say nothing to any man: but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing those things which Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." But the man went out, and began to publish it much, and to blaze abroad the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into the city, but was without in desert places: and they came to him from every direction.

And Jesus withdrew himself into the wilderness, and prayed. And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was heard that he was in the house. And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them.

And, look, men brought in a bed a man, which was taken with…palsy: and they looked for ways to bring him in, and to lay him before Jesus. And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the crowd, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.And when Jesus saw their faith, he said unto him, "Man, your sins are forgiven you."

And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, "Who is this which speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?"

But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, "What reason you in your hearts? What is easier, to say, your sins be forgiven you; or to say, rise up and walk? But that you may know that the Son of man has power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy) I say unto you, arise, and take up your bed, and go into your house."

And immediately the man arose, took up the bed, and went out before them all; so that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, "We never saw it in this fashion."

REFERENCES

Luke 3:19-20; Matthew 4:12-17; Luke 5:1-11; Mark 1:21-28; Luke 4:38-41; Mark 1:35-38; Matthew 4:23-25; Mark 1:40-45; Luke 5:16; Mark 2:1; Luke 5:17-24; Mark 2:12.

CHAPTER 65