Luke 9:40-62 ▼

40 I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they were unable.”

41 “O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied. “How long must I remain with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”

42 Even while the boy was approaching, the demon slammed him to the ground in a convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

43 And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was marveling at all that Jesus was doing, He said to His disciples,

44 “Let these words sink into your ears: The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men.”

45 But they did not understand this statement. It was veiled from them so that they could not comprehend it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

46 Then an argument started among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest.

47 But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, had a little child stand beside Him.

48 And He said to them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me, and whoever welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me. For whoever is the least among all of you, he is the greatest.”

49 “Master,” said John, “we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him, because he does not accompany us.”

50 “Do not stop him,” Jesus replied, “for whoever is not against you is for you.”

51 As the day of His ascension approached, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.

52 He sent messengers on ahead, who went into a village of the Samaritans to make arrangements for Him.

53 But the people there refused to welcome Him, because He was heading for Jerusalem.

54 When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do You want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?”

55 But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

56 And He and His disciples went on to another village.

57 As they were walking along the road, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow You wherever You go.”

58 Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay His head.”

59 Then He said to another man, “Follow Me.” The man replied, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

60 But Jesus told him, “Let the dead bury their own dead. You, however, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.”

61 Still another said, “I will follow You, Lord; but first let me bid farewell to my family.”

62 Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”