Luke 9:18-50

18 One day when He was praying by Himself the disciples were present; and He asked them, "Who do the people say that I am?"

19 "John the Baptist," they replied; "but others say Elijah; and others that some one of the ancient Prophets has come back to life."

20 "But you," He asked, "who do you say that I am?" "God's Anointed One," replied Peter.

21 And Jesus strictly forbad them to tell this to any one;

22 and He said, "The Son of Man must suffer much cruelty, be rejected by the Elders and High Priests and Scribes, and be put to death, and on the third day be raised to life again."

23 And He said to all, "If any one is desirous of following me, let him ignore self and take up his cross day by day, and so be my follower.

24 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake shall save it.

25 Why, what benefit is it to a man to have gained the whole world, but to have lost or forfeited his own self.

26 For whoever shall have been ashamed of me and my teachings, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own and the Father's glory and in that of the holy angels.

27 I tell you truly that there are some of those who stand here who will certainly not taste death till they have seen the Kingdom of God."

28 It was about eight days after this that Jesus, taking with Him Peter, John, and James, went up the mountain to pray.

29 And while He was praying the appearance of His face underwent a change, and His clothing became white and radiant.

30 And suddenly there were two men conversing with Him, who were Moses and Elijah.

31 They came in glory, and kept speaking about His death, which He was so soon to undergo in Jerusalem.

32 Now Peter and the others were weighed down with sleep; but, keeping themselves awake all through, they saw His glory, and the two men standing with Him.

33 And when they were preparing to depart from Him, Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, we are thankful to you that we are here. Let us put up three tents--one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what he was saying.

34 But while he was thus speaking, there came a cloud which spread over them; and they were awe-struck when they had entered into the cloud.

35 Then there came a voice from within the cloud: "This is My Son, My Chosen One: listen to Him."

36 After this voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. They kept it to themselves, and said not a word to any one at that time about what they had seen.

37 On the following day, when they were come down from the mountain, a great crowd came to meet Him;

38 and a man from the crowd called out, "Rabbi, I beg you to pity my son, for he is my only child.

39 At times a spirit seizes him and he suddenly cries out. It convulses him, and makes him foam at the mouth, and does not leave him till it has well-nigh covered him with bruises.

40 I entreated your disciples to expel the spirit, but they could not."

41 "O unbelieving and perverse generation!" replied Jesus; "how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here to me."

42 Now while the youth was coming, the spirit dashed him to the ground and cruelly convulsed him. But Jesus rebuked the foul spirit, and cured the youth and gave him back to his father.

43 And all were awe-struck at the mighty power of God. And while every one was expressing wonder at all that He was doing, He said to his disciples,

44 "As for you, store these my sayings in your memory; for, before long, the Son of Man will be betrayed into the hands of men."

45 But they did not understand His meaning: it was veiled from them that they might not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.

46 Now there arose a dispute among them, which of them was to be the greatest.

47 And Jesus, knowing the reasoning that was in their hearts, took a young child and made him stand by His side

48 and said to them, "Whoever for my sake receives this little child, receives me; and whoever receives me, receives Him who sent me. For the lowliest among you all--he is the greatest."

49 "Rabbi," replied John, "we have seen a man making use of your name to expel demons; and we forbad him, because he does not come with us."

50 "Do not forbid him," said Jesus, "for he who is not against you is on your side."