Christ casts out a Deaf and Dumb Spirit. 135

his disciples, he saw a great multitude about them, and the scribes questioning with them. And straightway all the people, when they beheld him, were greatly amazed, and running to him saluted him. And he asked the scribes, What question ye with them? And behold, one of the multitude came to him, kneeling down to him, and cried out, saying, Master, I have brought unto thee my son. Lord, I beseech thee, have mercy upon my son, for he is mine only child: he is lunatic, and sore vexed, and hath a dumb spirit. And lo, the spirit taketh him, and wheresoever it taketh him, he suddenly crieth out: and it teareth him that he foameth again, and gnasheth with his teeth, and pineth away; and bruising him hardly departeth from him. And I brought him to thy disciples, and besought them to cast him out; and they could not. Then Jesus answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring thy son hither to me: and they brought him unto him. And as he was yet a coming, when he saw him, straightway the devil threw him down and tare him; and he fell on the ground, and wallowed foaming. And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the

136 Christ casts out a Deaf and Dumb Spirit.

waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us. Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe all things are possible to him that believeth. And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. When Jesus saw that the people came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying unto him, Thou dumb and deaf spirit, I charge thee, come out of him, and enter no more into him. And the spirit cried, and rent him sore, and came out of him: and he was as one dead; insomuch that many said, He is dead. But Jesus took him by the hand, and lifted him up; and he arose. And the child was cured from that very hour. And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God. And when he was come into the house, then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.

3 Matt. xvii. 14-21. Mark ix. 14-29. Luke ix. 37-43.

Christ again predicts his Sufferings and Resurrection. He works a miracle to pay the Tribute Money.

AND after these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him and he would not that any man should know it. But while they wondered every one at all things which Jesus did, he taught his disciples, and said unto them, Let these sayings sink down into your ears: for the Son of man shall be betrayed, and delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise again the third day. But they understood not this saying, and it was hid from them, that they perceived it not. And they were exceeding sorry; and were afraid to ask him of that saying.

And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute? He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers? Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children

138 The Disciples dispute for pre-eminence.

free. Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee 1.

The Disciples dispute who shall be greatest. Christ discourses with them concerning Offences.

AND being in the house, he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way? But they held their peace: for by the way there arose a reasoning among them, which of them should be greatest; and they had disputed among themselves. And Jesus, perceiving the thought of their heart, sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me: for he that is least among you all, the same shall be great.

Matt. xvii. 22-27. Mark ix. 30-32. Luke ix. 43-45. John vii. 1.

The Disciples dispute for pre-eminence. 139

But Jesus said, is no man which name, that can For he that is not For whosoever

Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us. Forbid him not: for there shall do a miracle in my lightly speak evil of me. against us is on our part. shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter