The New Testament

An Expanded Translation

Kenneth S. Wuest

• Publisher: Eerdmans
• Year: 1994
• ISBN:
  9781467426299
• Topic: Théologie et religion
• Subtopic: Critique et interprétation bibliques

Unlike other versions of the New Testament, this translation uses as many English words as are necessary to bring out the richness, force, and clarity of the Greek Text. Intended as a companion to, or commentary on, the standard translations, Wuest's "expanded translation" follows the Greek word order and especially reflects emphases and contrasts indicated by the original text.

THE GOSPELS

MATTHEW

A book of the lineage of Jesus Christ, son of David, son of Abraham.

CHAPTER 1

2–6

Abraham begat Isaac, and Isaac begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren, and Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar, and Phares begat Esrom, and Esrom begat Aram, and Aram begat Aminadab, and Aminadab begat Naasson, and Naasson begat Salmon, and Salmon begat Boes of Rachab, and Boes begat Obed of Ruth, and Obed begat Jesse, and Jesse begat David the king.

6–16

And David begat Solomon of her who had been the wife of Urias, and Solomon begat Roboam, and Roboam begat Abia, and Abia begat Asaph, and Asaph begat Jehoshaphat, and Jehoshaphat begat Joram, and Joram begat Ozias, and Ozias begat Joatham, and Joatham begat Achaz, and Achaz begat Ezekias, and Ezekias begat Manasses, and Manasses begat Amon, and Amon begat Josias, and Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren in the time of the deportation to Babylon. And after the deportation to Babylon Jechonias begat Salathiel, and Salathiel begat Zorobabel, and Zorobabel begat Abiud, and Abiud begat Eliakim, and Eliakim begat Azor, and Azor begat Sadok, and Sadok begat Achim, and Achim begat Eliud, and Eliud begat Eleazar, and Eleazar begat Matthan, and Matthan begat Jacob, and Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary out from whom [feminine relative pronoun, singular number, referring to Mary only] was born Jesus, He who is called Christ.

17

Therefore all the successive members of the genealogy from Abraham until David are fourteen members, and from David until the deportation to Babylon, fourteen members, and from the deportation to Babylon until the Christ, fourteen members.

18–21

Now the birth of Jesus Christ was thus. After His mother Mary was promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together as husband and wife, she was found to be pregnant, the source of that pregnancy being the Holy Spirit. However, Joseph, her husband, being a conscientious, law-abiding man and yet not proposing to make her a public example, after mature consideration desired to dismiss her secretly. And after he had turned these things over in his mind, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to join to yourself Mary, your wife, for that which was begotten in her is as to its source from the Holy Spirit. And she shall give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He himself will save His people from their sins.

22–25

Now, all this has taken place in order that there might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and she shall give birth to a son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel (which being interpreted is, With us is God). And Joseph, having awakened from his sleep, did as the angel of the Lord commanded him. And he took to himself his wife, and lived in absolute continence with her until she gave birth to a son. And he called His name Jesus.

CHAPTER 2

1–6

Now, Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod, the king, behold, learned men from the eastern regions, the lands of the sun-rising, made their way to Jerusalem, saying, Where is he who was born king of the Jews? for we saw his star at its rising, and we came to pay homage to him. And the king, Herod, having heard, was stirred up and irritated, and all Jerusalem with him; and gathering together all the chief priests of the people and the men of the people learned in the sacred scriptures, he went to inquiring of them where the Christ should be born. And they said to him, In Bethlehem of Judaea, for thus it has been written through the prophet and is on record: And, as for you, Bethlehem, land of Judaea, by no means are you least among the leaders of Judaea, for out from you shall come one who governs, such a one as will shepherd my people Israel.

7–12

Then Herod, having called the learned men secretly, ascertained accurately from them the length of time since the star’s appearance, and sending them to Bethlehem he said, Having proceeded on your way, conduct an exhaustive and accurate investigation concerning the child, and after you discover that for which you are seeking, bring back the news to me in order that I also, having come, may render homage to him. And having heard the king, they proceeded on their way. And behold, the star which they saw in its rising kept on going before them until, having come, it stood above where the young child was. And having seen the star, they rejoiced with great joy, exceedingly. And having come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary, His mother, and having fallen down, they prostrated themselves in homage before Him. And having opened their treasure-chests, they brought to Him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, by another road they went back to their country.

13–15

Now, after they had returned, behold, an angel of the Lord appears in a dream to Joseph, saying, Having arisen, take at once under your care the young child and His mother and be fleeing into Egypt, and be there until I tell you. For Herod is about to be seeking the young child to destroy Him. And having arisen, he took the young child and His mother under his care by night and withdrew to Egypt. And he was there until the death of Herod, in order that there might be fulfilled that which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt I called my Son.

16–18

Then Herod, having seen that he was deceived by the learned men, became greatly incensed, and having sent off those appointed to fulfill his wishes, he put out of the way all the male children, those in Bethlehem and in all its surrounding territory from two years and under, according to the time which he carefully ascertained from the learned men. Then there was fulfilled that which was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet, saying, A voice in Rama was heard, lamentation and great wailing; Rachel weeping audibly for her children; and she desired not to be comforted, because they are not.

19–23

But Herod having died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, Having arisen, take the young child and His mother under your care and be proceeding into the land of Israel, for those who seek the life of the young child have died. And having arisen, he took the young child and His mother under his care and went to the land of Israel. However, having heard that Archelaus was reigning as king in Judaea instead of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew into the regions of Galilee. And having come, he established his home in a city called Nazareth, in order that there might be fulfilled that which was spoken through the prophets, A Nazarene shall He be called.

CHAPTER 3

1–3

Now, in those days there makes his public appearance John the Baptizer, making a public proclamation with that formality, gravity, and authority which must be listened to and obeyed, in the uninhabited region of Judaea, saying, Be having a change of mind which issues in regret and a change of conduct, for there has come near and is imminent the kingdom of heaven. For this man is He who was spoken of through Isaiah, the prophet, saying, A voice of One shouting out in the uninhabited region, Make ready at once the Lord’s road. Be making straight and level His paths.

4–12

Now, John himself was in the habit of wearing his outer garment made from camel’s hair, and a leather belt around his loins. And his diet was composed of locusts and wild honey. Then there proceeded out to him in a steady stream, Jerusalem and all Judaea and all the surrounding country about the Jordan. And they were being immersed in the Jordan river by him while making a public confession of their sins. But, having seen many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to the baptism, he said to them, Offspring of vipers, who gave you a private, confidential hint that you should be fleeing from the wrath about to break at any moment? Produce therefore fruit weighing as much as the repentance you profess. And do not think to be saying within yourselves, A father we have, Abraham; for I am saying to you that God is able out of these stones as source material to raise up children to Abraham. And already the axe has been placed at the root of the trees and lies there ready for use. Therefore, every tree which is not producing fruit which is good is being cut out and is being thrown into fire. As for myself, I indeed immerse you in water because of repentance. But He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He himself will baptize you in the sphere of and by means of the Holy Spirit and fire, whose winnowing fork is in His hand. And He will thoroughly cleanse His threshing-floor and will gather His wheat into the granary. But the chaff He will burn with fire unquenchable.

13–17

Then comes Jesus from Galilee up to the Jordan to John for the purpose of being immersed by him. But he kept on trying to hinder Him, saying, As for myself, I have need by you to be immersed, and as for you, are you coming to me? But answering, Jesus said to him, Permit it at this time, for thus is it fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness. Then he acceded to His wishes. And Jesus, having been immersed, immediately went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened, and He saw God’s Spirit descending in a form like that of a dove coming upon Him. And behold, a voice out of heaven, saying, This is my Son, the beloved One, in whom I take pleasure.

CHAPTER 4

1–4

Then Jesus was led up into the uninhabited region for the purpose of being put to the test by the devil, that test being in the form of a solicitation to do evil. And having fasted forty days and forty nights, after this He became hungry. And having come, facing Him, he who puts to the test by his solicitation to do evil said to Him, In view of the fact that you are Son of God by virtue of your participation in the divine essence of deity, speak, to the end that these stones become loaves of bread. But answering He said, It has been written and is at present on record, Not upon the basis of bread only shall the individual live, but upon the basis of every word proceeding out of God’s mouth.

5–7

Then the devil takes Him with himself into the city set apart for the worship and service of God, and he caused Him to stand upon the wing of the temple, and says to Him, Since you are Son of God by virtue of your participation in the divine essence of deity, hurl yourself down, for it has been written and at present is on record, To His angels He will give a charge concerning you, and upon their hands they will take you up lest at any time you strike your foot against a stone. Jesus said to him, On the other hand, It has been written and at present is on record, You shall not put the Lord your God to an all-out test.

8–11

Again the devil takes Him with himself into a mountain, exceedingly lofty, and he shows to Him all the kingdoms of the world system and their glory. And he said to Him, These things, to you, all of them, I will give, if, having fallen down upon your knees and having touched the ground with your forehead in an expression of profound reverence, you would prostrate yourself in worship before me. Then Jesus says to him. Be gone, and keep on going, Satan, for it has been written and at present is on record, The Lord your God you shall worship, and to Him only you shall render sacred service. Then the devil leaves Him, and behold, angels came and went to ministering to Him.

12–17

Now, Jesus, having heard that John was delivered up to prison, withdrew into Galilee. And having abandoned Nazareth, having come, He established His permanent home in Capernaum which is beside the sea in the regions of Zabulon and Nephthalim, in order that there might be fulfilled that which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, Land of Zabulon and land of Nephthalim, road of the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. The people sitting in darkness saw great light, and with reference to those sitting in the region and shadow of death, light arose to them. From that time on, Jesus began to be making a public proclamation as a herald with that formality, gravity, and authority as must be listened to and obeyed, and to be saying, Be repenting, for the kingdom of heaven has drawn near and is imminent.

18–20

And walking about along the shore of the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon, the one commonly called Peter, and Andrew his brother, throwing a casting-net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And He says to them, Come here; after me; and I will make you fishers of men. And they immediately let go the nets and joined Him as His disciples. And having gone on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, getting their nets ready for use. And He called them. And immediately leaving the boat and their father, they joined Him as His disciples.

21–25

And He was going around in the whole of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and making a public proclamation of the good news regarding the kingdom, and healing all chronic and serious disease and all occasional illness among the people. And the report concerning Him went off into the whole of Syria. And they brought to Him all those who were in a miserable condition physically, suffering with various kinds of chronic and serious ailments and acute pains, and those who were demonized and epileptic and paralytic, and He healed them. And there followed with Him great multitudes from Galilee and Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judaea and beyond the Jordan.

CHAPTER 5

1–12

And having seen the multitudes, He went up into the mountain. And when He had seated Himself, His pupils came to Him. And having opened His mouth He went to teaching them, saying, Spiritually prosperous are the destitute and helpless in the realm of the spirit, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Spiritually prosperous are those who are mourning, because they themselves shall be encouraged and strengthened by consolation. Spiritually prosperous are those who are meek, because they themselves shall inherit the earth. Spiritually prosperous are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness, because they themselves shall be filled so as to be completely satisfied. Spiritually prosperous are those who are merciful, because they themselves shall be the objects of mercy. Spiritually prosperous are those who are pure in the sphere of the heart, because they themselves shall see God. Spiritually prosperous are those who make peace, because they themselves shall be called sons of God. Spiritually prosperous are those who have been persecuted on account of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Spiritually prosperous are you whenever they shall revile you and persecute you and say every pernicious thing against you, speaking deliberate falsehoods on account of me. Be rejoicing and exult exceedingly, because your reward is great in heaven. For in this manner they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

13–16

As for you, you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its pungency, by what means can its saltness be restored? For not even one thing is it of use any longer, except, having been thrown out, to be trampled under foot by men. As for you, you are the light of the world. A city is not able to be hidden, situated on top of a mountain. Neither do they light a lamp and place it under the bushel but upon the lamp stand, and it gives light to all those who are in the house. In the same manner let your light shine before men in order that they may see your good works and in order that they may glorify your Father who is in heaven.

17–20

Do not begin to suppose that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly I am saying to you, until the heaven and the earth pass away, not one smallest letter nor smallest letter-marking shall pass away from the law until all comes to pass. Whoever therefore shall deprive of authority one of these least commandments and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever shall do and teach them, this man shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I am saying to you, unless your righteousness excels that of the men learned in the sacred scriptures and that of the Pharisees, not in any case will you enter the kingdom of heaven.

21, 22

You heard that it was said by those of a previous time, You shall not commit murder, and whoever commits murder shall be subject to the judgment. But, as for myself, I am saying to you that everyone who is provoked to anger against his brother shall be subject to the judgment. Moreover, whoever says to his brother, Raca, that is, you senseless empty-head, shall be liable to the Sanhedrin. But whoever shall say, Mōre, that is, you imprudent man without forethought or wisdom, shall be liable to the hell of fire.

23–26

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