40. I begged Your disciples to drive it out, but they couldn’t.”
41. Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you and put up with you? Bring your son here.”
42. As the boy was still approaching, the demon knocked him down and threw him into severe convulsions. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, cured the boy, and gave him back to his father.
43. And they were all astonished at the greatness of God. While everyone was amazed at all the things He was doing, He told His disciples,
44. “Let these words sink in: The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.”
45. But they did not understand this statement; it was concealed from them so that they could not grasp it, and they were afraid to ask Him about it.
46. Then an argument started among them about who would be the greatest of them.
47. But Jesus, knowing the thoughts of their hearts, took a little child and had him stand next to Him.
48. He told them, “Whoever welcomes this little child in My name welcomes Me. And whoever welcomes Me welcomes Him who sent Me. For whoever is least among you — this one is great.”
49. John responded, “Master, we saw someone driving out demons in Your name, and we tried to stop him because he does not follow us.”
50. “Don’t stop him,” Jesus told him, “because whoever is not against you is for you.”
51. When the days were coming to a close for Him to be taken up, He determined to journey to Jerusalem.
52. He sent messengers ahead of Him, and on the way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make preparations for Him.
53. But they did not welcome Him, because He determined to journey to Jerusalem.