(This is my complete text of A Harmony of the Gospels, currently in its 6th revision. This text file is in the public domain and may be used for any purpose without even asking me. Feel free to quote it, publish some or all of it in books, or do literally anything you want with it.)
Preface to Version 4 (2021)
About a year ago, I put together "A Harmony of the Gospels," in which my goal was to combine all four of the Gospels into one book. While I was satisfied with what I put together, there were some things about it which bothered me, and so, a year later, I have made an improved version which fixes a lot more than just typos from the previous versions.
In this new edition, I have added in parenthesis and italics the books and chapters in which you can find each of the stories, so that you can read the four accounts as God inspired them (which I highly recommend doing), without having to look for them yourself. This was something that I wanted to add for a long time, but never got around to it. In addition, I have rearranged a few of the events on the timeline (very minor, with the exception of a large section of the Gospel of Luke). From further study over the past year or so, I have concluded that the new arrangement of the timeline is more likely than the arrangement I used in previous editions.
I have also made a lot more minor changes to introduce more readings from the Critical Text, which I believe is the closest to what the original manuscripts probably said (the World English Bible uses the Majority Text, and, while I changed many of the readings of it into the Critical Text readings in previous editions, there were a lot of places that I missed which I'm happy to fix in this edition). I someday hope to either make a blog or section at the end of this document detailing why I believe the Critical Text readings are more accurate.
Once again, this document is in the public domain. Feel free to copy it, publish all or parts of it in books, and quote it whenever you want. Now, on to my original introduction.
An Explanation from the Person Who Put This Together (2020)
Have you ever been reading one of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John), when you come across some detail you never noticed before? Maybe you were used to reading the particular story out of one of the other Gospels, and the Gospel you had previously read the story out of didn't include that detail. Sometimes, I bet you wish you could read all four Gospels at once, like one long story, without having to flip between them to get all the details. Well, I felt that way too, and that's why I decided to combine all four Gospels into one narrative, and make it available for everybody to read.
It has been a lot of hard, time-consuming work, but I have managed to complete this and make it as readable as I possibly could. I copied the text of the Gospels, and combined the four together, making sure to include every single detail. I also made sure to place the events in chronological order as best I could. This was not easy because none of the four gospel writers were all that concerned with the order that the events happened in. Matthew in particular was especially unconcerned with the order of events, though there are indeed a few events on the timeline where he seems to have followed the chronological order better than the others. John's Gospel is also tricky to place events on the timeline, because he largely records events that were not recorded in the other Gospels. From the start, I have chosen to follow Mark's order of events, as his Gospel is widely believed to be the first of the four to be written. However, in places where one or more of the other Gospels say things like, "after these things," or "at that time," I have strayed from Mark's order of events in order correctly follow what scripture clearly states.
Harmonizing the passages is not always easy. Sometimes this required me to place my personal interpretations of passages into the texts in order to make them make sense. A good example of this is the story of Jesus healing the blind men outside of Jericho. Matthew and Mark say that this happened as he left Jericho, while Luke says it happened before he entered Jericho. In this case, my interpretation has been inserted into the text that Jesus was leaving the old Jericho and was about to enter the new one (the other possibility is that these were actually two separate events, with Jesus doing one healing as he entered Jericho, and another healing as he left Jericho, but since these events occur so close together it made more sense for them to be harmonized as one event). I have inserted this interpretation (and all other interpretations I make throughout) in brackets [like this], so that anybody who reads this will know that it is my interpretation and not part of God's Biblical text.
I wanted this harmonization to use a Bible translation written in modern English. The text of the King James Version (KJV), while classic and available for free because of being in the public domain, is archaic and quite confusing for modern readers, and I wanted people to be able to read this harmonization without having to go to the dictionary a million times. The American Standard Version (ASV) of 1901 is also in the public domain, and is less archaic, but still contains many archaic words left over from the KJV. There are many very good translations of the Bible that are in modern English, my favorites being the New American Standard Version (NASB), the English Standard Version (ESV), and the New King James Version (NKJV). But none of those translations are in the public domain, so their text is not an option for me to use in the harmonization. But there is one modern English translation published in the early 2000's deliberately without a copyright. It is the World English Bible (WEB). The WEB is a wonderful translation that keeps much of the style of the classic KJV and ASV, but is written in modern English, and is completely free for anybody to use. I have decided to use the WEB text as the base for my harmonization. Of course, while the text of the WEB is not copyrighted, the title "World English Bible" is a trademark, meaning that if I change any of the text of the translation, I am not to call it the "World English Bible" anymore. So, while I can say I have used the WEB as a base, I admit that this is not the WEB anymore, but I also do not claim to have translated the Greek text myself. That was all the work of the translators of the WEB.
Before you begin reading this, it is important to know that I do NOT intend this as a replacement for the actual Gospels. While I think it is a very helpful tool for many readers to have the text all in one place without having to switch between Gospels, there truly is no replacement for the word of God. While I have tried my best to stay true to scripture, this is in fact influenced by my interpretations of the text, as any harmonization would be, and, even with the presence of the brackets I used, there's still the possibility that my interpretation has seeped into places where there are no brackets (for instance, maybe the healing of the blind men really was two separate events, meaning that, by combining them, I have made the text say something that God never intended for it to say). So, while I recommend this for all English readers interested in reading about Christ's ministry on Earth like one long book, I also recommend for those same readers to also read the four Gospels separately, so that they can know what God really said, without any human bias. This is not a replacement for scripture, but rather a tool for helping to understand it.
Despite all of the hard work and time that has gone into this, I will not be copyrighting this harmonization. This work is in the public domain, and anybody can distribute it, copy it, print some or all of it in books, whatever they want to do with it. It is completely free.
This introduction would not be complete without me listing the acknowledgements for the people who helped make this possible.
Thank you to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the son of God. Thank you to the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thank you God for sending your Son to die for my sins and the sins of others, and thank you for inspiring people to write it all down, and thank you for allowing a public domain modern English translation to be available.
Thank you to the translators of the World English Bible, for helping to bring God's word to the English speaking people in a way they can understand, completely free of charge.
Thank you to my parents, who taught me about Jesus Christ when I was young.
Thank you to all my Christian friends and family, who have and helped me in my walk with the Lord. Without our conversations together, I might not have been able to figure out good ways to harmonize some of the passages here.
Thank you again to God for all your help.
And now it's time to get on with it, so you can read the Gospels as you've probably never read them before, here's Curt, signing off, and introducing you to...
A Harmony of the Gospels
Prologue
Mark's Introduction
(Mark 1:1)
The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Luke's Introduction
(Luke 1:1-4)
Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus; that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed.
John's Introduction
(John 1:1-18)
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.
There came a man sent from God, whose name was John. The same came as a witness, that he might testify about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but was sent that he might testify about the light. The true light that enlightens everyone was coming into the world.
He was in the world, and the world was made through him, and the world didn’t recognize him. He came to his own, and those who were his own didn’t receive him. But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
The Word became flesh and lived among us. We saw his glory, such glory as of the only born Son of the Father, full of grace and truth. John testified about him. He cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me, for he was before me.’ ” From his fullness we all received grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses. Grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. No one has seen God at any time. God the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, has declared him.
Chapter 1
The Birth of John the Baptist Foretold
(Luke 1:5-25)
There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the priestly division of Abijah. He had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. They were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they both were well advanced in years.
Now while he executed the priest’s office before God in the order of his division according to the custom of the priest’s office, his lot was to enter into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. The whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense.
An angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. Zacharias was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Don’t be afraid, Zacharias, because your request has been heard. Your wife, Elizabeth, will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and he will drink no wine nor strong drink. He will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. He will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,' and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to prepare a people prepared for the Lord.”
Zacharias said to the angel, “How can I be sure of this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”
The angel answered him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God. I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. Behold, you will be silent and not able to speak until the day that these things will happen, because you didn’t believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their proper time.”
The people were waiting for Zacharias, and they marveled that he delayed in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple. He continued making signs to them, and remained mute. When the days of his service were fulfilled, he departed to his house. After these days Elizabeth his wife conceived, and she hid herself five months, saying, “Thus has the Lord done to me in the days in which he looked at me, to take away my reproach among men.”
The Birth of Jesus Foretold
(Luke 1:26-38)
Now in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man whose name was Joseph, of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. Having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, you highly favored one! The Lord is with you!”
But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and considered what kind of salutation this might be. The angel said to her, “Don’t be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. Behold, you will conceive in your womb and give birth to a son, and shall name him ‘Jesus.’ He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever. There will be no end to his Kingdom.”
Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, seeing I am a virgin?”
The angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born will be called the Son of God. Behold, Elizabeth your relative also has conceived a son in her old age; and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For nothing spoken by God is impossible.”
Mary said, “Behold, the servant of the Lord; let it be done to me according to your word.”
Then the angel departed from her.
Mary Visits Elizabeth
(Luke 1:38-56)
Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, into a city of Judah, and entered into the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a loud cry and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! Why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? For behold, when the voice of your greeting came into my ears, the baby leaped in my womb for joy! Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of the things which have been spoken to her from the Lord!”
She said,
“My soul magnifies the Lord.
My spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
for he has looked at the humble state of his servant.
For behold, from now on, all generations will call me blessed.
For he who is mighty has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
His mercy is for generations and generations on those who fear him.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He has put down princes from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things.
He has sent the rich away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, that he might remember mercy,
as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and his offspring forever.”
Mary stayed with her about three months, and then returned to her house.
The Birth of John the Baptist
(Luke 1:57-80)
Now the time that Elizabeth should give birth was fulfilled, and she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and her relatives heard that the Lord had magnified his mercy toward her, and they rejoiced with her. On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the child; and they would have called him Zacharias, after the name of his father. His mother answered, “Not so; but he will be called John.”
They said to her, “There is no one among your relatives who is called by this name.” They made signs to his father, what he would have him called.
He asked for a writing tablet, and wrote, “His name is John.”
They all marveled. His mouth was opened immediately and his tongue freed, and he spoke, blessing God. Fear came on all who lived around them, and all these sayings were talked about throughout all the hill country of Judea. All who heard them laid them up in their heart, saying, “What then will this child be?” The hand of the Lord was with him.
His father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,
“Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people;
and has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David
(as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets who have been from of old),
salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us;
to show mercy toward our fathers,
to remember his holy covenant,
the oath which he swore to Abraham our father,
to grant to us that we, being delivered out of the hand of our enemies,
should serve him without fear,
in holiness and righteousness before him all the days of our life.
And you, child, will be called a prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways,
to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the dawn from on high will visit us,
to shine on those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death;
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”
The child grew and became strong in spirit, and was in the desert until the day of his public appearance to Israel.
Chapter 2
The Genealogy of Joseph, the Husband of Mary
(Matthew 1:1-17)
This is the book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham:
Abraham became the father of Isaac. Isaac became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Judah and his brothers. Judah became the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar. Perez became the father of Hezron. Hezron became the father of Ram. Ram became the father of Amminadab. Amminadab became the father of Nahshon. Nahshon became the father of Salmon. Salmon became the father of Boaz by Rahab. Boaz became the father of Obed by Ruth. Obed became the father of Jesse. Jesse became the father of King David. David became the father of Solomon by her who had been Uriah’s wife. Solomon became the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam became the father of Abijah. Abijah became the father of Asa. Asa became the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat became the father of Joram. Joram became the father of Uzziah. Uzziah became the father of Jotham. Jotham became the father of Ahaz. Ahaz became the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah became the father of Manasseh. Manasseh became the father of Amon. Amon became the father of Josiah. Josiah became the father of Jechoniah and his brothers at the time of the exile to Babylon.
After the exile to Babylon, Jechoniah became the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel became the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel became the father of Abiud. Abiud became the father of Eliakim. Eliakim became the father of Azor. Azor became the father of Zadok. Zadok became the father of Achim. Achim became the father of Eliud. Eliud became the father of Eleazar. Eleazar became the father of Matthan. Matthan became the father of Jacob. Jacob became the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, from whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the exile to Babylon fourteen generations; and from the carrying away to Babylon to the Christ, fourteen generations.
The Birth of Jesus
(Matthew 1:18-25a, Luke 2:1-20)
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She shall give birth to a son. You shall name him Jesus, for it is he who shall save his people from their sins.”
Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying,
“Behold, the virgin shall be with child,
and shall give birth to a son.
They shall call his name Immanuel,”
which is, being interpreted, “God with us.”
Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of the Lord commanded him, and took his wife to himself; and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her son.
Now in those days, a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be enrolled. This was the first enrollment made when Quirinius was governor of Syria. All went to enroll themselves, everyone to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judea, to David’s city, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, to enroll himself with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him, being pregnant.
While they were there, the day had come for her to give birth. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him in bands of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.
There were shepherds in the same country staying in the field, and keeping watch by night over their flock. An angel of the Lord stood by them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. The angel said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which will be to all the people. For there is born to you today, in David’s city, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. This is the sign to you: you will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth, and lying in a manger.” Suddenly, there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly army praising God and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
on earth peace toward men he is pleased with.”
When the angels went away from them into the sky, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem, now, and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” They came with haste and found both Mary and Joseph, and the baby was lying in the manger. When they saw it, they publicized widely the saying which was spoken to them about this child. All who heard it wondered at the things which were spoken to them by the shepherds. But Mary kept all these sayings, pondering them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, just as it was told them.
The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
(Matthew 1:25b, Luke 2:22-38)
When eight days were fulfilled for the circumcision of the child, Joseph named him Jesus, which was the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.
When the days of purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”
Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. He came in the Spirit into the temple. When the parents brought in the child, Jesus, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, then he received him into his arms and blessed God, and said,
“Now you are releasing your servant, Master,
according to your word, in peace;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;
a light for revelation to the nations,
and the glory of your people Israel.”
His parents were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning him. Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is appointed for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”
There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity, and she had been a widow until she was eighty-four years old), who didn’t depart from the temple, worshiping with fastings and petitions night and day. Coming up at that very hour, she gave thanks to God, and spoke of him to all those who were looking for redemption in Jerusalem.
Chapter 3
The Visit of the Wise Men
(Matthew 2:1-12)
Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of King Herod, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is he who is born King of the Jews? For we saw his star rise in the east, and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard it, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. Gathering together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ would be born. They said to him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is written through the prophet,
‘You Bethlehem, land of Judah,
are in no way least among the princes of Judah;
for out of you shall come a governor
who shall shepherd my people, Israel.’ ”
Then Herod secretly called the wise men, and learned from them exactly what time the star appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, and said, “Go and search diligently for the young child. When you have found him, bring me word, so that I also may come and worship him.”
They, having heard the king, went their way; and behold, the star, which they saw rise in the east, went before them until it came to rest over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country another way.
The Flight to Egypt
(Matthew 2:13-23, Luke 2:39-40)
Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”
He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.”
Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
she wouldn’t be comforted,
because they are no more.”
But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”
He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, and came and lived in their own city, Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene. All things were now accomplished according to the law of the Lord. The child grew, and became strong, being filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was upon him.
Young Jesus in the Temple
(Luke 2:41-52)
His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. When he was twelve years old, they went up according to the custom of the feast; and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. His parents didn’t know it, but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. When they saw him, they were astonished; and his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us this way? Behold, your father and I were anxiously looking for you.”
He said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth. He was subject to them, and his mother kept all these sayings in her heart. And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Chapter 4
John the Baptist Proclaims the Lord
(Matthew 3:1-12, Mark 1:2-8, Luke 3:1-18, John 1:19-23)
Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, and Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, and his brother Philip tetrarch of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John the Baptizer, the son of Zacharias, who appeared preaching in the wilderness of of Judea, saying, “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for forgiveness of sins. For it was he who was spoken of in the books of the words of Isaiah and Malachi the prophets, saying,
“Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way.”
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness,
‘Make ready the way of the Lord.
Make his paths straight.
Every valley will be filled.
Every mountain and hill will be brought low.
The crooked will become straight,
and the rough ways smooth.
All flesh will see God’s salvation.’ ”
All the country of Judea and all those of Jerusalem and the region around the Jordan went out to him. They were baptized by him in the Jordan river, confessing their sins. John himself was clothed with camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist. He ate locusts and wild honey. He preached to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, but when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for his baptism, he said to them, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! Even now the axe also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”
The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”
He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
The people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps he was the Christ.
This is John’s testimony, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?”
He declared, and didn’t deny, but he declared, “I am not the Christ.”
They asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?”
He said, “I am not.”
“Are you the prophet?”
He answered, “No.”
They said therefore to him, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
John answered them all, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as Isaiah the prophet said. I indeed baptize you with water for repentance, but after me comes he who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and loosen the strap of, or to carry. I baptized you in water, but he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to thoroughly cleanse his threshing floor, and to gather the wheat into his barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Then with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
The Baptism of Jesus
(Matthew 3:13-17, Mark 1:9-11, Luke 3:21-22)
In those days, when all the people were baptized, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?”
But Jesus, answering, said to him, “Allow it now, for this is the fitting way for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed him.
Jesus was baptized by John in the Jordan and was praying. Immediately coming up directly from the water, behold, he saw the heavens parting for him and the Holy Spirit descending on him in bodily form like a dove. Behold, a voice came out of the sky, saying “You are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
The Genealogy of Jesus Through Mary
(Luke 3:23-38)
Jesus himself, when he began to teach, was about thirty years old, being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son[-in-law] of Heli, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the son of Jannai, the son of Joseph, the son of Mattathias, the son of Amos, the son of Nahum, the son of Esli, the son of Naggai, the son of Maath, the son of Mattathias, the son of Semein, the son of Joseph, the son of Judah, the son of Joanan, the son of Rhesa, the son of Zerubbabel, the son of Shealtiel, the son of Neri, the son of Melchi, the son of Addi, the son of Cosam, the son of Elmodam, the son of Er, the son of Jose, the son of Eliezer, the son of Jorim, the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Simeon, the son of Judah, the son of Joseph, the son of Jonan, the son of Eliakim, the son of Melea, the son of Menan, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Salmon, the son of Nahshon, the son of Amminadab, the son of Admin, the son of Arni, the son of Hezron, the son of Perez, the son of Judah, the son of Jacob, the son of Isaac, the son of Abraham, the son of Terah, the son of Nahor, the son of Serug, the son of Reu, the son of Peleg, the son of Eber, the son of Shelah, the son of Arphaxad, the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalaleel, the son of Cainan, the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.
Chapter 5
The Temptation of Jesus
(Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13)
Immediately, Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan. He fasted for forty days and forty nights and was with the wild animals. Afterward, when the days were completed, he was hungry.
The devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.”
But Jesus answered him, saying, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’ ”
Then the devil led him into Jerusalem, the holy city, and set him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written,
‘He will put his angels in charge of you, to guard you;’
and,
‘On their hands they will bear you up,
lest perhaps you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”
Jesus answering, said to him, “Again, it is written, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”
Then the devil, leading him up on an exceedingly high mountain, showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory, in a moment of time. He said to him, “I will give you all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I want. If you therefore will fall down and worship me, it will all be yours.”
Jesus answered him, “Go away, Satan, for it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’ ”
Then when the devil had completed every temptation, he departed from him until another time, and behold, the angels came and served Jesus.
John the Baptist is Questioned Again
(John 1:24-34)
The Pharisees, who had previously sent the priests and Levites to question John the Baptizer, came to Bethany beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing, and asked him, “Why do you baptize if you are not the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?”
John answered them, “I baptize in water, but among you stands one whom you don’t know; The one who comes after me, whose sandal strap I’m not worthy to loosen.”
The next day, he saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who is preferred before me, for he was before me.’ I didn’t know him, but for this reason I came baptizing in water, that he would be revealed to Israel.” John testified, saying, “I have seen the Spirit descending like a dove out of heaven, and it remained on him. I didn’t recognize him, but he who sent me to baptize in water said to me, ‘On whomever you will see the Spirit descending and remaining on him is he who baptizes in the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and have testified that this is the Son of God.”
The First Followers of Jesus
(John 1:35-51)
Again, the next day, John was standing with two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus as he walked, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God!” The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus. Jesus turned and saw them following, and said to them, “What are you looking for?”
They said to him, “Rabbi” (which is to say, being interpreted, Teacher), “where are you staying?”
He said to them, “Come and you will see.”
So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day. It was about 10:00 a.m. One of the two who heard John and followed him was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ). He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter, a stone).
On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets, wrote: Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”
Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”
Philip said to him, “Come and see.”
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”
Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are King of Israel!”
Jesus answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, you will see heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”
Chapter 6
Jesus' First Miracle
(John 2:1-12)
The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding. When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”
His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.”
Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the water pots with water.” So they filled them up to the brim. He said to them, “Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.” So they took it. When the ruler of the feast tasted the water now become wine, and didn’t know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the ruler of the feast called the bridegroom and said to him, “Everyone serves the good wine first, and when the guests have drunk freely, then that which is worse. You have kept the good wine until now!” This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him.
After this, he went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, along with his mother, his brothers, and his disciples; and they stayed there a few days.
The Cleansing of the Temple
(John 2:13-25)
The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. He found in the temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. He made a whip of cords and drove all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables. To those who sold the doves, he said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make my Father’s house a marketplace!” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”
The Jews therefore answered him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”
Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” But he spoke of the temple of his body. When therefore he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he said this, and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said.
Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover, during the feast, many believed in his name, observing his signs which he did. But Jesus didn’t entrust himself to them, because he knew everyone, and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
Chapter 7
Nicodemus Visits Jesus
(John 3: 1-21)
Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.”
Jesus answered him, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”
Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom. That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Don’t marvel that I said to you people, ‘You must be born anew.’ The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound, but don’t know where it comes from and where it is going. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?”
Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things? Most certainly I tell you people, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness. If I told you people earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you people believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man. As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him should have eternal life.”
For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God didn’t send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him. He who believes in him is not judged. He who doesn’t believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God. This is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light, for their works were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.
Jesus and John the Baptist
(John 3:22-36)
After these things, Jesus came with his disciples into the land of Judea. He stayed there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing in Enon near Salim, because there was much water there. They came and were baptized; for John was not yet thrown into prison. Therefore a dispute arose on the part of John’s disciples with a Jew about purification. They came to John and said to him, “Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified, behold, he baptizes, and everyone is coming to him.”
John answered, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven. You yourselves testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ,’ but, ‘I have been sent before him.’ He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore my joy is made full. He must increase, but I must decrease.
“He who comes from above is above all. He who is from the earth belongs to the earth and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all. What he has seen and heard, of that he testifies; and no one receives his witness. He who has received his witness has set his seal to this, that God is true. For he whom God has sent speaks the words of God; for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into his hand. One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who rejects the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.”
John the Baptist is Arrested
(Matthew 14:3-5, Mark 6:17-20, Luke 3:19-20)
But Herod the tetrarch, being reproved by John the Baptizer for all the evil things which Herod had done, added this also to them all, that he arrested John, bound him, and shut him in prison.
He did it for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, for he had married her. For John had said to Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have your brother’s wife.” Herodias set herself against him and desired to kill him, but she couldn’t, for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and he heard him gladly. When he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
Chapter 8
Jesus Preaches in Galilee
(Matthew 4:12-17, Mark 1:14-15, Luke 4:14-15,31a, John 4:1-3)
Therefore when Jesus heard that John was delivered up, and knew that the Pharisees had heard that Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John (although Jesus himself didn’t baptize, but his disciples), he left Judea and returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”
Leaving Nazareth, he went to live in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
“The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,
toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles,
the people who sat in darkness saw a great light;
to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,
to them light has dawned.”
News about him spread through all the surrounding area, and he taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
Jesus Talks With a Samaritan Woman
(John 4:4-42)
He needed to pass through Samaria. So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about 6:00 p.m.
A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.
The Samaritan woman therefore said to him, “How is it that you, being a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. So where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?”
Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never thirst again; but the water that I will give him will become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I don’t get thirsty, neither come all the way here to draw.”
He said to her, “Go, call your husband, and come here.”
The woman answered, “I have no husband.”
Jesus said to her, “You said well, ‘I have no husband,’ for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”
The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.”
Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you people worship the Father. You people worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews. But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such to be his worshipers. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming, he who is called Christ. When he has come, he will declare to us all things.”
Jesus said to her, “I am he, the one who speaks to you.”
Just then, his disciples came. They marveled that he was speaking with a woman; yet no one said, “What are you looking for?” or, “Why do you speak with her?” So the woman left her water pot, went away into the city, and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done. Can this be the Christ?” They went out of the city, and were coming to him.
In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”
But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”
The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?”
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Don’t you say, ‘There are yet four months until the harvest?’ Behold, I tell you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, that they are white for harvest. He who reaps already receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”
From that city many of the Samaritans believed in him because of the word of the woman, who testified, “He told me everything that I have done.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days. Many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “Now we believe, not because of your speaking; for we have heard for ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
The Healing of the Nobleman's Son
(John 4:43-54)
After the two days he went out from there and went into Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when he came into Galilee, the Galileans received him, having seen all the things that he did in Jerusalem at the feast, for they also went to the feast. Jesus came therefore again to Cana of Galilee, where he made the water into wine. There was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to him and begged him that he would come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will in no way believe.”
The nobleman said to him, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”
Jesus said to him, “Go your way. Your son lives.” The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. As he was going down, his servants met him, saying that his child lived. So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. They said therefore to him, “Yesterday at 7:00 p.m., the fever left him.” So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, “Your son lives.” He believed, as did his whole house. This is again the second sign that Jesus did, having come out of Judea into Galilee.
Chapter 9
The Great Catch of Fish
(Matthew 4:18-22, Mark 1:16-20, Luke 5:1-11)
Now while the multitude pressed on Jesus and heard the word of God, he was standing by the lake of Gennesaret. Passing along by the sea of Galilee, he saw two boats standing by the lake, but the fishermen had gone out of them and were washing their nets. He entered into one of the boats, which belonged to Simon, who is called Peter, and Simon's brother Andrew, and asked Simon to put out a little from the land. He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat.
When he had finished speaking, he said to Simon, “Put out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we worked all night and caught nothing; but at your word I will let down the nets.” When they had done this, they caught a great multitude of fish, and their nets broke. They beckoned to their partners in the other boat, that they should come and help them. They came and filled both boats, so that they began to sink. But Simon Peter, when he saw it, fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, Lord.” For he was amazed, and all who were with him, at the catch of fish which they had caught; and so also were James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were partners with Simon.
Jesus said to Simon and Andrew, “Don’t be afraid. Come after me, and I will make you into fishers for men. From now on you will be catching people alive.”
When they had brought their boats to land, they left everything, including their nets, and followed him.
Going on a little further, he saw James and John, who were in their boat with Zebedee their father, mending the nets. Immediately he called them, and they immediately left their father in the boat with the hired servants, and followed him.
The Casting Out of an Unclean Spirit
(Mark 1:21-28, Luke 4:31-37)
They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. There was in their synagogue a man who had the spirit of an unclean demon, and he cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know you who you are: the Holy One of God!”
Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be quiet, and come out of him!”
The unclean spirit, convulsing him and calling out with a loud voice, threw him down in the middle of them and came out of him, having done no harm. They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this word? A new teaching? For with authority and power he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him and come out!” The report of him went out immediately into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area.
The Healing of Simon's Wife's Mother
(Matthew 8:14-15, Mark 1:29-31, Luke 4:38-39)
Immediately, when they had risen up and come out of the synagogue, they came into the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. Now Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick, afflicted with a great fever, and immediately they told him about it and begged him to help her. He came and stood over her and took her by the hand and rebuked the fever and raised her up. The fever left her, and she immediately rose up and served them.
The Healing of Many People
(Matthew 4:23-24, 8:16-17, Mark 1:32-39, Luke 4:40-44)
At evening, when the sun was setting, they brought to him all who were sick with various diseases and those who were possessed by demons. All the city was gathered together at the door. He laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. Demons also came out of many by him with a word, crying out and saying, “You are the Son of God!” Rebuking them, he didn’t allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ.
This was in order to fulfill that which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying, “He took our infirmities and bore our diseases.”
Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there. Simon and the multitudes who were with him searched for him. They found him and held on to him, so that he wouldn't go away from them. They told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”
But he said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also. I must preach the good news of God’s Kingdom to the other cities. For this reason I have been sent.” He went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. The report about him went out into all Syria. They brought to him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and he healed them.
Chapter 10
The Healing of a Leper
(Matthew 8:2-4, Mark 1:40-45, Luke 5:12-16)
While he was in one of the cities, behold, there was a man full of leprosy. When he saw Jesus, he fell on his face, worshipped him, and begged him, saying, “Lord, if you want to, you can make me clean.”
Being moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” Immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean. Jesus strictly warned him and immediately sent him out, and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anybody, but go your way and show yourself to the priest, and offer for your cleansing according to the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”
But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, so that the report concerning him spread much more, and great multitudes came together to hear and to be healed by him of their infirmities, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but withdrew himself outside into the desert places and prayed. People came to him from everywhere.
Healing a Paralytic
(Matthew 9:2-8, Mark 2:1-12, Luke 5:17-26)
When he entered into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was at home. On one of those days, he was teaching; and there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by who had come out of every village of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. The power of the Lord was with him to heal them. Many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. Behold, four men came, carrying a paralyzed man lying on a mat, and they sought to bring him in to lay before Jesus. Not finding a way to bring him in near Jesus because of the crowd, they went up to the housetop and removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on through the tiles into the middle before Jesus. Seeing their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, cheer up! Your sins are forgiven.”
But behold, there were some of the scribes and Pharisees sitting there, and and they began to reason in their hearts, “Who is this man? Why does he speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you reason these evil things in your hearts? For which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins—”(then he said to the paralytic), “I tell you, arise, and take up your mat, and go to your house.”
Immediately he rose up before them, and took up the mat which he was laying on, and departed in front of them all to his house, glorifying God. Amazement took hold on all when the multitudes saw it, and they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to men. They were filled with fear, saying, “We have seen strange things today. We never saw anything like this!”
The Calling of Matthew
(Matthew 9:9, Mark 2:13-14, Luke 5:27-28)
After these things he went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them. As he passed by from the place where he had healed the paralytic, he saw a man called Matthew (also known as Levi), the son of Alphaeus, sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me!”
And, leaving everything, he rose up and followed him.
Chapter 11
The Healing at the Pool of Bethesda
(John 5:1-47)
After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed. A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had been sick for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me.”
Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”
Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked.
Now that day was a Sabbath. So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.”
But he answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your mat and walk.’”
They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your mat and walk’?”
But he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place.
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you.”
The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”
For this cause therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill him, because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his own Father, making himself equal with God. Jesus therefore answered them, “Most certainly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing of himself, but what he sees the Father doing. For whatever things he does, these the Son also does likewise. For the Father has affection for the Son, and shows him all things that he himself does. He will show him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires. For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who doesn’t honor the Son doesn’t honor the Father who sent him.
“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Most certainly I tell you, the hour comes, and now is, when the dead will hear the Son of God’s voice; and those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself. He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man. Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and will come out; those who have done good, to the resurrection of life; and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of judgment. I can of myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and my judgment is righteous, because I don’t seek my own will, but the will of the one who sent me.
“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid. It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true. You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved. He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John; for the works which the Father gave me to accomplish, the very works that I do, testify about me, that the Father has sent me. The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form. You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.
“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me. Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life. I don’t receive glory from men. But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves. I have come in my Father’s name, and you don’t receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?
“Don’t think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you, even Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me. But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”
Chapter 12
Lord of the Sabbath
(Matthew 12:1-8, Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5)
Now on another Sabbath day Jesus was going through the grain fields; and his disciples, who were hungry, began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain and eat them, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees, when they saw it, said to him, “Behold, why do you and your followers do that which is not lawful to do on the Sabbath day?”
Jesus, answering them, said, “Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him? How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and took and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests alone, and gave also to those who were with him? Or have you not read in the law that on the Sabbath day the priests in the temple profane the Sabbath and are guiltless? But I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. But if you had known what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ you wouldn’t have condemned the guiltless.”
He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”
He departed from there.
Man With a Withered Hand Healed
(Matthew 12:9-14, Mark 3:1-6, Luke 6:6-11)
It also happened on another Sabbath that he entered again into the synagogue and taught, and behold, there was a man there whose right hand was withered. The scribes and the Pharisees asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” And they watched him, to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath day, that they might find an accusation against him. But he knew their thoughts; and he said to the man whose hand was withered, “Rise up and stand in the middle.” He arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you something: Is it lawful on the Sabbath day to do good, or to do harm? To save a life, or to kill? What man is there among you who has one sheep, and if this one falls into a pit on the Sabbath day, won’t he grab on to it and lift it out? Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.” But they were silent. When he had looked around at them all with anger, being grieved at the hardening of their hearts, he said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored as healthy as the other. But the Pharisees went out filled with rage, and immediately conspired with the Herodians and with one another against him, how they might destroy him.
Crowd Near the Sea
(Matthew 12:15-21, Mark 3:7-12)
Jesus, perceiving that, withdrew from there and went to the sea with his disciples; and a great multitude followed him from Galilee, from Judea, from Jerusalem, from Idumaea, beyond the Jordan, and those from around Tyre and Sidon. A great multitude, hearing what great things he did, came to him. He spoke to his disciples that a little boat should stay near him because of the crowd, so that they wouldn’t press on him. For he had healed many, so that as many as had diseases pressed on him that they might touch him. The unclean spirits, whenever they saw him, fell down before him and cried, “You are the Son of God!” He sternly warned them that they should not make him known, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,
“Behold, my servant whom I have chosen,
my beloved in whom my soul is well pleased.
I will put my Spirit on him.
He will proclaim justice to the nations.
He will not strive, nor shout,
neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets.
He won’t break a bruised reed.
He won’t quench a smoking flax,
until he leads justice to victory.
In his name, the nations will hope.”
Chapter 13
The Appointing of the Twelve Apostles
(Matthew 4:25-5:1a, 10:2-4, Mark 3:13-19a, Luke 6:12-16)
In those days, great multitudes from Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan followed him.
Seeing the multitudes, he went up into the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called to himself those whom he wanted, which were his disciples, and they went to him. From them he chose and appointed twelve, whom he also named apostles, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon (to whom he also gave the name Peter); Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, the brother of James; Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Judas Thaddaeus the relative of James; Simon the Canaanite, who was called the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor and betrayed him.
The Sermon on the Mount
(Matthew 5:1b-2, Luke 6:17-20a)
He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a crowd of his disciples and a great number of the people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were troubled by unclean spirits; and they were being healed. All the multitude sought to touch him, for power came out of him and healed them all. He sat down, lifted up his eyes to his disciples, opened his mouth, and taught them all, saying:
-The Beatitudes
(Matthew 5:3-12, Luke 6:20b-26)
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the gentle,
for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they shall be filled.
Blessed are those who weep now,
for they shall laugh.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
“Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude and mock you, and reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you, for the Son of Man's sake.
Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, being exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For the same is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“But woe to you who are rich!
For you have received your consolation.
Woe to you, you who are full now,
for you will be hungry.
Woe to you who laugh now,
for you will mourn and weep.
Woe, when men speak well of you,
for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.
-The Salt of the Earth
(Matthew 5:13-16)
“You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has lost its flavor, with what will it be salted? It is then good for nothing, but to be cast out and trodden under the feet of men.
You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do you light a lamp and put it under a measuring basket, but on a stand; and it shines to all who are in the house. Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
-The Law and the Prophets
(Matthew 5:17-20)
“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill. For most certainly, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not even one smallest letter or one tiny pen stroke shall in any way pass away from the law, until all things are accomplished. Therefore, whoever shall break one of these least commandments and teach others to do so, shall be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, there is no way you will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.
-On Anger
(Matthew 5:21-26)
“You have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not murder;’ and ‘Whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be in danger of the judgment. Whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ will be in danger of the council. Whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna.
“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly while you are with him on the way; lest perhaps the prosecutor deliver you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and you be cast into prison. Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.
-On Adultery
(Matthew 5:27-30)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’ but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman with lustful intent has committed adultery with her already in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish than for your whole body to be cast into Gehenna. If your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off, and throw it away from you. For it is more profitable for you that one of your members should perish, than for your whole body to go into Gehenna.
-On Divorce
(Matthew 5:31-32)
“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’ but I tell you that everyone who puts away his wife, except for the cause of sexual immorality, makes her an adulteress; and whoever marries her when she is put away commits adultery.
-On Oaths
(Matthew 5:33-37)
“Again you have heard that it was said to the ancient ones, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall perform to the Lord your vows,’ but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God; nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black. But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.
-Turn the Other Cheek
(Matthew 5:38-42, Luke 6:29-30)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I tell you, don’t resist him who is evil; but whoever strikes you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also. If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also. Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two. Give everyone who asks you, don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you, and don’t ask him who takes away your goods to give them back again.
-Love Your Enemies
(Matthew 5:43-48, Luke 6:27-28,32-36)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? Even sinners love those who love them. If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the Gentiles do the same? If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive back as much. But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil.
“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect, and be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful.
Chapter 14
-On Almsgiving
(Matthew 6:1-4)
“Be careful that you don’t do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. Therefore, when you do merciful deeds, don’t sound a trumpet before yourself, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may get glory from men. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does, so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
-The Lord's Prayer
(Matthew 6:5-15)
“When you pray, you shall not be as the hypocrites, for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Most certainly, I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you pray, enter into your inner room, and having shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking. Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him. Pray like this:
“‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
Let your Kingdom come.
Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Bring us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
-On Fasting
(Matthew 6:16-18)
“Moreover when you fast, don’t be like the hypocrites, with sad faces. For they disfigure their faces that they may be seen by men to be fasting. Most certainly I tell you, they have received their reward. But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you are not seen by men to be fasting, but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, will reward you.
-Treasures in Heaven
(Matthew 6:19-21)
“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
-The Lamp of the Body
(Matthew 6:22-23)
“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
-Serving Two Masters
(Matthew 6:24)
“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
-Don't Be Anxious
(Matthew 6:25-34)
“Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing? See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they?
“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan? Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin, yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith?
“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the Kingdom and its righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.
Chapter 15
-Judging Others
(Matthew 7:1-5, Luke 6:37-42)
“Don’t judge,
and you won’t be judged.
Don’t condemn,
and you won’t be condemned.
Set free,
and you will be set free.
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over, will be given to you. For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured back to you.
He spoke a parable to them. “Can the blind guide the blind? Won’t they both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck of dust that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you tell your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck of dust that is in your eye,’ when behold, you yourself don’t see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite! First remove the log from out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck of dust that is in your brother’s eye.
-On Profaning the Holy
(Matthew 7:6)
“Don’t give that which is holy to the dogs, neither throw your pearls before the pigs, lest perhaps they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.
-Ask, Search, Knock
(Matthew 7:7-11)
“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened. Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
-The Golden Rule
(Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31)
“Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets. As you would like people to do to you, do exactly so to them.
-The Narrow Gate
(Matthew 7:13-14)
“Enter in by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter in by it. How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.
-Trees and Their Fruit
(Matthew 7:15-20, Luke 6:43-45
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the rotten tree produces evil fruit. A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce good fruit. For each tree is known by its own fruit. Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings out that which is good, and the evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings out that which is evil, for out of the abundance of the heart, his mouth speaks.
-On Self-Deception
(Matthew 7:21-23)
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’
-The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders
(Matthew 7:24-29, Luke 6:46-49)
“Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things which I say? Everyone therefore who comes to me, and hears my words and does them, I will show you who he is like. He is like a wise man building a house, who dug and went deep and laid a foundation on the rock. When the rain came down and a flood arose, the stream and winds broke and blew and beat against that house, and could not shake it or make it fall, because it was built well and founded on the rock. But he who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them, is like a man who built a house on the sand without a foundation. The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds and stream broke and blew and beat on that house; and immediately it fell; and the ruin of that house was great.”
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them with authority, and not like their scribes.
Chapter 16
The Faith of the Centurion
(Matthew 8:1,5-13, Luke 7:1-10)
After he had finished speaking in the hearing of the people, he came down from the mountain, and great multitudes followed him.
When he entered into Capernaum, a certain centurion came to him. He had a servant who was dear to him, who was sick and at the point of death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and help save his servant, with this message: “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.”
When they came to Jesus, they begged him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy for you to do this for him, for he loves our nation, and he built our synagogue for us.”
Jesus said to the centurion, “I will come and heal him.”
So he went with them. When he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying to him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I am not worthy for you to come under my roof. Therefore I didn’t even think myself worthy to come to you; but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man placed under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come!’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
When Jesus heard these things, he marveled at him, and turned and said to the multitude who followed him, “Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even with anyone in Israel. I tell you that many will come from the east and the west, and will sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven, but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.”
Those who were sent, returning to the house, found that the servant who had been sick was healed in that hour.
The Raising of the Widow's Son at Nain
(Luke 7:11-17)
Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. Now when he came near to the gate of the city, behold, one who was dead was carried out, the only born son of his mother, and she was a widow. Many people of the city were with her. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, “Don’t cry.” He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, “Young man, I tell you, arise!” He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother.
Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region.
Jesus and the Disciples of John the Baptist
(Matthew 11:2-30, Luke 7:18-35)
The disciples of John told him about all these things while he was in prison. John, calling to himself two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying, “Are you the one who is coming, or should we look for another?” When the men had come to him, they said, “John the Baptizer has sent us to you, saying, ‘Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?’ ”
In that hour he cured many of diseases and plagues and evil spirits; and to many who were blind he gave sight. Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John the things which you have seen and heard: that the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”
When John’s messengers had departed, he began to tell the multitudes about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who are gorgeously dressed and live delicately are in kings’ courts. But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet. This is he of whom it is written,
‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face,
who will prepare your way before you.’
“For most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen a greater prophet than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in God’s Kingdom is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come. He who has ears, let him hear.”
When all the people and the tax collectors heard this, they declared God to be just, having been baptized with John’s baptism. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected the counsel of God, not being baptized by him themselves.
“But to what then should I compare the people of this generation? What are they like? They are like children who sit in the marketplace and call to one another, saying, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t weep.’ For John the Baptizer came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Wisdom is justified by all her children and actions.”
Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, you will go down to Hades. For if the mighty works had been done in Sodom which were done in you, it would have remained until today. But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”
At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight. All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him.
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
The Parable of the Two Debtors
(Luke 7:36-50)
One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table. Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.”
Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
He said, “Teacher, say on.”
“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”
Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.”
He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.” He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Chapter 17
Many People Follow Jesus
(Luke 8:1-3)
Soon afterwards, he went about through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of God’s Kingdom. With him were the twelve, and certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary who was called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out; and Joanna, the wife of Chuzas, Herod’s steward; Susanna; and many others who served them from their possessions.
The Unforgivable Sin
(Matthew 12:22-37, Mark 3:19b-30, Luke 11:14-22,27-28)
Then Jesus came into a house. The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. Then one possessed by a demon, blind and mute, was brought to him; and he healed him, so that when the demon had gone out, the mute man spoke and saw; and all the multitudes were amazed, and said, “Can this be the son of David?” When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.” When the scribes Pharisees who came down from Jerusalem heard it, they said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.”
Others, testing him, sought from him a sign from heaven. But he, knowing their thoughts, called to them and said to them in parables, “How can Satan cast out Satan? If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand and is brought to desolation. If a house or city is divided against itself, that house or city cannot stand and it falls. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, how then will his kingdom stand? He can’t stand, but has an end. For you say that I cast out demons by Beelzebul. But if I cast out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your children cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. But if I by the Spirit of God’s finger cast out demons, then God’s Kingdom has come upon you.
“But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder his goods unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house. When the strong man, fully armed, guards his own dwelling, his goods are safe. But when someone stronger attacks him and overcomes him, he takes from him his whole armor in which he trusted, and divides his plunder.
“Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin. Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age, or in that which is to come.” —because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.”
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree corrupt and its fruit corrupt; for the tree is known by its fruit. You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings out good things, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings out evil things. I tell you that every idle word that men speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
It came to pass, as he said these things, a certain woman out of the multitude lifted up her voice and said to him, “Blessed is the womb that bore you, and the breasts which nursed you!”
But he said, “On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”
The Sign of Jonah
(Matthew 12:38-45, Luke 11:23-26,29-32)
Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.”
But he answered them, “This is an evil and adulterous generation. It seeks after a sign. But no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, and even as Jonah became a sign to the Ninevites, so the Son of Man will also be to this generation. The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with the men of this generation and will condemn them, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, one greater than Solomon is here. The men of Nineveh will stand up in the judgment with this generation, and will condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, one greater than Jonah is here.
“He who is not with me is against me and he who doesn’t gather with me scatters. The unclean spirit, when he has gone out of a man, passes through dry, waterless places, seeking rest; and finding none, he says, ‘I will turn back to my house from which I came out.’ When he returns, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with himself seven other spirits more evil than he is, and they enter in and dwell there. The last state of that man becomes worse than the first. Even so will it be also to this evil generation.
The Lamp and the Light
(Luke 11:33-37)
“No one, when he has lit a lamp, puts it in a cellar, but on a stand, that those who come in may see the light. The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore when your eye is good, your whole body is also full of light; but when it is evil, your body also is full of darkness. Therefore see whether the light that is in you isn’t darkness. If therefore your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly full of light, as when the lamp with its bright shining gives you light.”
Jesus' Mother and Brothers
(Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3:31-35, Luke 8:19-21)
While he was still speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers came seeking to speak to him, and standing outside, not being able to come near him for the crowd, they sent to him, calling him. A multitude was sitting around him, and they told him, “Behold, your mother, your brothers, and your sisters are standing outside looking for you, desiring to see you.”
But he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” Looking around at those who sat around him, and stretching out his hand toward his disciples, he said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! My mother and my brothers are these who hear the word of God and do it. For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”
Dining With a Pharisee
(Matthew 13:1a, Luke 11:37-54)
Now as he spoke on that day, a certain Pharisee asked him to dine with him. So Jesus went out of the house and into the house of the Pharisee and sat at the table. When the Pharisee saw it, he marveled that he had not first washed himself before dinner. The Lord said to him, “Now you Pharisees cleanse the outside of the cup and of the platter, but your inward part is full of extortion and wickedness. You foolish ones, didn’t he who made the outside make the inside also? But give for gifts to the needy those things which are within, and behold, all things will be clean to you. But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and God’s love. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and the greetings in the marketplaces. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like hidden graves, and the men who walk over them don’t know it.”
One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying this you insult us also.”
He said, “Woe to you lawyers also! For you load men with burdens that are difficult to carry, and you yourselves won’t even lift one finger to help carry those burdens. Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets, and your fathers killed them. So you testify and consent to the works of your fathers. For they killed them, and you build their tombs. Therefore also the wisdom of God said, ‘I will send to them prophets and apostles; and some of them they will kill and persecute, that the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation, from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zachariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.’ Yes, I tell you, it will be required of this generation. Woe to you lawyers! For you took away the key of knowledge. You didn’t enter in yourselves, and those who were entering in, you hindered.”
As he said these things to them, the scribes and the Pharisees began to be terribly angry, and to draw many things out of him, lying in wait for him, and seeking to catch him in something he might say, that they might accuse him.
Chapter 18
Jesus Gives Warnings
(Luke 12:1-12)
Meanwhile, when a multitude of many thousands had gathered together, so much so that they trampled on each other, he began to tell his disciples first of all, “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the darkness will be heard in the light. What you have spoken in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.
“I tell you, my friends, don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will warn you whom you should fear. Fear him who after he has killed, has power to cast into Gehenna. Yes, I tell you, fear him.
“Aren’t five sparrows sold for two assaria coins? Not one of them is forgotten by God. But the very hairs of your head are all counted. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.
“I tell you, everyone who confesses me before men, the Son of Man will also confess before the angels of God; but he who denies me in the presence of men will be denied in the presence of God’s angels. Everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven. When they bring you before the synagogues, the rulers, and the authorities, don’t be anxious how you will answer or what you will say; for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that same hour what you must say.”
The Parable of the Rich Fool
(Luke 12:13-21)
One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”
But he said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” He said to them, “Beware! Keep yourselves from covetousness, for a man’s life doesn’t consist of the abundance of the things which he possesses.”
He spoke a parable to them, saying, “The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly. He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’ He said, ‘This is what I will do. I will pull down my barns, build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.” ’
“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared—whose will they be?’ So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”
Jesus Tells his Disciples Not to Worry
(Luke 12:22-34)
He said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don’t sow, they don’t reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit‡ to his height? If then you aren’t able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith?
“Don’t seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek his Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.
“Don’t be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom. Sell what you have and give gifts to the needy. Make for yourselves purses which don’t grow old, a treasure in the heavens that doesn’t fail, where no thief approaches and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Be Ready
(Luke 12:35-40)
“Let your waist be dressed and your lamps burning. Be like men watching for their lord when he returns from the wedding feast, that when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the lord will find watching when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will dress himself, make them recline, and will come and serve them. They will be blessed if he comes in the second or third watch and finds them so. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what hour the thief was coming, he would not have allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore be ready also, for the Son of Man is coming in an hour that you don’t expect him.”
The Faithful and Wise Steward
(Luke 12:41-48)
Peter said to him, “Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everybody?”
The Lord said, “Who then is the faithful and wise steward, whom his lord will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the right times? Blessed is that servant whom his lord will find doing so when he comes. Truly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. But if that servant says in his heart, ‘My lord delays his coming,’ and begins to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and to be drunken, then the lord of that servant will come in a day when he isn’t expecting him and in an hour that he doesn’t know, and will cut him in two, and place his portion with the unfaithful. That servant who knew his lord’s will, and didn’t prepare nor do what he wanted, will be beaten with many stripes, but he who didn’t know, and did things worthy of stripes, will be beaten with few stripes. To whomever much is given, of him will much be required; and to whom much was entrusted, of him more will be asked.
What Jesus Came For
(Luke 12:49-59)
“I came to throw fire on the earth. I wish it were already kindled. But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished! Do you think that I have come to give peace in the earth? I tell you, no, but rather division. For from now on, there will be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three. They will be divided, father against son, and son against father; mother against daughter, and daughter against her mother; mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”
He said to the multitudes also, “When you see a cloud rising from the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming,’ and so it happens. When a south wind blows, you say, ‘There will be a scorching heat,’ and it happens. You hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky, but how is it that you don’t interpret this time?
“Why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? For when you are going with your adversary before the magistrate, try diligently on the way to be released from him, lest perhaps he drag you to the judge, and the judge deliver you to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison. I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you have paid the very last penny.”
Repent or Perish
(Luke 13:1-5)
Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. Jesus answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them—do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”
The Parable of the Fig Tree
(Luke 13:6-9)
He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down! Why does it waste the soil?’ He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’ ”
Chapter 19
The Parable of the Sower
(Matthew 13:1b-23, Mark 4:1-20, Luke 8:4-15)
Later that day Jesus sat again by the seaside to teach. A great multitude was gathered to him, and people from every city were coming to him, so that he entered into a boat in the sea and sat down. All the multitude stood on the land by the sea. He taught them many things in parables, and told them by a parable in his teaching, “Listen! Behold, a farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some seeds fell by and along the roadside, and the birds of the sky came and devoured them. Other seeds fell on the rocky ground, where they had little soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of soil. When the sun had risen, they were scorched as soon as they grew; and because they had no root or moisture, they withered away. Others fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew up with them and choked them, and they yielded no fruit. Others fell into the good soil and yielded fruit, growing up and increasing. Some produced thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times as much fruit.” He said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let him hear.”
When he was alone, those who were around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. His disciples asked him, “Why do you speak to them in parables? What does it mean?”
He said to them, “To you is given to know the mysteries of God’s Kingdom, but it is not given to the rest of those who are outside. For whoever has, to him will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, from him will be taken away even that which he has. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand. In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled, which says,
‘By hearing you will hear,
and will in no way understand;
Seeing you will see,
and will in no way perceive;
for this people’s heart has grown callous,
their ears are dull of hearing,
and they have closed their eyes;
or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their heart,
and would turn again,
and I would heal them.’
“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear. For most certainly I tell you that many prophets and righteous men desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them
He said to them, “Don’t you understand this parable? How will you understand all of the parables? Now the parable of the farmer is this: The seed which the farmer sows is the word of God. The ones by the road are the ones where the word is sown; and when they have heard, immediately Satan comes and takes away from their hearts the word which has been sown in them, that they may not believe and be saved. These in the same way are those who are sown on the rocky places, who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with joy. But they have no root in themselves, and are short-lived. They believe for awhile but when oppression or persecution arises because of the word, immediately they stumble. They fall away in their time of temptation. Others are those who are sown among the thorns. These are those who have heard the word, and as they go on their way the cares of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the pleasures and desires of other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. They bring no fruit to maturity. Those which were sown on the good ground are those with an honest and good heart, who hear the word, understand it, accept it, hold it tightly, and most certainly produce fruit with perseverence, some thirty times, some sixty times, and some one hundred times.”
The Parable of the Weeds
(Matthew 13:24-30)
He set another parable before them, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away. But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also. The servants of the householder came and said to him, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where did these darnel weeds come from?’
“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’
“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and in the harvest time I will tell the reapers, “First, gather up the darnel weeds, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the wheat into my barn.” ’ ”
The Parable of the Lamp
(Mark 4:21-25, Luke 8:16-18)
He said to them, “Is a lamp brought to be put under a basket or under a bed? Isn’t it put on a stand? No one, when he has lit a lamp, covers it with a container or puts it under a bed; but puts it on a stand, that those who enter in may see the light. For there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, neither was anything made secret that will not be known and come to light. If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”
He said to them, “Take heed what you hear. With whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you; and more will be given to you who hear. For whoever has, to him more will be given; and he who doesn’t have, even that which he thinks he has will be taken away from him.”
The Parable of the Seed
(Mark 4:26-29)
He said, “God’s Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth, and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how. For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”
The Parable of the Mustard Seed
(Matthew 13:31-32, Mark 4:30-32)
He set another parable before them, saying, “How will we liken God’s Kingdom? Or with what parable will we illustrate it? It’s like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is taken by a man and sown in the earth in his own garden, though it is smaller than all the seeds that are on the earth, yet when it is sown, grows up and becomes a tree, greater than all the herbs, and puts out great branches, so that the birds of the sky can lodge in the branches under its shadow.”
The Parable of the Yeast
(Matthew 13:33-35, Mark 4:33-34)
He spoke another parable to them, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened.”
With many such parables he spoke the word to the multitudes, as they were able to hear it. Without a parable, he didn’t speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
“I will open my mouth in parables;
I will utter things hidden from the foundation.”
Explaining the Parable of the Weeds
(Matthew 13:36-43)
Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came privately to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.”
He answered them, “He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, the field is the world, the good seeds are the children of the Kingdom, and the darnel weeds are the children of the evil one. The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will gather out of his Kingdom all things that cause stumbling and those who do iniquity, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.
The Parable of the Hidden Treasure
(Matthew 13:44)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid. In his joy, he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price
(Matthew 13:45-46)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls, who having found one pearl of great price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.
The Parable of the Net
(Matthew 13:47-53)
“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind, which, when it was filled, fishermen drew up on the beach. They sat down and gathered the good into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?”
They answered him, “Yes, Lord.”
He said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been made a disciple in the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a householder, who brings out of his treasure new and old things.”
When Jesus had finished these parables, he departed from there.
Chapter 20
The Calming of the Storm
(Matthew 8:23-27, Mark 4:35-41, Luke 8:22-25)
On that day, when evening had come, Jesus saw great multitudes around him, and he entered into a boat, himself and his disciples, and he said to them, “Let’s go over to the other side of the lake.” Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat, and launched out. Other small boats were also with him. But as they sailed, he fell asleep. Beahold, a big violent wind storm arose, and came down on the lake, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was taking on dangerous amounts of water. He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they came to him and awoke him and asked him, “Save us, Lord! Master, don’t you care that we are dying?”
He awoke and said to them, “Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?” Then he got up, rebuked the wind and the raging of the water, and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” The wind and raging water ceased and there was a great calm. He said to the men, “Where is your faith?”
They were greatly afraid and marvelled, saying to one another, “What kind of man is this, that he commands even the winds and the sea, and they obey him?”
Casting Out Demons in Gadara
(Matthew 8:28-34, Mark 5:1-20, Luke 8:26-39)
They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. When Jesus had come out of the boat and stepped ashore, immediately two men out of the city who had unclean spirits for a long time met him out of the tombs. They wore no clothes, and didn’t live in a house, but in the tombs. Nobody could bind them any more, not even with chains, because they had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by them, and the fetters broken in pieces. The demons had driven them out into the desert. Nobody had the strength to tame them. Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, they were crying out, and cutting themselves with stones. One of the men, when he saw Jesus from afar, ran and bowed down to him, and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have we to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? Have you come here to torment us before the time? I beg you by God, don’t torment us.” For Jesus was saying to them, “Come out of the men, you unclean spirits!”
Jesus asked, “What is your name?”
The man said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” For many demons had entered into the men. They begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country into the abyss. Now far away from them on the mountainside there was a great herd of many pigs feeding. All the demons begged him, saying, “If you cast us out, send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.”
At once Jesus gave them permission and said to them, “Go!”
The unclean spirits came out of the men and entered into the pigs. Behold, the whole herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank off a cliff into the sea, and they were drowned in the water. Those who fed the pigs saw what had happened and fled, and told everything about it in the city and in the country.
Behold, many people came to see what it was that had happened. They came to Jesus, and saw him who had been possessed by demons sitting, clothed, and in his right mind, even him who had the legion; and they were afraid. Those who saw it declared to them what happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs. All the people of the surrounding country of the Gadarenes begged him to depart from the region, for they were very much afraid.
As he was entering into the boat to return, the man who had been possessed by demons which had initially spoken to Jesus begged him that he might go with him and be with him. Jesus didn’t allow him, but sent him away, saying, “Return to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord God has done for you and how he had mercy on you.”
He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled.
Dinner at Matthew's House
(Matthew 9:1,10-13, Mark 2:15-17, 5:21, Luke 5:29-32, 8:40)
When Jesus had crossed back over to the other side, and come into his own city, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. They welcomed him, for they were all waiting for him. Matthew made a great feast for him and his disciples in his house. Jesus had many disicples which followed him, and behold, there was a great crowd of tax collectors and other sinners who had come and were reclining at the table with them. The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw it, murmured against his disciples, saying, “Why do you and your teacher eat and drink with the tax collectors and sinners?”
When Jesus heard it, he answered them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.”
Jesus Questioned About Fasting
(Matthew 9:14-17, Mark 2:18-22, Luke 5:33-39)
Then John’s disciples and the Pharisees, who were fasting, came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast and pray, but your disciples don’t fast, but rather eat and drink?”
Jesus said to them, “Can you make the friends of the bridegroom mourn and fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast. But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in those days.
He also told a parable to them, "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth from a new garment onto an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made, and also the piece from the new will not match the old. Neither do people put new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine will spill out, and the skins will be destroyed. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved. No man having drunk old wine immediately desires new, for he says, ‘The old is better.’ ”
Healing Jairus' Daughter and the Bleeding Woman
(Matthew 9:18-26, Mark 5:22-43, Luke 8:41-56)
While he told these things to them, behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet and worshipped him, and begged him much to come to his house, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, so that she will be made healthy, and live.” For he had an only born daughter, about twelve years of age, and she was dying. “My daughter has just died,” he said, “but come and lay your hand on her, and she will live.”
Jesus got up and went with him, as did his disciples, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. Behold, a certain woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse and could not be healed by any, having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd and touched the fringe of his cloak. For she said within herself, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” Immediately the flow of her blood stopped and was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction.
Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who touched me? Who touched my clothes?”
When all denied it, Peter said to him, “Master, you see the multitude pressing and jostling against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’ ”
But Jesus said, “Someone did touch me, for I perceived that power has gone out of me.”
He looked around to see her who had done this thing. But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, when she saw that she was not hidden, came and fell down before him, and declared to him in the presence of all the people all the truth, the reason why she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.
He said to her, “Daughter, cheer up! Your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.” And the woman was made well from that hour.
While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, and one of them said, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher anymore? Don't trouble him.”
But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, “Don’t be afraid. Only believe, and she will be healed” He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw the flute players and the crowds in a noisy uproar, with weeping and great wailing. When he had entered in, he said to them, “Why do you make an uproar and weep? Don't weep. Make room, because the child is not dead, but is sleeping.”
They ridiculed him, knowing she was dead. But he, having put them all outside, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, “Talitha cumi!” which means, being interpreted, “Child, arise!” Immediately the girl's spirit returned, and she immediately rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement. He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat. The report of this went out into all that land.
Healing Two Blind Men
(Matthew 9:27-31, Mark 6:1a)
As Jesus went out and passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” When he had come into the house, the blind men came to him. Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
They told him, “Yes, Lord.”
Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” Then their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, “See that no one knows about this.” But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land.
Healing a Mute Man
(Matthew 9:32-35)
As they went out, behold, a mute man who was demon possessed was brought to him. When the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. The multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
But the Pharisees said, “By the prince of the demons, he casts out demons.”
Chapter 21
The Rejection at Nazareth
(Matthew 13:54-58, Mark 6:1b-6a, Luke 4:16-30)
Then Jesus came into Nazareth, his own country, where had been brought up, and his disciples followed him. On the Sabbath day he entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue, and stood up to read. The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written,
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me,
because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives,
recovering of sight to the blind,
to deliver those who are crushed,
and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. He began to teach them, “Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”
Many hearing him were astonished, and they all testified about him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Where did this man get these things?” and, “What is the wisdom that is given to this man, that such mighty works come about by his hands? Isn’t this the carpenter, the son of Joseph the carpenter? Isn’t his mother called Mary, and his brothers James, Joses, Simon, and Judas? Aren’t all of his sisters here with us?” So they were offended at him.
Jesus said to them, “Doubtless you will tell me this proverb, ‘Physician, heal yourself! Whatever we have heard done at Capernaum, do also here in your hometown.’ Most certainly I tell you, a prophet is not without honor, except in his own country, and among his own relatives, and in his own house. No prophet is acceptable in his hometown. But truly I tell you, there were many widows in Israel in the days of Elijah, when the sky was shut up three years and six months, when a great famine came over all the land. Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow. There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”
They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue as they heard these things. They rose up, threw him out of the city, and led him to the brow of the hill that their city was built on, that they might throw him off the cliff. But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way.
He could do no mighty work there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and healed them. He marveled because of their unbelief.
Sending Out the Twelve
(Matthew 10:1,5-11:1, Mark 6:6b-13, Luke 9:1-6)
He went around the villages teaching, called the twelve disciples together to himself, and began to send them out two by two; he gave them power and authority over the unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. He sent them out to preach God’s Kingdom and to heal the sick. He commanded them that they should take nothing for their journey, except a staff only. He said to them, ““Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans. Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give. Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts. Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor [additional] sandals, nor [additional] staffs, nor wallet, nor bread. Wear sandals. Don’t have two tunics each. For the laborer is worthy of his food. Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on. As you enter into the household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you. If anyone doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake off even the dust that is under your feet for a testimony against them. Most certainly I tell you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!
“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you. Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations. But when they deliver you up, don’t be anxious how or what you will say, for it will be given you in that hour what you will say. For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved. But when they persecute you in this city, flee into the next, for most certainly I tell you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel until the Son of Man has come.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more those of his household! Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. Don’t be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows. Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.
“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man’s foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me. He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. He who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. Whoever gives one of these little ones just a cup of cold water to drink in the name of a disciple, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.”
When Jesus had finished directing his twelve disciples, he departed from there to teach and preach in their cities, and they disciples departed and went throughout the villages, preaching the Good News that people should repent. Everywhere they went, they cast out many demons, and anointed many with oil who were sick and healed them.
Herod Hears of Jesus
(Matthew 14:1-2,6-12, Mark 6:14-16,21-29, Luke 9:7-9)
Now King Herod the tetrarch heard of all that was done by him, for his name had become known, and Herid was very perplexed, because some people said, “John the Baptizer has risen from the dead, and therefore these powers are at work in him.” But others said, “He is Elijah.” Others said, “He is a prophet, or like one of the old prophets risen again.” But Herod, when he heard this, sought to see him, saying to his servants, “Who is this about whom I hear such things? This is John the Baptizer, whom I beheaded. He has risen from the dead. That is why these powers work in him.”
For a convenient day had come when Herod on his birthday made a supper for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. When the daughter of Herodias herself came in and danced among them, she pleased Herod and those sitting with him. Therefor the king said to the young lady, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” He swore to her, “Whatever you ask of me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom.”
She went out and said to her mother, “What should I ask?”
She said, “The head of John the Baptizer.”
She came in immediately with haste to the king and requested, “I want you to give me right now the head of John the Baptizer on a platter.”
The king was exceedingly sorry, but for the sake of his oaths and of his dinner guests, he didn’t wish to refuse her. Immediately the king sent out a soldier of his guard and commanded to bring John’s head; and he went and beheaded him in the prison, and brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the young lady; and the young lady gave it to her mother.
When his disciples heard this, they came and took up his corpse and laid it in a tomb.
Chapter 22
The Feeding of the Five Thousand
(Matthew 14:13-21, Mark 6:30-44, Luke 9:10-17, John 6:1-14)
The apostles, when they had returned, gathered themselves together to Jesus, and they told him all things, whatever they had done, and whatever they had taught. Now when Jesus heard this, he said to them, “Come away into a deserted place, and rest awhile.”
For there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat. They went away in the boat to the other side of the sea of Galilee, which is also called the Sea of Tiberias. They withdrew apart to a city called Bethsaida into a deserted place by themselves. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Jesus went up into the mountain, and he sat there with his disciples. But the multitudes saw them going, and many recognized him and ran there on foot from all the cities, following him, because they saw the signs which he did on those who were sick. They arrived before them and came together to him. Jesus came out, and, lifting up his eyes, saw the great multitude coming to him, and he had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd; and he welcomed them, and began to teach them many things, speaking to them of God’s Kingdom, and he cured those who needed healing. The day began to wear away; and when it was late in the day his twelve disciples came to him and said, “This place is deserted, and it is late in the day. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the surrounding country and villages and farms and lodge and buy themselves food and bread, for they have nothing to eat, for we are in a deserted place.”
But he answered them, “They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”
They asked him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?”
He said to Philip, “Where are we to buy bread, that these may eat?” He said this to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.
Philip answered him, “Two hundred denarii worth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may receive a little.”
Jesus said to the disciples, “How many loaves do you have? Go see.”
When they knew, one of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, said to him, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are these among so many? We have no more than that, unless we should go and buy food for all these people.” For they were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children.
Jesus said, “Bring them here to me.” He commanded to his disciples, “Make everyone sit down in the green grass in groups of about fifty each.” They did so, and made them all sit down in ranks, by hundreds and by fifties, where there was much grass. Jesus took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to the sky, he blessed them, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and distributed them to his disciples to set before the multitude, and he likewise divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were filled.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Gather up the broken pieces which are left over, that nothing be lost.” So they gathered them up, and filled twelve baskets with broken pieces from the five barley loaves, which were left over by those who had eaten. When therefore the people saw the sign which Jesus did, they said, “This is truly the prophet who comes into the world.”
Jesus Walks on the Water
(Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52, John 6:15-21)
Jesus therefore, perceiving that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, immediately made his disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, to Bethsaida, while he himself sent the multitudes away. After he had taken leave of them, he went up the mountain by himself to pray.
When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea. They entered into the boat, and were going over the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea was tossed by a great wind blowing. When therefore they had rowed about twenty-five or thirty stadia, the boat was in the middle of the sea, far from the shore, and Jesus was alone on the land. Seeing them distressed by the waves in rowing, for the wind was contrary to them, about the fourth watch of the night he came to them, walking on the sea; and he would have passed by them, but they, when they saw him walking on the sea, drawing near to the boat, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. But he immediately spoke with them and said to them, “Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.” They were willing therefore to receive him into the boat.
Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.”
He said, “Come!”
Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, and they were very amazed among themselves, and marveled, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!” For they hadn’t understood about the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.
Healing Many in Gennesaret
(Matthew 14:34-36, Mark 6:53-56)
When they had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. When they had come out of the boat, immediately the people recognized him, and ran around that whole region, and began to bring those who were sick on their mats to where they heard he was. Wherever he entered—into villages, or into cities, or into the country—they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him that they might just touch the fringe of his garment; and as many as touched him were made well.
The Bread of Life
(John 6:22-71)
On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there except one, and that Jesus hadn’t entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone. However, boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread. When the multitude therefore saw that Jesus wasn’t there, nor his disciples, they themselves got into the boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?”
Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, you seek me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. Don’t work for the food which perishes, but for the food which remains to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For God the Father has sealed him.”
They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?”
Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”
They said therefore to him, “What then do you do for a sign, that we may see and believe you? What work do you do? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’ ”
Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, it wasn’t Moses who gave you the bread out of heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread out of heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”
They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will not be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe. All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of my Father, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day. This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, “I am the bread which came down out of heaven.” They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down out of heaven?’ ”
Jesus answered them, “Don’t murmur among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up in the last day. It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me. Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father. Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life. Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died. This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread which came down out of heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. Yes, the bread which I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
Jesus therefore said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you don’t have life in yourselves. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so he who feeds on me will also live because of me. This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as the fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.” He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.
Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?”
But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, “Does this cause you to stumble? Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before? It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit, and are life. But there are some of you who don’t believe.” For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were who didn’t believe, and who it was who would betray him. He said, “For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by the Father.”
At this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. Jesus said therefore to the twelve, “You don’t also want to go away, do you?”
Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We have come to believe and know that you are the Holy One of God.”
Jesus answered them, “Didn’t I choose you, the twelve? And yet one of you is a devil.”
Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve.
Chapter 23
The Unwashed Hands
(Matthew 15:1-20, Mark 7:1-23, John 7:1)
After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to Jesus, having come from Jerusalem. Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. They don’t eat anything from the market unless they wash it, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, and bronze vessels.) The Pharisees and the scribes asked him, “Why don’t your disciples walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with unwashed hands?”
He answered them, “Why do you also disobey the commandment of God because of your tradition? For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘Whoever may tell his father or his mother, “Whatever help you might otherwise have gotten from me is a gift devoted to God,” he shall not honor his father.’ You have made the word of God void because of your tradition. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,
‘These people draw near to me with their mouth,
and honor me with their lips;
but their heart is far from me.
And they worship me in vain,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’
“For you set aside the commandment of God, and hold tightly to the tradition of men—the washing of pitchers and cups, and you do many other such things.” He said to them, “Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition. For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever profit you might have received from me is Corban,” ’ ” that is to say, given to God, “then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother, making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”
He called all the multitude to himself and said to them, “Hear me, all of you, and understand. There is nothing from outside of the man that going into his mouth can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man's mouth are those that defile the man.”
When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”
But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”
So Jesus said, “Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man's mouth from outside can’t defile him, because it doesn’t go into his heart, but passes into his stomach, and then out of the body into the dump?” Thus he declared all foods clean. He said, “That which proceeds out of the man's mouth comes out of the heart, and that defiles the man. For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts, covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, false testimony, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”
The Faith of the Syrophoenician Woman
(Matthew 15:21-28, Mark 7:24-30)
From there he arose and went away into the borders of Tyre and Sidon. He entered into a house and didn’t want anyone to know it, but he couldn’t escape notice. For behold, a Canaanite woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit, having heard of him, came out from those borders and fell down at his feet. She cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!”
Now the woman was a Greek, a Syrophoenician by race. She begged him that he would cast the demon out of her daughter. But he answered her not a word.
His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.”
But he answered, “I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”
But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.”
But he answered, saying, “Let the children be filled first, for it is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”
But she answered him, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs under their masters' table eat the children’s crumbs which fall from it.”
Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! For this saying, go your way. The demon has gone out of your daughter. Be it done to you even as you desire.”
She went away to her house, and found her daughter having been laid on the bed, with the demon gone out. She had been healed from that hour.
Chapter 24
Healing a Deaf Man
(Matthew 15:29-31, Mark 7:31-37)
Again Jesus departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came near to the sea of Galilee through the middle of the region of Decapolis. He went up on the mountain and sat there. They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside from the multitude privately and put his fingers into his ears; and he spat and touched his tongue. Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha!” that is, “Be opened!” Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it.
Great multitudes came to him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they put them down at his feet. He healed them, so that the multitude wondered when they saw the mute speaking, the injured healed, the lame walking, and the blind seeing—and they glorified the God of Israel. They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!”
The Feeding of the Four Thousand
(Matthew 15:32-39a, Mark 8:1-9)
In those days, when there was again a very great multitude, and they had nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples to himself and said to them, “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have stayed with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don't want to send them away fasting to their home, because if I do they might faint on the way, for some of them have come a long way.”
His disciples answered him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?”
He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?”
They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.”
He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves. Having given thanks, he broke them and gave them to his disciples to serve, and they served the multitude. He also took the fish. Having blessed them, he said to serve these also. They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. Those who had eaten were about four thousand men, in addition to women and children. Then he sent the multitudes away.
The Pharisees Demand a Sign
(Matthew 15:39b-16:4a, Mark 8:10-12)
Immediately he entered into the boat with his disciples and came into the borders of Magdala, into the region of Dalmanutha. The Pharisees and Sadducees came out and began to question him, seeking from him a sign from heaven and testing him. He sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Most certainly I tell you, an evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of Jonah.”
Beware of the Yeast
(Matthew 16:4b-12, Mark 8:13-21)
He left them, and again entering into the boat, departed to the other side. The disciples forgot to take bread; and they didn’t have more than one loaf in the boat with them. He warned them, saying, “Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees and of Herod.”
They reasoned with one another, saying, “It’s because we have brought no bread.”
Jesus, perceiving it, said to them, “Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, that it’s because you have no bread? Don’t you perceive yet or understand? Is your heart still hardened? Having eyes, don’t you see? Having ears, don’t you hear? Don’t you remember? When I broke the five loaves among the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?”
They told him, “Twelve.”
“When the seven loaves fed the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?”
They told him, “Seven.”
He asked them, “Don’t you understand yet? How is it that you don’t perceive that I didn’t speak to you concerning bread? But beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
Then they understood that he didn’t tell them to beware of the yeast of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Healing a Blind Man at Bethsaida
(Mark 8:22-26)
He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took hold of the blind man by the hand, and brought him out of the village. When he had spat on his eyes, and laid his hands on him, he asked him if he saw anything.
He looked up, and said, “I see men, but I see them like walking trees.”
Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. He sent him away to his house, saying, “Don’t enter into the village.”
Peter Declares Jesus as the Christ
(Matthew 16:13-28, Mark 8:27-9:1, Luke 9:18-27)
Then Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he prayed alone, and asked his disciples, who were near him, “Who do the multitudes say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
They answered, “Some say John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets who has risen again.”
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. I also tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my assembly, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. I will give to you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven; and whatever you release on earth will have been released in heaven.” Then he warned the disciples and commanded them that they should tell no one that he was the Christ. From that time, Jesus said, “The Son of Man must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.”
He spoke to them openly. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.”
But he, turning around and seeing his disciples, rebuked Peter, and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of men.”
Then he called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose and forfeit his own life? For what will a man give in exchange for his life? For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and his Father’s glory with the glory of the holy angels, and then he will render to everyone according to his deeds. But most certainly I tell you the truth: There are some of those who stand here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in God’s Kingdom, which will come with power.”
Chapter 25
The Transfiguration
(Matthew 17:1-13, Mark 9:2-13, Luke 9:28-36)
Six days after these sayings, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up onto a high mountain privately by themselves to pray. As he was praying, he was changed into another form in front of them. The appearance of his face was altered so that it shone like the sun, and his clothing became glistening, exceedingly white and dazzling as the light, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. Behold, Elijah and Moses appeared to them, and they were talking with Jesus. They appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem.
Now Peter and those who were with him were heavy with sleep, but when they were fully awake, they saw his glory, and the two men who stood with him. As they were parting from him, Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you want, let’s make three tents here: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” For he didn’t know what to say, for they were very afraid.
While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud came and overshadowed them, and they were afraid as they entered into the cloud. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved chosen Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him!” When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. Jesus came and touched them and said, “Get up, and don’t be afraid.” Lifting up their eyes, they suddenly looked around and saw no one with them anymore, except Jesus only.
As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until after the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”
They kept this saying to themselves, questioning what the “rising from the dead” meant.
They asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”
He said to them, “Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things. How is it written about the Son of Man, that he should suffer many things and be despised? But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they didn’t recognize him, but also did to him whatever they wanted to, even as it is written about him. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.” Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer. They were silent, and told no one in those days any of the things which they had seen.
Healing a Boy with an Unclean Spirit
(Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 9:37-43a)
The next day, when he came to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them who had come to meet him, and scribes questioning them. Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him. He asked the scribes, “What are you asking them?”
Behold, one man of the multitude came to him, kneeled down to him, and answered, “Teacher, I've brought to you my son, whom I beg you to have mercy on and look at, for he is my only child. Behold, he is epileptic, and suffers grievously, because he has has a mute spirit; and wherever it seizes him, he cries out, and it throws him down; and it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. It hardly departs from him. So I brought him to your disciples and begged them to cast it out, and they weren’t able to cure him.”
Jesus answered him, “Unbelieving, faithless, and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring your son here to me.”
They brought him to him, and while he was still coming, when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him violently and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth.
He asked his father, “How long has it been since this has been happening to him?”
He said, “From childhood. Often it has cast him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Jesus said to him, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”
Immediately the father of the child cried out, “I believe. Help my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a multitude came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to him, “You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him, and never enter him again!”
After crying out and convulsing him greatly, it came out of him. The boy became like one dead, so much that most of them said, “He is dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose, and Jesus gave him back to his father, and the boy was cured from that hour. They were all astonished at the majesty of God.
When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?”
He said to them, “Because of your unbelief. This kind can come out by nothing but prayer. For most certainly I tell you, if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.”
Foretelling His Death and Resurrection
(Matthew 17:22-23, Mark 9:30-32, Luke 9:43b-45)
They went out from there and passed through Galilee, where they gathered. He didn’t want anyone to know it, for he was teaching his disciples who were all marveling with the others at all the things which he did, and he said to them, “Let these words sink into your ears, for the Son of Man will be delivered over into the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.”
But they were exceedingly sorry, for they didn’t understand this saying. It was concealed from them, that they should not perceive it, and they were afraid to ask him about this saying.
Jesus Pays the Didrachma
(Matthew 17:24-27)
When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” He said, “Yes.”
When he came into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, “What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth receive toll or tribute? From their children, or from strangers?”
Peter said to him, “From strangers.”
Jesus said to him, “Therefore the children are exempt. But, lest we cause them to stumble, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up. When you have opened its mouth, you will find a stater coin. Take that, and give it to them for me and you.”
Chapter 26
The Question of Who is the Greatest
(Matthew 18:1-5, Mark 9:33-37, Luke 9:46-48)
In that hour he came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”
But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who among them was the greatest.
They said, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?”
Jesus, perceiving the reasoning of their hearts, sat down and called the twelve; and he said to them, “If any man wants to be first, he shall be last of all, and servant of all.” He called a little child to himself and set him in the middle of them by his side. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me. For whoever is least among you all, this one will be great.”
Casting Out Demons in Jesus' Name
(Mark 9:38-41, Luke 9:49-50)
John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow with us.”
But Jesus said to him, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. For whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name because you are Christ’s, most certainly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.
Causing Little Ones to Stumble
(Matthew 18:6-20, Mark 9:42-10:1a)
“But whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the depths of the sea to sink with a huge millstone hung around his neck. If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire. If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame, rather than having your two feet to be cast into Gehenna, into the fire that will never be quenched. If your eye causes you to stumble, pluck it out and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into God’s Kingdom with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into the Gehenna of fire, ‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’ For everyone will be salted with fire. Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, with what will you season it? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another. See that you don’t despise one of these little ones, for I tell you that in heaven their angels always see the face of my Father who is in heaven.
“What do you think? If a man has one hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine, go to the mountains, and seek that which has gone astray? If he finds it, most certainly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine which have not gone astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
“If your brother sins, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector. Most certainly I tell you, whatever things you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever things you release on earth will have been released in heaven. Again, assuredly I tell you, that if two of you will agree on earth concerning anything that they will ask, it will be done for them by my Father who is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there I am in the middle of them.”
He arose from there.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
(Matthew 18:21-35)
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”
Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy-seven times. Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.
“But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
Chapter 27
The Samaritans Refuse to Receive Jesus
(Luke 9:51-56, John 7:2-10)
Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” For even his brothers didn’t believe in him.
Jesus therefore said to them, “My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready. The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil. You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled.”
Having said these things, he stayed in Galilee. But it came to pass, when his brothers had gone up, then he also went up, not publicly, but in secret. The days were near that he should be taken up, and he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set toward Jerusalem. When his disciples, James and John, saw this, they said, “Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from the sky and destroy them?”
But he turned and rebuked them, and they went to another village.
Followers of Jesus
(Matthew 8:19-22, Luke 9:57-62)
As they went on the way, a certain scribe came and said to him, “I want to follow you wherever you go, Lord.”
Jesus said to him, “The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”
He said to another disciple, “Follow me!”
But he said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.”
But Jesus said to him, “Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead. You go and announce God’s Kingdom.”
Another also said, “I want to follow you, Lord, but first allow me to say good-bye to those who are at my house.”
But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow and looking back, is fit for God’s Kingdom.”
The Feast of Booths
(John 7:11-52)
Because Jesus had gone up in secret, the Jews sought him at the feast, and said, “Where is he?” There was much murmuring among the multitudes concerning him. Some said, “He is a good man.” Others said, “Not so, but he leads the multitude astray.” Yet no one spoke openly of him for fear of the Jews. But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught. The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never been educated?”
Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone desires to do his will, he will know about the teaching, whether it is from God or if I am speaking from myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory, but he who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and no unrighteousness is in him. Didn’t Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?”
The multitude answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?”
Jesus answered them, “I did one work and you all marvel because of it. Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy. If a boy receives circumcision on the Sabbath, that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with me because I made a man completely healthy on the Sabbath? Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”
Therefore some of them of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this he whom they seek to kill? Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is the Christ? However, we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.”
Jesus therefore cried out in the temple, teaching and saying, “You both know me, and know where I am from. I have not come of myself, but he who sent me is true, whom you don’t know. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”
They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more signs than this man has done, will he?” The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him.
Then Jesus said, “I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me. You will seek me and won’t find me. You can’t come where I am.”
The Jews therefore said among themselves, “Where will this man go that we won’t find him? Will he go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? What is this word that he said, ‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’ and ‘Where I am, you can’t come’?”
Now on the last and greatest day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.” But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified.
The multitude therefore, when they heard these words, said, “This is truly the prophet.” Others said, “This is the Christ.” But some said, “What, does the Christ come out of Galilee? Hasn’t the Scripture said that the Christ comes of the offspring of David, and from Bethlehem, the village where David was?” So a division arose in the multitude because of him. Some of them would have arrested him, but no one laid hands on him. The officers therefore came to the chief priests and Pharisees; and they said to them, “Why didn’t you bring him?”
The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
The Pharisees therefore answered them, “You aren’t also led astray, are you? Have any of the rulers or any of the Pharisees believed in him? But this multitude that doesn’t know the law is cursed.”
Nicodemus (he who came to him before, being one of them) said to them, “Does our law judge a man unless it first hears from him personally and knows what he does?”
They answered him, “Are you also from Galilee? Search and see that no prophet has arisen out of Galilee.”
Chapter 28
The Light of the World
(John 8:12-59)
Again, therefore, Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.”
Jesus answered them, “Even if I testify about myself, my testimony is true, for I know where I came from, and where I am going; but you don’t know where I came from, or where I am going. You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one. Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me. It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid. I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”
They said therefore to him, “Where is your Father?”
Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. He said therefore again to them, “I am going away, and you will seek me, and you will die in your sins. Where I go, you can’t come.”
The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come’?”
He said to them, “You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world. I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.”
They said therefore to him, “Who are you?”
Jesus said to them, “Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning. I have many things to speak and to judge concerning you. However, he who sent me is true; and the things which I heard from him, these I say to the world.”
They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. Jesus therefore said to them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I am he, and I do nothing of myself, but as the Father taught me, I say these things. He who sent me is with me. He hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”
As he spoke these things, many believed in him. Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”
They answered him, “We are Abraham’s offspring, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How do you say, ‘You will be made free’?”
Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin. A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever. If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you. I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also should do the things which you have heard with the Father.”
They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.”
Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. You do the works of your father.”
They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.”
Therefore Jesus said to them, “If God were your father, you would love me, for I came out and have come from God. For I haven’t come of myself, but he sent me. Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and doesn’t stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks on his own; for he is a liar, and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”
The Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?”
Jesus answered, “I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me. But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges. Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”
Then the Jews said to him, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham died, as did the prophets; and you say, ‘If a man keeps my word, he will never taste of death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?”
Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is nothing. It is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say that he is our God. You have not known him, but I know him. If I said, ‘I don’t know him,’ I would be like you, a liar. But I know him and keep his word. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.”
The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?”
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”
Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple.
Chapter 29
Healing a Man Born Blind
(John 9:1-41)
As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “This man didn’t sin, nor did his parents, but that the works of God might be revealed in him. We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing.
Therefore the neighbors and those who saw that he was a beggar before said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “No, but he looks like him.”
He said, “I am he.”
They therefore asked him, “Then how were your eyes opened?”
He answered, “The man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’ So I went away and washed, and I received sight.”
They asked him, “Where is he?”
He said, “I don’t know.”
They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees. It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. Again therefore the Pharisees also asked him how he received his sight. He said to them, “He put mud on my eyes, I washed, and I see.”
Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.”
But others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” So there was division among them.
Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”
The Jews therefore didn’t believe concerning him, that he had been blind and had received his sight, until they called the parents of him who had received his sight, and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?”
Then his parents answered, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but how he now sees, we don’t know; or who opened his eyes, we don’t know. He is of age. Ask him. He will speak for himself.” His parents said these things because they feared the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if any man would confess him as Christ, he would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.”
So they called the man who was blind a second time, and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.”
He therefore answered, “I don’t know if he is a sinner. One thing I do know: that though I was blind, now I see.”
They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them, “I told you already, and you didn’t listen. Why do you want to hear it again? You don’t also want to become his disciples, do you?”
They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.”
The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God doesn’t listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, he listens to him. Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.”
They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” Then they threw him out.
Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him, “You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.”
He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him.
Jesus said, “I came into this world for judgment, that those who don’t see may see; and that those who see may become blind.”
Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”
Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Your sin remains.
Chapter 30
The Good Shepherd
(John 10:1-21)
“Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn’t enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, is a thief and a robber. But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. Whenever he brings out all of his own sheep, he goes before them; and they follow him, for they know his voice. They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.” Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them.
Jesus therefore said again, “Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out and will find pasture. The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand, and not a shepherd, who doesn’t own the sheep, sees the wolf coming, leaves the sheep, and flees. The wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them. The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and my own know me; even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep which are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will hear my voice. They will become one flock with one shepherd. Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it away from me, but I lay it down by myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. I received this commandment from my Father.”
A division arose again among the Jews because of these words. Many of them said, “He has a demon and is insane! Why do you listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the sayings of one possessed by a demon. It isn’t possible for a demon to open the eyes of the blind, is it?”
Chapter 31
Sending Out Seventy-Two
(Matthew 9:35-38, Luke 10:1-24)
Now after these things, Jesus went about all the cities and the villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he appointed seventy-two others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. Then he said to them, “The harvest is indeed plentiful, but the laborers are few. Pray therefore to the Lord of the harvest, that he may send out laborers into his harvest. Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way. Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. Remain in that same house, eating and drinking the things they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Don’t go from house to house. Into whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ But into whatever city you enter and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say, ‘Even the dust from your city that clings to us, we wipe off against you. Nevertheless know this, that God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’ I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.
“Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which were done in you, they would have repented long ago, sitting in sackcloth and ashes. But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you. You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades. Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”
The seventy-two returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!”
He said to them, “I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven. Behold, I give you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy. Nothing will in any way hurt you. Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”
In that same hour, Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, “I thank you, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.”
Turning to the disciples, he said, “All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is, except the Father, and who the Father is, except the Son, and he to whomever the Son desires to reveal him.”
Turning to the disciples, he said privately, “Blessed are the eyes which see the things that you see, for I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see the things which you see, and didn’t see them, and to hear the things which you hear, and didn’t hear them.”
The Parable of the Good Samaritan
(Luke 10:25-37)
Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?”
He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.”
He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”
But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?”
Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the host, and said, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ Which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”
He said, “He who showed mercy on him.”
And Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”
Mary and Martha
(Luke 9:38-42)
As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him. She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at the Lord's feet and heard his word. But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she came up to him, and said, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister left me to serve alone? Ask her therefore to help me.”
The Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Chapter 32
Jesus Asked About Prayer
(Luke 11:1-13)
When he finished praying in a certain place, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John also taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say,
‘Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come.
Give us day by day our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us.
Bring us not into temptation.’ ”
He said to them, “Which of you, if you go to a friend at midnight and tell him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has come to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him,’ and he from within will answer and say, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I can’t get up and give it to you’? I tell you, although he will not rise and give it to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence, he will get up and give him as many as he needs.
“I tell you, keep asking, and it will be given you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.
“Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, won’t give him a snake instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, won’t give him a scorpion? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Healing a Woman with Infirmity
(Luke 13:10-21)
He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. Behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years. She was bent over and could in no way straighten herself up. When Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, “Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.” He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God.
The ruler of the synagogue, being indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, said to the multitude, “There are six days in which men ought to work. Therefore come on those days and be healed, and not on the Sabbath day!”
Therefore the Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each one of you free his ox or his donkey from the stall on the Sabbath and lead him away to water? Ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham whom Satan had bound eighteen long years, be freed from this bondage on the Sabbath day?”
As he said these things, all his adversaries were disappointed; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
He said, "What is God's Kingdom like? To what shall I compare it? It is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took and put in his own garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds of the sky lived in its branches."
Again he said, "To what shall I compare God's Kingdom? It is like yeast, which a woman took and hid in three measures of flour, until it was all leavened."
The Narrow Door
(Luke 13:22-30)
He went on his way through cities and villages, teaching, and traveling on to Jerusalem. One said to him, “Lord, are they few who are saved?”
He said to them, “Strive to enter in by the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter in and will not be able. When once the master of the house has risen up and has shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and to knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, open to us!’ then he will answer and tell you, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ Then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ He will say, ‘I tell you, I don’t know where you come from. Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God’s Kingdom, and yourselves being thrown outside. They will come from the east, west, north, and south, and will sit down in God’s Kingdom. Behold, there are some who are last who will be first, and there are some who are first who will be last.”
Lamenting for Jerusalem
(Luke 13:31-35)
In that same hour, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.”
He said to them, “Go and tell that fox, ‘Behold, I cast out demons and perform cures today and tomorrow, and the third day I complete my mission. Nevertheless I must go on my way today and tomorrow and the next day, for it can’t be that a prophet would perish outside of Jerusalem.’
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, like a hen gathers her own brood under her wings, and you refused! Behold, your house is left to you. I tell you, you will not see me until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”
Chapter 33
The Feast of Dedication
(Matthew 19:1-2, Mark 10:1, John 10:22-42)
Soon it was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. The Jews therefore came around him and said to him, “How long will you hold us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you don’t believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, these testify about me. But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
Therefore the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from the Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”
The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.”
Jesus answered them, “Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods?’ If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken), do you say of him whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, ‘You blaspheme,’ because I said, ‘I am the Son of God?’ If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me. But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works, that you may know that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”
They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. He went away again and came into the borders of Judea beyond the Jordan, into the place where John was baptizing at first, and he stayed there. Great multitudes came together to him again and followed him. They said, “John indeed did no sign, but everything that John said about this man is true.” Many believed in him there, and as he usually did, he was again teaching and healing them.
Healing the Man with Dropsy
(Luke 14:1-6)
When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him. Behold, a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him. Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
But they were silent.
He took him, and healed him, and let him go. He said to them, “Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”
They couldn’t answer him regarding these things.
The Parable of the Great Supper
(Luke 14:7-24)
He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, “When you are invited by anyone to a wedding feast, don’t sit in the best seat, since perhaps someone more honorable than you might be invited by him, and he who invited both of you would come and tell you, ‘Make room for this person.’ Then you would begin, with shame, to take the lowest place. But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes, he may tell you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”
He also said to the one who had invited him, “When you make a dinner or a supper, don’t call your friends, nor your brothers, nor your kinsmen, nor rich neighbors, or perhaps they might also return the favor, and pay you back. But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind; and you will be blessed, because they don’t have the resources to repay you. For you will be repaid in the resurrection of the righteous.”
When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is everyone who will feast in God’s Kingdom!”
But he said to him, “A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people. He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’ They all as one began to make excuses.
“The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please have me excused.’
“Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.’
“Another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I can’t come.’
“The servant came, and told his lord these things. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in the poor, maimed, blind, and lame.’
“The servant said, ‘Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.’
“The lord said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I tell you people that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper.’ ”
The Cost of Discipleship
(Luke 14:25-35)
Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, “If anyone comes to me, and doesn’t disregard his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he can’t be my disciple. Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple. For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doesn’t first sit down and count the cost, to see if he has enough to complete it? Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’ Or what king, as he goes to encounter another king in war, will not sit down first and consider whether he is able with ten thousand to meet him who comes against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks for conditions of peace. So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.
“Salt therefore is good, but if the salt also becomes flat and tasteless, with what do you season it? It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile. It is thrown out. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”
Chapter 34
The Parable of the Lost Sheep
(Luke 15:1-7)
Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.”
He told them this parable: “Which of you men, if you had one hundred sheep and lost one of them, wouldn’t leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that was lost, until he found it? When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing. When he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.
The Parable of the Lost Coin
(Luke 15:8-10)
“Or what woman, if she had ten drachma coins, if she lost one drachma coin, wouldn’t light a lamp, sweep the house, and seek diligently until she found it? When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the drachma which I had lost!’ Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
(Luke 15:11-32)
He said, “A certain man had two sons. The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them. Not many days after, the younger son gathered all of this together and traveled into a far country. There he wasted his property with riotous living. When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need. He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs. He wanted to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any. But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough to spare, and I’m dying here with hunger! I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.” ’
“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him. The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate; for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.
“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing. He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on. He said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf, because he has received him back safe and healthy.’ But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him. But he answered his father, ‘Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’
“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive. He was lost, and is found.’ ”
Chapter 35
The Parable of the Dishonest Manager
(Luke 16:1-18)
He also said to the disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’
“The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
“His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when its fails, they may receive you into the eternal tents. He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to one and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve God and Mammon.”
The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves in the sight of men, but God knows your hearts. For that which is exalted among men is an abomination in the sight of God.
“The law and the prophets were until John. From that time the Good News of God’s Kingdom is preached, and everyone is forcing his way into it. But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tiny stroke of a pen in the law to fall.
“Everyone who divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery. He who marries one who is divorced from a husband commits adultery.
The Story of the Rich Man and Lazarus
(Luke 16:19-31)
“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day. A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores, and desiring to be fed with the crumbs that fell from the rich man’s table. Yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom. He cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue! For I am in anguish in this flame.’
“But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that you, in your lifetime, received your good things, and Lazarus, in the same way, bad things. But here he is now comforted and you are in anguish. Besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, that those who want to pass from here to you are not able, and that no one may cross over from there to us.’
“He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’
“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’
“He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’
“He said to him, ‘If they don’t listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded if one rises from the dead.’ ”
Jesus' Sayings
(Luke 17:1-10)
He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no occasions of stumbling should come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, rather than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble. Be careful. If your brother sins, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.”
The Lord said, “If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you would tell this sycamore tree, ‘Be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. But who is there among you, having a servant plowing or keeping sheep, that will say when he comes in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down at the table’? Wouldn’t he rather tell him, ‘Prepare my supper, clothe yourself properly, and serve me while I eat and drink. Afterward you shall eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did the things that were commanded? Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’ ”
Chapter 36
The Raising of Lazarus
(John 11:1-54)
Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. It was that Mary who would later anoint the Lord with ointment and wipe his feet with her hair, whose brother, Lazarus, was sick. The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.”
But when Jesus heard it, he said, “This sickness is not to death, but for the glory of God, that God’s Son may be glorified by it.” Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. Then after this he said to the disciples, “Let’s go into Judea again.”
The disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?”
Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours of daylight? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of this world. But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.” He said these things, and after that, he said to them, “Our friend Lazarus, has fallen asleep, but I am going so that I may awake him out of sleep.”
The disciples therefore said to him, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.”
Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. So Jesus said to them plainly then, “Lazarus is dead. I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”
Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go, that we may die with him.”
So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away. Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.”
Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”
Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies. Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to him, “Yes, Lord. I have come to believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, he who comes into the world.”
When she had said this, she went away and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here and is calling you.”
When she heard this, she arose quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. Then the Jews who were with her in the house and were consoling her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up quickly and went out, followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to weep there.
Therefore when Mary came to where Jesus was and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying to him, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”
When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, and said, “Where have you laid him?”
They told him, “Lord, come and see.”
Jesus wept.
The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?”
Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”
Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”
Jesus said to her, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”
So they took away the stone. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you listened to me. I know that you always listen to me, but because of the multitude standing around I said this, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!”
He who was dead came out, bound hand and foot with wrappings, and his face was wrapped around with a cloth.
Jesus said to them, “Free him, and let him go.”
Therefore many of the Jews who came to Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him. But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things which Jesus had done. The chief priests therefore and the Pharisees gathered a council, and said, “What are we doing? For this man does many signs. If we leave him alone like this, everyone will believe in him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.”
But a certain one of them, Caiaphas, being high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all, nor do you consider that it is advantageous for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation not perish.” Now he didn’t say this of himself, but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but that he might also gather together into one the children of God who are scattered abroad. So from that day forward they took counsel that they might put him to death. Jesus therefore walked no more openly among the Jews, but departed from there into the country near the wilderness, to a city called Ephraim, and stayed there with the disciples.
Chapter 37
The Passover Nears
(John 11:55-57)
Soon the Passover of the Jews was at hand. Many went up from the country to Jerusalem before the Passover, to purify themselves. Then they sought for Jesus and spoke with one another as they stood in the temple, “What do you think—that he isn’t coming to the feast at all?” Now the chief priests and the Pharisees had given orders that if anyone knew where he was, he should report it, that they might seize him.
Healing Ten Lepers
(Luke 17:11-19)
As Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”
When he saw them, he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” As they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan.
Jesus answered, “Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine? Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”
The Coming of the Kingdom
(Luke 17:20-37)
Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, “God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation; neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”
He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them, for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky, so will the Son of Man be in his day. But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man. They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came and destroyed them all. Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built; but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all. It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed. In that day, he who will be on the housetop and his goods in the house, let him not go down to take them away. Let him who is in the field likewise not turn back. Remember Lot’s wife! Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it. I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left. There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”
They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?”
He said to them, “Where the body is, there the vultures will also be gathered together.”
Chapter 38
The Parable of the Persistent Widow
(Luke 18:1-8)
He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up, saying, “There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man. A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’ He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’ ”
The Lord said, “Listen to what the unrighteous judge says. Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them? I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector
(Luke 18:9-14)
He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others: “Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed by himself like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of men: extortionists, unrighteous, adulterers, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’ But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
On Divorce
(Matthew 19:3-12, Mark 10:2-12)
Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”
He answered, “What did Moses command you?”
They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.”
But Jesus said to them, “Haven't you read that God made them male and female from the beginning of the creation? For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife, and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”
They asked him, “Why then did Moses command us to give her a certificate of divorce and divorce her?”
He said to them, “Moses, because of the hardness of your hearts, wrote you this commandment and allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it has not been so. I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”
In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter, saying to him, “If this is the case of the man with his wife, it is not expedient to marry.”
But he said to them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her. If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery. Not all men can receive this saying, but those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother’s womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the Kingdom of Heaven’s sake. He who is able to receive it, let him receive it.”
Jesus Loves the Little Children
(Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17)
Then they were also bringing to him their little children, that he should lay his hands on them and pray, but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked those who were bringing them. But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and summoned them, saying, “Allow the little children to come to me, and don’t forbid or hinder them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these. Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.” He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. Then he departed from there.
The Rich Young Man
(Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30)
As he was going out into the way, behold, a certain ruler ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may inherit eternal life?”
Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good and ask me about what is good? No one is good except one—God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth up.”
Jesus looking at him loved him, and when he had heard all these things, he said to him, “You still lack one thing.”
The young man said to him, “What do I still lack?”
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell everything you have, and give it to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven; then come and follow me.”
But when the young man heard this, his face fell, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who was rich and had great possessions.
Jesus, seeing that he became very sad, looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, most certainly I say to you, how hard it is to enter into God’s Kingdom! A rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with great difficulty. For again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”
Those who heard it were exceedingly astonished, saying to one another, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”
Then Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left everything and have followed you. What then will we have?”
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. There is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, God's Kingdom's sake, and the sake of the Good News, who will not receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
The Parable of the Laborers
(Matthew 20:1-16)
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who was the master of a household, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard. When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. He went out about 9:00 a.m., and saw others standing idle in the marketplace. He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way. Again he went out about noon and 3:00 p.m., and did likewise. About 5:00 p.m. he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’
“They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’
“He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.’
“When evening had come, the lord of the vineyard said to his manager, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning from the last to the first.’
“When those who were hired at about 5:00 p.m. came, they each received a denarius. When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius. When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household, saying, ‘These last have spent one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat!’
“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius? Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you. Isn’t it lawful for me to do what I want to with what I own? Or is your eye evil, because I am good?’ So the last will be first, and the first last.”
Chapter 39
Foretelling His Death and Resurrection Again
(Matthew 20:17-19, Mark 10:32-34, Luke 18:31-34)
They were on the way, going up to Jerusalem; and Jesus was going in front of them, and they were amazed; and those who followed were afraid. He again took the twelve disciples aside, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him. “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all the things that are written through the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be completed. For he will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles. They will mock him, treat him shamefully, spit on him, flog him, and crucify him. On the third day he will rise again.”
They understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they didn’t understand the things that were said.
The Question of the Sons of Zebedee
(Matthew 20:20-28, Mark 10:35-45)
James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him with their mother, kneeling and saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.”
He said to them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The wife of Zebedee said to him, “Command that these, my two sons, may sit, one on your right hand and one on your left hand, in your Kingdom.”
And her sons said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.”
But Jesus said to them, “You don’t know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I drink, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?”
They said to him, “We are able.”
Jesus said to them, “You shall indeed drink the cup that I drink, and you shall be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with; but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John.
But Jesus summoned them and said to them, “You know that they who are recognized as rulers over the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant. Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all. For the Son of Man also came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
The Healing of Bartimaeus and His Companion
(Matthew 20:29-34, Mark 10:46-52, Luke 18:35-43)
They came to [the old] Jericho. As Jesus went out from [the old] Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, and came near [the new] Jericho, behold, two blind men were sitting begging by the road. When they heard the multitude going by, one of them, Bartimaeus, the son of Timeaus, asked what this meant. They told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. When the blind men heard this, they both began to cry out and say, “Jesus, son of David, have mercy on us!” Many in the multitude who led the way rebuked them, that they should be quiet, but they cried out even more, “Lord, have mercy on us, son of David!”
Jesus stood still and said, “Call them to me.”
They called the blind men, saying to them, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!”
They, casting away their cloaks, sprang up, and came near to Jesus.
Jesus asked them, “What do you want me to do for you?”
The blind men said to him, “Lord, that our eyes may be opened so we can see again.”
Jesus, being moved with compassion, touched their eyes, saying, “Receive your sight and go your way. Your faith has made you well.” Immediately they received their sight and followed Jesus on the way, glorifying God. All the people, when they saw it, praised God.
Zacchaeus
(Luke 19:1-10)
Then Jesus entered and was passing through [the new] Jericho. There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. He ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.” He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.”
Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, “Behold, Lord, half of my goods I give to the poor. If I have wrongfully exacted anything of anyone, I restore four times as much.”
Jesus said to him, “Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”
The Parable of the Minas
(Luke 19:11-28)
As they heard these things, he went on and told a parable, because he was near Jerusalem, and they supposed that God’s Kingdom would be revealed immediately. He said therefore, “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. He called ten servants of his and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’
“When he had come back again, having received the kingdom, he commanded these servants, to whom he had given the money, to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by conducting business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’
“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’
“The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’
“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’
Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief, for I feared you, because you are an exacting man. You take up that which you didn’t lay down, and reap that which you didn’t sow.’
“He said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked servant! You knew that I am an exacting man, taking up that which I didn’t lay down and reaping that which I didn’t sow. Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’ He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten minas.’
“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’
“‘I tell you that to everyone who has, will more be given; but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. But bring these enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’ ”
Having said these things, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
Chapter 40
Arriving in Bethany
(John 12:1,9-11)
Then, six days before the Passover, Jesus came to Bethany, where Lazarus was, who had been dead, whom Jesus raised from the dead. A large crowd therefore of the Jews learned that he was there; and they came, not for Jesus’ sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead. But the chief priests conspired to put Lazarus to death also, because on account of him many of the Jews went away and believed in Jesus.
The Triumphal Entry
(Matthew 21:1-11, Mark 11:1-11, Luke 19:29-44, John 12:12-19)
On the next day, when they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent two of his disciples and said to them, “Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a donkey tied, and a colt, on which no one has ever sat, with her. Untie them and bring them to me. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs them;’ and immediately he will send him back here.”
Those who were sent went away and found things just as he had told them. They saw a donkey and her colt tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied them. Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing? Why are you untying them?” They said to them just as Jesus had said, "The Lord needs them," and they let them go.
They brought the donkey and the colt to Jesus and threw their garments on them, and Jesus sat on them.
As he went, a very great multitude, which had come to the feast, went out to meet him when they heard that he was coming to Jerusalem. They spread their garments on the road, and others were cutting down branches from the palm trees and spreading them on the road. As he was now getting near, at the descent of the Mount of Olives, the whole multitude of the disciples, along with those who went in front and those who followed, began to rejoice and praise God with a loud voice for all the mighty works which they had seen, saying, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord, the King of Israel! Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven, and glory in the highest! Hosanna in the highest!”
Some of the Pharisees from the multitude said to him, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
He answered them, “I tell you that if these were silent, the stones would cry out.”
When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had known today the things which belong to your peace! But now, they are hidden from your eyes. For the days will come on you when your enemies will throw up a barricade against you, surround you, hem you in on every side, and will dash you and your children within you to the ground. They will not leave in you one stone on another, because you didn’t know the time of your visitation.”
When he had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”
The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Jesus, from Nazareth of Galilee.”
All this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying,
“Tell the daughter of Zion,
don't be afraid.
Behold, your King comes to you,
humble, and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”
His disciples didn’t understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things were written about him, and that they had done these things to him. The multitude therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of the tomb and raised him from the dead was testifying about it. For this cause also the multitude went and met him, because they heard that he had done this sign. The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “See how you accomplish nothing. Behold, the world has gone after him.”
Jesus entered into the temple in Jerusalem. When he had looked around at everything, it being now evening, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.
Chapter 41
Cursing a Fig Tree
(Matthew 21:18-19, Mark 11:12-14)
The next day, when they had come out from Bethany and were returning to the city, he was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. Jesus told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” His disciples heard it, and immediately the fig tree withered away.
The Second Temple Cleansing
(Matthew 21:12-17, Mark 11:15-19, Luke 19:45-48)
They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple and began to drive out those who sold and those who bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the temple. He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?’ But you have made it a den of robbers!”
The lame and the blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them. But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leading men among the people heard it and saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” and they were indignant. As he was teaching daily in the temple, they sought how they might destroy him. They couldn’t find what they might do, for they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching and hung on to every word that he said. They said to him, “Do you hear what these are saying?”
Jesus said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’ ”
When evening came, he left them, and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.
The Meaning of the Fig Tree
(Matthew 21:20-22, Mark 11:19-26)
As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”
They marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree immediately wither away?”
Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God, and you will do more than what was done to the fig tree. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening, he shall have whatever he says. Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.”
The Authority of Jesus
(Matthew 21:23-27, Mark 11:27-33, Luke 20:1-8)
They came again to Jerusalem, and as he was walking in the temple, teaching the people and preaching the Good News, the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people came to him, and they began saying to him, “Tell us: by what authority do you do these things? Or who gave you this authority to do these things?”
Jesus said to them, “I also will ask you one question. Answer me, and I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things. Tell me: the baptism of John, where was it from? Was it from heaven, or from men? Answer me.”
They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we should say, ‘From heaven;’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we should say, ‘From men,’ all the people will stone us, for they are persuaded that John was a prophet.” They feared the people, for all held John to really be a prophet. They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know where it was from.”
Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
The Parable of the Two Sons
(Matthew 21:28-32, Mark 12:1a)
He began to speak to the people in parables.
“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to him, “The first.”
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into God’s Kingdom before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him; but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.
The Parable of the Tenants
(Matthew 21:33-44, Mark 12:1b-11, Luke 20:9-18)
“Hear another parable. There was a man who was a master of a household who planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to some farmers, and went into another country for a long time. At the proper season for the fruit, when it was time, he sent a servant to the farmers to collect from them his share of the fruit of the vineyard. But the farmers took him, beat him, and sent him away empty. Again, he sent yet another servant to them; and they beat him, stoned him, wounded him in the head, treated him shamefully, and sent him away empty. Again he sent a third, and they also wounded him, killed him, and threw him out. They did the same to many others, beating some, and killing some. Therefore the lord of the vineyard said, ‘What shall I do?’ He still had one, his beloved son, and he said, ‘I will send my beloved son. It may be that seeing him, they will respect him.’
“So he sent to them his son, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ But when the farmers saw him, they reasoned among themselves, saying, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, that the inheritance may be ours to seize.’ So then they took him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and killed him. When therefore the lord of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?”
They told him, “He will miserably destroy those miserable men, and will lease out the vineyard to other farmers who will give him the fruit in its season.”
Jesus answered, “Therefore I tell you, God’s Kingdom will be taken away from you and will be given to a nation producing its fruit.”
When they heard that, they said, “May that never be!”
But he looked at them and said, “Haven’t you even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected
was made the head of the corner, the chief cornerstone.
This was from the Lord.
It is marvelous in our eyes’?
Everyone who falls on that stone will be broken to pieces,
but it will crush whomever it falls on to dust.”
Chapter 42
The Parable of the Wedding Feast
(Matthew 21:45-22:14, Mark 12:12a, Luke 20:19)
The chief priests, the Pharisees, and the scribes sought to lay hands on Jesus that very hour when they heard his parables, for they knew he had spoken against them. But they feared the multitudes, because they considered him to be a prophet.
Jesus answered and spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who made a wedding feast for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding feast, but they would not come. Again he sent out other servants, saying, ‘Tell those who are invited, “Behold, I have prepared my dinner. My cattle and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding feast!” ’ But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his merchandise; and the rest grabbed his servants, treated them shamefully, and killed them. When the king heard that, he was angry, and sent his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned their city.
“Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding is ready, but those who were invited weren’t worthy. Go therefore to the intersections of the highways, and as many as you may find, invite to the wedding feast.’ Those servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. The wedding was filled with guests.
“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn’t have on wedding clothing, and he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here not wearing wedding clothing?’ He was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and throw him into the outer darkness. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.’ For many are called, but few chosen.”
The Question of Paying Taxes
(Matthew 22:15-22, Mark 12:12b-17, Luke 20:20-26)
Then the Pharisees left him and went away, taking counsel how they might entrap him in his talk. They watched him and sent some of their disciples to spy on him, along with the Herodians, pretending to be righteous, that they might trap him with words, so as to deliver him up to the power and authority of the governor. When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, that you say and teach what is right, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God, no matter whom you teach. Tell us therefore, what do you think? Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? Shall we give, or shall we not give?”
But he, knowing their hypocrisy and craftiness, said to them, “Why do you test me, you hypocrites? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”
They brought it to him.
He said to them, “Whose image and inscription are on it?”
They said to him, “Caesar’s.”
Then he said to them, “Then give therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
They weren’t able to trap him in his words before the people. They marveled greatly at his answer and went silently away.
The Question of the Resurrection
(Matthew 22:23-33, Mark 12:18-27, Luke 20:27-38)
On that day, some of the Sadducees (those who say that there is no resurrection) came to him. They asked him, saying, “Teacher, Moses wrote to us, ‘If a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife behind him, and leaves no children, that his brother should marry his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ Now there were with us seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring, leaving his wife to his brother. In the same way, the second also took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise; and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all, the woman also died. Therefore in the resurrection whose wife will she be? For the seven all had her as a wife.”
But Jesus answered them, “Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God? For the children of this age marry and are given in marriage. But those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage. For they can’t die any more, for they are like the angels and are children of God, being children of the resurrection. But about the resurrection of the dead, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob?’ Now he is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for all are alive to him. You are therefore badly mistaken.”
When the multitudes heard it, they were astonished at his teaching.
The Greatest Commandment
(Matthew 22:34-45, Mark 12:28-34, Luke 20:39-40)
But the scribes and Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. One of the scribes, a lawyer, knowing that he had answered them well, asked him a question, testing him. “Teacher, which commandment is the greatest of all?”
Jesus answered, “The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first and great commandment. The second likewise is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”
The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; and to love him with all the heart, with all the understanding, all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.”
They didn’t dare to ask him any more questions after that.
The Question of the Son of David
(Matthew 22:46, Mark 12:35-37, Luke 20:41-44)
Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question as he taught in the temple, saying, “What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?”
They said to him, “Of David.”
Jesus responded, “How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord? For he himself said in the Holy Spirit in the book of Psalms,
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at my right hand,
until I make your enemies the footstool of your feet.” ’
“Therefore David himself calls him Lord, so how can he be his son?”
No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward, but the common people heard him gladly.
Chapter 43
Beware the Scribes
(Matthew 23:1-39, Mark 12:38-40, Luke 20:45-47)
Then, in the hearing of all the people, Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, saying, “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat. All things therefore whatever they tell you to observe, observe and do, but beware of them, and don’t do their works; for they say, and don’t do. For they bind heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders; but they themselves will not lift a finger to help them. They devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. But they do all their works to be seen by men. They make their phylacteries broad and enlarge the fringes of their garments, and they like to walk around in long robes, and love the place of honor at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, the salutations in the marketplaces, and to be called Rabbi by men. But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi’, for one is your teacher, the Christ, and all of you are brothers. Call no man on the earth your father, for one is your Father, he who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for one is your master, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you will be your servant. Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
“But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Because you shut up the Kingdom of Heaven against men; for you don’t enter in yourselves, neither do you allow those who are entering in to enter. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you travel around by sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?’ You blind fools! For which is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifies the gift? He therefore who swears by the altar, swears by it and by everything on it. He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by him who lives in it. He who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by him who sits on it.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cumin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faith. But you ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone. You blind guides, who strain out a gnat, and swallow a camel!
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and unrighteousness. You blind Pharisee, first clean the inside of the cup, that its outside may become clean also.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitened tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead men’s bones and of all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and iniquity.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and decorate the tombs of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we wouldn’t have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you testify to yourselves that you are children of those who killed the prophets. Fill up, then, the measure of your fathers. You serpents, you offspring of vipers, how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? Therefore, behold, I send to you prophets, wise men, and scribes. Some of them you will kill and crucify; and some of them you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from city to city, that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zachariah son of Barachiah, whom you killed between the sanctuary and the altar. Most certainly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.
“Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you would not! Behold, your house is left to you. For I tell you, you will not see me from now on, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”
The Widow's Mite
(Mark 12:41-44, Luke 21:1-4)
He sat down opposite the treasury and looked up and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. A certain poor widow came in and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. He called his disciples to himself and said to them, “Most certainly I tell you, this poor widow gave more than all those who are giving into the treasury, for they all gave to God out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”
Chapter 44
Speaking to the Greeks
(John 12:20-50)
Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. Therefore, these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus.
Jesus answered them, “The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. Most certainly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains by itself alone. But if it dies, it bears much fruit. He who loves his life loses it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life. If anyone serves me, let him follow me. Where I am, there my servant will also be. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.
“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time?’ But I came to this time for this cause. Father, glorify your name!”
Then a voice came out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”
Therefore the multitude who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.”
Jesus answered, “This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out. And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.” But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
Then the multitude answered him, “We have heard out of the law that the Christ remains forever. How do you say, ‘The Son of Man must be lifted up?’ Who is this Son of Man?”
Jesus therefore said to them, “Yet a little while the light is among you. Walk while you have the light, that darkness doesn’t overtake you. He who walks in the darkness doesn’t know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become children of light.” Jesus said these things, and he departed and hid himself from them. But though he had done so many signs before them, yet they didn’t believe in him, that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:
“Lord, who has believed our report?
To whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”
For this cause they couldn’t believe, for Isaiah said again:
“He has blinded their eyes and he hardened their heart,
lest they should see with their eyes,
and perceive with their heart,
and would turn,
and I would heal them.”
Isaiah said these things when he saw his glory, and spoke of him. Nevertheless, even many of the rulers believed in him, but because of the Pharisees they didn’t confess it, so that they wouldn’t be put out of the synagogue, for they loved men’s praise more than God’s praise.
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. He who sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness. If anyone listens to my sayings and doesn’t keep them, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He who rejects me, and doesn’t receive my sayings, has one who judges him. The word that I spoke will judge him in the last day. For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me has given me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life. The things therefore which I speak, even as the Father has said to me, so I speak.”
Destruction of the Temple Foretold
(Matthew 24:1-8, Mark 13:1-8, Luke 21:5-11)
He went out from the temple, and was going on his way. His disciples came to him to show him the buildings of the temple, and one of them said, “Teacher, see what kind of beautiful stones and gifts it is decorated! See what kind of buildings!”
But Jesus said to him, “Do you see these great buildings? Most certainly I tell you, the days will come in which there will not be left here one stone on another which will not be thrown down.”
As he sat on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John, and Andrew came and asked him privately, “Tell us teacher, when will these things be? What is the sign that these things are all about to be fulfilled? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?”
Jesus, answering, began to tell them, “Watch out and be careful that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and, ‘The time is at hand,’ and they will lead many astray.
“Therefore don't follow them. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars and disturbances, don’t be troubled. For all those things must happen first, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes, famines, plagues, and troubles in various places. There will be terrors and great signs from heaven. But all these things are the beginning of birth pains. The end won't come immediately.
Persecution Foretold
(Matthew 24:9-14, Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-19)
“But then watch yourselves, for, before all these things, they will lay their hands on you and will persecute you, delivering you up to councils. You will be beaten in synagogues and prisons. You will stand before rulers and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them. The Good News of the Kingdom must first be preached to all the nations before the end will come. When they lead you away and deliver you up, don’t be anxious beforehand or premeditate what you will say, but say whatever will be given you in that hour. For it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.
“Settle it therefore in your hearts not to meditate beforehand how to answer, for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to withstand or to contradict.
“Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray. Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. Brother will deliver up brother to death, and the father his child. You will be handed over even by relatives and friends. Children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. You will be hated by all the nations for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved, and not a hair of your head will perish.
“By your endurance you will win your lives.
Abomination of Desolation
(Matthew 24:15-28, Mark 13:14-23, Luke 21:20-24)
“But, therefore, when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, is at hand, standing in the holy place where it ought not (let the reader understand). Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let him who is on the housetop not go down, nor enter in, to take anything out of his house. Let him who is in the field not return back to take his clothes. For these are days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled. But woe to those who are with child and to those mothers who nurse babies in those days! Pray that your flight won’t be in the winter nor on a Sabbath. For in those days there will be oppression and suffering, such as there has not been the like from the beginning of the world which God created until now, no, nor ever will be. People will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led captive into all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled down by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. Unless the Lord had shortened the days, no flesh would have been saved; but for the sake of the chosen ones, whom he picked out, he shortened the days. Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ don’t believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, that they may lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones. But you watch.
“Behold, I have told you all things beforehand.
“If therefore they tell you, ‘Behold, he is in the wilderness,’ don’t go out; or ‘Behold, he is in the inner rooms,’ don’t believe it. For as the lightning flashes from the east, and is seen even to the west, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.
The Coming of the Son of Man
(Matthew 24:29-31, Mark 13:24-27, Luke 21:25-28)
“But in those days, immediately after that oppression, there will be signs. The sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will be falling from the sky, and on the earth there will be anxiety of nations, in perplexity for the roaring of the sea and the waves; men fainting for fear and for expectation of the things which are coming on the world, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken; and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of the sky with great power and glory. Then he will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of the sky. But when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is near.
The Fig Tree's Lesson
(Matthew 24:32-35, Mark 13:28-31, Luke 21:29-33)
“Now from the fig tree and all the trees, learn this parable. When the branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you see it and know by your own selves that the summer is already near; even so you also, when you see all these things coming to pass, know that God's Kingdom is near, at the doors. Most certainly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away by any means.
Keep Alert and Watch
(Matthew 24:36-51, Mark 13:32-37, Luke 21:34-36)
“But of that day or that hour no one knows—not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left. Watch therefore, and keep alert; for you don’t know when the time is that your Lord comes.
“It is like a man traveling to another country, having left his house and given authority to his servants, and to each one his work, and also commanded the doorkeeper to keep watch. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have watched, and would not have allowed his house to be broken into.
“So be careful, or your hearts will be loaded down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that day will come on you suddenly. For it will come like a snare on all those who dwell on the surface of all the earth. Therefore be watchful all the time, praying that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will happen, and to stand before the Son of Man. For you don’t know when the lord of the house is coming—whether at evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning; lest, coming suddenly, he might find you sleeping. What I tell you, I tell all: Watch!”
“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season? Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes. Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has. But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards, the lord of that servant will come in a day when he doesn’t expect it and in an hour when he doesn’t know it, and will cut him in pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.
Chapter 45
The Parable of the Ten Virgins
(Matthew 25:1-13)
“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’ Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘What if there isn’t enough for us and you? You go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ While they went away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’ Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour.
The Parable of the Talents
(Matthew 25:14-30)
“For it is like a man going into another country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his own ability. Then he went on his journey. Immediately he who received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. In the same way, he also who got the two gained another two. But he who received the one talent went away and dug in the earth and hid his lord’s money.
“Now after a long time the lord of those servants came, and settled accounts with them. He who received the five talents came and brought another five talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents. Behold, I have gained another five talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things, I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who got the two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents. Behold, I have gained another two talents in addition to them.’
“His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things. I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
“He also who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you that you are a hard man, reaping where you didn’t sow, and gathering where you didn’t scatter. I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the earth. Behold, you have what is yours.’
“But his lord answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant. You knew that I reap where I didn’t sow, and gather where I didn’t scatter. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents. For to everyone who has will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away. Throw out the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
The Nations' Judgement
(Matthew 25:31-26:2, Luke 21:37-38)
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. Then the King will tell those on his right hand, ‘Come, blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me drink. I was a stranger and you took me in. I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’
“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink? When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’
“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my siblings, you did it to me.’ Then he will say also to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire which is prepared for the devil and his angels; for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink; I was a stranger, and you didn’t take me in; naked, and you didn’t clothe me; sick, and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
“Then they will also answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and didn’t help you?’
“Then he will answer them, saying, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you didn’t do it to one of the least of these, you didn’t do it to me.’ These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, “You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”
Chapter 46
The Plot to Kill Jesus
(Matthew 26:3-5, Mark 14:1-2, Luke 21:37-22:2)
Every day Jesus had been teaching in the temple, and every night he would go out and spend the night on the mountain that is called Olivet. All the people would come early in the morning to him in the temple to hear him.
It was now two days before the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is called the Passover, and the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders of the people were gathered together in the court of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas. They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him. But they feared the people, and they said, “Not during the feast, because there might be a riot among the people.”
The Anointing at Bethany
(Matthew 26:6-13, Mark 14:3-9, John 12:2-8)
Now while Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, they made him a supper there. Martha served, but Lazarus was one of those who sat at the table with him. Therefore, as he sat at the table, Mary came to him having an alabaster jar of a pound of ointment of pure nard—very costly and precious. She broke the jar and poured it over his head as he sat at the table, and anointed his feet and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the ointment.
But when his disciples saw this, there were some who were indignant among themselves, and Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, and who would betray him, said, “Why has this ointment been wasted? For this might have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” (Now he said this, not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having the money box, used to steal what was put into it.) So they grumbled against her.
However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, “Leave her alone. Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me. For you always have the poor with you, and whenever you want to, you can do them good; but you will not always have me. She has done what she could. For in pouring this ointment on my body, she has anointed my body beforehand in preparation for my burial. Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News may be preached throughout the whole world, that which this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”
Judas Iscariot Agrees to Betray Jesus
(Matthew 26:14-16, Mark 14:10-11, Luke 22:3-6)
Then Satan entered into Judas Iscariot, and he went away and talked with the chief priests and captains about how he might deliver him to them, and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?” They, when they heard it, were glad, and promised to give him money, and they weighed out for him thirty pieces of silver. He consented and from that time sought an opportunity to conveniently deliver him to them in the absence of the multitude.
The Last Supper
(Matthew 26:17-29, Mark 14:12-25, Luke 22:7-30, John 13:1-35, 1 Corinthians 11:24-25)
Now on the first day of unleavened bread, on which the Passover must be sacrificed, Jesus knew before the feast that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. He sent two of his disciples, Peter and John, saying, “Go into the city and prepare the Passover for us, that we may eat.”
They asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?”
He said to them, “Go into the city, and behold, when you have entered into it, a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him, and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says to you, “My time is at hand. Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ’ He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.”
His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover.
When it was evening he came with the twelve apostles, and when the hour had come, he sat down at the table with them. As they were eating, he said to them, “I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer, for I tell you, I won't eat of it again until it is fulfilled in God’s Kingdom.” He received a cup, and when he had given thanks, he said, “Take this and share it among yourselves, for I tell you, I will not drink at all again from the fruit of the vine, until God’s Kingdom comes.”
During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped it around his waist. Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around him. Then he came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?”
Jesus answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”
Peter said to him, “You will never wash my feet!”
Jesus answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with me.”
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”
Jesus said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” So when he had washed their feet, put his outer garment back on, and sat down again, he said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than he who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’ From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he. Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”
When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, “Behold, the hand of him who betrays me is with me on the table. Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me—he who eats with me. The Son of Man indeed goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man through whom he is betrayed!”
The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke.
They began to be sorrowful, and to question among themselves which of them it was who would do this thing, and to ask him one by one, “Surely not I, Lord?” And another said, “Surely not I, Lord?”
He answered them, “It is one of the twelve, he who dips with me in the dish will betray me. For the Son of Man goes even as it is written about him, but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed! It would be better for that man if he had not been born.”
One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ breast. Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.”
He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ breast, asked him, “Lord, who is it?”
Jesus therefore answered, “It is he to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it.” So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot.
Judas, who betrayed him, answered, “It isn’t me, is it, Rabbi?”
He said to him, “You said it.”
After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into Judas.
Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.”
Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus said to him, “Buy what things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor. Therefore having received that piece of bread, he went out immediately. It was night.
When he had gone out, Jesus took bread as they were eating, and when he had blessed it and given thanks, he broke it and gave it to the disciples and said, “Take, eat. This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”
In the same way he also took the cup after supper, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. He said to them, “All of you drink it, for this cup is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the remission of sins. Do this, as often as you drink, in memory of me. But most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew with you in my Father’s Kingdom.
“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
A dispute also arose among them, which of them was considered to be greatest. He said to them, “The kings of the nations lord it over them, and those who have authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so with you. Rather, the one who is greater among you, let him become as the younger, and one who is governing, as one who serves. For who is greater, one who sits at the table, or one who serves? Isn’t it he who sits at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.
“But you are those who have continued with me in my trials. I confer on you a kingdom, even as my Father conferred on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my Kingdom. You will sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.”
Chapter 47
The Way, the Truth, and the Life
(Matthew 26:30, Mark 14:26, Luke 22:35-39, John 14:1-31)
“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also. You know the way to the place where I am going.”
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on, you know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’ Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe for the very works’ sake. Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it. If you love me, keep my commandments. I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever: the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive, for it doesn’t see him and doesn’t know him. You know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. One who has my commandments and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.”
Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?”
Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.
“I have said these things to you while still living with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, I give to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. You heard how I told you, ‘I am going away, and I will come back to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced because I am going to the Father; for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe. I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me. But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let’s go from here.”
He said to them, “When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?”
They said, “Nothing.”
Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a purse, let him take it, and likewise a bag. Whoever has none, let him sell his cloak, and buy a sword. For I tell you that this which is written must be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For the things written concerning me are being fulfilled.”
They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.”
He said to them, “That is enough.”
When they had sung a hymn, he came out and went, as his custom was, to the Mount of Olives. His disciples also followed him.
Chapter 48
Peter's Denials Foretold
(Matthew 26:31-35, Mark 14:27-31, Luke 22:31-34, John 13:36-38)
Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ However, after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee.”
But Simon Peter said to him, “Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble. Although all will be offended, yet I will not.”
The Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan asked to have all of you, that he might sift you as wheat, but I prayed for you, that your faith wouldn’t fail. You, when once you have turned again, establish your brothers.”
He said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus answered, “Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”
Peter said to him, “Lord, why can't I follow you now? I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death! I will lay down my life for you!”
Jesus answered him, “Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, Peter, the rooster will by no means crow today, even this night, until you deny that you know me three times. Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.”
But he spoke all the more, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you.” All of the disciples also said likewise.
The True Vine
(John 15:1-27)
Then Jesus said, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me. I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned. If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.
“In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples. Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love, even as I have kept my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full.
“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You didn’t choose me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
“I command these things to you, that you may love one another. If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But they will do all these things to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates me, hates my Father also. If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now they have seen and also hated both me and my Father. But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’
“When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me. You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.
Chapter 49
Take Courage
(John 16:1-33)
“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble. They will put you out of the synagogues. Yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers service to God. They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me. But I have told you these things so that when their time comes, you may remember that I told you about them. I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I don’t go away, the Counselor won’t come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment; about sin, because they don’t believe in me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father, and you won’t see me any more; about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.
“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now. However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you. All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.
“A little while, and you will no longer see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”
Some of his disciples therefore said to one another, “What is this that he says to us, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me;’ and, ‘Because I go to the Father’?” They said therefore, “What is this that he says, ‘A little while’? We don’t know what he is saying.”
Therefore Jesus perceived that they wanted to ask him, and he said to them, “Do you inquire among yourselves concerning this, that I said, ‘A little while, and you won’t see me, and again a little while, and you will see me?’ Most certainly I tell you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice. You will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. A woman, when she gives birth, has sorrow because her time has come. But when she has delivered the child, she doesn’t remember the anguish any more, for the joy that a human being is born into the world. Therefore you now have sorrow, but I will see you again, and your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you.
“In that day you will ask me no questions. Most certainly I tell you, whatever you may ask of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.
“I have spoken these things to you in figures of speech. But the time is coming when I will no more speak to you in figures of speech, but will tell you plainly about the Father. In that day you will ask in my name; and I don’t say to you that I will pray to the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
His disciples said, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. Now we know that you know all things, and don’t need for anyone to question you. By this we believe that you came from God.”
Jesus answered them, “Do you now believe? Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has come, that you will be scattered, everyone to his own place, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have told you these things, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have trouble; but cheer up! I have overcome the world.”
Chapter 50
Praying for the Disciples
(John 17:1-26)
Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, “Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that the Son may glorify you; even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him. This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ. I glorified you on the earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do. Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.
“I revealed your name to the people whom you have given me out of the world. They were yours, and you have given them to me. They have kept your word. Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you, for the words which you have given me I have given to them; and they received them, and knew for sure that I came from you. They have believed that you sent me. I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours. All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them. I am no more in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them through your name which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are. While I was with them, I kept them in your name. I have kept those whom you have given me. None of them is lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves. I have given them your word. The world hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth. Your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.
“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one, I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one, that the world may know that you sent me and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.”
The Prayer in Gethsemane
(Matthew 26:36-46, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46, John 18:1-2)
When Jesus had spoken these words, he went out with his disciples over the brook Kidron, where there was a garden called Gethsemane, into which he and his disciples entered. (Now Judas, who betrayed him, also knew the place, for Jesus often met there with his disciples.)
Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” He took with him Peter, James, and John, and began to be severely troubled and distressed. Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me. Pray that you don't enter into temptation.”
He went forward about a stone's throw away, fell on his face to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass away from him. He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to you. If you are willing, please remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire. Not my will, but yours, be done.”
When he rose up from his prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? What, couldn’t any of you watch with me for one hour? Rise, watch and pray, that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”
Again he returned and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they didn’t know what to answer him. He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. Then he came to his disciples the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Sleep on now, and take your rest. It is enough. The hour has come. Behold, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Arise! Let’s get going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”
Chapter 51
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
(Matthew 26:47-56, Mark 14:43-52, Luke 22:47-53, John 18:3-11)
Immediately, while he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, having taken a detachment of soldiers and officers from the chief priests, the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders of the people. They came with a great multitude with lanterns, torches, swords, and clubs. Jesus therefore, knowing all the things that were happening to him, went out and said to them, “Who are you looking for?”
They answered him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus said to them, “I am he.”
Judas also, who betrayed him, was standing with them. When therefore he said to them, “I am he,” they went backward and fell to the ground.
Again therefore he asked them, “Who are you looking for?”
They said, “Jesus of Nazareth.”
Jesus answered, “I told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way,” that the word might be fulfilled which he spoke, “Of those whom you have given me, I have lost none.”
Now he who betrayed him came near to Jesus to kiss him. He had given them a sign, saying, “Whoever I will kiss, that is he. Seize him, and lead him away safely.” Immediately he came to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him.
But Jesus said to him, “Friend Judas, why are you here? Do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”
Then they came and laid their hands on Jesus, and seized him. But when those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” Behold, Simon Peter, who stood by, stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus.
But Jesus answered, “Let me at least do this”—and he touched his ear and healed him.
Then Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword back into its sheath, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so? The cup which the Father has given me, shall I not surely drink it?”
In that hour Jesus said to the chief priests, captains of the temple, and elders, who had come against him, “Have you come out, as against a robber, with swords and clubs to seize me? I was sitting daily with you in the temple teaching, and you didn’t stretch out your hands to arrest me then. But all this has happened that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled. This is your hour, and the power of darkness.”
Then all the disciples left him, and fled. A young man [most likely Mark, the only writer who records about this young man] followed him, having a linen cloth thrown around himself over his naked body. They grabbed him, but he left the linen cloth and fled naked.
Jesus Before the High Priest
(Matthew 26:57-68, Mark 14:53-65, Luke 22:54-55,63-71, John 18:12-16,18-24)
So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people. All the chief priests, the elders, and the scribes came together with him.
But Simon Peter followed Jesus from a distance, as did another disciple. Now that disciple was known to the high priest, and entered in with Jesus into the court of the high priest; but Peter was standing at the door outside. So the other disciple, who was known to the high priest, went out and spoke to her who kept the door, and brought in Peter.
Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having kindled a fire of coals in the middle of the courtyard, for it was cold. They had sat down together, and were warming themselves. Peter sat among them, warming himself in the light of the fire, to see the end.
The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching.
Jesus answered him, “I have spoken openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where all the Jews meet. I said nothing in secret. Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said.”
When he had said this, one of the officers standing by slapped Jesus with his hand, saying, “Do you answer the high priest like that?”
Jesus answered him, “If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”
Annas sent him bound to the house of Caiaphas, the high priest.
As soon as it was day, the chief priests and scribes and the whole assembly of the elders of the people were gathered together, and they led him away into the council, seeking false witnesses against Jesus to put him to death, and finding none. For even though many came forward and gave false testimony against him, their testimony didn’t agree with each other. But at last, two false witnesses stood up and gave false testimony against him, saying, “We heard him say, ‘I will destroy this temple that is made with hands, and in three days I will build another made without hands.’ ” Even so, their testimony didn’t agree.
The high priest stood up in the middle, and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer? What is it which these testify against you?” But he stayed quiet, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed God? If you are the Christ, tell us. I adjure you by the living God.”
But Jesus said to them, “If I tell you, you won’t believe, and if I ask, you will in no way answer me or let me go. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of the sky.”
They all said, “Are you then the Son of God?”
He said to them, “You say it, because I am.”
Then the high priest tore his clothes and said, “He has spoken blasphemy! What further need have we of witnesses? For behold, you yourselves have now heard the blasphemy from his own mouth! What do you think?”
They all condemned him, saying, “He is worthy of death!” Then the men who held Jesus mocked him, spat in his face, and beat him with their fists. Having blindfolded him, they struck him on the face and asked him, “Prophesy to us, you Christ! Who is the one who struck you?” They spoke many other things against him, insulting him, and the officers struck him with the palms of their hands.
Peter Denies Jesus Three Times
(Matthew 26:69-75, Mark 14:66-72, Luke 22:56-62, John 18:17,25-27)
Now as Simon Peter was sitting and standing outside in the courtyard below, a certain servant girl of the high priest (the same maid who kept the door) came, and seeing Peter warming himself in the light of the fire, she looked intently at him and said, “You were also with Jesus of Nazareth, the Galilean!” [And she said to those around her], “This man also was with him.” [She spoke again to Peter], “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?”
But he denied it before them all, saying, “I am not, woman. I neither know nor understand what you are talking about. I don’t know him.” He went out on the porch.
After a little while the maid saw him again and began, along with another maid, to tell those who stood by, “This is one of them. This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.”
Therefore someone else said to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?”
But again Peter answered, denying it with an oath, “Man, I am not! I don't know the man.”
After about one hour passed, those who stood by came, and one of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said to Peter, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him? Surely you are also one of them, for your speech makes you known.” He confidently affirmed [to the rest], saying, “Truly this man was also with him, for he is a Galilean!”
Therefore Peter began to curse and to swear, “Man, I don’t know what you are talking about! I don’t know this man of whom you speak!”
Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. Then the rooster crowed the second time. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. Then Peter remembered the words that Jesus said to him, “Before the rooster crows twice, you will deny me three times.” When he thought about that, he went out, and wept bitterly.
Chapter 52
The Death of Judas
(Matthew 27:1-10, Mark 15:1, Luke 23:1, John 18:28)
Now, as morning had come, immediately all the chief priests and scribes, and elders of the people, along with the whole council, held a consultation against Jesus to put him to death. They rose up, bound him, and led him away into the Praetorium, delivering him up to Pilate, the governor. It was early, and they themselves didn’t enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
Then Judas, who betrayed him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, felt remorse, and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders, saying, “I have sinned in that I betrayed innocent blood.”
But they said, “What is that to us? You see to it.”
He threw down the pieces of silver in the sanctuary and departed. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests took the pieces of silver and said, “It’s not lawful to put them into the treasury, since it is the price of blood.” They took counsel, and bought the potter’s field with them to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called “The Field of Blood” to this day. Then that which was spoken through Jeremiah and Zechariah the prophets were fulfilled, saying,
“They took the thirty pieces of silver,
the price of him upon whom a price had been set,
whom some of the children of Israel priced,
and they gave them for the potter’s field,
as the Lord commanded me.”
Jesus Before Pilate
(Matthew 27:11-14, Mark 15:2-5, Luke 23:2-7, John 18:29-38)
Now Jesus stood before the governor, and Pilate went out to the chief priests, scribes, and elders and said, “What accusation do you bring against this man?”
They began to accuse him of many things, saying, “We found this man perverting our nation, forbidding paying taxes to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king. If this man weren’t an evildoer, we wouldn’t have delivered him up to you.”
Pilate therefore said to them, “Take him yourselves, and judge him according to your law.”
The Jews said to him, “It is illegal for us to put anyone to death,” that the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spoke, signifying by what kind of death he should die.
Pilate therefore entered again into the Praetorium, called Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?”
Jesus answered, “Do you say this by yourself, or did others tell you about me?”
Pilate answered, “I’m not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered you to me. What have you done?”
Jesus answered, “My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, then my servants would fight, that I wouldn’t be delivered to the Jews. But now my Kingdom is not from here.”
Pilate therefore said to him, “Are you a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I have been born, and for this reason I have come into the world, that I should testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.”
Pilate said to him, “What is truth? Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!”
But Jesus made no further answer to him, not even one word, so that Pilate marveled greatly, and he went out again to the Jews, chief priests, and multitudes, and said to them, “I find no basis for a charge against this man.”
But they insisted, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee even to this place.”
But when Pilate heard Galilee mentioned, he asked if the man was a Galilean. When he found out that he was in Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who was also in Jerusalem during those days.
Jesus Before Herod
(Luke 23:8-12)
Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad, for he had wanted to see him for a long time, because he had heard about him. He hoped to see some miracle done by him. He questioned him with many words, but he gave no answers. The chief priests and the scribes stood, vehemently accusing him. Herod with his soldiers humiliated him and mocked him. Dressing him in luxurious clothing, they sent him back to Pilate. Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before that they were enemies with each other.
Jesus Before Pilate Again
(Matthew 27:15-30 Mark 15:6-19, Luke 23:13-25, John 18:39-19:16a)
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers, and the people, and said to them, “You brought this man to me as one that perverts the people, and behold, having examined him before you, I found no basis for a charge against this man concerning those things of which you accuse him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us, and see, nothing worthy of death has been done by him. But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
Now at the the feast the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whomever they asked of him. They had then a notable prisoner called Jesus Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed robbery and murder. The multitude, crying aloud, had begun to ask him to do as he always did for them. When therefore they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ, the King of the Jews?” For he perceived that because of envy the chief priests had delivered him up.
While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him.”
Now the chief priests and the elders stirred up the multitudes, and persuaded them to ask for Barabbas and destroy Jesus. But the governor answered them, “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?”
They all cried out together, saying, “Away with this man! Release to us Barabbas!”
Pilate again asked them, wanting to release Jesus, “What then do you wish me to do to Jesus who is called Christ, the King of the Jews?”
But they all cried out again, saying to him, “Crucify! Let him be crucified!”
But Pilate said to them the third time, “Why? What evil has this man done? I have found no capital crime in him. I will therefore chastise him and release him.”
But they were urgent with loud voices, and they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!”
So Pilate then took Jesus and flogged him. The soldiers called together the whole cohort against him. They stripped him and put a scarlet-purple robe on him. They twisted thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and put a staff in his right hand. They began to salute and mock him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” They spat on him, slapped him, and took the staff and struck him on the head, and, bowing their knees, did homage to him.
Then Pilate went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I bring him out to you, that you may know that I find no basis for a charge against him.”
Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the robe. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!”
When therefore the chief priests and the officers saw him, they shouted, saying, “Crucify! Crucify!”
Pilate said to them, “Take him yourselves and crucify him, for I find no basis for a charge against him.”
The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore said to him, “Aren’t you speaking to me? Don’t you know that I have power to release you and have power to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power at all against me, unless it were given to you from above. Therefore he who delivered me to you has greater sin.”
At this, Pilate was seeking to release him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you release this man, you aren’t Caesar’s friend! Everyone who makes himself a king speaks against Caesar!”
When Pilate therefore heard these words, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judgment seat at a place called “The Pavement”, but in Hebrew, “Gabbatha.” Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about 6:00 a.m. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!”
They cried out, “Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him!”
Pilate said to them, “Shall I crucify your King?”
The chief priests answered, “We have no king but Caesar!”
The voices of the chief priests and of the crowd prevailed. Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting. Wishing to please the multitude, he decreed that what they asked for should be done. He took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this man. You see to it.”
All the people answered, “May his blood be on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them as they had asked, and handed over Jesus to be crucified.
Chapter 53
The Crucifixion
(Matthew 27:27,31-56, Mark 15:20-41, Luke 23:26-49, John 19:16b-37)
Then the governor's soldiers led Jesus away within the court, which is the Praetorium. They took the robe off him, put his own garments on him, and led him out to crucify him.
He went out, bearing his cross, to the place called “The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha.” As they led him out, they grabbed one coming from the country, Simon of Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, who was passing by, and compelled him to go with them that he might bear the cross. They laid it on him to carry it after Jesus.
A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. But Jesus, turning to them, said, “Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold, the days are coming in which they will say, ‘Blessed are the barren, the wombs that never bore, and the breasts that never nursed.’ Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’ For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”
There were also others, two criminals, robbers, led with him to be put to death. When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they offered him sour wine to drink mixed with myrrh and gall, but when he had tasted it, he would not drink.
At 9:00 a.m. they crucified him there. The people stood there watching him. The rulers with them also scoffed at him, saying, “He saved others. Let him save himself, if this is the Christ of God, his chosen one!”
Pilate wrote a title also, and had them put in on the cross over his head. There was written the superscription of the accusation against him, “THIS IS JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Therefore many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, in Latin, and in Greek. The chief priests of the Jews therefore said to Pilate, “Don’t write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘he said, “I am King of the Jews.” ’ ”
Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”
Then they crucified the criminals there with him, one on his right hand and the other on the left, with Jesus in the middle.
Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also the tunic. Now the tunic was without seam, woven from the top throughout. Then they said to one another, “Let’s not tear it, but cast lots for it to decide whose it will be,” that the Scripture might be fulfilled, which says,
“They parted my garments among them.
They cast lots for my clothing.”
Therefore the soldiers did these things.
Those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads and saying, “Ha! You who destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross!”
Likewise, also the chief priests mocking among themselves with the scribes, the Pharisees, and the elders, said, “He saved others, but he can’t save himself. Let the Christ, the King of Israel, now come down from the cross, that we may see and believe him. He trusts in God. Let God deliver him now, if he wants him; for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’ ” Those who were crucified with him also insulted him in the same way.
One of the criminals insulted him, saying, “Aren't you the Christ? Save yourself and us!”
But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” He said to Jesus, “Remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”
Jesus said to him, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
Standing by Jesus’ cross were his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. Therefore when Jesus saw his mother, and the disciple whom he loved standing there, he said to his mother, “Woman, behold, your son!” Then he said to the disciple, “Behold, your mother!” From that hour, the disciple took her to his own home.
It was now about noon, and darkness came over the whole land until 3:00 p.m. The sun's light failed, and at 3:00 Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, “Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” which is, being interpreted, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
Some of those who stood by, when they heard it, said, “Behold, he is calling Elijah.”
After this, Jesus, knowing that all things were now finished, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, said, “I am thirsty!” A vessel full of vinegar was set there; so immediately, one soldier ran, and filling a sponge full of vinegar, put it on a hyssop reed and held it at his mouth for him to drink, mocking him and saying, “If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!”
The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to take him down.”
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he cried out again with a loud voice, saying, “It is finished! Father, into your hands I commit my spirit!” Having said this, he bowed his head, breathed his last, and gave up his spirit.
Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many.
Now the centurion who stood by opposite Jesus, and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw that he breathed his last like this, and saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, and the centurion glorified God, saying, “Truly this was a righteous man, the Son of God!”
Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken and that they might be taken away. Therefore the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with him; but when they came to Jesus and saw that he was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. However, one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you also may believe. For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.” Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”
All the multitudes that came together to see this, when they saw the things that were done, returned home beating their breasts. There were also many women watching these things from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the less and of Joses, and Salome the mother of the sons of Zebedee; who, when he was in Galilee, followed him and served him; and many other women and acquaintances who came up with him to Jerusalem.
The Burial of Jesus
(Matthew 27:57-66, Mark 15:42-47, Luke 23:50-56, John 19:38-42)
After these things, when evening had now come, because it was the Preparation Day, that is, the day before the Sabbath, behold, there was a rich man from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, named Joseph, who was a prominent member of the council, a good and righteous man (he had not consented to their counsel and deed), who was also waiting for God’s Kingdom, and was also a disciple of Jesus (though secretly, for fear of the Jews). This man boldly went to Pilate, and asked of him that he might take away Jesus’ body. Pilate was surprised to hear that he was already dead; and summoning the centurion, he asked him whether he had been dead long. When he found out from the centurion, he commanded the body to be given up to Joseph, and gave him permission to take it away. He therefore bought a clean linen cloth, and went and took him down. Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds. So they took Jesus’ body, and bound it in the linen cloth with the spices, as the custom of the Jews is to bury. Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden. In the garden was Joseph's own new tomb, which he had cut out of a rock, and where no one had ever been laid. Because of the Jews’ Preparation Day (for the tomb was near at hand) they laid Jesus there. Then they rolled a large stone against the door of the tomb and departed. Mary Magdalene was there, along with the other Mary, the mother of Joses, sitting opposite the tomb, and they saw where and how he was laid. They returned and prepared spices and ointments. On the Sabbath they rested according to the commandment.
Now on the next day, which was the day after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees were gathered together to Pilate, saying, “Sir, we remember what that deceiver said while he was still alive: ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Command therefore that the tomb be made secure until the third day, lest perhaps his disciples come and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He is risen from the dead;’ and the last deception will be worse than the first.”
Pilate said to them, “You have a guard. Go, make it as secure as you can.” So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure, sealing the stone.
Chapter 54
The Empty Tomb
(Matthew 28:1-11, Mark 16:1-8, Luke 24:1-9a, John 20:1-2a)
When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint him.
On the first day of the week, behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from the sky and came and rolled away the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him, the guards shook, and became like dead men.
At early dawn the women came to the tomb when the sun had risen, but while it was still dark, bringing the spices which they had prepared. They were saying among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” for it was very big. Looking up, they saw that the stone was rolled back from the tomb. Therefore Mary Magdalene ran and came to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved.
The rest of the women entered into the tomb, but they didn't find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were greatly perplexed about this, behold, they saw two young men standing and sitting by them on the right side in dazzling clothing and white robes. Becoming terrified, they bowed their faces down to the earth.
But one of the men (the angel who had rolled the stone back) said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for I know that you seek Jesus of Nazareth, who has been crucified. Why do you seek the living among the dead? Remember what he told you when he was still in Galilee, saying that the Son of Man must be delivered up into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and the third day rise again? He is not here, for he has risen, just like he said. Come, see the place where they laid him! But go quickly, and tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He has risen from the dead, and behold, he goes before you into Galilee. There you will see him, as he said to you.’ Behold, I have told you.”
They went out quickly, and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had come on them. They said nothing to anyone; for they were afraid. But they remembered the angel's words, and were full of great joy, and ran to bring his disciples word. Behold, Jesus met them, saying, “Rejoice!”
They came and took hold of his feet, and worshiped him.
Then Jesus said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Go tell my siblings that they should go into Galilee, and there they will see me.”
Mary Magdalene Sees the Risen Lord
(John 20:2b-17)
Now while they were going, behold, some of the guards came into the city and told the chief priests all the things that had happened.
Mary had also come to Simon Peter and the other disciple, and she said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have laid him!”
Therefore Peter and the other disciple went out, and they went toward the tomb. They both ran together. The other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. Stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he didn’t enter in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered into the tomb. He saw the linen cloths lying, and the cloth that had been on his head, not lying with the linen cloths, but rolled up in a place by itself. So then the other disciple who came first to the tomb also entered in, and he saw and believed. For as yet they didn’t know the Scripture, that he must rise from the dead. So the disciples went away again to their own homes.
But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. They asked her, “Woman, why are you weeping?”
She said to them, “Because they have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they have laid him.” When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus.
Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Who are you looking for?”
She, supposing him to be the gardener, said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!”
Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to the Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ”
The Bribing of the Guards
(Matthew 28:12-15)
When the chief priests heard the guards’ story, they were assembled with the elders and took counsel. Then they gave a large amount of silver to the soldiers, saying, “Say that his disciples came by night and stole him away while we slept. If this comes to the governor’s ears, we will persuade him and make you free of worry.” So they took the money and did as they were told. This saying was spread abroad among the Jews, and continues until today.
The Women Tell of the Risen Lord
(Luke 24:9b-12, John 20:18)
The women went and told all the things they had seen and heard to the eleven and to all the rest. Now they were Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and the other women with them who told these things to the apostles. Mary Magdalene told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and also told the things he had said to her.
These words seemed to them to be nonsense, and they didn’t believe them. But Peter got up and ran to the tomb. Stooping and looking in, he saw the strips of linen by themselves, and he departed to his home, wondering what had happened.
Jesus Appears to Two Men on the Road
(Luke 24:13-35)
Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. He said to them, “What are you talking about as you walk?”
They stood still, being sad, and one of them, named Cleopas, answered him, “Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who doesn’t know the things which have happened there in these days?”
He said to them, “What things?”
They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. But we were hoping that it was he who would redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things happened. Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; and when they didn’t find his body, they came saying that they had also seen a vision of angels, who said that he was alive. Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.”
He said to them, “Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?” Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself.
They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further.
They urged him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is almost evening, and the day is almost over.”
He went in to stay with them. When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and, in the evening, found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, behind locked doors (for fear of the Jews), saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” They related the things that happened along the way, and how he was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Jesus Appears to the Disciples
(Luke 24:36-49, John 20:19-23)
As they said these things, Jesus himself came and stood in the middle of them, saying, “Peace be to you.”
But they were terrified and filled with fear, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.
He said to them, “Why are you troubled? Why do doubts arise in your hearts? See my hands and my feet, that it is truly me. Touch me and see, for a spirit doesn’t have flesh and bones, as you see that I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands, his feet, and his side. While they still didn’t believe for joy, and wondered, he said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?”
They gave him a piece of a broiled fish. He took it, and ate in front of them. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you, that all things which are written in the law of Moses, the prophets, and the psalms concerning me must be fulfilled.”
The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”
Then he opened their minds, that they might understand the Scriptures. He said to them, “Thus it is written, the Christ should suffer rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance for the remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. Behold, I send out the promise of my Father on you. But wait in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Jesus Appears to Thomas
(John 20:24-31)
But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said to him, “We have seen the Lord!”
But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the print of the nails, put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
After eight days, again his disciples were inside and Thomas was with them. Jesus came, the doors being locked, and stood in the middle, and said, “Peace be to you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Reach here your finger, and see my hands. Reach here your hand, and put it into my side. Don’t be unbelieving, but believing.”
Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!”
Jesus said to him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have still believed.”
Therefore Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.
Epilogue
Jesus Appears by the Sea of Tiberius
(John 21:1-19)
After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.”
They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. Jesus therefore said to them, “Children, have you anything to eat?”
They answered him, “No.”
He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.”
They cast it therefore, and now they weren’t able to draw it in for the multitude of fish. That disciple therefore whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”
So when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked), and threw himself into the sea. But the other disciples came in the little boat (for they were not far from the land, but about two hundred cubits away), dragging the net full of fish. So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”
Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land, full of one hundred fifty-three great fish. Even though there were so many, the net wasn’t torn.
Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast!”
None of the disciples dared inquire of him, “Who are you?” knowing that it was the Lord.
Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he had risen from the dead. So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Feed my lambs.” He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.”
He said to him, “Tend my sheep.” He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. Most certainly I tell you, when you were young, you dressed yourself and walked where you wanted to. But when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you don’t want to go.”
Now he said this, signifying by what kind of death he would glorify God. When he had said this, he said to him, “Follow me.”
John Identifies Himself as the Beloved Disciple
(John 21:20-24)
Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” This saying therefore went out among the brothers that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?”
This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things [meaning John]. We know that his witness is true.
The Great Commission
(Matthew 28:16-20, 1 Corinthians 15:6)
Afterwards, the eleven disciples went into Galilee, along with over five hundred brothers, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Ascension
(Luke 24:50-53, John 21:25, Acts 1:3-11, 1 Corinthians 15:7)
Jesus continued to show himself alive to his disciples by many proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking about God’s Kingdom. There was even an appearance to James. After the forty days, he assembled together with the twelve, and led them out as far as Bethany. He commanded them, “Don’t depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which you heard from me. For John indeed baptized in water, but you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Therefore, when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, are you now restoring the kingdom to Israel?”
He said to them, “It isn’t for you to know times or seasons which the Father has set within his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you. You will be witnesses to me in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the uttermost parts of the earth.”
When he had said these things, as they were looking, he lifted up his hands and blessed them. While he blessed them, he withdrew from them, and was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. While they were looking steadfastly into the sky as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white clothing, who also said, “You men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who was received up from you into the sky, will come back in the same way as you saw him going into the sky.”
They worshiped Jesus, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, and were continually in the temple, blessing God.
There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
The End
No comments:
Post a Comment