# Jesus’ Words — World English Bible Every passage where Jesus speaks in the four Gospels. **Bold text** marks Jesus’ direct speech. Source: [jesuswords.me](https://jesuswords.me) --- ## Editorial Map ### Beginnings | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 12 | The Boy Jesus in the Temple | Luke 2:41–52 | — | — | | 18 | The Baptism of Jesus | Matthew 3:13–17 | — | — | | 20 | The Temptation | Matthew 4:1–11 | Luke 4:1–13 | — | ### Galilean Ministry | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 32 | Ministry in Galilee | Mark 1:14–15 | Matt 4:12–17, John 4:43–54 | — | | 33 | Jesus' Preaching at Nazareth | Luke 4:16–30 | Matt 13:54–58, Mark 6:2–6 | 31 | | 34 | The Call of the Disciples | Matthew 4:18–22 | Mark 1:16–20 | — | | 36 | The Healing of the Demoniac in the Synagogue | Mark 1:21–28 | Luke 4:31–37 | — | | 42 | The Cleansing of the Leper | Mark 1:40–45 | Matt 8:1–4, Luke 5:12–16 | — | | 43 | The Healing of the Paralytic | Mark 2:1–12 | Matt 9:1–8, Luke 5:17–26 | — | | 44 | The Call of Levi (Matthew) | Mark 2:13–17 | Matt 9:9–13, Luke 5:27–32 | — | | 22 | The Marriage at Cana | John 2:1–11 | — | — | | 45 | The Question about Fasting | Mark 2:18–22 | Matt 9:14–17, Luke 5:33–39 | 47, 104 | | 46 | Plucking Grain on the Sabbath | Mark 2:23–28 | Matt 12:1–8, Luke 6:1–5 | — | | 112 | Healing the Withered Hand | Matthew 12:9–14 | Mark 3:1–6, Luke 6:6–11 | — | | 31 | The Discourse with the Woman of Samaria | John 4:5–42 | — | — | | 51 | The Beatitudes | Matthew 5:3–12 | Luke 6:20–23 | 54, 68, 69 | | 52 | The Salt of the Earth | Matthew 5:13 | Matt 18:6–9, Mark 9:42–48, Mark 9:49–50, Luke 17:1–2, Luke 14:34–35 | — | | 53 | The Light of the World | Matthew 5:14–16 | Mark 4:21–25, Luke 11:33–36 | 32, 33 | | 54 | On the Law and the Prophets | Matthew 5:17–20 | Matt 11:2–15, Luke 16:16–17 | — | | 55 | On Murder and Wrath | Matthew 5:21–26 | Luke 12:49–59 | — | | 56 | On Adultery and Divorce | Matthew 5:27–32 | Mark 9:42–48, Luke 16:18 | — | | 57 | On Oaths | Matthew 5:33–37 | — | — | | 58 | On Retaliation | Matthew 5:38–42 | Matt 5:43–48, Luke 6:27–36 | — | | 59 | On Love of One's Enemies | Matthew 5:43–48 | Matt 5:38–42, Luke 6:27–36 | — | | 60 | On Almsgiving | Matthew 6:1–4 | — | 62 | | 62 | The Lord's Prayer | Matthew 6:5–15 | Luke 11:1–13 | — | | 63 | On Fasting | Matthew 6:16–18 | — | — | | 64 | On Treasures | Matthew 6:19–21 | Luke 12:22–34 | 76 | | 65 | The Sound Eye | Matthew 6:22–23 | Luke 11:33–36 | 24 | | 66 | On Serving Two Masters | Matthew 6:24 | Luke 16:10–13 | 47 | | 67 | On Anxiety | Matthew 6:25–34 | Luke 12:22–34 | 36 | | 68 | On Judging | Matthew 7:1–5 | Mark 4:21–25, Luke 6:37–42 | 26 | | 69 | On Profaning the Holy | Matthew 7:6 | — | 93 | | 70 | God's Answering of Prayer | Matthew 7:7–11 | Luke 11:1–13 | 2, 92, 94 | | 71 | The Golden Rule | Matthew 7:12 | Luke 6:27–36 | — | | 72 | The Two Ways | Matthew 7:13–14 | Matt 7:21–23, Matt 8:5–13, Matt 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31, Luke 13:22–30 | — | | 73 | By their Fruits | Matthew 7:15–20 | Matt 12:22–37, Luke 6:43–45 | 45 | | 74 | Saying Lord, Lord | Matthew 7:21–23 | Matt 7:13–14, Matt 8:5–13, Matt 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31, Luke 13:22–30 | — | | 75 | The House Built upon the Rock | Matthew 7:24–27 | Matt 7:21–23, Luke 6:46–49 | — | | 79 | The Woes | Luke 6:24–26 | — | — | | 27 | The Discourse with Nicodemus | John 3:1–21 | — | — | | 85 | The Centurion of Capernaum | Matthew 8:5–13 | Matt 7:13–14, Matt 7:21–23, Matt 19:16–30, Mark 10:17–31, Luke 13:22–30 | — | | 86 | The Widow's Son at Nain | Luke 7:11–17 | — | — | | 114 | The Woman with the Ointment | Luke 7:36–50 | — | — | | 89 | On Following Jesus | Matthew 8:18–22 | Luke 9:57–62 | 86 | | 107 | Jesus' Witness concerning John | Matthew 11:2–15 | Matt 5:17–20, Luke 16:16–17 | 46, 78 | | 108 | Woes Pronounced on Galilean Cities | Matthew 11:16–24 | — | — | | 109 | Jesus' Thanksgiving to the Father | Matthew 11:25–30 | Matt 13:10–17, Luke 10:21–24 | 90 | | 117 | On Collusion with Satan | Mark 3:20–30 | Matt 12:22–37, Luke 12:1–12 | 35, 44 | | 119 | The Sign of Jonah | Matthew 12:38–42 | Mark 8:11–13, Luke 11:29–32 | — | | 120 | The Return of the Evil Spirit | Matthew 12:43–45 | Luke 11:14–26 | — | | 121 | Jesus' True Kindred | Matthew 12:46–50 | Mark 3:31–35, Luke 8:19–21 | 99 | | 122 | The Parable of the Sower | Matthew 13:1–9 | Mark 4:1–9, Luke 8:4–8 | 9 | | 123 | The Reason for Speaking in Parables | Matthew 13:10–17 | Matt 11:25–30, Luke 10:21–24 | — | | 124 | Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower | Luke 8:11–15 | Matt 13:18–23, Mark 4:13–20 | — | | 125 | He who has Ears to Hear, Let him Hear | Mark 4:21–25 | Matt 5:14–16, Luke 11:33–36 | 33 | | 126 | The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly | Mark 4:26–29 | — | — | | 127 | The Parable of the Tares | Matthew 13:24–30 | — | 57 | | 131 | Interpretation of the Parable of the Tares | Matthew 13:36–43 | — | — | | 128 | The Parable of the Mustard Seed | Matthew 13:31–32 | Mark 4:30–32, Luke 13:18–19 | 20 | | 129 | The Parable of the Leaven | Matthew 13:33 | Luke 13:20–21 | 96 | | 132 | The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl | Matthew 13:44–46 | — | 76, 109 | | 133 | The Parable of the Net | Matthew 13:47–50 | — | 8 | | 134 | Treasures New and Old | Matthew 13:51–52 | — | — | | 136 | Stilling the Storm | Mark 4:35–41 | Matt 8:23–27, Luke 8:22–25 | — | | 137 | The Gerasene Demoniac | Mark 5:1–20 | Matt 8:28–34, Luke 8:26–39 | — | | 138 | Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage | Mark 5:21–43 | Matt 9:18–26, Luke 8:40–56 | — | | 96 | Two Blind Men | Matthew 9:27–31 | — | — | | 98 | The Harvest is Great | Matthew 9:35–38 | Matt 10:1–15, Mark 6:2–6, Mark 6:7–13, Luke 9:1–6 | 73 | | 99 | Commissioning the Twelve | Matthew 10:1–15 | Matt 9:35–38, Mark 6:2–6, Mark 6:7–13, Luke 9:1–6 | — | | 100 | The Fate of the Disciples | Matthew 10:16–25 | John 13:1–20 | 39 | | 101 | Exhortation to Fearless Confession | Matthew 10:26–33 | Luke 12:1–12 | 5, 33 | | 102 | Divisions within Households | Matthew 10:34–39 | Matt 24:3–31, Matt 24:36–44, Mark 13:3–27, Luke 17:20–37 | 16, 55, 101 | | 103 | Conditions of Discipleship | Luke 14:25–33 | Matt 10:34–39 | 55, 101 | | 104 | Rewards of Discipleship | Matthew 10:40–42 | John 13:1–20 | — | | 146 | Five Thousand are Fed | Matthew 14:13–21 | Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:10–17, John 6:1–15 | — | | 147 | The Walking on the Water | Matthew 14:22–33 | Mark 6:45–52, John 6:16–21 | — | | 150 | Defilement - Traditional and Real | Mark 7:1–23 | Matt 15:1–20, Luke 11:37–54 | 14 | | 151 | The Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman | Matthew 15:21–28 | Mark 7:24–30 | — | | 152 | Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute | Mark 7:31–37 | Matt 15:29–39 | — | | 153 | Four Thousand are Fed | Matthew 15:29–39 | Mark 8:1–10 | — | | 154 | The Pharisees Seek a Sign | Matthew 16:1–4 | Luke 12:49–59 | — | | 155 | The Leaven of the Pharisees | Matthew 16:5–12 | Mark 8:14–21, Luke 12:1–12 | — | | 156 | A Blind Man is Healed at Bethsaida | Mark 8:22–26 | — | — | | 149 | The Bread of Life | John 6:22–59 | — | — | ### Turning Point | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 157 | Many Disciples Take Offense at Jesus | John 6:60–71 | — | — | | 158 | Peter's Confession | Mark 8:27–30 | Matt 16:13–20, Luke 9:18–22 | 13 | | 159 | Jesus Foretells His Passion | Matthew 16:21–23 | Mark 8:31–33, Luke 9:18–22 | — | | 160 | If Any Man would Come after Me | Mark 8:34–38 | Matt 16:24–28, Mark 9:1–8, Luke 9:23–27 | — | | 161 | The Transfiguration | Matthew 17:1–8 | Matt 17:9–13, Mark 9:1–8, Mark 9:9–13 | — | | 162 | The Coming of Elijah | Matthew 17:9–13 | Mark 9:9–13 | — | | 163 | Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit | Mark 9:14–29 | Matt 17:14–21, Luke 17:5–6 | — | | 164 | Jesus Foretells His Passion again | Mark 9:30–32 | Matt 17:22–23, Luke 9:37–43, Luke 9:44–45 | — | | 165 | Payment of the Temple Tax | Matthew 17:24–27 | — | — | | 166 | True Greatness | Mark 9:33–37 | Matt 18:1–5, Luke 9:46–48, John 13:1–20 | 4 | | 167 | The Strange Exorcist | Mark 9:38–41 | Matt 10:40–42, Luke 9:49–50 | — | | 168 | Warnings concerning Temptations | Mark 9:42–48 | Matt 18:6–9, Luke 17:1–2, Luke 17:3–4 | — | | 219 | The Parable of the Lost Sheep | Luke 15:1–7 | Matt 18:10–14 | 107 | | 173 | The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant | Matthew 18:21–35 | Luke 17:3–4 | — | | 175 | Jesus is Rejected by Samaritans | Luke 9:51–56 | — | — | | 177 | Commissioning the Seventy | Luke 10:1–16 | — | 14, 73 | | 180 | The Return of the Seventy | Luke 10:17–20 | — | — | | 183 | The Parable of the Good Samaritan | Luke 10:25–37 | — | — | | 184 | Mary and Martha | Luke 10:38–42 | — | — | | 190 | True Blessedness | Luke 11:27–28 | — | 79 | | 200 | The Parable of the Rich Fool | Luke 12:13–21 | — | 63, 72 | | 207 | Repentance or Destruction (the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree) | Luke 13:1–9 | — | — | | 208 | The Healing of the Crippled Woman on the Sabbath | Luke 13:10–17 | — | — | | 212 | A Warning against Herod | Luke 13:31–33 | — | — | | 214 | The Healing of the Man with Dropsy | Luke 14:1–6 | — | — | | 215 | Teaching on Humility | Luke 14:7–14 | — | — | | 216 | The Parable of the Great Supper | Luke 14:15–24 | Matt 22:1–14 | 64 | | 220 | The Parable of the Lost Coin | Luke 15:8–10 | — | — | | 221 | The Parable of the Prodigal Son | Luke 15:11–32 | — | — | | 222 | The Parable of the Unjust Steward | Luke 16:1–9 | — | — | | 225 | The Pharisees Reproved | Luke 16:14–15 | — | — | | 228 | The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus | Luke 16:19–31 | — | — | | 230 | On Forgiveness | Luke 17:3–4 | Matt 18:15–20 | — | | 231 | On Faith | Luke 17:5–6 | Matt 17:14–21, Mark 9:14–29 | — | | 232 | We are Unprofitable Servants | Luke 17:7–10 | — | — | | 233 | The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers | Luke 17:11–19 | — | — | | 235 | The Day of the Son of Man | Luke 17:20–37 | Matt 24:3–31, Mark 13:3–27 | 3, 61, 113 | | 236 | The Parable of the Unjust Judge | Luke 18:1–8 | — | — | | 237 | The Pharisee and the Publican | Luke 18:9–14 | — | — | | 252 | On Divorce and Celibacy | Mark 10:1–12 | Matt 19:1–12, Luke 16:18 | — | | 253 | Jesus Blesses the Children | Mark 10:13–16 | Matt 19:13–15, Luke 18:15–17 | 46 | | 255 | On Riches and the Rewards of Discipleship | Mark 10:17–31 | Matt 20:1–16, Luke 13:22–30 | — | | 256 | The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard | Matthew 20:1–16 | Mark 10:17–31, Luke 13:22–30 | 4 | | 262 | The Third Prediction of the Passion | Mark 10:32–34 | Matt 20:17–19, Luke 18:31–34 | — | | 263 | The Sons of Zebedee; Precedence among the Disciples | Mark 10:35–45 | Matt 20:20–28, Matt 19:16–30, Luke 22:24–30 | — | | 264 | The Healing of the Blind Men (Bartimaeus) | Mark 10:46–52 | Matt 20:29–34, Luke 18:35–43 | — | | 265 | Zacchaeus | Luke 19:1–10 | — | — | | 266 | The Parable of the Pounds | Luke 19:11–27 | Matt 25:14–30, Matt 24:36–44, Mark 13:32–37, Luke 12:35–48 | 41 | ### Jerusalem | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 238 | Jesus Remains in Galilee | John 7:1–9 | — | — | | 141 | The Healing at the Pool | John 5:1–47 | — | — | | 240 | Teaching in the Temple | John 7:14–39 | — | — | | 242 | The Woman Caught in Adultery | John 8:1–11 | — | — | | 243 | I am the Light of the World | John 8:12–20 | — | 77 | | 244 | Where I Go, You Cannot Come | John 8:21–30 | — | — | | 245 | The Truth will Make You Free | John 8:31–38 | — | — | | 246 | Children of the Devil | John 8:39–47 | — | — | | 247 | Before Abraham was, I am | John 8:48–59 | — | 1 | | 248 | Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind | John 9:1–41 | — | — | | 249 | I am the Good Shepherd | John 10:1–21 | — | — | | 257 | Jesus at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem | John 10:22–39 | — | — | | 259 | The Raising of Lazarus | John 11:1–44 | — | — | ### The Final Week | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 269 | The Triumphal Entry | Mark 11:1–11 | Matt 21:1–11, Matt 21:12–17, Mark 11:15–18, Luke 19:45–48 | — | | 272 | The Cursing of the Fig Tree | Mark 11:12–14 | Matt 21:18–22 | — | | 273 | The Cleansing of the Temple | Mark 11:15–18 | Mark 11:19–26, Luke 19:45–48 | — | | 275 | The Fig Tree is Withered | Mark 11:19–26 | Matt 21:18–22 | 48, 106 | | 276 | The Question about Authority | Matthew 21:23–27 | Mark 11:27–33, Luke 20:1–8 | — | | 277 | The Parable of the Two Sons | Matthew 21:28–32 | — | — | | 278 | The Parable of the Wicked Husbandmen | Mark 12:1–12 | Matt 21:33–46, Luke 20:9–18, Luke 20:19–26 | 65, 66 | | 280 | On Paying Tribute to Caesar | Mark 12:13–17 | Matt 22:15–22, Luke 20:19–26 | 100 | | 281 | The Question about the Resurrection | Mark 12:18–27 | Matt 22:23–33, Luke 20:27–40 | — | | 282 | The Great Commandment | Mark 12:28–34 | Matt 22:34–40 | — | | 283 | The Question about David's Son | Matthew 22:41–46 | Mark 12:35–37, Luke 20:41–44 | — | | 284 | Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees | Mark 12:38–40 | Matt 23:1–36, Luke 20:45–47 | — | | 285 | Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem | Matthew 23:37–39 | Luke 13:34–35 | — | | 286 | The Widow's Mite | Mark 12:41–44 | Luke 21:1–4 | — | | 287 | Prediction of the Destruction of the Temple | Mark 13:1–2 | Matt 24:1–2, Luke 21:5–6 | — | | 290 | The Desolating Sacrilege | Matthew 24:3–31 | Mark 13:3–27, Luke 17:20–37 | — | | 293 | The Time of the Coming: the Parable of the Fig Tree | Matthew 24:32–35 | Matt 24:36–44, Mark 13:28–31, Mark 13:32–37, Luke 21:29–33 | — | | 296 | The Parable of the Flood and Exhortation to Watchfulness | Matthew 24:36–44 | Mark 13:32–37 | 21, 61, 103 | | 297 | The Parable of the Good Servant and the Wicked Servant | Matthew 24:45–51 | Luke 12:35–48 | — | | 298 | The Parable of the Ten Virgins | Matthew 25:1–13 | — | — | | 300 | The Last Judgment | Matthew 25:31–46 | — | — | | 302 | Greeks Seek Jesus; Discourse on His Death | John 12:20–36 | — | — | | 304 | Judgment by the Word | John 12:44–50 | — | — | | 305 | Jesus' Death is Premeditated | Matthew 26:1–5 | — | — | | 306 | The Anointing in Bethany | Matthew 26:6–13 | Mark 14:3–9, John 12:1–8 | — | | 308 | Preparation for the Passover | Mark 14:12–16 | Matt 26:17–19, Matt 26:20–25, Mark 14:17–21, Luke 22:7–13, Luke 22:14–20 | — | | 309 | Washing the Disciples' Feet | John 13:1–20 | Matt 10:16–25 | — | | 310 | Jesus Foretells His Betrayal | John 13:21–30 | Matt 26:20–25, Mark 14:17–21, Luke 22:21–23 | — | | 311 | The Last Supper | Mark 14:22–26 | Matt 26:26–30, Matt 26:31–35, Mark 14:27–31, Luke 22:31–34, John 13:36–38 | — | | 314 | The New Commandment of Love | John 13:31–35 | — | — | | 315 | Peter's Denial Predicted | John 13:36–38 | Matt 26:26–30, Matt 26:31–35, Mark 14:22–26, Mark 14:27–31, Luke 22:31–34 | 24 | | 316 | The Two Swords | Luke 22:35–38 | — | — | | 317 | Let Not Your Hearts be Troubled | John 14:1–14 | — | — | | 318 | The Promise of the Paraclete | John 14:15–24 | — | — | | 319 | The Gift of Peace | John 14:25–31 | — | — | | 321 | Abide in My Love | John 15:1–17 | — | — | | 322 | The World's Hatred | John 15:18–27 | — | — | | 324 | On Persecutions | John 16:1–4 | — | — | | 325 | The Work of the Paraclete | John 16:5–15 | — | — | | 326 | Sorrow Turned to Joy | John 16:16–24 | — | — | | 328 | Prediction of the Disciples' Flight | John 16:25–33 | — | — | | 329 | The Intercessory Prayer | John 17:1–26 | — | — | ### Passion | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 330 | Gethsemane | Matthew 26:36–46 | Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:39–46, John 18:1–11 | — | | 331 | Jesus Arrested | Luke 22:47–53 | Matt 26:47–56, Mark 14:43–52, John 18:1–11, John 18:12–27 | — | | 332 | Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Peter's Denial) | John 18:12–27 | Matt 26:57–75, Mark 14:53–72, Luke 22:54–71 | — | | 339 | Jesus or Barabbas? | Mark 15:1–15 | Matt 27:11–26, John 19:1–16 | — | | 340 | Behold the Man! | John 19:1–16 | Matt 27:11–26, Mark 15:1–15 | — | | 343 | The Road to Golgotha | Luke 23:26–31 | Mark 15:21–41, Luke 23:32–34, John 19:17–27 | 79 | | 344 | The Crucifixion | Luke 23:32–34 | Mark 15:21–41, John 19:17–27 | — | | 346 | The Two Thieves | Luke 23:39–43 | Mark 15:21–41 | — | | 347 | The Death of Jesus | Matthew 27:45–56 | Mark 15:21–41, Luke 23:44–49, John 19:17–27 | — | ### Resurrection | § | Passage | Default Reading | Parallels | Thomas | |---|---------|----------------|-----------|--------| | 353 | Jesus Appears to the Women | John 20:11–18 | Matt 28:9–10, Mark 16:9–20 | — | | 355 | Jesus Appears to Two on the Way to Emmaus | Luke 24:13–35 | Mark 16:9–20 | — | | 356 | Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Thomas being Absent) | John 20:19–23 | Luke 24:36–49 | — | | 357 | Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Thomas being Present) | John 20:24–29 | — | — | | 364 | The Ending of Matthew: The Great Commission | Matthew 28:16–20 | — | — | | 367 | Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias | John 21:1–25 | — | — | --- ## Full Text ### Beginnings #### The Boy Jesus in the Temple — Luke 2:41–52 [41]His parents went every year to Jerusalem at the feast of the Passover. [42]When he was twelve years old, they went up to Jerusalem according to the custom of the feast; [43]and when they had fulfilled the days, as they were returning, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. Joseph and his mother didn’t know it, [44]but supposing him to be in the company, they went a day’s journey; and they looked for him among their relatives and acquaintances. [45]When they didn’t find him, they returned to Jerusalem, looking for him. [46]After three days they found him in the temple, sitting in the middle of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. [47]All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. [48]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.” [49]He said to them, **“Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”** [50]They didn’t understand the saying which he spoke to them. [51]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. [52]And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. #### The Baptism of Jesus — Matthew 3:13–17 [13]Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to John, to be baptized by him. [14]But John would have hindered him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and you come to me?” [15]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. [16]Jesus, when he was baptized, went up directly from the water: and behold, the heavens were opened to him. He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming on him. [17]Behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.” #### The Temptation — Matthew 4:1–11 [1]Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. [2]When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was hungry afterward. [3]The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” [4]But he answered, **“It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of God’s mouth.’”** [5]Then the devil took him into the holy city. He set him on the pinnacle of the temple, [6]and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and, ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you don’t dash your foot against a stone.’” [7]Jesus said to him, **“Again, it is written, ‘You shall not test the Lord, your God.’”** [8]Again, the devil took him to an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. [9]He said to him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will fall down and worship me.” [10]Then Jesus said to him, **“Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and you shall serve him only.’”** [11]Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and served him. ### Galilean Ministry #### Ministry in Galilee — Mark 1:14–15 [14]Now after John was taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the Good News of God’s Kingdom, [15]and saying, **“The time is fulfilled, and God’s Kingdom is at hand! Repent, and believe in the Good News.”** #### Jesus' Preaching at Nazareth — Luke 4:16–30 [16]He came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. He entered, as was his custom, into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read. [17]The book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to him. He opened the book, and found the place where it was written, [18]**“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 heal the broken hearted,** **to proclaim release to the captives,** **recovering of sight to the blind,** **to deliver those who are crushed,** [19]**and to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”** [20]He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fastened on him. [21]He began to tell them, **“Today, this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”** [22]All testified about him and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth; and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” [23]He 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.’”** [24]He said, **“Most certainly I tell you, no prophet is acceptable in his hometown.** [25]**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.** [26]**Elijah was sent to none of them, except to Zarephath, in the land of Sidon, to a woman who was a widow.** [27]**There were many lepers in Israel in the time of Elisha the prophet, yet not one of them was cleansed, except Naaman, the Syrian.”** [28]They were all filled with wrath in the synagogue as they heard these things. [29]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. [30]But he, passing through the middle of them, went his way. #### The Call of the Disciples — Matthew 4:18–22 [18]Walking by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. [19]He said to them, **“Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”** [20]They immediately left their nets and followed him. [21]Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. [22]They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him. #### The Healing of the Demoniac in the Synagogue — Mark 1:21–28 [21]They went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue and taught. [22]They were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as having authority, and not as the scribes. [23]Immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, [24]saying, “Ha! What do we have to do with you, Jesus, you Nazarene? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God!” [25]Jesus rebuked him, saying, **“Be quiet, and come out of him!”** [26]The unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. [27]They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching? For with authority he commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him!” [28]The report of him went out immediately everywhere into all the region of Galilee and its surrounding area. #### The Cleansing of the Leper — Mark 1:40–45 [40]A leper came to him, begging him, kneeling down to him, and saying to him, “If you want to, you can make me clean.” [41]Being moved with compassion, he stretched out his hand, and touched him, and said to him, **“I want to. Be made clean.”** [42]When he had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean. [43]He strictly warned him and immediately sent him out, [44]and said to him, **“See that you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”** [45]But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Jesus could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places. People came to him from everywhere. #### The Healing of the Paralytic — Mark 2:1–12 [1]When he entered again into Capernaum after some days, it was heard that he was at home. [2]Immediately many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even around the door; and he spoke the word to them. [3]Four people came, carrying a paralytic to him. [4]When they could not come near to him for the crowd, they removed the roof where he was. When they had broken it up, they let down the mat that the paralytic was lying on. [5]Jesus, seeing their faith, said to the paralytic, **“Son, your sins are forgiven you.”** [6]But there were some of the scribes sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, [7]“Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” [8]Immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they so reasoned within themselves, said to them, **“Why do you reason these things in your hearts?** [9]**Which is easier, to tell the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven;’ or to say, ‘Arise, and take up your bed, and walk’?** [10]**But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”** —he said to the paralytic— [11]**“I tell you, arise, take up your mat, and go to your house.”** [12]He arose, and immediately took up the mat and went out in front of them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” #### The Call of Levi (Matthew) — Mark 2:13–17 [13]He went out again by the seaside. All the multitude came to him, and he taught them. [14]As he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax office. He said to him, **“Follow me.”** And he arose and followed him. [15]He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners sat down with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many, and they followed him. [16]The scribes and the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with the sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why is it that he eats and drinks with tax collectors and sinners?” [17]When Jesus heard it, he said to them, **“Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”** #### The Marriage at Cana — John 2:1–11 [1]The third day, there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there. [2]Jesus also was invited, with his disciples, to the wedding. [3]When the wine ran out, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no wine.” [4]Jesus said to her, **“Woman, what does that have to do with you and me? My hour has not yet come.”** [5]His mother said to the servants, “Whatever he says to you, do it.” [6]Now there were six water pots of stone set there after the Jews’ way of purifying, containing two or three metretes apiece. [7]Jesus said to them, **“Fill the water pots with water.”** So they filled them up to the brim. [8]He said to them, **“Now draw some out, and take it to the ruler of the feast.”** So they took it. [9]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 [10]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!” [11]This beginning of his signs Jesus did in Cana of Galilee, and revealed his glory; and his disciples believed in him. #### The Question about Fasting — Mark 2:18–22 [18]John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting, and they came and asked him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples don’t fast?” [19]Jesus said to them, **“Can the groomsmen fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they can’t fast.** [20]**But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.** [21]**No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, or else the patch shrinks and the new tears away from the old, and a worse hole is made.** [22]**No one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine will burst the skins, and the wine pours out, and the skins will be destroyed; but they put new wine into fresh wineskins.”** #### Plucking Grain on the Sabbath — Mark 2:23–28 [23]He was going on the Sabbath day through the grain fields; and his disciples began, as they went, to pluck the ears of grain. [24]The Pharisees said to him, “Behold, why do they do that which is not lawful on the Sabbath day?” [25]He said to them, **“Did you never read what David did when he had need and was hungry—he, and those who were with him?** [26]**How he entered into God’s house at the time of Abiathar the high priest, and ate the show bread, which is not lawful to eat except for the priests, and gave also to those who were with him?”** [27]He said to them, **“The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.** [28]**Therefore the Son of Man is lord even of the Sabbath.”** #### Healing the Withered Hand — Matthew 12:9–14 [9]He departed from there and went into their synagogue. [10]And behold, there was a man with a withered hand. They asked him, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath day?” so that they might accuse him. [11]He said to them, **“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?** [12]**Of how much more value then is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day.”** [13]Then he told the man, **“Stretch out your hand.”** He stretched it out; and it was restored whole, just like the other. [14]But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how they might destroy him. #### The Discourse with the Woman of Samaria — John 4:5–42 [5]So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. [6]Jacob’s well was there. Jesus therefore, being tired from his journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. [7]A woman of Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, **“Give me a drink.”** [8]For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. [9]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.) [10]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.”** [11]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? [12]Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his children and his livestock?” [13]Jesus answered her, **“Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again,** [14]**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.”** [15]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.” [16]Jesus said to her, **“Go, call your husband, and come here.”** [17]The woman answered, “I have no husband.” Jesus said to her, **“You said well, ‘I have no husband,’** [18]**for you have had five husbands; and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you have said truly.”** [19]The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. [20]Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you Jews say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” [21]Jesus said to her, **“Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither in this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.** [22]**You worship that which you don’t know. We worship that which we know; for salvation is from the Jews.** [23]**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.** [24]**God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”** [25]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.” [26]Jesus said to her, **“I am he, the one who speaks to you.”** [27]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?” [28]So the woman left her water pot, went away into the city, and said to the people, [29]“Come, see a man who told me everything that I have done. Can this be the Christ?” [30]They went out of the city, and were coming to him. [31]In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” [32]But he said to them, **“I have food to eat that you don’t know about.”** [33]The disciples therefore said to one another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” [34]Jesus said to them, **“My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.** [35]**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 already.** [36]**He who reaps receives wages and gathers fruit to eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.** [37]**For in this the saying is true, ‘One sows, and another reaps.’** [38]**I sent you to reap that for which you haven’t labored. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”** [39]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.” [40]So when the Samaritans came to him, they begged him to stay with them. He stayed there two days. [41]Many more believed because of his word. [42]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 Christ, the Savior of the world.” #### The Beatitudes — Matthew 5:3–12 [3]**“Blessed are the poor in spirit,** **for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.** [4]**Blessed are those who mourn,** **for they shall be comforted.** [5]**Blessed are the gentle,** **for they shall inherit the earth.** [6]**Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,** **for they shall be filled.** [7]**Blessed are the merciful,** **for they shall obtain mercy.** [8]**Blessed are the pure in heart,** **for they shall see God.** [9]**Blessed are the peacemakers,** **for they shall be called children of God.** [10]**Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake,** **for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.** [11]**“Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake.** [12]**Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.** #### The Salt of the Earth — Matthew 5:13 [13]**“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.** #### The Light of the World — Matthew 5:14–16 [14]**“You are the light of the world. A city located on a hill can’t be hidden.** [15]**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.** [16]**Even so, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.** #### On the Law and the Prophets — Matthew 5:17–20 [17]**“Don’t think that I came to destroy the law or the prophets. I didn’t come to destroy, but to fulfill.** [18]**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.** [19]**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.** [20]**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 Murder and Wrath — Matthew 5:21–26 [21]**“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.’** [22]**But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother without a cause 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.** [23]**“If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you,** [24]**leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.** [25]**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.** [26]**Most certainly I tell you, you shall by no means get out of there until you have paid the last penny.** #### On Adultery and Divorce — Matthew 5:27–32 [27]**“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery;’** [28]**but I tell you that everyone who gazes at a woman to lust after her has committed adultery with her already in his heart.** [29]**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.** [30]**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 be cast into Gehenna.** [31]**“It was also said, ‘Whoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorce,’** [32]**but I tell you that whoever 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 [33]**“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,’** [34]**but I tell you, don’t swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is the throne of God;** [35]**nor by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King.** [36]**Neither shall you swear by your head, for you can’t make one hair white or black.** [37]**But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No’ be ‘No.’ Whatever is more than these is of the evil one.** #### On Retaliation — Matthew 5:38–42 [38]**“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’** [39]**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.** [40]**If anyone sues you to take away your coat, let him have your cloak also.** [41]**Whoever compels you to go one mile, go with him two.** [42]**Give to him who asks you, and don’t turn away him who desires to borrow from you.** #### On Love of One's Enemies — Matthew 5:43–48 [43]**“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’** [44]**But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,** [45]**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.** [46]**For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?** [47]**If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same?** [48]**Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.** #### On Almsgiving — Matthew 6:1–4 [1]**“Be careful that you don’t do your charitable giving before men, to be seen by them, or else you have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.** [2]**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.** [3]**But when you do merciful deeds, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand does,** [4]**so that your merciful deeds may be in secret, then your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.** #### The Lord's Prayer — Matthew 6:5–15 [5]**“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.** [6]**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 openly.** [7]**In praying, don’t use vain repetitions as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their much speaking.** [8]**Therefore don’t be like them, for your Father knows what things you need before you ask him.** [9]**Pray like this:** **“‘Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.** [10]**Let your Kingdom come.** **Let your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.** [11]**Give us today our daily bread.** [12]**Forgive us our debts,** **as we also forgive our debtors.** [13]**Bring us not into temptation,** **but deliver us from the evil one.** **For yours is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory forever. Amen.’** [14]**“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.** [15]**But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.** #### On Fasting — Matthew 6:16–18 [16]**“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.** [17]**But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,** [18]**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.** #### On Treasures — Matthew 6:19–21 [19]**“Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;** [20]**but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;** [21]**for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.** #### The Sound Eye — Matthew 6:22–23 [22]**“The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.** [23]**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!** #### On Serving Two Masters — Matthew 6:24 [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.** #### On Anxiety — Matthew 6:25–34 [25]**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?** [26]**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?** [27]**“Which of you by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?** [28]**Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,** [29]**yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.** [30]**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?** [31]**“Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’** [32]**For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.** [33]**But seek first God’s Kingdom and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.** [34]**Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.** #### On Judging — Matthew 7:1–5 [1]**“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged.** [2]**For with whatever judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with whatever measure you measure, it will be measured to you.** [3]**Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but don’t consider the beam that is in your own eye?** [4]**Or how will you tell your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye,’ and behold, the beam is in your own eye?** [5]**You hypocrite! First remove the beam out of your own eye, and then you can see clearly to remove the speck out of your brother’s eye.** #### On Profaning the Holy — Matthew 7:6 [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.** #### God's Answering of Prayer — Matthew 7:7–11 [7]**“Ask, and it will be given you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and it will be opened for you.** [8]**For everyone who asks receives. He who seeks finds. To him who knocks it will be opened.** [9]**Or who is there among you who, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone?** [10]**Or if he asks for a fish, who will give him a serpent?** [11]**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 [12]**Therefore, whatever you desire for men to do to you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law and the prophets.** #### The Two Ways — Matthew 7:13–14 [13]**“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.** [14]**How narrow is the gate and the way is restricted that leads to life! There are few who find it.** #### By their Fruits — Matthew 7:15–20 [15]**“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves.** [16]**By their fruits you will know them. Do you gather grapes from thorns or figs from thistles?** [17]**Even so, every good tree produces good fruit, but the corrupt tree produces evil fruit.** [18]**A good tree can’t produce evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree produce good fruit.** [19]**Every tree that doesn’t grow good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.** [20]**Therefore by their fruits you will know them.** #### Saying Lord, Lord — Matthew 7:21–23 [21]**“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.** [22]**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?’** [23]**Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’** #### The House Built upon the Rock — Matthew 7:24–27 [24]**“Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock.** [25]**The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock.** [26]**Everyone who hears these words of mine and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand.** [27]**The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell—and its fall was great.”** #### The Woes — Luke 6:24–26 [24]**“But woe to you who are rich!** **For you have received your consolation.** [25]**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.** [26]**Woe, when men speak well of you,** **for their fathers did the same thing to the false prophets.** #### The Discourse with Nicodemus — John 3:1–21 [1]Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. [2]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.” [3]Jesus answered him, **“Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.”** [4]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?” [5]Jesus answered, **“Most certainly I tell you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.** [6]**That which is born of the flesh is flesh. That which is born of the Spirit is spirit.** [7]**Don’t marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born anew.’** [8]**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.”** [9]Nicodemus answered him, “How can these things be?” [10]Jesus answered him, **“Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?** [11]**Most certainly I tell you, we speak that which we know and testify of that which we have seen, and you don’t receive our witness.** [12]**If I told you earthly things and you don’t believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?** [13]**No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.** [14]**As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,** [15]**that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.** [16]**For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.** [17]**For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.** [18]**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 only born Son of God.** [19]**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.** [20]**For everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, lest his works would be exposed.** [21]**But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God.”** #### The Centurion of Capernaum — Matthew 8:5–13 [5]When he came into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking him for help, [6]saying, “Lord, my servant lies in the house paralyzed, grievously tormented.” [7]Jesus said to him, **“I will come and heal him.”** [8]The centurion answered, “Lord, I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the word, and my servant will be healed. [9]For I am also a man under authority, having under myself soldiers. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and tell another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and tell my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” [10]When Jesus heard it, he marveled and said to those who followed, **“Most certainly I tell you, I haven’t found so great a faith, not even in Israel.** [11]**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,** [12]**but the children of the Kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”** [13]Jesus said to the centurion, **“Go your way. Let it be done for you as you have believed.”** His servant was healed in that hour. #### The Widow's Son at Nain — Luke 7:11–17 [11]Soon afterwards, he went to a city called Nain. Many of his disciples, along with a great multitude, went with him. [12]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. [13]When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, **“Don’t cry.”** [14]He came near and touched the coffin, and the bearers stood still. He said, **“Young man, I tell you, arise!”** [15]He who was dead sat up and began to speak. Then he gave him to his mother. [16]Fear took hold of all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has arisen among us!” and, “God has visited his people!” [17]This report went out concerning him in the whole of Judea and in all the surrounding region. #### The Woman with the Ointment — Luke 7:36–50 [36]One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house and sat at the table. [37]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. [38]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. [39]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.” [40]Jesus answered him, **“Simon, I have something to tell you.”** He said, “Teacher, say on.” [41]**“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.** [42]**When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?”** [43]Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, **“You have judged correctly.”** [44]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.** [45]**You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet.** [46]**You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment.** [47]**Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.”** [48]He said to her, **“Your sins are forgiven.”** [49]Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50]He said to the woman, **“Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”** #### On Following Jesus — Matthew 8:18–22 [18]Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave the order to depart to the other side. [19]A scribe came and said to him, “Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go.” [20]Jesus said to him, **“The foxes have holes and the birds of the sky have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.”** [21]Another of his disciples said to him, “Lord, allow me first to go and bury my father.” [22]But Jesus said to him, **“Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead.”** #### Jesus' Witness concerning John — Matthew 11:2–15 [2]Now when John heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples [3]and said to him, “Are you he who comes, or should we look for another?” [4]Jesus answered them, **“Go and tell John the things which you hear and see:** [5]**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.** [6]**Blessed is he who finds no occasion for stumbling in me.”** [7]As these went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, **“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?** [8]**But what did you go out to see? A man in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses.** [9]**But why did you go out? To see a prophet? Yes, I tell you, and much more than a prophet.** [10]**For this is he, of whom it is written, ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’** [11]**Most certainly I tell you, among those who are born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptizer; yet he who is least in the Kingdom of Heaven is greater than he.** [12]**From the days of John the Baptizer until now, the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.** [13]**For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.** [14]**If you are willing to receive it, this is Elijah, who is to come.** [15]**He who has ears to hear, let him hear.** #### Woes Pronounced on Galilean Cities — Matthew 11:16–24 [16]**“But to what shall I compare this generation? It is like children sitting in the marketplaces, who call to their companions** [17]**and say, ‘We played the flute for you, and you didn’t dance. We mourned for you, and you didn’t lament.’** [18]**For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’** [19]**The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Behold, a gluttonous man and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children.”** [20]Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn’t repent. [21]**“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.** [22]**But I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.** [23]**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.** [24]**But I tell you that it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the day of judgment, than for you.”** #### Jesus' Thanksgiving to the Father — Matthew 11:25–30 [25]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.** [26]**Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.** [27]**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.** [28]**“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.** [29]**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.** [30]**For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”** #### On Collusion with Satan — Mark 3:20–30 [20]The multitude came together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. [21]When his friends heard it, they went out to seize him; for they said, “He is insane.” [22]The scribes who came down from Jerusalem said, “He has Beelzebul,” and, “By the prince of the demons he casts out the demons.” [23]He summoned them and said to them in parables, **“How can Satan cast out Satan?** [24]**If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.** [25]**If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.** [26]**If Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he can’t stand, but has an end.** [27]**But no one can enter into the house of the strong man to plunder unless he first binds the strong man; then he will plunder his house.** [28]**“Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme;** [29]**but whoever may blaspheme against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is subject to eternal condemnation.”** [30]—because they said, “He has an unclean spirit.” #### The Sign of Jonah — Matthew 12:38–42 [38]Then certain of the scribes and Pharisees answered, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” [39]But he answered them, **“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, but no sign will be given to it but the sign of Jonah the prophet.** [40]**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.** [41]**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, someone greater than Jonah is here.** [42]**The Queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and will condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and behold, someone greater than Solomon is here.** #### The Return of the Evil Spirit — Matthew 12:43–45 [43]**“When an unclean spirit has gone out of a man, he passes through waterless places seeking rest, and doesn’t find it.** [44]**Then he says, ‘I will return into my house from which I came;’ and when he has come back, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order.** [45]**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.”** #### Jesus' True Kindred — Matthew 12:46–50 [46]While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. [47]One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.” [48]But he answered him who spoke to him, **“Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?”** [49]He stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, **“Behold, my mother and my brothers!** [50]**For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”** #### The Parable of the Sower — Matthew 13:1–9 [1]On that day Jesus went out of the house and sat by the seaside. [2]Great multitudes gathered to him, so that he entered into a boat and sat; and all the multitude stood on the beach. [3]He spoke to them many things in parables, saying, **“Behold, a farmer went out to sow.** [4]**As he sowed, some seeds fell by the roadside, and the birds came and devoured them.** [5]**Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.** [6]**When the sun had risen, they were scorched. Because they had no root, they withered away.** [7]**Others fell among thorns. The thorns grew up and choked them.** [8]**Others fell on good soil and yielded fruit: some one hundred times as much, some sixty, and some thirty.** [9]**He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”** #### The Reason for Speaking in Parables — Matthew 13:10–17 [10]The disciples came, and said to him, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” [11]He answered them, **“To you it is given to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven, but it is not given to them.** [12]**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.** [13]**Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they don’t see, and hearing, they don’t hear, neither do they understand.** [14]**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;** [15]**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.’** [16]**“But blessed are your eyes, for they see; and your ears, for they hear.** [17]**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.** #### Interpretation of the Parable of the Sower — Luke 8:11–15 [11]**“Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.** [12]**Those along the road are those who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, that they may not believe and be saved.** [13]**Those on the rock are they who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, then fall away in time of temptation.** [14]**What fell among the thorns, these are those who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life; and they bring no fruit to maturity.** [15]**Those in the good ground, these are those who with an honest and good heart, having heard the word, hold it tightly, and produce fruit with perseverance.** #### He who has Ears to Hear, Let him Hear — Mark 4:21–25 [21]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?** [22]**For there is nothing hidden except that it should be made known, neither was anything made secret but that it should come to light.** [23]**If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.”** [24]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.** [25]**For whoever has, to him more will be given; and he who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away from him.”** #### The Parable of the Seed Growing Secretly — Mark 4:26–29 [26]He said, **“God’s Kingdom is as if a man should cast seed on the earth,** [27]**and should sleep and rise night and day, and the seed should spring up and grow, though he doesn’t know how.** [28]**For the earth bears fruit by itself: first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear.** [29]**But when the fruit is ripe, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”** #### The Parable of the Tares — Matthew 13:24–30 [24]He set another parable before them, saying, **“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field,** [25]**but while people slept, his enemy came and sowed darnel weeds also among the wheat, and went away.** [26]**But when the blade sprang up and produced grain, then the darnel weeds appeared also.** [27]**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?’** [28]**“He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’** **“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and gather them up?’** [29]**“But he said, ‘No, lest perhaps while you gather up the darnel weeds, you root up the wheat with them.** [30]**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.”’”** #### Interpretation of the Parable of the Tares — Matthew 13:36–43 [36]Then Jesus sent the multitudes away, and went into the house. His disciples came to him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the darnel weeds of the field.” [37]He answered them, **“He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man,** [38]**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.** [39]**The enemy who sowed them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels.** [40]**As therefore the darnel weeds are gathered up and burned with fire; so will it be at the end of this age.** [41]**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,** [42]**and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.** [43]**Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.** #### The Parable of the Mustard Seed — Matthew 13:31–32 [31]He set another parable before them, saying, **“The Kingdom of Heaven is like a grain of mustard seed which a man took, and sowed in his field,** [32]**which indeed is smaller than all seeds. But when it is grown, it is greater than the herbs and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in its branches.”** #### The Parable of the Leaven — Matthew 13:33 [33]He spoke another parable to them. **“The Kingdom of Heaven is like yeast which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, until it was all leavened.”** #### The Parables of the Hidden Treasure and of the Pearl — Matthew 13:44–46 [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.** [45]**“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a man who is a merchant seeking fine pearls,** [46]**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 13:47–50 [47]**“Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like a dragnet that was cast into the sea and gathered some fish of every kind,** [48]**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.** [49]**So it will be in the end of the world. The angels will come and separate the wicked from among the righteous,** [50]**and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”** #### Treasures New and Old — Matthew 13:51–52 [51]Jesus said to them, **“Have you understood all these things?”** They answered him, “Yes, Lord.” [52]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.”** #### Stilling the Storm — Mark 4:35–41 [35]On that day, when evening had come, he said to them, **“Let’s go over to the other side.”** [36]Leaving the multitude, they took him with them, even as he was, in the boat. Other small boats were also with him. [37]A big wind storm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so much that the boat was already filled. [38]He himself was in the stern, asleep on the cushion; and they woke him up and asked him, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are dying?” [39]He awoke and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, **“Peace! Be still!”** The wind ceased and there was a great calm. [40]He said to them, **“Why are you so afraid? How is it that you have no faith?”** [41]They were greatly afraid and said to one another, “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” #### The Gerasene Demoniac — Mark 5:1–20 [1]They came to the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes. [2]When he had come out of the boat, immediately a man with an unclean spirit met him out of the tombs. [3]He lived in the tombs. Nobody could bind him any more, not even with chains, [4]because he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been torn apart by him, and the fetters broken in pieces. Nobody had the strength to tame him. [5]Always, night and day, in the tombs and in the mountains, he was crying out, and cutting himself with stones. [6]When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, [7]and crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have I to do with you, Jesus, you Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, don’t torment me.” [8]For he said to him, **“Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”** [9]He asked him, **“What is your name?”** He said to him, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” [10]He begged him much that he would not send them away out of the country. [11]Now on the mountainside there was a great herd of pigs feeding. [12]All the demons begged him, saying, “Send us into the pigs, that we may enter into them.” [13]At once Jesus gave them permission. The unclean spirits came out and entered into the pigs. The herd of about two thousand rushed down the steep bank into the sea, and they were drowned in the sea. [14]Those who fed the pigs fled, and told it in the city and in the country. The people came to see what it was that had happened. [15]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. [16]Those who saw it declared to them what happened to him who was possessed by demons, and about the pigs. [17]They began to beg him to depart from their region. [18]As he was entering into the boat, he who had been possessed by demons begged him that he might be with him. [19]He didn’t allow him, but said to him, **“Go to your house, to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you and how he had mercy on you.”** [20]He went his way, and began to proclaim in Decapolis how Jesus had done great things for him, and everyone marveled. #### Jairus' Daughter and the Woman with a Hemorrhage — Mark 5:21–43 [21]When Jesus had crossed back over in the boat to the other side, a great multitude was gathered to him; and he was by the sea. [22]Behold, one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus by name, came; and seeing him, he fell at his feet [23]and begged him much, saying, “My little daughter is at the point of death. Please come and lay your hands on her, that she may be made healthy, and live.” [24]He went with him, and a great multitude followed him, and they pressed upon him on all sides. [25]A certain woman who had a discharge of blood for twelve years, [26]and had suffered many things by many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was no better, but rather grew worse, [27]having heard the things concerning Jesus, came up behind him in the crowd and touched his clothes. [28]For she said, “If I just touch his clothes, I will be made well.” [29]Immediately the flow of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of her affliction. [30]Immediately Jesus, perceiving in himself that the power had gone out from him, turned around in the crowd and asked, **“Who touched my clothes?”** [31]His disciples said to him, “You see the multitude pressing against you, and you say, ‘Who touched me?’” [32]He looked around to see her who had done this thing. [33]But the woman, fearing and trembling, knowing what had been done to her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. [34]He said to her, **“Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace, and be cured of your disease.”** [35]While he was still speaking, people came from the synagogue ruler’s house, saying, “Your daughter is dead. Why bother the Teacher any more?” [36]But Jesus, when he heard the message spoken, immediately said to the ruler of the synagogue, **“Don’t be afraid, only believe.”** [37]He allowed no one to follow him except Peter, James, and John the brother of James. [38]He came to the synagogue ruler’s house, and he saw an uproar, weeping, and great wailing. [39]When he had entered in, he said to them, **“Why do you make an uproar and weep? The child is not dead, but is asleep.”** [40]They ridiculed him. But he, having put them all out, took the father of the child, her mother, and those who were with him, and went in where the child was lying. [41]Taking the child by the hand, he said to her, **“Talitha cumi!”** which means, being interpreted, **“Girl, I tell you, get up!”** [42]Immediately the girl rose up and walked, for she was twelve years old. They were amazed with great amazement. [43]He strictly ordered them that no one should know this, and commanded that something should be given to her to eat. #### Two Blind Men — Matthew 9:27–31 [27]As Jesus passed by from there, two blind men followed him, calling out and saying, “Have mercy on us, son of David!” [28]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.” [29]Then he touched their eyes, saying, **“According to your faith be it done to you.”** [30]Then their eyes were opened. Jesus strictly commanded them, saying, **“See that no one knows about this.”** [31]But they went out and spread abroad his fame in all that land. #### The Harvest is Great — Matthew 9:35–38 [35]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. [36]But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them because they were harassed and scattered, like sheep without a shepherd. [37]Then he said to his disciples, **“The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few.** [38]**Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest.”** #### Commissioning the Twelve — Matthew 10:1–15 [1]He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness. [2]Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother; [3]Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus; [4]Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. [5]Jesus sent these twelve out and commanded them, saying, **“Don’t go among the Gentiles, and don’t enter into any city of the Samaritans.** [6]**Rather, go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.** [7]**As you go, preach, saying, ‘The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!’** [8]**Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, and cast out demons. Freely you received, so freely give.** [9]**Don’t take any gold, silver, or brass in your money belts.** [10]**Take no bag for your journey, neither two coats, nor sandals, nor staff: for the laborer is worthy of his food.** [11]**Into whatever city or village you enter, find out who in it is worthy, and stay there until you go on.** [12]**As you enter into the household, greet it.** [13]**If the household is worthy, let your peace come on it, but if it isn’t worthy, let your peace return to you.** [14]**Whoever doesn’t receive you or hear your words, as you go out of that house or that city, shake the dust off your feet.** [15]**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.** #### The Fate of the Disciples — Matthew 10:16–25 [16]**“Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.** [17]**But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.** [18]**Yes, and you will be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony to them and to the nations.** [19]**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.** [20]**For it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.** [21]**“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.** [22]**You will be hated by all men for my name’s sake, but he who endures to the end will be saved.** [23]**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.** [24]**“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his lord.** [25]**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!** #### Exhortation to Fearless Confession — Matthew 10:26–33 [26]**Therefore don’t be afraid of them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known.** [27]**What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in the ear, proclaim on the housetops.** [28]**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.** [29]**“Aren’t two sparrows sold for an assarion coin? Not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will.** [30]**But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.** [31]**Therefore don’t be afraid. You are of more value than many sparrows.** [32]**Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in heaven.** [33]**But whoever denies me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in heaven.** #### Divisions within Households — Matthew 10:34–39 [34]**“Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.** [35]**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.** [36]**A man’s foes will be those of his own household.** [37]**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.** [38]**He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me isn’t worthy of me.** [39]**He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.** #### Conditions of Discipleship — Luke 14:25–33 [25]Now great multitudes were going with him. He turned and said to them, [26]**“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.** [27]**Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross and come after me, can’t be my disciple.** [28]**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?** [29]**Or perhaps, when he has laid a foundation and isn’t able to finish, everyone who sees begins to mock him,** [30]**saying, ‘This man began to build and wasn’t able to finish.’** [31]**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?** [32]**Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sends an envoy and asks for conditions of peace.** [33]**So therefore, whoever of you who doesn’t renounce all that he has, he can’t be my disciple.** #### Rewards of Discipleship — Matthew 10:40–42 [40]**“He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me.** [41]**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.** [42]**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.”** #### Five Thousand are Fed — Matthew 14:13–21 [13]Now when Jesus heard this, he withdrew from there in a boat to a deserted place apart. When the multitudes heard it, they followed him on foot from the cities. [14]Jesus went out, and he saw a great multitude. He had compassion on them and healed their sick. [15]When evening had come, his disciples came to him, saying, “This place is deserted, and the hour is already late. Send the multitudes away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves food.” [16]But Jesus said to them, **“They don’t need to go away. You give them something to eat.”** [17]They told him, “We only have here five loaves and two fish.” [18]He said, **“Bring them here to me.”** [19]He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass; and he took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. [20]They all ate and were filled. They took up twelve baskets full of that which remained left over from the broken pieces. [21]Those who ate were about five thousand men, in addition to women and children. #### The Walking on the Water — Matthew 14:22–33 [22]Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. [23]After he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into the mountain by himself to pray. When evening had come, he was there alone. [24]But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, distressed by the waves, for the wind was contrary. [25]In the fourth watch of the night, Jesus came to them, walking on the sea. [26]When the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, “It’s a ghost!” and they cried out for fear. [27]But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, **“Cheer up! It is I! Don’t be afraid.”** [28]Peter answered him and said, “Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the waters.” [29]He said, **“Come!”** Peter stepped down from the boat and walked on the waters to come to Jesus. [30]But when he saw that the wind was strong, he was afraid, and beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” [31]Immediately Jesus stretched out his hand, took hold of him, and said to him, **“You of little faith, why did you doubt?”** [32]When they got up into the boat, the wind ceased. [33]Those who were in the boat came and worshiped him, saying, “You are truly the Son of God!” #### Defilement - Traditional and Real — Mark 7:1–23 [1]Then the Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered together to him, having come from Jerusalem. [2]Now when they saw some of his disciples eating bread with defiled, that is unwashed, hands, they found fault. [3](For the Pharisees and all the Jews don’t eat unless they wash their hands and forearms, holding to the tradition of the elders. [4]They don’t eat when they come from the marketplace unless they bathe themselves, and there are many other things which they have received to hold to: washings of cups, pitchers, bronze vessels, and couches.) [5]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?” [6]He answered them, **“Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written,** **‘This people honors me with their lips,** **but their heart is far from me.** [7]**They worship me in vain,** **teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’** [8]**“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.”** [9]He said to them, **“Full well do you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.** [10]**For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother;’ and, ‘He who speaks evil of father or mother, let him be put to death.’** [11]**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, [12]**“then you no longer allow him to do anything for his father or his mother,** [13]**making void the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down. You do many things like this.”** [14]He called all the multitude to himself and said to them, **“Hear me, all of you, and understand.** [15]**There is nothing from outside of the man that going into him can defile him; but the things which proceed out of the man are those that defile the man.** [16]**If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!”** [17]When he had entered into a house away from the multitude, his disciples asked him about the parable. [18]He said to them, **“Are you also without understanding? Don’t you perceive that whatever goes into the man from outside can’t defile him,** [19]**because it doesn’t go into his heart, but into his stomach, then into the latrine, making all foods clean?”** [20]He said, **“That which proceeds out of the man, that defiles the man.** [21]**For from within, out of the hearts of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, sexual sins, murders, thefts,** [22]**covetings, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, and foolishness.** [23]**All these evil things come from within and defile the man.”** #### The Syrophoenician (Canaanite) Woman — Matthew 15:21–28 [21]Jesus went out from there and withdrew into the region of Tyre and Sidon. [22]Behold, a Canaanite woman came out from those borders and cried, saying, “Have mercy on me, Lord, you son of David! My daughter is severely possessed by a demon!” [23]But he answered her not a word. His disciples came and begged him, saying, “Send her away; for she cries after us.” [24]But he answered, **“I wasn’t sent to anyone but the lost sheep of the house of Israel.”** [25]But she came and worshiped him, saying, “Lord, help me.” [26]But he answered, **“It is not appropriate to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs.”** [27]But she said, “Yes, Lord, but even the dogs eat the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table.” [28]Then Jesus answered her, **“Woman, great is your faith! Be it done to you even as you desire.”** And her daughter was healed from that hour. #### Jesus Heals a Deaf Mute — Mark 7:31–37 [31]Again he departed from the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and came to the sea of Galilee through the middle of the region of Decapolis. [32]They brought to him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech. They begged him to lay his hand on him. [33]He took him aside from the multitude privately and put his fingers into his ears; and he spat and touched his tongue. [34]Looking up to heaven, he sighed, and said to him, **“Ephphatha!”** that is, **“Be opened!”** [35]Immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was released, and he spoke clearly. [36]He commanded them that they should tell no one, but the more he commanded them, so much the more widely they proclaimed it. [37]They were astonished beyond measure, saying, “He has done all things well. He makes even the deaf hear and the mute speak!” #### Four Thousand are Fed — Matthew 15:29–39 [29]Jesus departed from there and came near to the sea of Galilee; and he went up on the mountain and sat there. [30]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, [31]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. [32]Jesus summoned his disciples and said, **“I have compassion on the multitude, because they have continued with me now three days and have nothing to eat. I don’t want to send them away fasting, or they might faint on the way.”** [33]The disciples said to him, “Where could we get so many loaves in a deserted place as to satisfy so great a multitude?” [34]Jesus said to them, **“How many loaves do you have?”** They said, “Seven, and a few small fish.” [35]He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground; [36]and he took the seven loaves and the fish. He gave thanks and broke them, and gave to the disciples, and the disciples to the multitudes. [37]They all ate and were filled. They took up seven baskets full of the broken pieces that were left over. [38]Those who ate were four thousand men, in addition to women and children. [39]Then he sent away the multitudes, got into the boat, and came into the borders of Magdala. #### The Pharisees Seek a Sign — Matthew 16:1–4 [1]The Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, asked him to show them a sign from heaven. [2]But he answered them, **“When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’** [3]**In the morning, ‘It will be foul weather today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ Hypocrites! You know how to discern the appearance of the sky, but you can’t discern the signs of the times!** [4]**An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and there will be no sign given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah.”** He left them and departed. #### The Leaven of the Pharisees — Matthew 16:5–12 [5]The disciples came to the other side and had forgotten to take bread. [6]Jesus said to them, **“Take heed and beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”** [7]They reasoned among themselves, saying, “We brought no bread.” [8]Jesus, perceiving it, said, **“Why do you reason among yourselves, you of little faith, because you have brought no bread?** [9]**Don’t you yet perceive or remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many baskets you took up,** [10]**or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many baskets you took up?** [11]**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.”** [12]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. #### A Blind Man is Healed at Bethsaida — Mark 8:22–26 [22]He came to Bethsaida. They brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. [23]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. [24]He looked up, and said, “I see men, but I see them like walking trees.” [25]Then again he laid his hands on his eyes. He looked intently, and was restored, and saw everyone clearly. [26]He sent him away to his house, saying, **“Don’t enter into the village, nor tell anyone in the village.”** #### The Bread of Life — John 6:22–59 [22]On the next day, the multitude that stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except the one in which his disciples had embarked, and that Jesus hadn’t entered with his disciples into the boat, but his disciples had gone away alone. [23]However, boats from Tiberias came near to the place where they ate the bread after the Lord had given thanks. [24]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. [25]When they found him on the other side of the sea, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” [26]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.** [27]**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.”** [28]They said therefore to him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?” [29]Jesus answered them, **“This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”** [30]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? [31]Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness. As it is written, ‘He gave them bread out of heaven to eat.’” [32]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.** [33]**For the bread of God is that which comes down out of heaven and gives life to the world.”** [34]They said therefore to him, “Lord, always give us this bread.” [35]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.** [36]**But I told you that you have seen me, and yet you don’t believe.** [37]**All those whom the Father gives me will come to me. He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.** [38]**For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of him who sent me.** [39]**This is the will of my Father who sent me, that of all he has given to me I should lose nothing, but should raise him up at the last day.** [40]**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.”** [41]The Jews therefore murmured concerning him, because he said, **“I am the bread which came down out of heaven.”** [42]They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How then does he say, **‘I have come down out of heaven’?”** [43]Therefore Jesus answered them, **“Don’t murmur among yourselves.** [44]**No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him; and I will raise him up in the last day.** [45]**It is written in the prophets, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who hears from the Father and has learned, comes to me.** [46]**Not that anyone has seen the Father, except he who is from God. He has seen the Father.** [47]**Most certainly, I tell you, he who believes in me has eternal life.** [48]**I am the bread of life.** [49]**Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness and they died.** [50]**This is the bread which comes down out of heaven, that anyone may eat of it and not die.** [51]**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.”** [52]The Jews therefore contended with one another, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” [53]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.** [54]**He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.** [55]**For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.** [56]**He who eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me, and I in him.** [57]**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.** [58]**This is the bread which came down out of heaven—not as our fathers ate the manna and died. He who eats this bread will live forever.”** [59]He said these things in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum. ### Turning Point #### Many Disciples Take Offense at Jesus — John 6:60–71 [60]Therefore many of his disciples, when they heard this, said, “This is a hard saying! Who can listen to it?” [61]But Jesus knowing in himself that his disciples murmured at this, said to them, **“Does this cause you to stumble?** [62]**Then what if you would see the Son of Man ascending to where he was before?** [63]**It is the spirit who gives life. The flesh profits nothing. The words that I speak to you are spirit, and are life.** [64]**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. [65]He said, **“For this cause I have said to you that no one can come to me, unless it is given to him by my Father.”** [66]At this, many of his disciples went back and walked no more with him. [67]Jesus said therefore to the twelve, **“You don’t also want to go away, do you?”** [68]Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life. [69]We have come to believe and know that you are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [70]Jesus answered them, **“Didn’t I choose you, the twelve, and one of you is a devil?”** [71]Now he spoke of Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, for it was he who would betray him, being one of the twelve. #### Peter's Confession — Mark 8:27–30 [27]Jesus went out, with his disciples, into the villages of Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked his disciples, **“Who do men say that I am?”** [28]They told him, “John the Baptizer, and others say Elijah, but others, one of the prophets.” [29]He said to them, **“But who do you say that I am?”** Peter answered, “You are the Christ.” [30]He commanded them that they should tell no one about him. #### Jesus Foretells His Passion — Matthew 16:21–23 [21]From that time, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up. [22]Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This will never be done to you.” [23]But he turned and said to Peter, **“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.”** #### If Any Man would Come after Me — Mark 8:34–38 [34]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.** [35]**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.** [36]**For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?** [37]**For what will a man give in exchange for his life?** [38]**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 Father’s glory with the holy angels.”** #### The Transfiguration — Matthew 17:1–8 [1]After six days, Jesus took with him Peter, James, and John his brother, and brought them up into a high mountain by themselves. [2]He was changed before them. His face shone like the sun, and his garments became as white as the light. [3]Behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them talking with him. [4]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.” [5]While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them. Behold, a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to him.” [6]When the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces, and were very afraid. [7]Jesus came and touched them and said, **“Get up, and don’t be afraid.”** [8]Lifting up their eyes, they saw no one, except Jesus alone. #### The Coming of Elijah — Matthew 17:9–13 [9]As they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, **“Don’t tell anyone what you saw, until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.”** [10]His disciples asked him, saying, “Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” [11]Jesus answered them, **“Elijah indeed comes first, and will restore all things;** [12]**but I tell you that Elijah has come already, and they didn’t recognize him, but did to him whatever they wanted to. Even so the Son of Man will also suffer by them.”** [13]Then the disciples understood that he spoke to them of John the Baptizer. #### Jesus Heals a Boy Possessed by a Spirit — Mark 9:14–29 [14]Coming to the disciples, he saw a great multitude around them, and scribes questioning them. [15]Immediately all the multitude, when they saw him, were greatly amazed, and running to him, greeted him. [16]He asked the scribes, **“What are you asking them?”** [17]One of the multitude answered, “Teacher, I brought to you my son, who has a mute spirit; [18]and wherever it seizes him, it throws him down; and he foams at the mouth, grinds his teeth, and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they weren’t able.” [19]He answered him, **“Unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to me.”** [20]They brought him to him, and when he saw him, immediately the spirit convulsed him and he fell on the ground, wallowing and foaming at the mouth. [21]He asked his father, **“How long has it been since this has been happening to him?”** He said, “From childhood. [22]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.” [23]Jesus said to him, **“If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.”** [24]Immediately the father of the child cried out with tears, “I believe. Help my unbelief!” [25]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!”** [26]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.” [27]But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him up; and he arose. [28]When he had come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we cast it out?” [29]He said to them, **“This kind can come out by nothing but by prayer and fasting.”** #### Jesus Foretells His Passion again — Mark 9:30–32 [30]They went out from there and passed through Galilee. He didn’t want anyone to know it, [31]for he was teaching his disciples, and said to them, **“The Son of Man is being handed over to the hands of men, and they will kill him; and when he is killed, on the third day he will rise again.”** [32]But they didn’t understand the saying, and were afraid to ask him. #### Payment of the Temple Tax — Matthew 17:24–27 [24]When they had come to Capernaum, those who collected the didrachma coins came to Peter, and said, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the didrachma?” [25]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?”** [26]Peter said to him, “From strangers.” Jesus said to him, **“Therefore the children are exempt.** [27]**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.”** #### True Greatness — Mark 9:33–37 [33]He came to Capernaum, and when he was in the house he asked them, **“What were you arguing among yourselves on the way?”** [34]But they were silent, for they had disputed with one another on the way about who was the greatest. [35]He 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.”** [36]He took a little child and set him in the middle of them. Taking him in his arms, he said to them, [37]**“Whoever receives one such little child in my name receives me; and whoever receives me, doesn’t receive me, but him who sent me.”** #### The Strange Exorcist — Mark 9:38–41 [38]John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” [39]But Jesus said, **“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.** [40]**For whoever is not against us is on our side.** [41]**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.** #### Warnings concerning Temptations — Mark 9:42–48 [42]**“Whoever will cause one of these little ones who believe in me to stumble, it would be better for him if he were thrown into the sea with a millstone hung around his neck.** [43]**If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having your two hands to go into Gehenna, into the unquenchable fire,** [44]**‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’** [45]**If your foot causes you to stumble, cut it off. 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—** [46]**‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’** [47]**If your eye causes you to stumble, throw it out. 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,** [48]**‘where their worm doesn’t die, and the fire is not quenched.’** #### The Parable of the Lost Sheep — Luke 15:1–7 [1]Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming close to him to hear him. [2]The Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, “This man welcomes sinners, and eats with them.” [3]He told them this parable: [4]**“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?** [5]**When he has found it, he carries it on his shoulders, rejoicing.** [6]**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!’** [7]**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 Unforgiving Servant — Matthew 18:21–35 [21]Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” [22]Jesus said to him, **“I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.** [23]**Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants.** [24]**When he had begun to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents.** [25]**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.** [26]**The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’** [27]**The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt.** [28]**“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!’** [29]**“So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’** [30]**He would not, but went and cast him into prison until he should pay back that which was due.** [31]**So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done.** [32]**Then his lord called him in and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.** [33]**Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’** [34]**His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors until he should pay all that was due to him.** [35]**So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”** #### Jesus is Rejected by Samaritans — Luke 9:51–56 [51]It came to pass, when the days were near that he should be taken up, he intently set his face to go to Jerusalem [52]and sent messengers before his face. They went and entered into a village of the Samaritans, so as to prepare for him. [53]They didn’t receive him, because he was traveling with his face set toward Jerusalem. [54]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, just as Elijah did?” [55]But he turned and rebuked them, **“You don’t know of what kind of spirit you are.** [56]**For the Son of Man didn’t come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.”** They went to another village. #### Commissioning the Seventy — Luke 10:1–16 [1]Now after these things, the Lord also appointed seventy others, and sent them two by two ahead of him into every city and place where he was about to come. [2]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.** [3]**Go your ways. Behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves.** [4]**Carry no purse, nor wallet, nor sandals. Greet no one on the way.** [5]**Into whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’** [6]**If a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.** [7]**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.** [8]**Into whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat the things that are set before you.** [9]**Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘God’s Kingdom has come near to you.’** [10]**But into whatever city you enter and they don’t receive you, go out into its streets and say,** [11]**‘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.’** [12]**I tell you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city.** [13]**“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.** [14]**But it will be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon in the judgment than for you.** [15]**You, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades.** [16]**Whoever listens to you listens to me, and whoever rejects you rejects me. Whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”** #### The Return of the Seventy — Luke 10:17–20 [17]The seventy returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name!” [18]He said to them, **“I saw Satan having fallen like lightning from heaven.** [19]**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.** [20]**Nevertheless, don’t rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”** #### The Parable of the Good Samaritan — Luke 10:25–37 [25]Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26]He said to him, **“What is written in the law? How do you read it?”** [27]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.” [28]He said to him, **“You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”** [29]But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” [30]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.** [31]**By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side.** [32]**In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.** [33]**But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion,** [34]**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.** [35]**On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’** [36]**Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?”** [37]He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, **“Go and do likewise.”** #### Mary and Martha — Luke 10:38–42 [38]As they went on their way, he entered into a certain village, and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. [39]She had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard his word. [40]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.” [41]Jesus answered her, **“Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,** [42]**but one thing is needed. Mary has chosen the good part, which will not be taken away from her.”** #### True Blessedness — Luke 11:27–28 [27]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!” [28]But he said, **“On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and keep it.”** #### The Parable of the Rich Fool — Luke 12:13–21 [13]One of the multitude said to him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” [14]But he said to him, **“Man, who made me a judge or an arbitrator over you?”** [15]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.”** [16]He spoke a parable to them, saying, **“The ground of a certain rich man produced abundantly.** [17]**He reasoned within himself, saying, ‘What will I do, because I don’t have room to store my crops?’** [18]**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.** [19]**I will tell my soul, “Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years. Take your ease, eat, drink, and be merry.”’** [20]**“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?’** [21]**So is he who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.”** #### Repentance or Destruction (the Parable of the Barren Fig Tree) — Luke 13:1–9 [1]Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. [2]Jesus answered them, **“Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things?** [3]**I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.** [4]**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?** [5]**I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”** [6]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.** [7]**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?’** [8]**He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it.** [9]**If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”** #### The Healing of the Crippled Woman on the Sabbath — Luke 13:10–17 [10]He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath day. [11]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. [12]When Jesus saw her, he called her and said to her, **“Woman, you are freed from your infirmity.”** [13]He laid his hands on her, and immediately she stood up straight and glorified God. [14]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!” [15]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?** [16]**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?”** [17]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. #### A Warning against Herod — Luke 13:31–33 [31]On that same day, some Pharisees came, saying to him, “Get out of here and go away, for Herod wants to kill you.” [32]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.** [33]**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.’** #### The Healing of the Man with Dropsy — Luke 14:1–6 [1]When he went into the house of one of the rulers of the Pharisees on a Sabbath to eat bread, they were watching him. [2]Behold, a certain man who had dropsy was in front of him. [3]Jesus, answering, spoke to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, **“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”** [4]But they were silent. He took him, and healed him, and let him go. [5]He answered them, **“Which of you, if your son or an ox fell into a well, wouldn’t immediately pull him out on a Sabbath day?”** [6]They couldn’t answer him regarding these things. #### Teaching on Humility — Luke 14:7–14 [7]He spoke a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the best seats, and said to them, [8]**“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,** [9]**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.** [10]**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.** [11]**For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”** [12]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.** [13]**But when you make a feast, ask the poor, the maimed, the lame, or the blind;** [14]**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.”** #### The Parable of the Great Supper — Luke 14:15–24 [15]When one of those who sat at the table with him heard these things, he said to him, “Blessed is he who will feast in God’s Kingdom!” [16]But he said to him, **“A certain man made a great supper, and he invited many people.** [17]**He sent out his servant at supper time to tell those who were invited, ‘Come, for everything is ready now.’** [18]**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.’** [19]**“Another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I must go try them out. Please have me excused.’** [20]**“Another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I can’t come.’** [21]**“That 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.’** [22]**“The servant said, ‘Lord, it is done as you commanded, and there is still room.’** [23]**“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.** [24]**For I tell you that none of those men who were invited will taste of my supper. For many are called, but few are chosen.’”** #### The Parable of the Lost Coin — Luke 15:8–10 [8]**“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?** [9]**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!’** [10]**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 [11]He said, **“A certain man had two sons.** [12]**The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of your property.’ So he divided his livelihood between them.** [13]**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.** [14]**When he had spent all of it, there arose a severe famine in that country, and he began to be in need.** [15]**He went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed pigs.** [16]**He wanted to fill his belly with the pods that the pigs ate, but no one gave him any.** [17]**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 with hunger!** [18]**I will get up and go to my father, and will tell him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight.** [19]**I am no more worthy to be called your son. Make me as one of your hired servants.”’** [20]**“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.** [21]**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.’** [22]**“But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet.** [23]**Bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let’s eat and celebrate;** [24]**for this, my son, was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.’ Then they began to celebrate.** [25]**“Now his elder son was in the field. As he came near to the house, he heard music and dancing.** [26]**He called one of the servants to him and asked what was going on.** [27]**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.’** [28]**But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and begged him.** [29]**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.** [30]**But when this your son came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’** [31]**“He said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.** [32]**But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.’”** #### The Parable of the Unjust Steward — Luke 16:1–9 [1]He also said to his disciples, **“There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions.** [2]**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.’** [3]**“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.** [4]**I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’** [5]**Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’** [6]**He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’** [7]**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.’** [8]**“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.** [9]**I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents.** #### The Pharisees Reproved — Luke 16:14–15 [14]The Pharisees, who were lovers of money, also heard all these things, and they scoffed at him. [15]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 Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus — Luke 16:19–31 [19]**“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.** [20]**A certain beggar, named Lazarus, was taken to his gate, full of sores,** [21]**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.** [22]**The beggar died, and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried.** [23]**In Hades, he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far off, and Lazarus at his bosom.** [24]**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.’** [25]**“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.** [26]**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.’** [27]**“He said, ‘I ask you therefore, father, that you would send him to my father’s house—** [28]**for I have five brothers—that he may testify to them, so they won’t also come into this place of torment.’** [29]**“But Abraham said to him, ‘They have Moses and the prophets. Let them listen to them.’** [30]**“He said, ‘No, father Abraham, but if one goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’** [31]**“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.’”** #### On Forgiveness — Luke 17:3–4 [3]**Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him.** [4]**If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”** #### On Faith — Luke 17:5–6 [5]The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” [6]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.** #### We are Unprofitable Servants — Luke 17:7–10 [7]**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’?** [8]**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’?** [9]**Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded? I think not.** [10]**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.’”** #### The Cleansing of the Ten Lepers — Luke 17:11–19 [11]As he was on his way to Jerusalem, he was passing along the borders of Samaria and Galilee. [12]As he entered into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him, who stood at a distance. [13]They lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” [14]When he saw them, he said to them, **“Go and show yourselves to the priests.”** As they went, they were cleansed. [15]One of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, glorifying God with a loud voice. [16]He fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving him thanks; and he was a Samaritan. [17]Jesus answered, **“Weren’t the ten cleansed? But where are the nine?** [18]**Were there none found who returned to give glory to God, except this foreigner?”** [19]Then he said to him, **“Get up, and go your way. Your faith has healed you.”** #### The Day of the Son of Man — Luke 17:20–37 [20]Being asked by the Pharisees when God’s Kingdom would come, he answered them, **“God’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation;** [21]**neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, God’s Kingdom is within you.”** [22]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.** [23]**They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them,** [24]**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.** [25]**But first, he must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.** [26]**As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man.** [27]**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.** [28]**Likewise, even as it was in the days of Lot: they ate, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they built;** [29]**but in the day that Lot went out from Sodom, it rained fire and sulfur from the sky and destroyed them all.** [30]**It will be the same way in the day that the Son of Man is revealed.** [31]**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.** [32]**Remember Lot’s wife!** [33]**Whoever seeks to save his life loses it, but whoever loses his life preserves it.** [34]**I tell you, in that night there will be two people in one bed. One will be taken and the other will be left.** [35]**There will be two grinding grain together. One will be taken and the other will be left.”** [37]They, answering, asked him, “Where, Lord?” He said to them, **“Where the body is, there the vultures will also be gathered together.”** #### The Parable of the Unjust Judge — Luke 18:1–8 [1]He also spoke a parable to them that they must always pray and not give up, [2]saying, **“There was a judge in a certain city who didn’t fear God and didn’t respect man.** [3]**A widow was in that city, and she often came to him, saying, ‘Defend me from my adversary!’** [4]**He wouldn’t for a while; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man,** [5]**yet because this widow bothers me, I will defend her, or else she will wear me out by her continual coming.’”** [6]The Lord said, **“Listen to what the unrighteous judge says.** [7]**Won’t God avenge his chosen ones who are crying out to him day and night, and yet he exercises patience with them?** [8]**I tell you that he will avenge them quickly. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?”** #### The Pharisee and the Publican — Luke 18:9–14 [9]He also spoke this parable to certain people who were convinced of their own righteousness, and who despised all others: [10]**“Two men went up into the temple to pray; one was a Pharisee, and the other was a tax collector.** [11]**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.** [12]**I fast twice a week. I give tithes of all that I get.’** [13]**But the tax collector, standing far away, wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his chest, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’** [14]**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 and Celibacy — Mark 10:1–12 [1]He arose from there and came into the borders of Judea and beyond the Jordan. Multitudes came together to him again. As he usually did, he was again teaching them. [2]Pharisees came to him testing him, and asked him, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?” [3]He answered, **“What did Moses command you?”** [4]They said, “Moses allowed a certificate of divorce to be written, and to divorce her.” [5]But Jesus said to them, **“For your hardness of heart, he wrote you this commandment.** [6]**But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.** [7]**For this cause a man will leave his father and mother, and will join to his wife,** [8]**and the two will become one flesh, so that they are no longer two, but one flesh.** [9]**What therefore God has joined together, let no man separate.”** [10]In the house, his disciples asked him again about the same matter. [11]He said to them, **“Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.** [12]**If a woman herself divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery.”** #### Jesus Blesses the Children — Mark 10:13–16 [13]They were bringing to him little children, that he should touch them, but the disciples rebuked those who were bringing them. [14]But when Jesus saw it, he was moved with indignation and said to them, **“Allow the little children to come to me! Don’t forbid them, for God’s Kingdom belongs to such as these.** [15]**Most certainly I tell you, whoever will not receive God’s Kingdom like a little child, he will in no way enter into it.”** [16]He took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. #### On Riches and the Rewards of Discipleship — Mark 10:17–31 [17]As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” [18]Jesus said to him, **“Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God.** [19]**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 mother.’”** [20]He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.” [21]Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, **“One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”** [22]But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. [23]Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, **“How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”** [24]The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, **“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!** [25]**It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”** [26]They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?” [27]Jesus, looking at them, said, **“With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”** [28]Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.” [29]Jesus said, **“Most certainly I tell you, 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, and for the sake of the Good News,** [30]**but he will 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.** [31]**But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”** #### The Parable of the Laborers in the Vineyard — Matthew 20:1–16 [1]**“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.** [2]**When he had agreed with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard.** [3]**He went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace.** [4]**He said to them, ‘You also go into the vineyard, and whatever is right I will give you.’ So they went their way.** [5]**Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour, and did likewise.** [6]**About the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing idle. He said to them, ‘Why do you stand here all day idle?’** [7]**“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.’** [8]**“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.’** [9]**“When those who were hired at about the eleventh hour came, they each received a denarius.** [10]**When the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise each received a denarius.** [11]**When they received it, they murmured against the master of the household,** [12]**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!’** [13]**“But he answered one of them, ‘Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Didn’t you agree with me for a denarius?** [14]**Take that which is yours, and go your way. It is my desire to give to this last just as much as to you.** [15]**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?’** [16]**So the last will be first, and the first last. For many are called, but few are chosen.”** #### The Third Prediction of the Passion — Mark 10:32–34 [32]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, and began to tell them the things that were going to happen to him. [33]**“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem. The Son of Man will be delivered to the chief priests and the scribes. They will condemn him to death, and will deliver him to the Gentiles.** [34]**They will mock him, spit on him, scourge him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.”** #### The Sons of Zebedee; Precedence among the Disciples — Mark 10:35–45 [35]James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came near to him, saying, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we will ask.” [36]He said to them, **“What do you want me to do for you?”** [37]They said to him, “Grant to us that we may sit, one at your right hand and one at your left hand, in your glory.” [38]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?”** [39]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;** [40]**but to sit at my right hand and at my left hand is not mine to give, but for whom it has been prepared.”** [41]When the ten heard it, they began to be indignant toward James and John. [42]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.** [43]**But it shall not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you shall be your servant.** [44]**Whoever of you wants to become first among you shall be bondservant of all.** [45]**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 the Blind Men (Bartimaeus) — Mark 10:46–52 [46]They came to Jericho. As he went out from Jericho with his disciples and a great multitude, the son of Timaeus, Bartimaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the road. [47]When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, you son of David, have mercy on me!” [48]Many rebuked him, that he should be quiet, but he cried out much more, “You son of David, have mercy on me!” [49]Jesus stood still and said, **“Call him.”** They called the blind man, saying to him, “Cheer up! Get up. He is calling you!” [50]He, casting away his cloak, sprang up, and came to Jesus. [51]Jesus asked him, **“What do you want me to do for you?”** The blind man said to him, “Rabboni, that I may see again.” [52]Jesus said to him, **“Go your way. Your faith has made you well.”** Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the way. #### Zacchaeus — Luke 19:1–10 [1]He entered and was passing through Jericho. [2]There was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector, and he was rich. [3]He was trying to see who Jesus was, and couldn’t because of the crowd, because he was short. [4]He ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was going to pass that way. [5]When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and saw him, and said to him, **“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.”** [6]He hurried, came down, and received him joyfully. [7]When they saw it, they all murmured, saying, “He has gone in to lodge with a man who is a sinner.” [8]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.” [9]Jesus said to him, **“Today, salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham.** [10]**For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost.”** #### The Parable of the Pounds — Luke 19:11–27 [11]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. [12]He said therefore, **“A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return.** [13]**He called ten servants of his and gave them ten mina coins, and told them, ‘Conduct business until I come.’** [14]**But his citizens hated him, and sent an envoy after him, saying, ‘We don’t want this man to reign over us.’** [15]**“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.** [16]**The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten more minas.’** [17]**“He said to him, ‘Well done, you good servant! Because you were found faithful with very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’** [18]**“The second came, saying, ‘Your mina, Lord, has made five minas.’** [19]**“So he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’** [20]**Another came, saying, ‘Lord, behold, your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief,** [21]**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.’** [22]**“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.** [23]**Then why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank, and at my coming, I might have earned interest on it?’** [24]**He said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina away from him and give it to him who has the ten minas.’** [25]**“They said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’** [26]**‘For 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 from him.** [27]**But bring those enemies of mine who didn’t want me to reign over them here, and kill them before me.’”** ### Jerusalem #### Jesus Remains in Galilee — John 7:1–9 [1]After these things, Jesus was walking in Galilee, for he wouldn’t walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill him. [2]Now the feast of the Jews, the Feast of Booths, was at hand. [3]His brothers therefore said to him, “Depart from here and go into Judea, that your disciples also may see your works which you do. [4]For no one does anything in secret while he seeks to be known openly. If you do these things, reveal yourself to the world.” [5]For even his brothers didn’t believe in him. [6]Jesus therefore said to them, **“My time has not yet come, but your time is always ready.** [7]**The world can’t hate you, but it hates me, because I testify about it, that its works are evil.** [8]**You go up to the feast. I am not yet going up to this feast, because my time is not yet fulfilled.”** [9]Having said these things to them, he stayed in Galilee. #### The Healing at the Pool — John 5:1–47 [1]After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. [2]Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. [3]In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; [4]for an angel went down at certain times into the pool and stirred up the water. Whoever stepped in first after the stirring of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. [5]A certain man was there who had been sick for thirty-eight years. [6]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?”** [7]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.” [8]Jesus said to him, **“Arise, take up your mat, and walk.”** [9]Immediately, the man was made well, and took up his mat and walked. Now that day was a Sabbath. [10]So the Jews said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry the mat.” [11]He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, **‘Take up your mat and walk.’** ” [12]Then they asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, **‘Take up your mat and walk’** ?” [13]But he who was healed didn’t know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a crowd being in the place. [14]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.”** [15]The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. [16]For this cause the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill him, because he did these things on the Sabbath. [17]But Jesus answered them, **“My Father is still working, so I am working, too.”** [18]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. [19]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.** [20]**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.** [21]**For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom he desires.** [22]**For the Father judges no one, but he has given all judgment to the Son,** [23]**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.** [24]**“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.** [25]**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.** [26]**For as the Father has life in himself, even so he gave to the Son also to have life in himself.** [27]**He also gave him authority to execute judgment, because he is a son of man.** [28]**Don’t marvel at this, for the hour comes in which all who are in the tombs will hear his voice** [29]**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.** [30]**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 my Father who sent me.** [31]**“If I testify about myself, my witness is not valid.** [32]**It is another who testifies about me. I know that the testimony which he testifies about me is true.** [33]**You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth.** [34]**But the testimony which I receive is not from man. However, I say these things that you may be saved.** [35]**He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.** [36]**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.** [37]**The Father himself, who sent me, has testified about me. You have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his form.** [38]**You don’t have his word living in you, because you don’t believe him whom he sent.** [39]**“You search the Scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and these are they which testify about me.** [40]**Yet you will not come to me, that you may have life.** [41]**I don’t receive glory from men.** [42]**But I know you, that you don’t have God’s love in yourselves.** [43]**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.** [44]**How can you believe, who receive glory from one another, and you don’t seek the glory that comes from the only God?** [45]**“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.** [46]**For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote about me.** [47]**But if you don’t believe his writings, how will you believe my words?”** #### Teaching in the Temple — John 7:14–39 [14]But when it was now the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught. [15]The Jews therefore marveled, saying, “How does this man know letters, having never been educated?” [16]Jesus therefore answered them, **“My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me.** [17]**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.** [18]**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.** [19]**Didn’t Moses give you the law, and yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill me?”** [20]The multitude answered, “You have a demon! Who seeks to kill you?” [21]Jesus answered them, **“I did one work and you all marvel because of it.** [22]**Moses has given you circumcision (not that it is of Moses, but of the fathers), and on the Sabbath you circumcise a boy.** [23]**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?** [24]**Don’t judge according to appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”** [25]Therefore some of them of Jerusalem said, “Isn’t this he whom they seek to kill? [26]Behold, he speaks openly, and they say nothing to him. Can it be that the rulers indeed know that this is truly the Christ? [27]However, we know where this man comes from, but when the Christ comes, no one will know where he comes from.” [28]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.** [29]**I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.”** [30]They sought therefore to take him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come. [31]But of the multitude, many believed in him. They said, “When the Christ comes, he won’t do more signs than those which this man has done, will he?” [32]The Pharisees heard the multitude murmuring these things concerning him, and the chief priests and the Pharisees sent officers to arrest him. [33]Then Jesus said, **“I will be with you a little while longer, then I go to him who sent me.** [34]**You will seek me and won’t find me. You can’t come where I am.”** [35]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? [36]What is this word that he said, **‘You will seek me, and won’t find me;’** and **‘Where I am, you can’t come’** ?” [37]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!** [38]**He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, from within him will flow rivers of living water.”** [39]But he said this about the Spirit, which those believing in him were to receive. For the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus wasn’t yet glorified. #### The Woman Caught in Adultery — John 8:1–11 [1]but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. [2]Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down and taught them. [3]The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the middle, [4]they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. [5]Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. What then do you say about her?” [6]They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. [7]But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, **“He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.”** [8]Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground with his finger. [9]They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. [10]Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, **“Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?”** [11]She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, **“Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”** #### I am the Light of the World — John 8:12–20 [12]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.”** [13]The Pharisees therefore said to him, “You testify about yourself. Your testimony is not valid.” [14]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.** [15]**You judge according to the flesh. I judge no one.** [16]**Even if I do judge, my judgment is true, for I am not alone, but I am with the Father who sent me.** [17]**It’s also written in your law that the testimony of two people is valid.** [18]**I am one who testifies about myself, and the Father who sent me testifies about me.”** [19]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.”** [20]Jesus spoke these words in the treasury, as he taught in the temple. Yet no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come. #### Where I Go, You Cannot Come — John 8:21–30 [21]Jesus 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.”** [22]The Jews therefore said, “Will he kill himself, because he says, **‘Where I am going, you can’t come’** ?” [23]He said to them, **“You are from beneath. I am from above. You are of this world. I am not of this world.** [24]**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.”** [25]They said therefore to him, “Who are you?” Jesus said to them, **“Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.** [26]**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.”** [27]They didn’t understand that he spoke to them about the Father. [28]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 my Father taught me, I say these things.** [29]**He who sent me is with me. The Father hasn’t left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.”** [30]As he spoke these things, many believed in him. #### The Truth will Make You Free — John 8:31–38 [31]Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, **“If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples.** [32]**You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”** [33]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’** ?” [34]Jesus answered them, **“Most certainly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.** [35]**A bondservant doesn’t live in the house forever. A son remains forever.** [36]**If therefore the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.** [37]**I know that you are Abraham’s offspring, yet you seek to kill me, because my word finds no place in you.** [38]**I say the things which I have seen with my Father; and you also do the things which you have seen with your father.”** #### Children of the Devil — John 8:39–47 [39]They answered him, “Our father is Abraham.” Jesus said to them, **“If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.** [40]**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.** [41]**You do the works of your father.”** They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father, God.” [42]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.** [43]**Why don’t you understand my speech? Because you can’t hear my word.** [44]**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.** [45]**But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me.** [46]**Which of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me?** [47]**He who is of God hears the words of God. For this cause you don’t hear, because you are not of God.”** #### Before Abraham was, I am — John 8:48–59 [48]Then the Jews answered him, “Don’t we say well that you are a Samaritan, and have a demon?” [49]Jesus answered, **“I don’t have a demon, but I honor my Father and you dishonor me.** [50]**But I don’t seek my own glory. There is one who seeks and judges.** [51]**Most certainly, I tell you, if a person keeps my word, he will never see death.”** [52]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.’** [53]Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died. Who do you make yourself out to be?” [54]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.** [55]**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.** [56]**Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day. He saw it and was glad.”** [57]The Jews therefore said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old! Have you seen Abraham?” [58]Jesus said to them, **“Most certainly, I tell you, before Abraham came into existence, I AM.”** [59]Therefore they took up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple, having gone through the middle of them, and so passed by. #### Jesus Heals the Man Born Blind — John 9:1–41 [1]As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. [2]His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” [3]Jesus answered, **“This man didn’t sin, nor did his parents, but that the works of God might be revealed in him.** [4]**I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day. The night is coming, when no one can work.** [5]**While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”** [6]When he had said this, he spat on the ground, made mud with the saliva, anointed the blind man’s eyes with the mud, [7]and said to him, **“Go, wash in the pool of Siloam”** (which means “Sent”). So he went away, washed, and came back seeing. [8]Therefore the neighbors and those who saw that he was blind before said, “Isn’t this he who sat and begged?” [9]Others were saying, “It is he.” Still others were saying, “He looks like him.” He said, “I am he.” [10]They therefore were asking him, “How were your eyes opened?” [11]He answered, “A man called Jesus made mud, anointed my eyes, and said to me, **‘Go to the pool of Siloam and wash.’** So I went away and washed, and I received sight.” [12]Then they asked him, “Where is he?” He said, “I don’t know.” [13]They brought him who had been blind to the Pharisees. [14]It was a Sabbath when Jesus made the mud and opened his eyes. [15]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.” [16]Some therefore of the Pharisees said, “This man is not from God, because he doesn’t keep the Sabbath.” Others said, “How can a man who is a sinner do such signs?” So there was division among them. [17]Therefore they asked the blind man again, “What do you say about him, because he opened your eyes?” He said, “He is a prophet.” [18]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, [19]and asked them, “Is this your son, whom you say was born blind? How then does he now see?” [20]His parents answered them, “We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; [21]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.” [22]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. [23]Therefore his parents said, “He is of age. Ask him.” [24]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.” [25]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.” [26]They said to him again, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” [27]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?” [28]They insulted him and said, “You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. [29]We know that God has spoken to Moses. But as for this man, we don’t know where he comes from.” [30]The man answered them, “How amazing! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. [31]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. [32]Since the world began it has never been heard of that anyone opened the eyes of someone born blind. [33]If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” [34]They answered him, “You were altogether born in sins, and do you teach us?” Then they threw him out. [35]Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and finding him, he said, **“Do you believe in the Son of God?”** [36]He answered, “Who is he, Lord, that I may believe in him?” [37]Jesus said to him, **“You have both seen him, and it is he who speaks with you.”** [38]He said, “Lord, I believe!” and he worshiped him. [39]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.”** [40]Those of the Pharisees who were with him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?” [41]Jesus said to them, **“If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.** #### I am the Good Shepherd — John 10:1–21 [1]**“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.** [2]**But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.** [3]**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.** [4]**Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.** [5]**They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don’t know the voice of strangers.”** [6]Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn’t understand what he was telling them. [7]Jesus therefore said to them again, **“Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep’s door.** [8]**All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn’t listen to them.** [9]**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.** [10]**The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.** [11]**“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.** [12]**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.** [13]**The hired hand flees because he is a hired hand and doesn’t care for the sheep.** [14]**I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I’m known by my own;** [15]**even as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. I lay down my life for the sheep.** [16]**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.** [17]**Therefore the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again.** [18]**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.”** [19]Therefore a division arose again among the Jews because of these words. [20]Many of them said, “He has a demon and is insane! Why do you listen to him?” [21]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?” #### Jesus at the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem — John 10:22–39 [22]It was the Feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem. [23]It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. [24]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.” [25]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.** [26]**But you don’t believe, because you are not of my sheep, as I told you.** [27]**My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.** [28]**I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.** [29]**My Father who has given them to me is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand.** [30]**I and the Father are one.”** [31]Therefore the Jews took up stones again to stone him. [32]Jesus answered them, **“I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of those works do you stone me?”** [33]The Jews answered him, “We don’t stone you for a good work, but for blasphemy, because you, being a man, make yourself God.” [34]Jesus answered them, **“Isn’t it written in your law, ‘I said, you are gods’?** [35]**If he called them gods, to whom the word of God came (and the Scripture can’t be broken),** [36]**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’?** [37]**If I don’t do the works of my Father, don’t believe me.** [38]**But if I do them, though you don’t believe me, believe the works, that you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.”** [39]They sought again to seize him, and he went out of their hand. #### The Raising of Lazarus — John 11:1–44 [1]Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus from Bethany, of the village of Mary and her sister, Martha. [2]It was that Mary who had anointed the Lord with ointment and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. [3]The sisters therefore sent to him, saying, “Lord, behold, he for whom you have great affection is sick.” [4]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.”** [5]Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. [6]When therefore he heard that he was sick, he stayed two days in the place where he was. [7]Then after this he said to the disciples, **“Let’s go into Judea again.”** [8]The disciples asked him, “Rabbi, the Jews were just trying to stone you. Are you going there again?” [9]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.** [10]**But if a man walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light isn’t in him.”** [11]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.”** [12]The disciples therefore said, “Lord, if he has fallen asleep, he will recover.” [13]Now Jesus had spoken of his death, but they thought that he spoke of taking rest in sleep. [14]So Jesus said to them plainly then, **“Lazarus is dead.** [15]**I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, so that you may believe. Nevertheless, let’s go to him.”** [16]Thomas therefore, who is called Didymus, said to his fellow disciples, “Let’s also go, that we may die with him.” [17]So when Jesus came, he found that he had been in the tomb four days already. [18]Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about fifteen stadia away. [19]Many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to console them concerning their brother. [20]Then when Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went and met him, but Mary stayed in the house. [21]Therefore Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you would have been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. [22]Even now I know that whatever you ask of God, God will give you.” [23]Jesus said to her, **“Your brother will rise again.”** [24]Martha said to him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.” [25]Jesus said to her, **“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.** [26]**Whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”** [27]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.” [28]When she had said this, she went away and called Mary, her sister, secretly, saying, “The Teacher is here and is calling you.” [29]When she heard this, she arose quickly and went to him. [30]Now Jesus had not yet come into the village, but was in the place where Martha met him. [31]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, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.” [32]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.” [33]When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews weeping who came with her, he groaned in the spirit and was troubled, [34]and said, **“Where have you laid him?”** They told him, “Lord, come and see.” [35]Jesus wept. [36]The Jews therefore said, “See how much affection he had for him!” [37]Some of them said, “Couldn’t this man, who opened the eyes of him who was blind, have also kept this man from dying?” [38]Jesus therefore, again groaning in himself, came to the tomb. Now it was a cave, and a stone lay against it. [39]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.” [40]Jesus said to her, **“Didn’t I tell you that if you believed, you would see God’s glory?”** [41]So they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, **“Father, I thank you that you listened to me.** [42]**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.”** [43]When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, **“Lazarus, come out!”** [44]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.”** ### The Final Week #### The Triumphal Entry — Mark 11:1–11 [1]When they came near to Jerusalem, to Bethsphage and Bethany, at the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples [2]and said to them, **“Go your way into the village that is opposite you. Immediately as you enter into it, you will find a young donkey tied, on which no one has sat. Untie him and bring him.** [3]**If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord needs him;’ and immediately he will send him back here.”** [4]They went away, and found a young donkey tied at the door outside in the open street, and they untied him. [5]Some of those who stood there asked them, “What are you doing, untying the young donkey?” [6]They said to them just as Jesus had said, and they let them go. [7]They brought the young donkey to Jesus and threw their garments on it, and Jesus sat on it. [8]Many spread their garments on the way, and others were cutting down branches from the trees and spreading them on the road. [9]Those who went in front and those who followed cried out, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! [10]Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is coming in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” [11]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. #### The Cursing of the Fig Tree — Mark 11:12–14 [12]The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, he was hungry. [13]Seeing a fig tree 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. [14]Jesus told it, **“May no one ever eat fruit from you again!”** and his disciples heard it. #### The Cleansing of the Temple — Mark 11:15–18 [15]They came to Jerusalem, and Jesus entered into the temple and began to throw 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. [16]He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the temple. [17]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!”** [18]The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy him. For they feared him, because all the multitude was astonished at his teaching. #### The Fig Tree is Withered — Mark 11:19–26 [19]When evening came, he went out of the city. [20]As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. [21]Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.” [22]Jesus answered them, **“Have faith in God.** [23]**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.** [24]**Therefore I tell you, all things whatever you pray and ask for, believe that you have received them, and you shall have them.** [25]**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.** [26]**But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your transgressions.”** #### The Question about Authority — Matthew 21:23–27 [23]When he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority do you do these things? Who gave you this authority?” [24]Jesus answered them, **“I also will ask you one question, which if you tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authority I do these things.** [25]**The baptism of John, where was it from? From heaven or from men?”** They reasoned with themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will ask us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ [26]But if we say, ‘From men,’ we fear the multitude, for all hold John as a prophet.” [27]They answered Jesus, and said, “We don’t know.” He also 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 [28]**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.’** [29]**He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went.** [30]**He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I’m going, sir,’ but he didn’t go.** [31]**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.** [32]**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 Wicked Husbandmen — Mark 12:1–12 [1]He began to speak to them in parables. **“A man planted a vineyard, put a hedge around it, dug a pit for the wine press, built a tower, rented it out to a farmer, and went into another country.** [2]**When it was time, he sent a servant to the farmer to get from the farmer his share of the fruit of the vineyard.** [3]**They took him, beat him, and sent him away empty.** [4]**Again, he sent another servant to them; and they threw stones at him, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated.** [5]**Again he sent another, and they killed him, and many others, beating some, and killing some.** [6]**Therefore still having one, his beloved son, he sent him last to them, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’** [7]**But those farmers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let’s kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’** [8]**They took him, killed him, and cast him out of the vineyard.** [9]**What therefore will the lord of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the farmers, and will give the vineyard to others.** [10]**Haven’t you even read this Scripture:** **‘The stone which the builders rejected** **was made the head of the corner.** [11]**This was from the Lord.** **It is marvelous in our eyes’?”** [12]They tried to seize him, but they feared the multitude; for they perceived that he spoke the parable against them. They left him and went away. #### On Paying Tribute to Caesar — Mark 12:13–17 [13]They sent some of the Pharisees and the Herodians to him, that they might trap him with words. [14]When they had come, they asked him, “Teacher, we know that you are honest, and don’t defer to anyone; for you aren’t partial to anyone, but truly teach the way of God. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not? [15]Shall we give, or shall we not give?” But he, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, **“Why do you test me? Bring me a denarius, that I may see it.”** [16]They brought it. He said to them, **“Whose is this image and inscription?”** They said to him, “Caesar’s.” [17]Jesus answered them, **“Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”** They marveled greatly at him. #### The Question about the Resurrection — Mark 12:18–27 [18]Some Sadducees, who say that there is no resurrection, came to him. They asked him, saying, [19]“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 take his wife and raise up offspring for his brother.’ [20]There were seven brothers. The first took a wife, and dying left no offspring. [21]The second took her, and died, leaving no children behind him. The third likewise; [22]and the seven took her and left no children. Last of all the woman also died. [23]In the resurrection, when they rise, whose wife will she be of them? For the seven had her as a wife.” [24]Jesus answered them, **“Isn’t this because you are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God?** [25]**For when they will rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.** [26]**But about the dead, that they are raised, haven’t you read in the book of Moses about the Bush, how God spoke to him, saying, ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’?** [27]**He is not the God of the dead, but of the living. You are therefore badly mistaken.”** #### The Great Commandment — Mark 12:28–34 [28]One of the scribes came and heard them questioning together, and knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29]Jesus answered, **“The greatest is: ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.** [30]**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 commandment.** [31]**The second is like this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”** [32]The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he; [33]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.” [34]When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, **“You are not far from God’s Kingdom.”** No one dared ask him any question after that. #### The Question about David's Son — Matthew 22:41–46 [41]Now while the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them a question, [42]saying, **“What do you think of the Christ? Whose son is he?”** They said to him, “Of David.” [43]He said to them, **“How then does David in the Spirit call him Lord, saying,** [44]**‘The Lord said to my Lord,** **sit on my right hand,** **until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet’?** [45]**“If then David calls him Lord, how is he his son?”** [46]No one was able to answer him a word, neither did any man dare ask him any more questions from that day forward. #### Woe to the Scribes and Pharisees — Mark 12:38–40 [38]In his teaching he said to them, **“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk in long robes, and to get greetings in the marketplaces,** [39]**and to get the best seats in the synagogues and the best places at feasts,** [40]**those who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”** #### Jesus' Lament over Jerusalem — Matthew 23:37–39 [37]**“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!** [38]**Behold, your house is left to you desolate.** [39]**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 [41]Jesus sat down opposite the treasury and saw how the multitude cast money into the treasury. Many who were rich cast in much. [42]A poor widow came and she cast in two small brass coins, which equal a quadrans coin. [43]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,** [44]**for they all gave out of their abundance, but she, out of her poverty, gave all that she had to live on.”** #### Prediction of the Destruction of the Temple — Mark 13:1–2 [1]As he went out of the temple, one of his disciples said to him, “Teacher, see what kind of stones and what kind of buildings!” [2]Jesus said to him, **“Do you see these great buildings? There will not be left here one stone on another, which will not be thrown down.”** #### The Desolating Sacrilege — Matthew 24:3–31 [3]As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? What is the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?” [4]Jesus answered them, **“Be careful that no one leads you astray.** [5]**For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will lead many astray.** [6]**You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you aren’t troubled, for all this must happen, but the end is not yet.** [7]**For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; and there will be famines, plagues, and earthquakes in various places.** [8]**But all these things are the beginning of birth pains.** [9]**“Then they will deliver you up to oppression and will kill you. You will be hated by all of the nations for my name’s sake.** [10]**Then many will stumble, and will deliver up one another, and will hate one another.** [11]**Many false prophets will arise and will lead many astray.** [12]**Because iniquity will be multiplied, the love of many will grow cold.** [13]**But he who endures to the end will be saved.** [14]**This Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world for a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.** [15]**“When, therefore, you see the abomination of desolation, which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand),** [16]**then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.** [17]**Let him who is on the housetop not go down to take out the things that are in his house.** [18]**Let him who is in the field not return back to get his clothes.** [19]**But woe to those who are with child and to nursing mothers in those days!** [20]**Pray that your flight will not be in the winter nor on a Sabbath,** [21]**for then there will be great suffering, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, nor ever will be.** [22]**Unless those days had been shortened, no flesh would have been saved. But for the sake of the chosen ones, those days will be shortened.** [23]**“Then if any man tells you, ‘Behold, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There!’ don’t believe it.** [24]**For false christs and false prophets will arise, and they will show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.** [25]**“Behold, I have told you beforehand.** [26]**“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.** [27]**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.** [28]**For wherever the carcass is, that is where the vultures gather together.** [29]**“But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken;** [30]**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 on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.** [31]**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 one end of the sky to the other.** #### The Time of the Coming: the Parable of the Fig Tree — Matthew 24:32–35 [32]**“Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near.** [33]**Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors.** [34]**Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished.** [35]**Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.** #### The Parable of the Flood and Exhortation to Watchfulness — Matthew 24:36–44 [36]**“But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.** [37]**As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.** [38]**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,** [39]**and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.** [40]**Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left.** [41]**Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.** [42]**Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour your Lord comes.** [43]**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.** [44]**Therefore also be ready, for in an hour that you don’t expect, the Son of Man will come.** #### The Parable of the Good Servant and the Wicked Servant — Matthew 24:45–51 [45]**“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his lord has set over his household, to give them their food in due season?** [46]**Blessed is that servant whom his lord finds doing so when he comes.** [47]**Most certainly I tell you that he will set him over all that he has.** [48]**But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My lord is delaying his coming,’** [49]**and begins to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with the drunkards,** [50]**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,** [51]**and will cut him in pieces and appoint his portion with the hypocrites. That is where the weeping and grinding of teeth will be.** #### The Parable of the Ten Virgins — Matthew 25:1–13 [1]**“Then the Kingdom of Heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.** [2]**Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.** [3]**Those who were foolish, when they took their lamps, took no oil with them,** [4]**but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.** [5]**Now while the bridegroom delayed, they all slumbered and slept.** [6]**But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Behold! The bridegroom is coming! Come out to meet him!’** [7]**Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.** [8]**The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’** [9]**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.’** [10]**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.** [11]**Afterward the other virgins also came, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us.’** [12]**But he answered, ‘Most certainly I tell you, I don’t know you.’** [13]**Watch therefore, for you don’t know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.** #### The Last Judgment — Matthew 25:31–46 [31]**“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.** [32]**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.** [33]**He will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.** [34]**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;** [35]**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.** [36]**I was naked and you clothed me. I was sick and you visited me. I was in prison and you came to me.’** [37]**“Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you a drink?** [38]**When did we see you as a stranger and take you in, or naked and clothe you?** [39]**When did we see you sick or in prison and come to you?’** [40]**“The King will answer them, ‘Most certainly I tell you, because you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’** [41]**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;** [42]**for I was hungry, and you didn’t give me food to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave me no drink;** [43]**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.’** [44]**“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?’** [45]**“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.’** [46]**These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”** #### Greeks Seek Jesus; Discourse on His Death — John 12:20–36 [20]Now there were certain Greeks among those who went up to worship at the feast. [21]Therefore, these came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we want to see Jesus.” [22]Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn, Andrew came with Philip, and they told Jesus. [23]Jesus answered them, **“The time has come for the Son of Man to be glorified.** [24]**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.** [25]**He who loves his life will lose it. He who hates his life in this world will keep it to eternal life.** [26]**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.** [27]**“Now my soul is troubled. What shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this time’? But I came to this time for this cause.** [28]**Father, glorify your name!”** Then a voice came out of the sky, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.” [29]Therefore the multitude who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to him.” [30]Jesus answered, **“This voice hasn’t come for my sake, but for your sakes.** [31]**Now is the judgment of this world. Now the prince of this world will be cast out.** [32]**And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”** [33]But he said this, signifying by what kind of death he should die. [34]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?” [35]Jesus therefore said to them, **“Yet a little while the light is with 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.** [36]**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. #### Judgment by the Word — John 12:44–50 [44]Jesus cried out and said, **“Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me.** [45]**He who sees me sees him who sent me.** [46]**I have come as a light into the world, that whoever believes in me may not remain in the darkness.** [47]**If anyone listens to my sayings and doesn’t believe, I don’t judge him. For I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.** [48]**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.** [49]**For I spoke not from myself, but the Father who sent me gave me a commandment, what I should say and what I should speak.** [50]**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.”** #### Jesus' Death is Premeditated — Matthew 26:1–5 [1]When Jesus had finished all these words, he said to his disciples, [2]**“You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”** [3]Then 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. [4]They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by deceit and kill him. [5]But they said, “Not during the feast, lest a riot occur among the people.” #### The Anointing in Bethany — Matthew 26:6–13 [6]Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, [7]a woman came to him having an alabaster jar of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on his head as he sat at the table. [8]But when his disciples saw this, they were indignant, saying, “Why this waste? [9]For this ointment might have been sold for much and given to the poor.” [10]However, knowing this, Jesus said to them, **“Why do you trouble the woman? She has done a good work for me.** [11]**For you always have the poor with you, but you don’t always have me.** [12]**For in pouring this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare me for burial.** [13]**Most certainly I tell you, wherever this Good News is preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will also be spoken of as a memorial of her.”** #### Preparation for the Passover — Mark 14:12–16 [12]On the first day of unleavened bread, when they sacrificed the Passover, his disciples asked him, “Where do you want us to go and prepare that you may eat the Passover?” [13]He sent two of his disciples and said to them, **“Go into the city, and there a man carrying a pitcher of water will meet you. Follow him,** [14]**and wherever he enters in, tell the master of the house, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”’** [15]**He will himself show you a large upper room furnished and ready. Get ready for us there.”** [16]His disciples went out, and came into the city, and found things as he had said to them, and they prepared the Passover. #### Washing the Disciples' Feet — John 13:1–20 [1]Now before the feast of the Passover, Jesus, knowing 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. [2]During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray him, [3]Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he came from God and was going to God, [4]arose from supper, and laid aside his outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around his waist. [5]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. [6]Then he came to Simon Peter. He said to him, “Lord, do you wash my feet?” [7]Jesus answered him, **“You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”** [8]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.”** [9]Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” [10]Jesus said to him, **“Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.”** [11]For he knew him who would betray him; therefore he said, **“You are not all clean.”** [12]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?** [13]**You call me, ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord.’ You say so correctly, for so I am.** [14]**If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.** [15]**For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you.** [16]**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.** [17]**If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.** [18]**I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen; but that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.’** [19]**From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am he.** [20]**Most certainly I tell you, he who receives whomever I send, receives me; and he who receives me, receives him who sent me.”** #### Jesus Foretells His Betrayal — John 13:21–30 [21]When Jesus had said this, he was troubled in spirit, and testified, **“Most certainly I tell you that one of you will betray me.”** [22]The disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom he spoke. [23]One of his disciples, whom Jesus loved, was at the table, leaning against Jesus’ chest. [24]Simon Peter therefore beckoned to him, and said to him, “Tell us who it is of whom he speaks.” [25]He, leaning back, as he was, on Jesus’ chest, asked him, “Lord, who is it?” [26]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. [27]After the piece of bread, then Satan entered into him. Then Jesus said to him, **“What you do, do quickly.”** [28]Now nobody at the table knew why he said this to him. [29]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. [30]Therefore having received that morsel, he went out immediately. It was night. #### The Last Supper — Mark 14:22–26 [22]As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had blessed it, he broke it and gave to them, and said, **“Take, eat. This is my body.”** [23]He took the cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave to them. They all drank of it. [24]He said to them, **“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many.** [25]**Most certainly I tell you, I will no more drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in God’s Kingdom.”** [26]When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. #### The New Commandment of Love — John 13:31–35 [31]When he had gone out, Jesus said, **“Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him.** [32]**If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately.** [33]**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.** [34]**A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another.** [35]**By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”** #### Peter's Denial Predicted — John 13:36–38 [36]Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus answered, **“Where I am going, you can’t follow now, but you will follow afterwards.”** [37]Peter said to him, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” [38]Jesus answered him, **“Will you lay down your life for me? Most certainly I tell you, the rooster won’t crow until you have denied me three times.** #### The Two Swords — Luke 22:35–38 [35]He said to them, **“When I sent you out without purse, bag, and sandals, did you lack anything?”** They said, “Nothing.” [36]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.** [37]**For I tell you that this which is written must still be fulfilled in me: ‘He was counted with transgressors.’ For that which concerns me is being fulfilled.”** [38]They said, “Lord, behold, here are two swords.” He said to them, **“That is enough.”** #### Let Not Your Hearts be Troubled — John 14:1–14 [1]**“Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.** [2]**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.** [3]**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.** [4]**You know where I go, and you know the way.”** [5]Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” [6]Jesus said to him, **“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.** [7]**If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him and have seen him.”** [8]Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” [9]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’?** [10]**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.** [11]**Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.** [12]**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 my Father.** [13]**Whatever you will ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.** [14]**If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.** #### The Promise of the Paraclete — John 14:15–24 [15]**If you love me, keep my commandments.** [16]**I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever:** [17]**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.** [18]**I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.** [19]**Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.** [20]**In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.** [21]**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.”** [22]Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” [23]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.** [24]**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.** #### The Gift of Peace — John 14:25–31 [25]**“I have said these things to you while still living with you.** [26]**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.** [27]**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.** [28]**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 said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.** [29]**Now I have told you before it happens so that when it happens, you may believe.** [30]**I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.** [31]**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.** #### Abide in My Love — John 15:1–17 [1]**“I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.** [2]**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.** [3]**You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.** [4]**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.** [5]**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.** [6]**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.** [7]**If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you.** [8]**“In this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.** [9]**Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.** [10]**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.** [11]**I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.** [12]**“This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.** [13]**Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.** [14]**You are my friends if you do whatever I command you.** [15]**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.** [16]**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.** [17]**“I command these things to you, that you may love one another.** #### The World's Hatred — John 15:18–27 [18]**If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.** [19]**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.** [20]**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.** [21]**But they will do all these things to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me.** [22]**If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.** [23]**He who hates me, hates my Father also.** [24]**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.** [25]**But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’** [26]**“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.** [27]**You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning.** #### On Persecutions — John 16:1–4 [1]**“I have said these things to you so that you wouldn’t be caused to stumble.** [2]**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.** [3]**They will do these things because they have not known the Father nor me.** [4]**But I have told you these things so that when the 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.** #### The Work of the Paraclete — John 16:5–15 [5]**But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’** [6]**But because I have told you these things, sorrow has filled your heart.** [7]**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.** [8]**When he has come, he will convict the world about sin, about righteousness, and about judgment;** [9]**about sin, because they don’t believe in me;** [10]**about righteousness, because I am going to my Father, and you won’t see me any more;** [11]**about judgment, because the prince of this world has been judged.** [12]**“I still have many things to tell you, but you can’t bear them now.** [13]**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.** [14]**He will glorify me, for he will take from what is mine and will declare it to you.** [15]**All things that the Father has are mine; therefore I said that he takes of mine and will declare it to you.** #### Sorrow Turned to Joy — John 16:16–24 [16]**“A little while, and you will not see me. Again a little while, and you will see me.”** [17]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’** ?” [18]They said therefore, “What is this that he says, **‘A little while’** ? We don’t know what he is saying.” [19]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’?** [20]**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.** [21]**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.** [22]**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.** [23]**“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.** [24]**Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.** #### Prediction of the Disciples' Flight — John 16:25–33 [25]**“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.** [26]**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,** [27]**for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and have believed that I came from God.** [28]**I came from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”** [29]His disciples said to him, “Behold, now you are speaking plainly, and using no figures of speech. [30]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.” [31]Jesus answered them, **“Do you now believe?** [32]**Behold, the time is coming, yes, and has now 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.** [33]**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.”** #### The Intercessory Prayer — John 17:1–26 [1]Jesus said these things, then lifting up his eyes to heaven, he said, **“Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may also glorify you;** [2]**even as you gave him authority over all flesh, so he will give eternal life to all whom you have given him.** [3]**This is eternal life, that they should know you, the only true God, and him whom you sent, Jesus Christ.** [4]**I glorified you on the earth. I have accomplished the work which you have given me to do.** [5]**Now, Father, glorify me with your own self with the glory which I had with you before the world existed.** [6]**“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.** [7]**Now they have known that all things whatever you have given me are from you,** [8]**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.** [9]**I pray for them. I don’t pray for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.** [10]**All things that are mine are yours, and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.** [11]**I am no more in the world, but these 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.** [12]**While I was with them in the world, 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.** [13]**But now I come to you, and I say these things in the world, that they may have my joy made full in themselves.** [14]**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.** [15]**I pray not that you would take them from the world, but that you would keep them from the evil one.** [16]**They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.** [17]**Sanctify them in your truth. Your word is truth.** [18]**As you sent me into the world, even so I have sent them into the world.** [19]**For their sakes I sanctify myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth.** [20]**“Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who will believe in me through their word,** [21]**that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me.** [22]**The glory which you have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one, even as we are one,** [23]**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.** [24]**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.** [25]**Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me.** [26]**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.”** ### Passion #### Gethsemane — Matthew 26:36–46 [36]Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, **“Sit here, while I go there and pray.”** [37]He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. [38]Then Jesus said to them, **“My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”** [39]He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, **“My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.”** [40]He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, **“What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour?** [41]**Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”** [42]Again, a second time he went away and prayed, saying, **“My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.”** [43]He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44]He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. [45]Then he came to his disciples and said to them, **“Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.** [46]**Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”** #### Jesus Arrested — Luke 22:47–53 [47]While he was still speaking, a crowd appeared. He who was called Judas, one of the twelve, was leading them. He came near to Jesus to kiss him. [48]But Jesus said to him, **“Judas, do you betray the Son of Man with a kiss?”** [49]When those who were around him saw what was about to happen, they said to him, “Lord, shall we strike with the sword?” [50]A certain one of them struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. [51]But Jesus answered, **“Let me at least do this”** —and he touched his ear and healed him. [52]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?** [53]**When I was with you in the temple daily, you didn’t stretch out your hands against me. But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.”** #### Jesus before the Sanhedrin (Peter's Denial) — John 18:12–27 [12]So the detachment, the commanding officer, and the officers of the Jews seized Jesus and bound him, [13]and led him to Annas first, for he was father-in-law to Caiaphas, who was high priest that year. [14]Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should perish for the people. [15]Simon Peter followed Jesus, 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; [16]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. [17]Then the maid who kept the door said to Peter, “Are you also one of this man’s disciples?” He said, “I am not.” [18]Now the servants and the officers were standing there, having made a fire of coals, for it was cold. They were warming themselves. Peter was with them, standing and warming himself. [19]The high priest therefore asked Jesus about his disciples and about his teaching. [20]Jesus answered him, **“I spoke openly to the world. I always taught in synagogues and in the temple, where the Jews always meet. I said nothing in secret.** [21]**Why do you ask me? Ask those who have heard me what I said to them. Behold, they know the things which I said.”** [22]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?” [23]Jesus answered him, **“If I have spoken evil, testify of the evil; but if well, why do you beat me?”** [24]Annas sent him bound to Caiaphas, the high priest. [25]Now Simon Peter was standing and warming himself. They said therefore to him, “You aren’t also one of his disciples, are you?” He denied it and said, “I am not.” [26]One of the servants of the high priest, being a relative of him whose ear Peter had cut off, said, “Didn’t I see you in the garden with him?” [27]Peter therefore denied it again, and immediately the rooster crowed. #### Jesus or Barabbas? — Mark 15:1–15 [1]Immediately in the morning the chief priests, with the elders, scribes, and the whole council, held a consultation, bound Jesus, carried him away, and delivered him up to Pilate. [2]Pilate asked him, “Are you the King of the Jews?” He answered, **“So you say.”** [3]The chief priests accused him of many things. [4]Pilate again asked him, “Have you no answer? See how many things they testify against you!” [5]But Jesus made no further answer, so that Pilate marveled. [6]Now at the feast he used to release to them one prisoner, whomever they asked of him. [7]There was one called Barabbas, bound with his fellow insurgents, men who in the insurrection had committed murder. [8]The multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do as he always did for them. [9]Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” [10]For he perceived that for envy the chief priests had delivered him up. [11]But the chief priests stirred up the multitude, that he should release Barabbas to them instead. [12]Pilate again asked them, “What then should I do to him whom you call the King of the Jews?” [13]They cried out again, “Crucify him!” [14]Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has he done?” But they cried out exceedingly, “Crucify him!” [15]Pilate, wishing to please the multitude, released Barabbas to them, and handed over Jesus, when he had flogged him, to be crucified. #### Behold the Man! — John 19:1–16 [1]So Pilate then took Jesus and flogged him. [2]The soldiers twisted thorns into a crown and put it on his head, and dressed him in a purple garment. [3]They kept saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” and they kept slapping him. [4]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.” [5]Jesus therefore came out, wearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment. Pilate said to them, “Behold, the man!” [6]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.” [7]The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.” [8]When therefore Pilate heard this saying, he was more afraid. [9]He entered into the Praetorium again, and said to Jesus, “Where are you from?” But Jesus gave him no answer. [10]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?” [11]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.”** [12]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!” [13]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.” [14]Now it was the Preparation Day of the Passover, at about the sixth hour. He said to the Jews, “Behold, your King!” [15]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!” [16]So then he delivered him to them to be crucified. So they took Jesus and led him away. #### The Road to Golgotha — Luke 23:26–31 [26]When they led him away, they grabbed one Simon of Cyrene, coming from the country, and laid the cross on him to carry it after Jesus. [27]A great multitude of the people followed him, including women who also mourned and lamented him. [28]But Jesus, turning to them, said, **“Daughters of Jerusalem, don’t weep for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.** [29]**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.’** [30]**Then they will begin to tell the mountains, ‘Fall on us!’ and tell the hills, ‘Cover us.’** [31]**For if they do these things in the green tree, what will be done in the dry?”** #### The Crucifixion — Luke 23:32–34 [32]There were also others, two criminals, led with him to be put to death. [33]When they came to the place that is called “The Skull”, they crucified him there with the criminals, one on the right and the other on the left. [34]Jesus said, **“Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”** Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots. #### The Two Thieves — Luke 23:39–43 [39]One of the criminals who was hanged insulted him, saying, “If you are the Christ, save yourself and us!” [40]But the other answered, and rebuking him said, “Don’t you even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? [41]And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong.” [42]He said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” [43]Jesus said to him, **“Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”** #### The Death of Jesus — Matthew 27:45–56 [45]Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. [46]About the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, **“Eli, Eli, lima sabachthani?”** That is, **“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”** [47]Some of them who stood there, when they heard it, said, “This man is calling Elijah.” [48]Immediately one of them ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, put it on a reed, and gave him a drink. [49]The rest said, “Let him be. Let’s see whether Elijah comes to save him.” [50]Jesus cried again with a loud voice, and yielded up his spirit. [51]Behold, the veil of the temple was torn in two from the top to the bottom. The earth quaked and the rocks were split. [52]The tombs were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised; [53]and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection, they entered into the holy city and appeared to many. [54]Now the centurion and those who were with him watching Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were done, were terrified, saying, “Truly this was the Son of God!” [55]Many women were there watching from afar, who had followed Jesus from Galilee, serving him. [56]Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of the sons of Zebedee. ### Resurrection #### Jesus Appears to the Women — John 20:11–18 [11]But Mary was standing outside at the tomb weeping. So as she wept, she stooped and looked into the tomb, [12]and she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and one at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. [13]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.” [14]When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, and didn’t know that it was Jesus. [15]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.” [16]Jesus said to her, **“Mary.”** She turned and said to him, “Rabboni!” which is to say, “Teacher!” [17]Jesus said to her, **“Don’t hold me, for I haven’t yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”** [18]Mary Magdalene came and told the disciples that she had seen the Lord, and that he had said these things to her. #### Jesus Appears to Two on the Way to Emmaus — Luke 24:13–35 [13]Behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was sixty stadia from Jerusalem. [14]They talked with each other about all of these things which had happened. [15]While they talked and questioned together, Jesus himself came near, and went with them. [16]But their eyes were kept from recognizing him. [17]He said to them, **“What are you talking about as you walk, and are sad?”** [18]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?” [19]He said to them, **“What things?”** They said to him, “The things concerning Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people; [20]and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him up to be condemned to death, and crucified him. [21]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. [22]Also, certain women of our company amazed us, having arrived early at the tomb; [23]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. [24]Some of us went to the tomb and found it just like the women had said, but they didn’t see him.” [25]He said to them, **“Foolish people, and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken!** [26]**Didn’t the Christ have to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?”** [27]Beginning from Moses and from all the prophets, he explained to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself. [28]They came near to the village where they were going, and he acted like he would go further. [29]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. [30]When he had sat down at the table with them, he took the bread and gave thanks. Breaking it, he gave it to them. [31]Their eyes were opened and they recognized him; then he vanished out of their sight. [32]They said to one another, “Weren’t our hearts burning within us while he spoke to us along the way, and while he opened the Scriptures to us?” [33]They rose up that very hour, returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and those who were with them, [34]saying, “The Lord is risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon!” [35]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 His Disciples (Thomas being Absent) — John 20:19–23 [19]When therefore it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle and said to them, **“Peace be to you.”** [20]When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. [21]Jesus therefore said to them again, **“Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.”** [22]When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, **“Receive the Holy Spirit!** [23]**If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.”** #### Jesus Appears to His Disciples (Thomas being Present) — John 20:24–29 [24]But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, wasn’t with them when Jesus came. [25]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.” [26]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.”** [27]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.”** [28]Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” [29]Jesus said to him, **“Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.”** #### The Ending of Matthew: The Great Commission — Matthew 28:16–20 [16]But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. [17]When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. [18]Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, **“All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.** [19]**Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,** [20]**teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”** Amen. #### Jesus at the Sea of Tiberias — John 21:1–25 [1]After these things, Jesus revealed himself again to the disciples at the sea of Tiberias. He revealed himself this way. [2]Simon Peter, Thomas called Didymus, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, and the sons of Zebedee, and two others of his disciples were together. [3]Simon Peter said to them, “I’m going fishing.” They told him, “We are also coming with you.” They immediately went out and entered into the boat. That night, they caught nothing. [4]But when day had already come, Jesus stood on the beach; yet the disciples didn’t know that it was Jesus. [5]Jesus therefore said to them, **“Children, have you anything to eat?”** They answered him, “No.” [6]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. [7]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. [8]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. [9]So when they got out on the land, they saw a fire of coals there, with fish and bread laid on it. [10]Jesus said to them, **“Bring some of the fish which you have just caught.”** [11]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. [12]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. [13]Then Jesus came and took the bread, gave it to them, and the fish likewise. [14]This is now the third time that Jesus was revealed to his disciples after he had risen from the dead. [15]So when they had eaten their breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, **“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?”** He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, **“Feed my lambs.”** [16]He said to him again a second time, **“Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?”** He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I have affection for you.” He said to him, **“Tend my sheep.”** [17]He said to him the third time, **“Simon, son of Jonah, do you have affection for me?”** Peter was grieved because he asked him the third time, **“Do you have affection for me?”** He said to him, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I have affection for you.” Jesus said to him, **“Feed my sheep.** [18]**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.”** [19]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.”** [20]Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ chest at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray you?” [21]Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” [22]Jesus said to him, **“If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”** [23]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?”** [24]This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. [25]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.