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The Good News of Jesus, by Matthew
Matthew 1
And David the king fathered Solomon by her who had been the wife of Uriah; 7 And Solomon fathered Rehoboam; and Rehoboam fathered Abijah; and Abijah fathered Asa; 8 And Asa fathered Jehoshaphat; and Jehoshaphat fathered Joram; and Joram fathered Uzziah; 9 And Uzziah fathered Joatham; and Joatham fathered Ahaz; and Ahaz fathered Hezekiah; 10 And Hezekiah fathered Manasseh; and Manasseh fathered Amon; and Amon fathered Josiah; 11 And Josiah fathered Jeconiah and his brothers, about the time they were carried away to Babylon:
12 And after they were brought to Babylon, Jeconiah fathered Shealtiel; and Shealtiel fathered Zerubbabel; 13 And Zerubbabel fathered Abiud; and Abiud fathered Eliakim; and Eliakim fathered Azor; 14 And Azor fathered Zadok; and Zadok fathered Achim; and Achim fathered Eliud; 15 And Eliud fathered Eleazar; and Eleazar fathered Matthan; and Matthan fathered Jacob; 16 And Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, from whom Jesus was born, who is called Christ the Anointed.
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And so, all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; and from David until the exile to Babylon are fourteen generations; and from the exile to Babylon until Christ the Anointed are fourteen generations.
The Birth of Jesus Christ
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ happened like this: After his mother, Mary, was promised in marriage to Joseph, before they came together, she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19 Then Joseph her betrothed, being a righteous man, not wanting to make her a public example, decided to divorce her secretly. 20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the messenger of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, don't be afraid to take Mary unto yourself as your wife: because that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 And she'll give birth to a son, and you're to call his name JESUS (YAH'shua: GOD-saves): because he will save his people from their sins."
22 Now all this happened to fulfill that which had been spoken by the LORD through the prophets,
23 "Behold, a virgin will be with child, and will bring forth a son, and they'll call his name Emmanuel," which is translated, "GOD WITH US."
24 Then Joseph awoke from sleep and did as the messenger of the Lord had instructed him, and took Mary as his wife: 25 But he didn’t know her intimately until she had brought forth her firstborn son; and he called his name JESUS.
1 Now after Jesus had been born in Bethlehem of Judah in the days of King Herod, behold, Maji came to Jerusalem from the east, 2 Saying, "Where is he who has been born King of the Jews? Because we've seen his star in the east, and we've come to worship him." 3 When King Herod heard about this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he inquired of them where the Anointed was to be born. 5 And they told him, "In Bethlehem of Judah: because so it was written by the prophet,
6 'And you Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: because out of you will come a leader, who will shepherd my people Israel.' " (Micah 5:2,4)
7 Then Herod, when he had secretly called the Maji, determined from them the exact time the star appeared. 8 Then he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, "Go and search diligently for the young child; and when you've found him, bring back word to me, so that I too may come and worship him."
9 And after listening to the king, they continued on their journey; and behold, the star which they'd seen in the east, went before them, until it came and stood over the place where the young child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. 11 And when they came into the house, they found the young child with Mary his mother, and they bowed down and worshipped him. And when they had opened their treasure bags, they presented him with gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. 12 But having been warned by God in a dream that they shouldn't return to Herod, they returned to their own country by another way.
13 And after they had gone, behold, the messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, "Get up! Take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word: because Herod will seek the young child to destroy him."
14 Then he awoke, and took the young child and his mother by night, and went into Egypt: 15 And he was there until the death of Herod: thus fulfilling the saying which had been spoken by the LORD through the prophet, "I have called my son out of Egypt." (Hosea 11:1)
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16 Now when Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Maji; he became exceedingly furious, and sent out soldiers, and killed all the little boys who were in Bethlehem, and in all that region, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the Maji; 17 Thus fulfilling the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah, 18 "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning: Rachel weeping for her children. But she would not be comforted, because they are no more."
The Return to Nazareth
19 But when Herod was dead, behold, a messenger of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream in Egypt, saying: 20 "Get up, take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: because those who sought the young child's life are dead." 21 Then he got up, and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.
22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judah in the place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there: and, being warned by God in a dream, he turned aside into the region of Galilee: 23 And he came and settled in a town called Nazareth: by doing so he fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophets, "He will be called a Nazarene."
1 In those days John the Baptizer came, proclaiming in the wilderness of Judah, 2 And saying, "Change your minds, because Heaven's Kingdom is near!" 3 For this was he of whom it was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying, "The voice of one shouting in the wilderness, 'Prepare the way for the Lord! Make his paths straight!'" (Isaiah 40:3)
4 Now John himself was clothed in camel's fur, and he wore a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem, and all Judah, and all the region around the Jordan went out to him, 6 And they were baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he told them, "O generation of vipers! Who has warned you to flee from the indignation to come? 8 Therefore produce fruits consistent with a change of heart and mind: 9 And don't think to say within yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our father:' because I tell you, God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 10 For even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees: therefore every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit will be chopped down, and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed have baptized you in water unto a change of heart and mind: but one more powerful than I am, is coming after me, whose sandals I’m not worthy to carry: he will baptize you in the Holy Spirit and with fire: 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will thoroughly clean out his threshing floor, and gather his wheat into the barn; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
Sadly, over the last 2000 years many religious people have added 'their own interpretations' to the Scriptures, to make the Scripture appear to support their Church's Dogmas (such as Jerome did in the 4th Century by translating "metanoeō" into Latin as "do-penance" (to beat yourself with sticks and wipes to show sorrow for sin). But the Greek word "metanoeō" simple means "to-change-your-mind". But this Catholic doctrinal error has remained in our Bibles for 1,600 years! because translators continue to use the Catholic terms, "repent and repentance" (which are "direct derivatives" from the Latin word, meaning, "to-do-penance"). But you don't have to 'do penance' and beat-yourself-up for your sins and past mistakes; like Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector, you can have a joyful change-of-mind! (See Luke 19:1-10, also see Acts 16:25-34)
John Baptizes Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 But John tried to stop him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?"
15 But Jesus answering, told him, "Permit it to be so now: because in this way, it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness." Then he permitted him.
16 And when he was baptized, Jesus came up immediately out of the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to him, and he saw God's Spirit coming down like a dove, and lighting upon him: 17 And behold, a voice came from the heavens, saying, "This is my beloved Son. I am very pleased with him."
1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tested by the devil. 2 And when he had fasted 40 days and 40 nights, after that he was hungry. 3 And when the tester came to him, he said, "If you are God’s Son, command that these stones become bread."
4 But he answered and said, "It's written, 'A person cannot live on bread alone, but on every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.' " (Deuteronomy 8:3)
5 Then the devil took him up into the holy city, and stood him on the pinnacle of the temple, 6 And told him, "If you are God's Son, throw yourself down: because it's written, 'He will give his messengers orders concerning you,' and 'They'll lift you up in their hands, lest at any time you strike your foot against a stone.' ” (Psalm 91:11,12)
7 Jesus told him, "It's written again, 'You’re not to test the Lord your God.' " (Deuteronomy 6:16)
8 Again, the devil took him up into an exceedingly high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and their glory; 9 And he told him, “I will give you all of these things, if you will bow down before me and kiss my hand.”
10 Then Jesus told him, "Go away, Satan! For it's written, 'You’re only to bow before and adore the Lord your God, and you’re only to serve him.' " (Deuteronomy 6:13)
11 Then the devil left him, and behold, messengers came and served him.
12 Now when Jesus heard that John had been thrown into prison, he went back into Galilee; 13 And leaving Nazareth, he came and settled in Capernaum, which is on the seacoast, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali: 14 This fulfilled the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, 15 "The land of Zebulun, and the land of Naphtali, along the sea road, across the Jordan, Galilee of the nations; 16 The people who sat in darkness have seen a great light; and light has risen upon those who sat in the region and shadow of death." (Isaiah 9:1,2)
17 From that time, Jesus began to proclaim, and to say, "Change your minds: because Heaven's Kingdom is near!"
Jesus Calls Four Disciples
18 And as Jesus walked by the sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea because they were fishermen. 19 And he told them, "Follow me, and I'll make you fishers of peoples." 20 And they immediately left their nets, and followed him.
21 And going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets; and he called them. 22 And they immediately left the boat and their father, and followed him.
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and proclaiming the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing every kind of sickness and every kind of disease among the people. 24 And his fame spread throughout all Syria: and they brought everyone who was sick to him; those who were taken with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, and those who were epileptics, and those who were paralytics; and he healed them. 25 And great multitudes of people followed him from Galilee, and from Decapolis, and from Jerusalem, and from Judah, and from across the Jordan River.
1 And seeing the multitudes, he went up on a mountain: and when he had sat down, his disciples came to him: 2 And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
3 "Supremely blessed are the poor in spirit: because the Kingdom of the heavens is theirs.
4 Supremely blessed are those who mourn: because they will be comforted.
5 Supremely blessed are the gentle: because they will inherit the earth.
6 Supremely blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness: because they will be filled.
7 Supremely blessed are the compassionate: because they will be shown compassion.
8 Supremely blessed are the pure in heart: because they will see God.
9 Supremely blessed are the peacemakers: because they will be called, 'The Sons of God'.
10 Supremely blessed are those who are persecuted on account of righteousness: because the Kingdom of the heavens is theirs.
11 Supremely blessed are you, when people insult you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil words against you falsely, on account of me. 12 Rejoice, and jump for joy: because your reward in the heavens is great! because they persecuted the prophets who were before you in the same way.
13 You're the salt of the earth: but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be salted? It's no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out, and to be trampled upon by people.
14 You're the light of the world: a city that’s set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp, and put it under a basket, but on a lamp stand; and it gives light to everyone who is in the house. 16 Let your light shine before people in such a way, that they may see your beautiful deeds, and glorify your Father who is in the heavens.
17 Don't think that I have come to abolish the law, or the prophets: I didn't come to abolish them, but to fulfill them. 18 Because indeed, I tell you, Until heaven and earth passes away, by no means will one i or one dot pass away from the law, until everything is fulfilled. 19 Therefore whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches other people to do the same, will be called the least in the Kingdom of the heavens: but whoever does and teaches them, the same will be called great in the Kingdom of the heavens. 20 Because I tell you, that unless your righteousness surpasses the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter into the Kingdom of the heavens.
21 You've heard that our ancestors were told, 'You’re not to commit murder; and whoever commits murder will be brought to trial.' 22 But I tell you, that whoever is angry with their brother or sister without a cause will be brought to trial: and whoever says to their brother or sister, 'You're worthless!' will be guilty before the court: but whoever says, 'You're a moron!' will be in danger of the fire of Gehenna. 23 Therefore if you’re bringing your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you; 24 Leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. 25 Reach a settlement quickly with your adversary while you're on the way with them, or else your adversary will hand you over to the judge, and the judge will hand you over to the officer, and you'll be thrown into prison. 26 Indeed, I tell you, you will by no means get out of there until you've paid the last penny.
27 You've heard that our ancestors were told, 'You're not to commit adultery:' 28 But I tell you, that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 So if your right eye causes you to stumble, tear it out and throw it away; because it's better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna. 30 And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away; because it's better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into Gehenna.
31 It's been said, 'Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a divorce certificate.' 32 But I tell you, that whoever divorces his wife for any reason other than sexual immorality, causes her to commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
33 Again, you've heard that our ancestors were told, 'You're not to swear falsely, but you’re to perform your oaths to the Lord.' 34 But I tell you, do not swear at all; neither by heaven; because it's God's throne: 35 Nor by the earth; because it's his footstool: nor by Jerusalem; because it's the city of the great King. 36 Nor are you to swear by your head, because you’re not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Rather let your communication be, 'Yes, yes!' or 'No, no!' Because whatever is more than these comes from the evil one.
38 You’ve heard that it's been said, 'An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:' 39 But I tell you, don't retaliate against an evil person: but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to them also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let them have your coat also. 41 And if someone forces you to go one mile, go two with them. 42 Give to the one who asks something of you, and don't turn away from someone who wants to borrow something from you.
43 You've heard that it’s been said, 'You're to love your neighbor, but hate your enemy.' 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless and speak well of those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat and persecute you: 45 That you may become Sons of your Father who is in the heavens: because he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 Because if you only love those who love you, what reward will you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you only embrace your brothers and sisters, what are you doing that’s extraordinary? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? 48 Therefore you’re to be perfect, just as your Father in the heavens is perfect."
1 "Be cautious that you're not doing your acts of compassion before people, in order to be seen by them: otherwise you'll have no reward from your Father who is in the heavens. 2 Therefore when you do acts of compassion, don't sound a trumpet before you, like the pretenders do in the gathering places and in the streets, that they may receive praise from people. Indeed, I tell you, they've already received their reward. 3 But when you do acts of compassion, don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing: 4 That your acts of compassion may be done in secret: and your Father who sees what is done in secret, will himself reward you openly.
5 And when you pray, you're not to be like the pretenders: because they love to pray standing in the gathering places and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by people. Indeed, I tell you, they've already received their reward. 6 But you, when you pray, enter into your room, and when you've shut your door, pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you openly. 7 But when you pray, don't repeat the same thing over and over again, like those of the nations do: because they think that they'll be heard because of their many words. 8 Therefore don't be like them: because your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask him.
9 Therefore, you should pray like this:
'Our Father in the heavens, May your name be honored as holy.
10 May your kingdom come. May your will be done on earth, just as it is done in heaven.
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Give us today our necessary bread.12 And forgive our debts, just as we also forgive those who are indebted to us.
13 And don't let us be brought into a time of testing, but rather deliver us from the evil one.
14 Because if you forgive people of their wrongdoings, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if you don't forgive people of their wrongdoings, neither will your Father forgive your wrongdoings.
16 Moreover when you fast, don't have a sad countenance like the pretenders: because they disfigure their faces that they may appear to people to be fasting. Indeed, I tell you, they've already received their reward. 17 But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face; 18 So that you won’t appear to people to be fasting, but to your Father who is in secret: and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you openly.
19 Don't store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroys, and where thieves break in and steal: 20 But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in nor steal: 21 Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
22 The light of the body is the eye: so if your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. Therefore if the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
24 No one can serve two masters: because they will either hate the one, and love the other; or else they will be loyal to the one, and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and wealth.
25 Therefore I tell you, don't worry about your life, what you're going to eat, or what you're going to drink; nor yet about your body, what you're going to wear. Isn't life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Observe the birds of the air: for they neither sow, nor do they harvest, nor do they gather food into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you more valuable than they are? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to your stature? [Roughly, 18 inches.]
28 So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither work hard, nor do they spin thread: 29 And yet I tell you, That even Solomon in all his glory wasn't arrayed like one of these. 30 So, if God so clothes the garden of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
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So don't worry, saying, 'What are we going to eat?' or, 'What are we going to drink?' or, 'What are we going to wear?' 32 For the nations anxiously seek after all these things, but your heavenly Father knows that you need of all these things. 33 Instead, seek God's Kingdom first and his righteousness; and all these things will be added to you. 34 So don't be anxious about tomorrow; because tomorrow will have its own concerns. Because each day has enough trouble of its own." [Literally, 'badness'. because we live in a fallen world.]
Do Not Judge
1 Don't judge others, lest also you be judged. 2 Because with the same judgment you judge, you will be judged: and with the measure you measure out, it will be measured back to you. 3 And why do you see the speck that’s in your brother or sister's eye, but don't notice the log that's in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother or sister, 'Let me remove the speck from your eye'; but look, you have a log is in your own eye? 5 You pretender! First remove the log from your own eye; and then you’ll see clearly to remove the speck from your brother or sister's eye. 6 Don't give that which is holy to the dogs, nor cast your pearls before wild boars, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and tear you to pieces.
7 Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep seeking, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened to you: 8 Because everyone who keeps asking receives. And the one who keeps seeking finds. And to the one who keeps knocking the door will be opened. 9 Or what person is there among you, who if their son asked for bread, would give him a stone? 10 Or if he asked for a fish, would give him a snake? 11 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father, who is in the heavens, give good things to those who ask him? 12 Therefore everything that you want people to do to you, do the same to them: because this is the law and the prophets.
13 Enter through the narrow gate: because the gate is wide, and the road is broad, which leads to destruction. And many are those who enter through it. 14 Because the gate is narrow and the path is constricted which leads to life. And there are few who find it.
15 Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravaging wolves. 16 You'll know them by their fruits. Do people gather grapes from thorn-bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit; but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 A good tree can't produce bad fruit, nor can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 Every tree that doesn't produce good fruit is chopped down, and thrown into the fire. 20 Therefore you'll know them by their fruits.
21 Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens; but the one who does the will of my Father who is in the heavens. 22 Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, didn't we prophesy in your name? And in your name cast out demons? And in your name do many wonderful works?' 23 But then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you. Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness!'
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Therefore whoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will compare them to a wise man: who built his house on a rock. 25 And the rain poured down, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; yet it didn't fall: because it was founded on the Rock.
26 But everyone who hears these sayings of mine, and doesn't do them, will be compared to a foolish man: who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain poured down, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was its fall."
28 Now it happened, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his teachings: 29 Because he taught them as one who had authority, and not like the scribes.
1 When he came down from the mountain, great multitudes followed him. 2 And behold, a leper came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, if you want to; you could make me clean."
3 And Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, "I do want to. Be made clean." And instantly his leprosy was cleansed.
4 And Jesus told him, "See that you tell no one. But go, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift which Moses commanded, as a testimony to them."
5 And when Jesus had entered into Capernaum, a centurion came to him, pleading with him, 6 And saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible agony."
7 And Jesus told him, "I will come and heal him."
8 The centurion answered and said, "Lord, I'm not worthy that you should enter under my roof: but just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 Because I too am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, 'Go', and he goes; and to another, 'Come', and he comes; and to my servant, "Do this', and he does it."
10 When Jesus heard it, he marveled, and told those who followed, "Indeed, I tell you, Not even in Israel have I found such great faith. 11 And I tell you, that many will come from the east and west, and will sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the Kingdom of the heavens. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into outer darkness: there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." 13 And Jesus told the centurion, "Be on your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you." And his servant was healed in that very same hour.
14 And when Jesus came into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother lying sick with a fever. 15 And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she got up, and served them.
Many Healed in the Evening
16 When the evening came, they brought many to him who were demon-possessed, and he cast out the spirits with a word, and healed everyone who was sick: 17 This fulfilled the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah, "He himself took our infirmities, and bore our sicknesses." (Isaiah 53:4)
18 Now when Jesus saw great multitudes around him, he gave a command to go to the other side of the sea. 19 And a certain scribe came, and told him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go."
20 And Jesus told him, "The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head."
21 And another of his disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
22 But Jesus told him, "Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead."
23 And when he had gotten into a boat, his disciples followed him. 24 And behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the boat was covered with the waves: but he was asleep. 25 And his disciples came to him, and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to perish!”
26 But he told them, “Why are you fearful? O you of little faith.” Then he got up, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. 27 But the men marveled, saying, “Who can this be, that even the winds and the sea listen obediently to him?”
28 Now when he had come to the other side, to the region of the Gergesenes, two demon-possessed men met him, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. 29 And behold, they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with you, Jesus, God’s Son? Have you come here to torture us before the time?"
30 And there was far way from them a herd of many pigs feeding. 31 So the demons pleaded with him, saying, “If you cast us out, let us go away into the herd of pigs."
32 And he told them, "Go." And when they came out, they entered into the herd of pigs: and behold, the whole herd of pigs ran violently down an overhanging cliff into the sea, and died in the waters.
33 And those who kept them fled, and went into the city and reported everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. 34 And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus: and when they saw him, they pleaded with him that he would leave their region.
1 And he got into a boat, and crossed over, and came into his own city. 2 And behold, they brought a weak man to him, a paralytic, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic; “Son, have courage; your sins are forgiven.”
3 And behold, some of the scribes said within themselves, “This man blasphemes!”
4 But Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts?
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Because which is easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven'; or to say, 'Get up, and walk?' 6 But that you may know that the son of man has power on earth to forgive sins,” (he then told the paralytic) “Get up, pick up your bed, and go home.” 7 And he got up, and went home.
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Now when the multitude saw it, they marveled, and glorified God, who had given such power to men.
9 And as Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew, sitting at the tax office: and he told him, “Follow me.” So he got up and followed him.
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Now it happened, as Jesus reclined at the dinner table in the house, behold, many tax collects and sinners came and reclined with him and his disciples. 11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
12 But when Jesus heard it, he told them, “Those who are well don't need a doctor, but those who are sick do. 13 But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire compassion, and not sacrifice’, because I haven't come to call the righteous to change their minds, but sinners.”
14 Then John's disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don't fast?”
15 And Jesus told them, “Can the sons of the bride-chamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come, when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they'll fast. 16 No one puts a piece of un-shrunken cloth on an old garment; because the patch would pull away from the garment, and the tear would be made worse. 17 Nor do they put new wine into old wineskins, or else the wineskins would burst, the wine would be spilled, and the wineskins destroyed. But they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”
18
While he spoke these things to them, behold, a certain ruler came, and knelt down before him, saying, “My daughter is dying even now, but come, lay your hand on her, and she will live.” 19 And Jesus got up, and followed him, and so did his disciples.
20
And behold, a woman who had suffered from a discharge of blood for 12 years came up behind him and touched the fringe of his garment, 21 Because she said within herself, “If I just touch his robe, I'll be healed.” 22 But Jesus turned around, and when he saw her, he said, “Daughter, have courage; your faith has saved you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.
23
And when Jesus entered into the ruler's house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, 24 He told them, “Make room, because the girl isn't dead, but sleeping.” And they started laughing at him. 25 But when the people had been put outside, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the girl got up. 26 And the report of this went out into all that land.
27
Now as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying out and saying, “Son of David, have compassion on us!”
28
And when he had entered into the house, the blind men came to him: and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I'm able to do this?” They told him, “Yes, Lord.”
29
Then he touched their eyes, saying, “Let it be done for you according to your faith.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them: “See that no one knows about this.” 31 But they went out and spread the news about him throughout all that land.
32
And as they were leaving, behold, they brought a mute man to him, who was demon-possessed. 33 And when the demon was cast out, the mute man spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, “Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”
34
But the Pharisees said, “He’s casting out demons by the ruler of the demons!”
The Compassion of Jesus
35
And Jesus went around through all the cities and villages, teaching in their congregations, and proclaiming the Good News about the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. 36 And when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.
Matthew 10
Jesus Calls The 12 Apostles
1
And when he had called his 12 disciples, he gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every sickness and every disease. 2 Now these are the names of the 12 apostles; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; 3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus; 4 Simon the Cananite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Jesus Sends the 12 Apostles Out
5
These 12 Jesus sent out after instructing them: "Don't go on a road which leads to the nations, and don't enter a city of the Samaritans. 6 But rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. 7 And as you go, proclaim, saying, 'Heaven's Kingdom is near!' 8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons: freely you have received, freely give; 9 Don't collect gold, nor silver, nor copper in your money belts. 10 Take no provision bag for your journey, nor two shirts, nor extra sandals, nor walking sticks; because a worker is worthy of his food.
[The things God gives us, are to be freely shared with everyone! God does not look favorably upon those who seek to profiteer off His Gifts: See Acts 8:30 & 2 Kings 5:1-27. In the early Church, Christians wanted copies of the Gospel and the Apostles Letters for themselves (just like we do today); so Christians would gather together, and someone would read slowly from a Gospel or Letter while the others wrote these verses down for themselves. But there were also many opportunists who saw this as a way to get rich: Craig Keener in his book, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: estimates that a Book like Romans written in small letters on papyrus, "could have cost more than twenty denarii—perhaps some two thousand dollars in earnings [or the] equivalent in recent U. S. [dollars]" But a larger work of the entire Bible, a Codex, written in Capital Letters on pages made from sheepskin would have cost well over a year's wages! But the Apostle Paul condemned this practice of profiteering off the Word of God, by saying, "We are not like many, making retail merchandise out of God's Word." (This is a literal translation of 2 Corinthians 2:17; I wonder why Bible publishers don't translate this verse literally?) The sin of these modern day profiteers is even greater because in their greed for money (Jude 1:11, 2 Peter 2:15) they put restrictive copyrights on the Word of God to keep people from copying it: but the Bible doesn't belong to them, because its Author is Still Alive, and He wants His Word to multiply and fill the earth! (Habakkuk 2:14) So in reality, they are just plagiarists, who have tried to claim God's Work as their own. And sadly, many Good Christians have made the mistake of selling the copyright to their works to them, just to have these large corporations kill their lifework by taking it out of print.) Therefore I believe Christians should put Copy-Freely Copyrights on their works. ask for donations, and believe that God will provide their needs; because doing so, will be unfetter the Word of the Lord, and allow it to multiply, so it can continue to produce fruit even after you are gone. So trust in Jesus (not these publishing corporations), because Jesus promised, "Seek God's Kingdom first and his righteousness; and all these things will be added to you," "because a worker is worthy of his food." (Matthew 6:33 & 10:10) Therefore "Don't store up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust destroys, and where thieves break in and steal: But store up treasures for yourselves in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in nor steal: Because where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21) Are your treasures on earth, or in Heaven? [Note on Jude 1:11 & 2 Peter 2:15. Balaam was a true prophet, but he used his Gift to enrich himself and was cursed because of it. Revelation 2:14]
11 And into whatever city or town you enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and stay there until you leave. 12 And when you enter into a household, greet it. 13 And if the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. 14 And whoever does not receive you, or won't listen to your words, when you leave that house or city, shake the dust off of your feet. 15 Indeed, I tell you, It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the Day of Judgment, than for that city.
Persecutions Are Coming
16
Behold, I'm sending you out like sheep in the midst of wolves: therefore be wise as snakes, yet be as harmless as doves. 17 But beware of people: because they'll deliver you up to councils, and they'll flog you in their gathering places; 18 And for my sake you'll be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the nations. 19 But when they hand you over, don't worry about how or what you should speak; because what you should speak will be given to you in that hour; 20 Because it's not you who speaks, but the Spirit of the Father who speaks in you.
21 But brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against their parents and have them put to death. 22 And you'll be hated by everyone because of my name: but the one who endures to the end will be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee to another. Because Indeed, I tell you, You will not have gone through all the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
24
A disciple isn't above his teacher, nor is a servant above his master. 25 It's enough for a disciple that they become like their teacher, and a servant like their master. If they've called the master of the household Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household? 26 Therefore don’t fear them: because there’s nothing covered, which won’t be uncovered; nor hidden, which won't become known. [10:25 Meaning, Lord of the Flies, a demon god.]
27
What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light: and what you hear in the ear, proclaim on the housetops. 28 And don't fear those who can kill the body, but aren't able to kill the soul: but rather fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father knowing. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don't be afraid; you are more valuable than many sparrows.
32 Therefore everyone who acknowledges me before people, I will also acknowledge before my Father who is in the heavens. 33 But whoever denies me before people, I will also deny them before my Father who is in the heavens.
34 Don’t think that I came to bring peace on earth. I didn’t come to bring peace but a sword. 35 Because I came to set 'a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.' 36 And a person's enemies will be those of their own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me isn’t worthy of me: and whoever loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38 And whoever doesn't take up their cross, and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me.
39
Whoever finds their life will lose it: and whoever loses their life on account of me will find it. 40 Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 Whoever receives a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet's reward; and whoever receives a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple; indeed, I tell you, they will by no means lose their reward.”
Matthew 11
John the Baptizer Sends Messengers to Jesus
1
Now it happened, after Jesus had finished instructing his 12 disciples, he went on from there to teach and proclaim the Good News in their cities.
2
And when John had heard in prison about the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, 3 And said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?”
4
Jesus answered and told them, "Go and report to John the things which you hear and see: 5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Good News proclaimed to them. 6 And supremely blessed is the one who doesn't stumble on account of me."
7
And when they had gone, 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 clothed in soft clothing? Behold, those who wear soft clothing are in kings' houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 Because this is he of whom it's written, 'Behold, I’m sending my messenger ahead of you, he'll prepare your way before you.' (Malachi 3:1)
11 Indeed, I tell you, Among those who are born of women there hasn't risen any greater than John the Baptizer: yet whoever is least in the Kingdom of the heavens is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptizer until now the Kingdom of the heavens has been suffering violence, and the violent have been seizing it by force. 13 Because all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you're willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently.
16 But to what can I compare this generation? It's like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their playmates, 17 And saying, ‘We played the flute for you, but you didn't dance; we sang a sad song, but you didn't beat your chest.’
18
Because John came neither eating nor drinking, and they said, ‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, he's a glutton and a wino, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by her children.”
Woe to the Unbeleiving Cities
20
Then he began to denounce the cities in which most of his mighty works had been done, because they didn't change their minds: 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! Because if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have changed their minds 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 And you, Capernaum, who are exalted to heaven, will be brought down to Hades! Because if the mighty works, which have been done in you, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. 24 But I tell you, It will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom on the Day of Judgment, than for you.”
Jesus Gives True Rest
25
At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to infants. 26 Yes, Father, because so it seemed good in your sight. 27 Everything has been delivered to me by my Father: and no one knows the Son except the Father, nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.
28
Come to me, all of you who are weary and weighed down with heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. 29 Place my yoke upon yourself and learn from me, because I'm gentle and humble in heart, and you'll find rest for your souls, 30 Because my yoke is easy to bear, and my burden is light.”
Matthew 12
Jesus is Lord of the Day of Rest
1
At that time Jesus went through the grain-fields on the Day of Rest. And his disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat them. 2 But when the Pharisees saw this, they told him, “Look! Your disciples are doing that which isn't lawful to do on the Day of Rest.”
3
But he told them, “Haven't you ever read what David did, when he was hungry, and those who were with him; 4 How he entered into the house of God, and ate the showbread, which wasn’t lawful for him to eat, nor for those who were with him, but only for the priests? 5 Or haven't you read in the law, how that on the days of Rest the priests in the temple violate the days of Rest, yet are blameless? 6 But I tell you, That one who is greater than the temple, is in this place. 7 But if you had known and understood what this means, 'I desire compassion, and not sacrifice', you wouldn't have condemned the innocent. (Hosea 6:6) 8 Because the Son of Man is Lord even of the Day of Rest." [Or, son of man.]
9
And when he had crossed over from there, he went into their synagogue: 10 And behold, there was a man who had a withered hand. And they asked him, saying, "Is it lawful to heal on the days of Rest?" that they might accuse him.
11
But he told them, "What person is there among you, if he has one sheep and it falls into a pit on the Day of Rest, wouldn't take hold of it and lift it out? 12 How much more valuable is a person than a sheep! So then, it's lawful to do good on the days of Rest." 13 Then he told the man, "Stretch out your hand." And he stretched it out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out and plotted against him, how they might destroy him.*
Behold, My Servant
15
But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew from there: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; 16 Yet he warned them not to make him known, 17 This fulfilled the saying which had been spoken through the prophet Isaiah,
18 "Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is VERY pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. 19 He will not quarrel nor shout, neither will anyone hear his voice in the streets. 20 He will not break a bruised reed, and he will not snuff out a smoldering wick, until he leads justice to victory. 21 And the nations will put their expectation and confident hope in his name." (Isaiah 42:1-4)
A House Divided Cannot Stand
22
Then someone was brought to him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and he healed him, so that the blind and mute man could both speak and see. 23 And all the multitudes were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?"
24
But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, "This man doesn't cast out demons except by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons!"
25
And Jesus knew their thoughts, and told them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself will not stand: 26 And if Satan casts out Satan, he's divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand? 27 And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? Therefore they will be your judges. 28 But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, then God's Kingdom has come to you. 29 Or how can anyone enter into a strong man's house, and carry away his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house. 30 Whoever isn't with me, is against me; and whoever doesn’t gather with me, scatters.
The Unpardonable Sin
31
Therefore, I tell you, People will be forgiven of every sin and blasphemy: but people will not be forgiven of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. 32 And anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, they will be forgiven: but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit, they will not be forgiven, neither in this present age, nor in the age to come.
A Tree is Known by its Fruit
33 Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or else make the tree bad, and its fruit bad: because a tree is recognized by its fruit. 34 O offspring of vipers! How can you who are evil say anything good? Because the mouth speaks out of the overflow of the heart. 35 A good person brings forth good things out of the good treasure of their heart: and an evil person brings forth evil things out of the evil treasure of their heart. 36 But I tell you, on the Day of Judgment people will have to give an account for every idle word they have spoken, 37 So by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
The scribes and Pharisees Ask for a Sign
38
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."
39
But He answered and told them, "An evil and adulterous generation seeks a sign! But no sign will be given to it; except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For just as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the huge sea creature, so too the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 41 The men of Nineveh will stand up on the Judgment Day with this generation, and will condemn it: because they changed their minds at the proclamation of Jonah. And behold, now one greater than Jonah is here. 42 The queen of the south will rise up on the Judgment Day with this generation, and will condemn it: because she came from the ends of the earth to listen intently to the wisdom of Solomon. And behold, now one greater than Solomon is here.
An Unclean Spirit Returns
43
When an unclean spirit comes out of a person, he walks through dry places, seeking rest, and finding none. 44 He then says, 'I'll return to my house from which I came.' When he arrives, he finds it empty, swept clean, and put in order. 45 Then he goes, and takes with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there. And the last state of that person is worse than the first. That's how it will also be with this wicked generation."
Jesus' Mother and Brothers Send for Him
46
Now while he was still speaking to the crowds, behold, his mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with him. 47 Then someone told him, "Look, your mother and your brothers and sisters are standing outside, seeking to speak to you."
48 But he answered, and said to him who told him, "Who is my mother? And who are my brothers and sisters?" 49 And he stretched out his hand toward his disciples, and said, "See, here are my mother and my brothers and sisters. 50 Because whoever does the will of my Father who is in the heavens, they are my brother, and sister, and mother."
Matthew 13
The Allegory of the Sower
1
That same day Jesus went out of the house, and sat by the sea. 2 And great multitudes gathered to him; so he stepped into a boat and sat down, and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
3
Then he told them many things in allegories, saying, "Behold, a sower went out to scatter seed; 4 And as he scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate them up. 5 And some fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much earth; and they sprang up quickly, because they had no depth of earth. 6 But when the sun had risen, they were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 And some fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them. 8 But others fell into good soil, and they produced a crop, some indeed 100 times as much, and some 60, and some 30 times as much. 9 Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently."*
The Purpose of Allegories
10 And the disciples came, and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in allegories?"
11 He answered and told them, "Because it's been given to you to know the secrets of the Kingdom of the heavens, but it's not been given to them. 12 Because whoever has will be given more, and they'll have an abundance; but whoever doesn’t have, even what they have will be taken from them. 13 Therefore I speak to them in allegories, so that seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. 14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah, which states,
'In hearing you will hear and by no means understand; and in seeing you will see but by no means perceive. 15 Because this people's heart has become callous, and their ears are hard of hearing. And they have closed their eyes, so that they might not see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn, that I should heal them.' (Isaiah 6:9,10 from the Septuagint.)
16 But supremely blessed are your eyes, because they see: and your ears, because they hear. 17 Because Indeed, I tell you, That many prophets and righteous people have desired to see the things which you see, and did not see them; and to hear the things which you hear, and did not hear them.
The Allegory of the Shower Explained
18 Therefore listen intently to the allegory of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word concerning the Kingdom and doesn't understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 But the seed sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the message and immediately receives it with joy; 21 Yet they have no root within themself, but endure only for a while: because when pressure or persecution arises because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 And the seed sown among the thorns is the one who hears the word; and the care of this age, and the deceitfulness of riches, chokes the word, and they become unfruitful. 23 But the seed sown on the good soil is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed produce fruit: and some produce 100 times as much, and some 60, and some 30 times as much.
The Allegory of the Wheat and Tares
24 He set another allegory before them, saying, "The Kingdom of the heavens can be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while the people were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went away. 26 But when the stalk had sprouted and produced fruit, then the tares also appeared. 27 So the servants of the master of the house came and told him, 'Master, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Then why does it have tares?' 28 He told them, 'A man who is my enemy has done this.' So the servants said to him, 'Then do you want us to go and gather them up?' 29 But he said, 'No, lest gathering up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will tell the harvesters, "First gather the tares together and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn." ' "
31 He set another allegory before them, saying, "The Kingdom of the heavens is like a grain of mustard seed, which a man took and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the smallest of all the garden seeds, but when it is fully grown it is larger than the other garden plants and becomes a tree, and the birds in the sky come and nest in its branches."
The Allegory of the Leaven
33 He told them another allegory; "The Kingdom of the heavens is like yeast, which a woman took and mixed in three measures of flour, until it all was leavened."
Prophecy and Allegories
34 Jesus spoke all these things to the multitude in allegories; and he didn't speak to them without using an allegory: 35 Thus fulfilling the saying which had been spoken through the prophet,
"I will open my mouth in allegories; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world." (Psalm 78:2)
The Allegory of the Tares Explained
36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came to him, saying, "Explain to us the allegory of the tares of the field."
37 And He answered and told them, "He who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; 38 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the Kingdom; but the tares 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 harvesters are the heavenly messengers. 40 Therefore as the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so it will be at the end of this age. 41 The Son of Man will send out his heavenly messengers, and they will gather out of his Kingdom everything that offends, and those who practice lawlessness; 42 And will throw them into a furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the Kingdom of their Father. Whoever has ears to hear, let them listen intently.
The Allegory of the Hidden Treasure
44 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like treasure hidden in a field; which a person found and hid; and for joy over it, they went and sold everything they had, and bought that field.
The Allegory of the Pearl of Great Price
45 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like a person, a merchant, seeking beautiful pearls: 46 Who, when they had found one pearl of great price, they went and sold all that they had, and bought it.
The Allegory of the Dragnet
47 Again, the Kingdom of the heavens is like a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered some of every kind: 48 Which, when it was full, they pulled it up on the shore, and sat down, and they gathered the good into containers, but they threw the bad away. 49 So it will be at the end of the age: the heavenly messengers will come forth, and separate the evil from among the righteous, 50 And will throw them into the furnace of fire: there will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."
51 Jesus said to them, "Have you understood all these things?"
They told him, "Yes, Lord."
52 Then he told them, "Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the Kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a master of a householdhold, who brings out of his treasury things new and old."
Jesus Rejected at Nazareth
53 Now it happened, when Jesus had finished these allegories, he left there. 54 And when he had come to his hometown, he taught them in their synagogue, so they were astonished and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers? 55 Isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary, and aren't his brothers, James, and Joses, and Simon, and Judas? 56 And aren't his sisters all with us? So where did this man get all these things?" 57 And they took offense at him.
But Jesus told them, "A prophet isn't without honor, except in his own father's land, and in his own house." 58 And he didn't do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.
Matthew 14
John the Baptizer Beheaded
1 At that time Herod the ruler of Galilee heard of the fame of Jesus,
[Literally, tetrarch.] 2 And told his servants, "This is John the Baptizer. He's risen from the dead. And that's why these powers are at work in him." 3 Because Herod had laid hold of John, and had bound him, and had put him in prison because of Herodias his brother Philip's wife. 4 Because John had told him, "It's not lawful for you to have her." 5 And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet.
6 Now when Herod's birthday was being celebrated, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and she pleased Herod. 7 Therefore he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask.
8 So she, being urged on by her mother, said, "Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptizer."
9 And the king was grieved, but because of the oaths, and because of those who reclined to eat with him, he commanded it to be given to her. 10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. 11 And his head was brought in on a platter, and given to the girl: and she brought it to her mother. 12 And his disciples came, and took away the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.
Feeding the 5,000
13 When Jesus heard about it, he withdrew from there by boat to a remote place to be alone. And when the multitudes heard this, they followed him on foot from the cities. 14 And when Jesus got out of the boat, he saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick. 15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, “This is a deserted place, and the hour is already late. Send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy food for themselves.”
16 But Jesus told them, "They don't need to go away. You can give them something to eat."
17 And they said to him, “We don't have anything here, except for five loaves of bread and two fish.”
18 But he said, "Bring them here to me." 19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and he took the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the multitude. 20 And everyone ate and were completely full: and they gathered up the abundance of broken pieces that were left over, filling 12 baskets. 21 And those who had eaten were about 5,000 men, beside women and children.
Jesus Walks on the Sea
22 And immediately Jesus made his disciples get into a boat, and go before him to the other side, while he sent the multitudes away. 23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when evening had come, he was there alone. 24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed with waves: because the wind was contrary.
25 And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus came toward them, walking on the sea. 26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, "It's a spirit!" And they cried out in fear.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "I am. Have courage, don't be afraid."
28 And Peter answered him and said, "Lord, if it's you, command me come to you on the water."
29 And he said, "Come." And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. 30 But seeing the strong wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
31 And immediately, Jesus reaching out his hand, laid hold of him, and said to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" 32 And when they had come into the boat, the wind ceased.
33 Then those who were in the boat came and bowed down before him, saying, "Truly, you are God's Son."
As Many as Touch Him Are Made Well
34 And when they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret. 35 And when the men of that place recognized him, they sent out into all that surrounding region, and they brought everyone who was sick to him; 36 And they pleaded with him that they might just touch the hem of his garment: and as many as touched it were completely healed.
Matthew 15
Defilement Comes from Within
1 Then the scribes and Pharisees who were from Jerusalem came to Jesus, saying, 2 "Why do your disciples turn aside from the tradition of the elders? Because they don't wash their hands when they eat bread."
3 But He answered and told them, "And why do you turn aside from the commandment of God because of your tradition? 4 Because God commanded, saying, 'Honor your father and mother'; and, 'Whoever speaks evil of their father or mother, let them be put to death.' 5 But you say, 'Whoever tells their father or mother, "Whatever support you might have received from me has been given to God", 6 No longer has to honor their father or their mother. Thus you have made God's Word unauthoritative by your tradition. 7 Pretenders! Isaiah prophesied well of you, saying, 8 'This people draws near to me with their mouth, and honors me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they worship me, teaching as my teachings human commandments.' "
10 And he called the multitude, and told them, "Hear, and understand: 11 That which goes into the mouth doesn't defile a person; but that which comes out of the mouth, that defiles a person."
12 Then his disciples came, and said to him, "Did you know that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard that statement.”
13 But he answered and said, "Every plant, which my heavenly Father didn't plant, will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They're blind guides of the blind. And if the blind guides the blind, both will fall into a ditch."
15 Then Peter answered, and said to him, "Explain this allegory to us."
16 And Jesus said, "Are you also still without understanding? 17 Do you still not understand that whatever enters into the mouth goes into the stomach, and is expelled into the toilet? 18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a person. 19 Because out of the heart proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual immoralities, thefts, false witness, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a person: but to eat with unwashed hands doesn't defile a person."
A Foreign Woman Shows Her Faith
21 Then Jesus left that place and went into the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And behold, a Canaanite woman coming out from that region cried out to him, saying, "Have compassion on me, O Lord, Son of David! My daughter is severely demon-possessed."
23 But he didn’t answer her a word.
And his disciples came and pleaded with him, saying, "Send her away; because she keeps crying out behind us."
24 But he answered and said, "I wasn't sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel."
25 Then she came and bowed down before him, saying, "Lord, help me."
26 But he answered and said, "It's not good to take the children's bread and throw it to the little puppies."
27 And she said, "Yes, Lord. But even the little puppies eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table."
28 Then Jesus answered, and told her, "Lady, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you have desired." And her daughter was healed from that very hour.
29 And Jesus left there, and came near to the sea of Galilee; and went up into a mountain, and sat down there. 30 And great multitudes came to him, having with them those who were lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others, and they laid them at Jesus' feet; and he healed them. 31 So the multitude marveled when they saw the mute speaking, the maimed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
The Feeding of the 4,000
32 Then Jesus called his disciples, and said, "I have compassion on the multitude, because they've now continued with me for three days, and they have nothing to eat: and I don't want to send them away fasting, lest they faint on the way."
33 And his disciples said to him, "Where could we get enough bread in the wilderness to fill such a great multitude?"
34 And Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
And they said, "Seven, and a few small fish."
35 Then he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. 36 And he took the seven loaves and the fish and gave thanks, and broke them, and gave them to his disciples, and the disciples distributed them to the multitude. 37 And they all ate of them, until they were full, then the disciples gathered up the abundance of broken pieces that were left over, filling seven baskets. 38 Now those who had eaten were 4,000 men, besides women and children. 39 And he sent the multitude away, and he got into the boat and went to the region of Magdala.
Matthew 16
The Pharisees and Sadducees Seek a Sign
1 Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came, and testing him, they asked him to show them a sign from heaven. 2 He answered and told them, "When it's evening, you say, 'It will be fair weather: because the sky is red.' 3 And in the morning, you say, 'Today will be stormy, because the sky is red and overcast.' Pretenders! Indeed, you know how to discern the face of the sky, but you cannot discern the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; but no sign will be given to it, except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And he left them, and went away.
The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees
5 Now when his disciples had come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. 6 And Jesus told them, "Watch out. Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees."
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "It's because we have brought no bread."
8 But Jesus, knowing it, told them, "O you of little faith, why do you reason among yourselves, because you have brought no bread? 9 Do you still not understand, nor remember the five loaves of the 5,000, and how many baskets you took up? 10 Nor the seven loaves of the 4,000, and how many baskets you took up? 11 How is it that you do not understand that I didn't speak to you about bread, but that you should beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?" 12 Then they understood that he wasn't saying to beware of the yeast in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, "Who do people say that I the Son of Man am?"
14 And they said, "Some say John the Baptizer: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets."
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, "You're the Anointed, the Son of the living God!"
[Anointed, is the literal meaning of Christ.]
17 And Jesus answered and told him, "Simon, son of Jonah; you’re supremely blessed, because flesh and blood didn’t revealed this to you, but my Father who is in the heavens. 18 And I also tell you, That you are Peter (a stone), and on this massive rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it. 19 And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of the heavens: and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in the heavens: and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in the heavens."
20 Then he firmly instructed the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Jesus the Anointed.
Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
21 From that time on Jesus began to reveal to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised on the third day.
22 Then Peter took him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, "God will be gracious to you, Lord. This will not happen to you."
23 But he turned, and told Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You're a snare to me; because you're not setting your mind on God's interests, but on human interests."
Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after me, let them deny themself, and take up their cross, and follow me. 25 Because whoever desires to save their life will lose it: but whoever loses their life on account of me will find it. 26 Because what will it benefit a person, if they gain the whole world, and lose their own soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for their soul? 27 Because the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father, with his messengers; and then he'll repay everyone according to what they have done. 28 Indeed, I tell you, There are some standing here, who will not taste of death, until they've seen the Son of Man coming in his Kingdom."
Matthew 17
Jesus Transfigured on the Mount
1 Then after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves, 2 And he was transformed before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, "Lord, it's good for us to be here. If you want, let's pitch three tents here; one for you, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah."
5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is my beloved Son, I am very pleased with him. Listen to him." 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them, and said, "Get up, and don't be afraid." 8 And lifting up their eyes, they saw no one except Jesus only.
9 And as they were coming down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, "Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead."
10 And his disciples asked him, saying, "Then why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?"
11 And Jesus answered and told them, "Elijah indeed does come first, and restores all things. 12 But I tell you, That Elijah has already came, but they didn’t recognize him, and did to him whatever they pleased. In the same way the Son of Man is also going to suffer at their hands." 13 Then the disciples understood that he had spoken to them about John the Baptizer.
A Boy is Healed
14 And when they had come to the multitude, a man came to him, kneeling down before him, and saying, 15 "Lord, have compassion on my son: because he is a lunatic and suffers severely; for he often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 And I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn't cure him."
17 Then Jesus answered and said, "O unbelieving and perverted generation, how long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to me." 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon and it came out of him, and the boy was cured from that very hour.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, "Why couldn't we cast him out?"
20
And Jesus told them, "Because of your unbelief.
Because Indeed, I tell you, If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you
can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there'; and it will move; and
nothing will be impossible for you. 21
However, this kind doesn't go out except by prayer and fasting."
Jesus Again Predicts His Death and Resurrection
22 Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus told them, "The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of people: 23 And they'll kill him, yet he will be raised up on the third day." And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Peter and His Master Pay Their Taxes
24 And when they had came to Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma temple tax came to Peter and said, "Isn't your teacher going to pay the Temple tax?"
25 He said, "Yes."
And when he entered into the house, Jesus anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom do the kings of the earth take customs or taxes, from their sons or from strangers?"
26 Peter told him, "From strangers."
Jesus told him, "Then the sons are free. 27 Nevertheless, lest we offend them, go to the sea, and cast in a hook, and take up the first fish that comes up; and when you've opened its mouth, you'll find a coin: take that, and give it to them for me and you."
Matthew 18
Who is the Greatest?
1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is the greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens?"
2 And Jesus called a little child to him, and had him stand in the midst of them, 3 And said, "Indeed, I tell you, unless you are converted and become like little children, you will by no means enter the Kingdom of the heavens. 4 Therefore whoever humbles themself like this little child, the same is greatest in the Kingdom of the heavens. 5 And whoever receives a little child like this in my name, receives me.
Jesus Warns of Offenses
6 But whoever causes one of these little ones who believes in me to stumble, it would be better for them had a donkey's millstone been hung
on their neck, and they had sunk into the depth of the sea. 7 Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble: such things must come, but woe to that person through whom they come.
8 And if your hand or your foot causes you to stumble, cut them off and throw them away. It's better for you to enter life maimed or crippled than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It's better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fire of Gehenna.
The Allegory of the Lost Sheep
10 See that you don't despise one of these little ones; because I tell you, That in the heavens their messengers always see the face of my Father, who is in the heavens. 11 Because the Son of Man has come to save the one who was lost.
12 What do you think? If a man has 100 sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the 99 and go to the mountains to search for the one that has gone astray? 13 And if he happens to find it; indeed I tell you, he rejoices more over that one, than over the 99 which didn't go astray. 14 In the same way it's not the will of your Father who is in the heavens that even one of these little ones should perish.
Dealing with a Sinning Brother
15 So if your brother or sister sins against you, go and tell them their fault between you and them alone. If they listen to you, you've gained your brother or sister. 16 But if they won't listen, take one or two more with you, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if they refuse to listen to them, tell it to the congregation. But if they refuse to listen even to the congregation, let them be to you like a pagan and a tax collector.
18 Indeed, I tell you, Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven: and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.
19 Again, I tell you, If two of you agree about anything they may ask for on earth, it will be done for them by my Father in the heavens. 20 Because where two or three are gathered together in my name, I am there among them."
The Allegory of the Unforgiving Servant
21 Then Peter came to him and said, "Lord, how many times must I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to 7 times?"
22 Jesus told him, "I didn't tell you, up to 7 times; but up to 70 times 7. 23 For this reason the Kingdom of the heavens can be compared to a man, a king, who wanted to settle accounts with his subjects. 24 And when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him 10,000 talents (6,000,000 denarii). 25 But since he wasn't able to pay, his lord commanded that he be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and that payment be made. 26 Therefore falling down before him, that subject said, 'Lord, be patient with me, and I will repay everything to you.' 27 Then the lord of that subject was moved with compassion, and released him, and forgave him the debt.
28 But that same subject went out, and found one of his fellow subjects, who owed him 100 denarii: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me back what you owe!'
[Note: a denarii was equal to a day's wages.] 29 And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and pleaded with him, saying, 'Be patient with me, and I will repay everything to you.' 30 And he would not: but went and threw him into prison, until he should pay the debt. 31 So when his fellow subjects saw what had been done, they were deeply saddened, and they came and told their lord all that had taken place. 32 Then his lord, after he had called him, told him, 'You wicked subject! I forgave you all that debt, because you pleaded with me. 33 Shouldn't you also have had compassion on your fellow subject, even as I had compassion on you?' 34 And his lord was moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed to him.
35 So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if each of you, from your heart, do not forgive your brother or sister of their offenses."
Matthew 19
Marriage and Divorce
1 Now it happened, when Jesus had finished these sayings, he left Galilee, and came into the region across the Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there.
3 The Pharisees also came to him, testing him, and saying to him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?"
4 And He answered and told them, "Haven’t you read, that he who created them in the beginning 'made them male and female,' 5 And said, 'For this reason a man is to leave his father and mother, and be united to his wife: and the two will become one flesh' ? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, don't let man separate."
7 They said to him, "Then why did Moses command us to give her a divorce certificate, and send her away?"
8 He told them, "Because of the hardness of your hearts Moses allowed you to divorce your wives: But from the beginning it was not so. 9 But I tell you, Whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced commits adultery."
10 His disciples said to him, "If such is the case of a man with his wife: it's better not to marry."
11 But he told them, "Not everyone can accept that statement, but only those to whom it's been given: 12 Because there are eunuchs who were born that way from their mother's womb; and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men; and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the Kingdom of the heavens. Whoever is able to accept this, let them accept it."
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then little children were brought to him, that he might lay his hands on them and pray for them; but the disciples scolded them. 14 But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and don't hinder them, because the Kingdom of the heavens belongs to such as these." 15 And after he had laid his hands on them, he went on from there.
16 And behold, someone came and said to him, "Good Teacher, what good thing must I do, that I may have eternal life?"
17 And he told him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except one, that is, God: But if you want to enter into life, observe the commandments."
18 He said to him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You're not to commit murder,' 'You're not to commit adultery,' 'You're not to steal,' 'You're not to give false testimony,'
19
'Honor your father and mother,' and, 'You're to love your neighbor as yourself.' ”
20 The young man told him, "I've observed all of these from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus told him, "If you want to be perfect, go and sell your possessions, and give to the poor, and you'll have treasure in heaven: And come, follow me."
22 But when the young man heard that statement, he went away sorrowful: because he had great possessions.
23 Then Jesus told his disciples, "Indeed, I tell you, It will be hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of the heavens. 24 And again I tell you, It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter into God's Kingdom."
25 When his disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Then who can be saved?"
26 But Jesus looked at them, and told them, "With human beings this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."
27 Then Peter answered and told him, "See, we've forsaken everything, and followed you. Therefore what will we have?"
28 And Jesus told them, "Indeed, I tell you, That you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man sits on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on 12 thrones, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has forsaken houses, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for the sake of my name, will receive 100 times as much, and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first, will be last; and the last, will be first.”
Matthew 20
The Allegory of the Workers in the Vineyard
1 Because the Kingdom of the heavens is like a master of a household, who went out in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 And when he had agreed with the workers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard. 3 And he went out about the third hour, and saw others standing idle in the marketplace, 4 and told them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and I will give you whatever is right.' So they went. 5 Again he went out about the sixth and ninth hour, and did likewise. 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and said to them, 'Why do you stand here doing nothing all day?' 7 They told him, 'Because no one has hired us.' He told them, 'You also go into the vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.'
8 Then when evening came, the master of the vineyard told his foreman, 'Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last to the first.' 9 And when those came who were hired about the eleventh hour, they each received a denarius. 10 But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; but each of them also received a denarius. 11 And when they had received it, they began grumbling against the master of the house, 12 Saying, 'These who were hired last have worked only one hour, and you've made them equal with us, who have borne the burden and heat of the day.' 13 But he answered one of them, and said, 'Friend, I'm doing you no wrong: didn't you agree with me for a denarius? 14 Take what is yours and go. But I want to give this last person the same as I gave to you. 15 Isn't it against the law for me to do whatever I want with my own money? Is your eye evil, because I am good?' 16 So the last, will be first; and the first, last: because many are called, but few are chosen."
A Third Time Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection
17 And as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the 12 disciples aside privately on the road, and he told them, 18 "Behold, we’re going up to Jerusalem; and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will sentence him to die, 19 And will deliver him to the nations to be mocked, and flogged, and crucified. But on the third day he will rise again."
Greatness is Serving
20 Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to him with her sons, she knelt down and worshipped him, to ask something from him.
21 And he said to her, "What do you desire?"
She told him, "That these two sons of mine may sit, the one on your right hand, and the other on your left, in your Kingdom."
22 But Jesus answered and said, "You don't know what you're asking, Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, or to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?"
They told him, "We are able."
23 And he told them, "You will indeed drink of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with. But to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it is for those for whom my Father has prepared it."
24 And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them to him, and said, "You know that the rulers of the nations lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. 26 But it is not to be so among you: but whoever desires to be great among you,
let them be your helper; 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let them be your servant: 28 Just as the Son of Man didn't come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."
Two Blind Men Receive Their Sight
29 And as they went out of Jericho, a great multitude followed him. 30 And behold, two blind men were sitting by the road, and having heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out, saying, "Have compassion on us, O Lord, Son of David!"
31 And the multitude scolded them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, "Lord, Son of David, have compassion on us!"
32 And Jesus having stood still, called them, and said, "What do you desire me to do for you?"
33 They said to him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." 34 So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes: And instantly their eyes received sight, and they followed him.
Matthew 21
1 Now when they drew near to Jerusalem, and had come to Bethphage, to the mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two of his disciples, 2 Telling them, "Go into the village in front of you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her: Loose them, and bring them to me. 3 And if anyone says anything to you, you're to say, 'The Lord has need of them,' and they will immediately send them."
4 Now all of this took place to fulfill the saying which was spoken through the prophet,
5
'Tell the daughter of Zion, 'Look, your King is coming to you! Humble, and sitting on a donkey, even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.' (Zechariah 9:9)
6 And the disciples went, and did as Jesus had instructed them, 7 And they brought the donkey, and the colt, and laid their clothes on them, and they set him on them. 8 And a very great multitude spread their clothes on the road; but others were cutting down branches from the trees and were spreading them on the road. 9 And the multitudes that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna (Save us) O Son of David!
'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!' Hosanna in the highest!" (Psalm 118:25,26)
10 And when he had come into Jerusalem, the whole city was moved, saying, "Who is this?" 11 And the multitude said, "This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth of Galilee!"
Jesus Cleanses the Temple
12 Then Jesus went into the Temple of God, and drove out everyone who was selling and buying in the Temple, and overturned the moneychangers tables and the chairs of those who sold doves. 13 And he told them, "It's written, 'My house will be called the house of prayer,' but you have made it ‘a den of thieves!’ " (Isaiah 56:7, Jeremiah 7:11)
14 Then the lame and blind came to him in the temple, and he healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children shouting in the temple, and saying, "Hosanna (Save us) O Son of David!" they were very displeased, 16 And they told him, "Do you hear what these children are saying?"
And Jesus told them, "Yes. Have you never read, 'Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies you have perfected praise'?" (Psalm 8:2 LXX)
17 And he left them, and went out of the city to Bethany; and he spent the night outdoors.
The Fig Tree Withers
18 Now in the morning as he returned to the city, he was hungry. 19 And seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it and found nothing on it except leaves, and he said to it, "May no fruit come from you ever again!" And immediately the fig tree withered away.
The Lesson of the Withered Fig Tree
20 And when the disciples saw it, they marveled, saying, "How did the fig tree wither away so quickly?"
21 Jesus answered and told them, "Indeed, I tell you, If you have faith, and do not doubt, not only will you be able to do what was done to the fig tree; but also if you say to this mountain, 'Be removed, and be thrown into the sea,' it will be done. 22
And you will receive everything that you ask in prayer, if you believe."
Jesus' Authority Questioned
23 And when he had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people confronted him as he was teaching, and said, "By what authority do you do these things? And who gave you this authority?"
24 And Jesus answered and told them, "I will also ask you one thing, 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 of human origin?"
And they reasoned among themselves, saying, "If we say, 'From heaven,' he will tell us, 'Then why didn't you believe him?' 26 But if we says, 'Of human origin;' we fear the multitude; because everyone holds John to be a prophet." 27 And they answered Jesus, and said, "We cannot tell."
So he told them, "Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things. 28 But what do you think? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, 'Son, go and work in my vineyard today.' 29 He answered and said, 'I don't want to,' but later he regretted it and went. 30 And he came to the second, and said the same thing. And he answered and said, 'I will, Sir,' but he didn't go. 31 Which of these two did the will of his father?" They told him, "The first."
Jesus told them, "Indeed, I tell you, That the tax collectors and the prostitutes will enter God's Kingdom before you. 32 Because John came to you in the way of righteousness, yet you didn't believe him; but tax collectors and prostitutes believed him; and you having seen it, you didn't afterwards regret it, that you might believe him.
The Allegory of the Wicked Farmers
33 Listen to another allegory: There was a certain master of a household who planted a vineyard and put a fence around it and dug a winepress in it and built a tower and leased it to farmers, and went into another country. 34 And when the season of fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the farmers to collect his share of its fruit. 35 But the farmers seized his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. 36 Again he sent other servants, more than the first time: but they did the same things to them. 37 But last of all he sent his son to them, saying, 'They will respect my son.' 38 But when the farmers saw the son, they said among themselves, 'This is the heir. Come, let's kill him and seize his inheritance.' 39 And they caught him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him.
40 Therefore when the master of the vineyard comes, what will he do to those farmers?"
41 They told him, "He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will lease his vineyard out to other farmers, who will deliver the fruits to him in their seasons."
42 Jesus told them, "Have you never read in the Scriptures,
'The stone which the builders rejected has become the cap-stone. This was the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes"? (Psalm 118:22-23)
43 Therefore I tell you, God's Kingdom will be taken away from you, and it will be given to a nation producing its fruits. 44 And whoever falls on this stone will be broken: but on whomever it falls, it will grind them to powder."
45 And when the chief priests and Pharisees had heard his allegories, they perceived that he spoke of them. 46 But when they sought to seize him, they feared the multitude, because they took him for a prophet.
Matthew 22
The Allegory of the Wedding Feast
1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by allegories, and said, 2 "The Kingdom of the heavens is like a man, a king, who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 And he sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; but they didn't want to come. 4 Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Say to those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fattened cattle are being sacrificed, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding." ' 5 But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his business: 6 And the rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them. 7
But when the king heard of it, he was furious: and he sent out his troops, and destroyed those murderers, and burned their city. 8 Then he told his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' 10 So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding was filled with guests.
11 And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who didn't have a wedding garment on: 12 And he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. 13 Then the king told the servants, 'Tie up his hands and feet, take him away, and throw him outside, into the darkness.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; 14 because many are called, but few are chosen."
The Pharisees: Is it Lawful to Pay Taxes to Caesar?
15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the supporters of Herod, saying, "Teacher, we know that you are truthful and teach the way of God in truth, and you don't care what anyone thinks, because you don't look on a person's external appearance. 17 So tell us, what do you think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?"
18 But Jesus, knowing their wickedness, said, "Why do you
pretenders test me? 19 Show me the tax money." So they brought him a denarius.
20 And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription is this?”
21 They told him, "Caesar's." Then he told them, "Give to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God that which is God’s." 22 When they heard this, they marveled, and left him and went their way.
The Sadducees: What About the Resurrection?
23 The same day the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to him, and they questioned him, 24 Saying, "Teacher, Moses said that if a man who has no children dies, his brother (as the closest relative) is to marry his wife, and to raise up offspring for his brother. 25 Now there were seven brothers with us: And the first, when he had married a wife, died, and, having no offspring, left his wife to his brother: 26 Likewise the second also, and the third, even to the seventh. 27 And last of all the woman also died. 28 Therefore in the resurrection whose wife will she be of the seven? Because they all had her."
29 Jesus answered and told them, "You’re misguided, because you don’t know the Scriptures nor the power of God. 30 Because in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are like the messengers of God in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, have you not read what was spoken to you by God, saying, 32 'I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob'? (Exodus 3:6) God is not the God of the dead, but of the living." 33 And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.
The scribes:
34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 Then one of them, who was an expert in the law, asked him a question, testing him, and saying, 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?"
37 And Jesus told him, "'
You're to love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' (Deuteronomy 6:5) 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it, 'You're to love your neighbor as yourself.' (Leviticus 19:18) 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets."
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, 42 Saying, "What do you think concerning the Anointed? Whose son is he?"
They told him, "The son of David."
43 He told them, "Then why 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 your footstool”’? (Psalm 110:1)
45 So if David calls him
'Lord,' how can he be his son?"
46 And no one was able to answer him a word, nor from that day on did anyone dare question him anymore.
Matthew 23
1 Then Jesus spoke to the multitude, and to his disciples, 2 Saying, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: 3 So everything that they tell you to observe, that observe and do, but do not do according to their works; because they say, and do not do. 4 For they tie up heavy burdens, hard to carry, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 Rather they do all their works in order to be seen by people: they make their phylacteries broad and they enlarge the borders of their garments, 6 And they are fond of the chief place at the banquets, and the first seats in the congregations , 7 And greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called 'Rabbi, Rabbi,' by people.
8 But you are not to be called Rabbi, because you only have one Teacher, Christ the Anointed, and you are all brothers and sisters. 9 And do not call anyone on earth 'Father,' because you have one Father, he who is in the heavens. 10 Neither be called teachers; because one is your Teacher, Christ the Anointed. 11 But the one who is greatest among you must be your servant.12 And whoever exalts themself will be humbled. And whoever humbles themself will be exalted.
13 But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you shut up the Kingdom of the heavens before people. Because neither do you yourselves enter in, nor do you allow those who would enter to go in. 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you devour widows' houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.15 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you travel around on sea and land to make one convert; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of Gehenna as yourselves.
16 Woe to you, blind guides! Who say, 'Whoever swears an oath by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears an oath by the gold of the temple, is obligated.' 17 Blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes the gold sacred? 18 And you say, 'Whoever swears an oath by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears an oath by the gift that is on it, is obligated.' 19 Fools and blind! Because which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? 20 Therefore whoever swears an oath by the altar, swears by it and everything on it. 21 And whoever swears an oath by the temple, swears by it, and by him who dwells in it. 22 And whoever swears an oath by heaven, swears by the throne of God, and by him that sits on it.
23 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you pay as a tithe a tenth of mint and anise and cummin, but have omitted the weightier matters of the law, Justice, compassion, and faith: these you should have done, and not left the other undone. 24 Blind guides! Who strain out at a gnat, and swallow a camel.
25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you clean the outside of the cup and of the dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence
. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and of the dish, so that the outside of them may be clean also.
27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you are like whitewashed tombs, which indeed outwardly appear beautiful, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and all uncleanness. 28 So you too outwardly appear righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.
29 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, pretenders! Because you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, 30 And you say, 'If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would have had no part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.' 31 Therefore you testify against yourselves: that you are the sons of those who killed the prophets, 32 And you fill up the measure of your fathers' guilt.
33 You snakes! You generation of vipers! How are you to escape the judgment of Gehenna? 34 Therefore, behold, I'm sending you prophets, wise people, and scribes: Some of them you will kill, and some you will crucify, and some of them you will flog in your congregations and persecute from city to city, 35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. 36 Indeed, I tell you, All these things will come upon this generation.
Jesus Laments Over Jerusalem
37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets, and stones those who are sent to you; how often I would have gathered your children together, even as a hen gather her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing. 38 Behold, your house is left to you desolate. 39
For I tell you, from now on, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD!' " (Psalm 118:26)
Matthew 24
Jesus Predicts the Destruction of the Temple
1 Then as Jesus going out of the Temple, and was walking away, his disciples came up to him to point out to him the Temple buildings. 2 But Jesus told them, "Do you not see all these things? Indeed, I tell you, not one stone will be left here upon another that will not be thrown down."
The Signs of the Times and the End of the Age
3 And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the age?"
4 And Jesus answered and told them: "See that no one deceives you. 5
For many will come in my name, saying, 'I am Christ the Anointed;' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you be not troubled: because all these things must happen, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there will be famines, and plagues, and earthquakes, in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 Then they will hand you over to persecution, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all the nations because of my name. 10 And then many will be entrapped, and will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 And many false prophets will arise, and will deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will increase, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But the one who endures to the end, the same will be saved. 14 And this Good News about the Kingdom will be proclaimed in the whole world for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.
The Great Tribulation
15 Therefore when you see the 'abomination of desolation,' spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place (whoever reads, let them understand), 16 Then let those who are in Judah flee into the mountains: 17 Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take anything out of their house. 18 And let the one who is in the field not go back to get their clothes. 19 But woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days. 20 And pray that your flight may not be in winter or on the Day of Rest. 21 Because then there will be a time of great pressure such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever will be again. 22 And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the sake of God's chosen ones those days will be shortened.
[24:21 “thlipsis” traditionally is translated as “tribulation”, literally means “pressure”.]
23 Then if anyone tells you, 'Look, here is the Anointed!' or 'There!' don't believe it. 24 Because false anointed ones and false prophets will raise up, and they will show great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time. 26 Therefore if they tell you, 'Look, he's in the wilderness!' don't go out; or 'Look, he's in the inner rooms!' don't believe it. 27
Because as the lightning comes out of the east and flashes to the west; so also will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 For wherever the fallen are, there the eagles will be gathered together.
29 Immediately after the intense pressure of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give her light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken: 30 And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven: And then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he will send out his messengers with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather together his chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other.
The Allegory of the Fig Tree
32 Now learn an allegory from the fig tree: when its branch becomes tender, and puts forth leaves, you know that summer is near. 33 So too you, when you see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Indeed, I tell you, This generation will not pass away, until everything has been fulfilled. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
No One Knows the Day or Hour
36 But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the messengers of the heavens, but my Father only. 37 But as it was in the days of Noah, so too it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38
For before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, 39 And they didn't know until the flood came, and took them all away; so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two will be in the field; the one will be taken, and the other left. 41 Two will be grinding at the mill; the one will be taken, and the other left. 42 Watch therefore, because you do not know in what hour your Lord is coming. 43 But know this, that if the master of the household had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. 44 So you too must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you are not expecting him.
The Faithful Servant and the Evil Servant
45 Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them food at the proper time? 46 Supremely blessed is that servant, whom his master, when he comes, will find so doing. 47 Indeed, I tell you, That he will make him ruler over all his goods. 48 But if that evil servant should say in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming’; 49 And should begin to beat his fellow servants, and to eat and drink with the drunks, 50 The master of that servant will come on a day which he does not expect, and at an hour which he does not know, 51 And will severely cut him with a wipe, and appoint him his portion with the pretenders: There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 25
The Allegory of the Wise and Foolish Virgins
1 “Then the Kingdom of the heavens will be compared to ten virgins, who took their lamps, and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps, but took no oil with them: 4 But the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
6 But in the middle of the night there was a shout, 'Look, the bridegroom is coming! Go out to meet him!' 7 Then all those virgins got up, and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.' 9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there not be enough for us and you too. But rather go to those who sell oil, and buy some for yourselves.' 10 And while they were going to buy some, the bridegroom came; and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding: And the door was shut.
11 Then the other virgins also came later, saying, 'Lord, lord, open the door for us.' 12 But he answered and said, 'Indeed, I tell you, I don't know you.'
13 Watch therefore, because you neither know the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come.
The Allegory of the Talents
14 Because it will be like a man traveling into a far country, who called his own servants and entrusted his goods to them. 15 And to the one he gave five talents, and to another two, and to another one, to each according to their own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. 16 Then the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made five more talents. 17 And likewise the one who had received two also gained two more. 18 But the one who had received one talent went and dug in the earth, and hid their master's money.
19 After a long time the master of those servants came, and settled accounts with them.
20 And the one who had received the five talents came and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents besides them.' 21 His master told him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter you into the joy of your master.' 22 And the one who had received the two talents also came and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents besides them.' 23 His master told him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.'
24 Then the one who had received the one talent also came and said, 'Master, I knew that you were a hard man, harvesting where you haven’t planted and gathering where you haven’t scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground: See, you have that which is your own.' 26 His master answered and told him, 'You evil and lazy servant! You knew that I harvest where I haven't planted and gather where I haven't scattered seed. 27 Therefore you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received what is mine with interest. 28 Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to the one who has ten talents. 29 Because to everyone who has, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but to the one who doesn't have, even what they have will be taken away from them. 30 And throw that useless servant outside, into the darkness.’ There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
The Son of Man Will Judge the Nations
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy messengers with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory: 32 Then all the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate them one from another, like a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 And he will set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then the King will say to those on his right hand, 'Come, you who are supremely blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35
Because I was hungry, and you gave me food; I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; 36 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 gave you a drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger, and take you in? Or naked, and clothed you? 39 Or when did we see you sick, or in prison, and came to you?' 40 And the King will answer and tell them, 'Indeed, I tell you, Inasmuch as you have done it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you have done it to me.'
41 Then he will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from me, you accursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his messengers! 42
Because I was hungry, and you gave me no food; I was thirsty, and you gave me nothing to 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 him, 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, 'Indeed, I tell you, Inasmuch as you didn't do it to one of the least of these, you didn't do it to me.' 46 And these will go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.
Matthew 26
The Plot to Kill Jesus
1 Now it happened, when Jesus had finished all these sayings, he told his disciples, 2 "You know that after two days the Passover will take place; then the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified."
3 And the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people were assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas, 4 And they conspired to seize Jesus by treachery and to kill him. 5 But they said, "Not during the feast, lest there be an uproar among the people."
The Anointing at Bethany
6 Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, 7 A woman came to him having an alabaster flask of very precious fragrant oil, and poured it on his head, as he was reclining at the dinner table. 8 But when his disciples saw it, they became indignant, saying, "Why this waste? 9 Because this fragrant oil could have been sold for much, and given to the poor."
10 But Jesus knowing it, told them, "Why are you troubling the woman? She has done a beautiful deed to me. 11 Because you’ll always have the poor with you, but you won’t always have me. 12 For in that she has poured this ointment on my body, she did it to prepare my body for burial. 13 Indeed, I tell you, wherever this Good News is proclaimed in the whole world, what this woman has done will be spoken of as a memorial to her."
Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus
14 Then one of the 12, the one called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests, 15 And said, "What are you willing to give me if I deliver him to you?" And they offered him 30 silver coins. 16 And from that time on he sought an opportunity to betray him.
Jesus Celebrates Passover with His Disciples
17 Now on the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus, saying to him, "Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
18 And he said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I will keep the Passover at your house with my disciples.” ’ ”
19 So the disciples did as Jesus had instructed them, and they prepared the Passover.
20 Now when the evening had come, he was reclining with the 12 at the table. 21 And as they ate, he said, "Indeed, I tell you, One of you will betray me."
22 And each of them being extremely grieved, began to say to him, "Surely not I, Lord?"
23 And he answered and said, "He who dipped his hand with me in the bowl will betray me. 24 The Son of Man goes as it's written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of Man is betrayed. It would have been good for that man if he had not been born."
25 Then Judas, who was betraying him, answered and said, "Surely not I, Rabbi?”
He told him, "You have said it."
Jesus Institutes the Lord's Supper
26 And as they were eating, Jesus took the bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, "Take, eat; this is my body."
27 And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you. 28
For this is my blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for many, for the forgiveness of sins. 29 But I tell you, From now on, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine, until the day when I drink it anew with you in my Father's Kingdom."
30 And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter Will Deny Him
31 Then Jesus told them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me on this night, because it's written,
'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."
33 Peter answered and told him, "Even if
all are made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble."
34 Jesus told him, "Indeed, I tell you, That this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times."
35 Peter said to him, "Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you." And all the disciples said the same thing.
Jesus' Prays in the Garden
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he told the disciples, "Sit down here while I go over there and pray." 37 And he took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him, and began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then he told them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 And going a little farther, he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."
40 And he came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, "What, couldn't you watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, so that you may not enter into temptation. For the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, "My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from me, except I drink it, your will be done." 43 And he came and found them asleep again: because their eyes were heavy.
44 And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the 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 near, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Get up, let's go. Behold, the one who betrays me is approaching."
Betrayal and Arrest in Gethsemane
47 And while he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the 12 came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, sent from the chief priests and elders of the people.
48 Now the one betraying him had given them a sign, saying, "The one whom I kiss, he's the one; seize him." 49 And immediately he came to Jesus, and said, "Be of good cheer, Rabbi!" and kissed him.
50 But Jesus said to him, "Friend, why have you come?"
Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and seized him.
51 And behold, one of those with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, and striking the servant of the high priest, he cut off his ear.
52 But Jesus told him, "Put your sword back into its place! Because all who take up the sword, will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot even now call upon my Father, and he would provide me with more than 12 legions of heavenly messengers? 54 How then would the scriptures be fulfilled that it must happen in this way?"
55 At that time Jesus told the multitudes, "Have you come out with swords and clubs, as against a robber, to seize me? I sat daily with you, in the temple teaching, and you didn’t seize me. 56 But all this has happened to fulfill the Scriptures of the prophets."
Then all the disciples forsook him and fled.
Jesus Stands Before the Sanhedrin
57 Then those who seized Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were gathered together. 58 But Peter followed him from a distance, up to the courtyard of the high priest. And entering inside, he sat down with the servants to see the outcome.
59 Now the chief priests, and the elders, and all the Sanhedrin were seeking false witnesses against Jesus, so that they might put him to death. 60 But they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward, 61 And said, “This fellow said, ‘I’m able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”
62 And standing up the high priest said to him, "Do you answer nothing? What is it these men are testifying against you?" 63 But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest answered and said to him, "I put you under oath by the living God: Tell us if you are the Anointed, God's Son?"
64 Jesus told him, "You have said it. Furthermore, I tell you, after this you'll see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power and coming on the clouds of heaven."
65 Then the high priest tore his clothes, saying, "He has blasphemed! What further need do we have of witnesses? Look, now you’ve heard his blasphemy! 66 What do you think?" They answered and said, "He deserves to die!"
67 Then they spat in his face and beat him with their fists; and others slapped him, 68 Saying, "Prophesy to us, Anointed One! Who is the one that struck you?"
Peter Denies Jesus and Weeps Bitterly
69 Now Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
70 But he denied him before everyone, saying, "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
71 And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those there, "This man was with Jesus of Nazareth."
72 And again he denied him with an oath, "I do not know the man!"
73 And after a little while, those standing by came up and said to Peter, "Surely you also are one of them, because your accent gives you away."
74 Then he began to curse and to swear with an oath, "I do not know the man!" And immediately a rooster crowed. 75 Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." And he went outside and wept bitterly.
Matthew 27
Jesus Handed Over to Pontius Pilate
1 And when morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people plotted against Jesus, in order to put him to death. 2 And when they had bound him, they led him away, and delivered him to Pontius Pilate the governor.
Judas Hangs Himself
3 Then Judas, who betrayed him, seeing that he was condemned, feeling regret, returned the 30 silver coins to the chief priests and elders, 4 Saying, "I have sinned by betraying innocent blood."
But they said, "What's that to us? See to it yourself."
5 And he threw the silver coins into the temple and left. Then he went out and hung himself.
6 And the chief priests took the silver coins, and said, "It's not lawful for us to toss them into the offering, because it's the price of blood." 7 And they took counsel, and bought the potter's field with them, to bury strangers in. 8 Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day;
9 Thus fulfilling the statement which had been spoken through the prophet Jeremiah,
"And they took the 30 silver coins, the price of him who had been priced, on whom a price had been set by the sons of Israel, 10 and they gave them for the potters field, just as the Lord directed me."
11 Now Jesus stood before the governor: And the governor asked him, saying, "Are you the King of the Jews?"
And Jesus told him, "You have said it." 12 And when he was being accused by the chief priests and elders, he answered nothing.
13 Then Pilate said to him, "Don't you hear how many things they are testifying against you?" 14 And he did not answer him, not even one word, to the great amazement of the governor.
Taking the Place of Barabbas
15 Now at the feast, the governor was accustomed to release to the multitude one prisoner, whomever they wanted. 16 And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barabbas. 17 Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said to them, "Who do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Anointed?" 18 Because he knew that they had handed him over because of envy.
19 Now as he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, saying, "Have nothing to do with that just man, because I have suffered many things today in a dream because of him."
20 But the chief priests and elders persuaded the multitude that they should ask for Barabbas, and destroy Jesus. 21 The governor answered and said to them, "Which of these two do you want me to release to you?"
And they
said, "Barabbas!"
22 Pilate said to them, "Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called the Anointed?"
They all answered him, "Crucify him!"
23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil has he done?"
But they shouted out all the more, saying, "Crucify him!"
24 So Pilate, when he saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but instead an uproar was developing, took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, "I am innocent of the blood of this just man. You see to it."
25 Then all the people answered and said, "His blood be on us, and on our children!"
26 Then he released Barabbas to them: but he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
27 Then the soldiers of the governor, having taken Jesus with them into the governor’s court room, gathered the whole garrison around him. 28 And they stripped him, and put a red robe on him. 29 And when they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, "Be of good cheer, O King of the Jews!" 30 And they spit upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 And after that they had mocked him, they took the robe off of him, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him.
The King on a Cross
32 Now as they came out, they found a man of Cyrene, Simon by name, whom they forced to carry his cross. 33 And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, 34 They gave him vinegar mingled with gall to drink: but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
35 And they crucified him, and divided his garments, casting lots for them
; by doing so they fulfilled what had been spoken through the prophet, “They divided my garments among them, and they cast lots for my clothing.”
36 And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. 37 And they placed the accusation written against him above his head,
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THIS IS JESUS THE |
38
And two
thieves were crucified with him, one on the right, and another on the left.
39 And those who passed by blasphemed him, wagging their heads, 40 And saying, "You who would destroy the temple and rebuild it in three days, save yourself! If you are God's Son, come down from the cross!"
41 Likewise also the chief priests mocked him, with the scribes and elders, saying, 42 "He saved others; but he can't save himself. If he is the King of Israel, let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusted in God; let him deliver him now; if he will have him? Because he said, 'I am God's Son.' "
44 In the same way the thieves, who were crucified with him, also taunted him.
Jesus Dies on the Cross
45 Now from the sixth hour to the ninth hour darkness came over the whole land. 46 And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?" that is to say, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"
47 Some of those who stood there, when they heard it, said, "He's calling for Elijah!" 48 And immediately one of them ran, and took a sponge, and filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink.
49 But the rest said, "Leave him alone! Let's see if Elijah will come to save him."
50 Jesus, when he had cried out again with a loud voice, released his spirit.
51 And behold, the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom, and the earth shook and the rocks were split. 52 And the tombs were opened, and many bodies of God's holy people who had fallen asleep were raised, 53 And they came out of the tombs after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared to many.
54 Now when the centurion and those who were with him, guarding Jesus, saw the earthquake and the things that had happened, they feared greatly, saying, "Truly this man was God's Son."
55 Many women were there, watching from a distance. They had followed Jesus from Galilee to care for his needs. 56 Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses, and the mother of Zebedee's sons.
Jesus Buried in Joseph's Tomb
57 Now when evening had come, a rich man named Joseph came from Arimathea, who himself had also become a disciple of Jesus. 58 This man went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus. Then Pilate ordered the body to be given to him. 59 And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean linen sheet, 60 And he laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn out in the rock: and he rolled a great stone against the door of the tomb, and went away. 61 And Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, were sitting over against the tomb.
Pilate Sets a Guard
62 And the next day, which is after the Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered together before Pilate, 63 Saying, "Sir, we remember that while he was still alive, how this deceiver said, 'After three days I will rise again.' 64 Therefore command the tomb to be secured until the third day, so that his disciples may not come by night and steal his body, and tell the people, 'He's risen from the dead.' So the last deception would be worse than the first."
65 Pilate told them, "You have a guard; go make it as secure as you know how." 66 So they went and secured the tomb, placing a seal on the stone, after setting the guard.
Matthew 28
He is Risen
1 Now after the Day of Rest, as the first day of the week began to dawn, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. 2 And behold, there was a great earthquake: because a messenger of the Lord came down from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat on it. 3 His countenance was like lightning, and his clothes were as white as snow: 4 And the guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men. 5 And the messenger answered, and told the women, "Don't be afraid, because I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He isn't here, because he's risen, just as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. 7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he has risen from the dead; and behold, he is going ahead of you into Galilee; there you will see him. See, I have told you so." 8 And going out quickly from the tomb with fear and great joy, they ran to tell his disciples.
The Women Worship the Risen Lord
9 Now as they were going to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, "Be full of joy." And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. 10 Then Jesus told them, "Don't be afraid. Go tell my brothers and sisters to go into Galilee, and there they will see me."
The Soldiers Are Bribed
11 Now while they were going, behold, some of the guard came into the city and reported to the chief priests everything that had happened. 12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave much silver to the soldiers, 13 Saying, "Say his disciples came during the night and stole his body while we were sleeping. 14 And if the governor hears about this, we will persuade him, and make you free from worry." 15 So they took the silver and did as they were instructed. And this saying has been widely spread among the Jews until this day.
The Great Commission
16 Then the 11 disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated to them. 17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20 Teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you, and see, I am with you every day, unto the end of the age.”
[Literally, all of the days.]
Amen! (Indeed!)
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