The Genealogy of Jesus

(Ruth 4:18–22, Luke 3:23–38)

[This is the] record of [the] genealogy of Jesus Christ, [the] son of David, [the] son of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac,

Isaac the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar,

Perez the father of Hezron,

and Hezron the father of Ram.[fn]

Ram was the father of Amminadab,

Amminadab the father of Nahshon,

and Nahshon the father of Salmon.

Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab,

Boaz the father of Obed by Ruth,

Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David the king.

Next:

David the king[fn] was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s [wife],

Solomon the father of Rehoboam,

Rehoboam the father of Abijah,

and Abijah the father of Asa.[fn]

Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat,

Jehoshaphat the father of Joram,

and Joram the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah was the father of Jotham,

Jotham the father of Ahaz,

and Ahaz the father of Hezekiah.

Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh,

Manasseh the father of Amon,[fn]

Amon the father of Josiah,

and Josiah the father of Jeconiah and his brothers

at [the time] of the exile to Babylon.

vvv After the exile to Babylon:

Jeconiah was the father of Shealtiel,

Shealtiel the father of Zerubbabel,

Zerubbabel the father of Abiud,

Abiud the father of Eliakim,

and Eliakim the father of Azor.

Azor was the father of Zadok,

Zadok the father of Achim,

and Achim the father of Eliud.

Eliud was the father of Eleazar,

Eleazar the father of Matthan,

Matthan the father of Jacob,

and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary,

of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

In all, then, [there were] fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the exile to Babylon, and fourteen from the exile to the Christ.

The Birth of Jesus

(Isaiah 7:10–16, Luke 2:1–7)

This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about His mother Mary was pledged in marriage to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through [the] Holy Spirit. 19 Because Joseph her husband was a righteous man and vvv was unwilling vvv to disgrace her publicly, he resolved to divorce her quietly.

But after he had pondered these things, an angel of [the] Lord appeared to him in a dream [and] said,“Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to embrace Mary [as] your wife, for the [One] conceived in her is from [the] Holy Spirit. 21 She will give birth to a Son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus,[fn] because He will save His people from their sins.”

All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet

“Behold, the virgin will be with child

and will give birth to a son,

and they will call Him Immanuel”[fn]

( which means“God with us”[fn]).

When Joseph woke up he did as the angel of [the] Lord had commanded him and embraced [Mary as] his wife. 25 [But] he had no union with her[fn] until she gave birth to her firstborn Son.[fn] And he gave Him the name Jesus. 2 

The Pilgrimage of the Magi

(Micah 5:1–6)

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during [the] time of King Herod, Magi from [the] east arrived in Jerusalem, 2 asking,“Where is the [One who] has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east[fn] and have come to worship Him.”

When Herod the king[fn] heard [this], he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 And when he had assembled all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he asked them where the Christ was to be born.

“In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied“for this is what the prophet has written:

‘[But] you, Bethlehem, [in the] land of Judah,

are by no means least among the rulers of Judah,

for out of you will come a ruler

who will be the shepherd of My people Israel.’[fn]”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly [and] learned from them the {exact} time the star had appeared. 8 And sending them to Bethlehem, he said:“Go [and] search carefully for the Child, and when you find [Him], report to me, so that I too may go [and] worship Him.”

After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until vvv it stood over the place where the Child was. 10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced vvv vvv with great delight. 11 [On] coming to the house, they saw[fn] the Child with His mother Mary, and they fell down [and] worshiped Him. Then they opened their treasures [and] presented Him with gifts [of] gold and frankincense and myrrh.

And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they withdrew to their country by another route.

The Flight to Egypt

(Hosea 11:1–7)

When [the Magi] had gone, an angel of [the] Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream.“Get up!” he said.“Take the Child and His mother and flee to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the Child to kill Him.”

So he got up, took the Child and His mother by night, and withdrew to Egypt, 15 where he stayed until the death of Herod. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet“Out of Egypt I called My Son.”[fn]

Weeping and Great Mourning

(Jeremiah 31:1–25)

When Herod saw that he had been outwitted by the Magi, vvv he was filled with rage. Sending orders, he put to death all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity [who were] two years old and under, according to the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was spoken through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

“A voice is heard in Ramah,

lamentation and[fn] weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping [for] her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more.”[fn]

The Return to Nazareth

(Luke 2:39–40)

After Herod died, an angel of [the] Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt. 20 “Get up!” he said.“Take the Child and His mother and go to [the] land of Israel, for those seeking the vvv Child’s life are now dead.”

So [Joseph] got up, took the Child and His mother, and went to [the] land of Israel. 22 But when he learned that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. And having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23 and he went [and] lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophets:“He will be called a Nazarene.” 3 

The Mission of John the Baptist

(Isaiah 40:1–5, Mark 1:1–8, Luke 3:1–20, John 1:19–28)

In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying,“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah

“[A] voice of one calling in the wilderness,

‘Prepare the way for [the] Lord,

make straight paths for Him.’ ”[fn]

John wore a garment of camel’s hair and [a] leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 [People] went out to him [from] Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region around the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan.[fn]

But when [John] saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his [place of] baptism, he said to them,“[You] brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit,[fn] then, in keeping with repentance. 9 And {do} not presume to say to yourselves,‘We have Abraham [as our] father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The axe vvv vvv lies ready at the root of the trees, and every tree vvv that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into [the] fire.

I baptize you with water[fn] for repentance, but after me will come [One] more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with [the] Holy Spirit.[fn] 12 His winnowing fork [is] in His hand, and He will clear His threshing floor and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

The Baptism of Jesus

(Mark 1:9–11, Luke 3:21–22, John 1:29–34)

At that time Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by [John]. 14 But John tried to prevent Him, saying,“I vvv need to be baptized by You, and {do} You come to me?”

“Let [it] be so now,” Jesus replied“It is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness in this way.” Then [John] permitted Him.

As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up out of the water. Suddenly the heavens were opened to Him,[fn] and He saw[fn] the Spirit of God descending like a dove and resting on Him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased!” 4 

The Temptation of Jesus

(Mark 1:12–13, Luke 4:1–13)

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 vvv After fasting forty days and forty nights, He was hungry.

The tempter came to Him [and] said,[fn]“If You are [the] Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”

But [Jesus] answered“It is written:

‘Man shall not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes from [the] mouth of God.’[fn]”

Then the devil took Him to the holy city and set Him on the pinnacle of the temple. 6 “If You are [the] Son of God,” he said“throw Yourself down. For it is written:

‘He will command His angels concerning You,

and vvv they will lift You up in [their] hands,

vvv so that You will not strike Your foot

against a stone.’[fn]”

Jesus replied vvv“It is also written:‘Do not put [the] Lord your God {to the test}.’[fn]”

Again, the devil took Him to a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. 9 “All this I will give You,” he said“if You will fall down [and] worship me.”

“Get behind Me,[fn] Satan!” Jesus told him“For it is written:‘Worship [the] Lord your God and serve Him only.’[fn]”

Then the devil left Him, and angels came and ministered to Him.

Jesus Begins His Ministry

(Isaiah 9:1–7, Mark 1:14–15, Luke 4:14–15)

When Jesus heard that John had been imprisoned, He withdrew to Galilee. 13 Leaving Nazareth, He went [and] lived in Capernaum, which [is] by the sea in [the] region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah

“Land of Zebulun

and land of Naphtali,

[the] Way of [the] Sea, beyond the Jordan,

Galilee of the Gentiles —

the people living in darkness

have seen [a] great light;

on those living in [the] land [of the] shadow of death,

a light has dawned

From that time [on] Jesus began to preach“Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.”

The First Disciples

(Mark 1:16–20, Luke 5:1–11, John 1:35–42)

As [Jesus] was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 19 “Come, follow Me,” [Jesus] said“and I will make you fishers of men.” 20 And at once they left [their] nets [and] followed Him.

Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James [son] of Zebedee and his brother John. [They were] in a boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets. [Jesus] called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father [and] followed Him.

Jesus Heals the Multitudes

(Mark 3:7–12, Luke 6:17–19)

Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about Him spread all over Syria, and [people] brought to Him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering acute pain, [the] demon-possessed, [those] having seizures, and [the] paralyzed, and He healed them.

Large crowds followed Him, [having come] from Galilee, [the] Decapolis,[fn] Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. 5 

The Sermon on the Mount

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain and sat down. His disciples came to Him, 2 and He began to teach them, saying:

The Beatitudes

(Psalm 1:1–6, Luke 6:20–23)

“Blessed [are] the poor in spirit,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed [are] those who mourn,

for they will be comforted.

Blessed [are] the meek,

for they will inherit the earth.[fn]

Blessed [are] those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,

for they will be filled.

Blessed [are] the merciful,

for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed [are] the pure in heart,

for they will see God.

Blessed [are] the peacemakers,

for they will be called sons of God.

Blessed [are] those who are persecuted because of righteousness,

for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are you when [people] insult you, persecute [you], and falsely say every evil thing[fn] against you because of Me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great [is] your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you.

Salt and Light

(Mark 9:49–50, Luke 14:34–35, Philippians 2:12–18)

You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its savor, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for [anything], except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill[fn] cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do [people] light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, [they set it] on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, {let} your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Fulfillment of the Law

{Do} not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I have not come to abolish [them], but to fulfill [them]. 18 For I tell you truly, until heaven and earth pass away, not a single jot, not a stroke of a pen, will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.

vvv So then, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever practices and teaches [them] will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds [that] of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Anger and Reconciliation

(Luke 12:57–59)

You have heard that it was said to the ancients,‘Do not murder and‘Anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ 22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother without cause[fn] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother,‘Raca,’[fn] will be subject to the Sanhedrin.[fn] But anyone who says,‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.[fn]

So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar. First go [and] be reconciled to your brother; then come [and] offer your gift.

vvv Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way [to court]. Otherwise, [he] may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you {over} to the officer,[fn] and you may be thrown into prison. 26 Truly I tell you, vvv vvv you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.[fn]

Adultery

(Leviticus 18:1–30)

You have heard that it was said,[fn]‘Do not commit adultery 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her {has} already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin gouge it out and throw [it] away It is better for you to lose one vvv vvv part of your body [than for] your whole body to be thrown into hell.[fn] 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin cut it off and throw [it] away It is better for you to lose one vvv vvv part of your body [than for] your whole body to be cast[fn] into hell.

Divorce

(Deuteronomy 24:1–5, Luke 16:18)

It has also been said‘Whoever divorces his wife must give her a certificate of divorce.’[fn] 32 But I tell you that whoever[fn] divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, brings adultery upon her.[fn] And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.

Oaths and Vows

(Numbers 30:1–16)

Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients,‘Do not break your oath but fulfill your vows to the Lord.’[fn] 34 But I tell you not to swear at all: [either] by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 [or] by the earth, for it is His footstool [or] by Jerusalem, for it is [the] city of the great King. 36 Nor should you swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 Simply let your‘Yes’ [be] ‘Yes,’ [and your] ‘No,’‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil [one].[fn]

Love Your Enemies

(Leviticus 24:17–23, Luke 6:27–36)

You have heard that it was said,‘Eye for eye and tooth for tooth.’[fn] 39 But I tell you not to resist an evil [person]. [If] someone slaps you on the[fn] right cheek, turn to him the other also; 40 if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have [your] cloak as well; 41 and if someone forces you to go one mile,[fn] go with him two [miles].[fn] 42 Give to the [one] who asks you, and do not turn away from the [one] who wants to borrow from you.

You have heard that it was said,‘Love your neighbor’[fn] and‘Hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,[fn] 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun {to rise} on [the] evil and [the] good, and sends rain on [the] righteous and [the] unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Do not even tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your friends,[fn] what are you doing more than others? Do not even the tax collectors[fn] do the same?

Be perfect, therefore, as your Father in heaven[fn] is perfect.[’’] 6 

Giving to the Needy

(Deuteronomy 15:7–11)

[“] Be careful not to perform your acts of charity[fn] before men vvv vvv to be seen by them. If [you do] you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

So when you give to the needy do not sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 3 But [when] you give to the needy {do} not {let} your left [hand] know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees vvv what is done in secret, {will} Himself reward you vvv vvv openly.[fn]

The Lord’s Prayer

(Luke 11:1–4)

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners vvv to be seen by men. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, [and] pray to your Father, who [is] vvv vvv unseen. And your Father, who sees vvv what is done in secret, will reward you vvv vvv openly.[fn]

And [when] you pray, do not babble on like pagans, for they think that by their many words they will be heard. 8 [Do] not be like them, for your Father[fn] knows what you need before you ask Him.

So then, this is how you should pray:

‘Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be Your name.

Your kingdom come,

Your will be done,

on earth as [it is] in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts,

as we also forgive[fn] our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil [one].[fn]

For Yours is the kingdom and the power

and the glory vvv vvv forever. Amen.[fn]’

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses,[fn] neither {will} your Father forgive yours

Proper Fasting

When you fast, [do] not be somber like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces vvv to show men they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they already have their full reward. 17 But [when] you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so that [your] fasting will not be obvious to men, but only to your Father, who [is] vvv vvv unseen. And your Father, who sees vvv what is done in secret, will reward you.[fn]

Treasures in Heaven

(Luke 12:32–34)

[Do] not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust[fn] destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth [and] rust vvv do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in [and] steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The Lamp of the Body

(Luke 11:33–36)

The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good,[fn] your whole body will be full of light. 23 But if your eyes are bad,[fn] your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great [is] that darkness!

No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to [the] one and despise the other. You cannot serve [both] God and money.

Do Not Worry

(Luke 12:22–31)

Therefore I tell you, [do] not worry about your life, what you will eat and[fn] drink; or [about] your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body [more] than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow [or] reap [or] gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. {Are} you not much more valuable than they? 27 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?[fn]

And why do you worry about clothes? Consider how the lilies of the field grow: [They do] not labor [or] spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his glory was adorned like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is [here] today and tomorrow [is] thrown into the furnace, [will He] not much more [clothe] you, O [you] of little faith?

Therefore [do] not worry, saying,‘What shall we eat?’ or‘What shall we drink?’ or‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, [and] your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God[fn] and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.

Therefore [do] not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about the things of itself.[fn] vvv Today [has] enough trouble of its own.[’’] 7 

Judging Others

(Luke 6:37–42, Romans 14:1–12)

[“] [Do] not judge, or you will be judged. 2 For with the same judgment you pronounce, you will be judged, and with the measure you [use], it will be measured[fn] to you.

Why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice [the] beam in your [own] eye? 4 How can you say to your brother,‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ while [there is still] a beam in your [own] eye? 5 You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

{Do} not give dogs what is holy; {do} not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn [and] tear you to pieces

Ask, Seek, Knock

(Luke 11:5–13)

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and [the door] will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, [the door] will be opened.

Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10 And[fn] if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more {will} your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

In everything then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is [the essence of] the Law and the Prophets.

The Narrow Gate

(Luke 13:22–30)

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide [is] the gate[fn] and broad [is] the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14 But small[fn] [is] the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it.

A Tree and Its Fruit

(Luke 6:43–45)

Beware of false prophets. [They] come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. 18 [A] good tree cannot bear bad fruit, [and a] bad tree cannot bear good fruit. 19 Every tree[fn] vvv that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into [the] fire. 20 So then, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Not everyone who says to Me,‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me on that day,‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and [in] Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’

Then I will tell them plainly‘I never knew you; depart from Me, [you] workers of lawlessness!’

The House on the Rock

(Luke 6:46–49)

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them I will liken to[fn] [a] wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because its foundation was on the rock.

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and vvv does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell— and great was its collapse!”

The Authority of Jesus

vvv When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, 29 because He taught as [one] who had authority, and not as the scribes.[fn] 8 

The Leper’s Prayer

(Leviticus 14:1–32, Mark 1:40–45, Luke 5:12–16)

When [Jesus] came down from the mountain, large crowds followed Him. 2 Suddenly a leper[fn] came [and] knelt before Him, saying,“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean

Jesus reached out [His] hand [and] touched [the man].“I am willing,” He said.“Be clean!” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Then Jesus instructed him,“See that you don’t tell anyone But go, show yourself to the priest and offer the gift prescribed by Moses, as a testimony to them.”[fn]

The Faith of the Centurion

(Luke 7:1–10, John 4:43–54)

When [Jesus] had entered Capernaum, a centurion came [and] pleaded with Him, 6 “Lord, my servant[fn] lies at home, paralyzed [and] in terrible agony.”

“I will go [and] heal him,” Jesus replied

The centurion vvv answered“Lord, I am not worthy to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under[fn] authority, with soldiers under me. I tell [one] to go, and he goes, and another to come, and he comes. [I tell] my servant to do something, and he does [it].”

When Jesus heard [this], He marveled and said to those following [Him],“Truly I tell you, I have not found even in Israel such great faith.[fn] 11 I say to you that many will come from [the] east and [the] west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Then Jesus said to the centurion,“Go! As you have believed, [so] will it be done for you.” And his[fn] servant was healed at that very hour.

Jesus Heals at Peter’s House

(Mark 1:29–34, Luke 4:38–41)

When Jesus arrived at Peter’s house, He saw [Peter’s] mother-in-law sick in bed vvv with a fever. 15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve Him.[fn]

When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to [Jesus], and He drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the vvv sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah

“He took up our infirmities

and carried our diseases.”[fn]

The Cost of Discipleship

(Luke 9:57–62, Luke 14:25–33, John 6:59–66)

[When] Jesus saw large crowds[fn] around Him, He gave orders to cross to the other side [of the sea].[fn] 19 And one of the scribes came to Him [and] said,“Teacher, I will follow You wherever You go.”

Jesus replied“Foxes have dens and birds of the air [have] nests, but [the] Son of Man has no [place] to lay [His] head.”

Another of His disciples[fn] requested“Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him,“Follow Me, and let the dead bury their own dead.”

Jesus Calms the Storm

(Psalm 107:1–43, Mark 4:35–41, Luke 8:22–25)

[When] He got into the boat, His disciples followed Him. 24 Suddenly a violent storm came up on the sea, so that the boat was engulfed by the waves. But [Jesus] was sleeping. 25 Then the disciples went[fn] [and] woke Him, saying,“Lord, save us! We are perishing!”

“[You] of little faith,” [Jesus] replied“why are you so afraid?” Then He got up [and] rebuked the winds and the sea, and it was perfectly calm.

[The] men were amazed [and] asked,“What kind [of man] is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!”

The Demons and the Pigs

(Mark 5:1–20, Luke 8:26–39)

When [Jesus] arrived on the other side in the region of the Gergesenes,[fn] He was met by two demon-possessed [men] coming from the tombs. [They were] so violent that no one could pass that way.

“What do You [want] with us, Jesus,[fn] Son of God?” they shouted“Have You come here to torture us before [the] appointed time?”

In the distance a large herd of pigs was feeding. 31 So the demons begged [Jesus]“If You drive us out permit us to go off into[fn] the herd of pigs.”

“Go!” He told them. So they came out and went into the herd of pigs,[fn] and the whole herd of pigs[fn] rushed down the steep bank into the sea and died in the waters.

Those tending [the pigs] ran off into the town [and] reported all this, including the [account] of the demon-possessed [men]. 34 Then the whole town went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged [Him] to leave their region. 9 

Jesus Heals a Paralytic

(Mark 2:1–12, Luke 5:17–26)

[Jesus] got into a boat, crossed over, and came to [His] own town. 2 Just then [some men] brought[fn] to Him a paralytic lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic,“Take courage, son; your sins are forgiven you.[fn]”

On seeing this some of the scribes said to themselves,“This [man] is blaspheming!”

But Jesus knew[fn] what they were thinking [and] said,“Why {do} you harbor evil in your hearts? 5 Which is easier: to say,‘Your sins are forgiven,[fn]’ or to say,‘Get up and walk’? 6 But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins...” Then He said to the paralytic,“Get up, pick up your mat, and go vvv vvv vvv home.” 7 And [the man] got up and went vvv vvv vvv home.

When the crowds saw this, they marveled[fn] and glorified God, who had given such authority to men.

Jesus Calls Matthew

(Mark 2:13–17, Luke 5:27–32)

As Jesus went on from there, He saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax booth.“Follow Me,” He told him, and [Matthew] got up [and] followed Him.

Later, as [Jesus] was dining at [Matthew’s] house, many tax collectors and sinners came [and] ate with [Him] and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked His disciples,“Why {does} your Teacher eat[fn] with tax collectors and sinners?”

[On] hearing this, Jesus said to them,[fn]“[It is] not the healthy [who] need a doctor, but the vvv sick. 13 But go [and] learn what this means:‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’[fn] For I have not come to call [the] righteous, but sinners, to repentance.[fn]”

Questions about Fasting

(Mark 2:18–20, Luke 5:33–35)

Then John’s disciples came to [Jesus] [and] asked,“Why is it that we and the Pharisees fast so often,[fn] but Your disciples {do} not fast?”

Jesus replied“How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn vvv while [He] is with them? But [the] time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

The Patches and the Wineskins

(Mark 2:21–22, Luke 5:36–39)

No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. For the patch will pull away from the garment, and a worse tear will result.

Neither do [men] pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do the skins will burst, the wine will spill, and the wineskins will be ruined. Instead, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

The Healing Touch of Jesus

(Mark 5:21–43, Luke 8:40–56)

While [Jesus] was saying these things a synagogue leader came [and] knelt before Him.“My daughter vvv has just died,” he said“But come [and] place Your hand on her, and she will live.”

So Jesus got up [and] went with him, along with His disciples. 20 Suddenly a woman who had suffered from bleeding [for] twelve years came up behind [Him] [and] touched the fringe of His cloak. 21 She said to herself,“If only I touch His cloak, I will be healed.”

Jesus turned around[fn] and saw her.“Take courage, daughter,” He said,“your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed from that very hour.

When Jesus entered the house of the synagogue leader, He saw the flute players and the noisy crowd. 24 “Go away,” He told them. The girl is not dead but asleep.” And they laughed at Him.

After the crowd had been put outside, [Jesus] went in [and] took [the girl] by the hand, and [she] got up. 26 And the news about this spread throughout that region.

Jesus Heals the Blind and Mute

(Mark 7:31–37)

As Jesus went on from there, two blind [men] followed Him, crying out“Have mercy on us, Son of David!”

After [Jesus] had entered the house, the blind [men] came to Him.“Do you believe that I am able to do this?” [He] asked

“Yes, Lord,” they answered

Then He touched their eyes [and] said,“According to your faith will it be done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. Jesus warned them sternly“See that no one finds out about this!” 31 But they went out and spread the news about Him throughout the land.

As they were leaving, a demon-possessed man who was mute was brought to [Jesus]. 33 And when the demon had been driven out, the [man] began to speak. The crowds were amazed [and] said,“Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel!”

But the Pharisees said,“[It is] by the prince of demons [that] He drives out demons.”

The Lord of the Harvest

(Luke 10:1–12)

Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people.[fn] 36 When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed[fn] and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Then He said to His disciples,“The harvest [is] plentiful, but the workers [are] few. 38 Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.” 10 

The Twelve Apostles

(Mark 3:13–19, Luke 6:12–16)

And calling His twelve disciples {to Him}, [Jesus] gave them authority over unclean spirits, so that they could drive them out and heal every disease and sickness.

These are the names of the twelve apostles: first Simon, called Peter, and his brother Andrew; James [son] of Zebedee, and his brother John; 3 Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James [son] of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus called Thaddaeus;[fn] 4 Simon the Zealot,[fn] and Judas Iscariot, [who] betrayed [Jesus].[fn]

The Ministry of the Twelve

(Mark 6:7–13, Luke 9:1–6)

These twelve Jesus sent out with [the following] instructions:“Do not go onto the road of the Gentiles [or] enter any town of [the] Samaritans. 6 Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. 7 As you go, preach this message: The kingdom of heaven is near.’ 8 Heal the sick,[fn] cleanse [the] lepers,[fn] drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.

{Do} not take along [any] gold or silver or copper in your belts. 10 [Take] no bag for [the] road, or second tunic, or sandals, or staffs;[fn] for the worker [is] worthy of his provisions.

Whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy there [and] stay [at his house][fn] until you move on. 12 As you enter the home, greet its [occupants].[fn] 13 If the home is worthy, {let} your peace rest on it, but if it is not {let} your peace return to you. 14 And if anyone vvv vvv will not welcome you or heed your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town. 15 Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on [the] day of judgment than for that town.

Sheep among Wolves

(2 Timothy 1:3–12)

Behold, I am sending you out like sheep among wolves; therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will hand you over to [their] councils and flog you in their synagogues. 18 On My account you will be brought before governors and kings as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. 19 But when they hand you over [do] not worry about how [to respond] or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say. 20 For it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father [his] child; children will rise against [their] parents and have them put to death 22 You will be hated by everyone because of My name, but the [one who] perseveres to [the] end will be saved.

When they persecute you in one town, flee to another.[fn] Truly I tell you, you will not reach [all] the towns of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

A disciple is not above [his] teacher, nor a servant above his master. 25 [It is] enough for a disciple to be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If the head of the house has been called Beelzebul,[fn] how much more the members of his household!

Fear God Alone

(Luke 12:4–7)

So do not be afraid of them. For there is nothing concealed that vvv will not be disclosed, and [nothing] hidden that will not be made known 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in [your] ear, proclaim from the housetops.

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. vvv Instead, fear the [One who] can destroy both soul and body in hell.[fn]

{Are} not two sparrows sold for a penny?[fn] Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So do not be afraid you are worth more than many sparrows.

Confessing Christ

(Luke 12:8–12)

Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, vvv I will also confess him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I {will} also deny him before My Father in heaven.

Not Peace but a Sword

(Micah 7:1–6, Luke 12:49–53)

{Do} not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn

‘a man against his father,

a daughter against her mother,

a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.

vvv A man’s enemies [will be] the [members]

of his own household.’[fn]

Anyone who loves [his] father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves [his] son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me; 38 and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

The Reward of Service

(2 Kings 4:8–17)

He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives the [One who] sent Me. 41 Whoever receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever receives a righteous [man] because he is a righteous [man] will receive a righteous [man’s] reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold [water] to one of these little ones [because he is My] disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward.” 11 

John’s Inquiry

(Luke 7:18–23)

After Jesus had finished instructing His twelve disciples, He went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.[fn]

Meanwhile John heard in prison [about] the works of Christ, [and] he sent two of his disciples[fn] 3 to ask Him,“Are You the [One who] was to come, or should we look for someone else?”

Jesus replied“Go [back] [and] report to John what you hear and see: 5 [The] blind receive sight, [the] lame walk, [the] lepers[fn] are cleansed, [the] deaf hear, [the] dead are raised, and the good news is preached [to the] poor. 6 Blessed is the [one who] does not fall away on account of Me.[fn]”

Jesus Testifies about John

(Malachi 3:1–5, Luke 7:24–35)

As [John’s disciples] were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John:“What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed swaying in [the] wind? 8 Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine [clothing] are found in kings’ palaces. 9 What then did you go out to see? A prophet?[fn] Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this[fn] is [the one] about whom it is written:

‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You

who will prepare Your way before You.’[fn]

Truly I tell you, among [those] born of women there has risen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence,[fn] and [the] violent lay claim to it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept [it], he is [the] Elijah who was to come.[fn]

He who has ears to hear,[fn] let him hear.

To what can I compare this generation? They are like children[fn] sitting in the marketplaces[fn] and calling out to one another:[fn]

We played the flute for you,

and vvv you did not dance;

we sang a dirge for you,[fn]

and vvv you did not mourn.’

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say,‘He has a demon!’ 19 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say,‘Look [at this] glutton and drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is vindicated by her children.[fn]”

Woe to the Unrepentant

(Luke 10:13–16)

Then [Jesus] began to denounce the cities in which most of His miracles had been performed, because vvv they did not repent. 21 “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles [that] were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in[fn] sackcloth and ashes. 22 But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on [the] day of judgment than for you.

And you, Capernaum, which is lifted up to heaven, will be brought down to Hades![fn] For if the miracles [that] were performed in you had been performed in Sodom, vvv it would have remained to this day. 24 But I tell you that it will be more bearable for Sodom on [the] day of judgment than for you.”

Rest for the Weary

(Luke 10:21–24)

At that time Jesus vvv declared,“I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from [the] wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was well-pleasing in Your sight

All things have been entrusted to Me by My Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, [and] [no one] knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal [Him].

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I vvv will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble [in] heart, and you will find rest [for] your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” 12 

The Lord of the Sabbath

(1 Samuel 21:1–7, Mark 2:23–28, Luke 6:1–5)

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick [the] heads of grain and eat [them]. 2 [When] [the] Pharisees saw [this], they said to Him,“Look, Your disciples are doing what vvv is unlawful on [the] Sabbath.”

[Jesus] replied“vvv Have you not read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? 4 He entered the house of God, and [he and his companions] ate the consecrated bread which was not lawful for [them] to eat, but only for the priests.

Or vvv haven’t you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple break the Sabbath and yet are innocent? 6 But I tell you that One greater than the temple is here.

If only you had known vvv the meaning of‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’[fn] vvv vvv you would not have condemned the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of the[fn] Sabbath.”

Jesus Heals on the Sabbath

(Mark 3:1–6, Luke 6:6–11)

Moving on from there, [Jesus] entered their synagogue, 10 and a man with a withered hand was there. In order to accuse [Jesus], they asked Him vvv“Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”

He replied“If vvv one of you has a sheep and it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, vvv will he not take hold of it and lift [it] out? 12 How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath.”

Then [Jesus] said to [the] man,“Stretch out your hand.” So he stretched [it] out, and it was restored to full use, just like the other. 14 But the Pharisees went out [and] plotted how they might kill [Jesus].

God’s Chosen Servant

(Isaiah 42:1–9)

Aware of this Jesus withdrew from that place. Large crowds followed[fn] Him, and He healed them all, 16 warning them not to make Him known. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah

“Here is My Servant,

whom I have chosen,

My beloved,

in whom My soul delights.

I will put My Spirit on Him,

and He will proclaim justice to the nations.

vvv He will not quarrel or cry out;

no one will hear His voice in the streets.

A bruised reed vvv He will not break,

and a smoldering wick vvv He will not extinguish,

till He leads justice to victory.

In His name [the] nations will put their hope.”[fn]

A House Divided

(Mark 3:20–27, Luke 11:14–23)

Then a demon-possessed man [who was] blind and mute was brought to [Jesus], and He healed [the man] so that the blind and mute [man][fn] {could} both speak and see. 23 The crowds vvv were astounded and asked,“Could this be the Son[fn] of David?”

But when [the] Pharisees heard this, they said,“Only by Beelzebul,[fn] [the] prince of demons, {does} this [man] vvv drive out demons.”

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said to them,“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself vvv will not stand. 26 If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then {can} his kingdom stand? 27 And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom {do}[fn] your sons drive them out? So then they will be your judges. 28 But if I drive out demons by [the] Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.

Or [again], how can anyone enter a strong [man’s] house and steal his possessions, unless {he} first ties up the strong [man]? Then he can plunder[fn] his house.

He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who {does} not gather with Me scatters.

The Unpardonable Sin

(Mark 3:28–30)

Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against [the] Spirit {will} not be forgiven men.[fn] 32 vvv Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven but vvv whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit vvv will not be forgiven [either] in the present[fn] age [or] in the [one] to come.

Good and Bad Fruit

(Luke 6:43–45)

Make a tree good and its fruit [will be] good, or make a tree bad and its fruit [will be] bad, for a tree is known by [its] fruit. 34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. 35 The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure,[fn] and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. 36 But I tell you that men will give an account on [the] day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

The Sign of Jonah

(Jonah 3:1–10, Luke 11:29–32)

Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said“Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.”

[Jesus] replied“A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, [but] none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. 40 For as Jonah[fn] was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now [One] greater than Jonah is here. 42 The Queen of [the] South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now [One] greater than Solomon is here.

An Unclean Spirit Returns

(Luke 11:24–26)

When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and vvv does not find [it]. 44 Then it says,‘I will return to the house vvv I left.’ On its return, it finds [the house] vacant, swept clean, and put in order. 45 Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in [and] dwell there. And the final [plight] of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers

(Mark 3:31–35, Luke 8:19–21)

While [Jesus] was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to Him. 47 Someone told Him,“Look, Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to You.”[fn]

But vvv [Jesus] replied“Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” 49 Pointing to His disciples, He said,“Here are My mother and My brothers. 50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.” 13 

The Parable of the Sower

(Mark 4:1–9, Luke 8:4–8)

That [same] day Jesus went out of the house [and] sat by the sea. 2 [Such] large crowds gathered around Him that He got into the boat[fn] [and] sat down, while all the people stood on the shore.

And He told them many things in parables, saying, vvv“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 And as he was sowing, some [seed] fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured it.

Some fell on rocky ground, where vvv it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly because the soil was vvv shallow. 6 But [when the] sun rose, [the seedlings] were scorched, and they withered because they had no root.

Other [seed] fell among thorns, vvv vvv [which] grew up and choked [the seedlings].

Still other [seed] fell on good soil and produced a crop — a hundredfold, sixtyfold, [or] thirtyfold.

He who has ears to hear,[fn] let him hear.”

The Purpose of Jesus’ Parables

(Isaiah 6:1–13, Mark 4:10–12, Luke 8:9–10)

Then the disciples came to [Jesus] [and] asked“Why do You speak to [the people] in parables?”

He replied“The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them 12 Whoever has will be given [more], and he will have an abundance. Whoever [does] not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. 13 This is why I speak to them in parables:

‘Though seeing, vvv they do not see;

[though] hearing, vvv they do not hear [or] understand.’[fn]

In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.

For this people’s heart has grown callous;

they hardly hear with [their] ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with [their] eyes,

hear with [their] ears,

understand with [their] hearts,

and turn, and I would heal them.’[fn]

But blessed [are] your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous [men] longed to see what you see [but] vvv did not see [it], and to hear what you hear [but] vvv did not hear [it].

The Parable of the Sower Explained

(Mark 4:13–20, Luke 8:11–15)

vvv Consider, then, the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but {does} not understand [it], the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the [seed] sown[fn] along the path.

The [seed] sown on rocky ground is the [one who] hears the word and at once receives[fn] it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he remains for only a season. [When] trouble or persecution comes because of the word, vvv he quickly falls away.

The [seed] sown among the thorns is the [one who] hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

But the [seed] sown on good soil is the [one who] hears the word [and] understands [it]. [He] indeed bears fruit and produces a crop — a hundredfold, sixtyfold, or thirtyfold.”

The Parable of the Weeds

(Ezekiel 17:1–10)

[Jesus] put before them another parable“The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while vvv everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared.

The vvv owner’s servants came to him [and] said,‘Sir, vvv didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did [the] weeds {come from}?’

‘An enemy did this,’ he replied

[So] [the] servants asked him, Do you want us to go [and] pull them up

‘No he said,‘if you pull the weeds [now], you might uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned then gather [the] wheat into my barn.’ ”

The Parable of the Mustard Seed

(Mark 4:30–34, Luke 13:18–19)

He put before them another parable“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed that a man took [and] planted in his field. 32 Although it is [the] smallest of all seeds, yet it grows into the largest of garden plants[fn] and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches.”

The Parable of the Leaven

(Luke 13:20–21)

He told them still another parable:“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven that a woman took [and] mixed into three measures of flour, until all of it was leavened.”

I Will Open My Mouth in Parables

(Psalm 78:1–72)

Jesus spoke all these things to the crowds in parables. He did not tell them anything without using a parable. 35 So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet

“I will open My mouth in parables;

I will utter things hidden since [the] foundation [of the] world.”[fn]

The Parable of the Weeds Explained

(Zephaniah 1:1–6)

Then [Jesus] dismissed the crowds [and] went into the[fn] house. His disciples came to Him [and] said,“Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field.”

He replied“The [One] who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. 38 [The] field is the world, and [the] good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. [The] weeds are the sons of the evil [one], 39 and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is [the] end of the age, and [the] harvesters are angels.

vvv As the weeds are collected and burned in the fire, so will it be at the end of this age.[fn] 41 The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will weed out of His kingdom every cause of sin and all who practice lawlessness. 42 And they will throw them into the vvv fiery furnace, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father.[fn]

He who has ears to hear, let him hear.

The Parables of the Treasure and the Pearl

Again,[fn] the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. [When a] man found [it], he hid [it again], and in [his] joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field.

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like vvv a merchant in search of fine pearls. 46 When he found one very precious pearl, he went away [and] sold all he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds [of fish]. 48 When it was full, [the men] pulled [it] vvv vvv ashore. Then they sat down [and] sorted the good [fish] into containers, but threw the bad away.

So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous 50 and throw them into the vvv fiery furnace, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Have you understood all these things?” Jesus asked them.[fn]

“Yes, Lord,[fn]” they answered.

Then He told them,“For this reason every scribe who has been discipled in the kingdom of heaven is like vvv a homeowner who brings out of his storeroom new [treasures] as well as old.”

The Rejection at Nazareth

(Mark 6:1–6, Luke 4:16–30)

When Jesus had finished these parables, He withdrew from that place. 54 Coming to His hometown He taught [the people] in their synagogue, and they were astonished.“Where did this man get such wisdom and miraculous powers?” they asked. 55 “Isn’t this the vvv carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother’s name Mary, and [aren’t] His brothers James, Joses,[fn] Simon, and Judas? 56 Aren’t all His sisters with us as well? Where then [did] this [man] [get] all these things?” 57 And they took offense at Him.

But Jesus said to them,“Only in [his] hometown and in his own household is a prophet vvv without honor.” 58 And vvv He did not do many miracles there, because of their unbelief. 14 

The Beheading of John

(Mark 6:14–29, Luke 9:7–9)

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the reports about Jesus 2 and said to his servants,“This is John the Baptist; he has risen from the dead! That is why miraculous powers are at work in him.”

[Now] Herod had arrested John [and] bound him and put [him] in prison on account of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, 4 because John had been telling him,“vvv It is not lawful for you to have her.” 5 Although [Herod] wanted to kill [John], he was afraid of the people, because they regarded [John] as a prophet.

When Herod’s birthday was being celebrated,[fn] however, the daughter of Herodias danced before them and pleased Herod 7 so much that he promised with an oath to give to her whatever she asked.

Prompted by her mother, she said,“Give me here on a platter the head of John the Baptist.”

The king was grieved, but because of [his] oaths and vvv his guests, he ordered that [her wish] be granted 10 and sent {to have} John beheaded in the prison.

[John’s] head was brought in on a platter and presented to the girl, [who] carried [it] to her mother.

Then [John’s] disciples came [and] took [his] body and buried it. And they went [and] informed Jesus.

The Feeding of the Five Thousand

(Mark 6:30–44, Luke 9:10–17, John 6:1–15)

When Jesus heard [about John], He withdrew by boat vvv privately to a solitary place. But the crowds found out [about it] [and] followed Him on foot from the towns. 14 When Jesus[fn] stepped ashore [and] saw a large crowd, He had compassion on them and healed their sick.

When evening came, His disciples[fn] came to Him [and] said,“This is a desolate place, and the hour is already late. Dismiss the crowds so they can go to the villages [and] buy themselves some food.”

“They do not need to go away,” Jesus replied“You give them [something] to eat.”

We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered

“Bring them here to Me,” [Jesus] said. 19 And He directed the crowds to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish [and] looking up to heaven, He spoke a blessing. Then He broke the loaves [and] gave [them] to the disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the people.

vvv They all ate and were satisfied, and [the disciples] picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. 21 About five thousand men were vvv fed, besides women and children.

Jesus Walks on Water

(Mark 6:45–52, John 6:16–21)

vvv Immediately Jesus made the disciples[fn] get into the boat and go on ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After He had dismissed [them] He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, 24 but the boat was already in the middle of the sea,[fn] buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.

vvv During the fourth watch of the night,[fn] Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified.“It’s a ghost!” they said and cried out in fear.

But Jesus spoke up at once“Take courage! It is I. [Do] not be afraid.”

“Lord, if [it] is You,” Peter replied“command me to come to You on the water.”

“Come vvv vvv,” said [Jesus].

Then Peter got down out of the boat [and] walked on the water to go toward Jesus.[fn] 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind,[fn] he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out“Lord, save me!”

Immediately Jesus reached out [His] hand [and] took hold of [Peter].“[You] of little faith,” He said“why did you doubt?”

And when they had climbed back into the boat, the wind died down. 33 Then those who [were] in the boat came [and] worshiped[fn] Him, saying,“Truly You are the Son of God!”

Jesus Heals at Gennesaret

(Mark 6:53–56)

When they had crossed over, they came to the land of Gennesaret.[fn] 35 And when the men of that place recognized [Jesus], they sent word to all the surrounding region. [People] brought all the sick to Him 36 and begged Him just to let them touch the fringe of His cloak. And all who touched [Him] were healed. 15 

The Tradition of the Elders

(Mark 7:1–13)

Then [some] scribes and Pharisees[fn] came to Jesus from Jerusalem [and] asked, 2 “Why {do} Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? vvv They do not wash their hands before they eat

[Jesus] replied“And why {do} you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? 4 For God commanded, saying,[fn]‘Honor [your] father and mother’[fn] and‘Anyone who curses [his] father or mother vvv must be put to death.’[fn] 5 But you say that if anyone says to [his] father or mother,‘Whatever vvv you would have received from me is a gift devoted [to God],’ 6 then[fn] vvv vvv he need not honor his father or mother [with it].[fn] Thus you nullify the commandment[fn] of God for the sake of your tradition. 7 You hypocrites! Isaiah prophesied correctly about you

‘These people draw near to Me with their mouths,

and {they}[fn] honor Me with [their] lips,

but their hearts are far from Me.

They worship Me in vain;

they teach [as] doctrine [the] precepts of men.’[fn]”

What Defiles a Man

(Mark 7:14–23)

[Jesus] called the crowd [to Him] [and] said“Listen and understand. 11 A man is not defiled by what enters [his] mouth, but by what comes out of [it].”

Then His disciples[fn] came to Him and said,“Are You aware that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this

But [Jesus] replied“Every plant that My heavenly Father vvv has not planted will be pulled up by its roots. 14 Disregard them! They are blind guides If [a] blind [man] leads [a] blind [man], both will fall into a pit.”

Peter said to Him,“Explain this[fn] parable to us.”

“Do you vvv still not understand?” Jesus asked. 17 “Do you not yet[fn] realize that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then is eliminated 18 But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, [and] slander. 20 These are what defile a man, but eating with unwashed hands vvv does not defile [him].”

The Faith of the Canaanite Woman

(Mark 7:24–30)

Leaving that place, Jesus withdrew to the district of Tyre and Sidon. 22 And a Canaanite woman from vvv that region came to Him,[fn] crying out“Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter {is} miserably possessed by a demon.”

But vvv [Jesus] did not answer a word So His disciples came [and] urged Him“Send her away for she keeps crying out after us.”

He answered“vvv I was sent only to the lost sheep of [the] house of Israel.”

[The woman] came [and] knelt before Him.“Lord, help me!” she said.

But [Jesus] replied“It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss [it] to the dogs.”

“Yes, Lord,” she said, even the dogs[fn] eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

“O woman,” Jesus answered“your faith is great! Let it be done for you as you desire.” And her daughter was healed from that very hour.

The Feeding of the Four Thousand

(2 Kings 4:42–44, Mark 8:1–10)

Moving on from there, Jesus went along the Sea of Galilee. Then He went up on a mountain [and] sat down. 30 Large crowds came to Him, bringing [the] lame, [the] blind, [the] mute, [the] crippled,[fn] and many others, and laid them at Jesus' feet,[fn] and He healed them. 31 The crowds were amazed[fn] when they saw [the] mute speaking, [the] crippled restored, [the] lame walking, and [the] blind seeing. And they glorified the God of Israel.

Then Jesus called His disciples [to Him] [and] said,“I have compassion for [this] crowd, because they have already been with Me three days and have nothing to eat. vvv I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may faint along the way.”

His disciples replied“Where in this desolate place could we [find] enough bread vvv to feed such a large crowd?”

“How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked

“Seven,” they replied,“and a few small fish.”

And He commanded[fn] the crowd to sit down on the ground. 36 Taking the seven loaves and the fish, He gave thanks [and] broke [them]. Then He gave [them] to His disciples, and the disciples [gave them] to the people.

They all ate and were satisfied, and [the disciples] picked up seven basketfuls vvv of broken pieces that were left over. 38 A total of four thousand men were fed, besides women and children.

After [Jesus] had dismissed the crowds, He got into the boat and went to the region of Magdala.[fn] 16 

The Demand for a Sign

(Mark 8:11–13, Luke 12:54–56)

Then the Pharisees and Sadducees came [and] tested [Jesus] by asking Him to show them a sign from heaven.

But He replied“When evening comes, you say,‘The weather [will be] fair, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning,‘Today [it will be] stormy, for the sky is red [and] overcast.’ You hypocrites![fn] You know [how] to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times.[fn] 4 [A] wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but vvv none will be given it except the sign of the prophet[fn] Jonah.” Then He left them [and] went away.

The Leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees

(Mark 8:14–21, Luke 12:1–3)

When they crossed to the other side, His disciples[fn] forgot to take bread. 6 “Watch out!” Jesus told them. Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

They discussed this among themselves [and] concluded,“[It is] because vvv we did not bring [any] bread.”

Aware [of their conversation] Jesus said to them,[fn]“[You] of little faith, why are you debating among yourselves about having brought[fn] no bread? 9 vvv Do you still not understand? vvv Do you not remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 [Or] the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How vvv do you not understand that vvv I was not telling you about bread, [but] to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees?[fn]”

Then they understood that vvv He was not telling [them] to beware of the leaven used in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Peter’s Confession of Christ

(Mark 8:27–30, Luke 9:18–20, John 6:67–71)

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He questioned His disciples“Who {do} people pronounce Me, the Son of Man, to be?[fn]”

They replied,“Some [say] John the Baptist; others [say] Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

“But [what about] you?” [Jesus] asked“Who do you say I am?”

Simon Peter answered“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus replied“Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah![fn] For [this] vvv was not revealed to you {by} flesh and blood, but [by] My Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and [the] gates of Hades vvv will not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever vvv you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Then He commanded[fn] His disciples not to tell anyone that He was Jesus[fn] the Christ.

Christ’s Passion Foretold

(Mark 8:31–33, Luke 9:21–22)

From that time [on] Jesus[fn] began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Peter took Him aside [and] began to rebuke Him.“Far be it from You, Lord!” he said.“This {shall} never happen to You!”

But [Jesus] turned [and] said to Peter,“Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For vvv you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Take Up Your Cross

(Mark 8:34–38, Luke 9:23–27)

Then Jesus told His disciples,“If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever vvv wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 What does it profit[fn] a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what {can} a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in His Father’s glory with His angels, and then He will repay each one according to what he has done.

Truly I tell you, some who are standing here vvv vvv will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.” 17 

The Transfiguration

(Mark 9:1–13, Luke 9:28–36, 2 Peter 1:16–21)

After six days Jesus took with [Him] Peter, James, and John the brother of [James], and led them up a high mountain by themselves. 2 [There] He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.

Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared before them, talking with [Jesus]. 4 Peter vvv said to Jesus,“Lord, it is good for us to be here. If You wish, we will put up[fn] three shelters one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

While [Peter] was {still} speaking a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said,“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.[fn] Listen to Him!” 6 When the disciples heard [this], they fell facedown vvv in terror.

Then Jesus came over and touched them.“Get up,” He said. vvv Do not be afraid.” 8 And when they looked up they saw no one except Jesus

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them“Do not tell anyone [about this] vision until the Son of Man has risen[fn] from [the] dead.”

His disciples[fn] asked Him“Why then {do} the scribes say that Elijah must come first?”

Jesus vvv replied,“Elijah {does} indeed come first,[fn] and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah {has} already come, and vvv they did not recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same way the Son of Man will suffer at their hands

Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist.

The Boy with a Demon

(Mark 9:14–29, Luke 9:37–42)

When they came to the crowd, a man came up to [Jesus] [and] knelt before Him. 15 “Lord, have mercy on my son,” he said. He has seizures and is suffering terribly.[fn] vvv He often falls into the fire [or] into the water. 16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they could not heal him.”

“O unbelieving and perverse generation!” Jesus replied“How long must I remain with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring [the boy] here to Me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked [the demon], and [it] came out of [the boy], and [he] was healed from that moment.

The Power of Faith

(Luke 17:5–10)

Afterward the disciples came to Jesus vvv privately [and] asked,“Why vvv vvv couldn’t we drive it out

“Because of your unbelief,[fn]” Jesus answered“For truly I tell you, if you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain,‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 21 But this kind vvv does not go out except by prayer and fasting.”[fn]

The Second Prediction of the Passion

(Mark 9:30–32, Luke 9:43–45)

While they were staying together[fn] in Galilee, Jesus told them,“The Son of Man is about to be delivered into [the] hands of men. 23 They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised [to life].” And vvv [the disciples] were deeply grieved.

The Temple Tax

After they had arrived in Capernaum, the collectors of the two-drachma [tax][fn] came to Peter and asked,“{Does} your Teacher vvv pay the two drachmas?”

“Yes,” he answered.

When [Peter] entered[fn] the house, Jesus preempted him.“What vvv do you think, Simon?” He asked.“From whom {do} the kings of the earth collect customs [and] taxes: from their [own] sons, or from others?”

“From others,” vvv Peter answered.

“Then the sons are exempt,” Jesus said to him. 27 “But so that vvv we may not offend them, go to the sea, cast a hook, and take the first fish you catch. When you open its mouth, you will find a four-drachma coin.[fn] Take [it] [and] give [it] to them for My tax and yours.” 18 

The Greatest in the Kingdom

(Mark 9:33–41, Luke 9:46–50)

At that time the disciples came to Jesus [and] asked,“Who then is [the] greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”

Jesus invited a little child to stand vvv vvv among them. 3 “Truly I tell you,” He said,“unless you change and become like little children, vvv vvv you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoever vvv welcomes a little child like this in My name welcomes Me.

Temptations and Trespasses

(Mark 9:42–48, Luke 17:1–4)

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me {to stumble}, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.

Woe to the world for the causes of sin. [These] stumbling blocks must vvv come, but woe to that[fn] man through whom [they] come!

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin cut it off and throw it away It is better for you to enter life lame or crippled[fn] than to have two hands [and] two feet [and] be thrown into the eternal fire. 9 And if your eye causes you to sin gouge it out and throw it away It is better for you to enter life with one eye than to have two eyes [and] be thrown into the fire of hell.[fn]

The Parable of the Lost Sheep

(Luke 15:1–7)

See [that] vvv you do not look down on any of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of My Father in heaven. 11 For the Son of Man came to save the lost.[fn]

What {do} you think? If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them goes astray, does he not[fn] leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go out to search for the [one] that is lost? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices more over [that one sheep] than over the ninety-nine vvv that did not go astray. 14 In the same way, your[fn] Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

A Brother Who Sins

(Deuteronomy 19:15–21)

If your brother sins against you,[fn] go and confront him privately If he listens to you, you have won your brother {over}. 16 But if he will not listen, take one or two others along so that‘every matter may be established by [the] testimony of two or three witnesses.’[fn] 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell [it] to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard [him] as you [would] a pagan [or] a tax collector.

Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.

Ask in My Name

(John 16:23–33)

Again, I tell you truly[fn] that if two of you on the earth agree about anything vvv [you] ask for, it will be done for [you] by My Father in heaven. 20 For where two or three vvv gather together in My name, there am I with them

The Unforgiving Servant

(Romans 12:14–21)

Then Peter came to [Jesus] [and] asked,“Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?”

Jesus answered“I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times

Because of this, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24 As he began the settlements, a debtor owing ten thousand talents[fn] was brought to him. 25 Since [the man] vvv was unable to pay, the master ordered that he be sold to pay [his] debt, along with his wife and children and everything he owned.

Then the servant fell on his knees before him.‘Master,[fn] have patience with me,’ he begged,‘and I will pay back everything.’

[His] master had compassion [on him], forgave his debt, [and] released him.

But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii.[fn] He grabbed him and began to choke [him], saying,‘Pay back what you owe me![fn]’

So his fellow servant fell down at his feet[fn] [and] begged him‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you {back}.[fn]’

But vvv he refused. Instead, he went [and] had [the man] thrown into prison until he could pay [his] debt.

[When] his fellow servants saw what had happened, vvv they were greatly distressed, and they went [and] recounted all [of this] to their master.

Then the master summoned him [and] said‘[You] wicked servant! I forgave all [your] debt because you begged me. 33 Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I [had] on you?’ 34 In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that was owed him.[fn]

That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive [your] brother his trespasses[fn] from your heart.” 19 

Teachings about Divorce

(Mark 10:1–12)

When Jesus had finished saying these things He left Galilee and went into the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed Him, and He healed them there.

Then the Pharisees[fn] came [and] tested Him by asking“vvv Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any reason?”

[Jesus] answered“vvv Have you not read that from [the] beginning the Creator‘made them male and female,’[fn] 5 and said,‘For this reason a man will leave [his] father and mother and be joined to[fn] his wife, and the two will become one flesh’[fn]? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, [let] man not separate.”

“Why then,” they asked“{did} Moses order [a man] to give [his wife] a certificate of divorce and send [her] away

Jesus replied“Moses permitted you to divorce your wives because of your hardness of heart. But [it] was not this way from [the] beginning. 9 Now I tell you that whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another woman commits adultery. And he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery.[fn]”

His disciples[fn] said to Him,“If this is the case between a man [and] [his] wife, it is better not to marry.”

“Not everyone can accept this word,” He replied“but only [those] to whom it has been given. 12 For there are eunuchs who vvv vvv vvv were born that way; [others] were made [that way] by men; and [still others] vvv live like eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The [one] who can accept [this] should accept [it].”

Jesus Blesses the Children

(Mark 10:13–16, Luke 18:15–17)

Then little children were brought to [Jesus] for Him to place [His] hands on them and pray [for them]. And the disciples rebuked those [who brought them]. 14 But Jesus said,“Let the little children come to Me, and vvv do not hinder them! For the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” 15 And after He had placed [His] hands on them, He went on from there.

The Rich Young Man

(Mark 10:17–31, Luke 18:18–30)

Just then a man came up to [Jesus] [and] inquired,“Good[fn] Teacher, what good [thing] must I do to obtain eternal life?”

“Why do you call Me good?”[fn] [Jesus] replied“There is no one who is good [but] God.[fn] If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”

“Which [ones]?” [the man] asked

Jesus answered, vvv“‘Do not murder, vvv do not commit adultery, vvv do not steal, vvv do not bear false witness, 19 honor [your] father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.’[fn]”

“vvv All these I have kept from my youth,[fn]” said the young man“What vvv do I still lack?”

Jesus told him,“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

[When] the young man heard this he went away in sorrow, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to His disciples,“Truly I tell you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 vvv Again I tell you, [it] is easier for a camel to pass through[fn] [the] eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When His disciples[fn] heard this, {they were} greatly astonished [and] asked,“Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at [them] [and] said“With man this is impossible, but with God all things [are] possible.”

“Look,” Peter replied“we have left everything to follow You. What then will there be for us?”

Jesus said to them,“Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things,[fn] when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me vvv will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[fn] or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many [who are] first will be last, and [the] last [will be] first.[’’] 20 

The Parable of the Workers

[“] For the kingdom of heaven is like vvv a landowner who went out early in [the] morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed [to pay] [them] a denarius[fn] for the day [and] sent them into his vineyard.

About the third hour[fn] he went out [and] saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. 4 ‘You also go into [my] vineyard,’ he said‘and I will pay you whatever is right.’ 5 So they went.

He went out again about [the] sixth [hour] and [the] ninth hour[fn] [and] did the same thing.

About the eleventh hour[fn] he went out [and] found still others standing idle.[fn]‘Why have you been standing here all day [long] doing nothing?’ he asked

‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered

So he told them,‘You also go into [my] vineyard, and you will receive whatever is right.[fn]’

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman,‘Call the workers and pay them [their] wages, starting with the last [ones hired] and moving on to the first.’

[The workers who were hired] about the eleventh hour came [and] each received a denarius. 10 So when the original [workers] came, they assumed they would receive more. But each of them also received a denarius.

On receiving [their pay], they began to grumble against the landowner. 12 ‘These [men who were hired] last worked only one hour,’ they said,‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden and the scorching heat of the day.’

But he answered one of them‘Friend, vvv I am not being unfair to you. vvv Did you not agree with me on one denarius? 14 Take your [pay] and go. I want to give this last [man] the same as [I gave] you. 15 vvv vvv Do I not have the right to do as I please with what [is] mine? Or are you envious[fn] because I am generous?’

So the last will be first, and the first [will be] last. For many are called, but few are chosen.[fn]”

The Third Prediction of the Passion

(Mark 10:32–34, Luke 18:31–34)

As Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, He took the twelve disciples aside and said 18 “Look, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes. They will condemn Him to death 19 and will deliver Him {over} to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. And on the third day He will rise again.[fn]”

A Mother’s Request

(Mark 10:35–45)

Then the mother of Zebedee’s sons came to [Jesus] with her sons [and] knelt down to make a request of Him.

“What do you want?” He inquired

She answered“Declare that in Your kingdom one of these two sons of mine may sit at Your right hand, and [the other] at Your left.”

“vvv You do not know what you are asking,” Jesus replied“Can you drink the cup I am going to drink or be baptized with the baptism [with] which I am baptized?[fn]”

“We can,” [the brothers] answered

“vvv You will indeed drink My cup and be baptized [with the] baptism [with] which I am baptized,”[fn] [Jesus] said“But to sit at My right [or] left is not Mine to grant. [These seats belong] to those for whom My Father has prepared them.”

When the ten heard about [this], they were indignant with the two brothers. 25 But Jesus called them aside [and] said,“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and [their] superiors exercise authority over them. 26 But[fn] vvv it shall not be this way among you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must be your slave — 28 just as the Son of Man vvv did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life [as] a ransom for many.”

The Blind Men by the Road

(Mark 10:46–52, Luke 18:35–43)

[As] they were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed Him. 30 And there were two blind [men] sitting beside the road. When they heard that Jesus was passing by, they cried out“Have mercy on us, Lord,[fn] Son of David!”

The crowd admonished them to be silent, but they cried out all the louder“Have mercy on us, Lord,[fn] Son of David!”

Jesus stopped [and] called them.“What do you want Me to do for you?” He asked.

“Lord,” they answered“let our eyes be opened.”

Moved with compassion, Jesus touched their eyes, and at once they received their sight and followed Him.[fn] 21 

The Triumphal Entry

(Zechariah 9:9–13, Mark 11:1–11, Luke 19:28–40, John 12:12–19)

As they approached Jerusalem and came to Bethphage[fn] on the Mount of Olives, Jesus sent out two disciples, 2 saying to them,“Go into the village opposite you,[fn] and at once you will find a donkey tied [there], with [her] colt beside her. Untie [them] [and] bring [them] to Me. 3 If anyone questions you, tell [him] that the Lord vvv needs them, and he will send them right away.”

All this[fn] took place to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet

“Say to the Daughter of Zion,

‘See, your King comes to you,

gentle and riding on a donkey,

on a colt, [the] foal of a donkey.’ ”[fn]

So the disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them. 7 They brought the donkey and the colt and laid their cloaks on them, and [Jesus] sat[fn] on them.

A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread [them] on the road.

The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting

“Hosanna to the Son of David!”[fn]

“Blessed is He who comes in [the] name of [the] Lord!”[fn]

“Hosanna in the highest!”[fn]

When [Jesus] had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred [and] asked,“Who is this?”

The crowds replied,“This is Jesus, the prophet from Nazareth in Galilee.”

Jesus Cleanses the Temple

(Mark 11:15–19, Luke 19:45–48, John 2:12–25)

Then Jesus entered the temple of God[fn] and drove out all who were buying and selling [there] He overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those selling doves. 13 And He declared to them,“It is written:‘My house will be called a house of prayer.’[fn] But you have made[fn] it‘a den of robbers.’[fn]”

[The] lame and [the] blind[fn] came to Him at the temple, and He healed them. 15 But the chief priests and scribes were indignant when they saw the wonders He performed and the children vvv vvv shouting in the temple [courts],[fn]“Hosanna to the Son of David!”

“Do You hear what these [children] are saying?” they asked

“Yes,” Jesus answered vvv“Have you never read:

‘From [the] mouths of children and infants

You have ordained praise’[fn]?”

Then He left them [and] went out of the city to Bethany, where He spent the night

The Barren Fig Tree

(Mark 11:12–14, Mark 11:20–25)

In the morning, as [Jesus] was returning to the city, He was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves.“May you never bear fruit again!” He said And immediately the tree withered.

When the disciples saw [this], they marveled [and] asked,“How {did} the fig tree wither so quickly?”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied“if you have faith and {do} not doubt, not only will you do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain,‘Be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

Jesus’ Authority Challenged

(Mark 11:27–33, Luke 20:1–8)

When [Jesus] returned to the temple [courts] [and] began to teach, the chief priests and elders of the people came up to Him.“By what authority are You doing these things?” they asked.“And who gave You this authority?”

“vvv I will also ask you one question,” Jesus replied {and} if you answer Me, I will tell you by what authority I am doing these things. 25 What was the source of John’s baptism? [Was it] from heaven or from men?”

They deliberated among themselves [and] said,“If we say,‘From heaven,’ He will ask‘Why then vvv did you not believe him?’ 26 But if we say,‘From men,’ we are afraid of the people, for they all regard John as a prophet.” 27 So they answered vvv“We do not know.”

And [Jesus] replied“Neither {will} I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

But what [do] you think? [There was] a man who had two sons. He went to the first [one] [and] said,‘Son, go [and] work today in my vineyard.[fn]’

‘I will not,’ he replied vvv But later he changed his mind [and] went.[fn]

Then [the man] went to the second [son][fn] [and] told [him] the same thing.

‘I [will], sir,’ he said But vvv he did not go.

Which of the two did the will of [his] father?”

“The first,[fn]” they answered.

Jesus said to them,“Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God before you. 32 For John came to you in [the] way of righteousness, and vvv you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and prostitutes [did] And [even] after you saw this, you did not repent [and] believe him.

The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

(Mark 12:1–12, Luke 20:9–18)

Listen to another parable: There was a landowner who planted a vineyard. He put a wall around it, dug a winepress in it, and built a tower. Then he rented it out to [some] tenants and went away on a journey.

When the harvest time drew near, he sent his servants to the tenants to collect his [share of the] fruit. 35 But the tenants seized his servants. They beat one, killed [another], and stoned a third.

Again, he sent other servants, more than the first [group]. But [the tenants] did the same to them.

vvv Finally, he sent his son to them.‘They will respect my son,’ he said.

But when the tenants saw the son, they said to one another,‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him and take his inheritance.’ 39 So they seized him [and] threw [him] out of the vineyard and killed [him].

Therefore, when the owner of the vineyard returns, what will he do to those tenants?”

“He will bring those wretches {to a} wretched {end},” they replied“and will rent out the vineyard to other tenants who will give him [his] share of the fruit at harvest time

Jesus said to them,“vvv Have you never read in the Scriptures:

‘[The] stone the builders rejected

has become the vvv cornerstone.

This is from [the] Lord,

and it is marvelous in our eyes’[fn]?

Therefore I tell you that the kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a people who will produce its fruit. 44 He who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed

When the chief priests and Pharisees heard His parables, they knew that [Jesus] was speaking about them. 46 Although they wanted to arrest Him, they were afraid of the crowds, because [the people] regarded Him as a prophet. 22 

The Parable of the Banquet

(Luke 14:15–24)

[Once] again, Jesus spoke to them in parables 2 “The kingdom of heaven is like vvv a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. 3 He sent his servants to call those he had invited to the banquet, but they refused to come.

Again, he sent other servants [and] said,‘Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner. My oxen and fattened cattle have been killed, and everything [is] ready. Come to the wedding banquet.’

But they paid no attention [and] went away, one to his field, another to his business. 6 The rest seized his servants, mistreated [them], and killed [them].

When he heard [this],[fn] the king was enraged, and he sent his troops to destroy those murderers and burn their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the crossroads and invite to the banquet as many as you can find.’

So the servants went out into the streets [and] gathered everyone they could find, both evil and good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

But when the king came in to see the guests, he spotted a man [who was] not dressed in wedding clothes. 12 ‘Friend,’ he asked‘how did you get in here vvv without wedding clothes?’

But [the man] was speechless.

Then the king told the servants,‘Tie him hand and foot,[fn] take him away,[fn] and throw him into the outer darkness, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

For many are called, but few [are] chosen.”

Paying Taxes to Caesar

(Mark 12:13–17, Luke 20:19–26)

Then the Pharisees went out [and] conspired to trap [Jesus] in His words. 16 They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians.“Teacher,” they said,“we know that You are honest and [that] You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from vvv no one, because vvv You pay no attention to external appearance 17 So tell us what You think: Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

But Jesus knew their evil intent [and] said,“You hypocrites, why are you testing Me? 19 Show Me the coin used for the tax.”

And they brought Him a denarius.[fn]

“Whose image [is] this,” He asked“and whose inscription?”

“Caesar’s,” they answered

So [Jesus] told them,“Give to Caesar what [is] Caesar’s, and to God what [is] God’s.”

And when they heard [this], they were amazed. So they left Him [and] went away.

The Sadducees and the Resurrection

(Mark 12:18–27, Luke 20:27–40)

That [same] day [the] Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to [Jesus] and questioned Him. 24 “Teacher,” they said,“Moses declared that if a man dies without having children, his brother is to marry the widow and raise up offspring for [him].[fn] 25 Now there were seven brothers among us. The first [one] married and died without having children. [So] he left his wife to his brother. 26 The same thing happened to the second and third [brothers], down to the seventh. 27 And last of all, the woman also[fn] died. 28 In the resurrection, then, whose wife will she be of the seven? For all of them were married to her.”

Jesus answered“You are mistaken [because] vvv you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God. 30 In the resurrection, vvv [people] will neither marry nor be given in marriage. Instead, they will be like [the] angels of God[fn] in heaven. 31 But concerning the resurrection of the dead, vvv have you not read what God said to you 32 ‘I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’[fn]? He is not the God of [the] dead, but of [the] living.”

When the crowds heard [this], they were astonished at His teaching.

The Greatest Commandment

(Deuteronomy 6:1–19, Mark 12:28–34)

And [when] the Pharisees heard that [Jesus] had silenced the Sadducees, they themselves gathered together. 35 One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question: 36 “Teacher, which commandment [is the] greatest in the Law?”

Jesus declared“‘Love [the] Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[fn] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And [the] second [is] like it:‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[fn] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Whose Son Is the Christ?

(Mark 12:35–37, Luke 20:41–44)

While the Pharisees were assembled, Jesus questioned them: 42 “What {do} you think about the Christ? Whose son is He?”

David’s,” they answered

[Jesus] said to them,“How then {does} David in [the] Spirit call Him‘Lord’? [For] he says:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at My right hand

until I make Your enemies

a footstool for Your feet.” ’[fn]

So if David calls Him‘Lord,’ how can He be [David’s] son?”

No one was able to answer a word, [and] from that day [on] [no one] dared to question Him [any] further. 23 

Woes to Scribes and Pharisees

(Luke 11:37–54)

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples: 2 “The scribes and Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. 3 So observe and practice everything they tell you to observe.[fn] But {do} not do what they do, for vvv they do not practice what they preach. 4 They tie up heavy, burdensome loads[fn] and lay [them] on men’s shoulders, but they themselves vvv are not willing vvv to lift a finger to move them.

All their deeds are done for men to see. They broaden their phylacteries and lengthen the tassels of their garments.[fn] 6 They love the places of honor at banquets, the chief seats in the synagogues, 7 the greetings in the marketplaces, and the title of ‘Rabbi, Rabbi’[fn] by [which they are addressed].[fn]

But you vvv are not to be called‘Rabbi,’ for you [have] one Teacher, the Christ,[fn] and you are all brothers. 9 And do not call anyone on earth your father, for you [have] one Father, who [is] in heaven. 10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you [have] one Instructor, the Christ. 11 The greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You defraud widows of [their] houses, and for a show {make} lengthy prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation.[fn] 14 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces You yourselves vvv do not enter, nor will you let in those who wish to enter.[fn]

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You traverse [land] and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes [one], you make him twice as much a son of hell[fn] as you are.

Woe to you, blind guides! [You] say,‘If anyone swears by the temple, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gold of the temple, he is bound by his oath.’ 17 [You] blind fools! Which is greater: the gold, or the temple that makes it sacred 18 And [you say],‘If anyone swears by the altar, it means nothing; but if anyone swears by the gift on it, he is bound by his oath.’ 19 [You are] foolish and blind![fn] Which [is] greater: the gift, or the altar that makes it sacred 20 So then, he who swears by the altar swears by it and by everything on it. 21 And he who swears by the temple swears by it and by the [One] who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven swears by God’s throne and by the [One] who sits on it.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier [matters] of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24 You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.[fn]

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and unrighteousness.[fn] 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish,[fn] so that the outside may become clean as well.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead [men’s] bones and every kind of impurity. 28 In the same way on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the monuments of the righteous. 30 And you say,‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, vvv vvv we would not have been partners with them in [shedding] the blood of the prophets.’ 31 So you testify against yourselves that you are [the] sons of those who murdered the prophets. 32 Fill up then,[fn] the measure [of the sin] of your fathers. 33 You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape the sentence of hell?

Because of this I am sending you prophets and wise [men] and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and [others] you will flog in your synagogues and persecute from town to town. 35 And so upon you will come all [the] righteous blood shed on 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 Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.

Lament over Jerusalem

(Luke 13:31–35)

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children {together}, as a hen gathers her chicks under [her] wings, but vvv you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.[fn] 39 For I tell you [that] vvv vvv you will not see Me again until you say,‘Blessed [is] He who comes in [the] name of [the] Lord.’[fn]” 24 

Temple Destruction and Other Signs

(Mark 13:1–8, Luke 21:5–9)

[As] Jesus left the temple [and] was walking away, His disciples came up to [Him] to point out [its] buildings.

“vvv Do you see all these things?” vvv vvv Jesus replied“Truly I tell you, vvv not one stone here will be left on [another]; [every one] will be thrown down.”

[While] [Jesus] was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him vvv privately.“Tell us,” they said,“when {will} these things happen, and what [will be] the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?”

Jesus answered“See to it that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, claiming,‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many 6 You will hear[fn] of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it vvv that you are not alarmed. All [these things][fn] must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences,[fn] and earthquakes in [various] places. 8 All these [are] [the] beginning of birth pains.

Witnessing to All Nations

(Mark 13:9–13, Luke 21:10–19)

Then they will deliver you over to be persecuted and killed and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. 10 At that time many will fall away and will betray and hate one another, 11 and many false prophets will arise and deceive many.

Because of the multiplication of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. 13 But the [one who] perseveres to [the] end will be saved.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

The Abomination of Desolation

(Mark 13:14–23, Luke 21:20–24)

So when you see standing in [the] holy place‘the abomination of desolation,’[fn] spoken of by the prophet Daniel ({let} the reader understand), 16 then {let} those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 [Let no one] on the housetop come down to retrieve anything from his house. 18 And [let no one] in the field return for his garments.[fn]

How miserable those days [will be] for pregnant and nursing [mothers]! 20 Pray that your flight vvv will not occur in the winter [or] on the Sabbath. 21 For at that time there will be great tribulation, unmatched from [the] beginning of [the] world until now, [and] vvv never to be [seen again]. 22 If those days had not been cut short, nobody vvv would be saved. But for the sake of the elect, those days will be cut short.

At that time, if anyone says to you,‘Look, here [is] the Christ!’ or‘There [He is]!’ {do} not believe [it]. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive even the elect, if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you in advance

The Return of the Son of Man

(Mark 13:24–27, Luke 21:25–28)

So if they tell you,‘There He is in the wilderness,’ {do} not go out, [or], ‘Here [He is] in the inner rooms,’ {do} not believe [it]. 27 For just as the lightning comes from [the] east and flashes as far as [the] west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. 28 For wherever[fn] there is a carcass, there the vultures will gather.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days:

‘The sun will be darkened,

and the moon vvv will not give its light;

the stars will fall from the sky,

and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.[fn]’

vvv At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven,[fn] and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.[fn] 31 And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the [other].

The Lesson of the Fig Tree

(Mark 13:28–31, Luke 21:29–33)

Now learn this lesson[fn] from the fig tree: As soon as its branches become tender and sprout leaves, you know that summer [is] near. 33 So also, when you see all these things, you will know that He is near,[fn] right at [the] door. 34 Truly I tell you this generation {will} not pass away until all these things have happened. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words {will} never pass away.

Readiness at Any Hour

(Genesis 6:1–7, Mark 13:32–37, Luke 12:35–48)

No one knows about that day [or] hour, not even the angels in heaven,[fn] but only My Father.[fn] 37 As [it was] in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. 38 For in the[fn] days before the flood, [people] were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. 39 And vvv they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away So will it be [at] the coming of the Son of Man. 40 Two [men] will be in the field: one will be taken and [the other] left. 41 Two [women] will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and [the other] left.

Therefore keep watch, because vvv you do not know [the] hour[fn] in which your Lord will come. 43 But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, vvv he would have kept watch and vvv {would} not have let his house be broken into. 44 For this reason you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour vvv you do not expect.

Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master[fn] has put in charge of his household, to give [the others] [their] food at the proper time? 46 Blessed [is] that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

But suppose that servant [is] wicked [and] says in his heart,‘My master will be a long time in coming.[fn]’ 49 And he begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day vvv vvv he does not expect and at an hour vvv vvv he does not anticipate. 51 Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.[’’] 25 

The Parable of the Ten Virgins

[“] At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps [and] went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Five of them [were] wise, and five were foolish.[fn] 3 Those who were foolish[fn] took their lamps [but did not] take along [any extra] oil. 4 But the wise [ones] took oil in flasks along with their lamps. 5 [When] the bridegroom was delayed, vvv they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

At midnight the cry rang out:‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming![fn] Come out to meet him!’

Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. 8 The foolish ones said to the wise,‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

‘No,’ said the wise [ones]‘or there may not be enough for [both] us and you. Instead, go to those who sell [oil] and buy [some] for yourselves.’

But [while] they were on their way to buy [it], the bridegroom arrived. Those who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet, and the door was shut.

Later vvv the other virgins arrived and said,‘Lord, lord, open [the door] for us!’

But he replied‘Truly I tell you, vvv I do not know you.’

Therefore keep watch, because vvv you do not know the day [or] the hour vvv when the Son of Man comes.[fn]

The Parable of the Talents

(Luke 19:11–27)

For [it] is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. 15 To one he gave five talents,[fn] to [another] two [talents], and to [another] one [talent] — each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey.

The [servant] who had received the five talents went at once [and] put them to work[fn] and made five more talents.[fn] 17 Likewise, the [one with] the two [talents] also[fn] gained two more. 18 But the [servant] who had received the one [talent] went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money.

vvv After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The [servant] who had received the five talents came [and] presented five more‘Master,’ he said,‘you entrusted me {with} five talents. See, I have gained five more besides them.[fn]’

His master replied‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you {in charge} of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

The [servant] who had received the two talents also came [and] said,‘Master, you entrusted me {with} two talents. See, I have gained two more besides them.’

His master replied‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you {in charge} of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’

Finally, the [servant] who had received the one talent came and said,‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where vvv you have not sown and gathering where vvv you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out [and] hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what [belongs] to you.’

‘You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master.‘You knew that I reap where vvv I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. 27 Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and vvv on my return vvv I would have received it {back} with interest.

Therefore take the talent from him and give [it] to the [one] who has ten talents. 29 For everyone who has will be given [more], and [he] will have an abundance. But the [one who] {does} not have, even what he has[fn] will be taken away from him. 30 And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, [where] there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

The Sheep and the Goats

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy[fn] angels with Him, He will sit on His glorious throne. 32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate [the people] vvv one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33 He will place the sheep on His right and the goats on [His] left.

Then the King will say to those on His right,‘Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from [the] foundation of [the] world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave Me [something] to eat, I was thirsty and vvv you gave Me [something] to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in 36 [I was] naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me.’

Then the righteous will answer Him‘Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed [You], or thirsty and give [You] something to drink? 38 When did we see You a stranger and take [You] in, or naked and clothe [You]? 39 When did we see You sick or in prison and visit You?’

And the King vvv will reply‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me.’

Then He will say to those on [His] left,‘Depart from Me, [you] who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42 For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink 43 I was a stranger and vvv you did not take Me in [I was] naked and vvv you did not clothe Me, [I was] sick and in prison and vvv you did not look after Me.’

And they too will reply‘Lord, when did we see You hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and vvv did not minister to You?’

Then [the King] will answer‘Truly I tell you, whatever vvv you did not do for one of the least of these, vvv you did not do for Me.’

And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.” 26 

The Plot to Kill Jesus

(Mark 14:1–2, Luke 22:1–2, John 11:45–57)

vvv vvv When Jesus had finished {saying} all[fn] these things, He told His disciples, 2 “You know that the Passover is two days away, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

At that time the chief priests, scribes,[fn] and elders of the people assembled in the courtyard of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, 4 and they conspired to arrest Jesus covertly and kill [Him]. 5 “But not during the feast,” they said,“or there may be a riot among the people.”

Jesus Anointed at Bethany

(Mark 14:3–9, Luke 7:36–50, John 12:1–8)

While Jesus was in Bethany in [the] home of Simon the Leper,[fn] 7 a woman came to Him with an alabaster jar of expensive perfume, which she poured on His head as He reclined at the table.

When His disciples[fn] saw this, they were indignant and asked,“Why this waste? 9 This perfume[fn] could have been sold at a high price, and [the money] given to [the] poor.”

Aware of this, Jesus asked“Why are you bothering [this] woman? She has done a beautiful deed to Me. 11 The poor vvv you will always have with you,[fn] but {you will} not always have Me. 12 By pouring this perfume on Me, she has prepared My body for burial. 13 Truly I tell you, wherever this gospel is preached in all the world, what she has done vvv will also be told in memory of her.”

Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus

(Mark 14:10–11, Luke 22:3–6)

Then one of the Twelve, the [one] called Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests 15 [and] asked,“What are you willing to give me if I hand Him {over} to you?” And they set out for him thirty pieces of silver. 16 So from then on [Judas] looked for an opportunity to betray [Jesus].

Preparing the Passover

(Mark 14:12–16, Luke 22:7–13)

On the first [day] of the Feast of Unleavened [Bread],[fn] the disciples came to Jesus [and] asked,“Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?”

He answered,“Go into the city to a certain man and tell him [that] the Teacher says,‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples at your [house].’ ” 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

The Last Supper

(Mark 14:17–26, Luke 22:14–23, 1 Corinthians 11:17–34)

When evening came, [Jesus] was reclining with the Twelve.[fn] 21 And while they were eating, He said to them,“Truly I tell you one of you will betray Me.”

They were deeply grieved [and] began to ask Him one after another,“Surely not I, Lord?”

[Jesus] answered“The [one] who has dipped [his] hand into the bowl with Me will betray Me. 24 The Son of Man will go just as it is written about Him, but woe to that man by whom [He] is betrayed. It would be better for him if [he] vvv had not been born.”

Then Judas, who would betray Him, said“Surely not I, Rabbi?”

[Jesus] answered“You have said [it] yourself.”

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks[fn] [and] broke [it], and gave [it] to the disciples, saying,“Take [and] eat; this is My body.”

Then He took the cup, gave thanks, [and] gave [it] to them, saying,“Drink from it, all of you. 28 This is My blood of the new covenant,[fn] which is poured out for many for [the] forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you, vvv vvv I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it anew with you in My Father’s kingdom.”

And [when] they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

(Zechariah 13:7–9, Mark 14:27–31, Luke 22:31–38, John 13:36–38)

Then Jesus said to them, This very night you vvv will all fall away on account of Me. For it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd,

and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’[fn]

But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

Peter said to Him,“Even if all fall away on account of You, I never will.”

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus declared this very night, before [the] rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.”

Peter replied“Even if I have to die with You, vvv vvv I will never deny You.” And all the other disciples said the same thing.

Jesus Prays at Gethsemane

(Mark 14:32–42, Luke 22:39–46)

Then Jesus went with [His disciples] to a place called Gethsemane, and He told [them],“Sit here while I go over there [and] pray.”

He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee [and] began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then Jesus said[fn] to them,“My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.”

Going a little {farther}, He fell vvv vvv facedown [and] prayed“My Father, if it is possible, {let} this cup pass from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You [will].”

Then [Jesus] returned to the disciples and found them sleeping. vvv Were you not able to keep watch with Me [for] one hour?” He asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that vvv you will not enter into temptation. For the spirit [is] willing, but the body [is] weak.”

vvv vvv A second time He went away [and] prayed“My Father, if this cup vvv cannot pass from Me[fn] unless I drink it, {may} Your will be done.” 43 And [Jesus] returned [and] found them sleeping again,[fn] for their eyes were heavy.

So He left them [and] went away once more [and] prayed [a] third time, saying the same thing.[fn] 45 Then He returned to His disciples and said“Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into [the] hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! See, My betrayer is approaching![fn]”

The Betrayal of Jesus

(Mark 14:43–52, Luke 22:47–53, John 18:1–14)

While [Jesus] vvv was still speaking Judas, one of the Twelve, arrived, accompanied by a large crowd [armed] with swords and clubs, [sent] from the chief priests and elders of the people.

Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them“The One I kiss is [the man]; arrest Him.” 49 Going directly to Jesus, he said,“Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed Him.

“Friend,” Jesus replied“why have you come

Then [the men] stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested Him. 51 At this one of Jesus’ companions vvv vvv vvv drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his ear.

“Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him.“For all who draw [the] sword will perish[fn] by [the] sword. 53 vvv Are you not aware that I can call on My Father right now,[fn] and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? 54 But how then {would} the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen this way?”

At that time Jesus said to the crowd,“Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest Me as [you would] an outlaw? Every day I sat with you[fn] teaching in the temple [courts],[fn] and vvv you did not arrest Me. 56 But this {has} all happened so that the writings of the prophets would be fulfilled.”

Then all the disciples deserted Him [and] fled.

Jesus before the Sanhedrin

(Mark 14:53–65, Luke 22:66–71, John 18:19–24)

Those who had arrested Jesus led [Him] away to [the house of] Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and elders had gathered. 58 But Peter followed Him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. And he went in [and] sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

Now the chief priests, the elders,[fn] and the whole Sanhedrin[fn] were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death 60 But vvv they did not find any. Even [though] many false witnesses came forward, they found none.[fn]

Finally two false witnesses came forward[fn] 61 [and] declared,“This [man] said,‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’ ”

So the high priest stood up [and] asked Him,“Have You no answer What {are} these [men] testifying against You?”

But Jesus remained silent.

Then the high priest said to Him,“I charge You under oath by the living God: Tell us if You are the Christ, the Son of God.”

“You have said [it] yourself,” Jesus answered“But I say to all of you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at [the] right hand of Power[fn] and coming on the clouds of heaven.”[fn]

At this, the high priest tore his clothes [and] declared,“He has blasphemed! Why do we need any more witnesses? Look, now you have heard His blasphemy.[fn] 66 What {do} you think?”

“vvv He deserves to die,” they answered

Then they spit in His face and struck Him. Others slapped [Him] 68 [and] said,“Prophesy to us, Christ! Who hit You?”

Peter Denies Jesus

(Mark 14:66–72, Luke 22:54–62, John 18:15–18)

Meanwhile Peter was sitting out in the courtyard, and a servant girl came up to him.“You also were with Jesus the Galilean,” she said.

But he denied [it] before [them] all“vvv I do not know what you are talking about.”

When [Peter] had gone out to the gateway, another [servant girl] saw him and said to the people there,“This [man] was also[fn] with Jesus of Nazareth.”

And again he denied [it] with an oath“vvv I do not know the man!”

After a little while, those standing nearby came up to Peter.“Surely you are one of them,” they said,“for your accent gives you away.”

At that he began to curse and swear [to them]“vvv I do not know the man!”

And immediately a rooster crowed.

Then Peter remembered the word [that] Jesus had spoken to him“Before [the] rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” And he went outside [and] wept bitterly. 27 

Jesus Delivered to Pilate

(Mark 15:1–5)

When morning came, all the chief priests and elders of the people[fn] vvv conspired against Jesus to put Him to death 2 They bound Him, led [Him] away, and handed [Him] over to Pontius Pilate[fn] the governor.

Judas Hangs Himself

(Zechariah 11:10–17)

When Judas, who had betrayed Him saw that [Jesus] was condemned, he was filled with remorse [and] returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders. 4 “I have sinned by betraying innocent[fn] blood,” he said.

“What [is that] to us?” they replied.“You bear the responsibility.”

So [Judas] threw the silver into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.

The chief priests picked up the pieces of silver [and] said,“vvv It is unlawful to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” 7 [After] conferring together [they used] [the money] to buy the vvv potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. 8 That is why [it] has been called the Field of Blood to this day. 9 Then what was spoken through Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled

They took the thirty pieces of silver,

the price set on Him by [the] people of Israel,

and they gave them for the vvv potter’s field,

as [the] Lord had commanded me.”[fn]

Jesus before Pilate

(Luke 23:1–5, John 18:28–40)

Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, who questioned Him“Are You the King of the Jews?”

“You have said [so],” Jesus replied.

And vvv vvv vvv when He was accused by the chief priests and elders, He gave no answer

Then Pilate asked Him,“vvv Do You not hear how many charges they are bringing against You?”

But vvv [Jesus] gave no answer not even to a single charge, much to the governor’s amazement.

The Crowd Chooses Barabbas

(Mark 15:6–11, Luke 23:13–25)

Now [it was] the governor’s custom at [the] feast to release to the crowd a prisoner of their choosing. 16 At that time they were holding a notorious prisoner named Barabbas.[fn] 17 So vvv when [the crowd] had assembled, Pilate asked them,“Which [one] do you want me to release to you: Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18 For he knew [it was] out of envy [that] they had handed [Jesus] over to him.

[While] vvv [Pilate] was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message:“Have nothing to do with that innocent [man], for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”

But the chief priests and elders persuaded the crowds to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus put to death

“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor

“Barabbas,” they replied.

“What then should I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” Pilate asked

vvv They all answered,“Crucify Him!”

“Why?” asked the governor.[fn]“What evil has He done?”

But they shouted all the louder“Crucify Him!”

Pilate Washes His Hands

(Mark 15:12–15)

When Pilate saw that he was accomplishing nothing, but that instead a riot was breaking out, he took water [and] washed [his] hands before the crowd.“I am innocent of this righteous [man’s] blood,[fn]” he said.“You bear the responsibility.”

All the people answered“His blood [be] on us and on our children!”

[So] [Pilate] released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged [and] handed Him over to be crucified.

The Soldiers Mock Jesus

(Isaiah 50:4–11, Mark 15:16–20, Luke 22:63–65, John 19:1–15)

Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium [and] gathered the whole company around Him. 28 They stripped Him [and] put a scarlet robe on Him. 29 And they twisted together a crown of thorns [and] set [it] on His head. [They put] a staff in His right hand, knelt down before Him, [and] mocked Him, saying,“Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 Then they spit on Him [and] took the staff and struck Him on the head {repeatedly}.

After they had mocked Him, they removed the robe and put His [own] clothes [back] on Him. Then they led Him away to crucify [Him].

The Crucifixion

(Psalm 22:1–31, Mark 15:21–32, Luke 23:26–43, John 19:16–27)

Along the way they found a man from Cyrene, named Simon, [and] they forced him to carry the cross of [Jesus].

And [when] they came to a place called Golgotha, which means The Place of the Skull, 34 they offered Him sour wine[fn] to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting [it], He refused to drink [it].

When they had crucified Him, they divided up His garments by casting lots.[fn] 36 And sitting down, they kept watch over Him there.

Above His head they posted the written charge against Him:

THIS IS JESUS,

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Two robbers[fn] were crucified with Him, one on [His] right and [the other] on [His] left.

And those who passed by heaped abuse on Him, shaking their heads 40 and saying,“You who are going to destroy the temple and rebuild [it] in three days, save Yourself! If You are [the] Son of God, come down from the cross!”

In the same way the chief priests, scribes, elders, and Pharisees[fn] mocked Him, saying, 42 “He saved others, vvv [but] He cannot save Himself. If[fn] He is [the] King of Israel, let Him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in Him.[fn] 43 He trusts in God. Let [God] deliver Him now if He wants Him.[fn] For He said,‘I am [the] Son of God.’ ”

vvv vvv In the same way, even the robbers who were crucified with Him berated Him.

The Death of Jesus

(Psalm 22:1–31, Mark 15:33–41, Luke 23:44–49, John 19:28–30)

From [the] sixth hour until [the] ninth hour[fn] darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour Jesus cried out vvv in a loud voice“Eli, Eli,[fn] lima[fn] sabachthani?” which means,“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”[fn]

When some of those standing there heard this, they said,“[He] is calling Elijah.” 48 One of them quickly ran and brought a sponge. He filled [it] with sour wine,[fn] put [it] on a reed, and held it up for [Jesus] to drink

But the others said,“Leave [Him] alone. Let us see if Elijah comes to save Him.”[fn]

When Jesus had cried out again vvv in a loud voice, He yielded up [His] spirit. 51 At that moment the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth quaked, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs broke open, and [the] bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After [Jesus’] resurrection, when they had come out of the tombs, they entered the holy city and appeared to many [people].

When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified [and] said,“Truly this was [the] Son of God.”

And many women were[fn] there, watching from a distance. [They] had followed Jesus from Galilee to minister to Him. 56 Among [them] were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James and Joses,[fn] and the mother of Zebedee’s sons.

The Burial of Jesus

(Isaiah 53:9–12, Mark 15:42–47, Luke 23:50–56, John 19:38–42)

When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea named Joseph, who himself was a disciple of Jesus. 58 He went to Pilate to ask for the body of Jesus, and Pilate ordered that the body be given to him.[fn] 59 So Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60 and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut into the rock. Then he rolled a great stone across the entrance to the tomb [and] went away. 61 Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were sitting there opposite the tomb.

The Guards at the Tomb

The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and Pharisees assembled before Pilate. 63 “Sir,” they said,“we remember that while He was alive that deceiver said,‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 So give the order that the tomb be secured until the third day. Otherwise, His disciples may come by night[fn] [and] steal Him away and tell the people He has risen from the dead. And [this] last deception would be worse than the first.”

“You have a guard,” Pilate said“Go, make [the tomb as] secure as you know [how].” 66 So they went [and] vvv vvv secured the tomb by sealing the stone [and posting] the guard. 28 

The Resurrection

(Mark 16:1–8, Luke 24:1–12, John 20:1–9)

After [the] Sabbath, at dawn on [the] first [day] of [the] week,[fn] Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

vvv Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of [the] Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone from the entrance,[fn] and sat on it. 3 His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes [were] white as snow. 4 The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead [men].

But the angel vvv said to the women,“{Do} not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6 He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where the Lord lay.[fn] 7 Then go quickly [and] tell His disciples‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”

So they hurried out[fn] from the tomb in fear and great joy, [and] ran to tell His disciples. 9 And as they were going to tell His disciples,[fn] suddenly Jesus met them [and] said,“Greetings!” They came to [Him], grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 10 “{Do} not be afraid,” said Jesus“Go [and] tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”

The Report of the Guards

While [the women] were on their way some of the guards went into the city [and] reported to the chief priests all that had happened. 12 And after [the chief priests] had met with the elders and formed a plan they gave the soldiers a large sum of money 13 [and] instructed them:“You are to say‘His disciples came by night [and] stole Him {away} {while} we were asleep.’ 14 If this [report] reaches the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.”

So the [guards] took the money [and] did as they were instructed. And this account has been circulated among [the] Jews to this very day.

The Great Commission

(Mark 16:14–18)

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted.

Then Jesus came to them [and] said“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 [Therefore] go [and] make disciples[fn] of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 [and] teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always even to the end of the age. Amen.[fn]”